> > 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 Fourty-seven: The Song of the Bee

> > ******

> > TEXTS 1 - 2

> > s'rî-s'uka uvâca

> > tam vîkshya krishânucaram vraja-striyah

> > pralamba-bâhum nava-kan'ja-locanam

> > pîtâmbaram pushkara-mâlinam lasan-

> > mukhâravindam parimrishtha-kundalam

> > su-vismitâh ko 'yam apîvya-dars'anah

> > kutas' ca kasyâcyuta-vesha-bhûshanah

> > iti sma sarvâh parivavrur utsukâs

> > tam uttamah-s'loka-padâmbujâs'rayam

> > s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'rî S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; tam - him; vîkshya - seeing; krishna- anucaram - the servant of Lord Krishna (Uddhava); vraja-striyah - the women of Vraja; pralamba - hanging down; bâhum - whose arms; nava - young; kan'ja - like lotuses; locanam - whose eyes; pîta - yellow; ambaram - wearing a garment; pushkara - of lotuses; mâlinam - wearing a garland; lasat - effulgently glowing; makha - whose face; aravindam - lotuslike; parimrishtha - polished; kundalam - whose earrings;

> > su-vismitâh - quite astonished; kah - who; ayam - this; apîvya - handsome; dars'anah - whose appearance; kutah - from where; ca - and; kasya - belonging to whom; acyuta - of Krishna; vesha - wearing the clothing; bhûshanah - and ornaments; iti - saying this; sma - indeed; sarvâh - all of them; parivavruh - surrounded; utsukâh - eager; tam - him; uttamah-s'loka - of Lord Krishna, who is praised by the best poetry; pada-ambuja - by the lotus feet; âs'rayam - who is sheltered.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: The young women of Vraja became astonished upon seeing Lord Krishna's servant, who had long arms, whose eyes resembled a newly grown lotus, who wore a yellow garment and a lotus garland, and whose lotuslike face glowed with brightly polished earrings. "Who is this handsome man?" the gopîs asked. "Where has he come from, and whom does he serve? He's wearing Krishna's clothes and ornaments!" Saying this, the gopîs eagerly crowded around Uddhava, whose shelter was the lotus feet of Lord Uttamahs'loka, S'rî Krishna.

> > ******

> > TEXT 3

> > tam pras'rayenâvanatâh su-sat-kritam

> > sa-vrîda-hâsekshana-sûnritâdibhih

> > rahasy apricchann upavishtham âsane

> > vijn'âya sandes'a-haram ramâ-pateh

> > tam - him, Uddhava; pras'rayena - with humility; avanatâh - bowed down (the gopîs); su - properly; sat-kritam - honored; sa-vrîda - with shyness; hâsa - and smiling; îkshana - by their glances; sûnrita - pleasing words; âdibhih - and so forth; rahasi - in a secluded place; apricchan - they inquired; upavishtham - who was seated; âsane - on a cushion; vijn'âya - understanding him to be; sandes'a- haram - the message carrier; ramâ-pateh - of the master of the goddess of fortune.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Bowing their heads in humility, the gopîs duly honored Uddhava with their shy, smiling glances and pleasing words. They took him to a quiet place, seated him comfortably and began to question him, for they recognized him to be a messenger from Krishna, the master of the goddess of fortune.

> > ******

> > TEXT 4

> > jânîmas tvâm yadu-pateh

> > pârshadam samupâgatam

> > bhartreha preshitah pitror

> > bhavân priya-cikîrshayâ

> > jânîmah - we know; tvâm - you; yadu-pateh - of the chief of the Yadus; pârshadam - the personal associate; samupâgatam - arrived here; bhartrâ - by your master; iha - here; preshitah - sent; pitroh - of His parents; bhavân - your good self; priya - satisfaction; cikîrshayâ - wanting to give.

> > TRANSLATION

> > [The gopîs said:] We know that you are the personal servant of Krishna, the chief of the Yadus, and that you have come here on the order of your good master, who desires to give pleasure to His parents.

> > ******

> > TEXT 5

> > anyathâ go-vraje tasya

> > smaranîyam na cakshmahe

> > snehânubandho bandhûnâm

> > muner api su-dustyajah

> > anyathâ - otherwise; go-vraje - in the cow pasture; tasya - for Him; smaranîyam - that which is worth remembering; na cakshmahe - we do not see; sneha - of affection; anubandhah - the attachment; bandhûnâm - to relatives; muneh - for a sage; api - even; su-dustyajah - very difficult to abandon.

> > TRANSLATION

> > We see nothing else He might consider worth remembering in these cow pastures of Vraja. Indeed, the bonds of affection for one's family members are difficult to break, even for a sage.

> > ******

> > TEXT 6

> > anyeshv artha-kritâ maitrî

> > yâvad-artha-vidambanam

> > pumbhih strîshu kritâ yadvat

> > sumanahsv iva shathpadaih

> > anyeshu - toward others; artha - for some motivation; kritâ - manifested; maitrî - friendship; yâvat - for as long; artha - (as one is fulfilling his) motive; vidambanam - pretense; pumbhih - by men; strîshu - for women; kritâ - shown; yadvat - as much; sumanahsu - for flowers; iva - as; shath-padaih - by bees.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The friendship shown toward others - those who are not family members - is motivated by personal interest, and thus it is a pretense that lasts only until one's purpose is fulfilled. Such friendship is just like the interest men take in women, or bees in flowers.

> > ******

> > TEXT 7

> > nihsvam tyajanti ganikâ

> > akalpam nripatim prajâh

> > adhîta-vidyâ âcâryam

> > ritvijo datta-dakshinam

> > nihsvam - one without any assets; tyajanti - abandon; ganikâh - prostitutes; akalpam - incompetent; nri-patim - a king; prajah - citizens; adhîta-vidyâh - those who have completed their education; âcâryam - the teacher; ritvijah - priests; datta - (the sacrificer) who has given; dakshinam - their remuneration.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Prostitutes abandon a penniless man, subjects an incompetent king, students their teacher once they have finished their education, and priests a man who has remunerated them for a sacrifice.

> > ******

> > TEXT 8

> > khagâ vîta-phalam vriksham

> > bhuktvâ câtithayo griham

> > dagdham mrigâs tathâranyam

> > jârâ bhuktvâ ratâm striyam

> > khagâh - birds; vîta - rid; phalam - of its fruits; vriksham - a tree; bhuktvâ - having eaten; ca - and; atithayah - guests; griham - a house; dagdham - burned down; mrigâh - animals; tathâ - similarly; aranyam - a forest; jârâh - paramours; bhuktvâ - having enjoyed; ratâm - attracted; striyam - a woman.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Birds abandon a tree when its fruits are gone, guests a house after they have eaten, animals a forest that has burnt down, and a lover the woman he has enjoyed, even though she remains attached to him.

> > ******

> > TEXTS 9 - 10

> > iti gopyo hi govinde

> > gata-vâk-kâya-mânasâh

> > krishna-dûte samâyâte

> > uddhave tyakta-laukikâh

> > gâyantyah prîya-karmâni

> > rudantyas' ca gata-hriyah

> > tasya samsmritya samsmritya

> > yâni kais'ora-bâlyayoh

> > iti - thus; gopyah - the gopîs; hi - indeed; govinde - on Govinda; gata - focusing; vâk - their speech; kâya - bodies; mânasah - and minds; krishna-dûte - the messenger of Krishna; samâyâte - having arrived and joined them; uddhave - Uddhava; tyakta - putting aside; laukikâh - worldly affairs;

> > gâyantyah - singing; priya - of their beloved; karmâni - about the activities; rudantyah - crying; ca - and; gata- hriyah - forgetting all shyness; tasya - His; samsmritya samsmritya - intensely remembering again and again; yâni - which; kais'ora - of youth; bâlyayoh - and childhood.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Thus speaking, the gopîs, whose words, bodies and minds were fully dedicated to Lord Govinda, put aside all their regular work now that Krishna's messenger, S'rî Uddhava, had arrived among them. Constantly remembering the activities their beloved Krishna had performed in His childhood and youth, they sang about them and cried without shame.

> > ******

> > TEXT 11

> > kâcin madhukaram drishthvâ

> > dhyâyantî krishna-sangamam

> > priya-prasthâpitam dûtam

> > kalpayitvedam abravît

> > kâcit - one (of the gopîs); madhu-karam - a honeybee; drishthvâ - seeing; dhyâyantî - while meditating; krishna-sangamam - on Her association with Krishna; priya - by Her beloved; prasthâpitam - sent; dûtam - a messenger; kalpayitvâ - imagining it; idam - the following; abravît - spoke.

> > TRANSLATION

> > One of the gopîs, while meditating on Her previous association with Krishna, saw a honeybee before Her and imagined it to be a messenger sent by Her beloved. Thus She spoke as follows.

> > ******

> > TEXT 12

> > gopy uvâca

> > madhupa kitava-bandho mâ spris'anghrim sapatnyâh

> > kuca-vilulita-mâlâ-kunkuma-s'mas'rubhir nah

> > vahatu madhu-patis tan-mâninînâm prasâdam

> > yadu-sadasi vidambyam yasya dûtas tvam îdrik

> > gopî uvâca - the gopî said; madhupa - O bumblebee; kitava - of a cheater; bandho - O friend; mâ spris'a - please do not touch; anghrim - the feet; sapatnyâh - of the lover who is our rival; kuca - the breast; vilulita - fallen from; mâlâ - from the garland; kunkuma - with the red cosmetic; s'mas'rubhih - with the whiskers; nah - our; vahatu - let Him bring; madhu-patih - the Lord of the Madhu dynasty; tat - His; mâninînâm - to the women; prasâdam - mercy or kindness; yadu-sadasi - in the royal assembly of the Yadus; vidambyam - an object of ridicule or contempt; yasya - whose; dûtah - messenger; tvam - you; îdrik - such.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The gopî said: O honeybee, O friend of a cheater, don't touch My feet with your whiskers, which are smeared with the kunkuma that rubbed onto Krishna's garland when it was crushed by the breasts of a rival lover! Let Krishna satisfy the women of Mathurâ. One who sends a messenger like you will certainly be ridiculed in the Yadus' assembly.

> > ******

> > TEXT 13

> > sakrid adhara-sudhâm svâm mohinîm pâyayitvâ

> > sumanasa iva sadyas tatyaje 'smân bhavâdrik

> > paricarati katham tat-pâda-padmam nu padmâ

> > hy api bata hrita-cetâ hy uttamah-s'loka-jalpaih

> > sakrit - once; adhara - of the lips; sudhâm - the nectar; svâm - His own; mohinîm - bewildering; pâyayitvâ - making drink; sumanasah - flowers; iva - like; sadyah - suddenly; tatyaje - He abandoned; asmân - us; bhavâdrik - like you; paricarati - serves; katham - why; tat - His; pada-padmam - lotus feet; nu - I wonder; padmâ - Lakshmî, the goddess of fortune; hi api - indeed, because; bata - alas; hrita - taken away; cetâh - her mind; hi - certainly; uttamah-s'loka - of Krishna; jalpaih - by the false speech.

> > TRANSLATION

> > After making us drink the enchanting nectar of His lips only once, Krishna suddenly abandoned us, just as you might quickly abandon some flowers. How is it, then, that Goddess Padmâ willingly serves His lotus feet? Alas! The answer must certainly be that her mind has been stolen away by His deceitful words.

> > ******

> > TEXT 14

> > kim iha bahu shad-anghre gâyasi tvam yadûnâm

> > adhipatim agrihânâm agrato nah purânam

> > vijaya-sakha-sakhînâm gîyatâm tat-prasangah

> > kshapita-kuca-rujas te kalpayantîshtham ishthâh

> > kim - why; iha - here; bahu - much; shath-anghre - O bee (six-footed one); gâyasi - are singing; tvam - you; yadûnâm - of the Yadus; adhipatim - about the master; agrihânâm - who have no home; agratah - in front of; nah - us; purânam - old; vijaya - of Arjuna; sakha - of the friend; sakhînâm - for the friends; gîyatâm - should be sung; tat - of Him; prasangah - the topics; kshapita - relieved; kuca - of whose breasts; rujah - the pain; te - they; kalpayanti - will provide; ishtham - the charity you desire; ishthâh - His beloveds.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O bee, why do you sing here so much about the Lord of the Yadus, in front of us homeless people? These topics are old news to us. Better you sing about that friend of Arjuna in front of His new girlfriends, the burning desire in whose breasts He has now relieved. Those ladies will surely give you the charity you are begging.

> > ******

> > TEXT 15

> > divi bhuvi ca rasâyâm kâh striyas tad-durâpâh

> > kapatha-rucira-hâsa-bhrû-vijrimbhasya yâh syuh

> > carana-raja upâste yasya bhûtir vayam kâ

> > api ca kripana-pakshe hy uttamah-s'loka-s'abdah

> > divi - in the heavenly region; bhuvi - on the earth; ca - and; rasâyâm - in the subterranean sphere; kâh - what; striyah - women; tat - by Him; durâpâh - unobtainable; kapatha - deceptive; rucira - charming; hâsa - with smiles; bhrû - of whose eyebrows; vijrimbhasya - the arching; yâh - who; syuh - become; carana - of the feet; rajah - the dust; upâste - worships; yasya - whose; bhûtih - the goddess of fortune, wife of Lord Nârâyana; vayam - we; kâ - who; api ca - nevertheless; kripana-pakshe - for those who are wretched; hi - indeed; uttamah-s'loka - the Supreme Lord, who is glorified by the most sublime prayers; s'abdah - the name.

> > TRANSLATION

> > In heaven, on earth or in the subterranean sphere, what women are unavailable to Him? He simply arches His eyebrows and smiles with deceptive charm, and they all become His. The supreme goddess herself worships the dust of His feet, so what is our position in comparison? But at least those who are wretched can chant His name, Uttamahs'loka.

> > ******

> > SB 10.47.16

> > TEXT 16

> > visrija s'irasi pâdam vedmy aham câtu-kârair

> > anunaya-vidushas te 'bhyetya dautyair mukundât

> > sva-krita iha vishrishthâpatya-paty-anya-lokâ

> > vyasrijad akrita-cetâh kim nu sandheyam asmin

> > visrija - let go of; s'irasi - held on your head; pâdam - My foot; vedmi - know; aham - I; câthu-kâraih - with flattering words; anunaya - in the art of conciliation; vidushah - who are expert; te - of you; abhyetya - having learned; dautyaih - by acting as a messenger; mukundât - from Krishna; sva - for His own; krite - sake; iha - in this life; visrishtha - who have abandoned; apatya - children; patî - husbands; anya-lokâh - and everyone else; vyasrijat - He abandoned; akrita- cetâh - ungrateful; kim nu - why indeed; sandheyam - should I make reconciliation; asmin - with Him.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Keep your head off My feet! I know what you're doing. You expertly learned diplomacy from Mukunda, and now you come as His messenger with flattering words. But He abandoned those who for His sake alone gave up their children, husbands and all other relations. He's simply ungrateful. Why should I make up with Him now?

> > ******

> > TEXT 17

> > mrigayur iva kapîndram vivyadhe lubdha-dharmâ

> > striyam akrita virûpâm strî-jitah kâma-yânâm

> > balim api balim attvâveshthayad dhvânksha-vad yas

> > tad alam asita-sakhyair dustyajas tat-kathârthah

> > mrigayuh - a hunter; iva - like; kapi - of the monkeys; indram - the king; vivyadhe - shot; lubdha-dharmâ - behaving like a cruel hunter; striyam - a woman (namely, S'ûrpanakhâ); akrita - made; virûpâm - disfigured; strî - by a woman (Sîtâ- devî); jitah - conquered; kâmayânâm - who was impelled by lusty desire; balim - King Bali; api - also; balim - his tribute; attvâ - consuming; aveshthayat - bound up; dhvânkshavat - just like a crow; yah - who; tat - therefore; alam - enough; asita - with black Krishna; sakhyaih - of all kinds of friendship; dustyajah - impossible to give up; tat - about Him; kathâ - of the topics; arthah - the elaboration.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Like a hunter, He cruelly shot the king of the monkeys with arrows. Because He was conquered by a woman, He disfigured another woman who came to Him with lusty desires. And even after consuming the gifts of Bali Mahârâja, He bound him up with ropes as if he were a crow. So let us give up all friendship with this dark-complexioned boy, even if we can't give up talking about Him.

> > ******

> > TEXT 18

> > yad-anucarita-lîlâ-karna-pîyûsha-vipruth-

> > sakrid-adana-vidhûta-dvandva-dharmâ vinashthâh

> > sapadi griha-kuthumbam dînam utsrijya dînâ

> > bahava iha vihangâ bhikshu-caryâm caranti

> > yat - whose; anucarita - constantly performed activities; lîlâ - of such pastimes; karna - for the ears; pîyûsha - of the nectar; vipruth - of a drop; sakrit - just once; adana - by the partaking; vidhûta - removed entirely; dvandva - of duality; dharmâh - their propensities; vinashthâh - ruined; sapadi - immediately; griha - their homes; kuthumbam - and families; dînam - wretched; utsrijya - rejecting; dînâh - becoming themselves wretched; bahavah - many persons; iha - here (in Vrindâvana); vihangâh - (like) birds; bhikshu - of begging; caryâm - the livelihood; caranti - they pursue.

> > TRANSLATION

> > To hear about the pastimes that Krishna regularly performs is nectar for the ears. For those who relish just a single drop of that nectar, even once, their dedication to material duality is ruined. Many such persons have suddenly given up their wretched homes and families and, themselves becoming wretched, traveled here to Vrindâvana to wander about like birds, begging for their living.

> > ******

> > TEXT 19

> > vayam ritam iva jihma-vyâhritam s'raddadhânâh

> > kulika-rutam ivâjn'âh krishna-vadhvo harinyah

> > dadris'ur asakrid etat tan-nakha-spars'a-tîvra

> > smara-ruja upamantrin bhanyatâm anya-vârtâ

> > vayam - we; ritam - true; iva - as if; jihma - deceptive; vyâhritam - His speech; s'raddadhânâh - trusting; kulika - of a hunter; rutam - the song; iva - as if; ajn'âh - foolish; krishna - of the black deer; vadhvah - wives; harinyah - the doe; dadris'uh - experienced; asakrit - repeatedly; etat - this; tat - His; nakha - of the fingernails; spars'a - by the touch; tîvra - sharp; smara - of lust; rujah - the pain; upamantrin - O messenger; bhanyatâm - please speak; anya - another; vârtâ - topic.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Faithfully taking His deceitful words as true, we became just like the black deer's foolish wives, who trust the cruel hunter's song. Thus we repeatedly felt the sharp pain of lust caused by the touch of His nails. O messenger, please talk about something besides Krishna.

> > ******

> > TEXT 20

> > priya-sakha punar âgâh preyasâ preshitah kim

> > varaya kim anurundhe mânanîyo 'si me 'nga

> > nayasi katham ihâsmân dustyaja-dvandva-pârs'vam

> > satatam urasi saumya s'rîr vadhûh sâkam âste

> > priya - of My beloved; sakha - O friend; punah - once again; âgâh - you have come; preyasâ - by My beloved; preshitah - sent; kim - whether; varaya - please choose; kim - what; anurundhe - do you wish; mânanîyah - to be honored; asi - you are; me - by Me; anga - My dear one; nayasi - you are bringing; katham - why; iha - here; asmân - us; dustyaja - impossible to give up; dvandva - conjugal connection with whom; pârs'vam - to the side; satatam - always; urasi - on the chest; saumya - O gentle one; s'rîh - the goddess of fortune; vadhûh - His consort; sâkam - together with Him; âste - is present.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O friend of My dear one, has My beloved sent you here again? I should honor you, friend, so please choose whatever boon you wish. But why have you come back here to take us to Him, whose conjugal love is so difficult to give up? After all, gentle bee, His consort is the goddess S'rî, and she is always with Him, staying upon His chest.

> > ******

> > TEXT 21

> > api bata madhu-puryâm ârya-putro 'dhunâste

> > smarati sa pitri-gehân saumya bandhûms' ca gopân

> > kvacid api sa kathâ nah kinkarînâm grinîte

> > bhujam aguru-sugandham mûrdhny adhâsyat kadâ nu

> > api - certainly; bata - regrettable; madhu-puryâm - in the city of Mathurâ; ârya- putrah - the son of Nanda Mahârâja; adhunâ - now; âste - resides; smarati - remembers; sah - He; pitri-gehân - the household affairs of His father; saumya - O great soul (Uddhava); bandhûn - His friends; ca - and; gopân - the cowherd boys; kvacit - sometimes; api - or; sah - He; kathâh - talks; nah - of us; kinkarînâm - of the maidservants; grinîte - relates; bhujam - hand; aguru-su- gandham - having the fragrance of aguru; mûrdhni - on the head; adhâsyat - will keep; kadâ - when; nu - maybe.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O Uddhava! It is indeed regrettable that Krishna resides in Mathurâ. Does He remember His father's household affairs and His friends, the cowherd boys? O great soul! Does He ever talk about us, His maidservants? When will He lay on our heads His aguru-scented hand?

> > ******

> > TEXT 22

> > s'rî-s'uka uvâca

> > athoddhavo nis'amyaivam

> > krishna-dars'ana-lâlasâh

> > sântvayan priya-sandes'air

> > gopîr idam abhâshata

> > s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; atha - then; uddhavah - Uddhava; nis'amya - having heard; evam - thus; krishna-dars'ana - after the sight of Krishna; lâlasâh - who were hankering; sântvayan - pacifying; priya - of their beloved; sandes'aih - with the messages; gopîh - to the cowherd girls; idam - this; abhâshata - he said.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: Having heard this, Uddhava then tried to pacify the gopîs, who were most eager to see Lord Krishna. He thus began relating to them the message of their beloved.

> > ******

> > TEXT 23

> > s'rî-uddhava uvâca

> > aho yûyam sma pûrnârthâ

> > bhavatyo loka-pûjitâh

> > vâsudeve bhagavati

> > yâsâm ity arpitam manah

> > s'rî-uddhavah uvâca - S'rî Uddhava said; aho - indeed; yûyam - you; sma - surely; pûrna - fulfilled; arthâh - whose purposes; bhavatyah - your good selves; loka - by all people; pûjitâh - worshiped; vâsudeve bhagavati - unto Lord Vâsudeva, Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead; yâsâm - whose; iti - in this manner; arpitam - offered; manah - the minds.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'rî Uddhava said: Certainly you gopîs are all-successful and are universally worshiped because you have dedicated your minds in this way to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vâsudeva.

> > ******

> > TEXT 24

> > dâna-vrata-tapo-homa

> > japa-svâdhyâya-samyamaih

> > s'reyobhir vividhais' cânyaih

> > krishne bhaktir hi sâdhyate

> > dâna - by charity; vrata - strict vows; tapah - austerities; homa - fire sacrifices; japa - private chanting of mantras; svâdhyâya - study of Vedic texts; samyamaih - and regulative principles; s'reyobhih - by auspicious practices; vividhaih - various; ca - also; anyaih - others; krishne - to Lord Krishna; bhaktih - devotional service; hi - indeed; sâdhyate - is realized.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Devotional service unto Lord Krishna is attained by charity, strict vows, austerities and fire sacrifices, by japa, study of Vedic texts, observance of regulative principles and, indeed, by the performance of many other auspicious practices.

> > ******

> > TEXT 25

> > bhagavaty uttamah-s'loke

> > bhavatîbhir anuttamâ

> > bhaktih pravartitâ dishthyâ

> > munînâm api durlabhâ

> > bhagavati - for the Supreme Lord; uttamah-s'loke - who is glorified in sublime poetry; bhavatîbhih - by your good selves; anuttamâ - unexcelled; bhaktih - devotion; pravartîtâ - established; dishthyâ - (congratulations on your) good fortune; munînâm - for great sages; api - even; durlabhâ - hard to obtain.

> > TRANSLATION

> > By your great fortune you have established an unexcelled standard of pure devotion for the Lord, Uttamahs'loka - a standard even the sages can hardly attain.

> > ******

> > TEXT 26

> > dishthyâ putrân patîn dehân

> > sva-janân bhavanâni ca

> > hitvâvrinîta yûyam yat

> > krishnâkhyam purusham param

> > dishthyâ - by good fortune; putrân - sons; patîn - husbands; dehân - bodies; sva- janân - relatives; bhavanâni - homes; ca - and; hitvâ - leaving; avrinîta - did choose; yûyam - you; yat - the fact that; krishna-âkhyam - named Krishna; purusham - the male personality; param - supreme.

> > TRANSLATION

> > By your great fortune you have left your sons, husbands, bodily comforts, relatives and homes in favor of the supreme male, who is known as Krishna.

> > ******

> > TEXT 27

> > sarvâtma-bhâvo 'dhikrito

> > bhavatînâm adhokshaje

> > virahena mahâ-bhâgâ

> > mahân me 'nugrahah kritah

> > sarva-âtma - wholehearted; bhâvah - love; adhikritah - claimed by right; bhavatînâm - by you; adhokshaje - for the transcendental Lord; virahena - through this mood of separation; mahâ-bhâgâh - O most glorious ones; mahân - great; me - to me; anugrahah - mercy; kritah - done.

> > TRANSLATION

> > You have rightfully claimed the privilege of unalloyed love for the transcendental Lord, O most glorious gopîs. Indeed, by exhibiting your love for Krishna in separation from Him, you have shown me great mercy.

> > ******

> > TEXT 28

> > s'rûyatâm priya-sandes'o

> > bhavatînâm sukhâvahah

> > yam âdâyâgato bhadrâ

> > aham bhartû rahas-karah

> > s'rûyatâm - please hear; priya - of your beloved; sandes'ah - the message; bhavatînâm - for you; sukha - happiness; âvahah - bringing; yam - which; âdâya - carrying; âgatah - have come; bhadrâh - good ladies; aham - I; bhartuh - of my master; rahah - of confidential duties; karah - the executor.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My good ladies, now please hear your beloved's message, which I, the confidential servant of my master, have come here to bring you.

> > ******

> > TEXT 29

> > s'rî-bhagavân uvâca

> > bhavatînâm viyogo me

> > na hi sarvâtmanâ kvacit

> > yathâ bhûtâni bhûteshu

> > kham vâyv-agnir jalam mahî

> > tathâham ca manah-prâna-

> > bhûtendriya-gunâs'rayah

> > s'rî-bhagavân uvâca - the Supreme Lord said; bhavatînâm - of you women; viyogah - separation; me - from Me; na - is not; hi - indeed; sarva-âtmanâ - from the Soul of all existence; kvacit - ever; yathâ - as; bhûtâni - the physical elements; bhûteshu - in all created beings; kham - the ether; vâyu-agnih - air and fire; jalam - water; mahî - earth; tathâ - so; aham - I; ca - and; manah - of the mind; prâna - vital air; bhûta - material elements; indriya - bodily senses; guna - and of the primal modes of nature; âs'rayah - present as their shelter.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Supreme Lord said: You are never actually separated from Me, for I am the Soul of all creation. Just as the elements of nature - ether, air, fire, water and earth - are present in every created thing, so I am present within everyone's mind, life air and senses, and also within the physical elements and the modes of material nature.

> > ******

> > TEXT 30

> > âtmany evâtmanâtmânam

> > srije hanmy anupâlaye

> > âtma-mâyânubhâvena

> > bhûtendriya-gunâtmanâ

> > âtmani - within Myself; eva - indeed; âtmanâ - by Myself; âtmânam - Myself; srije - I create; hanmi - I destroy; anupâlaye - I sustain; âtma - My own; mâyâ - of the mystic potency; anubhâvena - by the power; bhûta - the material elements; indriya - the senses; guna - and the modes of nature; âtmanâ - comprising.

> > TRANSLATION

> > By Myself I create, sustain and withdraw Myself within Myself by the power of My personal energy, which comprises the material elements, the senses and the modes of nature.

> > ******

> > TEXT 31

> > âtmâ jn'âna-mayah s'uddho

> > vyatirikto 'gunânvayah

> > sushupti-svapna-jâgradbhir

> > mâyâ-vrittibhir îyate

> > âtmâ - the soul; jn'âna-mayah - comprising transcendental knowledge; s'uddhah - pure; vyatiriktah - separate; aguna-anvayah - uninvolved in the reactions of the material modes; sushupti - in deep sleep; svapna - ordinary sleep; jâgradbhih - and waking consciousness; mâyâ - of the material energy; vrittibhih - by the functions; îyate - is perceived.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Being composed of pure consciousness, or knowledge, the soul is distinct from everything material and is uninvolved in the entanglements of the modes of nature. We can perceive the soul through the three functions of material nature known as wakefulness, sleep and deep sleep.

> > ******

> > SB 10.47.32

> > TEXT 32

> > yenendriyârthân dhyâyeta

> > mrishâ svapna-vad utthitah

> > tan nirundhyâd indriyâni

> > vinidrah pratyapadyata

> > yena - by which (mind); indriya - of the senses; arthân - upon the objects; dhyâyeta - one meditates; mrishâ - false; svapna-vat - like a dream; utthitah - arisen from sleep; tat - that (mind); nirundhyât - one should bring under control; indriyâni - the senses; vinidrah - not sleeping (alert); pratyapadyata - they obtain.

> > TRANSLATION

> > As a person just arisen from sleep may continue to meditate on a dream even though it is illusory, so by the agency of the mind one meditates on the sense objects, which the senses can then obtain. Therefore one should become fully alert and bring the mind under control.

> > ******

> > TEXT 33

> > etad-antah samâmnâyo

> > yogah sânkhyam manîshinâm

> > tyâgas tapo damah satyam

> > samudrântâ ivâpagâh

> > etat - having this; antah - as its conclusion; samâmnâyah - the entire Vedic literature; yogah - the standard system of yoga; sânkhyam - the process of Sânkhya meditation, by which one learns to discriminate between spirit and matter; manîshinâm - of the intelligent; tyâgah - renunciation; tapah - austerity; damah - sense control; satyam - and honesty; samudra-antâh - leading to the ocean; iva - as; âpa-gâh - rivers.

> > TRANSLATION

> > According to intelligent authorities, this is the ultimate conclusion of all the Vedas, as well as all practice of yoga, Sânkhya, renunciation, austerity, sense control and truthfulness, just as the sea is the ultimate destination of all rivers.

> > ******

> > SB 10.47.34

> > TEXT 34

> > yat tv aham bhavatînâm vai

> > dûre varte priyo dris'âm

> > manasah sannikarshârtham

> > mad-anudhyâna-kâmyayâ

> > yat - the fact that; tu - however; aham - I; bhavatînâm - from your; vai - indeed; dûre - far away; varte - am situated; priyah - who am dear; dris'âm - to the eyes; manasah - of the mind; sannikarsha - of the attraction; artham - for the sake; mat - upon Me; anudhyâna. - for your meditation; kâmyayâ - out of My desire.

> > TRANSLATION

> > But the actual reason why I, the beloved object of your sight, have stayed far away from you is that I wanted to intensify your meditation upon Me and thus draw your minds closer to Me.

> > ******

> > TEXT 35

> > yathâ dûra-care preshthhe

> > mana âvis'ya vartate

> > strînâm ca na tathâ cetah

> > sannikrishthe 'kshi-gocare

> > yathâ - as; dûra-care - being situated far away; preshthhe - a lover; manah - the minds; âvis'ya - becoming absorbed; vartate - remain; strînâm - of women; ca - and; na - not; tathâ - so; cetah - their minds; sannikrishthe - when he is near; akshi- gocare - present before their eyes.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When her lover is far away, a woman thinks of him more than when he is present before her.

> > ******

> > TEXT 36

> > mayy âves'ya manah kritsnam

> > vimuktâs'esha-vritti yat

> > anusmarantyo mâm nityam

> > acirân mâm upaishyatha

> > mayi - in Me; âves'ya - absorbing; manah - your minds; kritsnam - entire; vimukta - having given up; as'esha - all; vritti - its (material) functions; yat - because; anusmarantyah - remembering; mâm - Me; nityam - constantly; acirât - soon; mâm - Me; upaishyatha - you will obtain.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Because your minds are totally absorbed in Me and free from all other engagement, you remember Me always, and so you will very soon have Me again in your presence.

> > ******

> > TEXT 37

> > yâ mayâ krîdatâ râtryâm

> > vane 'smin vraja âsthitâh

> > alabdha-râsâh kalyânyo

> > mâpur mad-vîrya-cintayâ

> > yâh - which women; mayâ - with Me; krîdatâ - who was sporting; râtryâm - at night; vane - in the forest; asmin - this; vraje - in the village of Vraja; âsthitâh - remaining; alabdha - not experiencing; râsâh - the râsa dance; kalyânyah - fortunate; mâ - Me; âpuh - they achieved; mat-vîrya - upon My valorous pastimes; cintayâ - by concentration.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Although some gopîs had to remain in the cowherd village and so could not join the râsa dance to sport with Me at night in the forest, they were nonetheless fortunate. Indeed, they attained Me by thinking of My potent pastimes.

> > ******

> > TEXT 38

> > s'rî-s'uka uvâca

> > evam priyatamâdishtham

> > âkarnya vraja-yoshitah

> > tâ ûcur uddhavam prîtâs

> > tat-sandes'âgata-smritîh

> > s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; evam - in this fashion; priya- tama - given by their beloved (Krishna); âdishtham - the instructions; âkarnya - hearing; vraja-yoshitah - the women of Vraja; tâh - they; ûcuh - said; uddhavam - to Uddhava; prîtah - pleased; tat - by that; sandes'a - message; âgata - having returned; smritîh - their memories.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: The women of Vraja were pleased to hear this message from their dearmost Krishna. His words having revived their memory, they addressed Uddhava as follows.

> > ******

> > TEXT 39

> > gopya ûcuh

> > dishthyâhito hatah kamso

> > yadûnâm sânugo 'gha-krit

> > dishthyâptair labdha-sarvârthaih

> > kus'aly âste 'cyuto 'dhunâ

> > gopyah ûcuh - the gopîs said; dishthyâ - fortunately; ahitah - the enemy; hatah - has been killed; kamsah - King Kamsa; yadûnâm - for the Yadus; sa-anugah - together with his followers; agha - of suffering; krit - the cause; dishthyâ - fortunately; âptaih - with His well-wishers; labdha - who have attained; sarva - all; arthaih - their desires; kus'alî - happily; âste - is living; acyutah - Lord Krishna; adhunâ - at present.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The gopîs said: It is very good that Kamsa, the enemy and persecutor of the Yadus, has now been killed, along with his followers. And it is also very good that Lord Acyuta is living happily in the company of His well-wishing friends and relatives, whose every desire is now fulfilled.

> > ******

> > TEXT 40

> > kaccid gadâgrajah saumya

> > karoti pura-yoshitâm

> > prîtim nah snigdha-savrîda-

> > hâsodârekshanârcitah

> > kaccit - perhaps; gada-agrajah - Krishna, the elder brother of Gada; saumya - O gentle (Uddhava); karoti - is giving; pura - of the city; yoshitâm - for the women; prîtim - loving happiness; nah - which belongs to us; snigdha - affectionate; sa-vrîda - and bashful; hâsa - with smiles; udâra - generous; îkshana - by their glances; arcitah - worshiped.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Gentle Uddhava, is the elder brother of Gada now bestowing on the city women the pleasure that actually belongs to us? We suppose those ladies worship Him with generous glances full of affectionate, shy smiles.

> > ******

> > TEXT 41

> > katham rati-vis'esha-jn'ah

> > priyas' ca pura-yoshitâm

> > nânubadhyeta tad-vâkyair

> > vibhramais' cânubhâjitah

> > katham - how; rati - of conjugal affairs; vis'esha - in all the specific aspects; jn'ah - the expert; priyah - the darling; ca - and; pura-yoshitâm - of the city women; na anubadhyeta - will not become bound; tat - by their; vâkyaih - words; vibhramaih - bewildering gestures; ca - and; anubhâjitah - constantly worshiped.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'rî Krishna is expert in all kinds of conjugal affairs and is the darling of the city women. How can He not become entangled, now that He's constantly adored by their enchanting words and gestures?

> > ******

> > TEXT 42

> > api smarati nah sâdho

> > govindah prastute kvacit

> > goshthhi-madhye pura-strînâm

> > grâmyâh svaira-kathântare

> > api - moreover; smarati - remembers; nah - us; sâdho - O pious one; govindah - Krishna; prastute - brought up in discussions; kvacit - ever; goshthhi - the assembly; madhye - within; pura-strînâm - of the city women; grâmyâh - village girls; svaira - free; kathâ - conversation; antare - during.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O saintly one, does Govinda ever remember us during His conversations with the city women? Does He ever mention us village girls as He freely talks with them?

> > ******

> > TEXT 43

> > tâh kim nis'âh smarati yâsu tadâ priyâbhir

> > vrindâvane kumuda-kunda-s'as'ânka-ramye

> > reme kvanac-carana-nûpura-râsa-goshthhyâm

> > asmâbhir îdita-manojn'a-kathah kadâcit

> > tâh - those; kim - whether; nis'âh - nights; smarati - He remembers; yâsu - in which; tadâ - then; priyâbhih - with His beloved girlfriends; vrindâvane - in the Vrindâvana forest; kumuda - because of the lotuses; kunda - and jasmines; s'as'ânka - and because of the moon; ramye - attractive; reme - He enjoyed; kvanat - jingling; carana-nûpura - (where) the ankle bells; râsa-goshthhyâm - in the party of the râsa dance; asmâbhih - with us; îdita - glorified; manojn'a - charming; kathah - topics about whom; kadâcit - ever.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Does He recall those nights in the Vrindâvana forest, lovely with lotus, jasmine and the bright moon? As we glorified His charming pastimes, He enjoyed with us, His beloved girlfriends, in the circle of the râsa dance, which resounded with the music of ankle bells.

> > ******

> > TEXT 44

> > apy eshyatîha dâs'ârhas

> > taptâh sva-kritayâ s'ucâ

> > san'jîvayan nu no gâtrair

> > yathendro vanam ambudaih

> > api - whether; eshyati - He will come; iha - here; dâs'ârhah - Krishna, the descendant of Das'ârha; taptâh - who are tormented; sva-kritayâ - by His own doing; s'ucâ - with sorrow; san'jîvayan - bringing back to life; nu - perhaps; nah - us; gâtraih - with (the touch of) His limbs; yathâ - as; indrah - Lord Indra; vanam - a forest; ambudaih - with clouds.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Will that descendant of Das'ârha return here and by the touch of His limbs bring back to life those who are now burning with the grief He Himself has caused? Will He save us in that way, just as Lord Indra brings a forest back to life with his water-bearing clouds?

> > ******

> > TEXT 45

> > kasmât krishna ihâyâti

> > prâpta-râjyo hatâhitah

> > narendra-kanyâ udvâhya

> > prîtah sarva-suhrid-vritah

> > kasmât - why; krishnah - Krishna; iha - here; âyâti - will come; prâpta - having attained; râjyah - a kingdom; hata - having killed; ahitah - His enemies; nara- indra - of kings; kanyâh - the daughters; udvâhya - after marrying; prîtah - happy; sarva - by all; suhrit - His well-wishers; vritah - surrounded.

> > TRANSLATION

> > But why should Krishna come here after winning a kingdom, killing His enemies and marrying the daughters of kings? He's satisfied there, surrounded by all His friends and well-wishers.

> > ******

> > TEXT 46

> > kim asmâbhir vanaukobhir

> > anyâbhir vâ mahâtmanah

> > s'rî-pater âpta-kâmasya

> > kriyetârthah kritâtmanah

> > kim - what; asmâbhih - with us; vana - the forest; okobhih - whose residence; anyâbhih - with other women; vâ - or; mahâ-âtmanah - for the exalted personality (Krishna); s'rî - of the goddess of fortune; pateh - for the husband; âpta- kâmasya - whose desires are already completely fulfilled; kriyeta - is to be served; arthah - purpose; krita-âtmanah - for Him who is complete in Himself.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The great soul Krishna is the Lord of the goddess of fortune, and He automatically achieves whatever He desires. How can we forest-dwellers or any other women fulfill His purposes when He is already fulfilled within Himself?

> > ******

> > TEXT 47

> > param saukhyam hi nairâs'yam

> > svairiny apy âha pingalâ

> > taj jânatînâm nah krishne

> > tathâpy âs'â duratyayâ

> > param - the highest; saukhyam - happiness; hi - indeed; nairâs'yam - indifference; svairinî - unchaste; api - although; âha - stated; pingalâ - the prostitute Pingalâ; tat - of that; jânatînâm - who are aware; nah - for us; krishne - focused on Krishna; tathâ api - nevertheless; âsâ - the hope; duratyayâ - is impossible to transcend.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Indeed, the greatest happiness is to renounce all desires, as even the prostitute Pingalâ has declared. Yet even though we know this, we cannot give up our hopes of attaining Krishna.

> > ******

> > TEXT 48

> > ka utsaheta santyaktum

> > uttamahs'loka-samvidam

> > anicchato 'pi yasya s'rîr

> > angân na cyavate kvacit

> > kah - who; utsaheta - can bear; santyaktum - to give up; uttamahs'loka - with Lord Krishna; samvidam - intimate talks; anicchatah - not wanted; api - even though; yasya - whose; s'rîh - the supreme goddess of fortune; angât - the body; na cyavate - does not let go of; kvacit - ever.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Who can bear to give up intimate talks with Lord Uttamahs'loka? Although He shows no interest in her, Goddess S'rî never moves from her place on His chest.

> > ******

> > TEXT 49

> > saric-chaila-vanoddes'â

> > gâvo venu-ravâ ime

> > sankarshana-sahâyena

> > krishnenâcaritâh prabho

> > sarit - rivers; s'aila - hills; vana-uddes'âh - and areas of the forest; gâvah - cows; venu-ravâh - flute sounds; ime - all these; sankarshana - Lord Balarâma; sahâyena - whose companion; krishnena - by Krishna; âcaritâh - utilized; prabho - O master (Uddhava).

> > TRANSLATION

> > Dear Uddhava Prabhu, when Krishna was here in the company of Sankarshana, He enjoyed all these rivers, hills, forests, cows and flute sounds.

> > ******

> > TEXT 50

> > punah punah smârayanti

> > nanda-gopa-sutam bata

> > s'rî-niketais tat-padakair

> > vismartum naiva s'aknumah

> > punah punah - again and again; smârayanti - they remind; nanda-gopa-sutam - of the son of Nanda, the cowherd king; bata - certainly; s'rî - divine; niketaih - having markings; tat - His; padakaih - because of the footprints; vismartum - to forget; na - not; eva - indeed; s'aknumah - are we able.

> > TRANSLATION

> > All these remind us constantly of Nanda's son. Indeed, because we see Krishna's footprints, which are marked with divine symbols, we can never forget Him.

> > ******

> > TEXT 51

> > gatyâ lalitayodâra-

> > hâsa-lîlâvalokanaih

> > mâdhvyâ girâ hrita-dhiyah

> > katham tam vismarâma he

> > gatyâ - by His gait; lalitayâ - charming; udâra - with generous; hâsa - smiles; lîlâ - playful; avalokanaih - by His glances; mâdhvyâ - honeylike; girâ - by His words; hrita - stolen away; dhiyah - whose hearts; katham - how; tam - Him; vismarâma - we can forget; he - O (Uddhava).

> > TRANSLATION

> > O Uddhava, how can we forget Him when our hearts have been stolen away by the charming way He walks, His generous smile and playful glances, and His honeylike words?

> > ******

> > TEXT 52

> > he nâtha he ramâ-nâtha

> > vraja-nâthârti-nâs'ana

> > magnam uddhara govinda

> > gokulam vrijinârnavât

> > he nâtha - O master; he ramâ-nâtha - O master of the goddess of fortune; vraja- nâtha - O master of the cowherd village; ârti - of suffering; nâs'ana - O destroyer; magnam - submerged; uddhara - uplift; govinda - O Govinda; gokulam - Gokula; vrijina - of distress; arnavât - from the ocean.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O master, O master of the goddess of fortune, O master of Vraja ! O destroyer of all suffering, Govinda, please lift Your Gokula out of the ocean of distress in which it is drowning!

> > ******

> > TEXT 53

> > s'rî-s'uka uvâca

> > tatas tâh krishna-sandes'air

> > vyapeta-viraha-jvarâh

> > uddhavam pûjayâm cakrur

> > jn'âtvâtmânam adhokshajam

> > s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'rî S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; tatah - then; tâh - they; krishna- sandes'aih - by the messages from Krishna; vyapeta - removed; viraha - of their separation; jvarâh - the fever; uddhavam - Uddhava; pûjayâm cakruh - worshiped; jn'âtvâ - recognizing him; âtmânam - Himself; adhokshajam - as the Supreme Lord.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'ukadeva Gosvâmî continued: Lord Krishna's messages having relieved their fever of separation, the gopîs then worshiped Uddhava, recognizing him as nondifferent from their Lord, Krishna.

> > ******

> > TEXT 54

> > uvâsa katicin mâsân

> > gopînâm vinudan s'ucah

> > krishna-lîlâ-kathâm gâyan

> > ramayâm âsa gokulam

> > uvâsa - he resided; katicit - for some; mâsân - months; gopînâm - of the cowherd girls; vinudan - dispelling; s'ucah - the unhappiness; krishna-lîlâ - of the pastimes of Lord Krishna; kathâm - the topics; gâyan - singing; ramayâm âsa - he gave joy; gokulam - to Gokula.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Uddhava remained there for several months, dispelling the gopîs' sorrow by chanting the topics of Lord Krishna's pastimes. Thus he brought joy to all the people of Gokula.

> > ******

> > TEXT 55

> > yâvanty ahâni nandasya

> > vraje 'vâtsît sa uddhavah

> > vrajaukasâm kshana-prâyâny

> > âsan krishnasya vârtayâ

> > yâvanti - for as many; ahâni - days; nandasya - of King Nanda; vraje - in the cowherd village; avâtsît - dwelled; sah - he; uddhavah - Uddhava; vraja- okasâm - for the residents of Vraja; kshana-prâyâni - passing like a moment; âsan - they were; krishnasya - about Krishna; vârtayâ - because of the discussions.

> > TRANSLATION

> > All the days that Uddhava dwelled in Nanda's cowherd village seemed like a single moment to the residents of Vraja, for Uddhava was always discussing Krishna.

> > ******

> > TEXT 56

> > sarid-vana-giri-dronîr

> > vîkshan kusumitân drumân

> > krishnam samsmârayan reme

> > hari-dâso vrajaukasâm

> > sarit - the rivers; vana - forests; giri - mountains; dronîh - and valleys; vîkshan - seeing; kusumitân - flowering; drumân - the trees; krishnam - about Krishna; samsmârayan - inspiring remembrance; reme - he took pleasure; hari-dâsah - the servant of Lord Hari; vraja-okasâm - for the residents of Vraja.

> > TRANSLATION

> > That servant of Lord Hari, seeing the rivers, forests, mountains, valleys and flowering trees of Vraja, enjoyed inspiring the inhabitants of Vrindâvana by reminding them of Lord Krishna.

> > ******

> > TEXT 57

> > drishthvaivam-âdi gopînâm

> > krishnâves'âtma-viklavam

> > uddhavah parama-prîtas

> > tâ namasyann idam jagau

> > drishthvâ - seeing; evam - such; âdi - and more; gopînâm - of the gopîs; krishna- âves'a - their total absorption in thought of Krishna; âtma - consisting of; viklavam - the mental agitation; uddhavah - Uddhava; parama - supremely; prîtah - pleased; tâh - to them; namasyan - offering all respect; idam - this; jagau - sang.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Thus seeing how the gopîs were always disturbed because of their total absorption in Krishna, Uddhava was supremely pleased. Desiring to offer them all respect, he sang as follows.

> > ******

> > TEXT 58

> > etâh param tanu-bhrito bhuvi gopa-vadhvo

> > govinda eva nikhilâtmani rûdha-bhâvâh

> > vân'chanti yad bhava-bhiyo munayo vayam ca

> > kim brahma-janmabhir ananta-kathâ-rasasya

> > etâh - these women; param - alone; tanu - their bodies; bhritah - maintain successfully; bhuvi - on the earth; gopa-vadhvah - the young cowherd women; govinde - for Lord Krishna; eva - exclusively; nikhila - of all; âtmani - the Soul; rûdha - perfected; bhâvâh - ecstatic loving attraction; vân'chanti - they desire; yat - which; bhava - material existence; bhiyah - those who are afraid of; munayah - sages; vayam - we; ca - also; kim - what use; brahma - as a brâhmana or as Lord Brahmâ; janmabhih - with births; ananta - of the unlimited Lord; kathâ - for the topics; rasasya - for one who has a taste.

> > TRANSLATION

> > [Uddhava sang:] Among all persons on earth, these cowherd women alone have actually perfected their embodied lives, for they have achieved the perfection of unalloyed love for Lord Govinda. Their pure love is hankered after by those who fear material existence, by great sages, and by ourselves as well. For one who has tasted the narrations of the infinite Lord, what is the use of taking birth as a high-class brâhmana, or even as Lord Brahmâ himself?

> > ******

> > TEXT 59

> > kvemâh striyo vana-carîr vyabhicâra-dushthâh

> > krishne kva caisha paramâtmani rûdha-bhâvah

> > nanv îs'varo 'nubhajato 'vidusho 'pi sâkshâc

> > chreyas tanoty agada-râja ivopayuktah

> > kva - where, in comparison; imâh - these; striyah - women; vana - in the forests; carîh - who wander; vyabhicâra - by improper behavior; dushthâh - contaminated; krishne - for Krishna; kva ca - and where; eshah - this; parama-âtmani - for the Supreme Soul; rûdha-bhâvah - stage of perfect love (known technically as mahâ-bhâva); nanu - certainly; îs'varah - the Personality of Godhead; anubhajatah - to one who constantly worships Him; avidushah - not learned; api - even though; sâkshât - directly; s'reyah - the highest good; tanoti - bestows; agada - of medicines; râjah - the king (namely, the nectar which the demigods drink for long life); iva - as if; upayuktah - taken.

> > TRANSLATION

> > How amazing it is that these simple women who wander about the forest, seemingly spoiled by improper behavior, have achieved the perfection of unalloyed love for Krishna, the Supreme Soul! Still, it is true that the Supreme Lord Himself awards His blessings even to an ignorant worshiper, just as the best medicine works even when taken by a person ignorant of its ingredients.

> > ******

> > TEXT 60

> > nâyam s'riyo 'nga u nitânta-rateh prasâdah

> > svar-yoshitâm nalina-gandha-rucâm kuto 'nyâh

> > râsotsave 'sya bhuja-danda-grihîta-kanthha-

> > labdhâs'ishâm ya udagâd vraja-vallabhînâm

> > na - not; ayam - this; s'riyah - of the goddess of fortune; ange - on the chest; u - alas; nitânta-rateh - who is very intimately related; prasâdah - the favor; svah - of the heavenly planets; yoshitâm - of women; nalina - of the lotus flower; gandha - having the aroma; rucâm - and bodily luster; kutah - much less; anyâh - others; rasa-utsave - in the festival of the râsa dance; asya - of Lord S'rî Krishna; bhuja-danda - by the arms; grihîta - embraced; kanthha - their necks; labdha-âs'ishâm - who achieved such a blessing; yah - which; udagât - became manifest; vraja-vallabhînâm - of the beautiful gopîs, the transcendental girls of Vrajabhûmi.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When Lord S'rî Krishna was dancing with the gopîs in the râsa-lîlâ, the gopîs were embraced by the arms of the Lord. This transcendental favor was never bestowed upon the goddess of fortune or other consorts in the spiritual world. Indeed, never was such a thing even imagined by the most beautiful girls in the heavenly planets, whose bodily luster and aroma resemble the lotus flower. And what to speak of worldly women who are very beautiful according to material estimation?

> > ******

> > TEXT 61

> > âsâm aho carana-renu-jushâm aham syâm

> > vrindâvane kim api gulma-lataushadhînâm

> > yâ dustyajam sva-janam ârya-patham ca hitvâ

> > bhejur mukunda-padavîm s'rutibhir vimrigyâm

> > âsam - of the gopîs; aho - oh; carana-renu - the dust of the lotus feet; jushâm - devoted to; aham syâm - let me become; vrindâvane - in Vrindâvana; kim api - any one; gulma-latâ-oshadhînâm - among bushes, creepers and herbs; yâ - they who; dustyajam - very difficult to give up; sva-janam - family members; ârya- patham - the path of chastity; ca - and; hitvâ - giving up; bhejuh - worshiped; mukunda-padavîm - the lotus feet of Mukunda, Krishna; s'rutibhih - by the Vedas; vimrigyâm - to be searched for.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The gopîs of Vrindâvana have given up the association of their husbands, sons and other family members, who are very difficult to give up, and they have forsaken the path of chastity to take shelter of the lotus feet of Mukunda, Krishna, which one should search for by Vedic knowledge. Oh, let me be fortunate enough to be one of the bushes, creepers or herbs in Vrindâvana, because the gopîs trample them and bless them with the dust of their lotus feet.

> > ******

> > TEXT 62

> > yâ vai s'riyârcitam ajâdibhir âpta-kâmair

> > yoges'varair api yad âtmani râsa-goshthhyâm

> > krishnasya tad bhagavatah caranâravindam

> > nyastam staneshu vijahuh parirabhya tâpam

> > yâh - who (the gopîs); vai - indeed; s'riyâ - by the goddess of fortune; arcitam - worshiped; aja - by unborn Brahmâ; âdibhih - and other demigods; âpta- kâmaih - who have already realized all desires; yoga-îs'varaih - masters of mystic power; api - even though; yat - which; âtmani - in the mind; râsa - of the râsa dance; goshthhyâm - in the gathering; krishnasya - of Lord Krishna; tat - those; bhagavatah - of the Supreme Lord; carana-aravindam - the lotus feet; nyastam - placed; staneshu - on their breasts; vijahuh - they gave up; parirabhya - by embracing; tâpam - their torment.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The goddess of fortune herself, along with Lord Brahmâ and all the other demigods, who are masters of yogic perfection, can worship the lotus feet of Krishna only within her mind. But during the râsa dance Lord Krishna placed His feet upon these gopîs' breasts, and by embracing those feet the gopîs gave up all distress.

> > ******

> > TEXT 63

> > vande nanda-vraja-strînâm

> > pâda-renum abhîkshnas'ah

> > yâsâm hari-kathodgîtam

> > punâti bhuvana-trayam

> > vande - I offer my respects; nanda-vraja - of the cowherd village of Nanda Mahârâja; strînâm - of the women; pâda - of the feet; renum - to the dust; abhîkshnas'ah - perpetually; yâsâm - whose; hari - of Lord Krishna; kathâ - about the topics; udgîtam - loud chanting; punâti - purifies; bhuvana-trayam - the three worlds.

> > TRANSLATION

> > I repeatedly offer my respects to the dust from the feet of the women of Nanda Mahârâja's cowherd village. When these gopîs loudly chant the glories of S'rî Krishna, the vibration purifies the three worlds.

> > ******

> > TEXT 64

> > s'rî-s'uka uvâca

> > atha gopîr anujn'âpya

> > yas'odâm nandam eva ca

> > gopân âmantrya dâs'ârho

> > yâsyann âruruhe ratham

> > s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; atha - then; gopîh - of the gopîs; anujn'âpya - taking permission; yas'odâm - of mother Yas'odâ; nandam - King Nanda; eva ca - also; gopân - of the cowherds; âmantrya - taking leave; dâs'ârhah - Uddhava, descendant of Das'ârha; yâsyan - being about to leave; âruruhe - mounted; ratham - his chariot.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: Uddhava, the descendant of Das'ârha, then took permission to leave from the gopîs and from mother Yas'odâ and Nanda Mahârâja. He bade farewell to all the cowherd men and, about to depart, mounted his chariot.

> > ******

> > TEXT 65

> > tam nirgatam samâsâdya

> > nânopâyana-pânayah

> > nandâdayo 'nurâgena

> > prâvocann as'ru-locanâh

> > tam - him (Uddhava); nirgatam - gone out; samâsâdya - approaching; nânâ - various; upâyana - items for worship; pânayah - in their hands; nanda-âdayah - Nanda and the others; anurâgena - with affection; prâvocan - spoke; as'ru - with tears; locanâh - in their eyes.

> > TRANSLATION

> > As Uddhava was about to leave, Nanda and the others approached him bearing various items of worship. With tears in their eyes they addressed him as follows.

> > ******

> > TEXT 66

> > manaso vrittayo nah syuh

> > krishna pâdâmbujâs'rayâh

> > vâco 'bhidhâyinîr nâmnâm

> > kâyas tat-prahvanâdishu

> > manasah - of the minds; vrittayah - the functions; nah - our; syuh - may they be; krishna - of Krishna; pâda-ambuja - of the lotus feet; âs'rayâh - taking shelter; vâcah - our words; abhidhâyinîh - expressing; nâmnâm - His names; kâyah - our bodies; tat - to Him; prahvana-âdishu - (engaged) in bowing down and so forth.

> > TRANSLATION

> > [Nanda and the other cowherds said:] May our mental functions always take shelter of Krishna's lotus feet, may our words always chant His names, and may our bodies always bow down to Him and serve Him.

> > ******

> > TEXT 67

> > karmabhir bhrâmyamânânâm

> > yatra kvâpîs'varecchayâ

> > mangalâcaritair dânai

> > ratir nah krishna îs'vare

> > karmabhih - by our fruitive actions; bhrâmyamânânâm - who are made to wander; yatra kva api - wherever; îs'vara - of the Supreme Lord; icchayâ - by the desire; mangala - auspicious; âcaritaih - because of works; dânaih - because of charity; ratih - attachment; nah - our; krishne - for Krishna; îs'vare - the Lord.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Wherever we are made to wander about this world by the Supreme Lord's will, in accordance with the reactions to our fruitive work, may our good works and charity always grant Us love for Lord Krishna.

> > ******

> > TEXT 68

> > evam sabhâjito gopaih

> > krishna-bhaktyâ narâdhipa

> > uddhavah punar âgacchan

> > mathurâm krishna-pâlitâm

> > evam - thus; sabhâjitah - shown honor; gopaih - by the cowherds; krishna- bhaktyâ - with devotion for Krishna; nara-adhipa - O ruler of men (Parîkchit); uddhavah - Uddhava; punah - again; âgacchat - returned; mathurâm - to Mathurâ; krishna-pâlitâm - which was being protected by Lord Krishna.

> > TRANSLATION

> > [S'ukadeva Gosvâmî continued:] O ruler of men, thus honored by the cowherd men with expressions of devotion for Lord Krishna, Uddhava went back to the city of Mathurâ, which was under Krishna's protection.

> > ******

> > TEXT 69

> > krishnâya pranipatyâha

> > bhakty-udrekam vrajaukasâm

> > vasudevâya râmâya

> > râjn'e copâyanâny adât

> > krishnâya - to Lord Krishna; pranipatya - after falling down to pay homage; âha - he told; bhakti - of pure devotion; udrekam - the abundance; vraja-okasâm - of the residents of Vraja; vasudevâya - to Vasudeva; râmâya - to Lord Balarâma; râjn'e - to the King (Ugrasena); ca - and; upâyanâni - the items received in tribute; adât - he gave.

> > TRANSLATION

> > After falling down to pay his homage, Uddhava described to Lord Krishna the immense devotion of the residents of Vraja. Uddhava also described it to Vasudeva, Lord Balarâma and King Ugrasena and presented to them the gifts of tribute he had brought with him.

> > Back to the running text