मध्ये दशाक्षरीं प्रोच्य पुनस्ता एव निर्दिशेत् । दशाक्षरोक्तऋष्यादिध्यानं चास्य ब्रवीम्यहम्
In the middle, recite the ten-syllable mantra, then again indicate those very ones; I will now tell you the meditation on the seer and others associated with the ten-syllable mantra.
पूर्णामृतनिधेर्मध्ये द्वीपं ज्योतिर्मयं स्मरेत् । कालिंद्या वेष्टितं तत्र ध्यायेद्वृंदावने वने
In the midst of the ocean of nectar, imagine a luminous island, encircled by the Kālindī river; there, meditate in the forest of Vṛndāvana.
सर्वर्तुकुसुमस्रावि द्रुमवल्लीभिरावृतम् । नटन्मत्तशिखिस्वानं गायत्कोकिलषट्पदम्
It is covered with trees and creepers dripping flowers in all seasons, resounding with the calls of dancing, intoxicated peacocks, singing cuckoos, and bees.
तस्य मध्ये वसत्येकः पारिजाततरुर्महान् । शाखोपशाखाविस्तारैः शतयोजनमुच्छ्रितः
In its center stands a single great pārijāta tree, spreading with branches and sub-branches, rising a hundred yojanas high.
तले तस्याथ विमले परितो धेनुमंडलम् । तदंतर्मंडलं गोपबालानां वेणुशृंगिणाम्
Beneath it, in a pure space, is a circle of cows all around; within that circle are cowherd boys with flutes and horns.
तदंतरे तु रुचिरं मंडलं व्रज सुभ्रुवाम् । नानोपायनपाणीनां मदविह्वलचेतसाम्
Within that, there is a beautiful circle of the noble women of Vraja, holding various gifts in their hands, their minds overwhelmed with love.
कृतांजलिपुटानां च मंडलं शुक्लवाससाम् । शुक्लाभरणभूषाणां प्रेमविह्वलितात्मनाम्
There is a circle of those dressed in white garments, adorned with white ornaments, their hands joined in reverence, their hearts overcome with love.
चिंतयेच्छ्रुतिकन्यानां गृह्णतीनां वचः प्रियम् । रत्नवेद्यां ततो ध्यायेद्दुकूलावरणं हरिम्
Meditate on the daughters of the Vedas, speaking sweet words, and then meditate upon Hari, clothed in fine garments, seated upon a jeweled throne.
ऊरौ शयानं राधायाः कदलीकांडकोपरि । तद्वक्त्रं चंद्र सुस्मेरं वीक्षमाणं मनोहरम्
Lying on the thighs of Rādhā, upon a banana stem, he gazed upon her lovely, moon-like, gently smiling face, captivating to the mind.
किंचित्कुंचितवामांघ्रिं वेणुयुक्तेन पाणिना । वामेनालिंग्य दयितां दक्षेण चिबुकं स्पृशन्
With his left foot slightly bent, holding the flute in his hand, he embraced his beloved with his left arm, and with his right hand touched her chin.
महामारकताभासं मौक्तिकच्छायमेव च । पुंडरीकविशालाक्षं पीतनिर्मलवाससम्
His appearance shone like a great emerald, with the radiance of pearls; his eyes were wide as lotuses, and he wore pure yellow garments.
बर्हभारलसच्छीर्षं मुक्ताहारमनोहरम् । गंडप्रांतलसच्चारु मकराकृतिकुंडलम्
His head was adorned with a peacock feather, shining with a charming pearl necklace, and at the edge of his cheek hung beautiful earrings shaped like makaras.
आपादतुलसीमालं कंकणांगदभूषणम् । नूपुरैर्मुद्रिकाभिश्च कांच्या च परिमंडितम्
From head to toe he was adorned with bracelets and armlets, and decorated with anklets, rings, and a girdle.
सुकुमारतरं ध्यायेत्किशोरवयसान्वितम् । पूजा दशाक्षरोक्तैव वेदलक्षं पुरस्क्रिया
One should meditate upon him as extremely delicate, endowed with youthful beauty; the worship is as prescribed by the ten-syllable mantra, with Vedic rites performed first.
इत्युक्त्वांतर्दधे देवो देवी च गिरिजा सती । मुनिरागत्य पुत्राय तथैवोपदिदेश ह
Having spoken thus, the god vanished, and the goddess, Girijā Satī, also; then the sage came and instructed his son in the same way.
पुण्यश्रवास्तु तन्मंत्र ग्रहणादेव केशवम् । वर्णयामास विविधैर्जित्वा सर्वान्मुनीन्स्वयम्
By merely receiving that mantra, which is holy to hear, he described Keśava in various ways, having surpassed all the sages himself.
रूपलावण्यवैदग्ध्य सौंदर्याश्चर्यलक्षणम् । तदा हृष्टमना बालो निर्गत्य स्वगृहात्ततः
He recounted the marks of beauty, charm, cleverness, and wondrous loveliness; then, with a joyful heart, the boy departed from his home.
वायुभक्षस्तपस्तेपे कल्पानामयुतत्रयम् । तदंते गोकुले जाता नंदभ्रातुर्गृहे स्वयम्
Sustained by air, he performed austerities for thirty million aeons; at the end of that, he was born in Gokula, in the house of Nanda's brother.
लवंगा इति तन्नाम कृष्णेंगित निरीक्षणा । यस्या हस्ते प्रदृश्येत मुखमार्जनयंत्रकम्
Her name was Lavaṅgā, recognized by the signs of Kṛṣṇa; in her hand was seen an instrument for cleaning the mouth.
इति ते कथिताः काश्चित्प्रधानाः कृष्णवल्लभाः
Thus, some of the chief beloveds of Kṛṣṇa have been described to you.
हरिविविधरसाद्यैर्युक्तमध्यायमेतद्व्रजवरतनयाभिश्चारुहासेक्षणाभिः । पठति य इह भक्त्या पाठयेद्वा मनुष्यो व्रजति भगवतः श्रीवासुदेवस्य धाम
Whoever recites or has recited this chapter, filled with various delightful stories of Hari and the beautiful-eyed daughters of Vraja, with devotion, attains the abode of the blessed Vāsudeva.
ऋषय ऊचुः - सूतसूत महाभाग रोमहर्षणनंदन । कथा रम्या त्वया प्रोक्ता लोकस्यानंददायिनी
The sages said: O Sūta, O most fortunate one, son of Romaharṣaṇa, you have told delightful stories that bring joy to the world.
श्रीकृष्णस्य महाभाग चरितं महदद्भुतम् । श्रुतं सर्वं त्वया प्रोक्तं निर्वृतिस्तेन चाभवत्
O blessed one, you have narrated the great and wondrous deeds of Śrī Kṛṣṇa; we have heard all you have spoken, and by that we have found contentment.
अहो श्रीकृष्णमाहात्म्यं भक्तानां गतिदायकम् । यतस्तेन महाभाग निर्वृतिं को न चाप्नुयात्
Ah, the greatness of Śrī Kṛṣṇa grants liberation to devotees; therefore, O blessed one, who would not attain contentment from it?
अतः पुनरपि श्रीमत्कृष्णस्य चरितं महत् । श्रोतुमिच्छामहे चान्यद्व्रतदानार्हणादिकम्
Therefore, we wish again to hear the great deeds of blessed Kṛṣṇa, and also about vows, gifts, worship, and the like.
स्नानं वापि महाभाग यथा येन कृतं पुरा । तत्सर्वं विस्तराद्ब्रूहि यथा नो निर्वृतिर्भवेत्
O blessed one, tell us in detail about bathing and other rites as performed in ancient times, so that we may attain contentment.
सूत उवाच- साधु पृष्टं द्विजश्रेष्ठा लोकानां तारणं परम् । यूयं कृतार्थाः कृष्णस्य भक्त्या संपूर्णमानसाः
Sūta said: O best of twice-born, your question is excellent, for it leads to the supreme deliverance of all beings. You are fulfilled, your minds completely absorbed in devotion to Kṛṣṇa.
श्रीकृष्णचरितं पुण्यं साधूनां हर्षदं परम् । प्रवक्ष्यामि द्विजश्रेष्ठा महदाख्यानमुत्तमम्
I shall recount, O foremost of Brāhmaṇas, the sacred and supremely joyous deeds of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the greatest and most excellent narrative.
एकदा नारदो लोकान्पर्यटन्भगवत्प्रियः । मथुरायामंबरीषं कृष्णाराधनतत्परम्
Once, Nārada, beloved of the Lord, was wandering among the worlds; in Mathurā he saw Ambarīṣa, deeply engaged in the worship of Kṛṣṇa.
महाभागं व्रतपरं ददर्श मुनिसत्तमः । स आगतं मुनिवरं सत्कृत्य मुनिसत्तमः
The best of sages beheld that greatly fortunate king, devoted to vows. That noble sage, having arrived, was respectfully welcomed by the illustrious Ambarīṣa.