Canto Ten - Chapter 65

Śrī Śuka said: Best of the Kurus, the Supreme Lord Balabhadra mounted His chariot and, longing to see His friends, departed for Nanda's cowherd settlement.

The cowherd men and women, who had yearned for Him so long, embraced Balarāma. He bowed to His parents, who welcomed Him with blessings.

Saying, 'O Daśārha, may You and Your younger brother, the Lord of the universe, protect us for a long time,' they placed Him upon their laps, embraced Him, and bathed Him with tears from their eyes.

After the younger cowherds had duly honored Him, Balarāma greeted the elders according to their age and according to His friendship and family relationship with each.

He then approached His cowherd companions with laughter, handclasps, and other friendly gestures. Once He had rested and sat comfortably, they gathered around and questioned Him.

With voices choked by love they asked about the welfare of their relatives, for they had placed all their prosperity in lotus-eyed Kṛṣṇa.

'Balarāma, are all our relatives well? Surrounded by Your wives and children, do You ever remember us?

'By good fortune sinful Kaṃsa has been killed and our dear relatives freed. By good fortune, after killing and defeating your enemies, you have taken shelter in a fortress.'

Honored by Balarāma's visit, the gopīs smiled and asked, 'Does Kṛṣṇa, the darling of the city women, live happily?'

'Does He remember His relatives, His father and mother? Will He ever come even once to see His mother? Does mighty-armed Kṛṣṇa remember our humble service?'

'For His sake, O Daśārha Lord, we abandoned those so difficult to leave: mothers, fathers, brothers, husbands, children, sisters, and all our own people.

'But He immediately abandoned us and left, severing affection. How could women ever trust the words of such a man?'

'How can intelligent city women believe the words of one so fickle and ungrateful? They must accept them because His enchanting stories, beautiful smiles and glances, and sighs of passion have overwhelmed them.

'Gopīs, what use is speaking about Him? Let us discuss something else. If His time passes without us, our time also passes without Him.'

Remembering Śauri's laughter, conversations, charming glances, gait, and loving embraces, the women began to weep.

The Supreme Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa, expert in many kinds of conciliation, comforted them with intimate messages from Kṛṣṇa.

The Supreme Lord Balarāma remained there for the two months named Madhu and Mādhava, bringing loving delight to the gopīs during the nights.

In a grove beside the Yamunā, bathed in the rays of the full moon and served by breezes fragrant with night-blooming lilies, He enjoyed surrounded by groups of women.

The goddess Vāruṇī, sent by Varuṇa, flowed from a hollow tree and filled the entire forest with her fragrance.

Bala caught the scent of that honey-stream carried by the breeze, went there with the young women, and drank it.

Praised in song by Gandharvas and splendid within the circle of women, He enjoyed like Indra's elephant among a herd of she-elephants.

Kettledrums sounded in the sky and flowers joyfully rained down. Gandharvas and sages praised Balarāma for His heroic deeds.

His deeds sung by the women, Halāyudha wandered through the forests intoxicated, His eyes unsteady with exhilaration.

Garlanded, wearing a single earring and exhilarated, He also wore the Vaijayantī garland. His smiling lotus face was adorned with droplets of perspiration like frost.

The mighty Lord Bala called the Yamunā so He could sport in her waters. The river disregarded His command, thinking Him intoxicated.

When she did not come, He angrily dragged her with the tip of His plow. 'Sinner! You disregard Me and do not come when called. With the point of My plow I shall divide you, who wander as you please, into a hundred streams.'

O King, thus rebuked, the frightened Yamunā fell at the feet of the Yadu prince and spoke in alarm.

'Rāma, Rāma, mighty-armed Lord, I did not understand Your power, by a single portion of which the whole earth is sustained, master of the universe.

'Supreme Lord, I did not recognize Your transcendental nature. Soul of the universe, affectionate to Your devotees, please forgive me, for I have surrendered to You.'

Thus entreated, the Supreme Lord Bala released the Yamunā and entered her water with the women like the lord of elephants with his mates.

After enjoying to His satisfaction and emerging from the water, the goddess Kānti gave Him blue garments, priceless ornaments, and a beautiful necklace.

Dressed in the two blue garments, wearing the golden necklace, finely adorned and anointed, He shone like Indra's elephant.

O King, even today the course drawn by the Yamunā can be seen, as though displaying the might of Balarāma, whose power is infinite.

Thus, while Balarāma enjoyed in Vraja with His mind captivated by the sweetness of the women of Vraja, all the nights passed as though they were a single night.