Bhagavata Purana

आप्लुत्याम्भसि कालिन्द्या जलान्ते चोदितेऽरुणे । कृत्वा प्रतिकृतिं देवीं आनर्चुः नृप सैकतीम्

Having bathed in the waters of the Kālindī at dawn, when the sun had just risen, they made an image of the goddess from sand on the riverbank and worshipped her, O King.

गन्धैर्माल्यैः सुरभिभिः बलिभिर्धूपदीपकैः । उच्चावचैश्चोपहारैः प्रवालफल तण्डुलैः

With fragrant garlands, perfumes, offerings, incense, lamps, and various gifts—both great and small—such as sprouts, fruits, and grains, they worshipped her.

कात्यायनि महामाये महायोगिन्यधीश्वरि । नन्दगोपसुतं देवि पतिं मे कुरु ते नमः । इति मन्त्रं जपन्त्यस्ताः पूजां चक्रुः कुमारिकाः

Chanting this mantra: 'O Kātyāyanī, great power, great yoginī, supreme ruler, O goddess, make the son of Nanda my husband; I bow to you,' the girls performed their worship.

एवं मासं व्रतं चेरुः कुमार्यः कृष्णचेतसः । भद्रकालीं समानर्चुः भूयान्नन्दसुतः पतिः

In this way, the maidens, their minds fixed on Kṛṣṇa, observed the vow for a month, worshipping Bhadrakālī, desiring that the son of Nanda become their husband.

ऊषस्युत्थाय गोत्रैः स्वैरन्योन्या बद्धबाहवः । कृष्णं उच्चैर्जगुर्यान्त्यः कालिन्द्यां स्नातुमन्वहम्

At dawn, rising with their companions, linking arms with one another, they sang loudly of Kṛṣṇa as they went each day to bathe in the Kālindī.

नद्याः कदाचिदागत्य तीरे निक्षिप्य पूर्ववत् । वासांसि कृष्णं गायन्त्यो विजह्रुः सलिले मुदा

Once, coming to the riverbank, they left their clothes as before, and, singing of Kṛṣṇa, they joyfully played in the water.

भगवान् तदभिप्रेत्य कृष्णो योगेश्वरेश्वरः । वयस्यैरावृतस्तत्र गतस्तत्कर्मसिद्धये

The Lord Kṛṣṇa, master of all yogis, understanding their intention, came there surrounded by his friends to fulfill their desire.

तासां वासांस्युपादाय नीपमारुह्य सत्वरः । हसद्‌भिः प्रहसन् बालैः परिहासमुवाच ह

Quickly taking their garments, he climbed a kadamba tree, and, laughing with the boys, he spoke to them in jest.

अत्रागत्याबलाः कामं स्वं स्वं वासः प्रगृह्यताम् । सत्यं ब्रवाणि नो नर्म यद्यूयं व्रतकर्शिताः

Come here, girls, and each of you take back your own garment as you wish; I speak the truth, not merely in jest, if you are truly wearied by your vow.

न मयोदितपूर्वं वा अनृतं तदिमे विदुः । एकैकशः प्रतीच्छध्वं सहैवेति सुमध्यमाः

I have never spoken a lie before, and these boys know it; O fair-waisted ones, come one by one to receive them, not all together.

तस्य तत् क्ष्वेलितं दृष्ट्वा गोप्यः प्रेमपरिप्लुताः । व्रीडिताः प्रेक्ष्य चान्योन्यं जातहासा न निर्ययुः

Seeing his playful gesture, the gopīs, overwhelmed with love, looked at each other bashfully, smiled, but did not come out.

एवं ब्रुवति गोविन्दे नर्मणाऽऽक्षिप्तचेतसः । आकण्ठमग्नाः शीतोदे वेपमानास्तमब्रुवन्

As Govinda spoke thus in jest, their minds agitated, the girls, immersed up to their necks in the cold water and shivering, addressed him.

मानयं भोः कृथास्त्वां तु नन्दगोपसुतं प्रियम् । जानीमोऽङ्‌ग व्रजश्लाघ्यं देहि वासांसि वेपिताः

O beloved son of Nanda, please respect us; we know you are worthy of Vraja's praise. Give us our clothes, for we are trembling.

श्यामसुन्दर ते दास्यः करवाम तवोदितम् । देहि वासांसि धर्मज्ञ नो चेद् राज्ञे ब्रुवाम हे

O Śyāmasundara, we are your servants and will do as you say; give us our garments, O knower of dharma, or else we will complain to the king.

श्रीभगवानुवाच । भवत्यो यदि मे दास्यो मयोक्तं वा करिष्यथ । अत्रागत्य स्ववासांसि प्रतीच्छन्तु शुचिस्मिताः

The Blessed Lord said: If you are truly my servants and will do as I have said, let these pure-smiling girls come here and receive their garments.

ततो जलाशयात् सर्वा दारिकाः शीतवेपिताः । पाणिभ्यां योनिमाच्छाद्य प्रोत्तेरुः शीतकर्शिताः

Then all the girls, shivering from the cold, emerged from the water, covering their private parts with their hands, afflicted by the chill.

भगवानाहता वीक्ष्य शुद्ध भावप्रसादितः । स्कन्धे निधाय वासांसि प्रीतः प्रोवाच सस्मितम्

Seeing them helpless, the Lord, pleased by their pure devotion, placed their garments on his shoulder and, smiling, spoke to them with affection.

( मिश्र ) यूयं विवस्त्रा यदपो धृतव्रता व्यगाहतैतत् तदु देवहेलनम् । बद्ध्वाञ्जलिं मूर्ध्न्यपनुत्तयेंऽहसः कृत्वा नमोऽधो वसनं प्रगृह्यताम्

You entered the water naked, maintaining your vow, and this is an offense against the gods. With folded hands, bow your heads to dispel this fault, and then, taking your clothes, put them on.

( इंद्रवंशा ) इत्यच्युतेनाभिहितं व्रजाबला मत्वा विवस्त्राप्लवनं व्रतच्युतिम् । तत्पूर्तिकामास्तदशेषकर्मणां साक्षात्कृतं नेमुरवद्यमृग् यतः

Hearing these words from Acyuta, the girls of Vraja understood that bathing naked was a breach of their vow. Wishing to fulfill their purpose, they accepted this as the completion of their ritual, for it was directly ordained by him and thus blameless.

( अनुष्टुप् ) तास्तथावनता दृष्ट्वा भगवान् देवकीसुतः । वासांसि ताभ्यः प्रायच्छत् करुणस्तेन तोषितः

Seeing them bowing in this way, the Lord, son of Devakī, moved by compassion, returned their garments to them, being pleased.

( मिश्र ) दृढं प्रलब्धास्त्रपया च हापिताः प्रस्तोभिताः क्रीडनवच्च कारिताः । वस्त्राणि चैवापहृतान्यथाप्यमुं ता नाभ्यसूयन् प्रियसङ्‌गनिर्वृताः

Though they had been firmly teased, embarrassed, and made to play as if in sport, and even had their clothes taken, the girls did not resent him, finding joy in his beloved company.

( अनुष्टुप् ) परिधाय स्ववासांसि प्रेष्ठसङ्‌गमसज्जिताः । गृहीतचित्ता नो चेलुः तस्मिन् लज्जायितेक्षणाः

After putting on their garments, their hearts set on meeting their beloved, the girls, their eyes cast down in modesty, did not depart from him.

तासां विज्ञाय भगवान् स्वपादस्पर्शकाम्यया । धृतव्रतानां सङ्‌कल्पं आह दामोदरोऽबलाः

Understanding their desire to touch his feet, the Lord Dāmodara spoke to the girls, who had kept their vow, about their intention.

सङ्‌कल्पो विदितः साध्व्यो भवतीनां मदर्चनम् । मयानुमोदितः सोऽसौ सत्यो भवितुमर्हति

Your intention, O virtuous ones, to worship me is known to me. I approve of it, and it is destined to be fulfilled.

न मय्यावेशितधियां कामः कामाय कल्पते । भर्जिता क्वथिता धाना प्रायो बीजाय नेशते

For those whose minds are fixed on me, desire does not lead to lust, just as roasted and boiled grains generally do not sprout.

याताबला व्रजं सिद्धा मयेमा रंस्यथा क्षपाः । यदुद्दिश्य व्रतमिदं चेरुरार्यार्चनं सतीः

Go now, girls, to Vraja, perfected in your vow. In the nights to come, you will enjoy with me, for this vow was performed by you with the aim of worshiping me.

श्रीशुक उवाच । इत्यादिष्टा भगवता लब्धकामाः कुमारिकाः । ध्यायन्त्यस्तत् पदाम्भोजं कृच्छ्रात् निर्विविशुर्व्रजम्

Śuka said: Thus instructed by the Lord, the maidens, their desires fulfilled, returned to Vraja, meditating on his lotus feet, though it was difficult for them.

अथ गोपैः परिवृतो भगवान् देवकीसुतः । वृन्दावनाद् गतो दूरं चारयन् गाः सहाग्रजः

Then, surrounded by the cowherd boys, the Lord, son of Devakī, left Vṛndāvana and, along with his elder brother, herded the cows at a distance.

निदघार्कातपे तिग्मे छायाभिः स्वाभिरात्मनः । आतपत्रायितान् वीक्ष्य द्रुमानाह व्रजौकसः

Seeing the trees providing shade with their own bodies as umbrellas against the fierce, scorching rays of the midday sun, he spoke to the residents of Vraja.