Original
यमुनाकी चञ्चल लहरियोंको भुजाओंसे चीरता हुआ श्रीवसुदेवका दूत व्रजपुरकी ओर अग्रसर हो रहा है। उसकी दृष्टि नन्दप्रासादके उत्तुङ्ग स्वर्णिम गुम्बजपर केन्द्रित है। वह स्पष्ट देख पा रहा है - इस घनतमसाच्छन्न रात्रिको दिन-सा बनाता हुआ एक मणिमय मङ्गलदीप प्रासादके शिखर-कलशपर सुशोभित है। दीपकी शीतल किरणें सर्वत्र फैल रही हैं, मानो व्रजेशके वंशदीप (नवजात पुत्र)-की स्निग्ध ज्योतिसे प्राणान्वित होकर वह मणिदीप भी आज अतिशय उत्फुल्ल हो रहा हो, हँस रहा हो!
English translation
Parting the Yamunā's restless waves with his arms, Śrī Vasudeva's messenger advances toward Vrajapura. His gaze is fixed upon the lofty golden dome of Nanda's palace. He can clearly see a jewel-studded auspicious lamp adorning the finial at the palace summit, turning this night of deepest darkness into day. Its cool rays spread in every direction, as though enlivened by the tender radiance of Vraja's new lamp of the lineage, the newborn son, that jeweled lamp too has become exceedingly joyful today and is smiling.
Original
दूत किनारे लगा। जिस घाटपर व्रजेश प्रतिदिन स्नान करने आते हैं, वहीं धारासे ऊपर उठ आया, तटपर खड़ा हो गया। पुनः एक बार उसने उमड़ी हुई यमुनाकी ओर देखा। उसे अत्यन्त आश्चर्य है - ऐसी प्रखर धारामें अँधेरी रातके समय तैरकर वह सकुशल इस पार अनायास कैसे आ गया। उसने अञ्जलि बाँध ली, घुटने टेक दिये तथा सिरसे पृथ्वीको छूकर इस अप्रत्याशित रक्षाके लिये विश्वपतिकी अभिवन्दना की। दूतको यह पता नहीं कि जिनके अव्यक्त पादपङ्कजमें वह अपना सिर लुटा रहा है, वे विश्वेश्वर ही व्रजेश्वरके घर पधारे हैं। अपनी मधुर चरितावलीसे आत्माराम योगीन्द्र-मुनीन्द्रोंको भी भक्तिपथका पथिक बनानेकी अभिसंधि लेकर, लीला-रस-सुधाकी शत-सहस्र मन्दाकिनीधाराओंमें अपने भक्तोंको बहाते हुए सदाके लिये आनन्दसिन्धुमें निमग्न कर देनेका संकल्प करके, दैत्यसेनाके गुरुतर भारको सहनेमें असमर्थ धरणीका भार उतारनेके उद्देश्यसे वे स्वयं विश्वपति ही व्रजमें पधारे हैं और ऐसे पधारे हैं, मानो सर्वथा प्राकृत शिशु ही हों:
English translation
The messenger reached the bank. He rose out of the current at the very bathing place where Vraja's lord comes each day and stood upon the shore. Once more he looked back at the swollen Yamunā. He was utterly astonished: how had he so easily swum through that fierce current on a dark night and reached the other side unharmed? He joined his palms, knelt, and touched his head to the earth in reverence to the Lord of the universe for this unexpected deliverance. The messenger did not know that the very Lord of the universe, at whose unmanifest lotus feet he was laying down his head, had come to the home of Vraja's lord. Intending through His sweet deeds to make even self-delighting masters of yoga and sages into travelers on the path of devotion, resolved to carry His devotees upon hundreds of thousands of celestial streams filled with the nectar of līlā-rasa and immerse them forever in the ocean of bliss, and purposing to relieve the earth, which could no longer bear the crushing weight of the demonic armies, the Lord of the universe Himself had come to Vraja. And He had come appearing entirely like an ordinary infant:
Original
Sanskrit verse
आत्मारामान्मधुरचरितैर्भक्तियोगे विधास्यन्
नानालीलारसरचनयाऽऽनन्दयिष्यन् स्वभक्तान्।
दैत्यानीकैर्भुवमतिभरां वीतभारां करिष्यन्
मूर्तानन्दो व्रजपतिगृहे जातवत् प्रादुरासीत्॥
(श्रीआनन्दवृन्दावनचम्पूः)
English translation
Intending by His sweet deeds to establish the self-delighting sages in the yoga of devotion,
intending through the creation of manifold līlā-rasa to delight His devotees,
intending to free the earth from the crushing weight of the demonic hosts,
Bliss embodied manifested in the house of Vraja's lord as though He had been born there.
(Śrī Ānanda-vṛndāvana-campūḥ)
Original
उन गीले वस्त्रोंको निचोड़े बिना ही दूत चल पड़ा; क्योंकि पता नहीं, इतनेमें ही कोई घाटपर आ जाय, पूछ बैठे - कौन हो? कैसे आये? कहाँ जाओगे? पर आज व्रजमें किसीने भी उसे नहीं टोका। टोकता ही कौन! भेरी-दुन्दुभि आदि वाद्योंकी तुमुल ध्वनिमें, नृत्य-गीतके राग-रङ्गमें व्रजपुरवासी आत्मविस्मृत हो रहे हैं, उनमें किसी आगन्तुकका अनुसंधान रखनेकी शक्ति ही कहाँ है। दूत निर्बाध व्रजपुरकी अनुपम शोभा निहारता हुआ आगे बढ़ रहा है। पुरका प्राचीर इन्द्रनीलमणिनिर्मित है, मरकतमणिरचित गृहावली है, आच्छादन (छत) सुवर्णमय हैं, स्तम्भोंका निर्माण प्रवालसे हुआ है, द्वारसमूह पद्मरागमणिके हैं। सर्वत्र मणिदीपोंकी पंक्तियाँ जगमग-जगमग कर रही हैं। कोटि-कोटि गोराशि विभिन्न आभूषणोंसे विभूषित होकर गोष्ठमें खड़ी है; कोटि-कोटि गोवत्स-समूह व्रजके आनन्दकलरवसे प्रभावित होकर उछल रहे हैं; विविध शृङ्गारसे सजे हुए गोपोंके, अद्भुत अलंकारोंसे आभूषित व्रजाङ्गनाओंके दल-के-दल नृत्य-गीतमें संलग्न हैं। दूत देखकर चकित रह गया। इससे पूर्व कितनी बार संदेश लेकर वह व्रजमें आया है, पर आजकी अनुपम शोभा देखकर तो वह एक क्षणके लिये भ्रमित हो गया - क्या नन्दव्रजमें दिव्य गोलोककी सम्पदाका विकास तो नहीं हो गया है? दूतके पैरोंमें चलनेकी शक्ति नहीं रही, वह स्तब्ध खड़ा रह गया। वास्तवमें तो बड़भागी दूतका यह भ्रम नहीं है, उसने परम सत्यका ही अनुभव किया है; सचमुच गोलोकका ही अवतरण हुआ है।
English translation
Without even wringing out his wet clothes, the messenger set off, for who knew whether someone might come to the bathing place at any moment and ask, "Who are you? How did you come? Where are you going?" But no one in Vraja stopped him that day. Who could have done so? Amid the tumultuous sound of kettledrums, great drums, and other instruments, and amid the color and melody of song and dance, the people of Vrajapura were lost to all awareness of themselves. How could they have had any power to keep watch for a stranger? Unhindered, the messenger continued onward, gazing at Vrajapura's incomparable splendor. The city's ramparts were made of sapphire; its rows of houses were fashioned from emerald; its roofs were golden; its columns were made of coral; and its gateways were of ruby. Lines of jeweled lamps glittered everywhere. Countless herds of cows, adorned with many ornaments, stood in the pastures. Countless calves, stirred by Vraja's joyous uproar, bounded about. Company after company of cowherd men arrayed in varied finery and women of Vraja adorned with marvelous ornaments were absorbed in song and dance. The messenger was astounded by what he saw. He had come to Vraja many times before bearing messages, but today's matchless beauty bewildered him for a moment. Had the opulence of divine Goloka unfolded within Nanda's Vraja? The strength to walk left his feet, and he stood motionless. In truth, this was no delusion on the part of the greatly fortunate messenger. He had perceived the highest truth: Goloka itself had indeed descended.
Original
किसी अचिन्त्यशक्तिने दूतमें समयोपयोगी शक्तिका संचार किया। वह नन्दद्वारपर जा पहुँचा। फिर द्वारपालको साथ लेकर वहाँ चला गया, जहाँ व्रजेन्द्र अर्धनिमीलित नेत्रोंसे अपने इष्टदेवकी उपासना कर रहे हैं, श्रीमन्नारायणका ध्यान कर रहे हैं। दिनभर बन्धु-बान्धवोंका स्वागत-सत्कार करके, उनके आनन्दनृत्यमें सहयोग देकर, अपरिमित रत्नराशि, अन्नराशि लुटाकर, असंख्यात गोदान करके अब डेढ़ पहर रात बीतनेपर वे एकान्त उपासनाके लिये अवकाश पा सके हैं। पर आजका ध्यान उनके लिये एक पहेली-सा बन गया है। व्रजेश अपनी सम्पूर्ण वृत्तियाँ एकत्र करके चाहते हैं श्रीमन्नारायणके मकरकुण्डल-ज्योतिसे उद्धासित अमल कपोलोंका, सुघड़ नासापुटोंका, सुन्दर नेत्रोंका, घनकृष्ण कुञ्चित केशराशिका ध्यान करें; पर यह ध्यान न होकर ध्यान होता है साढ़े छः पहर पूर्व भूमिष्ठ हुए अपने शिशुका। व्रजेशके मानसपटपर शिशुके गण्डयुगल, उसके नासापुट, उसके नेत्र, उसकी कुटिल कुन्तलराशि नाचने लगती है। गण्डयुगल तो मानो द्रवीभूत नीलकान्तमणिके जलमें दो बृहद् बुद्बुद उठे हों, नासापुट मानो कालिन्दीनीरके दो बुद्बुद हों, नेत्र मानो दो मुकुलित नीलोत्पल हों; कुन्तलराशिकी शोभा तो निराली ही है, मानो भ्रमरोंका दल प्रचुर परिमाणमें नवमकरन्दराशिका पान कर, अतिशय मत्त होकर, उड़नेकी सामर्थ्य खोकर निश्चल अवस्थित हो:
English translation
Some inconceivable power infused the messenger with the strength the moment required. He reached Nanda's gate and, accompanied by the gatekeeper, went to where the lord of Vraja was worshiping his chosen deity with half-closed eyes and meditating upon Śrīman Nārāyaṇa. All day he had welcomed and honored his kinsmen, joined in their joyful dancing, distributed limitless heaps of jewels and grain, and given away innumerable cows. Only now, after one and a half watches of the night had passed, had he found time for solitary worship. Yet today's meditation had become a riddle for him. Gathering all the movements of his mind, Vraja's lord wished to meditate upon Śrīman Nārāyaṇa's spotless cheeks illumined by the light of His makara-shaped earrings, His finely formed nostrils, His beautiful eyes, and His mass of dense, dark, curling hair. But instead of that meditation, his mind contemplated his own infant, born six and a half watches earlier. Upon the screen of his mind danced the child's two cheeks, his nostrils, his eyes, and his curling locks. The cheeks seemed like two great bubbles rising in water made from a liquefied blue gem; the nostrils, like two bubbles in the Yamunā's waters; the eyes, like two budding blue lotuses. The beauty of the curling hair was altogether unique, like a swarm of bees that had drunk an abundance of fresh nectar, become deeply intoxicated, lost the power to fly, and remained utterly still:
Original
Sanskrit prose
सद्योमकरन्दसंदोहातिपानमदातिशयेन भ्रमणासमर्थतया निश्चलं मधुकरनिकरमिव कुटिलकचकलापम् * * * मुकुलितनीलोत्पले इव लोचने। द्रुततरनीलमणिजलमहाबुद्बुदायमानं गण्डयुगलम् * * * तरणितनयातनुबुद्बुदायमानं नासापुटकम्।
(श्रीआनन्दवृन्दावनचम्पूः)
English translation
The mass of curling hair was like a swarm of bees rendered motionless and unable to fly by the surpassing intoxication born of drinking deeply from an abundance of fresh nectar. * * * The eyes were like two budding blue lotuses. The pair of cheeks resembled great bubbles forming in the water of a swiftly liquefying blue gem. * * * The nostrils resembled tiny bubbles in the waters of the daughter of the Sun, the Yamunā.
(Śrī Ānanda-vṛndāvana-campūḥ)
Original
व्रजेशके जीवनमें यह पहला अवसर है कि उपासनाके समय उनका मन नारायणमें तन्मय नहीं हुआ। उन्होंने अथक चेष्टा की, बार-बार वृत्तियोंको तन्मय करना चाहा; पर आज तो वह शिशु हृद्देशपर अधिकार किये बैठा है। व्रजेशकी दृष्टिमें यह महान् अपराध हो रहा है, इष्टदेवकी उपासनाके समय पुत्रका चिन्तन होना कदापि ग्राह्य नहीं; पर वश नहीं चलता। व्रजेश हारकर आँखें खोलकर 'श्रीनारायण, नारायण' करने लगे। इसी समय दूतने चरणोंमें सिर रखा। देखते ही व्रजेन्द्र जान गये - भाई वसुदेवका गुप्त संदेशवाहक है, मेरा पूर्वपरिचित है।
English translation
This was the first occasion in Vraja's lord's life when his mind had not become absorbed in Nārāyaṇa during worship. He strove tirelessly and repeatedly tried to make every movement of his mind one-pointed, but today that infant had taken possession of the innermost seat of his heart. In Vraja's lord's eyes, a grave offense was taking place: contemplation of one's son during the worship of one's chosen deity could never be acceptable. Yet he was powerless. At last Vraja's lord gave up, opened his eyes, and began repeating, "Śrī Nārāyaṇa, Nārāyaṇa." At that very moment the messenger laid his head at Nanda's feet. As soon as he saw him, Vraja's lord recognized him: "He is brother Vasudeva's secret messenger, a man I have known before."
Original
अतिशय उत्कण्ठित होकर व्रजराजने कुशल पूछी। दूत बोला:
English translation
Filled with intense concern, the king of Vraja asked whether all was well. The messenger replied:
Original
Sanskrit prose
जीवति नृशंसे कंसे किमिव निरङ्कुशं कुशलम्? तच्च मम वेशेनैव वितर्क्यताम्। यदस्माकं तरण्या तरणं तरणौ च सति कुत्रापि प्रस्थानं न सम्भवतीति बाहुभ्यामेव संतरणात्तीर्णतरणिजः सार्द्रवस्त्रः प्रदोषे समागतोऽस्मि।
(श्रीगोपालचम्पूः)
English translation
While the cruel Kaṁsa lives, how can there be any unhindered welfare? You may infer the answer merely from my appearance. Since it is impossible for us to cross by boat or to set out anywhere while the sun is present, I crossed the daughter of the Sun with my own arms and have arrived at nightfall in drenched garments.
(Śrī Gopāla-campūḥ)
Original
“महाराज! नृशंस कंसके जीते-जी निर्बाध कुशल कहाँ! मेरा यह वेश देखकर ही आप अनुमान कर लें। दिनके समय हमलोग नावसे पार नहीं हो सकते, कहीं भी नहीं जा सकते। इसीसे रातमें यमुना तैरकर इस पार आया हूँ, गीले वस्त्रोंसे ही सेवामें उपस्थित हुआ हूँ।”
English translation
"Your Majesty, while the cruel Kaṁsa lives, how can there be any unhindered welfare? You may judge merely by looking at my condition. By day we cannot cross in a boat or travel anywhere. Therefore I swam across the Yamunā at night and have come before you still wearing these wet clothes."
Original
श्रीवसुदेवका समाचार देते हुए दूतने कहा, “श्रीमन्! लगभग सात पहर पूर्वकी बात है। कंस-कारागारमें हमारी महाराज्ञी श्रीदेवकीजीने एक कन्याको जन्म दिया। उसी क्षण प्रहरीने कंसको सूचना दी। वह दुष्ट दौड़ा आ पहुँचा। आह! महाराज्ञी उस सद्योजात कन्याको अपने फटे आँचलमें लपेटे हृदयसे चिपकाये बैठी थीं। कंसको देखकर रो पड़ीं। दुःखसे अतिशय कातर होकर कंसका अनुनय-विनय करती हुई बोलीं, 'मेरे भाई! एक बार मेरे मुखकी ओर देख लो, मैं तुम्हारी छोटी बहन हूँ न? मैं तुमसे भीख माँग रही हूँ। यह मेरी अन्तिम संतान है, इसके जीवनकी भीख दे दो; हाय! यह तो तुम्हारी पुत्रवधूके समान है, इसे मत मारो। तुमने मेरे बहुत-से बच्चे मार डाले, पर उनके लिये मैं कुछ नहीं कहती। तुम्हारा दोष नहीं, मेरा भाग्य ही ऐसा था। अब इस बार दया कर दो, मुझ मन्दभागिनीका सहारा मत छीनो, इस अबलाको जीवनदान दो।' रोती हुई देवकीने कंसके चरणोंपर अपना सिरतक रख दिया। पर उस पाषाणहृदयमें दया कहाँ! आँखें तरेरकर देवकीको भर्त्सना करता हुआ वह लपका, देवकीकी गोदसे उसने बालिकाको छीन लिया, उस कुसुमसुकुमार सद्योजात बालिकाके चरणोंको पकड़कर पासके पत्थरपर पटक ही दिया।”
English translation
Giving news of Śrī Vasudeva, the messenger said, "My lord, this happened about seven watches ago. In Kaṁsa's prison, our queen Śrī Devakī gave birth to a daughter. At that very moment a guard informed Kaṁsa, and the wicked man came running. Alas! The queen sat clasping that newborn girl to her heart, wrapped in the torn end of her garment. On seeing Kaṁsa, she burst into tears. Overcome by grief, she pleaded with him: 'My brother, look at my face just once. Am I not your younger sister? I beg this of you. This is my last child. Grant me her life as alms. Alas, she is like a daughter-in-law to you. Do not kill her. You have killed so many of my children, yet I say nothing about them. It was not your fault; such was my destiny. But show mercy this once. Do not take away the only support of this ill-fated woman. Grant life to this helpless one.' Weeping, Devakī even laid her head upon Kaṁsa's feet. But how could compassion dwell in that heart of stone? Glaring at Devakī and rebuking her, he lunged forward, snatched the girl from her lap, seized the feet of that flower-soft newborn child, and was just about to dash her against a nearby stone."
Original
यह सुनते ही व्रजेन्द्रकी आँखोंसे झर-झर करता हुआ अश्रुप्रवाह निकल पड़ता है। पर दूतने अतिशय शीघ्रतासे कहा, “देव! आगेकी बात सुनें, अद्भुत आश्चर्यमयी घटना है। बालिका कंसके हाथसे छूटते ही आकाशमें उड़ गयी। दूसरे ही क्षण बालिकाका रूप बदला। यह अष्टभुजादेवीके रूपमें परिणत हो गयी। वास्तवमें वे देवी ही थीं। ओह! दिव्य माला, दिव्य वस्त्र, दिव्य चन्दन एवं दिव्य मणिमय आभूषणोंसे सुसज्जित देवीका वह रूप देखने ही योग्य था। आठों भुजाओंमें आठ आयुध - धनुष, त्रिशूल, बाण, ढाल, खड्ग, शङ्ख, चक्र, गदा सुशोभित थे। इतना ही नहीं, उनके चारों ओर सिद्ध, चारण, गन्धर्व, अप्सराएँ, किन्नर, नाग भेंट अर्पण कर रहे थे, अञ्जलि बाँधकर स्तुति कर रहे थे। देवीने कहा:
English translation
The moment he heard this, streams of tears began pouring from Vraja's lord's eyes. But the messenger quickly said, "My lord, hear what happened next. It was a wondrous and astonishing event. The instant the girl slipped from Kaṁsa's hands, she flew into the sky. In the very next moment her form changed, and she became an eight-armed goddess. In truth, she was the Goddess herself. Ah, that form of the Goddess, adorned with divine garlands, divine garments, divine sandal paste, and divine jeweled ornaments, was a sight to behold. Eight weapons graced her eight arms: a bow, trident, arrow, shield, sword, conch, discus, and mace. Nor was that all. Around her, Siddhas, Cāraṇas, Gandharvas, Apsarās, Kinnaras, and Nāgas offered gifts and praised her with folded palms. The Goddess said:
Original
“मूर्ख! मुझे मारकर क्या लेगा? तेरा जीवन समाप्त करनेवाला, तेरे पूर्वजन्मका वैरी तो कहीं आ चुका, प्रकट हो चुका। निर्दोष बालकोंको अब मत मारना।”
English translation
"Fool! What will you gain by killing me? The one who will end your life, your enemy from a former birth, has already come and manifested somewhere else. Do not kill innocent children now."
Original
Sanskrit verse
किं मया हतया मन्द जातः खलु तवान्तकृत्।
यत्र क्व वा पूर्वशत्रुर्मा हिंसीः कृपणान् वृथा॥
(श्रीमद्भा० १०।४।१२)
English translation
O fool, what will you gain by killing me? The one who will bring about your end, your enemy from before, has indeed been born somewhere else. Do not needlessly kill the helpless.
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.4.12)
Original
व्रजेश्वर अतिशय आश्चर्यमें भरकर सुन रहे हैं। दूत कहता जा रहा है, “देवीके वचनोंने कंसके स्वभावमें कुछ क्षणोंके लिये एक विलक्षण परिवर्तन ला दिया। वह सचमुच पश्चात्तापकी आगमें जल उठा। मेरे महाराज वसुदेवके एवं महारानी श्रीदेवकीके चरणोंमें लुट पड़ा। उस समय उसकी आर्ति सचमुच हृदयको पिघला देनेवाली थी। महाराज एवं महाराज्ञीका दयार्द्र हृदय विगलित हो उठा। ऐसे नृशंसको भी उन दोनोंने क्षमादान दे ही दिया। वे दोनों कारागारसे बाहर आये। कंस अपने प्रासादमें गया। पर वहाँ जाकर उस असुराधमने जो विचार स्थिर किया, जो कार्यक्रम निर्धारित किया, उसे सुनकर तो श्रीमान् भी काँप उठेंगे। आह! राक्षसमन्त्रिमण्डलके परामर्शसे उसने यह स्थिर किया है कि नगरोंमें, ग्रामोंमें, व्रजपुरोंमें, अन्य स्थानोंमें जितनी नव संतति हैं, जितने बच्चोंने जन्म धारण किया है, दस दिनसे अधिक आयुके हों या कमके, सभी मार दिये जायँ। इतना ही नहीं, संहार प्रारम्भ भी हो चुका है। मेरे महाराज श्रीवसुदेवजीने इस सारे वृत्तान्तकी श्रीमान्को सूचना देनेकी मुझे आज्ञा दी है। साथ ही अपनी ओरसे विशेष परामर्श यह दिया है कि प्रचुर परिमाणमें भेंट अर्पण कर, राज्य-कर चुकाकर इस नरपालरूप राक्षस कंसकी संतुष्टि प्राप्त करें, जिससे उसकी कराल दृष्टि नन्दव्रजपर न पड़े, एवं कर चुकानेके बाद मुझसे अवश्य मिलें”:
English translation
Vraja's lord listened in overwhelming astonishment as the messenger continued: "For a few moments the Goddess's words brought an extraordinary change over Kaṁsa's disposition. He truly began to burn in the fire of remorse. He threw himself at the feet of my lord Vasudeva and Queen Śrī Devakī. His anguish at that time could truly have melted the heart. The compassionate hearts of the king and queen softened, and the two of them granted forgiveness even to such a cruel man. They came out of the prison, and Kaṁsa went to his palace. But, my lord, when you hear the resolve that lowest of demons formed there and the course of action he decreed, even you will tremble. Alas! On the counsel of his demonic ministers, he has determined that every newborn child in cities, villages, cowherd settlements, and all other places, whether more or less than ten days old, is to be killed. Not only that, the slaughter has already begun. My lord Śrī Vasudeva has commanded me to inform you of this entire account. He has also offered this special counsel: present abundant gifts and pay the royal tax, thereby satisfying Kaṁsa, the demon disguised as a ruler, so that his dreadful gaze does not fall upon Nanda's Vraja. After paying the tax, be sure to meet me."
Original
Sanskrit prose
शीघ्रमेवास्मै राजव्याजराक्षसाय संगत्य बलिर्वलयितव्यो मिलितव्यश्चाहमिति।
(श्रीगोपालचम्पूः)
English translation
Meet this demon disguised as a king without delay, secure him with tribute, and then meet me.
(Śrī Gopāla-campūḥ)
Original
दूतका आना सुनकर उपनन्द आ गये थे। उन्होंने भी सारी घटना सुनी है। उन्होंने श्रीवसुदेवजीकी सम्मतिका पूर्ण समर्थन किया। यह निश्चित हुआ - पाँच दिन बाद, सूतिका-षष्ठीकी पूजा करके स्वयं व्रजेन्द्र असंख्यात रत्नराशि, दधि, दुग्ध, घृत-मधुसे पूर्ण अगणित स्वर्णभाण्ड लेकर मथुरा जायँ, कंसके प्रति सम्मान प्रदर्शित करें। अस्तु!
English translation
On hearing that a messenger had arrived, Upananda had come as well. He too heard the whole account and fully supported Śrī Vasudeva's counsel. It was decided that five days later, after performing the worship for the sixth day following childbirth, Vraja's lord himself would go to Mathurā with countless heaps of jewels and innumerable golden vessels filled with yogurt, milk, ghee, and honey, and would show due respect to Kaṁsa. So it was settled.
Original
ब्रजेन्द्र अब अपने हाथों दूतके गीले वस्त्रोंको उतारते हैं। सूखे वस्त्र पहनाते हैं। पीली धोतीकी फेंट दूतने कसतक नहीं पायी थी कि व्रजराज स्वर्णताराओंसे चित्रित अपनी रेशमी अचकन उसे पहनाने लगे। अचकनके बंद कसनेके पूर्व ही जरकसी बँधी-बँधायी पाग उसके सिरपर रख दी। स्वयं दौड़कर गये, एक सुन्दर मणिखचित कलँगी ले आये, उसे पागपर बाँध दिया। कलँगीके साथ ही बगलमें छिपाकर एक मणिमय बहुमूल्य हार भी ले आये थे, उसे गलेमें पहना दिया। व्रजेश्वरके कंधेपर लटकती हुई चादरमें पीठकी तरफ एक पोट-सी बँधी है। उन्होंने अपनी वह चादर उतारी, अतिशय शीघ्रतासे पोटको छिपाते हुए उसे दूतकी कमरमें लपेटने लगे; तीन-चार तहको लपेट आ जानेपर भी उसके अन्तरालसे रत्नराशि चमक ही उठी, मानो वह झाँककर अपने ग्रहीता स्वामीका मुख देख रही हो। अन्तमें व्रजेन्द्रने अपनी हीरक-मुद्रिका उतारकर दूतकी अँगुलीमें पहनाकर, फिर उसे हृदयसे लगाकर बोले, “चलो, भोजनागारमें चलकर भोजन कर लो।” भोजनके पश्चात् उसे विश्राम कराकर स्वयं सूतिकागारके पार्श्ववर्ती गृहमें एक पर्यङ्कपर आ विराजते हैं। पर आँखोंमें निद्रा नहीं! और तो क्या, आठ पहरसे दौड़ते रहनेपर भी शरीरमें थकानका लेशमात्रतक नहीं है। हो कैसे! उनके अन्तर्हृदयमें अपने नवजात शिशुके अङ्ग-प्रत्यङ्गोंकी, उसके मधुरातिमधुर मुखमण्डलकी क्रम-क्रमसे स्मृति हो रही है। प्रत्येक स्मृति अपने साथ एक चिन्मय अमृतरसस्रोत लिये आती है; प्रत्येक स्रोत व्रजेशके मन, इन्द्रिय एवं प्राणोंमें नवीन स्फूर्तिका संचार कर देता है। वे, भला, थकें तो कैसे थकें!
English translation
Vraja's lord now removed the messenger's wet clothes with his own hands and dressed him in dry garments. Before the messenger could even tighten the fold of the yellow dhotī, the king of Vraja began putting his own silk tunic, embroidered with golden stars, upon him. Before its fastenings could be secured, he placed a ready-tied brocade turban upon the messenger's head. He himself ran and fetched a beautiful jeweled plume, which he fastened to the turban. Along with the plume, he had brought a costly jeweled necklace concealed beneath his arm, and he placed it around the messenger's neck. At the back of the shawl hanging from Vraja's lord's shoulder was a small bundle tied into the cloth. Removing the shawl, he rapidly began wrapping it around the messenger's waist while concealing the bundle. Even after three or four folds had been wound around him, the mass of jewels within still flashed forth, as though peeking out to behold the face of the master who was receiving it. Finally, Vraja's lord removed his own diamond ring, placed it upon the messenger's finger, embraced him, and said, "Come, go to the dining hall and eat." After the meal he arranged for the messenger to rest, then seated himself upon a couch in a room adjoining the birthing chamber. But there was no sleep in his eyes. Indeed, even after rushing about for all eight watches of the day and night, there was not the slightest trace of weariness in his body. How could there be? In his innermost heart, one after another, arose memories of every limb of his newborn child and of that exceedingly sweet countenance. Each remembrance brought with it a stream of conscious, immortal nectar; each stream infused new vitality into the mind, senses, and life-breaths of Vraja's lord. How, then, could he possibly grow weary?
Original
सूतिकागारमें भी किसीकी आँखोंमें नींद नहीं। अबसे तीस घड़ी पूर्व शिशु भूमिष्ठ हुआ है। तबसे व्रजरानी निरन्तर उसके वदनारविन्दका मधुपान कर रही हैं। पर न तो नेत्र थके, न तृप्त ही हुए; बल्कि जितना देखती हैं, उतना ही दर्शनकी प्यास उत्तरोत्तर बढ़ती जाती है। अङ्गोंकी ओर देखती हैं तो प्रतीत होता है, मानो समस्त अङ्ग नीलमणिसे ही निर्मित हों; अधरोंकी ओर दृष्टि ले जाती हैं तो दीखता है मानो इनका निर्माण रक्तरागमणिसे ही हुआ हो; करतल, चरणतल निहारती हैं तो अनुभव होता है, मानो ये पद्मरागमणिसे बने हों। नखावलीका दर्शन करनेपर यह भान होता है, मानो पक्व दाडिमबीजकी आभावाले माणिक्यसे ही इन नखोंकी रचना हुई हो। देखते-देखते व्रजेन्द्रगेहिनी कल्पनाके सुमधुर राज्यमें भ्रमित-सी हो जाती हैं। सोचने लगती हैं, तो क्या यह बालक मणिमय है? न, यह तो सम्भव नहीं; मणि तो कठोर होती है, शिशु तो अत्यन्त मृदु, अत्यन्त सुकुमार है। तब क्या विधाताने या किसीने पुष्पोंसे इसकी रचना की है? ओह! मानो नीलपद्मोंसे समस्त अवयवोंका, बन्धूकपुष्पोंसे अधरोष्ठका, जपाकुसुमोंसे कर-चरण-तलका, मल्लिकाकोरकोंसे ही नखराशिका निर्माण हुआ हो:
English translation
No one's eyes knew sleep in the birthing chamber either. The child had been born thirty ghaṭīs earlier, and ever since then the queen of Vraja had ceaselessly drunk the nectar of his lotus face. Yet her eyes neither tired nor found satisfaction. Rather, the more she looked, the more her thirst for his sight continued to increase. When she looked at his limbs, it seemed that every one of them had been fashioned from sapphire. When her gaze moved to his lips, it appeared that they had been made from blood-red rubies. When she beheld his palms and soles, it seemed that they had been formed from padmarāga jewels. Looking upon the row of his nails, she felt that they must have been fashioned from rubies glowing like ripe pomegranate seeds. As she continued gazing, the lady of Vraja's lord became almost lost in imagination's sweetest realm. She began to wonder, "Is this child made of jewels? No, that cannot be possible. Jewels are hard, while the child is exceedingly soft and tender. Then did the Creator, or someone else, fashion him from flowers? Ah! It is as though all his limbs were made from blue lotuses, his lower lip from bandhūka blossoms, the palms of his hands and soles of his feet from hibiscus flowers, and the mass of his nails from jasmine buds."
Original
Sanskrit prose
नीलमणिनेव सकलावयवानां कुरुविन्देनेव बिम्बाधरस्य कमलरागेणेव पाणिपादस्य शिखरमणिनेव नखरनिकरस्य निर्माणमिति मत्वा कदाचिन्मणिमयोऽयमिति वा, इन्दीवरेणेव सकलावयवस्य बन्धूकेनेव बिम्बाधरोष्ठस्य जपाकुसुमेनेव पाणिपादस्य मल्लीकोरकेणेव नखरनिकरस्येति कदाचिदयं कुसुममयो वा केनापि निरमायि।
(श्रीआनन्दवृन्दावनचम्पूः)
English translation
At one moment, thinking that all his limbs had been fashioned from sapphire, his bimba-fruit lips from ruby, his hands and feet from padmarāga, and the cluster of his nails from crest jewels, she wondered, "Is he made of jewels?" At another, thinking that all his limbs had been fashioned from blue lotuses, his bimba-like lower lip from bandhūka blossoms, his hands and feet from hibiscus flowers, and the cluster of his nails from jasmine buds, she wondered, "Or has someone made this child of flowers?"
(Śrī Ānanda-vṛndāvana-campūḥ)
Original
इस प्रकार व्रजेश्वरी शिशुके सौन्दर्यकी उपमा ढूँढ़ते-ढूँढ़ते हार जाती हैं।
English translation
In this way the queen of Vraja at last gives up, unable to find any comparison for the infant's beauty.
Original
गोपाङ्गनाओंकी अभ्यर्थना सम्पन्नकर श्रीरोहिणी भी अब व्रजरानीके पास आ गयी हैं, उनके नेत्रोंमें भी आलस्यकी छायातक नहीं है। धात्री भी नींदको मानो सर्वथा भूल गयी है। केवल नन्दपुत्र अपनी जननी यशोदाके वक्षःस्थलपर आँखें बंद किये सो रहे हैं। उनकी एवं व्रजरानीकी ओर देखती हुई धात्री धीमे-धीमे, पर अतिशय मधुर कण्ठसे गा रही है:
English translation
Having finished attending to the women of Vraja, Śrī Rohiṇī too has now come beside the queen of Vraja, and not even a shadow of drowsiness touches her eyes. The nurse also seems to have forgotten sleep altogether. Only Nanda's son lies asleep with closed eyes upon the breast of his mother Yaśodā. Looking toward him and the queen of Vraja, the nurse sings softly in an exceedingly sweet voice:
Original
Braj verse
धन्य जसोदा भाग तिहारौ, जिन ऐसौ सुत जायौ हो।
जाके दरस-परस सुख उपजत, कुल कौ तिमिर नसायौ हो॥
English translation
Blessed, Yaśodā, blessed is your fortune, for you have borne such a son.
By seeing and touching him, joy arises, and the darkness of the lineage is dispelled.