Canto Ten - Chapter 41

Śrī Śuka said: After revealing His form in the water to the praising Akrūra, Bhagavān Kṛṣṇa withdrew it again, just as an actor concludes his performance.

When Akrūra saw that the vision had disappeared, he quickly emerged from the water. He completed all his required rites and returned to the chariot in amazement.

Hṛṣīkeśa asked him, 'You seem to have witnessed something wondrous. What did you see upon the earth, in the sky, or in the water that has left you in this state?'

Śrī Akrūra said: Every wonder that exists upon earth, in the sky, or in the water is contained within You, the universal Self. When I behold You, what could remain unseen?

Brahman, when I behold You, within whom all wonders of earth, sky, and water reside, what separate wonder could I possibly have seen here?

Having said this, Gāndinī's son urged the chariot onward and brought Rāma and Kṛṣṇa to Mathurā at the close of day.

O King, people from the villages gathered at many places along the road. Delighted to see Vasudeva's two sons, they could not draw their eyes away.

Meanwhile Nanda Gopa and the other people of Vraja had gone ahead. Reaching a garden outside the city, they remained there awaiting the brothers.

After joining them, Bhagavān, Lord of the universe, took the humble Akrūra's hand in His own and addressed him with a gentle smile.

'Please enter the city ahead of us with the chariot and go home. We shall dismount here and then walk around to see the city.'

Śrī Akrūra said: Almighty Lord, I will not enter Mathurā without the two of You. Master, You who cherish Your devotees should not abandon me, Your devotee.

Adhokṣaja, please come to our home and make it blessed with a master. Best of friends, come with Your elder brother, the cowherd boys, and Your companions.

Purify the homes of us householders with the dust of Your feet. By the water that washes them, the ancestors, sacred fires, and gods become fully satisfied.

By washing Your two feet, the great Bali became celebrated, attained incomparable sovereignty, and also gained the destination of the Lord's exclusive devotees.

The pure water from washing Your feet purified the three worlds. Śiva bore it upon his head, and through it the sons of Sagara reached heaven.

God of gods, Lord of the universe, whose hearing and glorification are sacred, foremost of the Yadus, Uttamaḥśloka, Nārāyaṇa, I bow to You.

Śrī Bhagavān said: I shall come to your home with My elder brother after killing the enemy of the Yadu dynasty, and I shall bring happiness to My well-wishing relatives.

Śrī Śuka said: Addressed in this way by Bhagavān, Akrūra entered the city with a disappointed heart. He reported the completion of his mission to Kaṃsa and then went home.

Later that afternoon Bhagavān Kṛṣṇa entered Mathurā with Saṅkarṣaṇa. Eager to see the city, He was surrounded by the cowherd boys.

He saw its lofty crystal gateways, their massive doors and arches covered in gold. The city's granaries were made of copper and brass, its moat made it difficult to approach, and charming gardens and pleasure groves beautified it.

Golden crossroads, mansions, courtyards, guild halls, assembly houses, and residences adorned the city. Balconies and altars were set with cat's-eye gems, diamonds, flawless sapphires, coral, pearls, and emeralds.

Pigeons and peacocks called from latticed windows, openings, and jeweled floors. The roads, marketplaces, lanes, and squares had been sprinkled with water and strewn with garlands, shoots, parched grain, and rice.

The doorways of the houses were beautifully decorated with full pots smeared with yogurt and sandalwood, rows of flowers and lamps, fresh leaves, clusters of banana and betel-nut trees, flags, and strips of cloth.

When Vasudeva's two sons entered along the royal road surrounded by Their friends, the women of the city rushed to see Them and eagerly climbed onto the rooftops.

Some women put on clothes and ornaments backward, while others forgot one item of each pair. Some wore an earring on only one ear or an anklet on only one foot, and others left without applying cosmetic to their second eye.

Some abandoned their meals in excitement; others left without finishing their baths while attendants were anointing them. Women who had been sleeping rose at the sound, and mothers set aside the infants they had been nursing.

Lotus-eyed Kṛṣṇa, advancing with the gait of an intoxicated king of elephants, stole their minds through His bold play, smiles, and glances, giving their eyes a festival by His form as the beloved of Śrī.

Having often heard of Him, their hearts had long followed Him. Now, beholding Him again and again and receiving the honor of His nectarous glances and smiles, they embraced the embodiment of bliss within their eyes and hearts. Their skin thrilled, and they cast off the endless anguish of separation.

Standing atop the mansions with lotus faces blossoming in love, the women joyfully showered Balarāma and Keśava with flowers.

At place after place, delighted brāhmaṇas worshiped the brothers with yogurt and unbroken rice in water vessels, garlands, fragrances, and other offerings.

The citizens exclaimed, 'Ah, what immense austerity must the gopīs have performed to behold these two constantly, the great festival of the human world!'

Then Gadāgraja saw a certain washerman and dyer approaching. He asked him for some freshly cleaned garments of the finest quality.

'Dear man, give the two of us garments suitable for us, who are worthy to wear them. The giver will obtain supreme good; of this there is no doubt.'

Though petitioned by Bhagavān, who is complete in every respect, the king's arrogant servant became angry and replied with insults.

'Have you mountain and forest wanderers always worn garments like these? You impudent boys, how dare you desire the king's property!'

'Leave at once, fools, and do not ask for such things if you wish to live. The king's men bind, kill, and plunder arrogant people like you.'

Angered by his boasting, Devakī's son struck with the edge of His hand and severed the washerman's head from his body.

All the washerman's attendants dropped their bundles of clothes and fled in every direction. Acyuta took the garments.

Kṛṣṇa and Saṅkarṣaṇa dressed in the clothes They preferred. Kṛṣṇa gave the remaining garments to the cowherd boys and left a few upon the ground.

Then a pleased weaver fashioned attire for the two brothers, using colorful fabrics and ornaments in ways suited to each of Them.

Dressed in distinctive attire of many features, Kṛṣṇa and Rāma shone like two richly adorned young elephants, one dark and one fair, at a festival.

Pleased with the weaver, Bhagavān granted him a form like His own, supreme prosperity in this world, and strength, opulence, memory, and keen senses.

The brothers then went to the house of Sudāmā the garland maker. Seeing Them, he immediately rose and bowed his head to the ground.

He brought seats for Them, washed Their feet, and worshiped Them and Their companions with arghya and other offerings, garlands, betel, and fragrant ointments.

He said, 'Lords, my birth has now become meaningful and my family purified. By Your coming, my ancestors, the gods, and the sages are satisfied with me.'

'The two of You are indeed the supreme cause of the universe. You have descended here by Your own portions for its protection and prosperity.'

'As friends and the indwelling Self of the universe, equal toward every being, You regard no one with partiality, even while reciprocating with those who worship You.'

'Please command Your servant. What may I do for You? To be appointed to service by the two of You is itself the greatest grace a person can receive.'

O lord of kings, understanding Their wishes and joyful at heart, Sudāmā offered Them garlands he had made from choice, wonderfully fragrant flowers.

Kṛṣṇa and Rāma, together with Their companions, adorned Themselves beautifully with those garlands. Pleased with Sudāmā, the two givers of blessings bestowed boons upon him as he bowed in surrender.

He asked for unwavering devotion to the one Supreme Self, friendship toward His devotees, and the highest compassion for all living beings.

Granting him these blessings along with prosperity that would increase throughout his lineage, strength, long life, fame, and beauty, Kṛṣṇa departed with His elder brother.