Chapter Twelve Śrī Nanda-mahotsava-varṇana Description of Śrī Nanda's Festival

atha—then; putra—of his son; utsavam—festival; jātam—born; śrutvā—hearing; nandaḥ—Nanda; uṣaḥ-kṣaṇe—at dawn; brāhmaṇān—the brāhmaṇas; ca—also; samāhūya—calling; kārayām āsa—made; maṅgalam—auspciousness.

sa-vidhi—following tradition; jātakam—the birth ceremony; kṛtvā—having done; nanda-rājaḥ—King Nanda; mahā-manāḥ—who had a noble-heart; viprebhyaḥ—to the brāhmaṇas; dakṣiṇābhiḥ—with priestly rewards; ca—also; mudā—happily; lakṣam—a hundred thousand; gavām—cows; dadau—gave.

krośa—two miles; mātram—size; rātna—of jewels; sānūn—mountain peaks; suvarṇa—of gold; śikharān—mountain peaks; girīn—mountains; sa-rasān—with nectar; sapta—seven; dhanyānām—of wealth; dadau—gave; viprebhyaḥ—to the brāhmaṇas; ānataḥ—his head bowed.

mṛdaṅga-vīṇā-śaṅkhādyāḥ—beginning with mṛdaṅgas, vīṇās, and śaṅkhas; neduḥ—sounded; dundubhayaḥ—drums; muhuḥ—again and again; gāyakāḥ—singers; ca—also; jaguḥ—sang; dvāre—at the door; nanṛtuḥ—danced; vāra-yoṣitaḥ—vārāaganās.

patākaiḥ—with flags; hema—golden; kalaśaiḥ—with pots; vitānaiḥ—with awnings; toraṇaiḥ—with arches; śubhaiḥ—glorious; aneka—many; varṇaiḥ—colors; citraiḥ—wonderful; ca—also; babhau—shone; śrī-nanda-mandiram—Śrī Nanda's palace.

rathyā—highways; vīthyāḥ—footpaths; ca—also; dehalyaḥ—entranceways; bhitti—walls; praṅgana—courtyards; vedikāḥ—platforms; tolikā-maṇḍapa-sabhā—gazebos and assembly-halls; rejuḥ—shone; gandha—fragrant; jala-ambaraiḥ—with water.

gāvaḥ—the cows; suvarṇa—gold; śṛagyaḥ—wiith horns; ca—also; hema—of gold; mālā—with necklaces; lasat—shining; galāḥ—necks; ghaṇṭā—bells; maṣjīra—and tinkling ornaments; jhaṅkārāḥ—thinking; rakta—red; kambala—blankets; maṇḍitāḥ—decorated.

pīta—yellow; pucchāḥ—tails; sa-vatsāḥ—with calves; ca—also; taruṇī—of young girls; kara—of the hand; cihnikāḥ—with the marks; haridra—with turmeric; kuakumaiḥ—and kuakuma; yuktāḥ—endowed; citra—colorful; dhātu—with mineral pigments; vicitritāḥ—decorated with pictures and designs.

barhi—peacock; pucchaiḥ—with feathers; gandha—scented; jalaiḥ—with water; vṛṣā—bulls; dharma-dhurandharāḥ—bearing the principles of religion; itas tataḥ—here and there; virejuḥ—shone; śrī-nanda-dvāri—at Nanda's door; manoharāḥ—handsome.

go-vatsāḥ—calves; hema—gold; mālā—necklaces; ādhyāḥ—opulent; muktā—of pearls; hāra—necklaces; virājitāḥ—splendid; itas tataḥ—here and there; vilaṅghantaḥ—leaping; maṣjīra—tinkling ornaments; caraṇāḥ—hooves; sitāḥ—white.

śrutvā—hearing; putra—of the son; utsavam—the festival; tasya—of him; vṛṣabhānu-varaḥ—King Vṛṣabhānu; tathā—so; kalāvatyā—with kalāvatī; gaja-ārūḍhaḥ—on an elephant; nanda-mandiram—to Nanda's palace; āyayau—went.

nandāḥ—Nandas; nava—nine; upanandāḥ—Upanandas; ca—also; tathā—then; ṣaḍ—six; vṛṣabhānavaḥ—Vṛṣabhānus; nānā—various; upāyana—gifts; samyuktāḥ—bearing; sarve—all; te—they; api—also; samāyayuḥ—came.

uṣṇīśa—turban; upari—above; mālā—with garlands; āḍhyāḥ—opulent; pīta—yellow; kaṣcuka—upper garment; śobhitāḥ—decorated; barha—peacock feather; guṣjā—and gunja; baddha—tied; keśāḥ—hair; vana—forest; mālā—garlands; vibhūṣaṇāḥ—decorated.

vaṁsī—flutes; dhārāḥ—holding; vetra—sticks; hastāḥ—in hand; su-pātra—with beautiful pictures and designs; tilaka—with tilaka; arcitāḥ—anointed; baddha-barhāḥ—with peacock feathers; parīkārāḥ—multitudes; gopāḥ—gopas; te—they; api—also; samāyayuḥ—came.

nṛtyantaḥ—dancing; parigāyantaḥ—singing; dhunvantaḥ—shaking; vasanāni—garments; ca—and; nānā—various; upāyana—gifts; samyuktāḥ—with; smaśrulāḥ—bearded men; śiśavaḥ—children; pare—others.

haiyaṅgavina—of fresh butter; dugdhānām—milk; dadhi—yogurt; ajyānām—and ghee; balīn—offerings; bahūn—many; nītvā—bringing; vṛddhāḥ—elderly; yaṣṭi—sticks; hastāḥ—in hand; nanda—of Nanda; mandiram—to the palace; āyayuḥ—came.

putra-utsavam—the festival of a son; vrajeśasya—of the king of Vraja; kathayantaḥ—talking; parasparam—among themselves; prema-vihvala-bhāvaiḥ—overcome with love; svaiḥ—own; ānanda—of bliss; aśru—with tears; samākulāḥ—filled.

jāte—manifested; putrotsave—the festival of a son; nandaḥ—Nanda; svānanda—of bliss; aśru—with tears; ākula—filled; īkṣaṇaḥ—eyes; pujayām āsa—worshiped; tān—them; sarvān—all; tilakādyaiḥ—beginning with tilaka; vidhānataḥ—by placing.

śrī-gopāḥ ūcuḥ—the cowherd men said; he—O; vrajeśvara—king of Vraja; he—O; nanda—Nanda; jātaḥ—born; putrotsavaḥ—the festival of a son; tathā—so; anapatyasya—of one who is childless; icchataḥ—desiring; alam—greatly; ataḥ—then; kim—what?; maṅgalam—auspiciousness; param—greater.

daivena—by fate; darśitam-shown; ca—also; idam—this; dinam—day; vaḥ—of us; bahubhiḥ—with many; dinaiḥ—days; kṛta-kṛtyāḥ—successful; ca—also; bhūtāḥ—become; smaḥ—we; dṛṣṭvā—seeing; śrī-nanda-nandanam—the son of Nanda.

he—O; mohana—charming one; iti—thus; dūrāt—from far away; tam—Him; aṅkam—on the lap; nītvā—taking; gadiṣyasi—You will say; yadā—when; lālana-bhāvena—with fondling; bhavitā—will be; naḥ—of us; tadā—then; sukham—happiness.

śrī-nandaḥ uvāca—Śrī Nanda said; bhavatām—of you; āśiṣaḥ—the blessings; puṇyāt—from piety; jātam—born; saukhyam—happiness; idam—this; śubham—auspiciousness; ājṣā—the order; vārtī—speaking; hi—indeed; aham—I; gopā—O cowherd men; gopānām—of the cowherd men; vraja-vāsinām—of the residents of Vraja.

śrī-nāradaḥ uvāca—Śrī Nārada said; śrī-nanda-rāja—of King Nanda; suta—of the son; sambhavam—the birth; adbhutam—wonderful; ca—also; śrutvā—hearing; visṛjya—abandoning; gṛha—household; karma—duties; tadā—then; eva—indeed; gopyaḥ—the gopīs; tūrṇam—quickly; yayuḥ—went; sa-balayaḥ—with offerings; vraja-rāja-gehān—to the palace of the king of Vraja; udyat—rising; pramoda—happiness; paripūrita—flooded; hṛt—hearts; manaḥ—minds; 'agāḥ—and limbs.

ā—up to; nanda-of Nanda; mandira-purāt—the palace; sva—own; gṛhat—from the home; vrajantyaḥ—going; sarvāḥ—all; itas tataḥ—here and there; uta—indeed; tvaram—quickly; āvrajantyaḥ—coming; yāna—from coming; ślathat—loosened; vasana—garments; bhūṣaṇa—ornaments; keśa-bandhāḥ—and hair; rejuḥ—shone; narendra—O king; pathi—on the path; bhūpari—on the ground; mukta—released; muktāḥ—pearls.

jhaṅkāra—jingling; nūpura—anklets; nava—new; aṅgada—armlets; hema—golden; cīra—garments; maṣjīra—ornaments; hāra—necklaces; maṇi—jewels; kuṇḍala—earrings; mekhalābhiḥ—with belts; śrī-kaṇṭha-sūtra—necklaces; bhuja-kaṅkana—with bracelets; bindukābhiḥ—with dots; pūrṇa—full; indu—moon; maṇḍala—circle; nava—new; dyutibhiḥ—with splendor; virejuḥ—shone.

śrī-rājika-lavaṇa-rātri-viśeṣa-cūrṇaiḥ—with ground mustard and salt; go-dhūma-sarṣapa-yavaiḥ—with wheat and barley flour; kara—of the hand; lālanaiḥ—with gentle strokes; ca—also; uttārya—lifting; bālaka—of the child; mukha—face; upari—above; ca—and; āśiṣāḥ—benedictions; tāḥ—they; sarvāḥ—all; daduḥ—gave; nṛpa—O king; jaguḥ—they sang; jagaduḥ—they spoke; yaśodām—to Yaśodā.

śrī-gopyaḥ ūcuḥ—the gopīs said; sādhu—well done; sādhu—well done; yaśode—O Yasodā; te—to you; diṣṭyā—by good fortune; diṣṭyā—by good fortune; vraja—of Vraja; īśvari—O queen; dhanyā—fortunate; dhanyā—fortunate; parā—exalted; kukṣiḥ—womb; yayā—by which; ayam—He; janitaḥ—born; sutaḥ—son.

icchā—desire; yuktam—endowed; kṛtam—done; te—by you; vai—indeed; devena—by the Lord; bahu-kālataḥ—after a long time; rakṣa—please protect; bālam—the child; padma—lotus; netram—eyes; su-smitam—with a charming smile; śyāma—dark; sundaram—and handsome.

śrī-yaśodā uvāca—Śrī Yaśodā said; bhavadīya—your; dayā—of mercy; āśīrbhiḥ—with blessings; jātam—created; saukhyam—happiness; param—great; ca—also; me—of me; bhavatīnām—of you; api—also; param—then; diṣṭyā—by good fortune; bhūyāt—may be; ataḥ param—then.

he rohiṇi—O Rohiṇī; mahā—very; buddhe—intelligent; pūjanam—worship; tu—indeed; vraja-okasām—of the people of Vraja; āgatānām—arrived; sat-kulānām—of good families; yathā—as; iṣṭam—desired; hi—indeed; īpsitam—desire; kuru—please fulfill.

śrī-nāradaḥ uvāca—Śrī Nārada said; rohiṇī—Rohiṇī; rāja—of a king; kanyā—the daughter; api—even; tat—that; karau—hands; dāna-śīlinau—generous; tatra—there; api—also; noditā—sent; dāne—charity; dadau—gave; ati-mahā-manāḥ—very noble-hearted.

garua—fair; varṇā—color; divya—glistening; vāsā—garments; ratna—jewel; ābharaṇa—ornaments; bhūṣitā—decorated; vyacarat—did; rohiṇī—Rohiṇī; sākṣāt—directly; pūjayantī—worshiping; vraja-okasaḥ—the people of Vraja.

paripūrṇatame—the Supreme Personality of Godhead; sākṣāt—directly; śrī-kṛṣṇe—Śrī Kṛṣṇa; vrajam—to Vraja; āgate—came; nadatsu—sounding; nara-tūryeṣu—the four kinds of men; jaya—of victory; dhvaniḥ—sound; abhūt—became; mahān—great.

dadhi—with yogurt; kṣīra—milk; ghṛtaiḥ—and ghee; gopāḥ—the gopas; gopyaḥ—gopīs; haiyaṅgavair navaiḥ—with fresh butter; śiśicuḥ—sprinkled; harṣitāḥ—jubilant; tatra—there; jaguḥ—sang; uccaiḥ—loudly; parasparam—together.

bahiḥ—outside; antaḥ-pure—inside their homes; jāte—created; sarvataḥ—completely; dadhi—with yogurt; kardame—mud; vṛddhāḥ—elder; ca—and; sthūla—large; dehāḥ—bodies; ca—also; petuḥ—fell; hāsyam—laughter; kṛtam—done; paraiḥ—by the others.

sūtāḥ—the sūtas; pauraṇikāḥ—the pauraṇikas; proktāḥ—said; māgadhāḥ—the māgadhas; vaṁśa-saṁśakāḥ—the reciters of genealogies; vandinaḥ—the vandis; tu—also; amala—pure; prajṣāḥ—children; prastava—prayers; sadṛśa—like that; uktayaḥ—words.

tebhyaḥ—to them; nandaḥ—Nanda; mahā-rājaḥ—the great king; sahasram—a thousand; gāḥ—cows; pṛthak pṛthak—to each; vasaḥ—garments; alaṅkāra—ornaments; ratnāni—jewels; haya—horses; ibhān—and elephants; akhilān—all; dadau—gave.

vandibhyaḥ—to the vandis; māgadhebhyaḥ—to the magadhas; ca—and; sarvebhyaḥ—to everyone; bahulam—abundant; dhanam—wealth; vavarṣa—showered; dhanavat—wealthy; gopaḥ—gopa; nanda-rājaḥ—King Nanda; vrajeśvaraḥ—the ruler of Vraja.

nidhiḥ—wealth; siddhiḥ—mystic perfection; ca—and; vṛddhiḥ—glory; ca—and; bhuktiḥ—sense gratification; muktiḥ—liberation; gṛhe gṛhe—at every home; vīthyāṁ vīthyām—on every pathway; luṭhanti—roll on the ground; iva—as if; tad-icchā—the desire; kasyacin—of someone; na—not; hi—indeed.

sanat-kumāra-kapila-śuka-vyāsādibhiḥ—headed by Sanat-kumāra, Kapila, Śuka, and Vyāsa; saha—with; haṁsa-datta-pulastyādyaiḥ—those headed by Haṁsa, Datta, and Pulastya; mayā—with me; brahma—Brahmā; jagāma ha—went.

haṁsa—on a swan; ārūḍhaḥ—riding; hema-varṇaḥ—golden color; mukuṭī—wearing a crown; kuṇḍalī—wearing earrings; sphuran—splendid; catur-mukhaḥ—with four faces; veda—of the Vedas; kartā—the author; dyotayan—illuminating; maṇḍalaṁ diśam—the directions.

tathā—so; tam—him; anu—after; bhūta—by ghosts and demons; āḍhyaḥ—accompanied; vṛṣa-ārūḍhaḥ—riding on a bull; maheśvaraḥ—Lord Śiva; ratha-ārūḍhaḥ—riding on a chariot; raviḥ—the sun-god; sākṣāt—directly; gaja-ārūḍhaḥ—riding on an elephant; purandaraḥ—Indra.

vāyuḥ—Vāyus; ca—also; khaṣjana-ārūḍhaḥ—riding on a khanjana bird; yamaḥ—Yama; mahiṣa-vāhanaḥ—riding on a buffalo; dhanadaḥ—Kuvera; puṣpaka-ārūḍhaḥ—riding on a flower chariot; mṛga-ārūḍhaḥ—riding on a deer; kṣapeśvaraḥ—the moon-god.

aja-ārūḍhaḥ—riding on a ram; vītihotraḥ—Agni; varuṇaḥ—Varuṇa; makara-sthitaḥ—riding on a shark; mayūra-sthaḥ—riding on a peacock; kārttikeyaḥ—Kārttikeya; bhāratī—Sarasvatī; haṁsa-vahinī—riding on a swan.

lakṣmīḥ—Lakṣmī; ca—and; garuḍa-ārūḍhā—riding on Garuḍa; durgā-ākhyā—Durgā; siṁha-vāhinī—riding on a lion; go-rūpa-dhāriṇī—manifesting the form of a cow; pṛthvī—the earth-goddess; vimāna-sthā—riding in a airplane; samāyayau—came.

dola-ārūḍhāḥ—riding in a swing; divya—splendid; varṇāḥ—colors; mukhyāḥ—the most important; ṣoḍaśa-mātṛikāḥ—the sixteen Mātṛikās; ṣaṣṭhī—Ṣaṣṭhī; ca—also; śibika-ārūḍhā—riding on a palanquin; khaḍginī—holding a sword; yaṣṭi-dhāriṇī—holding a stick.

maṅgalaḥ—the ruler of the planet mars; vānara-ārūḍhaḥ—riding on a gorilla; bhāsa-ārūḍhaḥ—riding on a rooster; budhaḥ—the ruler of the planet mercury; smṛtaḥ—considered; gīṣpatiḥ—the ruler of the planet jupiter; kṛṣṇasāra-sthaḥ—riding on a black-deer; śukraḥ—the ruler of the planet Venus; gavaya-vāhanaḥ—riding on an ox.

śaniḥ—the ruler of the planet Saturn; ca—also; makara-ārūḍhaḥ—riding on a shark; uṣṭra-sthaḥ—riding on a camel; siṁhikā-sutaḥ—the ruler of the planet Rahu; koṭi—millions; bālārka—of rising suns; saṅkāśāḥ—splendid; āyayau—they came; nanda—of Nanda; mandiram—to the palace.

kolāhala—with a tumult; samāyuktam—endowed; gopa—of gopas; gopī—and gopīs; gaṇa—with multitudes; ākulam—filled; nanda-mandiram—Nanda's palace; abhyetya—attaining; kṣaṇam—for a moment; sthitvā—standing; yayuḥ—went; surāḥ—the dmeigods.

paripūrṇatamam—the Supreme Personality of Godhead; sākṣāt—directly; śrī-kṛṣṇam—Śrī Kṛṣṇa; bāla-rūpiṇam—in the form of a child; natvā—offering obeisances; dṛṣṭvā—seeing; tadā—then; devāḥ—the demigods; cakruḥ—did; tasya—to Him; stutim—prayers; parām—excellent.

vīkṣya—seeing; kṛṣṇam—Lord Kṛṣṇa; tadā—then; devāḥ—the demigods; brahmādyāḥ—headed by Brahmā; ṛṣibhiḥ—the sages; saha—with; sva—own; dhāmāni—to the abodes; yayuḥ—went; sarve—all; harṣitāḥ—happy; prema—with love; vihvalāḥ—overcome.