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Post by madanmohandas on Feb 5, 2020 16:07:59 GMT -6
In haste Akrura from his car did light, And prompted by affection and delight, Fell like a rod and his prostration made, At Rama and Krishna's feet his head laid. 34
Such joy at the sight of the Lord bestowed Rapture and the tears of ecstasy flowed; Thrilled with horripilation and trembling, He could not introduce himself, O king. 35
The Lord well recognised him, and with zeal With hands that bear the mark of the cartwheel, He held him in a fond tender embrace; To those who bow ready to show his grace. 36
To Sankarshan also in homage bent, Who taking hold his hand with his hand went And with his younger brother brought him home, Then honoured him with a worthy welcome. As holy writ ordains they washed his feet, And offered him a luxuriant seat, Inquired if he had a pleasant trip, And gave him honey mixed with milk to sip. 37/38 The mighty Lord honoured his worthy guest, By gift of cow, and to afford him rest Massaged his legs and feet with filial care, And fed him with the best of dainty fare. 39 When he to satisfaction was well fed, Rama, with codes of virtue acquainted, Spices and flower garlands then supplied, And he again was fully satisfied. 40 Then Nanda, having honoured him said, 'How Are you and all your people doing now? How under Kamsa's misrule do you keep Secure? as a butcher might care for sheep. 41 That cruel Kamsa slew for self interest His sister's babes, e'en as she wailed distressed, What then will he to his subjects not do? What then may we deem of the state of you? 42 Thus having Nanda's genial speech heard, Which high honour upon him had conferred, The wise Akrura thus kindly received, Of all his weariness he was relieved. 43 Here endeth Canto XXXVIII of Book the Tenth, Srimad Bhagavatam .
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Post by madanmohandas on Feb 6, 2020 11:27:24 GMT -6
Srimad Bhagavatam, Book X, Canto XXXIX, 1-10
(Sri Suka said) Akrura, reverenced, seated at ease On a soft couch, received the courtesies Of Rama and Krishna with honour due, His musings on the road having come true. 1
What is there, O king, that cannot be gained, For one who has his high pleasure attained? Of him the resort of Shri, and her Lord, Yet still they never seek any reward. 2
The son of Devaki, the Lord most high, Their evening meal sped, made inquiry Regarding the well being of his friends, Their deeds, as also Kamsa's means and ends. 3
(The Blessed Lord said) Thou art most welcome gentle uncle dear, I trust you had a pleasant journey here; Are all thy kith and kinsmen faring well, In good health and unhindered, pray thee tell? 4
But what is the good of inquiries, With Kamsa there the family's disease, Regarding thy welfare and wellbeing, And of our friends, with that wretch prospering? 5
Alas! mark how my parents have endured, Woe, and have been to confinement inured, And I the cause of all their children slain, I have only brought to them grief and pain. 6
O good uncle, our sight is blest today, Since thou, O gentle one, hast come this way, Now deign to tell wherefore thou hast come here, The reasons for thy long journey declare. 7
(Sri Suka said) Thus questioned by the supreme Lord divine, That noble scion of the Madhu line, Told how the tyrant did with Yadus strive, And Vasudev of life sought to deprive. 8
The substance of his message thus conveyed, He then revealed the plots Kamsa had laid, How Narad also did Kamsa inform, He was of Anaka Dundubhi born. 9
When having heard Akrura's speech they rose, Those mighty conquerors of hostile foes, Krishna and Bala, laughing in disdain, To Nanda the king's orders did proclaim. 10
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Post by madanmohandas on Feb 8, 2020 15:09:43 GMT -6
Then Nanda issued his decree to bring Their milk products as tribute to the king. 'Let the finest gifts of price be bestowed, In readiness your wagons yoke and load; For on the morrow we take our journey To the vast capitol Madhu Puri. There with salutation and complement, Our milk products to the king will present. And there we shall a grand tournament see With gathered people from the town and lea.' Then Nanda had his officer convey His orders, which the latter did relay. 11/12
Now when this news the cowherd damsels heard, They were with sore distress and anguish stirred; That Akrura had come there to convey From Vraja to the city far away, Dear Rama and Krishna, the brothers twain, Assailed them with immeasurable pain. 13
Some hearing the tidings, their hearts were rent, And some grew pale at the burning torment, And others breathed long sighs of dire distress, And loosened were their bangles, braids, and dress. 14
Others withdrew their consciousness within, Abstracted with contemplation of him, Even as those who the self contemplate, And go to the soul’s eternal estate. 15
Others recall how Lord Sauri would smile, With amorous glances, which did beguile Their hearts, and the speeches he would convey With eloquence, caused them to swoon away. 16
And while in their distress they plain and weep, Their thoughts in the Lord Achyuta they steep; His sweet conduct, the manner of his gait, His fond glances which woe would dissipate; His merry jokes, his deeds of high renown; They thus were into apprehension thrown. That Mukunda indeed away would go, Assailed them with dread fear and bitter woe, And gathering in groups began to sing, Their cheeks bedewed with tears from much weeping. 17/18
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Post by madanmohandas on Feb 9, 2020 3:08:50 GMT -6
The cowherd damsels said) O stern providence! You are pitiless, Who cause beings to join in happiness, Before their desire they consummate, You supervene, and lovers separate; And love before it grow to full destroy, Like a wonton capricious spiteful boy. 19
This conduct is not well that you pursue, Since having first manifest to our view Mukunda’s face which to us you disclose, With comely cheeks and fine prominent nose, With straying locks of hair and tender smiles, Which banishes distress and woe beguiles, It is a rash presumption on your part, To drive in this way fond lovers apart. 20
O providence! you come in friendly guise, As Akrura, but really in you lies Capricious folly, cruelty and spite, For having first afforded us eyesight, Yet now you cunningly scheme and contrive And fain would of this vision us deprive. Since moulding of his form you did fulfil The ultimate perfection of your skill, In the figure and excellence of grace, And the beauty of Madhudhvisa's face. 21
* There is a pun in the original on the name 'Akrura' which signifies 'not cruel' since the word 'krura' means cruel. The pun then is 'you come here as Akrura (not cruel) but your conduct shows you to be very 'krura' cruel indeed. I suppose most readers will be aware of it, but I thought a little footnote was necessary since the pun is barely suggested in my rendering above.
Ah! Nanda's son, who breaks loving affairs, Even to look upon us little cares, Our homes and relatives for his dear sake, And husbands and children we did forsake, Enamoured of his love, yet certainly He always seeks in love for novelty. 22
Oh what a blessed good morning 'twill be For those ladies who dwell in the city! For certainly they shall reap the reward To look upon the face of Vraja's Lord; And drink with their side glances to the full, The nectar of his face, most beautiful. 23
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Post by madanmohandas on Feb 9, 2020 8:55:16 GMT -6
Alas! weak dames, hearken to what I tell, When Mukunda, under the witching spell Of sweet talk of the high born ladies there, How will he to us rustic girls repair? For tho' he is righteous and innocent, He will succumb to Love's bewilderment. 24
Verily tomorrow the dynasties, Dasarhas, Bhojas, Andhakas, Vrishnis, And Sattvatas, will all enjoy the sight, Filling their eyes with a festive delight; For he, the lover of fair beauty's queen, Proceeding along the road will be seen, Of loveliness the reservoir and store, Whom fortunate Devaki devi bore. 25
And how could he who bears that name indeed, Akrura, undertake this ruthless deed? Who has no word of consolation, no, But with our dear belov'd away would go. 26
Callous Krishna now mounts the car to part, In haste the herdsmen yoke the wheel and cart, The elders are indifferent, and thus It seemeth fate is working against us. 27
Let us approach and stand before the car, And thereby Madhava's departure bar, So what if elders and relatives chide! We cannot e'en an eye's twinkling abide Parted from dear Mukunda's company, Or bear this pain of adverse destiny. 28
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Post by madanmohandas on Feb 9, 2020 10:30:22 GMT -6
When he with ardent love and tender grace, Sweet speech, the playful glance and firm embrace, Foregathered on those nights to dance the Ras, Full many nights as a moment did pass; How shall we endure the protracted time, Of his desertion, but to mourn and pine? 29
Who at day's end to Vraja would repair, With dust upon his garland and his hair; The dust by tramping hooves of kine upraised, And by his friends, Ananta's friend was praised; And as he played the flute and fondly smiled, Our minds were captivated and beguiled; How can we endure separation, how Can we sustain our lives in sorrow now? 30
(Sri Suka said) Thus did these fond damsels their woe express, By Krishna's departure plunged in distress, And called, unheedful, loud and plaintively, 'Govinda, Damodar, Madhaveti!'* 31
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Post by madanmohandas on Feb 9, 2020 11:21:48 GMT -6
Concluding this portion of the narrative but not yet the end of the Canto, which hereafter shifts it's scene.
But as those dames lament with sobs and cries, The radiant Savitri did arise, And having his morning devotions sped, Akrura the chariot forward led. 32
Nanda with all the herdsmen and the swains, Followed along behind upon their wains, Bringing their milk products for offering, In large clay pots as tribute to the king. 33
The cowherd dames followed Krishna some way, He reassuring glances did convey, And hoping to learn something of his will, They stood at that spot motionless and still. 34
As he departed and beheld their plight, He did a comforting message indite*, Conveyed to them to ease their hurt and pain, Which said with love, 'I shall return again.' 35
So long as they could see the flag afar, And the dust upraised by the speeding car, They stood dumbfounded in their deep distress, Like figures in a portrait motionless. 36
They then turned back dejected and forlorn, Despairing Govinda would e'er return; In lamentation spent their nights and days, Rehearsing in song their beloved's praise. 37
*'Indite', to compose, not to be mistaken for 'indict'
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Post by madanmohandas on Feb 10, 2020 15:46:02 GMT -6
Thus even the Almighty away hied, With Akrura, and Rama by his side, On that car which, swift as the wind, them bore To bright Kalindi's sin effacing shore. 38 The sweet and glistening water by the bank He took a little in his hand and drank; And had the car placed under shady trees, And mounting up, with Rama sat at ease. 39 Akrura, taking his leave from them goes While they upon the car rest in repose, As rule ordains he does the waters sip, Then bathes him by taking a holy dip. 40
Immersing himself in the water there He muttered the supreme eternal prayer, And while submerged Akrura did remain, He there beheld Rama and Krishna twain. 41 'The sons of Anaka Dundubhi stay Seated upon the car, then how could they Be standing here?' and such was his surprise, In haste he from the water did arise, Then he beheld while standing on the shore, The brothers seated as they were before; He thought, ' was that vision delusion vain?' And thereupon entered the pool again. 42/43 Again submerging himself in that place, He now saw the king of the serpent race, By heavenly bards, minstrels, and demons praised, And with a thousand serpent necks upraised, A thousand hoods a thousand helmets bore, And fluttering raiment of blue he wore; White as the lotus filament he showed, White as the snows of Mount Kailash he glowed. 44/45 There on the serpent's coils he saw recline The blue complexioned supreme Lord divine, Clad in yellow raiment, with all the charms, Displayed by his four strong and mighty arms; He tranquil and serene recumbent lies, With shining dawn-red tinted lotus-eyes; A beautiful propitious countenance, A comely smile and affectionate glance, Soft cheeks and lips which like the dawn appears With upraised eyebrows and beautiful ears, Which fine symmetry of their beauty shows, As with the prominent and shapely nose; His arms were long and sturdy, and his chest Was broad and ample, where Beauty finds rest. His neck was like a conch with creases three, His depressed navel, beautiful to see, Was marked with the delicate folds divine, Like those upon the Banyan leaf that shine. 46-48
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Post by madanmohandas on Feb 11, 2020 5:08:20 GMT -6
Continuing the vision of Akrura, X.XXXIX,
His sturdy hips and thighs were broad and strong, Like tapering trunk of elephant long; His knees and shanks and bossy ankles showed Rare grace, and his toenails like the dawn glowed On his fine toes, which like soft petals shine On lotus flowers of his feet divine. 49/50
Embellished and adorned with many a gem, Armlets, bracelets and sparkling diadem; A jewel studded ornamental zone, Was girt about his waist, his bosom shone With sacred tread, his lotus-feet were dight With tinkling ankle bells; and gleaming bright Lovely ear pendants dangle from his ears, The lotus, conch, discus and club he rears; His ample bosom marked with Beauty's sign, Upon his breast the Kaustubha doth shine; Decked with flower garlands of rarest scent, With sweet perfume odorous redolent. 51/52
On every side he was adored and praised By his associates with voices raised, In words of spotless eulogy divine, Expressing each his sentiment sublime; His foremost attendants beside him stand, Nanda and Sunanda on either hand, Sanaka and his brothers praise bestowed, Brahma and Rudra and many a god; The nine yogins, of twice-born ones the best, Prahlad, Narad, Vasu, and all the rest. There Beauty, Nourishment and Speech were found, Fame, Pleasure, Ila and Urja surround, With Vidya, Avidya, and Maya too, His goddesses most beautiful to view. 53/55
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Post by madanmohandas on Feb 11, 2020 11:57:32 GMT -6
Akrura thus having beheld this sight, Was overwhelmed with love and fond delight, Exhilarated and thrilled thus to see, His eyes brimmed o'er with tears of ecstasy; His hair all stood on end with joy elate, Then gradually resumed his wonted state. With palms together pressed and lowered head, In faltering and broken tones he said. 56/57
Here endeth Canto XXXIV in Book the Tenth, Srimad Bhagavatam
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Post by madanmohandas on Feb 12, 2020 4:17:23 GMT -6
Well, as for that, now venturing with due deference into the next Canto of Book X. Canto XL, then consists of Akrura's hymn in thirty stanzas. It may be observed how the previous Canto ended with the line, "In faltering and broken tones he said." Wherefore this Canto without any preamble or descriptive passage goes straight into Akrura's hymn of praise. The first five stanzas go something like this,
(Sri Akrura said) I bow to thee, the cause of all that be, Narayana, primal divinity; From whose navel the lotus did emerge, The seat of Lord Brahma, the demiurge; Whence generation of the world doth spring, And all creatures into existence bring. 1
The earth, the water, fire and the wind, The sky and cosmic intellect combined, The ruling mind which over sense presides, Each deity who sense objects provides; All these causes, effects which generate, From thine own proper person emanate. 2
Thus all these evolutes from thee derive, And objective reality contrive, Yet thou, the pure subject are not perceived, Nor e'en by Brahma canst thou be conceived, For he is swayed by Nature's attribute, But thou art transcendent and absolute. 3
By yogins thou art worshiped and adored, As the great being and the ruling Lord, With Adhyatma, Adhibhuta endued, Adhidaiva, they gain beatitude. 4
Some worship as the three Vedas ordain, Brahmans who the sacred fire maintain; With incantations, rites and sanctities, In worship of the deathless deities. 5
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Post by madanmohandas on Feb 12, 2020 14:37:38 GMT -6
Continuing Akrura's panegyric, Canto XL, Book X, 6-10
Some thro' renouncement of all actions make The wisdom sacrifice for wisdom's sake; And thus worship thee to propitiate, The very form of wisdom incarnate. 6
Still others, purified in mind, pursue, The disciplines promulgated by you, To devout contemplation they adhere, As you in one or many forms appear. 7
Others worship supreme divinity, In the form of Shiva which texts decree, With diverse offerings and disciplines, Thro' many teachers and many doctrines. 8
Yet all these who devout worship pursue, In all reality but adore you, Tho' they on other god's worship insist, You are the Lord in whom the gods subsist. 9
E'en as torrents flow down the mountain side, And disembogue into the ocean's tide, So all these paths ultimately ensue, O Master mine, the way that leads to you. 10
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Post by madanmohandas on Feb 13, 2020 6:09:06 GMT -6
More on Akrura's panegyric, Book X, Canto XL.
The Sattva, Raja, Tama qualities From your primordial nature arise, Which does creatures from the immobile bind, Upto Brahma, within nature confined. 11
All hail to thee! the soul of every soul, Whose comprehensive vision scans the whole, The conscious witness of their thoughts and deeds, From thee the stream of attributes proceeds; In perpetuity creation springs, Of gods divine, men, and all living things. 12
Fire your face, your feet the earth, your eye Bright Surya, and your deep navel the sky; The directions your auditory sense, Heaven is your head, and your arms immence Are the mighty gods, and your vital air The wind, and vegetation is your hair; The clouds are represented by your locks, Your bones and nails the mountains and the rocks; The passing of each night and day implies The momentary blinking of your eyes; Your virile member represents the lord Of creatures who brings forth the human horde; Your potent semen is as rain perceived, As in this vast conception is conceived. 13/14
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Post by madanmohandas on Feb 13, 2020 14:06:17 GMT -6
Thou art the self supreme everlasting, From whom the worlds and it's guardians spring, The teeming multitudes of souls evolve From thy nature and within thee revolve As crowded fishes populate the sea, Or insects in the fruit of the fig tree. 15
Whenever and wherever you resort To incarnate for the purpose of sport, The singing of those deeds and your high fame, Washes away of misery the stain. 16
O Primal Fish incarnate! hail to thee! Who plied the flood of devestation's sea; To thee of Horse's head I bow and sue, To thee who Madhu and Kaitabha slew; Thou didst as the colossal Tortoise sport To steady mount Mandara as support; Hail to thee in the form of a Wild Boar! Who lifting sunken earth on your tusk bore. 17/18
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Post by madanmohandas on Feb 13, 2020 15:47:11 GMT -6
Hail thee who as the Lion-man appears, Relieving the pious ones of their fears; All hail to thee the diminutive God, Who with three paces thro' the three worlds trod. 19
All hail to thee, Lord of the Bhrigu's line, Who destroyed martial princes for their crime; Hail thee, the noble offspring of Raghu, Who in the bitter conflict Ravan slew. 20
All hail to thee, Vasudeva, great Lord, All hail to thee, Sankarshana adored, Hail Pradyumna and Anirudha too, O Lord of Sattvatas, I bow to you. 21
Hail Lord Buddha, as pure and holy man, Mohini, who enchants the demon clan; All hail to thee Kalki, avenging Lord, Who extirpate the barbarous lawless horde. 22
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