भक्तध्यानाय सेवायै नानारूपधरं वरम्
For the sake of devotion, meditation, and service, He took on various forms.
कुत्रचिद्राधया सार्धं गच्छन्तं रासमंडलम् 4.21.
At some place, going together with Radha, to the circle of the rasa dance—
नारायण उवाच 4.21.
Nārāyaṇa said:
शुक्लरक्तपीतश्यामाभिधानगुणशालिने 4.21.
O you who are known by the names white, red, yellow, and dark, and who possess virtues.
राजत्वं चिरजीवित्वं सुधियो गणयन्ति किम् 4.21.
Why do the wise count kingship and long life as valuable?
स्तोत्रं तस्मै पुरा दत्तं ब्रह्मणा तत्सुदुर्लभम् 4.21.
To him, Brahmā once gave a hymn, which is exceedingly rare.
या यस्य विद्या प्राचीना न तां त्यजति निश्चितम् सुखदं मोक्षदं सारं भवबन्धविमोचनम्
Whatever knowledge one has acquired in the past, he certainly does not abandon it; it brings happiness, liberation, essence, and freedom from worldly bondage.
एकदा राधिकानाथो बलेन सह बालकैः
Once, the Lord of Rādhikā, together with Balarāma and the boys,
वृक्षाणां रक्षिता दैत्यः खर रूपी च धेनुकः
The demon Dhenuka, in the form of a donkey, was the guardian of the trees.
शरीरं पर्वतसमं कूपतुल्ये च लोचने
His body was like a mountain, and his eyes were like wells.
शतहस्तपरिमिता जिह्वा लोला भयानका
His tongue, measuring a hundred hands, was restless and terrifying.
दृष्ट्वा तालवनं बाला हर्षमापुरनिन्दिताः
Seeing the tāla grove, the boys, blameless, became joyful.
बाला ऊचुः महाबल बलभ्रातः समस्तबलिनां वर
The boys said: O mighty one, brother of strength, foremost among all the strong,
अवधानं कुरु विभो क्षणार्द्धं नो निवेदने
O Lord, pay attention for half a moment to our request.
स्वादूनि सुन्दराण्येव पश्य तालफलानि च
See these sweet and beautiful tāla fruits in the forest.
नानावर्णानि पुष्पाणि पक्वानि दुर्लभानि च
There are flowers of various colors, and ripe fruits that are rare.
किं त्वत्र दैत्यो बलवान्खररूपी च धेनुकः 4.22.
But here, the powerful demon Dhenuka, in the form of a donkey, is present.
दुर्निवार्यश्च सर्वेषां कंसस्य सचिवो महान्
He is difficult for all to restrain, and is the great minister of Kaṃsa.
सुविचार्य जगत्कान्त वद नो वदतां वर
O beloved of the world, consider well and tell us, O best of speakers.
बालकानां वचः श्रुत्वा भगवान्मधुसूदनः
Hearing the words of the boys, the blessed Madhusūdana,
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच वृक्षान्भङ्क्त्वा चालयित्वा फलानि खादताभयम्
Śrī Krishna said: 'There is no fear in breaking and shaking the trees and eating their fruits.'
श्रीकृष्णाज्ञां समादाय बालका बलशालिनः
The boys, strong in might, accepted Śrī Krishna's command.
नानाप्रकारवर्णानि स्वादूनि सुन्दराणि च
They found fruits of many kinds and colors, sweet and beautiful.
केचिद्बभञ्जुर्वृक्षाश्च चालयामासुरेव च
Some broke the trees, and some shook them as well.
अवरुह्य तरुभ्यश्च बालका बलशालिनः
The strong boys also climbed down from the trees.
महाबलं महाकायं घोरं गर्दभरूपिणम्
A being of great strength and huge form, terrifying and in the shape of a donkey,
तं दृष्ट्वा रुरुदुः सर्वे फलानि तत्यजुर्भिया 4.22.
Seeing him, all the boys cried out and dropped the fruits in fear.
अस्मान्रक्ष समागच्छ हे कृष्ण करुणानिधे
'Come and protect us, O Krishna, ocean of compassion!'
हे कृष्ण हे कृष्ण हरे मुरारे गोविन्द दामोदर दीनबन्धो
'O Krishna, O Krishna, O Hari, slayer of Mura, Govinda, Dāmodara, friend of the distressed!'
भयेऽभये वाथ शुभेऽशुभे वा सुखेषु दुःखेषु च दीननाथ
'Whether in fear or fearlessness, in good or bad, in happiness or sorrow, O Lord of the afflicted!'