Adhyaya 20

Verse 1

श्रीशुक उवाच तयोस्तदद्भ‍ुतं कर्म दावाग्नेर्मोक्षमात्मन: । गोपा: स्त्रीभ्य: समाचख्यु: प्रलम्बवधमेव च ॥ १ ॥

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: The cowherd boys then told the women of Vṛndāvana in full detail the wondrous deeds of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma—how they were delivered from the forest fire and how the demon Pralamba was slain.

Verse 2

गोपवृद्धाश्च गोप्यश्च तदुपाकर्ण्य विस्मिता: । मेनिरे देवप्रवरौ कृष्णरामौ व्रजं गतौ ॥ २ ॥

Hearing this account, the elder cowherd men and the gopīs were astonished, and they concluded that Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, who had come to Vraja, were exalted divine beings.

Verse 3

तत: प्रावर्तत प्रावृट् सर्वसत्त्वसमुद्भ‍वा । विद्योतमानपरिधिर्विस्फूर्जितनभस्तला ॥ ३ ॥

Then the rainy season began, bringing life and nourishment to all beings. The sky rumbled with thunder, and lightning flashed along the horizon.

Verse 4

सान्द्रनीलाम्बुदैर्व्योम सविद्युत्स्तनयित्नुभि: । अस्पष्टज्योतिराच्छन्नं ब्रह्मेव सगुणं बभौ ॥ ४ ॥

The sky was covered by dense blue clouds with lightning and thunder, and its natural radiance was obscured—like Brahman veiled by the three modes of material nature.

Verse 5

अष्टौ मासान् निपीतं यद् भूम्याश्चोदमयं वसु । स्वगोभिर्मोक्तुमारेभे पर्जन्य: काल आगते ॥ ५ ॥

For eight months the sun had drunk up the earth’s wealth in the form of water with its rays. Now, when the proper time arrived, it began to release that stored treasure.

Verse 6

तडिद्वन्तो महामेघाश्चण्डश्वसनवेपिता: । प्रीणनं जीवनं ह्यस्य मुमुचु: करुणा इव ॥ ६ ॥

Flashing with lightning, the great clouds were shaken and driven by fierce winds. Like merciful souls, they poured out their very life as rain for the delight of this world.

Verse 7

तप:कृशा देवमीढा आसीद् वर्षीयसी मही । यथैव काम्यतपसस्तनु: सम्प्राप्य तत्फलम् ॥ ७ ॥

Emaciated by the summer’s heat, the earth became fully nourished again when moistened by the god of rain. So too one who has thinned his body by austerities for a worldly aim becomes replenished upon attaining their fruit.

Verse 8

निशामुखेषु खद्योतास्तमसा भान्ति न ग्रहा: । यथा पापेन पाषण्डा न हि वेदा: कलौ युगे ॥ ८ ॥

In the rainy season’s twilight, darkness lets glowworms shine, not the stars. So in the Age of Kali, the dominance of sin allows atheistic doctrines to eclipse the true knowledge of the Vedas.

Verse 9

श्रुत्वा पर्जन्यनिनदं मण्डुका: ससृजुर्गिर: । तूष्णीं शयाना: प्राग् यद्वद्ब्राह्मणा नियमात्यये ॥ ९ ॥

Hearing the rumble of the rain clouds, the frogs that had been lying silent suddenly began to croak. In the same way, brāhmaṇa students who keep silence during their observances begin reciting their lessons when summoned by the teacher.

Verse 10

आसन्नुत्पथगामिन्य: क्षुद्रनद्योऽनुशुष्यती: । पुंसो यथास्वतन्त्रस्य देहद्रविणसम्पद: ॥ १० ॥

With the coming of the rains, the small streams that had dried up swelled and strayed from their proper courses. Similarly, the body, property, and money of a man ruled by the senses lose restraint and deviate from the right path.

Verse 11

हरिता हरिभि: शष्पैरिन्द्रगोपैश्च लोहिता । उच्छिलीन्ध्रकृतच्छाया नृणां श्रीरिव भूरभूत् ॥ ११ ॥

New grass turned the earth emerald green, indragopa insects added a reddish hue, and white mushrooms formed circles of shade. Thus the earth appeared like a person suddenly graced with Śrī—prosperity and splendor.

Verse 12

क्षेत्राणि शष्यसम्पद्भ‍ि: कर्षकाणां मुदं ददु: । मानिनामनुतापं वै दैवाधीनमजानताम् ॥ १२ ॥

With their abundance of grain, the fields delighted the farmers; yet those too proud to till the soil, not knowing that all rests under the Supreme Lord’s control, were filled with remorse.

Verse 13

जलस्थलौकस: सर्वे नववारिनिषेवया । अबिभ्रन् रुचिरं रूपं यथा हरिनिषेवया ॥ १३ ॥

As all creatures of land and water drank the newly fallen rain, their forms grew pleasing and fair—just as a devotee becomes radiant by serving Hari, the Supreme Lord.

Verse 14

सरिद्भ‍ि: सङ्गत: सिन्धुश्चुक्षोभ श्वसनोर्मिमान् । अपक्‍वयोगिनश्चित्तं कामाक्तं गुणयुग् यथा ॥ १४ ॥

Where the rivers met the ocean, it churned, its waves driven by the wind—just as the mind of an immature yogī, still stained by lust and attached to sense objects, becomes agitated.

Verse 15

गिरयो वर्षधाराभिर्हन्यमाना न विव्यथु: । अभिभूयमाना व्यसनैर्यथाधोक्षजचेतस: ॥ १५ ॥

Though struck again and again by the rain-bearing clouds, the mountains were not disturbed—just as devotees absorbed in Adhokṣaja remain peaceful even amid every kind of danger.

Verse 16

मार्गा बभूवु: सन्दिग्धस्तृणैश्छन्ना ह्यसंस्कृता: । नाभ्यस्यमाना: श्रुतयो द्विजै: कालेन चाहता: ॥ १६ ॥

In the rainy season the roads, left uncleansed, were covered with grass and debris and became hard to discern—like śruti scriptures that brāhmaṇas no longer study, and which time then obscures and corrupts.

Verse 17

लोकबन्धुषु मेघेषु विद्युतश्चलसौहृदा: । स्थैर्यं न चक्रु: कामिन्य: पुरुषेषु गुणिष्विव ॥ १७ ॥

Among the clouds—well-wishing friends of all beings—the lightning, fickle in affection, darted from one cluster to another, like a lust-driven woman who is unfaithful even to a virtuous man.

Verse 18

धनुर्वियति माहेन्द्रं निर्गुणं च गुणिन्यभात् । व्यक्ते गुणव्यतिकरेऽगुणवान् पुरुषो यथा ॥ १८ ॥

In the sky appeared Mahendra’s bow—the rainbow; though the heavens resounded with thunder, it was unlike an ordinary bow, for it rested on no string and seemed without qualities. So too, when Bhagavān, the Supreme Puruṣa, appears within this world of interacting guṇas, He remains guṇātīta—free, independent, and untouched by material conditions.

Verse 19

न रराजोडुपश्छन्न: स्वज्योत्स्‍नाराजितैर्घनै: । अहंमत्या भासितया स्वभासा पुरुषो यथा ॥ १९ ॥

In the rainy season the moon did not shine forth, being veiled by clouds that were themselves lit by its rays. Likewise, the jīva in material existence is hidden by the covering of false ego, which is illuminated only by the consciousness of the pure soul.

Verse 20

मेघागमोत्सवा हृष्टा: प्रत्यनन्दञ्छिखण्डिन: । गृहेषु तप्तनिर्विण्णा यथाच्युतजनागमे ॥ २० ॥

The peacocks, taking the arrival of the clouds as a festival, rejoiced and cried out in glad welcome; so do those scorched and weary in household life feel delight when the pure devotees of the infallible Lord Acyuta come to visit.

Verse 21

पीत्वाप: पादपा: पद्भ‍िरासन्नानात्ममूर्तय: । प्राक् क्षामास्तपसा श्रान्ता यथा कामानुसेवया ॥ २१ ॥

The trees, once thin and dry from hardship, drank the newly fallen rainwater through their ‘feet’—their roots—and their many features blossomed again. Similarly, one whose body has grown lean from austerity shows signs of health once more upon enjoying the material objects gained by that austerity.

Verse 22

सर:स्वशान्तरोध:सु न्यूषुरङ्गापि सारसा: । गृहेष्वशान्तकृत्येषु ग्राम्या इव दुराशया: ॥ २२ ॥

Though the rainy season disturbed the lake shores, the cranes still dwelt upon those banks; likewise, materialistic people with tainted minds remain at home despite its many agitations, clinging to vain hopes.

Verse 23

जलौघैर्निरभिद्यन्त सेतवो वर्षतीश्वरे । पाषण्डिनामसद्वादैर्वेदमार्गा: कलौ यथा ॥ २३ ॥

When Indra poured down rain, the floodwaters broke through the field dikes; similarly, in Kali-yuga the atheists’ false doctrines shatter the boundaries set by Vedic injunctions.

Verse 24

व्यमुञ्चन् वायुभिर्नुन्ना भूतेभ्यश्चामृतं घना: । यथाशिषो विश्पतय: काले काले द्विजेरिता: ॥ २४ ॥

Driven by the winds, the clouds released nectarean water for the welfare of all beings; likewise, kings, guided by brāhmaṇa priests, dispense charity to their citizens from time to time.

Verse 25

एवं वनं तद् वर्षिष्ठं पक्‍वखर्जुरजम्बुमत् । गोगोपालैर्वृतो रन्तुं सबल: प्राविशद्धरि: ॥ २५ ॥

Thus the Vṛndāvana forest became splendid, filled with ripe dates and jambu fruits; and Lord Hari, surrounded by His cows and cowherd friends and accompanied by Śrī Balarāma, entered the forest to enjoy.

Verse 26

धेनवो मन्दगामिन्य ऊधोभारेण भूयसा । ययुर्भगवताहूता द्रुतं प्रीत्या स्‍नुतस्तना: ॥ २६ ॥

Burdened by their heavy, milk-filled udders, the cows moved slowly; yet as soon as the Bhagavān called them, they ran swiftly in affection, their udders moist with milk from love.

Verse 27

वनौकस: प्रमुदिता वनराजीर्मधुच्युत: । जलधारा गिरेर्नादादासन्ना दद‍ृशे गुहा: ॥ २७ ॥

The Lord beheld the joyful forest maidens, the trees dripping sweet sap, and the mountain waterfalls whose resounding roar revealed that caves lay nearby.

Verse 28

क्‍वचिद् वनस्पतिक्रोडे गुहायां चाभिवर्षति । निर्विश्य भगवान् रेमे कन्दमूलफलाशन: ॥ २८ ॥

When it rained, the Lord would sometimes enter a cave or the hollow of a tree to sport, sustaining Himself on roots, tubers, and fruits.

Verse 29

दध्योदनं समानीतं शिलायां सलिलान्तिके । सम्भोजनीयैर्बुभुजे गोपै: सङ्कर्षणान्वित: ॥ २९ ॥

Lord Kṛṣṇa ate the boiled rice mixed with yogurt brought from home, seated on a great stone near the water, together with Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa and the cowherd boys who regularly shared His meal.

Verse 30

शाद्वलोपरि संविश्य चर्वतो मीलितेक्षणान् । तृप्तान् वृषान् वत्सतरान् गाश्च स्वोधोभरश्रमा: ॥ ३० ॥ प्रावृट्‍‍श्रियं च तां वीक्ष्य सर्वकालसुखावहाम् । भगवान् पूजयां चक्रे आत्मशक्त्युपबृंहिताम् ॥ ३१ ॥

The Lord watched the satisfied bulls, calves, and cows seated upon the green grass, chewing with eyes half closed, and He saw the cows wearied by the burden of their heavy, milk-filled udders. Beholding the beauty and abundance of Vṛndāvana’s rainy season—ever a source of joy, expanded from His own internal potency—the Bhagavān offered it reverent honor.

Verse 31

शाद्वलोपरि संविश्य चर्वतो मीलितेक्षणान् । तृप्तान् वृषान् वत्सतरान् गाश्च स्वोधोभरश्रमा: ॥ ३० ॥ प्रावृट्‍‍श्रियं च तां वीक्ष्य सर्वकालसुखावहाम् । भगवान् पूजयां चक्रे आत्मशक्त्युपबृंहिताम् ॥ ३१ ॥

The Lord watched the satisfied bulls, calves, and cows seated upon the green grass, chewing with eyes half closed, and He saw the cows wearied by the burden of their heavy, milk-filled udders. Beholding the beauty and abundance of Vṛndāvana’s rainy season—ever a source of joy, expanded from His own internal potency—the Bhagavān offered it reverent honor.

Verse 32

एवं निवसतोस्तस्मिन् रामकेशवयोर्व्रजे । शरत्समभवद् व्यभ्रा स्वच्छाम्ब्वपरुषानिला ॥ ३२ ॥

As Lord Rāma and Lord Keśava dwelt in Vraja, the autumn season arrived: the sky became cloudless, the waters clear, and the breeze gentle.

Verse 33

शरदा नीरजोत्पत्त्या नीराणि प्रकृतिं ययु: । भ्रष्टानामिव चेतांसि पुनर्योगनिषेवया ॥ ३३ ॥

In autumn, as the lotuses were renewed, the lakes and rivers returned to their natural purity—just as fallen yogīs, returning to bhakti, have their minds cleansed by devotional practice.

Verse 34

व्योम्नोऽब्भ्रं भूतशाबल्यं भुव: पङ्कमपां मलम् । शरज्जहाराश्रमिणां कृष्णे भक्तिर्यथाशुभम् ॥ ३४ ॥

Autumn drove the clouds from the sky, eased the creatures’ cramped conditions, cleansed the earth of mud and the waters of impurity—just as loving bhakti to Śrī Kṛṣṇa frees those in the four āśramas from their respective troubles.

Verse 35

सर्वस्वं जलदा हित्वा विरेजु: शुभ्रवर्चस: । यथा त्यक्तैषणा: शान्ता मुनयो मुक्तकिल्बिषा: ॥ ३५ ॥

The clouds, having poured out all they possessed, shone with purified brilliance—like peaceful sages who, renouncing all desires, become free from sinful tendencies.

Verse 36

गिरयो मुमुचुस्तोयं क्‍वचिन्न मुमुचु: शिवम् । यथा ज्ञानामृतं काले ज्ञानिनो ददते न वा ॥ ३६ ॥

In this season the mountains sometimes released their pure waters and sometimes did not—just as those learned in transcendental science sometimes bestow the nectar of wisdom, and sometimes refrain.

Verse 37

नैवाविदन् क्षीयमाणं जलं गाधजलेचरा: । यथायुरन्वहं क्षय्यं नरा मूढा: कुटुम्बिन: ॥ ३७ ॥

The fish swimming in water that was growing ever shallower did not understand that the water was diminishing; likewise, foolish family men do not see their span of life being reduced day after day.

Verse 38

गाधवारिचरास्तापमविन्दञ्छरदर्कजम् । यथा दरिद्र: कृपण: कुटुम्ब्यविजितेन्द्रिय: ॥ ३८ ॥

The fish in the shallow water suffered the heat born of the autumn sun, just as a poor, miserly family man—unable to conquer his senses—must suffer.

Verse 39

शनै: शनैर्जहु: पङ्कं स्थलान्यामं च वीरुध: । यथाहंममतां धीरा: शरीरादिष्वनात्मसु ॥ ३९ ॥

Gradually the land shed its muddy state and the plants grew beyond their unripe stage; in the same way, sober sages abandon ego and possessiveness, which rest upon the body and other things that are not the true self.

Verse 40

निश्चलाम्बुरभूत्तूष्णीं समुद्र: शरदागमे । आत्मन्युपरते सम्यङ्‍मुनिर्व्युपरतागम: ॥ ४० ॥

With the coming of autumn, the ocean and the lakes grew silent, their waters still—like a sage who, resting in the Self, has ceased material activity and even set aside the recitation of Vedic mantras.

Verse 41

केदारेभ्यस्त्वपोऽगृह्णन् कर्षका द‍ृढसेतुभि: । यथा प्राणै: स्रवज्ज्ञानं तन्निरोधेन योगिन: ॥ ४१ ॥

Farmers built strong earthen banks to keep the water from draining out of their rice fields; similarly, yogic practitioners, by restraining the prāṇa, check the flow of consciousness and knowledge that would spill out through the restless senses.

Verse 42

शरदर्कांशुजांस्तापान् भूतानामुडुपोऽहरत् । देहाभिमानजं बोधो मुकुन्दो व्रजयोषिताम् ॥ ४२ ॥

The autumn moon took away from all beings the torment born of the sun’s rays; just as wisdom removes the misery arising from bodily identification, so Lord Mukunda soothes the Vraja gopīs’ anguish of separation from Him.

Verse 43

खमशोभत निर्मेघं शरद्विमलतारकम् । सत्त्वयुक्तं यथा चित्तं शब्दब्रह्मार्थदर्शनम् ॥ ४३ ॥

Cloudless and filled with clearly visible stars, the autumn sky shone brilliantly—like the sattva-filled consciousness of one who has directly realized the meaning of the Vedic śabda-brahman.

Verse 44

अखण्डमण्डलो व्योम्नि रराजोडुगणै: शशी । यथा यदुपति: कृष्णो वृष्णिचक्रावृतो भुवि ॥ ४४ ॥

The full moon shone in the sky, surrounded by stars—just as Śrī Kṛṣṇa, Lord of the Yadu dynasty, shone on earth surrounded by all the Vṛṣṇis.

Verse 45

आश्लिष्य समशीतोष्णं प्रसूनवनमारुतम् । जनास्तापं जहुर्गोप्यो न कृष्णहृतचेतस: ॥ ४५ ॥

By embracing the breeze from the flower-filled forest—neither hot nor cold—people could forget their distress; but the gopīs, whose hearts had been stolen by Kṛṣṇa, could not forget.

Verse 46

गावो मृगा: खगा नार्य: पुष्पिण्य: शरदाभवन् । अन्वीयमाना: स्ववृषै: फलैरीशक्रिया इव ॥ ४६ ॥

By the influence of autumn, the cows, doe, women, and female birds all became fertile, and their mates followed them seeking enjoyment—just as acts performed in service to the Supreme Lord are naturally followed by every auspicious result.

Verse 47

उदहृष्यन् वारिजानि सूर्योत्थाने कुमुद् विना । राज्ञा तु निर्भया लोका यथा दस्यून् विना नृप ॥ ४७ ॥

O King Parīkṣit, when the autumn sun rose, the lotus flowers opened in joy, except the night-blooming kumud; so too, under a powerful ruler the people become fearless, and only thieves remain afraid.

Verse 48

पुरग्रामेष्वाग्रयणैरिन्द्रियैश्च महोत्सवै: । बभौ भू: पक्‍वशष्याढ्या कलाभ्यां नितरां हरे: ॥ ४८ ॥

In every town and village the people held great festivals—performing the agra-yajña, the offering and tasting of the first grains, and other celebrations according to local custom. The earth, rich with ripened crops, shone all the more by the presence of Hari’s own manifestations, Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, as if an expansion of the Supreme Lord.

Verse 49

वणिङ्‍मुनिनृपस्‍नाता निर्गम्यार्थान् प्रपेदिरे । वर्षरुद्धा यथा सिद्धा: स्वपिण्डान् काल आगते ॥ ४९ ॥

The merchants, sages, kings, and brahmacārī students, kept in by the rains, were at last able to go out and attain their desired aims—just as perfected souls, when the proper time arrives, leave the material body and reach their respective forms.