॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
॥ एकचत्वारिंशोऽध्यायः - ४१ ॥
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Discourse XLI
Entry into Mathurā (of Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma) (Preamble)
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श्रीशुक उवाच ।
स्तुवतस्तस्य भगवान् दर्शयित्वा जले वपुः ।
भूयः समाहरत्कृष्णो नटो नाट्यमिवात्मनः ॥ १॥
सोऽपि चान्तर्हितं वीक्ष्य जलादुन्मज्य सत्वरः ।
कृत्वा चावश्यकं सर्वं विस्मितो रथमागमत् ॥ २॥
तमपृच्छद्धृषीकेशः किं ते दृष्टमिवाद्भुतम् ।
भूमौ वियति तोये वा तथा त्वां लक्षयामहे ॥ ३॥
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Śrī Śuka began again : Having shown (to Akrūra) His (Nārāyaṇa's) form under water, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa withdrew it again, (even) while he was eulogizing Him, (just) as an actor would wind up his part. (1)
Perceiving the vision withdrawn and emerging from the water, Akrūra also hurriedly finished all his unavoidable routine of devotions, and returned wonder-struck to the chariot. (2)
Śrī Kṛṣṇa (the Ruler of the senses) asked him, "What wonder did you see (just) now on earth, in the heavens or in the water (of the Yamunā)?" (From your moist and blooming eyes and cheerful countenance etc.), we conclude you to have witnessed something unusual. (3) (1-3)
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अक्रूर उवाच ।
अद्भुतानीह यावन्ति भूमौ वियति वा जले ।
त्वयि विश्वात्मके तानि किं मेऽदृष्टं विपश्यतः ॥ ४॥
यत्राद्भुतानि सर्वाणि भूमौ वियति वा जले ।
तं त्वानुपश्यतो ब्रह्मन् किं मे दृष्टमिहाद्भुतम् ॥ ५॥
इत्युक्त्वा चोदयामास स्यन्दनं गान्दिनीसुतः ।
मथुरामनयद्रामं कृष्णं चैव दिनात्यये ॥ ६॥
मार्गे ग्रामजना राजंस्तत्र तत्रोपसङ्गताः ।
वसुदेवसुतौ वीक्ष्य प्रीता दृष्टिं न चाददुः ॥ ७॥
तावद्व्रजौकसस्तत्र नन्दगोपादयोऽग्रतः ।
पुरोपवनमासाद्य प्रतीक्षन्तोऽवतस्थिरे ॥ ८॥
तान् समेत्याह भगवानक्रूरं जगदीश्वरः ।
गृहीत्वा पाणिना पाणिं प्रश्रितं प्रहसन्निव ॥ ९॥
भवान् प्रविशतामग्रे सह यानः पुरीं गृहम् ।
वयं त्विहावमुच्याथ ततो द्रक्ष्यामहे पुरीम् ॥ १०॥
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Akrūra replied : "Whatever wonders there are on this earth, in the firmament or in water exist in You (alone), who ensouil the universe. What wonder can, therefore, remain unseen by me, when I am directly looking at You ? (4)
When I am gazing on Yourself, in whom all marvels exist, O infinite Lord, what miracle could have been seen by me (elsewhere, viz.,) on this earth, in the sky or in water ?" (5)
Observing thus, Akrūra (the son of Gāndini*) drove his chariot and brought Balarāma and Śrī Kṛṣṇa to Mathurā at the decline of day. (6)
People from the country, O king, who flocked at every stage on the road, felt delighted to behold the two Sons of Vasudeva and could not withdraw their eyes (from Them). (7)
Meanwhile the people of Vraja, headed by Nanda, the chief of the cowherds, (who had left the main road when they found Akrūra tarrying on the bank of the Yamunā, and taken a shorter route) reached a garden in the precincts of the city in advance and stood waiting (there for Balarāma and Śrī Kṛṣṇa). (8)
Having joined them, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa (the Ruler of the universe) clasped with His own hand the hand of Akrūra, who stood bent low with reverence, and spoke to him as though laughing heartily :—(9)
"Enter you the city in advance with the chariot and return home. We, however, shall presently take down our things here and having rested awhile shall then visit the city." (10) (4-10)
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अक्रूर उवाच ।
नाहं भवद्भ्यां रहितः प्रवेक्ष्ये मथुरां प्रभो ।
त्यक्तुं नार्हसि मां नाथ भक्तं ते भक्तवत्सल ॥ ११॥
आगच्छ याम गेहान्नः सनाथान् कुर्वधोक्षज ।
सहाग्रजः सगोपालैः सुहृद्भिश्च सुहृत्तम ॥ १२॥
पुनीहि पादरजसा गृहान्नो गृहमेधिनाम् ।
यच्छौचेनानुतृप्यन्ति पितरः साग्नयः सुराः ॥ १३॥
अवनिज्याङ्घ्रियुगलमासीच्छ्लोक्यो बलिर्महान् ।
ऐश्वर्यमतुलं लेभे गतिं चैकान्तिनां तु या ॥ १४॥
आपस्तेऽङ्घ्र्यवनेजन्यस्त्रींल्लोकान् शुचयोऽपुनन् ।
शिरसाधत्त याः शर्वः स्वर्याताः सगरात्मजाः ॥ १५॥
देव देव जगन्नाथ पुण्यश्रवणकीर्तन ।
यदूत्तमोत्तमश्लोक नारायण नमोऽस्तु ते ॥ १६॥
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Akrūra submitted : Bereft of You both I shall not enter Mathurā, O Lord ! You ought not to abandon me, Your devotee, my master, (so) fond of Your votaries. (11)
Come, let us (all) go (together). (Pray,) grace our house, O Lord, who are above sense-perception, with the presence of its master (in You), visiting it alongwith Balarāma (Your elder Brother) as well as with Your near and dear ones and (other) cowherds, O best Friend ! (12)
(Please) sanctify our house, householders as we are, with the dust of Your feet. With the water washing Your feet (and collected in a basin in one's house or flowing in the form of the holy Gaṅgā) the manes as well as the gods including the fire-god get eternally propitiated (if it is offered to them by way of Tarpaṇa). (13)
(Nay,) by washing both Your feet (the celebrated demon king) Bali not only became worthy of (sacred) renown and great (in point of merits) but (also) attained incomparable affluence and power as well as the goal which is reached by those exclusively devoted to You. (14)
The waters that washed Your feet (when You measured the earth and heaven in a couple of strides, and which flowed in the form of the holy Gaṅgā) and were (thus) hallowed (beyond all measure) sanctified all the three worlds (through which the Gaṅgā flows), the (great) Lord Śiva (the Destroyer of the universe) bore† them on His head and the (famous) sons of Sagara ascended to heaven (by contact of their remains with those sacred waters). (15)
(My) salutation be to You, O Lord of the universe, adored (even) by the gods, the hearing and recital of whose praises brings (supreme) merit, O jewel among the Yadus, O Nārāyaṇa of excellent renown ! (16) (11-16)
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श्रीभगवनुवाच ।
आयास्ये भवतो गेहमहमार्यसमन्वितः ।
यदुचक्रद्रुहं हत्वा वितरिष्ये सुहृत्प्रियम् ॥ १७॥
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The glorious Lord said : Accompanied by My elder brother, I shall visit your house (only) when I have slain Karhsa (the enemy of Yadu's race), and bring delight to My (other) relations (as well). (17) (17)
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श्रीशुक उवाच ।
एवमुक्तो भगवता सोऽक्रूरो विमना इव ।
पुरीं प्रविष्टः कंसाय कर्मावेद्य गृहं ययौ ॥ १८॥
अथापराह्ने भगवान् कृष्णः सङ्कर्षणान्वितः ।
मथुरां प्राविशद्गोपैर्दिदृक्षुः परिवारितः ॥ १९॥
ददर्श तां स्फाटिकतुङ्गगोपुर-
द्वारां बृहद्धेमकपाटतोरणाम् ।
ताम्रारकोष्ठां परिखादुरासदा-
मुद्यानरम्योपवनोपशोभिताम् ॥ २०॥
सौवर्णशृङ्गाटकहर्म्यनिष्कुटैः
श्रेणीसभाभिर्भवनैरुपस्कृताम् ।
वैदूर्यवज्रामलनीलविद्रुमै-
र्मुक्ताहरिद्भिर्वलभीषु वेदिषु ॥ २१॥
जुष्टेषु जालामुखरन्ध्रकुट्टिमे-
ष्वाविष्टपारावतबर्हिनादिताम् ।
संसिक्तरथ्याऽऽपणमार्गचत्वरां
प्रकीर्णमाल्याङ्कुरलाजतण्डुलाम् ॥ २२॥
आपूर्णकुम्भैर्दधिचन्दनोक्षितैः
प्रसूनदीपावलिभिः सपल्लवैः ।
सवृन्दरम्भाक्रमुकैः सकेतुभिः
स्वलङ्कृतद्वारगृहां सपट्टिकैः ॥ २३॥
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Śrī Śuka continued : Thus spoken to by the Lord, the aforesaid Akrūra entered the city like one sad at heart and, having apprised Karhsa of what he had done, returned home. (18)
Accompanied by Śaṅkarṣaṇa (Balarāma) and surrounded by the (other) cowherds, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who was eager to have a look at the city, fearlessly entered Mathurā the next afternoon. (19)
(Presently) He saw the city with high gateways (in its fortification wall) and portals (of its houses), made of crystal and fitted with huge doors of gold and embellished with ornamental arches—also of gold—over them. It had granaries etc., of copper and brass, had been rendered difficult of access by a moat and was adorned with gardens and delightful parks. (20)
It was (further) graced with sheds of gold erected on the cross roads, mansions and rest-houses also of gold, halls for the meeting together of individuals following a particular trade and other (public) buildings, and was resonant with the noise of pigeons and peacocks perched on small wooden sheds erected in front of houses, platforms under them air-holes and pavements, (all) inlaid with cat's-eyes, diamonds, crystals, sapphires, corals, pearls and emeralds. Its roads, market-places, streets and quadrangles were profusely sprinkled with water and it was strewn with flowers, sprouts (of barley), parched paddy and rice-grains. (21-22)
The entrances of its houses were artistically adorned (on both sides) with a pitcher full of water and sprinkled with curds and sandal-paste, (nay,) surrounded with rows of flowers and crowned with rows of lights, with (bunches of) leaves thrust into their mouth and strips of silk tied round their necks and with (trunks of) plantain, and areca-nut trees alongwith bunches of fruits fixed beside them and (festive) flags hoisted near them. (23) (18-23)
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तां सम्प्रविष्टौ वसुदेवनन्दनौ
वृतौ वयस्यैर्नरदेववर्त्मना ।
द्रष्टुं समीयुस्त्वरिताः पुरस्त्रियो
हर्म्याणि चैवारुरुहुर्नृपोत्सुकाः ॥ २४॥
काश्चिद्विपर्यग्धृतवस्त्रभूषणा
विस्मृत्य चैकं युगलेष्वथापराः ।
कृतैकपत्रश्रवणैकनूपुरा
नाङ्क्त्वा द्वितीयं त्वपराश्च लोचनम् ॥ २५॥
अश्नन्त्य एकास्तदपास्य सोत्सवा
अभ्यज्यमाना अकृतोपमज्जनाः ।
स्वपन्त्य उत्थाय निशम्य निःस्वनं
प्रपाययन्त्योऽर्भमपोह्य मातरः ॥ २६॥
मनांसि तासामरविन्दलोचनः
प्रगल्भलीलाहसितावलोकैः ।
जहार मत्तद्विरदेन्द्रविक्रमो
दृशां ददच्छ्रीरमणात्मनोत्सवम् ॥ २७॥
दृष्ट्वा मुहुः श्रुतमनुद्रुतचेतसस्तं
तत्प्रेक्षणोत्स्मितसुधोक्षणलब्धमानाः ।
आनन्दमूर्तिमुपगुह्य दृशाऽऽत्मलब्धं
हृष्यत्त्वचो जहुरनन्तमरिन्दमाधिम् ॥ २८॥
प्रासादशिखरारूढाः प्रीत्युत्फुल्लमुखाम्बुजाः ।
अभ्यवर्षन् सौमनस्यैः प्रमदा बलकेशवौ ॥ २९॥
दध्यक्षतैः सोदपात्रैः स्रग्गन्धैरभ्युपायनैः ।
तावानर्चुः प्रमुदितास्तत्र तत्र द्विजातयः ॥ ३०॥
ऊचुः पौरा अहो गोप्यस्तपः किमचरन् महत् ।
या ह्येतावनुपश्यन्ति नरलोकमहोत्सवौ ॥ ३१॥
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Eager to have a look at the two Sons of Vasudeva— who had duly entered the city by the main road and were surrounded by Their companions—the women of the city hurriedly came together (at every stage) and climbed up the mansions (lining the road), O protector of men ! (24)
Some ran with their garments and jewels wrongly placed, while others came out forgetting one of the ornaments worn in pairs. Some left with ornaments (only) on one ear and with anklet only on one ankle, while others painted only one of their eyes (with collyrium), omitting (in their hurry) to paint the other. (25)
Full of joy some, who were taking their meal, went away leaving it; others, who were being smeared with oil, came away without taking their bath. Some, who were lying asleep, sprang on their feet as soon as they heard the noise (of the spectators at Their arrival); while mothers, who were fondly suckling their babe, sallied forth leaving the child (crying). (26)
Possessed of the gait of a lordly elephant in rut, Śrī Kṛṣṇa (of lotus-like eyes) captivated their mind by His smiles and glances full of charming sport, providing a feast to their eyes by (the sight of) His (divine) personality, the delight of Śrī (the goddess of beauty and prosperity). (27)
Beholding Him, who had already been heard of (by them) many a time (before), and feeling honoured by being sprinkled with the nectar of His penetrating glances and unreserved smiles, the women of Mathurā, whose mind had already taken wings after Him, (mentally) embraced that Embodiment of Bliss—now that He had been ushered into their mind through (the gateway of) their eyes—thrilling all over (with joy), and shed their agony (of separation from Him), which knew no bounds, O queller of your foes (in the shape of lust and so on)! (28)
Standing on the top of mansions, their lotus-like faces blooming with delight, the women covered Bala and Śrī Kṛṣṇa (the Ruler even of Brahmā and Lord Śiva) with showers of flowers (which embodied as it were their affectionate feelings towards the two Brothers). (29)
At every step overjoyed Brāhmaṇas worshipped the two Brothers with curds and unbroken grains of rice (with which they adorned Their foreheads as a mark of auspiciousness), garlands and perfumes (of various kinds), offerings (in the shape of sweets, fruits etc.) as well as with vessels full of water (for washing Their hands and feet with). (30)
The women of the city said (to one another), “Oh, what great austerities did the cowherd women (of Vraja) perform, by virtue of which they actually behold without interruption the two Brothers who afford great delight to the human world ?” (31) (24-31)
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रजकं कञ्चिदायान्तं रङ्गकारं गदाग्रजः ।
दृष्ट्वायाचत वासांसि धौतान्यत्युत्तमानि च ॥ ३२॥
देह्यावयोः समुचितान्यङ्ग वासांसि चार्हतोः ।
भविष्यति परं श्रेयो दातुस्ते नात्र संशयः ॥ ३३॥
स याचितो भगवता परिपूर्णेन सर्वतः ।
साक्षेपं रुषितः प्राह भृत्यो राज्ञः सुदुर्मदः ॥ ३४॥
ईदृशान्येव वासांसी नित्यं गिरिवनेचराः ।
परिधत्त किमुद्वृत्ता राजद्रव्याण्यभीप्सथ ॥ ३५॥
याताशु बालिशा मैवं प्रार्थ्यं यदि जिजीविषा ।
बध्नन्ति घ्नन्ति लुम्पन्ति दृप्तं राजकुलानि वै ॥ ३६॥
एवं विकत्थमानस्य कुपितो देवकीसुतः ।
रजकस्य कराग्रेण शिरः कायादपातयत् ॥ ३७॥
तस्यानुजीविनः सर्वे वासः कोशान् विसृज्य वै ।
दुद्रुवुः सर्वतो मार्गं वासांसि जगृहेऽच्युतः ॥ ३८॥
वसित्वाऽऽत्मप्रिये वस्त्रे कृष्णः सङ्कर्षणस्तथा ।
शेषाण्यादत्त गोपेभ्यो विसृज्य भुवि कानिचित् ॥ ३९॥
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Seeing a certain washerman, who was (also) a dyer (of clothes), coming (that way), Śrī Kṛṣṇa (the elder Brother of Gada*) asked of him the very best and well-washed clothes (in the following words)—(32)
"(Please) give Us both—who deserve the gift (from you)—eminently suitable clothes, O dear one! The highest blessing will be yours if you make the gift: there is no doubt about it." (33)
Solicited (thus) by the Lord, who was most perfect in everyway, that extremely arrogant servant of Kaṃsa (the king of Mathurā), angrily and tauntingly replied (as follows):— (34)
"Do you always wear such (excellent) clothes alone, roaming as you do on the mountain and in the woods, that, transcending all bounds of propriety, you dare seek to have royal goods? (35)
Get away soon, O foolish ones! You should never make such requests if you wish to survive. The king's men actually put in bonds, slay and strip the insolent of their possessions." (36)
While he was thus bragging, Śrī Kṛṣṇa (the Son of Devakī) got angry and severed the head of the washerman from his body with His finger-tips (alone). (37)
Leaving the bundles of clothes, all his servants ran away in every direction and Śrī Kṛṣṇa (the immortal Lord) seized the clothes. (38)
Putting on two pieces of cloth (each) of Their choice (one about the loins and the other across the shoulder baldricwise), Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Saṅkarṣaṇa distributed the rest among the (other) cowherds according to their liking, casting some to the ground. (39) (32-39)
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ततस्तु वायकः प्रीतस्तयोर्वेषमकल्पयत् ।
विचित्रवर्णैश्चैलेयैराकल्पैरनुरूपतः ॥ ४०॥
नानालक्षणवेषाभ्यां कृष्णरामौ विरेजतुः ।
स्वलङ्कृतौ बालगजौ पर्वणीव सितेतरौ ॥ ४१॥
तस्य प्रसन्नो भगवान् प्रादात्सारूप्यमात्मनः ।
श्रियं च परमां लोके बलैश्वर्यस्मृतीन्द्रियम् ॥ ४२॥
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Then, again, a weaver full of love adorned the two Brothers with ornaments of cloth of various colours in a befitting manner. (40)
With Their decorations of divergent patterns Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma shone brightly like a pair of young elephants, one dark and the other white, tastefully adorned on a festive occasion. (41)
Pleased with the weaver, the Lord conferred on him (a title to final beatitude in the shape of) similarity of form with Himself as well as great prosperity, (physical) strength, authority, God-consciousness and acuteness of the senses in the world. (42)
- The foremost of Śrī Kṛṣṇa's half-brothers (next to Balarāma), who was born of Devarakṣitā—one of the thirteen wives of Vasudeva and a sister of Devakī—who gave birth to nine sons, the eldest of whom was Gada. (Vide IX. xxiv. 52)
(40-42)
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ततः सुदाम्नो भवनं मालाकारस्य जग्मतुः ।
तौ दृष्ट्वा स समुत्थाय ननाम शिरसा भुवि ॥ ४३॥
तयोरासनमानीय पाद्यं चार्घ्यार्हणादिभिः ।
पूजां सानुगयोश्चक्रे स्रक्ताम्बूलानुलेपनैः ॥ ४४॥
प्राह नः सार्थकं जन्म पावितं च कुलं प्रभो ।
पितृदेवर्षयो मह्यं तुष्टा ह्यागमनेन वाम् ॥ ४५॥
भवन्तौ किल विश्वस्य जगतः कारणं परम् ।
अवतीर्णाविहांशेन क्षेमाय च भवाय च ॥ ४६॥
न हि वां विषमा दृष्टिः सुहृदोर्जगदात्मनोः ।
समयोः सर्वभूतेषु भजन्तं भजतोरपि ॥ ४७॥
तावाज्ञापयतं भृत्यं किमहं करवाणि वाम् ।
पुंसोऽत्यनुग्रहो ह्येष भवद्भिर्यन्नियुज्यते ॥ ४८॥
इत्यभिप्रेत्य राजेन्द्र सुदामा प्रीतमानसः ।
शस्तैः सुगन्धैः कुसुमैर्माला विरचिता ददौ ॥ ४९॥
ताभिः स्वलङ्कृतौ प्रीतौ कृष्णरामौ सहानुगौ ।
प्रणताय प्रपन्नाय ददतुर्वरदौ वरान् ॥ ५०॥
सोऽपि वव्रेऽचलां भक्तिं तस्मिन्नेवाखिलात्मनि ।
तद्भक्तेषु च सौहार्दं भूतेषु च दयां पराम् ॥ ५१॥
इति तस्मै वरं दत्त्वा श्रियं चान्वयवर्धिनीम् ।
बलमायुर्यशःकान्तिं निर्जगाम सहाग्रजः ॥ ५२॥
इति श्रीमद्भागवते महापुराणे पारमहंस्यां संहितायां
दशमस्कन्धे पूर्वार्धे पुरप्रवेशो नमैकचत्वारिंशोऽध्यायः ॥ ४१॥
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Next the two Brothers went to the house of the florist Sudāmā. Seeing Them he respectfully rose and bowed (to Them) with his head placed on the ground. (43)
Fetching a seat as well as water to wash Their feet with, he offered worship to Them along with Their followers with water to wash Their hands with and other articles of worship including garlands, betel-leaves seasoned with catechu, lime and areca-nut parings, and sandal-paste. (44)
He submitted, "Thanks to Your advent, O Lord, fruitful is our birth and hallowed is our race (today)! Indeed the manes, the gods and the Ṛṣis (too) are pleased with me (for the same reason). (45)
The ultimate Cause of the whole universe, You two, I understand, have appeared on this earth by Your own will for the protection as well as for the growth of the world. (46)
Even though You love him (alone) who worships You, Your eye is never discriminating inasmuch as You are the disinterested friends, (nay,) the (very) Self of the universe and the same to all created beings. (47)
As such be pleased to command me (Your servant) both of You what service can I render to You. Indeed this constitutes a great boon to a man that he is entrusted by You with some service." (48)
Saying so and divining the wishes of the Lord, O king of kings, Sudāmā, whose mind was full of joy, presented (to the two Brothers) garlands made of excellent flowers of superb fragrance. (49)
Charmingly adorned with them along with Their followers and full of delight, Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, the Bestowers of boons, conferred boons on the florist, who stood bent low (with reverence) and sought Their protection. (50)
He too asked for (the gift of) unflinching devotion to Śrī Kṛṣṇa alone, the Self of all, as well as friendship with His devotees and supreme (disinterested) compassion for (all) created beings. (51)
Having thus conferred his desired boon as well as a fortune that would grow in the hands of his posterity, (physical) strength, longevity, glory and splendour, the Lord departed (from that place) along with Balarāma (His elder Brother). (52)
Thus ends the forty-first discourse entitled "Entry (of Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma) into Mathurā", in the first half of Book Ten of the great and glorious Bhāgavata-Purāṇa, otherwise known as the Paramahārṣa-Sarhhitā. (43-52)
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