rule


 

 

 

Canto 10

Arunodaya-kîrt./Jiv Jâgo

 

 

 

Chapter 83: Draupadî Meets the Queens of Krishna 

(1) S'rî S'uka said: 'The Supreme Lord, the spiritual master and goal of the gopîs who thus showed His favor, then asked Yudhishthhira and the rest of His good-hearted relatives about their welfare. (2) They, who by seeing His feet were freed from their sinful reactions, felt very honored thus being questioned by the Lord of the World and gladly replied: (3) 'How can they be unhappy who ever drank the intoxicating nectar of Your lotuslike feet that is poured out by the minds and mouths of the great souls? How can they who, with the drinking cups of their ears, drank to their fill, not experience the happiness, oh Master, oh Destroyer of the forgetfulness of the embodied souls, about the Creator who granted them their physical existence? (4) By the light of Your personal form we are released from the bonds of the three [states] of material consciousness [wakefulness, dreaming and sleeping]. Being totally immersed therein, we are of spiritual happiness having bowed down to You, the goal of the perfected saints [the paramahamsas], who by the power of Your illusion have assumed this form for the protection of the unlimited and ever fresh Vedic knowledge, which is threatened by time.'

(5) The great sage said: 'While the crest jewel of all personalities who is praised in the scriptures thus was being glorified by His people, the women of the Andhaka and Kaurava clans met to discuss with each other the stories about Govinda that are sung in the three worlds. Please listen as I describe them to you. (6-7) S'rî Draupadî said: 'Oh Vaidarbhî [Rukminî], Bhadrâ, Jâmbavatî and Kaus'alâ [Nâgnajitî]; oh Satyabhâmâ, Kâlindî, S'aibyâ [Mitravindâ], Rohinî [see * and 10.61*] and Lakshmanâ [Mâdrâ] and other wives of Krishna, please tell us how it came to pass that Acyuta, the Supreme Lord Himself, by the grace of His mystic power lived the way one lives in the world and got married to you?'

(8) S'rî Rukminî said: 'Like a lion taking his share from a herd of goats and sheep, He, who puts the dust of His feet upon the heads of invincible fighters, took me away when the kings, with their bows ready, were about to offer me to S'is'upâla. May the feet of Him, the abode of S'rî, be my object of worship [see 10.52-54].' 

(9) S'rî Satyabhâmâ said: 'Being accused [by my father King S'atrâjit] He, in order to clear His name, defeated the king of the bears [Jâmbavân] and brought the jewel back to my father whose heart was distressed about the death of his brother [Prasena]. Afraid [about this accusation] he offered me to the Lord, even though I was spoken for [see 10.56].'

(10) S'rî Jâmbavatî said: 'The creator of my body, not realizing that He, the Husband of Sîtâ, was his master and worshipable deity, fought for twenty-seven days with Him. After he recognized Him he came to his senses, took hold of His feet and presented me to Him together with the jewel. I am His maidservant [see also 10.56].'

(11) S'rî Kâlindî said: 'Knowing that I was executing penances with the desire to touch His feet, He came together with His friend [Arjuna] and took my hand. I am the one cleaning His residence [10.58: 12-23].' 

(12) S'rî Mitravindâ said: 'During my svayamvara He came forward and stole me away the way the enemy of the elephants [a lion] claims his share amidst a pack of dogs. After having defeated the kings and my brothers, who insulted Him, He took me to His capital where S'rî resides. May I there, life after life, serve Him with washing His feet [10.58: 31].'

(13-14) S'rî Satyâ said: 'Seven great, strong and vital bulls with the sharpest horns, which by my father were arranged to test the prowess of the kings, destroyed the pride of the heroes. But they were quickly subdued and tied up by Him, with the ease of children playing with young goats. This way with His valor paying for me, He defeated the kings on the road with an army of four divisions and took me, being protected by maidservants, with Him. May there be my servitude unto Him [10.58: 32-55].'

(15-16) S'rî Bhadrâ said: 'With me in love with Him, oh Krishnâ [Draupadî], my father of his own accord invited my maternal cousin Krishna and gave me to Him, together with a retinue of female companions and a military escort of one akshauhinî May there for me, birth after birth wandering because of my karma, be that betterment of myself in touching His feet [10.58: 56].'

(17) S'rî Lakshmanâ said: 'Oh Queen, because I repeatedly heard the glorification by Nârada of Acyuta's births and activities, my heart became fixed upon Mukunda, He who, by her [the goddess S'rî] holding the lotus, after due consideration was chosen in rejection of the [demigod] rulers of the world. (18) My father, also known as Brihatsena, oh saintly lady, knew my state of mind and out of love for his daughter arranged for means to meet this end [of marrying with Krishna]. (19)  Just as with your svayamvara, oh Queen, a fish was used [hung high as a target] that had to be won by Arjuna, also in my case there was such a target. Hidden from sight however, it could only be seen as a reflection in water [in a pot below]. (20) Hearing about this, from everywhere all the kings expert in the art of archery and wielding other weapons, came to my father's city together with their thousands of teachers. (21) My father honored all of them with full respect for each his strength and age. Then they, who had set their minds upon me, took up the bow and arrows to pierce [the target] in the assembly. (22) Some of them after lifting [the bow] were unable to string it and gave up, and some, having pulled the bowstring, fell down because they were hit by it. (23) Other heroes like the kings of Magadha [Jarâsandha], Cedi [S'is'upâla] and Ambashthha, as also Bhîma, Duryodhana and Karna, managed to string the bow, but could not locate the target. (24) Arjuna managed to locate it and, aiming carefully while looking at the reflection of the fish in the water, took a shot, but the arrow did not hit the target, it just brushed it. (25-26) After the kings were defeated in their pride and had given up, the Supreme Lord playfully took up the bow and managed to string it. At the moment the sun was situated in Abhijit [in 'victory', or at noon] He fixed an arrow on it and pierced, with a single look in the water, the fish with His arrow so that it fell down. (27) Kettledrums resounded in the sky and on earth the sounds of 'jaya' were heard, while the demigods, overwhelmed by joy, released torrents of flowers. (28) Next, with a shy smile on my face and a wreath of flowers in my hair, I entered the arena with gently tinkling ankle bells on my feet, a golden necklace with brilliant jewels around my neck and a pair of fine silken, new garments held together by a belt. (29) I lifted up my face, encircled by its many locks of hair and with my cheeks effulgent because of the earrings, and looked all around at the kings. With a cool smile casting sidelong glances I slowly placed my necklace around the neck of Murâri who had captured my heart. (30) At that moment conch shells, mridangas, tabors, kettledrums and war drums, and such instruments, resounded while the singers sang and male and female dancers danced. (31) The leading kings could not accept the choice I thus made for the Supreme Lord as my master, oh Draupadî. Upset and with a heart full of imprecation they became quarrelsome. (32) Faced with that situation He lifted me on the chariot with its four excellent horses. He prepared His S'ârnga, donned His armor and stood firm to offer battle with His four arms [displayed in full]. (33) Dâruka drove the chariot that was trimmed with gold, oh Queen, while the kings looked on as if they were [startled] animals seeing the lion king. (34) Like village dogs with a lion the kings went after Him. Some of them then tried to block His way by raising their bows against Him. (35) Because of the floods of arrows shot from the S'ârnga, some of them fell with their arms, legs and necks severed, while others gave it up and fled. (36) Like the sun god reaching his abode [or the western horizon] the Lord of the Yadus then entered Dvârakâ, His city glorified in heaven and on earth, which was profusely decorated with wonderful archways and banners on flagpoles blocking the sunlight. (37) My father honored his friends, immediate relations and other family members with the most valuable clothing and jewelry, with beds, seats and with other furniture. (38) In his devotion he presented the Lord of the Complete [Pûrnasya] the most valuable weapons, as also maidservants endowed with all riches, infantry, elephantry, chariotry and cavalry. (39) By abruptly breaking off our material bonds and doing penances, we have all become the maidservants of His household, of Him, the One Satisfied Within Himself.'

(40) The other queens said [as expressed by Rohinî]: 'After He in battle had killed the demon Bhauma and his followers, He discovered that we, the daughters of the kings the demon defeated during his conquest of the earth, had been imprisoned by him. Because we constantly had remembered His lotus feet as the source of liberation from a material existence He, the One All of whose Wishes are Fulfilled, married us after our release. (41-42) Oh saintly lady, we do not desire rulership over the earth, a heavenly kingdom, unlimited pleasures or mystic power. Nor do we strive for the supreme divinity, to achieve immortality or the abode of Hari. We [just] want to carry on our heads the dust of the divine feet of the Wielder of the Club that is enriched with the fragrance of the kunkuma from the bosom of S'rî [see also 10.47: 60, ** and the S'rî S'rî S'ikshâshthaka verse 4]. (43) We desire the same as what the Pulinda women [the gopîs] desire, as what the grass and the plants and the grazing cows and gopas of Vraja desire: to be touched by the feet of the Supreme Soul.'

 

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Third revised edition, loaded November 30, 2021.


 

 

 

 

Previous Aadhar edition and Vedabase links:

Text 1

S'rî S'uka said: 'The Supreme Lord, the spiritual master and goal of the gopîs who thus showed His favor, then asked Yudhishthhira and the rest of His good-hearted relatives about their welfare.
S'rî S'uka said: 'The Supreme Lord, the spiritual master and goal of the gopîs, this way showing His favor, then met with Yudhishthhira and the rest of His relatives and inquired after their welfare. (Vedabase)

 

Text 2

They, who by seeing His feet were freed from their sinful reactions, felt very honored thus being questioned by the Lord of the World and gladly replied:

They, who from seeing His feet were freed from their sinful reactions, felt thus questioned by the Lord of the World very honored and replied gladly:  (Vedabase)

  

Text 3

'How can they be unhappy who ever drank the intoxicating nectar of Your lotuslike feet that is poured out by the minds and mouths of the great souls? How can they who, with the drinking cups of their ears, drank to their fill, not experience the happiness, oh Master, oh Destroyer of the forgetfulness of the embodied souls, about the Creator who granted them their physical existence?

'How can inauspiciousness arise for those who of Your lotuslike feet ever drank the intoxicating nectar that is poured out by the minds and mouths of the great souls? How can they who with the drinking cups of their ears drank to their fill not experience the happiness, o Master, o Destroyer of the forgetfulness about the Creator of one's bodily existence?  (Vedabase)

 

Text 4

By the light of Your personal form we are released from the bonds of the three [states] of material consciousness [wakefulness, dreaming and sleeping]. Being totally immersed therein, we are of spiritual happiness having bowed down to You, the goal of the perfected saints [the paramahamsas], who by the power of Your illusion have assumed this form for the protection of the unlimited and ever fresh Vedic knowledge, which is threatened by time.'

Indeed are we by the light of Your personal form released from the bonds of the three states of material consciousness [wakefulness, dreaming and sleeping] and are we, totally immersed, of spiritual happiness in having bowed down to You, the goal of the perfected saints [the paramahamsas] who by the power of Your illusion has assumed this form for the protection of the unlimited and ever fresh vedic knowledge that is threatened by time.' (Vedabase)

     

 Text 5

The great sage said: 'While the crest jewel of all personalities who is praised in the scriptures thus was being glorified by His people, the women of the Andhaka and Kaurava clans met to discuss with each other the stories about Govinda that are sung in the three worlds. Please listen as I describe them to you.

The great sage said: 'As His people were thus glorifying the crest jewel of all personalities hailed by the scriptures, met the women of the Andhaka and Kaurava clans to discuss with each other the topics of Govinda sung in the three worlds; please listen as I describe them to you. (Vedabase)

 

Text 6-7

S'rî Draupadî said: 'Oh Vaidarbhî [Rukminî], Bhadrâ, Jâmbavatî and Kaus'alâ [Nâgnajitî]; oh Satyabhâmâ, Kâlindî, S'aibyâ [Mitravindâ], Rohinî [see * and 10.61*] and Lakshmanâ [Mâdrâ] and other wives of Krishna, please tell us how it came to pass that Acyuta, the Supreme Lord Himself, by the grace of His mystic power lived the way one lives in the world and got married to you?' 

S'rî Draupadî said: 'O Vaidarbhî [Rukminî], Bhadrâ, Jâmbavatî and Kaus'alâ [Nâgnajitî]; o Satyabhâmâ, Kâlindî, S'aibyâ [Mitravindâ], Rohinî [see foonote* and 10.61*] and Lakshmanâ [Mâdrâ] and other wives of Krishna, please tell us how it came to pass that Acyuta, the Supreme Lord Himself, who by the grace of His mystic power lived the way one lives in the world, got married to you?' (Vedabase)

 

Text 8

S'rî Rukminî said: 'Like a lion taking his share from a herd of goats and sheep, He, who puts the dust of His feet upon the heads of invincible fighters, took me away when the kings, with their bows ready, were about to offer me to S'is'upâla. May the feet of Him, the abode of S'rî, be my object of worship [see 10.52-54].' 

S'rî Rukminî said: 'Like a lion taking his share from a herd of goats and sheep, took He who puts the dust of His feet upon the heads of invincible fighters, me away when the kings with their bows were about to offer me to S'is'upâla; may the feet of Him, the abode of S'rî, be my object of worship [see 10.52-54].' (Vedabase)

 

Text 9

S'rî Satyabhâmâ said: 'Being accused [by my father King S'atrâjit] He, in order to clear His name, defeated the king of the bears [Jâmbavân] and brought the jewel back to my father whose heart was distressed about the death of his brother [Prasena]. Afraid [about this accusation] he offered me to the Lord, even though I was spoken for [see 10.56].'

S'rî Satyabhâmâ said: 'To my father whose heart was distressed with the death of his brother, gave He, being accused, to clear His name, the jewel back after defeating the king of the bears [Jâmbavân]; afraid because of this offered my father me to the Lord even though I was spoken for [see 10.56]. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 10

S'rî Jâmbavatî said: 'The creator of my body, not realizing that He, the Husband of Sîtâ, was his master and worshipable deity, fought for twenty-seven days with Him. After he recognized Him he came to his senses, took hold of His feet and presented me to Him together with the jewel. I am His maidservant [see also 10.56].'

S'rî Jâmbavatî said: 'The maker of this body unaware of Him, the Husband of Sîtâ, as being his master and worshipable deity, fought for twenty-seven days with Him. Having come to his senses recognizing Him he presented me together with the jewel taking hold of His feet; I'm His maid-servant [see also 10.56]. (Vedabase)

    

 Text 11

S'rî Kâlindî said: 'Knowing that I was executing penances with the desire to touch His feet, He came together with His friend [Arjuna] and took my hand. I am the one cleaning His residence [10.58: 12-23].' 

S'rî Kâlindî said: 'Knowing that I with the desire of touching His feet was executing penances, came He together with His friend [Arjuna] and took He my hand; I am the one cleaning His residence [10.58: 12-23]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 12

S'rî Mitravindâ said: 'During my svayamvara He came forward and stole me away the way the enemy of the elephants [a lion] claims his share amidst a pack of dogs. After having defeated the kings and my brothers, who insulted Him, He took me to His capital where S'rî resides. May I there, life after life, serve Him with washing His feet [10.58: 31].'

S'rî Mitravindâ said: 'During my svayamvara coming forward stole He me away the way the enemy of the elephants [a lion] claims his share from a pack of dogs; after defeating the kings and my brothers insulting Him, took He me to His capital where S'rî resides; may there for me, life after life, be the service of washing His feet [10.58: 31]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 13-14

S'rî Satyâ said: 'Seven great, strong and vital bulls with the sharpest horns, which by my father were arranged to test the prowess of the kings, destroyed the pride of the heroes. But they were quickly subdued and tied up by Him, with the ease of children playing with young goats. This way with His valor paying for me, He defeated the kings on the road with an army of four divisions and took me, being protected by maidservants, with Him. May there be my servitude unto Him [10.58: 32-55].'

S'rî Satyâ said: 'Seven great bulls most strong and vital with the sharpest horns, by my father arranged to test the prowess of the kings, destroyed the pride of the heroes; but they were quickly subdued and tied up by Him with the ease of children playing with young goats. This way paying for me with His valor took He me, protected by maid-servants, with Him, with an army of four divisions along the road defeating the kings; may there be my servitude to Him [10.58: 32-55]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 15-16

S'rî Bhadrâ said: 'With me in love with Him, oh Krishnâ [Draupadî], my father of his own accord invited my maternal cousin Krishna and gave me to Him, together with a retinue of female companions and a military escort of one akshauhinî. May there for me, birth after birth wandering because of my karma, be that betterment of myself in touching His feet [10.58: 56].'

S'rî Bhadrâ said: 'With me in love with Him, o Krishnâ [Draupadî], invited my father on his own accord my maternal cousin Krishna and gave he me to Him together with a retinue of female companions and a military escort of one akshauhini; may there for me, birth after birth wandering because of my karma, be that betterment of myself in touching His feet [10.58: 56]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 17

S'rî Lakshmanâ said: 'Oh Queen, because I repeatedly heard the glorification by Nârada of Acyuta's births and activities, my heart became fixed upon Mukunda, He who, by her [the goddess S'rî] holding the lotus, after due consideration was chosen in rejection of the [demigod] rulers of the world.

S'rî Lakshmanâ said: 'O Queen, time and again hearing Nârada glorifying Acyuta's births and activities became my heart fixed upon Mukunda, He who after due consideration in rejection of the rulers of the world, indeed was chosen by her [the goddess S'rî] holding the lotus. (Vedabase)

   

Text 18

My father, also known as Brihatsena, oh saintly lady, knew my state of mind and out of love for his daughter arranged for means to meet this end [of marrying with Krishna].

My father known as Brihatsena, o saintly lady, knowing of my state of mind arranged out of his love for his daughter a means to this end. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 19

Just as with your svayamvara, oh Queen, a fish was used [hung high as a target] that had to be won by Arjuna, also in my case there was such a target. Hidden from sight however, it could only be seen as a reflection in water [in a pot below].

Just as in your svayamvara, o Queen, was a fish used [hung high as a target] that had to be won by Arjuna. Hidden from sight however, could it only be seen as a reflection in water [in a pot below]. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 20

Hearing about this, from everywhere all the kings expert in the art of archery and wielding other weapons, came to my father's city together with their thousands of teachers.

Hearing about this came from everywhere all the kings expert in the art of shooting arrows and wielding other weapons to my father's city along with their thousands of teachers. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 21

My father honored all of them with full respect for each his strength and age. Then they, who had set their minds upon me, took up the bow and arrows to pierce [the target] in the assembly.

My father honored all of them in full, each according his strength and age, after which they who had set their minds upon me in the assembly took up their bow and arrow to take a shot. (Vedabase)

  

 Text 22

Some of them after lifting [the bow] were unable to string it and gave up, and some, having pulled the bowstring, fell down because they were hit by it.

Some of them after lifting [the bow] were unable to string it and some having pulled the bowstring failed because they were hit by it. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 23

Other heroes like the kings of Magadha [Jarâsandha], Cedi [S'is'upâla] and Ambashthha, as also Bhîma, Duryodhana and Karna, managed to string the bow, but could not locate the target.

Other heroes, the kings of Magadha [Jarâsandha], Cedi [S'is'upâla] and Ambashthha as well as Bhîma, Duryodhana and Karna, managed to string the bow but couldn't determine the target's location. (Vedabase)

  

 Text 24

Arjuna managed to locate it and, aiming carefully while looking at the reflection of the fish in the water, took a shot, but the arrow did not hit the target, it just brushed it.

Arjuna did manage to locate it and took, as he aimed carefully while looking at the reflection of the fish in the water, a shot, but the arrow didn't hit the target, it brushed it only. (Vedabase)

  

 Text 25-26

After the kings were defeated in their pride and had given up, the Supreme Lord playfully took up the bow and managed to string it. At the moment the sun was situated in Abhijit [in 'victory', or at noon] He fixed an arrow on it and pierced, with a single look in the water, the fish with His arrow so that it fell down. 

When the kings defeated in their pride had given up, managed the Supreme Lord, playfully taking up the bow, stringing it and then fixing an arrow on it, to pierce with a single look in the water the fish with His arrow at the moment the sun was situated in Abhijit [in 'victory', or at noon]. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 27

Kettledrums resounded in the sky and on earth the sounds of 'jaya' were heard, while the demigods, overwhelmed by joy, released torrents of flowers.

Kettledrums resounded in the sky together with the sounds of 'jaya' of the godly on earth who overwhelmed by joy released torrents of flowers. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 28

Next, with a shy smile on my face and a wreath of flowers in my hair, I entered the arena with gently tinkling ankle bells on my feet, a golden necklace with brilliant jewels around my neck and a pair of fine silken, new garments held together by a belt.

Next did I, with a shy smile on my face and a wreath of flowers in my hair, enter the arena with gently tinkling ankle bells on my feet, a necklace of gold with brilliant jewels around my neck and a pair of fine silken, new garments held together by a belt. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 29

I lifted up my face, encircled by its many locks of hair and with my cheeks effulgent because of the earrings, and looked all around at the kings. With a cool smile casting sidelong glances I slowly placed my necklace around the neck of Murâri who had captured my heart.

Lifting my face with its many locks of hair all around and my cheeks effulgent of the earrings, looked I all around at the kings. With a cool smile casting sidelong glances placed I slowly my necklace around the neck of Murâri who had captured my heart. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 30

At that moment conch shells, mridangas, tabors, kettledrums and war drums, and such instruments, resounded while the singers sang and male and female dancers danced.

At that moment resounded conchshells, mridangas, tabors, kettle drums and wardrums and such, and sang the singers while male and female dancers danced. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 31

The leading kings could not accept the choice I thus made for the Supreme Lord as my master, oh Draupadî. Upset and with a heart full of imprecation they became quarrelsome.

The choice I thus made for the Supreme Lord as my master was for the leading kings not acceptable o Draupadî, upset with a heart filled with abuse they became quarrelsome. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 32

Faced with that situation He lifted me on the chariot with its four excellent horses. He prepared His S'ârnga, donned His armor and stood firm to offer battle with His four arms [displayed in full].

Faced with that situation lifted He me in the chariot with its four excellent horses and stood He, preparing His S'ârnga and donning His armor, firm to deliver battle with His four arms [displayed in full]. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 33

Dâruka drove the chariot that was trimmed with gold, oh Queen, while the kings looked on as if they were [startled] animals seeing the lion king.

Dâruka drove the chariot that was trimmed with gold o Queen, while the kings were looking on as if they were little animals daunted by the lion king. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 34

Like village dogs with a lion the kings went after Him. Some of them then tried to block His way by raising their bows against Him.

The kings, like village dogs with a lion, went after Him. Some of them then tried to stop Him in His course by raising their bows against Him.  (Vedabase)

 

 Text 35

Because of the floods of arrows shot from the S'ârnga, some of them fell with their arms, legs and necks severed, while others gave it up and fled.

From the floods of arrows shot from S'ârnga fell some of them with their arms, legs and necks severed, while some others, gave it up and fled.  (Vedabase)

 

 Text 36

Like the sun god reaching his abode [or the western horizon] the Lord of the Yadus then entered Dvârakâ, His city glorified in heaven and on earth, which was profusely decorated with wonderful archways and banners on flagpoles blocking the sunlight.

Then entered the Lord of the Yadus, like the sun reaching its abode [or the western horizon], Dvârakâ, His city that is glorified in heaven and on earth, and was profusely decorated with wonderful archways and banners on flagpoles that blocked the sun. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 37

My father honored his friends, immediate relations and other family members with the most valuable clothing and jewelry, with beds, seats and with other furniture.

My father honored his friends, immediate relations and other family members with the most valuable clothing and jewelry and with beds, thrones and other furniture. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 38

In his devotion he presented the Lord of the Complete [Pûrnasya] the most valuable weapons, as also maidservants endowed with all riches, infantry, elephantry, chariotry and cavalry.

Out of devotion presented he the Lord of the Complete [Pûrnasya] the most valuable weapons, along with maidservants endowed with all riches, infantry, elephantry, chariotry and cavalry. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 39

By abruptly breaking off our material bonds and doing penances, we have all become the maidservants of His household, of Him, the One Satisfied Within Himself.'

By doing penances with the abrupt breaking off of our material bonds have we all become the maidservants of His household, of Him the One Satisfied Within Himself.' (Vedabase)

 

 Text 40

The other queens said [as expressed by Rohinî]: 'After He in battle had killed the demon Bhauma and his followers, He discovered that we, the daughters of the kings the demon defeated during his conquest of the earth, had been imprisoned by him. Because we constantly had remembered His lotus feet as the source of liberation from a material existence He, the One All of whose Wishes are Fulfilled, married us after our release.

The other queens said [by mouth of Rohinî]: 'He met us after He in battle had killed the demon Bhauma and his followers. We who have been defeated and imprisoned by the demon are the daughters of the kings Bhauma defeated during his conquest of the earth. After our release have we constantly remembered His lotus feet as the source of liberation from a material existence, and has He, the One whose Wishes are All Fulfilled, married us. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 41-42

Oh saintly lady, we do not desire rulership over the earth, a heavenly kingdom, unlimited pleasures or mystic power. Nor do we strive for the supreme divinity, to achieve immortality or the abode of Hari. We [just] want to carry on our heads the dust of the divine feet of the Wielder of the Club that is enriched with the fragrance of the kunkuma from the bosom of S'rî [see also 10.47: 60, ** and the S'rî S'rî S'ikshâshthaka verse 4].

O saintly lady, we do not desire rulership over the earth, a heavenly kingdom, unlimited pleasures even or mystic power, to be the supreme divinity, immortality or the abode of Hari, we desire to carry on our heads the dust of the divine feet of the Wielder of the Club that is enriched with the fragrance of the kunkuma from the bosom of S'rî [see also 10.47: 60, ** and the S'rî S'rî S'ikshâshthaka verse 4]. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 43

We desire the same as what the Pulinda women [the gopîs] desire, as what the grass and the plants and the grazing cows and gopas of Vraja desire: to be touched by the feet of the Supreme Soul.'

We desire the same as what the Pulinda women [the gopîs] desire, as what the grass and the plants and the grazing cows and the gopas of Vraja desire: to be touched by the feet of the Supreme Soul.' (Vedabase)

 

*: The one called Rohinî here is not Rohinî, the mother of Balarâma, but the one queen representing the 16000 queens whom Krishna wed next to His eight principal queens.

**: The paramparâ points out that the S'rî referred to here is the supreme goddess of fortune as identified by the 'Brihad-gautamîya-tantra':

devî krishna-mayî proktâ
râdhikâ para-devatâ
sarva-lakshmî-mayî sarva
kântih sammohinî parâ

"The transcendental goddess S'rîmatî Râdhârânî is the direct counterpart of Lord S'rî Krishna. She is the central figure for all the goddesses of fortune. She is endowed with the power to attract the all-attractive Personality of Godhead. She is the primeval internal potency of the Lord."

 

 



 

 

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The text and audio are offered under the conditions of the
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

The painting on this page is titled:
'The Trial of the Princes' by Nandalâl Bose.
Production:
Filognostic Association of The Order of Time.



 

 

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