Original
नतजानु हुए, अञ्जलि बाँधे वे धनदपुत्र, नलकूबर, मणिग्रीव श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रके चरणप्रान्तमें अवस्थित हैं, उन्हें प्रणाम कर रहे हैं। व्रजचन्द्रकी चरण-नखचन्द्रिकाने उनमें दिव्य ज्ञानका उन्मेष कर दिया है, नवनीरद-श्यामल श्रीअङ्गोंने रसकी सरिता बहा दी है। वे कभी तो उस ज्ञानके आलोकमें व्रजेन्द्रनन्दनके अचिन्त्य अनन्त ऐश्वर्यको प्रत्यक्ष अनुभव कर चमत्कृत होने लगते हैं और कभी रसपानसे उन्मत्त होकर अपनी सुध-बुध भूल जाते हैं। श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र चकित चञ्चल भीति-विजड़ित नेत्रोंसे उनकी ओर देख रहे हैं तथा उनके आश्चर्यविस्फारित पर रससिक्त नेत्र निष्पन्द होकर श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रकी ओर लग रहे हैं। यह जानना सम्भव नहीं कि वास्तवमें कितने कालतक उनकी यह दशा रही है। अवश्य ही बाह्य दृष्टिसे देखनेपर तो कुछ ही क्षण बीते हैं और अब वे अखिल-लोकनाथ श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रकी महिमा गाने जा रहे हैं:
English translation
Kneeling with palms joined, the sons of the lord of wealth, Nalakūvara and Maṇigrīva, remained at Kṛṣṇacandra's feet and offered obeisance. The moonlight of the nails upon the moon of Vraja's feet awakened divine knowledge within them, while his sacred limbs, dark as a fresh rain cloud, released a river of rasa. At one moment, illumined by that knowledge, they directly experienced the inconceivable and infinite majesty of Vraja's prince and marveled. At another, intoxicated by drinking rasa, they lost all awareness of themselves. Kṛṣṇacandra looked toward them with startled, restless eyes rigid with fear, while their eyes, wide with wonder yet drenched in rasa, remained motionless upon him. No one can know how long this condition truly lasted. To outward sight only a few moments had passed, and now they prepared to sing the glory of Kṛṣṇacandra, Lord of all worlds:
Original
Sanskrit verse
कृष्णं प्रणम्य शिरसाखिललोकनाथं
बद्धाञ्जली विरजसाविदमूचतुः स्म॥
(श्रीमद्भागवत १०।१०।२८)
English translation
Bowing their heads to Kṛṣṇa, Lord of all worlds, the two purified brothers joined their palms and spoke these words.
(Śrīmad Bhāgavata 10.10.28)
Original
किंतु हर्षातिरेकवश कण्ठ रुद्ध हो जाता है, वे कुछ भी बोल नहीं पाते। नेत्रोंसे अनवरत अश्रुकी वर्षा हो रही है; कपोल, वक्षःस्थल आर्द्र हो चुके हैं। वे अपने मुकुटमण्डित सिरको झुकाकर दूरसे तो वन्दना कर चुके, पर उसे श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रके चरणपल्लवसे स्पर्श करा देनेके लिये वे अत्यन्त व्याकुल हैं। किंतु शरीर विवश हो रहा है, जड़-सा बनकर चेष्टाशून्य हो गया है। कुछ क्षणोंके पश्चात् किसी अचिन्त्य शक्तिकी प्रेरणासे उनके हाथोंमें स्पन्दन होता है और वे अनुभव करते हैं, सिरसे तो नहीं, पर हाथ बढ़ाकर कदाचित् चरणसरोजके स्पर्शका सौभाग्य सम्भव हो जाय। इस लालसासे ही वे अपने हाथ श्रीचरणोंके समीप ले जाते हैं।
English translation
But an excess of joy choked their throats and they could not speak. Tears poured ceaselessly from their eyes, soaking their cheeks and chests. They had already bowed their crowned heads in worship from a distance, yet intensely yearned to touch them to Kṛṣṇacandra's tender feet. Their bodies, however, were helpless, rigid and motionless. After a few moments, inspired by some inconceivable power, their hands stirred. They thought that though they could not bow their heads there, perhaps by extending their hands they might attain the fortune of touching his lotus feet. With this longing, they brought their hands near those sacred feet.
Original
पर बाल्यलीलाविहारीका बाल्यावेश, बाल्यभङ्गिमा कुबेरपुत्रोंको यह सौभाग्य सहजमें देना जो नहीं चाहती। ऊखलसे बँधे होनेके कारण, धराशायी अर्जुन-वृक्षोंके मध्यदेशमें ऊखलके अटके रहनेसे वे भाग तो नहीं सकते, पर अङ्गोंसे अमानव तेजकी किरणें बिखेरते, प्रज्ज्वलित अग्निके समान चमचम करते हुए चार हाथोंको अपने लघु-लघु चरणोंकी ओर आते देखकर वे स्थिर कैसे रह सकते हैं। जितना अधिक-से-अधिक सम्भव है, उतना पीछेकी ओर हटकर वे भागनेका प्रयास करते हैं। अवश्य ही भाग नहीं पाते। किधर जायँ? कैसे जायँ? इसीलिये मुग्ध शिशुकी भाँति भयभीत-से होकर वे अपने करकमलोंको नचा-नचाकर उन्हें स्पर्श न करनेके लिये संकेत करने लगते हैं; फिर तो कुबेरपुत्रोंमें यह शक्ति कहाँ कि उन्हें छू लें। जगत् में यह सामर्थ्य किसमें है जो श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रके न चाहनेपर स्वप्नमें भी क्षणभरके लिये उनकी छायाका भी स्पर्श कर ले? पर नलकूबर-मणिग्रीवके हाथ भी श्रीकृष्णपादारविन्दके स्पर्शका सौभाग्य पाये बिना आज लौटनेवाले नहीं। युगलबन्धुओंके नेत्रोंमें वह व्याकुलता भर आती है, जिसकी सीमा नहीं। बस, यह अपेक्षित थी। कुबेरपुत्र श्रीकृष्णचरणोंको अपने हाथोंसे वेष्टित कर लेते हैं। उनका रोम-रोम पुलकित हो उठता है। किंतु बाल्यलीलारसमत्त अनन्त-ऐश्वर्यनिकेतन श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र तो उस समय भी एक अभिनव-रस-तरङ्गमें बह चलते हैं। वे सोचने लगते हैं, “जननीके मुखसे अनेकों बार देवताओंके स्वरूपका वर्णन सुन चुका हूँ। ये हैं तो दोनों कोई देवता, पर मेरे चरण क्यों पकड़ते हैं?” लीलामयकी यह भावना रसमें सनी रहकर अत्यन्त मसृण होनेके कारण बाहरकी ओर फिसल पड़ी, वे कुबेरपुत्रोंकी ओर देखकर पुकार ही तो उठे:
English translation
But the childhood absorption and manner of the enjoyer of childhood pastimes did not wish to grant the sons of Kubera this fortune so easily. Bound to the mortar, which remained caught between the fallen arjuna trees, he could not flee. Yet how could he remain still when he saw four hands shining like blazing fire, casting rays of superhuman brilliance, approaching his tiny feet? He drew back as far as possible and tried to escape, though of course he could not. Where could he go, and how? Like an innocent, frightened child, he waved his lotus hands and signaled that they must not touch him. How then could the sons of Kubera possess the power to do so? Who in the world can touch even Kṛṣṇacandra's shadow for a moment, even in a dream, when he does not desire it? Yet Nalakūvara and Maṇigrīva's hands would not turn back today without receiving the fortune of touching his lotus feet. Boundless anguish filled the brothers' eyes. That alone was needed. The sons of Kubera encircled Kṛṣṇa's feet with their hands, and every hair upon their bodies stood erect. Yet Kṛṣṇacandra, abode of infinite majesty and intoxicated with the rasa of childhood pastime, was even then carried upon a new wave of rasa. He began to think, “I have heard mother describe the forms of gods many times. These two are surely gods of some kind, but why are they holding my feet?” Because this thought of the playful Lord was soaked in rasa and exceedingly tender, it slipped outward, and looking toward Kubera's sons he called:
Original
Braj verses
कहन लगे हरि तिन तन चाहि, तुम तौ कोउ देवता आहि।
इमि इहि गोकुल-गोप-दुलारे, क्यों हो पकरत पाँव हमारे॥
English translation
Looking upon their forms, Hari began to say, “You are surely gods of some kind.
Why then do you grasp the feet of this simple darling of Gokula's cowherds?”
Original
श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रकी इस परम दिव्य रसमयी भावनाको कौन ग्रहण करे? नलकूबर-मणिग्रीवके पास इसे धारण करने योग्य पात्र ही कहाँ है? यह तो धारण कर सकती हैं विशुद्ध-राग-परिभावितचित्ता गोपसुन्दरियाँ; इसे ग्रहण कर सकते हैं विशुद्ध-राग-रसिक व्रजपुर-गोप, गोपशिशु; इसे लेनेकी क्षमता है विशुद्ध-वात्सल्य-रसघनमूर्ति व्रजेन्द्रदम्पतिमें, जहाँ जिनके प्रेममें अनन्त-ब्रह्माण्ड-भाण्डोदर श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रके अनन्त ऐश्वर्यकी गन्धतक नहीं, जिनकी चरण-रज-कणिकाकी छाया पड़नेसे प्रपञ्चके प्राणियोंको विशुद्ध-रागमार्गके पथिक बननेका अधिकार प्राप्त होता है। इसीलिये नलकूबर-मणिग्रीव इस मधुर रसका आस्वादन न पा सके। व्रजेन्द्रनन्दनकी वह रसमयी वाणी उनके चित्तमें उनकी पात्रताके अनुरूप भावका ही उल्लास कर सकी। उसका रूप यह बन गया। वे कुबेरपुत्र श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रकी महिमाका गान करने जा रहे थे, पर कण्ठ अश्रुपूरित होकर कर नहीं पा रहे थे। श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रकी इस रसीली उक्तिसे इतनी प्रबल, ऐसी गम्भीर धारा बह चली कि ऐश्वर्यज्ञान मानो उसमें सर्वथा डूब जानेके भयसे बरबस कण्ठसे बाहर निकलने लगा। नलकूबर-मणिग्रीव श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रकी स्तुति करने लगे:
English translation
Who could receive this supremely divine, rasa-filled feeling of Kṛṣṇacandra? Where in Nalakūvara and Maṇigrīva was a vessel capable of holding it? It could be held by the beautiful cowherd women whose hearts were completely suffused with pure spontaneous love. It could be received by the cowherd men and children of Vraja who relished the rasa of that pure love. The royal couple of Vraja, embodiments of condensed and spotless parental rasa, possessed the capacity to receive it. In their love there was not even the scent of Kṛṣṇacandra's infinite majesty, though countless universes rest within his belly, and the mere shadow of a particle of dust from their feet grants beings in this world eligibility to tread the path of pure spontaneous love. Nalakūvara and Maṇigrīva therefore could not taste this sweet rasa. The rasa-filled words of Vraja's prince awakened within their hearts only a feeling suited to their own capacity. The result was this: Kubera's sons had intended to sing Kṛṣṇacandra's glory, but their throats were filled with tears and they had been unable. Now so mighty and deep a current flowed from his nectarous utterance that their awareness of his majesty seemed to force itself from their throats for fear of being completely submerged. Nalakūvara and Maṇigrīva began to praise Kṛṣṇacandra:
Original
Braj verses
पुलकित सरोज-से करनि जोरि बोले तहाँ।
जगतपति-नाथ! तो गुननि-गाथ जानै नहीं॥
सगुन यह रूप औ निगुन वेदबाणी कहैं।
अखिल तुव मध्य है, सकल जानि ग्यानी लहैं॥
सुजन जन लाज काज अवतार धारौ मही।
दनुज-दल दुष्ट पुष्ट बल मारि तारौ तहीं॥
अब करि प्रभो! सुदृष्टि, करुना-कृपा सौं भरी।
अभयपद दान देउ जन जानिये जू हरी॥
English translation
With hands joined like thrilled lotuses, they spoke there:
“Lord and master of the universe, no one can know the full story of your virtues.
This form is with qualities, while the voice of the Vedas calls you beyond qualities.
Everything rests within you, and the wise attain this understanding.
To protect the honor and purpose of the virtuous, you assume incarnations upon the earth.
You destroy the gathered power of wicked hosts of demons and deliver them.
Now, Lord, cast upon us your auspicious glance filled with compassion and grace.
O Hari, recognize us as your servants and grant us the fearless state.”
Original
Sanskrit verses
कृष्ण कृष्ण महायोगिंस्त्वमाद्यः पुरुषः परः।
व्यक्ताव्यक्तमिदं विश्वं रूपं ते ब्राह्मणा विदुः॥
त्वमेकः सर्वभूतानां देहास्वात्मेन्द्रियेश्वरः।
त्वमेव कालो भगवान् विष्णुरव्यय ईश्वरः॥
त्वं महान् प्रकृतिः सूक्ष्मा रजःसत्त्वतमोमयी।
त्वमेव पुरुषोऽध्यक्षः सर्वक्षेत्रविकारवित्॥
गृह्यमाणैस्त्वमग्राह्यो विकारैः प्राकृतैर्गुणैः।
को न्विहार्हति विज्ञातुं प्राक्सिद्धं गुणसंवृतः॥
तस्मै तुभ्यं भगवते वासुदेवाय वेधसे।
आत्मद्योतगुणैश्छन्नमहिम्ने ब्रह्मणे नमः॥
यस्यावतारा ज्ञायन्ते शरीरेष्वशरीरिणः।
तैस्तैरतुल्यातिशयैर्वीर्यैर्देहिष्वसंगतैः॥
स भवान् सर्वलोकस्य भवाय विभवाय च।
अवतीर्णोऽंशभागेन साम्प्रतं पतिराशिषाम्॥
नमः परमकल्याण नमः परममङ्गल।
वासुदेवाय शान्ताय यदूनां पतये नमः॥
(श्रीमद्भागवत १०।१०।२९-३६)
English translation
Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa, great master of yoga, you are the original and supreme Person. The wise know that this universe, both manifest and unmanifest, is your form. You alone are the Lord of the bodies, life forces, selves, and senses of all beings. You are time itself, the Blessed Lord, all-pervading Viṣṇu, the imperishable ruler. You are the great principle and subtle material nature composed of passion, goodness, and darkness. You are also the presiding Person who knows every transformation of every field. You cannot be grasped by the natural qualities and transformations through which things are apprehended. Who here, covered by qualities that existed before him, is worthy or capable of knowing you, who existed before all? Obeisance to you, the Blessed Lord Vāsudeva, the creator and Supreme Brahman, whose glory is concealed by qualities illuminated by your own radiance. Though bodiless, your incarnations are known among embodied beings through their matchless and unsurpassed powers, which cannot belong to ordinary bodies. You are that very Lord, master of all blessings, now descended through a portion of your potency for the prosperity and deliverance of all worlds. Obeisance to the supremely auspicious, obeisance to the source of supreme blessing. Obeisance to Vāsudeva, the peaceful Lord of the Yadus.
(Śrīmad Bhāgavata 10.10.29-36)
Original
“श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र! समस्त विश्वका चित्त आकर्षित करनेवाले नराकृति परब्रह्म! हे परमयोगेश्वर! तुम्हीं समस्त जगत्के आदि हो, तुम्हीं पुरुषोत्तम हो, कार्यकारणात्मक यह समस्त परिदृश्यमान जगत् तुम्हारा ही रूप है, यही अनुभूति तत्त्वदर्शी ब्राह्मणोंको होती है। समस्त भूतोंके देह-प्राण, अन्तःकरण, इन्द्रियाँ, इन सबके स्वामी तो तुम्हीं हो, नाथ! तुम्हीं सर्वशक्तिमान् काल हो, अव्यय तत्त्व हो, सर्वव्यापक हो, सर्वनियन्ता हो। तुम्हीं सत्त्वरजस्तमोमयी सूक्ष्म प्रकृति एवं प्रकृतिके कार्य हो। तुम्हीं समस्त स्थूल-सूक्ष्म शरीरोंकी सभी अवस्थाओंके साक्षी हो। अधिष्ठाता पुरुष भी तुम्हीं हो, श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र! तुम्हारे द्वारा परिचालित, तुम्हारी सत्तासे ही क्रियाशील प्राकृत मन-बुद्धि-इन्द्रियोंके द्वारा तुम्हें जान लेना सम्भव नहीं है। नाथ! देह आदिके अभिमानसे बँधा हुआ ऐसा कौन-सा व्यक्ति इस विश्वमें है, जो तुम्हें जान ले? क्योंकि स्वप्रकाशरूप होनेके कारण तुम तो सब जीवोंकी उत्पत्तिसे पूर्व भी एकरस वर्तमान रहते हो; फिर किस जीवकी सामर्थ्य है कि आदिस्वरूप तुमको जान ले। प्रभो! तुम्हीं वैकुण्ठनाथ भगवान् नारायण हो, तुम्हीं वासुदेव हो, प्रपञ्चविधाता भी तुम्हीं हो। अपने द्वारा ही प्रकाशित सत्त्वादि त्रिगुणोंसे अपनी महिमाको तुमने आच्छादित करा रखा है। सच्चिदानन्द परब्रह्मस्वरूप श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र! ऐसे महामहिम तुमको जान लेनेकी क्षमता हममें कहाँ। इसलिये हम तो तुम्हें प्रणाममात्र करनेके अधिकारी हैं, तुम्हारे चरणसरोजमें प्रणाम कर रहे हैं। भगवन्! जीवकी शक्ति नहीं कि वह ऐसी लीला कर ले, जैसी तुम करते हो। जब कभी भी प्रपञ्चमें अवतीर्ण होते हो, तब-तब ऐसे-ऐसे परम अद्भुत चरित्रोंका प्रकाश करते हो, जिनकी कहीं तुलना नहीं। तुम्हारी ये अतिशय आश्चर्यमयी लीलाएँ ही प्रमाण बनती हैं, ये अलोकसाधारण लीलाएँ ही इस बातका निर्णय करती हैं कि तुम अशरीर, प्राकृत शरीरसे रहित, का शरीरधारियोंमें अवतरण हुआ है। वे ही तुम स्वयं इस बार जगतका ऐहिक-आमुष्मिक, अशेष मङ्गलविधान करनेके लिये अपनी सम्पूर्ण शक्तियोंसे अवतीर्ण हुए हो। भक्तोंके सर्वविध मनोरथोंको पूर्ण करना तुम्हारा नित्य स्वभाव है, नाथ! हे परमकल्याणस्वरूप! तुम्हें नमस्कार है! हे विश्वमङ्गलविधायक! तुम्हें नमस्कार है! परमशान्त! हृत्पद्मविहारिन्! यदुपते! गोपते! तुम्हें नमस्कार है, नमस्कार!”
English translation
“Kṛṣṇacandra, Supreme Brahman in human form who draws the heart of the entire universe, supreme master of yoga, you are the origin of all worlds and the highest Person. This whole visible universe of cause and effect is your form. Such is the realization of truth-seeing brāhmaṇas. You are the Lord of the bodies, life forces, inner faculties, and senses of every being. You are almighty time, the imperishable reality, all-pervading and ruler of all. You are subtle nature composed of goodness, passion, and darkness, as well as all its products. You witness every condition of all gross and subtle bodies, and you are the presiding Person. Kṛṣṇacandra, the material mind, intellect, and senses, governed by you and active only through your existence, cannot know you. Lord, what person in this world, bound by identification with body and the rest, could know you? Being self-luminous, you exist unchanged even before all living beings arise. What being could know you, the original reality? Lord, you are Nārāyaṇa, Lord of Vaikuṇṭha. You are Vāsudeva, and you are the creator of the world. You have concealed your glory beneath the three qualities beginning with goodness, which are themselves illumined only by you. Kṛṣṇacandra, Supreme Brahman of being, consciousness, and bliss, how could we possess the capacity to know one of such glory? We are qualified only to bow to you, and so we offer obeisance at your lotus feet. Lord, no finite being has the power to perform pastimes such as yours. Whenever you descend into the world, you reveal supremely wondrous deeds without comparison. These astonishing pastimes themselves are the evidence. These deeds beyond ordinary existence establish that you, who are bodiless and free from a material body, have descended among embodied beings. Now you yourself have descended with all your potencies to bring every blessing of this world and the next to the universe. Fulfilling every desire of devotees is your eternal nature. Lord, embodiment of supreme welfare, obeisance to you. Bestower of blessing upon the universe, obeisance to you. Supremely peaceful indweller of the heart-lotus, Lord of the Yadus and Lord of the cowherds, obeisance to you again and again.”
Original
Braj verses
परम पुरुष सबही के कारन। प्रतिपालन तारन संघारन॥
व्यक्त-अव्यक्त जु बिस्व अनूप। बेद बदत प्रभु तुम्हरौ रूप॥
तुम सब भूतन कौ बिस्तार। देह, प्रान, इंद्री, अहँकार॥
काल तुम्हारी लीला श्रीधर। तुम ब्यापी, तुम अव्यय ईश्वर॥
तुम्हीं प्रकृति, पुरुष, महतत्व। धर, अंबर आडंबर सत्व॥
तुम हौं जीवन, तुम हौं जीय। सब ठाँ तुम, कोउ अवर न बीय॥
इंद्रिन करि तुम जात न गहे। प्रगट आहि, पै परत न चहे॥
जैसें दृष्टि कुंभ कहुँ देखे। कुंभ तौ नहिं न दृष्टि कौं पेखे॥
कुंभ के दृष्टि होइ जब-कबहिं। सो तुम-दृष्टिहि देखै तबहीं॥
तातें तुम कहुँ बंदन करैं। जानि न परहु, परे तैं परैं॥
(नन्ददासकृत दशमस्कन्ध)
English translation
The Supreme Person is the cause of all, their protector, deliverer, and destroyer.
The matchless universe, manifest and unmanifest, is your form, so declare the Vedas.
You are the expanse of every being: body, life, senses, and ego.
Time is your pastime, Śrīdhara. You are all-pervading, imperishable Lord.
You are nature, the Person, and the great principle, earth, sky, splendor, and being.
You are life and the living self. You are everywhere, and there is no other.
You cannot be grasped by the senses. You are manifest, yet they cannot reach you.
Just as sight beholds a pot, but the pot cannot behold sight,
only when the pot is endowed with sight could it behold you through your own vision.
Therefore we bow to you. You cannot be known, for you are beyond all that lies beyond.
(The Tenth Book composed by Nandadāsa)
Original
इस प्रकार श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रका स्तवन करते-करते, उनके पारावारविहीन ऐश्वर्यसिन्धुमें अवगाहन करते-करते कुबेरपुत्रोंकी अनादि-संसरणजनित श्रान्ति तो मिट ही जाती है, साथ ही उनका चित्त भक्ति-रस-सुधा-पानके योग्य भी बन जाता है। उनकी अन्य समस्त वासनाएँ सर्वथा धुल जाती हैं, चित्त अतिशय विशुद्ध, निर्मल होकर, भक्ति-पीयूषसिन्धुमें डूबनेके लिये लालायित हो उठता है। इसीलिये अब वे प्रार्थना करने लगते हैं:
English translation
As Kubera's sons continued praising Kṛṣṇacandra and bathing in the shoreless ocean of his majesty, their exhaustion from beginningless wandering was dispelled, and their hearts became fit to drink the nectar of devotional rasa. Every other desire was completely washed away. Their consciousness became exceedingly pure and stainless and yearned to plunge into the nectar-ocean of devotion. They therefore began to pray:
Original
Sanskrit verse
वाञ्छावहे किमपि नापरमार्तबन्धो
त्वत्पादपङ्कजपरागनिषेविसङ्गात्।
(श्रीआनन्दवृन्दावनचम्पूः)
English translation
O friend of the afflicted, we desire nothing more than the association of those who constantly savor the pollen of your lotus feet.
(Śrī Ānandavṛndāvanacampū)
Original
“दीनबन्धो! हमें और कुछ नहीं चाहिये; बस, इतनी-सी अभिलाषा है कि तुम्हारे चरणपङ्कजसे झरते हुए मकरन्दका पान करनेवाले साधुपुरुषोंका सङ्ग हमें निरन्तर मिलता रहे। तथा यह होकर फिर यह हो जाय:”
English translation
“Friend of the lowly, we desire nothing else. We have only this small longing: may we always receive the company of holy persons who drink the honey flowing from your lotus feet. And when that is granted, may this also come to pass:”
Original
Sanskrit verse
वाणी गुणानुकथने श्रवणौ कथायां
हस्तौ च कर्मसु मनस्तव पादयोर्नः।
स्मृत्यां शिरस्तव निवासजगत्प्रणामे
दृष्टिः सतां दर्शनेऽस्तु भवत्तनूनाम्॥
(श्रीमद्भागवत १०।१०।३८)
English translation
May our speech remain in recounting your virtues, our ears in hearing your stories, our hands in your service, and our minds in remembrance of your feet. May our heads bow to the world that is your dwelling, and may our eyes behold the saints, who are your embodied forms.
(Śrīmad Bhāgavata 10.10.38)
Original
“भगवन्! हमारी वाणी निरन्तर तुम्हारा ही मङ्गलमय गुणगान करे, तुम्हारे मधुस्रावी नाम-रूप-गुण-लीला आदिके कथनमें नियुक्त रहे। कर्णेन्द्रिय सदा तुम्हारी रसमयी कथाके नाम-रूप-गुणगणके श्रवणमें ही लगी रहे। हमारे हाथ तुम्हारी सेवा-परिचर्याके कर्मोंमें ही व्यस्त रहें। मन तुम्हारे चरणपङ्कजकी स्मृतिमें ही रम जाय। तुम्हारे निवासभूत जगत् के सामने हमारा सिर सदा नत रहे, सबमें तुम्हें व्याप्त देखकर सबके चरणोंमें हम झुक पड़ें। हमारे नेत्र भी केवल निहारा करें तुम्हारे देहभूत संतोंको:”
English translation
“Lord, may our speech forever sing only your auspicious virtues and remain engaged in narrating your honey-flowing names, forms, qualities, pastimes, and all that belongs to you. May our faculty of hearing remain always absorbed in hearing the names, forms, and hosts of qualities in your rasa-filled stories. May our hands stay occupied only in acts of service and attendance upon you. May the mind delight solely in remembering your lotus feet. May our heads remain bowed before the world that is your dwelling, and seeing you pervading everyone, may we bend before the feet of all. May our eyes behold only the saints who are your embodied forms:”
Original
Braj verses
हे करुनानिधि! करुना कीजै, अपनी भाऊ-भगति-रति दीजै॥
बानी तुमरे गुन-गन गनै, श्रवन परम पावन जस सुनै॥
ये कर अवर कर्म जिनि करैं, प्रभु की परिचर्या अनुसरैं॥
मन-अलि चरन-कमल-रस रसौ, चित्र कमल-जग भूलि न बसौ॥
हे जगदीस! जसोदा-नंदन, सीस रहौ नित तुव-पद-बंदन॥
तुमरी मूरति भक्त तुम्हारे, नित ही निरखहुँ नैन हमारे॥
English translation
O treasure of compassion, show compassion and grant us loving devotion and attachment to you.
May our speech enumerate your virtues and our ears hear your supremely purifying fame.
May these hands perform no other acts, but follow the service of the Lord.
May the bee of the mind savor the nectar of your lotus feet and never dwell, deluded, in the lotus of the world.
Lord of the universe, son of Yaśodā, may our heads remain forever bowed at your feet.
May our eyes constantly behold your forms, your devotees.
Original
कुबेरपुत्र यह कहकर मौन होने लग गये, नहीं-नहीं, उनकी वाणी पुनः प्रेमावेशवश स्वतः रुद्ध होने लगी। अस्पष्ट स्वरमें, अश्रुसिक्त कण्ठसे वे इतना और कह पाये:
English translation
After saying this, Kubera's sons began to fall silent. No, their speech once again became naturally choked by overwhelming love. In indistinct voices and with tear-drenched throats, they managed to say this much more:
Original
Sanskrit verse
देवर्षिणा तव पदाब्जमधुव्रतेन
भूयानकारि बत नौ शपता प्रसादः।
लीलालवोढजगदण्डपरःसहस्रो
येन त्वमक्षिविषयोऽद्भुतबालखेलः॥
(श्रीआनन्दवृन्दावनचम्पूः)
English translation
The divine sage, vowed to drink the honey of your lotus feet, bestowed immense grace upon us even as he cursed us. By his mercy, you, who bear countless universes within yourself through a mere fragment of play, have entered the range of our eyes while performing wondrous childhood pastimes.
(Śrī Ānandavṛndāvanacampū)
Original
“नाथ! तुम्हारे चरणसरोजके मधुपानका ही व्रत रखनेवाले देवर्षिने हमपर यथेष्ट कृपा की। अभिशाप देते समय उसमें अपना पूर्ण अनुग्रह भर दिया। ओह! लवमात्र लीलाके मिससे असंख्य ब्रह्माण्डोंको अपने अंदर धारण करनेवाले तुम आज इस अद्भुत बालक्रीडाकारी वेशमें हमारी दृष्टिके समक्ष आये हो। उनकी कृपासे ही तो महामहिम तुमको आज हम इस अभिनव शिशुवेशमें देख पा रहे हैं, प्रभो!”
English translation
“Lord, the divine sage whose sole vow is to drink the honey of your lotus feet bestowed abundant grace upon us. While pronouncing the curse, he filled it with his complete favor. You hold countless universes within yourself under the pretext of the smallest playful act, yet today you have appeared before our eyes in this wondrous form of a child at play. Only by his grace can we behold you, the supremely glorious Lord, today in this extraordinary infant form.”
Original
अचिन्त्यलीलामहाशक्तिने भी उसी समय लीलामञ्चकी डोरी खींच दी। दृश्य बदला और शैशवलीलारसमें निमग्न हुए श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र क्षणभरके लिये सजग होकर ऐश्वर्यके तटपर आ विराजे, अपने भक्तोंकी महिमाका गान करनेके लिये, अपने मुखारविन्दसे कुबेरपुत्रोंको कुछ आदेश देकर उनके कर्णपुटोंमें अपने कण्ठकी सुधा भर देनेके लिये, उनकी एक चिरवाञ्छा पूर्ण कर देनेके लिये। इसीलिये आते ही, अधरोंमें मन्द हास्य भरकर वे बोलने लग गये:
English translation
At that moment the inconceivable supreme potency of divine pastime drew the cord of the stage. The scene changed. Kṛṣṇacandra, immersed in the rasa of infant pastimes, became aware for a moment and came to rest upon the shore of majesty. He did so to sing the glory of his devotees, give Kubera's sons certain instructions from his lotus mouth, fill their ears with the nectar of his voice, and fulfill one of their long-cherished desires. Arriving upon that shore, he filled his lips with a gentle smile and began to speak:
Original
Sanskrit verses
ज्ञातं मम पुरैवैतदृषिणा करुणात्मना।
यच्छ्रीमदान्धयोर्वाग्भिर्विभ्रंशोऽनुग्रहः कृतः॥
साधूनां समचित्तानां सुतरां मत्कृतात्मनाम्।
दर्शनान्नो भवेद् बन्धः पुंसोऽक्ष्णोः सवितुर्यथा॥
तद् गच्छतं मत्परमौ नलकूबर सादनम्।
संजातो मयि भावो वामीप्सितः परमोऽभवः॥
(श्रीमद्भागवत १०।१०।४०-४२)
English translation
I knew this long ago: the compassionate sage, by his words, caused the fall of you two who were blinded by the pride of wealth, and thereby bestowed his grace. The sight of saints who are even-minded and have wholly offered themselves to me cannot create bondage, just as the sun cannot bring darkness to the eyes. Therefore, Nalakūvara and Maṇigrīva, go now to your home, fully devoted to me. The supreme love for me that you desired has arisen within you, and you will not again enter material existence.
(Śrīmad Bhāgavata 10.10.40-42)
Original
“कुबेरपुत्रो! सुनो, इस घटनाको मैं बहुत पूर्वसे ही जानता हूँ। तुम दोनों श्रीमदसे अंधे थे, परम कारुणिक देवर्षिने तुमपर अपनी कृपा बरसायी, शाप देकर तुम्हारा श्रीमद नष्ट कर दिया, यह सब मुझे ज्ञात है। जाओ, पुत्रो! अब तुम्हारे भवप्रवाहका अन्त हो चुका। यह भी देवर्षिके दर्शनका ही प्रसाद समझो। मुक्ति तो तुम्हें उसी दिन मिल चुकी थी, जिस दिन देवर्षिके दर्शन तुम्हें हुए। सुनो, सूर्योदय होते ही जैसे नेत्रोंपर छाया हुआ अन्धकार विलुप्त हो जाता है, वैसे ही समचित्त, मदेकनिष्ठ महापुरुषोंका दर्शन होते ही जीवका अज्ञान-अन्धकार, भवबन्धन भी विनष्ट हो जाता है। तरुयोनि तो तुम्हें मेरी परमाभक्तिकी प्राप्ति करा देनेके लिये प्राप्त हुई थी, बन्धनके लिये नहीं। महापुरुषोंके समागमसे बन्धन होना असम्भव है, उससे तो बन्धनका नाश ही होता है। तुम्हारे बन्धन टूट गये। मेरी अनन्य रति, भक्ति, भी तुम दोनों प्राप्त कर सके हो। जो तुम चाहते थे, वह तुम्हें मिल गयी। अब तुम्हारे लिये संसारमें पुनः पतनका भय सदाके लिये समाप्त हो चुका। अनन्तकालतकके लिये मेरे परायण हुए तुम दोनों अब अपने भवनकी ओर चले जाओ।”
English translation
“Sons of Kubera, listen. I knew of this event long ago. You were both blinded by the pride of wealth, and the supremely compassionate divine sage showered grace upon you by cursing you and destroying that pride. I know it all. Go now, my sons, for the current of your material existence has ended. Understand this too as the grace of beholding the divine sage. You attained liberation on the very day you saw him. As darkness covering the eyes vanishes when the sun rises, the darkness of ignorance and the bondage of worldly existence are destroyed when one beholds great souls who are even-minded and wholly devoted to me. You received birth as trees so that you might attain exclusive devotion to me, not for the sake of bondage. Association with great souls cannot produce bondage. It only destroys bondage. Your bonds have broken, and you have both attained exclusive love and devotion for me. You have received what you desired. The fear of falling again into worldly existence has ended forever. Devoted to me for all eternity, return now to your home.”
Original
Braj verses
तब बोले हरि करुनाधाम। पूरन हौंहि तुम्हरे काम॥
नारद प्रीतम भक्त हमारौ। तुम पर कियौ अनुग्रह भारौ॥
मो भक्तन कौ यहै सुभाउ। जैसें उदित होत दिनराउ॥
सहजहिं निबिड़ तिमिर कौं हरै। अवर बहुत मंगल बिस्तरै॥
पुनि बोले हरि सब गुन-सींव। हे नलकूबर! हे मनिग्रीव!॥
अब तुम गवन भवन कौं करौ। मो माया डर तैं जिनि डरौ॥
English translation
Then Hari, abode of compassion, said, “Your purposes shall be fulfilled.
Nārada is my beloved devotee, and he has bestowed great grace upon you.
Such is the nature of my devotees, like the rising of the sun.
They naturally dispel dense darkness and spread abundant blessings.
Hari, the boundary of every virtue, spoke again: ‘Nalakūvara, Maṇigrīva,
return now to your home and do not fear the terror of my māyā.’”
Original
नलकूबर-मणिग्रीव कृतार्थ हो गये। उनके प्राण नाच उठते हैं, “कदाचित् एक-दो क्षण भी और यहाँ विराम करनेकी आज्ञा मिल जाती! पर नहीं, अब समय नहीं। श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रके समीपमें ही खड़े उन गोपशिशुओंके नेत्रोंमें भय भरा है, यह तो प्रभुके प्रियतम सखाओंके प्रति अपराध हो रहा है।” कुबेरपुत्र चलनेके लिये प्रस्तुत हो गये। उन्होंने ऊखलमें बँधे श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रकी परिक्रमा की, उन्हें बार-बार प्रणाम किया; फिर जानेकी सूचना देकर उत्तर दिशाकी ओर चल पड़े:
English translation
Nalakūvara and Maṇigrīva became fulfilled, and their very lives danced. “If only we might receive permission to remain here one or two moments longer. But no, there is no time. Fear fills the eyes of the young cowherd boys standing close to Kṛṣṇacandra. We are offending the Lord's dearest friends.” Kubera's sons prepared to leave. They circumambulated Kṛṣṇacandra, who remained bound to the mortar, bowed to him again and again, took their leave, and departed toward the north:
Original
Sanskrit verse
इत्युक्तौ तौ परिक्रम्य प्रणम्य च पुनः पुनः।
बद्धोलूखलमामन्त्र्य जग्मतुर्दिशमुत्तराम्॥
(श्रीमद्भागवत १०।१०।४३)
English translation
Thus addressed, the two circumambulated him and bowed again and again. Taking leave of the Lord bound to the mortar, they departed toward the northern direction.
(Śrīmad Bhāgavata 10.10.43)
Original
Braj verse
इहि प्रकार गुह्यक दुवौ, प्रभु बचननि उर धारि।
बेर-बेर दंडवत करि उत्तर दिशा सिधारि॥
English translation
Thus the two Yakṣas held the Lord's words within their hearts.
Bowing flat upon the ground again and again, they departed toward the north.
Original
देवर्षिके प्रति उनके हृदयमें अपरिसीम कृतज्ञता उमड़ आयी है। व्रजपुरके कण-कणके प्रति उनके रोम-रोमसे “धन्य-धन्य” की घोषणा हो रही है:
English translation
Boundless gratitude toward the divine sage surged within their hearts. Every hair upon their bodies proclaimed “blessed, blessed” toward every particle of Vraja:
Original
Braj verses
धन्य-धन्य ऋषि-साप हमारे।
आदि अनादि निगम नहिं जानत, ते हरि प्रगट देह ब्रज धारे॥
धन्य नंद, धनि मातु जसोदा, धनि आँगन खेलत भयौ बारे।
धन्य स्याम, धनि दाम बँधाए, धनि ऊखल, धनि माखन-न्यारे॥
दीन-बंधु करुना-निधि हौ प्रभु, राखि लेहु, षोडह भुज धारे।
सूर स्याम के चरन सीस धरि, अस्तुति करि निज धाम सिधारे॥
English translation
Blessed, blessed is the sage's curse upon us.
Hari, whom the beginningless Vedas cannot know, has assumed a visible body in Vraja.
Blessed is Nanda, blessed mother Yaśodā, blessed the courtyard where the child plays.
Blessed is Śyāma, blessed the rope that bound him, blessed the mortar, blessed the butter he stole.
Lord, friend of the lowly and treasury of compassion, protect us, O bearer of sixteen arms.
Sūra says: placing their heads at Śyāma's feet, they praised him and departed for their abode.