साभूदिंदीवरश्यामा स्निग्धलावण्यशालिनी । त्रिभंगललिताकार शिखंडी पिच्छभूषणा
She was dark as a blue lotus, radiant with gentle beauty, graceful in the threefold bend, adorned with a peacock feather crest.
कूजयंती मुदा वेणुं कांचनीमधरेऽर्पिताम् । दक्षसव्यगताभ्यां च सुंदरीभ्यां निषेविताम्
Joyfully playing the golden flute placed upon her lips, served by two beautiful maidens standing at her right and left.
वर्द्धयंतीं तयोः कामं चुंबनाश्लेषणादिभिः । दृष्ट्वा चित्रध्वजः कृष्णं तादृग्वेषविलासिनम्
Seeing the two increasing their desire through kisses, embraces, and the like, Citradhvaja beheld Krishna, delighting in such forms and attire.
अवनम्य शिरस्तस्मै पुरो लज्जितमानसः । अथोवाच हरिर्दक्षपार्श्वगां प्रेयसीं हसन्
Lowering his head before him, his mind filled with modesty, Hari then spoke, smiling, to his beloved who stood at his left side.
सलज्जं परमं चैनं स्वशरीरासनागतम् । निर्मायात्मसमं दिव्यं युवतीरूपमद्भुतम्
With shyness, he revealed to her that supreme, wondrous, divine form—created to be like himself—seated upon his own body, in the form of a marvelous young woman.
चिंतयस्व शरीरेण ह्यभेदं मृगलोचने । अथो त्वदंगतेजोभिः स्पृष्टस्त्वद्रूपमाप्स्यति
Contemplate, O doe-eyed one, the unity of your body with hers; then, touched by the radiance of your limbs, she will assume your very form.
ततः सा पद्मपत्राक्षी गत्वा चित्रध्वजांतिकम् । निजांगकैस्तदंगानामभेदं ध्यायती स्थिता
Then she, lotus-eyed, approached Citradhvaja and, standing there, meditated upon the oneness of her own limbs with those of that form.
अथास्यास्त्वंगतेजांसि तदंगं पर्यपूरयन् । स्तनयोर्ज्योतिषा जातौ पीनौ चारुपयोधरौ
Then the radiance of her limbs filled that form; from the light of her breasts arose two full, lovely bosoms.
नितंबज्योतिषा जातं श्रोणिबिंबं मनोहरम् । कुंतलज्योतिषा केशपाशोऽभूत्करयोः करौ
From the light of her hips appeared enchanting, rounded thighs; from the light of her hair, a mass of tresses; from her hands, two graceful arms.
सर्वमेवं सुसंपन्नं भूषावासः स्रगादिकम् । कलासु कुशला जाता सौरभेनांतरात्मनि
Thus, all was perfectly formed—adornments, garments, garlands, and the rest; she became skilled in the arts, and her inner being was fragrant.
दीपाद्दीपमिवालोक्य सुभगां भुवि कन्यकाम् । चित्रध्वजां त्रपाभंगि स्मितशोभां मनोहराम्
Beholding that fortunate maiden on earth, radiant as one lamp to another, Citradhvaja saw her, her bashfulness dispelled, her smile shining, captivating.
प्रेम्णा गृहीत्वा करयोः सा तामपहरन्मुदा । गोविंदवामपार्श्वस्थां प्रेयसीं परिरभ्य च
Out of love, he joyfully took her by the hand and led her away, and, embracing his beloved who stood at Govinda's left side—
उवाच तव दासीयं नाम चास्याश्चकार य । सेवां चास्यै वद प्रीत्या यथाभिरुचितां प्रियाम्
He said, 'She is your maidservant,' and gave her that name; 'Assign her, with affection, whatever service pleases you, dear one.'
अथ चित्रकलेत्येतन्नाम चात्ममतेन सा । चकार चाह सेवार्थं धृत्वा चापि विपंचिकाम्
Then she, by her own will, took the name Citrakala, and, for the sake of service, took up a vina as well.
सदा त्वं निकटे तिष्ठ गायस्व विविधैः स्वरैः । गुणात्मन्प्राणनाथस्य तवायं विहितो विधिः
Always remain near, singing with various melodies; this is the duty appointed for you, O virtuous one, for the lord of your life.
अथ चित्रकला त्वाज्ञां गृहीत्वानम्य माधवम् । तत्प्रेयस्याश्च चरणं गृहीत्वा पादयो रजः
Then Citrakala, having received your command, bowed to Madhava, and, taking the dust of his beloved's feet, too—
जगौ सुमधुरं गीतं तयोरानंदकारणम् । अथ प्रीत्योपगूढा सा कृष्णेनानंदमूर्तिना
She sang a most sweet song, bringing joy to them both; then, embraced with affection by Krishna, the embodiment of bliss—
यावत्सुखांबुधौ पूर्णा तावदेवाप्यबुध्यत । चित्रध्वजो महाप्रेमविह्वलः स्मरतत्परः
As long as they were immersed in the ocean of happiness, so long did Citradhvaja, overwhelmed with great love and absorbed in thoughts of Kama, remain unaware.
तमेव परमानंदं मुक्तकंठो रुरोद ह । तदारभ्य रुदन्नेव मुक्त्वा हरिविचारकम्
He wept aloud for that supreme bliss alone; from that time on, weeping, he abandoned all thoughts except those of Hari.
आभाषितोऽपि पित्राद्यैर्नैवावोचद्वचः क्वचित् । मासमात्रं गृहे स्थित्वा निशीथे कृष्णसंश्रयः
Even when addressed by his father and others, he spoke not a word; after staying at home for only a month, at midnight he sought refuge in Krishna.
निर्गत्यारण्यमचरत्तपो वै मुनिदुष्करम् । कल्पांते देहमुत्सृज्य तपसैव महामुनिः
Departing, he went to the forest and practiced austerities difficult even for sages; at the end of an aeon, the great sage relinquished his body through asceticism.
वीरगुप्ताभिधानस्य गोपस्य दुहिता शुभा । जाता चित्रकलेत्येव यस्याः स्कंधे मनोहरा
The virtuous daughter of the cowherd named Vīragupta was born, known as Citrakalā, upon whose shoulder was a charming ornament.
विपंची दृश्यते नित्यं सप्तस्वरविभूषिता । उपतिष्ठति वै वामे रत्नभृंगारमद्भुतम्
A vīṇā adorned with seven notes is always seen upon her, and on her left side is a wondrous gem-studded ornament.
दधाना दक्षिणे हस्ते सा वै रत्नपतद्ग्रहम् । अयमासीत्पुरा सर्वं तापसैरभिवंदितः
Holding a gem-studded lotus in her right hand, she was in ancient times revered by all ascetics.
मुनिः पुण्यश्रवा नाम काश्यपः सर्वधर्मवित् । पिता तस्याभवच्छैवः शतरुद्रीयमन्वहम्
Her father was the sage Puṇyaśravā, a descendant of Kaśyapa, knower of all dharma, who daily recited the Śatarudrīya.
प्रस्तुवन्देवदेवेशं विश्वेशं भक्तवत्सलम् । प्रसन्नो भगवांस्तस्य पार्वत्या सह शंकरः
While praising the Lord of gods, the Lord of the universe, who is compassionate to devotees, the blessed Śaṅkara, together with Pārvatī, became pleased with him.
चतुर्दश्यामर्द्धरात्रेः प्रत्यक्षः प्रददौ वरम् । त्वत्पुत्रो भविता कृष्णे भक्तिमान्बाल एव हि
On the fourteenth night, at midnight, he appeared before him and granted a boon: 'O Kṛṣṇa, your son will be devoted even from childhood.'
उपनीयाष्टमे वर्षे तस्मै सिद्धमनुस्त्वयम् । उपदिशैकविंशत्या यो मया ते निगद्यते
Having been initiated in his eighth year, teach him this perfected mantra of twenty-one syllables, which I am now telling you.
गोपालविद्यानामायं मंत्रो वाक्सिद्धिदायकः । एतत्साधकजिह्वाग्रे लीलाचरितमद्भुतम्
This is the Gopāla-vidyā mantra, bestower of mastery over speech; at the tip of the tongue of one who perfects this, wondrous divine play is manifest.
अनंतमूर्तिरायाति स्वयमेव वरप्रदः । काममाया रमाकंठ सेंद्रा दामोदरोज्ज्वलाः
The infinite form himself appears, bestowing boons; with his beloveds—Kāmā, Māyā, Ramā, Kaṇṭha, Indrā, and the radiant Dāmodara.