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Post by madanmohandas on Dec 19, 2023 15:10:56 GMT -6
Now these events had not been told, Until Krishna was six years old, When one whole year had passed, What had been done in infancy, Before the sixth year of Hari, An event of the past.
The rescue of his friends from dread, Aghasura liberated, Which events did unfold, How they entered the pythons' jaws, And of their safe rescue the cause, After one year were told.
When all of this the king had heard, He was with vast wonderment stirred, In curiosity, He laboured with wonder and doubt, And said, 'what is it all about? O kindly tell to me.'
Thus questioned, Badarayani, Was deep absorbed in revery, But did then sense regain, And then began while seated there, The deeds of Hari to declare, And spoke to him again.
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Post by madanmohandas on Dec 20, 2023 5:20:30 GMT -6
Enacting thus his wondrous deeds, Govinda with his friends proceeds, To roam the shady bowers; And there admires the sylvan scene, Where meadows shine emerald green, With blossoming bright flowers.
'O friends!' said Krishna, 'see the trees, And how they flutter in the breeze, This river bank invites, And since we have wasted much time, Let us take comfort here and dine; This place my mind delights.' Then opening their bags, each boy, To feast with Hari took their joy, And sitting all around, Their gazing eyes as blooms unfurl, Like petals round the lotus whorl, As Krishna they surround.
He had a cane, a sash he wore, His flute tucked in his belt he bore, And sat to take the feast; He held some curds, and in between His fingers juicy fruits were seen, Their affection increased.
The gods assembled in the skies, Were fraught with wonder and surprise, At such a novel sight, That he who sacrifice consumes, His exploits of childhood assumes, Affording such delight.
His friends with Hari made good cheer, Feasting with their Acyuta dear, While gazing at his face; And Madanmohan bows him down, To that one with the peacock crown, And begs for causeless grace. ......................................
Thus while they sat in the green wood, And each partook fine dainty food, Away from that fair spot, The calves had wandered off and strayed, In search of grass, and left the glade, The boys absorbed, knew not.
But they with dread were overcome, When they saw that the calves were gone, And were disquieted; 'O my dear friends, fear not!' said he, 'The calves I shall fetch presently.' With that away he sped.
Thus he proceeded on his way, The groves and grottoes to survey, And looked around the place, Still with a morsel in his hand, The bowers, groves and dales he scanned, Then did his steps retrace.
After much searching all around, The straying calves could not be found, Then came back to his friends, But when he saw the boys were gone, He knew the deed by Brahma done, Who all things comprehends.
He then his mystic might employs, And takes the forms of calves and boys, Brahma to mystify; He bore exact similitude, Since all with Vishnu is endued, As Vedas testify.
When Brahma from his lofty sphere, Returned after one rolling year, He was amazed to see, Vishnu with all his friends at play, And the calves, fell into dismay, And sore perplexity.
He then those forms transfigured saw, As many Vishnus, struck with awe, The demiurgic god, Did from his swan conveyance light, Endued with wonder and affright, And fell down like a rod.
Then rising up and bowing down, He laid at those feet his high crown, And overwhelmed with joy, With all the force of eloquence, With high honour and reverence, Prayed to that cowherd boy.
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Post by madanmohandas on Dec 20, 2023 7:12:26 GMT -6
'I pray,' said Brahma, 'and entreat, And bow me at your tender feet, Son of the cowherd chief; What do I know of your greatness, Of your inherent happiness? Unknown to you is grief.
Those who to their calling adhere, And faithfully your glories hear, In reverence who bow; Invincible though you remain, The conquest over you they gain, Such favours you bestow.
Those who your gracious favour wait, And worship you and low prostrate, And difficulties bare, And who meditation maintain, Supreme salvation they attain, As 'twere their rightful share.
Let me be born a vine or shrub, That I may dust on my head rub, That decorates the feet Of those who in Vraja abide, That I may be so sanctified, This favour I entreat.'
Thus Brahma his high hymn addressed, And by Mukunda he was bless'd, Being much pleased at heart; He praised Brahma and wished him well, And satisfied bad him farewell, Thence Brahma did depart.
Sri Suka tells the devout king, How Krishna is the dearest thing, The inner self of all; And Madanmohan, bowing, prays, The exploits that Hari displays, May I aways recall.
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Post by madanmohandas on Dec 20, 2023 13:44:35 GMT -6
Sridama and Subala came, And Stokakrishna known by name, Rama and Krishna's friends, And, 'O Rama, Rama!' they said, 'Krishna! Who smites the wicked dead! This fragrance recommends,
Sweet fruitage on the tall palm trees, The scent whereof our minds doth please, But going there is hard; Since no one now doth that way pass, Because of Dhenuka the ass, Who has the way disbarred.
Rama, if it seem good to you, Let us away, the path pursue!' With which the Lord complied. Bala began the trees to shake, With force that made the earth to quake, Immensely gratified.
Dhenuka with impetuous course, Struck at Bala with all his force, With rage and fury stung; But Bala his hind leg did seize, And spun him round and round with ease, Then to a treetop flung.
Thereafter both the brothers slew, The asses of Dhenuka's crew, Who all lay strewn around, The palm grove was shattered and torn, As if had raged a mighty storm, And fruit lay on the ground.
The gods were struck at their great powers, And sent a rain of fragrant flowers, Now Dhenuka was slain; The cows roam free and chew the grass, The people through the forest pass And taste palm fruit again
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Post by madanmohandas on Dec 23, 2023 10:10:09 GMT -6
The cowherds were by heat oppressed, By summer sun and thirst distressed, And came down to the stream, And there they drank themselves to cool, From a wide and extensive pool, That long had tainted been.
Having consumed pollution dread, The cowherd boys all fell down dead, Of life and breath deprived; Seeing them in that woeful state, Mukunda waxed compassionate, And with a glance revived.
His objective to accomplish, He thence decided to banish, The Kaliya black snake, To rid pollution from each side, That scorched all creatures with its tide, And purify the lake.
He clomb a tall tree to the top, And did into the water drop, Which thereon overbore, Which raised a noxious vapour dread, And o'er the land the poison spread, Flowing beyond the shore.
Kaliya, hearing with his eyes, From deep within the pool did rise, Its way slithering held, Indignant at intrusion, he Approached in furiocity, And Krishna there beheld.
He saw him with cloud lustre blue, Tender and beautiful to view, Which anger did excite, Clad in yellow, bearing the sign Srivatsa, of Beauty divine, And wakened all his spite.
Then with his rolling bulk he bound Krishna, and in his coils wound, And stayed there motionless; His friends beheld Govinda there, Caught in the dreadful serpents' snare, And fell down in distress.
In Vraja dread portents appear, Of three kinds that increased their fear, And were in sore dismay; They were wrought up with fear and doubt, Since Krishna with his friends went out, Without Rama that day.
The women, children, old and young, Were by remorse and sorrow stung, Fearing the stroke of doom; And hasty to the river sped, Surveyed the scene of woe and dread, And fell down in a swoon.
When Krishna saw disconsolate, His friends, he made to extricate And as his weight increased, From out the serpents' winding grip He got free and gave him the slip, And thus himself released
He then mounted Kaliya's hood, And victoriously he stood, Casting around his glance, Then in a charming posture stands, With motions of his arms and hands, He then began to dance. ..........................
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Post by madanmohandas on Dec 23, 2023 16:53:55 GMT -6
Observing stationed in the sky, The celestials approached nigh, And sages there arrived, And praised him in sweet melody, His dancing to accompany, Whence he much joy derived.
He wields of chastisement the rod, As on the serpents' hood he trod, And in the bitter strife, In the extremity of pain, Kaliya felt his vitals drain, And ebbing of his life.
The serpent wives when this they viewed, They pressed forward and for grace sued, Their husband battered down; And did for gramercy implore, Their stupid husband to restore, That mercy might be shown.
With their entreaty he was pleased, And woeful Kaliya released, Who did himself repent, His reformation he declared, And thus the serpents' life was spared, And went to banishment.
The serpent with his wives restored, Worshipped Mukunda and adored, And gifts before him lay, Then Kaliya and all his train, Repairing to the mighty main, Contented took his way
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Post by madanmohandas on Dec 24, 2023 3:23:53 GMT -6
The king in curiosity, Raised eager his inquiry, 'O holy one, tell me, Why did Kaliya the black snake, Take up his dwelling in that lake, It is a mystery.'
'O king,' the holy Suka said, 'The serpents had agreement made. With him of golden wing, To make tribute severally, Laid at the base of a tall tree, Their votive offering.
But Kaliya, Kadru's son, defied, And in his insolence and pride, Stole all the offerings, Which when mighty Garuda heard, He was with indignation stirred, And rose up on his wings.
Then swooping down he dealt a blow, And laid the wily serpent low, And then away he flew; Kaliya thus discomfited, To the Kalindi river sped, And to this lake withdrew.
In this pool in ages gone by, Dwelt the great sage hight Saubhari, In penance to engage. Garuda, hungry, had a wish, And took and ate from here a fish, Which did the saint enrage.
'If Garuda comes here again, His life with him shall not remain, His death shall thence ensue!' And thus for all the fishes sake, His dreadful imprecation spake, 'These words I speak are true!'
Of this alone Kaliya knew, And thence to this lake he withdrew, By dread terror compelled, And so he dwelt in hiding here, Polluting all the atmosphere, Till Krishna him expelled.
Worn out by events of the day, The cowherds by the river lay, To rest there for the night; And while to rest they did retire, The summer heat and wind conspire, A fire to ignite.
'O Krishna, highly fortunate! O Rama, of strength infinite! The cowherds distressed cried, 'We only to your feet adhere, Who drive away all dread and fear, In you, Lord, we confide.'
Though by his power he doth seem A son of man, he is supreme, And fulfils all desire; And when his friends entreaty heard, He safety on them all conferred, And drank the blazing fire.
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Post by madanmohandas on Dec 24, 2023 11:56:11 GMT -6
The brothers revel in the joys As though they were but cowherd boys, Herding the cattle there; And now the sultry season came, Unwelcome, called by summer's name, When hot is Ravi's glare.
But Vrindavans' region divine, Enjoyed perpetual springtime, With spraying waterfalls, And though the summer heat oppressed, The forest was with verdure bless'd. The birds raise loud their calls.
While Rama, Krishna with their friends, Tending the cows, the forest wends, A demon there arrived, In figure of a cowherd boy, Intent to abduct or destroy, But Krishna so contrived,
As the past master of all games, To all his friends there he proclaims, Their troop in two divide; So some at Krishna's side remain, Some chose Rama and to him came, Each taking up his side.
The boys engage in sportive fray, Who wins, the looser must convey; They to a distance came, Thus carrying and carried they Tending the cows pursue their way, Then play the game again.
Eventually the cowherds came, To the tree Bhandira by name, And to its shade resort; Sridama's party in the course, With Rama were victorious, And Krishna lost the sport.
As Krishna had agreed before, Sridama on his shoulders bore, Proceeding on the way; Vrishabha, Bhadrasen, and he Carried the son of Rohini, Intending him to slay.
Thus with Rama he took his flight, Beyond the place where he should light, And Rama was dismayed; But when he pressed him with his weight, The demon felt his force abate, While Rama he conveyed.
Like lightning flashing in the gloom, Like a dark cloud bearing the moon, Away the demon sped, But Rama overcoming fright, Assumed his wonted potent might, And smote him on the head.
Thus Rama did the demon kill, Like Indra striking down a hill, Whose roaring did resound, He fell thund'rous upon the floor, And coughed up clotted blood and gore, Prostrate upon the ground.
When Bala had victory won, His friends cried, 'bravo!' and. 'well done!' And with love on him gazed; The gods in heaven praise his deed, Whence showers of flowers proceed, As all looked on amazed.
They with pure love embraced the Lord, Who had to them been safe restored, And showered their blessings; And Madanmohan, though unfit, Unqualified, devoid of wit, The divine pastime sings.
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Post by madanmohandas on Dec 24, 2023 15:47:29 GMT -6
Once as Hari with his friends played, The cattle-wealth away had strayed, Into a bosky wood; The cowherds were with grief oppressed, Their lamentation loud expressed, At loss of livelihood.
They searched around in every spot, In every grove, but found them not, And fell into dismay; Krishna with his sonorous voice, Called loud which made the cows rejoice, And did their woe allay.
The herds of kine were found at last, Who through a munja grove had passed, Whom they had much deplored; Exhausted and thirsty were they, And conducted the herd away, Now gratefully restored.
Sudden a conflagration blazed, Which the wind as its driver raised, That threatened to devour With flames and sparks and smoky gloom, The hot flames began to consume, The creatures of the bower.
The boys all came oppressed by grief, And sought the brothers for relief, Fraught with anxiety; 'O Krishna of the puissant might! Rama of power infinite! Behold calamity!'
Hari who loves his refugees, Who succours his own devotees, Bad them be of good cheer; Then to the task he did arise, And told them they must close their eyes, And do away with fear.
When opened they their eyes once more, Found themselves even as before, By the Bhandira tree; Observing Krishna's potent might, The boys were filled with wild delight, And praised their friend Hari.
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Post by madanmohandas on Dec 25, 2023 14:21:18 GMT -6
The elders when all this they heard, With admiration fond were stirred, And measured up the odds; How Krishna did from fire save; Pralamba slain by Rama brave; They weened they must be gods.
And now the monsoon rains appear, Giving nourishment and good cheer, And in the firmament, The dark and bulky clouds drew nigh, And rumbled hanging in the sky, And forky flashes sent.
Parjanya did Earths' moisture drain; Those waters did eight months retain, Now swollen and increased, What time the season came again, He sent the life-reviving rain, And the waters released.
The rain pours down, the bound'ries yield, And spreads a flood across the field, As in the Kali age, Their doctrines infidels profess, The most sacred Vedas transgress, And corrupt scriptures' page. Thereon the Sharat season came, The lakes and streams tranquil became, The muddy ground was dried, The orchard and the laboured field, Vast abundance of bounty yield, And mellow fruit supplied.
The soft breeze through the forest strayed, Embracing all the woody shade, And shed sweet odours round, The villages make sacrifice, To consecrate the new-grown rice, Which all their labour crowned.
The merchants, kings and holy men, Students and medicants again, Their onward way pursue, No more confined to tenements, And free from all impediments, As with the season due.
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Post by madanmohandas on Dec 25, 2023 15:58:35 GMT -6
The season rendered rivers clear, Where varied lotuses appear, Acyuta playful wends, Where honey suckers buzz around, And feathered choristers resound, With Rama and his friends.
While there he with the cattle strayed, Upon his bamboo flute he played, Which charms all living things; Which when the cowherd damsels heard, They were by ruthless Cupid stirred, Which agitation brings.
A peacock plume in his crown wears, And flowers hang upon his ears, With wreaths engarlanded, As protagonist brave and bold, In raiment clad of yellow gold; Bless'd the ground with his tread.
The damsels gathered in a throng, And praised his qualities in song, While he strayed far away; And each to each gan to rehearse, His beaty in exquisite verse, And spent the live-long day.
"O friends, it is the highest prize, To see Mukunda with the eyes, With Rama as they go; Their bamboo flutes sweetly resound, While cast they fond glances around, And stray through the meadow.
What deed was by the bamboo done, Whereby he gained the benison, To always nectar sip? Which is our due and proper right, But he, a male, quaffs with delight, From Damodara's lips!
As tribal girls the forest pass, And see his footprints on the grass, With red powder impressed; By his sweethearts' bosom conferred, And there upon the grass transferred, They smear their face and breast.
This holy rocky mountain see! The foremost servant of Hari, Since honour he bestows, Who doth necessities provide, To all the boys and cows beside, And cool shady grottoes."
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Post by madanmohandas on Dec 26, 2023 4:03:28 GMT -6
Greetings patient reader, Hari bol! Well, I suppose it is apparent that these songs, as I call them, serve as paraphrases of the chapters of SB Book Ten. Initially it was a casual exercise, to experiment with this meter and therefore I went 'in media res' which is to say 'in the midst of things', but after a few it seemed, as often is the case, it would be more expedient to start at the beginning. So that I did. Anyway, with the above touching on chapter 21, I have met up with one of my earlier ones, which might be seen in the first entry of this thread. Later on I hope to take up chapter 23, Salvation of the Vipra's Wives.
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Post by madanmohandas on Dec 26, 2023 6:18:05 GMT -6
Before taking up chapter 23 though, there is this delightful episode that concluded chapter 22.
Surrounded once by his dear friends, The glory of the trees commends, As Arka's hot beam blazed; He saw the wooded bosky glade, Where trees raised canopies for shade, And thus their virtue praised.
"O Stokakrishna, Sridama, Amshu, Subala, Arjuna, O Devaprastha, see! Vishala, Rishabha, my dear, Ojasvi, Viruthapa, hear! And hearken unto me.
Behold the virtue of the trees! Who live and thrive others to please, And sure shelter bestow; They serve but for another's gain, Protect from scorching heat and rain, And blasts of winter snow.
The trees are truly glorified, Who bounty to creatures provide, With the goods they produce; Leaves, flowers, bark and shade and fruits, Wood, ashes, perfume, buds and shoots, And fragrant sappy juice.
It seems to me the perfect birth, Once being born upon the earth, His life to so commit, Who doth with wealth and life beside, Keep others with needments supplied, And seeks their benefit."
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Post by madanmohandas on Dec 26, 2023 13:48:13 GMT -6
"O Rama of the puissant might! O Krishna of strength infinite! Do something if you please; Since by hunger we are oppressed, We lay before you this request, Our hunger to appease!"
What time the son of Devaki, Had heard their most pitiful plea, He thereupon contrives, And sent his friends to beg for rice, To a nearby grand sacrifice, To save some brahmans' wives.
The boys before the brahmans pay Obeisance and prostrated lay, And proffered their request; But they did little heed bestow, And answered neither yes or no; Which made the boys depressed.
Feeling that they had been disgraced, Back to Krishna their way retraced, And told him what occurred. Mukunda smiled and comforted, The boys who were dispirited, And then with them conferred.
"Go, tell their wives that I have come, With Sankarshan nearby I roam. Affected with desire, They shall with your request comply, And dainty dishes will supply, As much as you require."
Away the cowherd boys then sped, And bowing to the goodwives said, "Hearken to what we say; Krishna has wandering far strayed, Pray let food be to him conveyed; He is not far away."
The brahmans wives were excited, When they heard what the boys had said, And fraught with anxious care, They packed vessels of four-fold food, As that licked, sucked or drunk or chewed, And quickly hastened there.
They saw him of dark lustrous sheen, They saw his golden raiment gleam, While yonder he did stand, With flower wreaths and peacock plumes, Mountain pigments and tender blooms, A lotus in his hand.
They saw his other arm extend, Placed on the shoulder of a friend, With smiles upon his face, Their ears were with his glory filled, And drank the nectar thence distilled, And came there to embrace.
"Welcome", said he, "most fortunate, Be at your comfort and relate, The reason you have come, Why have you ventured here, pray tell, 'Tis true all creatures love me well, But now you should go home."
"O how can you say so, and how Can you reject us even now? You should not thus say so; We have forsaken kith and kin, Your gracious favour thus to win, How can we back there go?"
"Fear not, you are most fortunate, No one will dare to castigate, And none will envy you; But with high admiration moved, Your conduct will be most approved, Whence all blessings ensue."
Thus he, the brahmans wives were sent, Back to their husbands rite they went, Who welcomed them again. Thus even Govinda divine, Did on the dainty dishes dine, With all his cowherd train.
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Post by madanmohandas on Dec 29, 2023 15:58:53 GMT -6
The cowherds with much wonder fraught, At the deeds by Govinda wraught, Were thrown into dismay; That such exploits should have been done, By noble Nanda's tender son, Some of them gan to say.
"How does this child of tender age, In such wondrous exploits engage, Exhibiting vast power? He held the mountain with his hand, For seven days there took his stand, As if holding a flower.
As a babe sleeping with closed eyes, Vile Putana came in disguise, And yet her life was ta'en; He took hold of her poisoned breast, And with his hands he squeezed and pressed; Her milk and life did drain.
The tender babe upon a day While underneath a cart he lay, And sucked upon his toe; His little leaflet feet he dashed Against the cart; the cart was smashed, Away the vessels go.
And when he was but one year old, Trinavarta, the demon bold, Took up the babe on high; But when the child increased his weight, The demon did asphyxiate, And tumbled from the sky.
Then once when he was naughty found, His mother to a mortar bound, But he with playful ease, The mortar dragged across the court, And while he tugged in playful sport, He felled the Arjun trees.
He slew Baka, the wicked one, By him Vatsa to death was done, As if it were mere play; And Dhenuka with all his crew, The brothers twain easily slew, And flung them far away.
He saved his friends and cows from fire, Subdued the mighty serpent dire, And sent him to the sea; First by the serpent was adored, Then his friends and the cows restored; Nanda! How can it be?
The love we bear for his dear sake, We never ever could forsake, He also loves us well; How might this boy of seven compare, With the mountain he raised in air? O noble Nanda, tell."
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