Bhagavata Purana

एवं दग्ध्वा पुरस्तिस्रो भगवान्पुरहा नृप। ब्रह्मादिभिः स्तूयमानः स्वं धाम प्रत्यपद्यत

Thus, having burned the three cities, the Lord, destroyer of cities, praised by Brahma and others, returned to his own abode.

एवं विधान्यस्य हरेः स्वमायया विडम्बमानस्य नृलोकमात्मनः। वीर्याणि गीतान्यृषिभिर्जगद्गुरोर्लोकं पुनानान्यपरं वदामि किम्

In this way, the deeds of Hari, who, by his own power, playfully imitates the ways of mortals, are sung by the sages; what more can I say, for these purify the world.

सूत उवाच । आनर्तान् स उपव्रज्य स्वृद्धाञ्जनपदान् स्वकान् । दध्मौ दरवरं तेषां विषादं शमयन्निव

Sūta said: Approaching the lands of Ānarta and his own prosperous regions, he blew his resounding conch, as if dispelling their sorrow.

स उच्चकाशे धवलोदरो दरोऽपि उरुक्रमस्य अधरशोण शोणिमा । दाध्मायमानः करकञ्जसम्पुटे यथाब्जखण्डे कलहंस उत्स्वनः

That conch, white-bellied and high-pitched, touched by the reddish lower lip of the mighty Lord, when blown in his lotus-like hand, sounded like the call of a swan in a pond of lotuses.

तमुपश्रुत्य निनदं जगद्‍भयभयावहम् । प्रत्युद्ययुः प्रजाः सर्वा भर्तृदर्शनलालसाः

Hearing that resounding, fear-dispelling blast, all the people, eager to see their Lord, came forth.

तत्रोपनीतबलयो रवेर्दीपमिवादृताः । आत्मारामं पूर्णकामं निजलाभेन नित्यदा

Gathered there, their strength renewed, they honored him as one would a lamp in darkness; ever content and fulfilled in themselves, by his very presence.

प्रीत्युत्फुल्लमुखाः प्रोचुः हर्षगद्‍गदया गिरा । पितरं सर्वसुहृदं अवितारं इवार्भकाः

With faces blooming with joy, they spoke in voices choked with happiness, as children to a father who is their protector and dearest friend.

नताः स्म ते नाथ सदाङ्‌घ्रिपङ्‌कजं विरिञ्चवैरिञ्च्य सुरेन्द्र वन्दितम् । परायणं क्षेममिहेच्छतां परं न यत्र कालः प्रभवेत्परः प्रभुः

We bow to you, Master, whose lotus feet are always worshipped by Brahma, Shiva, and Indra; you are the supreme refuge for those who seek well-being, where even time, the supreme lord, holds no sway.

भवाय नस्त्वं भव विश्वभावन त्वमेव माताथ सुहृत्पतिः पिता । त्वं सद्‍गुरुर्नः परमं च दैवतं यस्यानुवृत्त्या कृतिनो बभूविम

For our welfare, you are the creator, sustainer, and protector of the universe; you are our mother, friend, lord, and father; you are our true teacher and highest deity—by following you, we have become accomplished.

अहो सनाथा भवता स्म यद्वयं त्रैविष्टपानामपि दूरदर्शनम् । प्रेमस्मित स्निग्ध निरीक्षणाननं पश्येम रूपं तव सर्वसौभगम्

Ah, we are truly blessed by you, for even the gods of heaven rarely behold what we see: your face, radiant with loving smiles and glances, and your form, adorned with all auspiciousness.

यर्ह्यम्बुजाक्षापससार भो भवान् कुरून् मधून् वाथ सुहृद् दिदृक्षया । तत्राब्दकोटिप्रतिमः क्षणो भवेद् रविं विनाक्ष्णोरिव नस्तवाच्युत

O lotus-eyed one, whenever you departed for the Kurus or the Madhus, wishing to see your friends, each moment became as long as millions of ages, like eyes bereft of the sun, O Acyuta.

इति चोदीरिता वाचः प्रजानां भक्तवत्सलः । शृण्वानोऽनुग्रहं दृष्ट्या वितन्वन् प्राविशत्पुरम्

Thus, as the people spoke these words, the Lord, ever affectionate to his devotees, listening and bestowing his gracious glance, entered the city.

मधुभोजदशार्हार्ह कुकुरान्धक वृष्णिभिः । आत्मतुल्य बलैर्गुप्तां नागैर्भोगवतीमिव

Protected by the Madhus, Bhojas, Dasharhas, Kukuras, Andhakas, and Vrishnis, whose strength was equal to his own, he made the city secure, like the serpents guard Bhogavati.

सर्वर्तु सर्वविभव पुण्यवृक्षलताश्रमैः । उद्यानोपवनारामैः वृत पद्माकर श्रियम्

In every season, with all prosperity, surrounded by auspicious trees, creepers, and hermitages, gardens, parks, and lotus ponds, the city shone with splendor.

गोपुरद्वारमार्गेषु कृतकौतुक तोरणाम् । चित्रध्वजपताकाग्रैः अन्तः प्रतिहतातपाम्

At the gates, doorways, and roads, festive arches were constructed, adorned with colorful flags and banners, and within, the sunlight was kept at bay.

सम्मार्जित महामार्ग रथ्यापणक चत्वराम् । सिक्तां गन्धजलैरुप्तां फलपुष्पाक्षताङ्‌कुरैः

The grand avenues, streets, markets, and squares were swept clean, sprinkled with fragrant water, and decorated with fruits, flowers, and grains.

द्वारि द्वारि गृहाणां च दध्यक्षत फलेक्षुभिः । अलङ्‌कृतां पूर्णकुम्भैः बलिभिः धूपदीपकैः

At the doors of each house, with yogurt, grains, fruits, and sugarcane, they were adorned with full pots, offerings, incense, and lamps.

निशम्य प्रेष्ठमायान्तं वसुदेवो महामनाः । अक्रूरश्चोग्रसेनश्च रामश्चाद्‍भुतविक्रमः

Hearing that their beloved was arriving, Vasudeva, noble-minded, Akrura, Ugrasena, and Rama of wondrous prowess,

प्रद्युम्नः चारुदेष्णश्च साम्बो जाम्बवतीसुतः । प्रहर्षवेग उच्छशित शयनासन भोजनाः

Pradyumna, Charudeshna, Samba, son of Jambavati, all, overwhelmed with joy, abandoned their beds, seats, and meals.

वारणेन्द्रं पुरस्कृत्य ब्राह्मणैः ससुमङ्‌गलैः । शङ्‌खतूर्य निनादेन ब्रह्मघोषेण चादृताः । प्रत्युज्जग्मू रथैर्हृष्टाः प्रणयागत साध्वसाः

Placing the lordly elephant at the front, accompanied by Brahmins chanting auspicious hymns, with the sound of conch shells and trumpets, honored by the chanting of Vedic hymns, they joyfully approached with chariots, moved by affection and awe.

वारमुख्याश्च शतशो यानैः तत् दर्शनोत्सुकाः । लसत्कुण्डल निर्भात कपोल वदनश्रियः

Hundreds of leading elephants, eager for his sight, with shining earrings, radiant cheeks, and faces, enhanced the splendor.

नटनर्तकगन्धर्वाः सूत मागध वन्दिनः । गायन्ति चोत्तमश्लोक चरितानि अद्‍भुतानि च

Dancers, actors, Gandharvas, bards, Magadhas, and singers sang the wondrous deeds and stories of the illustrious one.

भगवान् तत्र बन्धूनां पौराणां अनुवर्तिनाम् । यथाविधि उपसङ्‌गम्य सर्वेषां मानमादधे

The Blessed Lord, among his relatives and the citizens who followed him, approached each according to custom and honored them all.

प्रह्वाभिवादन आश्लेष करस्पर्श स्मितेक्षणैः । आश्वास्य चाश्वपाकेभ्यो वरैश्च अभिमतैर्विभुः

With humble greetings, embraces, hand-touch, and smiling glances, he comforted those who had been away, and granted desired boons to others.

स्वयं च गुरुभिर्विप्रैः सदारैः स्थविरैरपि । आशीर्भिः युज्यमानोऽन्यैः वन्दिभिश्चाविशत् पुरम्

He himself, with elders, priests, wives, and aged relatives, received blessings from others and entered the city, accompanied by singers.

राजमार्गं गते कृष्णे द्वारकायाः कुलस्त्रियः । हर्म्याण्यारुरुहुर्विप्र तदीक्षण महोत्सवाः

As Krishna proceeded along the royal road of Dvaraka, the noble women of the city ascended their mansions, eager for the great festival of his sight.

नित्यं निरीक्षमाणानां यदपि द्वारकौकसाम् । न वितृप्यन्ति हि दृशः श्रियो धामाङ्‌गमच्युतम्

Though the residents of Dvaraka gazed upon him constantly, their eyes were never satisfied, for he is the abode of fortune and the source of beauty.

श्रियो निवासो यस्योरः पानपात्रं मुखं दृशाम् । बाहवो लोकपालानां सारङ्‌गाणां पदाम्बुजम्

His chest is the dwelling place of fortune, his face the drinking vessel for the eyes, his arms the guardians of the world, and his lotus feet the refuge of the virtuous.

सितातपत्रव्यजनैः उपस्कृतः नवर्षैः अभिवर्षितः पथि । पिशङ्‌गवासा वनमालया बभौ यथार्कोडुप चाप वैद्युतैः

Adorned with white parasols and fans, showered with fresh flowers along the path, wearing yellow garments and a forest garland, he shone like the sun surrounded by clouds, a rainbow, and lightning.