Original
Hindi, Sanskrit, and Braj
कंसके अनुचरोंका मुञ्जाटवीमें स्थित गोवृन्दको पुनः दावाग्निसे वेष्टित करना और भयभीत गोप-बालकोंका श्रीकृष्ण- बलरामको पुकारना; श्रीकृष्णका बालकोंको अपने नेत्र मूँदनेको कहकर स्वयं उस प्रचण्ड दावानलको पी जाना खेलमें उलझे हुए गोपशिशु तो गोधनकी सँभालकी बात सर्वथा भूल गये और गौएँ--आश्चर्य है, जो श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रके दृष्टिपथसे ओझल होते ही तृण चरना स्थगित कर देतीं, वे आज क्रमशः सुदूर वनस्थलीकी ओर अपने-आप बढ़ती ही चली गयीं। उनकी आँखोंमें नित्य विराजित नीलसुन्दरके स्थानपर न जाने कैसे हरित तृणोंका लोभ झलमल कर उठा और फिर भ्रान्त-सी बनकर तृण चरती हुई वे आगे-से-आगे चलकर एक गहन वनमें प्रविष्ट हो गयीं क्रीडासक्तेषु गोपेषु तद्गावो दूरचारिणीः। स्वैरं चरन्त्यो विविशुस्तृणलोभेन गह्वरम्॥ (श्रीमद्भा० १०। १९। १) खेलत-हसत ग्वाल मन लाई। स्वेच्छा चरति धेनु सुख पाई॥ तृन-लोभित गइ गहन गँभीरा। गई दूरि चलिं हे नृप धीरा॥ वृन्दावनका प्रत्येक स्थल ही सदा हरितिमाका पुञ्ज बना रहता है; कहीं भी दृष्टि डालें, श्यामल तृणोंकी प्रचुरता है । इन तृणोंसे गायोंकी उदरपूर्ति होते देर नहीं लगती और उनके पर्याप्त चर लेनेके अनन्तर भी वहाँ, उस स्थलपर ही वैसी-की-वैसी हरियाली, उतनी-की-उतनी मृदुल सुकोमल तृणाङ्कुर-राशि लह- लह करने लगती है। फिर भी आज गायें प्रलुब्ध होकर आगे चली गयीं-वे गायें, जिनके अङ्ग- संस्थानका प्रत्येक कण सच्चिदानन्दमय है, जो स्वयं भगवान् व्रजेन्द्रनन्दनकी नित्य-पार्षदभूता हैं, जो सदा श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रकी सहचारिणी हैं, नीलसुन्दरके योगीन्द्र- मुनीन्द्र-दुर्लभ चारु चरणोंका, मुखारविन्दका नित्य दर्शन करती रहती हैं, व्रजराजनन्दन जिनके अङ्गोंका स्वयं अपने हस्तकमलोंसे सम्मार्जन करते हैं, यशोदा- प्राणधनकी वह ललित त्रिभंगी सुन्दर छबि जिनके पृष्ठ-देशसे संलग्न होकर वनमें विराजित रहती है, जो स्वयं भी व्रजेश-तनयके प्यारसे नित्य-निरन्तर आप्यायित रहकर अपने सद्योजात वत्सतकको भूली रहती हैं अचिन्त्य लीला-महाशक्तिकी प्रेरणाके अतिरिक्त उसमें और कारण ही क्या हो सकता है? तृण-लोभसे ये मुग्ध हो सकें, यह तो सम्भव ही नहीं; क्योंकि श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रके अतिरिक्त अन्य किसी वस्तुमें ये स्वतः अभिनिविष्ट होतीं नहीं, हो सकतीं नहीं। यह तो-- वह देखो! विनष्ट हुए प्रलम्ब दैत्यके मित्र कंसके वे अनुचर घातमें बैठे हैं, उनके मलिन मनकी छाया लीलाविहारी व्रजराज-दुलारेके सलोने दृगोंमें अङ्कित हो रही है और फिर उसीके संकेतसे लीला- महाशक्तिने तदनुरूप साज सजाया है। अस्तु, आगे तो सघन वन है; गायें इससे आगे जा सकतीं नहीं। कलिन्दनन्दिनीकी वह शीतल धारा दूर-अत्यन्त दूर हो गयी है। अब यहाँ तो ग्रीष्मके सूर्य हैं, उनका ताप है। यहाँ जलकी एक बूँद भी नहीं, शीतल-मंद-सुगन्ध समीरका प्रवाह नहीं। और तो क्या, पीछे लौट चलनेका मार्गतक नहीं । सरकंडोंका यह वन है, आगे बढ़ते ही पीछेसे पथको आवृत कर देनेवाले इन मुंजों (सरकंडों)-के जालमें फँसकर वे लौटनेका पथ नहीं पा सकतीं। बेचारी गायें विकल होकर डकराने लगीं - मुञ्जारण्य नाम है जहाँ। अति गहबर, सुधि परत न तहाँ॥ आगे कुंज-पुंज अति भीर। नहिन नीर परसै न समीर॥ मारग नहिं जु उलटि इत परै। गोधन-बृंद सु क्रंदन करै॥ और इधर क्रीडामें तन्मय हुए नीलसुन्दरके अधरोंपर हँसी-सी व्यक्त हुई। गोपशिशुओंने उस
English translation
Kamsa's followers again surround the herd in the Munja forest with a forest fire; the frightened cowherd boys call to Shri Krishna and Balarama; Shri Krishna tells the boys to close their eyes and Himself drinks the raging fire.
Absorbed in play, the cowherd boys completely forgot to tend the cattle. And the cows, astonishingly, those cows who stopped grazing the moment Shri Krishnachandra passed out of their sight, today continued by themselves ever farther toward a distant woodland. Somehow, in place of Nila-sundara, who always dwelt in their eyes, the allure of green grass began to glitter there. As if bewildered, they grazed and moved farther and farther ahead until they entered a deep forest:
While the cowherds were absorbed in play, their cows wandered far away. Grazing freely, they entered a cavernous forest out of longing for grass.
(Shrimad Bhagavata 10.19.1)
The cowherd boys laughed and played with minds absorbed; the cows grazed at will and found delight. Enticed by grass, they entered the deep and trackless wood; they wandered far away, O steadfast king.
Every place in Vrindavana is always a mass of verdure. Wherever one looks, dark green grasses grow abundantly. Those grasses quickly fill the cows' bellies, and even after the cows have grazed their fill, the same luxuriant green remains in that very place, with just as many tender, delicate shoots waving afresh. Yet today the cows were tempted onward. Every particle of their bodily constitution is made of existence, consciousness, and bliss. They are eternal companions of Bhagavan, the son of the King of Vraja. They always accompany Shri Krishnachandra and perpetually behold Nila-sundara's beautiful feet and lotus face, which are difficult even for the greatest yogis and sages to attain. The beloved son of the King of Vraja personally rubs and tends their limbs with His lotus hands. Yashoda's life-treasure, His graceful threefold-bending form, rests against their backs while He shines in the forest. Continually nourished by the love of Vrajesha's son, they even forget their newborn calves. What cause could there be for this event apart from the prompting of the inconceivable great power of divine play?
It is impossible that greed for grass could enchant them, for apart from Shri Krishnachandra they do not and cannot naturally become absorbed in any object. This is something else. Look there. Those followers of Kamsa, friends of the slain demon Pralamba, are waiting in ambush. The shadow of their impure minds is being reflected in the lovely eyes of the playful darling of Vrajaraja, and at His indication the great power of play has arranged the scene accordingly.
In any case, dense forest lies ahead and the cows can go no farther. The cool current of Kalindanandini is far, exceedingly far away. Here there is only the summer sun and its heat. There is not a single drop of water and no current of cool, gentle, fragrant air. There is not even a path by which to turn back. This is a forest of reeds. As they move forward, the network of munja reeds closes the path behind them, trapping them so that they cannot find the way back. The poor cows grew distressed and began to low:
The place is called the Munja forest, so deep and dense that one loses all sense of direction. Ahead stand thick masses of bowers; there is no water, nor does a breeze touch them. There is no path by which to turn back; the entire herd cries out.
Meanwhile, a slight smile appeared upon the lips of Nila-sundara, who was absorbed in play. The cowherd boys looked toward that...
Original
Hindi, Sanskrit, and Braj
हास्यकी ओर देखा। क्रीडाके विरामका संकेत तो उसमें था ही, साथ ही कुछ और नवीनता थी उसमें । इसीलिये बालक चारों ओर देखने लगे तथा लीला- महाशक्तिको जो कुछ उन्हें दिखलाना अभीष्ट था, उसे तुरंत ही देख लिया सबोंने- खेल छाँडि जो इत-उत चहै। गोधन कहूँ निकट नहिं लहै॥ फिर तो केवल शिशुओंके ही नहीं, राम-श्यामके मुखपर भी गम्भीर चिन्ताकी स्पष्ट रेखा व्यक्त हो उठी। अत्यन्त पश्चात्ताप होने लगा उन्हें अपनी इस असावधानतापर। इधर-उधर दौड़कर उन्होंने गायोंको पर्याप्त ढूँढ़ा भी; पर कुछ भी पता नहीं लग सका कि गायें किधर चली गयीं तेऽपश्यन्तः पशून् गोपाः कृष्णरामादयस्तदा। जातानुतापा न विदुर्विचिन्वन्तो गवां गतिम्॥ (श्रीमद्भा० १०। १९। ३) गोप कृष्न-बलदेव समेता। खेल तज्यो जब कृपा-निकेता॥ देखहिं ग्वाल, गाइ नहिं एकू। खोजन लगे सु सहित बिबेकू॥ इत-उत खोजि, देखि चहु ओरा। नहिन लह्यौ गोधन कौ छोरा॥ ्रजवासियोंकी सम्पत्ति, उनकी जीविकाका एकमात्र साधन ये गौएँ मिल नहीं रही हैं, इससे कितने व्याकुल हो उठे वे शिशु-यह कोई उन्हें प्रत्यक्ष देखकर ही अनुभव कर सकता है। “भैया रे कन्नू! क्या मुँह दिखायेंगे हमलोग बाबाको, मैयाको !'- शिशुओंकी यह आर्तवाणी सर्वत्र अरण्यमें गूँज उठती है। उनका धैर्य छूटने लगता है। किंतु राम-श्यामके प्रोत्साहनसे जैसे भी हो, उन्हें ढूँढ़ लेनेका ही निश्चय किया गया। सब-के-सब गायोंके खुर एवं दाँतोंसे कटे हुए तृणोंके पीछे, एवं स्थान-स्थानपर आर्द्र धरापर बने हुए खुरोंके चिह्नोंका अनुसरण करते हुए आगे बढ़े तृणैस्तत्खुरदच्छिन्नैर्गोष्पदैरङ्कितैर्गवाम्। मार्गमन्वगमन् सर्वे नष्टाजीव्या विचेतसः॥ (श्रीमद्भा० १०। १९। ४) देत खुरन तृन तूटे देखी। पुनि अंकित पद भू-थल पेखी॥ तेहि मग चले सकल अकुलाई। अति चिंता गोपन उर छाई॥ धेनु जीविका है सब जासू। नष्ट-चित्त सब ह्वै गए आसू॥ उभय भ्रात बिनु सब अकुलाने। ढूँहत गोधन सब बिलखाने॥ बहुत दूर चलनेके अनन्तर जब उस मुञ्जाटवीका आरम्भ हुआ, तब गौओंका वह आर्त्तनाद उन्हें सुन पड़ा। किंतु आगे सरकंडोंके गहन वनमें वे प्रविष्ट हो सकें, यह तो सम्भव ही नहीं । श्रान्त हुए वे सब शिशु अपने सखा 'कन्नू' भैयाकी ओर ही देखने लगे- आगे अति गहबर दिखि चके। धसि न सके तित ही सब थके॥ तथा उनकी ओर देख लेनेपर अबतक कहाँ किसे निराशा मिली है? फिर शिशु तो उनके प्राणसखा ठहरे। तत्क्षण लीला-विहारीने गायोंको बुला लेनेकी एक अतिशय सुन्दर युक्ति निकाल दी। जय हो नीलसुन्दरकी, उनकी उस मनोहर भङ्गिमाकी! वह देखो तब हरि इक कदंब पर चढ़े। छाजत तिहि छिन अति छबि बढ़े॥ जनु सब कृत कौ फल रस-पग्यौ। इहि कदंब एकै यह लग्यौ॥ चँचल दूगन की इत-उत हेरनि। मधुर-मधुर टेरनि, पट फेरनि॥ मुकट की झलकनि, कुंडल-झलकनि। कछु-कछु राजति गोरज अलकनि॥ लै-लै नामन गाइन टेरे। यह छबि सदा बसहु मन मेरे॥ कदम्बकी उस उत्तुङ्ग शाखापर अवस्थित होकर परब्रह्म पुरुषोत्तम प्रभु मेघमन्द्र स्वरमें गायोंका नाम ले-लेकर पुकार रहे हैं-' अरी पिशङ्गि! मणिकस्तनि! री प्रणतशृङ्गि! पिङ्गेक्षणे! अरी, आ जा री मृदङ्गमुखि, धूमले, शबलि हंसि! वंशीप्रिये!' तथा सहसा अपने नामोंका आह्वान सुनकर, उस करुण-क्रन्दनका अवसान होकर कितनी प्रहर्षित हो उठी हैं वे पथभ्रष्ट असंख्य गायें! उनके पास और तो साधन ही क्या है, हाँ, बारंबार हुंकार कर वे अपने पालकको प्रत्युत्तर दे रही हैं। उनके तुमुल हाम्बारवसे सम्पूर्ण वन
English translation
...smile. It certainly signaled the end of their game, but it contained something new as well. The boys therefore looked in every direction and immediately saw whatever the great power of play wished to show them:
Leaving their game, they looked here and there, but found none of the herd anywhere nearby.
Then a clear line of grave concern appeared not only on the boys' faces but on the faces of Rama and Shyama as well. They deeply regretted their carelessness. Running here and there, they searched extensively for the cows, yet they could discover nothing about the direction in which they had gone:
When the cowherds, Krishna, Rama, and the others, did not see the animals, they became remorseful. Though they searched, they could not discover the cows' course.
(Shrimad Bhagavata 10.19.3)
The cowherds, together with Krishna and Baladeva, left their play when the abodes of grace rose. The cowherd boys looked, but not one cow was there; they began to search with careful understanding. They searched here and there and looked in every direction, but found not the least trace of the herd.
The cows, the wealth of Vraja's people and their sole means of livelihood, could not be found. How distressed those children became can be felt only by seeing them directly. "Brother Kannu, what face will we show Father and Mother?" Their anguished voices echoed throughout the forest. Their courage began to fail. Yet with Rama and Shyama's encouragement they resolved to find the cows somehow. All of them moved forward, following grass cut by the cows' teeth and hooves and the hoofprints impressed here and there upon the damp earth:
By grasses cut with their hooves and teeth, and by the hoofprints of the cows marked upon the ground, they all followed the path. Having lost their livelihood, they were distraught.
(Shrimad Bhagavata 10.19.4)
They saw grass broken beneath the cows' hooves, then hoof marks impressed upon the earth. All followed that path in agitation, and great anxiety filled the cowherds' hearts. The cows were the livelihood of them all; at once they became utterly distracted. Without the two brothers all were distressed, and searched for the herd while lamenting.
After they had traveled a great distance and reached the beginning of the Munja forest, they heard the cows' anguished cries. But it was impossible for them to enter the dense reed forest ahead. Exhausted, all the boys looked toward their friend and brother Kannu:
They stared at the extremely dense forest ahead; unable to force their way in, they stopped there exhausted.
And who, having looked toward Him, has ever been disappointed? These children, moreover, were His dearest friends. The Enjoyer of divine play immediately devised an exceedingly beautiful means of calling the cows. Glory to Nila-sundara and His enchanting gesture. Look:
Hari then climbed a kadamba tree; at that instant His beauty spread magnificently. It was as though the rasa-filled fruit of every good deed had grown upon this single kadamba. His restless eyes searched here and there; He called sweetly, turned His garment, and His crown and earrings flashed, while a little cow dust shone upon His locks. Calling each cow by name, He summoned them. May this vision dwell forever in my mind.
Standing upon that lofty branch of the kadamba, the Supreme Brahman, the Supreme Person, called the cows one by one in a cloud-deep voice: "O Pishangi! Manikastani! O Pranatashringi! Pingekshane! Come, Mridangamukhi, Dhumale, Shabali, Hamsi, Vamshipriye!" Suddenly hearing their own names, the countless lost cows ended their piteous cries and became wonderfully joyful. What other means did they possess? By repeatedly lowing, they answered their protector. The whole forest reverberated with their tumultuous calls...
Original
Hindi, Sanskrit, and Braj
प्रतिनादित हो रहा है-- ता आहूता भगवता मेघगम्भीरया गिरा। स्वनाम्नां निनदं श्रुत्वा प्रतिनेदुः प्रहर्षिताः॥ (श्रीमद्भा० १०। १९। ६) लै-लै नाम तासु जगदीसा। टेर्यौ मेघ-गिरा-धुनि ईसा॥ हे गंगे-जमुने, हे धौरी। हे स्यामा, पीरी, हे गौरी॥ सुनि निज नाम धेनु हुंकारी। आई दौरत निकट मुरारी॥ सागरकी ओर प्रसरित सुरसरिकी शत-सहस्र धाराके समान वे गायें श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रकी ओर दौड़ चलीं-- । बगदीं उत तैं चाइन-चाइन। हरि-मुख तैं सुनि अपने नाइन॥ प्रेम सहित आवनि, हुंकारनि। सींचत धरनि दूधकी धारनि॥ आनि जु भई धेनु इकठोरी। धौरी-धौरी, प्रति छबि बोरी॥ सब के कंठनि कंचन-माला। सोहत सुंदर नयन बिसाला॥ घनन-घनन घंटागन गजैं। अमरराज-गजकी छबि लजैं॥ हरि सनमुख आवति उमहि, उज्वल गोधन-नार। समुदहि मनहुँ मिलन चली, गंग भई सतधार॥ गोप-शिशुओंने उन्हें एकत्र सम्मिलित किया तथा सबका अब आन्तरिक प्रस्ताव यही है--' चलो, अब गायोंको गोष्ठकी ओर हाँक दो।' किंतु इससे पूर्व कि यह प्रस्ताव कार्यमें परिणत हो, वहीं अचानक चारों ओरसे एक महाभयंकर दावाग्नि धक्-धक् कर जल उठी। भला, इससे अधिक सुन्दर अवसर कंसके उन अनुचरोंको मिलता जो नहीं। वे समीपमें अवस्थित रहकर देख चुके हैं किस प्रकार बलरामने देखते-देखते ही तनिक-सी देरमें प्रलम्बका अन्त कर दिया। फिर तो अपने स्वजनका वह अन्त उनके लिये असह्य बन गया और अवसरकी प्रतीक्षा ही कर रहे थे वे। इसीलिये अत्यन्त शीघ्रतासे उन सबोंने सम्पूर्ण मुञ्जाटवीको घेर लिया तथा श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रके प्रति अपना बैर साध लेनेकी दृष्टिसे चटपट ऐसी भीषण अग्नि प्रज्वलित कर दी कि जिसका निवारण किसी प्रकार भी सम्भव न हो! तदेवं यदालम्भि चास्तम्भि च नैचिकीनिचयस्तदानीमेव च दृष्टनिर्विलम्बप्रलम्बप्रलयचराः कंसचरा लब्धावसरा मुञ्जाटवीमुद्धटचेष्टतया वेष्टयित्वा निर्निवारणकृपीटकारणवृष्टिं झटिति तस्मिन् प्रतिपक्षताकल्पनया निसृष्टवन्तः। (श्रीगोपालचम्पूः) ओह! कैसी प्रचण्ड है वह वनवहि !-- दसौं दिसानि पै क्रसानु झार-झार धाइ कैं। प्रचंड मंडि ब्यौम लौं सिखी सिखा बढाइ कैं ॥ झँझाइ कैं झकोर झोक उग्र ऊक फूटहीं। महाभयान भीम रूप सौं भभूक छूटहीं॥ सधूम देखिये अकास धुंध रुंध जाइ कैं। दिसानि द्वार दाबियौ सगाढ़ बाढ़ छाइ कैं॥ सँसातु पौन साँइ-साँइ सर्बरातु धावहीं। प्रकोप भौरि भर्भरातु झरझरातु आवहीं॥ त्रनादि चटचटात पट-पटात बेनु-जाल सौं। चिरादि चर्चरात तर्तरात हैं तमाल सौं॥ फलादि फूटि-टूटि झूमि भूमि में परैं तहाँ। उड़े फुलिंग फैलि गैल घेरि कैं फिरै महाँ॥ समूल भस्मभूत होत अग्नि के अकूत सौं। अँगार उल्लकादि दारु होत तेज तूत सौं॥ चिहारि चीह घुर्घुरात हैं बराह दाह सौं। हुँकारि हूँक दै कपीस कूदहीं उछाह सौं॥ गँगाइ ब्याघ्र साँस रूँध धूम्र जोर सौं उठैं। उछार लेत झार सौं बिहाल भूमि पै लुठैं॥ हकारि रिच्छ खर्भराइ भागि सो दुराइ कैं। सकाइ सूखि साँस लै ससा चलै सँसाइ कैं ॥ हहाइ कै मृगी-मृगनि चौक भूलि कैं गए। उफाल फाल बाँधि कैं सुनैन मूँदि कैं लए॥ कढ़े सुदौर दर्बराइ हर्बराइ भागि कैं। निहंग भर्भराइ कैं चले अकास लागि कैं॥ अब तो बालकोंके भयका पार नहीं। किंतु आश्चर्य है, ऐसे भीषण प्राणसंकटके समय भी उनके अन्तस्तलमें अपनी प्राणरक्षाकी चाह न जगकर व्याकुलता उत्पन्न हुई नीलसुन्दरकी रक्षाके लिये। इसी समय किसी अचिन्त्य प्रेरणासे उन्हें स्मृति हो आयी दो वर्ष पूर्व
English translation
...Thus summoned by Bhagavan in a voice deep as a cloud, they heard their own names and answered with delighted lowing.
(Shrimad Bhagavata 10.19.6)
The Lord of the universe called each one by name, His summons sounding like the voice of a cloud: "O Ganga, Yamuna, Dhauri, O Shyama, Piri, and Gauri!" Hearing their own names, the cows lowed and ran close to Murari.
Like the hundreds of thousands of streams of the celestial Ganga spreading toward the ocean, the cows ran toward Shri Krishnachandra:
From that side they came in flock after flock, hearing their own names from Hari's mouth. They approached with love, lowing, sprinkling the earth with streams of milk. All the cows came and gathered together, each fair cow immersed in beauty. Golden necklaces hung upon all their throats, and their broad eyes shone beautifully. Their many bells rang ghanan-ghanan, putting the splendor of Indra's elephant to shame.
The radiant female herd surged toward Hari. It seemed the Ganga had divided into a hundred streams as she flowed to meet the ocean.
The cowherd boys gathered all of them together. The thought within every heart was, "Come, let us now drive the cows toward the settlement." But before this thought could be put into action, an immensely terrifying forest fire suddenly sprang up on every side, blazing and throbbing. Kamsa's followers could hardly have found a better opportunity. From nearby they had watched Balarama end Pralamba in an instant before their eyes. The death of their kinsman had become intolerable to them, and they were waiting for an opportunity. They quickly surrounded the whole Munja forest and, eager to avenge themselves upon Shri Krishnachandra, immediately kindled such a terrible fire that no means could extinguish it.
Thus, as soon as the cows had been obtained and assembled, Kamsa's followers, who had witnessed the immediate destruction of Pralamba and now found their opportunity, violently surrounded the Munja forest. Imagining this as their retaliation against their foe, they at once unleashed a shower that caused an inextinguishable blaze.
(Shri Gopala-champu)
Oh, how fierce was that forest fire!
Flames rushed crackling in all ten directions, their fiery crests rising fiercely to the sky. Gusts of wind hurled savage bursts, and dreadful tongues of flame leapt in terrifying forms. The smoke obscured and choked the sky; dense, spreading fire blocked every gate of escape. The gasping wind raced with a shrill sai-sai, and the enraged blaze came roaring and showering sparks. Grass crackled, bamboo thickets split and burst, and tamala trees groaned, cracked, and tore apart. Fruits burst and broke, swaying to the ground; sparks flew and spread, circling every path. The fire's limitless force reduced roots and all to ash; wood became embers and blazing brands. Boars shrieked and grunted from the burning, while monkeys cried out and leapt wildly. Tigers rose choking in the force of the smoke, then collapsed upon the ground, tormented by showers of flame. Bears cried, stumbled, and fled into hiding; rabbits, frightened and breathless, ran in confusion. Deer and does cried out and lost all direction, bounding with beautiful eyes tightly closed. Great creatures rushed out, running in panic, and birds flew frantically up into the sky.
The boys' fear now knew no limit. Yet astonishingly, even amid this dreadful peril to life, no desire for their own safety arose within them. Their agitation was for Nila-sundara's protection. At that moment, through some inconceivable prompting, they remembered the event of two years earlier...
Original
Hindi, Sanskrit, and Braj
तपन-तनयाके तटपर रात्रिके समय प्रज्वलित हुए दावानलकी । उस समय व्रजपुरवासियोंने किस उपायका अवलम्बन लिया था-इसे किसी अलक्षित शक्तिने उनके हृत्पटपर ज्यों-का-त्यों चित्रित कर दिया। साथ ही, अबतकका उनका अनुभव है, ऐसे अनेक अवसरोंपर वे देख चुके हैं-'जब कभी भी हमलोगोंपर संकट उपस्थित हुआ है और हमें बचानेकी तीव्र इच्छा कन्नू भैयामें जाग्रत् हुई है, उस समय कन्हैयामें अत्यधिक शक्तिका संचार हो जाता है।' इस भावनाने भी उनके मनको भावित किया। सबके हृत्तन्त्रीके तार अपने-आप जुड़-से गये, सबने मन-ही-मन स्थिर किया--' कन्नू भैयाकी रक्षाका उपाय तो यही है कि हम सब इससे, इसके सम्बन्धमें कुछ भी न कहकर केवल अपनी रक्षाकी बात ही कहें,-उसी प्रकार, जैसे उस रात्रिको ब्रजपुरवासियोंने कहा था--फिर तो निश्चय ही कन्हैयामें हमें बचानेकी तीव्र भावना जाग्रत् होगी और जहाँ उसमें यह इच्छा उत्पन्न हुई कि फिर तो तदनुरूप शक्तिका बारम्बार यथेच्छ प्रकाश भी इसमें होकर ही रहेगा।' अतएव इस प्रकारकी भावना लिये सभी बालकोंने नीलसुन्दरके समक्ष एक स्वरसे अपनी रक्षाको ही याचना की दावाग्निं दृष्ट्वा ते यदपि हरिरक्षापरतया समीयुर्वैयग्र्यं तदपि निजरक्षामवृणुत। प्रसक्तिस्तस्येत्थं किल भवति सा चेदुदयते तदा शक्तिश्चास्य प्रभवति यथेच्छं मुहुरिति॥ ( श्रीगोपालचम्पू: ) इतनेमें तो दावाग्निज्वाला और भी निकट आ पहुँची। नीलसुन्दरकी ओर दृष्टि करके गायें डकराने लगीं-- निहारि धेनु तर्फरं सँघट्ट बाँधि घेरि कैं। हुँकार दै रँभा उठें सुनंद-नंद हेरि कैं॥ फिर तो, अपनी स्मृतिके आधारपर शिशु भी उन पुरवासियोंकी भाँति ही अविलम्ब, कातरकण्ठसे पुकार उठे-- कृष्ण कृष्ण महावीर हे रामामितविक्रम। दावाग्निना दह्यमानान् प्रपन्नांस्त्रातुमर्हथः॥ नूनं त्वद्बान्धवाः कृष्ण न चार्हन्त्यवसादितुम्। वयं हि सर्वधर्मज्ञ त्वन्नाथास्त्वत्परायणाः॥ (श्रीमद्भा० १०। १९। ९-१०) “महाप्रभावशाली श्रीकृष्ण! भैया श्रीकृष्ण! परम बलशाली बलराम! देखो, दावाग्निसे हम सब भस्म होने जा रहे हैं हो! तुम दोनों हम शरणागतोंकी रक्षा कर लो! अहो कृष्ण! भला, तुम जिनके बान्धव हो-तुमपर ही जिनका सर्वस्व अवलम्बित है, उन्हें किसी प्रकारसे भी दुःखभागी नहीं होना चाहिये। हमारे लिये एकमात्र तुम्हीं आश्रय हो, हमारी एकमात्र तुममें ही निष्ठा है। अपना एवं हमारा क्या धर्म-- कर्तव्य है, इसे तुम जानते हो। अतएव इस समय भी तुम्हें जो करना है, वह करोगे ही।' राम-कृष्ण हम सरन तिहारी। राखहु तुम अब, हे दनुजारी॥ दावानल यह प्रबल न थोरा। जारत नाथ! जीव बरजोरा॥ राखनहार नाथ! तुम अहहू। अमित पराक्रम गति बल सबहू॥ ग्याति सुहृद तव दास हम, निज करि नंदकिसोर। तव जन कहूँ नहिं दुख घटे, इमि कह सब सिरमौर॥ हमरे तुम इक नाथ, तव पद-पंकज आस एक। राखहु सब गहि हाथ, करुनासिंधु कृपाल तुम॥ अति सरास तहँ अगिनि ककुभ कोसन कहूँ पूरत। त्रन बन घन संघात जात बरबर कहूँ चूरत॥ झपटत लपट लपेट दीह दारुन दव धावत। उठतु भयंकर भहरि अवनि अंबर कहुँ तावत॥ जग जीव बिकल खरभर परे, गोप पुकारत हैं सरन। जग जानि कान्ह! रक्षा करहु, त्राहि-त्राहि करुना करन॥ अनन्तैश्वर्यनिकेतन श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रके प्रति नित्य सख्यरससे भावित रहनेवाले उन शिशुओंके मनमें उनको अपरिसीम भगवत्ताका उन्मेष कभी भी नहीं होता। यह तो लीलाशक्तिकी प्रेरणासे उनमें अनुकरणकी वृत्ति जाग उठी है, “ऐसा कहनेसे ही मेरे कन्नूमें उस दिन एक विचित्र-सी शक्ति जाग उठी थी, आज भी जाग उठेगी और फिर यह दावानलको शान्त कर देगा'--इस भावनासे परिभावित होकर ही वे ऐसा कह गये हैं। अन्यथा अपनी प्रार्थनाके वास्तविक रहस्यका उन्हें कोई ज्ञान नहीं है। वे तो, बस, अपने कोटिप्राणप्रिय सखा ' कन्नू' भैयाकी प्राणरक्षाके लिये अपनी जानमें सर्वोत्तम उपायका आश्रय ले रहे हैं, पुरवासियोंकी अनुकृति मात्र कर रहे हैं। हाँ, सर्वथा
English translation
...the forest fire that had blazed at night upon the bank of the daughter of the sun. An unseen power pictured upon the canvas of their hearts exactly what means the residents of Vraja had adopted then. Their experience up to this point also influenced them. On many occasions they had observed, "Whenever danger has arisen before us and the intense desire to save us has awakened in brother Kanhaiya, extraordinary power enters Him." The strings of all their heart-lutes seemed to join of themselves, and silently they resolved, "The way to protect brother Kannu is this: we must say nothing about Him or His safety, but speak only of our own protection, just as the residents of Vraja did that night. Then an intense desire to save us will surely awaken in Kanhaiya. Once that desire arises in Him, the corresponding power will repeatedly manifest in Him at will." Bearing this feeling, all the boys asked Nila-sundara in one voice only for their own protection:
Although on seeing the forest fire they became anxious to protect Hari, they nevertheless asked for their own protection. For in this way His concern becomes engaged, and if it arises, His power repeatedly manifests as He wills.
(Shri Gopala-champu)
Meanwhile the flames of the forest fire drew nearer still. Looking toward Nila-sundara, the cows gathered tightly around Him and lowed:
The cows looked upon Him in agitation and formed a close circle. Gazing at Sunanda and Nanda, they raised a resounding low.
Then, guided by their memory, the boys immediately cried out in piteous voices just as the residents of Vraja had done:
"Krishna, Krishna, mighty hero! O Rama of immeasurable prowess! We are surrendered to You and are being burned by the forest fire; You two must save us. Surely, Krishna, those whose kinsman You are do not deserve to sink into distress. O knower of every dharma, You are our Lord and we are wholly devoted to You."
(Shrimad Bhagavata 10.19.9-10)
"Supremely powerful Shri Krishna! Brother Krishna! All-powerful Balarama! Look, we are all about to be reduced to ashes by the forest fire. Protect us who have taken refuge in You. O Krishna, those whose friend and relative You are, and whose entire support rests upon You, should never have to suffer. You alone are our shelter, and our faith rests in You alone. You know what duty belongs to You and to us. Therefore, even now, You will surely do what must be done."
Rama and Krishna, we seek Your refuge; save us now, O enemy of demons. This forest fire is immensely strong; O Lord, it violently burns living beings. You alone are our protector, Lord, with limitless prowess, motion, and strength.
We are Your kin, friends, and servants; make us Your own, Nandakishora. Those who belong to You should suffer no sorrow, so say all the foremost among us.
You alone are our Lord, and our only hope is in Your lotus feet. Take everyone by the hand and save us, compassionate ocean of mercy.
The fire quickly filled directions for many leagues; the dense masses of grass and forest were violently crushed. The dreadful forest blaze rushed forward, striking, enfolding, and licking; it rose with a terrifying roar, heating earth and sky. Living beings everywhere fell distraught and agitated; the cowherds cried for refuge. Knowing the whole world, Kanhaiya, protect us; save us, save us, source of compassion.
These boys were perpetually steeped in the rasa of friendship toward Shri Krishnachandra, the abode of infinite majesty. No awareness of His boundless divinity ever arose in their minds. Prompted by the power of divine play, they had merely acquired an impulse to imitate: "When they spoke this way that day, a strange power awoke in my Kannu. It will awaken today as well, and then He will calm this forest fire." Moved by this feeling alone, they spoke as they did. Otherwise they had no understanding of the true mystery of their prayer. To save the life of their friend and brother Kannu, dearer than millions of lives, they were adopting what they knew as the finest possible measure, merely imitating the residents of Vraja. Yes, entirely...
Original
Hindi, Sanskrit, and Braj
उनकी अनजानमें ही उनके मुखद्वारा आनुषङ्गिक रूपसे इसीमें प्रपञ्चके त्रितापदग्ध प्राणियोंके लिये यह परम आश्वासनमय संकेत अवश्य व्यक्त हो जा रहा है-'संसारके जीवो! यदि इस भवाटवीमें धधकती हुई आगसे त्राण पानेकी इच्छा हो तो ऐसे ही 'कृष्ण-कृष्ण.........' पुकार उठना! फिर देखो, क्या-से-क्या हो जाता है।' अस्तु, उनकी वह पुकार समाप्त होते-न-होते महामहेश्वर श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रके मनमें तदनुरूप संकल्पका भी सृजन हो ही गया। वे महामहिम सोचने लगे-- “ओह! अपने आत्मस्वरूपकी अपेक्षा भी मुझे अधिक प्रिय मेरे ये बन्धुजन इस दावानलको देखकर अत्यधिक संतप्त हो रहे हैं। इसलिये इस प्रचण्ड वनवहिको मैं अब निगल जाऊँ-- भले ही यमराज या ब्रह्मा अथवा स्वयं हर ही इस रूपमें व्यक्त क्यों न हुए हों।' आत्मनोऽप्यलममी मम प्रिया हा! दवं प्रतिदवं सन्नियन्ति। गीर्णमेव करवाण्यमुं ततः को यमः क इह वा भवेद्धरः॥ ( श्रीगोपालचम्पूः ) ' किंतु मेरे द्वारा अग्निभक्षण होते देखकर इसे सह जो नहीं सकेंगे ये मेरे शिशु सखा!'-- किंतु मया वैश्वानरनिगरणं न सोढुं परिवृढा भवेयुरेत इति। (श्रीगोपालचम्पूः) बस, श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रका मधुस्यन्दी स्वर गूँज उठा-- ' भैयाओ! डरो मत, तुम सभी अपने नेत्र निमीलित कर लो तो !'-- निमीलयत मा भैष्ट लोचनानीत्यभाषत। (श्रीमद्भा० १०। १९। ११) और शिशु तो नीलसुन्दरके किसी भी आदेशकी अवज्ञा करना जानते ही नहीं। सबने तत्क्षण अपनी आँखें मूँद लीं। उनकी विशुद्ध सख्य-रस-भावित बुद्धिने एक अत्यन्त सुन्दर यह निर्णय जो दे दिया-- “कन्हैया भैयामें अब शक्ति तो अवश्य जागेगी, पर वह भी तो इस शक्ति-उन्मेषके लिये आखिर कुछ- न-कुछ तन्त्र-मन्त्रका आश्रय लेगा ही। कन्नू भैया अग्नि-विष आदिकी शान्तिके सम्बन्धमें मणिमन्त्र- महौषधके अनेक प्रयोग जानता है और इन प्रयोगोंके लिये यह नितान्त आवश्यक है ही कि उस सम्बन्धमें कुछ भी दूसरोंके समक्ष न किया जाय। एकान्त हुए बिना वे सिद्ध ही नहीं होते। अब यहाँ इस जनसमुदायमें हमारे नेत्र मूँद लेनेसे ही वह एकान्तकी विधि पूरी हो जायगी। इसलिये कन्नूने आँखें बंद करनेकी बात कही है। अत: हमलोग दृढ़तासे अपनी आँखें मूँद लें।' वह्निविषादीनामुपशमकं मणिमन्त्रमहौषधादिकमयं कृष्णो बहुतरं जानातीति तच्च विविक्तं विना न सिद्ध्येदतोऽत्र जनसंघट्टे अस्माकं लोचननिमीलनमेव विविक्तमित्यभिप्रेत्यैवं ब्रूते तद् वयं दृढतरमेव स्वनेत्र निमीलयाम इति। ( श्रीसारार्थदर्शिनी) इधर शिशुओंको आँखें निमीलित होते ही श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रकी अघट-घटना-पटीयसी योगमाया शक्तिका विकास हुआ। देखते-देखते ही नीलसुन्दरके मृदुल सुकोमल श्रीअङ्गोंके अन्तरालसे तत्क्षण ही महाजलधरतुल्य एक प्रकाण्ड विग्रहका आविर्भाव हुआ। विग्रहके अनुरूप ही उसमें अत्यन्त सुबृहत् मुख है। यह लो, वह मुख खुल पड़ा और वे महामहेश्वर उस मुखके पथसे ही अनायास उस सर्वभक्षक दावानलको पी गये! निमीलद्विलोचनेषु च तेषु तदावेशवशया कृतप्रवेशया योगमायया तत्कालकल्पितमहाजलधर- कल्पापरशरीरस्तमनेनानल्पेनाननेन तमदुःखत एव सर्वं विश्रक्षन्तं भक्षितवान्। ( श्रीगोपालचम्पूः ) अवश्य ही पीते समय वह महाभयंकर वनवह्नि श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रकी अलङ्घनीय इच्छाशक्तिके प्रभावसे सुधामधुर पानीयके रूपमें परिणत हो गयी-- तदिच्छया सुधाचुलुकायमानमिति। ( श्रीगोपालचम्पूः ) चंदन चंद समान, अनल-तेज सीतल भयौ। जन हित कीन्हों पान, को प्रभु दीन-दयाल-सौ॥
English translation
...without realizing it, their words also incidentally expressed this supremely reassuring message for all beings of the manifested world scorched by the threefold miseries: "O beings of samsara, if you desire rescue from the blazing fire of this forest of worldly existence, cry out in this very way, 'Krishna, Krishna...' Then see what transformation takes place."
In any case, before their cry had even ended, a corresponding resolve arose in the mind of the Supreme Lord Shri Krishnachandra. The supremely glorious One thought, "Alas, these relatives of Mine, dearer to Me even than My own Self, are deeply tormented on seeing this forest fire. I shall now swallow this raging blaze, whether Yamaraja, Brahma, or Hara himself has appeared in this form."
"These dear ones are more precious to Me than My own Self. Alas, fire after fire assails them. I shall swallow it at once; then what can Yama, or anyone here, even Hara, do?"
(Shri Gopala-champu)
"But these dear child friends of Mine will not be able to bear the sight of Me swallowing the fire."
(Shri Gopala-champu)
Then Shri Krishnachandra's honey-flowing voice resounded: "Brothers, do not be afraid. All of you, close your eyes."
"Close your eyes and do not fear," He said.
(Shrimad Bhagavata 10.19.11)
The boys did not know how to disobey any command of Nila-sundara. They immediately closed their eyes. Their pure intelligence, steeped in the rasa of friendship, had produced a beautiful conclusion: "Power will surely awaken in brother Kanhaiya now, but to bring forth that power He will have to employ some tantra or mantra. Brother Kannu knows many applications of gems, mantras, great medicines, and other means for pacifying fire, poison, and the like. For such procedures it is absolutely necessary that nothing connected with them be performed before others. They cannot succeed without seclusion. Here amid this crowd, our closing our eyes will itself fulfill the requirement of privacy. That is why Kannu told us to close them. So let us shut our eyes firmly."
"Krishna knows many applications consisting of gems, mantras, great medicines, and other means for pacifying fire, poison, and the like. These cannot succeed without privacy. Here in this crowd, the closing of our eyes alone constitutes seclusion. Understanding that He speaks for this reason, let us close our eyes very firmly."
(Shri Sarartha-darshini)
As soon as the boys closed their eyes, Shri Krishnachandra's Yogamaya power, adept at making the impossible happen, unfolded. In an instant, from within Nila-sundara's tender, delicate limbs there manifested a vast form resembling a massive rain cloud. Corresponding to that form was an immensely great mouth. Look, that mouth opened, and through it the Supreme Lord effortlessly drank the all-consuming forest fire.
When their eyes had closed, Yogamaya entered under the force of that divine absorption and instantly fashioned another body like a great rain cloud. With that vast mouth, He effortlessly swallowed the entire fire that was consuming everything.
(Shri Gopala-champu)
Certainly, while He drank it, the dreadful forest blaze was transformed by Shri Krishnachandra's invincible will into a beverage sweet as nectar:
By His will, it became like a palmful of nectar.
(Shri Gopala-champu)
The fire's heat became cool like sandal paste and the moon. He drank it for the welfare of all. What other Lord is compassionate to the helpless as He is?