Adhyaya 11

Verse 1

सूत उवाच आनर्तान् स उपव्रज्य स्वृद्धाञ्जनपदान्स्वकान् । दध्मौ दरवरं तेषां विषादं शमयन्निव ॥ १ ॥

Sūta Gosvāmī said: Upon reaching the border of His most prosperous metropolis, known as the country of the Ānartas [Dvārakā], the Lord sounded His auspicious conchshell, heralding His arrival and apparently pacifying the dejection of the inhabitants.

Verse 2

स उच्चकाशे धवलोदरो दरो- ऽप्युरुक्रमस्याधरशोणशोणिमा । दाध्मायमान: करकञ्जसम्पुटे यथाब्जखण्डे कलहंस उत्स्वन: ॥ २ ॥

The white and fat-bowled conchshell, being gripped by the hand of Lord Kṛṣṇa and sounded by Him, appeared to be reddened by the touch of His transcendental lips. It seemed that a white swan was playing in the stems of red lotus flowers.

Verse 3

तमुपश्रुत्य निनदं जगद्भयभयावहम् । प्रत्युद्ययु: प्रजा: सर्वा भर्तृदर्शनलालसा: ॥ ३ ॥

The citizens of Dvārakā, having heard that sound which threatens fear personified in the material world, began to run towards Him fast, just to have a long desired audience with the Lord, who is the protector of all devotees.

Verse 4

तत्रोपनीतबलयो रवेर्दीपमिवाद‍ृता: । आत्मारामं पूर्णकामं निजलाभेन नित्यदा ॥ ४ ॥ प्रीत्युत्फुल्लमुखा: प्रोचुर्हर्षगद्गदया गिरा । पितरं सर्वसुहृदमवितारमिवार्भका: ॥ ५ ॥

The citizens arrived before the Lord with their respective presentations, offering them to the fully satisfied and self-sufficient one, who, by His own potency, incessantly supplies others. These presentations were like the offering of a lamp to the sun. Yet the citizens began to speak in ecstatic language to receive the Lord, just as wards welcome their guardian and father.

Verse 5

तत्रोपनीतबलयो रवेर्दीपमिवाद‍ृता: । आत्मारामं पूर्णकामं निजलाभेन नित्यदा ॥ ४ ॥ प्रीत्युत्फुल्लमुखा: प्रोचुर्हर्षगद्गदया गिरा । पितरं सर्वसुहृदमवितारमिवार्भका: ॥ ५ ॥

The citizens arrived before the Lord with their respective presentations, offering them to the fully satisfied and self-sufficient one, who, by His own potency, incessantly supplies others. These presentations were like the offering of a lamp to the sun. Yet the citizens began to speak in ecstatic language to receive the Lord, just as wards welcome their guardian and father.

Verse 6

नता: स्म ते नाथ सदाङ्‌घ्रिपङ्कजं विरिञ्चवैरिञ्च्यसुरेन्द्रवन्दितम् । परायणं क्षेममिहेच्छतां परं न यत्र काल: प्रभवेत् पर: प्रभु: ॥ ६ ॥

The citizens said: O Lord, You are worshiped by all demigods like Brahmā, the four Sanas and even the King of heaven. You are the ultimate rest for those who are really aspiring to achieve the highest benefit of life. You are the supreme transcendental Lord, and inevitable time cannot exert its influence upon You.

Verse 7

भवाय नस्त्वं भव विश्वभावन त्वमेव माताथ सुहृत्पति: पिता । त्वं सद्गुरुर्न: परमं च दैवतं यस्यानुवृत्त्या कृतिनो बभूविम ॥ ७ ॥

O creator of the universe, You are our mother, well-wisher, Lord, father, spiritual master and worshipable Deity. By following in Your footsteps we have become successful in every respect. We pray, therefore, that You continue to bless us with Your mercy.

Verse 8

अहो सनाथा भवता स्म यद्वयं त्रैविष्टपानामपि दूरदर्शनम् । प्रेमस्मितस्‍निग्धनिरीक्षणाननं पश्येम रूपं तव सर्वसौभगम् ॥ ८ ॥

Oh, it is our good luck that we have come again today under Your protection by Your presence, for Your Lordship rarely visits even the denizens of heaven. Now it is possible for us to look into Your smiling face, which is full of affectionate glances. We can now see Your transcendental form, full of all auspiciousness.

Verse 9

यर्ह्यम्बुजाक्षापससार भो भवान् कुरून् मधून् वाथ सुहृद्दिद‍ृक्षया । तत्राब्दकोटिप्रतिम: क्षणो भवेद् रविं विनाक्ष्णोरिव नस्तवाच्युत ॥ ९ ॥

O lotus-eyed Lord, whenever You go away to Mathurā-Vṛndāvana or Hastināpura to meet Your friends and relatives, every moment of Your absence seems like millions of years. O infallible one, at that time our eyes become useless, as if bereft of sun.

Verse 10

कथं वयं नाथ चिरोषिते त्वयि प्रसन्नद‍ृष्टय‍ाखिलतापशोषणम । जीवेम ते सुन्दरहासशोभितमपश्यमाना वदनं मनोहरम । इति चोदीरिता वाच: प्रजानां भक्तवत्सल । श‍ृण्वानोऽनुग्रहं द‍ृष्टय‍ा वितन्वन् प्राविशत् पुरम् ॥ १० ॥

O master, if You live abroad all the time, then we cannot look at Your attractive face, whose smiles vanquish all our sufferings. How can we exist without Your presence?

Verse 11

मधुभोजदशार्हार्हकुकुरान्धकवृष्णिभि: । आत्मतुल्यबलैर्गुप्तां नागैर्भोगवतीमिव ॥ ११ ॥

As Bhogavatī, the capital of Nāgaloka, is protected by the Nāgas, so was Dvārakā protected by the descendants of Vṛṣṇi — Bhoja, Madhu, Daśārha, Arha, Kukura, Andhaka, etc. — who were as strong as Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Verse 12

सर्वर्तुसर्वविभवपुण्यवृक्षलताश्रमै: । उद्यानोपवनारामैर्वृतपद्माकरश्रियम् ॥ १२ ॥

The city of Dvārakāpurī was filled with the opulences of all seasons. There were hermitages, orchards, flower gardens, parks and reservoirs of water breeding lotus flowers all over.

Verse 13

गोपुरद्वारमार्गेषु कृतकौतुकतोरणाम् । चित्रध्वजपताकाग्रैरन्त: प्रतिहतातपाम् ॥ १३ ॥

The city gateway, the household doors and festooned arches along the roads were all nicely decorated with festive signs like plantain trees and mango leaves, all to welcome the Lord. Flags, garlands and painted signs and slogans all combined to shade the sunshine.

Verse 14

सम्मार्जितमहामार्गरथ्यापणकचत्वराम् । सिक्तां गन्धजलैरुप्तां फलपुष्पाक्षताङ्कुरै: ॥ १४ ॥

The highways, subways, lanes, markets and public meeting places were all thoroughly cleansed and then moistened with scented water. And to welcome the Lord, fruits, flowers and unbroken seeds were strewn everywhere.

Verse 15

द्वारि द्वारि गृहाणां च दध्यक्षतफलेक्षुभि: । अलङ्‍कृतां पूर्णकुम्भैर्बलिभिर्धूपदीपकै: ॥ १५ ॥

In each and every door of the residential houses, auspicious things like curd, unbroken fruits, sugarcane and full waterpots with articles for worship, incense and candles were all displayed.

Verse 16

निशम्य प्रेष्ठमायान्तं वसुदेवो महामना: । अक्रूरश्चोग्रसेनश्च रामश्चाद्भुतविक्रम: ॥ १६ ॥ प्रद्युम्नश्चारुदेष्णश्च साम्बो जाम्बवतीसुत: । प्रहर्षवेगोच्छशितशयनासनभोजना: ॥ १७ ॥

On hearing that the most dear Kṛṣṇa was approaching Dvārakā-dhāma, magnanimous Vasudeva, Akrūra, Ugrasena, Balarāma (the superhumanly powerful), Pradyumna, Cārudeṣṇa and Sāmba the son of Jāmbavatī, all extremely happy, abandoned resting, sitting and dining.

Verse 17

निशम्य प्रेष्ठमायान्तं वसुदेवो महामना: । अक्रूरश्चोग्रसेनश्च रामश्चाद्भुतविक्रम: ॥ १६ ॥ प्रद्युम्नश्चारुदेष्णश्च साम्बो जाम्बवतीसुत: । प्रहर्षवेगोच्छशितशयनासनभोजना: ॥ १७ ॥

On hearing that the most dear Kṛṣṇa was approaching Dvārakā-dhāma, magnanimous Vasudeva, Akrūra, Ugrasena, Balarāma (the superhumanly powerful), Pradyumna, Cārudeṣṇa and Sāmba the son of Jāmbavatī, all extremely happy, abandoned resting, sitting and dining.

Verse 18

वारणेन्द्रं पुरस्कृत्य ब्राह्मणै: ससुमङ्गलै: । शङ्खतूर्यनिनादेन ब्रह्मघोषेण चाद‍ृता: । प्रत्युज्जग्मू रथैर्हृष्टा: प्रणयागतसाध्वसा: ॥ १८ ॥

They hastened toward the Lord on chariots with brāhmaṇas bearing flowers. Before them were elephants, emblems of good fortune. Conchshells and bugles were sounded, and Vedic hymns were chanted. Thus they offered their respects, which were saturated with affection.

Verse 19

वारमुख्याश्च शतशो यानैस्तद्दर्शनोत्सुका: । लसत्कुण्डलनिर्भातकपोलवदनश्रिय: ॥ १९ ॥

At the same time, many hundreds of well-known prostitutes began to proceed on various vehicles. They were all very eager to meet the Lord, and their beautiful faces were decorated with dazzling earrings, which enhanced the beauty of their foreheads.

Verse 20

नटनर्तकगन्धर्वा: सूतमागधवन्दिन: । गायन्ति चोत्तमश्लोकचरितान्यद्भुतानि च ॥ २० ॥

Expert dramatists, artists, dancers, singers, historians, genealogists and learned speakers all gave their respective contributions, being inspired by the superhuman pastimes of the Lord. Thus they proceeded on and on.

Verse 21

भगवांस्तत्र बन्धूनां पौराणामनुवर्तिनाम् । यथाविध्युपसङ्गम्य सर्वेषां मानमादधे ॥ २१ ॥

Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead, approached them and offered due honor and respect to each and every one of the friends, relatives, citizens and all others who came to receive and welcome Him.

Verse 22

प्रह्वाभिवादनाश्लेषकरस्पर्शस्मितेक्षणै: । आश्वास्य चाश्वपाकेभ्यो वरैश्चाभिमतैर्विभु: ॥ २२ ॥

The almighty Lord greeted everyone present by bowing His head, exchanging greetings, embracing, shaking hands, looking and smiling, giving assurances and awarding benedictions, even to the lowest in rank.

Verse 23

स्वयं च गुरुभिर्विप्रै: सदारै: स्थविरैरपि । आशीर्भिर्युज्यमानोऽन्यैर्वन्दिभिश्चाविशत्पुरम् ॥ २३ ॥

Then the Lord personally entered the city accompanied by elderly relatives and invalid brāhmaṇas with their wives, all offering benedictions and singing the glories of the Lord. Others also praised the glories of the Lord.

Verse 24

राजमार्गं गते कृष्णे द्वारकाया: कुलस्त्रिय: । हर्म्याण्यारुरुहुर्विप्र तदीक्षणमहोत्सवा: ॥ २४ ॥

When Lord Kṛṣṇa passed over the public roads, all the ladies from the respectable families of Dvārakā went up to the roofs of their palaces just to have a look at the Lord. They considered this to be the greatest festival.

Verse 25

नित्यं निरीक्षमाणानां यदपि द्वारकौकसाम् । न वितृप्यन्ति हि द‍ृश: श्रियो धामाङ्गमच्युतम् ॥ २५ ॥

The inhabitants of Dvārakā were regularly accustomed to look upon the reservoir of all beauty, the infallible Lord, yet they were never satiated.

Verse 26

श्रियो निवासो यस्योर: पानपात्रं मुखं द‍ृशाम् । बाहवो लोकपालानां सारङ्गाणां पदाम्बुजम् ॥ २६ ॥

The Lord’s chest is the abode of the goddess of fortune. His moonlike face is the drinking vessel for eyes which hanker after all that is beautiful. His arms are the resting places for the administrative demigods. And His lotus feet are the refuge of pure devotees who never talk or sing of any subject except His Lordship.

Verse 27

सितातपत्रव्यजनैरुपस्कृत: प्रसूनवर्षैरभिवर्षित: पथि । पिशङ्गवासा वनमालया बभौ घनो यथार्कोडुपचापवैद्युतै: ॥ २७ ॥

As the Lord passed along the public road of Dvārakā, His head was protected from the sunshine by a white umbrella. White feathered fans moved in semicircles, and showers of flowers fell upon the road. His yellow garments and garlands of flowers made it appear as if a dark cloud were surrounded simultaneously by sun, moon, lightning and rainbows.

Verse 28

प्रविष्टस्तु गृहं पित्रो: परिष्वक्त: स्वमातृभि: । ववन्दे शिरसा सप्त देवकीप्रमुखा मुदा ॥ २८ ॥

After entering the house of His father, He was embraced by the mothers present, and the Lord offered His obeisances unto them by placing His head at their feet. The mothers were headed by Devakī [His real mother].

Verse 29

ता: पुत्रमङ्कमारोप्य स्‍नेहस्‍नुतपयोधरा: । हर्षविह्वलितात्मान: सिषिचुर्नेत्रजैर्जलै: ॥ २९ ॥

The mothers, after embracing their son, sat Him on their laps. Due to pure affection, milk sprang from their breasts. They were overwhelmed with delight, and the tears from their eyes wetted the Lord.

Verse 30

अथाविशत् स्वभवनं सर्वकाममनुत्तमम् । प्रासादा यत्र पत्नीनां सहस्राणि च षोडश ॥ ३० ॥

Thereafter, the Lord entered His palaces, which were perfect to the fullest extent. His wives lived in them, and they numbered over sixteen thousand.

Verse 31

पत्न्य: पतिं प्रोष्य गृहानुपागतं विलोक्य सञ्जातमनोमहोत्सवा: । उत्तस्थुरारात् सहसासनाशयात् साकं व्रतैर्व्रीडितलोचनानना: ॥ ३१ ॥

The queens of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa rejoiced within their minds to see their husband home after a long period abroad. The queens got up at once from their seats and meditations. As was socially customary, they covered their faces shyly and looked about coyly.

Verse 32

तमात्मजैर्द‍ृष्टिभिरन्तरात्मना दुरन्तभावा: परिरेभिरे पतिम् । निरुद्धमप्यास्रवदम्बु नेत्रयो- र्विलज्जतीनां भृगुवर्य वैक्लवात् ॥ ३२ ॥

The insuperable ecstasy was so strong that the queens, who were shy, first embraced the Lord in the innermost recesses of their hearts. Then they embraced Him visually, and then they sent their sons to embrace Him [which is equal to personal embracing]. But, O chief amongst the Bhṛgus, though they tried to restrain their feelings, they inadvertently shed tears.

Verse 33

यद्यप्यसौ पार्श्वगतो रहोगत- स्तथापि तस्याङ्‌घ्रियुगं नवं नवम् । पदे पदे का विरमेत तत्पदा- च्चलापि यच्छ्रीर्न जहाति कर्हिचित् ॥ ३३ ॥

Although Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa was constantly by their sides, as well as exclusively alone, His feet appeared to them to be newer and newer. The goddess of fortune, although by nature always restless and moving, could not quit the Lord’s feet. So what woman can be detached from those feet, having once taken shelter of them?

Verse 34

एवं नृपाणां क्षितिभारजन्मना- मक्षौहिणीभि: परिवृत्ततेजसाम् । विधाय वैरं श्वसनो यथानलं मिथो वधेनोपरतो निरायुध: ॥ ३४ ॥

The Lord was pacified after killing those kings who were burdensome to the earth. They were puffed up with their military strength, their horses, elephants, chariots, infantry, etc. He Himself was not a party in the fight. He simply created hostility between the powerful administrators, and they fought amongst themselves. He was like the wind which causes friction between bamboos and so sparks a fire.

Verse 35

स एष नरलोकेऽस्मिन्नवतीर्ण: स्वमायया । रेमे स्त्रीरत्नकूटस्थो भगवान् प्राकृतो यथा ॥ ३५ ॥

That Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, out of His causeless mercy, appeared on this planet by His internal potency and enjoyed Himself amongst competent women as if He were engaging in mundane affairs.

Verse 36

उद्दामभावपिशुनामलवल्गुहास- व्रीडावलोकनिहतो मदनोऽपि यासाम् । सम्मुह्य चापमजहात्प्रमदोत्तमास्ता यस्येन्द्रियं विमथितुं कुहकैर्न शेकु: ॥ ३६ ॥

Although the queens’ beautiful smiles and furtive glances were all spotless and exciting, and although they could conquer Cupid himself by making him give up his bow in frustration, and although even the tolerant Śiva could fall victim to them, still, despite all their magical feats and attractions, they could not agitate the senses of the Lord.

Verse 37

तमयं मन्यते लोको ह्यसङ्गमपि सङ्गिनम् । आत्मौपम्येन मनुजं व्यापृण्वानं यतोऽबुध: ॥ ३७ ॥

The common materialistic conditioned souls speculate that the Lord is one of them. Out of their ignorance they think that the Lord is affected by matter, although He is unattached.

Verse 38

एतदीशनमीशस्य प्रकृतिस्थोऽपि तद्गुणै: । न युज्यते सदात्मस्थैर्यथा बुद्धिस्तदाश्रया ॥ ३८ ॥

This is the divinity of the Personality of Godhead: He is not affected by the qualities of material nature, even though He is in contact with them. Similarly, the devotees who have taken shelter of the Lord do not become influenced by the material qualities.

Verse 39

तं मेनिरेऽबला मूढा: स्त्रैणं चानुव्रतं रह: । अप्रमाणविदो भर्तुरीश्वरं मतयो यथा ॥ ३९ ॥

The simple and delicate women truly thought that Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, their beloved husband, followed them and was dominated by them. They were unaware of the extent of the glories of their husband, as the atheists are unaware of Him as the supreme controller.