॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
॥ द्वाविंशोऽध्यायः - २२ ॥
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Discourse XXII
The Lord steals away the garments of cowherd maids (Preamble)
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श्रीशुक उवाच ।
हेमन्ते प्रथमे मासि नन्दव्रजकुमारिकाः ।
चेरुर्हविष्यं भुञ्जानाः कात्यायन्यर्चनव्रतम् ॥ १॥
आप्लुत्याम्भसि कालिन्द्या जलान्ते चोदितेऽरुणे ।
कृत्वा प्रतिकृतिं देवीमानर्चुर्नृप सैकतीम् ॥ २॥
गन्धैर्माल्यैः सुरभिभिर्बलिभिर्धूपदीपकैः ।
उच्चावचैश्चोपहारैः प्रवालफलतण्डुलैः ॥ ३॥
कात्यायनि महामाये महायोगिन्यधीश्वरि ।
नन्दगोपसुतं देवि पतिं मे कुरु ते नमः ।
इति मन्त्रं जपन्त्यस्ताः पूजां चक्रुः कमारिकाः ॥ ४॥
एवं मासं व्रतं चेरुः कुमार्यः कृष्णचेतसः ।
भद्रकालीं समानर्चुर्भूयान्नन्दसुतः पतिः ॥ ५॥
उषस्युत्थाय गोत्रैः स्वैरन्योन्याबद्धबाहवः ।
कृष्णमुच्चैर्जगुर्यान्त्यः कालिन्द्यां स्नातुमन्वहम् ॥ ६॥
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Śrī Śuka began again : In the first month (Mārgaśīrṣa) of the Hemanta season (consisting of the months of Mārgaśīrṣa and Pauṣa) the maids of Vraja, ruled over by Nanda, observed a vow of worshipping Goddess Kātyāyani, subsisting on only such food as is fit to be offered to the sacrificial fire. (1)
Having taken a dip in the waters of the Kālindī (Yamunā) at daybreak and making an image of sand on the river bank, they worshipped the Goddess (in that image), O protector of men, with sandal-paste etc., fragrant flowers, propitiatory oblations (such as cocoanut), incense and lights, other offerings (such as articles of wearing apparel, ornaments etc.), high and low, as well as with tender leaves, fruits and (unbroken) grains of rice. (2-3)
The aforesaid virgins performed worship, each muttering the following prayer—"Goddess Kātyāyani, the great deluding potency (of the Lord), possessed of infinite Yogic powers, O supreme Ruler (of the universe in a female form), (pray) make Śrī Kṛṣṇa (the Darling of Nanda, the cowherd chief) my husband! Hail to You!" (4)
With their mind (and heart) set on Śrī Kṛṣṇa the maidens thus observed the (sacred) vow for a (whole) month and worshipped Goddess Bhadrakālī with due ceremony praying: "Let the Darling of Nanda be our husband." (5)
Rising early in the morning when called by their names (by other girls), they loudly sang the praises of Śrī Kṛṣṇa as they went with their hands mutually clasped to bathe in the Kālindī everyday. (6) (1-6)
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नद्यां कदाचिदागत्य तीरे निक्षिप्य पूर्ववत् ।
वासांसि कृष्णं गायन्त्यो विजह्रुः सलिले मुदा ॥ ७॥
भगवांस्तदभिप्रेत्य कृष्णो योगेश्वरेश्वरः ।
वयस्यैरावृतस्तत्र गतस्तत्कर्मसिद्धये ॥ ८॥
तासां वासांस्युपादाय नीपमारुह्य सत्वरः ।
हसद्भिः प्रहसन् बालैः परिहासमुवाच ह ॥ ९॥
अत्रागत्याबलाः कामं स्वं स्वं वासः प्रगृह्यताम् ।
सत्यं ब्रवाणि नो नर्म यद्यूयं व्रतकर्शिताः ॥ १०॥
न मयोदितपूर्वं वा अनृतं तदिमे विदुः ।
एकैकशः प्रतीच्छध्वं सहैवोत सुमध्यमाः ॥ ११॥
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Arriving at the river on a certain day (the last day of the month, viz., the full moon, when they were going to conclude their vow) and leaving their clothes on the bank as usual, they merrily sported in the water glorifying Śrī Kṛṣṇa. (7)
Coming to know of this and surrounded by His companions, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of (all) Masters of Yoga, went there in order to reward their act (of worship). (8)
Taking their clothes, He hastily climbed up a Kadamba tree (near by) and, indulging in fun with the laughing boys, so the tradition goes, jestingly spoke as follows—(9)
"Coming here, O maids, receive you each your own raiment at will. I speak the truth and am not jesting since you are (all) exhausted by (observing) the vow. (10)
Never has a lie been told by Me before; these boys know it. Take your clothes one by one or all together (as you please), O slender-waisted ones." (11) (7-11)
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तस्य तत्क्ष्वेलितं दृष्ट्वा गोप्यः प्रेमपरिप्लुताः ।
व्रीडिताः प्रेक्ष्य चान्योन्यं जातहासा न निर्ययुः ॥ १२॥
एवं ब्रुवति गोविन्दे नर्मणाऽऽक्षिप्तचेतसः ।
आकण्ठमग्नाः शीतोदे वेपमानास्तमब्रुवन् ॥ १३॥
मानयं भोः कृथास्त्वां तु नन्दगोपसुतं प्रियम् ।
जानीमोऽङ्ग व्रजश्लाघ्यं देहि वासांसि वेपिताः ॥ १४॥
श्यामसुन्दर ते दास्यः करवाम तवोदितम् ।
देहि वासांसि धर्मज्ञ नो चेद्राज्ञे ब्रुवामहे ॥ १५॥
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Perceiving that joke of the Lord the cowherd maids were overwhelmed with love. Abashed to see one another, they felt inclined to laugh, but did not come out (of the water). (12)
When Śrī Kṛṣṇa (the Protector of cows) remarked thus, the cowherd maids, whose mind was enraptured by the joke and who stood shivering, immersed as they were up to the neck in the cold water, spoke to Him (as follows):—(13)
"Pray, do no wrong by us. We know you well to be the beloved son of Nanda, the cowherd chief, and praised all over Vraja, O dear Kṛṣṇa! Please return our clothes; we are shivering (with cold). (14)
O Fair one with a dark-brown complexion! we are your servants and are prepared to do your bidding. (Therefore), give back our clothes, O Knower of Dharma (the principles of righteousness)! If not, we shall report the matter to the king." (15) (12-15)
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श्रीभगवानुवाच ।
भवत्यो यदि मे दास्यो मयोक्तं वा करिष्यथ ।
अत्रागत्य स्ववासांसि प्रतीच्छत शुचिस्मिताः ।
(नो चेन्नाहं प्रदास्ये किं क्रुद्धो राजा करिष्यति)॥ १६॥
ततो जलाशयात्सर्वा दारिकाः शीतवेपिताः ।
पाणिभ्यां योनिमाच्छाद्य प्रोत्तेरुः शीतकर्शिताः ॥ १७॥
भगवानाह ता वीक्ष्य शुद्धभावप्रसादितः ।
स्कन्धे निधाय वासांसि प्रीतः प्रोवाच सस्मितम् ॥ १८॥
यूयं विवस्त्रा यदपो धृतव्रता
व्यगाहतैतत्तदु देवहेलनम् ।
बद्ध्वाञ्जलिं मूर्ध्न्यपनुत्तयेंऽहसः
कृत्वा नमोऽधो वसनं प्रगृह्यताम् ॥ १९॥
इत्यच्युतेनाभिहिता व्रजाबला
मत्वा विवस्त्राप्लवनं व्रतच्युतिम् ।
तत्पूर्तिकामास्तदशेषकर्मणां
साक्षात्कृतं नेमुरवद्यमृग्यतः ॥ २०॥
तास्तथावनता दृष्ट्वा भगवान् देवकीसुतः ।
वासांसि ताभ्यः प्रायच्छत्करुणस्तेन तोषितः ॥ २१॥
दृढं प्रलब्धास्त्रपया च हापिताः
प्रस्तोभिताः क्रीडनवच्च कारिताः ।
वस्त्राणि चैवापहृतान्यथाप्यमुं
ता नाभ्यसूयन् प्रियसङ्गनिर्वृताः ॥ २२॥
परिधाय स्ववासांसि प्रेष्ठसङ्गमसज्जिताः ।
गृहीतचित्ता नो चेलुस्तस्मिन् लज्जायितेक्षणाः ॥ २३॥
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The glorious Lord said: "If you are my servants and if you will do my bidding, come here and receive (from me) your clothes wearing a bright smile (on your lips)." (16)
Shivering with cold all the maidens thereupon emerged from the river, shrunk with cold and covering their privy parts with the palms. (17)
Perceiving them as good as dead (through great shame), and pleased with their pure heart, the Lord placed the clothes (kept so far on the tree) on His shoulder and, full of love, smilingly said:—(18)
"Since, having undertaken a (sacred) vow, you took a dip in the waters in a nude state, that has indeed been an offence on your part against the god of water (which has gone a long way to violate the sanctity of your vow); (therefore), receive your raiment (only) after joining your palms on the crown of your head and bowing low for the expiation of that sin." (19)
Realizing their act of plunging in water in a nude state to be a violation of their vow as pointed out in the aforesaid words by Śrī Kṛṣṇa (the Immortal Lord), and seeking the fulfilment of that vow, the maidens of Vraja bowed to Śrī Kṛṣṇa (who embodies the fruit of that as well as of all other religious rites); for it is He who washes away all transgressions. (20)
Seeing them bent in the aforesaid manner and propitiated through such salutation, the all-merciful Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa (the Son of Devaki) returned their clothes. (21)
Even though they were badly taken in, nay, stripped of (all) shame, ridiculed and treated as toys, and their clothes too were stolen away, yet they did not find fault with Him, (highly) gratified as they were through the company of their beloved Lord. (22)
Having put on their clothes they riveted their bashful looks on Śrī Kṛṣṇa and could not stir (from that place), enthralled as they were by their meeting with their most beloved Lord and their mind having been captivated (by Him). (23) (16-23)
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तासां विज्ञाय भगवान् स्वपादस्पर्शकाम्यया ।
धृतव्रतानां सङ्कल्पमाह दामोदरोऽबलाः ॥ २४॥
सङ्कल्पो विदितः साध्व्यो भवतीनां मदर्चनम् ।
मयानुमोदितः सोऽसौ सत्यो भवितुमर्हति ॥ २५॥
न मय्यावेशितधियां कामः कामाय कल्पते ।
भर्जिता क्वथिता धानाः प्रायो बीजाय नेष्यते ॥ २६॥
याताबला व्रजं सिद्धा मयेमा रंस्यथा क्षपाः ।
यदुद्दिश्य व्रतमिदं चेरुरार्यार्चनं सतीः ॥ २७॥
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Perceiving the intention of those maidens, that had undertaken the aforesaid vow with a longing to touch His feet, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa (who had once allowed Himself to be tied with a cord at the abdomen by His mother and thus demonstrated His love for His devotees) addressed the girls (as follows):—(24)
"Your desire, O chaste girls, in the shape of eagerness to worship Me is (already) known to Me. (Nay,) it has been approved of by Me; (hence) it deserves to materialize. (25)
The craving for enjoyment on the part of those whose mind is devoted to Me cannot lead to (further) enjoyment even as seeds of grain (once) fried or boiled are not as a general rule intended to be sown. (26)
Go (back), O damsels, to Vraja. You stand accomplished of your purpose and will sport with Me during the coming (autumnal) nights, for which purpose you have observed this vow in the form of worship of the Goddess, O virtuous girls!" (27) (24-27)
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श्रीशुक उवाच ।
इत्यादिष्टा भगवता लब्धकामाः कुमारिकाः ।
ध्यायन्त्यस्तत्पदाम्भोजं कृच्छ्रान्निर्विविशुर्व्रजम् ॥ २८॥
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Śrī Śuka continued : Thus commanded by the Lord and having (virtually) realized their ambition, the maidens returned to Vraja with great difficulty, contemplating on His lotus-feet. (28) (28)
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अथ गोपैः परिवृतो भगवान् देवकीसुतः ।
वृन्दावनाद्गतो दूरं चारयन् गाः सहाग्रजः ॥ २९॥
निदाघार्कातपे तिग्मे छायाभिः स्वाभिरात्मनः ।
आतपत्रायितान् वीक्ष्य द्रुमानाह व्रजौकसः ॥ ३०॥
हे स्तोक कृष्ण हे अंशो श्रीदामन् सुबलार्जुन ।
विशालवृषभ तेजस्विन् देवप्रस्थ वरूथप ॥ ३१॥
पश्यतैतान् महाभागान् परार्थैकान्तजीवितान् ।
वातवर्षातपहिमान् सहन्तो वारयन्ति नः ॥ ३२॥
अहो एषां वरं जन्म सर्वप्राण्युपजीवनम् ।
सुजनस्येव येषां वै विमुखा यान्ति नार्थिनः ॥ ३३॥
पत्रपुष्पफलच्छाया मूलवल्कलदारुभिः ।
गन्धनिर्यासभस्मास्थितोक्मैः कामान् वितन्वते ॥ ३४॥
एतावज्जन्मसाफल्यं देहिनामिह देहिषु ।
प्राणैरर्थैर्धिया वाचा श्रेय एवाचरेत्सदा ॥ ३५॥
इति प्रवालस्तबकफलपुष्पदलोत्करैः ।
तरूणां नम्रशाखानां मध्येन यमुनां गतः ॥ ३६॥
तत्र गाः पाययित्वापः सुमृष्टाः शीतलाः शिवाः ।
ततो नृप स्वयं गोपाः कामं स्वादु पपुर्जलम् ॥ ३७॥
तस्या उपवने कामं चारयन्तः पशून् नृप ।
कृष्णरामावुपागम्य क्षुधार्ता इदमब्रुवन् ॥ ३८॥
इति श्रीमद्भागवते महापुराणे पारमहंस्यां संहितायां
दशमस्कन्धे पूर्वार्धे गोपीवस्त्रापहरणं नाम द्वाविंशोऽध्यायः ॥ २२॥
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Accompanied by cowherd boys and pasturing the cows Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa (the Son of Devakī), one day (during the following hot weather), went far away from Vṛndāvana along-with His elder brother (Balarāma). (29)
Perceiving the trees, which played the role of umbrellas to Him with their shade in the scorching rays of the summer sun, the Lord addressed the cowherd boys of Vraja (as follows):—(30)
O Stokākrṣṇa, Arhśu, Śrīdāmā, Subala, Arjuna, Viśāla, Rṣabha, Tejasvī, Devaprastha and Varūthapa, look at these highly blessed beings that live solely for others; enduring storm, showers, sunshine and snow (themselves) they ward them off from us! (31-32)
Oh! enviable is the birth—serving as a means of subsistence to all animate beings—of these trees, approaching which suppliants never return disappointed any more than those that seek a benevolent man. (33)
By means of (their) leaves, flowers, fruits, shade, roots, bark and wood as well as with their fragrance, exudation, ashes, coal and tender leaves they gratify the desires of others. (34)
This much is the fruitfulness of the birth of embodied creatures in this world that they should constantly do good alone to (other) embodied souls through their life, wealth, intellect and speech. (35)
Saying so the Lord arrived at the Yamunā passing through rows of trees whose boughs were bent low with clusters of young leaves, fruits and blossoms as well as with bunches of (other) leaves. (36)
Prompting the cows to drink of the very sweet, cool and wholesome waters (of the Yamunā), the cowherd boys then drank, O protector of men, to their heart's content the tasteful water themselves. (37)
Pasturing the cattle at will in the grove on the bank of the Yamunā, O king, they approached Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma and, pinched with hunger, spoke as follows. (38)
Thus ends the twenty-second discourse entitled, "The Lord steals away the garments of the cowherd maids", in the first half of Book Ten of the great and glorious Bhāgavata-Purāṇa, otherwise known as the Paramahārhsa-Sarhhitā. (29-38)
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