Chapter Fifteen Nanda-patnyā viśva-rūpa-darśanam Revelation of the Universal Form to Nanda's Wife

Śrī Nārada said: Yaśodā took dark Lord Hari, whose gentle smile enchants the people's hearts, whose glance takes away their troubles, who was decorated with dots of maṣi, whose lotus eyes were anointed with black kajjala, and who was resting in a cradle of gold and jewels, on her lap.

Filled with tender motherly love, the gopī attained great happiness as she caressed the restless child now licking His foot, decorated with a glittering half-moon necklace of lion's nails, His limbs very wonderful, and handsome with curly new black hairs.

O king, when the child, finished with drinking milk, yawned, all the elements of the universe suddenly appeared in His mouth. Seeing the entire universe and all the demigods suddenly present in her son's mouth, mother Yaśodā, now closing her eyes, became very afraid.

O king, her memory of seeing the entire universe destroyed by the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa's illusory potency, she became overpowered with maternal love for her son. How can I describe the many great austerities Nanda's wife must have performed?

Śrī Bahulāśva said: What great austerities did Nanda and Yaśodā do that Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra became their son?

Śrī Nārada said: Nanda, Dharā's husband, was the best of the eight Vasus. Childless, and a great devotee of Lord Viṣṇu, he ruled a kingdom in the realm of the demigods.

He desired a child. Sent by the demigod Brahmā, he went with his wife Dharā to Mount Mandara to perform austerities.

First they ate only fruits and roots. Then they ate only leaves. Then they only drank water. Then, staying in a secluded place, they did not even drink water.

After they has spent a hundred million years performing these austerities, the demigod Brahmā, pleased with them, approached and said, "Ask a benediction".

Emerging from an anthill with his wife, Dharā, jubilant Droṇa, bowing down and worshiping him, spoke to Lord Brahmā.

Śrī Droṇa said: O Brahmā, may Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, become our son, and may we both always have love and devotion for him, the Lord who removes the sufferings of His devotees.

Love and devotion for Him enables the living entities to cross the impassable ocean of repeated birth and death. O Brahmā, we two who are performing austerities desire nothing else.

Śrī Brahamā said: Although I myself cannot attain the benediction you request, I grant that your desire will be fulfilled in another birth.

Śrī Nārada said: Droṇa was born as Nanda on the earth and Dharā was born as Yaśodā. To fulfill Brahmā's words, Lord Kṛṣṇa went from His father's palace to the village of Vraja.

On the summit of Mount Gandhamādana I heard these beautiful, sweeter than nectar pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa from the mouth of Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi.

By the mercy of Lord Nara-Nārāyaṇa I attained the goal of life. I have told you what They said. What more do you wish to hear?

Śrī Bahulāśva said: When He displayed His eternal form of a child in Nanda's home, what pastimes did Lord Hari enjoy with Balarāma. O great sage, please tell me this.

One day, sent by Vasudeva, the great saint Garga Muni came with his disciples to Nanda's palace.

Following the rules of tradition, Nanda worshiped the great sage, washing his feet and offering him many things. Then he circumambulated him and offered obeisances, falling down like a stick.

Śrī Nanda said: Today the pious forefathers, demigods, and fire-gods are all pleased with us. Our home is now purified by the dust of your feet.

O great brāhmaṇa sage, please perform my son's name-giving ceremony. O lord, even by many sacred pilgrimages one cannot attain what is attained by your visit.

Śrī Garga Muni said: I will perform your son's name-giving ceremony. Of this there is no doubt. I will tell who He was before. O Nanda, go to a secluded place.

Garga Muni rose and went with Nanda, Yaśodā, and the two boys, to a secluded place in the cow shed. There he performed the name-giving ceremony.

After worshiping the deities headed by Gaṇeśa, and after carefully appeasing the deities of the planets, the great saint Garga Muni, happy in every limb, spoke to Nanda.

Because when the universe is annihilated He alone remains (avaśeṣa), the sages know Him as Śeṣa. Because He is extremely strong (bala), they know Him as Bala. O Nanda, please be attentive and hear the names of your son.

His names at once purify the living entities. His names are the auspiciousness of all the universes. In His name the letter K stands for Kamalā-kānta (the husband of the goddess of fortune). Ṛ stands for Rāma (the supreme enjoyer).

Ṣ stands for Ṣaḍ-guṇa-pati (the master of six opulences) or Śvetadvīpa-nivāsa-kṛt (The Lord who resides in Śvetadvīpa). Ṇ stands for Lord Nṛsiṁha. A stands for Akṣara (the immortal) or Agni-bhuk (the Lord who enjoys the offerings of agni-hotra yajṣas).

The letter Ḥ stands for Nara-Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi. In this way these six letters combine to become the name of the pure Supreme Person. Note: In the Sanskrit alphabet the letter Ḥ is represented by two dots. An example follows in parenthesis (:). The two dots stand for the two sages Nara-Nārāyaṇa.

In this way the Supreme Personality of Godhead is known as Kṛṣṇaḥ. In white, red, and yellow forms He appears in the yugas one after another.

Now, at the end of Dvāpara-yuga and the beginning of Kali-yuga, He has a dark (kṛṣṇa) complexion. For this reason He is named Kṛṣṇa. He is this boy, the son of Nanda.

The word "vasu" means "the senses", and the word "deva" means "the heart". Because He acts in the hearts and senses of the living entities, He is known as Vāsudeva.

He is the husband (pati) of Rādhā, King Vṛṣabhānu's daughter born in the palace of Queen Kīrti, and therefore He is known as Rādhā-pati.

He is the original Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the master of countless universes. He is splendidly manifest in transcendental abode of Goloka.

That same Supreme Personality of Godhead is now born as your child. He has come to remove the earth's burden, to kill the demons headed by Kaṁsa, and to protect the devotees.

O descendent of King Bharata, according to His different pastimes Your son will have names without end, names that are secret even from the Vedas. Do not be surprised at what He is able to do.

Ah, how fortunate you are! Appearing as a small child, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is greater than the greatest, now stays in your home.

Śrī Nārada said: Garga Muni said this and left. Then noble-hearted King Nanda, along with his wife, thought about the great blessing they had received.

Then the great philosopher, teacher, sage Garga Muni went to King Vṛṣabhānu's beautiful palace on the Yamunā's shore.

tejasā dyotita-diśaṁ sākṣāt sūryam ivāparam pustakī-mekhalā-yuktaṁ dvitīyam iva padmajam śobhitaṁ śukla-vāsobhir devaṁ viṣṇum iva sthitam taṁ dṛṣṭvā muni-śardūlaṁ sahasotthāya sādaram praṇamya śirasā sadyaḥ sammukho 'bhūt kṛtāñjaliḥ muniṁ ca pīṭhake sthāpya pādyādyair upacāra-vit pūjayām āsa vidhivac chrī-gargaṁ jṣānināṁ varam tataḥ pradakṣiṇī-kṛtya vṛṣabhānu-varo mahān chātreṇa—with a parasol; śobhitam—decorated; vipram—brāhmaṇa; dvitīyam—a second; iva—like; vāsavam—Indra; daṇḍena—with a rod; rājitam—glorious; sākṣāt—directly; dharma-rājam—Yamarāja; iva—like; sthitam—situated; tejasā—with glory; dyotita—illuminated; diśam—the directions; sākṣāt—directly; sūryam—the sun; iva—like; aparam—another; pustakī—a book; mekhalā—belt; yuktam—endowed; dvitīyam—a second; iva—like; padmajam—Brahmā; śobhitam—decorated; śukla—white; vāsobhiḥ—with garments; devam—Lord; viṣṇum—Viṣṇu; iva—like; sthitam—situated; tam—him; dṛṣṭvā—seeing; muni—of sages; śardūlam—the tiger; sahasā—at once; utthāya—rising; sa—with; ādaram—respect; praṇamya—offering obeisances; śirasā—with his head; sadyaḥ—at once; sammukhaḥ—facing; abhūt—became; kṛtāñjaliḥ—with folded palms; munim—the sage; ca—also; pīṭhake—on a throne; sthāpya—seating; pādya-ādyaiḥ—beginning with water for washing his feet; upacāra—worship; vit—understanding; pūjayām āsa—worshiped; vidhivat—according to the rules of tradition; śrī-gargam—Śrī Garga Muni; jṣāninām—of philosophers; varam—the best; tataḥ—then; pradakṣiṇī-kṛtya—circumambulating; vṛṣabhānu-varaḥ—King Vṛṣabhānu; mahān—noble. Seeing Garga Muni, who was the greatest of philosophers, who was the brāhmaṇa tiger of sages, who, decorated with a parasol was like a second King Indra, holding a stick was like a second Yamarāja, his bodily luster illuminating the directions was like a second sun-god, a great book at his belt was like a second Lord Brahmā, and who, dressed in white garments, stood like Lord Viṣṇu Himself, noble King Vṛṣabhānu rose up at once with great respect, bowed his head, stood with folded hands, placed the sage on a great throne, washed his feet, presented many offerings, circumambulated him, and worshiped him according to the rules of scripture.

tejasā dyotita-diśaṁ sākṣāt sūryam ivāparam pustakī-mekhalā-yuktaṁ dvitīyam iva padmajam śobhitaṁ śukla-vāsobhir devaṁ viṣṇum iva sthitam taṁ dṛṣṭvā muni-śardūlaṁ sahasotthāya sādaram praṇamya śirasā sadyaḥ sammukho 'bhūt kṛtāñjaliḥ muniṁ ca pīṭhake sthāpya pādyādyair upacāra-vit pūjayām āsa vidhivac chrī-gargaṁ jṣānināṁ varam tataḥ pradakṣiṇī-kṛtya vṛṣabhānu-varo mahān chātreṇa—with a parasol; śobhitam—decorated; vipram—brāhmaṇa; dvitīyam—a second; iva—like; vāsavam—Indra; daṇḍena—with a rod; rājitam—glorious; sākṣāt—directly; dharma-rājam—Yamarāja; iva—like; sthitam—situated; tejasā—with glory; dyotita—illuminated; diśam—the directions; sākṣāt—directly; sūryam—the sun; iva—like; aparam—another; pustakī—a book; mekhalā—belt; yuktam—endowed; dvitīyam—a second; iva—like; padmajam—Brahmā; śobhitam—decorated; śukla—white; vāsobhiḥ—with garments; devam—Lord; viṣṇum—Viṣṇu; iva—like; sthitam—situated; tam—him; dṛṣṭvā—seeing; muni—of sages; śardūlam—the tiger; sahasā—at once; utthāya—rising; sa—with; ādaram—respect; praṇamya—offering obeisances; śirasā—with his head; sadyaḥ—at once; sammukhaḥ—facing; abhūt—became; kṛtāñjaliḥ—with folded palms; munim—the sage; ca—also; pīṭhake—on a throne; sthāpya—seating; pādya-ādyaiḥ—beginning with water for washing his feet; upacāra—worship; vit—understanding; pūjayām āsa—worshiped; vidhivat—according to the rules of tradition; śrī-gargam—Śrī Garga Muni; jṣāninām—of philosophers; varam—the best; tataḥ—then; pradakṣiṇī-kṛtya—circumambulating; vṛṣabhānu-varaḥ—King Vṛṣabhānu; mahān—noble. Seeing Garga Muni, who was the greatest of philosophers, who was the brāhmaṇa tiger of sages, who, decorated with a parasol was like a second King Indra, holding a stick was like a second Yamarāja, his bodily luster illuminating the directions was like a second sun-god, a great book at his belt was like a second Lord Brahmā, and who, dressed in white garments, stood like Lord Viṣṇu Himself, noble King Vṛṣabhānu rose up at once with great respect, bowed his head, stood with folded hands, placed the sage on a great throne, washed his feet, presented many offerings, circumambulated him, and worshiped him according to the rules of scripture.

tejasā dyotita-diśaṁ sākṣāt sūryam ivāparam pustakī-mekhalā-yuktaṁ dvitīyam iva padmajam śobhitaṁ śukla-vāsobhir devaṁ viṣṇum iva sthitam taṁ dṛṣṭvā muni-śardūlaṁ sahasotthāya sādaram praṇamya śirasā sadyaḥ sammukho 'bhūt kṛtāñjaliḥ muniṁ ca pīṭhake sthāpya pādyādyair upacāra-vit pūjayām āsa vidhivac chrī-gargaṁ jṣānināṁ varam tataḥ pradakṣiṇī-kṛtya vṛṣabhānu-varo mahān chātreṇa—with a parasol; śobhitam—decorated; vipram—brāhmaṇa; dvitīyam—a second; iva—like; vāsavam—Indra; daṇḍena—with a rod; rājitam—glorious; sākṣāt—directly; dharma-rājam—Yamarāja; iva—like; sthitam—situated; tejasā—with glory; dyotita—illuminated; diśam—the directions; sākṣāt—directly; sūryam—the sun; iva—like; aparam—another; pustakī—a book; mekhalā—belt; yuktam—endowed; dvitīyam—a second; iva—like; padmajam—Brahmā; śobhitam—decorated; śukla—white; vāsobhiḥ—with garments; devam—Lord; viṣṇum—Viṣṇu; iva—like; sthitam—situated; tam—him; dṛṣṭvā—seeing; muni—of sages; śardūlam—the tiger; sahasā—at once; utthāya—rising; sa—with; ādaram—respect; praṇamya—offering obeisances; śirasā—with his head; sadyaḥ—at once; sammukhaḥ—facing; abhūt—became; kṛtāñjaliḥ—with folded palms; munim—the sage; ca—also; pīṭhake—on a throne; sthāpya—seating; pādya-ādyaiḥ—beginning with water for washing his feet; upacāra—worship; vit—understanding; pūjayām āsa—worshiped; vidhivat—according to the rules of tradition; śrī-gargam—Śrī Garga Muni; jṣāninām—of philosophers; varam—the best; tataḥ—then; pradakṣiṇī-kṛtya—circumambulating; vṛṣabhānu-varaḥ—King Vṛṣabhānu; mahān—noble. Seeing Garga Muni, who was the greatest of philosophers, who was the brāhmaṇa tiger of sages, who, decorated with a parasol was like a second King Indra, holding a stick was like a second Yamarāja, his bodily luster illuminating the directions was like a second sun-god, a great book at his belt was like a second Lord Brahmā, and who, dressed in white garments, stood like Lord Viṣṇu Himself, noble King Vṛṣabhānu rose up at once with great respect, bowed his head, stood with folded hands, placed the sage on a great throne, washed his feet, presented many offerings, circumambulated him, and worshiped him according to the rules of scripture.

tejasā dyotita-diśaṁ sākṣāt sūryam ivāparam pustakī-mekhalā-yuktaṁ dvitīyam iva padmajam śobhitaṁ śukla-vāsobhir devaṁ viṣṇum iva sthitam taṁ dṛṣṭvā muni-śardūlaṁ sahasotthāya sādaram praṇamya śirasā sadyaḥ sammukho 'bhūt kṛtāñjaliḥ muniṁ ca pīṭhake sthāpya pādyādyair upacāra-vit pūjayām āsa vidhivac chrī-gargaṁ jṣānināṁ varam tataḥ pradakṣiṇī-kṛtya vṛṣabhānu-varo mahān chātreṇa—with a parasol; śobhitam—decorated; vipram—brāhmaṇa; dvitīyam—a second; iva—like; vāsavam—Indra; daṇḍena—with a rod; rājitam—glorious; sākṣāt—directly; dharma-rājam—Yamarāja; iva—like; sthitam—situated; tejasā—with glory; dyotita—illuminated; diśam—the directions; sākṣāt—directly; sūryam—the sun; iva—like; aparam—another; pustakī—a book; mekhalā—belt; yuktam—endowed; dvitīyam—a second; iva—like; padmajam—Brahmā; śobhitam—decorated; śukla—white; vāsobhiḥ—with garments; devam—Lord; viṣṇum—Viṣṇu; iva—like; sthitam—situated; tam—him; dṛṣṭvā—seeing; muni—of sages; śardūlam—the tiger; sahasā—at once; utthāya—rising; sa—with; ādaram—respect; praṇamya—offering obeisances; śirasā—with his head; sadyaḥ—at once; sammukhaḥ—facing; abhūt—became; kṛtāñjaliḥ—with folded palms; munim—the sage; ca—also; pīṭhake—on a throne; sthāpya—seating; pādya-ādyaiḥ—beginning with water for washing his feet; upacāra—worship; vit—understanding; pūjayām āsa—worshiped; vidhivat—according to the rules of tradition; śrī-gargam—Śrī Garga Muni; jṣāninām—of philosophers; varam—the best; tataḥ—then; pradakṣiṇī-kṛtya—circumambulating; vṛṣabhānu-varaḥ—King Vṛṣabhānu; mahān—noble. Seeing Garga Muni, who was the greatest of philosophers, who was the brāhmaṇa tiger of sages, who, decorated with a parasol was like a second King Indra, holding a stick was like a second Yamarāja, his bodily luster illuminating the directions was like a second sun-god, a great book at his belt was like a second Lord Brahmā, and who, dressed in white garments, stood like Lord Viṣṇu Himself, noble King Vṛṣabhānu rose up at once with great respect, bowed his head, stood with folded hands, placed the sage on a great throne, washed his feet, presented many offerings, circumambulated him, and worshiped him according to the rules of scripture.

tejasā dyotita-diśaṁ sākṣāt sūryam ivāparam pustakī-mekhalā-yuktaṁ dvitīyam iva padmajam śobhitaṁ śukla-vāsobhir devaṁ viṣṇum iva sthitam taṁ dṛṣṭvā muni-śardūlaṁ sahasotthāya sādaram praṇamya śirasā sadyaḥ sammukho 'bhūt kṛtāñjaliḥ muniṁ ca pīṭhake sthāpya pādyādyair upacāra-vit pūjayām āsa vidhivac chrī-gargaṁ jṣānināṁ varam tataḥ pradakṣiṇī-kṛtya vṛṣabhānu-varo mahān chātreṇa—with a parasol; śobhitam—decorated; vipram—brāhmaṇa; dvitīyam—a second; iva—like; vāsavam—Indra; daṇḍena—with a rod; rājitam—glorious; sākṣāt—directly; dharma-rājam—Yamarāja; iva—like; sthitam—situated; tejasā—with glory; dyotita—illuminated; diśam—the directions; sākṣāt—directly; sūryam—the sun; iva—like; aparam—another; pustakī—a book; mekhalā—belt; yuktam—endowed; dvitīyam—a second; iva—like; padmajam—Brahmā; śobhitam—decorated; śukla—white; vāsobhiḥ—with garments; devam—Lord; viṣṇum—Viṣṇu; iva—like; sthitam—situated; tam—him; dṛṣṭvā—seeing; muni—of sages; śardūlam—the tiger; sahasā—at once; utthāya—rising; sa—with; ādaram—respect; praṇamya—offering obeisances; śirasā—with his head; sadyaḥ—at once; sammukhaḥ—facing; abhūt—became; kṛtāñjaliḥ—with folded palms; munim—the sage; ca—also; pīṭhake—on a throne; sthāpya—seating; pādya-ādyaiḥ—beginning with water for washing his feet; upacāra—worship; vit—understanding; pūjayām āsa—worshiped; vidhivat—according to the rules of tradition; śrī-gargam—Śrī Garga Muni; jṣāninām—of philosophers; varam—the best; tataḥ—then; pradakṣiṇī-kṛtya—circumambulating; vṛṣabhānu-varaḥ—King Vṛṣabhānu; mahān—noble. Seeing Garga Muni, who was the greatest of philosophers, who was the brāhmaṇa tiger of sages, who, decorated with a parasol was like a second King Indra, holding a stick was like a second Yamarāja, his bodily luster illuminating the directions was like a second sun-god, a great book at his belt was like a second Lord Brahmā, and who, dressed in white garments, stood like Lord Viṣṇu Himself, noble King Vṛṣabhānu rose up at once with great respect, bowed his head, stood with folded hands, placed the sage on a great throne, washed his feet, presented many offerings, circumambulated him, and worshiped him according to the rules of scripture.

Śrī Vṛṣabhānu said: The peaceful wandering of saints is meant to bring peace to householders. It is a saint, and not the sun, that removes the darkness in the hearts of men.

O lord, by seeing you we gopas have gone on pilgrimage. Saints like you sanctify the sacred places in this world.

O sage, my daughter is named Rādhikā. She is the abode of great auspiciousness. To whom should I give Her in marriage? Please tell me your opinion.

Like the sun, your goodness can travel everywhere in the three worlds. I wish to give my daughter to a splendid husband who will be Her equal.

Śrī Nārada said: Taking Vṛṣabhānu's hand, the great sage Śrī Garga Muni went to a beautiful and secluded place on the Yamunā's shore.

Making the gopa-king Vṛṣabhānu sit down at a place where the Yamunā's waves made a great sound, Garga Muni, the king of sages and the knower of religion, spoke.

asaṅkhya-brahmāṇḍa-patir golokeśaḥ parāt paraḥ tasmāt paro varo nāsti jāto nanda-gṛhe patiḥ śrī-gargaḥ uvāca—Śrī Garga said; he gopa—O gopa; guptam—secret; ākhyanam—story; kathanīyam—to be told; na—not; ca—also; tvayā—by you; paripūrṇatamaḥ—the Supreme Personality of Godhead; sākṣāt—directly; śrī-kṛṣṇaḥ—Śrī Kṛṣṇa; bhagavān—the Lord; svayam—Himself; asaṅkhya—countless; brahmāṇḍa—of universes; patiḥ—the master; goloka—of Goloka; īśaḥ—the master; parāt paraḥ—greater than the greatest; tasmāt—than Him; paraḥ—better; varaḥ—husband; na—not; asti—is; jātaḥ—born; nanda—of Nanda; gṛhe—in the home; patiḥ—the Lord. Śrī Garga Muni said: O gopa, do not tell this secret. Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the original Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself, who is the master of countless universes, the king of Goloka, greater than the greatest, and the Lord than whom there is no better husband, has taken birth in Nanda's home.

asaṅkhya-brahmāṇḍa-patir golokeśaḥ parāt paraḥ tasmāt paro varo nāsti jāto nanda-gṛhe patiḥ śrī-gargaḥ uvāca—Śrī Garga said; he gopa—O gopa; guptam—secret; ākhyanam—story; kathanīyam—to be told; na—not; ca—also; tvayā—by you; paripūrṇatamaḥ—the Supreme Personality of Godhead; sākṣāt—directly; śrī-kṛṣṇaḥ—Śrī Kṛṣṇa; bhagavān—the Lord; svayam—Himself; asaṅkhya—countless; brahmāṇḍa—of universes; patiḥ—the master; goloka—of Goloka; īśaḥ—the master; parāt paraḥ—greater than the greatest; tasmāt—than Him; paraḥ—better; varaḥ—husband; na—not; asti—is; jātaḥ—born; nanda—of Nanda; gṛhe—in the home; patiḥ—the Lord. Śrī Garga Muni said: O gopa, do not tell this secret. Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the original Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself, who is the master of countless universes, the king of Goloka, greater than the greatest, and the Lord than whom there is no better husband, has taken birth in Nanda's home.

Śrī Vṛṣabhānu said: How fortunate! How fortunate for Nanda! O great sage, please tell everything of why Śrī Kṛṣṇa has descended to this world.

Śrī Garga Muni said: To remove the earth's burden and to kill the demons headed by Kaṁsa, on the demigod Brahmā's request Lord Kṛṣṇa has taken birth on the surface of the earth.

Śrī Rādhikā, who is Lord Kṛṣṇa's chief queen in Goloka, has taken birth in your home. You do not understand Her exalted position.

Śrī Nārada said: Delighted and astonished, Vṛṣabhānu called Kalāvatī and they both thought (about what Garga Muni said).

Understanding the exalted position of Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa, and shedding tears of bliss, the exalted gopa spoke to the great sage.

Śrī Vṛṣabhānu said: O brāhmaṇa, I will give my lotus-eyed daughter to Him. You have revealed this path. You should perform the wedding ceremony.

Śrī Garga Muni said: O king, I will not perform Their wedding ceremony. Their wedding will be in Bhāṇḍīravana by the Yamunā's shore.

The demigod Brahmā will come and perform the wedding in a beautiful secluded place near Vṛndāvana forest.

Because of this please know that Rādhā is half of the Supreme Personality of Godhead's body. In the palace of Goloka She is the queen of He who is the world's crest-jewel.

You gopas have all come from Goloka. By Śrī Rādhikā's wish the cows and gopīs have also come from Goloka.

She whom even the demigods, what to speak of others who perform sacrifices for many births, cannot see, many gopas and gopīs now see hidden in the courtyard of your palace.

Śrī Nārada said: O king, joyful and filled with wonder by hearing of Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa's exalted glories, the husband and wife spoke to Śrī Garga.

The husband and wife said: O brāhmaṇa, please truthfully explain the meaning of the name Rādhā. O great sage, save for you, no one in this world can cut our doubts.

Śrī Garga Muni said: As a disciple I heard this from the mouth of Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi as on Mount Gandhamādana He was explaining the Sāma Veda:

R stands for Ramā (the goddess of fortune), A stands for Adi-gopikā (the forst of the gopīs), DH stands for Dharā (the earth), and A stands for Virajā-nadī (the Virajā river).

The four potencies of Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, became His four wives: Līlā, Bhū, Śrī, and Virajā.

Because all these goddesses have now entered the form of Śrī Rādhā, the wise say that Śrī Rādhā is the original supreme goddess of fortune.

Śrī Nārada said: O gopa, they who again and again chant the names of Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa attain Lord Kṛṣṇa directly. What are the four goals of life to them?

O king, when they understood Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa's exalted glories, King Vṛṣabhānu and his dear wife became filled with wonder and bliss.

Then, after King Vṛṣabhānu had worshiped him, all-knowing Garga Muni, who was the best of philosophers and the king of sages, went to his own home.