Chapter 58: Kṛṣṇa Marries Five Princesses

 

10.58.1

śrī-śuka uvāca

ekadā pāṇḍavān draṣṭuḿ

pratītān puruṣottamaḥ

indraprasthaḿ gataḥ śṛīmān

yuyudhānādibhir vṛtaḥ

 

śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; ekadā — once; pāṇḍavān — the sons of Pāṇḍu; draṣṭum — to see; pratītān — visible; puruṣa-uttamaḥ — the Supreme Personality of Godhead; indraprastham — to Indraprastha, the Pāṇḍavas' capital; gataḥ — went; śrī-mān — the possessor of all opulence; yuyudhāna-ādibhir — by Yuyudhāna (Sātyaki) and others; vṛtaḥ — accompanied.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Once, the supremely opulent Personality of Godhead went to Indraprastha to visit the Pāṇḍavas, who had again appeared in public. Accompanying the Lord were Yuyudhāna and other associates.

 

10.58.2

dṛṣṭvā tam āgataḿ pārthā

mukundam akhileśvaram

uttasthur yugapad vīrāḥ

prāṇā mukhyam ivāgatam

 

dṛṣṭvā — seeing; tam — Him; āgatam — arrived; pārthāḥ — the sons of Pṛthā (Kuntī); mukundam — Kṛṣṇa; akhila — of everything; īśvaram — the Lord; uttasthuḥ — they stood up; yugapat — all at once; vīraḥ — heroes; prāṇāḥ — the senses; mukhyam — their chief, the vital air; iva — as; āgatam — returned.

 

TRANSLATION

 

When the Pāṇḍavas saw that Lord Mukunda had arrived, those heroic sons of Pṛthā all stood up at once, like the senses responding to the return of the life air.

 

10.58.3

pariṣvajyācyutaḿ vīrā

ańga-sańga-hatainasaḥ

sānurāga-smitaḿ vaktraḿ

vīkṣya tasya mudaḿ yayuḥ

 

pariṣvajya — embracing; acyutam — Lord Kṛṣṇa; vīrāḥ — the heroes; ańga — with His body; sańga — by the contact; hata — destroyed; enasaḥ — all their sinful reactions; sa-anurāga — affectionate; smitam — with a smile; vaktram — face; vīkṣya — looking upon; tasya — His; mudam — joy; yayuḥ — they experienced.

 

TRANSLATION

 

The heroes embraced Lord Acyuta, and the touch of His body freed them of sin. Looking at His affectionate, smiling face, they were overwhelmed with joy.

 

10.58.4

yudhiṣṭhirasya bhīmasya

kṛtvā pādābhivandanam

phālgunaḿ parirabhyātha

yamābhyāḿ cābhivanditaḥ

 

yudhiṣṭhirasya bhīmasya — to Yudhiṣṭhira and Bhīma; kṛtvā — after offering; pāda — at their feet; abhivandanam — obeisances; phālgunam — Arjuna; parirabhya — firmly embracing; atha — then; yamābhyām — by the twin brothers, Nakula and Sahadeva; ca — and; abhivanditaḥ — greeted respectfully.

 

TRANSLATION

 

After the Lord bowed down at the feet of Yudhiṣṭhira and Bhīma and firmly embraced Arjuna, He accepted obeisances from the twin brothers, Nakula and Sahadeva.

 

10.58.5

paramāsana āsīnaḿ

kṛṣṇā kṛṣṇam aninditā

navoḍhā vrīḍitā kiñcic

chanair etyābhyavandata

 

parama — exalted; āsane — on a seat; āsīnam — sitting; kṛṣṇā — Draupadī; kṛṣṇam — Kṛṣṇa; aninditā — blameless; nava — newly; ūḍhā — married; vrīḍitā — shy; kiñcit — somewhat; śanaiḥ — slowly; etya — approaching; abhyavandata — offered her obeisances.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Faultless Draupadī, the Pāṇḍavas' newly married wife, slowly and somewhat timidly approached Lord Kṛṣṇa, who sat on an exalted seat, and offered Him her obeisances.

 

10.58.6

tathaiva sātyakiḥ pārthaiḥ

pūjitaś cābhivanditaḥ

niṣasādāsane 'nye ca

pūjitāḥ paryupāsata

 

tathā eva — similarly; sātyakiḥ — Sātyaki; pārthaiḥ — by the sons of Pṛthā; pūjitaḥ — worshiped; ca — and; abhivanditaḥ — welcomed; niṣasāda — sat down; āsane — on a seat; anye — the others; ca — also; pūjitāḥ — worshiped; paryupāsata — sat around.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Sātyaki also accepted a seat of honor after receiving worship and welcome from the Pāṇḍavas, and the Lord's other companions, being duly honored, sat down in various places.

 

10.58.7

pṛthām samāgatya kṛtābhivādanas

tayāti-hārdārdra-dṛśābhirambhitaḥ

āpṛṣṭavāḿs tāḿ kuśalaḿ saha-snuṣāḿ

pitṛ-ṣvasāram paripṛṣṭa-bāndhavaḥ

 

pṛthām — to Queen Kuntī; samāgatya — going; kṛta — offering; abhivādanaḥ — His obeisances; tayā — by her; ati — extreme; hārda — with affection; ardra — wet; dṛśā — whose eyes; abhirambhitaḥ — embraced; āpṛṣṭavān — He asked; tām — from her; kuśalam — about her welfare; saha — together; snuṣām — with her daughter-in-law, Draupadī; pitṛ — of His father, Vasudeva; svasāram — the sister; paripṛṣṭa — inquired in detail; bāndhavaḥ — about their relatives (living in Dvārakā).

 

TRANSLATION

 

The Lord then went to see His aunt, Queen Kuntī. He bowed down to her and she embraced Him, her eyes moist with great affection. Lord Kṛṣṇa inquired from her and her daughter-in-law, Draupadī, about their welfare, and they in turn questioned Him at length about His relatives [in Dvārakā].

 

10.58.8

tam āha prema-vaiklavya-

ruddha-kaṇṭhāśru-locanā

smarantī tān bahūn kleśān

kleśāpāyātma-darśanam

 

tam — to Him; āha — she said; prema — of love; vaiklavya — due to the distress; ruddha — choking; kaṇṭhā — whose throat; aśru — (filled) with tears; locanā — whose eyes; smarantī — remembering; tān — those; bahūn — many; kleśān — pains; kleśa — of pain; apāya — for the dispelling; ātma — Himself; darśanam — who shows.

 

TRANSLATION

 

So overcome by love that her throat choked up and her eyes filled with tears, Queen Kuntī remembered the many troubles she and her sons had endured. Thus she addressed Lord Kṛṣṇa, who appears before His devotees to drive away their distress.

 

10.58.9

tadaiva kuśalaḿ no 'bhūt

sa-nāthās te kṛtā vayam

jñatīn naḥ smaratā kṛṣṇa

bhrātā me preṣitas tvayā

 

tadā — at that time; eva — only; kuśalam — well-being; naḥ — our; abhūt — arose; sa — with; nāthāḥ — a protector; te — by You; kṛtāḥ — made; vayam — we; jñātīn — Your relatives; naḥ — us; smaratā — who remembered; kṛṣṇa — O Kṛṣṇa; bhrātā — brother (Akrūra); me — my; preṣitaḥ — sent; tvayā — by You.

 

TRANSLATION

[Queen Kuntī said:l My dear Kṛṣṇa, our welfare was assured only when You remembered us, Your relatives, and gave us Your protection by sending my brother to visit us.

 

10.58.10

 

na te 'sti sva-para-bhrāntir

viśvasya suhṛd-ātmanaḥ

tathāpi smaratāḿ śaśvat

kleśān haḿsi hṛdi sthitaḥ

 

na — not; te — for You; asti — there is; sva — of one's own; para — and of others'; bhrāntiḥ — delusion; viśvasya — of the universe; suhṛt — for the well-wisher; ātmanaḥ — and Soul; tathā api — nonetheless; smaratām — of those who remember; śaśvat — continuously; kleśān — the sufferings; haḿsi — You destroy; hṛdi — in the heart; sthitaḥ — situated.

 

TRANSLATION

 

For You, the well-wishing friend and Supreme Soul of the universe, there is never any illusion of "us" and "them." Yet even so, residing within the hearts of all, You eradicate the sufferings of those who remember You constantly.

 

10.58.11

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca

kiḿ na ācaritaḿ śreyo

na vedāham adhīśvara

yogeśvarāṇāḿ durdarśo

yan no dṛṣṭaḥ ku-medhasām

 

yudhiṣṭhiraḥ uvāca — Yudhiṣṭhira said; kim — what; naḥ — by us; ācaritam — performed; śreyaḥ — pious work; na veda — do not know; aham — I; adhīśvara — O supreme controller; yoga — of mystic yoga; īśvarāṇām — by the masters; durdarśaḥ — rarely seen; yat — that; naḥ — by us; dṛṣṭaḥ — seen; ku-medhasam — who are unintelligent.

 

TRANSLATION

King Yudhiṣṭhira said: O supreme controller, I do not know what pious deeds we fools have done so that we can see You, whom the masters of yogic perfection rarely see.

 

10.58.12

 

iti vai vārṣikān māsān

rājñā so 'bhyarthitaḥ sukham

janayan nayanānandam

indraprasthaukasāḿ vibhuḥ

 

iti — thus; vai — indeed; vārṣikān — of the rainy season; māsān — the months; rājñā — by the King; saḥ — He; abhyarthitaḥ — invited; sukham — happily; janayan — generating; nayana — for the eyes; ānandam — bliss; indraprastha-okasām — of the residents of Indraprastha; vibhuḥ — the almighty Lord.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Requested by the King to stay with them, the almighty Lord remained happily in Indraprastha during the months of the rainy season, giving joy to the eyes of the city's residents.

 

10.58.13-14

ekadā ratham āruhya

vijayo vānara-dhvajam

gāṇḍīvaḿ dhanur ādāya

tūṇau cākṣaya-sāyakau

 

sākaḿ kṛṣṇena sannaddho

vihartuḿ vipinaḿ mahat

bahu-vyāla-mṛgākīrṇaḿ

prāviśat para-vīra-hā

 

ekadā — once; ratham — his chariot; āruhya — mounting; vijayaḥ — Arjuna; vānara — the monkey (Hanumān); dhvajam — on whose flag; gāṇḍīvam — named Gāṇḍīva; dhanuḥ — his bow; ādāya — taking up; tūṇau — his two quivers; ca — and; akṣaya — inexhaustible; sāyakau — whose arrows;

 

sākam — together; kṛṣṇena — with Lord Kṛṣṇa; sannaddhaḥ — wearing armor; vihartum — to sport; vipinam — a forest; mahat — large; bahu — with many; vyāla-mṛga — beasts of prey; ākīrṇam — filled; prāviśat — entered; para — enemy; vīra — of heroes; hā — the killer.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Once Arjuna, the slayer of powerful enemies, donned his armor, mounted his chariot flying the flag of Hanumān, took up his bow and his two inexhaustible quivers, and went to sport with Lord Kṛṣṇa in a large forest filled with fierce animals.

 

10.58.15

tatrāvidhyac charair vyāghrān

śūkarān mahiṣān rurūn

śarabhān gavayān khaḍgān

hariṇān śaśa-śallakān

 

tatra — there; avidhyat — he shot; śaraiḥ — with his arrows; vyāghrān — tigers; śūkarān — boars; mahiṣān — wild buffalo; rurūn — a species of antelope; śarabhān — a species of deer; gavayān — a wild oxlike mammal; khaḍgān — rhinoceroses; hariṇān — black deer; śaśa — rabbits; śallakān — and porcupines.

 

TRANSLATION

 

With his arrows Arjuna shot tigers, boars and buffalo in that forest, along with rurus, śarabhas, gavayas, rhinoceroses, black deer, rabbits and porcupines.

 

10.58.16

tān ninyuḥ kińkarā rājñe

medhyān parvaṇy upāgate

tṛṭ-parītaḥ pariśrānto

bibhatsur yamunām agāt

 

tān — them; ninyuḥ — carried; kińkarāḥ — servants; rājñe — to the King; medhyān — fit to be offered in sacrifice; parvaṇi — a special occasion; upāgate — approaching; tṛṭ — by thirst; parītaḥ — overcome; pariśrāntaḥ — fatigued; bibhatsuḥ — Arjuna; yamunām — to the Yamunā River; agāt — went.

 

TRANSLATION

 

A crew of servants carried to King Yudhiṣṭhira the slain animals fit to be offered in sacrifice on some special occasion. Then, feeling thirsty and tired, Arjuna went to the bank of the Yamunā.

 

10.58.17

tatropaspṛśya viśadaḿ

pītvā vāri mahā-rathau

kṛṣṇau dadṛśatuḥ kanyāḿ

carantīḿ cāru-darśanām

 

tatra — there; upaspṛśya — taking bath; viśadam — clear; pītvā — drinking; vāri — the water; mahā-rathau — great chariot warriors; kṛṣṇau — the two Kṛṣṇas; dadṛśatuḥ — saw; kanyām — a maiden; carantīm — walking; cāru-darśanām — charming to see.

 

TRANSLATION

 

After the two Kṛṣṇas bathed there, they drank the river's clear water. The great warriors then saw an attractive young girl walking nearby.

 

10.58.18

tām āsādya varārohāḿ

su-dvijāḿ rucirānanām

papraccha preṣitaḥ sakhyā

phālgunaḥ pramadottamām

 

tām — her; āsādya — approaching; varā — excellent; ārohām — whose hips; su — fine; dvijām — whose teeth; rucira — attractive; ānanām — whose face; papraccha — inquired; preṣitaḥ — sent; sakhyā — by his friend, Śrī Kṛṣṇa; phālgunaḥ — Arjuna; pramadā — the woman; uttamām — extraordinary.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Sent by his friend, Arjuna approached the exceptional young woman, who possessed beautiful hips, fine teeth and a lovely face, and inquired from her as follows.

 

10.58.19

kā tvaḿ kasyāsi su-śroṇi

kuto vā kiḿ cikīrṣasi

manye tvāḿ patim icchantīḿ

sarvaḿ kathaya śobhane

 

kā — who; tvam — you; kasya — whose; asi — are you; su-śroṇi — O you with the beautiful waist; kutaḥ — from where; vā — or; kim — what; cikīrṣasi — do you desire to do; manye — I think; tvām — you; patim — a husband; icchantīm — seeking; sarvam — everything; kathaya — please tell; śobhane — O beautiful one.

 

TRANSLATION

 

[Arjuna said:] Who are you, O fine-waisted lady? Whose daughter are you, and where do you come from? What are you doing here? I think you must be looking for a husband. Please explain everything, O beautiful one.

 

10.58.20

śrī-kālindy uvāca

ahaḿ devasya savitur

duhitā patim icchatī

viṣṇuḿ vareṇyaḿ vara-daḿ

tapaḥ paramam āsthitaḥ

 

śrī-kālindī uvāca — Śrī Kālindī said; aham — I; devasya — of the demigod; savituḥ — Savitā (the sun-god); duhitā — the daughter; patim — as my husband; icchatī — desiring; viṣṇum — Lord Viṣṇu; vareṇyam — the most choice; vara-dam — bestower of one's choice; tapaḥ — in austerities; paramam — extreme; āsthitaḥ — engaged.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Śrī Kālindī said: I am the daughter of the sun-god. I desire to get as my husband the most excellent and munificent Lord Viṣṇu, and to that end I am performing severe penances.

 

10.58.21

nānyaḿ patiḿ vṛṇe vīra

tam ṛte śrī-niketanam

tuṣyatāḿ me sa bhagavān

mukundo 'nātha-saḿśrayaḥ

 

na — no; anyam — other; patim — husband; vṛṇe — will I choose; vīra — O hero; tam — Him; ṛte — except for; śrī — of the goddess of fortune; niketanam — the abode; tuṣyatām — may please be satisfied; me — with me; saḥ — He; bhagavān — the Supreme Lord; mukundaḥ — Kṛṣṇa; anātha — of those who have no master; saḿśrayaḥ — the shelter.

 

TRANSLATION

 

I will accept no husband other than Him, the abode of the goddess of fortune. May that Mukunda, the Supreme Personality, the shelter of the helpless, be pleased with me.

 

10.58.22

kālindīti samākhyātā

vasāmi yamunā-jale

nirmite bhavane pitrā

yāvad acyuta-darśanam

 

kālindī — Kālindī; iti — thus; samākhyātā — named; vasāmi — I am living; yamunā-jale — in the water of the Yamunā; nirmite — built; bhavane — in a mansion; pitrā — by my father; yāvat — until; acyuta — of Lord Kṛṣṇa; darśanam — the seeing.

 

TRANSLATION

 

I am known as Kālindī, and I live in a mansion my father built for me within the water of the Yamunā. There I will stay until I meet Lord Acyuta.

 

10.58.23

tathāvadad guḍākeśo

vāsudevāya so 'pi tām

ratham āropya tad-vidvān

dharma-rājam upāgamat

 

tathā — thus; avadat — said; guḍākeśaḥ — Arjuna; vāsudevāya — to Lord Kṛṣṇa; saḥ — He; api — and; tām — her; ratham — on His chariot; āropya — taking up; tat — of all this; vidvān — already aware; dharma-rājam — to King Yudhiṣṭhira; upāgamat — He went.

 

TRANSLATION

 

[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:l Arjuna repeated all this to Lord Vāsudeva, who was already aware of it. The Lord then took Kālindī onto His chariot and went back to see King Yudhiṣṭhira.

 

10.58.24

yadaiva kṛṣṇaḥ sandiṣṭaḥ

pārthānāḿ paramādbutam

kārayām āsa nagaraḿ

vicitraḿ viśvakarmaṇā

 

yadā eva — when; kṛṣṇaḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa; sandiṣṭaḥ — requested; pārthānām — for the sons of Pṛthā; parama — most; adbhutam — amazing; kārayām āsa — He had constructed; nagaram — a city; vicitram — full of variety; viśvakarmaṇā — by Viśvakarmā, the architect of the demigods.

 

TRANSLATION

 

[Describing a previous incident, Śukadeva Gosvāmī said:] Upon the request of the Pāṇḍavas, Lord Kṛṣṇa had Viśvakarmā build them a most wonderful and amazing city.

 

10.58.25

bhagavāḿs tatra nivasan

svānāḿ priya-cikīrṣayā

agnaye khāṇḍavaḿ dātum

arjunasyāsa sārathiḥ

 

bhagavān — the Supreme Lord; tatra — there; nivasan — residing; svānām — for His own (devotees); priya — pleasure; cikīrṣayā — desiring to give; agnaye — to Agni, the demigod of fire; khāṇḍavam — the Khāṇḍava forest; dātum — in order to give; arjunasya — of Arjuna; āsa — He became; sārathiḥ — the chariot driver.

 

TRANSLATION

 

The Supreme Lord stayed in that city for some time to please His devotees. On one occasion, Śrī Kṛṣṇa wanted to give the Khāṇḍava forest as a gift to Agni, and so the Lord became Arjuna's charioteer.

 

10.58.26

so 'gnis tuṣṭo dhanur adād

dhayān śvetān rathaḿ nṛpa

arjunāyākṣayau tūṇau

varma cābhedyam astribhiḥ

 

saḥ — that; agniḥ — Lord Agni; tuṣṭaḥ — pleased; dhanuḥ — a bow; adāt — gave; hayān — horses; śvetān — white; ratham — a chariot; nṛpa — O King (Parīkṣit); arjunāya — to Arjuna; akṣayau — inexhaustible; tūṇau — two quivers; varma — armor; ca — and; abhedyam — unbreakable; astribhiḥ — by wielders of weapons.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Being pleased, O King, Lord Agni presented Arjuna with a bow, a set of white horses, a chariot, a pair of inexhaustible quivers, and armor that no fighter could pierce with weapons.

 

10.58.27

mayaś ca mocito vahneḥ

sabhāḿ sakhya upāharat

yasmin duryodhanasyāsīj

jala-sthala-dṛśi-bhramaḥ

 

mayaḥ — the demon named Maya; ca — and; mocitaḥ — delivered; vahneḥ — from the fire; sabhām — an assembly hall; sakhye — to his friend, Arjuna; upāharat — presented; yasmin — in which; duryodhanasya — of Duryodhana; āsīt — there was; jala — of water; sthala — and dry ground; dṛśi — in seeing; bhramaḥ — confusion.

 

TRANSLATION

 

When the demon Maya was saved from the fire by his friend Arjuna, Maya presented him with an assembly hall, in which Duryodhana would later mistake water for a solid floor.

 

10.58.28

sa tena samanujñātaḥ

suhṛdbhiś cānumoditaḥ

āyayau dvārakāḿ bhūyaḥ

sātyaki-pramakhair vṛtaḥ

 

saḥ — He, Lord Kṛṣṇa; tena — by him, Arjuna; samanujñātaḥ — given leave; su-hṛdbhiḥ — by His well-wishers; ca — and; anumoditaḥ — allowed; āyayau — He went; dvārakām — to Dvārakā; bhūyaḥ — again; sātyaki-pramukhaiḥ — by those headed by Sātyaki; vṛtaḥ — accompanied.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Then Lord Kṛṣṇa, given leave by Arjuna and other well-wishing relatives and friends, returned to Dvārakā with Sātyaki and the rest of His entourage.

 

10.58.29

athopayeme kālindīḿ

su-puṇya-rtv-ṛkṣa ūrjite

vitanvan paramānandaḿ

svānāḿ parama-mańgalaḥ

 

atha — then; upayeme — He married; kālindīm — Kālindī; su — very; puṇya — auspicious; ṛtu — the season; ṛkṣe — and the lunar asterism; ūrjite — (on a day) when the configuration of the sun and other heavenly bodies was good; vitanvan — spreading; parama — the greatest; ānandam — pleasure; svānām — for His devotees; parama — supremely; mańgalaḥ — auspicious.

 

TRANSLATION

 

The supremely auspicious Lord then married Kālindī on a day when the season, the lunar asterism and the configurations of the sun and other heavenly bodies were all propitious. In this way He brought the greatest pleasure to His devotees.

 

10.58.30

vindyānuvindyāv āvantyau

duryodhana-vaśānugau

svayaḿ-vare sva-bhaginīḿ

kṛṣṇe saktāḿ nyaṣedhatām

 

vindya-anuvindyau — Vindya and Anuvindya; āvantyau — dual kings of Avantī; duryodhana-vaśa-anugau — subservient to Duryodhana; svayamvare — in the ceremony of choosing her own husband; sva — their; bhaginīm — sister; kṛṣṇe — to Kṛṣṇa; saktām — who was attracted; nyaṣedhatām — they forbade.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Vindya and Anuvindya, who shared the throne of Avantī, were followers of Duryodhana's. When the time came for their sister [Mitravindā] to select her husband in the svayaḿvara ceremony, they forbade her to choose Kṛṣṇa, although she was attracted to Him.

 

10.58.31

rājādhidevyās tanayāḿ

mitravindāḿ pitṛ-ṣvasuḥ

prasahya hṛtavān kṛṣṇo

rājan rājñāḿ prapaśyatām

 

rājādhidevyāḥ — of Queen Rājādhidevī; tanayām — the daughter; mitravindām — Mitravindā; pitṛ — of His father; svasuḥ — of the sister; prasahya — forcibly; hṛtavān — took away; kṛṣṇaḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa; rājan — O King (Parīkṣit); rājñām — the kings; prapaśyatām — as they watched.

 

TRANSLATION

 

My dear King, Lord Kṛṣṇa forcibly took away Princess Mitravindā, the daughter of His aunt Rājādhidevī, before the eyes of the rival kings.

 

10.58.32

nagnajin nāma kauśalya

āsīd rājāti-dhārmikaḥ

tasya satyābhavat kanyā

devī nāgnajitī nṛpa

 

nagnajit — Nagnajit; nāma — named; kauśalyaḥ — ruler of Kauśalya (Ayodhyā); āsīt — there was; rājā — a king; ati — very; dhārmikaḥ — religious; tasya — his; satyā — Satyā; abhavat — there was; kanyā — a daughter; devī — lovely; nāgnajitī — also called Nāgnajitī; nṛpa — O King.

 

TRANSLATION

 

O King, Nagnajit, the very pious King of Kauśalya, had a lovely daughter named Satyā, or Nāgnajitī.

 

10.58.33

na tāḿ śekur nṛpā voḍhum

ajitvā sapta-go-vṛṣān

tīkṣṇa-śṛńgān su-durdharṣān

vīrya-gandhāsahān khalān

 

na — not; tām — her; śekuḥ — were able; nṛpāḥ — kings; voḍhum — to marry; ajitvā — without defeating; sapta — seven; go-vṛṣān — bulls; tīkṣṇa — sharp; śṛńgān — whose horns; su — very; durdharṣān — uncontrollable; vīrya — of warriors; gandha — the smell; asahān — not tolerating; khalān — vicious.

 

TRANSLATION

 

The kings who came as suitors were not allowed to marry her unless they could subdue seven sharp-horned bulls. These bulls were extremely vicious and uncontrollable, and they could not tolerate even the smell of warriors.

 

10.58.34

tāḿ śrutvā vṛṣa-jil-labhyāḿ

bhagavān sātvatāḿ patiḥ

jagāma kauśalya-puraḿ

sainyena mahatā vṛtaḥ

 

tām — of her; śrutvā — hearing; vṛṣa — the bulls; jit — by him who conquers; labhyām — attainable; bhagavān — the Supreme Lord; sātvatām — of the Vaiṣṇavas; patiḥ — master; jagāma — went; kauśalya-puram — to the capital of the Kauśalya kingdom; sainyena — by an army; mahatā — large; vṛtaḥ — surrounded.

 

TRANSLATION

 

When the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master of the Vaiṣṇavas, heard of the princess who was to be won by the conqueror of the bulls, He went to the capital of Kauśalya with a large army.

 

10.58.35

sa kośala-patiḥ prītaḥ

pratyutthānāsanādibhiḥ

arhaṇenāpi guruṇā

pūjayan pratinanditaḥ

 

saḥ — he; kośala-patiḥ — the lord of Kośala; prītaḥ — pleased; pratyutthāna — by standing up; āsana — offering a seat; ādibhiḥ — and so on; arhaṇena — and with offerings; api — also; guruṇā — substantial; pūjayan — worshiping; pratinanditaḥ — was greeted in return.

 

TRANSLATION

 

The King of Kośala, pleased to see Lord Kṛṣṇa, worshiped Him by rising from his throne and offering Him a seat of honor and substantial gifts. Lord Kṛṣṇa also greeted the King respectfully.

 

10.58.36

varaḿ vilokyābhimataḿ samāgataḿ

narendra-kanyā cakame ramā-patim

bhūyād ayaḿ me patir āśiṣo 'nalaḥ

karotu satyā yadi me dhṛto vrataḥ

 

varam — suitor; vilokya — seeing; abhimatam — agreeable; samāgatam — arrived; narendra — of the King; kanyā — the daughter; cakame — desired; ramā — of the goddess of fortune; patim — the husband; bhūyāt — may become; ayam — He; me — my; patiḥ — husband; āśiṣaḥ — hopes; analaḥ — the fire; karotu — may it make; satyāḥ — true; yadi — if; me — by me; dhṛtaḥ — sustained; vrataḥ — my vows.

 

TRANSLATION

 

When the King's daughter saw that most agreeable suitor arrive, she immediately desired to have Him, the Lord of Goddess Rāma. She prayed, "May He become my husband. If I have kept my vows, may the sacred fire bring about the fulfillment of my hopes.

 

10.58.37

yat-pāda-pańkaja-rajaḥ śirasā bibharti

śṛīr abya-jaḥ sa-giriśaḥ saha loka-pālaiḥ

līlā-tanuḥ sva-kṛta-setu-parīpsayā yaḥ

kāle 'dadhat sa bhagavān mama kena tuṣyet

 

yat — whose; pāda — of the feet; pańkaja — lotuslike; rajaḥ — the dust; śirasā — on her head; bibharti — holds; śṛīḥ — the goddess of fortune; abja-jaḥ — Lord Brahmā, who was born from a lotus flower; sa — together with; giri-śaḥ — Lord Śiva, the master of Mount Kailāsa; saha — together with; loka — of the planets; pālaiḥ — the various rulers; līlā — as His pastime; tanuḥ — a body; sva — by Himself; kṛta — created; setu — the codes of religion; parīpsayā — with the desire to protect; yaḥ — who; kāle — in course of time; adadhat — has assumed; saḥ — He; bhagavān — the Supreme Personality of Godhead; mama — with me; kena — on account of what; tuṣyet — may be pleased.

 

TRANSLATION

 

"Goddess Lakṣmī, Lord Brahma, Lord Śiva and the rulers of the various planets place the dust of His lotus feet on their heads, and to protect the codes of religion, which He has created, He assumes pastime incarnations at various times. How may that Supreme Personality of Godhead become pleased with me?"

 

10.58.38

arcitaḿ punar ity āha

nārāyaṇa jagat-pate

ātmānandena pūrṇasya

karavāṇi kim alpakaḥ

 

arcitam — to Him who had been worshiped; punaḥ — further; iti — as follows; āha — he (King Nagnajit) said; nārāyaṇa — O Nārāyaṇa; jagat — of the universe; pate — O Lord; ātma — within Himself; ānandena — with pleasure; pūrṇasya — for Him who is full; karavāṇi — may I do; kim — what; alpakaḥ — insignificant.

 

TRANSLATION

 

King Nagnajit first worshiped the Lord properly and then addressed Him: "O Nārāyaṇa, Lord of the universe, You are full in Your own spiritual pleasure. Therefore what can this insignificant person do for You?"

 

10.58.39

śrī-śuka uvāca

tam āha bhagavān hṛṣṭaḥ

kṛtāsana-parigrahaḥ

megha-gambhīrayā vācā

sa-smitaḿ kuru-nandana

 

śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; tam — to him; āha — said; bhagavān — the Supreme Lord; hṛṣṭaḥ — pleased; kṛta — having done; āsana — of a seat; parigrahaḥ — the acceptance; megha — like a cloud; gambhīrayā — deep; vācā — in a voice; sa — with; smitam — a smile; kuru — of the Kurus; nandana — O beloved descendant.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O beloved descendant of Kuru, the Supreme Lord was pleased, and after accepting a comfortable seat He smiled and addressed the King in a voice as deep as the rumbling of a cloud.

 

10.58.40

śrī-bhagavān uvāca

narendra yācñā kavibhir vigarhitā

rājanya-bandhor nija-dharma-vartinaḥ

tathāpi yāce tava sauhṛdecchayā

kanyāḿ tvadīyāḿ na hi śulka-dā vayam

 

śrī-bhagavān uvāca — the Supreme Personality of Godhead said; nara-indra — O ruler of men; yācñā — begging; kavibhiḥ — by learned authorities; vigarhitā — condemned; rājanya — of the royal order; bandhoḥ — for a member; nija — in his own; dharma — religious standards; vartinaḥ — who is situated; tathā api — nevertheless; yāce — I am begging; tava — with you; sauhṛda — for friendship; icchayā — out of desire; kanyām — daughter; tvadīyām — your; na — not; hi — indeed; śulka-dāḥ — givers of payment; vayam — We.

 

TRANSLATION

 

The Supreme Lord said: O ruler of men, learned authorities condemn begging for a person in the royal order who is executing his religious duties. Even so, desiring your friendship, I ask you for your daughter, though We offer no gifts in exchange.

 

10.58.41

śrī-rājovāca

ko 'nyas te 'bhyadhiko nātha

kanyā-vara ihepsitaḥ

guṇaika-dhāmno yasyāńge

śrīr vasaty anapāyinī

 

śrī-rājā uvāca — the King, Nagnajit, said; kaḥ — who; anyaḥ — other; te — to You; abhyadhikaḥ — superior; nātha — O master; kanyā — for my daughter; varaḥ — groom; iha — in this world; īpsitaḥ — desirable; guṇa — of transcendental qualities; eka — only; dhāmnaḥ — who is the abode; yasya — on whose; ańge — body; śrīḥ — the goddess of fortune; vasati — resides; anapāyinī — never leaving.

 

TRANSLATION

 

The King said: My Lord, who could be a better husband for my daughter than You, the exclusive abode of all transcendental qualities? On Your body the goddess of fortune herself resides, never leaving You for any reason.

 

10.58.42

kintv asmābhiḥ kṛtaḥ pūrvaḿ

samayaḥ sātvatarṣabha

puḿsāḿ vīrya-parīkṣārthaḿ

kanyā-vara-parīpsayā

 

kintu — but; asmābhiḥ — by us (her family); kṛtaḥ — made; pūrvam — previously; samayaḥ — a stipulation; sātvata-ṛṣabha — O chief of the Sātvatas; puḿsām — of the men (who came as suitors); vīrya — the prowess; parīkṣā — of testing; artham — for the purpose; kanyā — for my daughter; vara — the husband; parīpsayā — with the desire of finding.

 

TRANSLATION

 

But to ascertain the proper husband for my daughter, O chief of the Sātvatas, we previously set a condition to test the prowess of her suitors.

 

10.58.43

saptaite go-vṛṣā vīra

durdāntā duravagrahāḥ

etair bhagnāḥ su-bahavo

bhinna-gātrā nṛpātmajāḥ

 

sapta — seven; ete — these; go-vṛṣāḥ — bulls; vīra — O hero; durdāntāḥ — wild; duravagrahāḥ — unbreakable; etaiḥ — by them; bhagnāḥ — defeated; su-bahavaḥ — very many; bhinna — broken; gātrāḥ — their limbs; nṛpa — of kings; ātma-jāḥ — sons.

 

TRANSLATION

 

These seven wild bulls are impossible to tame, O hero. They have defeated many princes, breaking their limbs.

 

10.58.44

yad ime nigṛhītāḥ syus

tvayaiva yadu-nandana

varo bhavān abhimato

duhitur me śriyaḥ-pate

 

yat — if; ime — they; nigṛhītāḥ — subdued; syuḥ — become; tvayā — by You; eva — indeed; yadu-nandana — O descendant of Yadu; varaḥ — groom; bhavān — You; abhimataḥ — approved; duhituḥ — for the daughter; me — my; śriyaḥ — of the goddess of fortune; pate — O husband.

 

TRANSLATION

 

If You can subdue them, O descendant of Yadu, You will certainly be the appropriate bridegroom for my daughter, O Lord of Śrī.

 

10.58.45

evaḿ samayam ākarṇya

baddhvā parikaraḿ prabhuḥ

ātmānaḿ saptadhā kṛtvā

nyagṛhṇāl līlayaiva tān

 

evam — thus; samayam — the condition; ākarṇya — hearing; baddhvā — tightening; parikaram — His clothing; prabhuḥ — the Lord; ātmānam — Himself; saptadhā — as seven; kṛtvā — making; nyagṛhṇāt — He subdued; līlayā — like play; eva — simply; tān — them.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Upon hearing these terms, the Lord tightened His clothing, expanded Himself into seven forms and easily subdued the bulls.

 

10.58.46

baddhvā tān dāmabhiḥ śaurir

bhagna-darpān hataujasaḥ

vyakarsal līlayā baddhān

bālo dāru-mayān yathā

 

baddhvā — tying up; tān — them; dāmabhiḥ — with ropes; śauriḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa; bhagna — broken; darpān — their pride; hata — lost; ojasaḥ — their strength; vyakarṣat — He dragged; līlayā — playfully; baddhān — tied up; bālaḥ — a boy; dāru — of wood; mayān — made; yathā — as.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Lord Śauri tied up the bulls, whose pride and strength were now broken, and pulled them with ropes just as a child playfully pulls wooden toy bulls.

 

10.58.47

tataḥ prītaḥ sutāḿ rājā

dadau kṛṣṇāya vismitaḥ

tāḿ pratyagṛhṇād bhagavān

vidhi-vat sadṛśīḿ prabhuḥ

 

tataḥ — then; prītaḥ — pleased; sutām — his daughter; rājā — the King; dadau — gave; kṛṣṇāya — to Kṛṣṇa; vismitaḥ — astonished; tām — she; pratyagṛhṇāt — accepted; bhagavān — the Supreme Person; vidhi-vat — in accordance with Vedic prescriptions; sadṛśīm — compatible; prabhuḥ — the Supreme Lord.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Then King Nagnajit, pleased and astonished, presented his daughter to Lord Kṛṣṇa. The Supreme Personality of Godhead accepted this suitable bride in the proper Vedic fashion.

 

10.58.48

rāja-patnyaś ca duhituḥ

kṛṣṇaḿ labdhvā priyaḿ patim

lebhire paramānandaḿ

jātaś ca paramotsavaḥ

 

rāja — of the King; patnyaḥ — the wives; ca — and; duhituḥ — of his daughter; kṛṣṇam — Kṛṣṇa; labdhvā — obtaining; priyam — dear; patim — husband; lebhire — they experienced; parama — the greatest; ānandam — ecstasy; jātaḥ — there arose; ca — and; parama — the greatest; utsavaḥ — festivity.

 

TRANSLATION

 

The King's wives felt the greatest ecstasy upon attaining Lord Kṛṣṇa as the dear husband of the royal princess, and a mood of great festivity arose.

 

10.58.49

śańkha-bhery-ānakā nedur

gīta-vādya-dvijāśiṣaḥ

narā nāryaḥ pramuditāḥ

suvāsaḥ-srag-alańkṛtāḥ

 

śańkha — conchshells; bherī — horns; ānakāḥ — and drums; neduḥ — resounded; gīta — songs; vādya — instrumental music; dvija — of the brāhmaṇas; āśiṣaḥ — and blessings; narāḥ — men; nāryaḥ — women; pramuditāḥ — joyful; su-vāsaḥ — with fine clothing; srak — and garlands; alańkṛtāḥ — decorated.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Conchshells, horns and drums resounded, along with vocal and instrumental music and the sounds of brāhmaṇas, invoking blessings. The joyful men and women adorned themselves with fine clothing and garlands.

 

10.58.50-51