Original
Hindi
नागपत्नियोंका भी अपने शिशुओंको लेकर श्रीकृष्णकी शरणमें उपस्थित होना, स्तुति एवं प्रणाम करना और पतिके जीवनकी भिक्षा माँगना; श्रीकृष्णका करुणापूर्वक कालियके फनोंसे नीचे उतर आना
English translation
Kāliya's wives come before Śrī Kṛṣṇa with their children, surrender to Him, offer praise and obeisance, and beg for their husband's life. Śrī Kṛṣṇa compassionately steps down from Kāliya's hoods.
Original
Hindi
नेत्रोंसे अविरल प्रवाह बह रहा है, अङ्गोंके वस्त्र-भूषण स्खलित हो चुके हैं, वेणी खुल गयी है, आकुलतावश देहकी सुधि छूटती-सी जा रही है, चित्त उत्तरोत्तर विह्वल होता जा रहा है, इस दयनीय दशामें नागवधुएँ अपने छोटे शिशुओंको सामने रखकर, अञ्जलि बाँधकर श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रके चरणकमलोंके समीप दण्डवत् गिर पड़ीं। उन्हें बार-बार प्रणाम करने लगीं। वे जानती हैं, समस्त भूतप्राणियोंके पति, प्राणिमात्रके रक्षक ये व्रजेन्द्रनन्दन ही हैं; एकमात्र आश्रयदाता ये नन्दकुलचन्द्र ही हैं। यद्यपि कालियने अपराध इन श्रीचरणोंमें ही किया है, अत्यन्त पापात्मा है यह, फिर भी इन व्रजराजनन्दनके अतिरिक्त अन्य कोई त्राता भी जो नहीं; हम सबोंको अपने पतिके लिये प्राणदानकी भिक्षा भी केवल इन्हींसे प्राप्त हो सकती है। परम करुणामय हमें निराश नहीं करेंगे, हमारी यह कामना अवश्य पूर्ण करेंगे। अतएव एक क्षण भी न खोकर वे श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रकी ही शरण ले लेती हैं:
English translation
Unbroken streams flowed from their eyes. Their garments and ornaments had slipped, their braids had come undone, distress made them lose awareness of their bodies, and their minds grew increasingly overwhelmed. In this pitiful condition, the serpent wives placed their small children before them, joined their palms, and fell prostrate near Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra's lotus feet. Again and again they bowed to Him.
They knew that Vrajendra's son was the Lord of all living beings and the protector of every creature. The moon of Nanda's dynasty alone could grant refuge. Kāliya had offended these very feet and was deeply sinful, yet no savior existed apart from Vrajarāja's son. Only from Him could they beg the gift of their husband's life. The supremely compassionate Lord would not disappoint them and would surely fulfill their desire. Without losing even a moment, they took shelter of Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra:
Original
Sanskrit. Source: Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 10.16.31-32
आर्ताः श्लथद्वसनभूषणकेशबन्धाः तास्तं सुविग्नमनसोऽथ पुरस्कृतार्भाः। कायं निधाय भुवि भूतपतिं प्रणेमुः साध्व्यः कृताञ्जलिपुटाः शमलस्य भर्तुः॥ मोक्षेप्सवः शरणदं शरणं प्रपन्नाः॥
English translation
Distressed, their garments, ornaments, and braids loosened and their minds deeply agitated, those virtuous wives placed their children before them, laid their bodies upon the ground, and bowed to the Lord of all beings with joined palms. Desiring the release of their sinful husband, they surrendered to the giver of refuge.
Original
Braj
चौ०-छुट्टे लरिकन आगे किऐं। जैसें दया फुरै हरि हिएँ॥ नैनन तैं जलकन यों परैं। कमलन तैं जनु मुक्ता झरैं॥ बिगलित कच सु बदन छबि बढ़े। अहि-सिसु जनु कि ससिन पर चढ़े॥ मन-चित अति उदबेग, न थोरा। हरि कहँ देखि उभय कर जोरा॥ आगे धरि निज बाल अनेका। करहिं दंडवत छिति सिर टेका॥ प्रभु शरण्य वरदेश अनंता। शरण गही तिन श्रीभगवंता॥
English translation
They placed their little children in front so that compassion might arise in Hari's heart. Tears fell from their eyes like pearls dropping from lotuses. Their loosened hair enhanced the beauty of their faces, and the serpent children seemed to climb upon moons. Their minds and hearts were filled with immense agitation. Seeing Hari, they joined both hands, placed their many children before them, touched their heads to the earth, and prostrated themselves. They took refuge in Śrī Bhagavān, the infinite Lord, giver of boons and shelter.
Original
Hindi and Braj
कालियके द्वारा किये हुए अगणित अपराधोंकी स्मृति तो उनमें किञ्चित् भयका संचार कर रही है; पर साथ ही नीलसुन्दरका वह प्रसन्न वदनारविन्द प्राणोंके कण-कणमें उल्लास भर दे रहा है। इसी अवस्थामें किसी अचिन्त्य प्रेरणासे अभिभूत होकर वे सब-की-सब श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रका स्तवन करने लगती हैं:
चौ०-कछु मुद भरी, कछू भय भरी। करि दंडवत स्तुती अनुसरी॥
English translation
The memory of Kāliya's countless offenses awakened some fear within them, yet Nīlasundara's cheerful lotus face simultaneously filled every particle of their lives with joy. Overcome by an inconceivable inspiration, they all began to praise Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra:
Partly filled with joy and partly filled with fear, they prostrated themselves and began their hymn.
Original
Hindi and Braj
उनके गद्गद कण्ठका वह अतिशय मधुर स्वर सर्वत्र गूँज उठा। हृदके तटपर अवस्थित समस्त व्रजवासी भी प्रत्यक्ष सब कुछ देख रहे हैं, सुन पा रहे हैं:
ठाढ़े देखत हैं ब्रजबासी। कर जोरें अहि-नारि बिनय करि, कहतिं धन्य अबिनासी॥
English translation
The exceedingly sweet sound of their choked voices resounded everywhere. All the residents of Vraja standing upon the bank could directly see and hear everything:
The residents of Vraja stood watching as the serpent women joined their palms and humbly praised the blessed, imperishable Lord.
Original
Hindi
नागपत्नी सुबलाने तो श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रके पदसरोजोंको अपने अञ्जलिपुटमें धारण कर लिया है। अन्य पत्नियाँ अत्यन्त समीपमें हाथ जोड़े खड़ी हैं। तथा उन सबके ही अन्तस्तलके भाव क्रमशः एक-एकके वचनसे बाहर आकर नीलसुन्दरके चारु चरणोंमें समर्पित होने लगते हैं। वे अविराम कहती जा रही हैं, 'नाथ! प्रभो! जगतमें तुम्हारा आविर्भाव ही होता है दुष्टोंका दमन करनेके लिये। अतएव मेरे स्वामिन्! सर्वथा उचित है कालियके प्रति तुम्हारा यह दण्डविधान, महान् अपराधी हमारे पतिके लिये यह उचित ही है। एक ओर अपनेसे निरन्तर शत्रुता रखनेवालेके प्रति तथा दूसरी ओर अपनी संततिके प्रति तुम्हारी नित्य समदृष्टि रहती है, भगवन्! दोनोंके सम्बन्धमें कदापि तुममें भेदभावका उन्मेष नहीं होता। अपराधीको परम कृतार्थ करनेके लिये ही, उसे अपने पादपद्मोंकी शीतल शान्ततम छायाका दान कर अनन्त अपरिसीम सुखमें सदाके लिये निमग्न करनेके लिये ही तुम्हारा दण्डविधान होता है।
'अहा! करुणावरुणालय! कितना महान् अनुग्रह हुआ है तुम्हारा हम सबोंके प्रति, इस कालियके प्रति! इस दण्डके रूपमें तुम्हारी परम कृपा ही तो व्यक्त हो रही है; क्योंकि यह निश्चित है, तुम्हारे द्वारा विहित दण्ड समस्त पापोंका क्षय कर देता है। देखो सही, स्पष्ट है कि पापोंके परिणामस्वरूप ही तो कालियको सर्पयोनिकी प्राप्ति हुई है; किंतु यह लो प्रभो! तुम्हारे क्रोधमें कालियके वे पाप, नहीं-नहीं, उसकी सम्पूर्ण पापराशि ध्वंस हो गयी! यह केवल देखनेभरको अब सर्प रहा है, वास्तवमें तो यह जीवन्मुक्त हो चुका है। इतना ही नहीं, भक्तिकी अजस्र धारा संचरित हो चुकी है इसके अन्तस्तलमें और यह परम कृतार्थ हो चुका है। इसीलिये, दयामय! तुम्हारा दण्ड, दण्डका हेतुभूत क्रोध सर्वथा तुम्हारे अनुग्रहकी ही परिणति है। इसमें तनिक भी संदेहके लिये स्थान नहीं।
'अवश्य ही अतीतके किसी जन्ममें हमारी बुद्धिसे अगोचर किसी तपका आचरण इसने किया है, स्वयं अभिमानशून्य रहकर एवं दूसरोंको सम्मान दान करते हुए उस तपमें अचल भावसे यह परिनिष्ठित रहा है। अथवा समस्त भूतप्राणियोंके प्रति दयापरायण रहकर किसी धर्मविशेषका इसने अनुष्ठान किया है; जिसके फलस्वरूप तुम सर्वान्तर्यामी इसपर प्रसन्न हो उठे हो, निग्रहके रूपमें इसे अपने अनुग्रहका परम दान देने आये हो, देव!
'किंतु नहीं, हम सब भूल रही हैं, भगवन्! तपसे, धर्मानुष्ठानसे ऐसे अप्रतिम सौभाग्यकी उपलब्धि कहाँ सम्भव है। यह तो निश्चय ही तुम्हारे अचिन्त्य कृपावैभवका ही चमत्कार है। तुम्हीं सोचो, सर्वेश्वर! तप आदिके द्वारा ब्रह्मा आदि भी जिन लक्ष्मीकी प्रसन्नता प्राप्त कर लेनेकी अभिलाषा करते हैं, उन स्वयं श्रीदेवीतकने भी तुम्हारी चरणरजको स्पर्श कर लेनेका अधिकार चाहा है और फिर इस अदम्य लालसासे प्रेरित होकर वे तुम्हारे अतिरिक्त अन्य समस्त कामनाओंका परित्याग कर, विविध नियमोंका पालन करती हुई दुश्चर तपमें बहुत समयतक संलग्न रही हैं। ऐसी-इतनी दुर्लभ वस्तु तुम्हारे श्रीचरणोंकी रज है! पर यहाँ तो, बलिहारी है तुम्हारे इस अयाचित कृपादानकी, इन चरणसरोरुहके धूलिकणोंको स्पर्श कर लेनेका अधिकार अधम कालियको मिल रहा है! अब कौन बताये, कौन जानता है, कालियकी किस साधनाका यह फल है। हम सब तो समझ नहीं पातीं, भगवन्!
'अहा! कितनी महिमामयी है तुम्हारे श्रीचरणोंकी धूलि! जो इस परम दुर्लभ धूलिकी शरण ग्रहण कर लेते हैं, उनके मनमें सागरसमन्वित सम्पूर्ण धराका आधिपत्य पा लेनेकी इच्छा नहीं होती। इसकी अपेक्षा भी उत्कृष्ट, जरा आदि दोषोंसे रहित देहके द्वारा एक मन्वन्तर-कालपर्यन्त भोगनेयोग्य स्वर्गसुखकी भी कामना उन्हें नहीं होती। इससे भी अत्यधिक मात्रामें लोभनीय एवं विघ्न-बाधाशून्य पातालसुख, पाताललोकका आधिपत्य भी उन्हें आकर्षित नहीं करता। इस सुखसे भी अत्यधिक महान् ब्रह्मपदको पा लेनेकी वासना भी उनमें कभी नहीं जागती। ब्रह्मपदसे भी श्रेष्ठ योगसिद्धिकी ओर भी उनका मन नहीं जाता। इससे भी श्रेष्ठ जन्म-मृत्युविहीन मोक्षपदतककी इच्छा उनमें उत्पन्न नहीं होती। यह है तुम्हारी चरणरजकी शरणमें चले आनेका परिणाम, प्रभो!
'अहो! क्या ही आश्चर्य है! उसी चरणरजको इस सर्पराज कालियने बिना किसी प्रयासके ही पा लिया। तमोमय योनिमें उत्पन्न एवं अत्यन्त क्रोधी स्वभावका होनेपर भी इसे उसका स्पर्श प्राप्त हो गया, उस चरणरजका स्पर्श कि जो श्रीदेवी आदितकके लिये परम दुर्लभ है तथा जिसे प्राप्त कर लेनेकी इच्छामात्रसे ही संसारचक्रमें भ्रमण करते हुए जीवको सर्वविध सम्पदा, अपवर्गतककी प्राप्ति अनायास ही हो जाती है। सचमुच कालिय-जैसे महापराधीके जीवनमें यह अनिर्वचनीय सौभाग्योदय केवल तुम्हारी कृपासे ही सम्भव हुआ है, स्वामिन्!'
English translation
Kāliya's wife Subalā held Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra's lotus feet within her joined palms. The other wives stood very near with folded hands. The feelings within all their hearts emerged one after another through their words and were offered at Nīlasundara's beautiful feet. They spoke without interruption:
"Lord, You appear within the world to subdue the wicked. Therefore Your punishment of Kāliya is entirely just, and our greatly sinful husband deserves it. Bhagavān, You eternally view in the same way both one who remains Your enemy and Your own child. No partiality toward either ever arises within You. You punish an offender only to bring him supreme fulfillment, grant him the cool and peaceful shade of Your lotus feet, and immerse him forever in infinite joy.
"Ocean of compassion, how great is the grace You have shown us and Kāliya. Your supreme mercy has manifested as this punishment, for chastisement ordained by You destroys every sin. Kāliya received a serpent's birth as the result of sin, yet within Your anger those sins, indeed his entire accumulation of sin, have been destroyed. He now appears to be a serpent only outwardly. In truth, he has attained liberation while living. An unbroken current of devotion has begun to flow within his heart, and he has become supremely fulfilled. Therefore, merciful Lord, Your punishment and the anger that caused it are wholly transformations of Your grace. No room for doubt remains.
"In some former birth he must have performed austerity beyond the reach of our understanding, remaining free from pride, honoring others, and standing firm in that discipline. Or perhaps he practiced some dharma by showing compassion toward all beings. As its fruit, You, the indwelling witness of all, became pleased with him and came to grant the supreme gift of Your favor in the form of restraint.
"Yet no, Bhagavān, we are mistaken. How could austerity or religious practice bestow such incomparable fortune? This can only be the wonder of Your inconceivable grace. Brahmā and others desire through austerity to please Lakṣmī, yet Śrī herself longed for the right to touch the dust of Your feet. Driven by that unconquerable desire, she abandoned every wish apart from You, observed many disciplines, and performed difficult austerity for a long time. So rare is the dust of Your feet. Yet lowly Kāliya has received the right to touch those particles without asking. Glory to this unsolicited gift of grace. Who can say what practice of Kāliya produced such a result? We cannot understand it.
"How glorious is the dust of Your feet. Those who take shelter of that supremely rare dust do not desire sovereignty over the entire earth surrounded by oceans. Nor do they desire the still greater pleasure of heaven, enjoyed for a manvantara in a body free from old age and similar defects. They are not attracted by dominion over Pātāla with its greater and unobstructed pleasures. They never desire the office of Brahmā, which exceeds even that happiness. Their minds do not turn toward yogic perfection, greater than Brahmā's position, or even toward liberation from birth and death. Such is the result of taking shelter of the dust of Your feet.
"What wonder. Kāliya, king of serpents, has obtained that very dust without effort. Though born in a dark species and ruled by violent anger, he has received the touch of dust exceedingly rare even for Śrī. Simply by desiring it, a soul wandering through the cycle of worldly existence effortlessly attains every prosperity, even liberation. Such indescribable fortune could arise in the life of a great offender like Kāliya only through Your grace, Master."
Original
Sanskrit. Source: Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 10.16.33-38
न्याय्यो हि दण्डः कृतकिल्बिषेऽस्मिंस्तवावतारः खलनिग्रहाय। रिपोः सुतानामपि तुल्यदृष्टेर्धत्से दमं फलमेवानुशंसन्॥ अनुग्रहोऽयं भवतः कृतो हि नो दण्डोऽसतां ते खलु कल्मषापहः। यद्दन्दशूकत्वममुष्य देहिनः क्रोधोऽपि तेऽनुग्रह एव सम्मतः॥ तपः सुतप्तं किमनेन पूर्वं निरस्तमानेन च मानदेन। धर्मोऽथ वा सर्वजनानुकम्पया यतो भवांस्तुष्यति सर्वजीवः॥ कस्यानुभावोऽस्य न देव विद्महे तवाङ्घ्रिरेणुस्पर्शाधिकारः। यद्वाञ्छया श्रीर्ललनाचरत्तपो विहाय कामान् सुचिरं धृतव्रता॥ न नाकपृष्ठं न च सार्वभौमं न पारमेष्ठ्यं न रसाधिपत्यम्। न योगसिद्धीरपुनर्भवं वा वाञ्छन्ति यत्पादरजःप्रपन्नाः॥ तदेष नाथाप दुरापमन्यैस्तमोजनिः क्रोधवशोऽप्यहीशः। संसारचक्रे भ्रमतः शरीरिणो यदिच्छतः स्याद्विभवः समक्षः॥
English translation
Your punishment of this offender is just, for You descend to subdue the wicked. Viewing enemy and child equally, You impose punishment only to grant its true fruit. This is indeed Your grace upon us, for Your punishment destroys the sins of the wicked. This embodied being received the form of a venomous serpent through sin, yet even Your anger is accepted as grace.
What austerity did he perform in the past, free of pride and honoring others? Or what dharma did he practice through compassion toward all beings, that You, the life of every creature, became pleased with him? O Lord, we do not know what power has granted him the right to touch the dust of Your feet. Desiring that dust, Śrī herself abandoned all other wishes, observed vows, and performed austerity for a very long time.
Those surrendered to the dust of Your feet desire neither heaven, universal sovereignty, the post of Brahmā, dominion over Pātāla, yogic perfections, nor freedom from rebirth. Yet this serpent king, born in darkness and ruled by anger, has attained what others find difficult to obtain. By merely desiring that dust, an embodied soul wandering through worldly existence beholds every prosperity before him.
Original
Braj
चौ०-अहो नाथ! यह दंडन जोगू। न्याय दंड, यह भयौ निरोगू॥ तव अपराध कीन एहि भारी। जोग्य दंड एहि दियौ मुरारी॥ सुत अरु रिपु एक सरिस तुम्हारे। तद्यपि खल तुम अमित संघारे॥ खल निग्रह हित अवतारू। हरि महि-भार उतारनहारू॥
छं०-एहि दंड जु दीना अति भल कीना परम अनुग्रह मैं माना। तव पगतल धूरी भव रुज मूरी लहैं न सूरी श्रुति गाना॥ इन निज सिर धारा पुण्य अपारा, कै ब्रत, दान करेउ ध्याना। यह सर्प कुजाती अघ भव पाती, सो जरि गौ अब मैं जाना॥ यह नाम जु काली परम कुचाली, परि पूरब तप कृत रासी। कै तजि मद-माना जप कछु ठाना, कै तीरथ कौ है बासी॥ कै धौं यह दानी जन-सनमानी, कै जानी इन अबिनासी। याकी सुभ करनी जात न बरनी, पाय धरे सिर भय-नासी॥ हे देव! मुकुंदा! आनँदकंदा! अहि मतिमंदा, क्रूर महा। एहि सुकृत पुराना हम नहिं जाना, तव पद-पंकज सीस लहा॥ निति करि तप भारी अज असुरारी चाहत जासु प्रसाद सदा। सो रमा सदा ही हिय उमगाही, तव पद-पंकज-आस मुदा॥
दो०-रमा आदि जेहि परस हित, करहि सदा ब्रत-नेम। अहो सर्प सठ भाग की, परस्यो पद बिनु प्रेम॥
सो०-ऐसी मोहि लखाइ, नहिं तपादि कारन कछू। तव कृपालुता गाइ, कहत बेद कछु मिति नहीं॥
चौ०-जे तव पद-रज सरन गहाहीं। ते कछु अपर न सुख ललचाहीं॥ नाक-लोक सुर-ईस-निकेता। एक चक्र भू धन-सुख जेता॥ नागलोक-सुख अमित प्रकारा। जोगसिद्धि-फल कहे अपारा॥ मुक्ति चाह नहिं तिन कहुँ अबहूँ। तव पद-पंकज में सुख सबहूँ॥ अखिल लोक तेहि तुच्छ समाना। जिन किय कंज-रसासव-पाना॥ अहि मलीन पति नाथ! हमारा। बिष अति घोर, मूढ़, तम भारा॥ सो रज बिनु प्रयास इन पावा। तासु भाग्य कौं को कबि गावा॥ जो रज हित करि जतन अनेका। करत जोग गहि नेम-बिबेका॥ इन बिना जतन सिर धरेऊ। भव-रुज रोग सकल परिहरेऊ॥
English translation
O Lord, he deserves this punishment. Your just chastisement has cured him. He gravely offended You, and Murāri has given him the fitting penalty. Son and enemy are equal in Your sight, though You destroy countless wicked beings. Hari descends to subdue the wicked and remove the earth's burden.
The punishment You gave was exceedingly good. I accept it as supreme grace. The dust beneath Your feet uproots the disease of worldly existence and is not attained even by the gods, as the Vedas sing. He has borne it upon his head. What immense merit, vows, charity, meditation, or austerity did he perform? This serpent of a low species attained a sinful birth, but I now understand that his sins have burned away. Kāliya is utterly wicked, yet perhaps he accumulated austerity in a former life, abandoned pride, undertook some recitation, lived at a holy place, gave charity, honored others, or somehow knew the imperishable Lord. His virtuous deeds cannot be described, for he placed upon his head those feet that destroy fear.
O Deva, Mukunda, source of bliss, this serpent is dull-minded and exceedingly cruel. We do not know his ancient merit, yet he has obtained Your lotus feet upon his head. Ramā, who is always eager for the hope of Your lotus feet, continually performs severe austerity seeking the grace desired even by Brahmā and the enemy of demons. Lakṣmī and others forever observe vows and disciplines to receive their touch, yet behold the fortune of this wicked serpent, who touched those feet without love.
This shows me that no austerity or other practice is the cause. The Vedas sing Your compassion and say it has no limit. Those who take shelter of the dust of Your feet do not crave any other happiness. They desire neither heaven, the realm of the lord of gods, the wealth and pleasure of ruling the earth, the many enjoyments of the serpent world, nor the boundless fruits of yogic perfection. They do not even desire liberation, for every joy rests within Your lotus feet. All worlds seem insignificant to one who drinks the nectarean wine of those lotuses.
Lord, our husband is a polluted serpent, filled with terrible poison, deluded and heavy with darkness. Yet he obtained that dust without effort. What poet can sing his fortune? Others undertake countless efforts, practicing yoga with discipline and discrimination to attain that dust, but he placed it upon his head without striving and thereby cast off every disease of worldly existence.
Original
Hindi
नागवधुओंका अन्तस्तल सदाके लिये आलोकित हो चुका है। ज्ञान-विज्ञानकी रश्मियोंमें वे व्रजेन्द्रनन्दनकी अपरिसीम भगवत्ताका दर्शन कर रही हैं। जहाँ, जिस ओर, जिस तत्त्वमें चित्तवृत्ति डूब रही है, उसीका आभास उनकी वाणी ग्रहण कर लेती है, उसीका उल्लेख स्तवनमें होने लगता है और आगे चलकर तो विह्वलतावश, प्रेमवश उन्हें यह भी भान नहीं रहता कि वे क्या कह रही हैं, कहीं व्यक्त हुई भावनाकी ही पुनरावृत्ति तो नहीं कर रही हैं। वे तो बस कहती ही चली जा रही हैं और नीलसुन्दरके पादपद्मोंमें बार-बार नमस्कार समर्पण कर रही हैं:
'भगवन्! तुम अनन्त ऐश्वर्य-निकेतन हो, सर्वान्तर्यामी हो, अपरिच्छिन्न हो, सर्वभूताश्रय हो, सबके आदि हो, सर्वकारणकारण हो, कारणातीत हो। तुम्हारे चरणोंमें प्रणाम है!
'तुम ज्ञान-विज्ञान-निधि हो, सजातीय-विजातीय-भेदरहित हो, अनन्तशक्तिशाली हो, प्राकृत-गुणरहित हो, अविकारी हो, अप्राकृत-गुणगण-समलंकृत हो! तुम्हें नमस्कार है!
'तुम कालस्वरूप हो, कालशक्तिके आश्रय हो, कालके अवयव निमेष आदिके साक्षी हो, विश्वरूप हो, विश्वान्तर्यामी हो, विश्वकर्ता एवं विश्वकारण हो, तुम्हें हमारा वन्दन है!
'विभो! पञ्चभूत, पञ्चतन्मात्र, दशेन्द्रिय, पञ्चप्राण, मन, बुद्धि, चित्त, अहंकार, इन सबके रूपमें तुम्हीं विराजित हो। त्रिगुणसे होनेवाले देहादिमें अभिमानके द्वारा तुमने आत्मतत्त्वज्ञानको आवृत कर रखा है! तुम्हारे श्रीचरणोंमें नमन है।
'तुम अनन्त हो, अज्ञेय हो, उपाधिकृत-विकाररहित हो, सर्वज्ञ हो, विभिन्न मतवादियोंकी भावनाके अनुरूप ही रूप धारण करते हो। तुम्हीं शब्दोंके अर्थके रूपमें हो एवं शब्द भी तुम्हीं हो; इन दोनोंको संधित करनेवाली शक्ति भी तुम्हीं हो। तुम्हें नमस्कार है!
'तुम समस्त प्रमाणोंके मूलस्वरूप हो, स्वतःसिद्ध-ज्ञानवान् हो, शास्त्रोंके उद्भवस्थान हो, तुम्हीं प्रवृत्तिशास्त्र हो, तुम्हीं निवृत्तिशास्त्र हो, इन दोनोंके मूलस्वरूप निगम, वेद भी तुम्हीं हो। तुम्हें नमस्कार, नमस्कार है, प्रभो!
'तुम्हीं वासुदेव हो, तुम्हीं संकर्षण हो, तुम्हीं प्रद्युम्न हो, तुम्हीं अनिरुद्ध हो, इस प्रकार चतुर्व्यूहरूप एवं भक्तोंके स्वामी, यादवपति श्रीकृष्णचन्द्र! तुम्हें नमस्कार है!
'तुम अन्तःकरणके, अन्तःकरणकी वृत्तियोंके प्रकाशक हो; उन्हींसे अपने-आपको आवृत भी रखते हो। उन्हींके द्वारा तुम्हारा संकेत भी प्राप्त होता है। तुम उनके साक्षी हो, स्वयंप्रकाश हो। तुम्हें प्रणाम है!
'अतर्क्य महिमा है तुम्हारी, नाथ! समस्त स्थूल-सूक्ष्म जगत्की सिद्धि तुमसे ही है, प्रभो! तुम आत्माराम हो, आत्मारामस्वभाव हो। हृषीकेश! तुम्हें हमारा वन्दन स्वीकार हो!
'तुम स्थूल-सूक्ष्म गतियोंके ज्ञाता हो, सर्वाधिष्ठाता हो; विश्वसे अभिन्न हो, पर साथ ही विश्वातीत हो, विश्वद्रष्टा हो, विश्वहेतु हो। तुम्हें नमस्कार है, स्वामिन्!'
English translation
The inner beings of the serpent wives had become illumined forever. In the rays of knowledge and realization they beheld the boundless divinity of Vrajendra's son. Wherever their minds became immersed, their voices reflected that truth and their hymn began to speak of it. Eventually, overwhelmed by love and distress, they no longer knew what they were saying or whether they repeated feelings already expressed. They simply continued to speak and repeatedly offered obeisance at Nīlasundara's lotus feet:
"Bhagavān, You are the abode of infinite majesty, the indwelling witness of all, unlimited, the shelter of every being, the origin of all, the cause of every cause, and beyond causation. We bow at Your feet.
"You are the treasury of knowledge and realization, free from distinctions within and without, endowed with infinite power, untouched by material qualities, unchanging, and adorned with hosts of spiritual qualities. We bow to You.
"You are time, the foundation of time's power, and the witness of its divisions such as moments. You are the universal form, the indwelling witness of the universe, its maker, and its cause. We offer You worship.
"All-pervading Lord, You abide as the five elements, the five subtle elements, the ten senses, the five vital airs, mind, intellect, awareness, and ego. Through identification with bodies and other products of the three guṇas, You conceal direct knowledge of the Self. We bow at Your divine feet.
"You are infinite, subtle and unknowable, free from changes produced by limiting conditions, and omniscient. You take forms according to the conceptions of followers of different doctrines. You are the meanings expressed by words, the words themselves, and the power joining word and meaning. We bow to You.
"You are the root of all valid knowledge, self-established in wisdom, and the source of scripture. You are the scriptures of engagement and withdrawal, and You are the Vedas from which both arise. Again and again we bow to You, Lord.
"You are Vāsudeva, Saṅkarṣaṇa, Pradyumna, and Aniruddha. O Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra, Lord of the devotees and master of the Yādavas, manifest as the fourfold expansion, we bow to You.
"You illuminate the inner faculty and all its movements, yet You also conceal Yourself through them. Through them Your presence is indicated. You are their witness and are self-luminous. We bow to You.
"Your glory is beyond reason, Lord. Every gross and subtle manifestation receives its existence from You. You delight within the Self and possess the nature of one who delights in the Self. Hṛṣīkeśa, accept our worship.
"You know all higher and lower destinations and are the overseer of everything. You are nondifferent from the universe yet transcend it, behold it, and are its cause. We bow to You, Master."
Original
Sanskrit. Source: Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 10.16.39-48
नमस्तुभ्यं भगवते पुरुषाय महात्मने। भूतावासाय भूताय पराय परमात्मने॥ ज्ञानविज्ञाननिधये ब्रह्मणेऽनन्तशक्तये। अगुणायाविकाराय नमस्तेऽप्राकृताय च॥ कालाय कालनाभाय कालावयवसाक्षिणे। विश्वाय तदुपद्रष्ट्रे तत्कर्त्रे विश्वहेतवे॥ भूतमात्रेन्द्रियप्राणमनोबुद्ध्याशयात्मने। त्रिगुणेनाभिमानेन गूढस्वात्मानुभूतये॥ नमोऽनन्ताय सूक्ष्माय कूटस्थाय विपश्चिते। नानावादानुरोधाय वाच्यवाचकशक्तये॥ नमः प्रमाणमूलाय कवये शास्त्रयोनये। प्रवृत्ताय निवृत्ताय निगमाय नमो नमः॥ नमः कृष्णाय रामाय वसुदेवसुताय च। प्रद्युम्नायानिरुद्धाय सात्वतां पतये नमः॥ नमो गुणप्रदीपाय गुणात्मच्छादनाय च। गुणवृत्त्युपलक्ष्याय गुणद्रष्ट्रे स्वसंविदे॥ अव्याकृतविहाराय सर्वव्याकृतसिद्धये। हृषीकेश नमस्तेऽस्तु मुनये मौनशीलिने॥ परावरगतिज्ञाय सर्वाध्यक्षाय ते नमः। अविश्वाय च विश्वाय तद्द्रष्ट्रेऽस्य च हेतवे॥
English translation
Obeisance to You, Bhagavān, the Supreme Person and great Self, the dwelling place of all beings, existence itself, the transcendent Supreme Self. Obeisance to the treasury of knowledge and realization, the Absolute of infinite potency, beyond material qualities, changeless, and spiritual.
Obeisance to time, the hub of time, and the witness of time's divisions; to the universe, its overseer, its maker, and its cause. You are the Self of the elements, subtle objects, senses, vital airs, mind, intellect, and inner awareness. Through identification born of the three guṇas, direct realization of the Self remains hidden.
Obeisance to the infinite, subtle, unchanging, and all-knowing Lord; to the One who accommodates many doctrines and is the power of both word and meaning. Obeisance to the root of all valid knowledge, the omniscient seer and source of scripture; to the paths of engagement and withdrawal and to the Vedas. Again and again we bow.
Obeisance to Kṛṣṇa, Rāma, the son of Vasudeva, Pradyumna, Aniruddha, and the Lord of the Sātvatas. Obeisance to the illuminator of the guṇas, who conceals Himself through them, is indicated by their functions, beholds them, and knows Himself directly.
Obeisance to Hṛṣīkeśa, whose play is unmanifest yet establishes every manifestation, the silent sage established in silence. Obeisance to You who know all higher and lower destinations, oversee everything, transcend the universe while also being the universe, behold it, and are its cause.
Original
Braj
छं०-तब नमामि पद अनंत। भगवंत कमलाकंत॥ तुम पुरुष परम सुजान। जेहि महत करि श्रुति गान॥ अग जग सकल तव बास। सब के परे सुख-रास॥ चर-अचर कहेँ तुम हेतु। निज संत कहँ सुख देतु॥ तुव आदि-अंत न जान। जेउ निपुन जग महँ ग्यान॥ हम नारि सब बिधि हीन। तव चरन अब दृग दीन॥ तुम ग्यानरूप जु ईस। हम नमहिं पद धरि सीस॥
छं०-तुम ग्यान-घन बिग्यान-रूप सरूप ब्रह्म नमामि हे। तुम अगुन-सगुन-सरूप, सुंदर सकल सक्ति निधान हे॥ प्रभु कालरूप, सरूप अद्भुत, भुवन-संभव-पाल हे। तुम कालहू के परम साच्छी, बिस्वरूप नमामि हे॥ तव पाद नुति करि बार-बार उदार द्रष्टा जगत के। तव पद नमामि, बदामि किमि, गुन अखिल-सुखप्रद भगत के॥ छिति आदि पंच प्रपंच रचना सकल तव बपु, नाथ हे। दस प्रान, इंद्री, बुद्धि, मन, चित, सकल तुम ब्रजनाथ हे॥
चौ०-नमो त्रिगुण सत्वादि स्वरूपं। नमो अहंकृत ईश अनूपं॥ नमो महत प्रकृतिन के ईसा। नमो सकल-कर्ता जगदीसा॥ जय कूटस्थ, अनंत, एकरस। जय सूच्छम सर्बग्य बिस्वबस॥
छं०-षटसास्त्र बिचारि-बिचारि रहे। तव भूति न तद्यपि कोउ लहै॥ नत बाचक-बाच्य सरूप करं। जग-बंदित रूप परेस परं॥ दृग आदि सरूप नमामि बिभो। तिन तें निरपेछिक रूप प्रभो॥ तन स्वास सबै निगमादि हरे। तिन में द्वै भेद प्रसिद्ध करे॥ जय कृष्न किसोर नमामि पदं। भव खंडन राम महा बिपदं॥ जय बासुदेव-पद-कंज नमो। परद्युम्न बिभो! अपराध छमो॥ अनिरुद्ध सुखाकर रूप हरे। पति-ऐगुन नाथ! छिमा जु करे॥ जय भक्तपते जदुनाथ प्रभो! पद कंज नमामि नमामि बिभो॥ हिय अंतहकरन चतुर्बिध जो। तुम कारन रूप सदा सब जो॥
दो०-अग जग के अंतहकरन, सकल प्रकासक नाथ। सब के साच्छी रूप तुम, मम पति भयौ सनाथ॥
सो०-मन अरु बुद्धि बिचार! नहिं गोचर तव रूप हरि। अहि कहुँ यह अधिकार! तव महिमा कहुँ को लखै॥
English translation
We bow to Your infinite feet, Bhagavān and beloved of Lakṣmī. You are the supremely wise Person whom the Vedas glorify as the Great. All moving and unmoving existence dwells within You, yet You transcend everything as a mass of bliss. You are declared the cause of all beings and give happiness to Your saints. Even the wisest in the world do not know Your beginning or end. We women lack every qualification and now place our humble eyes upon Your feet. You are the Lord whose nature is knowledge, and we bow our heads there.
We bow to You, the mass of knowledge, embodiment of realization, and Absolute. You are the beautiful source of every power, both beyond qualities and endowed with qualities. Lord, You are time, wondrous in form, creator and protector of the worlds, the supreme witness even of time, and the universal form. Again and again we praise Your feet, generous witness of the world. How can we describe the qualities through which You grant every joy to devotees? The five elements beginning with earth and the whole manifested creation are Your body. The senses, vital airs, intellect, mind, and awareness are all You, Lord of Vraja.
Obeisance to the Lord manifest through the three guṇas beginning with sattva, to the incomparable Lord of ego, to the master of the great principle and material nature, and to the creator of everything. Glory to the unchanging, infinite, uniform Lord. Glory to the subtle, omniscient ruler of the universe.
Though the six systems of philosophy continue to inquire, none can attain Your majesty. We bow to Your form as word and meaning, to the supreme Lord worshiped by the world. All-pervading Lord, we bow to You as the senses and their objects and as the form independent of them. The body and breath are all the Vedas and related scriptures, within which the two paths are well known.
Glory to youthful Kṛṣṇa. We bow to Your feet. Glory to Rāma, who shatters worldly existence and great calamity. Glory to the lotus feet of Vāsudeva. All-pervading Pradyumna, forgive our offense. Aniruddha, form of delight and Hari, please forgive the offenses of our husband. Glory to the Lord of devotees, Lord of the Yadus. Again and again we bow to Your lotus feet. You are forever the cause of the fourfold inner faculty within the heart.
Lord, You illuminate the inner faculties of all moving and unmoving beings and witness everyone. Through You our husband has now found a protector. Hari, Your form lies beyond the thought of mind and intellect. What right has a serpent to speak of it? Who can behold Your glory?
Original
Hindi
इस प्रकार कालियपर किये गये शासनका अनुमोदन एवं श्रीकृष्णचरणसरोजोंमें शत-सहस्र प्रणाम निवेदन करनेके अनन्तर अब अन्तमें नागवधुएँ प्राणियोंकी परतन्त्रताका संकेत करती हुई कालियको क्षमा करनेके लिये, उसे प्राणदान देनेके लिये व्रजेन्द्रनन्दनसे प्रार्थना करती हैं:
'सर्वेश्वर! तुम अनीह, इच्छारहित हो। तथापि अनादि कालशक्तिको स्वीकार करते हो! और फिर हे अमोघलीलाविहारिन्! सत्यसंकल्प! अपने ईक्षणमात्रसे संस्काररूपमें विद्यमान प्राणियोंके स्वभावको जाग्रत् कर देते हो; जाग्रत् करते हुए इस परिदृश्यमान विश्वका सत्त्वादि त्रिगुणोंके द्वारा सृजन, पालन एवं प्रलय करते हो!
'भगवन्! त्रिलोकीकी तीनों योनियाँ, सत्त्वप्रधान शान्त, रजोगुणप्रधान अशान्त, तमःप्रधान मूढ़, तुम विश्वनिर्माताकी ही लीलामूर्तियाँ तो हैं! तथापि संतजनोंका, धर्मका परिपालन करनेकी इच्छासे तुम अवतरित हुए हो। इसीलिये उनकी रक्षाके लिये आविर्भूत हुए तुम लीलामयको इस समय सत्त्वप्रधान शान्तजन ही प्रिय हैं, अन्य नहीं देव!
'शान्तात्मन्! स्वामीके लिये, पालकके लिये आखिर एक बार तो अपनी प्रजा, संतानके द्वारा हुआ अपराध क्षमाके योग्य है ही। इसीलिये, स्वामिन्! क्षमा कर दो इस मूढ़के द्वारा किये हुए अपराधको भी। तुम्हें यह पहचानता नहीं, नाथ!
'हे परमदयालो! सर्वज्ञशिरोमणे! इस सर्पका प्राणान्त बस हो ही चला है। कृपा, कृपा करो, नाथ! साधु पुरुष हम अबलाओंपर सदा ही दयार्द्र रहते हैं। बस, अब, अब विलम्ब मत करो, भगवन्! प्राणतुल्य पतिको हमें भिक्षामें दे दो, दयामय!
'स्वामिन्! हम तुम्हारी दासियाँ तुम्हारे समक्ष उपस्थित हैं; हमारे योग्य सेवाका निर्देश करो, देव! क्योंकि तुम्हारे आदेशका श्रद्धासहित पालन करते ही कोई भी व्यक्ति समस्त भयसमूहोंसे त्राण पा लेता है, प्रभो!'
English translation
Having approved Śrī Kṛṣṇa's discipline of Kāliya and offered hundreds and thousands of obeisances at His lotus feet, the serpent wives concluded by acknowledging the dependence of all beings and praying that Vrajendra's son forgive Kāliya and grant him life:
"Lord of all, You are without material desire, yet You accept the beginningless power of time. O performer of unfailing pastimes, whose resolve is truth, by a mere glance You awaken the natures of living beings that remain as latent impressions. Having awakened them, You create, sustain, and dissolve the visible universe through the three guṇas beginning with sattva.
"Bhagavān, the three kinds of birth within the three worlds, the peaceful dominated by sattva, the restless dominated by rajas, and the deluded dominated by tamas, are forms within the play of You, the maker of the universe. Still, You have descended from the desire to protect saints and dharma. Therefore, as the playful Lord manifested to protect them, You now favor the peaceful and sattvic, not the others.
"Peaceful Lord, a master and protector should forgive at least one offense committed by his own subject or child. Therefore, Master, forgive the offense of this deluded serpent. He does not recognize You, Lord.
"Supremely merciful Lord, crown of the omniscient, this serpent's life is nearly finished. Show mercy, Lord. Saintly persons are always tender with compassion toward helpless women such as us. Do not delay any longer, Bhagavān. Merciful Lord, give us our husband, who is equal to our lives, as alms.
"Master, we are Your maidservants standing before You. Command us to perform whatever service is suitable, for anyone who faithfully carries out Your command is delivered from every fear."
Original
Sanskrit. Source: Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 10.16.49-53
त्वं ह्यस्य जन्मस्थितिसंयमान् प्रभो गुणैरनीहोऽकृत कालशक्तिधृक्। तत्तत्स्वभावान् प्रतिबोधयन् सतः समीक्षयामोघविहार ईहसे॥ तस्यैव तेऽमूस्तनवस्त्रिलोक्यां शान्ता अशान्ता उत मूढयोनयः। शान्ताः प्रियास्ते ह्यधुनावितुं सतां स्थातुश्च ते धर्मपरीप्सयेहतः॥ अपराधः सकृद्भर्त्रा सोढव्यः स्वप्रजाकृतः। क्षन्तुमर्हसि शान्तात्मन् मूढस्य त्वामजानतः॥ अनुगृह्णीष्व भगवन् प्राणांस्त्यजति पन्नगः। स्त्रीणां नः साधुशोच्यानां पतिः प्राणः प्रदीयताम्॥ विधेहि ते किंकरीणामनुष्ठेयं तवाज्ञया। यच्छ्रद्धयानुतिष्ठन् वै मुच्यते सर्वतो भयात्॥
English translation
Lord, though free from desire, You wield the power of time and bring about the birth, maintenance, and dissolution of this universe through the guṇas. Performer of unfailing pastimes, by Your glance You awaken the various natures latent within living beings.
The peaceful, restless, and deluded species within the three worlds are all manifestations of Your power. Yet because You have now appeared to protect the saintly and preserve dharma, the peaceful are dear to You.
A master should tolerate one offense committed by his own subject. O peaceful Lord, please forgive this deluded serpent who did not recognize You. Show grace, Bhagavān, for the serpent is giving up his life. Give us helpless women our husband, who is our very life.
Command us, Your maidservants, to perform whatever You desire. One who faithfully executes Your order becomes free from every fear.
Original
Braj
छं०-प्रभु कारन-कारज-रूप नमो। गुनजाल प्रवर्तक नाथ नमो॥ जग-संभव पालन आपु करौ। पुनि अंत समै निज माहि धरो॥ गुन-ईस नियंता नाथ हरे। पद-द्वंद नमामि, दया जु करे॥ जग आदि समै पुनि नाथ तुम्हीं। जस जासु उदिष्ट रच्यौ सब ही॥ प्रतिबोध करावत हौ तुम ही। पद-कंज नमामि, कृपा कर ही॥ एहि तें जग जीव जहाँ लगि जे। सब के करता तुम नाथ अजे॥ कोउ सांत, असांत जु मूढ़ महा। जस संचित है, तस रूप लहा॥ तव क्रीड़ा-साधन हैं सिगरे। सबके तुम रच्छक एक हरे॥ हित साधुन के अवतार स्वयं। तेहि रच्छक हौ सुख कंदमयं॥ खल-खंडन, मंडन भूमि ब्रजं। श्रुति-धर्म-परायन त्रान अजं॥
छं०-बिनती प्रभु! मोरी सुनिय बहोरी, नंदसुअन सुखकंदा। अहिजाति कुजाती अघ मैं ख्याती रचेहु मोर पति मंदा॥ यह प्रजा तिहारी छमहु बिचारी सुत पितु इव जदुनंदा। तुम सीलनिधाना छमा प्रधाना छमहु नाथ यह अति मंदा॥
छं०-तुम दीन दयाला होहु कृपाला, न तरु तजै यह प्रान प्रभो! हम कहुँ बड़ सोचू, तिय मति-पोचू, दीजै पति यह दान बिभो॥ पद-पंकज-दासी, हे अबिनासी! जानि हमैं अब पाहि प्रभो! तव आज्ञाकारी रहिहि मुरारी! नाथ! कृपा पति छाड़ि बिभो॥
English translation
Obeisance to the Lord who is both cause and effect and sets the network of guṇas in motion. You create and sustain the world and at the end draw it into Yourself. Hari, You are the Lord and controller of the guṇas. We bow to Your two feet. Show mercy. You alone exist at the world's beginning and end, and You fashion everyone according to his appointed nature. You alone awaken every being. We bow to Your lotus feet. Bestow grace.
You are the unborn Lord and maker of every living being in the world. Some are peaceful, some restless, and some deeply deluded, each receiving a form according to accumulated impressions. All are instruments of Your play, and You alone protect everyone. You descend personally for the welfare of saints and protect them, O source of bliss. You destroy the wicked, adorn the land of Vraja, and protect those devoted to Vedic dharma.
Lord, hear my prayer once more, O son of Nanda and source of joy. You created my dull husband in the low serpent species, renowned for sin. Consider him Your own subject and forgive him as a father forgives a son, O son of Yadu. You are the treasury of virtue and foremost in forgiveness. Lord, forgive this deeply deluded one.
You are compassionate to the lowly. Show mercy, Lord, or he will give up his life. We face immense grief, and the understanding of women is weak. All-pervading Lord, give us our husband as a gift. Imperishable Lord, know us as maidservants of Your lotus feet and protect us. Murāri, he will obey Your command. Master, show grace and release our husband.
Original
Hindi and Braj
नागसुन्दरियोंका यह स्तवन समाप्त होते-न-होते नीलसुन्दरके अरुणिम अधरोंपर समुज्ज्वल स्मित भरने लगता है। अन्तर्हृदयमें उठी हुई करुणाकी ऊर्मियाँ श्यामल अङ्गोंको चञ्चल करने लगती हैं। पुनः पीत दुकूल झलमल करने लगता है और देखते-ही-देखते वे कालियके फनोंसे उतर आते हैं:
तिय प्रेम सौं रचि बैन। मुसक्याइ राजिव नैन। करुना उठी अति अंग। दिय छाँडि नाग अभंग॥
English translation
Before the serpent women's hymn had fully ended, a radiant smile filled Nīlasundara's crimson lips. Waves of compassion rising within His heart set His dark limbs in motion. His yellow cloth began to shimmer once again, and before their eyes He stepped down from Kāliya's hoods:
The women's words were woven with love. The lotus-eyed Lord smiled, and immense compassion stirred every limb. The invincible Lord released the serpent.