Chapter Four Śrī Mathurā-prayāna The Journey to Śrī Mathurā

śrī-nārada uvāca—Śrī Nārada said; rājan—O king; evam—thus; vadantīnām—speaking; gopīnām—of the gopīs; viraham—the separation; param—great; vijṣāya—understanding; bhagavān—the Supreme Personality of Godhead; devaḥ—the Lord; śīghram—at once; tāsām—of them; gṛhān—to the homes; yayau—went.

yāvantyaḥ—as many; yoṣitaḥ—women; rājan—O king; tāvat—so many; rūpa-dharaḥ—manifesting the forms; hariḥ—Kṛṣṇa; svayam—personally; sambodhayām āsa—enlightened; vāgbhiḥ—with words; sarvāḥ—all; pṛthak pṛthak—individually.

śrī-rādhā—of Śrī Rādhā; mandiram—to the palace; gatvā—going; dṛṣṭvā—seeing; rādhām—Rādhā; ca—and; mūrchitam—faibnted; rahaḥ—in secluded place; sthitam—situated; sakhī-saṅge—in the company of Her friends; nanāda—played; muralīm—the flute; kalām—sweetly.

śrutvā—hearing; vaṁśī-dhvanim—the sound of the flute; rādhā—Rādhā; sahasā—at once; utthāya—rising; ca—and; aturā—agitated; netre—eyes; unmīlya—opening; dadṛśe—saw; śrī-govindam—Śrī Kṛṣṇa; samāgatam—come.

padminī—lotus flowers; iva—like; gatā—attained; ānandam—bliss; padminī—lotus flowers; padminī-patim—the sun; vīkṣya—seeing; utthāya—rising; āgata—come; tasmai—to Him; sa—with; ādareṇa—respect; āsanam—a seat; dadau—gave.

aśru—with tears; pūrṇa—filled; mukhīm—face; dīnām—poor; rādhām—Rādhā; kamala-locanām—lotus-eyed; śocantīm—weeping; bhagavān—the Supreme Personality of Godhead; āha—said; megha-gambhīrayā—deep as thunder; girā—with words.

śrī-bhagavān uvāca—the Supreme Personality of Godhead; vimanāḥ—unhappy; tvam—You; katham—why?; bhadre—O beautiful one; mā—don't; śocam—lament; kuru—do; rādhike—O Rādhā; athavā—or; gantu-kāmam—wishing to go; mām—Me; śrutvā—heard; asi—You are; viraha—by the separation; aturā—distressed.

bhuvaḥ—of the earth; bhāra—the burden; avatārāya—to remove; kaṁsādīnām—of the demons headed by Kaṁsa; vadhāya—for the killing; ca—and; brahmaṇā—by Brahmā; prārthitaḥ—requested; sākṣāt—directly; jātaḥ—born; aham—I am; vai—indeed; tvayā—You; saha—along with.

mathurām—to Mathurā; hi—indeed; gamiṣyāmi—I will go; hariṣyāmi—I will remove; bhuvaḥ—of the earth; bharam—the burden; śīghram—quickly; atra—here; āgamiṣyāmi—I will return; kariṣyāmi—I will do; śubham—the happiness; tava—of You.

śrī-nārada uvāca—Śrī Nārada said; īty—thus; uktavantam—speaking; jagad-īśvaram—Supreme Personality of Godhead; harim—Kṛṣṇa; rādhā—Rādhā; patim—Lord; prāha—said; viyoga-vihvalā—anxious about Their separation; dāvāgninā—with a forest fire; dāva—on fire; latā—a flowering vine; iva—like; mūrchitā—fainted; su-kampa—trembling; romaṣcita—and hairs erect; bhāva—symptoms of love; samvṛtā—filled with.

śrī-rādhā uvāca—Śrī Rādhā said; bhuvaḥ—of the earth; bharam—the burden; hartum—to remove; alam—greatly; purīm—to the city; vraja—go; kṛtam—done; param—then; me—to Me; śapatham—vow; śṛṇu—please hear; tvataḥ—from You; gate—gone; tvayi—when You; prāṇa-pate—O Lord of My life; ca—and; vigraham—form; kadācit—sometime; atra—here; eva—indeed; na—not; dhārayāmy—maintain; aham—I.

yadā—when; attha—You said; me—to Me; tvam—You; śapatham—vow; na—not; manyase—think; dvitīya-vāram—a second time; pradadāmi—I give; vāk—of words; patham—the path; prāṇaḥ—life-breath; adhare—on the lips; gantum—to go; atīva-vihvalaḥ—very agitated; karpūra-dhūleḥ—of a speck of camphor; kaṇavat—like a single grain; gamiṣyati—will go.

śrī-bhagavān uvāca—the Supreme Personality of Godhead said; vacanam—words; me—of Me; sva-nigamam—assertion; dūrī-kartum—far away; kṣamaḥ—am able; asmy—am; aham—I; bhaktānām—of the devotees; vacanam—the words; rādhe—O Rādhā; dūrī-kartum—to throw far away; na—not; ca—and; kṣamaḥ—able.

śrīdāma—of Śrīdāmā; śāpāt—because of the curse; pūrvasmāt—previous; goloke—in Goloka; kalahān—froma quarrel; mama—of Me; śata-varṣam—a hundred years; te—of You; viyogaḥ—separation; bhaviṣyati—will be; na—no; saṁśayaḥ—doubt.

mā—don't; śokam—lament; kuru—do; kalyāṇi—O beautiful one; varam—lover; me—Me; smara—remember; rādhike—O Rādhā; māsam—month; māsam—after month; viyoge—in separation; te—of You; darśanam—the sight; me—of Me; bhaviṣyati—will be.

śrī-rādhā uvāca—Śrī Rādhā said; māsaṁ prati—every month; viyoge—in separation; me—to Me; dātum—to give; svam—own; darśanam—sight; hare—O $; cen—if; na—not; āgamiṣyasi—You will return; tadā—then; asūn—life; duḥkhāt—out of unhappiness; santyajāmy—renounce; aham—I.

loka—of the worlds; abhirāma—O happiness; jana—of the people; bhūṣaṇa—O ornament; viśva—of the universe; dīpa—O lamp; kandarpa—as kāmadeva; mohana—charming; jagat—of the universes; vṛjina—of the sins; arti—the sufferings; hārin—O remover; ānanda-kanda—O source of bliss; yadu-nandana—O descendent of Yadu; nanda-sūnaḥ—O son of Nanda; adya—today; āgamasya—of the return; śapatham—vow; kuru—do; me—of Me; puraḥ—in the presence; tvam—You.

śrī-bhagavān uvāca—the Supreme Personality of Godhead said; rambha—banana tree; ūru—thighs; māsam—month; prati—every; te—of You; viyoge—in separation; cen—if; na—not; āgamiṣye—return; śapatham—promise; gavām—of the cows; me—of Me; niḥsaṁśayam—wihtout doubt; niṣkapaṭam—without duplicity; vacaḥ—words; tvam—You; avehi—please understand; rādhe—O Rādhā; kathitam—spoken; mayā—by Me; yat—which.

yaḥ—who; mitratām—to friendship; niṣkapaṭam—sincere; karoti—does; niṣkāraṇaḥ—unselfish; dhanyatamaḥ—most fortunate; sa—he; eva—indeed; vidhāya—placing; maitrīm—friendship; kapaṭam—insincere; vidadhyāt—should place; tam—that; lampaṭam—a debauchee; hetu—reason; paṭam—dressed; naṭam—an actor; dhik—fie!

karma—working; indriyāṇi—senses; iha—here; yathā—as; rasādiṁḥ—beginning with the tongue; tathā—so; sa-kāmā—with desire; munayaḥ—the sages; sukham—happiness; yat—which; manāk—slightly; na—not; jānanti—know; hi—indeed; nairapekṣam—aloofness; gūḍham—hidden; param—great; nirguṇa-lakṣaṇam—beyond the modes of nature; tat—that.

jānanti—know; santaḥ—the saintly devotees; sama-darśinaḥ—seeing equally; ye—who; dāntā—self-controlled; mahāntaḥ—great souls; kila—indeed; nairapekṣāḥ—renounced; te—they; nairapekṣyam—renunciation; paramam—supreme; sukham—happiness; me—of Me; jṣānendriyādīni—beginning with the knowledge-acquiring senses; yathā—as; rasādīn—beginning with taste.

sarvam—all; hi—indeed; bhāvam—love; manasaḥ—of the heart; parasparam—mutual; na—not; hy—indeed; ekataḥ—alone; bhāmini—O beautiful one; jāyate—is born; tataḥ—then; prema—love; eva—indeed; kartavyam—should be done; ataḥ—then; mayi—for Me; svataḥ—spontaneously; premṇā—with love; samānam—equal; bhuvi—in the world; na—not; asti—is; kiṣcit—anything.

yathā—as; hi—indeed; bhāṇḍīra-vaṭe—in Bhandiravana; manorathaḥ—desire; babhūva—was; rādhe—O Rādhā; hi—indeed; tathā—so; bhaviṣyati—will be; ahaitukam—causless; prema—love; ca—and; sadbhiḥ—by the devotees; āśritam—taken shelter; tac—that; ca—and; api—even; santaḥ—the devotees; kila—indeed; nirguṇam—beyond the modes; viduḥ—know.

ye—who; rādhikāyām—in Rādhā; tvayi—in You; keśave—in Kṛṣṇa; mayi—in Me; bhedam—difference; na—not; kurvanti—do; hi—indeed; dugdha—milk; sauklya—and whiteness; vat—like; ta—they; eva—indeed; me—of Me; brahma-padam—the spiritual abode; prayānti—attain; tat—that; ahaituka—selfless; sphurjita—manifest; bhakti—devotional service; lakṣaṇāḥ—characterized.

ye—who; rādhikāyām—in Rādhā; tvayi—in You; keśave—in Kṛṣṇa; mayi—in Me; paśyanti—see; bhedam—difference; ku-dhiyaḥ—fools; narāḥ—people; bhuvi—in this world; te—they; kāla-sūtram—the rope of time; prapatanti—fall; duḥkhitā—unhappy; rambha—banana trees; ūru—thighs; yāvat—as; kila—indeed; candra—the moon; bhāskarau—and the sun.

śrī-nārada uvāca—Śrī Nārada said; evam—thus; āśvāsya—comforting; tām—Her; rādhām—Rādhā; sarvam—all; gopī-gaṇam—the gopīs; tathā—so; āyayau—went; nanda-bhavanam—to Nanda's palace; bhagavān—the Lord; naya-kovidaḥ—the greatest philosopher.

atha—then; sūryodaye—at sunrise; jāte—manifested; nandādyāḥ—headed by nanda; śakaṭaiḥ—with wagons; balim—offerings; nītvā—taking; rathān—chariots; samāruhya—climbing; sarve—all; śrī-mathurām—to Mathurā; yayuḥ—went.

āruhya—climbing; rāma-kṛṣṇābhyām—with Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma; svam—own; ratham—chariot; gandinī-sutaḥ—Akrūra; prayāṇam—the journey; akarot—did; rājan—O king; mathurām—to Mathurā; draṣṭum—to see; udyataḥ—prepared.

koṭisaḥ koṭiśaḥ—millions and millions; gopyaḥ—of gopīs; mārge—on path; mārge—after path; samāsthitāḥ—stood; paśyantyaḥ—gazing; tan-nirgamanam—at the departure; krodhāḍhyā—filled with anger; moha-vihvalāḥ—overcome with bewilderment.

krūra—cruel; krūra—cruel; iti—thus; ca—and; akrūram—to Akrūra; vadantyaḥ—saying; pāruṣam—harsh; vacaḥ—words; rurudhuḥ—blocked; sarvataḥ—everywhere; yānam—the journey; yathā—as; arkam—the sun; sa-ratham—with chariot; ghanaḥ—a cloud.

akrūrasya—of Akrūra; ratham—the chariot; rājan—O king; nijaghnuḥ—hit; yaṣṭibhiḥ—with sticks; bhṛśām—greatly; aśvān—the horses; tathā—so; sārathim—the charioteer; ca—and; bhagavad-virahāturāḥ—distraught with separation from the Lord.

aśvāḥ—the horses; tatra—there; samutpetuḥ—bolted; tāḍitāḥ—beated; ta—they; itaḥ—here; tataḥ—and there; gopī—of the gopīs; dvi—two; aṅguli—fingers; ghātena—by the blow; sārathiḥ—the charioteer; patitaḥ—fell; rathāt—from the chariot.

vihāya—giving up; lajjām—the shame; lokasya—of the world; samākṛṣya—pulling; rathāt—from the chariot; balāt—by force; kaṅkaṇaiḥ—with bracelets; teḍuḥ—beat; akrūram—Akrūra; paśyatoḥ—looking on; kṛṣṇa-rāmayoḥ—Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma.

gopī-yūtha—of the gopīs; balam—the power; dṛṣṭvā—seeing; sa-balaḥ—with Balarāma; bhagavān—the Supreme Personality of Godhead; hariḥ—Kṛṣṇa; gopīḥ—to the gopīs; sambodhayām āsa—addressed; rakṣitvā—protecting; gandinī-sutam—Akrūra.

sandhyāyām—at sunset; āgamiṣyāmi—I will return; mā—don't; śokam—lament; kuruta—do; aṅganāḥ—O girls; paśyataḥ—looking; ca-—and; asya—of him; mad-dhāsyam—troubling; mā—not; kurvantu—should do; vrajaukasaḥ—the people of Vraja.

ity—thus; evam—thus; uktvā—speaking; sarathaḥ—riding in a chariot; samāgataḥ—come; akrūreṇa—with Akrūra; kṛṣṇaḥ—Kṛṣṇa; baladeva-samyutaḥ—with Balarāma; turaṅgamaiḥ—with the horses; vegamayaiḥ—fast; manoharaiḥ—handsome; yayau—went; purīm—to the city; yādava-vṛnda-maṇḍitam—decorated with the Yādavas.

yāvat—as; rathaḥ—the chariot; ketuḥ—the flag; uta—indeed; aśva—of the horses; reṇuḥ—the dust; alakṣyate—was seen; tāvat—so; atīva—great; mohāt—from illusion; sthitā—situated; hy—indeed; abhūvan—was; pathi—on the path; citravat—like a picture; tāḥ —they; smṛtvā—remembering; hareḥ—of Lord Kṛṣṇa; vākyam—the words; uta—indeed; āgata—returned; āśāḥ—hope.