Canto
10
Canto
10
Chapter 69: Nârada Muni's Vision of Krishna in His Household Affairs
(1-6) S'rî S'uka said: 'Hearing that Lord Krishna had killed Naraka [see 10.59] and that He alone had married so many women, wanted Nârada to see that with his own eyes [and thought he]: 'How wonderful it is that He with a single body is married to that many, at the same time in sixteen thousand separate residences being alone with each of the women.' Thus eager to take a look came the sage of the gods to Dvârakâ, the place flowery with its parks and pleasure gardens resounding with the noise of flocks of birds and swarms of bees. Blooming blue lotuses [indîvaras], day-blooming ones [ambhojas], white esculent ones [kahlâras], moonlight-blooming lotuses [kumudas] and water lilies [utpalas] filled the lakes where the sounds were heard of swans and cranes. There were, embellished with crystal glass, silver and great emeralds, nine hundred thousand palatial mansions splendorously furnished with gold and jewels. They were systematically arranged with many avenues, roads, intersections and squares. With its assembly houses and charming temples for the gods, were its paths and courtyards, shopping streets and patios, all sprinkled with water and was the sun warded off by banners that waved from the flagpoles. (7-8) In the city there was an opulent quarter favored by all the different authorities. There had Tvashthâ [the architect Vis'vakarmâ], for the Lord [who resided there], in full exhibited his talents making the sixteen thousand residences for S'auri's wives as beautiful as could be. Nârada entered one of the great palaces. (9-12) The building was supported by coral pillars that were excellently covered with vaidûrya ['cat-eye' gemstone]. The walls were bedecked with sapphires and the floors shone everywhere. It was built with canopies that by Tvashthâ were constructed with hangings of pearls and had seats and beds made of ivory that were decorated with the finest jewels. There were well-dressed, adorned maidservants with lockets around their necks and finely clad men with turbans and armor, jewels and earrings. Many gem-studded lamps dispelled with their light the darkness and on the carved eaves, my best, danced the peacocks crying loudly about the clouds of aguru smoke they saw curling upwards from the latticed windows. (13) Inside saw the man of learning the Lord of the Sâtvatas together with His wife who fanned Him with a yak-tail fan with a golden handle. She on her turn was at every moment supported by a thousand maidservants equal to her in personal qualities, beauty, youth and fine dress. (14) The Supreme Lord, the best of all who are subservient to the dharma, noticing him, immediately rose from S'rî her couch and offered him, as He bowed down with joined palms, His own seat. (15) Even though He was the Supreme Guru of the Living Being, washed He his feet and carried He that water on His head; [the water to which] He as the master of the saintly justly carries the name of 'the Well-wisher of the Brahmins' [Brâhmanya deva] because one from the holy shrine of His feet finds complete purification [see also the stories of the Ganges 5.17 & 9.9]. (16) As enjoined by the scriptures having been of full worship with the devarishi did the Greatest Sage, the Original Nârâyana, the friend of Nara, converse with him in weighed words that were as sweet as nectar and asked: 'O Master what may We do for the Fortunate One?'
(19) Next entered Nârada, my dear, another residence of a wife of Krishna, with the desire to know the mystical power of illusion [yogamâyâ] of the Master of All Masters of Yoga. (20-22) And there indeed he saw Him as well, with Uddhava playing a game of dice, being of worship with transcendental devotion and standing up in order to seat him and so on, asking him, as if He didn't know, 'When has your good self arrived? How can those [householders] who are not so complete, as We are, do what should be done for those [sannyâsîs] who are complete? Anyway, please tell Us, o brahmin, how to be a success in this birth', but Nârada, astonished, standing up said nothing and went to another palace. (23) And there he saw Govinda cuddling His small children. Then, in another house, he saw Him preparing for a bath. (24) Here he saw Him offering oblations and there worshiping the five sacrificial fires [see mahâ-yajñas] with the obligatory rituals; then He fed the twice-born and somewhere else He ate of what had remained from the sacrifices. (25) Somewhere of sunset-worship chanted He controlling His speech the mantra [see Gâyatrî and japa] and elsewhere moved He about with His sword and shield in the lanes of practice. (26) Here the Elder Brother of Gada, rode horses, elephants and chariots and there He was lying on His sofa being praised by bards. (27) This place He was consulting with advisers, Uddhava and others and that place was He engaged sporting in the water surrounded by dancing girls and other women. (28) Somewhere He donated excellent, well ornamented cows to the twiceborn and elsewhere listened He to the auspicious classical stories [Purânas] and epic histories [Itihâsas]. (29) Laughing and joking with His beloved in this mansion, practiced He elsewhere the religion [dharma], the economy [artha] and the [kâma] physical lusts [to be regulated, see also purushârthas]. (30) Sitting alone in a place to meditate on the Original Person Transcendental to the Material Nature, rendered He in another place menial service to the elders being of worship with things they liked. (31) Planning for war with certain people here and elsewhere making peace, were Kes'ava together with Râma elsewhere heartening the welfare of the pious. (32) [He saw Him] arranging opulent weddings of daughters and sons at the right time according the vidhi with wives and husbands compatible to them. (33) [He saw how] with the people full of wonder about the celebrations with which the children of the Master of the Masters of Yoga were sent away from home and brought back. (34) With elaborate sacrifices in worship of all the gods being busy here was He there according the dharma in civil service arranging for wells, parks and monasteries and such. (35) For a hunting expedition He this place mounted His horse from Sindhî while He that place, surrounded by the most valorous Yadus, killed the animals to be offered in sacrifice [see **]. (36) Some place moved the Yogamaster about in disguise in the homes of His ministers, eager to find out with each of them what their mentality was. (37) Thereupon said Nârada to Hrishîkes'a, constraining his laughter to what he had seen unfolding of His yogamâyâ of assuming the human role: (38) 'From what we saw happening with the service at Your feet we [now] know of Your mystical potencies, potencies that even for the great mystics are hard to envision, o Lord of Yoga, o Supreme Soul. (39) Permit me to follow You in humility, o Godhead, I'll wander about Your places that are flooded with the fame and loudly sing about Your pastimes that purify all the worlds.'
(40) The Supreme Lord said: 'O brahmin, I am the speaker of it, the performer of it and the sanctioner teaching it to the world; situated in this spirit, o son, do not be disturbed.'
(41) S'rî S'uka said: 'Thus he saw [as no one else could see ***] Him present in one form in all the mansions where He performed the purifying spiritual duties for householders. (42) Having witnessed Krishna's unlimited prowess in the elaborate, manifold manifestation of His yogamâyâ, fell the seer filled with wonder in amazement. (43) With the artha, kâma and dharma [of household life, see also 7.14] thus by Lord Krishna's faithful heart thoroughly honored, went he satisfied away with Him in his mind all the time. (44) Thus following the path of human beings did Nârâyana, who for the welfare of everyone had manifested His potencies, my dear, enjoy, being satisfied by the shy affectionate glances and laughter of sixteen thousand of the finest consorts. (45) Whoever, my dear, but chants, listens or appreciates [reads about] the sensual activities which, inimitable in this world, are performed by Him who is the cause of the dissolution, generation and ongoing business of the universe, will develop devotion for the Supreme Lord, the path to liberation.'
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S'rî S'uka said: 'Hearing that Lord Krishna had killed Naraka [see 10.59] and that He alone had married so many women, wanted Nârada to see that with his own eyes [and thought he]: 'How wonderful it is that He with a single body is married to that many, at the same time in sixteen thousand separate residences being alone with each of the women.' Thus eager to take a look came the sage of the gods to Dvârakâ, the place flowery with its parks and pleasure gardens resounding with the noise of flocks of birds and swarms of bees. Blooming blue lotuses [indîvaras], day-blooming ones [ambhojas], white esculent ones [kahlâras], moonlight-blooming lotuses [kumudas] and water lilies [utpalas] filled the lakes where the sounds were heard of swans and cranes. There were, embellished with crystal glass, silver and great emeralds, nine hundred thousand palatial mansions splendorously furnished with gold and jewels. They were systematically arranged with many avenues, roads, intersections and squares. With its assembly houses and charming temples for the gods, were its paths and courtyards, shopping streets and patios, all sprinkled with water and was the sun warded off by banners that waved from the flagpoles.S'rî S'uka said: 'Hearing that Lord Krishna had killed Naraka [see 10. 59] and that He singly had married with so many women wanted Nârada to see that [and thought:]: 'How wonderful this with a single body simultaneously being married, in sixteen thousand separate residences alone with the women.' Thus eager to take a look came the sage of the gods to Dvârakâ, flowery with its parks and pleasure gardens resounding with flocks of birds and swarms of bees. Blooming blue lotuses [indîvaras], day-blooming ones [ambhojas], white esculent ones [kahlâras], moonlight-blooming lotuses [kumudas] and water lilies [utpalas] filled the lakes noisy with the sounds of swans and cranes. There were, embellished with crystal glass, silver and great emeralds, nine hundred thousand palatial mansions splendorously furnished with gold and jewels. Systematically laid out with many avenues, roads, intersections and squares; with assembly houses and charming temples for the gods, were its paths and courtyards, shopping streets and patios, all sprinkled with water and was the sun warded off by banners waving from the flagpoles. (Vedabase)
In the city there was an opulent quarter favored by all the different authorities. There had Tvashthâ [the architect Vis'vakarmâ], for the Lord [who resided there], in full exhibited his talents making the sixteen thousand residences for S'auri's wives as beautiful as could be. Nârada entered one of the great palaces.
In the city there was an opulent quarter saluted by all the different authorities where Tvashtâ [the architect Vis'vakarmâ], for the Lord, in full had exhibited his expertise. There he entered one great palace of the sixteen thousand residences for S'auri's wives that beautified it. (Vedabase)
The building was supported by coral pillars that were excellently covered with vaidûrya ['cat-eye' gemstone]. The walls were bedecked with sapphires and the floors shone everywhere. It was built with canopies that by Tvashthâ were constructed with hangings of pearls and had seats and beds made of ivory that were decorated with the finest jewels. There were well-dressed, adorned maidservants with lockets around their necks and finely clad men with turbans and armor, jewels and earrings. Many gem-studded lamps dispelled with their light the darkness and on the carved eaves, my best, danced the peacocks crying loudly about the clouds of aguru smoke they saw curling upwards from the latticed windows.
It was supported by coral pillars excellently covered by vaidûrya ['cat-eye' gemstone], had walls bedecked with sapphires and an ever shining floor, was built with canopies by Tvashtâ constructed with hangings of pearls and had seats and beds made of ivory decorated with the finest jewels. There were well-dressed, adorned maidservants with lockets around their necks and finely clad men with turbans and armor, jewels and earrings. Many gem-studded lamps dispelled with their light the darkness and on the carved eaves, my best, danced the peacocks crying loudly in taking the aguru-smoke curling through the latticed windows for clouds. (Vedabase)
Inside saw the man of learning the Lord of the Sâtvatas together with His wife who fanned Him with a yak-tail fan with a golden handle. She on her turn was at every moment supported by a thousand maidservants equal to her in personal qualities, beauty, youth and fine dress.
Inside saw the man of learning the Lord of the Sâtvatas together with His wife fanning Him with a yak-tail fan with a golden handle, who at every moment was supported by a thousand maidservants equal to her in personal qualities, beauty, youth and fine dress. (Vedabase)
The Supreme Lord, the best of all who are subservient to the dharma, noticing him, immediately rose from S'rî her couch and offered him, as He bowed down with joined palms, His own seat.
The Supreme Lord, the Best of All Subservient to the Dharma, noticing him, immediately rose from S'rî her couch and bowing down with joined palms made him sit on His own seat. (Vedabase)
Even though He was the Supreme Guru of the Living Being, washed He his feet and carried He that water on His head; [the water to which] He as the master of the saintly justly carries the name of 'the Well-wisher of the Brahmins' [Brâhmanya deva] because one from the holy shrine of His feet finds complete purification [see also the stories of the Ganges 5.17 & 9.9]
Even though being the Supreme Guru of the Living Being, washed He his feet and carried He that water on His head; [the water to which] He as the Master of the Saintly justly carries the name of 'the Lord for the Brahmins' [Brâhmanya deva] since it is from the holy shrine of His feet that the complete bathing is found [see also the stories of the Ganges 5.17 & 9.9]. (Vedabase)
As enjoined by the scriptures having been of full worship with the devarishi did the Greatest Sage, the Original Nârâyana, the friend of Nara, converse with him in weighed words that were as sweet as nectar and asked: 'O Master what may We do for the Fortunate One?'
As enjoined by the scriptures having been of full worship with the devarishi did the Greatest Sage, the Original Nârâyana, the friend of Nara, converse with him in measured words sweet as nectar and asked: 'O Master what may We do for the Fortunate One?'. (Vedabase)
S'rî Nârada said: 'It is not that surprising at all for You to show friendship with the people, o Almighty Ruler of All the Worlds who subdues all the envious, for You, widely acclaimed, are well known out of Your own will to have descended for the highest good of the continuation and the protection of the Living Being [*].
S'rî Nârada said: 'It raises no wonder at all for You, o Almighty Ruler of All the Worlds who subdues all the envious, [yet] to be of friendship with the people, for You, widely acclaimed, are well known out of Your own will to have descended for the highest good of the continuation and the protection of the Living Being [*]. (Vedabase)
Having seen Your pair of feet, that for Your devotees are the path of liberation upon which Lord Brahmâ and the other gods with their unfathomable intelligence meditate in the heart and which for those who are fallen in the well of a material existence are the shelter for deliverance, I ask for Your blessing to remember You so that I in my travels can constantly think of You.'
Having seen Your pair of feet, that for Your devotees are the path of liberation upon which lord Brahmâ and the other gods with their unfathomable intelligence meditate in the heart and which for those who are fallen in the well of a material existence are the shelter for deliverance, I ask for Your blessing to remember You so that I in my travels can constantly think of You.' (Vedabase)
Next entered Nârada, my dear, another residence of a wife of Krishna, with the desire to know the mystical power of illusion [yogamâyâ] of the Master of All Masters of Yoga.
Next entered Nârada, my dear, another residence of a wife of Krishna, with the desire to know the mystical power of illusion [yoga-mâyâ] of the Master of All Masters of Yoga. (Vedabase)
And there indeed he saw Him as well, with Uddhava playing a game of dice, being of worship with transcendental devotion and standing up in order to seat him and so on, asking him, as if He didn't know, 'When has your good self arrived? How can those [householders] who are not so complete, as We are, do what should be done for those [sannyâsîs] who are complete? Anyway, please tell Us, o brahmin, how to be a success in this birth', but Nârada, astonished, standing up said nothing and went to another palace.
And there indeed he saw Him as well, with Uddhava playing a game of dice, being of worship with transcendental devotion and standing up in order to seat him and so on, asking him, as if He didn't know, 'When has your good self arrived? How can those [householders] who are not so complete, as We are, do what should be done for those [sannyâsîs] who are complete? Anyway, please tell Us, o brahmin, how to be a success in this birth', but Nârada, astonished, standing up went silently to another palace. (Vedabase)
And there he saw Govinda cuddling His small children. Then, in another house, he saw Him preparing for a bath.
And there he saw Govinda coddling His small children. Then, in another house, he saw Him preparing for a bath. (Vedabase)
Here he saw Him offering oblations and there worshiping the five sacrificial fires [see mahâ-yajñas] with the obligatory rituals; then He fed the twice-born and somewhere else He ate of what had remained from the sacrifices.
Here he saw Him offering oblations and there worshiping the five sacrificial fires [see mahâ-yajñas] with the obligatory rituals; then He fed the twice-born and somewhere else He ate the remnants. (Vedabase)
Somewhere of sunset-worship chanted He controlling His speech the mantra [see Gâyatrî and japa] and elsewhere moved He about with His sword and shield in the lanes of practice.
Somewhere of sunset-worship chanted He controlling His speech the mantra [see gayâtri and japa] and elsewhere moved He about with His sword and shield in the lanes of practice. (Vedabase)
Here the Elder Brother of Gada, rode horses, elephants and chariots and there He was lying on His sofa being praised by bards.
Here the Elder Brother of Gada, rode horses, elephants and chariots and there He was lying on His sofa by bards being praised. (Vedabase)
This place He was consulting with advisers, Uddhava and others and that place was He engaged sporting in the water surrounded by dancing girls and other women.
This place He was consulting with advisers, Uddhava and others and that place was He engaged sporting in the water surrounded by dancing girls and other women. (Vedabase)
Somewhere He donated excellent, well ornamented cows to the twiceborn and elsewhere listened He to the auspicious classical stories [Purânas] and epic histories [Itihâsas].
Somewhere He gave excellent cows well ornamented to the twiceborn and elsewhere listened He to the auspicious classical stories [purânas] and epic histories [itihâsas]. (Vedabase)
Laughing and joking with His beloved in this mansion, practiced He elsewhere the religion [dharma], the economy [artha] and the [kâma] physical lusts [to be regulated, see also purushârthas].
Laughing and joking with His beloved in this mansion, practiced He elsewhere the religion [dharma], the economy [artha] and the [kâma] physical lusts [to be regulated, see also purushârthas]. (Vedabase)
Sitting alone in a place to meditate on the Original Person Transcendental to the Material Nature, rendered He in another place menial service to the elders being of worship with things they liked.
Sitting alone in a place to meditate on the Original Person Transcendental to the Material Nature, rendered He in another place menial service to the elders being of worship with the things of desire. (Vedabase)
Planning for war with certain people here and elsewhere making peace, were Kes'ava together with Râma elsewhere heartening the welfare of the pious.
Planning for war with certain people here and elsewhere making peace, were Kes'ava together with Râma elsewhere heartening the welfare of the pious. (Vedabase)
[He saw Him] arranging opulent weddings of daughters and sons at the right time according the vidhi with wives and husbands compatible to them.
[He saw Him] arranging opulent weddings of daughters and sons at the right time according the vidhi with wives and husbands compatible to them. (Vedabase)
[He saw how] with the people full of wonder about the celebrations with which the children of the Master of the Masters of Yoga were sent away from home and brought back.
[He saw how] with the people in wonder with great celebrations the children of the Master of the Masters of Yoga were sent away from home and brought back. (Vedabase)
With elaborate sacrifices in worship of all the gods being busy here was He there according the dharma in civil service arranging for wells, parks and monasteries and such.
With elaborate sacrifices in worship of all the gods being busy here was He there according the dharma in civil service arranging for wells, parks and monasteries and such. (Vedabase)
For a hunting expedition He this place mounted His horse from Sindhî while He that place, surrounded by the most valorous Yadus, killed the animals to be offered in sacrifice [see **].
For a hunting expedition He this place mounted His horse from Sindhî while He that place, surrounded by the most valorous Yadus, killed the animals to be offered in sacrifice [see **]. (Vedabase)
Some place moved the Yogamaster about in disguise in the homes of His ministers, eager to find out with each of them what their mentality was.
Some place moved the Yogamaster in the vicinity about in disguise in the homes of His ministers, eager to find out with each of them what their mentality was. (Vedabase)
Thereupon said Nârada to Hrishîkes'a, constraining his laughter to what he had seen unfolding of His yogamâyâ of assuming the human role:
Thereupon said Nârada to Hrishîkes'a, constraining his laughter to what he had seen unfolding of His yogamâyâ of assuming the human role: (Vedabase)
'From what we saw happening with the service at Your feet we [now] know of Your mystical potencies, potencies that even for the great mystics are hard to envision, o Lord of Yoga, o Supreme Soul.
'Perceived by the service to Your feet we [now] know of Your mystical potencies, that even for the great mystics are hard to envision, o Lord of Yoga, o Supreme Soul. (Vedabase)
Permit me to follow You in humility, o Godhead, I'll wander about Your places that are flooded with the fame and loudly sing about Your pastimes that purify all the worlds.'
Permit me to follow in humility, o Godhead, I'll wander about Your places flooded with the fame, loudly singing Your pastimes that purify all the worlds.' (Vedabase)
The Supreme Lord said: 'O brahmin, I am the speaker of it, the performer of it and the sanctioner teaching it to the world; situated in this spirit, o son, do not be disturbed.'
The Supreme Lord said: 'O brahmin, I am the speaker of it, the performer of it and the sanctioner teaching it to the world; situated in this, o son, do not be disturbed.' (Vedabase)
S'rî S'uka said: 'Thus he saw [as no one else could see ***] Him present in one form in all the mansions where He performed the purifying spiritual duties for householders.
S'rî S'uka said: 'Thus he saw [as no one else could see ***] Him present in one form in all the mansions performing the purifying spiritual duties for householders. (Vedabase)
Having witnessed Krishna's unlimited prowess in the elaborate, manifold manifestation of His yogamâyâ, fell the seer filled with wonder in amazement.
Having witnessed Krishna's unlimited prowess in the elaborate repeated manifestation of His yogamâyâ, fell the seer filled with wonder in amazement. (Vedabase)
With the artha, kâma and dharma [of household life, see also 7.14] thus by Lord Krishna's faithful heart thoroughly honored, went he satisfied away with Him in his mind all the time.
With the artha, kâma and dharma [of household life, see also 7.14] thus by Lord Krishna's faithful heart thoroughly honored, went he pleased indeed away keeping Him in mind. (Vedabase)
Thus following the path of human beings did Nârâyana, who for the welfare of everyone had manifested His potencies, my dear, enjoy, being satisfied by the shy affectionate glances and laughter of sixteen thousand of the finest consorts.
Thus following the path of human beings did Nârâyana, for the welfare of everyone having manifested His potencies, my dear, enjoy, being satisfied by the shy affectionate glances and laughter of sixteen thousand of the finest consorts.(Vedabase)
Whoever, my dear, but chants, listens or appreciates [reads about] the sensual activities which, inimitable in this world, are performed by Him who is the cause of the dissolution, generation and ongoing business of the universe, will develop devotion for the Supreme Lord, the path to liberation.'
Whoever, my dear, but chants, listens or appreciates [reads of] the sensual activities which, inimitable in this world, are performed by Him who is the cause of the dissolution, generation and ongoing business of the universe, will develop devotion for the Supreme Lord, the path to liberation indeed. (Vedabase)
* The paramparâ adds here: 'As pointed out by S'rîla Vis'vanâtha Cakravartî, all living beings are in fact servants of the Lord. The âcârya quotes the following verse from the Padma Purâna to elucidate:
a-kârenocyate vishnuh
s'rîr u-kârena kathyate
ma-kâras tu tayor dâsah
pañca-vims'ah prakîrtitah"[In the mantra AUM] the letter a signifies Lord Vishnu, the letter u signifies the goddess S'rî, and the letter m refers to their servant, who is the twenty-fifth element." The twenty-fifth element is the jîva, the living being. Every living being is a servant of the Lord, and the Lord is the true friend of every living being. Thus even when the Lord chastises envious persons like Jarâsandha, such punishment amounts to real friendship, since both the Lord's chastisement and His blessing are for the benefit of the living being.'
** Though this activity by the vidhi rule of dayâ is forbidden to the common people and the brahmins, in order to basically be compassionate with all living beings, is it in certain cases allowed to kill animals in the vedic order. S'rîla Prabhupâda comments: "According to Vedic regulations, the kshatriyas were allowed to kill prescribed animals on certain occasions, either to maintain peace in the forests or to offer the animals in the sacrificial fire. Kshatriyas are allowed to practice this killing art because they have to kill their enemies mercilessly to maintain peace in society." [see also e.g. 4: 26, 7.15, 10.1: 4, 10.56: 13 and 10.58: 13-16].
*** The paramparâ adds to this: 'As stated in text 2 of this chapter, all the Lord's activities in the many palaces were performed by the Lord's single spiritual form (ekena vapushâ), which manifested in many places at once. This vision was revealed to Nârada because of his desire to see it and the Lord's desire to show it to him. S'rîla Vis'vanâtha Cakravartî points out that the other residents of Dvârakâ could see Krishna only in the particular part of the city they themselves occupied, and not anywhere else, even if they would sometimes go to another precinct on some business. Thus the Lord gave a special view of His pastimes to His beloved devotee Nârada Muni.'
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