॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
॥ पञ्चदशोऽध्यायः - १५ ॥
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Discourse XV
The demon Dhenuka slain (Preamble)
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श्रीशुक उवाच ।
ततश्च पौगण्डवयः श्रितौ व्रजे
बभूवतुस्तौ पशुपालसम्मतौ ।
गाश्चारयन्तौ सखिभिः समं पदैः
वृन्दावनं पुण्यमतीव चक्रतुः ॥ १॥
तन्माधवो वेणुमुदीरयन् वृतो
गोपैर्गृणद्भिः स्वयशो बलान्वितः ।
पशून् पुरस्कृत्य पशव्यमाविश-
द्विहर्तुकामः कुसुमाकरं वनम् ॥ २॥
तन्मञ्जुघोषालिमृगद्विजाकुलं
महन्मनःप्रख्यपयःसरस्वता ।
वातेन जुष्टं शतपत्रगन्धिना
निरीक्ष्य रन्तुं भगवान् मनो दधे ॥ ३॥
स तत्र तत्रारुणपल्लवश्रिया
फलप्रसूनोरुभरेण पादयोः ।
स्पृशच्छिखान् वीक्ष्य वनस्पतीन् मुदा
स्मयन्निवाहाग्रजमादिपूरुषः ॥ ४॥
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Śrī Śuka began again : And then, having attained (their) boyhood in Vraja, the two Brothers were approved (by Nanda and others) for (taking up the work of) tending the cows. While grazing* them in the company of Their playmates, They rendered (the soil of) Vṛndāvana most sacred by Their footprints. (1)
Surrounded by cowherds—who were singing His praises—and accompanied by Balarāma, Śrī Kṛṣṇa (the Spouse of Lakṣmī), who was eager to sport, entered the said woodland (of Vṛndāvana), the store-house of blossoms and good for the cattle, driving the cows before Him and playing on His flute. (2)
Observing it full of bees, beasts and birds making delightful sounds (nay,) fanned by a breeze blowing over a pond, whose water was clear as the mind of an exalted soul, and wafting the fragrance of lotuses, the Lord made up His mind to sport (there). (3)
Perceiving at every step trees whose boughs were touching the feet (as it were of Balarāma) with the heavy load of their fruits and flowers as well as with the wealth of their ruddy leaves, and smiling as it were with joy, the said Śrī Kṛṣṇa (the most ancient Person) spoke to His elder brother (Balarāma) (as follows). (4) (1-4)
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शुक्लाष्टमी कार्तिकस्य स्मृता गोपाष्टमी बुधैः ।
तद्दिनाद् वासुदेवोऽभूद् गोपः पूर्वं तु वत्सपः ॥
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- We read in Padmapurāṇa:—
The eighth day of the bright half of Kārtika is remembered by the wise as Gopāṣṭamī. From that day forward Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa (the Son of Vasudeva) passed as a cowherd; before this however, He was a (mere) keeper of calves.
(Preamble)
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श्रीभगवानुवाच ।
अहो अमी देव वरामरार्चितं
पादाम्बुजं ते सुमनःफलार्हणम् ।
नमन्त्युपादाय शिखाभिरात्मन-
स्तमोऽपहत्यै तरुजन्म यत्कृतम् ॥ ५॥
एतेऽलिनस्तव यशोऽखिललोकतीर्थं
गायन्त आदिपुरुषानुपदं भजन्ते ।
प्रायो अमी मुनिगणा भवदीयमुख्या
गूढं वनेऽपि न जहत्यनघात्मदैवम् ॥ ६॥
नृत्यन्त्यमी शिखिन ईड्य मुदा हरिण्यः
कुर्वन्ति गोप्य इव ते प्रियमीक्षणेन ।
सूक्तैश्च कोकिलगणा गृहमागताय
धन्या वनौकस इयान् हि सतां निसर्गः ॥ ७॥
धन्येयमद्य धरणी तृणवीरुधस्त्वत्-
पादस्पृशो द्रुमलताः करजाभिमृष्टाः ।
नद्योऽद्रयः खगमृगाः सदयावलोकै-
र्गोप्योऽन्तरेण भुजयोरपि यत्स्पृहा श्रीः ॥ ८॥
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The glorious Lord said : Oh, for the elimination of their stupidity, by which was brought about their birth in the vegetable kingdom, these trees, O chief of the gods, bow with their (bending) boughs to Your lotus-feet, adored even by the immortals, bringing (with them) for You offerings in the shape of flowers and fruits..(5)
These bees, O most ancient Person, resort to You at every step, singing Your glory that is capable of purifying all the worlds. In all probability they are (no other than) hosts of hermits, the foremost among Your devotees, who do not forsake You, their Deity, though concealed in the forest, O sinless One ! (6)
These peacocks, O praiseworthy One, dance in joy; the she-deer like the cowherd women bring delight to You with their glances and the flocks of cuckoos extend (their) welcome to You, arrived at their home, with their sweet notes. Blessed are these denizens of the forest; for such is the nature of the righteous. (7)
Blessed today is this earth no less than the blades of grass and plants that kiss Your feet, the trees and creepers touched by Your nails (while their leaves and flowers are being plucked by You), the rivers and mountains, the birds and beasts regarded (by You) with kindly looks, and the cowherd-damsels pressed (by You) to Your bosom, which is coveted even by Śrī (the goddess of beauty and prosperity) ! (8) (5-8)
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श्रीशुक उवाच ।
एवं वृन्दावनं श्रीमत्कृष्णः प्रीतमनाः पशून् ।
रेमे सञ्चारयन्नद्रेः सरिद्रोधःसु सानुगः ॥ ९॥
क्वचिद्गायति गायत्सु मदान्धालिष्वनुव्रतैः ।
उपगीयमानचरितः स्रग्वी सङ्कर्षणान्वितः ॥ १०॥
(अनुजल्पति जल्पन्तं कलवाक्यैः शुकं क्वचित् ।
क्वचित्स वल्गु कूजन्तमनुकूजति कोकिलम् ॥)
क्वचिच्च कलहंसानामनुकूजति कूजितम् ।
अभिनृत्यति नृत्यन्तं बर्हिणं हासयन् क्वचित् ॥ ११॥
मेघगम्भीरया वाचा नामभिर्दूरगान् पशून् ।
क्वचिदाह्वयति प्रीत्या गोगोपालमनोज्ञया ॥ १२॥
चकोरक्रौञ्चचक्राह्वभारद्वाजांश्च बर्हिणः ।
अनुरौति स्म सत्त्वानां भीतवद्व्याघ्रसिंहयोः ॥ १३॥
क्वचित्क्रीडापरिश्रान्तं गोपोत्सङ्गोपबर्हणम् ।
स्वयं विश्रमयत्यार्यं पादसंवाहनादिभिः ॥ १४॥
नृत्यतो गायतः क्वापि वल्गतो युध्यतो मिथः ।
गृहीतहस्तौ गोपालान् हसन्तौ प्रशशंसतुः ॥ १५॥
क्वचित्पल्लवतल्पेषु नियुद्धश्रमकर्शितः ।
वृक्षमूलाश्रयः शेते गोपोत्सङ्गोपबर्हणः ॥ १६॥
पादसंवाहनं चक्रुः केचित्तस्य महात्मनः ।
अपरे हतपाप्मानो व्यजनैः समवीजयन् ॥ १७॥
अन्ये तदनुरूपाणि मनोज्ञानि महात्मनः ।
गायन्ति स्म महाराज स्नेहक्लिन्नधियः शनैः ॥ १८॥
एवं निगूढात्मगतिः स्वमायया
गोपात्मजत्वं चरितैर्विडम्बयन् ।
रेमे रमालालितपादपल्लवो
ग्राम्यैः समं ग्राम्यवदीशचेष्टितः ॥ १९॥
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Śrī Śuka continued : Delighted thus at heart at the sight of the glorious Vṛndāvana, Śrī Kṛṣṇa with His followers (the cowherds) diverted Himself while pasturing His cattle on the river banks in the vicinity of the mountain (Govardhana). (9)
Adorned with a garland and accompanied by Saṅkarṣaṇa (Balarāma), He sometimes sang in the midst of humming bees blinded with intoxication (caused by the sucking of honey), His exploits being celebrated by His followers (the gods or cowherds). (10)
Now He uttered a (shrill) cry in imitation of the crying of swans while at other times He danced in front of a dancing peacock, delighting it (thereby). (11)
In a voice sonorous like the rumbling of clouds and fascinating to the cows and the cowherds, He would sometimes lovingly call cows, that had strayed far away, by their names. (12)
He imitated the cries of Cakoras, Kraunīcas (curlews), Cakravākas (ruddygeese), the Bhāradwājas (skylarks) and peacocks and now in the midst of animals He would behave like one afraid of the tiger and the lion. (13)
At times He would Himself refresh Balarāma (His elder brother)—exhausted with play and lying with his head placed on the pillow-like lap of a cowherd—by kneading his feet and other services. (14)
With Their hands clasped together the two Brothers sometimes laughed and applauded the cowherd boys when the latter danced, sang, ran or wrestled with one another. (15)
Overcome with fatigue in combat, He sometimes lay down in beds of tender leaves (prepared by His playmates) at the foot of a tree with His head placed in the pillow-like lap of a cowherd. (16)
Some boys kneaded the feet of that great soul, while other sinless ones cooled Him with fans (made of leaves etc.). (17)
With their mind steeped in love, O great king others would gently sing songs befitting the occasion and pleasing to the mind of the great soul. (18)
With His reality thus fully concealed by His own deluding potency and imitating the ways of a cowherd boy by His conduct, Śrī Kṛṣṇa—whose tender feet are caressed by Ramā (the goddess of prosperity) and who would (now and then) behave as the almighty Lord (Himself) sported like a rustic in the company of rustics. (19) (9-19)
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श्रीदामा नाम गोपालो रामकेशवयोः सखा ।
सुबलस्तोककृष्णाद्या गोपाः प्रेम्णेदमब्रुवन् ॥ २०॥
राम राम महाबाहो कृष्ण दुष्टनिबर्हण ।
इतोऽविदूरे सुमहद्वनं तालालिसङ्कुलम् ॥ २१॥
फलानि तत्र भूरीणि पतन्ति पतितानि च ।
सन्ति किन्त्ववरुद्धानि धेनुकेन दुरात्मना ॥ २२॥
सोऽतिवीर्योऽसुरो राम हे कृष्ण खररूपधृक् ।
आत्मतुल्यबलैरन्यैर्ज्ञातिभिर्बहुभिरावृतः ॥ २३॥
तस्मात्कृतनराहाराद्भीतैर्नृभिरमित्रहन् ।
न सेव्यते पशुगणैः पक्षिसङ्घैर्विवर्जितम् ॥ २४॥
विद्यन्तेऽभुक्तपूर्वाणि फलानि सुरभीणि च ।
एष वै सुरभिर्गन्धो विषूचीनोऽवगृह्यते ॥ २५॥
प्रयच्छ तानि नः कृष्ण गन्धलोभितचेतसाम् ।
वाञ्छास्ति महती राम गम्यतां यदि रोचते ॥ २६॥
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A cowherd boy, Śrīdāmā by name, a (bosom) friend of Balarāma and Śrī Kṛṣṇa (the Protector even of Brahmā and Śiva), and other Gopas, the foremost among them being Subala and Stoka-Kṛṣṇa, lovingly spoke to Them (as follows;—(20)
"O mighty-armed Balarāma, O delighter of all, O Kṛṣṇa, the Destroyer of the wicked! not very far from this place there lies a very extensive forest" thick with rows of palmyra trees. (21)
Plenty of fruits lie fallen there and continue to fall; but they are guarded by the wicked Dhenuka. (22)
He is a demon of great prowess, disguised as a donkey, O Rāma, O Kṛṣṇa, and is surrounded by many other donkeys equal in strength to him. (23)
The forest is (therefore) never resorted to, O Slayer of foes, by men, afraid of that demon, who has tasted the human flesh; nay, it is shunned (even) by herds of cattle and flights of birds. (24)
The fruits have never been tasted (by us) before and are sweet-smelling (too); their delicious smell, which has spread all round, can be directly perceived even here. (25)
O Kṛṣṇa, make them available to us, whose mind has been lured by their odour. Great is our longing (for them), O Rāma; let us go (there) if it pleases you. (26)
- The site is now located in the south-west of Mathuyā at a distance of eight miles from Govardhana, and is known by the name of Talsi or Tarphara.
(20-26)
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एवं सुहृद्वचः श्रुत्वा सुहृत्प्रियचिकीर्षया ।
प्रहस्य जग्मतुर्गोपैर्वृतौ तालवनं प्रभू ॥ २७॥
बलः प्रविश्य बाहुभ्यां तालान् सम्परिकम्पयन् ।
फलानि पातयामास मतङ्गज इवौजसा ॥ २८॥
फलानां पततां शब्दं निशम्यासुररासभः ।
अभ्यधावत्क्षितितलं सनगं परिकम्पयन् ॥ २९॥
समेत्य तरसा प्रत्यग्द्वाभ्यां पद्भ्यां बलं बली ।
निहत्योरसि का शब्दं मुञ्चन् पर्यसरत्खलः ॥ ३०॥
पुनरासाद्य संरब्ध उपक्रोष्टा पराक्स्थितः ।
चरणावपरौ राजन् बलाय प्राक्षिपद्रुषा ॥ ३१॥
स तं गृहीत्वा प्रपदोर्भ्रामयित्वैकपाणिना ।
चिक्षेप तृणराजाग्रे भ्रामणत्यक्तजीवितम् ॥ ३२॥
तेनाहतो महातालो वेपमानो बृहच्छिराः ।
पार्श्वस्थं कम्पयन् भग्नः स चान्यं सोऽपि चापरम् ॥ ३३॥
बलस्य लीलयोत्सृष्टखरदेहहताहताः ।
तालाश्चकम्पिरे सर्वे महावातेरिता इव ॥ ३४॥
नैतच्चित्रं भगवति ह्यनन्ते जगदीश्वरे ।
ओतप्रोतमिदं यस्मिंस्तन्तुष्वङ्ग यथा पटः ॥ ३५॥
ततः कृष्णं च रामं च ज्ञातयो धेनुकस्य ये ।
क्रोष्टारोऽभ्यद्रवन् सर्वे संरब्धा हतबान्धवाः ॥ ३६॥
तांस्तानापततः कृष्णो रामश्च नृप लीलया ।
गृहीतपश्चाच्चरणान् प्राहिणोत्तृणराजसु ॥ ३७॥
फलप्रकरसङ्कीर्णं दैत्यदेहैर्गतासुभिः ।
रराज भूः सतालाग्रैर्घनैरिव नभस्तलम् ॥ ३८॥
तयोस्तत्सुमहत्कर्म निशाम्य विबुधादयः ।
मुमुचुः पुष्पवर्षाणि चक्रुर्वाद्यानि तुष्टुवुः ॥ ३९॥
अथ तालफलान्यादन् मनुष्या गतसाध्वसाः ।
तृणं च पशवश्चेरुर्हतधेनुककानने ॥ ४०॥
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The two almighty Lords heartily laughed to hear the above prayer of Their friends and, accompanied by cowherds, proceeded to the forest of palmyra trees with intent to oblige Their loving companions. (27)
Entering the forest and thoroughly shaking the palm trees on all sides with both His arms Balarāma, like the young of an elephant, caused their fruits by (sheer) bodily strength to fall down. (28)
Hearing the sound of the falling fruits, the demon in the guise of a donkey rushed (towards Balarāma,) making the earth's surface quake along-with mountains. (29)
Coming up with great speed, the powerful demon struck Balarāma in the chest with both of his hind legs; and, giving forth a harsh cry, the wicked fellow ran hither and thither. (30)
Coming up again in a rage and standing with its back turned towards Balarāma, the donkey kicked up its hind heels in violent anger against him, O king! (31)
Seizing it by the fore part of its feet with one hand and whirling it, Balarāma dashed it, against the foot of a palmyra, the demon having given up the ghost in the (very) process of whirling. (32)
Shaking when struck by that carcass, the huge palm tree with its extensive top crashed shaking the adjoining tree. The latter (too) fell down shaking (still) another, and that too came down shaking a fourth (and so on). (33)
Hit (indirectly in succession) by the tree which was struck by the carcass of the donkey dashed in sport by Balarāma, all the palm trees (of that forest) shook as if swept by a hurricane. (34)
This was indeed no miracle on the part of the almighty Balarāma, (who was no other than Lord Ananta, the serpent-god), the Ruler of the universe, in whom this universe is woven, warp and woof, as a piece of cloth in the threads, O dear one! (35)
Their relation (Dhenuka) having (thus) been killed, the donkeys, the kindred of Dhenuka, all then rushed in fury towards Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma too. (36)
Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, O protector of men, playfully dashed them against the palm trees, seizing them by their hind heels, even as they came rushing towards Them. (37)
Scattered over with heaps of fruits as well as with the carcasses of the demons alongwith the tops of the palm trees, the earth shone like the vault of the heavens overcast with clouds. (38)
Observing that very great feat of the two (divine) Brothers, the gods and other (such as the Vidyādhara and the Cāraṇas, the celestial bards) poured down showers of flowers; sounded musical instruments and uttered praises. (39)
Henceforth in that forest, that had (now) been rid of Dhenuka, men fearlessly ate of the palm fruits and the cattle grazed on the pasture land. (40) (27-40)
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कृष्णः कमलपत्राक्षः पुण्यश्रवणकीर्तनः ।
स्तूयमानोऽनुगैर्गोपैः साग्रजो व्रजमाव्रजत् ॥ ४१॥
तं गोरजश्छुरितकुन्तलबद्धबर्ह-
वन्यप्रसूनरुचिरेक्षणचारुहासम् ।
वेणुं क्वणन्तमनुगैरुपगीतकीर्तिं
गोप्यो दिदृक्षितदृशोऽभ्यगमन् समेताः ॥ ४२॥
पीत्वा मुकुन्दमुखसारघमक्षिभृङ्गै-
स्तापं जहुर्विरहजं व्रजयोषितोऽह्नि ।
तत्सत्कृतिं समधिगम्य विवेश गोष्ठं
सव्रीडहासविनयं यदपाङ्गमोक्षम् ॥ ४३॥
तयोर्यशोदारोहिण्यौ पुत्रयोः पुत्रवत्सले ।
यथाकामं यथाकालं व्यधत्तां परमाशिषः ॥ ४४॥
गताध्वानश्रमौ तत्र मज्जनोन्मर्दनादिभिः ।
नीवीं वसित्वा रुचिरां दिव्यस्रग्गन्धमण्डितौ ॥ ४५॥
जनन्युपहृतं प्राश्य स्वाद्वन्नमुपलालितौ ।
संविश्य वरशय्यायां सुखं सुषुपतुर्व्रजे ॥ ४६॥
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Being glorified by His followers, the cowherd boys, and accompanied by Balarāma (His elder brother), Śrī Kṛṣṇa—whose eyes were large as the petals of a lotus and the hearing and recital of whose glory bring religious merit (to the devotee)—returned to Vraja. (41)
The cowherd women with eager eyes went forth in a body to meet Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who had the plume of a peacock and wild flowers fastened to His curly locks soiled with the dust raised by the hoofs of cows, who had charming eyes and wore a winsome smile (on His countenance), (nay,) who was playing on His flute and whose glory was being sung by His followers. (42)
Drinking with their beelike eyes the honey-like beauty of the lotus face of Śrī Kṛṣṇa (the Bestower of liberation), the women of Vraja dismissed the agony born of their separation (from the Lord) during the daytime; and Śrī Kṛṣṇa entered Vraja duly receiving their homage, which took the form of sidelong glances accompanied by bashful smiles and modesty. (43)
Yaśodā and Rohiṇī who were (so) fond of their Sons, provided Them (Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma) with excellent food and raiment suited to the occasion and according to the latters' wishes. (44)
Relieved of the fatigue caused by Their excursion (to and back from the woods) by bath and massage etc., the two Brothers put on a charming loin-cloth, were adorned with an exquisite garland and sandal-paste, ate the delicious fare brought by the mothers and, fondled by them They lay down to rest in Their excellent bed, and slept comfortably (at Their mansion) in Vraja. (45-46) (41-46)
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एवं स भगवान् कृष्णो वृन्दावनचरः क्वचित् ।
ययौ राममृते राजन् कालिन्दीं सखिभिर्वृतः ॥ ४७॥
अथ गावश्च गोपाश्च निदाघातपपीडिताः ।
दुष्टं जलं पपुस्तस्यास्तृषार्ता विषदूषितम् ॥ ४८॥
विषाम्भस्तदुपस्पृश्य दैवोपहतचेतसः ।
निपेतुर्व्यसवः सर्वे सलिलान्ते कुरूद्वह ॥ ४९॥
वीक्ष्य तान् वै तथाभूतान् कृष्णो योगेश्वरेश्वरः ।
ईक्षयामृतवर्षिण्या स्वनाथान् समजीवयत् ॥ ५०॥
ते सम्प्रतीतस्मृतयः समुत्थाय जलान्तिकात् ।
आसन् सुविस्मिताः सर्वे वीक्षमाणाः परस्परम् ॥ ५१॥
अन्वमंसत तद्राजन् गोविन्दानुग्रहेक्षितम् ।
पीत्वा विषं परेतस्य पुनरुत्थानमात्मनः ॥ ५२॥
इति श्रीमद्भागवते महापुराणे पारमहंस्यां संहितायां
दशमस्कन्धे पूर्वार्धे धेनुकवधो नाम पञ्चदशोऽध्यायः ॥ १५॥
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Thus rambling in Vṛndāvana, the aforesaid Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa once went to (the bank of) the Kālidī (Yamunā), accompanied by His playmates, to the exclusion of Balarāma, O Parīkṣit ! (47)
Oppressed with the summer heat, and tormented with thirst, the cows as well as the cowherds presently drank of the unhealthy water of that (part of the) river, contaminated with poison. (48)
Having sipped that poisoned water, their judgment vitiated by (an evil) destiny, they all fell dead by the side of the water, O jewel of the Kurus ! (49)
Finding them reduced to that condition, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the (supreme) Lord (even) of masters of Yoga, fully restored them to life by His (mere) gaze, that showered nectar, since He was their only Protector. (50)
Having forthwith regained their consciousness, they rose up from the brink of the water and, staring at one another, all stood amazed. (51)
They took it to be a result of the gracious look of Śrī Kṛṣṇa (the Protector of cows), O Parīkṣit, that having drunk poison and fallen dead they should rise again. (52)
Thus ends the fifteenth discourse entitled "The demon Dhenuka slain," in the first half of Book Ten of the great and glorious Bhāgavata-Purāṇa, otherwise known as the Paramahārṣa-Sarhhitā. (47-52)
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