कृष्णस्य मतमास्थाय प्रययौ भरतर्षभः। द्वारकाया उपवने तस्थौ वै कार्यसाधनः
Following Krishna's counsel, the best of the Bharatas went to a grove near Dvārakā and stayed there to accomplish his purpose.
निवृत्ते ह्युत्सवे तस्मिन्गिरौ रैवतके तदा। वृष्णयोऽप्यगमन्सर्वे पुरीं द्वारवतीमनु
When the festival on Mount Raivataka had ended, all the Vṛṣṇis also returned to the city of Dvārakā.
चिन्तयानस्ततो भद्रामुपविष्टः शिलातले। रमणीये वनोद्देशे बहुपादपसंवृते
Sitting on a stone slab, pondering over Subhadrā, in a delightful part of the forest covered with many trees, he remained there.
सालतालाश्वकर्णैश्च बकुलैरर्जुनैस्तथा। चम्पकाशोकपुन्नागैः केतकैः पाटलैस्तथा
There were śāla, tāla, aśvakarṇa, bakula, arjuna, campaka, aśoka, punnāga, ketaka, and pāṭala trees.
कर्णिकारैरशोकैश्च अङ्कोलैरतिमुक्तकैः। एवमादिभिरन्यैश्च संवृते स शिलातले
There were also karṇikāra, aśoka, aṅkola, atimuktaka, and other such trees surrounding that stone slab.
पुनःपुनश्चिन्तयानः सुभद्रां भद्रभाषिणीम्। यदृच्छया चोपपन्नान्वृष्णिवीरान्ददर्श सः
Thinking again and again of Subhadrā, who spoke sweetly, he happened to see the Vṛṣṇi heroes approaching by chance.
बलदेवं च हार्दिक्यं साम्बं सारणमेव च। प्रद्युम्नं च गदं चैव चारुदेष्णं विदूरथम्
Baladeva, the son of Hardika, Samba, Sāraṇa, Pradyumna, Gada, Cārudeṣṇa, and Vidūratha,
भानुं च हरितं चैव विपृथुं पृथुमेव च। तथान्यांश्च बहून्पश्यन्हृदि शोकमधारयत्
Bhānu, Harita, Vipṛthu, and Pṛthu as well; seeing many others also, he held sorrow in his heart.
ततस्ते सहिताः सर्वे यतिं दृष्ट्वा समुत्सुकाः। वृष्णयो विनयोपेताः परिवार्योपतस्थिरे
Then, all together, the Vṛṣṇis, eager upon seeing the ascetic, surrounded him with humility and approached.
ततोऽर्जुनः प्रीतमनाः स्वागतं व्याजहार सः। आस्यतामास्यतां सर्वै रमणीये शिलातले
Thereupon, Arjuna, with a delighted mind, spoke words of welcome: 'Please be seated, all of you, upon this pleasant stone slab.'
इत्येवमुक्ता यतिना प्रीतास्ते यादवर्षभाः। उपोपविविशुः सर्वे ते स्वागतमिति ब्रुवन्
Thus addressed by the ascetic, the foremost of the Yādavas, pleased, all sat down, saying, 'Welcome.'
परितः सन्निविष्टेषु वृष्णिवीरेषु पाण्डवः। आकारं गूहमानस्तु कुशलप्रश्नमब्रवीत्
With the Vṛṣṇi heroes seated all around, the Pāṇḍava, concealing his appearance, asked after their welfare.
सर्वत्र कुशलं चोक्त्वा बलदेवोऽब्रवीदिदम्। प्रसादं कुरु मे विप्र कुतस्त्वं चागतो ह्यसि
Having declared all is well everywhere, Baladeva spoke: 'Grant me your favor, O Brahmin; from where have you come?'
त्वया दृष्टानि पुण्यानि वद त्वं वदतांवर। पर्वतांश्चैव तीर्थानि वनान्यायतनानि च
'You have seen holy places; tell us, O best of speakers, about the mountains, the sacred sites, the forests, and the shrines.'
तीर्थानां दर्शनं चैव पर्वतानां च भारत। आपगानां वनानां च कथयामास ताः कथाः
He narrated stories of the sights of sacred places, mountains, rivers, and forests, O Bhārata.
श्रुत्वा धर्मकथाः पुण्या वृष्णिवीरा मुदान्विताः। अपूजयंस्तदा भिक्षुं कथान्ते जनमेजय
Hearing those virtuous tales of dharma, the Vṛṣṇi heroes, filled with joy, honored the ascetic at the end of the stories, O Janamejaya.
ततस्तु यादवाः सर्वे मन्त्रयन्ति स्म भारत। अयं देशातिथिः श्रीमान्यतिलिङ्गधरो द्विजः
Then all the Yādavas deliberated, O Bhārata: 'This honored guest, bearing the ascetic's marks, is a distinguished Brahmin.'
आवासं कमुपाश्रित्य वसेत निरुपद्रवः। इत्येवं प्रब्रुवन्तस्तु रौहिणेयं च यादवाः
'Let him reside here, having sought shelter, without disturbance,' thus spoke the Yādavas to the son of Rohiṇī.
ददृशुः कृष्णमायान्तं सर्वे यादवनन्दनम्। एहि केशव तातेति रौहिणेयो वचोऽब्रवीत्
All the Yādavas saw Kṛṣṇa arriving, the delight of the Yādavas; Rohiṇī's son spoke, 'Come, Keśava, dear one.'
यतिलिङ्गधरो विद्वान्देशातिथिरयं द्विजः। वर्षमासनिवासार्थमागतो नः पुरं प्रति। स्थाने यस्मिन्निवसतु तन्मे ब्रूहि जनार्दन
'This learned Brahmin, bearing the ascetic's marks, is our honored guest, having come to our city for a four-month stay; tell me, Janārdana, where he should reside.'
त्वयि स्थिते महाभाग परवानस्मि धर्मतः। स्वयं तु रुचिरे स्थाने वासयेर्यदुनन्दन
'With you present, O greatly fortunate one, I am bound by dharma; but, O delight of the Yādavas, let him reside wherever you yourself find pleasing.'
प्रीतः स तेन वाक्येन परिष्वज्य जनार्दनम्। बलदेवोऽब्रवीद्वाक्यं चिन्तयित्वा महाबलः
Pleased by those words, Baladeva embraced Janārdana and, after pondering, the mighty one spoke.
आरामे तु वसेद्धीमांश्चतुरो वर्षमासकान्। कन्यागृहे सुभद्राया भुक्त्वा भोजनमिच्छया
'Let this wise one reside in the garden for the four months; taking meals in Subhadrā's house, as he desires.'
लतागृहेषु वसतामिति मे धीयते मतिः। लब्धानुज्ञास्त्वया तात मन्यन्ते सर्वयादवाः
'Let him dwell in the vine-houses—such is my thought; with your permission, dear one, all the Yādavas agree.'
बलवान्दर्शनीयश्च वाग्मी श्रीमान्बहुश्रुतः। कन्यापुरसमीपे तु न युक्तमिति मे मतिः
He is strong, impressive in appearance, eloquent, prosperous, and learned in many things; yet, in the presence of the maiden's quarters, it is not proper—this is my opinion.
गुरुः शास्ता च नेता च शास्त्रज्ञो धर्मवित्तमः। त्वयोक्तं न विरुध्येहं करिष्यामि वचस्तव
He is a teacher, instructor, and leader, well-versed in the scriptures and foremost knower of righteousness; what you have said, I do not oppose—I will do as you say.
शुभाशुभस्य विज्ञाता नान्योऽस्मि भुवि कश्चन
There is no one else on earth who knows the auspicious and inauspicious as I do.
अयं देशातिथिः श्रीमान्सर्वधर्मभृतां वरः। धृतिमान्विनयोपेतः सत्यबादी जितेन्द्रियः
This guest from afar is illustrious, the best among upholders of dharma, steadfast, endowed with humility, truthful in speech, and master of his senses.
यतिलिङ्गधरो ह्येष को विजानाति मानसम्। त्वमिमं पुण्डरीकाक्ष नीत्वा कन्यापुरं शुभम्
He indeed bears the marks of an ascetic—who can know his mind? You, O lotus-eyed one, take him to the auspicious maiden's quarters.
निवेदय सुभद्रायै मद्वाक्यपरिचोदितः। भक्ष्यैर्भोज्यैश्च पानैश्च अन्नैरिष्टैश्च पूजय
Inform Subhadrā, prompted by my words, and honor him with delicacies, foods, drinks, and desired offerings.