Departure of Lord Krishna for Dvaraka

Verse 1 (bhagavata.1.10.1)

शौनक उवाच हत्वा स्वरिक्थस्पृध आततायिनो युधिष्ठिरो धर्मभृतां वरिष्ठः । सहानुजैः प्रत्यवरुद्धभोजनः कथं प्रवृत्तः किमकारषीत्ततः ॥ १ ॥

śaunaka uvāca hatvā svariktha-spṛdha ātatāyino yudhiṣṭhiro dharma-bhṛtāṁ variṣṭhaḥ sahānujaiḥ pratyavaruddha-bhojanaḥ kathaṁ pravṛttaḥ kim akāraṣīt tataḥ

Shaunaka said: After slaying the aggressors who coveted his rightful inheritance, how did Yudhishthira, foremost among the upholders of dharma, together with his younger brothers, conduct himself — he whose enjoyment of his kingdom was checked by grief? How did he proceed, and what did he do thereafter?

Verse 2 (bhagavata.1.10.2)

सूत उवाच वंशं कुरोर्वंशदवाग्निनिर्हृतं संरोहयित्वा भवभावनो हरिः । निवेशयित्वा निजराज्य ईश्वरो युधिष्ठिरं प्रीतमना बभूव ह ॥ २ ॥

sūta uvāca vaṁśaṁ kuror vaṁśa-davāgni-nirhṛtaṁ saṁrohayitvā bhava-bhāvano hariḥ niveśayitvā nija-rājya īśvaro yudhiṣṭhiraṁ prīta-manā babhūva ha

Suta said: Hari, the sustainer of all existence, having caused the Kuru dynasty — consumed like a forest by wildfire — to grow again, and having firmly established Yudhishthira in his own kingdom, became content at heart.

Verse 3 (bhagavata.1.10.3)

निशम्य भीष्मोक्तमथाच्युतोक्तं प्रवृत्तविज्ञानविधूतविभ्रमः । शशास गामिन्द्र इवाजिताश्रयः परिध्युपान्तामनुजानुवर्तितः ॥ ३ ॥

niśamya bhīṣmoktam athācyutoktaṁ pravṛtta-vijñāna-vidhūta-vibhramaḥ śaśāsa gām indra ivājitāśrayaḥ paridhyupāntām anujānuvartitaḥ

Having listened to the counsel spoken by Bhishma and by the infallible Krishna, Yudhishthira, his confusion dispelled by the true knowledge that dawned in him, ruled the ocean-girdled earth like Indra himself, sheltered by the unconquerable Lord and attended by his younger brothers.

Verse 4 (bhagavata.1.10.4)

कामं ववर्ष पर्जन्यः सर्वकामदुघा मही । सिषिचुः स्म व्रजान् गावः पयसोधस्वतीर्मुदा ॥ ४ ॥

kāmaṁ vavarṣa parjanyaḥ sarva-kāma-dughā mahī siṣicuḥ sma vrajān gāvaḥ payasodhasvatīr mudā

The rain clouds poured down exactly as needed, and the earth, granting every desire, brought forth abundance. Out of sheer joy, the cows drenched their pens with the milk of their heavy udders.

Verse 5 (bhagavata.1.10.5)

नद्यः समुद्रा गिरयः सवनस्पतिवीरुधः । फलन्त्योषधयः सर्वाः काममन्वृतु तस्य वै ॥ ५ ॥

nadyaḥ samudrā girayaḥ savanaspati-vīrudhaḥ phalanty oṣadhayaḥ sarvāḥ kāmam anvṛtu tasya vai

Rivers, oceans, hills and forests, together with their trees and creepers, and every healing herb, bore fruit in each season exactly as his wish required.

Verse 6 (bhagavata.1.10.6)

नाधयो व्याधयः क्लेशा दैवभूतात्महेतवः । अजातशत्रावभवन् जन्तूनां राज्ञि कर्हिचित् ॥ ६ ॥

nādhayo vyādhayaḥ kleśā daiva-bhūtātma-hetavaḥ ajāta-śatrāv abhavan jantūnāṁ rājñi karhicit

Under the rule of the king without enemies, living beings were, for that time, never troubled by mental anguish, disease, or the sufferings born of fate, of other creatures, or of one's own body and mind.

Verse 7 (bhagavata.1.10.7)

उषित्वा हास्तिनपुरे मासान् कतिपयान् हरिः । सुहृदां च विशोकाय स्वसुश्च प्रियकाम्यया ॥ ७ ॥

uṣitvā hāstinapure māsān katipayān hariḥ suhṛdāṁ ca viśokāya svasuś ca priya-kāmyayā

Hari remained at Hastinapura for a number of months, to comfort his grieving kinsmen and to please his own sister.

Verse 8 (bhagavata.1.10.8)

आमन्त्र्य चाभ्यनुज्ञातः परिष्वज्याभिवाद्य तम् । आरुरोह रथं कैश्चित्परिष्वक्तोऽभिवादितः ॥ ८ ॥

āmantrya cābhyanujñātaḥ pariṣvajyābhivādya tam āruroha rathaṁ kaiścit pariṣvakto ’bhivāditaḥ

Having asked leave and received permission, having embraced the king and paid him reverence, Krishna mounted his chariot — embraced by some, and receiving their homage.

Verse 9 (bhagavata.1.10.9)

सुभद्रा द्रौपदी कुन्ती विराटतनया तथा । गान्धारी धृतराष्ट्रश्च युयुत्सुर्गौतमो यमौ ॥ ९ ॥

subhadrā draupadī kuntī virāṭa-tanayā tathā gāndhārī dhṛtarāṣṭraś ca yuyutsur gautamo yamau

Subhadra, Draupadi, Kunti, and likewise Virata's daughter Uttara; Gandhari, Dhritarashtra, and Yuyutsu, Gautama, and the twin brothers —

Verse 10 (bhagavata.1.10.10)

वृकोदरश्च धौम्यश्च स्त्रियो मत्स्यसुतादयः । न सेहिरे विमुह्यन्तो विरहं शार्ङ्गधन्वनः ॥ १० ॥

vṛkodaraś ca dhaumyaś ca striyo matsya-sutādayaḥ na sehire vimuhyanto virahaṁ śārṅga-dhanvanaḥ

— and Vrikodara, and Dhaumya, and the womenfolk led by Matsya's daughter — none of them, overcome with bewilderment, could bear separation from the wielder of the Sharnga bow.

Verse 11 (bhagavata.1.10.11)

सत्सङ्गान्मुक्तदुःसङ्गो हातुं नोत्सहते बुधः । कीर्त्यमानं यशो यस्य सकृदाकर्ण्य रोचनम् ॥ ११ ॥

sat-saṅgān mukta-duḥsaṅgo hātuṁ notsahate budhaḥ kīrtyamānaṁ yaśo yasya sakṛd ākarṇya rocanam

The wise, once freed from unwholesome company through the company of the virtuous, cannot bear to give up hearing his glory even after a single hearing — so delightful is it to the ear.

Verse 12 (bhagavata.1.10.12)

तस्मिन्न्यस्तधियः पार्थाः सहेरन् विरहं कथम् । दर्शनस्पर्शसंलापशयनासनभोजनैः ॥ १२ ॥

tasmin nyasta-dhiyaḥ pārthāḥ saheran virahaṁ katham darśana-sparśa-saṁlāpa- śayanāsana-bhojanaiḥ

How then could the sons of Pritha, whose very minds were surrendered to him, bear his absence — they who had known him through seeing, touching, conversing, and through sleeping, sitting, and dining together?

Verse 13 (bhagavata.1.10.13)

सर्वे तेऽनिमिषैरक्षैस्तमनुद्रुतचेतसः । वीक्षन्तः स्नेहसम्बद्धा विचेलुस्तत्र तत्र ह ॥ १३ ॥

sarve te ’nimiṣair akṣais tam anu druta-cetasaḥ vīkṣantaḥ sneha-sambaddhā vicelus tatra tatra ha

All of them, their eyes unblinking, their hearts running after him, watched him bound by love, and wandered restlessly this way and that.

Verse 14 (bhagavata.1.10.14)

न्यरुन्धन्नुद्गलद्बाष्पमौत्कण्ठ्याद्देवकीसुते । निर्यात्यगारान्नोऽभद्रमिति स्याद्बान्धवस्त्रियः ॥ १४ ॥

nyarundhann udgalad bāṣpam autkaṇṭhyād devakī-sute niryāty agārān no ’bhadram iti syād bāndhava-striyaḥ

The women of the household, choking back tears that welled up out of longing for the son of Devaki, thought, "should we step out of the house, ill fortune may follow" — and so restrained themselves.

Verse 15 (bhagavata.1.10.15)

मृदङ्गशङ्खभेर्यश्च वीणापणवगोमुखाः । धुन्धुर्यानकघण्टाद्या नेदुर्दुन्दुभयस्तथा ॥ १५ ॥

mṛdaṅga-śaṅkha-bheryaś ca vīṇā-paṇava-gomukhāḥ dhundhury-ānaka-ghaṇṭādyā nedur dundubhayas tathā

Mridangas, conch-shells and bheri-drums, vinas, panavas and gomukhas, dhundhuris, anakas, bells and the rest, and dundubhi-drums all sounded together.

Verse 16 (bhagavata.1.10.16)

प्रासादशिखरारूढाः कुरुनार्यो दिदृक्षया । ववृषुः कुसुमैः कृष्णं प्रेमव्रीडास्मितेक्षणाः ॥ १६ ॥

prāsāda-śikharārūḍhāḥ kuru-nāryo didṛkṣayā vavṛṣuḥ kusumaiḥ kṛṣṇaṁ prema-vrīḍā-smitekṣaṇāḥ

Longing for a glimpse of him, the women of the Kuru household climbed to the rooftops of the palace and showered flowers upon Krishna, their eyes smiling with love mixed with shyness.

Verse 17 (bhagavata.1.10.17)

सितातपत्रं जग्राह मुक्तादामविभूषितम् । रत्नदण्डं गुडाकेशः प्रियः प्रियतमस्य ह ॥ १७ ॥

sitātapatraṁ jagrāha muktādāma-vibhūṣitam ratna-daṇḍaṁ guḍākeśaḥ priyaḥ priyatamasya ha

Gudakesha — Arjuna, beloved of the most beloved — took up the white parasol, its handle set with jewels and its rim strung with pearls.

Verse 18 (bhagavata.1.10.18)

उद्धवः सात्यकिश्चैव व्यजने परमाद्भुते । विकीर्यमाणः कुसुमै रेजे मधुपतिः पथि ॥ १८ ॥

uddhavaḥ sātyakiś caiva vyajane paramādbhute vikīryamāṇaḥ kusumai reje madhu-patiḥ pathi

Uddhava and Satyaki both fanned him with the most wondrous fans, and the lord of the Madhu clan, showered with flowers, shone radiant upon the road.

Verse 19 (bhagavata.1.10.19)

अश्रूयन्ताशिषः सत्यास्तत्र तत्र द्विजेरिताः । नानुरूपानुरूपाश्च निर्गुणस्य गुणात्मनः ॥ १९ ॥

aśrūyantāśiṣaḥ satyās tatra tatra dvijeritāḥ nānurūpānurūpāś ca nirguṇasya guṇātmanaḥ

Sincere benedictions could be heard here and there, spoken by brahmins — some seeming to fit him, some not, for he is beyond all material qualities even as he is the very source of every quality.

Verse 20 (bhagavata.1.10.20)

अन्योन्यमासीत्सञ्जल्प उत्तमश्लोकचेतसाम् । कौरवेन्द्रपुरस्त्रीणां सर्वश्रुतिमनोहरः ॥ २० ॥

anyonyam āsīt sañjalpa uttama-śloka-cetasām kauravendra-pura-strīṇāṁ sarva-śruti-mano-haraḥ

Among the women of the Kuru capital, their hearts absorbed in him who is celebrated in the finest verse, conversation arose that was, of all things, most delightful to hear.

Verse 21 (bhagavata.1.10.21)

स वै किलायं पुरुषः पुरातनो य एक आसीदविशेष आत्मनि । अग्रे गुणेभ्यो जगदात्मनीश्वरे निमीलितात्मन्निशि सुप्तशक्तिषु ॥ २१ ॥

sa vai kilāyaṁ puruṣaḥ purātano ya eka āsīd aviśeṣa ātmani agre guṇebhyo jagad-ātmanīśvare nimīlitātman niśi supta-śaktiṣu

This is indeed that same primeval Person — who alone existed, undivided within himself, before the emergence of the three qualities, in the Lord who is the very self of the universe, when all things lay as if with eyes closed in night, their powers asleep.

Verse 22 (bhagavata.1.10.22)

स एव भूयो निजवीर्यचोदितां स्वजीवमायां प्रकृतिं सिसृक्षतीम् । अनामरूपात्मनि रूपनामनी विधित्समानोऽनुससार शास्त्रकृत् ॥ २२ ॥

sa eva bhūyo nija-vīrya-coditāṁ sva-jīva-māyāṁ prakṛtiṁ sisṛkṣatīm anāma-rūpātmani rūpa-nāmanī vidhitsamāno ’nusasāra śāstra-kṛt

That very Person, once more, entered his own maya-nature — impelled by his own power and eager to bring forth creation, the seed-ground of individual souls — and wishing to impose name and form upon what is in itself without name or form, he, the author of the scriptures, followed close behind her.

Verse 23 (bhagavata.1.10.23)

स वा अयं यत्पदमत्र सूरयो जितेन्द्रिया निर्जितमातरिश्वनः । पश्यन्ति भक्त्युत्कलितामलात्मना नन्वेष सत्त्वं परिमार्ष्टुमर्हति ॥ २३ ॥

sa vā ayaṁ yat padam atra sūrayo jitendriyā nirjita-mātariśvanaḥ paśyanti bhakty-utkalitāmalātmanā nanv eṣa sattvaṁ parimārṣṭum arhati

He indeed is the one whose true station is beheld here by sages of conquered senses, who have mastered even the breath of life, seeing him with hearts made spotless and unfolded through devotion — surely he alone is fit to purify our very being.

Verse 24 (bhagavata.1.10.24)

स वा अयं सख्यनुगीतसत्कथो वेदेषु गुह्येषु च गुह्यवादिभिः । य एक ईशो जगदात्मलीलया सृजत्यवत्यत्ति न तत्र सज्जते ॥ २४ ॥

sa vā ayaṁ sakhy anugīta-sat-katho vedeṣu guhyeṣu ca guhya-vādibhiḥ ya eka īśo jagad-ātma-līlayā sṛjaty avaty atti na tatra sajjate

He indeed is this one, dear friend, whose true glories the tellers of hidden truths sing in the secret Vedas — who alone, the Lord, being the very self of the universe, creates it, sustains it, and consumes it again through his own play, and yet remains unattached to it.

Verse 25 (bhagavata.1.10.25)

यदा ह्यधर्मेण तमोधियो नृपा जीवन्ति तत्रैष हि सत्त्वतः किल । धत्ते भगं सत्यमृतं दयां यशो भवाय रूपाणि दधद्युगे युगे ॥ २५ ॥

yadā hy adharmeṇa tamo-dhiyo nṛpā jīvanti tatraiṣa hi sattvataḥ kila dhatte bhagaṁ satyam ṛtaṁ dayāṁ yaśo bhavāya rūpāṇi dadhad yuge yuge

Whenever kings of clouded understanding come to live by unrighteousness, then indeed, moved by pure goodness, he takes up glory, truth, sacred order, compassion and renown, assuming forms age after age for the world's own good.

Verse 26 (bhagavata.1.10.26)

अहो अलं श्लाघ्यतमं यदोः कुल- महो अलं पुण्यतमं मधोर्वनम् । यदेष पुंसामृषभः श्रियः पतिः स्वजन्मना चङ्क्रमणेन चाञ्चति ॥ २६ ॥

aho alaṁ ślāghyatamaṁ yadoḥ kulam aho alaṁ puṇyatamaṁ madhor vanam yad eṣa puṁsām ṛṣabhaḥ śriyaḥ patiḥ sva-janmanā caṅkramaṇena cāñcati

Oh, how truly worthy of praise is the Yadu lineage! Oh, how truly sacred is the forest-land of Madhu! For this foremost of men, the consort of Shri, graces them both — by his very birth, and by his wandering footsteps there.

Verse 27 (bhagavata.1.10.27)

अहो बत स्वर्यशसस्तिरस्करी कुशस्थली पुण्ययशस्करी भुवः । पश्यन्ति नित्यं यदनुग्रहेषितं स्मितावलोकं स्वपतिं स्म यत्प्रजाः ॥ २७ ॥

aho bata svar-yaśasas tiraskarī kuśasthalī puṇya-yaśaskarī bhuvaḥ paśyanti nityaṁ yad anugraheṣitaṁ smitāvalokaṁ sva-patiṁ sma yat-prajāḥ

Oh, how Kushasthali has eclipsed the very glory of heaven, and become the bestower of sacred renown upon the earth — for its people forever behold their own lord's smiling, gracious glance.

Verse 28 (bhagavata.1.10.28)

नूनं व्रतस्नानहुतादिनेश्वरः समर्चितो ह्यस्य गृहीतपाणिभिः । पिबन्ति याः सख्यधरामृतं मुहु- र्व्रजस्त्रियः सम्मुमुहुर्यदाशयाः ॥ २८ ॥

nūnaṁ vrata-snāna-hutādineśvaraḥ samarcito hy asya gṛhīta-pāṇibhiḥ pibanti yāḥ sakhy adharāmṛtaṁ muhur vraja-striyaḥ sammumuhur yad-āśayāḥ

Surely, friend, the Lord was won through vows, sacred bathing, fire-offerings and the like by those women whose hands he has taken in marriage — for they now drink again and again the nectar of his lips, a longing for which alone once made the women of Vraja swoon.

Verse 29 (bhagavata.1.10.29)

या वीर्यशुल्केन हृताः स्वयंवरे प्रमथ्य चैद्यप्रमुखान् हि शुष्मिणः । प्रद्युम्नसाम्बाम्बसुतादयोऽपरा याश्चाहृता भौमवधे सहस्रशः ॥ २९ ॥

yā vīrya-śulkena hṛtāḥ svayaṁvare pramathya caidya-pramukhān hi śuṣmiṇaḥ pradyumna-sāmbāmba-sutādayo ’parā yāś cāhṛtā bhauma-vadhe sahasraśaḥ

Those wives won at the bridal contest for the bride-price of sheer valor, when he overpowered the mighty kings led by the ruler of Chedi; and the others besides — the mothers of Pradyumna, Samba, Amba and more; and those thousands more taken when Bhaumasura was slain —

Verse 30 (bhagavata.1.10.30)

एताः परं स्त्रीत्वमपास्तपेशलं निरस्तशौचं बत साधु कुर्वते । यासां गृहात्पुष्करलोचनः पति- र्न जात्वपैत्याहृतिभिर्हृदि स्पृशन् ॥ ३० ॥

etāḥ paraṁ strītvam apāstapeśalaṁ nirasta-śaucaṁ bata sādhu kurvate yāsāṁ gṛhāt puṣkara-locanaḥ patir na jātv apaity āhṛtibhir hṛdi spṛśan

These women make even that condition of womanhood — stripped of its charm, robbed of its accustomed grace — into something wholly good and blessed. For their lotus-eyed husband never departs from their homes, ever touching their hearts with his loving attentions.

Verse 31 (bhagavata.1.10.31)

एवंविधा गदन्तीनां स गिरः पुरयोषिताम् । निरीक्षणेनाभिनन्दन् सस्मितेन ययौ हरिः ॥ ३१ ॥

evaṁvidhā gadantīnāṁ sa giraḥ pura-yoṣitām nirīkṣaṇenābhinandan sasmitena yayau hariḥ

As the women of the city spoke such words, Hari greeted them with his glance, and smiling, went on his way.

Verse 32 (bhagavata.1.10.32)

अजातशत्रुः पृतनां गोपीथाय मधुद्विषः । परेभ्यः शङ्कितः स्नेहात्प्रायुङ्क्त चतुरङ्गिणीम् ॥ ३२ ॥

ajāta-śatruḥ pṛtanāṁ gopīthāya madhu-dviṣaḥ parebhyaḥ śaṅkitaḥ snehāt prāyuṅkta catur-aṅgiṇīm

Yudhishthira, the king without enmity, moved by affection and wary of possible enemies, sent a fourfold army to guard the foe of the demon Madhu on his way.

Verse 33 (bhagavata.1.10.33)

अथ दूरागतान् शौरिः कौरवान् विरहातुरान् । सन्निवर्त्य दृढं स्निग्धान् प्रायात्स्वनगरीं प्रियैः ॥ ३३ ॥

atha dūrāgatān śauriḥ kauravān virahāturān sannivartya dṛḍhaṁ snigdhān prāyāt sva-nagarīṁ priyaiḥ

Then Krishna, having firmly persuaded the Kauravas — who had come a long way, deeply affectionate and already grieving the coming parting — to turn back, went on toward his own city together with his dear companions.

Verse 34 (bhagavata.1.10.34)

कुरुजाङ्गलपाञ्चालान् शूरसेनान् सयामुनान् । ब्रह्मावर्तं कुरुक्षेत्रं मत्स्यान् सारस्वतानथ ॥ ३४ ॥

kuru-jāṅgala-pāñcālān śūrasenān sayāmunān brahmāvartaṁ kurukṣetraṁ matsyān sārasvatān atha

He passed through Kurujangala and Panchala, through Shurasena and the lands along the Yamuna, through Brahmavarta and Kurukshetra, through Matsya, and then Sarasvata,

Verse 35 (bhagavata.1.10.35)

मरुधन्वमतिक्रम्य सौवीराभीरयोः परान् । आनर्तान् भार्गवोपागाच्छ्रान्तवाहो मनाग्विभुः ॥ ३५ ॥

maru-dhanvam atikramya sauvīrābhīrayoḥ parān ānartān bhārgavopāgāc chrāntavāho manāg vibhuḥ

and having crossed the desert waste, and the outlying lands of Sauvira and Abhira, the all-powerful Lord, O descendant of Bhrigu, at last reached Anarta, his horses now a little wearied.

Verse 36 (bhagavata.1.10.36)

तत्र तत्र ह तत्रत्यैर्हरिः प्रत्युद्यतार्हणः । सायं भेजे दिशं पश्चाद्गविष्ठो गां गतस्तदा ॥ ३६ ॥

tatra tatra ha tatratyair hariḥ pratyudyatārhaṇaḥ sāyaṁ bheje diśaṁ paścād gaviṣṭho gāṁ gatas tadā

In each place along the way, Hari was welcomed by the local people bearing offerings; and each evening, as the sun sank into the west and touched the earth, he too would turn toward the west and rest for the night.