The Song of the Bee

Verse 1 (bhagavata.10.47.1)

श्रीशुक उवाच तं वीक्ष्य कृष्णानुचरं व्रजस्त्रियः प्रलम्बबाहुं नवकञ्जलोचनम् । पीताम्बरं पुष्करमालिनं लस- न्मुखारविन्दं परिमृष्टकुण्डलम् ॥ १ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca taṁ vīkṣya kṛṣānucaraṁ vraja-striyaḥ pralamba-bāhuṁ nava-kañja-locanam pītāmbaraṁ puṣkara-mālinaṁ lasan- mukhāravindaṁ parimṛṣṭa-kuṇḍalam

Shri Shukadeva said: The women of Vraja gazed upon Krishna's attendant — long-armed, his eyes like a freshly opened lotus, clad in yellow garments, wearing a garland of lotuses, his lotus-face radiant, his polished earrings gleaming.

Verse 2 (bhagavata.10.47.2)

सुविस्मिताः कोऽयमपीव्यदर्शनः कुतश्च कस्याच्युतवेषभूषणः । इति स्म सर्वाः परिवव्रुरुत्सुका- स्तमुत्तमःश्लोकपदाम्बुजाश्रयम् ॥ २ ॥

su-vismitāḥ ko ’yam apīvya-darśanaḥ kutaś ca kasyācyuta-veṣa-bhūṣaṇaḥ iti sma sarvāḥ parivavrur utsukās tam uttamaḥ-śloka-padāmbujāśrayam

Utterly astonished, they said, "Who is this handsome man? Where has he come from, and to whom does he belong? He wears the very garments and ornaments of Achyuta!" So saying, they all eagerly crowded around him — this man whose sole refuge was the lotus feet of Uttamashloka.

Verse 3 (bhagavata.10.47.3)

तं प्रश्रयेणावनताः सुसत्कृतं सव्रीडहासेक्षणसूनृतादिभिः । रहस्यपृच्छन्नुपविष्टमासने विज्ञाय सन्देशहरं रमापतेः ॥ ३ ॥

taṁ praśrayeṇāvanatāḥ su-sat-kṛtaṁ sa-vrīḍa-hāsekṣaṇa-sūnṛtādibhiḥ rahasy apṛcchann upaviṣṭam āsane vijñāya sandeśa-haraṁ ramā-pateḥ

Bowing low in humility, they honored him well with shy smiles, glances and gentle words; and recognizing him as the messenger of Rama's Lord, they seated him and, in a quiet place, began to question him.

Verse 4 (bhagavata.10.47.4)

जानीमस्त्वां यदुपतेः पार्षदं समुपागतम् । भर्त्रेह प्रेषितः पित्रोर्भवान् प्रियचिकीर्षया ॥ ४ ॥

jānīmas tvāṁ yadu-pateḥ pārṣadaṁ samupāgatam bhartreha preṣitaḥ pitror bhavān priya-cikīrṣayā

[The gopis said:] We know you to be the personal attendant of the Lord of the Yadus, come here now. Your master, wishing to bring joy to His parents, has surely sent you.

Verse 5 (bhagavata.10.47.5)

अन्यथा गोव्रजे तस्य स्मरणीयं न चक्ष्महे । स्नेहानुबन्धो बन्धूनां मुनेरपि सुदुस्त्यजः ॥ ५ ॥

anyathā go-vraje tasya smaraṇīyaṁ na cakṣmahe snehānubandho bandhūnāṁ muner api su-dustyajaḥ

Otherwise, we see nothing else in this cow-village that He would think worth remembering. The bond of affection for one's kin is hard to break, even for a sage.

Verse 6 (bhagavata.10.47.6)

अन्येष्वर्थकृता मैत्री यावदर्थविडम्बनम् । पुम्भिः स्त्रीषु कृता यद्वत् सुमनःस्विव षट्पदैः ॥ ६ ॥

anyeṣv artha-kṛtā maitrī yāvad-artha-viḍambanam pumbhiḥ strīṣu kṛtā yadvat sumanaḥsv iva ṣaṭpadaiḥ

Friendship formed with others out of self-interest is a mere pretense, lasting only as long as the purpose it serves — like the friendship of men toward women, or of bees toward lovely flowers.

Verse 7 (bhagavata.10.47.7)

निःस्वं त्यजन्ति गणिका अकल्पं नृपतिं प्रजाः । अधीतविद्या आचार्यमृत्विजो दत्तदक्षिणम् ॥ ७ ॥

niḥsvaṁ tyajanti gaṇikā akalpaṁ nṛpatiṁ prajāḥ adhīta-vidyā ācāryam ṛtvijo datta-dakṣiṇam

Courtesans abandon a penniless man, subjects an incapable king, students their teacher once their learning is complete, and priests the patron once the sacrificial fee has been paid.

Verse 8 (bhagavata.10.47.8)

खगा वीतफलं वृक्षं भुक्त्वा चातिथयो गृहम् । दग्धं मृगास्तथारण्यं जारा भुक्त्वा रतां स्त्रियम् ॥ ८ ॥

khagā vīta-phalaṁ vṛkṣaṁ bhuktvā cātithayo gṛham dagdhaṁ mṛgās tathāraṇyaṁ jārā bhuktvā ratāṁ striyam

Birds abandon a tree once its fruit is gone; guests, a house once they have eaten; deer, a forest once it has burned; and a paramour, the woman he has enjoyed.

Verse 9 (bhagavata.10.47.9)

इति गोप्यो हि गोविन्दे गतवाक्कायमानसाः । कृष्णदूते समायाते उद्धवे त्यक्तलौकिकाः ॥ ९ ॥

iti gopyo hi govinde gata-vāk-kāya-mānasāḥ kṛṣṇa-dūte samāyāte uddhave tyakta-laukikāḥ

Thus speaking, the gopis — whose speech, bodies and minds were wholly given over to Govinda — now that Krishna's messenger Uddhava had arrived, put aside all worldly concerns and —

Verse 10 (bhagavata.10.47.10)

गायन्त्यः प्रियकर्माणि रुदन्त्यश्च गतह्रियः । तस्य संस्मृत्य संस्मृत्य यानि कैशोरबाल्ययोः ॥ १० ॥

gāyantyaḥ prīya-karmāṇi rudantyaś ca gata-hriyaḥ tasya saṁsmṛtya saṁsmṛtya yāni kaiśora-bālyayoḥ

— casting aside all shyness, they, remembering again and again His beloved deeds of childhood and youth, at times sang of them and at times wept.

Verse 11 (bhagavata.10.47.11)

काचिन्मधुकरं दृष्ट्वा ध्यायन्ती कृष्णसङ्गमम् । प्रियप्रस्थापितं दूतं कल्पयित्वेदमब्रवीत् ॥ ११ ॥

kācin madhukaraṁ dṛṣṭvā dhyāyantī kṛṣṇa-saṅgamam priya-prasthāpitaṁ dūtaṁ kalpayitvedam abravīt

One gopi, absorbed in remembering her past union with Krishna, saw a honeybee before her; imagining it a messenger sent by her beloved, she spoke thus.

Verse 12 (bhagavata.10.47.12)

गोप्युवाच मधुप कितवबन्धो मा स्पृशाङ्घ्रिं सपत्न्याः कुचविलुलितमालाकुङ्कुमश्मश्रुभिर्नः । वहतु मधुपतिस्तन्मानिनीनां प्रसादं यदुसदसि विडम्ब्यं यस्य दूतस्त्वमीदृक् ॥ १२ ॥

gopy uvāca madhupa kitava-bandho mā spṛśaṅghriṁ sapatnyāḥ kuca-vilulita-mālā-kuṅkuma-śmaśrubhir naḥ vahatu madhu-patis tan-māninīnāṁ prasādaṁ yadu-sadasi viḍambyaṁ yasya dūtas tvam īdṛk

The gopi said: O bee, O friend of that deceiver — do not touch my feet with those whiskers of yours, smeared with kumkum rubbed off a garland crushed against some rival's breast! Let the lord of Madhu go bestow his favor on those proud women of his. One who sends a messenger like you will only be mocked in the Yadu assembly.

Verse 13 (bhagavata.10.47.13)

सकृदधरसुधां स्वां मोहिनीं पाययित्वा सुमनस इव सद्यस्तत्यजेऽस्मान् भवादृक् । परिचरति कथं तत्पादपद्मं नु पद्मा ह्यपि बत हृतचेता ह्युत्तमःश्लोकजल्पैः ॥ १३ ॥

sakṛd adhara-sudhāṁ svāṁ mohinīṁ pāyayitvā sumanasa iva sadyas tatyaje ’smān bhavādṛk paricarati kathaṁ tat-pāda-padmaṁ nu padmā hy api bata hṛta-cetā hy uttamaḥ-śloka-jalpaiḥ

Having once let us drink the enchanting nectar of His lips, He abandoned us as swiftly as you might abandon a flower — for you are just like Him. Then why does even Lakshmi serve His lotus feet? Alas, her heart too must have been stolen by that deceiver's honeyed words.

Verse 14 (bhagavata.10.47.14)

किमिह बहु षडङ्घ्रे गायसि त्वं यदूना- मधिपतिमगृहाणामग्रतो नः पुराणम् । विजयसखसखीनां गीयतां तत्प्रसङ्गः क्षपितकुचरुजस्ते कल्पयन्तीष्टमिष्टाः ॥ १४ ॥

kim iha bahu ṣaḍ-aṅghre gāyasi tvaṁ yadūnām adhipatim agṛhāṇām agrato naḥ purāṇam vijaya-sakha-sakhīnāṁ gīyatāṁ tat-prasaṅgaḥ kṣapita-kuca-rujas te kalpayantīṣṭam iṣṭāḥ

Bee, why sing so much here, before us homeless women, this old song of the Yadu lord's glories? Go instead and sing this same tale before the new companions of Arjuna's friend, whose burning breasts He has just now soothed — those favored ladies will surely grant you whatever alms you desire.

Verse 15 (bhagavata.10.47.15)

दिवि भुवि च रसायां काः स्त्रियस्तद्दुरापाः कपटरुचिरहासभ्रूविजृम्भस्य याः स्युः । चरणरज उपास्ते यस्य भूतिर्वयं का अपि च कृपणपक्षे ह्युत्तमःश्लोकशब्दः ॥ १५ ॥

divi bhuvi ca rasāyāṁ kāḥ striyas tad-durāpāḥ kapaṭa-rucira-hāsa-bhrū-vijṛmbhasya yāḥ syuḥ caraṇa-raja upāste yasya bhūtir vayaṁ kā api ca kṛpaṇa-pakṣe hy uttamaḥ-śloka-śabdaḥ

In heaven, on earth, or in the netherworld — what woman is beyond His reach, He who wins any heart with a mere deceptive arch of His brow and a charming smile? The goddess Shri herself serves the dust of His feet — what then are we? Still, this much remains true for the wretched: even they may freely utter His name, Uttamashloka.

Verse 16 (bhagavata.10.47.16)

विसृज शिरसि पादं वेद्म्यहं चाटुकारै- रनुनयविदुषस्तेऽभ्येत्य दौत्यैर्मुकुन्दात् । स्वकृत इह विसृष्टापत्यपत्यन्यलोका व्यसृजदकृतचेताः किं नु सन्धेयमस्मिन् ॥ १६ ॥

visṛja śirasi pādaṁ vedmy ahaṁ cātu-kārair anunaya-viduṣas te ’bhyetya dautyair mukundāt sva-kṛta iha viṣṛṣṭāpatya-paty-anya-lokā vyasṛjad akṛta-cetāḥ kiṁ nu sandheyam asmin

Take your foot off my head! I know exactly what you're doing — you learned this flattery well from Mukunda, and now come as His messenger of reconciliation. Those who abandoned their own children, husbands and all else for His sake alone — He simply cast them off; He is thankless by nature. What, then, is to be gained by making peace with Him now?

Verse 17 (bhagavata.10.47.17)

मृगयुरिव कपीन्द्रं विव्यधे लुब्धधर्मा स्त्रियमकृत विरूपां स्त्रीजितः कामयानाम् । बलिमपि बलिमत्त्वावेष्टयद् ध्वाङ्क्षवद्- यस्तदलमसितसख्यैर्दुस्त्यजस्तत्कथार्थः ॥ १७ ॥

mṛgayur iva kapīndraṁ vivyadhe lubdha-dharmā striyam akṛta virūpāṁ strī-jitaḥ kāma-yānām balim api balim attvāveṣṭayad dhvāṅkṣa-vad yas tad alam asita-sakhyair dustyajas tat-kathārthaḥ

Like a cunning hunter He pierced the king of the monkeys with arrows; conquered by one woman's charm He disfigured another woman driven by desire; and having accepted Bali's offering, He bound him up like a mere crow. Enough, then, of friendship with that dark one — even if giving up the taste for His stories remains hard.

Verse 18 (bhagavata.10.47.18)

यदनुचरितलीलाकर्णपीयूषविप्रुट्- सकृददनविधूतद्वन्द्वधर्मा विनष्टाः । सपदि गृहकुटुम्बं दीनमुत्सृज्य दीना बहव इह विहङ्गा भिक्षुचर्यां चरन्ति ॥ १८ ॥

yad-anucarita-līlā-karṇa-pīyūṣa-vipruṭ- sakṛd-adana-vidhūta-dvandva-dharmā vinaṣṭāḥ sapadi gṛha-kuṭumbaṁ dīnam utsṛjya dīnā bahava iha vihaṅgā bhikṣu-caryāṁ caranti

A single drop of the nectar that flows from the ears when hearing of His pastimes is enough to wash away one's grip on worldly dualities. Many here, tasting it just once, have at once abandoned their humble homes and families, become wanderers themselves, and now roam about like birds, living on alms.

Verse 19 (bhagavata.10.47.19)

वयमृतमिव जिह्मव्याहृतं श्रद्दधानाः कुलिकरुतमिवाज्ञाः कृष्णवध्वो हरिण्यः । ददृशुरसकृदेतत्तन्नखस्पर्शतीव्र- स्मररुज उपमन्त्रिन् भण्यतामन्यवार्ता ॥ १९ ॥

vayam ṛtam iva jihma-vyāhṛtaṁ śraddadhānāḥ kulika-rutam ivājñāḥ kṛṣṇa-vadhvo hariṇyaḥ dadṛśur asakṛd etat tan-nakha-sparśa-tīvra smara-ruja upamantrin bhaṇyatām anya-vārtā

Trusting his deceitful words as true, we too became like those foolish doe-deer who believe the ruthless hunter's tune. Again and again we have felt the sharp pang of desire kindled by the touch of His nails. O go-between, speak now of something other than Krishna.

Verse 20 (bhagavata.10.47.20)

प्रियसख पुनरागाः प्रेयसा प्रेषितः किं वरय किमनुरुन्धे माननीयोऽसि मेऽङ्ग । नयसि कथमिहास्मान् दुस्त्यजद्वन्द्वपार्श्वं सततमुरसि सौम्य श्रीर्वधूः साकमास्ते ॥ २० ॥

priya-sakha punar āgāḥ preyasā preṣitaḥ kiṁ varaya kim anurundhe mānanīyo ’si me ’ṅga nayasi katham ihāsmān dustyaja-dvandva-pārśvaṁ satatam urasi saumya śrīr vadhūḥ sākam āste

Dear friend of my beloved, has He sent you again? Ask of me whatever boon you wish — you deserve my honor. But gentle one, how will you take us to Him whose companionship is so hard to give up, whose chest is forever occupied by His bride, the goddess Shri herself?

Verse 21 (bhagavata.10.47.21)

अपि बत मधुपुर्यामार्यपुत्रोऽधुनास्ते स्मरति स पितृगेहान् सौम्य बन्धूंश्च गोपान् । क्वचिदपि स कथा नः किङ्करीणां गृणीते भुजमगुरुसुगन्धं मूर्ध्न्यधास्यत् कदा नु ॥ २१ ॥

api bata madhu-puryām ārya-putro ’dhunāste smarati sa pitṛ-gehān saumya bandhūṁś ca gopān kvacid api sa kathā naḥ kiṅkarīṇāṁ gṛṇīte bhujam aguru-sugandhaṁ mūrdhny adhāsyat kadā nu

Alas, that noble-born one now dwells in Mathura! Gentle one, does He remember His father's household and His kinsmen, the cowherds? Does He ever speak of us, His servant-maids? When will He place upon our heads that hand of His, fragrant with aguru?

Verse 22 (bhagavata.10.47.22)

श्रीशुक उवाच अथोद्धवो निशम्यैवं कृष्णदर्शनलालसाः । सान्त्वयन् प्रियसन्देशैर्गोपीरिदमभाषत ॥ २२ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca athoddhavo niśamyaivaṁ kṛṣṇa-darśana-lālasāḥ sāntvayan priya-sandeśair gopīr idam abhāṣata

Shukadeva said: Hearing this from the gopis, who were consumed with longing to see Krishna, Uddhava then spoke to console them, delivering their beloved's own message.

Verse 23 (bhagavata.10.47.23)

श्रीउद्धव उवाच अहो यूयं स्म पूर्णार्था भवत्यो लोकपूजिताः । वासुदेवे भगवति यासामित्यर्पितं मनः ॥ २३ ॥

śrī-uddhava uvāca aho yūyaṁ sma pūrṇārthā bhavatyo loka-pūjitāḥ vāsudeve bhagavati yāsām ity arpitaṁ manaḥ

Shri Uddhava said: Ah, you gopis have truly attained the fullness of life's purpose, and the whole world honors you, for you have surrendered your hearts so completely to Bhagavan Vasudeva.

Verse 24 (bhagavata.10.47.24)

दानव्रततपोहोम जपस्वाध्यायसंयमैः । श्रेयोभिर्विविधैश्चान्यैः कृष्णे भक्तिर्हि साध्यते ॥ २४ ॥

dāna-vrata-tapo-homa japa-svādhyāya-saṁyamaiḥ śreyobhir vividhaiś cānyaiḥ kṛṣṇe bhaktir hi sādhyate

By charity, vows, austerity, fire-offerings, japa, scriptural study, self-restraint and many other worthy practices — by such means devotion to Krishna is ordinarily attained.

Verse 25 (bhagavata.10.47.25)

भगवत्युत्तमःश्लोके भवतीभिरनुत्तमा । भक्तिः प्रवर्तिता दिष्ट्या मुनीनामपि दुर्लभा ॥ २५ ॥

bhagavaty uttamaḥ-śloke bhavatībhir anuttamā bhaktiḥ pravartitā diṣṭyā munīnām api durlabhā

Yet you, by sheer good fortune, have manifested toward Bhagavan Uttamashloka a devotion beyond compare — one that even the sages find hard to attain.

Verse 26 (bhagavata.10.47.26)

दिष्ट्या पुत्रान्पतीन्देहान् स्वजनान्भवनानि च । हित्वावृणीत यूयं यत् कृष्णाख्यं पुरुषं परम् ॥ २६ ॥

diṣṭyā putrān patīn dehān sva-janān bhavanāni ca hitvāvṛnīta yūyaṁ yat kṛṣṇākhyaṁ puruṣaṁ param

It is fortunate indeed that you have given up sons, husbands, bodily comforts, kinsfolk and homes, and chosen for yourselves that Supreme Person known as Krishna.

Verse 27 (bhagavata.10.47.27)

सर्वात्मभावोऽधिकृतो भवतीनामधोक्षजे । विरहेण महाभागा महान्मेऽनुग्रहः कृतः ॥ २७ ॥

sarvātma-bhāvo ’dhikṛto bhavatīnām adhokṣaje viraheṇa mahā-bhāgā mahān me ’nugrahaḥ kṛtaḥ

O most blessed ones, your complete surrender of self to the transcendent Lord is entirely fitting. Indeed, through the very sight of your longing in separation, you have shown great kindness even to me.

Verse 28 (bhagavata.10.47.28)

श्रूयतां प्रियसन्देशो भवतीनां सुखावहः । यमादायागतो भद्रा अहं भर्तू रहस्करः ॥ २८ ॥

śrūyatāṁ priya-sandeśo bhavatīnāṁ sukhāvahaḥ yam ādāyāgato bhadrā ahaṁ bhartū rahas-karaḥ

Now hear, blessed ladies, the joy-bringing message of your beloved, which I, His confidential servant, have brought here for you.

Verse 29 (bhagavata.10.47.29)

श्रीभगवानुवाच भवतीनां वियोगो मे न हि सर्वात्मना क्वचित् । यथा भूतानि भूतेषु खं वाय्वग्निर्जलं मही । तथाहं च मनःप्राणभूतेन्द्रियगुणाश्रयः ॥ २९ ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca bhavatīnāṁ viyogo me na hi sarvātmanā kvacit yathā bhūtāni bhūteṣu khaṁ vāyv-agnir jalaṁ mahī tathāhaṁ ca manaḥ-prāṇa- bhūtendriya-guṇāśrayaḥ

The Supreme Lord said: I am never, in truth, wholly separated from you. Just as the five elements — ether, air, fire, water and earth — dwell within every created being, so I too am ever present, the very ground of everyone's mind, life-breath, elements, senses and qualities.

Verse 30 (bhagavata.10.47.30)

आत्मन्येवात्मनात्मानं सृजे हन्म्यनुपालये । आत्ममायानुभावेन भूतेन्द्रियगुणात्मना ॥ ३० ॥

ātmany evātmanātmānaṁ sṛje hanmy anupālaye ātma-māyānubhāvena bhūtendriya-guṇātmanā

Within Myself, by Myself, I create, destroy and sustain Myself — all through the power of My own maya, which takes the form of the elements, the senses and the qualities.

Verse 31 (bhagavata.10.47.31)

आत्मा ज्ञानमयः शुद्धो व्यतिरिक्तोऽगुणान्वयः । सुषुप्तिस्वप्नजाग्रद्भिर्मायावृत्तिभिरीयते ॥ ३१ ॥

ātmā jñāna-mayaḥ śuddho vyatirikto ’guṇānvayaḥ suṣupti-svapna-jāgradbhir māyā-vṛttibhir īyate

The self is pure, made of consciousness alone, distinct from all matter and untouched by the modes; it is known only through the workings of maya — through deep sleep, dream and waking.

Verse 32 (bhagavata.10.47.32)

येनेन्द्रियार्थान् ध्यायेत मृषा स्वप्नवदुत्थितः । तन्निरुन्ध्यादिन्द्रियाणि विनिद्रः प्रत्यपद्यत ॥ ३२ ॥

yenendriyārthān dhyāyeta mṛṣā svapna-vad utthitaḥ tan nirundhyād indriyāṇi vinidraḥ pratyapadyata

Just as one who has risen from sleep may still dwell on a dream though it is unreal, so through the mind alone does one dwell on sense-objects. One should therefore restrain that very mind and, becoming fully awake, attain one's true nature.

Verse 33 (bhagavata.10.47.33)

एतदन्तः समाम्नायो योगः साङ्ख्यं मनीषिणाम् । त्यागस्तपो दमः सत्यं समुद्रान्ता इवापगाः ॥ ३३ ॥

etad-antaḥ samāmnāyo yogaḥ sāṅkhyaṁ manīṣiṇām tyāgas tapo damaḥ satyaṁ samudrāntā ivāpagāḥ

All the wisdom of the scriptures, and every practice of yoga, Sankhya philosophy, renunciation, austerity, self-control and truth cherished by the wise, culminates ultimately in this alone — just as every river, in the end, merges into the sea.

Verse 34 (bhagavata.10.47.34)

यत्त्वहं भवतीनां वै दूरे वर्ते प्रियो दृशाम् । मनसः सन्निकर्षार्थं मदनुध्यानकाम्यया ॥ ३४ ॥

yat tv ahaṁ bhavatīnāṁ vai dūre varte priyo dṛśām manasaḥ sannikarṣārthaṁ mad-anudhyāna-kāmyayā

And yet the reason I, so dear to your eyes, remain far from you, is only this — that through constant meditation upon Me, your minds may draw ever nearer to Me.

Verse 35 (bhagavata.10.47.35)

यथा दूरचरे प्रेष्ठे मन आविश्य वर्तते । स्त्रीणां च न तथा चेतः सन्निकृष्टेऽक्षिगोचरे ॥ ३५ ॥

yathā dūra-care preṣṭhe mana āviśya vartate strīṇāṁ ca na tathā cetaḥ sannikṛṣṭe ’kṣi-gocare

When the beloved is far away, a woman's mind dwells on him completely — but her mind does not remain so absorbed when he stands close, within sight.

Verse 36 (bhagavata.10.47.36)

मय्यावेश्य मनः कृत्स्नं विमुक्ताशेषवृत्ति यत् । अनुस्मरन्त्यो मां नित्यमचिरान्मामुपैष्यथ ॥ ३६ ॥

mayy āveśya manaḥ kṛtsnaṁ vimuktāśeṣa-vṛtti yat anusmarantyo māṁ nityam acirān mām upaiṣyatha

So, fixing your whole mind on Me, freed from every other occupation, remembering Me always — you shall attain Me again very soon.

Verse 37 (bhagavata.10.47.37)

या मया क्रीडता रात्र्यां वनेऽस्मिन्व्रज आस्थिताः । अलब्धरासाः कल्याण्यो मापुर्मद्वीर्यचिन्तया ॥ ३७ ॥

yā mayā krīḍatā rātryāṁ vane ’smin vraja āsthitāḥ alabdha-rāsāḥ kalyāṇyo māpur mad-vīrya-cintayā

Even those virtuous women who, on that night of Mine sporting in this forest, remained behind in Vraja and could not join the rasa dance — they too attained Me, simply through contemplating My glory.

Verse 38 (bhagavata.10.47.38)

श्रीशुक उवाच एवं प्रियतमादिष्टमाकर्ण्य व्रजयोषितः । ता ऊचुरुद्धवं प्रीतास्तत्सन्देशागतस्मृतीः ॥ ३८ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca evaṁ priyatamādiṣṭam ākarṇya vraja-yoṣitaḥ tā ūcur uddhavaṁ prītās tat-sandeśāgata-smṛtīḥ

Shukadeva said: Hearing this message from their most beloved, the women of Vraja were filled with joy; and with memories stirred afresh by His words, they spoke thus to Uddhava.

Verse 39 (bhagavata.10.47.39)

गोप्य ऊचुः दिष्ट्याहितो हतः कंसो यदूनां सानुगोऽघकृत् । दिष्ट्याप्तैर्लब्धसर्वार्थैः कुशल्यास्तेऽच्युतोऽधुना ॥ ३९ ॥

gopya ūcuḥ diṣṭyāhito hataḥ kaṁso yadūnāṁ sānugo ’gha-kṛt diṣṭyāptair labdha-sarvārthaiḥ kuśaly āste ’cyuto ’dhunā

The gopis said: It is fortunate that Kamsa, the enemy and evildoer of the Yadus, has been slain along with his followers; and fortunate too that Achyuta now dwells happily, His well-wishers having gained all they desired.

Verse 40 (bhagavata.10.47.40)

कच्चिद् गदाग्रजः सौम्य करोति पुरयोषिताम् । प्रीतिं नः स्निग्धसव्रीडहासोदारेक्षणार्चितः ॥ ४० ॥

kaccid gadāgrajaḥ saumya karoti pura-yoṣitām prītiṁ naḥ snigdha-savrīḍa- hāsodārekṣaṇārcitaḥ

Gentle one, does Gada's elder brother now bestow on the city women that same love which was once ours? Surely they honor Him with their tender, bashful smiles and generous glances.

Verse 41 (bhagavata.10.47.41)

कथं रतिविशेषज्ञः प्रियश्च पुरयोषिताम् । नानुबध्येत तद्वाक्यैर्विभ्रमैश्चानुभाजितः ॥ ४१ ॥

kathaṁ rati-viśeṣa-jñaḥ priyaś ca pura-yoṣitām nānubadhyeta tad-vākyair vibhramaiś cānubhājitaḥ

Krishna, so skilled in the arts of love and so dear to the women of the city, constantly surrounded by their words and their charming gestures — how could He not become bound to them?

Verse 42 (bhagavata.10.47.42)

अपि स्मरति नः साधो गोविन्दः प्रस्तुते क्वचित् । गोष्ठिमध्ये पुरस्त्रीणां ग्राम्याः स्वैरकथान्तरे ॥ ४२ ॥

api smarati naḥ sādho govindaḥ prastute kvacit goṣṭhi-madhye pura-strīṇām grāmyāḥ svaira-kathāntare

O saintly one, in His free and easy talk with the city women, does Govinda ever, even in passing, recall us village women?

Verse 43 (bhagavata.10.47.43)

ताः किं निशाः स्मरति यासु तदा प्रियाभि- र्वृन्दावने कुमुदकुन्दशशाङ्करम्ये । रेमे क्वणच्चरणनूपुररासगोष्ठ्या- मस्माभिरीडितमनोज्ञकथः कदाचित् ॥ ४३ ॥

tāḥ kiṁ niśāḥ smarati yāsu tadā priyābhir vṛndāvane kumuda-kunda-śaśāṅka-ramye reme kvaṇac-caraṇa-nūpura-rāsa-goṣṭhyām asmābhir īḍita-manojña-kathaḥ kadācit

Does He ever recall those nights, lovely with white lotus, jasmine and moonlight, in Vrindavana — when, in the circle of the rasa dance ringing with anklets, He sported with us, His beloved companions, as we sang of His enchanting deeds?

Verse 44 (bhagavata.10.47.44)

अप्येष्यतीह दाशार्हस्तप्ताः स्वकृतया शुचा । सञ्जीवयन् नु नो गात्रैर्यथेन्द्रो वनमम्बुदैः ॥ ४४ ॥

apy eṣyatīha dāśārhas taptāḥ sva-kṛtayā śucā sañjīvayan nu no gātrair yathendro vanam ambudaiḥ

Will that descendant of Dashārha return here and, with the touch of His limbs, revive us who burn in the very grief He caused — just as Indra revives a scorched forest with the waters of his clouds?

Verse 45 (bhagavata.10.47.45)

कस्मात् कृष्ण इहायाति प्राप्तराज्यो हताहितः । नरेन्द्रकन्या उद्वाह्य प्रीतः सर्वसुहृद् वृतः ॥ ४५ ॥

kasmāt kṛṣṇa ihāyāti prāpta-rājyo hatāhitaḥ narendra-kanyā udvāhya prītaḥ sarva-suhṛd-vṛtaḥ

Now that He has won a kingdom, destroyed His enemies, married the daughters of kings, and sits content, surrounded by all His well-wishers — why should Krishna come here at all?

Verse 46 (bhagavata.10.47.46)

किमस्माभिर्वनौकोभिरन्याभिर्वा महात्मनः । श्रीपतेराप्तकामस्य क्रियेतार्थः कृतात्मनः ॥ ४६ ॥

kim asmābhir vanaukobhir anyābhir vā mahātmanaḥ śrī-pater āpta-kāmasya kriyetārthaḥ kṛtātmanaḥ

What purpose of that great soul, the Lord of Shri, ever content within Himself, His every desire already fulfilled — what could we forest-dwellers, or any other women, possibly serve for Him?

Verse 47 (bhagavata.10.47.47)

परं सौख्यं हि नैराश्यं स्वैरिण्यप्याहपिङ्गला । तज्जानतीनां नः कृष्णे तथाप्याशा दुरत्यया ॥ ४७ ॥

paraṁ saukhyaṁ hi nairāśyaṁ svairiṇy apy āha piṅgalā taj jānatīnāṁ naḥ kṛṣṇe tathāpy āśā duratyayā

Even the courtesan Pingala herself declared that the greatest happiness is the abandonment of hope. Yet, knowing this full well, we still cannot give up our hope for Krishna.

Verse 48 (bhagavata.10.47.48)

क उत्सहेत सन्त्यक्तुमुत्तमःश्लोकसंविदम् । अनिच्छतोऽपि यस्य श्रीरङ्गान्न च्यवते क्वचित् ॥ ४८ ॥

ka utsaheta santyaktum uttamaḥśloka-saṁvidam anicchato ’pi yasya śrīr aṅgān na cyavate kvacit

Who could ever have the heart to give up connection with Uttamashloka — He from whose form the goddess Shri never departs, even when He shows her no particular desire?

Verse 49 (bhagavata.10.47.49)

सरिच्छैलवनोद्देशा गावो वेणुरवा इमे । सङ्कर्षणसहायेन कृष्णेनाचरिताः प्रभो ॥ ४९ ॥

saric-chaila-vanoddeśā gāvo veṇu-ravā ime saṅkarṣaṇa-sahāyena kṛṣṇenācaritāḥ prabho

O lord, these rivers, hills, forest lands, cows, and the sound of the flute — all of these were once enjoyed here by Krishna, with Sankarshana as His companion.

Verse 50 (bhagavata.10.47.50)

पुनः पुनः स्मारयन्ति नन्दगोपसुतं बत । श्रीनिकेतैस्तत्पदकैर्विस्मर्तुं नैव शक्नुमः ॥ ५० ॥

punaḥ punaḥ smārayanti nanda-gopa-sutaṁ bata śrī-niketais tat-padakair vismartuṁ naiva śaknumaḥ

All these things again and again remind us of the cowherd Nanda's son. Alas, seeing His footprints marked with those auspicious signs, we can never forget Him.

Verse 51 (bhagavata.10.47.51)

गत्या ललितयोदारहासलीलावलोकनैः । माध्व्या गिरा हृतधियः कथं तं विस्मरामहे ॥ ५१ ॥

gatyā lalitayodāra- hāsa-līlāvalokanaiḥ mādhvyā girā hṛta-dhiyaḥ kathaṁ taṁ vismarāma he

His graceful gait, His generous, playful smiling glances, His honeyed speech — these have stolen our very minds. How, then, could we ever forget Him?

Verse 52 (bhagavata.10.47.52)

हे नाथ हे रमानाथ व्रजनाथार्तिनाशन । मग्नमुद्धर गोविन्द गोकुलं वृजिनार्णवात् ॥ ५२ ॥

he nātha he ramā-nātha vraja-nāthārti-nāśana magnam uddhara govinda gokulaṁ vṛjinārṇavāt

O Lord! O Lord of Rama! O Lord of Vraja! O destroyer of suffering, Govinda! Lift up Your Gokula, drowning in this ocean of grief!

Verse 53 (bhagavata.10.47.53)

श्रीशुक उवाच ततस्ताः कृष्णसन्देशैर्व्यपेतविरहज्वराः । उद्धवं पूजयां चक्रुर्ज्ञात्वात्मानमधोक्षजम् ॥ ५३ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca tatas tāḥ kṛṣṇa-sandeśair vyapeta-viraha-jvarāḥ uddhavaṁ pūjayāṁ cakrur jñātvātmānam adhokṣajam

Shukadeva said: Their fever of separation now soothed by Krishna's message, the gopis then worshiped Uddhava, recognizing him as one with Adhokshaja Himself.

Verse 54 (bhagavata.10.47.54)

उवास कतिचिन्मासान्गोपीनां विनुदन् शुचः । कृष्णलीलाकथां गायन् रमयामास गोकुलम् ॥ ५४ ॥

uvāsa katicin māsān gopīnāṁ vinudan śucaḥ kṛṣṇa-līlā-kathāṁ gāyan ramayām āsa gokulam

Uddhava remained there for several months, dissolving the gopis' sorrow, and by singing the stories of Krishna's pastimes brought joy to all of Gokula.

Verse 55 (bhagavata.10.47.55)

यावन्त्यहानि नन्दस्य व्रजेऽवात्सीत् स उद्धवः । व्रजौकसां क्षणप्रायाण्यासन् कृष्णस्य वार्तया ॥ ५५ ॥

yāvanty ahāni nandasya vraje ’vātsīt sa uddhavaḥ vrajaukasāṁ kṣaṇa-prāyāṇy āsan kṛṣṇasya vārtayā

For all the days that Uddhava dwelled in Nanda's Vraja, absorbed as they were in talk of Krishna, those days seemed to the people of Vraja to pass like a single moment.

Verse 56 (bhagavata.10.47.56)

सरिद्वनगिरिद्रोणीर्वीक्षन् कुसुमितान् द्रुमान् । कृष्णं संस्मारयन् रेमे हरिदासो व्रजौकसाम् ॥ ५६ ॥

sarid-vana-giri-droṇīr vīkṣan kusumitān drumān kṛṣṇaṁ saṁsmārayan reme hari-dāso vrajaukasām

That servant of Hari, gazing on the rivers, forests, mountain vales and flowering trees, delighted in reminding the people of Vraja of Krishna again and again.

Verse 57 (bhagavata.10.47.57)

दृष्ट्वैवमादि गोपीनां कृष्णावेशात्मविक्लवम् । उद्धवः परमप्रीतस्ता नमस्यन्निदं जगौ ॥ ५७ ॥

dṛṣṭvaivam-ādi gopīnāṁ kṛṣṇāveśātma-viklavam uddhavaḥ parama-prītas tā namasyann idaṁ jagau

Seeing the gopis so utterly overcome, their very selves lost in absorption in Krishna, Uddhava was filled with supreme joy, and bowing to them, he sang the following.

Verse 58 (bhagavata.10.47.58)

एताः परं तनुभृतो भुवि गोपवध्वो गोविन्द एव निखिलात्मनि रूढभावाः । वाञ्छन्ति यद् भवभियो मुनयो वयं च किं ब्रह्मजन्मभिरनन्तकथारसस्य ॥ ५८ ॥

etāḥ paraṁ tanu-bhṛto bhuvi gopa-vadhvo govinda eva nikhilātmani rūḍha-bhāvāḥ vāñchanti yad bhava-bhiyo munayo vayaṁ ca kiṁ brahma-janmabhir ananta-kathā-rasasya

[Uddhava sang:] Of all embodied beings on this earth, only these cowherd women have truly perfected life — for they have carried their love for Govinda, the Soul of all, to its very height. This is what those who fear worldly existence seek, what great sages seek, what we ourselves seek. For one who has tasted this nectar of the infinite Lord's stories, what further use is there even in being born a brahmana, or Brahma himself?

Verse 59 (bhagavata.10.47.59)

क्वेमाः स्त्रियो वनचरीर्व्यभिचारदुष्टाः कृष्णे क्व चैष परमात्मनि रूढभावः । नन्वीश्वरोऽनुभजतोऽविदुषोऽपि साक्षा- च्छ्रेयस्तनोत्यगदराज इवोपयुक्तः ॥ ५९ ॥

kvemāḥ striyo vana-carīr vyabhicāra-duṣṭāḥ kṛṣṇe kva caiṣa paramātmani rūḍha-bhāvaḥ nanv īśvaro ’nubhajato ’viduṣo ’pi sākṣāc chreyas tanoty agada-rāja ivopayuktaḥ

How strange — these simple forest-dwelling women, who might even be charged with improper conduct, and yet this supreme height of loving devotion to Krishna, the Supreme Soul! But it is true: the Lord confers His blessing directly even upon an unlearned devotee who serves Him with love — just as the finest medicine works its cure even when taken by one ignorant of its properties.

Verse 60 (bhagavata.10.47.60)

नायं श्रियोऽङ्ग उ नितान्तरतेः प्रसादः स्वर्योषितां नलिनगन्धरुचां कुतोऽन्याः । रासोत्सवेऽस्य भुजदण्डगृहीतकण्ठ- लब्धाशिषां य उदगाद् व्रजवल्लभीनाम् ॥ ६० ॥

nāyaṁ śriyo ’ṅga u nitānta-rateḥ prasādaḥ svar-yoṣitāṁ nalina-gandha-rucāṁ kuto ’nyāḥ rāsotsave ’sya bhuja-daṇḍa-gṛhīta-kaṇṭha- labdhāśiṣāṁ ya udagād vraja-vallabhīnām

The grace poured out in the rasa dance, when His two arms embraced the necks of these beloved women of Vraja — such favor was never granted even to Shri, His own supreme consort, still less to the fragrant, lotus-radiant women of heaven!

Verse 61 (bhagavata.10.47.61)

आसामहो चरणरेणुजुषामहं स्यां वृन्दावने किमपि गुल्मलतौषधीनाम् । या दुस्त्यजं स्वजनमार्यपथं च हित्वा भेजुर्मुकुन्दपदवीं श्रुतिभिर्विमृग्याम् ॥ ६१ ॥

āsām aho caraṇa-reṇu-juṣām ahaṁ syāṁ vṛndāvane kim api gulma-latauṣadhīnām yā dustyajaṁ sva-janam ārya-pathaṁ ca hitvā bhejur mukunda-padavīṁ śrutibhir vimṛgyām

Oh, that I might become even some shrub, creeper or herb in Vrindavana, blessed by the dust of their feet — of those women who gave up kin so hard to give up, and the path of propriety itself, to take shelter of Mukunda's path, which even the Vedas search for.

Verse 62 (bhagavata.10.47.62)

या वै श्रियार्चितमजादिभिराप्तकामै- र्योगेश्वरैरपि यदात्मनि रासगोष्ठ्याम् । कृष्णस्य तद् भगवतः चरणारविन्दं न्यस्तं स्तनेषु विजहुः परिरभ्य तापम् ॥ ६२ ॥

yā vai śriyārcitam ajādibhir āpta-kāmair yogeśvarair api yad ātmani rāsa-goṣṭhyām kṛṣṇasya tad bhagavataḥ caraṇāravindaṁ nyastaṁ staneṣu vijahuḥ parirabhya tāpam

That very lotus foot of Bhagavan Krishna — worshiped even by Shri and by masters of yoga like Brahma, whose every desire is fulfilled, and by them only within their own minds — that same foot He placed upon the breasts of these gopis in the circle of the rasa dance, and, embracing it, they cast off every torment.

Verse 63 (bhagavata.10.47.63)

वन्दे नन्दव्रजस्त्रीणां पादरेणुमभीक्ष्णशः । यासां हरिकथोद्गीतं पुनाति भुवनत्रयम् ॥ ६३ ॥

vande nanda-vraja-strīṇāṁ pāda-reṇum abhīkṣṇaśaḥ yāsāṁ hari-kathodgītaṁ punāti bhuvana-trayam

Again and again I bow to the dust of the feet of these women of Nanda's Vraja, whose loudly sung praises of Hari purify all three worlds.

Verse 64 (bhagavata.10.47.64)

श्रीशुक उवाच अथ गोपीरनुज्ञाप्य यशोदां नन्दमेव च । गोपानामन्त्र्य दाशार्हो यास्यन्नारुरुहे रथम् ॥ ६४ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca atha gopīr anujñāpya yaśodāṁ nandam eva ca gopān āmantrya dāśārho yāsyann āruruhe ratham

Shukadeva said: Then Uddhava, of the Dashārha line, took leave of the gopis, of mother Yashoda and of Nanda, bade farewell to the cowherds, and, about to depart, mounted his chariot.

Verse 65 (bhagavata.10.47.65)

तं निर्गतं समासाद्य नानोपायनपाणयः । नन्दादयोऽनुरागेण प्रावोचन्नश्रुलोचनाः ॥ ६५ ॥

taṁ nirgataṁ samāsādya nānopāyana-pāṇayaḥ nandādayo ’nurāgeṇa prāvocann aśru-locanāḥ

As he was about to leave, Nanda and the others came to him, their hands full of various gifts, and, tears in their eyes from sheer love, spoke to him thus.

Verse 66 (bhagavata.10.47.66)

मनसो वृत्तयो नः स्युः कृष्णपादाम्बुजाश्रयाः । वाचोऽभिधायिनीर्नाम्नां कायस्तत्प्रह्वणादिषु ॥ ६६ ॥

manaso vṛttayo naḥ syuḥ kṛṣṇa pādāmbujāśrayāḥ vāco ’bhidhāyinīr nāmnāṁ kāyas tat-prahvaṇādiṣu

[Nanda and the cowherds said:] May the workings of our minds forever take refuge in Krishna's lotus feet; may our speech forever utter His names; may our bodies forever be engaged in bowing down to Him and serving Him.

Verse 67 (bhagavata.10.47.67)

कर्मभिर्भ्राम्यमाणानां यत्र क्वापीश्वरेच्छया । मङ्गलाचरितैर्दानै रतिर्नः कृष्ण ईश्वरे ॥ ६७ ॥

karmabhir bhrāmyamāṇānāṁ yatra kvāpīśvarecchayā maṅgalācaritair dānai ratir naḥ kṛṣṇa īśvare

Wherever we may be made to wander by the will of the Lord, in accordance with our deeds, may our righteous conduct and our acts of charity keep alive our love for the Lord Krishna alone.

Verse 68 (bhagavata.10.47.68)

एवं सभाजितो गोपैः कृष्णभक्त्या नराधिप । उद्धवः पुनरागच्छन्मथुरां कृष्णपालिताम् ॥ ६८ ॥

evaṁ sabhājito gopaiḥ kṛṣṇa-bhaktyā narādhipa uddhavaḥ punar āgacchan mathurāṁ kṛṣṇa-pālitām

O King, thus honored by the cowherds with such devotion for Krishna, Uddhava returned once more to Mathura, the city under Krishna's protection.

Verse 69 (bhagavata.10.47.69)

कृष्णाय प्रणिपत्याह भक्त्युद्रेकं व्रजौकसाम् । वसुदेवाय रामाय राज्ञे चोपायनान्यदात् ॥ ६९ ॥

kṛṣṇāya praṇipatyāha bhakty-udrekaṁ vrajaukasām vasudevāya rāmāya rājñe copāyanāny adāt

Bowing before Krishna, Uddhava related to Him the overflowing devotion of the people of Vraja; he told the same to Vasudeva and Balarama, and presented to Vasudeva, Balarama and King Ugrasena the gifts he had brought with him.