Original
एक दिन यही अघदैत्य शङ्खासुरका पुत्र था, देखनेमें अत्यन्त सुन्दर था। कामदेव-जैसी शोभा इसके अङ्गोंसे झरती रहती थी। पर था यह अतिशय अभिमानी। रूपके गर्वने इसे अंधा बना दिया था। बाह्य सौन्दर्यके अभावमें भी कोई आदरणीय, वन्दनीय हो सकता है, यह विवेकशक्ति यौवनके उन्मादने हर ली थी। ऐसे रूपमदोद्धत युवक असुरको अष्टावक्र मुनिकी आकृति देखकर हँसी न आवे, यह भी कभी सम्भव है? मुनिपर दृष्टि पड़ते ही वह हँस पड़ा। उसकी विकट हँसी मलयाचलशृङ्गोंमें प्रतिनादित हो उठी, मानो चन्दनवनसे नित्य शीतल मलयगिरिके अन्तस्तलमें भी इस महदपराधसे रोषका आविर्भाव हो गया हो और वह महीधर गरज उठा हो! अष्टावक्रका ध्यान तो उस ओर था ही नहीं, वे तो अपनी धुनमें अपने टेढ़े-मेढ़े शरीरकी स्वाभाविक वङ्किम गतिसे नीची दृष्टि किये चलते जा रहे थे। सहसा कानोंमें घृणाभरी ध्वनि आयी, “अरे, यह महाकुरूप है!” फिर तो मुनिके नेत्र ऊपर उठ गये। इस उक्तिका लक्ष्य कौन है, यह समझते उन्हें देर नहीं लगी। उनकी आँखें लाल हो आयीं। उन-जैसे वीतराग मुनिजनोंमें भी क्रोधका अवकाश है, यह कल्पना नितान्त निरर्थक है। उनका यह क्षोभ तो स्वयंभगवान् व्रजेन्द्रनन्दनकी अचिन्त्यलीला-महाशक्तिने सुदूर भविष्यकी भगवदीय लीलाका आयोजन करने जाकर मुनिके मनको अपना यन्त्र बना लिया, इसका एक निदर्शनमात्र है। जो हो, अन्तरका यह रोष वाग्वज्र बनकर बाहर निकला। मुनिश्रेष्ठ अष्टावक्र बोल उठे:
English translation
This same demon Agha had once been the son of Śaṅkhāsura, exceedingly handsome to behold. Beauty like that of Kāma, the god of love, streamed from his limbs. Yet he was immensely proud, and vanity in his appearance had made him blind. The intoxication of youth had stolen his power to understand that one may be worthy of honor and reverence even without outward beauty. How could such a young demon, arrogant with pride in his looks, behold the form of the sage Aṣṭāvakra and not laugh? The moment he saw the sage, he burst out laughing. His terrible laughter echoed among the peaks of Mount Malaya, as though this grave offense had stirred anger even in the heart of the sandalwood-clad mountain, eternally cool, and caused that great mountain to roar. Aṣṭāvakra had paid no attention to him. Absorbed in his own purpose, he walked with lowered gaze and the naturally crooked movement of his bent body. Suddenly a contemptuous voice reached his ears: “Look, how hideously deformed he is!” The sage raised his eyes and immediately understood who was being mocked. His eyes reddened. It would be wholly pointless to imagine that anger could find a place even in a detached sage such as he. His agitation merely showed that the inconceivable supreme pastime potency of the Lord himself, the son of Vraja's king, had made the sage's mind her instrument while arranging a divine pastime in the distant future. In any event, the indignation within emerged as a thunderbolt of speech. The foremost sage Aṣṭāvakra declared:
Original
Sanskrit verse
सर्पो भव दुर्मते। कुरूपा वक्रगा जातिः सर्पाणां भूमिमण्डले॥
English translation
Become a serpent, O wicked-minded one. Upon the surface of the earth, the race of serpents is ugly and moves in a crooked way.
Original
“रे दुष्टबुद्धि, जा, सर्प बन जा। भूमण्डलपर सर्पोंकी जाति ही कुरूप एवं कुटिल गतिवाली होती है।”
English translation
“O wicked-minded one, go and become a serpent. Upon the earth, the race of serpents is ugly and moves crookedly.”
Original
शङ्खासुर-तनयके रूपगर्वको चूर्ण-विचूर्ण कर देनेके लिये इतना पर्याप्त था। तत्क्षण ही वह मुनिके चरणोंमें लोट गया। अब अग्रिम कृपाप्रसाद प्राप्त होनेमें विलम्ब क्यों हो? अष्टावक्रने प्रच्छन्न अनुग्रहकी सूचना दे दी, “जिस दिन कोटिकन्दर्पलावण्य श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र तुम्हारी उदरदरीमें प्रवेश करेंगे, उस दिन तुम्हारी सर्पयोनि छूट जायगी।”
English translation
This was enough to shatter the son of Śaṅkhāsura's pride in his beauty. He immediately fell and rolled at the sage's feet. Why should there then be any delay in receiving the next gift of grace? Aṣṭāvakra disclosed the blessing hidden within the curse: “On the day Kṛṣṇacandra, whose beauty surpasses millions of Cupids, enters the cavern of your belly, you will be freed from birth as a serpent.”
Original
Sanskrit verse
कोटिकन्दर्पलावण्यः श्रीकृष्णस्तु तवोदरे। यदा गच्छेत् सर्परूपात्तदा मुक्तिर्भविष्यति॥
English translation
When Śrī Kṛṣṇa, whose beauty equals millions of Cupids, enters your belly, you will then be liberated from the form of a serpent.
Original
इस प्रकार शङ्खासुर-पुत्रके सर्पकलेवरका आरम्भ हुआ। पर आगे चलकर किसी अचिन्त्य कारणवश पुनः उसमें असुरोंकी मायाशक्ति जाग्रत् हो उठी, यथेच्छ रूप धारण करनेकी क्षमता आ गयी और अघ दैत्यके रूपमें वह कंसका विशिष्ट परिकर बना। अवश्य ही सर्पाभिनिवेश उसमें निरन्तर जाग्रत् रहा। इसके अतिरिक्त और कुछ नहीं; अतीतकी घटनाको वह सर्वथा भूल चुका था। मुनिके शापकी, वरदानकी उसे विस्मृति हो गयी थी। नामके अनुरूप ही चेष्टाशील होकर वह अघासुर अपने पापोंका घड़ा भर रहा था और अन्तमें तो अपने त्राताको ही सदलबल वह मुखका ग्रास बना बैठा। फिर भी परिणाम जितना सुन्दर हुआ, उसका तो कहना ही क्या है:
English translation
Thus began the serpent embodiment of Śaṅkhāsura's son. Later, for some inconceivable reason, the demons' power of illusion awakened in him once more. He gained the ability to assume whatever form he wished and, as the demon Agha, became a distinguished associate of Kaṁsa. His identification with a serpent certainly remained continually active. Apart from that, however, he had forgotten the past entirely and no longer remembered the sage's curse or blessing. Acting in keeping with his name, Aghāsura continued filling the vessel of his sins until at last he swallowed his own deliverer and all his companions as a mouthful. Yet how wondrously beautiful the result became!
Original
Braj verse
मुनि-दुर्लभ गति दीन, प्रभु परसे कौ फल मिल्यौ।
English translation
The Lord granted him a destiny rare even for sages. What fruit came from opposing the Lord!
Original
मुनिकी बात मिथ्या होनेकी ही नहीं थी, सत्य होकर ही रही। अस्तु, जब श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र अघासुरके मुखसे बाहर निकल आये, फिर तो देववर्गके आनन्दका क्या कहना है! अपना इतना महान् कार्य करनेवाले, अघ दैत्यका विनाश कर अभयदान देनेवालेके प्रति उन अन्तरिक्षवासियोंका हृदय न्योछावर हो गया। उनके अन्तरका भाव-प्रवाह विभिन्न रूपोंमें व्यक्त होने लगा। आनन्दविह्वल हुए देववृन्दने नन्दनकाननके अतिशय सुरभित कुसुमोंको अञ्जलि भर-भरकर अजस्र सुमन-वृष्टि आरम्भ की। अप्सराएँ छम-छम करती नृत्य करने लगीं। गन्धर्वोंके सुमधुर कण्ठकी स्वरलहरी, विद्याधरोंके वाद्ययन्त्रकी मनोहारिणी झंकृति सर्वत्र परिव्याप्त हो उठी। विप्रकुलका भक्तिपूरित स्तवन, भगवत्पार्षदोंका ‘जय-जय’ निनाद गगनके कण-कणको मुखरित करने लगा। जिनके पास जो वस्तु थी, जो कला थी, उसकी भेंट समर्पित कर वे श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रका अभिनन्दन करने लगे:
English translation
The sage's words could never prove false, and so they came true. When Kṛṣṇacandra emerged from Aghāsura's mouth, what words could describe the joy of the gods? The hearts of the sky-dwellers were wholly offered to the one who had performed so great a deed, destroying the demon Agha and granting freedom from fear. The current of feeling within them began to express itself in many forms. Overwhelmed with joy, the gods filled their palms again and again with the intensely fragrant blossoms of Nandana Garden and began an unceasing shower of flowers. The apsarās danced with tinkling steps. Waves of melody from the sweet voices of the gandharvas and the enchanting resonance of the vidyādharas' instruments filled every direction. The brāhmaṇas' devotion-filled hymns and the Lord's attendants' cries of “Victory! Victory!” made every particle of the sky resound. Each offered whatever possession or art was his and thus celebrated Kṛṣṇacandra:
Original
Sanskrit verse
ततोऽतिहृष्टाः स्वकृतोऽकृतार्हणं पुष्पैः सुरा अप्सरसश्च नर्तनैः। गीतैः सुगा वाद्यधराश्च वाद्यकैः स्तवैश्च विप्रा जयनिःस्वनैर्गणाः॥
(श्रीमद्भागवत १०।१२।३४)
English translation
Then, greatly delighted, the gods honored him with flowers, the apsarās with dances, the celestial singers with songs, the musicians with instruments, the brāhmaṇas with hymns, and the divine hosts with cries of victory.
(Śrīmad Bhāgavata 10.12.34)
Original
Braj verses
लखि प्रभु चरित देव हरषाने। बरषि सुमन हिय अति सुख माने॥
गान करहि गंधर्ब प्रबीने। अप्सर करहिं नृत्य रस-भीने॥
बिबिध भाँति के बजे बधाए। द्विजबर करत विनय मन लाए॥
संख-सब्द, जय-सब्द अनेका। दुंदुभि सुधर एक तें एका॥
English translation
Beholding the Lord's deed, the gods rejoiced. They rained flowers and felt immense joy within their hearts.
The accomplished gandharvas sang, and the apsarās danced, steeped in rasa.
Many kinds of auspicious instruments sounded, while the foremost twice-born sages offered heartfelt prayers.
Conches resounded and countless cries of victory arose. The drums sounded, each more melodious than the last.
Original
भेरीका ‘भम्-भम्’ रव, पटहपर निरन्तर आघातजनित घोर शब्द, डिण्डिमका अति प्रचण्ड घोष, अविरल दुन्दुभिनाद, गन्धर्व-विद्याधर-किंनर प्रभृतिका सम्मिलित गान, ऋषियोंका स्तोत्रपाठ, ये सभी परस्पर ऐसे मिल गये कि कुछ क्षण तो देवसमुदायकी श्रवणशक्ति किसी भी शब्दको ग्रहण करनेमें सर्वथा कुण्ठित हो गयी:
English translation
The deep “bham, bham” of the bherī drums, the terrible sound of ceaseless blows upon the paṭaha drums, the tremendous thunder of the ḍiṇḍimas, the uninterrupted booming of the dundubhis, the united songs of gandharvas, vidyādharas, kinnaras, and others, and the sages' recitation of hymns all merged together so completely that for a few moments the gods' power of hearing became wholly unable to distinguish any individual sound:
Original
Sanskrit verse
भेरीभङ्काररावैः पटुपटहघनाघातसंघातघोरैश्चण्डैर्डिण्डिमानां ध्वनिभिरविरलैर्दुन्दुभीनां प्रणादैः। गानैर्गन्धर्वविद्याधरुरगमुखप्रेयसीनां मुनीनां स्तोत्रैः शब्दान्तरेषु क्षणमिव बधिराः स्वर्गिणस्ते बभूवुः॥
(श्रीआनन्दवृन्दावनचम्पूः)
English translation
With the booming of bherīs, the terrible massed roar of powerful, densely struck paṭahas, the fierce sounds of ḍiṇḍimas, the unbroken thunder of dundubhis, the songs of the beloved women of the gandharvas, vidyādharas, and serpent chiefs, and the sages' hymns, the gods became as if deaf for a moment to every other sound.
(Śrī Ānandavṛndāvanacampū)
Original
सचमुच अमरनगरी मानो इस प्रमोद-प्रवाहमें निमग्न होकर मत्त हो उठी:
English translation
Truly, the city of the immortals seemed intoxicated, submerged in this current of delight:
Original
Sanskrit passage
मत्तेवासीदमरनगरी सागरीयप्रमोदैः।
English translation
The city of the immortals became as if intoxicated by oceanic joy.
Original
अमरावतीका यह आनन्दोच्छ्वास जनलोक, महर्लोक, तपोलोकको मुखरित करते हुए सत्यलोकको स्पर्श करने लगा। जगत्स्रष्टा पितामहकी सृजन-समाधि टूटी। आठों कर्णरन्ध्र देवोंके इस तुमुल आनन्द-कोलाहलसे पूर्ण हो उठे। पितामहके आश्चर्यका पार नहीं। अकस्मात् विबुधवृन्दकी इस आनन्दद्रुतिके कारणका अनुसन्धान पानेके लिये वे चञ्चल हो उठे। परम अद्भुत स्तव-पाठ, सुमनोहर वाद्यवादन, रमणीय सङ्गीत-स्वर, जय-जयका विपुल नाद, इन सबसे सब ओर सम्पुटित महामहोत्सव एवं मङ्गलध्वनि, तथा यह भी अपने धामके अत्यन्त सन्निकट देशमें ही हो, फिर पद्मयोनि स्थिर कैसे बैठे रहें। वे तुरंत वहाँसे नीचे उतर आये, सबसे अलक्षित रहकर ही नीचे उतरे; पर आ पहुँचे वहीं, उसी आकाशमें, जहाँ, जिसके अञ्चलमें वृन्दाविपिनविहारीके अघासुर-उद्धारका कौतुक अभी-अभी सम्पन्न हो चुका है। आते ही स्रष्टाको कारण ज्ञात हो जाता है तथा स्वयंभगवान् श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रकी ऐसी महिमा प्रत्यक्ष निहारकर उनके आश्चर्यकी सीमा नहीं रहती:
English translation
This outpouring of joy from Amarāvatī resounded through Janaloka, Maharloka, and Tapoloka and began to touch Satyaloka. The creative absorption of Brahmā, grandfather and creator of the universe, was broken. All eight of his ear openings filled with the gods' tumultuous clamor of joy. His amazement knew no limit, and he became eager to discover the cause of the celestial hosts' sudden melting in bliss. The supremely wondrous recitation of hymns, beautiful instrumental music, lovely singing, and immense cries of victory enclosed every direction in sounds of a great festival and auspicious celebration, and all this was occurring very near his own abode. How could the lotus-born one remain still? He immediately descended from there, unseen by everyone, and arrived in that very sky whose shelter had just witnessed the wondrous deliverance of Aghāsura by the Lord who sports in Vṛndāvana's groves. As soon as he arrived, the creator understood the cause. Beholding directly such glory of Kṛṣṇacandra, the Lord himself, his wonder knew no bounds:
Original
Sanskrit verse
तदद्भुतस्तोत्रसुवाद्यगीतिका जयादिनैकोत्सवमङ्गलस्वनान्। श्रुत्वा स्वधाम्नोऽन्त्यज आगतोऽचिराद् दृष्ट्वा महीशस्य जगाम विस्मयम्॥
(श्रीमद्भागवत १०।१२।३५)
English translation
Hearing the wondrous hymns, beautiful instruments and songs, cries of victory, and many other auspicious sounds of celebration near the border of his own abode, Brahmā quickly came. Upon seeing the glory of the Lord, he was filled with wonder.
(Śrīmad Bhāgavata 10.12.35)
Original
अत्यन्त कलुषपूर्ण महाघृणित जीवन बितानेवाले, एकमात्र परपीड़नका ही व्रत निभानेवाले अघासुरको ऐसी योगीन्द्र-मुनीन्द्र-दुर्लभ गति मिली! क्षणोंमें ही तो उसे श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रके चारु श्रीचरणोंका स्पर्श प्राप्त हो गया, समस्त कल्मषराशि ध्वस्त हो गयी और अभक्तोंके लिये सुदुर्लभ सौभाग्य भगवत्सारूप्य गतिकी प्राप्ति हो गयी! किसे विस्मय नहीं होगा? पर वास्तवमें आश्चर्यकी बात कुछ भी नहीं। जो सर्वस्रष्टा, सर्वनियन्ता, सर्वावतारावतारी हैं, उन स्वयंभगवान् नरबालकलीला श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रके लिये ऐसी अयाचित कृपाका दान सर्वथा सम्भव है:
English translation
Aghāsura, who had lived an utterly impure and loathsome life and observed no vow but tormenting others, attained a destiny rare even for the foremost yogis and sages. Within moments he received the touch of Kṛṣṇacandra's beautiful feet, the entire mass of his sins was destroyed, and he attained the greatly fortunate state of possessing a form like the Lord's, a destiny exceedingly difficult for nondevotees to obtain. Who would not be astonished? Yet in truth there is nothing surprising. For Kṛṣṇacandra, the Lord himself who creates and governs all, source of every divine descent, and performer of human childhood pastimes, it is wholly possible to bestow such unsolicited grace:
Original
Sanskrit verse
नैतद् विचित्रं मनुजार्भमायिनः परावराणां परमस्य वेधसः। अघोऽपि यत्स्पर्शनधौतपातकः प्रापात्मसाम्यं त्वसतां सुदुर्लभम्॥
(श्रीमद्भागवत १०।१२।३८)
English translation
It is not wonderful that the Supreme Creator of all higher and lower beings, who assumes the appearance of a human child, should grant Agha equality of form with himself, a state most difficult for the impious to attain, when all the demon's sins were washed away by his touch.
(Śrīmad Bhāgavata 10.12.38)
Original
जिनके श्रीविग्रहकी मानस-प्रतिमाको ही केवल एक बार क्षणकालमात्रके लिये हृदयमें धारण कर लेनेके कारण न जाने कितनोंको परमभक्तजनोचित गतिकी प्राप्ति हो चुकी है, जिनकी मानसिक मूर्तिमें, अपनी भावनासे कल्पित, ध्यानपथमें क्षणमात्रके लिये उतरी हुई प्रतिकृतिमें ही ऐसी सुदुर्लभ गति दे देनेकी सामर्थ्य है, वे श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र, नित्यसिद्ध परमानन्दघनविग्रह व्रजेन्द्रनन्दन, स्वरूपानन्दास्वादन-परायण मायातीत श्रीहरि जब स्वयं उस अघासुरके मुखविवरमें प्रविष्ट हो गये तब फिर अवशिष्ट ही क्या रहा? स्वयं श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रको ही मुखमें धारण करनेवाले अघको यदि ऐसी परम सुन्दर गति मिले तो इसमें क्या आश्चर्य है? कुछ भी विचित्रता नहीं:
English translation
By holding within the heart just once, for only a moment, a mental image of his beautiful form, countless souls have attained a destiny befitting the highest devotees. Even a form conceived by the mind, an image shaped by one's own feeling and brought onto the path of meditation for a mere instant, possesses the power to grant such a rare destination. What then remained to be accomplished when Kṛṣṇacandra himself entered Aghāsura's open mouth? He is the son of Vraja's king, the eternally perfect embodiment of concentrated supreme bliss, Śrī Hari beyond illusion, absorbed in tasting the bliss of his own nature. If Agha, who held Kṛṣṇacandra himself within his mouth, received such a supremely beautiful destiny, what is surprising in that? There is nothing wondrous about it:
Original
Sanskrit verse
सकृद् यदङ्गप्रतिमान्तराहिता मनोमयी भागवतीं ददौ गतिम्। स एव नित्यात्मसुखानुभूत्यभिव्युदस्तमायोऽन्तर्गतो हि किं पुनः॥
(श्रीमद्भागवत १०।१२।३९)
English translation
Even a mental image of his body, placed within the heart only once, bestows the divine destination. How much more so when he himself, eternally experiencing the bliss of his own nature and having cast illusion far away, entered within?
(Śrīmad Bhāgavata 10.12.39)
Original
Braj verses
जो अखिलेस, परावर स्वामी। सकल-नियंता, अंतरजामी॥
माया-मनुज, तोक-तनुधारी। करयौ कर्म निज जन हितकारी॥
नहिं आचरज मानियहु कबहुँ। भयौ अघासुर पावन अजहूँ॥
महा अघी, पाँवर सब भाँती। परसि अंग लहि सुगति सुहाती॥
प्रतिमा जासु मनोम कोऊ। ध्यान करे कैसौ किन होऊ॥
लहै सुगति सो बिनहिं प्रयासा। कंचन बपु सुत से अनयासा॥
सदा नित्य सुख प्रभु भगवंता। सो प्रख्यात तोक श्रीकंता॥
तासु अंग परसत भा पावन। महा अघी यह देव-सतावन॥
तौ आचरज कहा एहि माहीं। नाम लेत अघ कोटि नसाहीं॥
English translation
He is Lord of all, master of higher and lower beings, governor of everything and indwelling knower of every heart.
Appearing through māyā as a human child, he performed this deed for the welfare of his own people.
Never consider it astonishing that Aghāsura was purified even now.
Though a tremendous sinner, degraded in every way, he touched the Lord's body and attained a lovely destiny.
Whoever meditates upon his mental image, whatever that person may be,
attains the blessed destination without effort, as readily as a golden-bodied son.
The Lord is eternal and always full of bliss, yet he became renowned as the child of Śrīkānta.
By touching his body, this great sinner, the tormentor of the gods, became pure.
What wonder, then, is there in this? At the utterance of his name, millions of sins perish.
Original
और तो क्या, अघका वह महामलिन शरीर भी व्रजराजनन्दनकी सेवाका उपकरण बना। ऋषि-महर्षि केवल क्षणभरके लिये ध्यानपथमें ही जिनकी चरणरजकणिकाका स्पर्श पानेके लिये लालायित रहते हैं, वे श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र अघके उस सर्पकलेवरमें बहुत दिनोंतक सखाओंके साथ क्रीड़ा करते रहे, श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रके प्राणप्रिय सखाओंके खेलनेके लिये वह सर्प-शरीर शुष्क होकर गुफा-सा बन गया, वृन्दावनमें उन शिशुओंको विहारके उपयुक्त मानो एक परम सुन्दर अद्भुत गिरिकन्दरा प्राप्त हो गयी:
English translation
More than this, Agha's deeply impure body became an instrument of service to the son of Vraja's king. Sages and seers yearn to touch a particle of the dust of Kṛṣṇacandra's feet even for a moment within meditation, yet Kṛṣṇacandra sported with his friends for many days inside Agha's serpent body. The body dried and became like a cave where Kṛṣṇacandra's dearest friends could play. It was as though the children had gained in Vṛndāvana a supremely beautiful and wondrous mountain cavern perfectly suited to their recreation:
Original
Sanskrit verse
राजन्नाजगरं चर्म शुष्कं वृन्दावनेऽद्भुतम्। व्रजौकसां बहुतिथं बभूवाक्रीडगह्वरम्॥
(श्रीमद्भागवत १०।१२।३६)
English translation
O king, the python's dried skin remained for many days in Vṛndāvana as a wondrous cave where the residents of Vraja could play.
(Śrīmad Bhāgavata 10.12.36)
Original
Braj verses
हे नृप अजगर चर्म सुखाना। व्रज-बालन कहँ खेल-सुथाना॥
क्रीड़ा हेतु महा बिल मानी। खेलहिं बालक अति सुख मानी॥
English translation
O king, the python's skin dried and became a fine playground for the children of Vraja.
Taking the great cave as a place for sport, the children played there with immense delight.
Original
किंतु सर्पगुफाकी क्रीड़ा आज अभी आरम्भ नहीं हुई। यह तो आजसे एक वर्षके अनन्तर आरम्भ होगी। ऐसी क्रीड़ा तभी सम्भव है, जब श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रके सखा उनके साथमें हों। पर सखामण्डली तो आज अभी कुछ घड़ीके अनन्तर ही ठीक एक वर्षके लिये विश्राम करेगी, वर्षव्यापी निद्रासुखका अनुभव करने जायगी, सदाकी भाँति आज संध्या-समय शिशुओंका व्रजप्रवेश नहीं होगा, अघासुर-उद्धारकी इतनी बड़ी घटनाकी गन्धतक किसी भी व्रजगोप, गोपसुन्दरीको एक वर्षके लिये न मिलेगी। गोपशिशु श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रकी इस कौमारलीला, अघमोक्षणकी चर्चा व्रजमें करेंगे अवश्य, पर करेंगे उस समय जब बाल्यलीलाविहारी श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रकी आयुका पौगण्डकाल आयेगा। आजकी घटित घटनाको वे सब एक वर्षके पश्चात् व्रजमें जाकर सुनायेंगे और ऐसे सुनायेंगे मानो उस दिन ही, अभी-अभी अघका विनाश हुआ हो, आज ही अघको सदाके लिये विदा कर वे सब संध्यासमय व्रज लौटे हों, इतनी नवीन घटना हो:
English translation
Yet the sport within the serpent cave did not begin that day. It would begin one year later. Such play was possible only when Kṛṣṇacandra's friends were with him, but within a few ghaṭikās that very day the circle of friends would rest for exactly one year and experience a year-long sleep. Unlike every other day, the children would not enter Vraja that evening, and for one year not even a hint of the great event of Aghāsura's deliverance would reach any cowherd man or woman. The cowherd boys would certainly describe in Vraja this childhood pastime of Kṛṣṇacandra, the liberation of Agha, but they would do so when Kṛṣṇacandra, enjoyer of childhood pastimes, reached the age of boyhood. One year later they would return to Vraja and recount the event of that day as though Agha had been destroyed only moments earlier and they had dismissed him forever that very day before returning to Vraja at dusk. The event would seem that fresh:
Original
Sanskrit verse
एतत् कौमारजं कर्म हरेरात्माहिमोक्षणम्। मृत्योः पौगण्डके बाला दृष्टोचुरविस्मिता व्रजे॥
(श्रीमद्भागवत १०।१२।३७)
English translation
This deed of Hari, the deliverance of himself and his companions from the serpent, occurred during his childhood. Yet the astonished boys described it in Vraja during his boyhood as though they had just witnessed it.
(Śrīmad Bhāgavata 10.12.37)
Original
Braj verses
यह कुमार-वय-कृत हरि-करमा। अहि-मोचन रक्षन जन धरमा॥
कृत कुमार-वय कर्म सब अहि-मोचन प्रभु कीन। सो पौगंड बिषै कही लरिकन्ह अबहिं नवीन॥
English translation
This was Hari's deed performed in childhood, freeing them from the serpent and protecting his people as his sacred duty.
The Lord performed the serpent's deliverance during childhood, yet the boys told it during boyhood as though it had happened just then.
Original
इसी एक वर्षमें, श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रके कौमार-पौगण्डके मध्यकालमें विश्वको चमत्कृत कर देनेवाली ब्रह्ममोहनलीला होगी और अब उसीकी प्रस्तावना करने श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र तरणितनया श्रीयमुनाके प्रवाहकी ओर चल पड़ते हैं। इसी समय श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रके स्तवनसे, ऐश्वर्य-कीर्तनसे अपने-आपको कृतार्थ कर लेनेके लिये गिराधिदेवी गोपशिशुओंके कण्ठका आश्रय ग्रहण करती हैं, अपनी अमित शक्ति वहाँ भर देती हैं। पर शिशुओंके अन्तस्तलसे अनर्गल प्रवाहित सख्यरसकी प्रबल धारामें सुरसुन्दरीके भाव कहाँ-से-कहाँ बह जाते हैं। वे सब तो अपनी धुनमें अपने भावसे अपने कोटि-कोटि-प्राणप्रतिम सखा कन्हैया भैयाके बल-वीर्यकी प्रशंसा करना चाहते हैं, कर रहे हैं, करते अघाते नहीं और सरस्वती उनके गीति-प्रवाहमें श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रका ऐश्वर्य बिखेरने लगती हैं। इसीलिये रह-रहकर बालकोंके मुखसे रससिक्त ऐश्वर्यकणके कुछ छींटे भी गिर ही जाते हैं। शिशु ही तो ठहरे। वे सब कितनी बार देख चुके हैं, जननी यशोदाके समक्ष उनकी माताएँ किस भाँति उनके नीलमणिकी प्रशंसा करती हैं। उस प्रणालीका अनुकरण तो इनके लिये स्वाभाविक है, वे करेंगे ही और वहीं हंसवाहिनीको अवकाश भी मिल ही जाता है। जो हो, परमानन्दमें विभोर, श्रीयमुनाकी ओर अग्रसर होते हुए बालक अपने कन्हैया भैयाकी कीर्ति एक-दूसरेको सुना रहे हैं:
English translation
Within this single year, during the interval between Kṛṣṇacandra's early childhood and boyhood, the pastime of bewildering Brahmā would astonish the universe. To introduce that pastime, Kṛṣṇacandra now set out toward the flowing waters of Yamunā, daughter of the sun. At this moment the goddess of speech took shelter of the cowherd boys' throats and filled them with her immeasurable power, wishing to fulfill herself through hymns to Kṛṣṇacandra and praise of his majesty. Yet the goddess's intentions were swept far away in the mighty current of intimate friendship rasa flowing unchecked from the children's deepest hearts. In their own absorption and feeling, they wished only to praise the strength and valor of their Kanhaiyā brother, the friend dearer to them than millions of lives. They praised him and could never be satisfied with praising him, while Sarasvatī began scattering Kṛṣṇacandra's majesty through the stream of their song. Thus, from time to time, droplets of majestic awareness steeped in rasa fell from the children's mouths. They were children, after all. Many times they had seen how their mothers praised Yaśodā's blue jewel before her. Imitating that way of speaking was natural for them. They would certainly do so, and there the swan-riding goddess found her opportunity. Overwhelmed with supreme bliss and proceeding toward holy Yamunā, the boys recounted the glory of their Kanhaiyā brother to one another:
Original
Braj verses
धन्य कान्ह, धनि नंद, धन्य जसुमति महतारी। धन्य लियौ अवतार, कोखि धनि जहूँ दैतारी॥
गिरि-समान तन अगम अति, पंनगकी अनुहारि। हम देखत पल एक में मारयौ दनुज प्रचारि॥
English translation
Blessed is Kānha, blessed is Nanda, and blessed is Mother Yaśodā. Blessed is the womb in which the destroyer of demons took birth.
The serpent's immense body was like a mountain and impossible to fathom, yet before our eyes he slew the vast demon in a single moment.
Original
और श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र? ओह! जय हो लीलामयकी लीलाकी! वे तो अघासुर-विजयका सम्पूर्ण श्रेय अपने सखाओंको ही देते जा रहे हैं:
English translation
And Kṛṣṇacandra? Oh, all glory to the pastime of the Lord of pastimes! He gave all the credit for the victory over Aghāsura to his friends:
Original
Braj verse
हरि हँसि बोले बैन, संग जौ तुम नहिं होते। तुम सब कियौ सहाइ, भयौ तब कारज मोंते॥
English translation
Hari smiled and said, “Had you not been with me, had you all not helped me, how could I have accomplished this deed?”