Śrīmad Bhāgavatam - Canto 10
Sanskrit, word-for-word and original translation of Swami Prabhupāda
(for the purports one will have to consult the books under the copyright of the BBT)
(see
also the
pdf for this chapter)
Chapter 53: Kṛṣṇa Kidnaps Rukmiṇī
10.53.1
śrī-śuka uvāca
vaidarbhyāḥ sa tu sandeśaḿ
niśamya yadu-nandanaḥ
pragṛhya pāṇinā pāṇiḿ
prahasann idam abravīt
śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; vaidarbhyāḥ — of the princess of Vidarbha; saḥ — He; tu — and; sandeśam — the confidential message; niśamya — hearing; yadu-nandanaḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa, the descendant of Yadu; pragṛhya — taking; pāṇinā — by His hand; pāṇim — the hand (of the brāhmaṇa messenger); prahasan — smiling; idam — this; abravīt — said.
TRANSLATION
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Thus hearing the confidential message of Princess Vaidarbhī, Lord Yadunandana took the brāhmaṇa's hand and, smiling, spoke to him as follows.
10.53.2
śrī-bhagavān uvāca
tathāham api tac-citto
nidrāḿ ca na labhe niśi
vedāham rukmiṇā dveṣān
mamodvāho nivāritaḥ
śrī-bhagavān uvāca — the Supreme Personality of Godhead said; tathā — in the same way; aham — I; api — also; tat — fixed on her; cittaḥ — My mind; nidrām — sleep; ca — and; na labhe — I cannot get; niśi — at night; veda — know; aham — I; rukmiṇā — by Rukmī; dveṣāt — out of enmity; mama — My; udvāhaḥ — marriage; nivāritaḥ — forbidden.
TRANSLATION
The Supreme Lord said: Just as Rukmiṇī's mind is fixed on Me, My mind is fixed on her. I can't even sleep at night. I know that Rukmī, out of envy, has forbidden our marriage.
10.53.3
tām ānayiṣya unmathya
rājanyāpasadān mṛdhe
mat-parām anavadyāńgīm
edhaso 'gni-śikhām iva
tām — she; ānayiṣye — I will bring here; unmathya — churning up; rājanya — of the royal order; apasadān — unfit members; mṛdhe — in battle; mat — to Me; parām — who is solely dedicated; anavadya — unquestionable; ańgīm — the beauty of whose body; edhasaḥ — from kindling wood; agni — of fire; śikhām — the flames; iva — as.
TRANSLATION
She has dedicated herself exclusively to Me, and her beauty is flawless. I will bring her here after thrashing those worthless kings in battle, just as one brings a blazing flame out of firewood.
10.53.4
śrī-śuka uvāca
udvāharkṣaḿ ca vijñāya
rukmiṇyā madhusūdanaḥ
rathaḥ saḿyujyatām āśu
dārukety āha sārathim
śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; udvāha — of the wedding; ṛkṣam — the lunar asterism (the measurement that fixes the exact auspicious time); ca — and; vijñāya — knowing; rukmiṇyāḥ — of Rukmiṇī; madhusūdanaḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa; rathaḥ — the chariot; saḿyujyatām — should be readied; āśu — immediately; dāruka — O Dāruka; iti — thus; āha — He said; sārathim — to His driver.
TRANSLATION
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Lord Madhusūdana also understood the exact lunar time for Rukmiṇī's wedding. Thus He told His driver, "Dāruka, ready My chariot immediately."
10.53.5
sa cāśvaiḥ śaibya-sugrīva-
meghapuṣpa-balāhakaiḥ
yuktaḿ ratham upānīya
tasthau prāñjalir agrataḥ
saḥ — he, Dāruka; ca — and; aśvaiḥ — with the horses; śaibya-sugrīva-meghapuṣpa-balāhakaiḥ — named Śaibya, Sugrīva, Meghapuṣpa and Balāhaka; yuktam — yoked; ratham — the chariot; upānīya — bringing; tasthau — stood; prāñjaliḥ — with palms joined in reverence; agrataḥ — in front.
TRANSLATION
Dāruka brought the Lord's chariot, yoked with the horses named Śaibya, Sugrīva, Meghapuṣpa and Balāhaka. He then stood before Lord Kṛṣṇa with joined palms.
10.53.6
āruhya syandanaḿ śaurir
dvijam āropya tūrṇa-gaiḥ
ānartād eka-rātreṇa
vidarbhān agamad dhayaiḥ
āruhya — mounting; syandanam — His chariot; śauriḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa; dvijam — the brāhmaṇa; āropya — placing (on the chariot); tūrṇa-gaiḥ — (who were) swift; ānartāt — from the district of Ānarta; eka — single; rātreṇa — in a night; vidarbhān — to the Vidarbha kingdom; agamat — went; hayaiḥ — with His horses.
TRANSLATION
Lord Śauri mounted His chariot and had the brāhmaṇa do likewise. Then the Lord's swift horses took them from the Ānarta district to Vidarbha in a single night.
10.53.7
rājā sa kuṇḍina-patiḥ
putra-sneha-vaśānugaḥ
śiśupālāya svāḿ kanyāḿ
dāsyan karmāṇy akārayat
rājā — the king; saḥ — he, Bhīṣmaka; kuṇḍina-patiḥ — master of Kuṇḍina; putra — for his son; sneha — of affection; vaśa — the control; anugaḥ — obeying; śiśupālāya — to Śiśupāla; svām — his; kanyām — daughter; dāsyan — being about to give; karmāṇi — the required duties; akārayat — he had done.
TRANSLATION
King Bhīṣmaka, the master of Kuṇḍina, having succumbed to the sway of affection for his son, was about to give his daughter to Śiśupāla. The King saw to all the required preparations.
10.53.8-9
puraḿ sammṛṣṭa-saḿsikta-
mārga-rathyā-catuṣpatham
citra-dhvaja-patākābhis
toraṇaiḥ samalańkṛtam
srag-gandha-mālyābharaṇair
virajo-'mbara-bhūṣitaiḥ
juṣṭaḿ strī-puruṣaiḥ śrīmad-
gṛhair aguru-dhūpitaiḥ
puram — the city; sammṛṣṭa — thoroughly cleaned; saḿsikta — and sprinkled abundantly with water; mārga — the main avenues; rathyā — commercial roads; catuḥ-patham — and intersections; citra — variegated; dhvaja — on flagpoles; patākābhiḥ — with banners; toraṇaiḥ — and archways; samalańkṛtam — decorated;
srak — with jeweled necklaces; gandha — fragrant substances such as sandalwood paste; mālya — flower garlands; ābharaṇaiḥ — and other ornaments; virajaḥ — spotless; ambara — in clothing; bhūṣitaiḥ — who were arrayed; juṣṭam — containing; strī — women; puruṣaiḥ — and men; śrī-mat — opulent; gṛhaiḥ — homes; aguru-dhūpitaiḥ — aromatic with aguru incense.
TRANSLATION
The king had the main avenues, commercial roads and intersections thoroughly cleaned and then sprinkled with water, and he also had the city decorated with triumphant archways and multicolored banners on poles. The men and women of the city, arrayed in spotless raiment and anointed with fragrant sandalwood paste, wore precious necklaces, flower garlands and jeweled ornaments, and their opulent homes were filled with the aroma of aguru.
10.53.10
pitṝn devān samabhyarcya
viprāḿś ca vidhi-van nṛpa
bhojayitvā yathā-nyāyaḿ
vācayām āsa mańgalam
pitṝn — the forefathers; devān — the demigods; samabhyarcya — correctly worshiping; viprān — the brāhmaṇas; ca — and; vidhi-vat — according to prescribed rituals; nṛpa — O King (Parīkṣit); bhojayitvā — feeding them; yathā — as; nyāyam — is just; vācayām āsa — he had chanted; mańgalam — auspicious mantras.
TRANSLATION
O King, in accordance with prescribed rituals, Mahārāja Bhīṣmaka worshiped the forefathers, demigods and brāhmaṇas, feeding them all properly. Then He had the traditional mantras chanted for the well-being of the bride.
10.53.11
su-snātāḿ su-datīḿ kanyāḿ
kṛta-kautuka-mańgalām
āhatāḿśuka-yugmena
bhūṣitāḿ bhūṣaṇottamaiḥ
su-snātām — properly bathed; su-datīm — with spotless teeth; kanyām — the bride; kṛta — having performed; kautuka-mańgalām — the ceremony of putting on the auspicious marriage necklace; āhata — unused; aḿśuka — of garments; yugmena — with a pair; bhūṣitām — adorned; bhūṣaṇa — with ornaments; uttamaiḥ — most excellent.
TRANSLATION
The bride cleaned her teeth and bathed, after which she put on the auspicious wedding necklace. Then she was dressed in brand-new upper and lower garments and adorned with most excellent jeweled ornaments.
10.53.12
cakruḥ sāma-rg-yajur-mantrair
vadhvā rakṣāḿ dvijottamāḥ
purohito 'tharva-vid vai
juhāva graha-śāntaye
cakruḥ — effected; sāma-ṛg-yajuḥ — of the Sāma, Ṛg and Yajur Vedas; mantraiḥ — with chants; vadhvāḥ — of the bride; rakṣām — the protection; dvija-uttamaḥ — first-class brāhmaṇas; purohitaḥ — the priest; atharva-vit — who was expert in the mantras of the Atharva Veda; vai — indeed; juhāva — poured oblations of ghee; graha — the controlling planets; śāntaye — to pacify.
TRANSLATION
The best of brāhmaṇas chanted mantras of the Ṛg, Sāma and Yajur Vedas for the bride's protection, and the priest learned in the Atharva Veda offered oblations to pacify the controlling planets.
10.53.13
hiraṇya-rūpya vāsāḿsi
tilāḿś ca guḍa-miśritān
prādād dhenūś ca viprebhyo
rājā vidhi-vidāḿ varaḥ
hiraṇya — gold; rūpya — silver; vāsāḿsi — and clothing; tilān — sesame seeds; ca — and; guḍa — with raw sugar; miśritān — mixed; prādāt — gave; dhenūḥ — cows; ca — also; viprebhyaḥ — to the brāhmaṇas; rājā — the king, Bhīṣmaka; vidhi — regulative principles; vidām — of those who know; varaḥ — the best.
TRANSLATION
Outstanding in his knowledge of regulative principles, the King rewarded the brāhmaṇas with gold, silver, clothing, cows and sesame seeds mixed with raw sugar.
10.53.14
evaḿ cedi-patī rājā
damaghoṣaḥ sutāya vai
kārayām āsa mantra-jñaiḥ
sarvam abhyudayocitam
evam — in the same way; cedi-patiḥ — the lord of Cedi; rājā damaghoṣaḥ — King Damaghoṣa; sutāya — for his son (Śiśupāla); vai — indeed; kārayām āsa — had done; mantra-jñaiḥ — by expert knowers of mantras; sarvam — everything; abhyudaya — to his prosperity; ucitam — conducive.
TRANSLATION
Rājā Damaghoṣa, lord of Cedi, had also engaged brāhmaṇas expert in chanting mantras to perform all rituals necessary to assure his son's prosperity.
10.53.15
mada-cyudbhir gajānīkaiḥ
syandanair hema-mālibhiḥ
patty-aśva-sańkulaiḥ sainyaiḥ
parītaḥ kuṇdīnaḿ yayau
mada — liquid secreted from the forehead; cyudbhiḥ — exuding; gaja — of elephants; anīkaiḥ — with hordes; syandanaiḥ — with chariots; hema — golden; mālibhiḥ — decorated with garlands; patti — with foot soldiers; aśva — and horses; sańkulaiḥ — crowded; sainyaiḥ — by armies; parītaḥ — accompanied; kuṇḍinam — to Kuṇḍina, Bhīṣmaka's capital; yayau — he went.
TRANSLATION
King Damaghoṣa traveled to Kuṇḍina accompanied by armies of elephants exuding mada, chariots hung with golden chains, and numerous cavalry and infantry soldiers.
10.53.16
taḿ vai vidarbhādhipatiḥ
samabhyetyābhipūjya ca
niveśayām āsa mudā
kalpitānya-niveśane
tam — him, King Damaghoṣa; vai — indeed; vidarbha-adhipatiḥ — the master of Vidarbha, Bhīṣmaka; samabhyetya — going forward to meet; abhipūjya — honoring; ca — and; niveśayām āsa — settled him; mudā — with pleasure; kalpita — constructed; anya — special; niveśane — at a place of residence.
TRANSLATION
Bhīṣmaka, the lord of Vidarbha, came out of the city and met King Damaghoṣa, offering him tokens of respect. Bhīṣmaka then settled Damaghoṣa in a residence especially constructed for the occasion.
10.53.17
tatra śālvo jarāsandho
dantavakro vidūrathaḥ
ājagmuś caidya-pakṣīyāḥ
pauṇḍrakādyāḥ sahasraśaḥ
tatra — there; śālvaḥ jarāsandhaḥ dantavakraḥ vidūrathaḥ — Śālva, Jarāsandha, Dantavakra and Vidūratha; ājagmuḥ — came; caidya — of Śiśupāla; pakṣīyāḥ — taking the side; pauṇḍraka — Pauṇḍraka; ādyāḥ — and others; sahasraśaḥ — by the thousands.
TRANSLATION
Śiśupāla's supporters — Śālva, Jarāsandha, Dantavakra and Vidūratha — all came, along with Pauṇḍraka and thousands of other kings.
10.53.18-19
kṛṣṇa-rāma-dviṣo yattāḥ
kanyāḿ caidyāya sādhitum
yady āgatya haret kṛṣno
rāmādyair yadubhir vṛtaḥ
yotsyāmaḥ saḿhatās tena
iti niścita-mānasāḥ
ājagmur bhū-bhujaḥ sarve
samagra-bala-vāhanāḥ
kṛṣṇa-rāma-dviṣaḥ — those hateful toward Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma; yattāḥ — prepared; kanyām — the bride; caidyāya — for Śiśupāla; sādhitum — in order to secure; yadi — if; āgatya — coming; haret — should steal; kṛṣṇaḥ — Kṛṣṇa; rāma — by Balarāma; ādyaiḥ — and other; yadubhiḥ — Yadus; vṛtaḥ — accompanied;
yotsyāmaḥ — we will fight; saḿhatāḥ — joining all together; tena — with Him; iti — thus; niścita-mānasāḥ — having decided; ājagmuḥ — came; bhū-bhujaḥ — the kings; sarve — all; samagra — complete; bala — with military forces; vāhanāḥ — and conveyances.
TRANSLATION
To secure the bride for Śiśupāla, the kings who envied Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma came to the following decision among themselves: "If Kṛṣṇa comes here with Balarāma and the other Yadus to steal the bride, we shall band together and fight Him." Thus those envious kings went to the wedding with their entire armies and a full complement of military conveyances.
10.53.20-21
śrutvaitad bhagavān rāmo
vipakṣīya nṛpodyamam
kṛṣṇaḿ caikaḿ gataḿ hartuḿ
kanyāḿ kalaha-śańkitaḥ
balena mahatā sārdhaḿ
bhrātṛ-sneha-pariplutaḥ
tvaritaḥ kuṇḍinaḿ prāgād
gajāśva-ratha-pattibhiḥ
śrutvā — hearing; etat — this; bhagavān rāmaḥ — Lord Balarāma; vipakṣīya — inimical; nṛpa — of the kings; udyamam — the preparations; kṛṣṇam — Lord Kṛṣṇa; ca — and; ekam — alone; gatam — gone; hartum — to take away; kanyām — the bride; kalaha — a fight; śańkitaḥ — fearing;
balena — a force; mahatā — mighty; sārdham — together with; bhrātṛ — for His brother; sneha — in affection; pariplutaḥ — immersed; tvaritaḥ — swiftly; kuṇḍinam — to Kuṇḍina; prāgāt — went; gaja — with elephants; aśva — horses; ratha — chariots; pattibhiḥ — and infantry.
TRANSLATION
When Lord Balarāma heard about these preparations of the inimical kings and how Lord Kṛṣṇa had set off alone to steal the bride, He feared that a fight would ensue. Immersed in affection for His brother, He hurried to Kuṇḍina with a mighty army consisting of infantry and of soldiers riding on elephants, horses and chariots.
10.53.22
bhīṣma-kanyā varārohā
kāńkṣanty āgamanaḿ hareḥ
pratyāpattim apaśyantī
dvijasyācintayat tadā
bhīṣma-kanyā — the daughter of Bhīṣmaka; vara-ārohā — having lovely hips; kāńkṣantī — waiting for; āgamanam — the arrival; hareḥ — of Kṛṣṇa; pratyāpattim — the return; apaśyantī — not seeing; dvijasya — of the brāhmaṇa; acintayat — thought; tadā — then.
TRANSLATION
The lovely daughter of Bhīṣmaka anxiously awaited the arrival of Kṛṣṇa, but when she did not see the brāhmaṇa return she thought as follows.
10.53.23
aho tri-yāmāntarita
udvāho me 'lpa-rādhasaḥ
nāgacchaty aravindākṣo
nāhaḿ vedmy atra kāraṇam
so 'pi nāvartate 'dyāpi
mat-sandeśa-haro dvijaḥ
aho — alas; tri-yāma — three yāmas (nine hours), i.e., the night; antaritaḥ — having ended; udvāhaḥ — the marriage; me — of me; alpa — insufficient; rādhasaḥ — whose good fortune; na āgacchati — does not come; aravinda-akṣaḥ — lotus-eyed Kṛṣṇa; na — do not; aham — I; vedmi — know; atra — for this; kāraṇam — the reason; saḥ — he; api — also; na āvartate — does not return; adya api — even now; mat — my; sandeśa — of the message; haraḥ — the carrier; dvijaḥ — the brāhmaṇa.
TRANSLATION
[Princess Rukmiṇī thought:] Alas, my wedding is to take place when the night ends! How unlucky I am! Lotus-eyed Kṛṣṇa does not come. I don't know why. And even the brāhmaṇa messenger has not yet returned.
10.53.24
api mayy anavadyātmā
dṛṣṭvā kiñcij jugupsitam
mat-pāṇi-grahaṇe nūnaḿ
nāyāti hi kṛtodyamaḥ
api — perhaps; mayi — in me; anavadya — faultless; ātmā — He whose body and mind; dṛṣṭvā — seeing; kiñcit — something; jugupsitam — contemptible; mat — my; pāṇi — hand; grahaṇe — for the taking; nūnam — indeed; na āyāti — has not come; hi — certainly; kṛta-udyamaḥ — even though originally intending to do so.
TRANSLATION
Perhaps the faultless Lord, even while preparing to come here, saw something contemptible in me and therefore has not come to take my hand.
10.53.25
durbhagāyā na me dhātā
nānukūlo maheśvaraḥ
devī vā vimukhī gaurī
rudrāṇī girijā satī
durbhagāyāḥ — who is unfortunate; na — not; me — with me; dhātā — the creator (Lord Brahmā); na — not; anukūlaḥ — favorably disposed; mahā-īśvaraḥ — the great Lord Śiva; devī — the goddess (his consort); vā — or; vimukhī — turned against; gaurī — Gaurī; rudrāṇī — the wife of Rudra; giri-jā — the adopted daughter of the Himālayan mountain range; satī — Satī, who, in her previous life as the daughter of Dakṣa, chose to give up her body.
TRANSLATION
I am extremely unfortunate, for the creator is not favorably disposed toward me, nor is the great Lord Śiva. Or perhaps Śiva's wife, Devī, who is known as Gaurī, Rudrāṇī, Girijā and Satī, has turned against me.
10.53.26
evaḿ cintayatī bālā
govinda-hṛta-mānasā
nyamīlayata kāla-jñā
netre cāśru-kalākule
evam — in this manner; cintayatī — thinking; bālā — the young girl; govinda — by Kṛṣṇa; hṛta — stolen; mānasā — whose mind; nyamīlayata — she closed; kāla — the time; jñā — knowing; netre — her eyes; ca — and; aśru-kalā — with tears; ākule — brimming.
TRANSLATION
As she thought in this way, the young maiden, whose mind had been stolen by Kṛṣṇa, closed her tear-filled eyes, remembering that there was still time.
10.53.27
evaḿ vadhvāḥ pratīkṣantyā
govindāgamanaḿ nṛpa
vāma ūrur bhujo netram
asphuran priya-bhāṣiṇaḥ
evam — thus; vadhvāḥ — the bride; pratīkṣantyāḥ — as she awaited; govinda-āgamanam — the arrival of Kṛṣṇa; nṛpa — O King (Parīkṣit); vāmaḥ — left; ūruḥ — her thigh; bhujaḥ — arm; netram — and eye; asphuran — twitched; priya — something desirable; bhāṣiṇaḥ — be speaking.
TRANSLATION
O King, as the bride thus awaited the arrival of Govinda, she felt a twitch in her left thigh, arm and eye. This was a sign that something desirable would happen.
10.53.28
atha kṛṣṇa-vinirdiṣṭaḥ
sa eva dvija-sattamaḥ
antaḥpura-carīḿ devīḿ
rāja-putrīm dadarśa ha
atha — then; kṛṣṇa-vinirdiṣṭaḥ — ordered by Lord Kṛṣṇa; saḥ — that; eva — very; dvija — of learned brāhmaṇas; sat-tamaḥ — the most pure; antaḥ-pura — within the inner palace; carīm — staying; devīm — the goddess, Rukmiṇī; rāja — of the king; putrīm — the daughter; dadarśa ha — saw.
TRANSLATION
Just then the purest of learned brāhmaṇas, following Kṛṣṇa's order, came to see the divine Princess Rukmiṇī within the inner chambers of the palace.
10.53.29
sā taḿ prahṛṣṭa-vadanam
avyagrātma-gatiḿ satī
ālakṣya lakṣaṇābhijñā
samapṛcchac chuci-smitā
sa — she; tam — him; prahṛṣṭa — filled with joy; vadanam — whose face; avyagra — unagitated; ātma — of whose body; gatim — the movement; satī — the saintly young woman; ālakṣya — noting; lakṣaṇa — of symptoms; abhijñā — an expert knower; samapṛcchat — inquired; śuci — pure; smitā — with a smile.
TRANSLATION
Noting the brāhmaṇa's joyful face and serene movements, saintly Rukmiṇī, who could expertly interpret such symptoms, inquired from him with a pure smile.
10.53.30
tasyā āvedayat prāptaḿ
śaśaḿsa yadu-nandanam
uktaḿ ca satya-vacanam
ātmopanayanaḿ prati
tasyāḥ — to her; āvedayat — he announced; prāptam — as having arrived; śaśaḿsa — he related; yadu-nandanam — Kṛṣṇa, the child of the Yadus; uktam — what He had said; ca — and; satya — of assurance; vacanam — words; ātma — with her; upanayanam — His marriage; prati — concerning.
TRANSLATION
The brāhmaṇa announced to her the arrival of Lord Yadunandana and relayed the Lord's promise to marry her.
10.53.31
tam āgataḿ samājñāya
vaidarbhī hṛṣṭa-mānasā
na paśyantī brāhmaṇāya
priyam anyan nanāma sā
tam — Him, Kṛṣṇa; āgatam — arrived; samājñāya — fully realizing; vaidarbhī — Rukmiṇī; hṛṣṭa — gladdened; mānasā — her mind; na paśyantī — not seeing; brāhmaṇāya — to the brāhmaṇa; priyam — dear; anyat — anything else; nanāma — bowed down; sā — she.
TRANSLATION
Princess Vaidarbhī was overjoyed to learn of Kṛṣṇa's arrival. Not finding anything at hand suitable to offer the brāhmaṇa, she simply bowed down to him.
10.53.32
prāptau śrutvā sva-duhitur
udvāha-prekṣaṇotsukau
abhyayāt tūrya-ghoṣeṇa
rāma-kṛṣṇau samarhaṇaiḥ
prāptau — arrived; śrutvā — hearing; sva — his; duhituḥ — daughter's; udvāha — marriage; prekṣaṇa — to witness; utsukau — eager; abhyayāt — he went forward; tūrya — of musical instruments; ghoṣeṇa — with the resounding; rāma-kṛṣṇau — to Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa; samarhaṇaiḥ — with abundant offerings.
TRANSLATION
The King, upon hearing that Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma had come and were eager to witness his daughter's wedding, went forth with abundant offerings to greet Them as music resounded.
10.53.33
madhu-parkam upānīya
vāsāḿsi virajāḿsi saḥ
upāyanāny abhīṣṭāni
vidhi-vat samapūjayat
madhu-parkam — the traditional mixture of milk and honey; upānīya — bearing; vāsāḿsi — garments; virajāḿsi — spotless; saḥ — he; upāyanāni — presentations; abhīṣṭāni — desirable; vidhi-vat — according to scriptural prescriptions; samapūjayat — performed worshiped.
TRANSLATION
Presenting Them with madhu-parka, new clothing and other desirable gifts, he worshiped Them according to standard rituals.
10.53.34
tayor niveśanaḿ śrīmad
upākalpya mahā-matiḥ
sa-sainyayoḥ sānugayor
ātithyaḿ vidadhe yathā
tayoḥ — for Them; niveśanam — place to stay; śrī-mat — opulent; upākalpya — arranging; mahā-matiḥ — generous; sa — together with; sainyayoḥ — Their soldiers; sa — together with; anugayoḥ — Their personal associates; ātithyam — hospitality; vidadhe — he afforded; yathā — properly.
TRANSLATION
Generous King Bhīṣmaka arranged opulent accommodations for the two Lords, and also for Their army and entourage. In this way he afforded Them proper hospitality.
10.53.35
evaḿ rājñāḿ sametānāḿ
yathā-vīryaḿ yathā-vayaḥ
yathā-balaḿ yathā-vittaḿ
sarvaiḥ kāmaiḥ samarhayat
evam — thus; rājñām — for the kings; sametānām — who had assembled; yathā — according; vīryam — to their power; yathā — according; vayaḥ — to their age; yathā — according; balam — to their strength; yathā — according; vittam — to their wealth; sarvaiḥ — with all; kāmaiḥ — desirable things; samarhayat — he honored them.
TRANSLATION
Thus it was that Bhīṣmaka gave all desirable things to the kings who had assembled for the occasion, honoring them as befitted their political power, age, physical prowess and wealth.
10.53.36
kṛṣṇam āgatam ākarṇya
vidarbha-pura-vāsinaḥ
āgatya netrāñjalibhiḥ
papus tan-mukha-pańkajam
kṛṣṇam — Lord Kṛṣṇa; āgatam — come; ākarṇya — hearing; vidarbha-pura — of the capital city of Vidarbha; vāsinaḥ — the residents; āgatya — coming; netra — of their eyes; añjalibhiḥ — with the cupped palms; papuḥ — they drank; tat — His; mukha — face; pańkajam — lotus.
TRANSLATION
When the residents of Vidarbha-pura heard that Lord Kṛṣṇa had come, they all went to see Him. With the cupped palms of their eyes they drank the honey of His lotus face.
10.53.37
asyaiva bhāryā bhavituḿ
rukmiṇy arhati nāparā
asāv apy anavadyātmā
bhaiṣmyāḥ samucitaḥ patiḥ
asya — for Him; eva — alone; bhāryā — wife; bhavitum — to be; rukmiṇī — Rukmiṇī; arhati — deserves; na aparā — none other; asau — He; api — as well; anavadya — faultless; ātmā — whose bodily form; bhaiṣmyāḥ — for the daughter of Bhīṣmaka; samucitaḥ — most suitable; patiḥ — husband.
TRANSLATION
[The people of the city said:] Rukmiṇī, and no one else, deserves to become His wife, and He also, possessing such flawless beauty, is the only suitable husband for Princess Bhaiṣmī.
10.53.38
kiñcit su-caritaḿ yan nas
tena tuṣṭas tri-loka-kṛt
anugṛhṇātu gṛhṇātu
vaidarbhyāḥ pāṇim acyutaḥ
kiñcit — at all; su-caritam — pious work; yat — whatever; naḥ — our; tena — with that; tuṣṭaḥ — satisfied; tri-loka — of the three worlds; kṛt — the creator; anugṛhṇātu — may please show mercy; gṛhṇātu — may take; vaidarbhyāḥ — of Rukmiṇī; pāṇim — the hand; acyutaḥ — Kṛṣṇa.
TRANSLATION
May Acyuta, the creator of the three worlds, be satisfied with whatever pious work we may have done and show His mercy by taking the hand of Vaidarbhī.
10.53.39
evaḿ prema-kalā-baddhā
vadanti sma puraukasaḥ
kanyā cāntaḥ-purāt prāgād
bhaṭair guptāmbikālayam
evam — thus; prema — of pure love; kalā — by the increase; baddhāḥ — bound; vadanti sma — they spoke; pura-okasaḥ — the residents of the city; kanyā — the bride; ca — and; antaḥ-purāt — from the inner palace; prāgāt — went out; bhaṭaiḥ — by guards; guptā — protected; ambikā-ālayam — to the temple of Goddess Ambikā.
TRANSLATION
Bound by their swelling love, the city's residents spoke in this way. Then the bride, protected by guards, left the inner palace to visit the temple of Ambikā.
10.53.40-41
padbhyāḿ viniryayau draṣṭuḿ
bhavānyāḥ pāda-pallavam
sā cānudhyāyatī samyań
mukunda-caraṇāmbujam
yata-vāń mātṛbhiḥ sārdhaḿ
sakhībhiḥ parivāritā
guptā rāja-bhaṭaiḥ śūraiḥ
sannaddhair udyatāyudhaiḥ
mṛḍańga-śańkha-paṇavās
tūrya-bheryaś ca jaghnire
padbhyām — on foot; viniryayau — went out; draṣṭum — in order to see; bhavānyāḥ — of mother Bhavānī; pāda-pallavam — the lotus-petal feet; sā — she; ca — and; anudhyāyatī — meditating; samyak — totally; mukunda — of Kṛṣṇa; caraṇa-ambujam — on the lotus feet; yata-vāk — maintaining silence; mātṛbhiḥ — by her mothers; sārdham — accompanied;
sakhībhiḥ — by her female companions; parivāritā — surrounded; guptā — guarded; rāja — of the King; bhaṭaiḥ — by soldiers; śūraiḥ — valiant; sannaddhaiḥ — armed and ready; udyata — upraised; āyudhaiḥ — with weapons; mṛdańga-śańkha-paṇavāḥ — clay drums, conchshells and side drums; tūrya — wind instruments; bheryaḥ — horns; ca — and; jaghnire — played.
TRANSLATION
Rukmiṇī silently went out on foot to see the lotus feet of the deity Bhavānī. Accompanied by her mothers and girlfriends and protected by the King's valiant soldiers, who held their upraised weapons at the ready, she simply absorbed her mind in the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa. And all the while mṛdańgas, conchshells, paṇavas, horns and other instruments resounded.
10.53.42-43
nānopahāra balibhir
vāramukhyāḥ sahasraśaḥ
srag-gandha-vastrābharaṇair
dvija-patnyaḥ sv-alańkṛtāḥ
gāyantyaś ca stuvantaś ca
gāyakā vādya-vādakāḥ
parivārya vadhūḿ jagmuḥ
sūta-māgadha-vandinaḥ
nānā — various; upahāra — with paraphernalia of worship; balibhiḥ — and presents; vāra-mukhyāḥ — prominent courtesans; sahasraśaḥ — by the thousands; srak — with flower garlands; gandha — fragrances; vastra — clothing; ābharaṇaiḥ — and jewelry; dvija — of brāhmaṇas; patnyaḥ — the wives; sv-alańkṛtāḥ — well ornamented;
gāyantyaḥ — singing; ca — and; stuvantaḥ — offering prayers; ca — and; gāyakāḥ — singers; vādya-vādakāḥ — instrumental musicians; parivārya — accompanying; vadhūm — the bride; jagmuḥ — went; sūta — bards; māgadha — chroniclers; vandinaḥ — and heralds.
TRANSLATION
Behind the bride followed thousands of prominent courtesans bearing various offerings and presents, along with well-adorned brāhmaṇas' wives singing and reciting prayers and bearing gifts of garlands, scents, clothing and jewelry. There were also professional singers, musicians, bards, chroniclers and heralds.
10.53.44
āsādya devī-sadanaḿ
dhauta-pāda-karāmbujā
upaspṛśya śuciḥ śāntā
praviveśāmbikāntikam
āsādya — reaching; devī — of the goddess; sadanam — the residence; dhauta — washing; pāda — her feet; kara — and hands; ambujā — lotuslike; upaspṛśya — sipping water for purification; śuciḥ — sanctified; śāntā — peaceful; praviveśa — she entered; ambikā-antikam — the presence of Ambikā.
TRANSLATION
Upon reaching the goddess's temple, Rukmiṇī first washed her lotus feet and hands and then sipped water for purification. Thus sanctified and peaceful, she came into the presence of mother Ambikā.
10.53.45
tāḿ vai pravayaso bālāḿ
vidhi-jñā vipra-yoṣitaḥ
bhavānīḿ vandayāḿ cakrur
bhava-patnīḿ bhavānvitām
tām — her; vai — indeed; pravayasaḥ — elderly; bālām — the young girl; vidhi — of ritual injunctions; jñāḥ — expert knowers; vipra — of brāhmaṇas; yoṣitaḥ — the wives; bhavānīm — to Goddess Bhavānī; vandayām cakruḥ — they led in offering respects; bhava-patnīm — the wife of Bhava (Lord Siva); bhava-anvitām — accompanied by Lord Bhava.
TRANSLATION
The older wives of brāhmaṇas, expert in the knowledge of rituals, led young Rukmiṇī in offering respects to Bhavānī, who appeared with her consort, Lord Bhava.
10.53.46
namasye tvāmbike 'bhīkṣṇaḿ
sva-santāna-yutāḿ śivām
bhūyāt patir me bhagavān
kṛṣṇas tad anumodatām
namasye — I offer my obeisances; tvā — to you; ambike — O Ambikā; abhīkṣṇam — constantly; sva — your; santāna — children; yutām — along with; śivām — the wife of Lord Śiva; bhūyāt — may He become; patiḥ — husband; me — my; bhagavān — the Supreme Lord; kṛṣṇaḥ — Kṛṣṇa; tat — that; anumodatām — please allow.
TRANSLATION
[Princess Rukmiṇī prayed:] O mother Ambikā, wife of Lord Siva, I repeatedly offer my obeisances unto you, together with your children. May Lord Kṛṣṇa become my husband. Please grant this!
10.53.47-48
adbhir gandhākṣatair dhūpair
vāsaḥ-srań-mālya bhūṣaṇaiḥ
nānopahāra-balibhiḥ
pradīpāvalibhiḥ pṛthak
vipra-striyaḥ patimatīs
tathā taiḥ samapūjayat
lavaṇāpūpa-tāmbūla-
kaṇṭha-sūtra-phalekṣubhiḥ
adbhiḥ — with water; gandha — fragrant substances; akṣataiḥ — and whole grains; dhūpaiḥ — with incense; vāsaḥ — with clothing; srak — flower garlands; mālya — jeweled necklaces; bhūṣaṇaiḥ — and ornaments; nānā — with various; upahāra — offerings; balibhiḥ — and gifts; pradīpa — of lamps; āvalibhiḥ — with rows; pṛthak — separately;
vipra-striyaḥ — the brāhmaṇa ladies; pati — husbands; matīḥ — having; tathā — also; taiḥ — with these items; samapūjayat — performed worship; lavaṇa — with savory preparations; āpūpa — cakes; tāmbūla — prepared betel nut; kaṇṭha-sūtra — sacred threads; phala — fruits; ikṣubhiḥ — and sugar cane.
TRANSLATION
Rukmiṇī worshiped the goddess with water, scents, whole grains, incense, clothing, garlands, necklaces, jewelry and other prescribed offerings and gifts, and also with arrays of lamps. The married brāhmaṇa women each performed worship simultaneously with the same items, also offering savories and cakes, prepared betel nut, sacred threads, fruit and sugar-cane juice.
10.53.49
tasyai striyas tāḥ pradaduḥ
śeṣāḿ yuyujur āśiṣaḥ
tābhyo devyai namaś cakre
śeṣāḿ ca jagṛhe vadhūḥ
tasyai — to her, Rukmiṇī; striyaḥ — women; tāḥ — they; pradaduḥ — gave; śeṣām — the remnants; yuyujuḥ — they bestowed; āśiṣaḥ — blessings; tābhyaḥ — to them; devyai — and to the deity; namaḥ cakre — bowed down; śeṣām — the remnants; ca — and; jagṛhe — took; vadhūḥ — the bride.
TRANSLATION
The ladies gave the bride the remnants of the offerings and then blessed her. She in turn bowed down to them and the deity and accepted the remnants as prasādam.
10.53.50
muni-vratam atha tyaktvā
niścakrāmāmbikā-gṛhāt
pragṛhya pāṇinā bhṛtyāḿ
ratna-mudropaśobhinā
muni — of silence; vratam — her vow; atha — then; tyaktvā — giving up; niścakrāma — she exited; ambikā-gṛhāt — from the temple of Ambikā; pragṛhya — holding on; pāṇinā — with her hand; bhṛtyām — to a maidservant; ratna — jeweled; mudrā — by a ring; upaśobhinā — beautified.
TRANSLATION
The princess then gave up her vow of silence and left the Ambikā temple, holding on to a maidservant with her hand, which was adorned with a jeweled ring.
10.53.51-55
tāḿ deva-māyām iva dhīra-mohinīḿ
su-madhyamāḿ kuṇḍala-maṇḍitānanām
śyāmāḿ nitambārpita-ratna-mekhalāḿ
vyañjat-stanīḿ kuntala-śańkitekṣaṇām
śuci-smitāḿ bimba-phalādhara-dyuti-
śoṇāyamāna-dvija-kunda-kuḍmalām
padā calantīḿ kala-haḿsa-gāminīḿ
siñjat-kalā-nūpura-dhāma-śobhinā
vilokya vīrā mumuhuḥ samāgatā
yaśasvinas tat-kṛta-hṛc-chayārditāḥ
yāḿ vīkṣya te nṛpatayas tad udāra-hāsa-
vrīdāvaloka-hṛta-cetasa ujjhitāstrāḥ