1–çré-çuka uväca
ity udéritam äkarëya
devaåñer uddhavo ‘bravét
sabhyänäà matam äjïäya
kåñëasya ca mahä-matiù
Çukadeva Gosvämé said: Having thus heard the statements of Devarñi
Närada, and understanding the opinions of both the assembly and Lord Kåñëa,
the great-minded Uddhava began to speak.
2–çré-uddhava uväca
yad uktam åñinä deva
säcivyaà yakñyatas tvayä
käryaà paitå-ñvasreyasya
rakñä ca çaraëaiñiëäm
Çré Uddhava said: O Lord, as the sage advised, You should help Your cousin
fulfill his plan for performing the Räjasüya sacrifice, and You should also
protect the kings who are begging for Your shelter.
3–yañöavyam räjasüyena
dik-cakra-jayinä vibho
ato jarä-suta-jaya
ubhayärtho mato mama
Only one who has conquered all opponents in every direction can perform
the Räjasüya sacrifice, O almighty one. Thus, in my opinion, conquering
Jaräsandha will serve both purposes.
4–asmäkaà ca mahän artho
hy etenaiva bhaviñyati
yaçaç ca tava govinda
räjïo baddhän vimuïcataù
By this decision there will be great gain for us, and You will save the kings.
Thus, Govinda, You will be glorified.
5–sa vai durviñaho räjä
nägäyuta-samo bale
balinäm api cänyeñäà
bhémaà sama-balaà vinä
The invincible King Jaräsandha is as strong as ten thousand elephants.
Indeed, other powerful warriors cannot defeat him. Only Bhéma is equal to him
in strength.
6–dvai-rathe sa tu jetavyo
mä çatäkñauhiëé-yutaù
brähmaëyo ‘bhyarthito viprair
na pratyäkhyäti karhicit
He will be defeated in a match of single chariots, not when he is with his
hundred military divisions. Now, Jaräsandha is so devoted to brahminical
culture that he never refuses requests from brähmaëas.
7–brahma-veña-dharo gatvä
taà bhikñeta våkodaraù
haniñyati na sandeho
dvai-rathe tava sannidhau
Bhéma should go to him disguised as a brähmaëa and beg charity. Thus he
will obtain single combat with Jaräsandha, and in Your presence Bhéma will no
doubt kill him.
8–nimittaà param éçasya
viçva-sarga-nirodhayoù
hiraëyagarbhaù çarvaç ca
kälasyärüpiëas tava
Even Lord Brahmä and Lord Çiva act only as Your instruments in cosmic
creation and annihilation, which are ultimately done by You, the Supreme
Lord, in Your invisible aspect of time.
9–gäyanti te viçada-karma gåheñu devyo
räjïäà sva-çatru-vadham ätma-vimokñaëaà ca
gopyaç ca kuïjara-pater janakätmajäyäù
pitroç ca labdha-çaraëä munayo vayaà ca
In their homes, the godly wives of the imprisoned kings sing of Your noble
deeds—about how You will kill their husbands’ enemy and deliver them. The
gopés also sing Your glories—how You killed the enemy of the elephant king,
Gajendra; the enemy of Séta, daughter of Janaka; and the enemies of Your own
parents as well. So also do the sages who have obtained Your shelter glorify
You, as do we ourselves.
10–jaräsandha-vadhaù kåñëa
bhüry-arthäyopakalpate
präyaù päka-vipäkena
tava cäbhimataù kratuù
O Kåñëa, the killing of Jaräsandha, which is certainly a reaction of his past
sins, will bring immense benefit. Indeed, it will make possible the sacrificial
ceremony You desire.
11–çré-çuka uväca
ity uddhava-vaco räjan
sarvato-bhadram acyutam
devarñir yadu-våddhäç ca
kåñëaç ca pratyapüjayan
Çukadeva Gosvämé said: O King, Devarñi Närada, the Yadu elders and Lord
Kåñëa all welcomed Uddhava’s proposal, which was entirely auspicious and
infallible.
12–athädiçat prayäëäya
bhagavän devaké-sutaù
bhåtyän däruka-jaiträdén
anujïäpya gurün vibhuù
The almighty Personality of Godhead, the son of Devaké, begged His
superiors for permission to leave. Then He ordered His servants, headed by
Däruka and Jaitra, to prepare for departure.
13–nirgamayyävarodhän svän
sa-sutän sa-paricchadän
saìkarñaëam anujïäpya
yadu-räjaà ca çatru-han
sütopanétaà sva-ratham
äruhad garuòa-dhvajam
O slayer of enemies, after He had arranged for the departure of His wives,
children and baggage and taken leave of Lord Saìkarñaëa and King Ugrasena,
Lord Kåñëa mounted His chariot, which had been brought by His driver. It flew a flag marked with the emblem of Garuòa.
14–tato ratha-dvipa-bhaöa-sädi-näyakaiù
karälayä parivåta ätma-senayä
mådaìga-bhery-änaka-çaìkha-gomukhaiù
praghoña-ghoñita-kakubho nirakramat
As the vibrations resounding from mådaìgas, bherés, kettledrums,
conchshells and gomukhas filled the sky in all directions, Lord Kåñëa set out on
His journey. He was accompanied by the chief officers of His corps of chariots,
elephants, infantry and cavalry and surrounded on all sides by His fierce
personal guard.
15–nå-väji-käïcana-çibikäbhir acyutaà
sahätmajäù patim anu su-vratä yayuù
varämbaräbharaëa-vilepana-srajaù
su-saàvåtä nåbhir asi-carma-päëibhiù
Lord Acyuta’s faithful wives, along with their children, followed the Lord on
golden palanquins carried by powerful men. The queens were adorned with fine
clothing, ornaments, fragrant oils and flower garlands, and they were
surrounded on all sides by soldiers carrying swords and shields in their hands.
16–naroñöra-go-mahiña-kharäçvatary-anaù
kareëubhiù parijana-vära-yoñitaù
sv-alaìkåtäù kaöa-kuöi-kambalämbarädyupaskarä
yayur adhiyujya sarvataù
On all sides proceeded finely adorned women-attendants of the royal
household, as well as courtesans. They rode on palanquins and camels, bulls and
buffalo, donkeys, mules, bullock carts and elephants. Their conveyances were
fully loaded with grass tents, blankets, clothes and other items for the trip.
17–balaà båhad-dhvaja-paöa-chatra-cämarair
varäyudhäbharaëa-kiréöa-varmabhiù
diväàçubhis tumula-ravaà babhau raver
yathärëavaù kñubhita-timiìgilormibhiù
The Lord’s army boasted royal umbrellas, cämara fans and huge flagpoles
with waving banners. During the day the sun’s rays reflected brightly from the
soldiers’ fine weapons, jewelry, helmets and armor. Thus Lord Kåñëa’s army,
noisy with shouts and clatter, appeared like an ocean stirring with agitated
waves and timiìgila fish.
18–atho munir yadu-patinä sabhäjitaù
praëamya taà hådi vidadhad vihäyasä
niçamya tad-vyavasitam ähåtärhaëo
mukunda-sandaraçana-nirvåtendriyaù
Honored by Çré Kåñëa, the chief of the Yadus, Närada Muni bowed down to
the Lord. All of Närada’s senses were satisfied by his meeting with Lord Kåñëa.
Thus, having heard the decision of the Lord and having been worshiped by
Him, Närada placed Him firmly within his heart and departed through the sky.
19–räja-dütam uväcedaà
bhagavän préëayan girä
mä bhaiñöa düta bhadraà vo
ghätayiñyämi mägadham
With pleasing words the Lord addressed the messenger sent by the kings:
“My dear messenger, I wish all good fortune to you. I shall arrange for the
killing of King Magadha. Do not fear.”
20–ity uktaù prasthito düto
yathä-vad avadan nåpän
te ‘pi sandarçanaà çaureù
pratyaikñan yan mumukñavaù
Thus addressed, the messenger departed and accurately relayed the Lord’s
message to the kings. Eager for freedom, they then waited expectantly for their
meeting with Lord Kåñëa
21–änarta-sauvéra-marüàs
tértvä vinaçanaà hariù
girén nadér atéyäya
pura-gräma-vrajäkarän
As He traveled through the provinces of Änarta, Sauvéra, Marudeça and
Vinaçana, Lord Hari crossed rivers and passed mountains, cities, villages, cow
pastures and quarries
22–tato dåñadvatéà tértvä
mukundo ‘tha sarasvatém
païcälän atha matsyäàç ca
çakra-prastham athägamat
After crossing the rivers Dåñadvaté and Sarasvaté, He passed through Païcäla
and Matsya and finally came to Indraprastha.
23–tam upägatam äkarëya
préto durdarçanaà nånäm
ajäta-çatrur niragät
sopadhyäyaù suhåd-våtaù
King Yudhiñöhira was delighted to hear that the Lord, whom human beings
rarely see, had now arrived. Accompanied by his priests and dear associates, the
King came out to meet Lord Kåñëa.
24–géta-väditra-ghoñeëa
brahma-ghoñeëa bhüyasä
abhyayät sa håñékeçaà
präëäù präëam ivädåtaù
As songs and musical instruments resounded along with the loud vibration of
Vedic hymns, the King went forth with great reverence to meet Lord Håñékeça,
just as the senses go forth to meet the consciousness of life.
25-dåñövä viklinna-hådayaù
kåñëaà snehena päëòavaù
ciräd dåñöaà priyatamaà
sasvaje ‘tha punaù punaù
The heart of King Yudhiñöhira melted with affection when he saw his
dearmost friend, Lord Kåñëa, after such a long separation, and he embraced the
Lord again and again.
26–dorbhyäà pariñvajya ramämalälayaà
mukunda-gätraà nå-patir hatäçubhaù
lebhe paräà nirvåtim açru-locano
håñyat-tanur vismåta-loka-vibhramaù
The eternal form of Lord Kåñëa is the everlasting residence of the goddess of
fortune. As soon as King Yudhiñöhira embraced Him, the King became free of
all the contamination of material existence. He immediately felt transcendental
bliss and merged in an ocean of happiness. There were tears in his eyes, and his
body shook due to ecstasy. He completely forgot that he was living in this
material worl
27–taà mätuleyaà parirabhya nirvåto
bhémaù smayan prema-jaläkulendriyaù
yamau kiréöé ca suhåttamaà mudä
pravåddha-bäñpäù parirebhire ‘cyutam
Then Bhéma, his eyes brimming with tears, laughed with joy as he embraced
his maternal cousin, Kåñëa. Arjuna and the twins—Nakula and Sahadeva—also
joyfully embraced their dearmost friend, the infallible Lord, and they cried
profusely.
28–arjunena pariñvakto
yamäbhyäm abhiväditaù
brähmaëebhyo namaskåtya
våddhebhyaç ca yathärhataù
mänino mänayäm äsa
kuru-såïjaya-kaikayän
After Arjuna had embraced Him once more and Nakula and Sahadeva had
offered Him their obeisances, Lord Kåñëa bowed down to the brähmaëas and
elders present, thus properly honoring the respectable members of the Kuru,
Såïjaya and Kaikaya clans
29–süta-mägadha-gandharvä
vandinaç copamantriëaù
mådaìga-çaìkha-paöaha
véëä-paëava-gomukhaiù
brähmaëäç cäravindäkñaà
tuñöuvur nanåtur jaguù
Sütas, Mägadhas, Gandharvas, Vandés, jesters and brähmaëas all glorified
the lotus-eyed Lord—some reciting prayers, some dancing and singing—as
mådaìgas, conchshells, kettledrums, véëäs, paëavas and gomukhas resounded.
30–evaà suhådbhiù paryastaù
puëya-çloka-çikhämaëiù
saàstüyamäno bhagavän
viveçälaìkåtaà puram
Thus surrounded by His well-wishing relatives and praised on all sides, Lord
Kåñëa, the crest jewel of the justly renowned, entered the decorated city.
31/32–saàsikta-vartma kariëäà mada-gandha-toyaiç
citra-dhvajaiù kanaka-toraëa-pürëa-kumbhaiù
måñöätmabhir nava-duküla-vibhüñaëa-sraggandhair
nåbhir yuvatibhiç ca viräjamänam
uddépta-dépa-balibhiù prati-sadma jäla
niryäta-dhüpa-ruciraà vilasat-patäkam
mürdhanya-hema-kalaçai rajatoru-çåìgair
juñöaà dadarça bhavanaiù kuru-räja-dhäma
The roads of Indraprastha were sprinkled with water perfumed by the liquid
from elephants’ foreheads, and colorful flags, golden gateways and full waterpots
enhanced the city’s splendor. Men and young girls were beautifully arrayed in
fine, new garments, adorned with flower garlands and ornaments, and anointed
with aromatic sandalwood paste. Every home displayed glowing lamps and
respectful offerings, and from the holes of the latticed windows drifted incense,
further beautifying the city. Banners waved, and the roofs were decorated with
golden domes on broad silver bases. Thus Lord Kåñëa saw the royal city of the
King of the Kurus.
33–präptaà niçamya nara-locana-päna-pätram
autsukya-viçlathita-keça-duküla-bandhäù
sadyo visåjya gåha-karma patéàç ca talpe
drañöuà yayur yuvatayaù sma narendra-märge
When the young women of the city heard that Lord Kåñëa, the reservoir of
pleasure for human eyes, had arrived, they hurriedly went onto the royal road
to see Him. They abandoned their household duties and even left their
husbands in bed, and in their eagerness the knots of their hair and garments
came loose.
34–tasmin su-saìkula ibhäçva-ratha-dvipadbhiù
kåñëam sa-bhäryam upalabhya gåhädhirüòhäù
näryo vikérya kusumair manasopaguhya
su-svägataà vidadhur utsmaya-vékñitena
The royal road being quite crowded with elephants, horses, chariots and foot
soldiers, the women climbed to the top of their houses, where they caught sight
of Lord Kåñëa and His queens. The city ladies scattered flowers upon the Lord,
embraced Him in their minds and expressed their heartfelt welcome with
broadly smiling glances.
35–ücuù striyaù pathi nirékñya mukunda-patnés
tärä yathoòupa-sahäù kim akäry amübhiù
2629
yac cakñuñäà puruña-maulir udära-häsa
lélävaloka-kalayotsavam ätanoti
Observing Lord Mukunda’s wives passing on the road like stars
accompanying the moon, the women exclaimed, “What have these ladies done
so that the best of men bestows upon their eyes the joy of His generous smiles
and playful sidelong glances?”
36–tatra tatropasaìgamya
paurä maìgala-päëayaù
cakruù saparyäà kåñëäya
çreëé-mukhyä hatainasaù
In various places citizens of the city came forward holding auspicious
offerings for Lord Kåñëa, and sinless leaders of occupational guilds came
forward to worship the Lord.
37–antaù-pura-janaiù prétyä
mukundaù phulla-locanaiù
sa-sambhramair abhyupetaù
präviçad räja-mandiram
With wide-open eyes, the members of the royal household came forward in a
flurry to lovingly greet Lord Mukunda, and thus the Lord entered the royal
palace.
38–påthä vilokya bhrätreyaà
kåñëaà tri-bhuvaneçvaram
prétätmotthäya paryaìkät
sa-snuñä pariñasvaje
When Queen Påthä saw her nephew Kåñëa, the master of the three worlds,
her heart became filled with love. Rising from her couch with her
daughter-in-law, she embraced the Lord.
39–govindaà gåham änéya
deva-deveçam ädåtaù
püjäyäà nävidat kåtyaà
pramodopahato nåpaù
King Yudhiñöhira respectfully brought Lord Govinda, the Supreme God of
gods, to his personal quarters. The King was so overcome with joy that he could
not remember all the rituals of worship.
40–pitå-svasur guru-stréëäà
kåñëaç cakre ‘bhivädanam
svayaà ca kåñëayä räjan
bhaginyä cäbhivanditaù
Lord Kåñëa bowed down to His aunt and the wives of His elders, O King,
and then Draupadé and the Lord’s sister bowed down to Him.
41/42–çvaçåvä saïcoditä kåñëä
kåñëa-patnéç ca sarvaçaù
änarca rukmiëéà satyäà
bhadräà jämbavatéà tathä
kälindéà mitravindäà ca
çaibyäà nägnajitéà satém
anyäç cäbhyägatä yäs tu
väsaù-sraì-maëòanädibhiù
Encouraged by her mother-in-law, Draupadé worshiped all of Lord Kåñëa’s
wives, including Rukmiëé; Satyabhämä; Bhadrä; Jämbavaté; Kälindé;
Mitravindä, the descendant of Çibi; the chaste Nägnajité; and the other queens
of the Lord who were present. Draupadé honored them all with such gifts as
clothing, flower garlands and jewelry.
43–sukhaà niväsayäm äsa
dharma-räjo janärdanam
sa-sainyaà sänugämatyaà
sa-bhäryaà ca navaà navam
King Yudhiñöhira arranged for Kåñëa’s rest and saw to it that all who came
along with Him—namely His queens, soldiers, ministers and secretaries—were
comfortably situated. He arranged that they would experience a new feature of
reception every day while staying as guests of the Päëòavas.
44/45–tarpayitvä khäëòavena
vahnià phälguna-saàyutaù
mocayitvä mayaà yena
räjïe divyä sabhä kåtä
uväsa katicin mäsän
räjïaù priya-cikérñayä
viharan ratham äruhya
phälgunena bhaöair våtaù
Desiring to please King Yudhiñöhira, the Lord resided at Indraprastha for
several months. During His stay, He and Arjuna satisfied the fire-god by
offering him the Khäëòava forest, and they saved Maya Dänava, who then built
King Yudhiñöhira a celestial assembly hall. The Lord also took the opportunity
to go riding in His chariot in the company of Arjuna, surrounded by a retinue
of soldiers.
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