अथ दूते गते तत्र शंखचूडः प्रतापवान्
Then, when the messenger had departed, the valiant Śaṃkhacūḍa—
रणवार्त्तां च सा श्रुत्वा शुष्ककण्ठोष्ठतालुका 2.17.
Hearing the news of battle, his throat, lips, and palate became parched.
तुलस्युवाच हे प्राणाधिष्ठातृदेव रक्ष मे जीवनं क्षणम्
Tulasī said: O god who presides over life, protect my life for a moment.
भुंक्ष्व जन्मसु भोग्यं तद्यद्वै मनसि वांछितम्
Enjoy in each birth whatever pleasure is desired in your mind.
आन्दोलयन्ति प्राणा मे मनो दग्धं च सन्ततम्
My life is swaying, and my mind is constantly scorched.
तुलसीवचनं श्रुत्वा भुक्त्वा पीत्वा नृपेश्वरः
Hearing Tulasī’s words, the king, having eaten and drunk—
शङ्खचूड उवाच शुभं हर्षं सुखं दुःखं भयं शोकममंगलम्
Shankhachuda said: Auspiciousness, joy, pleasure, pain, fear, sorrow, and inauspiciousness—
काले भवन्ति वृक्षाश्च शाखावन्तश्च कालतः
All arise in time; and trees, too, grow branches according to time.
तेषां फलानि पक्वानि प्रभवन्त्येव कालतः
Their fruits ripen and mature only in due time.
भवन्ति काले भूतानि काले कालं प्रयान्ति च
Beings come into existence in time, and in time they depart.
स्रष्टा च काले सृजति पाता पाति च कालतः
The creator brings forth at the appointed time, and the protector preserves according to time.
ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवादीनामीश्वरः प्रकृतेः परः।। स्रष्टा पाता च संहर्त्ता स कृत्स्नांशेन सर्वदा।2.17.
The Lord, who is beyond nature, is the origin of Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and others; as creator, protector, and destroyer, He acts always in full measure.
काले स एव प्रकृतिं निर्माय स्वेच्छया प्रभुः
At the proper time, that very Lord fashions nature by His own will.
आब्रह्मस्तंबपर्य्यन्तं सर्वं कृत्रिममेव च
From Brahma down to a blade of grass, all is indeed artificial.
भज सत्यं परं ब्रह्म राधेशं त्रिगुणात्परम्
Worship the true, supreme Brahman—Radha's Lord—who is beyond the three qualities.
जलं जलेन सृजति जलं पाति जलेन यः
He creates water from water, and sustains water with water.
यस्याज्ञया वाति वातः शीघ्रगामी च सन्ततम्
By whose command the wind blows, swiftly and continually.
यथाक्षणं वर्षतीन्द्रो मृत्युश्चरति जन्तुषु
As each moment passes, Indra sends rain, and death moves among creatures.
मृत्योर्मूलं कालमूलं यमस्य च यमं परम्
The root of death is time; the root of time is the supreme Lord of Yama.
संहर्त्तारं च संहर्तुस्तं कृष्णं शरणं व्रज
Seek refuge in Krishna, the destroyer of the destroyer.
अहं को वा त्वं च का वा विधिना योजितः पुरा
Who am I, who are you, and what is this fate by which we were joined long ago?
अज्ञानी कातरः शोके विपत्तौ च न पण्डितः ।। 2.17.
The ignorant, fearful in sorrow and adversity, are not wise.
नारायणं तं सर्वेशं कान्तं प्राप्स्यसि निश्चितम्
You will certainly attain Narayana, the Lord of all, your beloved.
मया त्वं तपसा लब्धा ब्रह्मणश्च वरेण हि
You were obtained by me through austerity and by the boon of Brahma.
वृन्दावने च गोविन्दं गोलोके त्वं लभिष्यसि
In Vṛndāvana, you will attain Govinda in Goloka.
तत्र द्रक्ष्यसि मां त्वं च त्वां च द्रक्ष्यामि सन्ततम्
There you will see me, and I will see you constantly.
पुनर्यास्यामि तत्रैव कः शोको मे शृणु प्रिये ।। त्वं हि देहं परित्यज्य दिव्यरूपं विधाय च
I will return there again; why should I grieve, listen dear one. You, indeed, after leaving the body and assuming a divine form,
तत्कालं प्राप्स्यसि हरिं मा कान्ते कातरा भव
At that time, you will attain Hari; do not be anxious, beloved.
सुष्वाप शोभने तल्पे पुष्पचन्दनचर्चिते
She slept well on a beautiful bed, adorned with flowers and sandalwood paste.
रत्नप्रदीपसंयुक्ते स्त्रीरत्नं प्राप्य सुन्दरीम्
With jeweled lamps, having obtained the jewel among women, a beautiful lady.