Adhyaya 65

Verse 1

श्रीशुक उवाच बलभद्र: कुरुश्रेष्ठ भगवान् रथमास्थित: । सुहृद्दिद‍ृक्षुरुत्कण्ठ: प्रययौ नन्दगोकुलम् ॥ १ ॥

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O best of the Kurus, Lord Balarāma, eager to see His well-wishing friends, mounted His chariot and set out for Nanda Gokula.

Verse 2

परिष्वक्तश्चिरोत्कण्ठैर्गोपैर्गोपीभिरेव च । रामोऽभिवाद्य पितरावाशीर्भिरभिनन्दित: ॥ २ ॥

The cowherd men and their wives, long distressed by separation, embraced Rāma. He then offered respects to His parents, who joyfully welcomed Him with prayers and blessings.

Verse 3

चिरं न: पाहि दाशार्ह सानुजो जगदीश्वर: । इत्यारोप्याङ्कमालिङ्‍ग्य नेत्रै: सिषिचतुर्जलै: ॥ ३ ॥

[Nanda and Yaśodā prayed:] “O descendant of Daśārha, O Lord of the universe, may You and Your younger brother Śrī Kṛṣṇa protect us for a long time.” Saying this, they lifted Śrī Balarāma onto their laps, embraced Him, and wet Him with tears from their eyes.

Verse 4

गोपवृद्धांश्च विधिवद् यविष्ठैरभिवन्दित: । यथावयो यथासख्यं यथासम्बन्धमात्मन: ॥ ४ ॥ समुपेत्याथ गोपालान् हास्यहस्तग्रहादिभि: । विश्रान्तं सुखमासीनं पप्रच्छु: पर्युपागता: ॥ ५ ॥ पृष्टाश्चानामयं स्वेषु प्रेमगद्गदया गिरा । कृष्णे कमलपत्राक्षे सन्न्यस्ताखिलराधस: ॥ ६ ॥

Lord Balarāma duly offered respects to the elder cowherd men, and the younger ones greeted Him with reverence. According to each one’s age, friendship, and family tie, He met them personally with smiles, handshakes, and the like. Then, after resting, the Lord sat comfortably as they gathered around Him. With voices trembling in love—having entrusted everything to lotus-eyed Kṛṣṇa—the cowherds asked about the welfare of their dear ones in Dvārakā, and Balarāma in turn inquired about the cowherds’ well-being.

Verse 5

गोपवृद्धांश्च विधिवद् यविष्ठैरभिवन्दित: । यथावयो यथासख्यं यथासम्बन्धमात्मन: ॥ ४ ॥ समुपेत्याथ गोपालान् हास्यहस्तग्रहादिभि: । विश्रान्तं सुखमासीनं पप्रच्छु: पर्युपागता: ॥ ५ ॥ पृष्टाश्चानामयं स्वेषु प्रेमगद्गदया गिरा । कृष्णे कमलपत्राक्षे सन्न्यस्ताखिलराधस: ॥ ६ ॥

Lord Balarāma duly offered respects to the elder cowherd men, and the younger ones greeted Him with reverence. According to each one’s age, friendship, and family tie, He met them personally with smiles, handshakes, and the like. Then, after resting, the Lord sat comfortably as they gathered around Him. With voices trembling in love—having entrusted everything to lotus-eyed Kṛṣṇa—the cowherds asked about the welfare of their dear ones in Dvārakā, and Balarāma in turn inquired about the cowherds’ well-being.

Verse 6

गोपवृद्धांश्च विधिवद् यविष्ठैरभिवन्दित: । यथावयो यथासख्यं यथासम्बन्धमात्मन: ॥ ४ ॥ समुपेत्याथ गोपालान् हास्यहस्तग्रहादिभि: । विश्रान्तं सुखमासीनं पप्रच्छु: पर्युपागता: ॥ ५ ॥ पृष्टाश्चानामयं स्वेषु प्रेमगद्गदया गिरा । कृष्णे कमलपत्राक्षे सन्न्यस्ताखिलराधस: ॥ ६ ॥

Lord Balarāma duly offered respects to the elder cowherd men, and the younger ones greeted Him with reverence. According to each one’s age, friendship, and family tie, He met them personally with smiles, handshakes, and the like. Then, after resting, the Lord sat comfortably as they gathered around Him. With voices trembling in love—having entrusted everything to lotus-eyed Kṛṣṇa—the cowherds asked about the welfare of their dear ones in Dvārakā, and Balarāma in turn inquired about the cowherds’ well-being.

Verse 7

कच्चिन्नो बान्धवा राम सर्वे कुशलमासते । कच्चित् स्मरथ नो राम यूयं दारसुतान्विता: ॥ ७ ॥

[The cowherds said:] “O Rāma, are all our relatives well? And O Rāma, do all of you—together with your wives and children—still remember us?”

Verse 8

दिष्‍ट्या कंसो हत: पापो दिष्‍ट्या मुक्ता: सुहृज्जना: । निहत्य निर्जित्य रिपून् दिष्‍ट्या दुर्गं समाश्रिता: ॥ ८ ॥

It is our great good fortune that the sinful Kaṁsa has been slain and our dear kinsmen set free. And it is also our fortune that they have killed and conquered their foes and taken full shelter in a mighty fortress.

Verse 9

गोप्यो हसन्त्य: पप्रच्छू रामसन्दर्शनाद‍ृता: । कच्चिदास्ते सुखं कृष्ण: पुरस्‍त्रीजनवल्ल‍भ: ॥ ९ ॥

Honored to behold Lord Balarāma, the young gopīs smiled and asked Him, “Is Kṛṣṇa, the beloved of the city women, living happily?”

Verse 10

कच्चित् स्मरति वा बन्धून् पितरं मातरं च स: । अप्यसौ मातरं द्रष्टुं सकृदप्यागमिष्यति । अपि वा स्मरतेऽस्माकमनुसेवां महाभुज: ॥ १० ॥

“Does He remember His own people, especially His father and mother? Will He ever come, even once, to see His mother? And does mighty-armed Kṛṣṇa remember the constant service we rendered to Him?”

Verse 11

मातरं पितरं भ्रातृन् पतीन् पुत्रान् स्वसृनपि । यदर्थे जहिम दाशार्ह दुस्त्यजान् स्वजनान् प्रभो ॥ ११ ॥ ता न: सद्य: परित्यज्य गत: सञ्छिन्नसौहृद: । कथं नु ताद‍ृशं स्‍त्रीभिर्न श्रद्धीयेत भाषितम् ॥ १२ ॥

“O Lord, descendant of Dāśārha! For Kṛṣṇa’s sake we abandoned our mothers, fathers, brothers, husbands, sons, and even sisters—kinsmen so hard to give up. Yet now that same Kṛṣṇa has suddenly left us, severing every bond of affection. And still, what woman could fail to trust His words?”

Verse 12

मातरं पितरं भ्रातृन् पतीन् पुत्रान् स्वसृनपि । यदर्थे जहिम दाशार्ह दुस्त्यजान् स्वजनान् प्रभो ॥ ११ ॥ ता न: सद्य: परित्यज्य गत: सञ्छिन्नसौहृद: । कथं नु ताद‍ृशं स्‍त्रीभिर्न श्रद्धीयेत भाषितम् ॥ १२ ॥

“O Lord, descendant of Dāśārha! For Kṛṣṇa’s sake we abandoned our mothers, fathers, brothers, husbands, sons, and even sisters—kinsmen so hard to give up. Yet now that same Kṛṣṇa has suddenly left us, severing every bond of affection. And still, what woman could fail to trust His words?”

Verse 13

कथं नु गृह्णन्त्यनवस्थितात्मनो वच: कृतघ्नस्य बुधा: पुरस्‍त्रिय: । गृह्णन्ति वै चित्रकथस्य सुन्दर- स्मितावलोकोच्छ्वसितस्मरातुरा: ॥ १३ ॥

How can the wise women of the city trust the words of one whose heart is unsteady and who is ungrateful? Yet they do believe Him, for His speech is wondrously charming, and His beautiful smiling glances awaken in them the fever of desire.

Verse 14

किं नस्तत्कथया गोप्य: कथा: कथयतापरा: । यात्यस्माभिर्विना कालो यदि तस्य तथैव न: ॥ १४ ॥

Why speak of Him, dear gopī? Speak of something else. If He can pass His time without us, then we too shall pass our time without Him.

Verse 15

इति प्रहसितं शौरेर्जल्पितं चारु वीक्षितम् । गतिं प्रेमपरिष्वङ्गं स्मरन्त्यो रुरुदु: स्‍त्रिय: ॥ १५ ॥

As they spoke thus, the women remembered Śauri’s laughter, His sweet talk, His captivating glances, His graceful gait, and His loving embraces; and remembering, they began to weep.

Verse 16

सङ्कर्षणस्ता: कृष्णस्य सन्देशैर्हृदयंगमै: । सान्‍त्‍वयामास भगवान् नानानुनयकोविद: ॥ १६ ॥

The Supreme Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa, skilled in many ways of conciliation, consoled the gopīs by conveying to them the confidential, heart-touching messages Śrī Kṛṣṇa had sent.

Verse 17

द्वौ मासौ तत्र चावात्सीन्मधुं माधवमेव च । राम: क्षपासु भगवान् गोपीनां रतिमावहन् ॥ १७ ॥

Lord Rāma (Balarāma) stayed there for the two months of Madhu and Mādhava, and at night He bestowed upon the gopīs the joy of conjugal love.

Verse 18

पूर्णचन्द्रकलामृष्टे कौमुदीगन्धवायुना । यमुनोपवने रेमे सेविते स्‍त्रीगणैर्वृत: ॥ १८ ॥

In a garden by the Yamunā, bathed in the rays of the full moon and caressed by breezes fragrant with night-blooming kumudinī lotuses, Lord Balarāma sported, surrounded by many women.

Verse 19

वरुणप्रेषिता देवी वारुणी वृक्षकोटरात् । पतन्ती तद् वनं सर्वं स्वगन्धेनाध्यवासयत् ॥ १९ ॥

Sent by the god Varuṇa, the divine vāruṇī liquor streamed from a hollow in a tree and, with its sweet aroma, perfumed the entire forest.

Verse 20

तं गन्धं मधुधाराया वायुनोपहृतं बल: । आघ्रायोपगतस्तत्र ललनाभि: समं पपौ ॥ २० ॥

The wind carried to Balarāma the fragrance of that sweet, flowing liquor. Smelling it, He went there and drank together with His female companions.

Verse 21

उपगीयमानो गन्धर्वैर्वनिताशोभिमण्डले । रेमे करेणुयूथेशो माहेन्द्र इव वारण: ॥ २१ ॥

As the Gandharvas sang His glories, Lord Balarāma sported within the radiant circle of young women, like Indra’s elephant Airāvata enjoying among she-elephants.

Verse 22

नेदुर्दुन्दुभयो व्योम्नि ववृषु: कुसुमैर्मुदा । गन्धर्वा मुनयो रामं तद्वीर्यैरीडिरे तदा ॥ २२ ॥

Then kettledrums resounded in the sky, the Gandharvas joyfully showered flowers, and the great sages praised the heroic deeds of Rāma (Balarāma).

Verse 23

उपगीयमानचरितो वनिताभिर्हलायुध: । वनेषु व्यचरत् क्षीवो मदविह्वललोचन: ॥ २३ ॥

As the women sang of His sacred deeds, Lord Halāyudha, Śrī Balarāma, wandered through the many forests as if intoxicated; His eyes rolled, unsettled by the drink.

Verse 24

स्रग्व्येककुण्डलो मत्तो वैजयन्त्या च मालया । बिभ्रत् स्मितमुखाम्भोजं स्वेदप्रालेयभूषितम् । स आजुहाव यमुनां जलक्रीडार्थमीश्वर: ॥ २४ ॥ निजं वाक्यमनाद‍ृत्य मत्त इत्यापगां बल: । अनागतां हलाग्रेण कुपितो विचकर्ष ह ॥ २५ ॥

Intoxicated with joy, Lord Balarāma wore flower garlands, including the famed Vaijayantī, and a single earring; beads of perspiration adorned His smiling lotus face like snowflakes. Then the Lord summoned the Yamunā River so He might sport in her waters.

Verse 25

स्रग्व्येककुण्डलो मत्तो वैजयन्त्या च मालया । बिभ्रत् स्मितमुखाम्भोजं स्वेदप्रालेयभूषितम् । स आजुहाव यमुनां जलक्रीडार्थमीश्वर: ॥ २४ ॥ निजं वाक्यमनाद‍ृत्य मत्त इत्यापगां बल: । अनागतां हलाग्रेण कुपितो विचकर्ष ह ॥ २५ ॥

But Yamunā, thinking Him drunk, disregarded His command and did not come. Angered, Balarāma began to drag the reluctant river with the tip of His plow.

Verse 26

पापे त्वं मामवज्ञाय यन्नायासि मयाहुता । नेष्ये त्वां लाङ्गलाग्रेण शतधा कामचारिणीम् ॥ २६ ॥

O sinful one! You have disrespected Me: though I call you, you do not come, but move only by your own whim. Therefore, with the tip of My plow I shall draw you here, splitting you into a hundred streams!

Verse 27

एवं निर्भर्त्सिता भीता यमुना यदुनन्दनम् । उवाच चकिता वाचं पतिता पादयोर्नृप ॥ २७ ॥

O King, thus chastised, the frightened river-goddess Yamunā came to Śrī Balarāma, the beloved descendant of Yadu, fell at His feet, and trembling spoke the following words.

Verse 28

राम राम महाबाहो न जाने तव विक्रमम् । यस्यैकांशेन विधृता जगती जगत: पते ॥ २८ ॥

[Goddess Yamunā said:] Rāma, Rāma, O mighty-armed One! I do not know Your prowess. O Lord of the universe, by a single portion of Yourself You uphold the earth.

Verse 29

परं भावं भगवतो भगवन् मामजानतीम् । मोक्तुमर्हसि विश्‍वात्मन् प्रपन्नां भक्तवत्सल ॥ २९ ॥

My Lord, I did not understand Your supreme position. O Soul of the universe, O lover of Your devotees, now I have surrendered to You—please release me.

Verse 30

ततो व्यमुञ्चद् यमुनां याचितो भगवान् बल: । विजगाह जलं स्‍त्रीभि: करेणुभिरिवेभराट् ॥ ३० ॥

Thereupon, being entreated, Lord Balarāma released the Yamunā and, like the king of elephants entering the water with his herd of she-elephants, He entered the river with His female companions.

Verse 31

कामं विहृत्य सलिलादुत्तीर्णायासीताम्बरे । भूषणानि महार्हाणि ददौ कान्ति: शुभां स्रजम् ॥ ३१ ॥

The Lord sported in the water to His full satisfaction, and when He came out, Goddess Kānti presented Him with blue garments, precious ornaments, and a radiant necklace.

Verse 32

वसित्वा वाससी नीले मालामामुच्य काञ्चनीम् । रेये स्वलङ्कृतो लिप्तो माहेन्द्र इव वारण: ॥ ३२ ॥

Dressing in blue garments and wearing a golden necklace, anointed with fragrances and beautifully adorned, Lord Balarāma shone resplendent like Indra’s royal elephant, Airāvata.

Verse 33

अद्यापि द‍ृश्यते राजन् यमुनाकृष्टवर्त्मना । बलस्यानन्तवीर्यस्य वीर्यं सूचयतीव हि ॥ ३३ ॥

O King, even today one can see the Yamunā flowing through many channels formed when the unlimitedly powerful Lord Balarāma dragged her; thus she seems to proclaim His prowess.

Verse 34

एवं सर्वा निशा याता एकेव रमतो व्रजे । रामस्याक्षिप्तचित्तस्य माधुर्यैर्व्रजयोषिताम् ॥ ३४ ॥

Thus, as Lord Balarāma enjoyed in Vraja, all the nights passed for Him like a single night, for His mind was captivated by the sweet charm of Vraja’s young women.