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Canto 10

S'rī Dasāvatāra Stotra

 

 

Chapter 48: Krishna Pleases His Devotees

(1) S'rī S'uka said: 'The Supreme Lord, the Soul of All who Sees Everything, with understanding [for Uddhava's report of desirous women] wished to please the serving girl [Trivakrā, as He had promised 10.42: 12], and went to the house of the woman who was troubled by lust [see 10.42: 10]. (2) It was richly endowed with expensive furnishings, replete with sensual articles, and was beautified with strings of pearls and banners, canopies, beds and seats, as also with fragrant incense, oil lamps, flower garlands and sandalwood. (3) Seeing Him arriving at her house, she immediately rose to her feet and, together with her girlfriends, hurried to approach Acyuta properly by respectfully welcoming Him with an excellent seat and so on. (4) Uddhava was honored also, but, correct as he was, he touched his seat and sat on the floor. Krishna, faithful to the ways of human society, then laid Himself without delay upon a luxurious bed [in the inner chambers]. (5) She prepared herself by bathing, anointing her body, dressing up with ornaments and garlands, and by using perfume, bethel nut, a fragrant mouth wash and such, whereupon she shyly and with playful smiles approached Mādhava with tempting glances. (6) Calling forward the lovely woman, who was shy in fear of the novel contact, He took hold of her two with bangles ornamented hands and placed the beauty on the bed to enjoy together with her, she whose only proof of piety consisted of having offered ointment. (7) Smelling the feet of the Unlimited Lord and embracing within her arms, between her breasts, her Lover, the Personification of All Ecstasy, wiped away the pain that because of Cupid burned in her breasts, chest and eyes. Thus she succeeded in losing her so very long standing distress. (8) Because she had offered body ointment to Him, the Master of Enlightenment, she had obtained the Lord who is so hard to obtain. But then she unfortunately begged [compare 4.9: 31] the following: (9) 'Please Beloved, stay here for a few days together with me! Enjoy, for I cannot bear to give up Your association, oh Lotus Flower Eyes.'

(10) He who is of Respect for Others, considerate with her granted her the boon she desired [in the form of a promise], whereupon the Lord of All, together with Uddhava, returned to His own supremely opulent residence. (11) The one who, in full worship of Vishnu, the Controller of All Controllers who is so difficult to honor [other than by pure devotion], choses for a benediction that is spiritually too easy, is with that superficiality not engaged very intelligently [see also 7.15: 36].

(12) Krishna, the Master, who [also] desired to please Akrūra and wanted to engage him in some business, went together with Uddhava and Balarāma to his house. (13-14) When he saw Them coming, the greatest of all illustrious personalities who were his relatives, he joyfully rose to his feet to greet and embrace Them for a welcome. Bowed down to Krishna and Rāma he was greeted in return, whereupon he, after They had taken their seats, worshiped Them as was prescribed. (15-16) The water he had used to wash Their feet he sprinkled over his head, oh King, after which he presented gifts: the finest clothing, sandalwood, garlands and excellent ornaments. With his head bowed down he in worship placed Krishna's feet on his lap to massage them, and then with humility, facing down, addressed Krishna and Rāma as follows: (17) 'To our good fortune the two of You have killed the sinful Kamsa and his brothers and followers. Thus delivering Your dynasty from endless troubles You made it prosper. (18) You two are the pradhāna and purusha [material and efficient] causes of the universe who are one with the universe. Apart from You not a single cause or effect [para-apara] can be found. (19) This universe You created from Your energies, You have subsequently entered. Thus You can be perceived in the many [forms], oh Absolute Truth, we know about from both listening to the scriptures and by direct experience. (20) Just as the earth element and the other elements differently manifest themselves in various species of living mobile and immobile beings, You, the Single One Self-reliant Self, the Supersoul, manifest in a multitude [of souls] within those different life forms. (21) You create, maintain and then again destroy the universe, but You are, with the qualities of Your potencies - [respectively] the passion, the  goodness and the ignorance [the gunas], not bound to those actions or their modes. For what could for You, who are the Soul of All Knowledge, constitute a cause of bondage? (22) Because it has never been proven that You are determined by physical matters and such, there is with You no question of a literal birth or of material opposites. For that reason there exists for You in fact no bondage or any liberation [compare 10.14: 26]. And if that appears to be so according to Your sweet will [see e.g. 10.11: 7], it is the consequence of our mistaken notion about You [like in 10.23: 10-11]. (23) For the benefit of this universe You proclaim the classical path of the Veda and assume forms in the mode of goodness when wicked persons adhering to the  path of godlessness are obstructing it. (24) You as that very same person, oh Master, have now descended in the home of Vasudeva together with Your plenary portion [Balarāma]. This You have done in order to spread the fame of this [Yadu] dynasty and to remove from this earth the burden of the hundreds of armies present there, by killing the kings [see also 1.11: 34] belonging to the enemies of the God-fearing souls [see e.g. 7.1: 40-46]. (25) Today, oh Lord, our residence has been most blessed by the arrival of You, Adhokshaja, the Spiritual Master of the Universe who are the embodiment of all the gods, forefathers, living beings and humans, You from whose feet the water [of the Ganges, see 5.17] washes that purifies the three worlds. (26) What other scholar would there be for us? To whom else should we turn for shelter but to You, the well-wisher whose loving words for His devotees are always faithful? For being grateful to the supporters who worship You, You give all they desire, even Yourself with whom there is never any diminution or increase [see also B.G. 2: 40]. (27) To our fortune, Janārdana, we can see You here, who even for the masters of yoga and the most prominent among the enlightened souls are a goal hard to attain. Please, swiftly cut through the ties of our delusional existence that result from Your material energy: our children, wife, wealth, honorable friends, our home, body and so on.'

(28)
Thus extensively being worshiped by His devotee, Krishna, the Supreme Lord, smiled at Akrūra and spoke with words that practically swept him of his feet. (29) The Supreme Lord said: 'You, Our paternal uncle and praiseworthy friend, are Our spiritual master. We are always the ones depending on you and [as your sons] need to be protected, maintained and graced by you. (30) Someone like you belongs to the most elevated among the honorable souls and deserves it to be served by anyone desiring the saintliest and highest good. Demigods are always after their own interests, but pure devotees are not. (31) Not to decry the sacred places that consist of water [rivers] or the deities that are made of clay and stone: they purify in the course of time, but the saints [themselves] bring purification after just once having met them. (32) You certainly are the very best of all Our well-wishers. I would like you to go for Us to the city named after the elephant [Hastināpura] and find out what it is that for the sake of the welfare of the Pāndavas needs to be done. (33) When their father died, they as young boys together with their mother were in great distress. They were by the king [Dhritarāshthra] taken to his capital, where they are residing since, so I have heard. (34) The King, the son of Ambikā [see 9.22: 25], was blind and was, under the control of his wicked sons [one hundred of them led by Duryodhana, 9.22: 26], weak-minded, so that the sons of his brother [Pāndu] certainly were not treated equally by him. (35) Go and find out whether his actions are good or bad at present, so that we with that knowledge can make arrangements for the benefit of Our dear friends.'

(36) After Akrūra fully having instructed with these words, the Fortunate One, Lord Hari, returned to His residence together with Uddhava and Sankarshana.'

 

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Third revised edition, loaded March 17, 2021.   

 

 

 

 

 

Previous Aadhar edition and Vedabase links:

Text 1

S'rī S'uka said: 'The Supreme Lord, the Soul of All who Sees Everything, with understanding [for Uddhava's report of desirous women] wished to please the serving girl [Trivakrā, as He had promised 10.42: 12], and went to the house of the woman who was troubled by lust [see 10.42: 10].
S'rī S'uka said: 'The Supreme Lord, the Soul of All and Seer of Everything, with understanding [for what Uddhava had reported] wishing to please [as He had promised 10.42: 12], went to the house of the serving girl [Trivakrā] who was troubled by lust [see 10.42: 10]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 2

It was richly endowed with expensive furnishings, replete with sensual articles, and was beautified with strings of pearls and banners, canopies, beds and seats, as also with fragrant incense, oil lamps, flower garlands and sandalwood.

It was rich with expensive furnishings, replete with sensual articles and was beautified with strings of pearls and banners, canopies, beds and seats as also fragrant incense, oil lamps, flower garlands and sandalwood. (Vedabase)

 

Text 3

Seeing Him arriving at her house, she immediately rose to her feet and, together with her girlfriends, hurried to approach Acyuta properly by respectfully welcoming Him with an excellent seat and so on.

She, seeing Him arriving at her house, immediately rose to her feet to hurry with her female companions to welcome Acyuta properly who was respectfully greeted with an excellent seat and so on. (Vedabase)

 

Text 4

Uddhava was honored also, but, correct as he was, he touched his seat and sat on the floor. Krishna, faithful to the ways of human society, then laid Himself without delay upon a luxurious bed [in the inner chambers].

Uddhava also worshiped, saintly as he was, touched the seat [offered to him] and sat on the floor, and Krishna, faithful to the ways of human society, without delay laid Himself upon a luxurious bed [in the inner chambers]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 5

She prepared herself by bathing, anointing her body, dressing up with ornaments and garlands, and by using perfume, bethel nut, a fragrant mouth wash and such, whereupon she shyly and with playful smiles approached Mādhava with tempting glances.

She by bathing, anointing, dressing up with ornaments, garlands and perfume, bethel nut and drinking fragrant fluids and so on, prepared her body and then shy and with playful smiles approached Mādhava with tempting glances. (Vedabase)

 

Text 6

Calling forward the lovely woman, who was shy in fear of the novel contact, He took hold of her two with bangles ornamented hands and placed the beauty on the bed to enjoy together with her, she whose only proof of piety consisted of having offered ointment.

Calling forward the lovely woman, who fearful of the new contact [as a virgin] was shy, seized He her two hands that were ornamented with bangles and placed He the beauty on the bed to enjoy with her whose only proof of piety had been the offering of ointment. (Vedabase)

 

Text 7

Smelling the feet of the Unlimited Lord and embracing within her arms, between her breasts, her Lover, the Personification of All Ecstasy, wiped away the pain that because of Cupid burned in her breasts, chest and eyes. Thus she succeeded in losing her so very long standing distress.

Smelling the feet of the Unlimited Lord, embracing within her arms, between her breasts, her Lover, the Personification of All Ecstasy, wiped the pain away that because of Cupid burned in her breasts, chest and eyes, so that she could let go of her so very long standing distress. (Vedabase)

 

Text 8

Because she had offered body ointment to Him, the Master of Enlightenment, she had obtained the Lord who is so hard to obtain. But then she unfortunately begged [compare 4.9: 31] the following: 

She with having offered Him, the Master of Enlightenment, body ointment, had obtained the Controller so hard to obtain, and begged, oh how unfortunate [compare 4.9: 31], the following: (Vedabase)

 

Text 9

'Please Beloved, stay here for a few days together with me! Enjoy, for I cannot bear to give up Your association, oh Lotus Flower Eyes.'

'Please stay here together with me for a few days o Beloved, please enjoy, I cannot bear to give up Your association, o Lotusflower-eyes.' (Vedabase)

 

Text 10

He who is of Respect for Others, considerate with her granted her the boon she desired [in the form of a promise], whereupon the Lord of All, together with Uddhava, returned to His own supremely opulent residence.

He with Respect for Others, in respect of her, [promising to come back for that purpose later,] granted her the boon of her material desire after which the Lord of All, together with Uddhava, went back to His supremely opulent residence.  (Vedabase)

 

 Text 11

The one who, in full worship of Vishnu, the Controller of All Controllers who is so difficult to honor [other than by pure devotion], choses for a benediction that is spiritually too easy, is with that superficiality not engaged very intelligently [see also 7.15: 36].

He who in full worship of Vishnu, the Controller of All Controllers, who is so difficult to keep in mind, as a benediction chooses for something easy to the mind is by that way obtaining an insignificant result a person of a poor intelligence [see also 7.15: 36]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 12

Krishna, the Master, who [also] desired to please Akrūra and wanted to engage him in some business, went together with Uddhava and Balarāma to his house.

Krishna, the Master, who wanted some things to be done then with Uddhava and Rāma went to the home of Akrūra with also the desire to please Akrūra. (Vedabase)

 

Text 13-14

When he saw Them coming, the greatest of all illustrious personalities who were his relatives, he joyfully rose to his feet to greet and embrace Them for a welcome. Bowed down to Krishna and Rāma he was greeted in return, whereupon he, after They had taken their seats, worshiped Them as was prescribed.

When he saw Them, the greatest of all illustrious personalities from a distance, rose he joyfully with his relatives to embrace Them for a welcome. Bowed down to Krishna and Rāma was he greeted by Them and was he of worship according the injunctions after They had taken their seats. (Vedabase)

 

Text 15-16

The water he had used to wash Their feet he sprinkled over his head, oh King, after which he presented gifts: the finest clothing, sandalwood, garlands and excellent ornaments. With his head bowed down he in worship placed Krishna's feet on his lap to massage them, and then with humility, facing down, addressed Krishna and Rāma as follows:

The water he had used to wash Their feet he sprinkled over all his head, o King, after which he presented gifts, the finest clothing, sandalwood, garlands and excellent ornaments. With his head bowed down being of worship placed he His feet on his lap for a massage, and addressed he face down with humility Krishna and Rāma as follows: (Vedabase)

 

Text 17

'To our good fortune the two of You have killed the sinful Kamsa and his brothers and followers. Thus delivering Your dynasty from endless troubles You made it prosper.

'To our good fortune have the two of You killed the sinful Kamsa as also his brothers and followers and has this dynasty of Yours been delivered from endless troubles and been made prosperous. (Vedabase)

   

Text 18

You two are the pradhāna and purusha [material and efficient] causes of the universe who are one with the universe. Apart from You not a single cause or effect [para-apara] can be found.

You two are the principal persons who of the Universe are the cause and the substance apart of whom there is not a single cause or effect to be found. (Vedabase)


Text 19

This universe You created from Your energies, You have subsequently entered. Thus You can be perceived in the many [forms], oh Absolute Truth, we know about from both listening to the scriptures and by direct experience.

This universe created by You, You subsequently entered by Your own energies so that You can be perceived in many forms knowable by hearing from the scriptures and direct experience. (Vedabase)

 

Text 20

Just as the earth element and the other elements differently manifest themselves in various species of living mobile and immobile beings, You, the Single One Self-reliant Self, the Supersoul, manifest in a multitude [of souls] within those different life forms.

The way indeed the earth and other elements manifest themselves variously in species of beings mobile and immobile, do You, the Single One Self-reliant Self, the Supersoul, the same way in various forms of life appear to be manifold among them.  (Vedabase)

 

Text 21

You create, maintain and then again destroy the universe, but You are, with the qualities of Your potencies - [respectively] the passion, the  goodness and the ignorance [the gunas], not bound to those actions or their modes. For what could for You, who are the Soul of All Knowledge, constitute a cause of bondage?

You create and then destroy; You protect the universe but are by Your qualities, the personal energies, the modes of passion, ignorance and goodness or by their material activities not bound to this world; for when You are knowledge itself, what would for You then be a cause of bondage? (Vedabase)


Text 22

Because it has never been proven that You are determined by physical matters and such, there is with You no question of a literal birth or of material opposites. For that reason there exists for You in fact no bondage or any liberation [compare 10.14: 26]. And if that appears to be so according to Your sweet will [see e.g. 10.11: 7], it is the consequence of our mistaken notion about You [like in 10.23: 10-11].

Because You are not determined by the coverings of the body and so on is there no literal birth or duality to Your Self and therefore exists there no bondage for You, nor in fact any liberation [compare 10.14: 26]; and if they show is that to Your sweet will so [see e.g. 10.11: 7] so or either of our erroneous notions about You [like in 10.23: 10-11]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 23

For the benefit of this universe You proclaim the classical path of the Veda and assume forms in the mode of goodness when wicked persons adhering to the path of godlessness are obstructing it.

For the benefit of this universe was by the ancient path proclaimed of the Veda and do You assume a form in the mode of goodness at the time the path is obstructed by the wicked ones who adhere to godlessness. (Vedabase)

 

Text 24

You as that very same person oh Master, have now descended in the home of Vasudeva together with Your plenary portion [Balarāma]. This You have done in order to spread the fame of this [Yadu] dynasty and to remove from this earth the burden of the hundreds of armies present there, by killing the kings [see also 1.11: 34] belonging to the enemies of the God-fearing souls [see e.g. 7.1: 40-46].

You as that very same person o Master, has now descended in the home of Vasudeva with Your Own plenary portion [Balarāma] to remove from this earth here the burden of the hundreds of armies by killing their kings [see also 1.11: 34], who are expansions of the adversaries of the god-fearing [see e.g. 7.1: 40-46], and to spread the fame of the [Yadu] dynasty. (Vedabase)

 

Text 25

Today, oh Lord, our residence has been most blessed by the arrival of You, Adhokshaja, the Spiritual Master of the Universe who are the embodiment of all the gods, forefathers, living beings and humans, You from whose feet the water [of the Ganges, see 5.17] washes that purifies the three worlds.

Today, o Lord, is our residence indeed extremely fortunate with You, Adhokshaja, having entered; You, the Spiritual Master of the Universe, the God of all the forefathers and living beings, the humans and the gods; You as the embodiment of Him from whose feet has washed the water [of the Ganges, see 5.17] that purifies the three worlds. (Vedabase)

 

Text 26

What other scholar would there be for us? To whom else should we turn for shelter but to You, the well-wisher whose loving words for His devotees are always faithful? For being grateful to the supporters who worship You, You give all they desire, even Yourself with whom there is never any diminution or increase [see also B.G. 2: 40].

What other scholar is there but You; to whom else should we turn for shelter but to You, the well-wisher who in Your words of love for Your devotees are always true; to You who, grateful to the devoted who positive with You are of worship, gives all that is desired, even Yourself - You to whom there is never diminution or increase [see also B.G. 2: 40]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 27

To our fortune, Janārdana, we can see You here, who even for the masters of yoga and the most prominent among the enlightened souls are a goal hard to attain. Please, swiftly cut through the ties of our delusional existence that result from Your material energy: our children, wife, wealth, honorable friends, our home, body and so on.'

To our fortune have we here with us before our eyes You who even for the masters of yoga and the rulers of the godly are a goal hard to reach; please swiftly cut through our ties of delusion resulting from Your material energy: our children, wife, wealth, honorable friends, our home, body and so on.' (Vedabase)

 

Text 28

Thus extensively being worshiped by His devotee, Krishna, the Supreme Lord, smiled at Akrūra and spoke with words that practically swept him of his feet.

Thus worshiped profusely by His devotee smiled Krishna the Supreme Lord at Akrūra and spoke He with words that as good as swept him of his feet. (Vedabase)

 

Text 29

The Supreme Lord said: 'You, Our paternal uncle and praiseworthy friend, are Our spiritual master. We are always the ones depending on you and [as your sons] need to be protected, maintained and graced by you.

The Supreme Lord said: 'You, our paternal uncle and praiseworthy friend, are our spiritual master and always are We your dependents to be protected, maintained and graced. (Vedabase)

 

Text 30

Someone like you belongs to the most elevated among the honorable souls and deserves it to be served by anyone desiring the saintliest and highest good. Demigods are always after their own interests, but pure devotees are not.

People like your good self are of the worshipable ones the most eminent, worthy to be served by men who desire the most saintly, highest good, for while demigods are always after their own interests, are the saintly devotees not so. (Vedabase)


Text 31

Not to decry the sacred places that consist of water [rivers] or the deities that are made of clay and stone: they purify in the course of time, but the saints [themselves] bring purification after just once having met them.

Not to deny the sacred places consisting of water or else deities made of clay and stone: they purify in the course of time, but the saints do so by being seen only once. (Vedabase)


Text 32

You certainly are the very best of all Our well-wishers. I would like you to go for Us to the city named after the elephant [Hastināpura] and find out what it is that for the sake of the welfare of the Pāndavas needs to be done.

Of all our well-wishers are you no doubt the very best; I want you please to go for Us to the city named to the elephant [Hastināpura] and find out what for the sake of their welfare for the Pāndavas needs to be done. (Vedabase)

 

Text 33

When their father died, they as young boys together with their mother were in great distress. They were by the king [Dhritarāshthra] taken to his capital, where they are residing since, so I have heard.

When their father died were they as young boys together with their mother in distress by the king [Dhritarāshthra] brought to his own capital city, where they thus are residing, so I've heard. (Vedabase)

 

Text 34

The King, the son of Ambikā [see 9.22: 25], was blind and was, under the control of his wicked sons [one hundred of them led by Duryodhana, 9.22: 26], weak-minded, so that the sons of his brother [Pāndu] certainly were not treated equally by him.

Toward the sons of his bother [Pāndu] was the king, the son of Ambikā [see 9.22: 25], so wretched of mind, really not equally disposed, blind of vision as he was being under the control of his wicked sons [one hundred of them lead by Duryodhana, 9.22: 26]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 35

Go and find out whether his actions are good or bad at present, so that we with that knowledge can make arrangements for the benefit of Our dear friends.'

Go and learn whether he in his actions at present is good or evil so that to that knowledge we can arrange for what is to the benefit of our dear friends.' (Vedabase)

 

Text 36

After Akrūra fully having instructed with these words, the Fortunate One, Lord Hari, returned to His residence together with Uddhava and Sankarshana.'

In full instructing Akrūra with these words went the Supreme Lord, the Supreme Personality of Control, with Uddhava and Sankarshana then to His own residence.'   (Vedabase)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Creative Commons
                License
The text and audio are offered under the conditions of the
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.
The first painting is a detail of a classical folio named "Kubja invites Krishna", Rajasthan, India.
The second painting "Krishna teaches Arjuna" is by
Surendra Nath Kar (1892-1970).
Source: 'Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists', Ballantine Press, Oct. 1913.
Production:
Filognostic Association of The Order of Time.

 

 

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