Sri Garga-samhita

Sri Garga-samhita

Sri Garga-samhita

Chapter Ten Śrī Kṛṣṇa-go-cāraṇa-varṇana Description of Śrī Kṛṣṇa's Herding the Cows

Text 1

Verse text

śrī-nārada uvāca
gopecchayā rāma-kṛṣṇau
gopālau tau babhūvatuḥ
gāś cārayantau gopālair
vayasyaiś ceratur vane

Synonyms

śrī-nārada uvāca Śrī Nārada said ; gopa of ther gopas ; icchayā by teh desire ; rāma-kṛṣṇau Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma ; gopālau gopas ; tau They ; babhūvatuḥ became ; gāḥ the cows ; cārayantau herding ; gopālaiḥ with the gopas ; vayasyaiḥ friends ; ceratuḥ went ; vane *in the forest.

Translation

Śrī Nārada said: By the wish of the adult gopas, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma were placed in charge of protecting the cows. Herding the cows with Their gopa friends, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma would walk in the forest.
Text 2

Verse text

agre pṛṣṭhe tadā gāvas
carantyaḥ pārśvayor dvayoḥ
śrī-kṛṣṇasya balasyāpi
paśyantyaḥ sundaraṁ mukham

Synonyms

agre in front ; pṛṣṭhe behind ; tadā then ; gāvaḥ the cpws ; carantyaḥ going ; pārśvayoḥ on the sides ; dvayoḥ two ; śrī-kṛṣṇasya of Śrī Kṛṣṇa ; balasya of Balarāma ; api and ; paśyantyaḥ seeing ; sundaram handsome ; mukham *face.

Translation

Walking before, behind, and on both sides, the cows gazed at Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma's handsome faces.
Text 3

Verse text

ghaṇṭā-mañjīra-jhaṅkāraṁ
kurvantyas tā itas tataḥ
kiṅkiṇī-jāla-samyuktā
hema-mālā-lasad-galāḥ

Synonyms

ghaṇṭā bells ; mañjīra anklets ; jhaṅkāram tinkling ; kurvantyaḥ doing ; they ; itaḥ here ; tataḥ and there ; kiṅkiṇī of small bells ; jāla with a network ; samyuktāḥ endowed ; hema golden ; mālā necklaces ; lasat glistening ; galāḥ *necks.

Translation

The cows wore glittering golden necklaces, a network of small bells, and tinkling anklets.
Text 4

Verse text

muktā-gucchair barhi-picchair
lasat-pucchāccha-keśaraḥ
sphuratāṁ nava-ratnānāṁ
mālā-jālair virājitaḥ

Synonyms

muktā of pearls ; gucchaiḥ with bunches ; barhi-picchaiḥ with peacock feathers ; lasat-pucchāccha-keśaraḥ splendid tails ; sphuratām manifested ; nava-ratnānām of nine jewels ; mālā-jālaiḥ with many necklaces ; virājitaḥ *splendid.

Translation

Their tails were decorated with peacock feathers and bunches of pearls. They were splendid with necklaces of nine jewels.
Text 5

Verse text

śṛṅgayor antare rājan
śiro-maṇi-manoharāḥ
hema-raśmi-prabhā-sphūrjac-
chṛṅga-pārśva-praveṣṭanāḥ

Synonyms

śṛṅgayoḥ horns ; antare between ; rājan O king ; śiro-maṇi-manoharāḥ neautiful ; hema gold ; raśmi-prabhā splendor ; sphūrjat shining ; śṛṅga horn ; pārśva side ; praveṣṭanāḥ *entered.

Translation

O king, a crown jewel placed between their horns made them beautiful. Their horns were plated with gold.
Text 6

Verse text

ārakta-tilakāḥ kāścit
pīta-pucchārunāṅghrayaḥ
kailāsa-giri-saṅkāśāḥ
śīla-rūpa-mahā-guṇāḥ

Synonyms

ārakta red ; tilakāḥ tilaka ; kāścit some ; pīta yellow ; puccha tails ; aruṇa red ; aṅghrayaḥ feet ; kailāsa Kailasa ; giri Mount ; saṅkāśāḥ splendor ; śīla noble character ; rūpa beauty ; mahā-guṇāḥ *virtues.

Translation

Some had yellow tails and red hooves. They were decorated with red tilaka. They were like many Mount Kailāsas. They had virtues, good character, and beauty.
Text 7

Verse text

sa-vatsā manda-gāminya
ūḍho-bhāreṇa maithila
kuṇḍoghnyaḥ pāṭalāḥ kāścil
lakṣantyo bhavya-mūrtayaḥ

Synonyms

sa-vatsā with calves ; manda-gāminya walking slowly ; ūḍho-bhāreṇa with full milk-bags ; maithila O King of Mithila ; kuṇḍoghnyaḥ with great udders ; pāṭalāḥ red patala flowers ; kāścil some ; lakṣantyaḥ bhavya-mūrtayaḥ *beautiful forms.

Translation

O king of Mithilā, accompanied by their calves, they walked slowly, their udders full. Some were like great red pāṭala flowers. They were very beautiful.
Text 8

Verse text

kāścit pītā vicitrāś ca
śyāmāś ca haritās tathā
tāmrā dhūmrā ghana-śyāmā
ghana-śyāme gatekṣaṇāḥ

Synonyms

kāścit some ; pītā yellow ; vicitrāś multicolored ; ca and ; śyāmāś black ; ca and ; haritāḥ green ; tathā so ; tāmrā brown ; dhūmrā smokey ; ghana-śyāmā the color of clouds ; ghana-śyāme on Kṛṣṇa, who was dark as a cloud ; gata gone ; īkṣaṇāḥ *eyes.

Translation

Some were yellow, some multicolored, some black, some green, some smoke-colored, and some cloud-colored. All their eyes were placed on Kṛṣṇa, His form dark as a cloud.
Text 9

Verse text

laghu-śṛṅgyo dīrgha-śṛṅgya
ucca-śṛṅgyo vṛṣaiḥ saha
mṛga-śṛṅgyo vakra-śṛṅgyaḥ
kapilā maṅgalāyanāḥ

Synonyms

laghu small ; śṛṅgyaḥ horns ; dīrgha long ; śṛṅgya horns ; ucca high ; śṛṅgyaḥ horns ; vṛṣaiḥ bulls ; saha with ; mṛga deer ; śṛṅgyaḥ horns ; vakra bent ; śṛṅgyaḥ horns ; kapilā brown ; maṅgalāyanāḥ *auspicious.

Translation

Some had short horns, some long horns, some high horns, some bent horns, and some horns like a deer's antlers. Some were with many bulls. Some were brown and beautiful.
Text 10

Verse text

śādvalaṁ komalaṁ kāntaṁ
vīkṣantyo 'pi vane vane
koṭiśaḥ koṭiśo gāvas
carantyaḥ kṛṣṇa-pārśvayoḥ

Synonyms

śādvalam grass ; komalam soft ; kāntam desirable ; vīkṣantyaḥ seeing ; api also ; vane in forest ; vane after forest ; koṭiśaḥ millions ; koṭiśaḥ on millions ; gāvaḥ of cows ; carantyaḥ herded ; kṛṣṇa-pārśvayoḥ *by Kṛṣṇa's side.

Translation

Searching for tender and delicious grasses, millions and millions of cows walked at Kṛṣṇa's side through forest after forest.
Texts 11-13

Verse text

puṇyaṁ śrī-yamunā-tīraṁ
tamālaiḥ śyāmalair vanam
nīpaiḥ nimbaiḥ kadambaiś ca
pravālaiḥ panasair drumaiḥ
kadalī-kovidārāmrair
jambu-bilvair manoharaiḥ
aśvatthaiś ca kapitthaiś ca
mādhavībhiś ca maṇḍitam
babhau vṛndāvanaṁ divyaṁ
vasantartu-manoharaṁ
nandanaṁ sarvato-bhadraṁ
kṣipac caitrarathaṁ vanam

Synonyms

puṇyam sacred ; śrī-yamunā-tīram the shore of the Yamunā ; tamālaiḥ with tamala trees ; śyāmalaiḥ dark ; vanam forest ; nīpaiḥ with nipa trees ; nimbaiḥ with nim trees ; kadambaiḥ with kadamba trees ; ca and ; pravālaiḥ with pravala trees ; panasaiḥ with panasa trees ; drumaiḥ withb trees ; kadalī with kadali trees ; kovidāra with kovidara trees ; amraiḥ wityh mango trees ; jambu with jambu trees ; bilvaiḥ with bilva trees ; manoharaiḥ beautiful ; aśvatthaiś with asvattha trees ; ca and ; kapitthaiḥ with kappitha trees ; ca and ; mādhavībhiś with madhavi vines ; ca and ; maṇḍitam decorated ; babhau was splendidly manifested ; vṛndāvanam Vṛndāvana ; divyam transcendental ; vasantartu-manoharam beautiful in the springtime ; nandanam nandana ; sarvatobhadram Sarvatobhadraṁ ; kṣipac eclisping ; caitraratham Caitraratha ; vanam *forest.

Translation

Its Yamunā shore very pure and sacred, and its groves decorated with many dark tamāla trees and many beautiful nīpa, nimba, kadamba, pravāla, panasa, kadalī, kovidāra, mango, jambu, bilva, aśvattha, and kapittha trees, as well as many mādhavī vines, beautiful in the springtime, and its glory eclipsing the nandana, sarvatobhadra, and caitraratha forests of heaven, transcendental Vṛndāvana forest was splendidly manifest.
Texts 14-17

Verse text

yatra govardhano nāma
su-nirjhara-darī-yutaḥ
ratna-dhātu-mayaḥ śrīmān
mandāra-vana-saṅkulaḥ
śrīkhaṇḍa-badarī-rambhā-
devadāru-vaṭair vṛtaḥ
palāśa-plakṣāśokaiś cā-
riṣṭārjuna-kadambakaiḥ
pārijātaiḥ pāṭalaiś ca
campakaiḥ pariśobhitaḥ
karañja-jāla-kuñjāḍhyaḥ
śyāmair indrayavair vṛtaḥ
kalakaṇṭhaiḥ kokilaiś ca
puṁs-kokila-mayūra-bhṛt
gāś cārayaṁs tatra kṛṣṇo
vicacāra vane vane

Synonyms

yatra where ; govardhanaḥ Govardhana ; nāma named ; su-nirjhara-darī-yutaḥ with caves and streams ; ratna-dhātu-mayaḥ made of jewels ; śrīmān beautiful ; mandāra-vana-saṅkulaḥ filled with forests of mandara trees ; śrīkhaṇḍa-badarī-rambhā-devadāru-vaṭaiḥ with śrīkhaṇḍa, badarī, rambhā, devadāru, and vaṭatrees ; vṛtaḥ filled ; palāśa-plakṣāśokaiḥ with palāśa, plakṣa, and aśoka trees ; ca and ; ariṣṭārjuna-kadambakaiḥ with ariṣṭa, arjuna, and kadambaka trees ; pārijātaiḥ with parijata trees ; pāṭalaiś with patala trees ; ca and ; campakaiḥ with campaka trees ; pariśobhitaḥ beautiful ; karañja-jāla-kuñjāḍhyaḥ opulent with many karanja trees ; śyāmaiḥ black ; indrayavaiḥ withj indrayava trees ; vṛtaḥ filled ; kalakaṇṭhaiḥ with kalkanthas ; kokilaiś kokilas ; ca and ; puṁs-kokila male kokilas ; mayūra peacocks ; bhṛt manifested ; gāś cows ; cārayaṁḥ herding ; tatra there ; kṛṣṇaḥ Kṛṣṇa ; vicacāra went ; vane in forest ; vane *after forest.

Translation

In Vṛndāvana forest, on the beautiful hill named Govardhana, which was made of precious gems, had many glorious caves and swiftly-moving streams, and was filled with many beautiful mandāra, śrīkhaṇḍa, badarī, rambhā, devadāru, vaṭa, palāśa, plakṣa, aśoka, ariṣṭa, arjuna, kadambaka, pārijāta, pāṭala, campaka, karañja, and śyāma-indrayava trees, and many kalakaṇṭhas, kokilas, puṁs-kokilas, and peacocks, Kṛṣṇa wandered from forest to forest as He herded the cows.
Texts 18-22

Verse text

vṛndāvane madhuvane
pārśve tālavanasya ca
kumud-vane bāhule ca
divya-kāma-vane pare
bṛhat-sānu-gireḥ pārśve
girer nandīśvarasya ca
sundare kokilavane
kokila-dhvani-saṅkule
ramye kuśavane saumye
latā-jāla-samanvite
mahā-puṇye bhadravane
bhāṇḍīropavane nṛpa
lohārgale ca yamunā-
tīre tīre vane vane
pīta-vāsaḥ parīkāro
naṭa-veṣo manoharaḥ
vetra-bhṛd vādayan vaṁśīṁ
gopīnāṁ prītim āvahan
mayūra-picchā-bhṛn maulī
sragvī kṛṣṇo babhau nṛpa

Synonyms

vṛndāvane in Vṛndāvana ; madhuvane Madhuvana ; pārśve on the side ; tālavanasya of Talavana ; ca and ; kumud-vane Kumud-vana ; bāhule Bahula ; ca qand ; divya-kāma-vane splendid Kamavana ; pare great ; bṛhat-sānu-gireḥ on the top of the hill ; pārśve on the side ; gireḥ of the hill ; nandīśvarasya of Nandisvara ; ca and ; sundare beautiful ; kokilavane Kokilavana ; kokila-dhvani-saṅkule filled with the sounds of cuckoos ; ramye beautiful ; kuśavane Kusavana ; saumye beautiful ; latā-jāla-samanvite filled with vines ; mahā-puṇye very sacred ; bhadravane bhadravana ; bhāṇḍīropavane in Bhandiravana ; nṛpa O king ; lohārgale in Lohargala ; ca and ; yamunā of the Yamunā ; tīre on the shore ; tīre on the shore ; vane in forest ; vane after forest ; pīta-vāsaḥ-parikāraḥ dressed in yellow garments ; naṭa-veṣaḥ dressed as a dancer ; manoharaḥ handsome ; vetra-bhṛt holding a stick ; vādayan playing ; vaṁśīm the flute ; gopīnām of the gopīs ; prītim pleasure ; āvahan bringing ; mayūra-picchā-bhṛn wearing a peacock feather ; maulī with a crown ; sragvī with a garland ; kṛṣṇaḥ Kṛṣṇa ; babhau shone ; nṛpa *O king.

Translation

O king, in Vṛndāvana, Madhuvana, Tālavana, Kumudvana, Bāhulavana, Divya-kāmavana, on the summit and slopes of Nandīśvara Hill, in beautiful Kokilavana, which was filled with the singing of cuckoos, in beautiful Kuśavana, which was filled with many flowering vines, in beautiful and sacred Bhadravana, in Bhāṇḍīropavana, in Lohārgala, in shore after shore by the Yamunā, and in forest after forest, handsome Kṛṣṇa, in yellow garments, dressed as a dancer, holding a stick, decorated with peacock feathers, a crown, and many garlands, playing His flute, and delighting the gopīs, was splendidly manifest.
Text 23

Verse text

agre kṛtvā gavāṁ vṛndaṁ
sāyam-kāle hariḥ svayam
rāgaiḥ samīrayan vaṁśīṁ
śrī-nanda-vrajam aviśat
Placing the cows in front and playing many melodies on His flute, Kṛṣṇa returned to Nanda's village in the evening.

Synonyms

agre in front ; kṛtvā placing ; gavām the cows ; vṛndam multitude ; sāyam-kāle in the evening ; hariḥ Kṛṣṇa ; svayam personally ; rāgaiḥ with many melodies ; samīrayan playing ; vaṁśīm the flute ; śrī-nanda-vrajam to the gopa village of Nanda
Texts 24 and 25

Verse text

veṇu-vaṁśī-dhvaniṁ śrutvā
śrī-vaṁśīvaṭa-mārgataḥ
go-rajobhir nabho vyaptaṁ
vīkṣya gehād vinirgatāḥ
dūrī-kartuṁ hy ādhibādhāṁ
āhartuṁ sukham uttamam
vismartuṁ na samarthās taṁ
draṣṭuṁ gopyaḥ samāyayuḥ

Synonyms

veṇu-vaṁśī-dhvanim the sound of the flute ; śrutvā hearing ; śrī-vaṁśīvaṭa-mārgataḥ from the path to Vamsivata ; go-rajobhiḥ with the dust of the cows ; nabhaḥ the air ; vyaptam filled ; vīkṣya seeing ; gehāt from their homes ; vinirgatāḥ left ; dūrī-kartum to put far away ; hy indeed ; ādhibādhām anxiety ; āhartum to attain ; sukham happiness ; uttamam the highest ; vismartum to forget ; na not ; samarthāḥ able ; tam Him ; draṣṭum to see ; gopyaḥ the gopīs ; samāyayuḥ *went.

Translation

Hearing the sound of the flute, and seeing the cows' dust fill the sky along the Vaṁśīvaṭa path, the gopīs, to put their anxieties far away and to taste the highest happiness, and unable to forget Him, went to see Kṛṣṇa.
Text 26

Verse text

saṅkoca-vīthīṣu na saṅgṛhītaḥ
sanaiś calan go-gaṇa-saṅkulāsu
siṁhāvaloko gaja-bāla-līlair
vadhū-janaiḥ paṅkaja-patra-netraḥ
su-maṇḍitaṁ maithila go-rajobhir
nīlaṁ paraṁ kuntalam ādadhānaḥ
hemāṅgadī mauli-virājamāna
ā-karṇa-vakrī-kṛta-dṛṣṭi-bāṇaḥ
go-dhūlibhir maṇḍita-kunda-hāraḥ
karṇopari sphūrjita-karṇikāraḥ
pītāmbaro veṇu-nināda-kāraḥ
pātu prabhur vo hṛta-bhūri-bhāraḥ

Synonyms

saṅkoca-vīthīṣu on the paths ; na not ; saṅgṛhitāḥ taken ; sanaiś slowly ; calan going ; go-gaṇa-saṅkulāsu among the cows ; siṁhāvalokaḥ with a lion's glance ; gaja-bāla-līlaiḥ with the playfulness of a baby elephant ; vadhū-janaiḥ by the girls ; paṅkaja-patra-netraḥ lotus-petal eyes ; su-maṇḍitam decorated ; maithila O King of Mithila ; go-rajobhiḥ with the cows' dust ; nīlam black ; param then ; kuntalam hair ; ādadhānaḥ taking ; hemāṅgadī golden bracelets ; mauli-virājamāna with a splendid crown ; ā-karṇa from His ears ; vakrī-kṛta crooked ; dṛṣṭi of glances ; bāṇaḥ with arrows ; go-dhūlibhiḥ with cows' dust ; maṇḍita decorated ; kunda of jasmine flowers ; hāraḥ garland ; karṇopari pn His ear ; sphūrjita-karṇikāraḥ the whorl of a blossomed lotus ; pītāmbaraḥ wearing yellow garments ; veṇu-nināda-kāraḥ plkaying the flute ; pātu may protect ; prabhuḥ the Lord ; vaḥ you ; hṛta-bhūri-bhāraḥ *who removed the great burden of the earth.

Translation

May Lord Kṛṣṇa, who did not leave the path, who slowly brought the cows with Him, whose glance was like a lion's, whose playfulness was like a baby elephant's, whose eyes were lotus petals, who was the object of the gopīs' glances, who was decorated with cows' dust, who had handsome black hair, who wore golden armlets, who was glorious with a crown, who shot arrows of crooked glances from large eyes that seemed to touch His ears, whose jasmine-garland was decorated with cows' dust, who wore the whorl of a blossoming lotus on His ear, who wore yellow garments, who played the flute, and who removed the earth's great burden, protect you all. .pa Chapter Eleven Dhenukāsura-mokṣa The Liberation of Dhenukāsura
Text 1

Verse text

śrī-nārada uvāca
ekadā sa-balaḥ kṛṣṇaś
cārayan gā manoharāḥ
gopālaiḥ sahitaḥ sarvair
yayau tālavanaṁ navam

Synonyms

śrī-nāradaḥ uvāca Śrī Nārada said ; ekadā one day ; sa-balaḥ with Balarāma ; kṛṣṇaś Kṛṣṇa ; cārayan herding ; the cows ; manoharāḥ beautiful ; gopālaiḥ with the gopas ; sahitaḥ with ; sarvaiḥ all ; yayau went ; tālavanam to Talavana ; navam *new.

Translation

One day, as He was herding the beautiful cows with Balarāma and all the gopas, Kṛṣṇa went to newly-blossoming Tālavana forest.
Text 2

Verse text

dhenukasya bhayād gopā
na gatās te vanāntaram
kṛṣṇo 'pi na gatas tatra
bala eko viveśa ha

Synonyms

dhenukasya of an ass ; bhayāt out of fear ; gopā the gopas ; na not ; gatāḥ went ; te they ; vanāntaram to the forest ; kṛṣṇaḥ Kṛṣṇa ; api even ; na not ; gataḥ wednt ; tatra there ; bala Balarāma ; ekaḥ alone ; viveśa entered ; ha *indeed.

Translation

Out of fear of an ass, Dhenuka, the gopas did not enter that forest. Even Kṛṣṇa did not enter. Only Balarāma entered.
Text 3

Verse text

nīlāmbaraṁ kaṭau baddhvā
baladevo mahā-balaḥ
paripakva-phalārthaṁ hi
tad-vane vicacāra ha

Synonyms

nīla blue ; ambaram garments ; kaṭau on His hip ; baddhvā bound ; baladevaḥ Balarāma ; mahā-balaḥ very powerful ; paripakva ripe ; phala fruits ; artham for the purpose ; hi indeed ; tad-vane to that forest ; vicacāra went ; ha *indeed.

Translation

Tying the blue sash at His waist, very powerful Balarāma entered that forest to get its ripe fruit.
Text 4

Verse text

bāhūbhyāṁ kāmpayaṁs tālān
phala-saṅghaṁ nipātayan
garjaṁś ca nirbhayaṁ sākṣād
ananto 'nanta-vikramaḥ

Synonyms

bāhūbhyām with both arms ; kāmpayaṁḥ shaking ; tālān the tala trees ; phala-saṅgham many fruits ; nipātayan causing to fall ; garjan roaring ; ca and ; nirbhayam without fear ; sākṣāt directly ; anantaḥ Lord Ananta ; ananta-vikramaḥ *whose strength had not limit.

Translation

Roaring fearlessly, Balarāma, who was Lord Ananta Himself, and whose strength had no limit, with both arms shook the tāla trees and made many fruits fall.
Text 5

Verse text

phalānāṁ patatāṁ śabdaṁ
śrutvā krodhāvṛtaḥ kharaḥ
madhyāhne svāpa-kṛd duṣṭo
bhīmaḥ kaṁsa-sakho bali

Synonyms

phalānām of the fruits3 ; patatām falling ; śabdam the sound ; śrutvā heariung ; krodha with anger ; āvṛtaḥ filled ; kharaḥ the ass ; madhyāhne in the middle of the day ; svāpa-kṛt napping ; duṣṭaḥ the demon ; bhīmaḥ powerful ; kaṁsa-sakhaḥ a friend of Kaṁsa ; balī *strong.

Translation

When he heard the sound of the falling fruits, the ass-demon Dhenuka, who was very powerful, who was a friend of Kaṁsa, and who had been taking his midday nap, became filled with anger.
Texts 6-9

Verse text

āyayau sammukhe yoddhuṁ
baladevasya dhenukaḥ
balaṁ paścima-pādābhyāṁ
nihatytorasi sa-tvaram
cakāra khara-śabdaṁ svaṁ
paridhāvan muhur muhuḥ
gṛhītv⁠dhenukaṁ śīghraṁ
balaḥ paścima-pādayoḥ
cīkṣepa tāla-vṛkṣe ca
hastenaikena līlayā
tena bhagnaś ca tālo 'pi
tālān pārśva-sthitān bahūn
pātayām āsa rājendra
tad adbhutam ivābhavat
punar utthāya daityendro
balaṁ jagrāha roṣataḥ

Synonyms

āyayau came ; sammukhe in the presence ; yoddhum to fight ; baladevasya Balarāma ; dhenukaḥ Dhenuka ; balam Balarāma ; paścima behind ; pādābhyām with both feet ; nihatyta struck ; urasi on the chest ; sa-tvaram quickly ; cakāra did ; khara-śabdam an ass sound ; svam own ; paridhāvan running ; muhuḥ again ; muhuḥ and again ; gṛhītvā taking ; dhenukam Dhenuka ; śīghram at once ; balaḥ Balarāma ; paścima-pādayoḥ by the hind hooves ; cikṣepa threw ; tāla-vṛkṣe into a tala tree ; ca and ; hastenaikena with one hand ; līlayā playfully ; tena by Him ; bhagnaś broken ; ca and ; tālaḥ the tala tree ; api even ; tālān the tal trees ; pārśva-sthitān by its side ; bahūn many ; pātayām āsa caused to fall rājendra —O king of kings ; tat that ; adbhutam wonder ; iva like ; abhavat was ; punaḥ again ; utthāya rising ; daityendraḥ the king of demons ; balam Balarāma ; jagrāha grabbed ; roṣataḥ *angrily.

Translation

Coming before the Lord to fight, with his hind hooves Dhenuka suddenly kicked Balarāma's chest and neighed. Balarāma chased Dhenuka, quickly caught his hind legs, and with one hand playfully threw him into a tāla tree. When that tree fell it made and many other tāla trees nearby also fall. O king of kings, all this was very surprising. Then that king of demons again stood up and angrily grabbed Balarāma.
Text 10

Verse text

yojanaṁ nodayām āsa
gajaṁ prati gajo yathā
gṛhītvā taṁ balaḥ sadyo
bhrāmayitvātha dhenukam

Synonyms

yojanam for eight miles ; nodayām āsa threw ; gajam one elephant ; prati to ; gajaḥ one elephant ; yathā as ; gṛhītvā grabbing ; tam him ; balaḥ Balarāma ; sadyaḥ at once ; bhrāmayitvā whirling around ; dhenukam *Dhenuka.

Translation

Then Balarāma suddenly grabbed Dhenuka, whirled him around, and, as one elephant throws another elephant, threw him for eight miles.
Text 11

Verse text

bhū-pṛṣṭhe pothayām āsa
mūrcchito bhagna-mastakaḥ
kṣaṇena punar utthāya
krodha-samyukta-vigrahaḥ
When Dhenuka struck the ground, his head became badly wounded, and he fell unconscious. In a moment he stood up, and this time his body was filled with anger.

Synonyms

bhū-pṛṣṭhe on the ground ; pothayām āsa threw ; mūrcchitaḥ fainted ; bhagna broken ; mastakaḥ head ; kṣaṇena in a moment ; punaḥ again ; utthāya standing
Text 12

Verse text

mūrdhni kṛtvā catuḥ-śṛṅgaṁ
dhṛtvā rūpaṁ bhayaṅkaram
gopān vidrāvayām āsa
śṛṅgais tīkṣnair bhayaṅkaraiḥ

Synonyms

mūrdhni on his head ; kṛtvā making ; catuḥ-śṛṅgam four horns ; dhṛtvā placing ; rūpam a form ; bhayaṅkaram terrifying ; gopān the gopas ; vidrāvayām āsa making flee ; śṛṅgaiḥ with horns ; tīkṣnaiḥ sharp ; bhayaṅkaraih *terrifying.

Translation

Then Dheunka manifested a terrifying form with four horns. With his sharp and terrifying horns he made the gopas flee.
Text 13

Verse text

agre palāyitān gopān
dudrāvāśu madotkaṭaḥ
śrīdāmā taṁ ca daṇḍena
subalo muṣṭinā tathā

Synonyms

agre before ; palāyitān fleeing ; gopān gopas ; aśu quickly ; mada-utkaṭaḥ angry ; śrīdāmā Śrīdāmā ; tam him ; ca and ; daṇḍena with a stick ; subalaḥ Subala ; muṣṭinā with a fist ; tathā *then.

Translation

When the boys fled, Dhenuka chased them. Angry Śrīdāmā hit Dhenuka with a stick, and Subala hit him with his fist.
Text 14

Verse text

stokaḥ pāśena taṁ daityaṁ
sa tatāḍa mahā-balam
kṣepaṇenārjuno 'ṁśuś ca
daityaṁ lattikayā kharam

Synonyms

stokaḥ Stoka ; pāśena with a rope ; tam him ; daityam the demon ; sa he ; tatāḍa hit ; mahā-balam very powerful ; kṣepaṇena by throwing ; arjunaḥ Arjuna ; aṁśuḥ Amśu ; ca and ; daityam the demon ; lattikayā kharam *the ass.

Translation

Stoka Kṛṣṇa whipped the powerful demon with a rope. Arjuna and Aṁśu threw him far away.
Text 15

Verse text

viśālarṣabha etyāśu
pādena sva-balena ca
tejasvī hy ardhacandreṇa
devaprasthaś capeṭakaiḥ

Synonyms

viśāla Viśāla ; rṣabha amd Ṛṣabha ; etya coming ; āśu at once ; pādena by the foot ; sva-balena with their own strength ; ca and ; tejasvī Tejasvi ; hi indeed ; ardhacandreṇa by strangling ; devaprasthaś Devaprasdtha ; capeṭakaiḥ *with slaps.

Translation

Viśāla and Ṛṣabha kicked the demon. Tejasvī tried to strangle him. Devaprastha slapped him.
Texts 16 and 17

Verse text

varūthapaḥ kandukena
santatāḍa mahā-kharam
atha kṛṣṇo 'pi taṁ nītvā
hastābhyāṁ dhenukāsuram
bhrāmayitvāśu cīkṣepa
giri-govardhanopari
śrī-kṛṣṇasya prahāreṇa
mūrcchito ghaṭikā-dvayam

Synonyms

varūthapaḥ Varuthapa ; kandukena with a ball ; santatāḍa hit ; mahā-kharam thge great ass ; atha then ; kṛṣṇaḥ Kṛṣṇa ; api also ; tam him ; nītvā taking ; hastābhyām with both hands ; dhenukāsuram Dhenukasara ; bhrāmayitvā whirling about ; āśu at once ; cīkṣepa threw ; giri-govardhanopari onto Govardhana Hill ; śrī-kṛṣṇasya of Śrī Kṛṣṇa ; prahāreṇa by the blow ; mūrcchitaḥ fainted ; ghaṭikā-dvayam *for an hour.

Translation

Varūthapa hit the great demon with a ball. Then Kṛṣṇa grabbed Dhenukāsura with both hands, whirled him around, and threw him onto Gocvardhana Hill. By the force of this the demon was unconscious for an hour.
Text 18

Verse text

punar utthāya sva-tanuṁ
vidhunvan dārayan mukham
śṛṅgābhyāṁ śrī-hariṁ nītvā
dhāvan daityo nabho-gataḥ

Synonyms

punaḥ again ; utthāya raising ; sva-tanum his own form ; vidhunvan shaking ; dārayan breaking apart ; mukham face ; śṛṅgābhyām with horns ; śrī-harim Kṛṣṇa ; nītvā taking ; dhāvan runinng ; daityaḥ the demon ; nabho-gataḥ *went to the sky.

Translation

Shaking off this form, the demon again manifested his original form. With his horns the demon grabbed Kṛṣṇa and carried Him into the sky.
Texts 19 and 20

Verse text

cakāra tena khe yuddhaṁ
ūrdhvaṁ vai lakṣa-yojanam
gṛhītv⁠dhenukaṁ daityaṁ
śrī-kṛṣṇo bhagavān svayam
cīkṣepādho bhūmi-madhye
cūrṇitāsthiḥ sa mūrcchitaḥ
punar utthāya śṛṅgābhyāṁ
nādaṁ kṛtvāti-bhairavam

Synonyms

cakāra did ; tena by him ; khe in the sky ; yuddham battle ; ūrdhvam high ; vai indeed ; lakṣa-yojanam eight hundred thousand miles ; gṛhītvā taking ; dhenukam Dhenuka ; daityam the demon ; śrī-kṛṣṇaḥ Śrī Kṛṣṇa ; bhagavān svayam the original Supreme Personality of Godhead ; cikṣepa threw ; adhaḥ below ; bhūmi-madhye to the earth ; cūrṇita broken ; asthiḥ bones ; sa he ; mūrcchitaḥ fainted ; punaḥ again ; utthāya rising ; śṛṅgābhyām with two horns ; nādam a sound ; kṛtva making ; ati-bhairavam *veryy terrible.

Translation

Eight hundred thousand miles in the sky they fought. Kṛṣṇa, the original Supreme Personality of Godhead, grabbed Dhenukāsura and threw him to the earth. His bones broken, the demon fell unconscious. Again rising, the demon made a very terrible sound with his two horns.
Text 21

Verse text

govardhanaṁ samutpāṭya
śrī-kṛṣṇe prāhiṇot kharaḥ
giriṁ gṛhītv⁠śrī-kṛṣṇaḥ
prākṣipat tasya mastake

Synonyms

govardhanam Govardhana Hill ; samutpāṭya uprotting ; śrī-kṛṣṇe at Śrī Kṛṣṇa ; prāhiṇot threw ; kharaḥ Dhenukasura ; girim the hill ; gṛhītvā taking ; śrī-kṛṣṇaḥ Śrī Kṛṣṇa ; prākṣipat threw ; tasya on his ; mastake *head.

Translation

Uprooting Govardhana Hill, Dhenukāsura threw it at Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Catching the hill, Kṛṣṇa threw it at Dhenuka's head.
Text 22

Verse text

daityo giriṁ gṛhītvātha
śrī-kṛṣṇe prāhiṇod balī
kṛṣṇo govardhanaṁ nītvā
pūrva-sthāne samākṣipat

Synonyms

daityaḥ the demon ; girim the hill ; gṛhītvā taking ; atha then ; śrī-kṛṣṇe at Śrī Kṛṣṇa ; prāhiṇot threw ; balī strong ; kṛṣṇaḥ Kṛṣṇa ; govardhanam Govardhana ; nītvā taking ; pūrva-sthāne it its previous place ; samākṣipat *threw.

Translation

The demon caught the hill and threw it again at Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa caught Govardhana Hill and threw it back to its former place.
Text 23

Verse text

punar dhāvan mahā-daityaḥ
śṛṅgābhyāṁ dārayan bhuvam
balaṁ paścima-pādābhyāṁ
tāḍayitvā jagarja ha

Synonyms

punaḥ again ; dhāvan running ; mahā-daityaḥ the great demon ; śṛṅgābhyām with two horns ; dārayan braking apart ; bhuvam the ground ; balam Balarāma ; paścima-pādābhyām with his hind legs ; tāḍayitvā striking ; jagarja roared ; ha *certainly.

Translation

Breaking the gorund with his horns, the demon charged Balarāma, kicked him with his hind hooves, and roared.
Texts 24 and 25

Verse text

nanāda tena brahmāṇḍaṁ
praijad bhū-khaṇḍa-maṇḍalam
hastābhyāṁ saṅgṛhītvā taṁ
baladevo mahā-balaḥ
bhū-pṛṣṭhe pothayām āsa
mūrcchitaṁ bhagna-mastakam
punas tatāḍa taṁ daityaṁ
muṣṭinā hy acyutāgrajaḥ

Synonyms

nanāda sounded ; tena by that ; brahmāṇḍam the universe ; praijat shook ; bhū-khaṇḍa-maṇḍalam to the earth ; hastābhyām with both hands ; saṅgṛhītvā grabbing ; tam him ; baladevaḥ Balarāma ; mahā-balaḥ very powerful ; bhū-pṛṣṭhe to the ground ; pothayām āsa threw ; mūrcchitam fainted ; bhagna-mastakam his head broken ; punaḥ again ; tatāḍa struck ; tam him ; daityam the demon ; muṣṭinā with a fist ; hy indeed ; acyuta of infallible Kṛṣṇa ; agrajaḥ *the elder brother.

Translation

With that roar the universe echoed and the earth shook. Then with both hands powerful Balarāma grabbed the demon and threw him to the ground. His head broken, the demon fell unconscious. Then Kṛṣṇa's elder brother, Balarāma, punched the demon with His fist.
Text 26

Verse text

tena muṣṭi-prahāreṇa
sadyo vai nidhanaṁ gataḥ
tadaiva vavṛṣur devaḥ
puṣpair nandana-sambhavaiḥ

Synonyms

tena by that ; muṣṭi-prahāreṇa punch ; sadyaḥ at once ; vai indeed ; nidhanam to death ; gataḥ went ; tadā then ; eva certainly ; vavṛṣuḥ showered ; devaḥ the demigods ; puṣpaiḥ with flowers ; nandana-sambhavaiḥ *grown in the nandana gardens.

Translation

With that punch the demon died. Then the demigods showered flowers from the nandana gardens.
Texts 27-31

Verse text

dehād vinirgataḥ so 'pi
śyāmasundara-vigrahaḥ
sragvī pītāmbaro devo
vana-mālā-vibhūṣitaḥ
lakṣa-pārṣada-samyuktaḥ
sahasra-dhvaja-śobhitaḥ
sahasra-cakra-dhvani-bhṛd
dhayāyuta-samanvitaḥ
lakṣa-cāmara-śobhāḍhyo
'ruṇa-varṇo 'ti-ratna-bhṛt
divya-yojana-vistīrṇo
mano-yāyī manoharaḥ
kiṅkiṇī-jāla-samyukto
ghaṇṭā-mañjīra-samyutaḥ
hariṁ pradakṣiṇī-kṛtya
sa-balaṁ divya-rūpa-dhṛk
divyaṁ rathaṁ samāruhya
dyotayan maṇḍalaṁ diśam
jagāma daityo he rājan
golokaṁ prakṛteḥ param

Synonyms

dehāt from the body ; vinirgataḥ gone ; saḥ he ; api also ; śyāmasundara-vigrahaḥ a handsome dark form like that of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; sragvī garlanded ; pītāmbaraḥ dressed in yellow graments ; devaḥ the Lord ; vana-mālā-vibhūṣitaḥ decorated with forest flowers ; lakṣa-pārṣada-samyuktaḥ with a hundred thousand associates ; sahasra-dhvaja-śobhitaḥ splendid with a thousand flags ; sahasra-cakra-dhvani-bhṛt with a thousand rubling wheels ; dhayāyuta-samanvitaḥ drawn by ten thousand horses ; lakṣa-cāmara-śobhāḍhyaḥ splemndid with a hundred thousand camaras ; aruṇa-varṇaḥ red ; ati-ratna-bhṛt studded with many jewels ; divya-yojana-vistīrṇaḥ eight miles long ; mano-yāyī traveling as fast as the mind ; manoharaḥ beautiful ; kiṅkiṇī-jāla-samyuktaḥ with a network of tinkling ornaments ; ghaṇṭā-mañjīra-samyutaḥ with many bells ; harim Kṛṣṇa ; pradakṣiṇī-kṛtya circumambulating ; sa-balam with Balarāma ; divya-rūpa-dhṛk a transcendental form manifesting ; divyam transcendental ; ratham chariot ; samāruhya climbing ; dyotayan glistening ; maṇḍalam the circle ; diśam the directions ; jagāma went ; daityaḥ the demon ; he O ; rājan king ; golokam to Goloka ; prakṛteḥ the material world ; param *above.

Translation

Leaving his body, Dhenuka manifested a splendid and handsome dark form wearing yellow garments and decorated with a forest flower garland. Then a chariot, filled with a hundred thousand of the Lord's associates, decorated with a thousand flags, rumbling with a thousand wheels, pulled by ten thousand horses, glorious with a hundred thousand cāmaras, yellow, studded with many jewels, eight miles long, beautiful, traveling as fast as the mind, and decorated with many bells and tinkling ornaments, suddenly appeared. O king, the demon circumambulated Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, and then, filling the circle of the directions with light, he ascended the chariot and went to Goloka, far beyond the material realm.
Text 32

Verse text

śrī-kṛṣṇo dhenukaṁ hatvā
sa-balo bālakaiḥ saha
tad-yaśas tu pragāyadbhir
babhau gokula-go-gaṇaiḥ

Synonyms

śrī-kṛṣṇaḥ Śrī Kṛṣṇa ; dhenukam Dhenuka ; hatvā killing ; sa-balaḥ with Balarāma ; bālakaiḥ the boys ; saha with ; tad-yaśaḥ His glories ; tu indeed ; pragāyadbhiḥ singing ; babhau was manifested ; gokula-go-gaṇaiḥ *with the cows of Gokula.

Translation

When Dhenuka was killed, Kṛṣṇa was surrounded by the cows, Balarāma, and the boys, who were all singing His glories.
Text 33

Verse text

śrī-rājovāca
mune muktiṁ kathaṁ prāptaḥ
pūrvaṁ ko dhenukāsuraḥ
kathaṁ kharatvam āpanna
etan me brūhi tattvataḥ

Synonyms

śrī-rājā uvāca the king said ; mune O sage ; muktim liberation ; katham how? ; prāptaḥ attained ; pūrvam previous ; kaḥ who? ; dhenukāsuraḥ Dhenukasura ; katham why? ; kharatvam the body of an ass ; āpanna attained ; etat this ; me to me ; bruhi please tell ; tattvataḥ *in truth.

Translation

The king said: O sage, Why did he attain liberation? Who was Dhenukāsura in his previous birth? Why did he get the body of an ass? Please tell me this in truth.
Text 34

Verse text

śrī-nārada uvāca
vairocaner baleḥ putro
nāmnā sāhasiko balī
narīnāṁ daśa-sāhasrai
reme vai gandhamādane

Synonyms

śrī-nāradaḥ uvāca Śrī Nārada said ; vairocaneḥ the son of Virocana ; baleḥ of Bali ; putraḥ the son ; nāmnā named ; sāhasikaḥ Sahasika ; balī powerful ; narīnām of women ; daśa-sāhasrai ten thousand ; reme enjoyed ; vai indeed ; gandhamādane *on Gandhamadana Mountain.

Translation

Śrī Nārada said: He was the powerful son of King Bali, who was the son of Virocana, and his name was Sāhasika. One time he enjoyed pastimes with ten thousand women on Gandhamādana Mountain.
Texts 35-37

Verse text

vāditrāṇāṁ nupurāṇāṁ
śabdo 'bhūt tad-vane mahān
guhāyām āsthitasyāpi
śrī-kṛṣṇaṁ smarato mune
durvāsaso 'tha tenāpi
dhyāna-bhagno babhūva ha
nirgataḥ pādukārūḍho
durvāsaḥ kṛṣa-vigrahaḥ
dīrgha-śmaśrur yaṣṭi-dharaḥ
krodha-puñjānala-dyutiḥ
yasya śāpād viśvam īdaṁ
kampate sa jagāda ha

Synonyms

vāditrāṇām of musical instruments ; nupurāṇām of anklebells ; śabdaḥ the sound ; abhūt was ; tad-vane in that forest ; mahān great ; guhāyām in a cave ; āsthitasya situated ; api even ; śrī-kṛṣṇam on Śrī Kṛṣṇa ; smarataḥ meditating ; muneḥ of a sage ; durvāsasaḥ Durvasa ; atha then ; tena by that ; api also ; dhyāna meditation ; bhagnaḥ broken ; babhūva became ; ha indeed ; nirgataḥ left ; pāduka-ārūḍhaḥ wearing wooden sandals ; durvāsaḥ Durvāsā ; kṛṣa-vigrahaḥ very thin ; dīrgha a long ; śmaśruḥ beard ; yaṣṭi a stick ; dharaḥ holding ; krodha-puñja of great anger ; anala with the fire ; dyutiḥ glowing ; yasya of whom ; śāpāt from the curse ; viśvam teh universe ; īdam this ; kampate trembles ; sa he ; jagāda said ; ha *indeed.

Translation

The sounds in that forest of the many musical instuments and ankle-bells broke the trance of Durvāsā Muni, who in a cave nearby was meditating on Lord Kṛṣṇa. Very thing, with a long beard, walking with wooden sandals, holding a stick, and glowing with flames of anger, Durvāasā, whose gurse makes the universe tremble, left his cave and spoke (to Sāhasika).
Texts 38 and 39

Verse text

śrī-durvāsā uvāca
uttiṣṭha gardabhākāra
gardabho bhava durmate
varṣāṇāṁ tu catur-lakṣaṁ
vyatīte bhārate punaḥ
māthure maṇḍale divye
puṇye tālavane vane
baladevasya hastena
muktis te bhavitāsura

Synonyms

śrī-durvāsā uvāca Śrī Durvasa said ; uttiṣṭha rise ; gardabhākāra O you who have the form of an ass ; gardabhaḥ an ass ; bhava become ; durmate O fool ; varṣāṇām of years ; tu indeed ; catur-lakṣam four hundred thousand ; vyatīte past ; bhārate on the earth ; punaḥ again ; māthure maṇḍale in the circle of Mathura ; divye transcendental ; puṇye sacred ; tālavane in Talavan ; vane forest ; baladevasya of Lord Balarāma ; hastena by the hand ; muktiḥ liberation ; te of you ; bhavitā will be ; asura *O demon.

Translation

Fool! Ass-like person! Rise! Become an ass! O demon, after four hundred thousand years, in the transcendental circle of Mathurā, in the sacred forest of Tālavana, you will attain liberation by Lord Balarāma's hand.
Text 40

Verse text

śrī-nārada uvāca
tasmād balasya hastena
śrī-kṛṣṇas taṁ jaghāna ha
prahlādāya varo datto
na vadhyo me tavānvayaḥ

Synonyms

śrī-nāradaḥ uvāca Śrī Nārada said ; tasmāt from that ; balasya of Lord Balarāma ; hastena by teh hand ; śrī-kṛṣṇaḥ Śrī Kṛṣṇa ; tam him ; jaghāna killed ; ha indeed ; prahlādāya to Prahlāda ; varaḥ benediction ; dattaḥ given ; na not ; vadhyaḥ to be killed ; me by Me ; tava of you ; anvayaḥ *the descendants.

Translation

Śrī Nārada said: Because he had given Prahlāda Mahārāja the benediction, "Your descendents will not be killed by Me", Kṛṣṇa arranged that Dhenukāsura was killed by Lord Balarāma's hand.