> > 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 Eighty-three: Draupadî Meets the Queens of Krishna

> > TEXT 1

> > s'rî-s'uka uvâca

> > tathânugrihya bhagavân

> > gopînâm sa gurur gatih

> > yudhishthhiram athâpricchat

> > sarvâms' ca suhrido 'vyayam

> > s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; tathâ - in this way; anugrihya - showing favor; bhagavân - the Supreme Lord; gopînâm - of the young cowherd women; sah - He; guruh - their spiritual master; gatih - and goal; yudhishthhiram - from Yudhishthhira; atha - then; apricchat - He inquired; sarvân - all; ca - and; su- hridah - His well-wishing relatives; avyayam - welfare.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: Thus Lord Krishna, the spiritual master of the gopîs and the very purpose of their life, showed them His mercy. He then met with Yudhishthhira and all His other relatives and inquired from them about their welfare.

> > ******

> > TEXT 2

> > ta evam loka-nâthena

> > pariprishthâh su-sat-kritâh

> > pratyûcur hrishtha-manasas

> > tat-pâdekshâ-hatâmhasah

> > te - they (Yudhishthhira and Lord Krishna's other relatives); evam - thus; loka - of the universe; nâthena - by the Lord; pariprishthâh - questioned; su - very much; sat- kritâh - honored; pratyûcuh - replied; hrishtha - joyful; manasah - whose minds; tat - His; pâda - the feet; îkshâ - by seeing; hata - destroyed; amhasah - whose sins.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Feeling greatly honored, King Yudhishthhira and the others, freed of all sinful reactions by seeing the feet of the Lord of the universe, gladly answered His inquiries.

> > ******

> > TEXT 3

> > kuto 's'ivam tvac-caranâmbujâsavam

> > mahan-manasto mukha-nihsritam kvacit

> > pibanti ye karna-puthair alam prabho

> > deham-bhritâm deha-krid-asmriti-cchidam

> > kutah - from where; as'ivam - inauspiciousness; tvat - Your; carana - of the feet; ambuja - lotuslike; âsavam - the intoxicating nectar; mahat - of great souls; manastah - from the minds; mukha - through their mouths; nihsritam - poured out; kvacit - at any time; pibanti - drink; ye - who; karna - of their ears; puthaih - with the drinking cups; alam - as much as they wish; prabho - O master; deham - material bodies; bhritâm - for those who possess; deha - of bodies; krit - about the creator; asmriti - of forgetfulness; chidam - the eradicator.

> > TRANSLATION

> > [Lord Krishna's relatives said:] O master, how can misfortune arise for those who have even once freely drunk the nectar coming from Your lotus feet? This intoxicating liquor pours into the drinking cups of their ears, having flowed from the minds of great devotees through their mouths. It destroys the embodied souls' forgetfulness of the creator of their bodily existence.

> > ******

> > TEXT 4

> > hi tvâtma dhâma-vidhutâtma-krita-try-avasthâm

> > ânanda-samplavam akhandam akunthha-bodham

> > kâlopasrishtha-nigamâvana âtta-yoga-

> > mâyâkritim paramahamsa-gatim natâh sma

> > hi - indeed; tvâ - to You; âtma - of Your personal form; dhâma - by the illumination; vidhuta - dispelled; âtma - by material consciousness; krita - created; tri - three; avasthâm - the material conditions; ânanda - in ecstasy; samplavam - (within whom is) the total immersion; akhandam - unlimited; akunthha - unrestricted; bodham - whose knowledge; kâla - by time; upasrishtha - endangered; nigama - of the Vedas; avane - for the protection; âtta - having assumed; yoga-mâyâ - by Your divine power of illusion; âkritim - this form; parama-hamsa - of perfect saints; gatim - the goal; natâh sma - (we) have bowed down.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The radiance of Your personal form dispels the threefold effects of material consciousness, and by Your grace we become immersed in total happiness. Your knowledge is indivisible and unrestricted. By Your Yogamâyâ potency You have assumed this human form for protecting the Vedas, which had been threatened by time. We bow down to You, the final destination of perfect saints.

> > ******

> > TEXT 5

> > s'rî-rishir uvâca

> > ity uttamah-s'loka-s'ikhâ-manim janeshv

> > abhishthuvatsv andhaka-kaurava-striyah

> > sametya govinda-kathâ mitho 'grinams

> > tri-loka-gîtâh s'rinu varnayâmi te

> > s'rî-rishih uvâca - the great sage, S'ukadeva, said; iti - thus; uttamah-s'loka - of great personalities who are glorified in choice poetry; s'ikhâ-manim - the crest jewel (Lord Krishna); janeshu - His devotees; abhishthuvatsu - while they were glorifying; andhaka-kaurava - of the Andhaka and Kaurava clans; striyah - the women; sametya - meeting; govinda-kathâh - topics of Lord Govinda; mithah - among one another; agrinan - spoke; tri - three; loka - in the worlds; gîtâh - sung; s'rinu - please hear; varnayâmi - I will describe; te - to you (Parîkchit Mahârâja).

> > TRANSLATION

> > The great sage S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: As Yudhishthhira and the others were thus praising Lord Krishna, the crest jewel of all sublimely glorified personalities, the women of the Andhaka and Kaurava clans met with one another and began discussing topics about Govinda that are sung throughout the three worlds. Please listen as I relate these to you.

> > ******

> > TEXTS 6 - 7

> > s'rî-draupady uvâca

> > he vaidarbhy acyuto bhadre

> > he jâmbavati kaus'ale

> > he satyabhâme kâlindi

> > s'aibye rohini lakshmane

> > he krishna-patnya etan no

> > brûte vo bhagavân svayam

> > upayeme yathâ lokam

> > anukurvan sva-mâyayâ

> > s'rî-draupadî uvâca - S'rî Draupadî said; he vaidarbhi - O daughter of Vaidarbha (Rukminî); acyutah - Lord Krishna; bhadre - O Bhadrâ; he jâmbavati - O daughter of Jâmbavân; kaus'ale - O Nâgnajitî; he satyabhâme - O Satyabhâmâ; kâlindi - O Kâlindî; s'aibye - O Mitravindâ; rohini - O Rohinî (one of the sixteen thousand queens married after the killing of Narakâsura); lakshmane - O Lakshmanâ; he krishna-patnyah - O (other) wives of Krishna; etat - this; nah - to us; brûte - please speak; vah - you; bhagavân - the Supreme Lord; svayam - Himself; upayeme - married; yathâ - how; lokam - ordinary society; anukurvan - imitating; sva-mâyayâ - by His own mystic power.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'rî Draupadî said: O Vaidarbhî, Bhadrâ and Jâmbavatî, O Kaus'alâ, Satyabhâmâ and Kâlindî, O S'aibyâ, Rohinî, Lakshmanâ and other wives of Lord Krishna, please tell me how the Supreme Lord Acyuta, imitating the ways of this world by His mystic power, came to marry each of you.

> > ******

> > TEXT 8

> > s'rî-rukminy uvâca

> > caidyâya mârpayitum udyata-kârmukeshu

> > râjasv ajeya-bhatha-s'ekharitânghri-renuh

> > ninye mrigendra iva bhâgam ajâvi-yûthât

> > tac-chrî-niketa-carano 'stu mamârcanâya

> > s'rî-rukminî uvâca - S'rî Rukminî said; caidyâya - to S'is'upâla; mâ - me; arpayitum - in order to offer; udyata - holding at the ready; kârmukeshu - whose bows; râjasu - when the kings; ajeya - invincible; bhatha - of soldiers; s'ekharita - placed upon the heads; anghri - of whose feet; renuh - the dust; ninye - He took away; mrigendrah - a lion; iva - as if; bhâgam - his share; aja - of goats; avi - and sheep; yûthât - from a group; tat - of Him; s'rî - of the supreme goddess of fortune; niketa - who is the abode; caranah - the feet; astu - may be; mama - my; arcanâya - for the worship.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'rî Rukminî said: When all the kings held their bows at the ready to assure that I would be presented to S'is'upâla, He who puts the dust of His feet on the heads of invincible warriors took me from their midst, as a lion forcibly takes his prey from the midst of goats and sheep. May I always be allowed to worship those feet of Lord Krishna, the abode of Goddess S'rî.

> > ******

> > TEXT 9

> > s'rî-satyabhâmovâca

> > yo me sanâbhi-vadha-tapta-hridâ tatena

> > liptâbhis'âpam apamârshthum upâjahâra

> > jitvarksha-râjam atha ratnam adât sa tena

> > bhîtah pitâdis'ata mâm prabhave 'pi dattâm

> > s'rî-satyabhâmâ uvâca - S'rî Satyabhâmâ said; yah - who; me - my; sanâbhi - of my brother; vadha - by the killing; tapta - distressed; hridâ - whose heart; tatena - by my father; lipta - tainted; abhis'âpam - with condemnation; apamârshthum - to cleanse away; upâjahâra - He removed; jitvâ - after defeating; riksha-râjam - the king of the bears, Jâmbavân; atha - then; ratnam - the jewel (Syamantaka); adât - gave; sah - He; tena - because of this; bhîtah - afraid; pitâ - my father; adis'ata - offered; mâm - me; prabhave - to the Lord; api - although; dattâm - already given.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'rî Satyabhâmâ said: My father, his heart tormented by his brothers death, accused Krishna of killing him. To remove the stain on His reputation, the Lord defeated the king of the bears and took back the Syamantaka jewel, which He then returned to my father. Fearing the consequences of his offense, my father offered me to the Lord, even though I had already been promised to others.

> > ******

> > TEXT 10

> > s'rî-jâmbavaty uvâca

> > prâjn'âya deha-krid amum nija-nâtha-daivam

> > sîtâ-patim tri-navahâny amunâbhyayudhyat

> > jn'âtvâ parîkshita upâharad arhanam mâm

> > pâdau pragrihya maninâham amushya dâsî

> > s'rî-jâmbavatî uvâca - S'rî Jâmbavatî said; prâjn'âya - unaware; deha - of my body; krit - the maker (my father); amum - of Him; nija - his own; nâtha - as the master; daivam - and worshipable Deity; sîtâ - of Goddess Sîtâ; patim - the husband; tri - three; nava - times nine; ahâni - for days; amunâ - with Him; abhyayudhyat - he fought; jn'âtvâ - recognizing; parîkshitah - awakened to proper understanding; upâharat - he presented; arhanam - as a respectful offering; mâm - me; pâdau - His feet; pragrihya - taking hold of; maninâ - with the jewel; aham - I; amushya - His; dâsî - maidservant.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'rî Jâmbavatî said: Unaware that Lord Krishna was none other than his own master and worshipable Deity, the husband of Goddess Sîtâ, my father fought with Him for twenty-seven days. When my father finally came to his senses and recognized the Lord, he took hold of His feet and presented Him with both me and the Syamantaka jewel as tokens of his reverence. I am simply the Lord's maidservant.

> > ******

> > TEXT 11

> > s'rî-kâlindy uvâca

> > tapas' carantîm âjn'âya

> > sva-pâda-spars'anâs'ayâ

> > sakhyopetyâgrahît pânim

> > yo 'ham tad-griha-mârjanî

> > s'rî-kâlindî uvâca - S'rî Kâlindî said; tapah - penances; carantîm - executing; âjn'âya - knowing; sva - His; pâda - of the feet; spars'ana - for the touch; âs'ayâ - with the desire; sakhyâ - together with His friend (Arjuna); upetya - coming; agrahît - took; pânim - my hand; yah - who; aham - I; tat - His; griha - of the residence; mârjanî - the cleaner.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'rî Kâlindî said: The Lord knew I was performing severe austerities and penances with the hope of one day touching His lotus feet. So He came to me in the company of His friend and took my hand in marriage. Now I am engaged as a sweeper in His palace.

> > ******

> > TEXT 12

> > s'rî-mitravindovâca

> > yo mâm svayam-vara upetya vijitya bhû-pân

> > ninye s'va-yûtha-gam ivâtma-balim dvipârih

> > bhrâtrms' ca me 'pakurutah sva-puram s'riyaukas

> > tasyâstu me 'nu-bhavam anghry-avanejanatvam

> > s'rî-mitravindâ uvâca - S'rî Mitravindâ said; yah - who; mâm - me; svayam- vare - during my svayam-vara (the ceremony in which a princess chooses a husband from a number of eligible suitors); upetya - coming forward; vijitya - after defeating; bhû-pân - kings; ninye - took; s'va - of dogs; yûtha - into a group; gam - gone; iva - as if; âtma - own; balim - share; dvipa-arih - a lion ("enemy of elephants"); bhrâtrn - brothers; ca - and; me - my; apakurutah - who were insulting Him; sva - to His; puram - capital city; s'rî - of the goddess of fortune; okah - the residence; tasya - His; astu - may be; me - for me; anu- bhavam - life after life; anghri - the feet; avanejanatvam - the status of washing.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'rî Mitravindâ said: At my svayam-vara ceremony He came forward, defeated all the kings present - including my brothers, who dared insult Him - and took me away just as a lion removes his prey from amidst a pack of dogs. Thus Lord Krishna, the shelter of the goddess of fortune, brought me to His capital city. May I be allowed to serve Him by washing His feet, life after life.

> > ******

> > TEXTS 13 - 14

> > s'rî-satyovâca

> > saptokshano 'ti-bala-vîrya-su-tîkshna-s'ringân

> > pitrâ kritân kshitipa-vîrya-parîkshanâya

> > tân vîra-durmada-hanas tarasâ nigrihya

> > krîdan babandha ha yathâ s'is'avo 'ja-tokân

> > ya ittham vîrya-s'ulkâm mâm

> > dâsîbhis' catur-anginîm

> > pathi nirjitya râjanyân

> > ninye tad-dâsyam astu me

> > s'rî-satyâ uvâca - S'rî Satyâ said; sapta - seven; ukshanah - bulls; ati - great; bala - whose strength; vîrya - and vitality; su - very; tîkshna - sharp; s'ringân - whose horns; pitrâ - by my father; kritân - made; kshitipa - of the kings; vîrya - the prowess; parîkshanâya - for testing; tân - them (the bulls); vîra - of heroes; durmada - the false pride; hanah - who destroyed; tarasâ - quickly; nigrihya - subduing; krîdan - playing; babandha ha - He tied up; yathâ - as; s'is'avah - children; aja - of goats; tokân - the infants;

> > yah - who; ittham - in this manner; vîrya - heroism; s'ulkâm - whose price; mâm - me; dâsîbhih - with maidservants; catuh-anginîm - protected by an army of four divisions (chariots, horses, elephants and infantry); pathi - along the road; nirjitya - defeating; râjanyân - the kings; ninye - He took me away; tat - to Him; dâsyam - servitude; astu - may there be; me - my.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'rî Satyâ said: My father arranged for seven extremely powerful and vigorous bulls with deadly sharp horns to test the prowess of the kings who desired my hand in marriage. Although these bulls destroyed the false pride of many heroes, Lord Krishna subdued them effortlessly, tying them up in the same way that children playfully tie up a goat's kids. He thus purchased me with His valor. Then He took me away with my maidservants and a full army of four divisions, defeating all the kings who opposed Him along the road. May I be granted the privilege of serving that Lord.

> > ******

> > TEXTS 15 - 16

> > s'rî-bhadrovâca

> > pitâ me mâtuleyâya

> > svayam âhûya dattavân

> > krishne krishnâya tac-cittâm

> > akshauhinyâ sakhî-janaih

> > asya me pâda-samspars'o

> > bhavej janmani janmani

> > karmabhir bhrâmyamânâyâ

> > yena tac chreya âtmanah

> > s'rî-bhadrâ uvâca - S'rî Bhadrâ said; pitâ - father; me - my; mâtuleyâya - to my maternal cousin; svayam - of his own accord; âhûya - inviting; dattavân - gave; krishne - O Krishnâ (Draupadî); krishnâya - to Lord Krishna; tat - absorbed in whom; cittâm - whose heart; akshauhinyâ - with an akshauhinî military guard; sakhî- janaih - and with my female companions; asya - His; me - for me; pâda - of the feet; samspars'ah - the touch; bhavet - may it be; janmani janmani - in one life after another; karmabhih - due to the reactions of material activities; bhrâmyamânâyâh - who will be wandering; yena - by which; tat - that; s'reyah - ultimate perfection; âtmanah - of myself.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'rî Bhadrâ said: My dear Draupadî, of his own free will my father invited his nephew Krishna, to whom I had already dedicated my heart, and offered me to Him as His bride. My father presented me to the Lord with an akshauhini military guard and a retinue of my female companions. My ultimate perfection is this: to always be allowed to touch Lord Krishna's lotus feet as I wander from life to life, bound by my karma.

> > ******

> > TEXT 17

> > s'rî-lakshmanovâca

> > mamâpi râjn'y acyuta-janma-karma

> > s'rutvâ muhur nârada-gîtam âsa ha

> > cittam mukunde kila padma-hastayâ

> > vritah su-sammris'ya vihâya loka-pân

> > s'rî-lakshmanâ uvâca - S'rî Lakshmanâ said; mama - my; api - also; râjn'i - O Queen; acyuta - of Lord Krishna; janma - about the births; karma - and activities; s'rutvâ - hearing; muhuh - repeatedly; nârada - by Nârada Muni; gîtam - chanted; âsa ha - became; cittam - my heart; mukunde - (fixed) upon Mukunda; kila - indeed; padma-hastayâ - by the supreme goddess of fortune, who holds a lotus in her hand; vritah - chosen; su - carefully; sammris'ya - considering; vihâya - rejecting; loka - of planets; pân - the rulers.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'rî Lakshmanâ said: O Queen, I repeatedly heard Nârada Muni glorify the appearances and activities of Acyuta, and thus my heart also became attached to that Lord, Mukunda. Indeed, even Goddess Padmahastâ chose Him as her husband after careful consideration, rejecting the great demigods who rule various planets.

> > ******

> > TEXT 18

> > jn'âtvâ mama matam sâdhvi

> > pitâ duhitri-vatsalah

> > brihatsena iti khyâtas

> > tatropâyam acîkarat

> > jn'âtvâ - knowing; mama - my; matam - mentality; sâdhvi - O saintly lady; pitâ - my father; duhitri - to his daughter; vatsalah - affectionate; brihatsenah iti khyâtah - known as Brihatsena; tatra - toward this end; upâyam - a means; acîkarat - arranged.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My father, Brihatsena, was by nature compassionate to his daughter, and knowing how I felt, O saintly lady, he arranged to fulfill my desire.

> > ******

> > TEXT 19

> > yathâ svayam-vare râjn'i

> > matsyah pârthepsayâ kritah

> > ayam tu bahir âcchanno

> > dris'yate sa jale param

> > yathâ - just as; svayam-vare - in (your) svayam-vara ceremony; râjn'i - O Queen; matsyah - a fish; pârtha - Arjuna; îpsayâ - with the desire of obtaining; kritah - made (into a target); ayam - this (fish); tu - however; bahih - outwardly; âcchannah - covered; dris'yate - was seen; sah - it; jale - in water; param - only.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Just as a fish was used as a target in your svayam-vara ceremony, O Queen, to assure that you would obtain Arjuna as your husband, so a fish was also used in my ceremony. In my case, however, it was concealed on all sides, and only its reflection could be seen in a pot of water below.

> > ******

> > TEXT 20

> > s'rutvaitat sarvato bhû-pâ

> > âyayur mat-pituh puram

> > sarvâstra-s'astra-tattva-jn'âh

> > sopâdhyâyâh sahasras'ah

> > s'rutvâ - hearing; etat - of this; sarvatah - from everywhere; bhû-pâh - kings; âyayuh - came; mat - my; pituh - of the father; puram - to the city; sarva - all; astra - concerning weapons shot as arrows; s'astra - and other weapons; tattva - of the science; jn'âh - expert knowers; sa - along with; upâdhyâyâh - their teachers; sahasras'ah - by the thousands.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Hearing of this, thousands of kings expert in shooting arrows and in wielding other weapons converged from all directions on my father's city, accompanied by their military teachers.

> > ******

> > TEXT 21

> > pitrâ sampûjitâh sarve

> > yathâ-vîryam yathâ-vayah

> > âdaduh sa-s'aram câpam

> > veddhum parshadi mad-dhiyah

> > pitrâ - by my father; sampûjitâh - fully honored; sarve - all of them; yathâ - according to; vîryam - strength; yathâ - according to; vayah - age; âdaduh - they took up; sa - with; s'aram - arrows; câpam - the bow; veddhum - to pierce (the target); parshadi - in the assembly; mat - (fixed) upon me; dhiyah - whose minds.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My father properly honored each king according to his strength and seniority. Then those whose minds were fixed on me took up the bow and arrow and one by one tried to pierce the target in the midst of the assembly.

> > ******

> > TEXT 22

> > âdâya vyasrijan kecit

> > sajyam kartum anîs'varâh

> > â-koshthham jyâm samutkrishya

> > petur eke 'munâhatâh

> > âdâya - after picking up; vyasrijan - let go; kecit - some of them; sajyam - strung; kartum - to make it; anîs'varâh - unable; â-koshthham - up to the tip (of the bow); jyâm - the bowstring; samutkrishya - having pulled; petuh - fell down; eke - some; amunâ - by it (the bow); hatâh - hit.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Some of them picked up the bow but could not string it, and so they threw it aside in frustration. Some managed to pull the bowstring toward the tip of the bow, only to have the bow spring back and knock them to the ground.

> > ******

> > TEXT 23

> > sajyam kritvâpare vîrâ

> > mâgadhâmbashthha-cedipâh

> > bhîmo duryodhanah karno

> > nâvidams tad-avasthitim

> > sajyam - strung; kritvâ - making (the bow); apare - other; vîrâh - heroes; mâgadha - the King of Magadha (Jarâsandha); ambashthha - the King of Ambashthha; cedi-pâh - the ruler of Cedi (S'is'upâla); bhîmah duryodhanah karnah - Bhîma, Duryodhana and Karna; na avidan - they could not find; tad - of it (the target); avasthitim - the location.

> > TRANSLATION

> > A few heroes - namely Jarâsandha, S'is'upâla, Bhîma, Duryodhana, Karna and the King of Ambashthha - succeeded in stringing the bow, but none of them could find the target.

> > ******

> > TEXT 24

> > matsyâbhâsam jale vîkshya

> > jn'âtvâ ca tad-avasthitim

> > pârtho yatto 'srijad bânam

> > nâcchinat paspris'e param

> > matsya - of the fish; âbhâsam - the reflection; jale - in the water; vîkshya - looking at; jn'âtvâ - knowing; ca - and; tat - its; avasthitim - location; pârthah - Arjuna; yattah - taking careful aim; asrijat - shot; bânam - the arrow; na acchinat - he did not pierce it; paspris'e - he touched it; param - only.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Then Arjuna looked at the reflection of the fish in the water and determined its position. When he carefully shot his arrow at it, however, he did not pierce the target but merely grazed it.

> > ******

> > TEXTS 25 - 26

> > râjanyeshu nivritteshu

> > bhagna-mâneshu mânishu

> > bhagavân dhanur âdâya

> > sajyam kritvâtha lîlayâ

> > tasmin sandhâya vis'ikham

> > matsyam vîkshya sakrij jale

> > chittveshunâpâtayat tam

> > sûrye câbhijiti sthite

> > râjanyeshu - when the kings; nivritteshu - had given up; bhagna - defeated; mâneshu - whose pride; mânishu - proud; bhagavân - the Supreme Lord; dhanuh - the bow; âdâya - taking up; sajyam kritvâ - stringing it; atha - then; lîlayâ - as play;

> > tasmin - onto it; sandhâya - fixing; vis'ikham - the arrow; matsyam - the fish; vîkshya - looking at; sakrit - only once; jale - in the water; chittvâ - piercing; ishunâ - with the arrow; apâtayat - He made fall; tam - it; sûrye - when the sun; ca - and; abhijite - in the constellation Abhijit; sthite - situated.

> > TRANSLATION

> > After all the arrogant kings had given up, their pride broken, the Supreme Personality of Godhead picked up the bow, easily strung it and then fixed His arrow upon it. As the sun stood in the constellation Abhijit, He looked at the fish in the water only once and then pierced it with the arrow, knocking it to the ground.

> > ******

> > TEXT 27

> > divi dundubhayo nedur

> > jaya-s'abda-yutâ bhuvi

> > devâs' ca kusumâsârân

> > mumucur harsha-vihvalâh

> > divi - in the sky; dundubhayah - kettledrums; neduh - resounded; jaya - "victory"; s'abda - the sound; yutâh - together with; bhuvi - on the earth; devâh - demigods; ca - and; kusuma - of flowers; âsârân - torrents; mumucuh - released; harsha - with joy; vihvalâh - overwhelmed.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Kettledrums resounded in the sky, and on the earth people shouted "Jaya! Jaya!" Overjoyed, demigods showered flowers.

> > ******

> > TEXT 28

> > tad rangam âvis'am aham kala-nûpurâbhyâm

> > padbhyâm pragrihya kanakoijvala-ratna-mâlâm

> > nûtne nivîya paridhâya ca kaus'ikâgrye

> > sa-vrîda-hâsa-vadanâ kavarî-dhrita-srak

> > tat - then; rangam - the arena; âvis'am - entered; aham - I; kala - gently sounding; nûpurâbhyâm - having ankle bells; padbhyâm - with feet; pragrihya - holding; kanaka - of gold; ujjvala - brilliant; ratna - with jewels; mâlâm - a necklace; nûtne - new; nivîya - having tied with a belt; paridhâya - wearing; ca - and; kaus'ika - a pair of silk garments; agrye - excellent; sa-vrîda - shy; hâsa - with a smile; vadanâ - my face; kavarî - on the locks of my hair; dhrita - carrying; srak - a wreath of flowers.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Just then I walked onto the ceremonial ground, the ankle bells on my feet gently tinkling. I was wearing new garments of the finest silk, tied with a belt, and I carried a brilliant necklace fashioned of gold and jewels. There was a shy smile on my face and a wreath of flowers in my hair.

> > ******

> > TEXT 29

> > unnîya vaktram uru-kuntala-kundala-tvid-

> > ganda-sthalam s'is'ira-hâsa-kathâksha-mokshaih

> > râjn'o nirîkshya paritah s'anakair murârer

> > amse 'nurakta-hridayâ nidadhe sva-mâlâm

> > unnîya - lifting; vaktram - my face; uru - abundant; kuntala - with locks of hair; kundala - of earrings; tvith - and with the effulgence; ganda-sthalam - whose cheeks; s'is'ira - cooling; hâsa - with a smile; katha-aksha - of sidelong glances; mokshaih - and with the casting; râjn'ah - the kings; nirîkshya - looking at; paritah - all around; s'anakaih - slowly; murâreh - of Krishna; amse - upon the shoulder; anurakta - attracted; hridayâ - whose heart; nidadhe - I placed; sva - my; mâlâm - necklace.

> > TRANSLATION

> > I lifted my face, which was encircled by my abundant locks and effulgent from the glow of my earrings reflected from my cheeks. Smiling coolly, I glanced about. Then, looking around at all the kings, I slowly placed the necklace on the shoulder of Murâri, who had captured my heart.

> > ******

> > TEXT 30

> > tâvan mridanga-pathahâh

> > s'ankha-bhery-ânakâdayah

> > ninedur natha-nartakyo

> > nanritur gâyakâ jaguh

> > tâvat - just then; mridanga-pathahâh - mridanga and pathaha drums; s'ankha - conchshells; bherî - kettledrums; ânaka - large military drums; âdayah - and so on; nineduh - resounded; natha - male dancers; nartakyah - and female dancers; nanrituh - danced; gâyakâh - singers; jaguh - sang.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Just then there were loud sounds of conchshells and mridanga, pathaha, bherî and ânaka drums, as well as other instruments. Men and women began to dance, and singers began to sing.

> > ******

> > TEXT 31

> > evam vrite bhagavati

> > mayes'e nripa-yûthapâh

> > na sehire yâjn'aseni

> > spardhanto hric-chayâturâh

> > evam - thus; vrite - being chosen; bhagavati - the Personality of Godhead; mayâ - by me; îs'e - the Lord; nripa - of kings; yûtha-pâh - the leaders; na sehire - could not tolerate it; yâjn'aseni - O Draupadî; spardhantah - becoming quarrelsome; hrit- s'aya - by lust; âturâh - distressed.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The leading kings there could not tolerate my having chosen the Supreme Personality of Godhead, O Draupadî. Burning with lust, they became quarrelsome.

> > ******

> > TEXT 32

> > mâm tâvad ratham âropya

> > haya-ratna-catushthayam

> > s'ârngam udyamya sannaddhas

> > tasthâv âjau catur-bhujah

> > mâm - me; tâvat - at that point; ratham - on the chariot; âropya - lifting; haya - of horses; ratna - gems; catushthayam - having four; s'ârngam - His bow, named S'ârnga; udyamya - readying; sannaddhah - putting on His armor; tasthau - He stood; âjau - on the battleground; catuh - four; bhujah - with arms.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Lord then placed me on His chariot, drawn by four most excellent horses. Donning His armor and readying His bow S'ârnga, He stood on the chariot, and there on the battleground He manifested His four arms.

> > ******

> > TEXT 33

> > dârukas' codayâm âsa

> > kân'canopaskaram ratham

> > mishatâm bhû-bhujâm râjn'i

> > mrigânâm mriga-râd iva

> > dârukah - Dâruka (Lord Krishna's chariot driver); codayâm âsa - drove; kân'cana - golden; upaskaram - whose trimmings; ratham - the chariot; mishatâm - as they watched; bhû-bhujâm - the kings; râjn'i - O Queen; mrigânâm - animals; mriga- râth - the king of animals, the lion; iva - as if.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Dâruka drove the Lord's gold-trimmed chariot as the kings looked on, O Queen, like small animals helplessly watching a lion.

> > ******

> > TEXT 34

> > te 'nvasajjanta râjanyâ

> > nisheddhum pathi kecana

> > samyattâ uddhriteshv-âsâ

> > grâma-simhâ yathâ harim

> > te - they; anvasajjanta - followed from behind; râjanyâh - the kings; nisheddhum - to check Him; pathi - on the path; kecana - some of them; samyattâh - ready; uddhrita - raised; ishu-âsâh - whose bows; grâma-simhâ - "lions of the village" (dogs); yathâ - as; harim - a lion.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The kings pursued the Lord like village dogs chasing a lion. Some kings, raising their bows, stationed themselves on the road to stop Him as He passed by.

> > ******

> > TEXT 35

> > te s'ârnga-cyuta-bânaughaih

> > kritta-bâhv-anghri-kandharâh

> > nipetuh pradhane kecid

> > eke santyajya dudruvuh

> > te - they; s'ârnga - from Lord Krishna's bow; cyuta - shot; bâna - of arrows; oghaih - by the floods; kritta - severed; bâhu - whose arms; anghri - legs; kandharâh - and necks; nipetuh - fell; pradhane - on the battlefield; kecit - some; eke - some; santyajya - giving up; dudruvuh - fled.

> > TRANSLATION

> > These warriors were deluged by arrows shot from the Lord's bow, S'ârnga. Some of the kings fell on the battlefield with severed arms, legs and necks; the rest gave up the fight and fled.

> > ******

> > TEXT 36

> > tatah purîm yadu-patir aty-alankritâm

> > ravi-cchada-dhvaja-patha-citra-toranâm

> > kus'asthalîm divi bhuvi câbhisamstutâm

> > samâvis'at taranir iva sva-ketanam

> > tatah - then; purîm - His city; yadu-patih - the Lord of the Yadus; ati - profusely; alankritâm - decorated; ravi - the sun; chada - blocking; dhvaja - upon flagpoles; patha - with banners; citra - wonderful; toranâm - and with archways; kus'asthalîm - Dvârakâ; divi - in heaven; bhuvi - on the earth; ca - and; abhisamstutâm - glorified; samâvis'at - He entered; taranih - the sun; iva - as if; sva - his own; ketanam - abode.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Lord of the Yadus then entered His capital city, Kus'asthalî [Dvârakâ], which is glorified in heaven and on earth. The city was elaborately decorated with flagpoles carrying banners that blocked the sun, and also with splendid archways. As Lord Krishna entered, He appeared like the sun-god entering his abode.

> > ******

> > TEXT 37

> > pitâ me pûjayâm âsa

> > suhrit-sambandhi-bândhavân

> > mahârha-vâso-'lankâraih

> > s'ayyâsana-paricchadaih

> > pitâ - father; me - my; pûjayâm âsa - worshiped; suhrit - his friends; sambandhi - immediate relations; bândhavân - and other family members; mahâ - very; arha - valuable; vâsah - with clothing; alankâraih - and jewelry; s'ayyâ - with beds; âsana - thrones; paricchadaih - and other furniture.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My father honored his friends, family and in-laws with priceless clothing and jewelry and with royal beds, thrones and other furnishings.

> > ******

> > TEXT 38

> > dâsîbhih sarva-sampadbhir

> > bhathebha-ratha-vâjibhih

> > âyudhâni mahârhâni

> > dadau pûrnasya bhaktitah

> > dâsîbhih - along with maidservants; sarva - all; sampadbhih - endowed with riches; bhatha - with infantry soldiers; ibha - soldiers riding elephants; ratha - soldiers riding chariots; vâjibhih - and soldiers riding horses; âyudhâni - weapons; mahâ-arhâni - extremely valuable; dadau - he gave; pûrnasya - to the perfectly complete Lord; bhaktitah - out of devotion.

> > TRANSLATION

> > With devotion he presented the perfectly complete Lord with a number of maidservants bedecked with precious ornaments. Accompanying these maidservants were guards walking on foot and others riding elephants, chariots and horses. He also gave the Lord extremely valuable weapons.

> > ******

> > TEXT 39

> > âtmârâmasya tasyemâ

> > vayam vai griha-dâsikâh

> > sarva-sanga-nivrittyâddhâ

> > tapasâ ca babhûvima

> > âtma-ârâmasya - of the self-satisfied; tasya - Him; imâh - these; vayam - we; vai - indeed; griha - in the home; dâsikâh - maidservants; sarva - all; sanga - of material association; nivrittyâ - by the cessation; addhâ - directly; tapasâ - by austerity; ca - and; babhûvima - have become.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Thus, by renouncing all material association and practicing austere penances, we queens have all become personal maidservants of the self- satisfied Supreme Lord.

> > ******

> > TEXT 40

> > mahishya ûcuh

> > bhaumam nihatya sa-ganam yudhi tena ruddhâ

> > jn'âtvâtha nah kshiti-jaye jita-râja-kanyâh

> > nirmucya samsriti-vimoksham anusmarantîh

> > pâdâmbujam parininâya ya âpta-kâmah

> > mahishyah ûcuh - the (other) queens said; bhaumam - the demon Bhauma; nihatya - killing; sa - along with; ganam - his followers; yudhi - in battle; tena - by him (Bhauma); ruddhâh - imprisoned; jn'âtvâ - knowing; atha - then; nah - us; kshiti-jaye - during (Bhauma's) conquest of the earth; jita - defeated; râja - of kings; kanyâh - the daughters; nirmucya - releasing; samsriti - from material existence; vimoksham - (the source of) liberation; anusmarantîh - constantly remembering; pâda-ambujam - His lotus feet; parininâya - married; yah - who; âpta-kâmah - already fulfilled in all desires.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Rohinî-devi, speaking for the other queens, said: After killing Bhaumâsura and his followers, the Lord found us in the demon's prison and could understand that we were the daughters of the kings whom Bhauma had defeated during his conquest of the earth. The Lord set us free, and because we had been constantly meditating upon His lotus feet, the source of liberation from material entanglement, He agreed to marry us, though His every desire is already fulfilled.

> > ******

> > TEXTS 41 - 42

> > na vayam sâdhvi sâmrâjyam

> > svârâjyam bhaujyam apy uta

> > vairâjyam pârameshthhyam ca

> > ânantyam vâ hareh padam

> > kâmayâmaha etasya

> > s'rîmat-pâda-rajah s'riyah

> > kuca-kunkuma-gandhâdhyam

> > mûrdhnâ vodhum gadâ-bhritah

> > na - not; vayam - we; sâdhvi - O saintly lady (Draupadî); sâmrâjyam - rulership over the entire earth; sva-râjyam - the position of Lord Indra, King of heaven; bhaujyam - unlimited powers of enjoyment; api uta - even; vairâjyam - mystic power; pârameshthhyam - the position of Lord Brahmâ, creator of the universe; ca - and; ânantyam - immortality; vâ - or; hareh - of the Supreme Lord; padam - the abode;

> > kâmayâmahe - we desire; etasya - His; s'rî-mat - divine; pâda - of the feet; rajah - the dust; s'rîyah - of the goddess of fortune; kuca - from the breast; kunkuma - of the cosmetic powder; gandha - by the fragrance; âdhyam - enriched; mûrdhnâ - on our heads; vodhum - to carry; gadâbhritah - of Lord Krishna, the wielder of the club.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O saintly lady, we do not desire dominion over the earth, the sovereignty of the King of heaven, unlimited facility for enjoyment, mystic power, the position of Lord Brahmâ, immortality or even attainment of the kingdom of God. We simply desire to carry on our heads the glorious dust of Lord Krishna's feet, enriched by the fragrance of kunkuma from His consort's bosom.

> > PURPORT

> > The verb râj means "to rule," and from it are derived the words sâmrâjyam, meaning "rulership over the entire earth," and svârâjyam, meaning "rulership over heaven." Bhaujyam comes from the verb bhuj, "to enjoy," and thus refers to the capacity of enjoying whatever one desires. Virâth is explained by S'rîla Vis'vanâtha Cakravartî as representing the phrase vividham virâjate ("one enjoys many kinds of opulence") and specifically indicating the eight mystic perfections of animâ and so on.

> > An alternative explanation of these terms is given by S'rîla S'rîdhara Svâmî, who says that according to the Bahv-rica Brâhmana, these four terms designate the power of sovereignty over each of the four cardinal directions: sâmrâjya for the East, bhaujya for the South, svârâjya for the West, and vairâjya for the North.

> > Lord Krishna's queens clearly state that they do not desire any of these powers, or even the position of Brahmâ, liberation or entrance into the kingdom of God. They simply want the dust from S'rî Krishna's feet, which Goddess S'rî herself worships.

> > ******

> > TEXT 43

> > vraja-striyo yad vân'chanti

> > pulindyas trina-vîrudhah

> > gâvas' cârayato gopâh

> > pada-spars'am mahâtmanah

> > vraja - of Vraja; striyah - the women; yat - as; vân'chanti - they desire; pulindyah - the women of the aborigine Pulinda tribe in Vraja; trina - from the grass; vîrudhah - and plants; gâvah - the cows; cârayatah - who is grazing; gopâh - the cowherd boys; pâda - of the feet; spars'am - the touch; mahâ- âtmanah - of the Supreme Soul.

> > TRANSLATION

> > We desire the same contact with the Supreme Lord's feet that the young women of Vraja, the cowherd boys and even the aborigine Pulinda women desire - the touch of the dust He leaves on the plants and grass as He tends His cows.

> > Back to the running text