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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 3, 2021 5:44:28 GMT -6
Continuing SB.X.XVIII. 18-26
Almighty Dasarha could penetrate His guise, but feigned friendship to cultivate; While thinking of what means he might contrive, The demon vile of his life to deprive. 18
Now Krishna, the past master of all games, Calls all the cowherds and to them proclaims, 'Dear comrades, let our group in two divide, With combatants disposed on either side'. 19
Rama and Janardana took the lead, The cowherds join either side as agreed, Whereupon some on Krishna's side remain, Some chose Rama and unto his side came. 20
The boys all join in the sportive affray, Where vanquished on their shoulders must convey The victors to a certain place, and then, Resume the playful mock combat again. 21
Thus carrying and being carried, they, While tending the cattle pursue their way; With Krishna in the lead, the cowherds came, To the great tree, Bhandiraka by name. 22
Sridama and Vrishabha in the course, With Rama's party were victorious; Thus Krishna's party had to carry them, Defeated in the game, Oh king of men. 23
Almighty Krishna, having lost the game, Carried Sridama; and while Bhadrasen Bore Vrshabha, Pralamba chose to be, The bearer of the son of Rohini. 24
Thinking Krishna too strong for the attack, The demon carried Rama on his back, And thus in eager haste he took to flight, Beyond the place where his mount should alight. 25
Thus bearing him who himself bears the weight Of all the world, the demon did abate His speed, and casting off the form assumed, His own colossal body he resumed; Gold ornaments flashed lightning in the gloom, And seemed a dark cloud carrying the moon. 26
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 3, 2021 18:22:18 GMT -6
Continuuing SB.X.XVIII. 27-30.
Beholding that form of colossal might, Dilated to a giant's lofty height, It seemed that he was ranging thro' the skies, With fiery fury blazing in its eyes. Its awful fangs extend and seem to grow Toward its contracted and beetling brow; Its loosened hair like raging fire blazed; The wielder of the plough was quite amazed; Its earrings, armlets and crown glittered bright, Rama was somewhat frighted at the sight. 27
Then suddenly his memory was clear, And Bala put aside his slightest fear; He realised that his enemy strove, Himself from his companions to remove; Enraged thereat he smote him on the head With his clenched fist, whereat he then fell dead. Like heaven's Lord when striking down a hill With thunder, Rama did the demon kill. 28
The demon's scull was crushed, he tumbled o'er, Unconscious, vomiting up blood and gore; And down he fell dead with a roaring sound, And lifeless lay prostrate upon the ground. As when the cloud compeller, much annoyed, With blazing thunder the mountains destroyed, 29
Observing how Pralamba had been killed, The cowherds were with vast wonderment filled, How by his power mighty Bala won The victory and cried, 'Bravo, well done!' 30
They showered blessings on him and upraise His glory who is right worthy of praise; And with fond affection embraced the Lord, Who seemingly from death had been restored. 30
The gods were jubilant and gratified, Now that the sinful Pralamba had died, They praised Bala's great deed and raised the cry, 'Well done!' and showered garlands from the sky. 31
And thus ends Canto eighteen in Book ten of the great and glorious Bhagavata Purana, the text beloved of swan-like saints, sung by the son of Vyasa.
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 4, 2021 7:48:55 GMT -6
Commencing SB.X.XIX. 1-7
(Sri Suka said) While the cowherd boys were engrossed in play, The cows had strayed and wandered far away, And into a darksome forest they pass, Urged on by greed to taste the new grown grass. 1
The cows and goats and buffaloes had strayed, From forest to forest and gloomy glade, And entered a cane grove, by heat oppressed, And thirsty, cried and bellowed, sore distressed. 2
When the cowherds observed the kine were lost, In remorse and consternation were tossed, With Rama and Krishna they trace each spot, But after a long search, they found them not. 3
They pursue the path as duty behoves, Ensuing broken grass and prints of hooves, And followed the path leading thro' the wood, Deploring much their loss of livelihood. 4
Thereon into a Munja grove they passed, And found the weeping herds of kine at last; Relieved but exhausted and thirsty, they Conduct the herds of kine homeward away. 5
The Almighty with his sonorous voice, Whereat the cows bellow loud and rejoice, Like a cloud rumbled and called them by name, They lowed responsive and toward him came. 6
Then suddenly a conflagration blazed, The wind like its chariot driver raised The flaming tongues that threatened to devour, The creatures who inhabited the bower; The raging flames and sparks and smoky gloom, All mobile and immobile would consume. 7
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 5, 2021 3:39:12 GMT -6
Concluding SB.X.XIX. 8-16
As all around the conflagration blazed, In dread the cows and cowherds fearful gazed; They came to Bala and Krishna, in grief, And urged the brothers to afford relief; As those in mortal fear and misery, Seek refuge in the Supreme Lord Hari. 8
'Oh Krishna, Krishna! of the potent might, Rama! of taintless power infinite, Oh save us Lord! who come as refugees, We are your own surrendered devotees. 9
'Certainly your friends should not suffer so, Oh Krishna, you who all righteousness know, As suppliants, from you succour we crave, You are our Lord, and therefore deign to save!' 10
(Sri Suka said) Hearing the expression of misery Of his friends, the Almighty Lord Hari, Addressed his friends in accents firm and clear, 'Now keep you eyes shut tight and have no fear!' 11
With, 'Very well', they shut their fearful eyes, The Almighty then to the task did rise, And as master of mystic power, he Drank up the flames and set his dear friends free. 12
Now when they had their eyes opened once more, Found themselves at Bhandira, as before, They were surprised and wonder struck to see, Themselves and all the cows from danger free. 13
Observing Krishna's potency and might, And effects of his power infinite, How from the forest fire they were freed, They thought him an immortal god indeed. 14
Now as the afternoon drew on apace, Rama and Janardana their way trace, Playing the flute, and praised by his dear friends, Driving the herds of cattle, homeward wends. 15
The cowherd damsels took supreme delight, When they of Lord Govinda had the sight, Deprived of which a brief moment appears, Tedious as a hundred million years. 16
And thus ends Canto nineteen in Book ten of the great and glorious Bhagavata Purana, the text beloved of swan-like saints, sung by the son of Vyasa.
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 6, 2021 3:15:20 GMT -6
Commencing SB.X.XX.1-9
(Sri Suka said) The cowherds to their women folk relate, Their most amazing deeds reiterate; How they were saved from the conflagration, How Pralamba also to death was done. 1
Which hearing, elder cowherds weighed the odds, Amazed, they weened the brothers foremost gods; That Rama and Krishna, with some intent, Made dwelling in the cowherd settlement. 2
And now the rainy season did appear, Affording sustenance, bringing good cheer; The accumulation of clouds drew nigh, The thunder rumbled, lightning lit the sky. 3
Thick laden clouds involve the firmament, And thunder forky lightning flashes sent; E'en as the attributes Brahman enshrouds, The sky is concealed by dense gloomy clouds. 4
Eight months Parjanya did earth's moisture drain, And the wealth of the waters did retain; Which by his own rays gathered and increased, Now in due season, the waters released. 5
The clouds wherein the waters were confined, Were rent by lightning, scattered by the wind; And thus the cloud to pleasure give contrives, As those who for others lay down their lives. 6
Earth was emaciate by scorching pain, But now the god propitious sent the rain; As those who penance do in the pursuit Of desire, attain the wished for fruit. 7
The gloomy evening was lit by the light Of fire flies, hiding the stars from sight; As Kali age abounds in heresy, And Vedas languish in obscurity. 8
The loquacious frogs had been silent long, But with the rumbling clouds, broke out in song; As brahmans in silence perform each rite, The lesson, when the teacher calls, recite. 9
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 6, 2021 5:52:39 GMT -6
More SB.X.XX.10-19
The streams overbore their wonted courses, E'en as a man who wastes his resources; And does not for security provide, His wealth, like the water, away doth glide. 10
The verdure of the grass shone luscious green, Bright red insects and white mushrooms were seen; And the earth like a wealthy man appeared, With liveried servants, parasols reared. 11
The laboured fields their wealth of grains afford, Which does with joy cultivators reward; But the proud and the vain still fail to see, How everything is ruled by Destiny. 12
The water and the land dwellers were pleased, Now that abundance of water increased, And showed new lustre and fairest beauty, As those who render service to Hari. 13
The rivers disembogue into the sea, By wind and waves driven relentlessly, E'en as a yogin's mind in turbulence Of desire, is drawn to indulgence. 14
The mountains by the beating rains assailed, In their weight and preponderance prevailed; As those who to contemplation adhere Of Adhoksaja, are relieved of fear. 15
The roads and byways were quite overgrown With vegetation, and could not be known; As texts by the twice-born no more in use, In the course of time have become abstruse. 16
The clouds to all the worlds deep friendship bear, The restless lightning flitted here and there; E'en as a wanton wench a good man flies, Although he be well accomplished and wise. 17
The painted bow of Indra, mighty Lord, Was in the attributes but had no cord; As evolutes by gunas are evolved, The Purusa is ever uninvolved. 18
The moon's own light was dispersed by the clouds, Which its own native radiance enshrouds; As by the ego sense of 'I and mine', The Purusa by his own light does shine. 19
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 6, 2021 15:07:56 GMT -6
Continuing SB.X.XX.20-24
With the arrival of a laden cloud, The peacocks celebrate and mew aloud; As householders at times in sorrow live, Delight when Acyuta's dear ones arrive. 20
The thirsty trees drank water through their roots, With foliage flourish and sprout new shoots, As those who arduous penance maintain, Emaciate, their wished for objects gain. 21
The cranes beside the troubled lakes remain, Although lashed, Oh dear one, by driving rain; As worldly men disturbance tolerate, And remain in their houses, obstinate. 22
When the Lord sent the rains the bound'ries yield, And a deluge spreads out across the field; As heretics their false doctrines profess, In Kali's age, and the Vedas transgress. 23
The clouds impelled by winds the waters pour, And open up to creatures all their store; As when a king from twice-born ones receives Orders, from time to time, charity gives. 24
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 7, 2021 3:51:07 GMT -6
Proceeding further with SB.X.XX. 25-33, which concludes the monsoon metaphors, to be followed by autumnal allegories. 🙂
The forest thus resplendent radiates In the rains, with ripe Jambu fruits and dates; Surrounded by their cows and cowherd friends, Hari with Bala through the forest wends. 25
The cattle ramble slow and ruminate, Burdened by their distended udder's weight, But when the Almighty called them by name, With love and dripping udders hasty came. 26
The Lord beheld the tribal women there, He saw the honey-dripping forest fair, The mountain spring with crystal water flows, Re-echoing in caves and dark grottoes. 27
Whenever it poured down a heavy shower, He rested in a tree hollow or bower, And partook of bulbs and esculent roots, And varieties of sweet mellowed fruits. 28
With tasty rice and yogurt sent from home, He sat down by the water on a stone, With Sankarshana and the cowherd boys, A forest banquet with them all enjoys. 29
The Almighty thus spent the monsoon days, Pleased to observe the cows on fresh grass graze, Who with their heavy udders sat content, While calves and bulls hither and thither went. He thus delighted the wealth to behold Of the monsoon season's charms to unfold; The season he adores as it revolves, Which from his inherent power evolves. 30/31
Thus Rama and Keshava dwelt content, In the delightful cowherd settlement; And now the Sarat season did appear, When wind is soft, the sky and water clear. 32
When the grateful Sarat season arrives, The lotus in the clear water revives; The rivers were now free of taint or stain, Like relapsed yogins who strive once again. 33
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 7, 2021 8:06:03 GMT -6
One more SB.X.XX.34. this one has a stray line forming a couplet and triplet. This is quite excusable for epic verse and can be marked for the benefit of the reciter with a parentheses on the left margin joining the three lines of the triplet. The reason is that I was unable to condense the anustup couplet into four heroic lines. Sometimes it has, as I hope here, a sort of punch-line effect, which can also be achieved by an Alexandrian line or six iambic feet, but having so far refrained from that, it would be incongruous to introduce it now.
The Sarat season cleared the sky of clouds, And freed the creatures in congested crowds. The muddy ground was dried, and the debris Was cleared, as orders of society Are blest by the love of Krishna Hari. 34
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 8, 2021 10:01:28 GMT -6
SB.X.XX. 35-39
The clouds now emptied of their store shine bright, The fleecy cumulus was pure and white, As sages who forsake desire and greed, Are pacified, content and from sin freed. 35
Somewhere the mountain torrents flow on by, Elsewhere the flowing brooks and streams are dry; As the wise men sometimes wisdom reveal, And at other times their wisdom conceal. 36
The flashing fishes in the shallow pools, Were unaware like worldly minded fools, Who day by day are ignorant of fate, By slow degrees the pools evaporate. 37
The fish in shallow water were oppressed, And by Arka's hot beams were much distressed; As the poor family man undergoes, With senses uncontrolled, troublesome woes. 38
Then little by little the mud was dried, And plants their mellow juicy fruits supplied; As those who forsake sense of 'I and mine', As distinct from the true pure self divine. 39
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 8, 2021 10:49:26 GMT -6
Proceeding further with SB.X.XX.40-44. There are forty nine in total.
In the Sarat season the sea was still, The streams and water bodies were tranquil, As the sage who does no longer engage In action, nor study of scripture's page. 40
The farmers in the fields strong dikes construct, To retain water and the flow conduct; As those who practise the breath to withhold, Restrained, by yoga discipline controlled. 41
The Sarat Arka torments with his blaze, All creatures, till the moon sheds balmy rays; As one who no more self as body claims, Or as Mukunda relieves Vraja's dames. 42
The stars now sparkle in the cloudless sky, And a pleasing and lambent light supply; E'en as the mind, freed from impurities, Perceives the purport of scripture's decrees. 43
Amid the shining stars and glowing bright, The Sarat season moon sheds his fair light; As even the great Yadu's Lord divine, Among the Yadus prominent doth shine. 44
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 8, 2021 13:16:55 GMT -6
Concluding SB.X.XX.45-49
The temperate breeze through the forest strayed, Embracing with its sent the woody shade; To all except the cowherd dames imparts Relief, since Krishna had stolen their hearts. 45
The cows, the does, each female bird and beast, And women, felt fecundity increased, And followed by their males in hot pursuit, As service to the Lord bears worthy fruit. 46
The Sarat sun brings lotuses to bloom, But the night lilies wither and consume; As when a king, Oh king, subjects relieves, The country is diminished of its thieves. 47
The towns and villages make sacrifice, To celebrate and taste the new grown rice; And thus the earth with lavish store appeared, As but a part of the two Lords revered. 48
The merchants, students, kings and holy men, Resume their diverse works and tasks again; From impediments free their ways pursue, And attain perfection in season due. 49
And thus ends Canto twenty in Book ten of the great and glorious Bhagavata Purana, the text beloved of swan-like saints, sung by the son of Vyasa.
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 9, 2021 2:42:52 GMT -6
Commencing now with SB.X.XXI. 1-6
(Sri Suka said) The Sarat season rendered water clear, Wherein fragrant lotus flowers appear. Acyuta with his cows and cowherd friends, Enjoys the breeze and through the forest wends. 1
In every grove the honey bees resound, The twice-born birds make a delightsome sound; And sporting by the lakes, on hills, in dales, The Lord of Madhus with his friends regales; He with Bala, the cows and cowherds strayed, While sweetly on his bamboo flute he played,. 2
When Vraja's dames that dulcet music heard, Their minds by wanton Cupid were disturbed; Then each to each in groups gan to converse, And Krishna's excellences did rehearse. 3
Strong passion did recollection awake, And Cupid's force their power of speech did take; Which did their minds in agitation fling, While they remembered Krishna's deeds, Oh king. 4
A peacock plume upon his head he wears, Hangs Karnikara blossoms o'er his ears; He looks the foremost actor, brave and bold; His yellow raiment shines like ductile gold; He with a Viajayanti wreath is dight, And breathes into his flute with vast delight, Which with the nectar of his lips is filled, Whence music delectable is distilled. The touch of his feet does sanctity bring To Vrindavan, while his cowherd friends sing His hallowed glory, as they tend the kine, And thus he enters the forest divine. 5
The flute song having heard, Oh my dear king, Which charms and captivates each living thing; They each embracing each, having imbibed, The sweet flute song, to each other described. 6
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 9, 2021 8:07:40 GMT -6
Continuing SB.X.XXI.7-11
(The cowherd damsels said) Dear friends, we know not of a higher prize, That fulfils the fruition of the eyes, Than this; to see the sons of Nanda go With their friends and the cows to the meadow; The flutes placed to their lips sweetly resound, While darting their fond glances all around. 7
Adorned with mango sprouts and peacock plumes, Flower clusters, lilies and lotus blooms, And clad in fine raiment radiant bright, They are with fragrant flower garlands dight; The brothers with their friends of the same age, Are like chief protagonists on a stage; In the assembly by their friends are praised, Sometimes to sing their own voices are raised. 8
What pious deed was by the bamboo done, Whereby achieved was this rare benison? Oh cowherd maids, this bamboo always sips The sweet nectar from Damodara's lips, And drinks with an independent delight What is the cowherd dame's exclusive right; While only what is left over we gain. The dear father of the bamboo, the cane, Sheds sappy tears to have offspring so blest. The mother lake's good fortune is expressed, As the smooth surface of the waters there Are studded with flowers like standing hair. 9
Vrindavan spreads renown and sanctity, Oh dear friends, since the son of Devaki, Has with signs of his lotus-feet impressed, The earth as if by Lakshmi has been blest. When hearing of Govinda's flute the sound, The proud peacocks dance merrily around, And marking which, affected by the flute, The animals on the hilltops stand mute. 10
How blessed are the stupid deer, ah me! For they the noble Nanda's son may see Attired in a fine a varied dress. And when they hear the flute they forward press, And with their mates. the black bucks, they advance, And worship him with their fond loving glance. 11
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 9, 2021 23:26:01 GMT -6
Continuing SB.X.XXI.12-14
Perceiving Krishna's charm and sweet beauty, For damsels is a grand festivity; Since the spouses of the gods when they fly In aerial chariots through the sky, When hearing Krishna's flute as on they course, They succumb to passion and Cupid's force; And fall into sweet amorous dismay, As belts loosen and flowers slip away. 12
The sweet nectar from Krishna's mouth that flows, When breath into his bamboo flute he blows, A dulcet ambrosial music bears, That cows drink with the raised cups of their ears; The calves their mouths still full of milk forbear To suckle more and at Govinda stare, And take him to their hearts with fond surprise, Standing quite still, while tears roll from their eyes. 13
The birds in the forest, Oh mother dear! E'en as meditative sages appear, Who mount the lofty tree branches and sprays, So they might freely on Lord Krishna gaze; And when they hear the flute's soft dulcet strain, Perched on the leafy boughs, silent remain, And listen in contemplation profound, Perceiving, with eyes shut, no other sound. 14
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