Original
Hindi
शिशिरका ब्राह्ममुहूर्त है। दो घड़ी पश्चात् माघशुक्ला चतुर्दशीका प्रभात होगा। इसीके साथ व्रजेन्द्रनन्दनके अन्नप्राशनका उत्सव-समारोह भी आरम्भ होगा, मानो इसकी सूचना प्रातःसमीरको भी मिल चुकी है। इसीलिये वह गवाक्षरन्ध्रोंके पथसे आया; आकर प्रथम पर्यङ्कशायिनी व्रजेन्द्रमहिषीके, फिर उनके वक्षःस्थलपर विराजित निद्रित व्रजेन्द्रनन्दन कृष्णचन्द्रके पादारविन्द उसने स्पर्श किये। स्पर्शसे कृतार्थ होकर राशि-राशि कुन्दपुष्पोंसे संचित परिमल अपने दुकूलसे निकालकर शयनागारमें सर्वत्र बिखेर दिया। उत्सवके उपलक्षमें अपनी क्षुद्र भेंट चढ़ा दी तथा फिर अतिशय शीघ्रतासे आनन्दातिरेकवश चञ्चल होकर 'झुर-झुर' शब्द करता हुआ अन्य व्रजवासियोंको जगाने चला गया।
English translation
It is the brāhma-muhūrta of winter. In two ghaṭīs, the dawn of the bright fourteenth day of Māgha will arrive, and with it the festivities celebrating the first feeding of the son of the lord of Vraja will begin. It is as though the morning breeze has already received word of the occasion. Entering through the openings of the lattice windows, it first touched the lotus feet of the queen of Vraja as she lay upon her couch, and then those of Kṛṣṇacandra, the sleeping son of the lord of Vraja, who rested upon her breast. Fulfilled by that touch, the breeze drew from its silken garment the fragrance it had gathered from masses of kunda blossoms and scattered it throughout the sleeping chamber. Having offered its humble gift for the festival, it became restless with an excess of joy and hurried away, whispering "jhur-jhur," to awaken the other residents of Vraja.
Original
Hindi
व्रजरानी तो जागी हुई ही हैं। वे सारी रात क्षणभरके लिये भी सो नहीं सकी हैं। फिर भी रात्रि कब कैसे समाप्त हो गयी, यह उन्होंने नहीं जाना। जानतीं कैसे? वे तो अनेक सुखमय मनोरथोंकी कल्पनामें विभोर थीं, नीलमणिका भावी अन्नप्राशन प्रत्यक्ष वर्तमान-सा बनकर नेत्रोंमें भरा था। वे उस दृश्यमें, अपने नीलमणिमें तन्मय हो रही थीं। किंतु प्रातःसमीरके स्पर्शसे जननीके प्रशान्त वात्सल्यसिन्धुमें एक कम्पन हुआ। उसमें एक लहर उठ आयी। जननीके कृष्णमय मन-प्राण इस लहरीसे सिक्त हो गये एवं तत्क्षण उनमें स्फुरणा हुई, कहीं मेरे नीलमणिके अङ्ग अनावृत हों, शिशिरकी शीतल वायुसे उनमें ठंढ लग गयी तो? बस, व्रजरानी तुरंत उठ बैठीं एवं वस्त्र सँभालने लगीं। वास्तवमें ही यशोदानन्दनके श्रीअङ्गोंसे कहीं-कहीं वस्त्र हट गये थे। जननी उन्हें गोदमें लेकर वस्त्रोंसे ढँकने लगीं। इसी समय उनका ध्यान नीलमणिके वक्षःस्थलकी ओर गया। वक्षःस्थलपरका श्रीवत्सचिह्न मणिदीपके प्रकाशमें स्पष्ट चम-चम कर रहा था; किंतु जननीको पुनः भ्रम हो ही गया। इससे पूर्व भी जननी कई बार भ्रमित हो चुकी हैं। इस भ्रमका प्रारम्भ तो प्रथम स्तनदानके समय हुआ था। उस समय जातकर्मके पश्चात् जननी स्तन्यपान करा रही थीं। पुत्रके प्रत्येक अङ्गका सौन्दर्य निरखती हुई जननीने हृदयकी ओर देखा था। हृदयके दक्षिण भागमें रोमावलीका अनादिसिद्ध श्रीवत्सनामक चिह्न अङ्कित था ही। उसकी शोभा भी अद्भुत ही थी, मानो मृणालतन्तुओंका चूर्ण एकत्र हो गया हो! वैसा ही सुन्दर, वैसा ही सुस्निग्ध! किंतु श्रीवत्सको देखकर जननीने तो यह समझा था, मैं शिशुको स्तन्य पिला रही हूँ, मेरे स्तनक्षरित दुग्धकण ही पुत्रके कपोलपर होते हुए वक्षःस्थलपर आ ढलके हैं; उन दुग्धकणोंसे ही यह चिह्न निर्मित हो गया है। इतना ही नहीं, जननी सुकोमलतम सूक्ष्म वस्त्राञ्चलसे धीरे-धीरे उसे पोंछ देनेका प्रयत्न करने लगी थीं। किंतु चिह्न मिटता न था। जब वस्त्रसे उस चिह्नका मार्जन न कर सकीं, तब वे सोचने लगी थीं कि सम्भवतः यह किसी महापुरुषका लक्षण हो:
English translation
The queen of Vraja is already awake. She has not slept for even a moment throughout the night, yet she did not notice when or how the night came to an end. How could she? She was absorbed in imagining many joyful longings. Nīlamaṇi's approaching first-feeding rite filled her eyes as though it were already taking place before her, and she was wholly immersed in that vision and in her Nīlamaṇi. The morning breeze's touch, however, sent a tremor through the mother's tranquil ocean of maternal love, and a wave arose within it. That wave drenched her Kṛṣṇa-filled mind and life-breath, and at once a thought flashed within her: "What if some part of my Nīlamaṇi's body is uncovered and the cold winter breeze makes Him chill?" The queen of Vraja immediately sat up and began arranging His garments. Indeed, the clothing had slipped away from parts of Yaśodā's son's sacred body. Taking Him into her lap, His mother began to cover Him.
At that moment her attention fell upon Nīlamaṇi's chest. The mark of Śrīvatsa there gleamed clearly in the light of the jeweled lamp, but once again the mother mistook it for something else. She had been similarly mistaken several times before, beginning when she first nursed Him. After the birth rites on that occasion, the mother was feeding Him her milk. As she contemplated the beauty of every limb of her son, she looked toward His heart. On the right side was the beginningless mark called Śrīvatsa, formed by a line of fine hairs. Its loveliness was wondrous, as though powdered lotus fibers had gathered there, equally beautiful and equally soft and glossy. Upon seeing Śrīvatsa, however, the mother thought, "While I nurse the child, droplets of milk from my breast must have run across His cheek and down onto His chest, forming this mark." She even tried gently to wipe it away with the edge of an exceedingly soft, fine cloth. But the mark would not disappear. When she could not remove it with the cloth, she began to wonder whether it might be the sign of a great person:
Original
Sanskrit. Source: Śrī Ānanda-vṛndāvana-campū
वक्षसि दक्षिणभागे मृणालतन्तुक्षोदसोदर-सुभगसुस्निग्धश्रीवत्साख्यरोमराजिलक्ष्म लक्षयित्वा स्तन्यकणरसनिपातविन्यासविशेषोऽयमिति पुनरपि मृदुतरचीनसिचयाञ्चलेनापसारयन्ती यदा तन्नापसरति तदा किमपीदं महापुरुषलक्षणमिति चिन्तयन्ती।
English translation
Seeing upon the right side of His chest the mark made by a line of hairs known as Śrīvatsa, lovely and smooth like the finest powder of lotus fibers, she thought, "This must be a distinctive pattern formed where drops of breast milk have fallen." Again she tried to remove it with the edge of an exceedingly soft Chinese silk cloth. When it would not come away, she began to think, "This may be some sign of a great person."
Original
Hindi
इसी तरह आज पुनः पूर्वकी भाँति जननीको एक क्षणके लिये भ्रम हो जाता है कि निद्रित नीलमणिके अधरोंसे क्षरित दुग्धकण ही यहाँ आकर इस रूपमें परिणत हो गये हैं। अवश्य ही इस बार वे मार्जन करने नहीं जातीं; क्योंकि तुरंत ही अन्तर्वृत्ति सचेत कर देती है। जननी अपनी भूलपर मन्द-मन्द मुसकराती हुई वस्त्रोंसे शीत-निवारणकी उचित व्यवस्था करके पुत्रको हृदयसे लगा लेती हैं।
English translation
In the same way, for a moment today the mother once again imagines that drops of milk issuing from her sleeping Nīlamaṇi's lips have reached this place and assumed this form. This time, of course, she does not try to wipe the mark away, for her inner awareness immediately corrects the mistake. Smiling gently at her error, the mother arranges His garments properly to protect Him from the cold and clasps her son to her heart.
Original
Hindi
सूर्योदयमें अभी विलम्ब है, किंतु गोपसुन्दरियोंके दल-के-दल नन्द-प्राङ्गणमें एकत्र होने लगे। घड़ीभर दिन चढ़ते-चढ़ते तो नन्दभवन गोप-वनिताओंसे सर्वत्र परिपूर्ण हो गया। नन्दभवनमें पुरमहिलाओंके लिये समय-असमयकी रोक-थाम तो है नहीं तथा व्रजपुरमें नन्दनन्दनके अन्नप्राशनमुहूर्तकी सूचना फैल चुकी है। इसलिये आज यमुना-स्नान करके कितनी ही गोपसुन्दरियाँ तो घर भी नहीं गयीं, सीधे नन्दभवनमें ही चली आयीं। जिनके अतिशय अल्पवयस्क पुत्र हैं, उन्हें ही आनेमें कुछ विलम्ब हुआ; पर आयीं सब। छोटे शिशुओंको गोदमें लिये, किञ्चित् वयस्क पुत्रोंकी अँगुली पकड़े, मङ्गलगीत गाते आती हुई गोपसुन्दरियोंकी मधुर कण्ठध्वनिसे, सुमधुर झन्-झन्, झिन्-झिन्, रुन-झुन, रुन-झुन कङ्कण-किङ्किणी-नूपुरध्वनिसे राजपथ तथा राजपथके दोनों ओर स्थित उत्तुङ्ग प्रासाद प्रतिशब्दित होने लगे। उन गोपाङ्गनाओंकी प्रत्येक भावभङ्गीसे एक अद्भुत वात्सल्य, अप्रतिम मातृभावका निर्झर झरता जा रहा है।
English translation
Sunrise is still some time away, yet company after company of beautiful cowherd women has begun to gather in Nanda's courtyard. By the time the day is one ghaṭī advanced, Nanda's residence is filled throughout with the women of the cowherd settlement. There is no restriction upon the women of the town entering Nanda's house at any hour, and news of the auspicious time for Nanda's son's first feeding has spread through Vraja. Many beautiful cowherd women therefore did not even return home after bathing in the Yamunā today, but came straight to Nanda's residence. Only those with very young sons were somewhat delayed, but every one of them came. Carrying little infants in their arms, holding the fingers of slightly older sons, and singing auspicious songs as they approached, their sweet voices and the melodious jhan-jhan, jhin-jhin, run-jhun, run-jhun of their bracelets, girdles, and anklets made the royal road and the lofty mansions on both sides resound. From every expression and gesture of those women flowed a wondrous tenderness, a cascade of incomparable maternal feeling.
Original
Hindi
उपनन्दजीने आदेश दे रखा है कि आज मध्याह्नतक गोचारण स्थगित रहे। व्रजेन्द्रनन्दनके अन्नप्राशनके पश्चात् समय रहनेपर गायें निकटवर्ती वनमें कुछ समय घुमा ली जायँ। अतः गोपमण्डली भी शीघ्रतासे गायोंको दुहकर, उनके सामने प्रचुर हरित-तृण डालकर तथा स्वयं स्नान आदि समाप्त कर, विविध वेषभूषासे अलंकृत होकर नन्दभवनकी ओर उमड़ पड़ती है। उनकी पत्नियाँ, माताएँ तो पहले ही चली गयी हैं। गायोंकी व्यवस्था करनेके लिये ये रुके थे। उनकी व्यवस्था तो इन्होंने कर भी दी। किंतु शीघ्र-से-शीघ्र नन्दभवन पहुँचनेकी, नेत्रोंसे नन्दनन्दनको जी भरकर निहारनेकी प्रबल उत्कण्ठावश दूधकी उचित व्यवस्था ये नहीं ही कर सके। दुहे हुए दूधसे पूर्ण भाण्डोंको घर पहुँचानेतकका भी धैर्य इनमें न रहा। कुछ ही भाण्ड घर आये, अधिकांश गोष्ठमें ही रह गये। और तो क्या, बहुत-सी गायें बिना दुहे ही रह गयीं। गोवत्सोंको यों ही उन्मुक्त कर दिया गया। चौकड़ी भरते हुए बछड़े अपनी माताओंसे जा मिले। इसी अवस्थामें उन्हें छोड़कर गोप द्रुतगतिसे नन्दालयकी ओर चल पड़े।
English translation
Upananda has ordered that the grazing of the cows be suspended until noon today. If time remains after the first-feeding rite of the son of the lord of Vraja, the cows may be taken for a short while into the nearby forest. The cowherd men therefore quickly milk the cows, place abundant green grass before them, complete their own bathing and other duties, adorn themselves in varied garments and ornaments, and surge toward Nanda's residence. Their wives and mothers have already gone ahead. The men remained behind to arrange for the cows, and that much they did. Yet in their intense eagerness to reach Nanda's house as quickly as possible and feast their eyes upon Nanda's son, they could not properly arrange the milk. They lacked even the patience to carry home the vessels filled with freshly drawn milk. Only a few vessels reached the houses; most remained in the cowshed. Indeed, many cows were left unmilked. The calves were simply released, and they bounded to their mothers. Leaving them in that state, the cowherds hurried toward Nanda's abode.
Original
Hindi
यथासमय व्रजरानी नित्यकर्मसे निवृत्त होकर पुत्रको गोदमें लिये आँगनमें चली आती हैं। गोपाङ्गनाओंकी अपार भीड़ उन्हें चारों ओरसे घेर लेती है। निकटतम कुटुम्बियोंको नन्दरानीने दासी भेजकर निमन्त्रित किया है। वे सब आ गयी हैं। व्रजरानी एक बार भंडारकी ओर जाती हैं। वहाँ पुत्रको गोदमें लिये श्रीरोहिणीजी सारी व्यवस्था कर रही हैं:
English translation
At the proper time, the queen of Vraja completes her daily duties and enters the courtyard with her son in her arms. The immense gathering of cowherd women surrounds her on every side. The queen had sent a maidservant to invite her closest kinswomen, and they have all arrived. She goes once to the storeroom, where Śrī Rohiṇī, with her own son in her arms, is overseeing every arrangement:
Original
Braj
आजु कान्ह करिहें अनप्रासन। मनि-कंचन के थार भराए, भाँति भाँतिके बासन॥
English translation
Today Kanhā will receive His first feeding.
Jeweled golden trays have been filled, together with vessels of every kind.
Original
Hindi
श्रीरोहिणीजीका यह परिश्रम देखकर व्रजरानीकी आँखोंमें स्नेह-जल भर आता है। सजल नेत्रोंसे वे कुछ क्षण रोहिणीजीकी ओर देखकर फिर उन निमन्त्रित कुटुम्बी व्रजवधुओंकी ओर देखने लगती हैं। इतना संकेत पर्याप्त है। वे शतशः व्रजवधुएँ तुरंत ही पकवान बनानेमें जुट पड़ती हैं।
English translation
Seeing Śrī Rohiṇī's exertions, the queen of Vraja's eyes fill with tears of affection. For a few moments she gazes at Rohiṇī with moist eyes and then looks toward the invited women of her Vraja family. That indication alone is enough. Hundreds of those women immediately set about preparing the feast.
Original
Braj
नंदघरनि ब्रजबधू बुलाई, जे सब अपनी पाँति। कोउ ज्योंनार करति, कोउ घृत-पक, षटरस के बहु भाँति॥ बहुत प्रकार किए सब व्यंजन, अमित बरन मिष्टान्न। अति उज्ज्वल कोमल सुठि सुंदर, देखि महरि मन मान॥
English translation
Nanda's wife summoned the women of Vraja, all those belonging to her own circle. Some prepared the banquet, while others made foods cooked in ghee, with many varieties of the six tastes.
They made dishes of many kinds and sweets of innumerable colors. All were exceedingly bright, delicate, and beautiful; seeing them, the queen's heart was pleased.
Original
Hindi
व्रजेन्द्रका उत्साह तो देखने योग्य ही है। उनकी योजना ऐसी है कि उनके पुत्रका अन्नप्राशन-उत्सव अतीत एवं भविष्यके इतिहासमें अद्वितीय बन जाय। नन्दप्रासादसे संलग्न, कालिन्दीतीरपर्यन्त विस्तीर्ण सुमनोहर नन्दोद्यानमें व्रजेन्द्रने एक नयी सृष्टि-सी रच दी है। उस सुरम्य उद्यानमें नौ छोटी-छोटी नदियोंका निर्माण हुआ है। जलकी नदियाँ नहीं, विभिन्न भोज्यरसोंकी। पहली नदी दधिकी है, उसमें दधिकी धवल धारा बह रही है, दोनों तट दधिसे भरपूर हैं। दूसरी गोदुग्धकी नदी है, निर्मल उज्ज्वल शीतल दुग्ध प्रवाहित हो रहा है। तीसरी नदी घृतकी है, पीतवर्णा यह घृत-नदी मन्दगतिसे प्रवाहित हो रही है, दोनों किनारे घृतसिक्त हो गये हैं। चौथी गुड़की नदी है, पीताभ गुड़की यह पयस्विनी अत्यन्त स्थिर-सी है। मानो सचमुच ही किसी नदीकी पीताभ जलधारा हिमके संयोगसे जम गयी हो, ऐसी इस गुड़कुल्या, गुड़की नदी, की शोभा है। पाँचवीं तैलनदी प्रवाहित हो रही है, मन्द-मन्थरगतिसे धीरे-धीरे यमुनाकी ओर इसकी गति है। छठी नदी अत्यन्त विस्तीर्ण है, यह मधुकुल्या है, इसमें मधुधारा बह रही है। सातवीं नवनीतनदी है, उज्ज्वल हिमपिण्डकी भाँति नवनीतखण्ड जम-से गये हैं। अत्यन्त शान्त-सी प्रतीत हो रही है। इसका प्रवाह परिलक्षित नहीं होता। इन सातके अतिरिक्त तक्रनदियाँ भी हैं। ये कई हैं तथा द्रुत गतिसे झर्-झर् करती हुई यमुनाकी ओर भागी जा रही हैं। कुछ शर्करोदक नदियाँ हैं, इनकी शर्करामिश्रित मिष्ट जलधारा अत्यन्त प्रखर गतिसे उद्यानकी परिक्रमा कर रही है।
English translation
The enthusiasm of the lord of Vraja is truly a sight to behold. His intention is that his son's first-feeding festival should be without equal in the history of either past or future. In Nanda's delightful garden, which adjoins his palace and extends to the bank of the Kālindī, he has fashioned what seems to be a new creation. Nine small rivers have been made in that lovely garden, not rivers of water, but of different nourishing foods. The first is a river of yogurt. Its white current flows between banks brimming with yogurt. The second is a river of cow's milk, carrying milk that is pure, bright, and cool. The third is a river of ghee. Yellow in color, it flows slowly, saturating both banks with ghee. The fourth is a river of jaggery, a yellowish stream that appears almost motionless. It looks as though the yellow waters of a real river had frozen upon meeting ice. Such is the beauty of this channel of jaggery. A fifth river, one of oil, flows gently and slowly toward the Yamunā. The sixth is exceedingly broad: a channel of honey through which a stream of honey flows. The seventh is a river of fresh butter. Lumps of butter appear frozen like radiant blocks of snow. It seems utterly still, and no current can be discerned. Besides these seven, there are several rivers of buttermilk, rushing swiftly toward the Yamunā with a jhar-jhar sound. There are also rivers of sugared water, whose sweet, sugar-mixed current circles the garden with tremendous speed.
Original
Hindi
इन नदियोंके मध्यवर्ती देशमें उज्ज्वल प्रस्तरखण्डोंसे पटी हुई भूमिपर व्रजेन्द्रने शालितण्डुलोंके एक शत एवं पृथुक तण्डुलों, चिउरों, के एक शत पर्वत बनवाये हैं। वहीं सात लवण-पर्वतोंका भी निर्माण करवाया है। इसी तरह शर्कराके सात एवं लड्डूके सात पर्वत निर्मित हुए हैं। परिपक्व सुमधुर फलोंके सोलह पर्वत रचे गये हैं। यवचूर्ण, जौके आटे, तथा गोधूमचूर्ण, गेहूँके आटे, के भी अनेक पर्वत बने हैं। मोदकोंका पर्वत निर्मित हुआ है। विशेष कौशलसे निर्मित, अत्यन्त सुस्वादु, एक प्रकारकी पूरियोंके अनेक पर्वत खड़े किये गये हैं। इन पूरियोंके पर्वतोंपर राशि-राशि सुसंस्कृत लड्डू रख दिये गये हैं। इनसे कुछ हटकर व्रजेन्द्रने सात कौड़ियोंके पर्वत बनवाये हैं। वहींपर सुवासित जलयुक्त, कर्पूरादिमिश्रित, चन्दन-अगुरु-कस्तूरी-कुङ्कुम-समन्वित ताम्बूलोंका अत्यन्त विस्तृत, पर द्वारहीन एक मन्दिर निर्माण करवाया है। विभिन्न जातिकी रत्नराशि एवं सुवर्ण, सुरम्य मुक्ताफल तथा प्रवालपुञ्ज ढेर-के-ढेर यथास्थान रख दिये गये हैं। रंग-बिरंगे सुन्दर वस्त्र एवं सुन्दर आभूषणोंके स्तूप लग गये हैं:
English translation
In the land between these rivers, upon ground paved with gleaming slabs of stone, the lord of Vraja has had one hundred mountains of śāli rice and another hundred of flattened rice erected. Seven mountains of salt have also been formed there. Likewise, seven mountains of sugar and seven of laddus have been made. Sixteen mountains of perfectly ripe, sweet fruits have been raised, along with many mountains of barley flour and wheat flour. There is a mountain of modakas, and many mountains of a kind of exceptionally delicious purī prepared with special skill. Masses of finely made laddus have been placed upon those mountains of purīs. A short distance away, the lord of Vraja has had seven mountains of cowrie shells built. There he has also made an immense but doorless pavilion of betel preparations, supplied with perfumed water, mixed with camphor and other aromatics, and furnished with sandalwood, agarwood, musk, and saffron. Heaps of many kinds of jewels and gold, lovely pearls and clusters of coral, have been set in their proper places. Piles of beautiful, many-colored garments and ornaments have been arranged:
Original
Sanskrit. Source: Brahma-vaivarta Purāṇa, Kṛṣṇa-khaṇḍa 13
दधिकुल्यां दुग्धकुल्यां घृतकुल्यां प्रपूरिताम्। गुडकुल्यां तैलकुल्यां मधुकुल्यां च विस्तृताम्॥ नवनीतकुल्यां पूर्णां च तक्रकुल्यां यदृच्छया। शर्करोदककुल्यां च परिपूर्णां च लीलया॥ तण्डुलानां च शालीनामुच्चैश्च शतपर्वतान्। पृथुकानां शैलशतं लवणानां च सप्त च॥ सप्त शैलाञ्छर्कराणां लड्डुकानां च सप्त च। परिपक्वफलानां च तत्र षोडश पर्वतान्॥ यवगोधूमचूर्णानां पक्वलड्डुकपिण्डकान्। मोदकानां च शैलं च स्वस्तिकानां च पर्वतान्॥ कपर्दकानामत्युच्चैः शैलान् सप्त च नारद। कर्पूरादिकयुक्तानां ताम्बूलानां च मन्दिरम्॥ विस्तृतं द्वारहीनं च वासितोदकसंयुतम्। चन्दनागुरुकस्तूरीकुङ्कुमेन समन्वितम्॥ नानाविधानि रत्नानि स्वर्णानि विविधानि च। मुक्ताफलानि रम्याणि प्रवालानि मुदान्वितः॥ नानाविधानि चारूणि वासांसि भूषणानि च। पुत्रान्नप्राशने नन्दः कारयामास कौतुकात्॥
English translation
He filled channels of yogurt, milk, and ghee, and made broad channels of jaggery, oil, and honey. He filled a channel of fresh butter, freely supplied a channel of buttermilk, and playfully filled a channel of sugared water.
He raised one hundred lofty mountains of śāli rice, one hundred mountains of flattened rice, and seven of salt. He made seven mountains of sugar and seven of laddus, and there he formed sixteen mountains of ripe fruit. There were masses of barley and wheat flour, cooked laddus, a mountain of modakas, and mountains of svastika cakes. O Nārada, there were also seven exceedingly high mountains of cowrie shells.
He made an extensive, doorless pavilion of betel preparations mixed with camphor and other aromatics, supplied with perfumed water and furnished with sandalwood, agarwood, musk, and saffron. There were many kinds of jewels, many forms of gold, lovely pearls, delightful corals, beautiful garments of many kinds, and ornaments. Out of joyous delight, Nanda had all this made for his son's first feeding.
Original
Hindi
जिस आँगनमें श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र अन्नप्राशन करेंगे, उसे भी व्रजेन्द्रने स्वयं उपस्थित रहकर सजाया है। सुमार्जित, चन्दनवारिसे सर्वत्र सिक्त विशाल सुन्दर प्राङ्गणमें चारों ओरसे ऊँचे-ऊँचे सघन कदलीस्तम्भ खड़े कर दिये गये हैं। कदलीस्तम्भोंपर यथास्थान सूक्ष्म वस्त्रोंमें ग्रथित आम्र-नवपल्लव टँगे हैं। स्थान-स्थानपर फल-पल्लवसमन्वित, चन्दन-अगुरु-कस्तूरी-पुष्पपरिशोभित अनेक मङ्गल कलश रखे हैं। कलशके समीप पुष्प-समूहोंके, चित्र-विचित्र वस्त्रोंके ढेर लगे हैं। ब्राह्मणोंके विराजनेके लिये यथास्थान आसन एवं उनकी पूजाके लिये मधुपर्कपूरित अनेक पात्र रखे हैं। शत-शत स्वर्णसिंहासन दानके लिये सजा-सजाकर रखे हुए हैं।
English translation
The lord of Vraja has personally supervised the decoration of the courtyard where Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra will receive His first feeding. Tall, dense pillars of plantain trees have been raised on every side of the vast and beautiful courtyard, which has been thoroughly swept and sprinkled throughout with sandalwood water. Tender new mango leaves, bound in fine cloth, hang at suitable places upon the plantain pillars. At many points stand auspicious pitchers adorned with fruits, leaves, sandalwood, agarwood, musk, and flowers. Near the pitchers lie heaps of flowers and richly varied cloth. Seats have been placed appropriately for the brāhmaṇas, along with many vessels filled with madhuparka for their worship. Hundreds of golden thrones stand beautifully arranged to be given in charity.
Original
Hindi
यह सारी व्यवस्था व्रजेन्द्रने केवल तीन पहरमें की है। असंख्य गोपसेवकोंको लेकर आधी रातके समय व्रजेश्वरने कार्य प्रारम्भ किया था। पहर दिन चढ़ते-चढ़ते सारी व्यवस्था पूर्ण हो गयी है। अब इधर रेवती नक्षत्र भी प्रारम्भ हो चुका। शुभ योग भी आ गया है। आज चन्द्र तो मीन लग्नमें अवस्थित हैं ही। ब्राह्मण भी कदलीमण्डपमें पधार गये हैं। अतः अविलम्ब क्रिया आरम्भ हो जाती है।
English translation
The lord of Vraja has completed all these arrangements in only three watches. With countless cowherd servants, he began the work at midnight, and by the time the day was one watch advanced everything was complete. The lunar mansion Revatī has now begun, the auspicious yoga has arrived, and today the moon is situated in Pisces ascendant. The brāhmaṇas, too, have entered the plantain pavilion. The rite therefore begins without delay.
Original
Hindi
शास्त्रविधिका अनुसरण करते हुए व्रजेन्द्र, व्रजरानी दोनों ही पुनः मङ्गल-स्नान करते हैं। स्वयं निवृत्त होकर फिर व्रजेश्वरी श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रको स्नान कराती हैं। पश्चात् पूर्वाभिमुख होकर आसनपर नन्ददम्पति विराजते हैं। उस समय व्रजरानीकी गोदमें श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रको देखकर व्रजेन्द्र कुछ क्षणके लिये तो सब कुछ भूल जाते हैं। याजक भूदेवोंकी भी यही दशा होती है। मङ्गलगान करती हुई व्रजाङ्गनाएँ भी श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रकी वह दिव्य छबि देखकर विमुग्ध हो जाती हैं। ब्राह्मण कुछ देर बाद प्रकृतिस्थ होकर आचमन, स्वस्तिवाचन, दीपप्रज्वालन, अर्घ्यस्थापन आदि सम्पन्न कराते हैं; पर उनकी मुद्रा ऐसी हो गयी है मानो किसी गाढ़ समाधिसे अभी-अभी उठे हों। व्रजेन्द्र भी नान्दीश्राद्ध आदि सभी कर्मोंका समाधान करते जा रहे हैं, किंतु इस तरह, जैसे उनके हाथोंसे कोई अचिन्त्य शक्ति क्रिया करवा दे रही हो, स्वयं वे इस शरीरसे कहीं अलग चले गये हों।
English translation
Following the scriptural ordinance, the lord and queen of Vraja once again take an auspicious bath. After completing her own bath, the queen of Vraja bathes Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra. Nanda and his wife then sit upon their seats facing east. At that moment, seeing Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra in the queen's lap, the lord of Vraja forgets everything for several moments. The officiating brāhmaṇas fall into the same state. Even the women of Vraja, singing auspicious songs, become spellbound by the divine beauty of Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra. After some time the brāhmaṇas recover their composure and conduct the sipping of water, recitation of benedictions, lighting of the lamp, establishment of the arghya, and the other rites. Yet their expressions make them seem as though they have only just emerged from profound samādhi. The lord of Vraja likewise performs the nāndī-śrāddha and all the other prescribed acts, but as though some inconceivable power were making his hands perform them while he himself had gone somewhere apart from his body.
Original
Hindi
शास्त्रीय कर्मकाण्ड पूरा होते ही एक साथ दुन्दुभि, ढक्का, पटह, मृदङ्ग, मुरज, आनक, वंशी, संनहनी, कांस्य आदि वाद्य बजने लगते हैं। उमंगमें भरे वन्दीजन वाद्य-स्वरमें अपना स्वर मिलाकर गाने लगते हैं। व्रजाङ्गनाएँ तो सुमधुर कण्ठसे पहलेसे ही गा रही हैं। इनके अतिरिक्त इसी समय आकाशपथमें विद्याधरियाँ नृत्य करने लगती हैं और गन्धर्व गान करने लगते हैं। विशुद्ध-प्रेमरस-भावितचित्त व्रजवासी आश्चर्यसे आकाशकी ओर देखते हैं, नृत्य-गानका अनुभव करते हैं, पर किसीको देख नहीं पाते। वे सोचते हैं, सम्भव है, हमारे ही नृत्यगानकी प्रतिध्वनि हो अथवा अभी-अभी व्रजेन्द्रनन्दनके अन्नप्राशनसंस्कार-सम्बन्धी दी हुई आहुतिको ग्रहण करनेके लिये अन्तरिक्षमें जो देववृन्द पधारे थे, उन्हींका नर्तन-गायन हो। अस्तु, अब तुमुल आनन्द-कोलाहलसे पुलकित होते हुए व्रजेन्द्र अपने पुत्रके अधरसे अन्नका स्पर्श कराते हैं:
English translation
As soon as the scriptural rites are complete, instruments such as the dundubhi, ḍhakkā, paṭaha, mṛdaṅga, muraja, ānaka, flute, saṁnahanī, and bronze cymbals all begin to sound at once. Filled with exhilaration, the bards blend their voices with the instruments and begin to sing. The women of Vraja are already singing in their exquisitely sweet voices. At that very time, Vidyādhara women begin to dance in the sky and Gandharvas begin to sing. The residents of Vraja, whose hearts are steeped in the rasa of pure love, look upward in wonder. They hear and sense the dancing and singing but can see no one. They think, "Perhaps this is the echo of our own dance and song. Or perhaps it is the dancing and singing of the host of gods who just came into the sky to receive the oblations offered for the first-feeding rite of the son of the lord of Vraja." Be that as it may, thrilled by the tremendous tumult of joy, the lord of Vraja now touches food to his son's lips:
Original
Braj
धरी जानि सुत-मुख जुठरावन नँद बैठे लै गोद। महर बोलि, बैठारि मंडली, आनँद करत बिनोद॥ कनक-थार भरि खीर धरी लै, तापर घृत-मधु नाइ। नँद लै-लै हरि मुख जुठरावत, नारि उठीं सब गाइ॥ षटरस के परकार जहाँ लगि, लै लै अधर छुवावत। बिस्वंभर जगदीस जगत-गुरु, परसत मुख करुवावत॥
English translation
Knowing that the time had come to touch food to his son's mouth, Nanda sat with Him in his lap. He called the queen and seated the gathered circle, rejoicing in blissful festivity.
He took a golden platter filled with rice pudding, topped with ghee and honey. Again and again Nanda touched it to Hari's mouth, and all the women rose in song.
Whatever varieties of the six tastes there were, he brought each one and touched it to His lips. Viśvambhara, the Lord of the universe and teacher of the world, made a bitter face when they touched His mouth.
Original
Hindi
जिस समय व्रजेन्द्र तीक्ष्ण, कटु, अम्ल, लवण रसोंका कृष्णचन्द्रके अधरोंसे स्पर्श कराते हैं, उस समय वे अभिनव बाल्यमाधुरीका प्रकाश करते हुए अपने होठ सिकोड़ने लगते हैं। ओह! जो अपने एक क्षुद्र अंशमें स्थित अनन्त ब्रह्माण्डको क्षणभरमें चूर्ण-विचूर्णकर विलीन कर लेते हैं, ऐसे अनन्त महाप्रलय, महाभोजनके समय भी जिनमें विकृति नहीं आती, उनका कणिकामात्र तीक्ष्ण, कटु आदि रसोंसे मुख करुआना, मुख विकृत करना कितना आश्चर्यमय है, यह कितना मोहक लीलाविलास है!
English translation
When the lord of Vraja touches pungent, bitter, sour, and salty flavors to Kṛṣṇacandra's lips, He manifests a fresh sweetness of infancy and begins to purse His lips. Oh! Infinite universes situated within one tiny portion of Him are crushed, dissolved, and absorbed in a moment, yet even during that immeasurable cosmic dissolution, that vast repast, no change comes over Him. How astonishing, then, that a mere particle of pungent or bitter flavor makes Him grimace and contort His face! How enchanting is this play of His līlā!
Original
Hindi
व्रजेन्द्रको भी ऐसा प्रतीत हुआ कि ऐसे सुकोमलतम पाटलदलसदृश अधरोंपर तीक्ष्ण, कटु रस रखना अत्याचार है, महान् क्रूरता, अत्यन्त नृशंसता है। इसलिये उन्होंने अतिशय शीघ्रतासे जल लेकर श्रीकृष्णके अधरोंको पोंछ दिया, पोंछकर व्रजरानीकी गोदमें उन्हें रख दिया।
English translation
The lord of Vraja, too, felt that placing pungent and bitter flavors upon lips as tender as rose petals was an outrage, a great cruelty, an act of utter ruthlessness. He therefore quickly took water, wiped Śrī Kṛṣṇa's lips, and placed Him in the queen of Vraja's lap.
Original
Braj
तनक-तनक जल अधर पौंछि कै, जसुमति पै पहुँचाए।
English translation
With a little water he wiped His lips, then brought Him back to Yaśomatī.
Original
Hindi
व्रजरानी गोदमें लेकर चाहती हैं कि इसे छोड़ें ही नहीं, हृदयसे लगाये ही रहूँ। पर अन्य व्रजाङ्गनाओंकी व्याकुलता देखकर वे द्रवित हो जाती हैं। पासमें खड़ी, यशोदानन्दनको हृदयपर धारण करनेके लिये अत्यन्त उत्कण्ठित एक गोपीकी गोदमें वे पुत्रको रख देती हैं। फिर तो क्रमशः गोदमें ले-लेकर मुख चूम-चूमकर गोपसुन्दरियाँ कृतार्थ हो जाती हैं:
English translation
Taking Him into her lap, the queen of Vraja wishes never to let Him go, but only to keep Him pressed to her heart. Seeing the yearning of the other women of Vraja, however, she melts. She places her son in the lap of a cowherd woman standing nearby who longs intensely to hold Yaśodā's son against her heart. One after another, the beautiful cowherd women then take Him into their laps, kiss His face, and become fulfilled:
Original
Braj
हरषवंत जुबतीं सब लै-लै, मुख चूमतिं उर लाएं।
English translation
Each joyful young woman took Him, kissed His face, and clasped Him to her heart.
Original
Hindi
इन सब कामोंसे निवृत्त होकर व्रजेन्द्र अगणित ब्राह्मणोंको भोजन कराते हैं। दक्षिणाका तो कहना ही क्या है। इतनी प्रचुर दक्षिणा प्रत्येक ब्राह्मणको मिली है कि वे ढो नहीं सकते। इनके अतिरिक्त कितना दान हुआ, इसकी इयत्ता करना सम्भव नहीं। वे सब अन्नादिके पर्वत भी वितरण कर दिये गये। दधि-दुग्धकी नदियोंके लिये तो कोई प्रतिबन्ध ही नहीं है। जो चाहे, जितना चाहे, उसमेंसे ले सकता है। बहुतोंने लिये भी, पर वह तो नदी है, चतुर्थांश भी रिक्त न हो सकी। इसलिये वह आनन्दोन्मत्त हुए गोपोंकी, गोपबालकोंकी क्रीडास्थली बन गयी। उसमें कूद-कूदकर वे स्नान करने लगे। व्रजेन्द्रने सोच-समझकर ही इनका निर्माण कराया था। व्रजेन्द्रनन्दनके जन्मोत्सवके उपलक्षमें दूध-दही बिखेरकर गोपोंने दधि-दुग्धकी धारा बहा दी थी, गर्त बना दिये थे। आज व्रजेन्द्रने उनका आनन्द-वर्धन करनेके लिये अपनी ओरसे दधि-दुग्ध आदिकी नदियाँ बहा दीं।
English translation
After completing all these activities, the lord of Vraja feeds countless brāhmaṇas. What can be said of the honoraria? Every brāhmaṇa receives so much that he cannot carry it. Beyond this, the full measure of everything given in charity cannot be reckoned. All the mountains of food and other goods are distributed as well. There is no restriction at all upon the rivers of yogurt and milk. Anyone may take as much as he wishes. Many do so, but they are rivers, and not even a quarter of their contents can be emptied. They therefore become playgrounds for the cowherds and cowherd boys, who are intoxicated with bliss and begin leaping into them to bathe. The lord of Vraja had these rivers made with deliberation. During the birth festival of his son, the cowherds had scattered milk and yogurt until streams of both flowed and hollows formed in the ground. Today the lord of Vraja has caused rivers of yogurt, milk, and other delights to flow from his side in order to increase their joy.
Original
Hindi
ब्राह्मण-भोजन, अतिथिसत्कार समाप्त कर गोपकुलके साथ व्रजेन्द्र भोजन करने बैठते हैं:
English translation
When the feeding of the brāhmaṇas and the honoring of the guests are complete, the lord of Vraja sits down to dine with the cowherd community:
Original
Braj
महर गोप सब ही मिलि बैठे, पनवारे परसाए। भोजन करत अधिक रुचि उपजी, जो जाकें मन भाए॥
English translation
The queen and all the cowherds sat together as the servers brought the meal. As they ate, their relish grew, each enjoying whatever pleased his heart.
Original
Hindi
व्रजेन्द्र भोजन करके उठे ही थे कि कुछ गोपबालकोंने आकर कहा, "बाबा! हमलोग तो यहाँ थे, उत्सवमें विभोर थे, पीछेसे किसीने आकाशसे समस्त गोकुलमें स्वर्णकी वृष्टि की है।" वास्तवमें ही वृष्टि हुई थी। कुबेर दर्शनकर कृतार्थ होनेकी आशासे श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रका अन्नप्राशन देखने आये थे। मनमें आया, अपने स्वामी व्रजेन्द्रनन्दन श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रको मैं क्या भेंट चढ़ाऊँ? मेरे पास है ही क्या? सब वस्तु तो उनकी ही है, पर उनकी वस्तु ही उन्हें अर्पण कर देनेपर वे प्रसन्न हो जाते हैं; फिर संकोच क्या है। लो नाथ! मेरा यह क्षुद्र उपहार तुम्हारी प्रीतिका कारण हो। यह सोचकर कुबेरने तीन मुहूर्ततक स्वर्ण-वृष्टि करके गोकुलको परिपूर्ण कर दिया था:
English translation
The lord of Vraja had only just risen from his meal when some cowherd boys came and said, "Bābā! We were here, absorbed in the festival, but while we were away someone showered gold from the sky over all Gokula." A shower had indeed fallen. Kubera had come to witness Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra's first feeding in the hope of attaining fulfillment through His sight. A thought arose in his mind: "What can I offer my master, Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra, the son of the lord of Vraja? What do I possess at all? Everything belongs to Him. Yet He is pleased when His own possession is offered back to Him, so why should I hesitate? Here, my Lord, may this trifling gift of mine become a cause of Your pleasure." Thinking thus, Kubera showered gold for three muhūrtas and filled Gokula with it:
Original
Sanskrit. Source: Brahma-vaivarta Purāṇa, Kṛṣṇa-khaṇḍa 13
त्रिमुहूर्तं कुबेरश्च श्रीकृष्णप्रीतये मुदा। चकार स्वर्णवृष्ट्या च परिपूर्णं च गोकुलम्॥
English translation
Joyfully, for the pleasure of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, Kubera showered gold for three muhūrtas and filled Gokula completely.
Original
Hindi
गोप इस स्वर्ण-वृष्टिसे चकित अवश्य हुए, पर यह उनके आदरकी वस्तु नहीं बन सकी। कैसे बने? जिन व्रजवासियोंके सामने व्रजेन्द्रनन्दन हैं, उनके लिये इस तुच्छातितुच्छ स्वर्णराशिका मूल्य ही क्या है? ऐश्वर्यज्ञानविहीन विशुद्ध प्रेमके आस्वादनमें ये व्रजगोप, गोपसुन्दरियाँ तो तन्मय हैं। उनके लिये व्रजेन्द्रनन्दन तत्त्वतः क्या हैं, इसके अनुसन्धानकी आवश्यकता नहीं। पर वस्तुस्थिति तो अनुसन्धानकी अपेक्षा नहीं रखती। वह तो जो है, वह रहेगी ही। ये व्रजेन्द्रनन्दन ही तो आत्माके आत्मा हैं, प्रियोंके भी प्रियतम हैं; इन्हींके लिये देहादि भी प्रिय हैं, इनसे प्रेम करनेमें ही जीवनकी परम सार्थकता है। शेषशायी पुरुषके रूपमें व्रजेन्द्रनन्दनने ही तो यह कहा है:
English translation
The cowherds were certainly astonished by this shower of gold, yet it could not become an object of their esteem. How could it? What value could such an utterly trifling mass of gold have for the residents of Vraja when the son of the lord of Vraja stood before them? The cowherd men and beautiful cowherd women are absorbed in relishing pure love devoid of any awareness of majesty. They have no need to investigate who the son of the lord of Vraja is in truth. But reality does not depend upon investigation; whatever is true remains true. This son of the lord of Vraja is the Self of every self and the dearest even of those held dear. It is for His sake that the body and all else are dear, and the supreme fulfillment of life lies in loving Him. As the Supreme Person reclining upon Śeṣa, the son of the lord of Vraja Himself has said:
Original
Sanskrit. Source: Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 3.9.42
अहमात्माऽऽत्मनां धातः प्रेष्ठः सन् प्रेयसामपि। अतो मयि रतिं कुर्याद् देहादिर्यत्कृते प्रियः॥
English translation
O creator, I am the Self of all selves and the dearest even of those who are dear. One should therefore direct one's love toward Me, for it is on My account that the body and all else are dear.
Original
Hindi
ऐसे इन स्वयं भगवान् व्रजेन्द्रनन्दनको पाकर इनके प्रति अपना मनःप्राण न्योछावर कर देनेवाले व्रजपुरवासियोंके लिये तो कुबेरका वैभव अत्यन्त नगण्य है। वे, भला, इस तुच्छ वस्तुको क्या आदर दें?
English translation
For the residents of Vraja, who have attained the son of the lord of Vraja, Bhagavān Himself, and have offered Him their very minds and lives, Kubera's opulence is utterly insignificant. Why would they honor such a paltry thing?
Original
Hindi
इस तरह व्रजेन्द्रनन्दनका अन्नप्राशन-संस्कार समाप्त हुआ। उस दिनकी संध्या आयी, रात्रि आयी, फिर नूतन प्रभात आया। जननी यशोदा एवं व्रजवासियोंके लिये ये आठ पहर क्षणके समान बीत गये। जननी तो आठों पहर श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रका मुख ही देखती रही हैं। एक दिनसे नहीं, पाँच महीने इक्कीस दिन हो गये हैं। इतने दिनसे वे निरन्तर पुत्रकी छबि देखती आयी हैं और बलिहार जाती रही हैं:
English translation
Thus the first-feeding sacrament of the son of the lord of Vraja came to an end. Evening arrived, night followed, and then a new dawn arose. For Mother Yaśodā and the residents of Vraja, those eight watches passed like a single moment. Throughout all eight watches the mother continued to gaze only upon Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra's face. Nor had she done so for merely one day: five months and twenty-one days had passed. All that time she had ceaselessly beheld her son's beauty and offered herself in adoration:
Original
Braj. Attributed in the verse to Sūrdās
जननी देखि छबि, बलि जाति। जैसें निधनी धनहि पाएँ, हरष दिन अरु राति॥ बाल-लीला निरखि हरषति, धन्य-धनि ब्रजनारि। निरखि जननी-बदन किलकत, त्रिदस-पति दै तारि॥ धन्य नँद, धनि-धन्य गोपी, धन्य ब्रज कौ बास। धन्य धरनी करन पावन जन्म सूरजदास॥
English translation
The mother beholds His beauty and offers herself to it, rejoicing day and night like a destitute person who has found a treasure.
Blessed, blessed is the woman of Vraja who delights in watching His infant play. Seeing His mother's face, He coos, and even the lord of the gods would surrender himself for that sight.
Blessed is Nanda, blessed indeed is the cowherd mother, and blessed is life in Vraja. Sūrdās says: blessed is the earth, made holy by His birth.