Original
Hindi
ऊखलसे बँधे हुए दामोदरका यमलार्जुन बने हुए कुबेर-पुत्रोंपर कृपापूर्ण दृष्टिपात
English translation
Damodara, Bound to the Mortar, Casts a Merciful Glance upon Kubera's Sons as the Twin Arjuna Trees
Original
Hindi
कज्जलमिश्रित अश्रुप्रवाह उनके कपोलोंको सिक्त कर रहा है; आकुल नेत्र बारम्बार आभीरसुन्दरियोंसे कुछ मूक विनय, दया-याचना-सी कर रहे हैं; कुन्तलराशि मुखचन्द्रपर बिखर गयी है--इस प्रकार श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र अतिशय करुण-अवस्थामें ऊखलसे बँधे खड़े हैं। गोपसुन्दरियाँ उन्हें घेरे खड़ी हैं। सभी चाहती हैं--व्रजेश्वरी अब द्रवित हो जायँ, स्वल्प अपराधके लिये पर्याप्त दण्ड वे अपने नीलमणिको दे चुकीं। एकने यशोदारानीसे बन्धन खोल देनेकी प्रार्थना की--
English translation
Streams of tears mixed with collyrium moistened his cheeks. His distressed eyes repeatedly made a silent entreaty to the beautiful cowherd women, as if begging for mercy. His mass of curls lay scattered across the moon of his face. Thus Shri Krishnachandra stood bound to the mortar in a most pitiable condition. The cowherd women stood surrounding him. All wished the queen of Vraja to soften, for she had punished Nilamani sufficiently for his small offense. One pleaded with Queen Yashoda to release his bonds:
Original
Braj
जसुदा! तेरौ मुख हरि जोवै।
कमलनैन हरि हिचिकिनि रोवै, बंधन छोरि जसोवै॥
English translation
Yashoda, Hari is looking at your face. Lotus-eyed Hari sobs and weeps. Release his bonds and win glory.
Original
Hindi
दूसरी समझाने लगी--
English translation
Another tried to reason with her:
Original
Braj
जो तेरौ सुत खरौ अचगरौ, तक कोखि कौ जायौ।
कहा भयौ जो घर कें ढोटा चोरी माखन खायौ॥
English translation
If your son is truly so troublesome, then from whose womb was he born? What great harm has occurred if the child of the house stole and ate butter?
Original
Hindi
तीसरीने भी समझाया--
English translation
A third woman also counseled her:
Original
Braj
जसुदा! यह न बूझि कौ काम।
कमलनैन की भुजा देखि धौं, तैं बाँधे हैं दाम॥
पुत्रहु ते प्यारौ कोउ है री, कुल-दीपक मनि-धाम।
हरि पर वारि डारि सब तन-मन-धन, गोरस अरु ग्राम॥
English translation
Yashoda, this is not an act of wisdom. Look at the lotus-eyed child's arms, around which you have tied the rope. Is anyone dearer than one's son, the lamp of the family and abode of every treasure? Offer body, mind, wealth, milk products, and the entire village to Hari.
Original
Hindi
एक वृद्धा गोपीमें तो कुछ दैवी आवेश हो गया, उसके नेत्रोंमें रोष भर आया, सारे अङ्ग किसी विचित्र तेजःपुञ्जसे व्याप्त हो गये। वह यशोदारानीकी भर्त्सना करती हुई भगवत्तत्त्वकी बातें बताने लगी और श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रको छोड़ देनेके लिये व्रजेश्वरीको शपथ देने लगी--
English translation
One elderly gopi became filled with a kind of divine inspiration. Anger filled her eyes, and a strange mass of radiance pervaded all her limbs. Rebuking Queen Yashoda, she began speaking truths about Bhagavan and put the queen of Vraja under oath to release Shri Krishnachandra:
Original
Braj
(जसोदा!) तेरौ भलौ हियौ है, माई!
कमल-नैन माखन कें कारन बाँधे ऊखल ल्याई॥
जो संपदा देव-मुनि दुर्लभ, सपनेहुँ देइ न दिखाई।
याही तैं तू गर्ब भुलानी, घर बैठें निधि पाई॥
जो मूरति जल-थल में ब्यापक, निगम न खोजत पाईं।
सो मूरति तैं अपनें आँगन, चुटकी दै जु नचाई॥
तब काहू सुत रोवत देखति, दौरि लेति हिय लाई।
अब अपने घर के लरिका सौं इती करति निठुराई॥
बारंबार सजल लोचन करि, चितवत कुँवर कन्हाई।
कहा करौं, बलि जाउँ, छोरि तू, तेरी सौहँ दिवाई॥
सुर पालक, असुरनि उर सालक, त्रिभुवन जाहि डराई।
सूरदास प्रभु की यह लीला, निगम नेति नित गाई॥
English translation
Yashoda, mother, what a fine heart you have! For the sake of butter you have brought lotus-eyed Krishna and tied him to the mortar. The gods and sages cannot attain this treasure or see it even in dreams. Because you obtained this treasure while sitting at home, pride has made you forgetful. The Vedas search but cannot find that form which pervades water and land, yet in your courtyard you make that very form dance with a snap of your fingers. When you once saw anyone else's son weeping, you ran and clasped him to your heart, but now you treat the child of your own home with such cruelty. Prince Kanhai repeatedly looks at you with tear-filled eyes. What can I do? I offer myself to him. Release him, I place you under oath. He protects the gods, pierces the hearts of demons, and terrifies the three worlds. Surdas says that the Vedas forever sing "not this, not this" before this lila of the Lord.
Original
Hindi
किंतु व्रजेश्वरीका हृदय तो आज मानो पाषाण बन गया है। वे किसीकी बातसे तनिक भी द्रवित नहीं होतीं। अपि तु सबका इतना आग्रह देखकर उलटे खीझ जाती हैं और कहने लगती हैं--
English translation
But today the queen of Vraja's heart seemed to have turned to stone. Not one person's words softened her in the slightest. Instead, seeing everyone insist so strongly, she became irritated in return and began to say:
Original
Braj
जाहु चली अपने-अपने घर।
तुमहिं सबनि मिलि ढीठ करायौ, अब आई छोरन बर॥
मोहि अपने बाबा की सौहैं, कान्हहि अब न पत्याउँ।
भवन जाहु अपनें-अपनें सब, लागति हौं मैं पाउँ॥
मोकौ जनि बरजौ जुबती कोउ, देखौ हरि के ख्याल।
सूर स्याम सौं कहति जसोदा, बड़े नंद के लाल॥
English translation
Go away to your own homes. All of you together have made him insolent, and now you come to have him released. By my father's oath, I shall no longer trust Kanha. All of you go to your own houses. I fall at your feet. Let no young woman restrain me. See Hari's ways for yourselves. Surdas says that Yashoda speaks thus to Shyama, the son of great Nanda.
Original
Hindi
व्रजरानी इतनी कठोर तो कभी नहीं थीं! उन्होंने इतना रूक्ष व्यवहार तो हम सबसे आजतक कभी नहीं किया! गोपरामाओंके हृदयमें ठेस-सी लगती है। उन सबमें रोषका संचार हो जाता है। वे बोलीं--
English translation
The queen of Vraja had never been so hard. Until today she had never behaved so harshly with any of them. The cowherd women's hearts felt wounded, and anger spread among them all. They said:
Original
Braj
ऐसी रिस तोकौं, नंदरानी!
भली बुद्धि तेरै जिय उपजी, बड़ी बैस अब भई सयानी॥
ढोटा एक भयौ कैसेहु करि, कौन-कौन करबर बिधि भानी।
क्रम-क्रम करि अब लौं उबरयौ है, ताकौ मारि पितर दै पानी॥
को निरदई रहै तेरें घर, को तेरें सँग बैठे आनी।
English translation
Why such anger, Queen of Nanda? Fine wisdom has arisen in your heart now that you have grown old and clever. Somehow you obtained one child after who knows how many rites and remedies. Until now he has escaped one danger after another, yet you would kill him and offer water to the ancestors. What merciless person could remain in your home, and who would come sit beside you?
Original
Hindi
तथा हृदयमें दुःखका भार लिये, अत्यन्त उदास, अतिशय खिन्न वे अपने घरकी ओर चल पड़ीं--
English translation
Carrying a weight of sorrow in their hearts, deeply dejected and exceedingly distressed, they set out for their homes:
Original
Braj
सुनहु सूर कहि-कहि पचि हारौ, जुवतीं चली, घरनि बिरुझानी॥
English translation
Hear Surdas: exhausted from speaking again and again, the young women departed resentfully for their homes.
Original
Hindi
पुरसुन्दरियाँ मुझे जननीके अनुशासनसे, जननीप्रदत्त बन्धनसे मुक्त कर देंगी--श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रकी यह आशा टूट गयी। अब वे अश्रुपूरित कण्ठसे अग्रज बलरामका नाम ले-लेकर पुकारने लगते हैं; किंतु अग्रज यहाँ कहाँ; वे तो जननीके साथ उपनन्द-गृहमें हैं। फिर भी अनुजका आह्वान व्यर्थ नहीं होता। रोहिणी मैया कुछ भी न जान सकीं, पर रोहिणीनन्दन बलरामके हृत्तन्तुओंपर श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रका करुण क्रन्दन झङ्कृत हो उठा। वे व्याकुल हो उठे। माताके लौटनेमें तो अभी पहरभरका विलम्ब है। इतना धैर्य राममें कहाँ? वे भाग चले, क्षणोंमें ही निर्विघ्न नन्दभवनके समीप जा पहुँचे। मार्गमें कोई बाधा नहीं आयी; क्योंकि योगमायाने उपनन्दपत्नी एवं श्रीरोहिणीके स्मृति-पथमें, “राम यहीं खेल रहा है या कहीं चला गया?” इस प्रश्नके सामने एक झीनी चादर डाल दी थी। अस्तु, नन्दप्राङ्गणसे लौटती हुई कुछ व्रजपुरन्ध्रियोंने बलरामकी ओर देखा एवं बलरामने उनकी ओर। एक अतिशय व्यथित गोपी चटपट श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रके ऊखल-बन्धनकी सारी बात रामको सुनाने लगी--
English translation
Shri Krishnachandra's hope that the women of the settlement would free him from Mother's discipline and the bond she had imposed was shattered. With a voice full of tears, he began calling the name of his elder brother Balarama. But where was his elder brother? He was at Upananda's house with his mother. Even so, the younger brother's call did not go in vain. Maiya Rohini knew nothing, but Shri Krishnachandra's pitiable crying resonated upon the heartstrings of Rohini's son Balarama. He became distressed. A full watch remained before Mother would return. How could Rama possess such patience? He ran and within moments reached Nanda's house without obstruction. No obstacle appeared on the way, for Yogamaya had drawn a thin veil across the path of memory in Upananda's wife and Shri Rohini before the question, "Is Rama playing here or has he gone somewhere?" Be that as it may, some women of Vraja returning from Nanda's courtyard looked toward Balarama, and Balarama looked toward them. One deeply anguished gopi quickly told Rama the whole story of Shri Krishnachandra's being bound to the mortar:
Original
Braj
हलधर सौं कहि ग्वालि सुनायौ।
प्रातहिं तैं तुम्हरौ लघु भैया जसुमति ऊखल बाँधि लगायौ॥
English translation
The cowherd woman told Haladhara, "Since early morning Yashoda has kept your little brother bound to the mortar."
Original
Hindi
फिर तो रोहिणीनन्दन दौड़ पड़े, श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रके समीप चले आये। पर आह! अनुजकी दशा देखकर रोहिणीनन्दनके नेत्र तो छल-छल करने लगे--
English translation
Rohini's son then ran and came near Shri Krishnachandra. But alas, seeing his younger brother's condition, Rohini's son's eyes brimmed with tears:
Original
Braj
यह सुनि कै हलधर तहँ धाए।
देखि स्याम ऊखल सौं बाँधे, तबहीं दोउ लोचन भरि आए॥
English translation
Hearing this, Haladhara hastened there. The instant he saw Shyama bound to the mortar, both his eyes filled with tears.
Original
Hindi
बलराम अपने हाथसे यशोदारानीका अञ्चल धारणकर गद्गद कण्ठसे बोले--
English translation
Balarama took the edge of Queen Yashoda's garment in his hand and spoke in a voice choked with emotion:
Original
Braj
स्यामहि छोरि मोहि बाँधै बरु, निकसत सगुन भले नहिं पाए।
मेरे प्रान-जिवन धन कान्हा, तिन के भुज मोहिं बँधे दिखाए॥
English translation
Release Shyama and bind me instead, for the omens were not good when I set out. Kanha is the life and treasure of my existence, yet you have made me see his arms bound.
Original
Hindi
ओह! अग्रजकी बात सुनते ही यशोदारानीके प्राणोंमें टीस-सी चलने लगी। उन्हें भान हुआ कि अब कठोरताके इस झूठे स्वाँगका निर्वाह करना उनके लिये तो असम्भव है; किंतु नहीं, उसी क्षण अचिन्त्यलीला-महाशक्तिने वात्सल्यरसघनमूर्ति यशोदारानीके मनको अपने हाथोंमें ले लिया। व्रजेश्वरी तो उमड़ते हुए वात्सल्य-सिन्धुमें बहने जा रही थीं, पर लीलाशक्ति उन्हें बाहर निकाल ले आयीं तथा उनपर अपना हाथ फेरकर कुछ समयके लिये धैर्य धारण करने योग्य बना डाला। अवश्य ही मैया अग्रजको बोलकर उत्तर न दे सकीं। केवल उनकी प्रार्थनाको अस्वीकार करते हुए अपना सिर किंचिन्मात्र हिला पायीं।
English translation
Oh, the moment she heard the elder brother's words, a pang pierced Queen Yashoda's life. She felt that she could no longer maintain this false performance of hardness. But no, at that very instant the inconceivable supreme power of lila took into her hands the mind of Queen Yashoda, dense embodiment of maternal rasa. The queen of Vraja was about to be swept away in the surging ocean of maternal love, but the power of lila drew her out, passed her hand over her, and enabled her to retain composure for a little longer. Maiya could not answer the elder brother in words. She could only move her head the slightest amount to reject his plea.
Original
Hindi
अब तो रोहिणीनन्दनको क्रोध हो आया। नेत्र और भी अरुण हो उठे। कुछ क्षण तिरछी चितवनसे जननीकी ओर देखकर वे बोले--
English translation
Now Rohini's son became angry. His eyes grew redder still. Looking at Mother sidelong for a few moments, he said:
Original
Braj
काहे कौं कलह नाध्यौ, दारुन दाँवरि बाँध्यौ,
कठिन लकुट लै तैं त्रास्यौ मेरे भैया।
नाहीं कसकत मन, निरखि कोमल तन,
तनिक-से दधि काज, भली री तू मैया॥
हौं तौ न भयौ री घर, देखत्यौ तेरी यौं अर,
फोरतौ बासन सब जानति बलैया।
सूरदास हित हरि लोचन आए हैं भरि,
बलहू कौं बल जाको, सोई री कन्हैया॥
English translation
Why have you raised this quarrel, bound my brother with a cruel rope, and frightened him with a hard stick? Does your heart not ache upon seeing his tender body? All for a little curd! What a fine mother you are. I was not at home. Had I witnessed such hostility from you, I would have broken every vessel, as you well know. Surdas says that Balarama's eyes filled for love of Hari. Kanhai is the one who gives strength even to Balarama.
Original
Hindi
इस बार जननी मन-ही-मन हँस पड़ती हैं। साथ ही यह अनुभव करती हैं कि अब यहाँ और रुकना उचित नहीं; अन्यथा वे अपना धैर्य खो बैठेंगी, तथा इस प्रकार अबतकका सारा प्रयास निष्फल हो जायगा। इस विचारसे व्रजेश्वरी पार्श्ववर्ती प्राङ्गणमें चली जाती हैं। यहाँ रह जाते हैं--गोपशिशुओंसे आवृत, ऊखलमें निबद्ध श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र एवं उनकी ओर सकरुण दृष्टिसे देखते हुए रोहिणीनन्दन बलराम। इनके अतिरिक्त अन्तरिक्षमें अवस्थित हैं अमरवृन्द, जो श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रकी इस भक्तवत्सलताको निहार-निहारकर आनन्दसिन्धुमें डूब-उतरा रहे हैं। क्यों न हों? सर्वतन्त्र-स्वतन्त्र, स्वयं भगवान् श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रका जननीके प्रति यह आत्मसमर्पण इस योग्य ही है। समस्त लोकपालोंके सहित यह परिदृश्यमान जगत् जिनके वशमें है, जिनपर किसीका बन्धन--शासन नहीं है, जो नित्य परम स्वतन्त्र हैं, उन अनन्त ऐश्वर्यनिकेतन, यशोदानन्दन श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रने जननीके द्वारा दिये हुए बन्धनको स्वीकार कर आज वास्तवमें अपनी भक्ताधीनताको प्रत्यक्ष प्रकट जो कर दिया है--
English translation
This time Mother laughed inwardly. She also felt that it was no longer proper to remain there, for otherwise she would lose her composure and all her effort until now would become fruitless. With this thought the queen of Vraja went to the adjoining courtyard. Shri Krishnachandra remained there bound to the mortar and surrounded by cowherd children, while Rohini's son Balarama looked upon him compassionately. In addition, hosts of immortals stood in the sky, plunging and rising in an ocean of bliss as they gazed again and again upon Shri Krishnachandra's tenderness toward his devotee. Why should they not? Bhagavan Shri Krishnachandra, completely independent in every respect, had surrendered himself to Mother. This visible universe and all its world-rulers are under his control. No one's bonds or commands can govern him, and he is eternally supremely independent. Yet Shri Krishnachandra, Yashoda's son and abode of infinite majesty, accepted the bond Mother gave him and thereby directly revealed today that he is subject to his devotee:
Original
Sanskrit. Source: श्रीमद्भागवतम् १०।९।१९
एवं संदर्शिता ह्यङ्ग हरिणा भृत्यवश्यता।
स्ववशेनापि कृष्णेन यस्येदं सेश्वरं वशे॥
English translation
Thus, dear one, Hari revealed that he is subject to his servant. Although Krishna is fully independent and this entire world with its rulers lies under his control, he placed himself under his devotee's control.
Original
Hindi
जिस कृपा-वैभवका आस्वाद व्रजेश्वरीने पाया, उसे आजतक नारायणके नाभिकमलसे उत्पन्न, प्रापञ्चिक भक्तोंके आदिगुरु जगत्-विधाता ब्रह्माने भी न पाया, आत्मस्वरूप शंकरने भी कभी उसे अनुभव न किया, वक्षःस्थलविलासिनी लक्ष्मीको भी वह न मिली। मुक्तिपर्यन्त पुरुषार्थदाता श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रसे जो प्रसाद गोपमहिषीने पाया वह किसीने नहीं--
English translation
The queen of Vraja tasted a glory of grace that even Brahma, born from Narayana's navel-lotus, creator of the universe and original teacher of devotees within the world, had never obtained. Shankara, Bhagavan's own self, had never experienced it, nor had Lakshmi, who sports upon his breast. No one had received the grace from Shri Krishnachandra, giver of all human aims up to liberation, that the cowherd queen obtained:
Original
Sanskrit. Source: श्रीमद्भागवतम् १०।९।२०
नेमं विरिञ्चो न भवो न श्रीरप्यङ्गसंश्रया।
प्रसादं लेभिरे गोपी यत्तत् प्राप विमुक्तिदात्॥
English translation
Neither Brahma, nor Shiva, nor even Shri who rests upon his body obtained from the giver of liberation the grace received by this gopi.
Original
Hindi
आज यह भी प्रत्यक्ष हो गया--यशोदारानीके समान स्वयं भगवान् श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रको अनायास सुखपूर्वक पा लेनेका मार्ग कौन-सा है। व्रजवासियोंके समान केवल प्रेमके लिये ही प्रेम करनेवाले भक्तोंको वे जितने सुलभ हैं, उतने सुलभ किसी भी प्राणीके लिये नहीं--और तो क्या अपने आत्मभूत तत्त्वज्ञानियोंके लिये भी नहीं--
English translation
Today the path by which one may attain Bhagavan Shri Krishnachandra as effortlessly and joyfully as Queen Yashoda did also became directly manifest. He is more easily attained by devotees who, like the people of Vraja, love solely for love's own sake than by any other beings. Indeed, he is not so accessible even to the realized knowers who regard him as their very self:
Original
Sanskrit. Source: श्रीमद्भागवतम् १०।९।२१
नायं सुखापो भगवान् देहिनां गोपिकासुतः।
ज्ञानिनां चात्मभूतानां यथा भक्तिमतामिह॥
English translation
Bhagavan, the son of the gopi, is not as easily attained by embodied beings, nor even by knowers who regard him as their very self, as he is by devotees in this world.
Original
Hindi
यह सब प्रत्यक्ष देखकर, अनुभव कर देववृन्द तो आनन्दमत्त हो गये हैं; किंतु यशोदारानीके ध्यानमें, बस, इतनी-सी बात है कि अपने चञ्चल नीलमणिको उन्होंने कुछ क्षणोंके लिये ऊखलसे बाँध दिया है। “भर्त्सनासे अपनेको अपमानित मानकर, रूठकर कहीं वह वनकी ओर एकाकी भाग न जाय--इसकी उचित व्यवस्थामात्र मैंने की है।” वे तो इतना ही जानती हैं। इसीलिये दूसरे कक्षमें जाकर निश्चिन्त मनसे गृहकार्यमें संलग्न हो गयी हैं।
English translation
Seeing and experiencing all this directly, the hosts of gods became intoxicated with bliss. But Queen Yashoda held only this small thought in her awareness: she had tied her restless Nilamani to the mortar for a few moments. "Feeling insulted by my rebuke, he might sulk and run alone toward the forest. I have merely made suitable provision to prevent that." This alone she knew. She therefore entered another chamber and calmly engaged in household work.
Original
Hindi
इधर अनुजके प्रति इतनी कठोरता एवं अपनी प्रार्थनाकी जननीकृत उपेक्षा--दोनों ही रोहिणीनन्दनके लिये असह्य हो जाती हैं। वे क्रोधसे दाँत पीसने लगते हैं, किंतु श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रका क्रन्दन क्रमशः शान्त होने लगता है। जबतक गोपसुन्दरियाँ थीं, जननी उपस्थित थीं, तबतक तो वे अत्यन्त व्याकुल थे। पर उनके जानेके कुछ क्षणोंके पश्चात् ही वे शान्त होने लगे। धीरे-धीरे क्रन्दन समाप्त हो जाता है और अब तो उसके बदले उनके अरुण अधरोंपर मन्द मुसकान छा जाती है। अवश्य ही अभी यह मुसकान व्रजरानीके वात्सल्यरसपानसे मत्त हुए, अपने अनन्त ऐश्वर्यको विस्मृत हुए स्वयं भगवान् व्रजेन्द्रनन्दन श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रकी नहीं है; यह मुसकान है उनके अधरोंकी ओटमें उनके लीलामञ्चकी अधिष्ठात्री योगमायाकी! वह व्यक्त हुई है अतिशय व्याकुल बलरामको आश्वासन देनेके लिये, क्षणभरके लिये बलराममें उनके अनुजके अनन्त असमोर्ध्व ऐश्वर्यका उन्मेष कर उनकी चिन्ता हर लेनेके लिये, साथ ही रसपानप्रमत्त श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रमें एक सुदूर अतीतकी--अपने परम भक्त नारदके द्वारा दी हुई प्रतिश्रुतिकी स्मृति जगानेके लिये। उस मुसकानने रोहिणीनन्दनकी चिन्ता हर ली। ठीक वैसी ही एक किरण उनके अधरोंपर भी व्यक्त हो जाती है तथा नेत्रोंमें ऐश्वर्यका चित्रपट भर जाता है--
English translation
Meanwhile, both such harshness toward his younger brother and Mother's disregard for his plea became unbearable to Rohini's son. He ground his teeth in anger, but Shri Krishnachandra's crying gradually subsided. As long as the cowherd women and Mother remained present, he had been extremely distressed. Yet a few moments after they left, he began to grow calm. Slowly the crying ended, and a gentle smile appeared instead upon his crimson lips. At this moment that smile certainly did not belong to Bhagavan Shri Krishnachandra, Vrajendra's son, intoxicated by drinking the queen of Vraja's maternal rasa and forgetful of his infinite majesty. It was the smile of Yogamaya, presiding mistress of his stage of lila, concealed behind his lips. It appeared to reassure the deeply distressed Balarama, to awaken within him for a moment the infinite and unsurpassed majesty of his younger brother and thus remove his worry, and at the same time to awaken in Shri Krishnachandra, intoxicated by drinking rasa, the memory of a promise from the distant past made through his supreme devotee Narada. That smile removed Rohini's son's worry. A ray just like it appeared upon his lips too, and a panorama of divine majesty filled his eyes:
Original
Braj
निरखि स्याम हलधर मुसुकाने।
को बाँधै, कौ छोरै इन कौं, यह महिमा येई पै जाने॥
उतपति-प्रलय करत हैं येई, सेष सहस-मुख सुजस बखाने।
जमलार्जुन तरु तोरि उधारन, कारन करन आपु मन माने॥
असुर-सँहारन, भक्तनि तारन, पावन-पतित कहावत बाने।
सूरदास प्रभु भाव-भक्ति के, अति हित जसुमति हाथ बिकाने॥
English translation
Looking upon Shyama, Haladhara smiled. Who can bind him, and who can release him? He alone knows this glory. He creates and dissolves the worlds, and thousand-headed Shesha proclaims his excellent fame. By his own will he acts as the cause of all causes, breaking the twin arjuna trees and delivering them. He destroys demons and delivers devotees, and is renowned as the purifier of the fallen. Surdas says that the Lord, out of supreme affection for loving devotion, has sold himself into Yashoda's hands.
Original
Hindi
श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र भी मानो जाग-से उठते हैं। नन्दसदनके समीप खड़े गगनचुम्बी यमलार्जुन वृक्षोंकी ओर उनकी दृष्टि चली जाती है। उसी क्षण बाल्यावेशके अन्तरालसे उनकी सर्वज्ञता-शक्ति संकेत करने लगती है--“लीलाविहारिन्! दामोदर! देखो नाथ! देवपरिमाणसे शतवर्ष पूर्वसे ये युग्म अर्जुन-वृक्ष यहाँ आकर तुम्हारी प्रतीक्षा कर रहे हैं। कुबेरपुत्र नलकूबर एवं मणिग्रीव ही वृक्ष बनकर तुम्हारी कृपाकी बाट देख रहे हैं! धनमदने इन्हें अंधा कर दिया था, किंतु तुम्हारे परम भक्त देवर्षि नारदकी इनपर कृपा हुई। देवर्षिने शाप देकर इन्हें वृक्षयोनि दे दी, अनुग्रह करके तुम्हारे क्रीड़ा-प्राङ्गणके किनारे निवास दे दिया। तबसे बारंबार ग्रीष्मके आतपका, पावसकी झड़ीका, शिशिरके हिमका और पवनके प्रचण्ड झंझावातका उपभोग करते हुए ये अपनी सारी मलिनता धो चुके हैं। अब समय पूर्ण हो चुका है, नाथ! अपना पावन स्पर्श दानकर इन्हें कृतार्थ करो, प्रभो! अवसर भी सुन्दर है, जननी गृहकार्यमें व्यस्त हैं।”
English translation
Shri Krishnachandra too seemed to awaken. His gaze moved toward the sky-touching twin arjuna trees standing near Nanda's house. At that very moment, from behind his absorption in childhood, his power of omniscience began to intimate: "Enjoyer of lila, Damodara, look, Lord! For one hundred years by the reckoning of the gods, these twin arjuna trees have stood here awaiting you. Kubera's sons Nalakuvara and Manigriva have become trees and wait for your grace. Pride in wealth had blinded them, but your supreme devotee Devarshi Narada bestowed his mercy upon them. By a curse he gave them birth as trees, and by grace he granted them residence at the edge of your playground. Since then they have repeatedly endured summer's burning heat, the rains' downpours, winter's frost, and the wind's fierce tempests, washing away all their impurity. The appointed time is now complete, Lord. Fulfill them by granting your purifying touch, Master. The opportunity too is excellent, for Mother is occupied with household work."
Original
Sanskrit. Source: श्रीमद्भागवतम् १०।९।२२-२३
कृष्णस्तु गृहकृत्येषु व्यग्रायां मातरि प्रभुः।
अद्राक्षीदर्जुनौ पूर्वं गुह्यकौ धनदात्मजौ॥
पुरा नारदशापेन वृक्षतां प्रापितौ मदात्।
नलकूबरमणिग्रीवाविति ख्यातौ श्रियान्वितौ॥
English translation
While his mother was occupied with household duties, the Lord Krishna saw before him the two arjuna trees, formerly yakshas and sons of Kubera. Long ago, through Narada's curse prompted by their pride, the prosperous Nalakuvara and Manigriva had been made into trees.
Original
Hindi
सर्वज्ञताशक्तिके उपर्युक्त संकेतपर श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र भी अपनी स्वीकृति दे देते हैं--
English translation
Shri Krishnachandra gave his assent to this prompting of his omniscient power:
Original
Braj
हरि चितए जमलार्जुन के तन।
अबहीं आजु इन्हें उद्धारौं, ये हैं मेरे निज जन॥
ये सुकुमार, बहुत दुख पायौ, सुत कुबेर के तारौं।
सूरदास प्रभु कहत मनहिं मन, यह बंधन निरवारौं॥
English translation
Hari looked upon the bodies of the twin arjuna trees. "Today, this very moment, I shall deliver them, for they are my own people. These tender sons of Kubera have suffered greatly, so I shall save them." Surdas says that the Lord spoke within his mind, "I shall bring this bondage to an end."