The Opulence and Sweetness of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa

Translation

Offering my obeisances unto Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, let me describe a particle of His opulence and sweetness. He is most valuable for a fallen conditioned soul bereft of spiritual knowledge, and He is the only shelter for those who do not know the real goal of life.

Word meanings

agati - eka - gatim — to the only shelter for the conditioned souls who do not know the goal of life ; natvā — offering obeisances ; hīna - artha — of the necessities of the conditioned souls, who are poor in spiritual knowledge ; adhika — increase ; sādhakam — bringing about ; śrī - caitanyam — unto Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; likhāmi — I am writing ; asya — of Him ; mādhurya - aiśvarya — of the sweetness and opulence ; śīkaram — a small portion .

Translation

All glories to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu! All glories to Nityānanda Prabhu! All glories to Advaita Ācārya! And all glories to all the devotees of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu!

Word meanings

jaya — all glories ; jaya — all glories ; śrī - caitanya — to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; jaya — all glories ; nityānanda — to Nityānanda Prabhu ; jaya — all glories ; advaita - candra — to Advaita Ācārya ; jaya — all glories ; gaura - bhakta - vṛnda — to the devotees of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu continued, “All the transcendental forms of the Lord are situated in the spiritual sky. They preside over spiritual planets in that abode, but there is no counting those Vaikuṇṭha planets.

Word meanings

sarva — all ; svarūpera — of the personal forms ; dhāma — abode ; para - vyoma - dhāme — in the spiritual sky ; pṛthak pṛthak — separate ; vaikuṇṭha — Vaikuṇṭha planets ; saba — all ; nāhika gaṇane — there is no counting .

Translation

“The breadth of each Vaikuṇṭha planet is described as eight miles multiplied by one hundred, by one thousand, by ten thousand, by one hundred thousand and by ten million. In other words, each Vaikuṇṭha planet is expanded beyond our ability to measure.

Word meanings

śata — a hundred ; sahasra — a thousand ; ayuta — ten thousand ; lakṣa — a hundred thousand ; koṭī — ten million ; yojana — a distance of eight miles ; eka eka — each and every one ; vaikuṇṭhera — of the spiritual planets ; vistāra — the breadth ; varṇana — description .

Translation

“Each Vaikuṇṭha planet is very large, and each is made of spiritual bliss. The inhabitants are all associates of the Supreme Lord, and they have full opulence like the Lord Himself. This is how the Vaikuṇṭha planets are all situated.

Word meanings

saba — all ; vaikuṇṭha — the spiritual planets ; vyāpaka — vast ; ānanda - cit - maya — made of spiritual bliss ; pāriṣada — associates ; ṣaṭ - aiśvarya — six kinds of opulence ; pūrṇa — in full ; saba — all ; haya — are .

Translation

“Since all the Vaikuṇṭha planets are located in a certain corner of the spiritual sky, who can measure the spiritual sky?

Word meanings

ananta vaikuṇṭha — unlimited Vaikuṇṭha planets ; eka eka — certain ; deśe — in a place ; yāra — of which ; sei — that ; para - vyoma — of the spiritual sky ; dhāmera — of the abode ; ke karu vistāra — who can understand the breadth .

Translation

“The shape of the spiritual sky is compared to a lotus flower. The topmost region of that flower is called the whorl, and within that whorl is Kṛṣṇa’s abode. The petals of the spiritual lotus flower consist of many Vaikuṇṭha planets.

Word meanings

ananta — unlimited ; vaikuṇṭha — Vaikuṇṭha planets ; para - vyoma — the spiritual sky ; yāra — of which ; dala - śreṇī — the bunches of outlying petals ; sarva - upari — in the topmost portion of the spiritual sky ; kṛṣṇa - loka — the abode of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; karṇikāra gaṇi — we consider the whorl of the lotus flower .

Translation

“Each Vaikuṇṭha planet is full of spiritual bliss, complete opulence and space, and each is inhabited by incarnations. If Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva cannot estimate the length and breadth of the spiritual sky and the Vaikuṇṭha planets, how can ordinary living entities begin to imagine them?

Word meanings

ei - mata — such ; ṣaṭ - aiśvarya — six opulences ; sthāna — abode ; avatāra — incarnations ; brahmā — Lord Brahmā ; śiva — Lord Śiva ; anta nā pāya — cannot find the limit ; jīva — a living entity ; kon — what of ; chāra — worthless .

Translation

“ ‘O supreme great one! O Supreme Personality of Godhead! O Supersoul, master of all mystic power! Your pastimes are taking place continuously in these worlds, but who can estimate where, how and when You are employing Your spiritual energy and performing Your pastimes? No one can understand the mystery of these activities.’

Word meanings

kaḥ — who ; vetti — knows ; bhūman — O supreme great one ; bhagavan — O Supreme Personality of Godhead ; para - ātman — O Supersoul ; yoga - īśvara — O master of mystic power ; ūtīḥ — pastimes ; bhavataḥ — of Your Lordship ; tri - lokyām — in the three worlds ; kva — where ; vā — or ; katham — how ; vā — or ; kati — how many ; vā — or ; kadā — when ; iti — thus ; vistārayan — expanding ; krīḍasi — You play ; yoga - māyām — spiritual energy .

Purport

This verse is quoted from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.14.21) .

Translation

“The spiritual qualities of Kṛṣṇa are also unlimited. Great personalities like Lord Brahmā, Lord Śiva and the four Kumāras cannot estimate the spiritual qualities of the Lord.

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; kṛṣṇera — of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; divya — transcendental ; sat - guṇa — spiritual qualities ; ananta — unlimited ; brahmā — Lord Brahmā ; śiva — Lord Śiva ; sanaka - ādi — the four Kumāras and so on ; nā — not ; pāya — obtain ; yāṅra — of which ; anta — the limit .

Translation

“ ‘In time, great scientists may be able to count all the atoms of the universe, all the stars and planets in the sky, and all the particles of snow, but who among them can count the unlimited transcendental qualities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead? He descends on the surface of the globe for the benefit of all living entities.’

Word meanings

guṇa - ātmanaḥ — the overseer of the three qualities ; te — of You ; api — certainly ; guṇān — the qualities ; vimātum — to count ; hita - avatīrṇasya — who have descended for the benefit of all living entities ; ke — who ; īśire — were able ; asya — of the universe ; kālena — in due course of time ; yaiḥ — by whom ; vā — or ; vimitāḥ — counted ; su - kalpaiḥ — by great scientists ; bhū - pāṁśavaḥ — the atoms of the universe ; khe — in the sky ; mihikāḥ — particles of snow ; dyu - bhāsaḥ — the illuminating stars and planets .

Purport

This verse is also quoted from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.14.7) .

Translation

“To say nothing of Lord Brahmā, even Lord Ananta, who has thousands of heads, cannot reach the end of the Lord’s transcendental qualities, even though He is continuously chanting their praises.

Word meanings

brahmā - ādi rahu — leave aside Lord Brahmā and others ; sahasra - vadane — in thousands of mouths ; ananta — Lord Ananta ; nirantara — continuously ; gāya — chants ; mukhe — in the mouths ; nā pāya — does not obtain ; guṇera — of qualities of the Lord ; anta — the end .

Translation

“ ‘If I, Lord Brahmā, and your elder brothers, the great saints and sages, cannot understand the limits of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is full of various energies, who else can understand them? Although constantly chanting about His transcendental qualities, the thousand-hooded Lord Śeṣa has not yet reached the end of the Lord’s activities.’

Word meanings

na antam — no limit ; vidāmi — know ; aham — I ; amī — those ; munayaḥ — great saintly persons ; agrajāḥ — brothers ; te — of you ; māyā - balasya — who has multi-energies ; puruṣasya — of the Personality of Godhead ; kutaḥ — how ; avarāḥ — less intelligent ; ye — those who ; gāyan — chanting ; guṇān — the qualities ; daśa - śata - ānanaḥ — who has a thousand hoods ; ādi - devaḥ — the Personality of Godhead ; śeṣaḥ — Ananta Śeṣa ; adhunā api — even until now ; samavasyati — reaches ; na — not ; asya — of the Lord ; pāram — limit .

Purport

This verse, spoken to Nārada Muni by Lord Brahmā, is also from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (2.7.41) .

Translation

“To say nothing of Anantadeva, even Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself cannot find an end to His own transcendental qualities. Indeed, He Himself is always eager to know them.

Word meanings

seho rahu — let Him (Ananta) alone ; sarva - jña — the omniscient ; śiromaṇi — the topmost ; śrī - kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; nija - guṇera — of His personal qualities ; anta — limit ; nā — not ; pāñā — getting ; hayena — becomes ; sa - tṛṣṇa — very inquisitive .

Translation

“ ‘My Lord, You are unlimited. Even the predominating deities of the higher planetary systems, including Lord Brahmā, cannot find Your limitations. Nor can You Yourself ascertain the limit of Your qualities. Like atoms in the sky, there are multi-universes with seven coverings, and these are rotating in due course of time. All the experts in Vedic understanding are searching for You by eliminating the material elements. In this way, searching and searching, they come to the conclusion that everything is complete in You. Thus You are the resort of everything. This is the conclusion of all Vedic experts.’

Word meanings

dyu - patayaḥ — the predominating deities of higher planetary systems (Lord Brahmā and others) ; eva — also ; te — Your ; na yayuḥ — cannot reach ; antam — the limit of transcendental qualities ; anantatayā — due to being unlimited ; tvam api — You also ; yat — since ; antara — within You ; aṇḍa - nicayāḥ — the groups of universes ; nanu — O Sir ; sa - avaraṇāḥ — having different coverings ; khe — in the sky ; iva — like ; rajāṁsi — atoms ; vānti — rotate ; vayasā — the course of time ; saha — with ; yat — what ; śrutayaḥ — great personalities who understand the Vedas ; tvayi — in You ; hi — certainly ; phalanti — end in ; atan nirasanena — by refuting the inferior elements ; bhavat - nidhanāḥ — whose conclusion is in You .

Purport

This verse from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.87.41) , which was spoken by the personified Vedas, is confirmed by Lord Kṛṣṇa in the Bhagavad-gītā (7.19) :

bahūnāṁ janmanām ante jñānavān māṁ prapadyate vāsudevaḥ sarvam iti sa mahātmā su-durlabhaḥ

“After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare.” Even after searching for the Absolute Truth throughout the universe, learned scholars and Vedic experts cannot reach the ultimate goal. In this way they come to Kṛṣṇa.

When there is a discussion about the Absolute Truth, there are always various pros and cons. The purpose of such arguments is to come to the right conclusion. Such an argument is generally known as neti neti (“not this, not that”). Until one comes to the right conclusion, the process of thinking “This is not the Absolute Truth, that is not the Absolute Truth” will continue. When we come to the right conclusion, we accept the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, as the ultimate truth.

Translation

“Apart from all argument, logic and negative or positive processes, when Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa was present as the Supreme Personality of Godhead at Vṛndāvana, no one could find a limit to His potencies by studying His characteristics and activities.

Word meanings

seha rahu — leave aside such negative arguments ; vraje — in Vṛndāvana ; yabe — when ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; avatāra — incarnation ; tāṅra — His ; caritra — character ; vicārite — to deliberate ; mana — mind ; nā — not ; pāya — gets ; pāra — the limit .

Translation

“At Vṛndāvana, the Lord immediately created all material and spiritual planets in one moment. Indeed, all of them were created with their predominating deities.

Word meanings

prākṛta - aprākṛta — material and spiritual ; sṛṣṭi — creation ; kailā — did ; eka - kṣaṇe — in one moment ; aśeṣa — unlimited ; vaikuṇṭha — Vaikuṇṭha planets ; aja - aṇḍa — material planets ; sva - sva - nātha - sane — with their own predominating deities .

Translation

“We do not hear of such wonderful things anywhere else. Simply by one’s hearing of those incidents, one’s consciousness is agitated and cleansed.

Word meanings

e - mata — like this ; anyatra — anywhere else ; nāhi — not ; śuniye — I hear ; adbhuta — wonderful event ; yāhāra — of which ; śravaṇe — by hearing ; citta — consciousness ; haya — becomes ; avadhūta — agitated and cleansed .

Purport

When Lord Kṛṣṇa was present in the earthly Vṛndāvana, Lord Brahmā, taking Him to be an ordinary cowherd boy, wanted to test His potency. Therefore Lord Brahmā stole all the calves and cowherd boys from Kṛṣṇa and hid them by his illusory energy. When Kṛṣṇa saw that Brahmā had stolen His calves and cowherd boys, He immediately created many material and spiritual planets in Lord Brahmā’s presence. Within a moment, cowherd boys, calves and unlimited Vaikuṇṭhas — all expansions of the Lord’s spiritual energy — were manifested. As stated in the Brahma-saṁhitā, ānanda-cinmaya-rasa-pratibhāvitābhiḥ. Not only did Kṛṣṇa create all the paraphernalia of His spiritual energy, but He also created unlimited material universes with unlimited Brahmās. All these pastimes, which are described in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, will cleanse one’s consciousness. In this way one can actually understand the Absolute Truth. The spiritual planets in the spiritual sky are called Vaikuṇṭhas, and each of them has a predominating Deity (Nārāyaṇa) with a specific name. Similarly, in the material sky there are innumerable universes, and each is dominated by a specific deity, a Brahmā. Kṛṣṇa simultaneously created all these Vaikuṇṭha planets and universes within a moment after Brahmā’s return.

The word avadhūta means “rambling, agitating, moving, absorbed, defeated.” In some readings of Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, it is said: yāhāra śravaṇe citta-mala haya dhūta. Instead of the word avadhūta, the words haya dhūta, meaning that the heart or consciousness is cleansed, are used. When the consciousness is cleansed, one can understand what and who Kṛṣṇa is. This is confirmed by Kṛṣṇa in the Bhagavad-gītā (7.28) :

yeṣāṁ tv anta-gataṁ pāpaṁ janānāṁ puṇya-karmaṇām te dvandva-moha-nirmuktā bhajante māṁ dṛḍha-vratāḥ

“Persons who have acted piously in previous lives and in this life and whose sinful actions are completely eradicated are freed from the dualities of delusion, and they engage themselves in My service with determination.” Unless one is freed from the reactions of sinful activities, one cannot understand Kṛṣṇa or engage in His transcendental loving service.

Translation

“According to Śukadeva Gosvāmī, Kṛṣṇa had unlimited calves and cowherd boys with Him. No one could count their actual number.

Word meanings

kṛṣṇa - vatsaiḥ asaṅkhyātaiḥ — Kṛṣṇa was accompanied by an unlimited number of calves and cowherd boys ; śukadeva - vāṇī — the words of Śukadeva Gosvāmī ; kṛṣṇa - saṅge — with Lord Kṛṣṇa ; kata gopa — how many cowherd boys ; saṅkhyā — the count ; nāhi jāni — we do not know .

Translation

“Each of the cowherd boys was tending calves to the extent of a koṭi, arbuda, śaṅkha and padma. That is the way of counting.

Word meanings

eka eka — one after another ; gopa — cowherd boys ; kare — do ; ye — whatever ; vatsa — calves ; cāraṇa — grazing ; koṭi — ten millions ; arbuda — a hundred million ; śaṅkha — one trillion ; padma — ten trillion ; tāhāra gaṇana — the enumeration of that .

Purport

According to Vedic mathematical calculations, the following enumeration system is used: units, tens ( daśa ) , hundreds ( śata ) , thousands ( sahasra ) , ten thousands ( ayuta ) and hundred thousands ( lakṣa ) . Ten times lakṣa is niyuta. Ten times niyuta is koṭi. Ten times koṭi is arbuda. Ten times arbuda is vṛnda. Ten times vṛnda is kharva. Ten times kharva is nikharva. Ten times nikharva is śaṅkha. Ten times śaṅkha is padma, and ten times padma is sāgara. Ten times sāgara is antya, and ten times antya is madhya, and ten times madhya is parārdha. Each item is ten times greater than the previous one. Thus all the cowherd boys, who were companions of Kṛṣṇa, had many calves to take care of.

Translation

“All the cowherd boys had unlimited calves. Similarly, their canes, flutes, lotus flowers, horns, garments and ornaments were all unlimited. They cannot be limited by writing about them.

Word meanings

vetra — canes ; veṇu — flutes ; dala — lotus flowers ; śṛṅga — horns ; vastra — garments ; alaṅkāra — ornaments ; gopa - gaṇera yata — as many as are possessed by the cowherd boys ; tāra — of them ; nāhi — there is not ; lekhā - pāra — limitation to writing .

Translation

“The cowherd boys then became four-handed Nārāyaṇas, predominating Deities of Vaikuṇṭha planets. All the separate Brahmās from different universes began to offer their prayers unto the Lords.

Word meanings

sabe — all of them ; hailā — became ; catur - bhuja — four-handed ; vaikuṇṭhera pati — predominating Deities of the Vaikuṇṭha planets ; pṛthak pṛthak — separately ; brahmāṇḍera — of the universes ; brahmā — the predominating deities known as Lord Brahmā ; kare stuti — offer prayers .

Translation

“All these transcendental bodies emanated from the body of Kṛṣṇa, and within a second They all entered again into His body.

Word meanings

eka — one ; kṛṣṇa - deha — transcendental body of Kṛṣṇa ; haite — from ; sabāra — of everyone ; prakāśe — the manifestation ; kṣaṇeke — in a second ; sabāi — every one of Them ; sei śarīre — in that body of Kṛṣṇa ; praveśe — enter .

Translation

“When the Lord Brahmā from this universe saw this pastime, he was astonished and struck with wonder. After offering his prayers, he gave the following conclusion.

Word meanings

ihā dekhi’ — seeing this ; brahmā — Lord Brahmā ; hailā — became ; mohita — astonished ; vismita — struck with wonder ; stuti kari’ — offering prayers ; ei — this ; pāche — at the end ; karilā — made ; niścita — conclusion .

Translation

“Lord Brahmā said, ‘If someone says that he knows everything about Kṛṣṇa’s opulence, let him think that way. But as far as I am concerned, with my body and mind I consider it in this way.

Word meanings

ye kahe — if anyone says ; kṛṣṇera — of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; vaibhava — opulences ; muñi — I ; saba — all ; jānoṅ — know ; se jānuka — let him know ; kāya - mane — by my body and mind ; muñi — myself ; ei — this ; mānoṅ — accept .

Translation

“ ‘My Lord, Your opulence is like an unlimited ocean of nectar, and it is verbally and mentally impossible for me to realize even a drop of that ocean.

Word meanings

ei ye — all this ; tomāra — Your ; ananta — unlimited ; vaibhava - amṛta - sindhu — ocean of the nectar of Your opulence ; mora — my ; vāk - manaḥ - gamya — within the reach of words and mind ; nahe — not ; eka bindu — even a drop .

Translation

“ ‘There are people who say, “I know everything about Kṛṣṇa.” Let them think that way. As far as I am concerned, I do not wish to speak very much about this matter. O my Lord, let me say this much. As far as Your opulences are concerned, they are all beyond the reach of my mind, body and words.’

Word meanings

jānantaḥ — persons who think they are aware of Your unlimited potency ; eva — certainly ; jānantu — let them think like that ; kim — what is the use ; bahu - uktyā — with many words ; na — not ; me — my ; prabho — O Lord ; manasaḥ — of the mind ; vapuṣaḥ — of the body ; vācaḥ — of the words ; vaibhavam — opulences ; tava — Your ; gocaraḥ — within the range .

Purport

This is a quotation from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.14.38) , spoken by Lord Brahmā after he had stolen Lord Kṛṣṇa’s calves and cowherd boys and Kṛṣṇa had exhibited His transcendental opulence by re-creating all the stolen calves and cowherd boys by His viṣṇu-mūrti expansions. After he had seen this, Brahmā offered the above prayer.

Translation

“Let the glories of Lord Kṛṣṇa be! Who could be aware of all of them? His abode, Vṛndāvana, has many wonderful opulences. Just try to see them all.

Word meanings

kṛṣṇera — of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; mahimā — glories ; rahu — let be ; kebā — who ; tāra — of those ; jñātā — a knower ; vṛndāvana - sthānera — of the abode of Kṛṣṇa, Vṛndāvana ; dekha — just see ; āścarya — wonderful ; vibhutā — opulences .

Translation

“According to the revelations of revealed scripture, Vṛndāvana extends only sixteen krośas [thirty-two miles]. Nonetheless, all the Vaikuṇṭha planets and innumerable universes are located in one corner of this tract.

Word meanings

ṣola - krośa — measuring sixteen krośas (thirty-two miles) ; vṛndāvana — Vṛndāvana-dhāma ; śāstrera prakāśe — according to the revelation of revealed scripture ; tāra — of Vṛndāvana ; eka - deśe — in one corner ; vaikuṇṭha — all the Vaikuṇṭha planets ; ajāṇḍa - gaṇa — the innumerable universes ; bhāse — are situated .

Purport

In Vraja, the land is divided into various vanas, or forests. The forests total twelve, and their extension is estimated to be eighty-four krośas. Of these, the special forest known as Vṛndāvana is located from the present municipal city of Vṛndāvana to the village called Nanda-grāma. This distance is sixteen krośas (thirty-two miles).

Translation

“No one can estimate the opulence of Kṛṣṇa. That is unlimited. However, just as one sees the moon through the branches of a tree, I wish to give a little indication.”

Word meanings

apāra — unlimited ; aiśvarya — opulence ; kṛṣṇera — of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; nāhika gaṇana — there is no estimation ; śākhā - candra - nyāye — according to the logic of seeing the moon through the branches of a tree ; kari — I make ; dik - daraśana — an indication only .

Purport

First a child is shown the branches of a tree, and then he is shown the moon through the branches. This is called śākhā-candra-nyāya. The idea is that first one must be given a simpler example. Then the more difficult background is explained.

Translation

While describing the transcendental opulences of Kṛṣṇa, the ocean of opulence manifested in the mind of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and His mind and senses were immersed in this ocean. Thus He was perplexed.

Word meanings

aiśvarya — opulence ; kahite — to describe ; sphurila — there manifested ; aiśvarya - sāgara — an ocean of opulence ; mana - indriya — the chief sense, namely the mind ; ḍubilā — immersed ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; ha - ilā — became ; phāṅpara — perplexed .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu personally recited the following verse from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, and to relish the meaning, He began to explain it Himself.

Word meanings

bhāgavatera — of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam ; ei — this ; śloka — verse ; paḍilā — recited ; āpane — personally ; artha — the meaning ; āsvādite — to taste ; sukhe — in happiness ; karena vyākhyāne — describes the meaning .

Translation

“ ‘The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, is the master of the three worlds and the three principal demigods [Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Śiva]. No one is equal to or greater than Him. By His spiritual potency, known as svārājya-lakṣmī, all His desires are fulfilled. While offering their dues and presents in worship, the predominating deities of all the planets touch the lotus feet of the Lord with their helmets. Thus they offer prayers to the Lord.’

Word meanings

svayam — personally the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; tu — but ; asāmya - atiśayaḥ — who has no equal or superior ; tri - adhīśaḥ — the master of three places, namely Goloka Vṛndāvana, Vaikuṇṭhaloka and the material world, or the master of Mahā-Viṣṇu, Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu and Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu, or the master of Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Maheśvara, or the master of the three worlds (the higher, lower and middle planetary systems) ; svārājya - lakṣmī — by His personal spiritual potency ; āpta — already achieved ; samasta - kāmaḥ — all desirable objects ; balim — a presentation or taxation ; haradbhiḥ — who are offering ; cira - loka - pālaiḥ — by the predominating deities of different planets ; kirīṭa - koṭi — by millions of helmets ; īḍita — being worshiped ; pāda - pīṭhaḥ — whose lotus feet .

Purport

This quotation is verse 21 of the second chapter, Third Canto, of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

Translation

“Kṛṣṇa is the original Supreme Personality of Godhead; therefore He is the greatest of all. No one is equal to Him, nor is anyone greater than Him.

Word meanings

parama — supreme ; īśvara — controller ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; svayam — personally ; bhagavān — the original Personality of Godhead ; tāte — therefore ; baḍa — most exalted ; tāṅra — His ; sama — equal ; keha — anyone ; nāhi — there is not ; āna — else .

Translation

“ ‘Kṛṣṇa, known as Govinda, is the supreme controller. He has an eternal, blissful, spiritual body. He is the origin of all. He has no other origin, for He is the prime cause of all causes.’

Word meanings

īśvaraḥ — the controller ; paramaḥ — supreme ; kṛṣṇaḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; sat — eternal existence ; cit — absolute knowledge ; ānanda — absolute bliss ; vigrahaḥ — whose form ; anādiḥ — without beginning ; ādiḥ — the origin ; govindaḥ — Lord Govinda ; sarva - kāraṇa - kāraṇam — the cause of all causes .

Purport

This is the first verse of the fifth chapter of the Brahma-saṁhitā.

Translation

“The primary predominating deities of this material creation are Lord Brahmā, Lord Śiva and Lord Viṣṇu. Nonetheless, they simply carry out the orders of Lord Kṛṣṇa, who is master of them all.

Word meanings

brahmā — Lord Brahmā ; viṣṇu — Lord Viṣṇu ; hara — and Lord Śiva ; ei — they ; sṛṣṭi - ādi - īśvara — the masters of material creation, maintenance and dissolution ; tine — all three of them ; ājñā - kārī — order carriers ; kṛṣṇera — of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; adhīśvara — their master .

Translation

“[Lord Brahmā said:] ‘Following the will of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, I create, Lord Śiva destroys, and He Himself in the form of Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu maintains all the affairs of material nature. Thus the supreme controller of the three modes of material nature is Lord Viṣṇu.’

Word meanings

sṛjāmi — create ; tat - niyuktaḥ — engaged by Him ; aham — I ; haraḥ — Lord Śiva ; harati — annihilates ; tat - vaśaḥ — under His control ; viśvam — the whole universe ; puruṣa - rūpeṇa — in the form of Lord Viṣṇu ; paripāti — maintains ; tri - śakti - dhṛk — the controller of the three modes of material nature .

Purport

This is a quotation from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (2.6.32) .

Translation

“This is only a general description. Please try to understand another meaning of tryadhīśa. The three puruṣa incarnations of Viṣṇu are the original cause of the material creation.

Word meanings

e sāmānya — this is a general description ; tri - adhīśvarera — of the master of the three worlds ; śuna — please hear ; artha — meaning ; āra — another ; jagat - kāraṇa — the cause of the material creation ; tina — three ; puruṣa - avatāra — puruṣa incarnations of Viṣṇu .

Translation

“Mahā-Viṣṇu, Padmanābha and Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu are the Supersouls of all subtle and gross existences.

Word meanings

mahā - viṣṇu — Mahā-Viṣṇu ; padmanābha — Padmanābha (Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu) ; kṣīra - udaka - svāmī — Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu ; ei tina — all these three ; sthūla - sūkṣma — gross and subtle ; sarva — of all ; antaryāmī — the Supersoul .

Purport

Lord Mahā-Viṣṇu is known as Kāraṇodakaśāyī Viṣṇu, the Supersoul of everything. Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu, from whose lotus navel Brahmā was created, is also called Hiraṇyagarbha and is the total Supersoul and the subtle Supersoul. Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu is the universal form and the gross Supersoul.

Translation

“Although Mahā-Viṣṇu, Padmanābha and Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu are all shelters and controllers of the entire universe, They are nonetheless but plenary portions or portions of the plenary portions of Kṛṣṇa. Therefore He is the original Personality of Godhead.

Word meanings

ei tina — these three ; sarva - āśraya — the shelter of the whole material creation ; jagat - īśvara — supreme controllers of the universe ; eho saba — all of Them ; kalā - aṁśa — plenary portions, or portions of the plenary portions ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; adhīśvara — the Supreme Personality of Godhead .

Translation

“ ‘The Brahmās and other lords of the mundane worlds appear from the pores of Mahā-Viṣṇu and remain alive for the duration of His one exhalation. I adore the primeval Lord, Govinda, of whom Mahā-Viṣṇu is a portion of a plenary portion.’

Word meanings

yasya — whose ; eka — one ; niśvasita — of breath ; kālam — time ; atha — thus ; avalambya — taking shelter of ; jīvanti — live ; loma - vila - jāḥ — grown from the hair holes ; jagat - aṇḍa - nāthāḥ — the masters of the universes (the Brahmās) ; viṣṇuḥ mahān — the Supreme Lord Mahā-Viṣṇu ; saḥ — that ; iha — here ; yasya — whose ; kalā - viśeṣaḥ — particular plenary portion or expansion ; govindam — Lord Govinda ; ādi - puruṣam — the original person ; tam — Him ; aham — I ; bhajāmi — worship .

Purport

This is a quotation from the Brahma-saṁhitā (5.48) . See also Ādi-līlā 5.71.

Translation

“This is the middle meaning. Now please hear the confidential meaning. Lord Kṛṣṇa has three places of residence, which are well known from the revealed scriptures.

Word meanings

ei artha — this explanation ; madhyama — middle ; śuna — please hear ; gūḍha — confidential ; artha — meaning ; āra — another ; tina — three ; āvāsa - sthāna — residential places ; kṛṣṇera — of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; śāstre — in the revealed scriptures ; khyāti — fame ; yāra — of which .

Purport

Kṛṣṇa has three abodes — His internal abode (Goloka Vṛndāvana), His intermediate abode (the spiritual sky) and His external abode (this material world).

Translation

“The internal abode is called Goloka Vṛndāvana. It is there that Lord Kṛṣṇa’s personal friends, associates, father and mother live.

Word meanings

antaḥ - pura — the internal abode ; goloka - śrī - vṛndāvana — Goloka Vṛndāvana ; yāhāṅ — where ; nitya - sthiti — eternal residence ; mātā - pitā — mother and father ; bandhu - gaṇa — and friends .

Translation

“Vṛndāvana is the storehouse of Kṛṣṇa’s mercy and the sweet opulences of conjugal love. That is where the spiritual energy, working as a maidservant, exhibits the rāsa dance, the quintessence of all pastimes.

Word meanings

madhura - aiśvarya — of sweetness and opulence ; mādhurya — of conjugal love ; kṛpā - ādi — and of mercy and so on ; bhāṇḍāra — storehouse ; yoga - māyā — the spiritual energy ; dāsī — maidservant ; yāhāṅ — where ; rāsa - ādi — the rāsa dance and other pastimes ; līlā - sāra — the quintessence of all pastimes .

Translation

“ ‘Vṛndāvana-dhāma is very soft due to the mercy of the Supreme Lord, and it is especially opulent due to conjugal love. The transcendental glories of the son of Mahārāja Nanda are exhibited here. Under the circumstances, not the least anxiety is awakened within us.’

Word meanings

karuṇā - nikuramba - komale — who is very soft because of great mercy ; madhura - aiśvarya - viśeṣa - śālini — especially by the opulence of conjugal love ; jayati — all glories ; vraja - rāja - nandane — to the son of Mahārāja Nanda ; na — not ; hi — certainly ; cintā — of anxiety ; kaṇikā — even a particle ; abhyudeti — awakens ; naḥ — of us .

Translation

“Below the Vṛndāvana planet is the spiritual sky, which is known as Viṣṇuloka. In Viṣṇuloka there are innumerable Vaikuṇṭha planets controlled by Nārāyaṇa and innumerable other expansions of Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

tāra tale — below Vṛndāvana-dhāma ; para - vyoma — the spiritual sky ; viṣṇu - loka - nāma — known as Viṣṇuloka ; nārāyaṇa - ādi — Nārāyaṇa and others ; ananta — unlimited ; svarūpera — of personal expansions ; dhāma — the place .

Translation

“The spiritual sky, which is full in all six opulences, is the intermediate residence of Lord Kṛṣṇa. It is there that an unlimited number of forms of Kṛṣṇa enjoy Their pastimes.

Word meanings

madhyama - āvāsa — the middle residence ; kṛṣṇera — of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; ṣaṭ - aiśvarya - bhāṇḍāra — the storehouse of six opulences ; ananta svarūpe — in unlimited forms ; yāhāṅ — where ; karena vihāra — enjoys His pastimes .

Translation

“Innumerable Vaikuṇṭha planets, which are just like different rooms of a treasure-house, are all there, filled with all opulences. Those unlimited planets house the Lord’s eternal associates, who are also enriched with the six opulences.

Word meanings

ananta — unlimited ; vaikuṇṭha — Vaikuṇṭha planets ; yāhāṅ — where ; bhāṇḍāra - koṭhari — like rooms of a treasure-house ; pāriṣada - gaṇe — eternal associates ; ṣaṭ - aiśvarye — with the six opulences ; āche — are ; bhari’ — filling .

Translation

“ ‘Below the planet named Goloka Vṛndāvana are the planets known as Devī-dhāma, Maheśa-dhāma and Hari-dhāma. These are opulent in different ways. They are managed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Govinda, the original Lord. I offer my obeisances unto Him.’

Word meanings

goloka - nāmni nija - dhāmni — in the planet known as Goloka Vṛndāvana, the personal abode of the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; tale — in the part underneath ; ca — also ; tasya — of that ; devī — of the goddess Durgā ; maheśa — of Lord Śiva ; hari — of Nārāyaṇa ; dhāmasu — in the planets ; teṣu teṣu — in each of them ; te te — those respective ; prabhāva - nicayāḥ — opulences ; vihitāḥ — established ; ca — also ; yena — by whom ; govindam — unto that Govinda ; ādi - puruṣam — the original Supreme Personality of Godhead ; tam — unto Him ; aham — I ; bhajāmi — offer my obeisances .

Purport

This is a quotation from the Brahma-saṁhitā (5.43) .

Translation

“ ‘Between the spiritual and the material world is a body of water known as the river Virajā. This water is generated from the bodily perspiration of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is known as Vedāṅga. Thus the river flows.’

Word meanings

pradhāna - parama - vyomnoḥ antare — between the material world and the spiritual world ; virajā nadī — is a river known as Virajā ; veda - aṅga — of the transcendental body of the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; sveda - janitaiḥ — produced from the perspiration ; toyaiḥ — with water ; prasrāvitā — flowing ; śubhā — all-auspicious .

Purport

This verse and the following verse are from the Padma Purāṇa.

Translation

“ ‘Beyond the river Virajā is the spiritual nature, which is indestructible, eternal, inexhaustible and unlimited. It is the supreme abode, consisting of three fourths of the Lord’s opulences. It is known as paravyoma, the spiritual sky.’

Word meanings

tasyāḥ pāre — on the other bank of the Virajā River ; para - vyoma — the spiritual sky ; tri - pāt - bhūtam — existing as three fourths of the opulence of the Supreme Lord ; sanātanam — eternal ; amṛtam — without deterioration ; śāśvatam — without being subjected to the control of time ; nityam — constantly existing ; anantam — unlimited ; paramam — supreme ; padam — abode .

Purport

In the spiritual sky there is neither anxiety nor fear. It is eternally existing, and it consists of three fourths of the Lord’s energy. The material world is an exhibition of only one fourth of the Lord’s energy. Therefore it is called eka-pād-vibhūti.

Translation

“On the other side of the river Virajā is the external abode, which is full of unlimited universes, each containing unlimited atmospheres.

Word meanings

tāra tale — below the spiritual world ; bāhya - āvāsa — external abode ; virajāra pāra — on the other side of the river Virajā ; ananta brahmāṇḍa — unlimited number of universes ; yāhāṅ — where ; koṭhari — apartments ; apāra — unlimited .

Translation

“The abode of the external energy is called Devī-dhāma, and its inhabitants are the conditioned souls. It is there that the material energy, Durgā, resides with many opulent maidservants.

Word meanings

devī - dhāma — the place of the external energy ; nāma — named ; tāra — its ; jīva — the conditioned living entities ; yāra — of which ; vāsī — the inhabitants ; jagat - lakṣmī — the material energy ; rākhi’ — keeping them ; rahe — exists ; yāhāṅ — wherein ; māyā — the external energy ; dāsī — maidservant .

Purport

Because he wants to enjoy the material energy, the conditioned soul is allowed to reside in Devī-dhāma, the external energy, where goddess Durgā carries out the orders of the Supreme Lord as His maidservant. The material energy is called jagal-lakṣmī because she protects the bewildered conditioned souls. Goddess Durgā is therefore known as the material mother, and Lord Śiva, her husband, is known as the material father. Goddess Durgā is so named because this material world is like a big fort where the conditioned soul is placed under her care. For material facilities, the conditioned soul tries to please goddess Durgā, and mother Durgā supplies all kinds of material facilities. Because of this, the conditioned souls are allured and do not wish to leave the external energy. Consequently they are continuously making plans to live here peacefully and happily. Such is the material world.

Translation

“Kṛṣṇa is the supreme proprietor of all dhāmas, including Goloka-dhāma, Vaikuṇṭha-dhāma and Devī-dhāma. The paravyoma and Goloka-dhāma are beyond Devī-dhāma, this material world.

Word meanings

ei tina dhāmera — of these three dhāmas, or residential places, namely Goloka Vṛndāvana-dhāma, Vaikuṇṭha-dhāma (Hari-dhāma) and Devī-dhāma (the material world) ; haya — is ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; adhīśvara — the supreme master ; goloka - paravyoma — the spiritual planet Goloka and the spiritual sky ; prakṛtira para — beyond this material energy .

Purport

When a living entity is liberated from Devī-dhāma but does not know of the opulence of Hari-dhāma, he is placed in Maheśa-dhāma, which is between the other two dhāmas. The liberated soul does not get an opportunity to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead there; therefore although this Maheśa-dhāma is Lord Śiva’s dhāma and above Devī-dhāma, it is not the spiritual world. The spiritual world begins with Hari-dhāma, or Vaikuṇṭhaloka.

Translation

“The spiritual world is considered to be three fourths of the energy and opulence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whereas this material world is only one fourth of that energy. That is our understanding.

Word meanings

cit - śakti — of the spiritual energy ; vibhūti - dhāma — opulent abode ; tri - pād — three fourths ; aiśvarya — opulence ; nāma — named ; māyika vibhūti — material opulence ; eka - pāda — one fourth ; abhidhāna — known .

Purport

Hari-dhāma ( paravyoma ) and Goloka Vṛndāvana are beyond the material cosmic manifestation. They are celebrated as three fourths of the Lord’s energy. The material world, conducted by the Supreme Lord’s external energy, is called Devī-dhāma and is a manifestation of one fourth of His energy.

Translation

“ ‘Because it consists of three fourths of the Lord’s energy, the spiritual world is called tri-pād-bhūta. Being a manifestation of one fourth of the Lord’s energy, the material world is called eka-pāda.’

Word meanings

tri - pāt - vibhūteḥ — of the three fourths of the energy ; dhāmatvāt — because of being the abode ; tri - pāt - bhūtam — consisting of three fourths of the energy ; hi — certainly ; tat padam — that abode ; vibhūtiḥ — the energy or potency ; māyikī — material ; sarvā — all ; proktā — said ; pāda - ātmikā — only one fourth ; yataḥ — therefore .

Purport

This verse is found in the Laghu-bhāgavatāmṛta (1.5.563).

Translation

“The three-fourths part of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s energy is beyond our speaking power. Let us therefore hear elaborately about the remaining one fourth of His energy.

Word meanings

tri - pāda - vibhūti kṛṣṇera — three fourths of the energy of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; vākya - agocara — beyond words ; eka - pāda vibhūtira — of one fourth of the energy ; śunaha — please hear ; vistāra — breadth .

Translation

“Actually it is very difficult to ascertain the number of universes. Every universe has its separate Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva, who are known as permanent governors. Therefore there is also no counting them.

Word meanings

ananta — unlimited ; brahmāṇḍera — of the universes ; yata — all ; brahmā — Lord Brahmās ; rudra - gaṇa — and Lord Śivas ; cira - loka - pāla — permanent governors of the worlds ; śabde — by the word ; tāhāra — of them ; gaṇana — counting .

Purport

Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva are called cira-loka-pāla, permanent governors. This means that they govern the affairs of the universe from the beginning of the creation to the end. In the next creation, the same living entities may not be present, but because Brahmā and Śiva are existing from the beginning to the end, they are called cira-loka-pāla, permanent governors. Loka-pāla means “predominating deities.” There are eight predominating deities of the prominent heavenly planets, and they are Indra, Agni, Yama, Varuṇa, Nirṛti, Vāyu, Kuvera and Śiva.

Translation

“Once, when Kṛṣṇa was ruling Dvārakā, Lord Brahmā came to see Him, and the doorman immediately informed Lord Kṛṣṇa of Brahmā’s arrival.

Word meanings

eka - dina — one day ; dvārakāte — in Dvārakā ; kṛṣṇa dekhibāre — to see Kṛṣṇa ; brahmā āilā — Lord Brahmā came ; dvāra - pāla — the doorman ; jānāila — informed ; kṛṣṇere — Lord Kṛṣṇa .

Translation

“When Kṛṣṇa was so informed, He immediately asked the doorman, ‘Which Brahmā? What is his name?’ The doorman therefore returned and questioned Lord Brahmā.

Word meanings

kṛṣṇa kahena — Kṛṣṇa said ; kon brahmā — which Brahmā ; ki nāma tāhāra — what is his name ; dvārī āsi’ — the doorman, coming back ; brahmāre — to Lord Brahmā ; puche — inquires ; āra bāra — again .

Purport

From this verse we can understand that Brahmā is the name of the post and that the person occupying the post has a particular name also. From the Bhagavad-gītā: imaṁ vivasvate yogam. Vivasvān is the name of the present predominating deity of the sun. He is generally called Sūrya, the sun-god, but he also has his own particular name. The governor of the state is generally called rāja-pāla, but he also has his own individual name. Since there are hundreds and thousands of Brahmās with different names, Kṛṣṇa wanted to know which of them had come to see Him.

Translation

“When the doorman asked, ‘Which Brahmā?’ Lord Brahmā was surprised. He told the doorman, ‘Please go inform Lord Kṛṣṇa that I am the four-headed Brahmā who is the father of the four Kumāras.’

Word meanings

vismita hañā — becoming surprised ; brahmā — Lord Brahmā ; dvārīke — unto the doorman ; kahilā — replied ; kaha — inform ; giyā — going ; sanaka - pitā — the father of the four Kumāras ; catur - mukha — four-headed ; āilā — has come .

Translation

“The doorman then informed Lord Kṛṣṇa of Lord Brahmā’s description, and Lord Kṛṣṇa gave him permission to enter. The doorman escorted Lord Brahmā in, and as soon as Brahmā saw Lord Kṛṣṇa, he offered obeisances at His lotus feet.

Word meanings

kṛṣṇe jānāñā — informing Lord Kṛṣṇa ; dvārī — the doorman ; brahmāre — Lord Brahmā ; lañā — taking ; gelā — went ; kṛṣṇera caraṇe — at the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa ; brahmā — Lord Brahmā ; daṇḍavat kailā — offered obeisances .

Translation

“After being worshiped by Lord Brahmā, Lord Kṛṣṇa also honored him with suitable words. Then Lord Kṛṣṇa asked him, ‘Why have you come here?’

Word meanings

kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; mānya - pūjā — respect and worship ; kari’ — showing ; tāṅre — to him ; praśna kaila — put a question ; ki lāgi’ — for what reason ; tomāra — your ; ihāṅ — here ; āgamana haila — there was arrival .

Translation

“Being questioned, Lord Brahmā immediately replied, ‘Later I shall tell You why I have come. First of all there is a doubt in my mind which I wish You would kindly dissipate.

Word meanings

brahmā kahe — Lord Brahmā said ; tāhā — that ; pāche — later ; kariba nivedana — I shall submit unto You ; eka — one ; saṁśaya — doubt ; mane — in the mind ; haya — there is ; karaha chedana — kindly dissipate it .

Translation

“ ‘Why did you inquire which Brahmā had come to see You? What is the purpose of such an inquiry? Is there any other Brahmā besides me within this universe?’

Word meanings

kon brahmā — which Brahmā ; puchile tumi — You inquired ; kon abhiprāye — by what intention ; āmā ba - i — except me ; jagate — within this universe ; āra — other ; kon — which ; brahmā — Lord Brahmā ; haye — is there .

Translation

“Upon hearing this, Śrī Kṛṣṇa smiled and immediately meditated. Unlimited Brahmās arrived instantly.

Word meanings

śuni’ — hearing ; hāsi’ — smilingly ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; tabe — then ; karilena — did ; dhyāne — meditation ; asaṅkhya — unlimited ; brahmāra — of Lord Brahmās ; gaṇa — the group ; āilā — arrived ; tata - kṣaṇe — at that time .

Translation

“These Brahmās had different numbers of heads. Some had ten heads, some twenty, some a hundred, some a thousand, some ten thousand, some a hundred thousand, some ten million and others a hundred million. No one can count the number of faces they had.

Word meanings

daśa — ten ; biśa — twenty ; śata — hundred ; sahasra — thousand ; ayuta — ten thousand ; lakṣa — a hundred thousand ; vadana — faces ; koṭi — ten million ; arbuda — a hundred million ; mukha — faces ; kāro — of some of them ; nā yāya gaṇana — not possible to count .

Translation

“There also arrived many Lord Śivas with various heads numbering one hundred thousand and ten million. Many Indras also arrived, and they had hundreds of thousands of eyes all over their bodies.

Word meanings

rudra - gaṇa — the Śivas ; āilā — arrived ; lakṣa koṭi - vadana — possessing a hundred thousand and ten million faces ; indra - gaṇa — the Indras ; āilā — arrived ; lakṣa — a hundred thousand ; koṭi — ten million ; nayana — eyes .

Purport

It is said that Indra, the King of heaven, is very lusty. Once he had sexual intercourse with the wife of a great sage, and when the sage learned about this, he cursed lusty Indra with a curse that put vaginas all over his body. Being very much ashamed, Indra fell down at the lotus feet of the great sage and begged his pardon. Being compassionate, the sage turned the vaginas into eyes; therefore Indra possesses hundreds and thousands of eyes all over his body. Just as Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva have many faces, the King of heaven, Indra, has many eyes.

Translation

“When the four-headed Brahmā of this universe saw all these opulences of Kṛṣṇa, he became very much bewildered and considered himself a rabbit among many elephants.

Word meanings

dekhi’ — seeing ; catur - mukha brahmā — the four-faced Lord Brahmā of this universe ; phāṅpara ha - ilā — became bewildered ; hasti - gaṇa - madhye — in the midst of many elephants ; yena — like ; śaśaka — a rabbit ; rahilā — remained .

Translation

“All the Brahmās who came to see Kṛṣṇa offered their respects at His lotus feet, and when they did this, their helmets touched His lotus feet.

Word meanings

āsi’ — coming ; saba brahmā — all the Brahmās ; kṛṣṇa - pāda - pīṭha - āge — before the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa ; daṇḍavat karite — offering their obeisances ; mukuṭa — helmets ; pāda - pīṭhe — at the lotus feet ; lāge — touched .

Translation

“No one can estimate the inconceivable potency of Kṛṣṇa. All the Brahmās who were there were resting in the one body of Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

kṛṣṇera — of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; acintya - śakti — inconceivable potencies ; lakhite — to observe ; keha — anyone ; nāre — not able ; yata brahmā — all the Brahmās ; tata mūrti — so many forms ; eka - i śarīre — in the same body .

Translation

“When all the helmets struck together at Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet, there was a tumultuous sound. It appeared that the helmets themselves were offering prayers unto Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet.

Word meanings

pāda - pīṭa — at Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet ; mukuṭa - agra — of the tops of the helmets ; saṅghaṭṭe — in the crowding together ; uṭhe dhvani — there arose a sound ; pāda - pīṭhe stuti — offering prayers unto the lotus feet ; kare — do ; mukuṭa — the helmets ; hena jāni’ — appearing as such .

Translation

“With folded hands, all the Brahmās and Śivas began to offer prayers unto Lord Kṛṣṇa, saying, ‘O Lord, You have shown me a great favor. I have been able to see Your lotus feet.’

Word meanings

yoḍa - hāte — with folded hands ; brahmā — the Lord Brahmās ; rudra - ādi — the Lord Śivas and others ; karaye stavana — offered their prayers ; baḍa kṛpā — great mercy ; karilā — You have shown ; prabhu — O Lord ; dekhāilā caraṇa — You have shown Your lotus feet .

Translation

“All of them then said, ‘It is my great fortune, Lord, that You have called me, thinking of me as Your servant. Now let me know what Your order is so that I may carry it on my heads.’

Word meanings

bhāgya — great fortune ; more — me ; bolāilā — You have called ; dāsa — as a servant ; aṅgīkari’ — accepting ; kon ājñā haya — what is Your order ; tāhā — that ; kari — let me accept ; śire dhari’ — holding it on my head .

Translation

“Lord Kṛṣṇa replied, ‘Since I wanted to see all of you together, I have called all of you here.

Word meanings

kṛṣṇa kahe — Lord Kṛṣṇa said ; tomā - sabā — all of you ; dekhite — to see ; citta haila — there was a desire ; tāhā lāgi’ — for that reason ; eka ṭhāñi — in one place ; sabā — all of you ; bolāila — I called for .

Translation

“ ‘All of you should be happy. Is there any fear from the demons?’

Word meanings

sukhī hao — be happy ; sabe — all of you ; kichu — some ; nāhi — there is not ; daitya - bhaya — fear of the demons ; tārā kahe — all of them replied ; tomāra prasāde — by Your mercy ; sarvatra - i — everywhere ; jaya — victorious .

Purport

“They replied, ‘By Your mercy, we are victorious everywhere.

Translation

“ ‘Whatever burden was upon the earth You have taken away by descending to that planet.’

Word meanings

samprati — presently ; pṛthivīte — upon the earth ; yebā — whatever ; haiyāchila — there was ; bhāra — burden ; avatīrṇa hañā — descending ; tāhā — that ; karilā saṁhāra — You have taken away .

Translation

“This is the proof of Dvārakā’s opulence: all the Brahmās thought, ‘Kṛṣṇa is now staying in my jurisdiction.’

Word meanings

dvārakā - ādi — Dvārakā-dhāma and other abodes ; vibhu — transcendental abode ; tāra ei ta pramāṇa — this is the evidence of that ; āmāra - i brahmāṇḍe — in my brahmāṇḍa ; kṛṣṇa — Kṛṣṇa is now present ; sabāra — of all of them ; haila jñāna — there was this knowledge .

Translation

“Thus the opulence of Dvārakā was perceived by each and every one of them. Although they were all assembled together, no one could see anyone but himself.

Word meanings

kṛṣṇa - saha — with Kṛṣṇa ; dvārakā - vaibhava — the opulence of Dvārakā ; anubhava haila — there was perception ; ekatra milane — although they came together ; keha — someone ; kāho — anyone else ; nā dekhila — did not see .

Purport

The four-headed Brahmā perceived the opulence of Dvārakā-dhāma, where Kṛṣṇa was staying, and although there were Brahmās present having ten to ten million heads, and although many Lord Śivas were also assembled, only the four-headed Brahmā of this universe could see all of them. By the inconceivable potency of Kṛṣṇa, the others could not see one another. Although all the Brahmās and Śivas were assembled together, due to Kṛṣṇa’s energy they could not meet or talk among themselves individually.

Translation

“Lord Kṛṣṇa then bade farewell to all the Brahmās there, and after offering their obeisances, they all returned to their respective homes.

Word meanings

tabe — thereafter ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; sarva - brahmā - gaṇe — unto all the Brahmās ; vidāya dilā — bade farewell ; daṇḍavat hañā — offering obeisances ; sabe — all of them ; nija ghare gelā — returned to their respective homes .

Translation

“After observing all these opulences, the four-headed Brahmā of this universe was astonished. He again came before the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa and offered Him obeisances.

Word meanings

dekhi’ — seeing ; catur - mukha brahmāra — of the four-headed Brahmā of this universe ; haila — there was ; camatkāra — astonishment ; kṛṣṇera caraṇe āsi’ — coming to the lotus feet of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; kailā namaskāra — offered his respects .

Translation

“Brahmā then said, ‘Whatever I formerly decided about my knowledge I have just now had personally verified.

Word meanings

brahmā bale — Brahmā said ; pūrve — formerly ; āmi — I ; ye — whatever ; niścaya kariluṅ — decided ; tāra — of that ; udāharaṇa — the example ; āmi — I ; āji — today ; ta’ — certainly ; dekhiluṅ — have seen .

Translation

“ ‘There are people who say, “I know everything about Kṛṣṇa.” Let them think in that way. As far as I am concerned, I do not wish to speak very much about this matter. O my Lord, let me say this much. As far as Your opulences are concerned, they are all beyond the reach of my mind, body and words.’

Word meanings

jānantaḥ — persons who think they are aware of Your unlimited potency ; eva — certainly ; jānantu — let them think like that ; kim — what is the use ; bahu - uktyā — with many words ; na — not ; me — my ; prabho — O my Lord ; manasaḥ — of the mind ; vapuṣaḥ — of the body ; vācaḥ — of the words ; vaibhavam — opulences ; tava — Your ; gocaraḥ — within the range .

Purport

This is a quotation from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.14.38) , spoken by Lord Brahmā.

Translation

“Kṛṣṇa said, ‘Your particular universe has a diameter of four billion miles; therefore it is the smallest of all the universes. Consequently you have only four heads.

Word meanings

kṛṣṇa kahe — Kṛṣṇa said ; ei brahmāṇḍa — this universe ; pañcāśat koṭi yojana — four billion miles ; ati kṣudra — very small ; tāte — therefore ; tomāra — your ; cāri vadana — four faces .

Purport

Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, one of the greatest astrologers of his time, gives information from the Siddhānta-śiromaṇi that this universe measures 18,712,069,200,000,000 × 8 miles. This is the circumference of this universe. According to some, this is only half the circumference.

Translation

“ ‘Some of the universes are one billion yojanas in diameter, some one trillion, some ten trillion and some one hundred trillion yojanas. Thus they are almost unlimited in area.

Word meanings

kona brahmāṇḍa — some universes ; śata - koṭi — one billion yojanas ; kona — some ; lakṣa - koṭi — one trillion yojanas ; kona — some ; niyuta - koṭi — ten trillion ; kona — some ; koṭi - koṭi — one hundred trillion .

Purport

A yojana equals eight miles.

Translation

“ ‘According to the size of the universe, there are so many heads on the body of Brahmā. In this way I maintain innumerable universes [brahmāṇḍas].

Word meanings

brahmāṇḍa - anurūpa — according to the size of a universe ; brahmāra — of Lord Brahmā ; śarīra - vadana — heads on the body ; ei - rūpe — in this way ; pāli āmi — I maintain ; brahmāṇḍera gaṇa — all the innumerable groups of universes .

Translation

“ ‘No one can measure the length and breadth of the one fourth of My energy manifested in the material world. Who then can measure the three fourths that is manifested in the spiritual world?’

Word meanings

eka - pāda vibhūti — a one-fourth manifestation of My opulence ; ihāra — of this ; nāhi — there is not ; parimāṇa — measurement ; tri - pāda vibhūtira — of the spiritual world, having three fourths of My energy ; kebā — who ; kare — can do ; parimāṇa — measurement .

Translation

“ ‘Beyond the river Virajā is the spiritual nature, which is indestructible, eternal, inexhaustible and unlimited. It is the supreme abode, consisting of three fourths of the Lord’s opulences. It is known as paravyoma, the spiritual sky.”’

Word meanings

tasyāḥ pāre — on the other bank of the Virajā River ; para - vyoma — the spiritual sky ; tri - pāt - bhūtam — existing as three fourths of the opulence of the Supreme Lord ; sanātanam — eternal ; amṛtam — without deterioration ; śāśvatam — without being subjected to the control of time ; nityam — constantly existing ; anantam — unlimited ; paramam — supreme ; padam — abode .

Purport

This is a verse from the Padma Purāṇa, quoted here by Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Translation

“In this way Lord Kṛṣṇa bade farewell to the four-headed Brahmā of this universe. We may thus understand that no one can calculate the extent of Kṛṣṇa’s energies.

Word meanings

tabe — thereafter ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; brahmāre — unto the Lord Brahmā of this universe ; dilena vidāya — bade farewell ; kṛṣṇera — of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; vibhūti - svarūpa — spiritual verification of opulence ; jānāna nā yāya — is not possible to understand .

Translation

“There is a very deep meaning in the word ‘try-adhīśvara,’ which indicates that Kṛṣṇa possesses three different lokas, or natures.

Word meanings

tri - adhīśvara śabdera — of the word try-adhīśvara ; artha — a meaning ; gūḍha — confidential ; āra — another ; haya — there is ; tri - śabde — by the word “three” ; kṛṣṇera — of Kṛṣṇa ; tina loka kaya — the three places or properties of Lord Kṛṣṇa .

Purport

The word try-adhīśvara means “proprietor of the three worlds.” There are three worlds, and Kṛṣṇa is the supreme proprietor of them all. This is explained by Lord Kṛṣṇa in the Bhagavad-gītā (5.29) :

bhoktāraṁ yajña-tapasāṁ sarva-loka-maheśvaram suhṛdaṁ sarva-bhūtānāṁ jñātvā māṁ śāntim ṛcchati

“A person in full consciousness of Me, knowing Me to be the ultimate beneficiary of all sacrifices and austerities, the Supreme Lord of all planets and demigods, and the benefactor and well-wisher of all living entities, attains peace from the pangs of material miseries.”

The word sarva-loka means “all three worlds,” and the word maheśvara means “the supreme proprietor.” Kṛṣṇa is the proprietor of both the material and the spiritual world. The spiritual world is divided into two portions — Goloka Vṛndāvana and the Vaikuṇṭhas. The material world is a combination of universes unlimited in number.

Translation

“The three lokas are Gokula (Goloka), Mathurā and Dvārakā. Kṛṣṇa lives eternally in these three places.

Word meanings

goloka - ākhya — called Goloka ; gokula — Gokula ; mathurā — Mathurā ; dvārāvatī — Dvārakā ; ei tina loke — all three of these places ; kṛṣṇera — of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; sahaje — naturally ; nitya - sthiti — eternal residence .

Purport

Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura comments that in the Goloka planet there are three divisions: Gokula, Mathurā and Dvārakā. In His incarnation as Gaurasundara, Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the Lord conducts His pastimes in three areas: Navadvīpa, Jagannātha Purī (and South India) and Vraja-maṇḍala (the area of Vṛndāvana-dhāma).

Translation

“These three places are full of internal potencies, and Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is their sole proprietor.

Word meanings

antaraṅga — internal ; pūrṇa - aiśvarya - pūrṇa — full of all opulences ; tina dhāma — three abodes ; tinera adhīśvara — the Lord of all three ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; svayam bhagavān — the Supreme Personality of Godhead .

Translation

“As previously mentioned, the jewels on the helmets of all the predominating deities of all the universes and Vaikuṇṭha planets touched the throne and the lotus feet of the Lord when those deities all offered obeisances.

Word meanings

pūrva - ukta — as mentioned above ; brahmāṇḍera — of all the universes ; yata — all ; dik - pāla — the governors of the directions ; ananta vaikuṇṭha - āvaraṇa — the expansions surrounding the innumerable Vaikuṇṭhas ; cira - loka - pāla — permanent governors of the universe ; tāṅ - sabāra — of all of them ; mukuṭa — helmets ; kṛṣṇa - pāda - pīṭha - āge — in front of the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa ; daṇḍavat - kāle — at the time of offering obeisances ; tāra — of them ; maṇi — the jewels ; pīṭhe — on the throne ; lāge — touch .

Translation

“When the gems on the helmets of all the predominating deities collided before the throne and the Lord’s lotus feet, there was a jingling sound, which seemed like prayers offered by the helmets at Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet.

Word meanings

maṇi - pīṭhe — between the gems and the lotus feet or the throne ; ṭhekāṭheki — collision ; uṭhe — arises ; jhanjhani — a jingling sound ; pīṭhera — to the lotus feet or the throne ; stuti — prayers ; kare — offer ; mukuṭa — all the helmets ; hena — thus ; anumāni — we can imagine .

Translation

“Kṛṣṇa is thus situated eternally in His spiritual potency, and the opulence of that spiritual potency is called ṣaḍ-aiśvarya, indicating six kinds of opulences.

Word meanings

nija — His own ; cit - śakte — in spiritual potency ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; nitya — eternally ; virājamāna — existing ; cit - śakti — of the spiritual potency ; sampattira — of the opulence ; ṣaṭ - aiśvarya — the six opulences ; nāma — named .

Translation

“Because He possesses the spiritual potencies, which fulfill all His desires, Kṛṣṇa is accepted as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is the Vedic version.

Word meanings

sei svārājya - lakṣmī — that personal opulence ; kare — does ; nitya — eternally ; pūrṇa — fulfilling ; kāma — all desires ; ataeva — therefore ; vede — in the Vedas ; kahe — it is said ; svayam bhagavān — Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead .

Translation

“The unlimited potencies of Kṛṣṇa are just like an ocean of nectar. Since one cannot bathe within that ocean, I have only touched a drop of it.”

Word meanings

kṛṣṇera aiśvarya — the opulence of Kṛṣṇa ; apāra — unlimited ; amṛtera sindhu — an ocean of nectar ; avagāhite — to bathe ; nāri — I am unable ; tāra — of that ; chuilaṅ — I touched ; eka bindu — only one drop .

Translation

When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was describing the opulences and spiritual potencies of Kṛṣṇa in this way, there was an awakening of love of Kṛṣṇa within Him. His mind became immersed in the sweetness of conjugal love, and He quoted the following verse from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

Word meanings

aiśvarya kahite — while describing the opulence ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kṛṣṇa - sphūrti — awakening of love of Kṛṣṇa ; haila — there was ; mādhurye — in the sweetness of conjugal love ; majila mana — the mind became immersed ; eka — one ; śloka — verse ; paḍila — recited .

Translation

“ ‘To exhibit the strength of His own spiritual potency, Lord Kṛṣṇa manifested a form just suitable for His pastimes in the material world. This form was wonderful even for Him and was the supreme abode of the wealth of good fortune. Its limbs were so beautiful that they increased the beauty of the ornaments worn on different parts of His body.’

Word meanings

yat — that which ; martya - līlā — pastimes in the material world ; aupayikam — just suitable for ; sva — His own ; yoga - māyā — of the spiritual potency ; balam — the strength ; darśayatā — showing ; gṛhītam — accepted ; vismāpanam — even producing wonder ; svasya — for Himself ; ca — also ; saubhaga - ṛdheḥ — of abundant good fortune ; param — supreme ; padam — abode ; bhūṣaṇa — of ornaments ; bhūṣaṇa - aṅgam — the limbs of which were the ornaments .

Purport

This verse from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.2.12) is stated in a conversation between Vidura and Uddhava. Uddhava thus begins his description of the pastimes of Śrī Kṛṣṇa in His form exhibited by yogamāyā.

Translation

“Lord Kṛṣṇa has many pastimes, of which His pastimes as a human being are the best. His form as a human being is the supreme transcendental form. In this form He is a cowherd boy. He carries a flute in His hand, and His youth is new. He is also an expert dancer. All this is just suitable for His pastimes as a human being.

Word meanings

kṛṣṇera — of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; yateka — all ; khelā — pastimes ; sarva - uttama — the most attractive of all ; nara - līlā — the pastimes as a human being ; nara - vapu — a body just like that of a human being ; tāhāra — of that ; svarūpa — the real form ; gopa - veśa — the dress of a cowherd boy ; veṇu - kara — with a flute in the hands ; nava - kiśora — newly youthful ; naṭa - vara — an expert dancer ; nara - līlāra — for exhibiting the pastimes as a human being ; haya — is ; anurūpa — suitable .

Translation

“My dear Sanātana, the sweet, attractive transcendental form of Kṛṣṇa is so nice. Just try to understand it. Even a fractional understanding of Kṛṣṇa’s beauty can merge all three worlds in the ocean of love. He attracts all living entities within the three worlds.

Word meanings

kṛṣṇera — of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; madhura — sweet ; rūpa — form ; śuna — please hear ; sanātana — O My dear Sanātana ; ye rūpera — of which form ; eka kaṇa — even a fraction ; ḍubāya — floods ; saba — all ; tri - bhuvana — the three worlds ; sarva prāṇī — all living entities ; kare — does ; ākarṣaṇa — attracting .

Translation

“The transcendental form of Kṛṣṇa is shown to the world by Lord Kṛṣṇa’s internal, spiritual energy, which is a transformation of pure goodness. This jewellike form is the most confidential treasure of the devotees. This form is manifested from Kṛṣṇa’s eternal pastimes.

Word meanings

yoga - māyā — internal energy ; cit - śakti — spiritual potency ; viśuddha - sattva — of transcendental pure goodness ; pariṇati — a transformation ; tāra śakti — the potency of such energy ; loke dekhāite — to exhibit within the material world ; ei rūpa - ratana — this beautiful, transcendental, jewellike form ; bhakta - gaṇera gūḍha - dhana — the most confidential treasure of the devotees ; prakaṭa — exhibition ; kailā — made ; nitya - līlā haite — from the eternal pastimes of the Lord .

Translation

“The wonderful form of Kṛṣṇa in His personal feature is so great that it attracts even Kṛṣṇa to taste His own association. Indeed, Kṛṣṇa becomes very eager to taste it. Total beauty, knowledge, wealth, strength, fame and renunciation are the six opulences of Kṛṣṇa. He is eternally situated in His opulences.

Word meanings

rūpa dekhi’ — by seeing the form ; āpanāra — His own ; kṛṣṇera — of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; haila — there was ; camatkāra — wonder ; āsvādite — to taste ; mane — in the mind ; uṭhe — arises ; kāma — a desire ; sva - saubhāgya — one’s own good fortune ; yāṅra — of which ; nāma — the name ; saundarya - ādi - guṇa - grāma — the transcendental qualities, headed by beauty ; ei rūpa — this form ; nitya — eternal ; tāra — of them ; dhāma — the abode .

Purport

Kṛṣṇa has many pastimes, of which His pastimes in Goloka Vṛndāvana (the gokula-līlā ) are supreme. He also has pastimes in the Vaikuṇṭhas, the spiritual world, as Vāsudeva, Saṅkarṣaṇa, Pradyumna and Aniruddha. In His pastimes in the material sky, He lies down in the Causal Ocean as Kāraṇārṇavaśāyī, the puruṣa-avatāra. His incarnations as a fish, tortoise and so on are called His causal incarnations. He incarnates in the modes of nature as Lord Brahmā, Lord Śiva and Lord Viṣṇu. He also incarnates as empowered living entities like Pṛthu and Vyāsa. The Supersoul is His localized incarnation, and His all-pervasive aspect is the impersonal Brahman.

When we consider impartially all the unlimited pastimes of the Lord, we find that His pastimes as a human being on this planet — wherein He sports as a cowherd boy with a flute in His hands and appears youthful and fresh like a ballet dancer — are pastimes and features that are never subjected to material laws and inebrieties. The wonderful beauty of Kṛṣṇa is presented in the supreme planet, Gokula (Goloka Vṛndāvana). Inferior to that is His representation in the spiritual sky, and inferior to that is His representation in the external energy (Devī-dhāma). A mere drop of Kṛṣṇa’s sweetness can drown these three worlds — Goloka Vṛndāvana, Hari-dhāma (Vaikuṇṭhaloka) and Devī-dhāma (the material world). Everywhere, Kṛṣṇa’s beauty merges everyone in the ecstasy of transcendental bliss. Actually the activities of yogamāyā are absent in the spiritual sky and the Vaikuṇṭha planets. She simply works in the supreme planet, Goloka Vṛndāvana, and she works to manifest the activities of Kṛṣṇa when He descends to the material universe to please His innumerable devotees within the material world. Thus a replica of the Goloka Vṛndāvana planet and the pastimes there is manifested on this planet on a specific tract of land — Bhauma Vṛndāvana, the Vṛndāvana-dhāma on this planet.

Translation

“Ornaments caress that body, but the transcendental body of Kṛṣṇa is so beautiful that it beautifies the ornaments He wears. Therefore Kṛṣṇa’s body is said to be the ornament of ornaments. Enhancing the wonderful beauty of Kṛṣṇa is His three-curved style of standing. Above all these beautiful features, Kṛṣṇa’s eyes dance and move obliquely, acting like arrows to pierce the minds of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī and the gopīs. When the arrow succeeds in hitting its target, their minds become agitated.

Word meanings

bhūṣaṇera — of the ornament ; bhūṣaṇa — the ornament ; aṅga — the limbs of the body ; tāheṅ — that feature ; lalita — delicate ; tri - bhaṅga — bent in three places ; tāhāra upara — above that ; bhrū - dhanu - nartana — dancing of the eyebrows ; terache — crooked ; netra - anta — the end of the eye ; bāṇa — arrow ; tāra — of that arrow ; dṛḍha — strong ; sandhāna — fixing ; vindhe — pierces ; rādhā — of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī ; gopī - gaṇa — of the gopīs also ; mana — the minds .

Translation

“The beauty of Kṛṣṇa’s body is so attractive that it attracts not only the demigods and other living entities within this material world but the personalities of the spiritual sky as well, including the Nārāyaṇas, who are expansions of Kṛṣṇa’s personality. The minds of the Nārāyaṇas are thus attracted by the beauty of Kṛṣṇa’s body. In addition, the goddesses of fortune [Lakṣmīs], who are the wives of the Nārāyaṇas and are the women described in the Vedas as most chaste, are also attracted by the wonderful beauty of Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

brahmāṇḍa - upari — above all the universes ; para - vyoma — the spiritual sky ; tāhāṅ — there ; ye — all those ; svarūpa - gaṇa — transcendental personal expansions ; tāṅ - sabāra — of all of Them ; bale — by force ; hare mana — it enchants the minds ; pati - vratā — of those who are chaste and devoted to the husband ; śiromaṇi — topmost ; yāṅre — unto whom ; kahe — describe ; veda - vāṇī — hymns of the Vedas ; ākarṣaye — it attracts ; sei — those ; lakṣmī - gaṇa — all the goddesses of fortune .

Translation

“Favoring the gopīs, Kṛṣṇa rides on the chariots of their minds, and just to receive loving service from them, He attracts their minds like Cupid. Therefore He is also called Madana-mohana, the attractor of Cupid. Cupid has five arrows, representing form, taste, smell, sound and touch. Kṛṣṇa is the owner of these five arrows, and with His Cupid-like beauty He conquers the minds of the gopīs, though they are very proud of their superexcellent beauty. Becoming a new Cupid, Kṛṣṇa attracts their minds and engages in the rāsa dance.

Word meanings

caḍi’ — riding ; gopī - manaḥ - rathe — on the chariots of the minds of the gopīs ; manmathera — of Cupid ; mana — the mind ; mathe — churns ; nāma — the name ; dhare — accepts ; madana - mohana — Madana-mohana, the deluder of Cupid ; jini’ — conquering ; pañca - śara — of Cupid, the master of the five arrows of the senses ; darpa — the pride ; svayam — personally ; nava — new ; kandarpa — Cupid ; rāsa — rāsa dance ; kare — performs ; lañā — with ; gopī - gaṇa — the gopīs. .

Translation

“When Lord Kṛṣṇa wanders in the forest of Vṛndāvana with His friends on an equal level, there are innumerable cows grazing. This is another of the Lord’s blissful enjoyments. When He plays on His flute, all living entities — including trees, plants, animals and human beings — tremble and are saturated with jubilation. Tears flow constantly from their eyes.

Word meanings

nija - sama — equal to Himself ; sakhā - saṅge — with the friends ; go - gaṇa — an unlimited number of cows ; cāraṇa — tending ; raṅge — such pastimes ; vṛndāvane — in Vṛndāvana ; svacchanda — spontaneous ; vihāra — blissful enjoyment ; yāṅra — of whom ; veṇu - dhvani śuni’ — hearing the vibration of the flute ; sthāvara - jaṅgama prāṇī — all living entities, moving and not moving ; pulaka — jubilation ; kampa — trembling ; aśru — tears ; vahe — flow ; dhāra — streams .

Translation

“Kṛṣṇa wears a pearl necklace that appears like a chain of white herons around His neck. The peacock feather in His hair appears like a rainbow, and His yellow garments appear like lightning in the sky. Kṛṣṇa appears like a newly risen cloud, and the gopīs appear like newly grown grains in the field. Constant rains of nectarean pastimes fall upon these newly grown grains, and it seems that the gopīs are receiving beams of life from Kṛṣṇa, exactly as grains receive life from the rains.

Word meanings

muktā - hāra — a necklace of pearls ; baka - pāṅti — like a row of white herons ; indra - dhanu — like a rainbow ; piñcha — a peacock feather ; tati — there ; pīta - ambara — yellow garments ; vijurī - sañcāra — like the appearance of lightning in the sky ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; nava — new ; jala - dhara — cloud carrying water ; jagat — the universe ; śasya — like crops of grains ; upara — upon ; variṣaye — rains ; līlā - amṛta — the pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; dhāra — like a shower .

Translation

“The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, is full in all six opulences, including His attractive beauty, which engages Him in conjugal love with the gopīs. Such sweetness is the quintessence of His qualities. Śukadeva Gosvāmī, the son of Vyāsadeva, has described these pastimes of Kṛṣṇa throughout Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Hearing the descriptions, the devotees become mad with love of God.”

Word meanings

mādhurya — sweetness ; bhagavattā - sāra — the quintessence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; vraje — in Vṛndāvana ; kaila — did ; paracāra — propagation ; tāhā — that ; śuka — Śukadeva Gosvāmī ; vyāsera nandana — the son of Vyāsadeva ; sthāne sthāne — in different places ; bhāgavate — in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam ; varṇiyāche — has described ; jānāite — in order to explain ; tāhā śuni’ — hearing those statements ; māte — become maddened ; bhakta - gaṇa — all the devotees .

Translation

Just as the women of Mathurā ecstatically described the fortune of the gopīs of Vṛndāvana and the transcendental qualities of Kṛṣṇa, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu described the different mellows of Kṛṣṇa and became overwhelmed with ecstatic love. Grasping the hand of Sanātana Gosvāmī, He recited the following verse.

Word meanings

kahite — to describe ; kṛṣṇera — of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; rase — the different types of mellows ; śloka — a verse ; paḍe — recites ; prema - āveśe — absorbed in ecstatic love ; preme — in such love ; sanātana - hāta dhari’ — catching the hand of Sanātana Gosvāmī ; gopī - bhāgya — the fortune of the gopīs ; kṛṣṇa guṇa — the transcendental qualities of Kṛṣṇa ; ye — which ; karila varṇana — described ; bhāva - āveśe — in ecstatic love ; mathurā - nāgarī — the women of the city of Mathurā .

Translation

“ ‘What austerities must the gopīs have performed? With their eyes they always drink the nectar of the form of Lord Kṛṣṇa, which is the essence of loveliness and is not to be equaled or surpassed. That loveliness is the only abode of beauty, fame and opulence. It is self-perfect, ever fresh and unique.’

Word meanings

gopyaḥ — the gopīs ; tapaḥ — austerities ; kim — what ; acaran — performed ; yat — from which ; amuṣya — of such a one (Lord Kṛṣṇa) ; rūpam — the form ; lāvaṇya - sāram — the essence of loveliness ; asama - ūrdhvam — not paralleled or surpassed ; ananya - siddham — not perfected by any other ornament (self-perfect) ; dṛgbhiḥ — by the eyes ; pibanti — they drink ; anusava - abhinavam — constantly new ; durāpam — difficult to obtain ; ekānta - dhāma — the only abode ; yaśasaḥ — of fame ; śriyaḥ — of beauty ; aiśvarasya — of opulence .

Purport

This verse from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.44.14) was spoken by the women of Mathurā when they saw Kṛṣṇa in the wrestling arena.

Translation

“The bodily beauty of Śrī Kṛṣṇa is like a wave in the ocean of eternal youth. In that great ocean is the whirlpool of the awakening of ecstatic love. The vibration of Kṛṣṇa’s flute is like a whirlwind, and the flickering minds of the gopīs are like straws and dry leaves. After they fall down in the whirlwind, they never rise again but remain eternally at the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

tāruṇya - amṛta — eternal youth ; pārāvāra — like a great ocean ; taraṅga — waves ; lāvaṇya - sāra — the essence of bodily beauty ; tāte — in that ocean ; se — that ; āvarta — like a whirlpool ; bhāva - udgama — awakening of different ecstatic emotions ; vaṁśī - dhvani — the vibration of the flute ; cakravāta — a whirlwind ; nārīra — of the women ; mana — the minds ; tṛṇa - pāta — leaves of grass ; tāhā — that ; ḍubāya — plunge down ; nā haya udgama — never to come up again .

Translation

“O my dear friend, what severe austerities have the gopīs performed to drink His transcendental beauty and sweetness through their eyes in complete fulfillment? Thus they glorify their births, bodies and minds.

Word meanings

sakhi he — my dear friend ; kon — what ; tapa — austerity ; kaila — have executed ; gopī - gaṇa — all the gopīs ; kṛṣṇa - rūpa — of the beauty of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; su - mādhurī — the essence of all sweetness ; pibi’ pibi’ — drinking and drinking ; netra bhari’ — filling the eyes ; ślāghya kare — they glorify ; janma - tanu - mana — their births, bodies and minds .

Translation

“The sweetness of Kṛṣṇa’s beauty enjoyed by the gopīs is unparalleled. Nothing is equal to or greater than such ecstatic sweetness. Even the predominating Deities of the Vaikuṇṭha planets, the Nārāyaṇas, do not possess such sweetness. Indeed, none of the incarnations of Kṛṣṇa up to Nārāyaṇa possess such transcendental beauty.

Word meanings

ye mādhurīra — that sweetness ; ūrdhva — higher ; āna — another ; nāhi — there is not ; yāra samāna — equal to which ; para - vyome — the spiritual sky ; svarūpera gaṇe — among the expansions of Kṛṣṇa’s personality ; yeṅho — who ; saba - avatāri — the source of all the incarnations ; para - vyoma - adhikārī — the predominating Deity of the Vaikuṇṭha planets ; e mādhurya — this ecstatic sweetness ; nāhi — is not ; nārāyaṇe — even in Lord Nārāyaṇa .

Translation

“The vivid evidence in this regard is that the dearest consort of Nārāyaṇa, the goddess of fortune, who is worshiped by all chaste women, gave up everything in her desire to enjoy Kṛṣṇa, being captivated by His unparalleled sweetness. Thus she took a great vow and underwent severe austerities.

Word meanings

tāte — in this regard ; sākṣī — the evidence ; sei ramā — that goddess of fortune ; nārāyaṇera priya - tamā — the most dear consort of Nārāyaṇa ; pati - vratā - gaṇera — of all chaste women ; upāsyā — worshipable ; tiṅho — she ; ye — that ; mādhurya - lobhe — being attracted by the same sweetness ; chāḍi’ — giving up ; saba — all ; kāma - bhoge — to enjoy with Kṛṣṇa ; vrata kari’ — taking a vow ; karilā tapasyā — executed austerities .

Translation

“The quintessence of Kṛṣṇa’s sweet bodily luster is so perfect that there is no perfection above it. He is the immutable mine of all transcendental qualities. In His other manifestations and personal expansions, there is only a partial exhibition of such qualities. We understand all His personal expansions in this way.

Word meanings

sei ta’ mādhurya - sāra — that is the quintessence of sweetness ; anya - siddhi — perfection due to anything else ; nāhi — there is not ; tāra — of that ; tiṅho — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; mādhurya - ādi - guṇa - khani — the mine of transcendental mellows, headed by sweetness ; āra saba — all other ; prakāśe — in manifestations ; tāṅra — His ; datta — given ; guṇa — transcendental qualities ; bhāse — are exhibited ; yāhāṅ — where ; yata — as much as ; prakāśe — in that manifestation ; kārya — to be done ; jāni — I understand .

Translation

“Both the gopīs and Kṛṣṇa are complete. The gopīs’ ecstatic love is like a mirror that becomes newer and newer at every moment and reflects Kṛṣṇa’s bodily luster and sweetness. Thus competition increases. Since neither give up, their pastimes become newer and newer, and both sides constantly increase.

Word meanings

gopī - bhāva - darapaṇa — the gopīs’ ecstasy is like a mirror ; nava nava kṣaṇe kṣaṇa — newer and newer at every moment ; tāra āge — in front of that ; kṛṣṇera mādhurya — the sweetness of Kṛṣṇa’s beauty ; doṅhe — both ; kare — do ; huḍāhuḍi — struggling together ; bāḍe — increases ; mukha nāhi muḍi — never turning away the faces ; nava nava — newer and newer ; doṅhāra — of both of them ; prācurya — abundance .

Translation

“The transcendental mellows generated from the dealings between the gopīs and Kṛṣṇa cannot be tasted by means of fruitive activity, yogic austerities, speculative knowledge, regulative devotional service, mantra-yoga or meditation. This sweetness can be tasted only through the spontaneous love of liberated persons who chant the holy names with great ecstatic love.

Word meanings

karma — fruitive activities ; tapa — austerities ; yoga — the practice of mystic yoga ; jñāna — speculative cultivation of knowledge ; vidhi - bhakti — regulative principles in devotional service ; japa — chanting ; dhyāna — meditation ; ihā haite — from these things ; mādhurya — the sweetness of Kṛṣṇa ; durlabha — very difficult to perceive ; kevala — only ; ye — one who ; rāga - mārge — by the path of spontaneous ecstatic love ; bhaje — worships ; kṛṣṇe — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; anurāge — with transcendental feeling ; tāre — unto him ; kṛṣṇa - mādhurya — the sweetness of Kṛṣṇa’s ; sulabha — very easily appreciated .

Translation

“Such ecstatic transactions between Kṛṣṇa and the gopīs are possible only in Vṛndāvana, which is full of the opulences of transcendental love. The form of Kṛṣṇa is the original source of all transcendental qualities. It is like a mine of gems. The opulences belonging to all the personal expansions of Kṛṣṇa are to be understood to be bestowed by Kṛṣṇa; therefore Kṛṣṇa is the original source and shelter of everyone.

Word meanings

sei - rūpa — that supernatural beauty ; vraja - āśraya — whose abode is in Vṛndāvana ; aiśvarya - mādhurya - maya — full of opulence and the sweetness of love ; divya - guṇa - gaṇa — of transcendental qualities ; ratna - ālaya — the source of all the gems ; ānera — of others ; vaibhava - sattā — the presence of opulences ; kṛṣṇa - datta — all bestowed by Kṛṣṇa ; bhagavattā — qualities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; sarva - aṁśī — the original source of all of them ; sarva - āśraya — the shelter of all of them .

Translation

“Beauty, humility, mercy, merit, patience and expert intelligence are all manifested in Kṛṣṇa. But besides these, Kṛṣṇa has other qualities like good behavior, mildness and magnanimity. He also performs welfare activities for the whole world. All these qualities are not visible in expansions like Nārāyaṇa.

Word meanings

śrī — beauty ; lajjā — humility ; dayā — mercy ; kīrti — merit ; dhairya — patience ; vaiśāradī — very expert ; mati — intelligence ; ei saba — all these ; kṛṣṇe — in Lord Kṛṣṇa ; pratiṣṭhita — situated ; su - śīla — well behaved ; mṛdu — mild ; vadānya — magnanimous ; kṛṣṇa - sama — like Kṛṣṇa ; nāhi — there is no one ; anya — else ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; kare — does ; jagatera — of the world ; hita — welfare .

Purport

Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura mentions that the qualities of beauty, humility, mercy, merit, patience and expert intelligence are brilliant qualities, and when they are exhibited in the person of Nārāyaṇa, one should know that they are bestowed upon Nārāyaṇa by Kṛṣṇa. Good behavior, mildness and magnanimity are found only in Kṛṣṇa. Only Kṛṣṇa performs welfare activities for the whole world.

Translation

“After seeing Kṛṣṇa, various people criticize the blinking of their eyes. In Vṛndāvana especially, all the gopīs criticize Lord Brahmā because of this defect in the eyes.” Then Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu recited some verses from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and explained them vividly, thus enjoying the taste of transcendental sweetness with great happiness.

Word meanings

kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; dekhi’ — seeing ; nānā jana — various persons ; kaila — did ; nimiṣe — due to the blinking of the eyes ; nindana — blaming ; vraje — in Vṛndāvana ; vidhi — Lord Brahmā ; ninde — blame ; gopī - gaṇa — all the gopīs ; sei saba — all those ; śloka — verses ; paḍi’ — reciting ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; artha kari’ — explaining the meaning ; sukhe — in happiness ; mādhurya — transcendental sweetness ; kare — does ; āsvādana — tasting .

Translation

“ ‘All men and women were accustomed to enjoying the beauty of the shining face of Lord Kṛṣṇa, as well as His shark-shaped earrings swinging on His ears. His beautiful features, His cheeks and His playful smiles all combined to form a constant festival for the eyes, and the blinking of the eyes became obstacles that impeded one from seeing that beauty. For this reason, men and women became very angry at the creator [Lord Brahmā].’

Word meanings

yasya — of Kṛṣṇa ; ānanam — face ; makara - kuṇḍala — by earrings resembling sharks ; cāru — beautified ; karṇa — the ears ; bhrājat — shining ; kapola — cheeks ; su - bhagam — delicate ; sa - vilāsa - hāsam — smiling with an enjoying spirit ; nitya - utsavam — in which there are eternal festivities of joy ; na — not ; tatṛpuḥ — satisfied ; dṛśibhiḥ — by the eyes ; pibantyaḥ — drinking ; nāryaḥ — all the women ; narāḥ — the men ; ca — and ; muditāḥ — very pleased ; kupitāḥ — very angry ; nimeḥ — at the creator of the blinking of the eyes ; ca — also .

Purport

This verse is Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 9.24.65 .

Translation

“ ‘O Kṛṣṇa, when You go to the forest during the day and we do not see Your sweet face, which is surrounded by beautiful curly hair, half a second becomes as long as an entire age for us. And we consider the creator, who has put eyelids on the eyes we use for seeing You, to be simply a fool.’

Word meanings

aṭati — goes ; yat — when ; bhavān — Your Lordship ; ahni — in the day ; kānanam — to the forest ; truṭiḥ — half a second ; yugāyate — appears like a yuga ; tvām — You ; apaśyatām — of those not seeing ; kuṭilakuntalam — adorned with curly hair ; śrī - mukham — beautiful face ; ca — and ; te — Your ; jaḍaḥ — stupid ; udīkṣatām — looking at ; pakṣmakṛt — the maker of eyelashes ; dṛśām — of the eyes .

Purport

This verse is spoken by the gopīs in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.31.15) .

Translation

“Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is identical with the Vedic hymn known as the Kāma-gāyatrī, which is composed of twenty-four and a half syllables. Those syllables are compared to moons that arise in Kṛṣṇa. Thus all three worlds are filled with desire.

Word meanings

kāma - gāyatrī - mantra - rūpa — the hymn known as Kāma-gāyatrī ; haya — is ; kṛṣṇera svarūpa — identical with Kṛṣṇa ; sārdha - cabbiśa — twenty-four and a half ; akṣara — syllables ; tāra — of that ; haya — are ; se akṣara — these syllables ; candra haya — are like the moon ; kṛṣṇe — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; kari’ udaya — awakening ; tri - jagat — the three worlds ; kailā — made ; kāma - maya — full of desire .

Translation

“The face of Kṛṣṇa is the king of all moons, and the body of Kṛṣṇa is the throne. Thus the king governs a society of moons.

Word meanings

sakhi he — O dear friend ; kṛṣṇa - mukha — the face of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; dvija - rāja - rāja — the king of moons ; kṛṣṇa - vapu — of the transcendental body of Kṛṣṇa ; siṁhāsane — on the throne ; vasi’ — sitting ; rājya - śāsane — ruling of the kingdom ; kare — does ; saṅge — in the company of ; candrera samāja — the society of moons .

Purport

Kṛṣṇa’s face is considered the king of moons, and His body is considered the throne. All the other candras (moons) are considered to be subordinate moons. His left cheek is a moon, and His right cheek is a moon. His forehead is considered a half moon, the spot of sandalwood pulp on His forehead is considered a moon, and His fingernails and toenails are also different moons.

Translation

“Kṛṣṇa has two cheeks that shine like glowing gems. Both are considered full moons. His forehead is considered a half moon, and the spot of sandalwood there is considered a full moon.

Word meanings

dui — two ; gaṇḍa — cheeks ; su - cikkaṇa — very shiny ; jini’ — conquering ; maṇi - su - darpaṇa — glowing gems ; sei dui — those two ; pūrṇa - candra — full moons ; jāni — I consider ; lalāṭe — on the forehead ; aṣṭamī - indu — eighth-day moon (half moon) ; tāhāte — on that ; candana - bindu — the drop of sandalwood pulp ; sei — that ; eka — one ; pūrṇa - candra — full moon ; māni — I consider .

Translation

“His fingernails are many full moons, and they dance on the flute in His hands. Their song is the melody of that flute. His toenails are also many full moons, and they dance on the ground. Their song is the jingling of His ankle bells.

Word meanings

kara - nakha — of the nails on the hands ; cāndera — of the full moons ; hāṭa — the bazaar ; vaṁśī — the flute ; upara — on ; kare — do ; nāṭa — dancing ; tāra — of them ; gīta — the song ; muralīra tāna — the melody of the flute ; pada - nakha — of the nails on the toes ; candra - gaṇa — the different full moons ; tale — on the ground ; kare — do ; nartana — dancing ; nūpurera — of the ankle bells ; dhvani — the sound ; yāra — whose ; gāna — musical song .

Translation

“Kṛṣṇa’s face is the enjoyer king. That full-moon face makes His shark-shaped earrings and lotus eyes dance. His eyebrows are like bows, and His eyes are like arrows. His ears are fixed on the string of that bow, and when His eyes spread to His ears, He pierces the hearts of the gopīs.

Word meanings

nāce — dance ; makara - kuṇḍala — the earrings shaped like sharks ; netra — the eyes ; līlā — for play ; kamala — like lotus flowers ; vilāsī — the enjoyer ; rājā — the king ; satata nācāya — always causes to dance ; bhrū — two eyebrows ; dhanu — just like bows ; netra — the eyes ; bāṇa — just like arrows ; dhanur - guṇa — the string of the bow ; dui kāṇa — the two ears ; nārī - mana — the minds of the gopīs ; lakṣya — the target ; vindhe — pierces ; tāya — there .

Translation

“The dancing features of His face surpass all other full moons and expand the marketplace of full moons. Although priceless, the nectar of Kṛṣṇa’s face is distributed to everyone. Some purchase the moonrays of His sweet smiles, and others purchase the nectar of His lips. Thus He pleases everyone.

Word meanings

ei cāndera — of this moon of the face ; baḍa — big ; nāṭa — dancing ; pasāri’ — expanding ; cāndera hāṭa — the marketplace of full moons ; vinimūle — without a price ; vilāya — distributes ; nija - amṛta — its personal nectar ; kāhoṅ — to some ; smita - jyotsnā - amṛte — by the nectar of the moonrays of sweet smiling ; kāṅhāre — to someone ; adhara - amṛte — by the nectar of the lips ; saba loka — all people ; kare āpyāyita — pleases .

Translation

“Kṛṣṇa has two reddish, widely spread eyes. These are ministers of the king, and they subdue the pride of Cupid, who also has beautiful eyes. That face of Govinda, which is full of happiness, is the home of the pastimes of beauty, and it is very pleasing to everyone’s eyes.

Word meanings

vipula - āyata — broad and spread ; aruṇa — reddish ; madana - mada — the pride of Cupid ; ghūrṇana — bewildering ; mantrī — ministers ; yāra — whose ; e — these ; dui — two ; nayana — eyes ; lāvaṇya - keli — of pastimes of beauty ; sadana — home ; jana - netra - rasa - āyana — very pleasing to the eyes of everyone ; sukha - maya — full of happiness ; govinda - vadana — the face of Lord Kṛṣṇa .

Translation

“If by devotional service one gets the results of pious activities and sees Lord Kṛṣṇa’s face, what can he relish with only two eyes? His greed and thirst increase twofold by seeing the nectarean face of Kṛṣṇa. Due to his inability to sufficiently drink that nectar, he becomes very unhappy and criticizes the creator for not having given more than two eyes.

Word meanings

yāṅra — whose ; puṇya - puñja - phale — by the result of many pious activities ; se - mukha — of that face ; darśana — seeing ; mile — if one gets to do ; dui āṅkhi — two eyes ; ki — how ; karibe — will do ; pāne — drinking ; dvi - guṇa — twice ; bāḍe — increases ; tṛṣṇā - lobha — greed and thirst ; pite — to drink ; nāre — not able ; manaḥ - kṣobha — agitation of the mind ; duḥkhe — in great distress ; kare — does ; vidhira — of the creator ; nindane — criticizing .

Translation

“When the onlooker of Kṛṣṇa’s face becomes dissatisfied in this way, he thinks, ‘Why didn’t the creator give me thousands and millions of eyes? Why has he given me only two? Even these two eyes are disturbed by blinking, which keeps me from continuously seeing Kṛṣṇa’s face.’ Thus one accuses the creator of being dry and tasteless due to engaging in severe austerities. ‘The creator is only a dry manufacturer. He does not know how to create and set things in their proper places.

Word meanings

nā dileka — did not award ; lakṣa - koṭi — thousands and millions ; sabe — only ; dilā — gave ; āṅkhi duṭi — two eyes ; tāte — in them ; dilā — gave ; nimiṣa - ācchādana — covering of the eyelids ; vidhi — creator ; jaḍa — dull ; tapaḥ - dhana — assets of austerities ; rasa - śūnya — without juice ; tāra — his ; mana — mind ; nāhi jāne — does not know ; yogya — suitable ; sṛjana — creating .

Translation

“ ‘The creator says, “Let those who will see Kṛṣṇa’s beautiful face have two eyes.” Just see the lack of consideration exhibited by this person posing as a creator! If the creator took my advice, he would give millions of eyes to the person who intends to see Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s face. If the creator will accept this advice, then I would say that he is competent in his work.’

Word meanings

ye — anyone who ; dekhibe — will see ; kṛṣṇa - ānana — the face of Kṛṣṇa ; tāra — of him ; kare — make ; dvi - nayana — two eyes ; vidhi — an authority in creation ; hañā — being ; hena — such ; avicāra — lack of consideration ; mora — my ; yadi — if ; bola — instruction ; dhare — accepts ; koṭi āṅkhi — millions of eyes ; tāra — of him ; kare — would create ; tabe jāni — then I would understand ; yogya — suitable ; sṛṣṭi — creation ; tāra — his .

Translation

“The transcendental form of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa is compared to an ocean. A particularly extraordinary vision is the moon above that ocean — Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s face — and an even more extraordinary vision is His smile, which is sweeter than sweet and is like shining beams of moonlight.” While speaking of these things with Sanātana Gosvāmī, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu began to remember one thing after another. Moving His hands in ecstasy, He recited a verse.

Word meanings

kṛṣṇa - aṅga — of the transcendental body of Kṛṣṇa ; mādhurya — of sweetness ; sindhu — the ocean ; su - madhura — very sweet ; mukha — face ; indu — like the full moon ; ati - madhu — extraordinarily sweet ; smita — smiling ; su - kiraṇe — beam of moonlight ; e - tine — these three ; lāgila mana — attracted the mind ; lobhe — with more and more greed ; kare āsvādana — relished ; śloka paḍe — recites a verse ; sva - hasta - cālane — moving His own hand .

Translation

“ ‘O my Lord, the transcendental body of Kṛṣṇa is very sweet, and His face is even sweeter than His body. But His soft smile, which has the fragrance of honey, is sweeter still.’

Word meanings

madhuram — sweet ; madhuram — sweet ; vapuḥ — the transcendental form ; asya — His ; vibhoḥ — of the Lord ; madhuram — sweet ; madhuram — sweet ; vadanam — face ; madhuram — more sweet ; madhu - gandhi — the fragrance of honey ; mṛdu - smitam — soft smiling ; etat — this ; aho — O my Lord ; madhuram — sweet ; madhuram — sweet ; madhuram — sweet ; madhuram — still more sweet .

Purport

This verse is quoted from the Kṛṣṇa-karṇāmṛta (92), by Bilvamaṅgala Ṭhākura.

Translation

“My dear Sanātana, the sweetness of Kṛṣṇa’s personality is just like an ocean of ambrosia. Although My mind is now afflicted by convulsive diseases and I wish to drink that entire ocean, the repressive physician does not allow Me to drink even one drop.

Word meanings

sanātana — O My dear Sanātana ; kṛṣṇa - mādhurya — the sweetness of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; amṛtera sindhu — an ocean of ambrosia ; mora mana — My mind ; sannipāti — a disease of convulsions ; saba — all ; pite — to drink ; kare — does ; mati — desire ; durdaiva - vaidya — a physician who suppresses ; nā — not ; deya — gives ; eka — one ; bindu — drop .

Purport

When there is a combination of kapha, pitta and vāyu, the three bodily elements, there occurs sannipāti, or a convulsive disease. Lord Caitanya said, “This disease of Mine is caused by the personal features of Lord Kṛṣṇa. The three elements are the beauty of Kṛṣṇa’s body, the beauty of His face, and the beauty of His smile. Stricken by these three beauties, My mind goes into convulsions. It wishes to drink the ocean of Kṛṣṇa’s beauty, but because I am undergoing convulsions, My physician, who is Śrī Kṛṣṇa Himself, does not even allow Me to take a drop of water from that ocean.” Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was ecstatic in this way because He was presenting Himself in the mood of the gopīs. The gopīs wanted to drink the ocean of sweetness arising from the bodily features of Kṛṣṇa, but Kṛṣṇa did not allow them to come near. Consequently their desire to meet Kṛṣṇa increased, and being unable to drink the ambrosia of Kṛṣṇa’s bodily features, they became very unhappy.

Translation

“Kṛṣṇa’s body is a city of attractive features, and it is sweeter than sweet. His face, which is like the moon, is sweeter still. And the supremely sweet gentle smile on that moonlike face is like rays of moonshine.

Word meanings

kṛṣṇa - aṅga — the bodily features of Kṛṣṇa ; lāvaṇya - pūra — the city of attractive beauty ; madhura — sweetness ; haite — than ; su - madhura — still more sweet ; tāte — in that body ; yei — that ; mukha — face ; sudhākara — like the moon ; madhura haite su - madhura — sweeter than sweetness ; tāhā ha - ite — than that ; su - madhura — still more sweet ; tāra — of which ; yei — that ; smita — smiling ; jyotsnā - bhara — like the moonshine .

Purport

The smile on Kṛṣṇa’s face, which is just like the smiling of the moon, generates greater and greater happiness for the gopīs.

Translation

“The beauty of Kṛṣṇa’s smile is the sweetest feature of all. His smile is like a full moon that spreads its rays throughout the three worlds — Goloka Vṛndāvana, the spiritual sky of the Vaikuṇṭhas, and Devī-dhāma, the material world. Thus Kṛṣṇa’s shining beauty spreads in all ten directions.

Word meanings

madhura haite su - madhura — sweeter than sweet ; tāhā haite — than that ; su - madhura — still sweeter ; tāhā haite — than that ; ati su - madhura — still much more sweet ; āpanāra — of Himself ; eka kaṇe — by one particle ; vyāpe — spreads ; saba — all ; tri - bhuvane — throughout the three worlds ; daśa - dik — ten directions ; vyāpe — spreads ; yāra — whose ; pūra — the city of Kṛṣṇa’s beauty .

Translation

“His slight smiling and fragrant illumination are compared to camphor, which enters the sweetness of His lips. That sweetness is transformed and enters into space as vibrations from the holes of His flute.

Word meanings

smita - kiraṇa — the shining of Kṛṣṇa’s smile ; su - karpūre — compared to camphor ; paiśe — enters ; adhara - madhure — within the sweetness of the lips ; sei madhu — that ambrosia ; mātāya — maddens ; tri - bhuvane — the three worlds ; vaṁśī - chidra — of the holes in the flute ; ākāśe — in the space ; tāra guṇa — the quality of that sweetness ; śabde — in sound vibration ; paiśe — enters ; dhvani - rūpe — the form of sound vibration ; pāñā — obtaining ; pariṇāme — by transformation .

Translation

“The sound of Kṛṣṇa’s flute spreads in the four directions. Even though Kṛṣṇa vibrates His flute within this universe, its sound pierces the universal covering and goes to the spiritual sky. Thus the vibration enters the ears of all inhabitants. It especially enters Goloka Vṛndāvana-dhāma and attracts the minds of the young damsels of Vrajabhūmi, bringing them forcibly to where Kṛṣṇa is present.

Word meanings

se dhvani — that vibration ; cau - dike — in the four directions ; dhāya — runs ; aṇḍa bhedi’ — piercing the coverings of the universe ; vaikuṇṭhe yāya — goes to the spiritual sky ; bale — by force ; paiśe — enters ; jagatera — of the three worlds ; kāṇe — in the ears ; sabā — everyone ; mātoyāla kari’ — making drunk ; balātkāre — by force ; āne — brings ; dhari’ — catching ; viśeṣataḥ — specifically ; yuvatīra gaṇe — all the young damsels of Vrajabhūmi .

Translation

“The vibration of Kṛṣṇa’s flute is very aggressive, and it breaks the vows of all chaste women. Indeed, its vibration takes them forcibly from the laps of their husbands. The vibration of His flute attracts even the goddesses of fortune in the Vaikuṇṭha planets, to say nothing of the poor damsels of Vṛndāvana.

Word meanings

dhvani — vibration ; baḍa — very ; uddhata — aggressive ; pati - vratāra — of chaste wives ; bhāṅge — breaks ; vrata — the vow ; pati — of the husband ; kola — the lap ; haite — from ; ṭāni’ — taking ; āne — brings ; vaikuṇṭhera — of the Vaikuṇṭha planets ; lakṣmī - gaṇe — all the goddesses of fortune ; yei — that which ; kare ākarṣaṇe — attracts ; tāra — of that ; āge — in front ; kebā — what to speak of ; gopī - gaṇe — the gopīs of Vṛndāvana .

Translation

“The vibration of His flute slackens the knots of their underwear even in front of their husbands. Thus the gopīs are forced to abandon their household duties and come before Lord Kṛṣṇa. In this way all social etiquette, shame and fear are vanquished. The vibration of His flute causes all women to dance.

Word meanings

nīvi — the knots of the underwear ; khasāya — loosens ; pati - āge — even in front of the husbands ; gṛha - dharma — household duties ; karāya tyāge — causes to give up ; bale — by force ; dhari’ — catching ; āne — brings ; kṛṣṇa - sthāne — before Lord Kṛṣṇa ; loka - dharma — social etiquette ; lajjā — shame ; bhaya — fear ; saba — all ; jñāna — such knowledge ; lupta haya — becomes hidden ; aiche — in that way ; nācāya — causes to dance ; saba — all ; nārī - gaṇe — the women .

Translation

“The vibration of His flute is just like a bird that creates a nest within the ears of the gopīs and always remains prominent there, not allowing any other sound to enter their ears. Indeed, the gopīs cannot hear anything else, nor are they able to concentrate on anything else, not even to give a suitable reply. Such are the effects of the vibration of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s flute.”

Word meanings

kāṇera — the hole of the ear ; bhitara — within ; vāsā kare — makes a residence ; āpane — personally ; tāṅhā — there ; sadā — always ; sphure — is prominent ; anya — other ; śabda — sounds ; nā — not ; deya — allows ; praveśite — to enter ; āna kathā — other talks ; nā — not ; śune — hears ; kāṇa — the ear ; āna — something else ; balite — to speak ; bolaya — speaks ; āna — another thing ; ei kṛṣṇera — of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; vaṁśīra — of the flute ; carite — characteristics .

Purport

The vibration of Kṛṣṇa’s flute is always prominent in the ears of the gopīs. Naturally they cannot hear anything else. Constant remembrance of the holy sound of Kṛṣṇa’s flute keeps them enlightened and enlivened, and they do not allow any other sound to enter their ears. Since their attention is fixed on Kṛṣṇa’s flute, they cannot divert their minds to any other subject. In other words, a devotee who has heard the sound of Kṛṣṇa’s flute forgets to talk or hear of any other subject. This vibration of Kṛṣṇa’s flute is represented by the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra. A serious devotee of the Lord who chants and hears this transcendental vibration becomes so accustomed to it that he cannot divert his attention to any subject matter not related to Kṛṣṇa’s blissful characteristics and paraphernalia.

Translation

Resuming His external consciousness, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu told Sanātana Gosvāmī, “I have not spoken of what I intended. Lord Kṛṣṇa is very merciful to you because by bewildering My mind He has revealed His personal opulence and sweetness. He has caused you to hear all these things from Me for your understanding.

Word meanings

punaḥ — again ; kahe — He says ; bāhya - jñāne — in external consciousness ; āna — something else ; kahite — to speak ; kahiluṅ — I have spoken ; āne — another thing ; kṛṣṇa - kṛpā — the mercy of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; tomāra — you ; upare — upon ; mora — My ; citta - bhrama — mental concoction ; kari’ — making ; nija - aiśvarya — His personal opulence ; mādhurī — sweetness ; mora mukhe — through My mouth ; śunāya — causes to hear ; tomāre — you .

Purport

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu admitted that He was speaking like a madman, which He should not have done for the understanding of those who are externally situated. Statements about Kṛṣṇa’s body, His characteristics and His flute would appear like a madman’s statements to a mundane person. It was actually a fact that Kṛṣṇa wanted to reveal Himself to Sanātana Gosvāmī due to His specific mercy upon him. Somehow or other, Kṛṣṇa explained Himself and His flute to Sanātana Gosvāmī through the mouth of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, who appeared as though mad. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu admitted that He wanted to tell Sanātana Gosvāmī something else, but somehow or other, in transcendental ecstasy, He spoke of a different subject matter.

Translation

“Since I have become a madman, I am saying one thing instead of another. This is because I am being carried away by the waves of the nectarean ocean of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s transcendental sweetness.”

Word meanings

āmi ta’ bāula — I am a madman ; āna kahite — to speak something ; āna kahi — I speak on something else ; kṛṣṇera — of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; mādhurya - amṛta — of the nectar of the sweetness ; srote — in the waves of ; yāi — I go ; vahi’ — being carried away .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then remained silent for a moment. Finally, adjusting things within His mind, He again spoke to Sanātana Gosvāmī.

Word meanings

tabe — thereupon ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kṣaṇeka — for a moment ; mauna — silence ; kari’ — making ; rahe — remained ; mane — within His mind ; eka kari’ — adjusting things ; punaḥ — again ; sanātane — unto Sanātana Gosvāmī ; kahe — instructs .

Translation

If anyone gets an opportunity to hear about the sweetness of Kṛṣṇa in this chapter of Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, he will certainly be eligible to float in the transcendentally blissful ocean of love of God.

Word meanings

kṛṣṇera — of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; mādhurī — the sweetness ; āra — and ; mahāprabhura mukhe — in the mouth of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; ihā — this statement ; yei — anyone who ; śune — hears ; sei — that person ; bhāse — floats ; prema - sukhe — in the transcendental bliss of love of Godhead .

Translation

Praying at the lotus feet of Śrī Rūpa and Śrī Raghunātha, always desiring their mercy, I, Kṛṣṇadāsa, narrate Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, following in their footsteps.

Word meanings

śrī - rūpa — Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī ; raghunātha — Śrīla Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī ; pade — at the lotus feet ; yāra — whose ; āśa — expectation ; caitanya - caritāmṛta — the book named Caitanya-caritāmṛta ; kahe — describes ; kṛṣṇadāsa — Śrīla Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī .

Purport

Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports to Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā, twenty-first chapter, describing the blissful characteristics of Kṛṣṇa.