Verse Text
yathā vā –
syamantakam ahaṁ hṛtvā gato ghorāsyam antakam |
karavai taraṇīṁ kāṁ vā kṣipto vaitaraṇīyam anu ||20||
Translation
Another example or remorse arising from committing offense: Having stolen the Syamantaka jewel, I have fallen into the mouth of terrible hell. Having fallen in the Vaitaraṇī River, what boat should I use to cross over it?
Purport (Jiva Goswami)
These are thoughts of Akrura. Instead of kāṁ vā, kiṁ vā is also found. This is more refined speech. It would then mean “Will I be able to cross the Vaitaraṇī River?” [Note: There is a play on words with syamantakam and antakam, and taraṇīm and vaitaraṇiyam.]