Original
Hindi
बनमें गौओंका भटककर कालिय-हृद (कालीदह)-के समीप पहुँचना और प्यासी होनेके कारण वहाँका विषैला जल पीकर प्राणशून्य हो गिर पड़ना, गोप-बालकोंका भी उसी प्रकार निश्चेष्ट होकर गिर पड़ना; श्रीकृष्णका वहाँ आकर उन सबको तथा गौओंको करुणापूर्ण दृष्टिमात्रसे पुनर्जीवित कर देना और सबसे गले लगकर एक साथ मिलना
English translation
The cows stray through the forest to Kāliya's lake and, driven by thirst, drink its poisoned water and fall lifeless. The cowherd boys likewise collapse without movement. Śrī Kṛṣṇa arrives, revives all the boys and cows by His compassionate glance alone, and embraces everyone as they reunite.
Original
Hindi
काननके उस भूभागपर हरित मृदुल तृणोंका अम्बार-सा लग रहा था। ग्रीष्मका साम्राज्य भी मानो उसकी छायातक उसे छू न सकी हो, इस प्रकार वह तृणराजि लह-लह कर रही थी और वहींपर श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र अपने गोपसखाओंके साथ गोसंचारण कर रहे थे। साथ ही उनकी परम मनोहारिणी क्रीड़ाएँ भी चल रही थीं। उनके श्यामल सुन्दर श्रीअङ्गोंसे एवं शिशुओंकी प्रेमिल भावभङ्गिमाओंसे आनन्दका स्रोत झर-झर कर वन-प्रान्तरके कण-कणको प्लावित कर रहा था:
English translation
That part of the forest was heaped with soft green grass. The grasses flourished as though even the shadow of summer's dominion had failed to touch them. There Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra grazed the cows with His cowherd friends while their supremely enchanting games continued. From His beautiful dark limbs and the boys' loving gestures, a stream of joy flowed forth and flooded every particle of the woodland:
Original
Braj
चरावत बृंदाबन हरि गाइ॥ सखा लिऐ सँग सुबल-सुदामा, डोलत हैं सुख पाइ। क्रीड़ा करत जहाँ-तहँ सब मिलि, अति आनंद बढ़ाइ॥
English translation
Hari grazed the cows in Vṛndāvana. Taking friends such as Subala and Sudāmā with Him, He wandered in delight. Together they played here and there, increasing their immense joy.
Original
Hindi
अचानक तृणग्रास मुखमें लिये ही गौएँ बिदक गयीं। वे अबतक तो शान्तभावसे तृण चरती रहकर भी अपने पालक नीलसुन्दरकी ओर सिर उठाकर देख लेती थीं; किंतु हठात् उनकी आँखें इससे भी अधिक सुन्दर एक अन्य तृणसंकुल भूमिखण्डकी ओर बरबस जा लगीं, नहीं-नहीं, आकर्षित कर दी गयीं। अचिन्त्यलीलामहाशक्तिने निर्धारित योजनाके अनुरूप डोरी खींच ली थी और इसलिये वे उस ओर ही भाग चलीं, बिखर गयीं। पर उस ओर तो सघन वन है, उनको उस ओरसे नियन्त्रित कर लेना नितान्त आवश्यक है। अतएव नीलसुन्दरकी क्रीड़ा भी स्थगित हो गयी और गोपशिशु भी गायोंको लौटा लेनेके उद्देश्यसे उस ओर ही दौड़ चले:
English translation
Suddenly the cows started and bolted with mouthfuls of grass still between their teeth. Until then they had grazed peacefully, occasionally raising their heads to look toward their keeper Nīlasundara. All at once their eyes became fixed upon another tract of ground covered with grass even more beautiful than that around them. More precisely, their eyes were drawn there. The inconceivable great power of divine play had pulled the cord according to its appointed design, and the cows scattered and ran in that direction. Dense forest lay ahead, so they urgently had to be brought under control. Nīlasundara's game stopped, and the cowherd boys ran after the cows to turn them back:
Original
Braj
बगरि गईं गैयाँ बन-बीथिनि, देखीं अति बहुताइ। कोउ गए ग्वाल गाइ बन घेरन, कोउ गए बछरु लिवाइ॥
English translation
The many cows scattered along the forest paths. Some cowherd boys went to surround them in the woods, while others went to bring back the calves.
Original
Hindi
श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र हँस रहे हैं। उनके नेत्रसरोजोंमें उत्सुकता भी है। वे रह-रहकर पुकार भी उठते हैं, 'अरे भैयाओ! भागते क्यों हो? धीरे चलकर ही उन्हें घेर क्यों न लेते!' किंतु वे शिशु तो सुननेसे रहे। इधर उन्हें एक साथ दौड़ते देखकर गौएँ और भी वेगसे भागीं। देखते-ही-देखते वह गोराशि तथा वे शिशु, दोनों ही लता, द्रुम, वल्लरियोंकी ओटमें हो गये। यहाँ बच गये एकाकी नीलसुन्दर। बायें हस्तकमलमें एक वन्य विटपकी डाल धारण किये हुए तथा दाहिनी मुट्ठीको अरुणिम अधरोंसे सटाकर दक्षिण तर्जनी उठाये वे उस ओर ही कुछ संकेत-सा कर रहे हैं। क्या पता वे वनमाली किस धुनमें हैं। क्योंकि सदाकी भाँति सखाओंका अनुसरण उन्होंने आज नहीं किया। प्रत्युत कुछ विलम्ब हो जानेपर समीपमें ही कलिन्दनन्दिनीके तटपर स्थित उस विशाल वटकी छायामें वे जा विराजे हैं। शिशुओंके अबतक न आनेका कारण सोच रहे हैं:
English translation
Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra laughed, curiosity shining in His lotus eyes. Again and again He called, "Brothers, why are you running? Why not walk slowly and surround them?" The boys did not listen. Seeing them all run together, the cows fled even faster. In moments both the herd and the boys disappeared behind trees, vines, and creepers. Nīlasundara remained alone. Holding a branch from a forest tree in His left lotus hand, He placed His right fist near His crimson lips and raised His index finger, signaling something in their direction. Who could know what absorbed Vanamālī? Unlike other days, He did not follow His friends. After some delay He sat beneath the shade of the great banyan nearby on the bank of Yamunā and wondered why the boys had not returned:
Original
Braj
बंसीबट, सीतल जमुना तट अतिहिँ परम सुखदाइ। सूर स्याम तहँ बैठि बिचारत, सखा कहाँ बिरमाइ॥
English translation
Vaṁśīvaṭa upon Yamunā's cool bank was supremely delightful. Sūra's Śyāma sat there wondering, "Where have My friends been delayed?"
Original
Hindi
'अरे! कितनी देर लगा दी उन सबोंने!' चिन्ताहरण विश्वनियन्ता प्रभु श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रको अब अपने सखाओंके लिये चिन्ता होने लग गयी; क्योंकि क्षण-क्षण करते ही वहाँ आये भी उन्हें प्रायः दो दण्ड हो चुके। सखाओंके अभावमें उनका चित्त वहाँ लग न सका। अन्यमनस्क-से हुए वे भी उस ओर ही चल पड़े। उनकी चिन्ताका पार नहीं:
English translation
"How long they have taken!" Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra, Lord and ruler of the universe who removes all anxiety, now became anxious for His friends, for nearly two daṇḍas had passed while He waited. Without His companions His heart found no rest there. Distracted, He set out in their direction, and His concern knew no limit:
Original
Braj
बार-बार हरि कहत मनहिं मन, अबहिं रहे सँग चारत धैनु। ग्वाल-बाल कोउ कहूँ न देखौं, टेरत, नाउँ लेत, दै सैनु॥ आलस-गात जात मनमोहन, सोच करत, तनु नाहिँन चैनु। अकनि रहत कहुँ, सुनत नहीं कछु, नहिं गो-रंभन बालक-बैनु॥
English translation
Again and again Hari said within Himself, "Just now they were grazing the cows beside Me, yet I see no cowherd boy anywhere." He called their names and gave signals. Manamohana walked with weary limbs, overcome by worry and unable to find bodily peace. He stopped repeatedly to listen but heard nothing, neither the lowing of cows nor the voices of boys.
Original
Hindi and Braj
इधर गायें तो सघन वनकी सीमाके उस पार जा पहुँची थीं तथा इतनी दूर बड़े वेगसे दौड़कर तृषित हो चुकी थीं। यही हाल उनके पालकवर्ग गोप-शिशुओंका था। ऊपर निदाघके सूर्य तप रहे थे। वनस्थलीके इस भागमें वृक्षोंकी शीतल छाया भी समाप्त हो चुकी थी। उन्मुक्त गगन था और नीचेकी धरती वहाँ, बस, सम्पूर्ण वृन्दावनमें एकमात्र उस देश-विशेषमें ही, हरितिमाशून्य-सी हो रही थी। अत्यन्त निकटमें ही तपनतनयाके सुन्दर मञ्जुल प्रवाहके दर्शन अवश्य हो रहे थे। पर वहाँ तटपर भी केवल एक कदम्बतरुके अतिरिक्त किसी भी वृक्षका चिह्नतक न था। आश्चर्य है, वहाँ तृण, वीरुध उगतक नहीं सके थे। बस, केवल रविनन्दिनी श्रीयमुनाकी लहरें ही वहाँ एकमात्र आकर्षणकी वस्तु थीं। विशेषतः तृषित गायें उन्हें देख लेनेके अनन्तर, इस मध्याह्नके समय वहाँ जाकर जलपानके द्वारा अपनी तृषा शान्त करनेका लोभ संवरण कर सकें, यह कैसे सम्भव था। इसीलिये स्वाभाविक ही गायें उस ओर ही मुड़ीं और पालक तो उनके पीछे चलेंगे ही। इस प्रकार सभी उस निर्वृक्ष तटपर ही जा पहुँचे; व्रजेन्द्रनन्दन श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रकी अचिन्त्य-लीला-महाशक्ति उन्हें वहाँ उस प्रसिद्ध कालिय-हृदपर ले आयीं, जहाँ नीलसुन्दरकी कालियदमन-लीलाका प्रकाश होगा:
सिसु-सुरभीं तिहि बेर, तृषावंत जल के भए। कालीदह कहँ हेरि चले, सीघ्र पहुँचे तहाँ॥
English translation
The cows had crossed beyond the dense forest and become thirsty after running so far at great speed. The same was true of the cowherd boys who tended them. The summer sun blazed overhead, and in this part of the woodland the trees' cooling shade had ended. Open sky stretched above, while the ground below appeared devoid of greenery. In all Vṛndāvana, only this particular place was so barren.
The lovely current of Yamunā, daughter of the sun, could be seen very near. Yet apart from a single kadamba, not a trace of any tree stood upon the bank. Astonishingly, not even grass or small plants could grow there. Only the waves of Śrī Yamunā formed an attraction. Having seen them at midday, how could the thirsty cows resist going there to drink and quiet their thirst? They naturally turned toward the river, and their keepers followed. Thus everyone reached that treeless bank. Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra's inconceivable power of divine play led them to the famous lake of Kāliya where Nīlasundara's pastime of subduing the serpent would be revealed:
At that time the boys and cows were thirsty for water. Seeing Kāliya's lake, they went toward it and quickly arrived there.
Original
Hindi
अस्तु, ग्रीष्मतापसे व्यथित वे गायें आते ही उस जल-प्रवाहमें मुँह डालकर प्यास शान्त करने लगीं। श्रीयमुनाकी उस अमृततिरस्कारिणी धाराका ही वे सदा पान करती आयी हैं, इस धाराने सदा ही उनके प्राणोंमें शीतलताका संचार किया है; इसलिये ही नित्यके अभ्यासवश सबने जल पीना आरम्भ किया। किंतु आज वह चिरपरिचित तृप्ति उन्हें न मिली, तृप्ति दूर, वारिस्पर्शमात्रसे कण्ठमें कुछ बूँदें उतरनेभरसे उनके प्राण झुलसने लगे। वे पशु इस बातको नहीं जानते कि यहाँ, तपनतनयाके इस हृदमें ही कालिय नागका निवास है, उसके सम्पर्कसे इस हृदका प्रत्येक जलकण विषपूर्ण हो चुका है; उन्हें इसका जलपान तो क्या, इसकी सीमामें भी प्रविष्ट नहीं होना चाहिये था। और इस ज्ञानके अभावमें ही स्वभाववश वे इस सद्यः प्राणहारक जलको स्पर्श कर चुके थे, उसका कुछ अंश पी चुके थे। इसीलिये जो परिणाम होना था, वही हुआ। एक ही साथ सबके शरीरोंमें, उनके स्नायुजालके प्रत्येक कणमें आग-सी जल उठी और देखते-ही-देखते वे सब-की-सब गायें वहीं, उस तटपर ही प्राणशून्य होकर गिर पड़ीं।
तथा उनके पालकवर्ग, ओह! लीलाशक्तिकी भी विचित्र महिमा है। उन मूक गो-समूहोंके लिये तो, पशुस्वभाववश उन्होंने जलपान कर लिया, यह हेतु किसी अंशमें समीचीन बन सकता है, किसी अंशकी बात इसीलिये कि सचमुच ही सच्चिदानन्द परब्रह्म पुरुषोत्तम श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रकी लीलामें उपकरणभूता ये गायें प्राकृत सृजनकी वस्तुएँ नहीं हैं; किंतु वे श्रीदाम, सुबल आदि गोपशिशु तो प्रायः सभी जानते थे कि एक महासर्पका उस हृदमें निवास है। वे अपने पिता-पितृव्योंसे सुन चुके थे; वहाँ उस स्थानकी ओर पैर रखनेके लिये सर्वथा निवारित हो चुके थे। फिर भी उनका वह ज्ञान उस समय लुप्त हो गया। हतबुद्धि-से हुए वे भी अतिशय द्रुतवेगसे दौड़कर उन गायोंके पीठ-पीछे आ पहुँचे। इतना ही नहीं, वे आये थे इस उद्देश्यसे कि शीघ्र-से-शीघ्र इन पशुओंको पीछेकी ओर हाँक लायेंगे, किंतु यहाँ आनेपर वह स्मृति भी किसीने पोंछ दी। उन्हें प्यास तो थी ही, उन सबने भी अपनी अञ्जलि उस प्रवाहमें डाल ही दी, अञ्जलिका किञ्चिन्मात्र जल अपने कण्ठमें भी डाल ही लिया। बस, जैसे इधर गिरीं गायें, वैसे ही, सर्वथा साथ-ही-साथ क्षणभरमें वहीं गिर पड़े, प्राणशून्य हुए वे सब-के-सब गोपशिशु!
English translation
Afflicted by the summer heat, the cows arrived and immediately lowered their mouths into the current to satisfy their thirst. They had always drunk from Śrī Yamunā's stream, which surpassed nectar and had always spread coolness through their lives. Following long habit, they began to drink. Today, however, they did not find the familiar satisfaction. Far from being refreshed, their very lives began to burn as soon as the water touched them and a few drops entered their throats.
The animals did not know that the serpent Kāliya lived in this lake of the sun-god's daughter and that his presence had filled every drop with poison. They should not have drunk from it or even entered its boundary. Lacking that knowledge, they followed their nature, touched the water that killed at once, and drank a little. The inevitable result came. Fire seemed to ignite simultaneously throughout their bodies and every strand of their nerves. Before their keepers' eyes, every cow fell lifeless upon the bank.
And then the boys who tended them fell as well. How wondrous is the majesty of the power of divine play. In the case of the silent cows, one might partly explain that they drank by animal instinct. This explanation is only partial because the cows who serve within the pastimes of Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra, Puruṣottama and the Supreme Brahman of eternity, consciousness, and bliss, are not products of material creation. Yet most of the cowherd boys, including Śrīdāmā and Subala, knew that a great serpent lived in the lake. They had heard this from their fathers and uncles and had been strictly forbidden even to approach the place. Still, their knowledge vanished at that moment. Their intelligence bewildered, they ran rapidly behind the cows.
They had come to drive the animals back as quickly as possible, but upon arriving, even that intention was erased. They too were thirsty. Each dipped his joined palms into the current and poured a small amount of water down his throat. Just as the cows fell, all the cowherd boys collapsed lifeless in the same place and at the same moment.
Original
Sanskrit. Source: Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 10.15.48-49
अथ गावश्च गोपाश्च निदाघातपपीडिताः। दुष्टं जलं पपुस्तस्यास्तृषार्ता विषदूषितम्॥ विषाम्भस्तदुपस्पृश्य दैवोपहतचेतसः। निपेतुर्व्यसवः सर्वे सलिलान्ते कुरूद्वह॥
English translation
Afflicted by the summer heat and tormented by thirst, the cows and cowherd boys drank Yamunā's corrupted water, polluted by poison. Their awareness overcome by divine arrangement, they touched that poisonous water and all fell lifeless at its edge, O best of the Kurus.
Original
Braj
गोप-धेनु रबि-कर लहि तापा। ग्रीषम-धूप घोर तन ब्यापा॥ तृषित महा ब्याकुल मन तासू। गरल-बिदूषित जल पिय आसू॥ दैवीहत चित विष जल जबहीं। परसत मृतक भए सब तबहीं॥ गिरि गे सकल सखा अरु धेनू। जमुना तीर तीर सुभ रेनू॥
English translation
The cowherd boys and cows were scorched by the sun's rays as the fierce summer heat spread across their bodies. Extremely thirsty and distressed, they quickly drank the poison-polluted water. Their minds struck by divine arrangement, they became lifeless the moment they touched it. All the friends and cows fell upon the fine dust of Yamunā's bank.
Original
Hindi
वास्तवमें तो सृजन-संहारसे परे, आदि-अन्तविहीन नित्य जीवनमें अवस्थित इन भगवत्पार्षदोंके लिये प्राणशून्य होनेकी बात बनती नहीं। यह तो अघटनघटन-पटीयसी योगमायाका ही वैभव है। नीलसुन्दरकी लीलामन्दाकिनीका, उससे निस्सृत प्रतिक्षण नूतन रस-प्रवाहका सौन्दर्य और भी निखर उठे, इस उद्देश्यसे उनके प्राण आच्छादित हो गये हैं। योगमायाके अञ्चलकी छायामें उनके उन चिन्मय प्राणोंका व्यापार अदृश्य बन गया है, स्थगितमात्र हो गया है, और वे उस रूपमें दीख पड़ रहे हैं। यह एक विचित्र-सी मूर्च्छा है उनकी:
English translation
In truth, these eternal associates of Bhagavān exist in beginningless and endless life beyond creation and destruction, so they cannot become lifeless. Their condition was the majesty of Yogamāyā, who expertly makes the impossible occur. Their life functions were covered so that the beauty of Nīlasundara's celestial Gaṅgā of pastimes and its ever-new current of rasa might become still more radiant. Beneath the shadow of Yogamāyā's garment, the activities of their spiritual lives became invisible and were merely suspended, causing them to appear in this way. Theirs was a wondrous kind of fainting:
Original
Sanskrit. Source: Sārārtha-darśinī
व्यसव इति लीलासौष्ठवार्थं योगमाययैव नित्यानामपि तेषामसूनाच्छाद्य तथा दर्शनात्।
English translation
The word "lifeless" means that, to enhance the beauty of the pastime, Yogamāyā covered the life functions even of these eternal associates and caused them to appear in that condition.
Original
Hindi
जो हो, यहाँ जब इतना हो चुका, तब कहीं श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र सखाओंको ढूँढ़ते हुए सघन वनकी सीमा पारकर इस शुष्क वृक्षशून्य भूभागपर आये और तत्क्षण दूरसे ही उनकी दृष्टि इस करुण दृश्यपर भी जा पहुँची। उस समय व्रजेन्द्रनन्दनकी कैसी दशा हुई, ओह! स्वयं वाग्वादिनीमें भी शक्ति कहाँ है जो इसपर किञ्चिन्मात्र प्रकाश दे सकें। करुणासिन्धु व्रजेन्द्रनन्दनके अन्तस्तलमें उच्छलित कृपामयी ऊर्मियोंका, किसी एक करुणालहरीके एक कणका भी वास्तविक चित्रण आजतक कहीं किसीके द्वारा भी हुआ जो नहीं। यत्किञ्चित् चित्रण हुआ है, हो सकता है तो केवल उनके बाह्य अनुभावोंको लेकर ही, सो भी उनकी चरणनखचन्द्रिकाका प्रकाश बुद्धिमें, मन-प्राण-इन्द्रियोंमें परिव्याप्त हो जाय और उस आलोकमें उन चिन्मय अनुभावोंके दर्शन हों तब। अतएव किसी भी बड़भागी लीलादर्शीके प्राणोंकी झंकृति भी वाणीद्वारा इतना ही व्यक्त कर सकती है, एक मुहूर्तके अनन्तर श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र वहाँ आये थे और तुरंत दूरसे ही उन्होंने उन सबको प्राणरहित देख भी लिया। विद्युत्-वेगसे घटनास्थलपर भी वे आ पहुँचे। पर हाय! उनकी उस नवनीरदश्यामल मूर्तिपर, आह! सौन्दर्यनिधि उस नील कलेवरपर क्षणभरमें ही, अन्तस्तलकी व्यथाके न जाने कितने शत-सहस्र काले आवरण जो आ गये! हाय रे! उनके श्याम श्रीअङ्गोंपर एक कैसी-सी, पहलेसे सर्वथा भिन्न जातिकी एक विचित्र श्यामता, नहीं-नहीं, व्यथाजन्य म्लानताका पुञ्ज जो बिखर गया। ओह!
English translation
After all this had occurred, Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra crossed the boundary of the dense forest while searching for His friends and entered the dry, treeless land. From a distance His gaze immediately fell upon the pitiful scene. Who could describe Vrajendra's son's condition at that moment? Even the goddess of speech lacks the power to cast the slightest light upon it. No one has ever truly portrayed even a particle of one compassionate wave among the mercy-filled surges rising within the ocean of compassion that was Vrajendra's son's heart.
Whatever can be described concerns only His outward expressions, and even that becomes possible only when the moonlight of His toenails pervades the intellect, mind, life, and senses, allowing those spiritual expressions to be seen in its radiance. Therefore, even the trembling heart of a greatly fortunate seer of divine play can express only this much through speech: after a muhūrta, Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra arrived and at once saw them all lifeless from afar. He reached the scene with the speed of lightning. In a moment, hundreds of thousands of dark coverings born of inner anguish seemed to descend upon His fresh-cloud-dark form, that blue body which was a treasury of beauty. A strange new darkness spread across His dark limbs, not their former hue but a mass of pallor born of pain.
Original
Sanskrit. Source: Śrī Gopāla-campū
अथ मुहूर्तपूर्तावागतोऽयं तोयदश्यामलपूर्तिर्मृतानिव तान् पश्यन्नन्यादृशश्यामलतामाजगाम।
English translation
After a muhūrta He arrived, His form dark like a rain cloud. Seeing them as though dead, He assumed an altogether different kind of darkness.
Original
Hindi
और तब आयी जड़िमा। श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र स्तब्ध खड़े हैं और सामने पड़ी हैं सर्वथा स्पन्दनशून्य असंख्य गायें और प्राणप्रिय सखाओंकी देह; किंतु मानो जड़िमाके लिये भी श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रके प्राणोंका ताप इस समय असह्य बन गया और वह भी मानो भाग निकली। फिर तो श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र चीत्कार कर उठे:
English translation
Then numbness came. Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra stood stunned before the countless utterly motionless cows and the bodies of His friends, dearer than life. Yet even numbness seemed unable to bear the heat of His anguish and fled. Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra cried out:
Original
Sanskrit. Source: Śrī Gopāla-campū
या गावः खलु देवता व्रजसदामस्माकमुच्चैस्तरां ये बालाश्च सदैव जीवतुलितास्तेऽमी विपन्नाः पुरः। हा हन्त स्वयमस्मि तत्सहचरः किं भ्रातरं मातरं तातं सर्वजनं च वच्मि मम धिक् चापल्यतः साहसम्॥
English translation
These cows are truly the most exalted deities of all of us who dwell in Vraja, and these boys have always been equal to life itself. Now they lie stricken before Me. Alas, I am their companion. What shall I say to My brother, My mother, My father, and all the people? Shame upon this rash venture born of My restlessness.
Original
Hindi
'ओह! ये गायें, नहीं-नहीं, निश्चितरूपसे हम व्रजवासियोंके सर्वाधिक आदरणीय देवता! तथा ये हमारे नित्य प्राणतुल्य बालक! आह! कैसी विपन्न दशामें ये सामने पड़े हैं! और मैं स्वयं, हाय रे! इनका सहचर हूँ! अब मैं क्या उत्तर दूँगा दाऊ भैयाको? मैयासे, बाबासे क्या कहूँगा? समस्त पुरवासियोंको क्या बताऊँगा? आह! मैं गोसंचारण करने आज इस पथसे, कालियहृदकी ओर आया ही क्यों? धिक्कार है मेरे चञ्चलताजन्य ऐसे साहसको।'
English translation
"These cows, no, truly the most honored deities of us residents of Vraja, and these boys who are eternally equal to our very lives, lie before Me in such a desperate state. Alas, I am their companion. What answer shall I give Dāū Bhaiyā? What shall I say to Mother and Bābā? What shall I tell all the people of Vraja? Why did I come along this path toward Kāliya's lake to graze the cows today? Shame upon this rash act born of My restlessness."
Original
Hindi
श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रका हृदय अनुतापवश विगलित हो उठा। वे क्रमशः एक-एकका मुख देखने लगे। फिर तो हृदयका वह द्रवभाव दृगोंमें भर आया। उनके नयनसरोरुह आर्द्र हुए एवं अश्रुवारिधारा कपोलोंपर बह चली:
English translation
Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra's heart melted with remorse. He looked in turn at each face until His heart's melted feeling filled His eyes. His lotus eyes grew moist, and streams of tears flowed over His cheeks:
Original
Sanskrit. Source: Śrī Gopāla-campū
श्रीव्रजकुलचन्द्रमसः क्रमशः सर्वेषां मुखमभिदत्तदृशः स्तिमितीकृतनिजाधारा नेत्राम्बुधारा निपेतुः।
English translation
As the moon of Vraja's dynasty cast His gaze successively upon every face, streams of tears fell from His eyes, stilling their own natural current.
Original
Hindi
और यह लो! जिस गोपशिशुपर, गायपर, उनकी वह अश्रुस्राविणी, नहीं-नहीं अमृतवर्षिणी, दृष्टि पड़ती जा रही है, वे सब जीवित होकर उठते जा रहे हैं:
English translation
And then, every cowherd boy and cow upon whom His tear-flowing, or rather nectar-raining, glance fell came alive and rose:
Original
Sanskrit. Source: Śrī Gopāla-campū
यथाक्रमं सर्वं चेतयामासुः।
English translation
In succession, that glance restored consciousness to them all.
Original
Hindi
इसमें आश्चर्य ही क्या है? अनन्तैश्वर्यनिकेतन श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र भले कितने ही मुग्ध वेशमें, अपने समस्त ऐश्वर्यको बाल्यावेशके अतल तलमें डुबाकर अपने स्वरूपभूत लीलारसका पान क्यों न करें, किंतु समयपर ऐश्वर्यशक्ति जाग उठेगी ही। श्रीशेष, शिव आदि योगेश्वरोंके भी ईश्वर व्रजेन्द्रनन्दनका वह अप्रतिम ऐश्वर्य ठीक अवसरपर क्रियाशील हो ही जायगा। बाल्यलीलाविहारीकी तो आँखें झर रही थीं, बालकोंको उस अवस्थामें देख-देखकर अनुताप-विह्वल हुए वे क्रन्दन कर रहे थे, किंतु उसी अश्रुपथसे उनका स्वरूपभूत ऐश्वर्य भी तो निस्सृत हो रहा था। फिर वे अनन्यगति, एकमात्र श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रपर ही निर्भर करनेवाली गायें, सर्वथा उनपर ही आश्रित वे गोपशिशु क्यों न पुनर्जीवन लाभ करें? उन्होंने किया ही, श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रने उन्हें नवजीवन प्रदान किया ही:
English translation
What wonder was there in this? Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra, the abode of infinite majesty, might appear utterly innocent, immerse all His power in the unfathomable depths of childhood absorption, and drink the rasa of pastimes intrinsic to His being. Yet at the proper moment His majestic power inevitably awakened. The incomparable sovereignty of Vrajendra's son, Lord even of great masters of yoga such as Śeṣa and Śiva, became active at precisely the right time.
The eyes of the enjoyer of childhood pastimes streamed with tears, and He wept in remorse upon seeing the boys in that state. Yet through the same path of tears, the majesty intrinsic to His being also flowed forth. Why then should the cows, who had no refuge but Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra, and the cowherd boys, wholly dependent upon Him, not regain their lives? They did. Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra gave them new life:
Original
Sanskrit. Source: Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 10.15.50
वीक्ष्य तान् वै तथाभूतान् कृष्णो योगेश्वरेश्वरः। ईक्षयामृतवर्षिण्या स्वनाथान् समजीवयत्॥
English translation
Seeing them in that condition, Kṛṣṇa, Lord of the masters of yoga, restored His dependents to life with His nectar-raining glance.
Original
Hindi
अब उनकी आँखें मिलनेभरकी देर थी, बस, श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रने लपककर प्रत्येकको ही, सर्वथा एक समयमें ही एक साथ पृथक्-पृथक् अपने भुजपाशमें बाँध लिया। प्राकृत बुद्धिमें यह शक्ति नहीं कि उसका समाधान कर दे, पर वास्तवमें यह आलिङ्गन संघटित हुआ इस रूपमें ही:
English translation
As soon as their eyes met His, Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra sprang forward and bound each one separately within His arms, all at exactly the same time. Material intellect cannot explain this, yet the embrace truly occurred in precisely this way:
Original
Sanskrit. Source: Śrī Gopāla-campū
युगपदेव सर्वान् कृष्ट्वा पृथक् पृथगेवाश्लिष्टवान्।
English translation
Drawing everyone toward Himself simultaneously, He embraced each one individually.
Original
Hindi
शिशु एवं श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रका यह मिलन भी देखने ही योग्य है:
English translation
This reunion of the boys with Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra was a sight worthy of being seen:
Original
Sanskrit. Source: Śrī Gopāla-campū
दृष्टिर्बाष्पमिता तनुस्तिमिततामन्तर्मतिलीनता- मित्थं संगतिसाधने तु निखिलेऽभीक्ष्णं गते व्यर्थताम्। किं सौख्यं किमसौख्यमेतदिति च स्फूर्तिं विनावस्थितौ किञ्चित्कोऽपि न किञ्चिदुञ्झितुमभूच्छक्तिप्रयुक्तश्चिरम्॥
English translation
Their sight was obstructed by tears, their bodies became motionless, and their inner awareness dissolved. All the faculties by which reunion might be experienced repeatedly became useless. Remaining without even the awareness of whether this was joy or sorrow, for a long time no one could bring himself to release even the slightest hold upon another.
Original
Hindi
'उन बालकोंकी दृष्टि बाष्पधारासे अवरुद्ध हो गयी। शरीर निश्चेष्ट हो गया। अन्तश्चेतना लुप्त हो गयी। इस प्रकार मिलनेके सभी साधन जब बारम्बार व्यर्थ होते गये, यहाँतक कि उन्हें इस बातका भी भान नहीं रहा कि यह सुखकी अवस्था है या दुःखकी। उस समय बड़ी देरतक तो कोई किसीको किञ्चिन्मात्र भी छोड़नेमें समर्थ ही न हुआ।'
English translation
"The boys' vision was obstructed by streams of tears, their bodies became motionless, and their inner awareness disappeared. Thus every means of experiencing their reunion repeatedly failed, until they no longer knew whether their condition was one of joy or sorrow. For a long time no one could let go of another even slightly."
Original
Hindi
और वे जब प्रकृतिस्थ हुए तब गायोंकी दशा भी निराली ही बन गयी:
English translation
When they regained outward composure, the cows' condition was extraordinary as well:
Original
Sanskrit. Source: Śrī Gopāla-campū
गावो हुङ्कृतिघोषणावलयिताः कृष्णं लिहन्त्यश्चिरा- द्बाहुद्वयवेष्टनेन विलसत्कण्ठ्यः समुत्कण्ठिताः। यत्नात्त्याजिततद्ग्रहाश्च पशुपैः क्षिप्ताश्च तस्थुश्चिरं तास्तद्वक्त्रसुधाकरद्युतिसुधापीतावतृप्तेक्षणाः॥
English translation
The cows surrounded Kṛṣṇa with loud lowing and licked Him for a long time in their eagerness. Their necks shone as His two arms encircled them. With great effort the cowherd boys made them release their hold and moved them aside, yet the cows stood there for a long time, their eyes still unsatisfied after drinking the nectar of the moonlike radiance of His face.
Original
Hindi
'वे गायें उच्च स्वरसे हुंकार करती हुई श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रको घेरकर खड़ी हो गयीं, उत्कण्ठायुक्त होकर उन्हें बड़ी देरतक चाटती रहीं। नीलसुन्दर उन्हें गलबाहीं देकर खड़े थे, इससे उनकी ग्रीवा अत्यन्त सुशोभित हो रही थी। उनके पालक शिशुओंने आकर अत्यधिक प्रयास कर उन्हें श्रीकृष्णके बाहुपाशसे मुक्त किया, वे उन्हें वहाँसे हटाने लगे; किंतु गौएँ तो उनके मुखचन्द्रसे अपने अतृप्त नेत्रोंको हटा न सकीं, बड़ी देरतक ज्यों-की-त्यों खड़ी रहीं। उस अनुपम सुधाकरकी सुधाका पान करके भी वे तृप्त न हो सकीं।'
English translation
"The cows surrounded Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra, lowing loudly, and licked Him eagerly for a long time. Nīlasundara stood with His arms around their necks, making those necks appear exceedingly beautiful. The cowherd boys came and, with great effort, freed them from Śrī Kṛṣṇa's embrace and tried to move them away. Yet the cows could not withdraw their unsatisfied eyes from His moonlike face and remained standing there for a long time. Even after drinking the nectar of that incomparable moon, they could not be satisfied."
Original
Hindi
अस्तु, उन बालकोंके नेत्रोंमें आश्चर्य तो अब भी भरा है, अतिशय विस्मित हुए वे सब परस्पर एक-दूसरेको देख रहे हैं:
English translation
Wonder still filled the boys' eyes. Deeply astonished, they looked at one another:
Original
Sanskrit. Source: Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 10.15.51
आसन् सुविस्मिताः सर्वे वीक्षमाणाः परस्परम्।
English translation
They were all greatly amazed and looked at one another.
Original
Hindi
अवश्य ही उन सरलमति बालकोंको यह अनुमान होते देर न लगी कि वे पुनर्जीवित कैसे हो गये। विषकी ज्वालासे उनके प्राण समाप्त हो ही चुके थे, उन्हें मृत्युके इस पार तो पुनः लौटा लाये हैं उनके कन्हैया भैया ही:
English translation
The simple-hearted boys quickly understood how they had returned to life. The fire of poison had ended their lives, and Kanhaiyā Bhaiyā alone had brought them back from beyond death:
Original
Sanskrit. Source: Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 10.15.52
अन्वमंसत तद्राजन् गोविन्दानुग्रहेक्षितम्। पीत्वा विषं परेतस्य पुनरुत्थानमात्मनः॥
English translation
O King, they understood that after drinking poison and dying, their return to life had come through Govinda's gracious glance.
Original
Braj
सखन इहै मन आनि, मरे जिए एहि काल हम। कृष्न-अनुग्रह जानि, मन हरषे अति प्रेम भर॥
English translation
The friends realized within their hearts, "We died and have now returned to life." Knowing this to be Kṛṣṇa's grace, their hearts filled with immense love and joy.
Original
Hindi and Braj
फिर तो कन्हैया भैयाकी जय होनी ही है:
आपुस में सिसु मिलि कह्यौ, धनि धनि नंदकुमार।
English translation
Then Kanhaiyā Bhaiyā's triumph naturally had to be proclaimed:
The boys gathered together and said, "All glory, all glory to Nanda's son!"
Original
Hindi
नीलसुन्दरके अधरोंपर मन्द मुसकान है; किंतु उनकी दृष्टि केन्द्रित है कालियहृदकी ओर। वे सोच रहे हैं कुछ और ही; कालियहृदमें विहार करनेका मनोरथ निर्मित हो रहा है तथा शिशु व्यस्त हैं अपने कोटि-प्राणप्रतिम कन्नू भैयाके प्रति अपने स्नेहपूरित अन्तस्तलका आभार व्यक्त करनेमें:
English translation
A gentle smile rested upon Nīlasundara's lips, but His gaze remained fixed upon Kāliya's lake. His thoughts had turned elsewhere, and the desire to sport within the lake was taking form. Meanwhile, the boys were absorbed in expressing the gratitude of their love-filled hearts to Kannū Bhaiyā, who was dearer to them than millions of lives:
Original
Braj
प्रान बिनु हम सब भए ते, तुमहिं दियौ जिवाइ। सूरके प्रभु! तुम जहाँ, तहँ हमहिं लेत बचाइ॥
English translation
"We had all become lifeless, and You alone restored us to life. O Lord of Sūra, wherever You are, You always protect us."