पश्यामोऽनुक्षणं वक्त्रसरोजं तव केशव
Let us behold, at every moment, your lotus-like face, O Keśava.
द्विजपत्नीवचः श्रुत्वा श्रीकृष्णः करुणानिधिः
Hearing the words of the Brāhmaṇa wives, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the ocean of compassion—
प्रदत्तं विप्रपत्नीभिर्मिष्टमन्नं सुधोपमम्
The delicious food, like nectar, was given by the Brāhmaṇa wives.
एतस्मिन्नन्तरे तत्र शातकुम्भं रथं परम्
Meanwhile, there appeared there a most excellent chariot of gold.
रत्नदर्पणसंयुक्तं रत्नसारपरिच्छदम्
Adorned with jewel mirrors and decorated with the essence of precious gems.
श्वेतचामरसंयुक्तं वह्निशुद्धांशुकान्वितम्
Equipped with white yak-tail fans and pure garments cleansed by fire.
शतचक्रसमायुक्तं मनोयायि मनोहरम्
Fitted with a hundred wheels, swift as the mind, and captivating to behold.
पीतवस्त्रपरीधानै रत्नालंकारभूषितैः
Clad in yellow garments and adorned with ornaments of jewels.
द्विभुजैर्मुरलीहस्तैर्गोपवेषधरैर्वरैः 4.18.
With two arms, holding flutes, adorned in the attire of cowherds, they were splendid.
अवरुह्य रथात्तूर्णं ते प्रणम्य हरेः पदम्
Swiftly descending from their chariot, they bowed to the feet of Hari.
विप्रभार्या हरिं नत्वा जग्मुर्गोलोकमीप्सितम्
Having bowed to Hari along with their wives, the Brahmins departed for the desired Goloka.
हरिश्छायां विनिर्माय तासां च विष्णुमायया
Hari created his own shadow for them by the power of Vishnu's Maya.
विप्राश्च भार्या उद्दिश्य परमोद्विग्नमानसाः
The Brahmins, thinking of their wives, became extremely distressed in mind.
दृष्ट्वोचुर्ब्राह्मणाः सर्वे तास्ते च विनयान्विताः
Seeing this, all the Brahmins spoke, and those women responded with humility.
ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः अस्माकं जीवनं व्यर्थं वेदपाठोऽप्यनर्थकः
The Brahmins said: Our lives are wasted, even our recitation of the Vedas is fruitless.
वेदे पुराणे सर्वत्र विद्वद्भिः परिकीर्तिताः
In the Vedas and Purāṇas everywhere, the learned have proclaimed,
तपो जपो व्रतं ज्ञानं वेदा ध्ययनमर्चनम्
Austerity, recitation, vows, knowledge, study of the Vedas, and worship—
श्रीकृष्णः सेवितो येन किं तस्य तपसां फलैः
For one who has served Śrī Kṛṣṇa, what is the use of the fruits of austerities?
श्रीकृष्णो हृदये यस्य तस्य किं कर्मभिः कृतैः ।।4.18.
For one who has Śrī Kṛṣṇa in his heart, what is the use of actions performed?
इत्येवमुक्त्वा विप्राश्च गृहीत्वा कामिनीवराः
Thus speaking, the Brahmins took their excellent wives with them.
तासां ततोऽधिकं प्रेम क्रीडासु सर्वकर्मसु
Their love for them increased even more in play and in all activities.
अथ नारायणः सोऽयं बलेन शिशुभिः सह
Then Nārāyaṇa, together with the children, by his strength,
इत्येवं कथितं सर्वं हरेर्माहात्म्यमुत्तमम्
Thus, everything has been told regarding the supreme greatness of Hari.
नारद उवाच मुनीन्द्रयोगसिद्धानां दुर्लभा गतिरीश्वरी
Nārada said: The divine destination is difficult to attain even for the greatest sages accomplished in yoga.
इमाः का वा पुण्यवत्यः पुरा तस्थुर्महीतलम्
Who were these virtuous women who once dwelled upon the earth?
सप्तर्षीणां रमण्यश्च रूपेणाप्रतिमाः पराः
They were the beautiful wives of the seven sages, unparalleled in form and excellence.
नवीनयौवनाः सर्वाः पीनश्रोणि पयोधराः
All were in the freshness of youth, with full hips and breasts.
तप्तकाञ्चनवर्णाभाः स्मेराननसरोरुहाः
Their faces bloomed with smiles, shining like molten gold.
दृष्ट्वा तासां स्तनश्रोणिमुखानि सुन्दराणि च 4.18.
Seeing their beautiful breasts, hips, and faces,
अग्निस्थानस्थितानां च शिखया सुरतोन्मुखः
and the women standing by the fire altar, his mind turned to passion.