Original
व्रजेश्वरी दधिमन्थन कर रही हैं। उस दधिमन्थनकी ध्वनिमें अपनी कटिकिङ्किणी एवं पदनूपुरोंका स्वर मिलाकर नीलमणि नृत्य कर रहे हैं। आकाशपथमें सुरगण, सुरबालाएँ नीलमणिको निहारकर आनन्दसे बेसुध होती जा रही हैं। गोष्ठसे दुग्धकलश लानेवाले गोप श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रके मुखारविन्दसे प्रसरित शत-सहस्र सौन्दर्यमन्दाकिनीकी धाराओंमें अवगाहनकर अतिशय चञ्चल हो रहे हैं, दुग्धपूरित कलशोंको वे यथास्थान रख नहीं पा रहे हैं, उनके हाथ एवं अङ्ग काँप जो रहे हैं। इसीलिये कितने कलश ढरक गये, दूधकी धाराएँ बहने लगी हैं; पर उन्हें इसका भी भान नहीं, उनके नेत्र तो नाचते हुए नन्दनन्दनमें डूब रहे हैं। तथा व्रजरानीके आनन्दका तो कहना ही क्या है, मन-ही-मन वे अपने नीलमणिके इस मनोहर नृत्यपर कोटि-कोटि प्राणोंको न्योछावर कर दे रही हैं:
English translation
The queen of Vraja is churning yogurt. Nīlamaṇi dances, blending the sounds of the small bells at his waist and the anklets upon his feet with the sound of her churning. In the sky, the gods and celestial maidens gaze upon him and become insensible with joy. The cowherd men bringing pots of milk from the cattle enclosure bathe in the hundreds of thousands of celestial streams of beauty pouring from Kṛṣṇacandra's lotus face and grow exceedingly unsteady. Their hands and limbs tremble, so they cannot set the milk-filled pots in their proper places. Many pots have tipped over and streams of milk have begun to flow, but they are unaware even of this, for their eyes are submerged in the dancing son of Nanda. And what can be said of the queen of Vraja's bliss? Inwardly she offers millions upon millions of lives to this enchanting dance of her Nīlamaṇi:
Original
Braj verses
त्यौं-त्यौं मोहन नाचै, ज्यौं-ज्यौं रई घमरकौ होइ री।
तैसियै किंकिनि-धुनि पग-नूपुर, सहज मिले सुर दोइ री॥
कंचन कौ कठुला मनि-मोतिनि, बिच बघनहँ रह्यौ पोइ री।
देखत बनै, कहत नहिं आवै, उपमा कौं नहिं कोइ री॥
निरखि-निरखि मुख नंद-सुवन कौ, सुर-बर आनंद होइ री।
सूर भवन कौ तिमिर नसायौ, बलि गइ जननि जसोइ री॥
English translation
The more the churning staff resounds, the more Mohana dances.
The bells at his waist and the anklets on his feet naturally join it in a twofold melody.
A golden necklace strung with jewels and pearls rests among the tiger claws upon his chest.
It can be seen, but cannot be told. No comparison exists for it.
Again and again the gods behold the face of Nanda's son and are filled with supreme delight.
Sūra says: he has dispelled the darkness of the house, and mother Yaśodā gives herself entirely to him.
Original
दधिमन्थन समाप्त हुआ। किंतु श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रके नृत्यका विराम नहीं हुआ। उसी आवेशमें वे नाचते ही रहे। व्रजरानी अपने हाथमें धवल नवनीतका एक पुष्ट खण्ड उठा लेती हैं। नीलमणिको देने चलती हैं, किंतु मुड़ते ही मणिस्तम्भमें नाचते हुए श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रका प्रतिबिम्ब जननीको दीख पड़ता है। वे रुक जाती हैं तथा उसी ओर देखने लगती हैं। प्रतिबिम्ब है या वास्तवमें नीलमणि, जननी यह निर्णय नहीं कर पातीं; क्योंकि उनकी श्रीकृष्णपूरित दृष्टिमें मणिस्तम्भका अस्तित्व ही जो विलीन हो गया है। एक क्षण वे असली नीलमणिकी ओर देखती हैं, दूसरे क्षण प्रतिबिम्बकी ओर। दोनोंमें किञ्चिन्मात्र भी अन्तर नहीं पातीं। एक-सा नर्तन है, एक-सा सौन्दर्य। प्रेम-भ्रान्त यशोदारानी प्रतिबिम्बको ही साक्षात् नीलमणि मानने लगती हैं। पर इतनेमें ही पुनः कुछ दूरपर नृत्यशील असली नीलमणि उन्हें दीख जाते हैं। अब “नीलमणि क्या दो हैं?” व्रजेशगेहिनी इस विचारमें पड़ जाती हैं। रसस्रोतमें डूबते-उतराते रहनेके कारण पहलेसे ही चञ्चल हुआ उनका चित्त और भी चञ्चल हो उठता है। रसकी प्रबल लहरोंसे बुद्धि भी ढक जाती है। व्रजरानी अन्तमें इसी निश्चयपर पहुँचती हैं कि नीलमणि एक नहीं, दो हैं; तथा दोनोंको समानरूपसे देनेके लिये वे नवनीतपिण्डके दो भाग कर लेती हैं:
English translation
The churning ended, but Kṛṣṇacandra's dance did not. He continued dancing in the same absorption. The queen of Vraja picked up a generous lump of white fresh butter and started to give it to Nīlamaṇi, but as she turned she saw Kṛṣṇacandra's dancing reflection in a jeweled pillar. She stopped and looked toward it. She could not decide whether it was a reflection or Nīlamaṇi himself, because in her vision, filled entirely with Kṛṣṇa, the very existence of the jeweled pillar had dissolved. One moment she looked at the real Nīlamaṇi, and the next at his reflection. She found not the slightest difference between them. The dance was the same and the beauty was the same. Deluded by love, queen Yaśodā began to regard the reflection as Nīlamaṇi himself. Just then she again saw the real Nīlamaṇi dancing some distance away. “Can there be two Nīlamaṇis?” Nanda's queen became absorbed in this thought. Her mind, already restless from repeatedly plunging beneath and rising through the current of rasa, grew still more restless, and powerful waves of rasa covered her understanding. At last she concluded that there were not one but two Nīlamaṇis, and divided the lump of fresh butter into two parts so that she could give equally to both:
Original
Sanskrit verse
नृत्यन्तमत्यन्तविलोकनीयं कृष्णं मणिस्तम्भगतं मृगाक्षी।
निरीक्ष्य साक्षादिव कृष्णमग्रे द्विधा वितेने नवनीतमेकम्॥
(श्रीकृष्णकर्णामृतम्)
English translation
The doe-eyed lady saw Kṛṣṇa dancing within the jeweled pillar, a sight supremely worthy of beholding. Taking him to be Kṛṣṇa himself standing before her, she divided one lump of fresh butter into two.
(Śrī Kṛṣṇakarṇāmṛta)
Original
इसी बीचमें उलाहनेका मिस लेकर कुछ गोपसुन्दरियाँ आ गयी थीं। उन सबने भी श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रका नृत्य देखा तथा फिर देखा, यशोदारानीका यह प्रेम-विभ्रम। नवनीतको विभाजितकर वाम हस्तका भाग प्रतिबिम्बकी ओर एवं दक्षिणके भागको श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रकी ओर करके जब वे दोनोंसे माखन उठा लेनेका संकेत करने लगीं, तब उन गोपसुन्दरियोंकी भी दशा विचित्र हो गयी। उनका प्रेम उमड़ा तथा वे भी भ्रान्त हो गयीं। किस उद्देश्यको लेकर आयी हैं, इसकी विस्मृति तो हो ही गयी। साथ ही उनकी दृष्टिमें तो दो नहीं, शतसहस्र श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र भर गये। नन्दभवन, नन्दप्राङ्गण, स्तम्भ, वेष्टन, यशोदा, गोपी-गोप, ये सब उनके सामनेसे विलुप्त हो गये; बच रहे, केवल नृत्यपरायण अगणित श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र। उनका यह आवेश जब शिथिल हुआ, तब उन्होंने देखा कि श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र तो खेलनेके लिये बाहर चले गये हैं एवं यशोदारानी विनीतस्वरमें उनका स्वागत करके कह रही हैं, “बहिनो! बैठ जाओ!”
English translation
Meanwhile, some beautiful cowherd women arrived on the pretext of making complaints. They too saw Kṛṣṇacandra's dance and then witnessed queen Yaśodā's bewilderment of love. She divided the butter, extended the portion in her left hand toward the reflection and the portion in her right toward Kṛṣṇacandra, and gestured for both to take it. At that moment the women entered a strange condition. Their love surged and they too became bewildered. They completely forgot the purpose for which they had come, and their vision filled not with two but with hundreds of thousands of Kṛṣṇacandras. Nanda's house, its courtyard, pillars and enclosures, Yaśodā, the cowherd women and men, all disappeared before them. Only countless Kṛṣṇacandras absorbed in dance remained. When this absorption subsided, they saw that Kṛṣṇacandra had gone outside to play and queen Yaśodā was welcoming them humbly, saying, “Sisters, please sit down!”
Original
“खड़ी क्यों हो! तुम सब आयी थीं; पर मैं तो आज ऐसी भ्रान्त हुई कि क्या बताऊँ। जब नीलमणि हँसने लगा, तब कहीं मुझे चेत हुआ। मुझे पता तक नहीं चला, बहिन, कि तुम सब कितनी देरसे खड़ी हो।” गोपसुन्दरियाँ, मानो सब-की-सब विक्षिप्त हों, ऐसी मुद्रा धारण किये कुछ देर तो खड़ी रहीं तथा फिर बिना कुछ कहे ही एक-एक कर लौट गयीं। यशोदारानी आश्चर्यमें डूबी इनकी ओर देखती रह गयीं। कल भी एक गोपी उलाहना देने आयी थी। श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रने उसकी गोशालामें जाकर दुहनेके समयसे पूर्व ही बछड़ोंके बन्धन खोल दिये थे, गोवत्स सारा दूध पी गये थे। उसीका मिस लेकर प्रभात होते-न-होते वह यशोदारानीके समीप आयी थी। व्रजरानीने इतना सबेरे आनेका कारण पूछा। वह बताने चली कि बस, उसी समय श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र शयनागारसे उठकर वहाँ आ गये। फिर तो ग्वालिन उस मुखकमलकी शोभामें ऐसी फँसी कि सब भूल गयी:
English translation
“Why are you standing? You all came, but today I became so confused that I cannot describe it. Only when Nīlamaṇi laughed did I regain awareness. Sister, I did not even know how long you had been standing.” The cowherd women stood for a while looking as though every one of them had lost her senses. Then, without saying anything, they departed one by one, while queen Yaśodā watched them in amazement. The previous day too, a gopī had come to complain. Kṛṣṇacandra had entered her cowshed and untied the calves before milking time, and they had drunk all the milk. On this pretext she came to Yaśodā at the very break of dawn. The queen of Vraja asked why she had come so early. Just as the woman began to explain, Kṛṣṇacandra rose from the bedchamber and came there. The cowherd woman became so ensnared by the beauty of his lotus face that she forgot everything:
Original
Braj verses
भूली री उराहने कौं दैबौ।
परि गए दृष्टि स्यामघन सुंदर चकित भई चितैबौ॥
चित्र लिखी-सी ठाढ़ी ग्वालिन, को समुझै समुझैबौ।
चत्रभुज प्रभु गिरिधर मुख निरखत कठिन भयौ घर जैबौ॥
English translation
She forgot, dear friend, that she had come to complain.
Her gaze fell upon beautiful cloud-dark Śyāma, and she stared in astonishment.
The cowherd woman stood as though painted in a picture. Who could restore her awareness?
Caturbhuja says: beholding the face of Lord Giridhara, she found it difficult to return home.
Original
नन्दरानीको कुछ भी बताये बिना ही वह “गुन्-गुन्” करती हुई लौट गयी। उसकी दशा देखकर व्रजरानी कलसे ही विस्मय कर रही थीं। अस्तु, इस प्रकार दो दिन उपक्रम होकर भी उलाहनेकी लीला स्थगित रही। अचिन्त्यलीला-महाशक्तिकी इच्छासे ही ऐसा हुआ। क्षणभरमें सारे व्रजपुरमें यह समाचार फैल गया कि कोई भी गोपी उलाहना देनेमें सफल नहीं हुई। यशोदारानीके समक्ष श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रकी चञ्चल चेष्टाओंका वर्णन कर कोई भी उन्हें परमानन्दका उपहार समर्पित न कर सकी। जो गयी, वही श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रको देखकर सुध-बुध खो बैठी। अतः संध्याके समय यह स्थिर हुआ, व्रजसुन्दरियोंने गोष्ठमें एकत्र होकर यह निश्चय कर लिया कि “कल प्रातःकाल उलाहनेका मिस लेकर हम सभी एक साथ नन्दभवनमें चलें, वहाँ दिनभर रहकर श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रकी मधुर चर्चाका आनन्द व्रजरानीको दें। जिसके यहाँ श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रने जिस बाल्यमाधुरीका प्रकाश किया है, उसका वर्णन वह नन्दरानीके सामने उपालम्भके रूपमें करे तथा हमारे परम सौभाग्यसे यदि उस समय श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रके पद्मविनिन्दित, चञ्चल नयनोंमें किञ्चित् भयकी छाया पड़ जाय तो उस अभूतपूर्व सौन्दर्यका पानकर हम सभी निहाल हो जायँ।” यह निश्चय लेकर गोपसुन्दरियाँ अपने-अपने घरको लौटीं। लीलाशक्तिका उद्देश्य पूर्ण होने चला। एक साथ वात्सल्यवती समस्त पुरसुन्दरियोंको नन्दभवनमें एकत्र करनेके लिये ही तो उन्होंने दो दिन उपालम्भका अभिनय होने नहीं दिया है। अधिकाधिक रस-पानके लिये आकुल व्रजपुरन्ध्रियोंको श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रके विविध कौमारचापल्यकी रसतरङ्गिणीमें निमज्जित कर देनेके लिये ही तो सोलह पहरका विलम्ब हुआ है। जो हो, निशा आयी एवं निशाका अवसान भी हुआ। किंतु गोपसुन्दरियाँ तो सारी रात जागती ही रहीं। उन्हें निद्रा आयी ही नहीं। यदि किसीको क्षणभरके लिये तन्द्रा-सी हुई तो उसने केवलमात्र उलाहनेका ही स्वप्न देखा। प्रातःसमीरका स्पर्श पाते ही सब उठ खड़ी हुईं। आवश्यक कर्मसे निवृत्त हो, विविध मनोहर शृङ्गारसे सज्जित होकर, दिनभरके लिये गृहका सारा भार गृहस्वामीपर सौंपकर दल-की-दल नन्दप्रासादकी ओर चल पड़ीं।
English translation
Without telling Nanda's queen anything, she went home humming to herself. Since the previous day the queen of Vraja had marveled at her condition. Thus, although the attempt had begun on two successive days, the pastime of complaint remained suspended. This happened only by the will of the inconceivable supreme power of divine pastime. In a moment news spread throughout Vraja that no gopī had succeeded in making her complaint. None had been able to describe Kṛṣṇacandra's restless deeds before queen Yaśodā and present her with the gift of supreme bliss. Every woman who went lost all awareness upon seeing Kṛṣṇacandra. Therefore, that evening the beautiful women of Vraja assembled in the cattle settlement and resolved, “Tomorrow morning we shall all go together to Nanda's house on the pretext of complaining. We shall remain there all day and give the queen of Vraja the joy of sweet discussion about Kṛṣṇacandra. Each woman will describe as a complaint the childhood sweetness Kṛṣṇacandra revealed in her home. If, by our great good fortune, a slight shadow of fear then falls upon Kṛṣṇacandra's restless eyes, which put lotuses to shame, we shall drink that unprecedented beauty and be fulfilled.” With this resolve, they returned to their homes. The purpose of the divine pastime potency was about to be fulfilled. She had prevented the performance of the complaints for two days precisely so that all the motherly women of the town might gather together in Nanda's house. The delay of sixteen watches had occurred so that the women of Vraja, yearning to drink ever more rasa, might be immersed in the streaming rasa of Kṛṣṇacandra's varied childhood mischief. Night came and ended, but the cowherd women remained awake throughout it. Sleep did not come. If one of them grew drowsy for even a moment, she dreamed only of making complaints. At the touch of the morning breeze they all arose, completed their necessary duties, adorned themselves in many lovely ornaments, entrusted the household's entire burden for the day to its master, and set off in groups toward Nanda's palace.
Original
इधर व्रजरानी श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रको गोदमें लिये स्वर्ण-सिंहासनपर विराजित हैं। कलेवा करके श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र आज खेलने बाहर नहीं गये। जननीके अङ्कमें उठकर उनसे मेवा खिला देनेके लिये कहने लगे। जननीके आनन्दका पार नहीं, नीलमणिने अबतक कभी ऐसी इच्छा प्रकट नहीं की थी। जननीकी शतशः मनुहारोंपर कभी वे एक-दो दाना मुखमें लेते थे। साथ ही यह दशा थी कि मृगशावकको निरुद्ध कर लेना सहज है, पर कलेवाके पश्चात् श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र रुक जायँ, यह सम्भव नहीं। अतः आजकी चेष्टा तो जननीको परमानन्दसिन्धुमें निमग्न कर देती है। सुवर्णथालमें विविध मेवा सजाकर वे बैठ जाती हैं तथा नीलमणिके मुखचन्द्रकी शोभा निहारती हुई उन्हें खिलाने लगती हैं। नीलमणि कुछ खाते हैं, कुछ जननीके आँचलपर बिखेर देते हैं। इस प्रकार मानो लीलाशक्तिने पुरसुन्दरियोंके लिये पहलेसे ही उपयुक्त रङ्गमञ्चकी रचना कर रखी है। क्रमशः दल-की-दल वे एकत्र होने लगती हैं। देखते-ही-देखते नन्दप्राङ्गण भर जाता है। उनके आभूषणोंकी झनकारसे नन्दप्रासाद मुखरित होने लगता है। व्रजरानी परम उल्लाससे सबका स्वागत तो अवश्य कर रही हैं, पर उन्हें अत्यन्त विस्मय है कि सर्वथा अनिमन्त्रित इतनी गोपसुन्दरियाँ अचानक इस समय कैसे एकत्र हुईं! गोपसुन्दरियोंके लिये एक आश्चर्यकी बात यह हुई है कि प्रत्येकको यह अनुभव हो रहा है कि मैं नन्दरानीके अत्यन्त समीप बैठी हूँ। यथायोग्य पहले सबका क्षेमकुशल पूछकर नन्दरानीने फिर आनेका कारण पूछा तथा एक गोपसुन्दरी व्रजेशमहिषीको परमानन्द-दानके अभिनयमें मानो मङ्गलाचरण करने उठी। वह बोली:
English translation
Meanwhile, the queen of Vraja sat upon a golden throne with Kṛṣṇacandra in her lap. After breakfast he did not go outside to play today. Climbing into his mother's lap, he asked her to feed him dried fruit. Her joy knew no limit, for Nīlamaṇi had never before expressed such a wish. Even after hundreds of entreaties from her, he would sometimes take only one or two pieces into his mouth. Moreover, it was easier to restrain a fawn than to make Kṛṣṇacandra remain after breakfast. Today's conduct therefore immersed his mother in an ocean of supreme bliss. She sat with many kinds of dried fruit arranged upon a golden platter and fed him while gazing upon the beauty of his moonlike face. Nīlamaṇi ate some and scattered some upon her veil. It was as though the divine pastime potency had already prepared a suitable stage for the women of the town. Group after group began to assemble, and in moments Nanda's courtyard was full. The jingling of their ornaments made the palace resound. The queen of Vraja welcomed everyone with supreme delight, yet wondered greatly how so many uninvited cowherd women had suddenly gathered at that hour. A wonder arose for the women too: each felt that she was seated very close to Nanda's queen. After properly asking about everyone's welfare, she inquired why they had come. Then one beautiful cowherd woman stood, as if to offer an auspicious invocation for the performance through which they would give supreme bliss to Nanda's queen, and said:
Original
Sanskrit passage
अयि व्रजराजभाविनि भाविनितान्तदुरन्तभावोऽयं तव कुमारः। यदयं द्विपत्र एवाधुना धुनान इव भुवनमवलमानसम्पल्लीलोऽपि पल्लीलोऽपि चरितमभ्यस्यति स्थित्वा वा किं विधास्यति?
(श्रीआनन्दवृन्दावनचम्पूः)
English translation
O queen of Vraja's king, in the future this son of yours will surely possess an exceedingly unrestrained nature. Although he is now only a two-leafed shoot, he seems to shake the world. Even as a little sapling with powers not yet fully grown, he practices such behavior. What will he do when fully developed?
(Śrī Ānandavṛndāvanacampū)
Original
“व्रजरानी! क्या बताऊँ? तुम्हारे नीलमणिका तो अभी कुमारवयस् है। पर भविष्यमें यह अत्यन्त उच्छृङ्खल स्वभावका होता दीखता है। भला, देखो! अभी तो यह एक छोटा पौधा-सा है, जो अभी-अभी अङ्कुरित हुआ है। उसमें केवल दो पत्ते लगे हैं। पर अभी ही यह दशा है कि यह सम्पूर्ण भुवनको कम्पित कर दे रहा है। अभी इसकी शक्तियाँ विकसित नहीं हुई हैं, फिर भी यह सम्पूर्ण व्रजपुरको नष्ट-भ्रष्ट कर देनेकी सामर्थ्य रखता है। आजकल तो यह ऐसी ही चेष्टाओंका अभ्यास कर रहा है। जब इस समय ही यह अवस्था है, तब जिस समय यह पौधा विशाल शाखा-पत्र-पुष्प-फलसमन्वित वृक्षके रूपमें परिणत होगा, तुम्हारा नीलमणि यौवनमें प्रवेश करेगा, उस समय यह क्या करेगा? व्रजपुरकी कैसी दशा कर देगा?”
English translation
“Queen of Vraja, what can I say? Your Nīlamaṇi is still only a child, but it appears that in the future he will be utterly unrestrained. Look at him. He is now a tiny plant that has only just sprouted and bears only two leaves, yet already he shakes the whole world. His powers have not yet developed, but even so he has the capacity to throw all of Vraja into ruin. These days he is merely practicing such deeds. If this is his condition now, what will he do when the plant becomes a vast tree filled with branches, leaves, blossoms, and fruit, when your Nīlamaṇi enters youth? What condition will he bring upon Vraja?”
Original
यह कहकर गोपसुन्दरी मौन हो गयी। इससे अधिक कहनेकी सामर्थ्य जो उसमें नहीं थी। वह देख तो रही थी यशोदारानीके अङ्कमें विराजित श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रकी ओर तथा ज्यों-ज्यों देखती, त्यों-ही-त्यों उसका हृदय उल्लाससे भरता जाता था। कठिनतासे हँसी रोक पा रही थी। पर यदि हँस देती तो उपालम्भकी मुद्रा नष्ट हो जाती। सारा खेल ही बिगड़ जाता। इसलिये इतना कहकर ही वह चुप हो गयी। यशोदारानी हँसकर बोलीं, “बहिन! तू तो कविता सुनाने लगी, बात तो बता कि नीलमणिने किया क्या है।” किंतु गोपसुन्दरी सिर नीचा किये बैठी रही, उसके लिये हँसी रोकना असम्भव-सा हो रहा था। सिर उठाती तो सारी गम्भीरता नष्ट हो जाती। उसकी यह दशा देखकर एक दूसरी बीचमें ही बोल उठी, “नन्दरानी! मुझसे सुनो, मैं बताती हूँ। देखो, नीलमणि अत्यन्त नटखट हो गया है। तुम्हें सुनकर आश्चर्य होगा कि अब व्रजपुरके कितने ही घरोंमें गोदोहन नहीं होता। गायोंके थनोंमें दूध बचे, तब तो गोदोहन हो। यह नीलमणि गोदोहनसे पूर्व ही गोष्ठमें जा पहुँचता है, अकेला नहीं, शत-सहस्र बालकोंको साथ लिये। हम सब जान भी नहीं पातीं कि कब कैसे पहुँच गया। वहाँ जाकर जितने बछड़े होते हैं, सबकी रस्सी खोल देता है। समाचार पाकर हम सब दौड़ती हैं, हमारे परिवारके गोप दौड़ते हैं; किंतु तबतक तो बछड़े दूध पी चुके होते हैं, क्योंकि हमारे पहुँचनेमें विलम्ब हो जाता है। यह तो ठीक अवसर देखकर ही ऐसा करता है। जब हम सब किसी अन्य कार्यमें अत्यन्त व्यस्त रहती हैं, यह जान लेता है कि हम सब तुरंत वहाँ जा नहीं पायँगी, तभी ऐसी चेष्टा करता है। वहाँ इसे देखकर हम इसपर क्रोध करती हैं, पर हमारे क्रोध करनेपर यह हँस देता है। व्रजरानी! इसकी हँसीमें कुछ ऐसी मोहिनी है कि हमारा क्रोध भी शान्त हो जाता है, हम सब भी हँस पड़ती हैं।”
English translation
Having said this, the cowherd woman fell silent, for she lacked the strength to say more. She was gazing at Kṛṣṇacandra seated in queen Yaśodā's lap, and the more she looked, the more her heart filled with delight. She could barely suppress her laughter, but if she laughed, the pose of complaint would collapse and the entire game would be spoiled. So she stopped after saying only this much. Yaśodā laughed and said, “Sister, you have begun reciting poetry. Tell me plainly, what has Nīlamaṇi done?” But the woman remained seated with her head lowered, for restraining her laughter had become nearly impossible. If she lifted her head, all her solemnity would vanish. Seeing her condition, another interrupted: “Nanda's queen, listen to me. I shall tell you. Nīlamaṇi has become exceedingly mischievous. You will be astonished to hear that cows are no longer milked in many houses of Vraja. How can there be milking if milk does not remain in their udders? Before milking, this Nīlamaṇi reaches the cattle enclosure, and not alone, but with hundreds and thousands of boys. We do not even know when or how he gets there. He unties every calf. When word reaches us, we and the cowherd men of our families run there, but by then the calves have drunk the milk because our arrival takes time. He does this only after choosing the perfect moment. He acts when we are so occupied with other work that he knows we cannot reach there at once. When we see him, we become angry, but he laughs at our anger. Queen of Vraja, there is such enchantment in his laughter that our anger subsides and we all begin to laugh too.”
Original
Sanskrit verses
वत्सान् मुञ्चन् क्वचिदसमये क्रोशसञ्जातहासः।
(श्रीमद्भागवत १०।८।२९)
अदुग्धदुग्धेषु गवां गणेषु निपाययत्येष विमुच्य वत्सान्।
सम्भूय भूयः क्रियते यदा वा रोषस्तदा लुम्पति तं स्मितेन॥
(श्रीआनन्दवृन्दावनचम्पूः)
English translation
At times he unties the calves before the proper hour and laughs when the cowherd women cry out.
(Śrīmad Bhāgavata 10.8.29)
He releases the calves among herds whose cows have not been milked and lets them drink. Whenever the women gather again and again in anger, he wipes that anger away with his smile.
(Śrī Ānandavṛndāvanacampū)
Original
व्रजेश्वरी इस व्रजपुरन्ध्रीकी बात सुनकर श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रके मन्दस्मितसमन्वित मुखारविन्दकी ओर देखने लगती हैं तथा फिर हास्यमिश्रित वाणीमें ही उससे पूछती हैं, “री! अच्छा, यह बता, ऐसा यह किसलिये करता है, ऐसा करनेमें कुछ हेतु तो होगा ही?” व्रजरानीके इस प्रश्नका उत्तर एक दूसरी गोपी देती है। उसने कहा, “नन्दरानी! व्रज तो तुम्हारा राज्य है, तुम मालकिन हो; नीलमणि तुम्हारा पुत्र है, हम सब भी इसे किस दृष्टिसे देखती हैं, तुम जानती हो। अतः मैं इसका दोष बताऊँ तो तुम रुष्ट मत होना। देखो, यह हमारे घरके सुस्वादु नवनीत, दुग्ध, दधि आदि अपहरणकर खानेके लिये ही ऐसा करता है। स्वाभाविक ही हम सब बछड़ोंको बाँधनेके लिये चली जाती हैं, हमारा गृह जनशून्य हो जाता है; उस समय नीलमणि हमारे घरमें प्रवेशकर दधि, दुग्ध, नवनीत आदि जितनी वस्तुएँ रहती हैं, उनको लेकर सखाओंके साथ भोजन करता है। व्रजराजमहिषी! क्षमा करना। नीलमणि वस्तु अपहरण करनेकी अनेकों युक्तियाँ जानता है। सर्वथा अदृष्टपूर्व, अश्रुतपूर्व अपहरणकलाका प्रकाश कर यह हमारे घर मनमानी करता है। चौर्यकलाका तो यह आचार्य बन गया है।”
English translation
Hearing this woman of Vraja, the queen looked toward Kṛṣṇacandra's lotus face adorned with a gentle smile and asked her in a voice mixed with laughter, “Tell me, why does he do this? Surely he must have some reason.” Another gopī answered: “Nanda's queen, Vraja is your kingdom and you are its mistress. Nīlamaṇi is your son, and you know how all of us regard him. Therefore, do not be angry if I describe his fault. He does this precisely so that he may steal and eat the delicious fresh butter, milk, yogurt, and other foods in our homes. Naturally, we all go out to tie the calves, leaving our houses empty. Nīlamaṇi then enters, takes whatever yogurt, milk, and butter he finds, and eats it with his friends. Queen of Vraja's king, forgive me. Nīlamaṇi knows countless methods of stealing things. He reveals arts of theft never before seen or heard of and does whatever he wishes in our homes. He has become the master teacher of thievery.”
Original
Sanskrit excerpts
स्तेयं स्वाद्वत्त्यथ दधि पयः कल्पितैः स्तेययोगैः।
(श्रीमद्भागवत १०।८।२९)
स्तेयोपाये गुरुरयमखिले।
(श्रीगोपालचम्पूः)
English translation
Through contrived methods of theft, he steals and relishes the tasty yogurt and milk.
(Śrīmad Bhāgavata 10.8.29)
In every method of stealing, this boy is the master.
(Śrī Gopālacampū)
Original
व्रजरानी विनोदके भावसे हँसती हुई बोलीं, “बहिन! तू है कृपणा; तूने मेरे नीलमणिको स्वयं जब नहीं दिया होगा तो शिशुस्वभाववश इसने तेरे घर छिपकर खा लिया होगा।” यह सुनते ही कई गोपियाँ एक साथ बोल उठीं, “नन्दरानी! जब कभी भी नीलमणि हमारे द्वारपर जाता है, हम सब न जाने कितना आग्रह करती हैं कि ‘मेरे लाल! किञ्चित् नवनीत तू आरोग ले।’ पर उस समय तो यह कहता है कि ‘री! क्या मेरे घर नवनीत नहीं है, जो तेरे घरका खाऊँ?’ व्रजेश्वरी! सच बात तो यह है कि प्रकटमें दी हुई वस्तु इसे नहीं भाती, इसे तो छिपकर लेना भाता है।”
English translation
Laughing playfully, the queen of Vraja said, “Sister, you are miserly. You must not have offered anything to my Nīlamaṇi yourself, so in his childish nature he secretly ate in your home.” At once several gopīs exclaimed together, “Nanda's queen, whenever Nīlamaṇi comes to our doors, we plead with him repeatedly, ‘My darling, please eat a little fresh butter.’ But then he says, ‘Do I have no fresh butter in my own home that I should eat yours?’ Queen of Vraja, the truth is that he does not like anything openly given. He likes to take it secretly.”
Original
इस बार व्रजरानी खिलखिलाकर हँस पड़ीं तथा अङ्कमें विराजित नीलमणिके कपोलोंपर घन-घन चुम्बन अङ्कित करने लगीं। श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रने वङ्किम चितवनसे गोपसुन्दरियोंकी ओर देखा एवं फिर देखा जननीकी ओर। मानो दोनोंके हृदयको वे परख रहे हों। अब आगे गोपसुन्दरियाँ क्या कहेंगी, अबतक जननीपर इस उलाहनेका क्या प्रभाव हुआ, इसकी परीक्षा कर रहे हों। जननीके मनोगत भावोंका किञ्चित् परिचय तो कपोल-चुम्बनने दे ही दिया था, अब और भी स्पष्ट हो गया; क्योंकि पुत्रको लाड़ लड़ाकर नन्दरानी बोलीं, “बहिन! नीलमणि जैसे मेरा है, वैसे ही तुम्हारा है। नवनीत ही तो उसने खाया है, तुम सबोंके घरोंमें तो नवनीतके भाण्ड भरे हैं।” व्रजरानीका यह कहना था कि कुछ गोपसुन्दरियाँ हाथ नचाकर उच्चस्वरसे बोल उठीं, “गोपेन्द्रगेहिनी! बात इतनेतक ही सीमित नहीं है। नीलमणि स्वयं जितना खा सके, खा ले; अपने सखाओंको जितना वितरण कर सके, कर दे। पर यह स्वयं तो बहुत अल्पमात्रामें खाता है, शेष सब वानरोंको लुटा देता है। कदाचित् तुम देख पातीं तो समझतीं कि यह कितना उत्पात करता है। यह जिस ओर जाता है, उसी ओर सहस्रों वानर इसके पीछे-पीछे चलते हैं।”
English translation
This time the queen of Vraja laughed aloud and covered the cheeks of Nīlamaṇi, seated in her lap, with repeated kisses. Kṛṣṇacandra cast a sidelong glance toward the cowherd women and then looked at his mother, as though testing both their hearts. He seemed to examine what the women would say next and what effect their complaints had so far produced upon his mother. Her kisses had already revealed something of her inner feelings, and those feelings now became still clearer, for after fondling her son, Nanda's queen said, “Sister, Nīlamaṇi belongs to you just as he belongs to me. He has only eaten some fresh butter, and your houses are filled with jars of it.” At this, several women gestured with their hands and cried loudly, “Mistress of the cowherd king's house, that is not the whole matter. Let Nīlamaṇi eat as much as he can himself and distribute as much as he can among his friends. But he eats very little and gives all the rest away to the monkeys. If only you could see him, you would understand how much havoc he causes. Thousands of monkeys follow wherever he goes.”
Original
“यह किसी भी घरमें एकान्त पाकर प्रवेश कर जाता है तथा गोरसपूर्ण मटकोंसे माखन, दूध, दही निकाल-निकालकर वानरोंको देना आरम्भ कर देता है। वानर शिशु है या प्रौढ़, इस ओर इसका ध्यान नहीं; यह तो सबको समान भावसे देता है तथा जब वानर खाते-खाते अघा जाते हैं, खानेसे उपरत हो जाते हैं, तब यह कहता है, ‘भैयाओ! देखो, इस गोपसुन्दरीके गृहके नवनीत, दधि आदि स्वादु नहीं; वानर भी नहीं खा रहे हैं; यह फूहड़ी है, यह माखन बिलोना नहीं जानती, इसे दही जमाना नहीं आता। ऐसे स्वादरहित माखन-दहीसे क्या प्रयोजन।’ तथा यह कहकर गृहमें जितने नवनीत-दधि-दुग्ध-भाण्ड, हमारी ददिया सास, परददिया सासके समयके, बड़े यत्नसे सुरक्षित रखे हुए, उसे मिलते हैं, सबको फोड़ डालता है; नवनीत-दधि-दुग्धकी धारा बह चलती है।”
English translation
“Whenever he finds a house unoccupied, he enters and begins taking butter, milk, and yogurt from pots filled with dairy foods and giving it to the monkeys. He pays no attention to whether a monkey is young or old, but gives to all alike. When they have eaten their fill and stop, he says, ‘Brothers, look! The fresh butter and yogurt in this cowherd woman's house are not tasty. Even the monkeys will not eat them. She is a poor housekeeper. She does not know how to churn butter or set yogurt. What use is such flavorless butter and yogurt?’ Then he breaks every vessel of butter, yogurt, and milk he can find in the house, including those preserved with great care from the days of our husband's grandmothers and great-grandmothers, and streams of butter, yogurt, and milk begin to flow.”
Original
Sanskrit verses
मर्कान् भोक्ष्यन् विभजति स चेन्नात्ति भाण्डं भिनत्ति।
(श्रीमद्भागवत १०।८।२९)
हेलालसं तत् कियदेव भुङ्क्ते शाखामृगान् भोजयते प्रकामम्।
न भुञ्जते ते यदि तृप्तिमन्तो भूमौ किरत्येव विभिद्य भाण्डम्॥
(श्रीआनन्दवृन्दावनचम्पूः)
English translation
Desiring to feed the monkeys, he distributes it among them, and if they will not eat, he breaks the pot.
(Śrīmad Bhāgavata 10.8.29)
Sportive and carefree, he eats only a little and feeds the monkeys abundantly. If, already satisfied, they do not eat, he breaks the vessel and scatters everything upon the ground.
(Śrī Ānandavṛndāvanacampū)
Original
इनकी बात सुनकर व्रजरानी तो हँसीं ही, उलाहनेके मिससे आयी हुई स्वयं अधिकांश गोपसुन्दरियाँ भी हँस पड़ीं। वात्सल्यरस-घनमूर्ति व्रजेश्वरी नहीं जानतीं, वात्सल्य-भावितमति गोपसुन्दरियोंको पता नहीं, कि जिन रघुकुल-तिलक राघवेन्द्रकी कथा वे सुनती हैं, कभी गा-गाकर अपने कोटि-कोटि प्राणप्रियतम नीलमणिको भी सुनाती हैं, वे दशरथनन्दन श्रीरामचन्द्र एवं गोपेन्द्रनन्दन श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र दो नहीं हैं। क्या पता, व्रजराजनन्दनके हृदयमें त्रेताकी वह स्मृति जाग उठी हो; सुग्रीव-सम्मेलन, वानरी सेनाका आवाहन, उदधिके वक्षःस्थलपर सेतुबन्धन, कनकपुरीका भीषण रणाङ्गण, इन सबके अमिट संस्मरण उदय हो आये हों? यशोदानन्दन कदाचित् यह सोच रहे हों, आह! उस दिनकी बात! मेरा तपस्वी वेश था, परिग्रहका अत्यन्त अभाव था, प्रियावियोगसे व्यथित प्राण हाहाकार कर रहे थे, सुग्रीव न होते तो सेना एकत्र करनेका साधन ही मेरे पास क्या था? सुग्रीवकी ही सेना मेरी सेनाके रूपमें परिणत हो गयी। प्रत्येक वानर मेरा सैनिक था। ओह! उस दिन इस सेनाके किसी भी सैनिकने मुझसे पारिश्रमिककी याचना नहीं की; और तो क्या, उनकी उदरपूर्तिकी व्यवस्था भी मुझसे नहीं हो सकी थी। वे स्वयं ही वन्य फलोंको सञ्चय करते थे, उन वनफलोंसे अपने उदरकी ज्वाला शान्त करते थे तथा मुझ वनवासीकी भी सेवा करते थे। इनकी सेवा हेतुरहित थी, सर्वथा निर्दोष, निष्कपट थी। इनके मनमें कभी कोई कल्पनातक नहीं उदय हुई कि मैं इन्हें कभी कुछ दूँगा। अनन्त उपकार इन्होंने किये थे, मैं उन उपकारोंको कैसे भूल जाऊँ। उनसे उऋण तो कभी होऊँगा ही नहीं। पर आज कम-से-कम सैनिकका पारिश्रमिक, वेतन तो इन्हें दूँ; अपने हाथोंसे अपनी प्रिय भोज्यवस्तु नवनीत-दही-दूध खिलाकर इनकी उदरपूर्ति तो कर दूँ! यह सोचकर ही कदाचित् स्वयं भगवान्, अच्युत व्रजराजनन्दन इन वानरोंको दधि-दुग्ध आदिके मिससे वेतन दे रहे हों तो क्या पता:
English translation
The queen of Vraja laughed on hearing this, and most of the cowherd women who had come on the pretext of complaining laughed as well. The queen of Vraja, the very embodiment of condensed parental rasa, does not know, and the women whose minds are steeped in parental affection do not know, that Rāghavendra, ornament of the Raghu dynasty, whose story they hear and sometimes sing to their Nīlamaṇi, dearer to them than millions of lives, is not different from Kṛṣṇacandra, son of the cowherd king. Perhaps memories of Tretā had awakened in the heart of Vraja's prince: meeting Sugrīva, summoning the monkey army, building the bridge across the ocean's breast, and the dreadful battlefield of the golden city. Perhaps Yaśodā's son was thinking, “Ah, that day! I wore the garb of an ascetic and possessed almost nothing. My life, tormented by separation from my beloved, cried out in anguish. Without Sugrīva, what means did I have to gather an army? Sugrīva's army became mine, and every monkey was my soldier. None of those soldiers asked me for wages. I could not even arrange food to fill their stomachs. They gathered forest fruits themselves, calmed their hunger with those fruits, and served me in my forest exile. Their service was without motive, entirely pure and guileless. They never even imagined that I would one day give them anything. They rendered limitless help. How can I forget those favors? I can never repay them, but today let me at least pay my soldiers their wages. Let me fill their stomachs with my own hands by feeding them my beloved foods, fresh butter, yogurt, and milk.” Who knows whether this is why the infallible Lord himself, the son of Vraja's king, now pays those monkeys their wages in the guise of yogurt and milk:
Original
Sanskrit verses
वन्यैरेव फलैः स्वयमकलितैराकल्प्य वृत्तिं निजां
सेवा मे वनवासिनोऽपि विहिता प्रागेभिरव्याजतः।
इत्थं तत्प्लवगोपकारनिकरानालोचयन्नच्युतः
प्रादाद्वेतनमेव किं दधिपयोव्याजात् स तेभ्यस्तदा॥
(श्रीहरिसूरिविरचितभक्तिरसायनम्)
English translation
“Formerly these forest dwellers sustained themselves with wild fruits they gathered on their own and served me in exile without guile.” Reflecting thus upon the many favors rendered by those monkeys, did the infallible Lord then give them wages in the guise of yogurt and milk?
(Bhaktirasāyana composed by Śrī Harisūri)
Original
कुछ भी हो, गोपसुन्दरियोंने अपने उलाहनेमें वानरोंका प्रसङ्ग लाकर सबको आनन्दमें विभोर कर दिया। बड़ी देरतक सभी हँसती रहीं। व्रजरानी किसी तरह आत्मसंवरण कर बोलीं, “री! तब तू छिपाकर नवनीत आदि क्यों नहीं रखती? गृहके अन्तर्भागमें रखकर द्वार बन्द कर दे, फिर यह कैसे ले सकेगा?” गोपसुन्दरियोंके एक दलने इसका उत्तर भी व्रजेश्वरीको दे ही दिया। वे बोलीं, “यशोदारानी! यह भी हो चुका है, पर इसका परिणाम तो और भी भयंकर हुआ! तुम्हारा नीलमणि हम सबोंके घर गया था; कोई भी वस्तु इसे नहीं मिली कि जो यह नष्ट कर सके। फिर तो यह इतना क्रोधित हुआ कि क्या बताऊँ! हमसे कहने लगा, ‘री, ठहर जा! कलसे मैं एक प्रज्वलित अङ्गार साथ लेता आऊँगा; जहाँ दही, दूध, नवनीत आदि कुछ भी नहीं पाऊँगा, उस घरमें वह अङ्गार रख दूँगा; गृह ही भस्म हो जायगा। जिस गृहमें मेरे लिये कुछ नहीं, उसे तो ध्वंस ही हो जाना चाहिये। उस घरके बालकोंको भी ऐसी मार मारूँगा कि गृहस्वामिनी भी स्मरण करेगी।’ इस प्रकार कहकर प्रमाणके रूपमें पर्यङ्कशायी छोटे शिशुओंको चिकोटी काटकर, रुलाकर भाग गया।”
English translation
Whatever the reason, by bringing the monkeys into their complaint, the cowherd women immersed everyone in joy. All laughed for a long time. Somehow restraining herself, the queen of Vraja said, “Then why do you not hide the butter and other foods? Put them deep inside the house, close the door, and see how he can take them.” One group answered, “Queen Yaśodā, that too has been tried, but the result was even more frightening. Your Nīlamaṇi went to all our houses and found nothing he could destroy. He became so angry that we cannot describe it. He told us, ‘Just wait! From tomorrow I shall carry a burning coal. Wherever I find no yogurt, milk, butter, or anything else, I shall put the coal in that house and burn it to ashes. A house that contains nothing for me deserves to be destroyed. I shall also beat the children there so soundly that the mistress of the house will remember it.’ To prove his words, he pinched the little infants lying on their beds, made them cry, and ran away.”
Original
Sanskrit verses
द्रव्यालाभे स गृहकुपितो यात्युपक्रोश्य तोकान्॥
(श्रीमद्भागवत १०।८।२९)
दूरस्थितो गर्जति तिष्ठ तिष्ठ भो दग्ध्वा गृहं ताडयितास्मि बालकान्॥
(श्रीआनन्दवृन्दावनचम्पूः)
English translation
When he finds no goods to take, he leaves the house in anger after provoking the little children.
(Śrīmad Bhāgavata 10.8.29)
Standing at a distance, he roars, “Just wait! I shall burn the house and beat the children.”
(Śrī Ānandavṛndāvanacampū)
Original
“नन्दगेहिनी! तबसे हम सब इससे डरकर अवश्य इसके लिये कुछ-न-कुछ बाहर रख देती हैं। यह आता है, हँसकर कुछ खा लेता है, कुछ फेंक देता है।” इतनेमें एक गोपतरुणी बोल उठी, “व्रजराजमहिषी! एक दिन किसीने इसे कह दिया, ‘रे नन्दनन्दन! तू तो चोर है।’ बस, यह कहना था कि तुम्हारे इस चञ्चल नीलमणिके अरुण पङ्कजनेत्रोंमें रोष भर गया तथा यह कहने लगा, ‘री! मैं चोर नहीं, तू चोर है। यह घर मेरा है। इसलिये इस घरकी समस्त वस्तुएँ मेरी हैं। मेरी वस्तुको तू अपनी मानती है। वास्तवमें तो तू चोर है।’”
English translation
“Mistress of Nanda's house, since then we have been afraid of him and always leave something outside for him. He comes, laughingly eats some, and throws some away.” Just then a young cowherd woman said, “Queen of Vraja's king, one day someone told him, ‘Son of Nanda, you are a thief.’ At once the red lotus eyes of your restless Nīlamaṇi filled with anger and he said, ‘I am not the thief. You are the thief. This house is mine, so everything in it is mine. You regard what belongs to me as your own. In truth, you are the thief.’”
Original
Sanskrit verse
चोर एष इति केनचिदुक्तः क्रुद्ध एव निगदत्यतिधृष्टः।
त्वं हि चोर इदमेव मदीयं गेहमस्य सकलं हि ममैव॥
(श्रीआनन्दवृन्दावनचम्पूः)
English translation
When someone says, “He is a thief,” the exceedingly bold child angrily replies, “You are the thief. This very house is mine, and everything within it belongs to me.”
(Śrī Ānandavṛndāvanacampū)
Original
यशोदारानीके मुखपर मन्द मुसकान छा जाती है। एक बार वे पुनः श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रकी ओर देखती हैं तथा फिर समस्त गोपसुन्दरियोंको लक्ष्य करके कहती हैं, “बहिनो! तुम सब मुझे विस्तारसे सुनाओ कि किसके घर मेरे नीलमणिने क्या किया है।” तब क्रमशः गोपसुन्दरियाँ अपना-अपना विवरण सुनाती हैं। प्रत्येकके लिये व्रजरानी “अच्छा, ऐसे न रखकर ऐसे रखा करो तो,” इस प्रकार कहकर कोई-न-कोई उपक्रम बना देती हैं तथा उसीके उत्तरमें क्रमशः गोपसुन्दरियाँ अपने-अपने घरका विवरण सुनाती हैं। एक बोली, “व्रजराज-भामिनी! ऊँचे छीकेपर रखे रहनेके कारण जब इसके हाथ नहीं पहुँचते तो यह पीढ़े या उलूखल आदिकी सहायतासे वहाँ पहुँच जाता है। मेरे घरकी बात है। जब इसने देखा कि हाथ नहीं पहुँचते तब इसने एक पीढ़ा रखा, फिर उस पीढ़ेपर एक दूसरे पीढ़ेको स्थिर किया और उसपर एक और पीढ़ेकी स्थापना की। उस तीसरे पीढ़ेपर चढ़कर इसने हाथ उठाये। एक हाथसे नवनीत आदिका अपहरण करने लगा। इतनेमें मैं कई सखियोंके साथ वहाँ जा पहुँची। हम सबोंने निषेध किया। बस, छीकेपर दधि-दुग्धके जितने पात्र थे, सब-के-सब उसने पृथ्वीपर पटक दिये। मेरे ही घर नहीं, कई घरोंमें प्रायः यह ऐसा ही करता है।”
English translation
A gentle smile spread across queen Yaśodā's face. Once again she looked at Kṛṣṇacandra and then addressed all the women: “Sisters, tell me in detail what my Nīlamaṇi did in each of your houses.” One after another, they related their accounts. For each woman the queen devised some remedy, saying, “Then do not keep it that way. Keep it this way instead.” In response, each described what had happened in her home. One said, “Lady of Vraja's king, when his hands cannot reach food kept in a high hanging rack, he reaches it with the aid of stools or a mortar. This happened in my home. When he saw that his hands could not reach, he set down a stool, placed a second firmly upon it, and then set a third above that. Standing upon the third, he raised his hands and began stealing fresh butter with one of them. Just then I arrived with several friends and we forbade him. At once he threw every vessel of yogurt and milk from the hanging rack onto the ground. He does this not only in my house but often in many others.”
Original
Sanskrit verses
हस्ताग्राह्ये रचयति विधिं पीठकोलूखलाद्यैः।
(श्रीमद्भागवत १०।८।३०)
करालभ्ये पीठं विरचयति पीठोपरि पुन-
स्तदूर्ध्वं तच्चान्यत्तदुपरि समारोप्य चरणौ।
समुद्वाहुः शिक्यादधि च नवनीतादि च हरन्
निषिद्धश्चेत् कैश्चित् क्षिपति सकलं तूर्णमवनौ॥
(श्रीआनन्दवृन्दावनचम्पूः)
English translation
When something lies beyond the reach of his hands, he contrives a way with stools, mortars, and the like.
(Śrīmad Bhāgavata 10.8.30)
When it is beyond reach, he sets up a stool, another above it, and yet another higher still, placing his feet upon the top. Stretching up his arms, he steals yogurt, fresh butter, and other foods from the hanging rack. If anyone forbids him, he swiftly throws everything upon the ground.
(Śrī Ānandavṛndāvanacampū)
Original
दूसरी पुरसुन्दरीने कहा, “जब छीके इतने ऊँचे होते हैं कि पीढ़े आदिसे भी उनके पास नहीं पहुँचा जा सकता, तब यह पत्थर फेंककर या वहींपर पड़ी लंबी बछी उठाकर उनसे उन दधि-नवनीतपूरित भाण्डोंमें छिद्र कर देता है। किस पात्रमें दधि है, किसमें नवनीत है, किसमें दूध भरा है, इसका पूर्ण ज्ञान इसे पात्र देखते ही हो जाता है। उनके अनुरूप ही छोटा-बड़ा, चौड़ा-लंबा, कैसा छिद्र करना चाहिये, इस कलामें भी यह प्रवीण है तथा छिद्र करके अपना एवं सखाओंका मुख उसके नीचे कर लेता है, दधि-नवनीतकी धाराएँ ठीक इसके मुखमें गिरती हैं। मेरे एवं पार्श्ववर्ती गोपोंके घर ऐसी घटना हो चुकी है।”
English translation
Another woman said, “When the hanging racks are so high that he cannot reach them even with stools, he throws stones or picks up a long stick lying nearby and uses it to pierce the vessels filled with yogurt and fresh butter. The moment he sees a vessel, he knows perfectly whether it contains yogurt, butter, or milk. He is also skilled in deciding whether the hole should be small or large, narrow or long, according to its contents. After making it, he places his own mouth and those of his friends beneath it, and the streams of yogurt and butter fall directly into their mouths. This has happened in my house and in the homes of neighboring cowherds.”
Original
Sanskrit excerpt
छिद्रं ह्यन्तर्निहितवयुनः शिक्यभाण्डेषु तद्वित्।
(श्रीमद्भागवत १०।८।३०)
English translation
Knowing what is hidden within, that expert makes holes in the vessels suspended from the rack.
(Śrīmad Bhāgavata 10.8.30)
Original
तीसरी बोली, “यशोदारानी! मेरे घरकी घटना सुनो। ऊँचे छीकेपर मैंने दूधका भाण्ड रख दिया था तथा भाण्डसे सटाकर एक घण्टा उसी छीकेमें बाँध दिया था, इसलिये कि नीलमणि किसी प्रकार भी यदि इसके पास पहुँच गया या उसने छिद्र किया तो घण्टा बज उठेगा और मैं पहुँच जाऊँगी। यह व्यवस्था करके मैं पार्श्ववर्ती गृहमें चली गयी। कुछ देर पश्चात् यों ही चली आयी। आकर जो देखा तो हँसी आने लगी। देखती हूँ, एक पीढ़ेपर दूसरा पीढ़ा रखा है, उसपर एक गोपशिशु खड़ा है। गोपशिशुके कंधेपर तुम्हारा नीलमणि चढ़ा हुआ है। नीलमणिने एक हाथसे घण्टाको पकड़ लिया, जिससे शब्द न हो जाय। फिर उसने भाण्डमें एक छिद्र किया। जब दूधकी धारा बह चली तो उसने मुखके समीप अपने एक हाथसे अञ्जलि बाँध ली, धारा उसीमें गिरने लगी। आनन्दविभोर होकर वह अपना सिर हिलाते हुए दुग्धपान करने लगा। कुछ देरतक तो मैं भी आनन्दजड़ हुई यह दृश्य देखती रही, पर फिर मुझे नीलमणिको पकड़ लेनेकी इच्छा हुई। मैं आगे बढ़ी। उसने भी मुझे देख लिया। इसका मुख उस समय दूधसे भरा था। इसने उसी दूधको फूत्कार करते हुए मेरी आँखोंपर फेंक दिया। दूधसे मेरी दोनों आँखें भर गयीं और इसी बीच यह कूदकर भाग गया।”
English translation
A third said, “Queen Yaśodā, hear what happened in my house. I placed a pot of milk upon a high hanging rack and tied a bell to the rack beside it, thinking that if Nīlamaṇi somehow reached the pot or pierced it, the bell would ring and I would come. Having made this arrangement, I went into the neighboring room. After some time I returned casually and laughed at what I saw. One stool had been placed upon another, and a cowherd boy stood on top. Your Nīlamaṇi had climbed upon the boy's shoulders. With one hand he held the bell so that it would not sound, and then he made a hole in the vessel. When the stream of milk began to flow, he cupped his other hand near his mouth so that the stream fell into it. Overcome with delight, he drank the milk while swaying his head. For some time I too stood transfixed with joy, watching this sight. Then I wished to catch him and stepped forward. He saw me. His mouth was full of milk, and he blew that milk into my eyes. Both eyes filled with it, and meanwhile he jumped down and ran away.”
Original
Sanskrit verse
पीठे पीठनिषण्णबालकगले तिष्ठन् स गोपालको
यन्त्रान्तःस्थितदुग्धभाण्डमवभिद्याच्छाद्य घण्टारवम्।
वक्त्रोपान्तकृताञ्जलिः कृतशिरःकम्पं पिबन् यः पयः
पायादागतगोपिकानयनयोर्गण्डूषफूत्कारकृत्॥
(श्रीकृष्णकर्णामृतम्)
English translation
Standing upon the shoulders of a cowherd boy who stood on stools piled one above another, that little cowherd pierced the milk vessel inside the contrivance while suppressing the bell's sound. Cupping one hand near his mouth, he drank the milk with his head swaying, then protected himself by blowing a mouthful into the eyes of the approaching gopī. May he protect us.
(Śrī Kṛṣṇakarṇāmṛta)
Original
इसकी बात सुनकर सभी हँसने लगीं तथा जब एक अन्य गोपसुन्दरीने अपना विवरण सुनाया, तब तो सभी हँसते-हँसते लोट-पोट हो गयीं। वह बोली, “कृष्णजननी! सुनो, परसोंकी बात है। नीलमणि मेरे घर गया। जाकर इसने नवनीतभाण्डमें हाथ डाल दिया। मैं दूरसे बोली, ‘रे शिशु! तू कौन है?’ यह बोला, ‘री, मैं बलरामका छोटा भाई हूँ।’ मैंने पूछा, ‘फिर यहाँ क्यों आया है?’ इसपर इसने अविलम्ब उत्तर दिया, ‘मैं तो अपना घर समझकर आ गया।’ मैं हँसकर बोली, ‘ठीक है, भ्रम होना तो सम्भव है; पर तुमने नवनीतके मटकेमें हाथ क्यों डाला?’ इसपर इसने बड़ी गम्भीर मुद्रामें कहा कि ‘गोपी मैया! देख, मेरा एक गोवत्स खो गया था, उसे ही मैं ढूँढ़ रहा था। तू क्षणभरके लिये अन्यथा चिन्तन या दुःख मत कर कि मैं तेरा माखन खाने आया हूँ।’ तथा फिर इसने माखनसे सने एक स्फटिकनिर्मित गोवत्सको, खिलौनेको, मुझे दिखाया और बोला, ‘माता! मिल गया! अब मैं जाता हूँ। बाबाने मधुवनसे लाकर इस गोवत्सको मुझे दिया था। यह प्रायः मेरे हाथसे, जहाँ कहीं भी नवनीत-भाण्ड इसने देखा कि उसीमें, कूद पड़ता है; फिर इसे निकालनेमें मुझे बड़ी कठिनता होती है।’ कहकर यह तो चला गया और मैं हँसीमें इसे पकड़ना भूल गयी।”
English translation
Everyone laughed upon hearing her account, and when another woman gave hers, they rolled about with laughter. She said, “Mother of Kṛṣṇa, listen. This happened the day before yesterday. Nīlamaṇi came to my house and put his hand into a pot of fresh butter. From a distance I called, ‘Child, who are you?’ He replied, ‘I am Balarāma's younger brother.’ I asked, ‘Then why have you come here?’ He immediately answered, ‘I mistook it for my own house.’ Laughing, I said, ‘Very well, such a mistake is possible, but why did you put your hand into the butter pot?’ With a very grave expression he said, ‘Mother gopī, look, one of my calves was lost, and I was searching for it. Do not think wrongly or grieve for even a moment that I came to eat your butter.’ Then he showed me a crystal toy calf covered in butter and said, ‘Mother, I have found it. Now I am going. Father brought this calf from Madhuvana and gave it to me. Whenever it sees a butter pot anywhere, it often jumps from my hand straight into it, and then I have great difficulty taking it out.’ After saying this he left, and in my laughter I forgot to catch him.”
Original
Sanskrit verse
कस्त्वं बाल बलानुजः किमिह रे मन्मन्दिराशङ्कया
युक्तं तन्नवनीतपात्रविवरे हस्तं किमर्थं न्यसेः।
मातः कञ्चन वत्सकं मृगयितुं मा गा विषादं क्षणा-
दित्येवं वरवल्लवीप्रतिवचः कृष्णस्य पुष्णातु नः॥
(श्रीकृष्णकर्णामृतम्)
English translation
“Who are you, child?” “Bala's younger brother.” “Why are you here?” “I mistook it for my house.” “That may be so, but why place your hand inside the butter pot?” “Mother, I was searching for a certain calf. Do not be distressed.” May Kṛṣṇa's answers to that excellent cowherd woman nourish us.
(Śrī Kṛṣṇakarṇāmṛta)
Original
एक व्रजभामाने यह कहा, “अब एक मेरी बात मैं सुनाती हूँ। सब उपायोंसे हारकर मैं नवनीत-भाण्ड एक सर्वथा अन्धकारपूर्ण गृहमें रख करके मैं निश्चित हो गयी। पर लौटकर देखा तो दंग रह गयी। नीलमणि उस प्रकोष्ठमें खड़ा माखन खा रहा है, उसके श्यामल अङ्गोंको विभूषित करनेवाले मणिआभूषणोंके प्रकाशमें प्रकोष्ठ जगमग-जगमग कर रहा है। इस प्रकाशमें प्रकोष्ठका अणु-अणु उद्भासित हो रहा है।”
English translation
One lady of Vraja said, “Now I shall tell my story. Defeated after trying every remedy, I placed a vessel of fresh butter in a room filled with absolute darkness and felt secure. But when I returned, I was astonished. Nīlamaṇi stood in that chamber eating butter, and the light from the jeweled ornaments adorning his dark limbs made the whole room shimmer. Every particle of the chamber was illuminated.”
Original
Sanskrit excerpt
मणिगणमहसा गणयति न तमः।
(श्रीगोपालचम्पूः)
English translation
By the radiance of his many jewels, he takes no account of the darkness.
(Śrī Gopālacampū)
Original
इसकी बात पूर्ण भी नहीं हुई थी कि एक नवतरुणी चटपट बोल उठी, “बावरी! तू तो मणिभूषणोंके तेजकी बात कहती है। अरे! इसका अङ्ग ही प्रदीप है। जहाँ यह जाता है, वहीं एक श्यामज्योति भर जाती है। उस ज्योतिका आलोकमें गहन अन्धकारमें बड़ी गुप्त, सुरक्षित रखी हुई नवनीत आदि सभी वस्तुओंको यह पा लेता है, बाहर निकाल लाता है।”
English translation
Before she had finished speaking, a young woman quickly exclaimed, “Foolish girl, you speak of the brilliance of his jeweled ornaments, but his body itself is a lamp. Wherever he goes, a dark-blue radiance fills the place. By its light he finds all the butter and other things secretly secured in deep darkness and brings them out.”
Original
Sanskrit verses
ध्वान्तागारे धृतमणिगणं स्वाङ्गमर्थप्रदीपम्।
(श्रीमद्भागवत १०।८।३०)
निहृत्य यन्त्राद् गहनान्धकारे हैयङ्गवीनादि सुरक्षितं यत्।
प्रविश्य पश्यन् स्वमहःप्रकाशैस्तत् सर्वमानीय बहिष्करोति॥
(श्रीआनन्दवृन्दावनचम्पूः)
English translation
In a dark room, he uses his own body, adorned with many jewels, as a lamp to find the desired objects.
(Śrīmad Bhāgavata 10.8.30)
Entering the deep darkness, he sees by the light of his own radiance whatever fresh butter and other goods have been secured and hidden by contrivances, removes it all, and carries it outside.
(Śrī Ānandavṛndāvanacampū)
Original
एक व्रजपुरन्ध्री बोली, “कृष्णजननी! प्रथम तो इसके मुखका स्मित, इसकी अमृतस्राविणी मधुर स्वरलहरी, अङ्गसञ्चालन, अङ्गलावण्य आदि ही ऐसे हैं कि इसे देखते ही हम सब मोहित हो जाती हैं, इसके दर्शनजन्य मधुपानसे उन्मादिनी होकर अशक्त हो जाती हैं तथा हमारे सामने ही यह हमारी वस्तुओंको ले जाता है। इसके अतिरिक्त हमारे घरके बालकोंको भी इसने अपना साथी बना लिया है, वे इसके गुप्तचरका काम करते हैं। ठीक जिस समय हम सब गृहकार्यमें अत्यन्त व्यग्र रहेंगी, इसे इसकी सूचना हमारे पुत्रोंके द्वारा ही मिल जायगी तथा यह वहाँ पहुँचकर यथायोग्य उत्पात आरम्भ कर देगा।”
English translation
A woman of Vraja said, “Mother of Kṛṣṇa, first of all, the smile upon his face, his sweet stream of nectar-filled speech, the movement of his limbs, and his bodily grace are such that the moment we see him we become enchanted. Maddened and rendered powerless by drinking the honey of his vision, we watch him take our belongings directly before us. In addition, he has made the children of our houses his companions, and they serve as his spies. Precisely when we are most engrossed in household work, our own sons inform him, and he arrives to begin whatever mischief suits the occasion.”
Original
Sanskrit excerpt
काले गोप्यो यर्हि गृहकृत्येषु सुव्यग्नचित्ताः।
(श्रीमद्भागवत १०।८।३०)
English translation
He chooses the time when the gopīs are deeply absorbed in their household duties.
(Śrīmad Bhāgavata 10.8.30)
Original
एक अत्यन्त सरला गोपवनिताने यह कहा, “सुन्दरी यशोदे! देव-पूजाके लिये मैंने भूमिका प्रक्षालन-मार्जन किया था, सुन्दर चौक पूरे थे, भोग धराये थे। यह आया, पूजासे पूर्व ही भोग उठाकर खाने लगा। मेरे पूछनेपर बोला, ‘री! देवता तो मैं हूँ, मेरी पूजा किया कर।’ मैं चिढ़कर इसे पकड़ने चली, पर अकेली थी। इसने सखाओंसे कहा, ‘भैयाओ! मेरा निरादर करके यह पूजा करने चली है; इसकी यज्ञवेदी तो भ्रष्ट करने योग्य, मूत्र त्यागने योग्य है।’ बस, इसके सखा इसका संकेत पाकर कुछ तो अपवित्र धूलि-पत्ते फेंककर, कुछ मूत्र त्यागकर, सब कुछ अशुद्ध करके भाग गये।”
English translation
One very simple-hearted cowherd woman said, “Beautiful Yaśodā, I had washed and swept the ground for worship of the deity, drawn lovely sacred designs, and set out the food offering. He came and began eating the offering before the worship. When I questioned him, he said, ‘I am the deity. You should worship me.’ Annoyed, I went to catch him, but I was alone. He told his friends, ‘Brothers, she has dishonored me and gone to worship. Her sacrificial altar deserves to be defiled and urinated upon.’ At his signal, some of his friends threw impure dust and leaves, others urinated, and they ran away after polluting everything.”
Original
Sanskrit excerpts
एवं धृष्टान्युशति कुरुते मेहनादीनि वास्तौ।
(श्रीमद्भागवत १०।८।३१)
अपि बालान्मेहयते गेहे।
(श्रीगोपालचम्पूः)
वास्तौ लिप्ते सुललितमृदा चित्रिते चारुचूर्णै-
र्धूलीपत्रादिभिरशुचिभिः शुद्धिहानिं करोति।
(श्रीआनन्दवृन्दावनचम्पूः)
English translation
He performs such brazen deeds as urinating in the house.
(Śrīmad Bhāgavata 10.8.31)
He even makes the boys urinate in the house.
(Śrī Gopālacampū)
When the dwelling has been coated with beautiful clay and decorated with lovely powders, he destroys its purity with unclean dust, leaves, and the like.
(Śrī Ānandavṛndāvanacampū)
Original
श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रकी ओर संकेत करते हुए उसी सरला गोपीने कहा, “तनिक इसकी ओर देखो तो सही! इसके भीतर चोरीकी न जाने कितनी कलाएँ छिपी हैं, चोरीके उपायोंसे व्यापार चलानेमें यह कितना सुनिपुण है, पर यहाँ तुम्हारे सामने ऐसी मुद्रामें बैठा है, मानो सर्वथा साधु-स्वभाव परम शान्त शिशु हो।”
English translation
Pointing toward Kṛṣṇacandra, the same simple gopī said, “Just look at him. Who knows how many arts of theft are hidden within him and how perfectly skilled he is in conducting his affairs through devices of thievery. Yet here before you he sits as though he were an utterly virtuous and supremely peaceful child.”
Original
Sanskrit excerpt
स्तेयोपायैर्विरचितकृतिः सुप्रतीको यथाऽऽस्ते।
(श्रीमद्भागवत १०।८।३१)
English translation
After devising deeds through methods of theft, he sits there looking perfectly innocent.
(Śrīmad Bhāgavata 10.8.31)
Original
इस प्रकार विविध मुद्रा धारणकर व्रजसुन्दरियोंने श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रके कौमारचापल्यका वर्णन व्रजराजगेहिनीको सुनाया। स्वयं भगवान् व्रजेन्द्रनन्दन श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रकी भीतिविजड़ित नयनोंकी शोभा वे देखना चाहती थीं, व्रजरानीको उनके नीलमणिकी चञ्चल चेष्टाओंका वर्णन श्रवण कराकर, मधुपान कराकर सुख-समुद्रमें निमज्जित करना चाहती थीं तथा ऐसा करके स्वयं भी उसी सागरकी लहरोंमें स्नान करने आयी थीं; लीलाशक्तिने उनके ये तीनों मनोरथ पूर्ण कर दिये। गोपसुन्दरियोंने पुलकित होकर देखा कि श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रके नयनारविन्दोंमें भयके चिह्न सुस्पष्ट हो रहे हैं, उन्हें भय हो रहा है कि जननी कहीं गोपसुन्दरियोंकी बातोंसे मेरी ताड़ना तो नहीं करेगी। किंतु जननीके नेत्रोंसे, रोम-रोमसे आनन्दका निर्झर झर रहा है। उनके मुखपर अतिशय उल्लास भर आया है, प्रसन्नमुखसे वे कुछ कहना चाहती हैं, पर सुखातिरेकसे कण्ठ रुद्ध हो गया है। सब सुनकर भी ताड़नाकी बात तो दूर, अपने नीलमणिको स्नेहपूरित उपालम्भ भी वे इसके लिये दें, यह कल्पना भी उनके मनमें नहीं उदय हुई:
English translation
Assuming many different expressions, the beautiful women of Vraja thus described Kṛṣṇacandra's childhood mischief to the lady of Vraja's king. They wished to see the beauty of fear entering the eyes of Lord Kṛṣṇacandra, son of Vraja's king. They wished to immerse the queen in an ocean of happiness by making her hear descriptions of her Nīlamaṇi's restless deeds and drink their sweetness, and by doing so they wished to bathe in the waves of that same ocean themselves. The divine pastime potency fulfilled all three desires. Thrilled with delight, they saw clear signs of fear in Kṛṣṇacandra's lotus eyes. He feared that his mother might punish him because of their words. But from his mother's eyes and every pore of her body, a waterfall of bliss poured forth. Supreme joy filled her face. She wished to say something with a cheerful expression, but an excess of happiness choked her voice. Even after hearing everything, far from thinking of punishment, it never entered her mind to give her Nīlamaṇi even a loving reproach for these deeds:
Original
Sanskrit verse
इत्थं स्त्रीभिः सभयनयनश्रीमुखालोकिनीभि-
र्व्याख्यातार्था प्रहसितमुखी न ह्युपालब्धुमैच्छत्॥
(श्रीमद्भागवत १०।८।३१)
English translation
Although the women explained everything while watching his beautiful face and frightened eyes, his mother merely smiled and had no wish to rebuke him.
(Śrīmad Bhāgavata 10.8.31)
Original
गोपसुन्दरियाँ भी व्रजरानीका यह भाव, श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रकी वह मुद्रा देखकर परमानन्दके प्रवाहमें बह चलती हैं। श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रने जब अपनी मैयाकी प्रसन्नमुद्रा देखी, तब उन्हें साहस हो आया। फिर तो गोपसुन्दरियोंके सम्बन्धमें उन्होंने भी अपनी मैयाको बहुत-सी बातें बतायीं। मैं इनके घर क्यों जाता हूँ, वहाँ क्या करता हूँ, किस प्रकार ये मुझे अपने सुखका साधन बनाती हैं, इन बातोंपर प्रकाश डालते हुए उन्होंने भी गोपसुन्दरियोंपर कई अभियोग लगाये। उनकी सुधाभरी वाणीमें यह वर्णन सुनकर व्रजेश्वरी एवं गोपसुन्दरियाँ आनन्दोन्मादके कारण कुछ देरके लिये तो वास्तवमें सुध-बुध खो बैठीं। सबका बाह्यज्ञान लुप्त हो गया। जब चेतना आयी, तब देखा मध्याह्नका सूर्य ढल रहा है, व्रजेश्वर आदि भोजनकी प्रतीक्षा कर रहे हैं। व्रजरानी उठीं। पहले व्रजराज आदि गोपोंने भोजन किया, फिर समस्त पुरसुन्दरियोंकी पङ्क्ति एक साथ बैठी। श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रने भी अपनी जननीकी गोदमें विराजित होकर दाऊ भैयाके साथ भोजन किया। भोजनका ऐसा सुख व्रजपुरन्ध्रियोंने अबतक कभी अनुभव नहीं किया था।
English translation
Seeing this feeling in the queen of Vraja and that expression upon Kṛṣṇacandra, the cowherd women too were swept away in a current of supreme bliss. When Kṛṣṇacandra saw his mother's pleased expression, he took courage. Then he too told her many things about the women. Explaining why he went to their homes, what he did there, and how they made him the means of their own happiness, he leveled several accusations against them. Hearing this description in his nectar-filled voice, the queen and the cowherd women truly lost all awareness for some time in the madness of joy. All external consciousness vanished. When awareness returned, they saw that the midday sun was declining and that Nanda and the others were waiting for their meal. The queen arose. First Nanda and the cowherd men ate, then all the women of the town sat together in a row. Seated in his mother's lap, Kṛṣṇacandra ate with his elder brother Dāū. Never before had the women of Vraja experienced such joy in a meal.
Original
बड़ी देरतक व्रजरानी रसालाप करती रहीं। फिर गोपसुन्दरियोंके भालपर मङ्गल-तिलककी रचना कर, उनकी यथायोग्य पूजा कर उन्हें विदा किया:
English translation
For a long time the queen of Vraja continued her rasa-filled conversation. Then she marked the cowherd women's foreheads with auspicious tilaka, honored them appropriately, and sent them home:
Original
Sanskrit excerpt
तासां बन्धुसपर्यां विधाय च विसर्जयामास।
(श्रीआनन्दवृन्दावनचम्पूः)
English translation
After rendering affectionate honors to them, she dismissed them.
(Śrī Ānandavṛndāvanacampū)
Original
उसी दिन संध्यासे कुछ पूर्व श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र कतिपय गोपसुन्दरियोंके घर पुनः गये। उनके घरमें जितने नवनीत-दधि-दुग्ध आदि पदार्थ सञ्चित थे, सबको बिखेरकर बहा दिया। उन गोपियोंका अन्तर्हृदय तो आनन्दसे नाच उठा, किंतु बाहर वे अतिशय कुपित हुईं। बड़-बड़ करती हुई वे व्रजेश्वरीके समीप पहुँचीं। श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रकी चञ्चलताका दायित्व उन्होंने व्रजरानीपर ही रखा तथा उन्हें खूब खरी-खोटी सुनायी। व्रजरानीने हाथ जोड़कर उन्हें शान्त किया। श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रको ये सब कोई अभिशाप न दे दें, इस भयसे वे उनसे क्षमा-याचना करने लगीं। फिर भण्डारमें गयीं। दधि-दुग्ध-नवनीतकी शत-शत मटकियाँ दासियोंसे उठवाकर आँगनमें रखवायीं तथा नीलमणिने जिसके घर जितनी हानि की है, उतना तौल-तौलकर ले जानेकी सबसे प्रार्थना की। साथ ही हाथ जोड़कर यह निवेदन करने लगीं:
English translation
Shortly before evening that same day, Kṛṣṇacandra again visited the houses of several cowherd women. He scattered and spilled all the butter, yogurt, milk, and other foods stored there. Their inner hearts danced with joy, but outwardly they became exceedingly angry. Muttering indignantly, they went to the queen of Vraja, held her responsible for Kṛṣṇacandra's restlessness, and sharply scolded her. Folding her hands, the queen calmed them. Fearing that one of them might curse Kṛṣṇacandra, she begged their forgiveness. Then she went to the storeroom, had her servants carry hundreds of pots of yogurt, milk, and butter into the courtyard, and asked each woman to weigh out and take as much as Nīlamaṇi had damaged in her home. With folded hands she also pleaded:
Original
Braj verses
गारी मति दीजौ, मो गरीबनी कौ जायौ है।
जितौ तो बिगार कियौ, आनि कहौ मो सौं तुम,
मैं तो काहू बातनि में नाहिं तरसायौ है॥
दधि की मटुकिया लै-लै आँगन में आनि धरी,
तौलि तौलि लीजौ भटु, जेतौ जाकौ भायौ है।
सूरदास-प्रभु प्यारे, निमिष न हूजौ न्यारे,
कान्ह-जैसी पूत पूरे पुन्यनि तैं पायौ है॥
English translation
Do not abuse him. He is the child of this poor woman.
Whatever damage he has done, come and tell me.
I have never withheld anything in such matters.
I have brought pot after pot of yogurt and set them in the courtyard.
Weigh it and take it, dear ones, as much as each of you desires.
Sūradāsa says: beloved Lord, do not remain apart even for an instant.
Only through perfected merit does one receive a son like Kānha.