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Post by madanmohandas on Jan 16, 2020 15:36:48 GMT -6
Continuing the Gopi Gitam, (Bhag, X.XXXI, 10-14)
Your fond glances and smiles with love elate, And deeds are auspicious to contemplate; Your secret talks within our hearts enshrined, Brings only agitation to our mind. 10
When on your feet you to the pastures wend, O Lord, the grazing herds of kine to tend, You bear the most delightsome charming hue, More beautiful than tender lilies blue; Our minds therefore are filled with dire alarm, The sharp stones and prickles may cause you harm. 11
At day's end from the pasture you repair, With loosened locks of blue tinged curly hair, With tumbling tresses, smeared with sweat and dust, Beholding which we fall a prey to lust. 12
Your tender lotus feet verily grant The wishes of the bowing supplicant; Are worshiped by him from the lotus born, The surface of the earth those feet adorn; When in adversity and confusion, The proper object of meditation; O dearest lover, those lotus feet press On our bosom and assuage our distress. 13
Beloved hero, when your flute you kiss, It augments pleasure of amorous bliss, The sweet strains thereof dissipates all woe, And makes mankind all other loves forego; Vouchsafe, dear Lord and most magnanimous, The ambrosia of your lips to us. 14
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Post by madanmohandas on Jan 17, 2020 6:59:17 GMT -6
Concluding now Canto XXXI of Book the Tenth called Sri Gopi Gitam
When each day to the forest you are gone, A tenth of a second seems an eon; Since we do not behold your charming face, Which curly locks of sable tresses grace; We deem the demiurge who fashioned eyes, By making lids that blink, not very wise. 15
Our husbands, sons, brothers, relatives too, We have abandoned all to come to you, Having, Achyuta, your flute's music heard, We have indeed been with enchantment stirred, And who would then fair damsels thus requite, Forsaking them, O Cheat! in the dark night? 16
Your intimate and private colloquies, Causes Cupid within our hearts to rise, The smiles and laughter on your handsome face, Your loving glances, radiating grace, To see your broad imposing ample chest, Where the goddess of affluence finds rest, All this strong passion in our mind excites, And confusion repeatedly incites! 17
For folk, O Lover, who in Vraja dwell, All their hard adversity you dispel; You are universal auspiciousness. Grant some portion of that physic to us; A little of that curative impart, Which cures sickness in your devotee's heart. 18
Dearest Lord, your soft lotus feet we bear On our hard bosoms with all tender care; Wherefore, what time you to the forest go, We are perturbed and sore distressed with woe; Since you more dear than life to us remain, We cannot bear that you should suffer pain! 19
Here endeth Canto XXXI in Book the Tenth, Srimad Bhagavatam.
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Post by madanmohandas on Jan 17, 2020 15:42:09 GMT -6
Now the Reunion, Canto XXXII, Book X. 1-7
Sri Suka said, The cowherd dames, O King, Eager to see Krishna, his praises sing; With sweet voices, and frequent sobs and sighs, And pitious tears welling up in their eyes. 1
Then suddenly Lord Sauri did appear, And did a smile on his lotus face bear; With flower wreaths and yellow garment dight, The Enchanter of the enchanter bright. 2
When they again saw their beloved Lord, They bloomed with affection and were restored, They rose up as if fallen in a swoon, As on life's return breathing may resume. 3
This one within her lotus hands, well pleased, The lotus hand of Sauri fondly seized, Another his arm on her shoulder placed, Odorous with the scent of sandal paste. 4 That slender damsel, hands together clasped, The sweet remnant of his chewed betel grasped; This other damsel his lotus feet pressed, And thus applied them to her burning breast. 5 Another damsel loving anger shows, With the contraction of her dark eyebrows, As if to wound and with her glances smite, And with her shining teeth, with insults bite.6 Another damsel, gazed without a blink, And fully of his lotus face did drink Tho' drinking deep she was insatiate, Like saints who his lotus feet contemplate. 7
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Post by madanmohandas on Jan 18, 2020 14:57:52 GMT -6
Thro' portals of her eyes one dame him drew Within her heart, then closed her eyelids two; Her limbs were thrilled with inner joy profound, Like a yogin in pure ecstasy drowned. 8 They did a festival of bliss attain, To see Keshava in their midst again, Relieved of distress of abandonment, Like people attaining enlightenment.9 These cowherd dames now free from their heart's wound, The immutable Achyuta surround, Even as does the Primal being shine, Encircled by his goddesses divine. 10 The mighty Lord then with those damsels hied To the banks on Kalindi's river side, Redolent with the sweet odors divine, Of gaudy Hibiscus and Jessamine, Surcharged with such fragrance, the gentle breeze, Intoxicates the swarms of humming bees; The Autumn Moon with his auspicious light, Dispelled the gloomy darkness of the night; The Dark river spread with her wave-like hand, And swept away the piles of the soft sand. 11-12
The ecstasy of seeing him again, Removed from their hearts all their grief and pain They gained accomplishment of that desire, To which personified scriptures aspire; With upper garments, stained with powder red, For their soul's beloved a soft seat spread. 13
As yoga masters in their hearts conceive A seat, the Lord with honour to receive, On likewise their dear Lord thus to adore, They spread their upper garments on the floor; So now sat he upon the sandy ground, Illustrious, while cowherd dames surround; His exclusive beauty a radiance cast Of loveliness, in the worlds unsurpassed. 14
Thus having honoured him with vast delight, Whose love-play Cupid's power does excite, With smiles and looks and playful glances graced, Upon their laps his tender feet they placed, And with their soft hands caress them and stroke. Then roused to loving anger to him spoke. 15 (The cowherd damsels said) "Some show affection where love is returned, Some maintain affection even when spurned; And some will not love either of the two, Tell us of this, O Lord, and tell us true." 16
(The Blessed Lord said) "Those who mutual reciprocation share, Think only of their own gain and welfare; Such friendship is not virtuous or bless'd, It is maintained merely for self interest. 17
But those who love without hope of return, Like parents who would not their offspring spurn; Truly fulfill virtue and friendship's claims, Compassionate; O dainty waisted dames. 18
There are those who will not reciprocate, With those who love, what then of those who hate? These are the fulfilled, the self satisfied, The ingrate, and those who elders deride. 19
But I, beloved friends, am reticent Toward beings, their longing to augment; As when a pauper, if a jewel he find, Then loses it, it fills his thought and mind; And always contemplating what he lost, Is into anxious care and longing tossed. 20
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Post by madanmohandas on Jan 18, 2020 16:12:12 GMT -6
Thus since worldly convention you forsake, Scripture and your relatives, for my sake, I hid myself, dear damsels, from your view, But still with fond regard and love for you. Therefore on my account be not angry, My beloveds, nor put the blame on me. 21
I cannot make requital as is due, For disinterested service done by you, E'n if I a long life of gods attain, Unredeemed my debt to you would remain; Since you have worshiped me forsaking all The binding chains of home and duty's call; I am unable the debt to afford, Let your own goodness be its own reward. 22
Here endeth Canto XXXII of Book the Tenth, Srimad Bhagavatam.
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Post by madanmohandas on Jan 19, 2020 12:12:51 GMT -6
Well, my kind reader, here commenceth Canto XXXIII of Book X, fifth of the five Canto's treating of the Rasa festival, consisting of 40 slokas, or 39 if, as in some editions, for some reason 2 and 3 are merged into one.
(Sri Suka said) Thus the almighty Lord his sweet speech made, Which all their pain of severance allayed; The cowherd dames were by his contact thrilled, And felt all their desires were fulfilled. 1
Thereupon Lord Govinda did begin His Rasa sport, surrounded by women; These jewel-like damsels full of loves and charms, Link up together entwining their arms. 2
Thus when began the Rasa festival, Encompassed by damsels in a circle, The yoga Master, Krishna, did divide, And every other damsel stood beside. And each damsel considered herself graced With Krishna's arm around her own neck placed. 3
The glowing firmament spangled with stars, Was filled with the god's celestial cars, Who with their wives crowded the sky to see The dance with eager curiosity. 4
The kettledrums of gods resound on high, Celestial flowers rain down from the sky, The chief Gandharvas with their consorts came, And danced and sang his immaculate fame. 5
The tinkling of gem-armlets and waist bells, Of gold anklets, the pleasing tumut swells, The rhythm whereof did their joy enhance, In the wide circle of the Rasa dance. 6
There Devaki's almighty noble son, In beauty like a dark emerald shone, Enshrined amid the train of dancing girls, In a gold necklace of fine gems and pearls. 7
With motions of their feet in rhythmic pace, With hand gestures and smiles upon their face, With dainty waist and oscillating breast, Contracted brow which soft desire expressed; With moistened cheeks, reflective of the light Of earrings; cheek to cheek pressed in delight; Their tresses tumbling down in disarray, Their loosened belts and girdles fall away; Thus Krishna's consorts danced and sang aloud, Like streaks of lightning involving a cloud. 8
These damsels danced, and sang in high pitched voice, In amorous hilarity rejoice; And from Krishna's contact they were elate, While their singing did all 'this' permeate. 9
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Post by madanmohandas on Jan 20, 2020 0:24:42 GMT -6
This damsel, responsive, with sweet toned throat, Above Mukunda's raised her dulcet note, Appreciating her clear and pure tone, He exclaimed, 'Bravo! Excellent, well done!' Another did a complex flourish sing, For which he gave her praise and honouring. 10
This damsel, wearied from the Rasa dance, Her armlets loose which beauty did enhance, And flowers dropping down, her arm did place, On the shoulder of he who wields the mace. 11
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Post by madanmohandas on Jan 20, 2020 6:28:57 GMT -6
Continuing Book X, Bhagavata, Canto XXXIII. 12-15
One damsel, Krishna's arm, with fragrance graced, Imbibing the scent, on her shoulder placed, She kissed his arm, with sandal perfume dight, Which caused all of her hairs to stand upright. 12
One damsel with her cheek to his applied, Her cheeks, reflecting earrings beautified, And did from him her cherished wish achieve; From his mouth the chewed betel to receive. 13
One damsel came in song, and dancing bound, Her waist bells warble, her anklets resound, Standing by Achyuta, his hand she pressed, To relieve weariness, upon her breast. 14
These cowherd girls, having received the Lord Achyuta, alone by Lakshmi adored, With his mighty arms around their necks flung, Attained supreme joy as his praise they sung. 15
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Post by madanmohandas on Jan 20, 2020 12:45:46 GMT -6
With pendant lilies hung upon their ears, The beauty of their countenance appears Enhanced by bound up hair and drops of sweat; The tinkling sound of anklet and bracelet; These cowherd girls thus with the Lord did play, Their garlands scattered, hair in disarray, And sang and danced their beloved to please, Accompanied by humming of the bees; Which tender love and beauty did enhance, In the assembly of the Rasa dance. 16
The husband of Ramaa thus played the while, Handling them with amorous glance and smile; And sported with Vraja's beauties with joy, As with his reflection plays a small boy. 17
The rare bodily contact of the Lord, Rapture to their faculties did afford, Their tumbling tresses fall in disarray, The veils concealing their breasts drop away, And from each Vraja cowherd damosel, The garlands of flowers scattered and fell; They thus were overwhelmed with ecstasy, O support of the Kuru dynasty. 18
When the goddesses moving in the sky The playful sports of Krishna did descry, An ardent passion did their hearts infill, And the stars with their Lord, the Moon, stood still. 19
As from his form many forms emanate, With each cowherd dame to associate, He seemed in sport his person to divide, Tho' he always remains self satisfied. 20
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Post by madanmohandas on Jan 21, 2020 4:19:03 GMT -6
They were wearied from vigorous love-play, From their faces the sweat he wiped away With his kind soft hands, which to them did bring The highest delectation, my dear king! 21
The cowherd girls with glist'ning earrings dight, Which shed upon their cheeks a lambent light, With loosened locks, smiles and glances displayed, They high honour to their great hero paid; And sing of his bless'd amorous revels, And joy at the pinch of his finger nails. 22
Thereupon by love-sports wearied and spent, Down to the river's flowing stream they went, Krishna's flower garland was crushed and pressed, And stained with vermilion from their breast; And as they made their way under the trees, They were escorted by a swarm of bees, Who like the heavenly choristors sing, Their honoured lord and master following; Then with abandonment, their limbs to cool, Like cow-elephants with the tusker bull, Enters the water; d**es are broken down; Thus he transgressed all worldly convention. 23
Surrounded by these dames, who unabashed, Threw smiles at him, and with the water splashed, And cast upon him glances full of love. The sky rangers, observing from above, Showered a rain of flowers, worshiping, The Lord who is self satisfied, dear king! Who thus his loving dalliance displayed, And as the chief of wild elephants played. 24
Thereupon by the Dark river he roves, Thro' fragrant gardens and flowery groves, Where surcharged by sweet odours is the breeze, And followed by a swarm of drunken bees, And by a train of lovesome damosels, Like the bull elephant with his females. 25
And thus he took his amorous delight, In nights made glorious by the moon light, And tho' his every wish is gratified, With his own inner bliss self satisfied, He fulfilled the cowherd damsels desire, With such deeds as does poetry inspire. 26
(The King said) The mighty Lord, O brahman sage revered, Who by a portion of himself appeared, Whose purpose was to stablish righteousness, And the growth of unrighteousness suppress; 27 How did the teacher and exemplar, The bridge of virtue, to this conduct dare? Which goes against what is both good and right, As with other men's wives to take delight! 28 What had the self accomplished Lord to do? Wherefore did he this heinous crime pursue? O avowed one! what is it all about! What is its meaning? tear away my doubt! 29
(Sri Suka said) Those potentates who righteousness profess, Are seen sometimes righteousness to transgress; Since the agency they do not assume, As fire burns all fuel, their faults consume. 30 But who is not a ruling potentate, Should never, even in thought, imitate, For whoso does is like the one who thinks Himself to be Rudra, and poison drinks. 31
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Post by madanmohandas on Jan 21, 2020 7:51:38 GMT -6
Well, concluding now Canto XXXIII of Book X, which is the last of the five Cantos treating of the Rasa festival. Apologies for any omissions, slips, trips.
Those who to serve his feet are satisfied, And those by yoga practice purified, Whom the sense of ego does not confound, Are not dependant, nor by action bound, Where is there then any bondage or ill, For him, assuming forms by his free will? 34
In the cowherd dames, their husbands as well, In all embodied beings he does dwell, As the inner witness and the resort, And assumes bodies for his playful sport. 35
To grant favour unto his devotee, He shows himself in a human body, And hearing of his deeds, who contemplates, Unto him firm devotion dedicates. 36
Indeed no animosity was shown, Toward Krishna, since by his illusion, Each herdsman thought his wife was by his side, And had no cause for jealousy or pride. 37
When Brahma's hour arrived at the night's end, Vasudev advised them to homeward wend, And thus, unwilling, the Lord's consorts dear, To each her several home did repair. 38
Whoever, faithful, listens to or reads, Lord Vishnu's with the cowherd damsels deeds, Supreme devotion to the Lord attains, And eftsoons steadfast and sober remains, Is freed from all selfish desire with ease, Which is the heart's distemper and disease. 39
Here endeth Canto XXXIII of Book the Tenth, Srimad Bhagavata Mahapurana. Om.
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Post by madanmohandas on Jan 25, 2020 15:02:57 GMT -6
(Sri Suka said) And so it was upon another day, To reverence the god and homage pay, The eager herdsmen yoked their wains and came, To the vast wood called by Ambika’s name. 1
There in Saraswati’s river they laved, And favour from the Lord of creatures craved, The mighty god devoutly worshipping, With his fair consort Ambika, O king.
They gave to holy brahmans, strict on vows, Gold, cloth, honey, fine rice, and milking cows; With adoration all they donated, With, ‘May the god be propitiated!’ 3
That night down by the river bank they passed, Drinking only water, observing fast,; Thus Nanda, Sunanada and others there Observed their sacred rites with solemn care. 4
Now there was a mighty and hungry snake Who slithering forth, did occasion take, On its belly toward Nanda to creep, And swallow him while he lay there asleep. 5
Then Nanda cried in sore perplexity, ‘Krishna, Krishna! This mighty serpent see! Devours me alive, O help I pray, This danger to your refugee allay! 6
The cowherds when they had Nanda’s cry heard, Sudden rose up, by consternation stirred; And seeing Nanda’s plight, took in their hands To beat the serpent, lighted fire brands. 7
Tho’ beaten and scorched, the serpent did not Release Nanda, but coming to that spot The Lord of the Satvatas, undismayed, His foot upon the mighty serpent laid. 8
Verily by the foot’s touch of the Lord, He was absolved of his sins and restored From the serpent body he had assumed, His godlike Vidyadhara form ressumed. 9
That refulgent being, glistering bright, Stood there with a shiny gold necklace dight, And unto him, saluting with bowed head, Hrishikesh, interrogating him, said. 10
‘Who art thou, mighty one, most radiant, Whose vision fills us with astonishment? How was it you were inured all this while, Pent up in this detested body vile?’ 11
(The erstwhile serpent said) ‘I was that Vidyadhara known to fame, You may have heard, Sudarshan was my name; Possessed of beauty, wealth, opulence, I Would traverse in my flying car the sky. 12
Once, ugly deformed sages I espied, And mocked at them in my own beauty’s pride; And for my arrogance I was denounced, And Angira sages their curse pronounced, That I an evil womb must enter in, As payment for my folly and my sin. 13
Those sages acting for my well being, Laid this curse which did fortune to me bring; Since you upon me your blessed foot press, I am relieved of inauspiciousness. 14
Thou art that Lord who dissipates the grief, And fear, and bring your refugee relief; Since by the touch of your foot I am freed, With your leave I now to heaven proceed. 15
I take shelter in thee, O yogin’s Lord, Thou great being, by the devout adored, Command me, I am ready to fulfill, O Lord of all the gods, thy supreme will. 16
O Achyuta, no sooner I saw thee, I was straightway from the brahman’s curse free, And those who sing and your name glorify, Themselves and those who hear them purify, What more then could be possibly conceived, If one has the touch of your foot received?’ 17
Receiving thus his permission to go, Circumambulating and bowing low, Sudarshan to the heavens did repair, And Nanda was delivered from all fear. 18
The cowherds with astonishment were stirred, When they of Krishna’s wondrous power heard, Then concluding their rites to Vraja hied, With admiration Krishna glorified. 19
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Post by madanmohandas on Jan 26, 2020 5:52:41 GMT -6
A few more verses from Book X, Canto XXXIV, 20-24
Once Govinda along with Rama came, Of wonderful deeds and heroic fame, To sport at night with song and merriment, With damsels from the cowherd settlement. 20
Begirt by lovesome damsels on each side, The brothers twain were fondly glorified, Adorned with precious gems, their limbs were dight With sandal paste and spotless garment bright. 21
They praise the rising in the orient Of moon and stars and glowing firmament; Jasmin's odours and lotus scented breeze, Blend sweetly to intoxicate the bees. 22
Now sang in vast delight the brothers twain, Responsive to the melodious strain, With the raised pitch, and with the dying fall, Afforded delight to the minds of all. 23
When they that singing heard, each damosel Was astonied and into a swoon fell; Their garments and their garlands were slipping, And their hair fell in disarray, O king! 24
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Post by madanmohandas on Jan 26, 2020 7:38:59 GMT -6
Thus while the pair their dalliance prolong, Vastly enebriated by their song, A servant of the Lord of wealth there came, Known as the vile Shankhacuda by name. 25
And even before the two brothers eyes, And as the damsels raised their shrieks and cries, The wicked demon drove the women forth Most contemptuously towards the north. 26
The brothers twain hearing the cries of woe, Of 'Oh Krishna, Oh Rama!', rose to go And bring those damsels succor and relief, Who had been seized by the demonic thief. 27
And as they onward hastened to that spot, Assured those damsels, crying out, 'Fear not!' And armed with clubs as the brothers twain sped, The wily Guhyaka still onward fled. 28
But when he saw the pair toward him come, Like Time and Death, was with fear overcome, He left the damsels to avoid the strife, By terror struck, and fled to save his life. 29
Then Govinda pursued him in his flight, Eager to have his crest gem and to smite; While mighty Bala with the damsels stayed, To guard them, and comfort to them conveyed. 30
Then sudden as from far to seize his prey, The mighty Lord approached, and lopped away His head with his fist and thus smote him down, And took the wondrous gem from off his crown. 31
Thus having wicked Shankhacuda slain, And the jewel from his head having ta'en, To his elder brother, with affection, He gave the gem, while the damsels looked on. 31
Here endeth Canto XXXIV in Book the Tenth, Srimad Bhagavatam.
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Post by madanmohandas on Jan 26, 2020 8:50:48 GMT -6
For want of other idleness. When Shankhacuda was of life bereaved, And Pralamba's foe his bright gem received, To Madhumagal, with a joyful mind, The rare and costly jewel was consigned; And he to you, O Fair-faced one, conveyed That gem, and thus the gift to you was made. And when will I ever hang on your neck That gem and locket, and your bosom deck? So as this Shyamantaka gem depends, It may with the Kaustubha gem make friends. VK. 34
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