सुदुःसहमिमं मन्य आत्मन्यसदतिक्रमम्। विदुषामपि विश्वात्मन्प्रकृतिर्हि बलीयसी। ऋते त्वद्धर्मनिरतान्शान्तास्ते चरणालयान्
This unbearable transgression against the self, I consider exceedingly difficult, O Soul of the Universe, even for the wise, for nature is powerful. Except for those devoted to your dharma, peaceful, and sheltered at your feet.
बृहस्पतिर्ब्रह्मवादे आत्मवत्त्वे स्वयं हरिः । भक्त्या गोगुरुविप्रेषु विष्वक्सेनानुवर्तिषु
Bṛhaspati, in the doctrine of Brahman, and Hari himself, in the state of self-realization, through devotion to cows, teachers, and Brahmins, follow Viṣvaksena.
कीर्त्योर्ध्वगीतया पुम्भिः त्रैलोक्ये तत्र तत्र ह । प्रविष्टः कर्णरन्ध्रेषु स्त्रीणां रामः सतामिव
By praise and song, men throughout the three worlds, here and there, enter through the ear-holes of women, just as Rāma does among the virtuous.
अन्नयाञ्चामिषेण यज्ञपत्नीषु अनुग्रहः - श्रीगोप ऊचुः - ( अनुष्टुप् ) राम राम महाबाहो कृष्ण दुष्टनिबर्हण । एषा वै बाधते क्षुत् नः तच्छान्तिं कर्तुमर्हथः
Through food and offerings, there is favor among the wives of the sacrificers. The cowherds said: O Rāma, O mighty-armed, O Kṛṣṇa, destroyer of the wicked, this hunger afflicts us; you ought to bring its relief.
श्रीशुक उवाच - इति विज्ञापितो गोपैः भगवान् देवकीसुतः । भक्ताया विप्रभार्यायाः प्रसीदन् इदमब्रवीत्
Śrī Śuka said: Thus addressed by the cowherds, the Lord, son of Devakī, kindly spoke these words for the devotee, the wife of the Brahmin.
प्रयात देवयजनं ब्राह्मणा ब्रह्मवादिनः । सत्रं आङ्गिरसं नाम ह्यासते स्वर्गकाम्यया
Go to the sacrificial altar where the Brahmins, versed in Brahman, are performing the Angirasa sacrifice, desiring heaven.
तत्र गत्वौदनं गोपा याचतास्मद् विसर्जिताः । कीर्तयन्तो भगवत आर्यस्य मम चाभिधाम्
Go there, cowherds, and ask for cooked rice, sent by us, mentioning the names of the Lord, the noble one, and myself.
इत्यादिष्टा भगवता गत्वा याचन्त ते तथा । कृताञ्जलिपुटा विप्रान् दण्डवत् पतिता भुवि
Thus instructed by the Lord, they went and asked as directed, with folded hands, bowing to the Brahmins, prostrating themselves on the ground.
हे भूमिदेवाः श्रृणुत कृष्णस्यादेशकारिणः । प्राप्ताञ्जानीत भद्रं वो गोपान् नो रामचोदितान्
O lords of the earth, listen! We have come as those who carry out Kṛṣṇa's command. Know that we are cowherds sent by Rāma; may good fortune be yours.
( मिश्र ) गाश्चारयतौ अविदूर ओदनं रामाच्युतौ वो लषतो बुभुक्षितौ । तयोर्द्विजा ओदनमर्थिनोर्यदि श्रद्धा च वो यच्छत धर्मवित्तमाः
O best knowers of dharma, Rama and Achyuta, tending the cows not far from here, are hungry and seeking food from you. If you have faith, give them the cooked rice they desire.
( अनुष्टुप् ) दीक्षायाः पशुसंस्थायाः सौत्रामण्याश्च सत्तमाः । अन्यत्र दीक्षितस्यापि नान्नमश्नन् हि दुष्यति
O excellent ones, except during the consecration for the animal sacrifice or the Sautramani rite, even for one who is consecrated, food is not spoiled by eating it.
इति ते भगवद् याच्ञां शृण्वन्तोऽपि न शुश्रुवुः । क्षुद्राशा भूरिकर्माणो बालिशा वृद्धमानिनः
Though they heard this request on behalf of the Lord, they did not listen—petty in their desires, busy with many rituals, childish, and proud of their age.
देशः कालः पृथग् द्रव्यं मंत्रतंत्रर्त्विजोऽग्नयः । देवता यजमानश्च क्रतुर्धर्मश्च यन्मयः
The place, time, separate materials, mantras, procedures, priests, fires, deities, sacrificer, the ritual, and dharma—all these are composed of Him.
तं ब्रह्म परमं साक्षाद् भगवन्तं अधोक्षजम् । मनुष्यदृष्ट्या दुष्प्रज्ञा मर्त्यात्मानो न मेनिरे
That Supreme Brahman, the Lord, Adhokshaja Himself, they, lacking discernment and seeing themselves as mortal, did not recognize, viewing Him as a mere human.
न ते यदोमिति प्रोचुः न नेति च परन्तप । गोपा निराशाः प्रत्येत्य तथोचुः कृष्णरामयोः
They did not say 'Give it to Yadus,' nor did they say 'Do not give,' O subduer of enemies. The cowherds, disappointed, returned and told Krishna and Rama what had happened.
तदुपाकर्ण्य भगवान् प्रहस्य जगदीश्वरः । व्याजहार पुनर्गोपान् दर्शयँलौकिकीं गतिम्
Hearing this, the Lord, the Master of the universe, laughed and again spoke to the cowherds, showing a worldly course of action.
मां ज्ञापयत पत्नीभ्यः ससङ्कर्षणमागतम् । दास्यन्ति काममन्नं वः स्निग्धा मय्युषिता धिया
Go and inform the wives, along with Sankarshana and myself having come. They, affectionate and devoted to me in thought, will gladly give you food.
गत्वाथ पत्नीशालायां दृष्ट्वासीनाः स्वलङ्कृताः । नत्वा द्विजसतीर्गोपाः प्रश्रिता इदमब्रुवन्
Then, going to the house of the wives, seeing them seated and adorned, the cowherds bowed to the noble brahmins' wives and respectfully spoke these words.
नमो वो विप्रपत्नीभ्यो निबोधत वचांसि नः । इतोऽविदूरे चरता कृष्णेनेहेषिता वयम्
Salutations to you, O brahmins' wives. Please listen to our words. Not far from here, we, sent by Krishna, are tending the cows.
गाश्चारयन् स गोपालैः सरामो दूरमागतः । बुभुक्षितस्य तस्यान्नं सानुगस्य प्रदीयताम्
He, tending the cows with the cowherds and with Rama, has come a long way. Please give food to him, who is hungry and accompanied by his companions.
श्रुत्वाच्युतं उपायातं नित्यं तद्दर्शनोत्सुकाः । तत्कथाक्षिप्तमनसो बभूवुर्जातसम्भ्रमाः
Hearing that Achyuta had come, always eager to see him, their minds absorbed in his stories, all the women became filled with excitement.
चतुर्विधं बहुगुणं अन्नमादाय भाजनैः । अभिसस्रुः प्रियं सर्वाः समुद्रमिव निम्नगाः
Taking four kinds of excellent food in vessels, all of them hurried forth to their beloved, like rivers rushing to the ocean.
निषिध्यमानाः पतिभिः भ्रातृभिर्बन्धुभिः सुतैः । भगवति उत्तमश्लोके दीर्घश्रुत धृताशयाः
Though forbidden by their husbands, brothers, relatives, and sons, their minds fixed on the Lord of excellent fame, and sustained by long-heard teachings, they went forth.
यमुनोपवनेऽशोक नवपल्लवमण्डिते । विचरन्तं वृतं गोपैः साग्रजं ददृशुः स्त्रियः
In a grove on the Yamuna, adorned with fresh asoka shoots, the women saw him, surrounded by cowherds and his elder brother, wandering there.
( वसंततिलका ) श्यामं हिरण्यपरिधिं वनमाल्यबर्ह धातुप्रवालनटवेषमनव्रतांसे । विन्यस्तहस्तमितरेण धुनानमब्जं कर्णोत्पलालक कपोलमुखाब्जहासम्
They saw him dark as a raincloud, clad in golden garments, adorned with forest garlands and peacock feathers, dressed as a dancer, with a lotus resting on his shoulder, one hand twirling a lotus, his ear adorned with a lily, locks framing his cheeks, and his face blossoming with a smile.
प्रायःश्रुतप्रियतमोदयकर्णपूरैः यस्मिन् निमग्नमनसः तं अथाक्षिरंध्रैः । अन्तः प्रवेश्य सुचिरं परिरभ्य तापं प्राज्ञं यथाभिमतयो विजहुर्नरेन्द्र
Their minds, immersed in him whose stories they loved to hear, whose presence delighted their ears, they entered him through their eyes, embraced him long within, and, O king, as wise ones, let go of their sorrow as they wished.
( अनुष्टुप् ) तास्तथा त्यक्तसर्वाशाः प्राप्ता आत्मदिदृक्षया । विज्ञायाखिलदृग्द्रष्टा प्राह प्रहसिताननः
Thus, having abandoned all other hopes, they came, desiring to see their very Self. He, the seer of all, knowing this, spoke to them with a smiling face.
स्वागतं वो महाभागा आस्यतां करवाम किम् । यन्नो दिदृक्षया प्राप्ता उपपन्नमिदं हि वः
Welcome, O highly fortunate ones! Please be seated. What may I do for you? It is fitting that you have come here, desiring to see us.
नन्वद्धा मयि कुर्वन्ति कुशलाः स्वार्थदर्शिनः । अहैतुक्यव्यवहितां भक्तिमात्मप्रिये यथा
Indeed, those who are truly wise and seek their own good render to me, who am dear to their very selves, devotion that is causeless and unbroken.
प्राणबुद्धिमनःस्वात्म दारापत्यधनादयः । यत्सम्पर्कात् प्रिया आसन् ततः को न्वपरः प्रियः
Life, intellect, mind, self, wives, children, wealth, and so on—all these become dear through contact with me; therefore, who else could truly be dear?