Original
Hindi
मधुवनके उस शान्त आश्रमकी ओर किसीका भी ध्यान आकर्षित न होता था। सघन वनश्रेणी उसे अन्तर्हृदयमें छिपाये रखती थी। अभेद्य कण्टकजाल क्षीण पगडंडियोंके द्वार रोके सर्वत्र फैले हुए थे, किसीको भी सहसा प्रवेश नहीं करने देते थे। इसीलिये आश्रमके एकमात्र अधिवासी कण्व नामक ब्राह्मणकी तपस्यामें कोई विघ्न उपस्थित न हुआ। पाँच वर्षोंसे ब्राह्मणकी नारायण-अर्चना निर्बाध चल रही थी।
English translation
No one's attention was drawn toward that peaceful hermitage in Madhuvana. A dense succession of trees concealed it deep within the forest. Impenetrable networks of thorns spread everywhere, blocking the entrances to the faint footpaths and preventing anyone from suddenly entering. Thus no disturbance arose in the austerities of the hermitage's sole resident, a brāhmaṇa named Kaṇva. For five years his worship of Nārāyaṇa had continued without interruption.
Original
Hindi
कण्व जब शिशु थे, उस समय भी उनकी शैशव-क्रीडामें नारायण सने हुए थे। जब गृहस्थभार सँभाला, तब वहाँ भी प्रत्येक चेष्टामें नारायण भरे थे; और अब तो अवस्था ढल गयी थी। एकमात्र नारायणका ही अवलम्बन किये हुए ब्राह्मणदेव सर्वथा एकान्तसेवी होकर नारायणमें लीन-से हो रहे थे। समीपका अरण्य जो कुछ भी कन्द-मूल-फल उन्हें देता, उसीको लेकर वे नारायणको अर्पित कर देते, अर्पित प्रसाद पाकर स्वयं भी तृप्त हो जाते। आश्रमसे दस हाथपर ही झर-झर करता हुआ एक जलस्रोत बहता था, वह कभी सूखता न था। अतः जलके लिये भी दूर जानेकी आवश्यकता न थी।
English translation
Even when Kaṇva was a child, Nārāyaṇa permeated his infant games. When he assumed the responsibilities of household life, every action there too was filled with Nārāyaṇa. Now his years had declined. Relying upon Nārāyaṇa alone, the venerable brāhmaṇa devoted himself wholly to solitude and seemed absorbed in Him. Whatever tubers, roots, and fruits the nearby forest provided, he offered to Nārāyaṇa, then satisfied himself with the offered grace. Only ten cubits from the hermitage a murmuring spring flowed and never dried, so he had no need to travel far even for water.
Original
Hindi
इससे पूर्व कण्व और तो कहीं नहीं, केवल व्रजेश्वर नन्दके घर जाया करते थे। व्रजराज एवं व्रजरानी, दोनोंकी ही कण्वके प्रति बड़ी श्रद्धा थी। दोनों अपने हृदयकी बात कण्वको बताया करते। कण्वकी गृहस्थीका निर्वाह भी व्रजेश्वरके द्वारा दिये हुए अयाचित दानपर ही अवलम्बित था, किंतु पाँच वर्ष हो गये, भजनानन्दमें जगत्को भूले हुए कण्व व्रजेश्वरके घर भी न गये। इसीलिये नन्दनन्दनके प्रकट होनेकी बात भी कण्वको ज्ञात नहीं।
English translation
Before this seclusion, Kaṇva visited no other place except the home of Nanda, lord of Vraja. Both the king and queen of Vraja held him in great reverence and confided the matters of their hearts to him. Kaṇva's household had also been sustained entirely by unsolicited gifts from the lord of Vraja. Five years had now passed, however, during which Kaṇva, forgetful of the world in the bliss of devotion, had not visited even Nanda's house. He therefore knew nothing of the appearance of Nanda's son.
Original
Hindi
आज द्वादशीके दिन इष्टदेवपूजनके निमित्त पुष्पचयन एवं कन्द-मूल आहरण करते हुए वे अचानक कालिन्दी-तटपर, गोकुलके घाटपर आ निकले। वहाँ कुछ ग्वालिनें व्रजपुरकी ओरसे आयी हुई थीं, मधुपुरी जा रही थीं, परस्पर श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रकी मनोहर बाल्यचेष्टाओंकी चर्चा कर रही थीं। ईशप्रेरित उनके कुछ शब्द कण्वके कानोंमें प्रवेश कर गये। वर्षोंसे कण्वने ग्राम्यचर्चा सर्वथा नहीं सुनी थी। ग्रामवासियोंके दर्शनतक उन्होंने इने-गिने बार ही किये थे। पर आज ग्वालिनोंके कण्ठसे निकली हुई वह स्फुट ध्वनि कर्णरन्ध्रोंमें बरबस चली गयी, नहीं-नहीं, प्राणोंके अन्तस्तलमें जाकर गूँजने लगी।
English translation
That day, on Dvādaśī, while gathering flowers, tubers, and roots for worship of his chosen Lord, he unexpectedly emerged upon the bank of the Kālindī at Gokula's bathing place. Several cowherd women had come from Vraja and were traveling to Mathurā, speaking among themselves about Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra's enchanting infant deeds. By divine prompting, a few of their words entered Kaṇva's ears. For years he had heard no village talk at all and had seen villagers only on rare occasions. Yet that day the clear sound from the women's throats forced its way into his ears. No, it entered the innermost depth of his life and began to resound there.
Original
Hindi and Braj
कण्व अपनेको संवरण न कर सके। द्रुतगतिसे चलकर गोपसुन्दरियोंके समीप जा पहुँचे और जाकर पूछ ही बैठे, “माताओ! किसके पुत्रकी बात कर रही हो?” उत्तरमें अश्रुपूरित कण्ठसे गोपसुन्दरियोंने:
पुत्र भयौ री नन्दमहर कें बड़ी बैस बड़ भाग।
यहाँसे आरम्भ कर आजतक श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रकी विविध सुमधुर लीलाओंको गा-गाकर सुना दिया। सुनते-सुनते ब्राह्मण समाधिस्थ-से हो गये।
English translation
Kaṇva could no longer restrain himself. He hurried to the beautiful cowherd women and asked, “Mothers, whose son are you speaking about?” With voices choked by tears, they began:
“A son has been born to Lady Nanda in her advanced age. How exceedingly fortunate she is!”
Beginning there, they sang and narrated all of Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra's varied and supremely sweet pastimes up to that very day. As he listened, the brāhmaṇa seemed to enter samādhi.
Original
Hindi
जब ग्वालिनें चली गयीं, तब कहीं उन्हें बाह्यज्ञान हुआ। पर वे अब और सब कुछ भूल-से गये थे। नन्दप्राङ्गणमें स्थित ग्वालिनी-वर्णित बालककी मूर्ति ही नेत्रोंके सामने नाच रही थी। कन्द-मूलकी झोलीको, चयन किये हुए पुष्पसमूहको वहीं एक तमालके नीचे रखकर यन्त्रपरिचालित-से वे व्रजपुरकी ओर चल पड़े।
English translation
Only after the women had departed did awareness of the outer world return to him. By then he had almost forgotten everything else. Before his eyes danced only the form of the child in Nanda's courtyard whom the cowherd women had described. Leaving his bag of tubers and roots and the flowers he had gathered beneath a tamāla tree, he set out toward Vraja as though moved by a mechanism.
Original
Hindi
व्रजपुरकी सीमामें प्रवेश करते ही कण्वकी दृष्टि बदल गयी। वह आम्रपङ्क्ति, वह कदम्बश्रेणी, कण्वको प्रतीत हो रहा है, यह तो दिव्य कल्पतरुका वन है, उस पर्वतीय निर्झरसे तो अमृत झर रहा है, ये कूप-तड़ाग तो परम दिव्य सुधासे पूर्ण हैं; यह भूमि नहीं, यह तो चिन्तामणिका एक विशाल आस्तरण है। सामने गोपसुन्दरियाँ हैं, नहीं-नहीं, यह तो अगणित महालक्ष्मियोंका अवतरण हुआ है; यह देखो, इनकी वाणी संगीतमयी है, इनका गमन नृत्यमय है; आकाश चिन्मय, आकाशका सूर्य चिदानन्दमय, शब्द-स्पर्श-रूप-रस-गन्ध, ओह! व्रजपुरका तो सभी कुछ सच्चिदानन्दमय है!
English translation
The moment Kaṇva entered the boundary of Vraja, his vision changed. Looking at the rows of mango trees and kadamba groves, he felt, “This is a forest of divine wish-fulfilling trees. Nectar pours from that mountain spring, and these wells and ponds are filled with supremely divine ambrosia. This is not ordinary ground, but an immense covering of wish-fulfilling gems. Beautiful cowherd women stand before me. No, countless Mahālakṣmīs have descended. Their speech is music and their movement is dance. The sky is conscious, the sun within it is conscious bliss, and sound, touch, form, taste, and scent, oh, everything in Vraja is existence, consciousness, and bliss!”
Original
Hindi
इस प्रकार कण्व एक अनिर्वचनीय अनुभूति करते हुए, विस्फारित नेत्रोंसे गगनचुम्बी मणिसद्मोंकी ओर निहारते हुए धीरे-धीरे चलकर राजसभाके सम्मुख खड़े हो गये। प्रहरीने कण्वको देखते ही पहचान लिया। वह चरणोंमें गिरकर बोला, “देव! व्रजेश्वर इस समय अन्तःपुरमें हैं, आप वहीं पधारें।” कण्व अन्तःपुरमें प्रवेश कर गये।
English translation
Experiencing something beyond description, Kaṇva walked slowly onward, staring with widened eyes at jewel-built mansions touching the sky, until he stood before the royal assembly hall. The guard recognized him immediately, fell at his feet, and said, “Revered sir, the lord of Vraja is in the inner apartments. Please proceed there.” Kaṇva entered.
Original
Hindi
सहसा अपने चिरपरिचित प्रिय ब्राह्मणको आया देखकर नन्ददम्पतिके आनन्दकी सीमा नहीं। दोनों उठ खड़े हुए, दौड़कर आँगनमें चले आये तथा कण्वके चरणोंमें लोट गये। फिर अञ्जलि बाँधे हुए आगे-आगे चलकर उन्हें भीतर ले गये। अतिशय उमङ्गसे व्रजेशने ब्राह्मणका चरणप्रक्षालन किया, रत्नसिंहासनपर उन्हें बैठाया, पश्चात् अर्घ्य एवं मधुपर्क आदि समर्पित किये। इधर व्रजरानी दौड़ी गयीं, समीपमें ही खेलते हुए श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रको खेल छुड़ाकर ले आयीं; अञ्चलसे अपने नीलमणिका मुख पोंछकर, मुखपर बिखरी हुई अलकावलीको शीघ्रतासे ठीककर ब्राह्मणके चरणोंमें नीलमणिको डाल दिया।
English translation
The joy of Nanda and his wife knew no bounds when their beloved and long-familiar brāhmaṇa unexpectedly arrived. Both rose, ran into the courtyard, and prostrated themselves at Kaṇva's feet. Then, walking before him with folded hands, they led him inside. Filled with delight, the lord of Vraja washed his feet, seated him upon a jeweled throne, and offered arghya, madhuparka, and other honors. Meanwhile the queen of Vraja hurried away, stopped Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra's play nearby, and brought Him in. She wiped her sapphire's face with the end of her sari, quickly arranged the curls scattered over it, and placed Him at the brāhmaṇa's feet.
Original
Hindi
नीलमणि भोली चितवनसे देख रहे हैं कि यह क्या हो रहा है तथा ब्राह्मणको ऐसा लग रहा है कि मैं मानो स्वप्न देख रहा हूँ, स्वप्नमें ही मेरे यावज्जीवन ध्यानकी मूर्ति आज मूर्त होकर मुझे प्रत्यक्ष इस रूपमें दीख रही है। व्रजेश्वरने कण्वकी कुशल पूछी। स्वप्नसे जागे हुए-से कण्वने अपनी कुशल बताकर यह कहा, “नन्दराय! आज अचानक सुना कि तुम्हें पुत्र हुआ है; सुनते ही तुम्हारे पुत्रको देखने आया हूँ; आशीर्वाद देने आया हूँ।” ब्राह्मणकी यह बात सुनकर व्रजराजके, व्रजरानीके नेत्रोंमें आनन्दाश्रु छल-छल करने लगे। पर श्रीकृष्ण उसी समय खिलखिलाकर हँस पड़े।
English translation
The sapphire looked about innocently, wondering what was happening, while the brāhmaṇa felt that he must be dreaming. It was as though the form upon which he had meditated throughout his life had taken visible shape within a dream and now stood directly before him. The lord of Vraja asked about Kaṇva's welfare. Like one awakening from a dream, Kaṇva assured him that he was well and said, “Nanda, today I suddenly heard that a son had been born to you. The moment I heard, I came to see your child and bless Him.” Tears of joy filled the eyes of the king and queen of Vraja, but just then Śrī Kṛṣṇa burst into laughter.
Original
Hindi
ठीक उसी क्षण कण्वको मानो यह प्रतीत हुआ, मेरे हृदयमें अवस्थित मेरी इष्टमूर्ति बोल रही है, “कण्व! देखते हो! अरे! देखो, श्रीहरिके अधरोंपर आयी हुई इस हँसीको प्रत्यक्ष देख लो, इसमें लीन हो जाओ; ध्यान करते-करते अपनेको विलीन कर देनेका सर्वोत्तम स्थल यही तो है; ओह! इन अरुण अधरोष्ठकी अरुणिम कान्तिसे कुन्दपङ्क्तिसदृश दन्तावलिपर भी कैसी लालिमा-सी छायी हुई है। बाहर हँसते हुए श्रीहरिको देख रहे हो तो? वे ही अन्तर्हृदयमें भी विराजित हैं! इन्हींमें तन्मय हो जाओ। सुनो, मनको प्रेमरसमें डुबा दो, डुबा-डुबाकर मसृण कर लो; फिर इस मसृण मनको इन हास्यकिरणोंके सामने कर दो। बस, किरणें इसे आत्मसात् कर लेंगी। पर यह तभी सम्भव है, जब इनके अतिरिक्त अन्य कुछ भी देखनेकी वासना रहे ही नहीं।”
English translation
At that very moment, Kaṇva felt as though the form of his chosen Lord within his heart spoke: “Kaṇva, do you see? Look! Behold directly this laughter upon Śrī Hari's lips and dissolve within it. This is the finest place in which to lose yourself through meditation. Oh, the reddish radiance of those crimson lips casts such a glow even upon the row of teeth resembling kunda blossoms. You see Śrī Hari laughing outside, do you not? The same Lord dwells within your heart. Become wholly absorbed in Him. Immerse your mind in the nectar of love and make it tender by repeated immersion. Then place that tender mind before these rays of laughter, and the rays will draw it into themselves. This is possible only when no desire remains to see anything other than Him.”
Original
Sanskrit. Source: Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 3.28.33
ध्यानायनं प्रहसितं बहुलाधरोष्ठ-
भासारुणायिततनुद्विजकुन्दपङ्क्ति।
ध्यायेत्स्वदेहकुहरेऽवसितस्य विष्णो-
र्भक्त्याऽऽर्द्रयार्पितमना न पृथग्दिदृक्षेत्॥
English translation
One should meditate upon the broad smile of Viṣṇu dwelling within the cavity of one's heart, upon the row of His small teeth like kunda flowers, reddened by the abundant radiance of His lips. With a mind offered in devotion and made tender by love, one should desire to see nothing separate from Him.
Original
Hindi
कण्वका अङ्ग-प्रत्यङ्ग नाच उठा। रत्नसिंहासनसे वे हठात् उठ खड़े हुए। व्रजेश एवं व्रजरानी ब्राह्मणकी मुखमुद्रा देखकर किंचित् आश्चर्यमें पड़ गये हैं; किंतु श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रके मुखारविन्दपर पुनः एक मुसकान छा जाती है तथा तत्क्षण ही ब्राह्मणका भाव बदल जाता है। वे पूर्ववत् आसनपर बैठ जाते हैं। यह नन्दपुत्र अप्रतिम सुन्दर है, यह वृत्ति तो अभी भी स्पन्दित हो रही है; पर इसके अतिरिक्त कण्वकी अन्य अनुभूतियोंपर मानो किसीने यवनिका गिरा दी।
English translation
Every limb of Kaṇva's body began to dance, and he abruptly rose from the jeweled throne. Seeing the expression on his face, the king and queen of Vraja were somewhat astonished. Another smile spread across Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra's lotus face, however, and the brāhmaṇa's mood instantly changed. He sat down again as before. The awareness that Nanda's son was incomparably beautiful still pulsed within him, but a curtain seemed to fall over all his other perceptions.
Original
Hindi
“तो व्रजेश! अब चलता हूँ, मध्याह्न उपस्थित है; ओह! आज बड़ा ही अतिकाल हो गया,” पुनः आसनसे उठते-उठते कण्वने कहा। किंतु व्रजरानीने चरण पकड़ लिये और बोलीं, “देव! आज द्वादशीका पारण यहीं करनेकी कृपा करनी पड़ेगी। इतने दिनोंके पश्चात् तो आप पधारे हैं और इतना विलम्ब हो गया है; आज तो मैं पारण किये बिना कदापि जाने न दूँगी।” यह कहकर व्रजरानीने कण्वके चरणोंमें अपना सिर रख दिया। ब्राह्मणने स्वयं आहरण किये हुए वन्य कन्द-मूलोंसे उदरपूर्ति करनेका पाँच वर्षोंसे व्रत ले रखा था; पर विशुद्ध श्रद्धाकी ही जय हुई, उन्होंने निमन्त्रण स्वीकार कर लिया।
English translation
“Then, lord of Vraja, I shall go now. Midday has arrived. Oh, it has grown very late today,” Kaṇva said as he rose once more. The queen of Vraja caught his feet and pleaded, “Revered sir, please break your Dvādaśī fast here today. You have come after so many days and it is already so late. I shall not let you leave without taking your pāraṇa here.” Saying this, she placed her head at his feet. For five years the brāhmaṇa had vowed to sustain himself only upon wild tubers and roots he gathered himself, but pure reverence prevailed, and he accepted her invitation.
Original
Hindi
यशोदारानीने तुरंत अतिशय शीघ्रतासे पहले स्वयं स्नान किया, फिर नन्दोद्यानसे संलग्न एक गोशालामें गयीं। गोशालाके एक निर्वात अंशमें गोबरका चौका लगाया, चूल्हेका निर्माण किया, गोबरसे लीपकर चूल्हेका भी संस्कार किया; फिर सुवर्णकलशीमें यमुनाजल भर लायीं, नवीन पवित्र सुन्दर मृत्पात्रमें पद्मगन्धिनी गायका दूध दुहकर रख दिया; स्वर्णथालमें शालितण्डुल, रत्नजटित हेम-कटोरेमें शर्करा, मणिनिर्मित कटोरीमें कर्पूर भरकर ले आयीं; घृत, एला, लवङ्ग, केसर, शुष्क सुगन्धित काष्ठ, करछी आदि समस्त रन्धनसामग्री वहाँ एकत्र कर दी। आधी घड़ी समाप्त होते-न-होते कण्वके सामने हाथ जोड़कर खड़ी हो गयीं और भोजन बनानेके लिये प्रार्थना करने लगीं।
English translation
Queen Yaśodā immediately bathed, then went to a cowshed adjoining Nanda's garden. In a windless corner she marked out a purified space with cow dung, built a hearth, and sanctified it by plastering it with cow dung. She filled a golden pitcher with Yamunā water, milked a lotus-scented cow into a new, pure, beautiful clay vessel, brought śāli rice on a golden plate, sugar in a jewel-studded golden bowl, and camphor in a gem-made cup. She gathered there all the other cooking articles, including ghee, cardamom, cloves, saffron, dry fragrant wood, and a ladle. Before even half a ghaṭī had passed, she stood before Kaṇva with folded hands and requested him to cook.
Original
Hindi
कण्व व्रजरानीके पीछे-पीछे चलकर रन्धनशालामें चले आये। आ तो गये, पर मनकी विचित्र दशा है। जितनी देर व्रजेश्वरी रन्धनकी व्यवस्था कर रही थीं, उतनी देर वे निर्निमेष नयनोंसे श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रका सौन्दर्य, उनकी मनोहर बाल्यभङ्गिमा निहारते रहे हैं। उनकी आँखोंमें नन्दनन्दनका अतुल सौन्दर्य सब ओरसे भर गया है। कण्वको रन्धनशाला नन्दनन्दनमयी प्रतीत हो रही है। उन्हें चूल्हा नहीं दीखता, चूल्हेके स्थानमें अधरोंपर मन्द मुसकान लिये नन्दनन्दन खड़े दीखते हैं। स्वर्णकलशी, सुवर्णथाल, दुग्धपात्रमें नन्दनन्दन भरे प्रतीत हो रहे हैं; गोशालाकी भित्तिमें अगणित नन्दनन्दन नाचते दीख रहे हैं, द्वारको रुद्ध किये नन्दनन्दन खड़े हैं, गवाक्षरन्ध शतसहस्र नन्दनन्दनसे परिपूरित है। कण्वके हृदयमें एक रसमय झंझावात चल पड़ता है। वे सोचने लगते हैं, “मेरी ऐसी दशा क्यों हो गयी? मेरी आँखोंमें क्या हो गया?”
English translation
Kaṇva followed the queen of Vraja into the kitchen, but his mind was in a strange condition. Throughout the time she made the arrangements, he had gazed without blinking upon Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra's beauty and enchanting infant gestures. The incomparable loveliness of Nanda's son had filled his eyes from every side, and the kitchen now seemed pervaded by Him. Kaṇva did not see the hearth; in its place he saw Nanda's son standing with a gentle smile upon His lips. The golden pitcher, golden plate, and milk vessel seemed filled with Him. Countless forms of Nanda's son danced upon the cowshed walls, another stood blocking the doorway, and hundreds of thousands filled the lattice opening. A storm of devotional nectar swept through Kaṇva's heart. “Why has this happened to me? What has happened to my eyes?” he wondered.
Original
Hindi
जबतक श्रीकृष्णजननी रन्धनशालामें उपस्थित थीं, तबतक रह-रहकर वे तो दीख जाती थीं। किंतु मर्यादाकी रक्षाके लिये, ऐसे पवित्र ब्राह्मणके भोजनपर मेरी छाया न पड़े, इस भावनासे जब वे कण्वको प्रणाम कर चली गयीं, तब केवल नन्दनन्दनकी छवि ही बच रही। यहाँतक कि जब कण्व अपनी तलहथी उठाकर आँखोंके सामने करते तो तलहथीमें भी नन्दनन्दनकी छवि अङ्कित दीखती; अपने उत्तरीय एवं कटिस्तरमें भी नन्दनन्दनका सजीव प्रतिचित्र झलमल-झलमल कर रहा था। इसीलिये कुछ देरतक तो कण्व कर्तव्यविमूढ़-से हुए शान्त जड़वत् बैठे रहे। पर उसी समय मानो हृदयकी इष्टमूर्ति एक बार पुनः बोल उठी, “कण्व! भोग अर्पण नहीं करोगे? अतिकाल हो रहा है, मुझे क्षुधा लग रही है।”
English translation
As long as Śrī Kṛṣṇa's mother remained in the kitchen, she still appeared from time to time. To preserve propriety, however, she bowed to Kaṇva and departed, thinking, “My shadow should not fall upon the food of such a pure brāhmaṇa.” Then only the image of Nanda's son remained. Even when Kaṇva raised his palm before his eyes, he saw that image imprinted upon it. A living likeness of the child shimmered upon his upper cloth and waist garment as well. For some time he sat motionless and silent, bewildered about his duty. Then the chosen form within his heart seemed to speak again: “Kaṇva, will you not offer My food? It is growing very late, and I am hungry.”
Original
Hindi and Braj. Braj line attributed to Sūrdās
इस प्रकार किसी अचिन्त्य प्रेरणासे जगाये हुए-से कण्वका यह आवेश किंचित् शिथिल हुआ और वे रन्धनमें लगे। अग्नि प्रज्वलितकर उन्होंने उक्त द्रव्योंसे सुन्दर स्वादु खीर प्रस्तुत करके खीरको स्वर्णथालमें ढाल दिया। तालवृन्तकी बयार देकर वे उसे शीतल करने लगे। भोजनके योग्य शीतल होते ही उसपर तुलसीमञ्जरी रख दी तथा विधिपूर्वक इष्टदेवको भोग समर्पितकर, सामने वस्त्रका आवरण डालकर अपने नेत्र मूँद लिये:
घृत मिष्टान्न खीर मिश्रित करि परुसि कृष्ण-हित ध्यान लगायो।
English translation
Awakened as though by some inconceivable prompting, Kaṇva's absorption relaxed slightly and he began to cook. Lighting the fire, he prepared delicious kheer from the assembled ingredients and poured it onto a golden plate. He cooled it with the breeze of a palm-leaf fan. As soon as it became cool enough to eat, he placed a sprig of tulasī upon it, duly offered it to his chosen Lord, drew a cloth screen in front, and closed his eyes:
He mixed the sweet kheer with ghee, served it, and fixed his meditation upon Kṛṣṇa.
Original
Hindi and Braj. Braj line attributed to Sūrdās
किंतु मानसिक भावना समाप्त होनेपर जब कण्वने आँखें खोलीं और देखा तो वे अवाक् रह गये:
नैन उघारि विप्र जो देखै, खात कन्हैया देखन पायौ॥
English translation
When his mental offering was complete, Kaṇva opened his eyes and looked, then fell speechless:
When the brāhmaṇa opened his eyes, he found Kanhaiyā eating before him.
Original
Hindi
कण्वने देखा, अपने इष्टदेवके लिये मैंने जिस आसनकी कल्पना की थी, उसपर नन्दनन्दन बैठे हैं। अपने वङ्किम नेत्रोंको इधर-उधर संचालित करते हुए हाथसे खीर उठा-उठाकर खा रहे हैं। इस झाँकीके सामने आनेपर कण्वके शरीरमें, शरीरके अणु-अणुमें एक बार तो अभिनव तडित्-लहरी-सी दौड़ गयी। उनके नेत्र छल-छल करने लगे। पर दूसरे ही क्षण श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र भीतिविजड़ित नयनोंसे ब्राह्मणकी ओर देखते हुए, खीर आरोगना छोड़कर, आसनपर उठ खड़े हुए। बस, उनका उठना था कि कण्वका भाव बदल गया, “आह! इस चञ्चल नन्दपुत्रने तो मेरे इष्टदेवका भोग भ्रष्ट कर दिया।” ब्राह्मणके हृदयमें एक व्यथा-सी हुई, नेत्रोंमें भी किंचित् रोषका आभास-सा छा गया। गम्भीर स्वरमें उन्होंने पुकारा, “व्रजेश्वरि! इधर आओ।”
English translation
Kaṇva saw Nanda's son seated upon the place he had mentally prepared for his chosen Lord. Moving His curved eyes from side to side, the child repeatedly scooped up kheer with His hand and ate it. At this sight, a fresh wave of lightning seemed to race through every atom of Kaṇva's body, and his eyes filled with tears. In the next moment, however, Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra looked toward the brāhmaṇa with fear-stricken eyes, stopped eating, and stood upon the seat. The instant He rose, Kaṇva's mood changed: “Alas! This restless son of Nanda has defiled my Lord's offering.” Pain entered the brāhmaṇa's heart and a trace of anger shadowed his eyes. In a grave voice he called, “Queen of Vraja, come here.”
Original
Hindi
इधर, ब्राह्मणकी व्यवस्था करके व्रजेश्वरी श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रके पास चली गयी थीं। श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र तो खेलमें उन्मत्त हो रहे थे। अतः व्रजरानी, जैसा दान व्रजेशने पुत्रके जन्मोत्सवपर प्रति ब्राह्मणको दिया था उससे अधिक कण्वको देनेका आदेश देने, उन वस्तुओंको स्वयं अपने हाथों सहेजने चली गयीं। यह कार्य करके वे पुनः श्रीकृष्णके समीप आयीं, पर श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र वहाँ न मिले। अतिशय शीघ्रतासे पूछकर गोशालाकी ओर अग्रसर हुईं; क्योंकि उसी ओर अभी-अभी कुछ क्षण पहले दासियोंने श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रको जाते देखा था। इधर वे द्वारपर आयीं और उधर कण्वने पुकारा। कण्वके रूक्ष स्वरको सुनते ही नन्दरानीका हृदय धक्-धक् करने लगा। दौड़कर भीतर प्रवेश कर गयीं।
English translation
After arranging for the brāhmaṇa, the queen of Vraja had returned to Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra, who was wholly absorbed in play. She then went to order that Kaṇva be given more than the lord of Vraja had presented to each brāhmaṇa at their son's birth festival, and to arrange those gifts with her own hands. When she returned, Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra was gone. She quickly asked where He was and hurried toward the cowshed, for servants had seen Him heading that way only moments before. She reached the doorway just as Kaṇva called. Hearing the harshness in his voice, Nanda's queen's heart began to pound, and she ran inside.
Original
Hindi
उनके आते ही कण्व ग्लानिपूर्ण स्वरमें बोल उठे, “यशोदारानी! तुम्हारे पुत्रने क्या किया है, देख लो।” “नीलमणि! नीलमणि! मेरे लाल! तुमने यह क्या अनर्थ कर डाला,” घटनासे अत्यन्त व्यथित व्रजरानी इससे अधिक बोल न सकीं। पर श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र ऐसी सरल दृष्टिसे जननीकी ओर, ब्राह्मणकी ओर देख रहे हैं जैसे कुछ हुआ ही न हो। उस भोली चितवनसे कण्वका रोषाभास तो उड़ ही गया, बल्कि वे तो भय करने लगे कि कहीं इस सरलमति सुकुमार बालकको इस छोटी-सी बातके लिये व्रजरानी कुछ दण्ड न दे दें।
English translation
The moment she entered, Kaṇva said in a distressed voice, “Queen Yaśodā, see what your son has done.” “Sapphire! My sapphire, my darling! What calamity have You caused?” Deeply pained, the queen could say no more. Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra looked toward His mother and the brāhmaṇa with such innocent eyes that it seemed nothing had happened. That guileless gaze swept away even the appearance of Kaṇva's anger. Indeed, he began to fear that the queen might punish this tender, simple-minded child for such a small matter.
Original
Hindi
इसीलिये ही वे नीरवता भङ्ग करते हुए बोले, “नन्दगेहिनी! बालकका कोई दोष नहीं, अन्नके कण-कणपर ईशविधानकी छाप रहती है; तुम्हारा पुत्र तो निमित्तमात्र है। नहीं-नहीं, इसने तो मेरे व्रतकी रक्षा की है; आसक्तिवश मैं नीचे गिर रहा था, इसने मुझे गिरनेसे बचा लिया; ग्राम्यजीवनका परित्याग कर चुका था, कन्दमूलाहारी होनेका व्रती था। पर तुम्हारे विशुद्ध आग्रहवश पुनः पीछे लौट रहा था, प्रभुने इस बालकके द्वारा मेरी रक्षा कर दी; मैं आशीर्वाद देता हूँ, यह बालक चिरञ्जीवी हो, तुम्हारी सुखसमृद्धि निरन्तर बढ़े। पर अब मैं चलता हूँ, बहुत ही अतिकाल हो गया है।” कण्व चलनेके लिये प्रस्तुत हो गये।
English translation
Breaking the silence, he said, “Lady of Nanda's house, the child is not at fault. Every grain of food bears the stamp of divine ordinance, and your son was merely the instrument. No, He has protected my vow. Attachment was causing me to fall, and He saved me. I had renounced village life and vowed to eat only roots and tubers, yet your pure insistence was drawing me backward. Through this child, the Lord protected me. I bless Him: may He live long, and may your happiness and prosperity continually increase. But now I shall go. It has grown very late.” Kaṇva prepared to leave.
Original
Hindi
व्रजेश्वरी रो पड़ीं। कण्वके समक्ष घुटने टेककर, हाथ जोड़कर रोती हुई बोलीं, “देव! इस बालकने जो अपराध किया है, उसका यत्किंचित् मार्जन तभी सम्भव है, जब आप पुनः खीर बनाकर मेरे घर पारण कर लें। अन्यथा मुझ अभागिनीके भाग्यमें न जाने क्या लिखा है।” व्रजरानीके इस निष्कपट क्रन्दनके आगे परम भागवत कण्व पुनः झुक गये। पुनः रन्धनव्यवस्था कर देनेकी अनुमति कण्वसे नन्दरानीने ले ही ली।
English translation
The queen of Vraja began to weep. Kneeling before Kaṇva with folded hands, she pleaded through her tears, “Revered sir, the offense this child has committed can be cleansed to some small degree only if you prepare kheer again and break your fast in my home. Otherwise, who knows what is written in the fate of this unfortunate woman?” Before her guileless crying, Kaṇva, the supreme devotee, yielded again, and Nanda's queen obtained his permission to arrange another cooking place.
Original
Hindi
व्रजेश्वरीने पुनः स्नान किया। पार्श्ववर्ती एक अन्य गोशालाका सम्मार्जन कर पुनः नवीन सुवर्णकलशीमें वे जल भर लायीं। फिरसे शालितण्डुल, स्वर्णथाल, दुग्ध, शर्करा, केसर, घृत आदि समस्त सामग्री एकत्रितकर ब्राह्मणको वहाँ ले गयीं। कण्व भी खीर प्रस्तुत करनेकी योजनामें लगे। पर उन्हें नन्दनन्दनका खीरसे सना मुखारविन्द भूल नहीं रहा था। कितनी बार कण्वने चेष्टा की कि इस ओरसे वृत्ति समेटकर इष्टचिन्तनमें तन्मय कर दें, पर मन इस झाँकीसे बँधा प्रतीत होता था। इसीलिये रन्धनकार्यमें भी व्यतिक्रम हो रहा था। तण्डुल-निक्षेपसे पूर्व उन्होंने दुग्धमें शर्करा डाल दी, फिर उसमें घृतपात्र उड़ेल दिया। अब स्मरण आया कि “अरे! तण्डुल छोड़ना तो भूल ही गया, खीर बनेगी कैसे?” यह सोचकर आवश्यकतासे अधिक तण्डुल डाल दिये। फिर भी जैसे-तैसे खीर बन ही गयी एवं जगन्नियन्ताकी इच्छासे परम सुन्दर-स्वादु ही बनी। खीरकी सुवाससे गोशाला सुवासित होने लगी। कण्वने पहलेकी ही भाँति विधिपूर्वक भोग धराया और भोग धरकर वे इष्टचिन्तनमें निमग्न हो गये।
English translation
The queen bathed again, swept another nearby cowshed, and brought water in a new golden pitcher. Once more she gathered śāli rice, a golden plate, milk, sugar, saffron, ghee, and all the other ingredients, then led the brāhmaṇa there. Kaṇva began preparing the kheer, but could not forget Nanda's son's lotus face smeared with it. Again and again he tried to withdraw his mind from that image and immerse it in contemplation of his chosen Lord, yet his heart seemed bound to the sight. His cooking therefore fell out of order. Before adding the rice, he put sugar into the milk and then emptied the vessel of ghee into it. Only then did he remember, “Ah, I forgot the rice. How will this become kheer?” Thinking this, he added more rice than needed. Somehow the kheer was completed, and by the will of the Lord of the universe it became exceedingly beautiful and delicious. Its fragrance filled the cowshed. Kaṇva offered it according to the same procedure as before and immersed himself in contemplation of his Lord.
Original
Hindi
इधर नीलमणिसे अतिशय शङ्कित होकर जननी यशोदा उन्हें गोशालासे बाहर ले आयी थीं, तोरणद्वारके समीप अलिन्दपर आम्रकी सुशीतल छायामें नीलमणिको गोदमें लिये बैठी थीं। निश्चय कर चुकी थीं कि जबतक ब्राह्मणका पारण न हो लेगा, तबतक इसे छोड़कर मैं कहीं जाऊँगी ही नहीं। श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र भी जननीकी गोदमें शान्त होकर बैठे थे। सामने कुछ मयूर नृत्य कर रहे थे, उन्हींकी ओर वे देख रहे थे। एक-दो बार मयूरोंको पकड़नेके उद्देश्यसे उठ खड़े हुए, पर जननीने जाने न दिया। किंतु कुछ ही देर बाद शीतल वायुके स्पर्शसे वे अलसाङ्ग होने लगे। देखते-ही-देखते जननीकी गोदमें निद्रित हो गये।
English translation
Deeply suspicious of her sapphire, Mother Yaśodā had brought Him out of the cowshed and sat with Him in her lap upon a veranda near the arched gateway, beneath the refreshing shade of a mango tree. She had resolved not to leave Him anywhere until the brāhmaṇa completed his pāraṇa. Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra sat quietly in her lap, watching several peacocks dance before Him. Once or twice He rose to catch them, but His mother would not let Him go. After a short while, the touch of the cool breeze made His limbs drowsy, and before her eyes He fell asleep in her lap.
Original
Hindi
नीलमणिको निद्रित देखकर जननी निश्चिन्त हो गयीं। मैयाने भी रात एकादशीका जागरण किया था; तथा अलिन्दपर झुर-झुर करता हुआ सुखद शीतल, मन्द, सुगन्ध पवन प्रवाहित हो रहा था। अतः जननीके नेत्र भी निमीलित होने लगे। जिस क्षण कण्व गोशालामें भोग समर्पितकर इष्टचिन्तनमें निमग्न हुए, ठीक उसी क्षण जननी श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रको वक्षःस्थलपर धारण किये तन्द्रामें, नहीं-नहीं, हृद्देशमें नित्य विराजित अपने नीलमणिमें, लीन हो गयीं। विशेष नहीं, कुछ ही क्षणोंका अन्तर रहा। पर पहले जागे श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र। तथा जबतक जननीकी तन्द्रा टूटी, तबतक श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र मैयाकी दृष्टिसे उस पार गोशालामें, कण्वकी रन्धनशालामें पुनः प्रविष्ट हो चुके थे। अस्त-व्यस्त हुई जननी दौड़ी अवश्य, पर अब तो विलम्ब हो चुका था।
English translation
Seeing her sapphire asleep, the mother relaxed. She too had kept vigil on Ekādaśī night, and a pleasant, cool, gentle, fragrant breeze murmured across the veranda. Her eyelids began to close. At the very moment Kaṇva offered the food in the cowshed and became absorbed in contemplation of his Lord, the mother, holding Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra against her breast, sank into drowsiness. No, she merged into her sapphire, eternally enthroned within her heart. Only a few moments passed, but Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra awoke first. Before His mother's drowsiness broke, He had passed beyond her sight and entered the cowshed, Kaṇva's kitchen, once again. The disheveled mother ran after Him, but it was already too late.
Original
Hindi
कण्वने अष्टोत्तरशत जप-संख्या पूर्ण होनेपर, इष्टदेवको मानसिक आचमनीय अर्पण करके आँखें खोलीं। खोलते ही पूर्वानुभूत दृश्य ही सामने दीख पड़ा, अवश्य ही इस बार शतगुणित माधुर्य लिये। ओह! अरुणाभ नयनाम्बुज हैं, पद्मरागनिबद्ध-व्याघ्रनखभूषित ग्रीवा है, मणिकिङ्किणीविभूषित कटिदेश है, नूपुर-शोभित चरणारविन्द हैं, प्रफुल्लनीलोत्पल-विनिन्दित अङ्गकान्तिसे रन्धनशालाको उद्भासित करते हुए नन्दनन्दन पहलेकी भाँति ही आसनपर विराजित होकर खीर खा रहे हैं। कण्व मौन रहकर इस शोभाराशिकी ओर देखते ही रह गये।
English translation
After completing one hundred and eight repetitions of his mantra, Kaṇva mentally offered water for sipping to his chosen Lord and opened his eyes. The same sight as before appeared before him, now bearing a hundred times the sweetness. Oh! There were lotus eyes tinged with red, a neck adorned by a tiger-claw ornament set with rubies, a waist decorated with jeweled bells, and lotus feet beautified by anklets. Illuminating the kitchen with the radiance of limbs that put fully blossomed blue lotuses to shame, Nanda's son sat upon the seat as before and ate the kheer. Kaṇva remained silent, gazing upon that mass of beauty.
Original
Hindi
यशोदारानीने भी देखा। पर वे तो किंकर्तव्यविमूढ़ हो गयीं। एक बार ब्राह्मण-कोपानलसे रक्षा हो गयी, बार-बार थोड़े ही होगी, जननीके नेत्रोंके सामने अन्धकार-सा छा गया। इतनेमें व्रजेश्वर वहाँ आ पहुँचे। पुत्रके प्रथम अपराधकी बात वे नन्दरानीसे सुन चुके थे। इसीलिये भर्त्सना करते हुए श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रकी ओर बढ़े। पर आगे बढ़कर कण्वने रोक दिया, साथ ही अत्यन्त मृदुल स्वरमें वे कहने लगे, “व्रजेश! इस बालकको कुछ भी कहनेसे मुझे मार्मिक पीड़ा होगी।”
English translation
Queen Yaśodā also saw Him, but stood bewildered about what to do. He had escaped the fire of the brāhmaṇa's anger once, but could hardly do so again and again. Darkness seemed to cover the mother's eyes. Just then the lord of Vraja arrived. He had already heard from Nanda's queen about their son's first offense, so he advanced toward Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra while scolding Him. Kaṇva stepped forward and stopped him, saying in an exceedingly gentle voice, “Lord of Vraja, it would cause me profound pain if you said anything to this child.”
Original
Hindi
“सुनो! मैं रुचिपूर्वक कहता हूँ कि वे नहीं चाहते कि तुम्हारे घर मेरा पारण हो। अब मुझे जाने दो, क्योंकि दिनका चतुर्थ प्रहर आरम्भ हो गया है; दिवाकर अस्ताचलगामी हों, इससे पूर्व आश्रममें मुझे पहुँच जाना चाहिये, अन्यथा आज अरण्यमें पथ पा लेना असम्भव हो जायगा। तुम जानते हो, मैं कभी असत्यभाषण नहीं करता; मैं किंचित् भी रुष्ट नहीं हूँ। मेरे कारण तुम्हारे पुत्रका कोई भी अमङ्गल न होगा, तुम विश्वास करो।”
English translation
“Listen. I tell you sincerely that He does not wish me to break my fast in your house. Let me go now, for the day's fourth watch has begun. I must reach my hermitage before the sun travels to the mountain of setting, otherwise it will be impossible to find the forest path today. You know that I never speak falsely. I am not even slightly angry. Believe me, no misfortune will befall your son on my account.”
Original
Hindi
कहाँ तो मेरे नीलमणिका इतना गुरु अपराध और कहाँ ब्राह्मणदेवकी इतनी उदार वृत्ति, व्रजमहिषीके हृदयमें एक साथ ही हर्ष एवं दुःखकी दो धाराएँ फूट निकलीं, वे सिसक-सिसककर रोने लगीं। उन्हें सिसकते देखकर कण्वने फिर कहा, “नन्दगेहिनी! मैं अन्तर्हृदयसे आशीर्वाद देता हूँ, तुम्हारे पुत्रका मङ्गल-ही-मङ्गल होगा और यदि तुम्हारे मनमें कहीं यह ग्लानि हो रही है कि ब्राह्मण बिना पारण किये जा रहे हैं, तो लाओ, दहीके किंचित् कण मेरे हाथपर रख दो; आचमन करके, प्रभुको निवेदन कर उसीसे मैं व्रतका पारण किये लेता हूँ।”
English translation
Her sapphire had committed so grave an offense, yet the venerable brāhmaṇa displayed such generosity. Two streams, one of joy and one of sorrow, sprang simultaneously within the queen of Vraja's heart, and she began to sob. Seeing her, Kaṇva said, “Lady of Nanda's house, I bless your son from the depths of my heart. Only auspiciousness will be His. If you feel distressed that a brāhmaṇa is leaving without breaking his fast, place a few drops of curd upon my hand. I shall sip water, offer them to the Lord, and complete my fast with that.”
Original
Hindi
ब्राह्मणकी बात सुनकर नन्दरानीके मनमें साहस आ गया। वे बोलीं, “देव! किस मुँहसे निवेदन करूँ, पर आप मेरे स्वभावसे परिचित हैं। मैं जीवनभर इस दुःखको भूल न सकूँगी कि आप बिना भोजन किये मेरे घरसे चले गये।” यह कहते-कहते व्रजरानीके नेत्रोंसे अनर्गल अश्रुप्रवाह बह चलता है। इसी समय कण्वकी दृष्टि मुखमें खीर लपेटे नन्दनन्दनकी ओर चली गयी। उन्हें प्रतीत हुआ, बालक जननीको रोते देखकर भयभीत हो रहा है। बस, कण्व तो व्याकुल हो उठे। आकुलकण्ठसे बोले, “नन्दरानी! शान्त होओ; देखो, तुम्हें रोते देखकर तुम्हारा पुत्र भयभीत हो रहा है। बोलो, क्या चाहती हो? संकोचरहित होकर बताओ, मैं तुम्हें दुःखी करके यहाँसे जाना नहीं चाहता।”
English translation
The brāhmaṇa's words gave Nanda's queen courage. She said, “Revered sir, with what face can I ask you? Yet you know my nature. I shall never in my life forget the sorrow that you left my home without eating.” As she spoke, tears streamed unchecked from her eyes. Kaṇva's gaze fell upon Nanda's son, whose mouth was smeared with kheer. The child appeared frightened by His mother's crying, and Kaṇva grew distraught. In an agitated voice he said, “Queen of Nanda, be calm. See, your crying is frightening your son. Tell me what you want. Speak without hesitation. I do not wish to leave after making you unhappy.”
Original
Hindi
व्रजरानीको आशा हो गयी कि अब ब्राह्मण मेरी प्रार्थना स्वीकार कर लेंगे। वे बोलीं, “देव! बस, एक बार आप और रन्धनका परिश्रम स्वीकार कर लें। मैं तुरंत सभी वस्तुएँ लाती हूँ, दूसरे स्थानमें सारी व्यवस्था कर देती हूँ तथा फिर मैं इस चञ्चल बालकको लेकर अन्य व्रजगोपके घर चली जाऊँगी। इतना ही नहीं, गोशालाके जितने द्वार हैं, सबपर एक-एक गोपको बैठा देती हूँ। एकपर स्वयं व्रजेश्वर रहेंगे। जबतक आपका पारण नहीं हो जायगा तबतक प्रत्येक द्वारपर प्रहरी रहेगा। देखती हूँ, यह कैसे आता है।” कण्वने एक बार नन्दनन्दनकी ओर देखा तथा फिर व्रजरानीको स्वीकृति दे दी।
English translation
Hope arose in the queen of Vraja that the brāhmaṇa would now accept her request. She said, “Revered sir, please undertake the labor of cooking only once more. I shall bring every ingredient immediately and arrange everything in another place. Then I shall take this restless child to the home of another cowherd. More than that, I shall station one cowherd at every entrance to the cowshed, with the lord of Vraja himself guarding one of them. Until you have completed your pāraṇa, a guard will remain at each door. Let me see how He comes in then.” Kaṇva looked once at Nanda's son and gave his consent.
Original
Hindi
तीसरी गोशालामें पुनः ज्यों-के-त्यों वे सारे उपकरण एकत्र हुए। साथ ही मुख्य द्वारपर स्वयं व्रजेश द्वारी बने। अन्य द्वारोंपर तथा प्रत्येक गवाक्षके समीप एक-एक गोप सजग होकर बैठे कि कहींसे भी श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र प्रवेश न कर सकें। यह प्रबन्ध करके व्रजरानी श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रको लेकर उपनन्दके घर चली गयीं। उपनन्दके घरके द्वार भी बन्द कर लिये गये। कण्वने भी पायसका निर्माण किया। अर्पणकी विधि भी सम्पन्न हुई। पर ज्यों ही कण्वने भोजनकी भावना करना आरम्भ किया कि बस, श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र जननीसे हाथ छुड़ाकर भाग खड़े हुए। जननी सारी शक्ति बटोरकर पीछे दौड़ी, पर न जाने कैसे उपनन्द-गृहका रुद्ध द्वार खुल गया और श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र बाहर निकल आये।
English translation
All the same implements were gathered once more in a third cowshed. The lord of Vraja personally guarded the main entrance, while vigilant cowherds sat at the other doors and beside every lattice so that Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra could enter from nowhere. After making these arrangements, the queen of Vraja took Him to Upananda's house, whose doors were also locked. Kaṇva prepared the pāyasa and completed the offering rite. The instant he began to visualize the Lord eating, however, Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra pulled His hand from His mother's and ran. Gathering all her strength, she raced after Him, but somehow the barred door of Upananda's house opened and He escaped outside.
Original
Hindi and Braj. Braj line attributed to Sūrdās
जननीने कातर होकर पुकारा, “नारायण! नारायण!! रक्षा करो!!! प्रभो! प्रभो!! व्रजेश्वर या कोई भी गोप मेरे नीलमणिको गोशालाके द्वारपर ही रोक ले!!!” यह पुकार लगाती हुई जब वे गोशालाके द्वारपर पहुँचीं, तब देखा, व्रजेश्वरने नीलमणिको पकड़ लिया है। फिर तो व्रजरानीके आनन्दकी सीमा नहीं रही। समीप जाकर उन्होंने श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रके दोनों हाथ पकड़ लिये और किंचित् रोषमें भरकर बोलीं, “नीलमणि! अरे, तू इतना दुष्ट कैसे हो गया; प्रातःकालसे एक ब्राह्मणको कष्ट दे रहा है:
वह अपने ठाकुरहि जिंवावै, तू ऐसैं उठि धावै।”
English translation
The mother cried piteously, “Nārāyaṇa! Nārāyaṇa! Protect Him! Lord, Lord! May the king of Vraja or any cowherd stop my sapphire at the cowshed door!” Calling out in this way, she reached the entrance and saw that the lord of Vraja had caught Him. Her joy then knew no bounds. Approaching, she grasped both of Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra's hands and said with a trace of anger, “Sapphire, how have You become so wicked? Since morning You have tormented a brāhmaṇa:
“He is trying to feed his Lord, yet You keep getting up and running there.”
Original
Hindi and Braj. Braj verse attributed to Sūrdās
किंतु नन्दनन्दन भी इस बार, भयभीत होना तो दूर, रोषमें भरकर अविलम्ब बोल उठे:
जननी! दोष देति कत मोकौं, बहु बिधान करि ध्यावै।
नैन मूँदि कर जोरि नाम लै बारहिं बार बुलावै॥
English translation
This time Nanda's son was far from frightened. Filled with indignation, He immediately replied:
“Mother, why do you blame Me? He meditates upon Me in so many ways. Closing his eyes, joining his hands, and taking My name, he calls Me again and again.”
Original
Hindi
व्रजरानी समझ न सकीं कि नीलमणि क्या कह रहा है। उनकी वृत्ति इस समय केवलमात्र इतना ही ग्रहण कर रही है कि व्रजेश्वरने नीलमणिको पकड़ लिया, अन्यथा यह रन्धनशालामें प्रवेश कर गया होता। व्रजरानी यह नहीं जानतीं कि व्रजेशके द्वारा रुद्ध हो जानेपर भी उनका नीलमणि तो रन्धनशालामें कभीका पहुँच चुका है, कण्वका भोग स्वीकार कर अपने योगीन्द्रमुनीन्द्रदुर्लभ दर्शनसे उन्हें कृतार्थ कर रहा है। प्रेमरसभावितमति यशोदारानी यह जान भी नहीं सकतीं; क्योंकि उन्हें पता नहीं कि जो अजन्मा है, पुरुषोत्तम है, जो प्रत्येक कल्पमें स्वयं अपने-आपमें अपने-आपका ही सृजन करता है, पालन करता है और फिर संहार कर लेता है, जो मायालेशशून्य-विशुद्ध है, केवल ज्ञानस्वरूप है, अन्तरात्माके रूपमें एकरस अवस्थित है, जो त्रिकाल सत्य है, पूर्ण है, अनादि है, अनन्त है, निर्गुण है, नित्य है, अद्वय है, वह मेरा नीलमणि ही तो है।
English translation
The queen of Vraja could not understand what her sapphire meant. Her awareness grasped only that the lord of Vraja had caught Him, otherwise He would have entered the kitchen. She did not know that, despite being restrained by His father, her sapphire had already reached the kitchen, accepted Kaṇva's offering, and fulfilled him with a vision difficult even for the greatest yogīs and sages to attain. Queen Yaśodā, whose mind was steeped in the nectar of love, could not know this. She did not know that her own sapphire is the unborn Supreme Person who in every cosmic age creates Himself within Himself by Himself, preserves Himself, and then withdraws Himself; who is pure and untouched by even a trace of māyā; who is knowledge alone, uniformly present as the inner Self; who is true in all three times, complete, beginningless, endless, beyond the guṇas, eternal, and nondual.
Original
Hindi
व्रजेन्द्रगेहिनी नहीं जानतीं कि मेरा नीलमणि ही विराट् पुरुष है, काल है, स्वभाव है, मन है, इन्द्रियाँ हैं, कार्य है, कारण है, पञ्चभूत है, अहंकार है, त्रिगुण है, ब्रह्माण्डशरीर है, ब्रह्माण्डशरीराभिमानी है, अनन्त स्थावर-जङ्गम जीव है, ब्रह्मा है, शंकर है, विष्णु है, दक्ष है, नारद है। व्रजरानी कल्पना ही नहीं कर सकतीं कि मेरा नन्हा-सा नीलमणि स्वर्लोकपाल है, खगलोकपाल है, नृलोकपाल है, अतल-वितल-सुतलपाल है, गन्धर्व-विद्याधर-चारण-अधिनायक है, यक्ष-राक्षस-सर्प-नागपति है। यशोदारानीके मनमें कभी यह उदय नहीं होता कि महर्षि, देवर्षि, पितृपति, दैत्येन्द्र, दानवेन्द्र, सिद्धेश्वर तथा प्रेत, पिशाच, भूत, कूष्माण्ड, जल-जन्तु, मृग, विहङ्गम, सबके नायकके रूपमें मेरा नीलमणि ही है। व्रजेन्द्रमहिषी यह धारणा ही नहीं कर सकतीं कि जगत् की जितनी वस्तुएँ ऐश्वर्य-तेज-इन्द्रियबल-मनोबल-शरीरबलसे युक्त हैं, क्षमासे सम्पन्न हैं, सौन्दर्य-लज्जा-विभूतिसे समन्वित हैं, सुन्दर-असुन्दर अद्भुत वर्णवाली हैं, वे सब-की-सब मेरे नीलमणिके ही रूप हैं।*
English translation
The lady of the king of Vraja does not know that her sapphire is the Cosmic Person, time, inherent nature, mind, the senses, effect and cause, the five elements, ego, the three guṇas, the body of the universe, its indwelling ruler, and all infinite moving and unmoving beings. He is Brahmā, Śaṅkara, Viṣṇu, Dakṣa, and Nārada. The queen cannot imagine that her tiny sapphire is guardian of heaven, the aerial realms, humanity, and the subterranean worlds Atala, Vitala, and Sutala; sovereign of Gandharvas, Vidyādharas, and Cāraṇas; and lord of Yakṣas, Rākṣasas, serpents, and Nāgas. It never arises in Yaśodā's mind that her sapphire is the leader of great sages, divine sages, ancestors, mighty demons, Dānavas, Siddhas, ghosts, piśācas, spirits, kūṣmāṇḍas, aquatic creatures, beasts, and birds. The queen of Vraja cannot conceive that every thing in the universe endowed with sovereignty, splendor, strength of senses, mind, or body, with patience, beauty, modesty, or glory, and with any wondrous appearance, beautiful or otherwise, is a form of her own sapphire.*
Original
Sanskrit. Book note. Source: Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 2.6.38–39, 41–44
*स एष आद्यः पुरुषः कल्पे कल्पे सृजत्यजः। आत्माऽऽत्मन्यात्मनाऽऽत्मानं संयच्छति च पाति च॥
विशुद्धं केवलं ज्ञानं प्रत्यक्सम्यगवस्थितम्। सत्यं पूर्णमनाद्यन्तं निर्गुणं नित्यमद्वयम्॥
आद्योऽवतारः पुरुषः परस्य कालः स्वभावः सदसन्मनश्च। द्रव्यं विकारो गुण इन्द्रियाणि विराट् स्वराट् स्थास्नु चरिष्णु भूम्नः॥
अहं भवो यज्ञ इमे प्रजेशा दक्षादयो ये भवदादयश्च। स्वर्लोकपालाः खगलोकपाला नृलोकपालास्तललोकपालाः॥
गन्धर्वविद्याधरचारणेशा ये यक्षरक्षोरगनागनाथाः। ये वा ऋषीणामृषभाः पितॄणां दैत्येन्द्रसिद्धेश्वरदानवेन्द्राः॥
अन्ये च ये प्रेतपिशाचभूतकूष्माण्डयादोमृगपक्ष्यधीशाः। यत्किञ्च लोके भगवन्महस्वदोजःसहस्वद्बलवत्क्षमावत्। श्रीह्रीविभूत्यात्मवदद्भुतार्णं तत्त्वं परं रूपवदस्वरूपम्॥*
English translation
*This unborn, primeval Person creates Himself within Himself by Himself in every cosmic age; He gathers the creation back and preserves it. He is pure, knowledge alone, directly and perfectly established, true, complete, without beginning or end, beyond the guṇas, eternal, and nondual.
The first manifestation of the Supreme Person is the Puruṣa. Time, inherent nature, cause and effect, mind, matter and its transformations, the guṇas and senses, the Cosmic Form and its self-ruling indweller, the stationary and moving worlds, all arise from His fullness.
I, Śiva, Yajña, the progenitors such as Dakṣa, and sages such as yourself; the guardians of heaven, aerial space, the human world, and the subterranean worlds; the lords of Gandharvas, Vidyādharas, Cāraṇas, Yakṣas, Rākṣasas, serpents, and Nāgas; the foremost sages, ancestors, Dānavas, Daityas, and Siddhas; the rulers of ghosts, piśācas, spirits, kūṣmāṇḍas, aquatic beings, animals, and birds, all are manifestations of Him.
Whatever in this world possesses great divine power, splendor, sensory force, vigor, physical strength, patience, beauty, modesty, prosperity, consciousness, or any wondrous appearance, whether formed or formless, is the supreme reality manifesting His being.*
Original
Hindi
उन्हें यह भान ही नहीं होता कि मेरी गोदमें रहते हुए ही ठीक उसी क्षण मेरा यह नीलमणि इन अनन्त रूपोंमें भी अवस्थित है, क्रीड़ा कर रहा है। उनके वात्सल्यरस-सुधासागरके अतल तलमें डूबे हुए अपरिसीम ऐश्वर्यके रजःकण कभी ऊपर आते ही नहीं। आते होते तो भले वे जान पातीं कि व्रजेन्द्रके द्वारा यह निरोध व्यर्थ है, यहाँ निरुद्ध रहकर भी नीलमणि तो भीतर प्रकट है। वे तो सदा इस भावनासे ही भरी रहती हैं कि मेरा नीलमणि मेरा गर्भजात शिशु है, अबोध है। इसीलिये आज वे फूली नहीं समा रही हैं; क्योंकि उनकी दृष्टिमें अभी-अभी व्रजेन्द्रने चञ्चल नीलमणिको रोक लिया और एक महान् अनर्थ होनेसे रक्षा हो गयी। अस्तु।
English translation
She has no awareness that at the very moment her sapphire rests in her lap, He also abides and plays in all these infinite forms. The particles of boundless majesty submerged in the unfathomable depths of the nectar ocean of her parental love never rise to its surface. If they did, she might understand that the king of Vraja's restraint is futile, for even while confined outside, her sapphire has manifested within. She remains perpetually filled with the feeling, “My sapphire is the helpless infant born from my womb.” Thus she could not contain her joy, for in her eyes the king of Vraja had just stopped her restless sapphire and prevented a great calamity. So be it.
Original
Hindi
इधर इस बार जब कण्वके नेत्र खुले, तब दृश्य तो वही था, नन्दनन्दन भोग आरोग रहे हैं। पर इस बार कण्वके नेत्र, मन, बुद्धिपर लगा हुआ अनादि आवरण सर्वथा छिन्न-भिन्न हो चुका था। वस्तुतत्त्वके सम्बन्धमें अब उन्हें संशय नहीं रहा। कण्व वहीं श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रके चरणोंमें लोट गये। उनके नेत्रोंसे अश्रुका निर्झर झरने लगा, इस निर्झरवारिसे श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रके चरणयुगल प्रक्षालित होने लगे।
English translation
When Kaṇva opened his eyes this time, the sight was the same: Nanda's son was enjoying the offering. Yet now the beginningless covering over Kaṇva's eyes, mind, and understanding had been utterly torn apart. He no longer doubted the truth of what stood before him. He fell at Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra's feet. A cascade of tears poured from his eyes, bathing the Lord's two lotus feet.
Original
Hindi
मानो किसी परम दिव्य वीणाके तार झंकृत हो उठे हों, इतने मधुर कण्ठसे श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र बोले, “कण्व! तुम मुझे देखनेके लिये अनेक जन्मोंसे लालायित हो। इसीलिये इस बार जब मैं यहाँ प्रकट हुआ, तब तुम्हारा भी इसी ब्रह्माण्डमें, इस मधुपुरीमें जन्म हो गया। मेरी माता, मेरे पिता तुम्हारे दृष्टिपथमें आ गये, इसीलिये तुम मेरा यह बाल्यरूप, बाल्यलीला देख सके।” यह कहकर श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रकी वह कमनीय झाँकी अन्तर्हित हो गयी।
English translation
In a voice so sweet that it seemed the strings of a supremely divine vīṇā had begun to resonate, Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra said, “Kaṇva, for many births you have longed to see Me. Therefore, when I appeared here this time, you too took birth within this same universe, in this land of Mathurā. My mother and father came within your field of vision, and thus you were able to behold My infant form and infant pastimes.” Having spoken, Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra's enchanting manifestation vanished.
Original
Hindi
उसके बाद भी कण्व न जाने कितनी देर स्वेद, कम्प, स्तम्भ, पुलक आदि दर्शनजन्य सात्त्विक भावोंके प्रवाहमें बहते रहे। भावावेश जब किंचित् शिथिल हुआ, तब कण्वने श्रीकृष्ण-अधरामृतसिक्त उस खीर-प्रसादको पहले अपने सिरसे लगाया, फिर कुछ अंश मुखमें रखा। इसके पश्चात् सारे अङ्गोंमें उस खीरको चुपड़ लिया। फिर जो अवशिष्ट रहा, उसे अपने उत्तरीय वस्त्रमें बाँध लिया तथा द्वार खोलकर बाहर चले आये।
English translation
For an unknown length of time afterward, Kaṇva remained swept along by the sāttvika emotions born of that vision, including perspiration, trembling, stillness, and horripilation. When the force of emotion eased slightly, he first placed upon his head the kheer prasāda moistened by the nectar of Śrī Kṛṣṇa's lips, then put a little in his mouth. Afterward he smeared the kheer over all his limbs. He tied the remainder in his upper cloth, opened the door, and came outside.
Original
Hindi
व्रजेशने देखा, ब्राह्मणके अणु-अणुसे आनन्द झर-सा रहा है। दिव्योन्मादके लक्षण भी उनमें प्रत्यक्ष परिलक्षित हो रहे हैं। हाथ जोड़कर व्रजेन्द्र पूछते हैं, “देव! पारण हो गया?” कण्व गद्गद कण्ठसे कहते हैं, “हाँ व्रजेश! हो गया, मैं अनन्त कालके लिये परितृप्त हो गया।” यह कहकर फिर वे कुछ बड़-बड़ करने लगते हैं। नन्ददम्पति कुछ नहीं समझ पाते कि ब्राह्मण क्या कह रहे हैं। हाँ, इतना तो वे जान गये हैं कि कण्वको प्रसाद अर्पण करते समय प्रेमावेश हो गया है; उन्होंने इसीलिये अर्पित खीर अङ्गोंमें चुपड़ ली है। जो हो, ब्राह्मणकी उन्मत्तता उत्तरोत्तर बढ़ने लगती है। वे वहीं नन्दप्राङ्गणमें बारंबार लोट-लोटकर अस्फुट स्वरमें आवृत्ति करने लगते हैं:
English translation
The lord of Vraja saw joy pouring from every atom of the brāhmaṇa, together with visible signs of divine madness. Joining his hands, he asked, “Revered sir, have you completed your pāraṇa?” With a voice choked by emotion, Kaṇva replied, “Yes, lord of Vraja, it is complete. I have been satisfied for all eternity.” He then began muttering again. Nanda and his wife could not understand his words. They understood only that Kaṇva had been overcome by love while offering the prasāda and had therefore smeared the offered kheer upon his limbs. In any case, the brāhmaṇa's divine madness continued to increase. Rolling again and again in Nanda's courtyard, he repeated in an indistinct voice:
Original
Braj. Attributed in the verse to Sūrdās
सफल जन्म, प्रभु आजु भयौ।
धनि गोकुल, धनि नन्द-जसोदा, जाकैं हरि अवतार लयौ॥
प्रगट भयौ अब पुन्य-सुकृत-फल, दीनबन्धु मोहिं दरस दयौ।
बारंबार नंद कें आँगन, लोटत द्विज आनंदमयौ॥
मैं अपराध कियौ बिनु जानें, को जानें किहिं भेष जयौ।
सूरदास प्रभु भक्त-हेत-बस जसुमति-गृह आनंद लयौ॥
English translation
“Lord, today my birth has become successful. Blessed is Gokula, blessed are Nanda and Yaśodā, in whose home Hari has taken birth.
“The fruit of my merit and righteous deeds has now appeared. The friend of the lowly has granted me His sight. Filled with bliss, the brāhmaṇa rolls again and again in Nanda's courtyard.
“Unknowingly I committed an offense. Who could know in what form He had gone? Sūrdās says: bound by love for His devotee, the Lord has brought joy to Yaśodā's home.”