* किं नस्तत्कथया गोप्यः कथाः कथयतापराः । यात्यस्माभिर्विना कालो यदि तस्य तथैव नः ॥ 10.65.
"What use is there for us, O cowherd women, in talking of him? Let us speak of other things. Time passes for us in his absence, if it passes for him as it does for us."
इति प्रहसितं शौरेर्जल्पितं चारुवीक्षितम् । गतिं प्रेमपरिष्वङ्गं स्मरन्त्यो रुरुदुः स्त्रियः ॥ 10.65.
Remembering the playful words, the lovely glances, the movements, and the loving embraces of Śauri, the women wept.
सङ्कर्षणस्ताः कृष्णस्य सन्देशैर्हृदयंगमैः । सान्त्वयामास भगवान्नानानुनयकोविदः ॥ 10.65.
Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa, skilled in many ways of persuasion, comforted them with heartfelt messages from Kṛṣṇa.
द्वौ मासौ तत्र चावात्सीन्मधुं माधवं एव च । रामः क्षपासु भगवान् गोपीनां रतिमावहन् ॥ 10.65.
There, Rāma stayed for two months—Madhu and Mādhava—bringing delight to the gopīs during the nights.
पूर्णचन्द्रकलामृष्टे कौमुदीगन्धवायुना । यमुनोपवने रेमे सेविते स्त्रीगणैर्वृतः ॥ 10.65.
Bathed in the light of the full moon, with the fragrance of the night-blooming lotuses carried by the breeze, he enjoyed himself in the groves by the Yamunā, surrounded by groups of women who served him.
वरुणप्रेषिता देवी वारुणी वृक्षकोटरात् । पतन्ती तद्वनं सर्वं स्वगन्धेनाध्यवासयत् ॥ 10.65.
Sent by Varuna, the goddess Varuni emerged from the hollow of a tree, and as she descended, her fragrance filled the entire forest.
तं गन्धं मधुधाराया वायुनोपहृतं बलः । आघ्रायोपगतस्तत्र ललनाभिः समं पपौ ॥ 10.65.
Bala inhaled the scent of the honey-stream, carried by the wind, and approached there, drinking together with the women, using his tongue.
उपगीयमानो गन्धर्वैर्वनिताशोभिमण्डले । रेमे करेणुयूथेशो माहेन्द्र इव वारणः ॥ 10.65.
As Gandharvas sang, in a circle adorned by beautiful women, the lord of the elephant herd enjoyed himself, like Indra among elephants.
नेदुर्दुन्दुभयो व्योम्नि ववृषुः कुसुमैर्मुदा । गन्धर्वा मुनयो रामं तद्वीर्यैरीडिरे तदा ॥ 10.65.
Drums resounded in the sky, flowers rained down in joy, and Gandharvas and sages praised Rama for his deeds.
उपगीयमानचरितो वनिताभिर्हलायुध । वनेषु व्यचरत्क्षीवो मदविह्वललोचनः ॥ 10.65.
His exploits were sung by the women, and Halayudha wandered through the forests, intoxicated, his eyes unsteady from delight.
स्रग्व्येककुण्डलो मत्तो वैजयन्त्या च मालया । बिभ्रत्स्मितमुखाम्भोजं स्वेदप्रालेयभूषितम् ॥ 10.65.
Adorned with a garland, a single earring, intoxicated, wearing the Vaijayanti wreath, displaying a smiling lotus-like face, embellished with drops of sweat like frost.
स आजुहाव यमुनां जलक्रीडार्थमीश्वरः । निजं वाक्यमनादृत्य मत्त इत्यापगां बलः ॥ 10.65.
The lord summoned the Yamuna for water games, but Bala, disregarding his own words, intoxicated, called out to the river.
अनागतां हलाग्रेण कुपितो विचकर्ष ह । पापे त्वं मामवज्ञाय यन्नायासि मयाहुता । नेष्ये त्वां लाङ्गलाग्रेण शतधा कामचारिणीम् ॥ 10.65.
When she did not come, angered, he dragged her with the tip of his plough, saying: 'O sinful one, you have disregarded me though I called you; I will lead you with the tip of my plough, you who wander as you please.'
एवं निर्भर्त्सिता भीता यमुना यदुनन्दनम् । उवाच चकिता वाचं पतिता पादयोर्नृप ॥ 10.65.
Thus rebuked, frightened, Yamuna spoke trembling words to the son of Yadu, falling at his feet, O King.
राम राम महाबाहो न जाने तव विक्रमम् । यस्यैकांशेन विधृता जगती जगतः पते ॥ 10.65.
O Rama, Rama, mighty-armed, I do not know your prowess, O lord of the world, by whose single portion the earth is sustained.
परं भावं भगवतो भगवन्मामजानतीम् । मोक्तुमर्हसि विश्वात्मन् प्रपन्नां भक्तवत्सल ॥ 10.65.
O Lord, you should forgive me, who did not know your supreme nature; O soul of the universe, friend of devotees, I have taken refuge in you.
ततो व्यमुञ्चद्यमुनां याचितो भगवान् बलः । विजगाह जलं स्त्रीभिः करेणुभिरिवेभराट् ॥ 10.65.
Then, requested, the blessed Bala released Yamuna, and bathed in the water with the women, like a king elephant with female elephants.
कामं विहृत्य सलिलादुत्तीर्णायासीताम्बरे । भूषणानि महार्हाणि ददौ कान्तिः शुभां स्रजम् ॥ 10.65.
After enjoying himself, he emerged from the water, and in the open air, he gave the women splendid ornaments and a beautiful garland.
वसित्वा वाससी नीले मालां आमुच्य काञ्चनीम् । रेये स्वलङ्कृतो लिप्तो माहेन्द्र इव वारणः ॥ 10.65.
Having put on blue garments and a golden garland, he rested, well adorned and anointed, like Indra among elephants.
अद्यापि दृश्यते राजन् यमुनाकृष्टवर्त्मना । बलस्यानन्तवीर्यस्य वीर्यं सूचयतीव हि ॥ 10.65.
Even today, O King, the path drawn by Bala's dragging of Yamuna is visible, as if indicating the endless strength of Bala.
एवं सर्वा निशा याता एकेव रमतो व्रजे । रामस्याक्षिप्तचित्तस्य माधुर्यैर्व्रजयोषिताम् ॥ 10.65.
Thus, the whole night passed as Rama enjoyed alone in Vraja, his mind captivated by the sweetness of the women of Vraja.
अथ षट्षष्टितमोऽध्यायः । श्रीशुक उवाच। नन्दव्रजं गते रामे करूषाधिपतिर्नृप। वासुदेवोऽहमित्यज्ञो दूतं कृष्णाय प्राहिणोत्
Chapter sixty-six begins. Shuka said: When Rama had gone to Nandavraja, the king of the Karusha sent a messenger to Krishna, not knowing that he was Vāsudeva, the Lord, saying, 'I am Vāsudeva.'
त्वं वासुदेवो भगवानवतीर्णो जगत्पतिः। इति प्रस्तोभितो बालैर्मेन आत्मानमच्युतम्
Addressed by the boys, 'You are Vāsudeva, the Lord descended, ruler of the world,' Krishna considered himself to be the infallible Self.
दूतं च प्राहिणोन्मन्दः कृष्णायाव्यक्तवर्त्मने। द्वारकायां यथा बालो नृपो बालकृतोऽबुधः
The deluded king, acting like a child and lacking understanding, sent a messenger to Krishna, whose actions are inscrutable, just as a boy might send one to another in Dvaraka.
दूतस्तु द्वारकामेत्य सभायामास्थितं प्रभुम्। कृष्णं कमलपत्राक्षं राजसन्देशमब्रवीत्
The messenger, arriving in Dvaraka, entered the assembly and addressed Krishna, the lotus-eyed Lord, delivering the royal message.
वासुदेवोऽवतीर्णोहमेक एव न चापरः। भूतानामनुकम्पार्थं त्वं तु मिथ्याभिधां त्यज
"I alone am Vasudeva incarnate; there is no other. Out of compassion for beings I have descended. You should abandon your false claim."
यानि त्वमस्मच्चिह्नानि मौढ्याद्बिभर्षि सात्वत। त्यक्त्वैहि मां त्वं शरणं नो चेद्देहि ममाहवम्
"The emblems you bear, which are mine, you wear out of ignorance, O Sātvata. Give them up and take refuge in me, or else, grant me battle."
श्रीशुक उवाच। कत्थनं तदुपाकर्ण्य पौण्ड्रकस्याल्पमेधसः। उग्रसेनादयः सभ्या उच्चकैर्जहसुस्तदा
Śrī Śuka said: Hearing the boastful words of Paundraka, who lacked intelligence, Ugrasena and the other members of the assembly burst into loud laughter.
उवाच दूतं भगवान्परिहासकथामनु। उत्स्रक्ष्ये मूढ चिह्नानि यैस्त्वमेवं विकत्थसे
The Blessed Lord, following words of jest, said to the messenger: "Fool, I will indeed relinquish the emblems by which you boast in this way."
मुखं तदपिधायाज्ञ कङ्कगृध्रवटैर्वृतः। शयिष्यसे हतस्तत्र भविता शरणं शुनाम्
"You will lie there slain, your face covered, surrounded by vultures, crows, and jackals; then, your refuge will be among the dogs."