Original
Hindi
दैनिक वत्सचारण-लीलाका वर्णन
English translation
The Daily Calf-Herding Lila
Original
Hindi
अब श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र प्रतिदिन वत्सचारण करने जाते हैं। उनके मरकतश्याम सुकुमार अङ्गोंसे अभिनव ओज और वयसोचित मेधाका विकास होता है, मनका उल्लास असीम है। गोवत्सोंसे घिरे यशोदाके नीलसुन्दर जब बाल्यभङ्गिमाएँ प्रकाशित करते हैं, वृन्दावनके चर-अचर सभी परमानन्दमें डूब जाते हैं। देव मूर्च्छित, देवियाँ चेतनाशून्य और विमान नीचे ढुलकते, जिन्हें लीलाशक्ति अपने अञ्चलसे थामकर क्रीड़ामें विघ्न रोकती हैं। पुरवासी निर्निमेष, निस्पन्द रह जाते, प्राण वहीं पहुँचते जहाँ राम-कृष्ण और सखा हैं। नन्द-यशोदाकी दृष्टि सस्मित मुखकमलपर रहती और उनके रोमसे आनन्द झरता। कृष्णमेघकी स्निग्ध अङ्गकान्तिसे धरा नित्य श्यामल, तृणाङ्कुरोंसे पुलकित रहती। कुछ दिनोंमें सबकी दृष्टिमें कुशल सिद्ध होकर कृष्ण बड़े गोष्ठके समस्त गोवत्स चरानेको उत्कण्ठित हुए--
English translation
Shri Krishnachandra now herded calves daily. New vigor and age-appropriate intelligence blossomed from his emerald-dark tender limbs, and his joy knew no limit. When Yashoda's dark beauty, surrounded by calves, revealed childhood gestures, every moving and unmoving resident of Vrindavana plunged into supreme bliss. Gods fainted, goddesses lost awareness, and celestial cars slipped downward, caught by the power of lila's garment lest they disturb his pure play with friends. Townspeople stood unblinking and still, their lives reaching the place of Rama, Krishna, and the boys. Nanda and Yashoda gazed only at his smiling lotus face, joy flowing from every pore. The earth remained darkened by Krishna-cloud's gentle bodily radiance and thrilled with fresh grass shoots. After proving fully skilled for several days, Krishna longed to herd all the calves of the great pasture:
Original
Sanskrit. Source: श्रीआनन्दवृन्दावनचम्पूः
एवमहरहरहतविक्रमः क्रमसमेधमानसमेधमानसोल्लासतया तया वत्सचारणखेलया खेलयारूढमनसः प्रसृमरानमराननवरतवरतनुसहितान् स हि तान् प्रमोदयन्मोदयन्नपि व्रजवासिनः सह सहचरैर्बलभद्रेण च भद्रेण चरितवैचित्र्येण जननीजनकयोरानन्दं मुहुस्तन्वानस्तन्वा नवघनघटाश्यामलयामलया व्रजभुवं च श्यामलयन् यदि तस्यामेव लीलायां कुशलो बभूव तदा यावन्तो वत्सास्तावतामेव चारणाय पर्युत्सुक आसीत्।
English translation
Daily increasing in prowess, intelligence, and joy through calf-herding play, he delighted the gods, the people of Vraja, his friends and Balarama, repeatedly expanded his parents' joy with varied deeds, and darkened Vraja's earth with his fresh-cloud complexion. Once skilled, he eagerly desired to herd every calf.
Original
Hindi
अनुमति मिलते ही कृष्ण समस्त गोवत्सोंके अधिनायक हुए। सूर्योदयसे पूर्व मैया उन्हें जगाकर सजातीं, क्योंकि गोपसुन्दरियाँ निशान्तसे बहानोंसे दर्शनको आतीं। कोई निमन्त्रण देती--
English translation
With permission, Krishna became leader of all calves. Before sunrise Maiya awakened and adorned him, for from night's end the women came on pretexts to see him. One brought an invitation:
Original
Braj
जसोदा एक बोल जो पाऊँ।
राम कृष्ण दोउ तुम्हरे सुत कौं सखन समेत जिमाऊँ॥
जो तुम नंदराय सौं सकुचौ, तौ हौं उन्हें सुनाऊँ।
जो पै आज्ञा देहु कृपा करि, भोजन-ठाठ बनाऊँ॥
English translation
Yashoda, let me say one thing. I shall feed your sons Rama and Krishna with their friends. If you hesitate before Nandaraya, I shall tell him. If you graciously permit me, I shall prepare the feast.
Original
Braj
यह नित नेम जसोदा जु मेरें तिहारौ लाल लड़ावन कौ।
प्रात समय उठ पलना झुलाऊँ, सकट-भँजन-जस गावन कौ॥
नाचत कृष्ण, नचावत गोपी, कर कठताल बजावन कौ।
आसकरन प्रभु मोहन नागर निरखि बदन सचु पावन को॥
English translation
Yashoda, let my daily vow be to fondle your child, rise at dawn to rock his cradle, and sing the glory of the cart's breaking. Krishna dances, the gopi makes him dance and claps rhythmically. Askarana says that true fulfillment lies in beholding clever Mohana's face.
Original
Braj
व्रज की रीति अनोखी री माई।
जो कोउ नंदभवन में आवत, ताकौ मन हरि लेत कन्हाई॥
English translation
Mother, Vraja's custom is extraordinary. Whoever enters Nanda's house has her mind stolen by Kanhai.
Original
Braj
घन नंद महर कें मिस-ही-मिस आवैं गोकुल की नारि।
सुंदर बदन बिन देखे कल न परत, भूल्यौ धाम-काम आछौ बदन निहारि॥
दीपक लै चली बारि, बाट में बड़ौ कर डारि, फिरि आवै छबि सो बयार देत गारि।
नंददास नंदलाल सौं लागे नयन, पलक को ओट मानौं बीते जुग चारि॥
English translation
On one pretext after another, Gokula's women come to Nanda's house. Without seeing the beautiful face they find no peace, and beholding it they forget home and work. Carrying a lamp to light, they extinguish it on the path and return, scolding the wind. Nandadas says their eyes cling to Nandalala, and one blink seems four ages.
Original
Braj
चित्र सराहत चितवत मुरि मुरि गोपी बहुत सयानी।
English translation
The clever gopis praise the pictures while turning again and again to gaze at Krishna.
Original
Braj
मैं जान्यौ, जागे जु कन्हाई, तातें जसुमति! तेरे घर आई।
मेरे पिछवारें वैसेई सुरन सौं तिनहूँ मधुरी मुरलि बजाई।
जनम सुफल करि, बिनती चित धरि, अपने कान्ह किन देहु जगाई॥
English translation
I thought Kanhai had awakened, Yashoda, so I came. Behind my house that same sweet flute sounded. Fulfill my birth, heed my plea, and awaken your Kanha.
Original
Braj
प्रात समय उठ चलहु नंदगृह, बलराम-कृष्ण-मुख देखिये।
आनँद में दिन जाय, सखी री! जनम सुफल कर लेखिये॥
राम-कृष्ण पुनि बनहिं जायँगे चरन-कमल-रज लीजिये॥
English translation
Rise at dawn and go to Nanda's house to see Balarama and Krishna's faces. Friend, let the day pass in bliss and count your birth fulfilled. Rama and Krishna will soon go to the forest, so take the dust of their lotus feet.
Original
Hindi
व्रजरानी सबका प्रेम जानती हैं। भीड़से पूर्व वे नीलमणिको जगाकर मुखप्रक्षालन, अङ्गमार्जन, अभ्यञ्जन, उद्वर्तन, स्नान, अनुलेपन और अलङ्कार करतीं, भोजन करातीं, फिर वात्सल्यसे भुजाओंमें बाँधकर शय्यापर क्षणभर सुलातीं। तब वनको चलनेपर साथ जातीं, बार-बार मुख पोंछकर कहतीं, “यहींसे लौट आना।” कृष्ण मधुर आश्वासन देकर उन्हें लौटाते। यही उनकी प्रातश्चर्या है--
English translation
Knowing everyone's love, the queen awakened Nilamani before the crowd, washed and cleansed him, applied oil and paste, bathed, anointed, adorned, and fed him. Then she embraced him with maternal love and laid him down briefly. As he left for the forest, she followed, repeatedly wiped his face, and said, "Return from here." Krishna reassured her sweetly and sent her home. This was her morning routine:
Original
Sanskrit. Source: श्रीआनन्दवृन्दावनचम्पूः
तथा सति प्रतिदिवसमनुदित एव किरणमालिनि त्रिभुवनजनपावनजनन्या जनन्यायकोविदया दयालुहृदयया स्वयमेव शयनोत्थापनमुखधावनपरिमार्जनाभ्यञ्जनोद्वर्तनस्नपनानुलेपनालंकरणकौशलानन्तरमाशयित्वा शाययित्वा च क्षणमनुगतेऽर्धपथपर्यन्तमित एव निवर्त्यतामिति प्रतिमुहुरतिवत्सलां मातरमेनामतिमृदुलमधुरतरेण वचसा निवर्त्य।
English translation
Each day before sunrise, his compassionate mother, purifier of the three worlds, expertly awakened, washed, cleansed, oiled, scrubbed, bathed, anointed, adorned, fed, and briefly rested him. Following halfway and repeatedly asking him to return from there, she was sent home by his tender sweet words.
Original
Hindi
फिर भी जननीके शासनसे वे व्रजसीमासे दूर नहीं जाते। वेणु, वेत्र, शृङ्ग, कन्दुक आदि लिये सुबल, श्रीदाम और अगणित बालकोंके साथ निकट ही वत्सचारण करते हैं--
English translation
Mother's rule still kept them near Vraja. Carrying flute, staff, horn, ball, and other playthings, they herded calves nearby with Subala, Shridama, and countless boys:
Original
Sanskrit. Source: श्रीमद्भागवतम् १०।११।३८
अविदूरे व्रजभुवः सह गोपालदारकैः।
चारयामासतुर्वत्सान् नानाक्रीडापरिच्छदौ॥
English translation
Not far from Vraja, the two herded calves with cowherd boys, equipped with many playthings.
Original
Hindi
अब क्रीड़ापर प्रतिबन्ध नहीं। कभी वंशी बजती, कभी बिल्व-आमलकी फल क्षेपणयन्त्रसे ऊँचे फेंकते, कभी मण्डलमें मञ्जीरमण्डित चरणोंसे नाचते। कभी बालक वस्त्रोंसे ढककर कृत्रिम वृषभ बनते और राम-श्यामसे युद्ध करते, जिसमें प्रायः बालक जीतते। थककर सरोवरतटकी छायामें बैठते तो हंस-मयूर घेरकर कलरव करते और कृष्ण उनकी ध्वनि हूबहू निकालते, जिससे सखा हँसते लोटते। अखिलब्रह्माण्डपति प्राकृत शिशु जैसे लीला करते हैं, यह बुद्धिसे अगम्य किंतु अत्यन्त मधुर है--
English translation
Play was now unrestricted. They played flute, hurled bilva and amalaki fruits high with slings, and danced in circles with ankleted feet. Draped in cloth, boys became artificial bulls and fought Rama and Shyama, usually winning. Resting in shade beside a lake, they were surrounded by calling swans and peacocks, whose voices Krishna imitated exactly while friends rolled with laughter. That the Lord of all universes plays like a natural child is beyond mundane intellect yet supremely sweet:
Original
Sanskrit. Source: श्रीमद्भागवतम् १०।११।३९-४०
क्वचिद् वादयतो वेणुं क्षेपणैः क्षिपतः क्वचित्।
क्वचित् पादैः किङ्किणीभिः क्वचित् कृत्रिमगोवृषैः॥
वृषायमाणौ नर्दन्तौ युयुधाते परस्परम्।
अनुकृत्य रुतैर्जन्तूंश्चेरतुः प्राकृतौ यथा॥
English translation
Sometimes they played flute, hurled fruits, danced with ankle bells, or became artificial bulls. Roaring as bulls they fought, and imitating animals' cries they wandered like ordinary children.
Original
Hindi
मध्याह्नमें जननी छाक भेजतीं और राम-श्याम सखाओंसहित खाते--
English translation
At midday Mother sent their meal, which Rama and Shyama ate with friends:
Original
Braj
सखन सहित हरि जेंवत छाक।
प्रेम सहित मैया दै पठई, हित सौं बहुबिध कीने पाक॥
सुबल सुदामा संग सखा मिलि भोजन रुचिकर खात।
ग्वालनि कर तें छाक छुड़ावत, मुख में मेलि सरावत जात॥
जे सुख कान्ह करत बृंदावन, सो सुख तीन लोक बिख्यात।
सूर स्याम भगतन बस ऐसे ब्रह्म कहावत हैं नँदतात॥
English translation
Hari eats with friends the meal Maiya lovingly sent, dishes prepared with affection. With Subala and Sudama he eats deliciously, snatching food from boys' hands and putting it into their mouths. Kanha's joy in Vrindavana is famed through three worlds. Surdas says Shyama, called Brahman, is thus subject to devotees.
Original
Sanskrit. Source: श्रीगोपालचम्पूः
अरे! रे! शीघ्रमेवायं प्रानयनीयो व्रजधरणीशप्रणयिन्याः प्राणस्य प्राण इति।
English translation
Listen! Quickly bring home this dark beauty, the life of the life of Vraja's king's beloved.
Original
Hindi
दिन ढलनेपर पुष्प-तृण मुखमें लिये वत्सोंको व्रजकी ओर करते हुए कृष्ण धीरे चराते, गाते, नाचते, हँसते और खेलते लौटते। देव पुष्पवर्षा करते और पथ ढक जाता--
English translation
As day declined, Krishna turned the calves with flowers and grass in their mouths toward Vraja, slowly grazing, singing, dancing, laughing, and playing. Gods showered flowers until the path was covered:
Original
Sanskrit. Source: श्रीगोपालचम्पूः
सपुष्पतृणमुखान् वत्सान् व्रजाभिमुखान् विधाय शनैश्चारयन् गायन्नृत्यन् हसन् क्रीडन् सुमनोभिश्च सुमनोभिर्वृष्यमाणः स्वगृहाय वर्त्म जगृहे।
English translation
Turning flower-and-grass-mouthed calves toward Vraja, slowly grazing, singing, dancing, laughing, and playing while noble gods rained flowers, he took the path home.
Original
Hindi
आज वे विशेष अभिसंधिसे गये थे, वत्सासुर-उद्धारकी भूमिका बनाने। क्रीड़ाके स्थानपर उन्होंने अभूतपूर्व उल्लाससे वत्सोंकी परिचर्या की। व्रजवासी वयस्क बालकोंसे सुनते हैं, पर कंसके गुप्तचरोंने देखा। योगमायाने उनकी दिशा ढक दी, जिससे गोपशिशुओंका आनन्द न टूटे। लौटते समय मधुमङ्गल दिव्य दृष्टिसे देखी आकाशकी बातें सुनाता और बालक उत्सुक सुनते। उनके कानोंमें देवियोंकी कृष्णस्तुति आती--
English translation
Today he went with the special intention of preparing Vatsasura's deliverance. Instead of playing, he cared for the calves with unprecedented joy. Vraja heard through older boys, but Kamsa's spies witnessed it. Yogamaya veiled their direction so the children's joy remained undisturbed. Returning, Madhumangala described what divine sight showed him in the sky, and the boys listened eagerly. Celestial women's praise of Krishna entered their ears:
Original
Braj
कमला-नायक, वैकुँठ-दायक, दुख-सुख जिन कें हाथ।
काँध कमरिया, हाथ लकुटिया, बिहरत बछरनि साथ॥
English translation
Lakshmi's Lord, giver of Vaikuntha, holds sorrow and joy in his hands. With blanket upon his shoulder and little stick in hand, he wanders among the calves.