Vrinda's Attainment of Brahma-Loka

Verse 1 (padma.6.15.1)

नारदउवाच ।नारायणस्तदा देवो जटावल्कलधार्यथ । द्वितीयोऽनुचरस्तस्य ह्याययौ फलहस्तवान्

nāradauvāca nārāyaṇastadā devo jaṭāvalkaladhāryatha dvitīyo'nucarastasya hyāyayau phalahastavān

Narada said: Then the god Narayana, wearing matted locks and bark garment, and his second attendant, arrived there, bearing fruit in hand.

Verse 2 (padma.6.15.2)

तौ दृष्ट्वा स्मरदूती सा विललाप मृगेक्षणा । तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्याः प्रोचतुस्तां च तावुभौ

tau dṛṣṭvā smaradūtī sā vilalāpa mṛgekṣaṇā tacchrutvā vacanaṁ tasyāḥ procatustāṁ ca tāvubhau

Seeing those two, the doe-eyed Smaraduti wailed; hearing her words, the two of them said to her —

Verse 3 (padma.6.15.3)

भयं मा गच्छ कल्याणि त्वामावां त्रातुमागतौ । वने घोरे प्रविष्टासि कथं दुष्टनिषेविते

bhayaṁ mā gaccha kalyāṇi tvāmāvāṁ trātumāgatau vane ghore praviṣṭāsi kathaṁ duṣṭaniṣevite

'Do not be afraid, auspicious one — we two have come to save you. How have you entered this terrible forest, frequented by the wicked?'

Verse 4 (padma.6.15.4)

एवमाश्वास्य तां तन्वीं राक्षसं प्राह माधवः । मुंचेमामधमाचार मृद्वंगीं चारुहासिनीम्

evamāśvāsya tāṁ tanvīṁ rākṣasaṁ prāha mādhavaḥ muṁcemāmadhamācāra mṛdvaṁgīṁ cāruhāsinīm

Having thus reassured that slender lady, Madhava said to the rakshasa: 'Release her, O vile one — this soft-limbed, sweetly-smiling woman.

Verse 5 (padma.6.15.5)

रेरे मूर्ख दुराचार किं कर्तुं त्वं व्यवस्थितः । सर्वस्वं लोकनेत्राणामाहारं कर्तुमुद्यतः

rere mūrkha durācāra kiṁ kartuṁ tvaṁ vyavasthitaḥ sarvasvaṁ lokanetrāṇāmāhāraṁ kartumudyataḥ

'Hey, you fool, wicked one — what are you about to do? Are you ready to devour the very jewel of the eyes of the world?

Verse 6 (padma.6.15.6)

भव पुण्यप्रभावेयं हंस्येतां मंडनं भुवः । अद्यलोकं निरालोकं कंदर्पं दर्पवर्जितम्

bhava puṇyaprabhāveyaṁ haṁsyetāṁ maṁḍanaṁ bhuvaḥ adyalokaṁ nirālokaṁ kaṁdarpaṁ darpavarjitam

'By killing this ornament of the earth, you shall today make the world lightless, and even Kamadeva devoid of his pride,

Verse 7 (padma.6.15.7)

करिष्यस्यधुना त्वं च हत्वा वृंदारिकां वने । तस्मादिमां विमुंचाशु सुखप्रासाददेवताम्

kariṣyasyadhunā tvaṁ ca hatvā vṛṁdārikāṁ vane tasmādimāṁ vimuṁcāśu sukhaprāsādadevatām

'by killing Vrindarika here in this forest. Therefore release this goddess of happy palaces at once.'

Verse 8 (padma.6.15.8)

इति श्रुत्वा हरेर्वाक्यं राक्षसः कुपितोऽब्रवीत् । समर्थस्त्वं यदि तदा मोचयाद्यैव मत्करात्

iti śrutvā harervākyaṁ rākṣasaḥ kupito'bravīt samarthastvaṁ yadi tadā mocayādyaiva matkarāt

Hearing Hari's words, the enraged rakshasa said: 'If you are able, then free her from my hand right now.'

Verse 9 (padma.6.15.9)

इत्युक्तमात्रे वचने माधवेन क्रुधेक्षितः । पपात भस्मसाद्भूतस्त्यक्त्वा वृंदां सुदूरतः

ityuktamātre vacane mādhavena krudhekṣitaḥ papāta bhasmasādbhūtastyaktvā vṛṁdāṁ sudūrataḥ

As soon as this was said, glared at in wrath by Madhava, he fell, reduced to ashes, releasing Vrinda from afar.

Verse 10 (padma.6.15.10)

अथोवाच प्रमुग्धा सा मायया जगदीशितुः । कस्त्वं कारुण्यजलधिर्येनाहमिह रक्षिता

athovāca pramugdhā sā māyayā jagadīśituḥ kastvaṁ kāruṇyajaladhiryenāhamiha rakṣitā

Then, utterly bewildered by the illusion of the Lord of the world, she said: 'Who are you, O ocean of compassion, by whom I have been saved here?

Verse 11 (padma.6.15.11)

शारीरं मानसं दुःखं सतापं तपसां निधे । त्वया मधुरया वाचा हृतं राक्षसनाशनात्

śārīraṁ mānasaṁ duḥkhaṁ satāpaṁ tapasāṁ nidhe tvayā madhurayā vācā hṛtaṁ rākṣasanāśanāt

'My bodily and mental suffering, my very torment, O treasure of ascetics — by your sweet words, through the destruction of this rakshasa, has been taken away.

Verse 12 (padma.6.15.12)

तवाश्रमे तपः सौम्य करिष्यामि तपोधन

tavāśrame tapaḥ saumya kariṣyāmi tapodhana

'O gentle one, O treasure of austerity, I shall perform austerities in your hermitage.'

Verse 13 (padma.6.15.13)

तापस उवाच ।भरद्वाजात्मजश्चाहं देवशर्मेति विश्रुतः । विहाय भोगानखिलान्वनं घोरमुपागतः

tāpasa uvāca bharadvājātmajaścāhaṁ devaśarmeti viśrutaḥ vihāya bhogānakhilānvanaṁ ghoramupāgataḥ

The ascetic said: 'I am the son of Bharadvaja, known by the name Devasharma; abandoning all pleasures, I have come to this terrible forest.

Verse 14 (padma.6.15.14)

अनेन बटुनासार्धं मम शिष्येण कामगाः । बहुशः संति चान्येऽपि मच्छिष्याः कामरूपिणः

anena baṭunāsārdhaṁ mama śiṣyeṇa kāmagāḥ bahuśaḥ saṁti cānye'pi macchiṣyāḥ kāmarūpiṇaḥ

'Together with this young disciple of mine, there are also many other disciples of mine, able to take any form at will.

Verse 15 (padma.6.15.15)

त्वं चेन्ममाश्रमे स्थित्वा चिकीर्षसि तपः शुभे । एहि राज्ञ्यपरं यामो वनं दूरस्थितं यतः

tvaṁ cenmamāśrame sthitvā cikīrṣasi tapaḥ śubhe ehi rājñyaparaṁ yāmo vanaṁ dūrasthitaṁ yataḥ

'If you wish to perform austerities, staying in my hermitage, O auspicious one, come — let us go to another forest further away, O queen.'

Verse 16 (padma.6.15.16)

इत्युक्त्वा राजपत्नीं तां ययौ प्राचीं दिशं हरिः । वनं प्रेतपिशाचाढ्यं मंदगत्या नराधिप

ityuktvā rājapatnīṁ tāṁ yayau prācīṁ diśaṁ hariḥ vanaṁ pretapiśācāḍhyaṁ maṁdagatyā narādhipa

Having said this, Hari went toward the eastern direction with that king's wife, walking slowly into a forest filled with ghosts and pishachas, O king.

Verse 17 (padma.6.15.17)

वृंदारिकाश्रुपूर्णाक्षी तस्य पृष्ठानुगा ययौ । स्मरदूती च तत्पृष्ठे मां प्रतीक्षेति वादिनी

vṛṁdārikāśrupūrṇākṣī tasya pṛṣṭhānugā yayau smaradūtī ca tatpṛṣṭhe māṁ pratīkṣeti vādinī

Vrindarika, her eyes full of tears, followed behind him; and Smaraduti followed behind her, calling, 'Wait for me!'

Verse 18 (padma.6.15.18)

अत्रांतरे दुराचारः कोपि पापाकृतिर्वने । जालं प्रसारयामास तद्यदा जीवपूरितम्

atrāṁtare durācāraḥ kopi pāpākṛtirvane jālaṁ prasārayāmāsa tadyadā jīvapūritam

Meanwhile some wicked, evil-looking creature in that forest spread out a net, filled with living creatures caught within it.

Verse 19 (padma.6.15.19)

ततः संकोचयामास तज्जालं पापनायकः । जालस्थांस्तु तदा जीवानुपाहृत्य मुमोच ह

tataḥ saṁkocayāmāsa tajjālaṁ pāpanāyakaḥ jālasthāṁstu tadā jīvānupāhṛtya mumoca ha

Then that wicked leader drew that net together; having gathered up the creatures caught in the net, he then let them go again.

Verse 20 (padma.6.15.20)

स च व्याधः स्त्रियौ दृष्ट्वा स्मरदूती जगाद ताम् । देवि मामत्तुमायाति करे गृह्णातु मां सखी

sa ca vyādhaḥ striyau dṛṣṭvā smaradūtī jagāda tām devi māmattumāyāti kare gṛhṇātu māṁ sakhī

That hunter, seeing the two women, [approached]; Smaraduti said to her: 'O lady, he comes to devour me — let my friend take hold of me!'

Verse 21 (padma.6.15.21)

वृंदा तयोक्तं श्रुत्वैनं विकृतास्यं व्यलोकयत् । वीक्ष्यतं भयवातेन निर्धूता सिंधुजप्रिया

vṛṁdā tayoktaṁ śrutvainaṁ vikṛtāsyaṁ vyalokayat vīkṣyataṁ bhayavātena nirdhūtā siṁdhujapriyā

Vrinda, hearing what she said, looked at that distorted-faced one; seeing him, the ocean-son's beloved, shaken by the storm of fear,

Verse 22 (padma.6.15.22)

दुद्राव विकलं शुभ्रं स्मरदूत्या समं वने । विद्रवंती समं सख्या तापसाश्रममागता

dudrāva vikalaṁ śubhraṁ smaradūtyā samaṁ vane vidravaṁtī samaṁ sakhyā tāpasāśramamāgatā

turned pale and, together with Smaraduti, fled in distress through that forest; fleeing together with her friend, she reached the ascetic's hermitage.

Verse 23 (padma.6.15.23)

सा तापसवने तस्मिन्ददर्शात्यंतमद्भुतम् । पक्षिणः कांचनीयांगान्नानाशब्दसमाकुलान्

sā tāpasavane tasmindadarśātyaṁtamadbhutam pakṣiṇaḥ kāṁcanīyāṁgānnānāśabdasamākulān

In that ascetic's forest she beheld something utterly wondrous — golden-bodied birds, filled with various songs.

Verse 24 (padma.6.15.24)

सापश्यद्धेमपद्माढ्यां वापीं तु स्वर्णभूमिकाम् । क्षीरं वहंति सरितः स्रवंति मधु भूरुहः

sāpaśyaddhemapadmāḍhyāṁ vāpīṁ tu svarṇabhūmikām kṣīraṁ vahaṁti saritaḥ sravaṁti madhu bhūruhaḥ

She saw a step-well rich with golden lotuses, its floor of gold; rivers flowed with milk, trees dripped honey,

Verse 25 (padma.6.15.25)

शर्कराराशयस्तत्र मोदकानां च संचयाः । भक्ष्याणि स्वादुसर्वाणि बहून्याभरणानि च

śarkarārāśayastatra modakānāṁ ca saṁcayāḥ bhakṣyāṇi svādusarvāṇi bahūnyābharaṇāni ca

there were heaps of sugar, and piles of sweets, all manner of delicious foods, and many ornaments,

Verse 26 (padma.6.15.26)

बहुशस्त्राणि दिव्यानि नभसः संपतंति च । क्रीडंति हरयस्तृप्ता उत्पतंति पतंति च

bahuśastrāṇi divyāni nabhasaḥ saṁpataṁti ca krīḍaṁti harayastṛptā utpataṁti pataṁti ca

many divine weapons fell from the sky; well-fed lions played there, leaping up and falling down.

Verse 27 (padma.6.15.27)

मठेति सुंदरं वृंदा तं ददर्श तपस्विनम् । व्याघ्रचर्मासनगतं भासयंतं जगत्त्रयम्

maṭheti suṁdaraṁ vṛṁdā taṁ dadarśa tapasvinam vyāghracarmāsanagataṁ bhāsayaṁtaṁ jagattrayam

In that lovely hermitage, Vrinda beheld that ascetic, seated on a tiger-skin, illuminating the three worlds.

Verse 28 (padma.6.15.28)

तमुवाच विभो पाहि पाहि पापर्द्धिकादथ । तपसा किं च धर्मेण मौनेन च जपेन च

tamuvāca vibho pāhi pāhi pāparddhikādatha tapasā kiṁ ca dharmeṇa maunena ca japena ca

She said to him: 'O Lord, protect me, protect me from this wicked, powerful one! What use are austerity, righteousness, silence, and recitation,

Verse 29 (padma.6.15.29)

भीतत्राणात्परं नान्यत्पुण्यमस्ति तपोधन । एवमुक्तवती भीता सालसांगी तपस्विनम्

bhītatrāṇātparaṁ nānyatpuṇyamasti tapodhana evamuktavatī bhītā sālasāṁgī tapasvinam

'when there is no merit greater than protecting the frightened, O treasure of austerity?' Thus speaking, frightened, her limbs weary, she stood before the ascetic.

Verse 30 (padma.6.15.30)

तावत्प्राप्तः सदुष्टात्मा सर्वजीवप्रबंधकः । वृंदादेवी भयत्रस्ता हरिकंठे समाश्लिषत्

tāvatprāptaḥ saduṣṭātmā sarvajīvaprabaṁdhakaḥ vṛṁdādevī bhayatrastā harikaṁṭhe samāśliṣat

Just then that same wicked being, binder of every living creature, arrived there; the terrified goddess Vrinda clung to Hari's neck.

Verse 31 (padma.6.15.31)

सुखस्पर्शं भुजाभ्यां सा शोकवल्लीव लिंगिता । तवालिंगनभावेन पुनरेव भविष्यति

sukhasparśaṁ bhujābhyāṁ sā śokavallīva liṁgitā tavāliṁganabhāvena punareva bhaviṣyati

She embraced him with her sweet-touching arms, clinging like a sorrow-creeper; 'By the very power of your embrace, this shall become once more —

Verse 32 (padma.6.15.32)

शिरः सर्वांगसंपन्नं त्वद्भर्तुरधिकं गुणैः । अथ त्वं प्रमदे गच्छ पत्यर्थे चित्रशालिकाम्

śiraḥ sarvāṁgasaṁpannaṁ tvadbharturadhikaṁ guṇaiḥ atha tvaṁ pramade gaccha patyarthe citraśālikām

'a head, complete in every limb, surpassing even your own husband's qualities. Now, my dear, go to the painted chamber, for your husband's sake.'

Verse 33 (padma.6.15.33)

सा चित्रशालामित्युक्ता विवेश मुनिना तदा । दिव्यपर्यंकमारूढा गृह्य कांतस्य तच्छिरः

sā citraśālāmityuktā viveśa muninā tadā divyaparyaṁkamārūḍhā gṛhya kāṁtasya tacchiraḥ

Thus told, she entered that painted chamber together with the sage; mounted upon a divine couch, taking her beloved's head,

Verse 34 (padma.6.15.34)

चकाराधरपानं सा मीलिताक्ष्यतिलोलुपा । यावत्तावदभूद्राजन्रूपं जालंधराकृति

cakārādharapānaṁ sā mīlitākṣyatilolupā yāvattāvadabhūdrājanrūpaṁ jālaṁdharākṛti

she began to drink from his lips, her eyes closed, utterly overcome with desire; and then, O king, his form became like that of Jalandhara.

Verse 35 (padma.6.15.35)

तत्कांतसदृशाकारस्तद्वक्षस्तद्वदुन्नतिः । तद्वाक्यस्तन्मनोभावस्तदासीज्जगदीश्वरः

tatkāṁtasadṛśākārastadvakṣastadvadunnatiḥ tadvākyastanmanobhāvastadāsījjagadīśvaraḥ

His form became like her beloved's, his chest just as broad, his very speech and inner feeling just the same — thus did the Lord of the world become, in that moment.

Verse 36 (padma.6.15.36)

अथ संपूर्णकायं तं प्रियं वीक्ष्य जगाद सा । तव कुर्वे प्रियं स्वामिन्ब्रूहि त्वं स्वरणं च मे

atha saṁpūrṇakāyaṁ taṁ priyaṁ vīkṣya jagāda sā tava kurve priyaṁ svāminbrūhi tvaṁ svaraṇaṁ ca me

Then, beholding that fully-embodied beloved, she said: 'I shall do your pleasure, my lord — tell me your own desire too.'

Verse 37 (padma.6.15.37)

वृंदावचनमाकर्ण्य प्राह मायासमुद्रजः । शृणु देवि यथा युद्धं वृत्तं शंभोर्मया सह

vṛṁdāvacanamākarṇya prāha māyāsamudrajaḥ śṛṇu devi yathā yuddhaṁ vṛttaṁ śaṁbhormayā saha

Hearing Vrinda's words, the illusion-ocean-born one said: 'Listen, O goddess, how my battle with Shambhu went.

Verse 38 (padma.6.15.38)

प्रिये रुद्रेण रौद्रेण छिन्नं चक्रेण मे शिरः । तावत्वत्सिद्धियोगाच्च त्वद्गतेन ममात्मना

priye rudreṇa raudreṇa chinnaṁ cakreṇa me śiraḥ tāvatvatsiddhiyogācca tvadgatena mamātmanā

'My love, fierce Rudra severed my head with his discus; but then, by the power of your very perfection, my soul reached you,

Verse 39 (padma.6.15.39)

छिन्नं तदत्र चानीतं जीवितं तेंगसंगतः । प्रिये त्वं मद्वियोगेन बाले जातासि दुःखिता

chinnaṁ tadatra cānītaṁ jīvitaṁ teṁgasaṁgataḥ priye tvaṁ madviyogena bāle jātāsi duḥkhitā

'and that severed head was brought here — my life restored through union with your body. My love, you were made sorrowful by my absence, O young one.

Verse 40 (padma.6.15.40)

क्षंतव्यं विप्रियं मह्यं यत्त्वां त्यक्त्वा रणं गतः । इत्यादि वचनैस्तेन वृंदा संस्मारिता तदा

kṣaṁtavyaṁ vipriyaṁ mahyaṁ yattvāṁ tyaktvā raṇaṁ gataḥ ityādi vacanaistena vṛṁdā saṁsmāritā tadā

'Forgive me for the wrong I did, leaving you and going to war.' With such words was Vrinda then reassured.

Verse 41 (padma.6.15.41)

तांबूलैश्च विनोदैश्च वस्त्रालंकरणैः शुभैः । अथ वृंदारिका देवी सर्वभोगसमन्विता

tāṁbūlaiśca vinodaiśca vastrālaṁkaraṇaiḥ śubhaiḥ atha vṛṁdārikā devī sarvabhogasamanvitā

With betel, with amusements, with fine garments and ornaments — then the goddess Vrindarika, given every pleasure,

Verse 42 (padma.6.15.42)

प्रियं गाढं समालिंग्य चुचुंब रतिलोलुपा । मोक्षादप्यधिकं सौख्यं वृंदा मोहनसंभवम्

priyaṁ gāḍhaṁ samāliṁgya cucuṁba ratilolupā mokṣādapyadhikaṁ saukhyaṁ vṛṁdā mohanasaṁbhavam

embracing her beloved tightly, overcome with desire, kissed him; a happiness even greater than liberation, born of that enchantment,

Verse 43 (padma.6.15.43)

मेने नारायणो देवो लक्ष्मीप्रेमरसाधिकम् । वृंदां वियोगजं दुःखं विनोदयति माधवे

mene nārāyaṇo devo lakṣmīpremarasādhikam vṛṁdāṁ viyogajaṁ duḥkhaṁ vinodayati mādhave

the god Narayana considered even greater than Lakshmi's own rasa of love; in Madhava's form, he continued to soothe Vrinda's sorrow of separation.

Verse 44 (padma.6.15.44)

तत्क्रीडाचारुविलसद्वापिका राजहंसके । तद्रूपभावात्कृष्णोऽसौ पद्मायां विगतस्पृहः

tatkrīḍācāruvilasadvāpikā rājahaṁsake tadrūpabhāvātkṛṣṇo'sau padmāyāṁ vigataspṛhaḥ

In that place of their sport, a lovely step-well shone with royal swans; and in that guise and mood, Krishna felt, for that time, no longing even for Padma.

Verse 45 (padma.6.15.45)

अभूद्वृंदावने तस्मिंस्तुलसीरूप धारिणी । वृंदांगस्वेदतो भूम्यां प्रादुर्भूताति पावनी

abhūdvṛṁdāvane tasmiṁstulasīrūpa dhāriṇī vṛṁdāṁgasvedato bhūmyāṁ prādurbhūtāti pāvanī

In that very Vrindavana, Vrinda became one bearing the form of Tulsi; from Vrinda's own bodily perspiration, that most purifying plant appeared upon the earth.

Verse 46 (padma.6.15.46)

वृंदांग संगजं चेदमनुभूय सुंखं हरिः । दिनानि कतिचिन्मेने शिवकार्यं जगत्पतिः

vṛṁdāṁga saṁgajaṁ cedamanubhūya suṁkhaṁ hariḥ dināni katicinmene śivakāryaṁ jagatpatiḥ

Experiencing this pleasure born of union with Vrinda's body for some days, Hari, the Lord of the world, regarded it still as a service done for Shiva's sake.

Verse 47 (padma.6.15.47)

एकदा सुरतस्यांते सा स्वकंठे तपस्विनम् । वृंदा ददर्श संलग्नं द्विभुजं पुरुषोत्तमम्

ekadā suratasyāṁte sā svakaṁṭhe tapasvinam vṛṁdā dadarśa saṁlagnaṁ dvibhujaṁ puruṣottamam

Once, at the end of their love-play, Vrinda beheld that ascetic, clinging fast to her own neck — the two-armed Purushottama himself.

Verse 48 (padma.6.15.48)

तं दृष्ट्वा प्राह सा कंठाद्विमुच्य भुजबंधनम् । कथं तापसरूपेण त्वं मां मोहितुमागतः

taṁ dṛṣṭvā prāha sā kaṁṭhādvimucya bhujabaṁdhanam kathaṁ tāpasarūpeṇa tvaṁ māṁ mohitumāgataḥ

Seeing him, releasing the bond of his arms from her neck, she said: 'Why did you come, in the form of an ascetic, to bewitch me?'

Verse 49 (padma.6.15.49)

निशम्य वचनं तस्याः सांत्वयन्प्राह तां हरिः । शृणु वृंदारिके त्वं मां विद्धि लक्ष्मीमनोहरम्

niśamya vacanaṁ tasyāḥ sāṁtvayanprāha tāṁ hariḥ śṛṇu vṛṁdārike tvaṁ māṁ viddhi lakṣmīmanoharam

Hearing her words, Hari, seeking to soothe her, said: 'Listen, Vrindarika — know me to be the very one who has captured Lakshmi's heart.

Verse 50 (padma.6.15.50)

तव भर्ता हरं जेतुं गौरीमानयितुं गतः । अहं शिवः शिवश्चाहं पृथक्त्वे न व्यवस्थितौ

tava bhartā haraṁ jetuṁ gaurīmānayituṁ gataḥ ahaṁ śivaḥ śivaścāhaṁ pṛthaktve na vyavasthitau

'Your husband went to conquer Hara and carry off Gauri. I am Shiva, and Shiva is I — we are not separate.

Verse 51 (padma.6.15.51)

जालंधरो हतः संख्ये भज मामधुनानघे । नारद उवाच ।इति विष्णोर्वचः श्रुत्वा विषण्णवदनाभवत् । ततो वृंदारिका राजन्कुपिता प्रत्युवाच ह

jālaṁdharo hataḥ saṁkhye bhaja māmadhunānaghe nārada uvāca iti viṣṇorvacaḥ śrutvā viṣaṇṇavadanābhavat tato vṛṁdārikā rājankupitā pratyuvāca ha

'Jalandhara has been slain in that battle — love me now, O sinless one.' Narada said: Hearing Vishnu's words, her face grew despondent; then, O king, enraged, Vrindarika replied —

Verse 52 (padma.6.15.52)

रणे बद्धोऽसि येन त्वं जीवन्मुक्तः पितुर्गिरा । विविधैः सत्कृतो रत्नैर्युक्तं तस्य हृता वधूः

raṇe baddho'si yena tvaṁ jīvanmuktaḥ piturgirā vividhaiḥ satkṛto ratnairyuktaṁ tasya hṛtā vadhūḥ

'By whom you were bound in that battle, and by whose father's word you were released alive, honored with many jewels — that very man's wife you have now carried off!

Verse 53 (padma.6.15.53)

पतिर्धर्मस्य यो नित्यं परदाररतः कथम् । ईश्वरोऽपि कृतं भुंक्ते कर्मेत्याहुर्मनीषिणः

patirdharmasya yo nityaṁ paradārarataḥ katham īśvaro'pi kṛtaṁ bhuṁkte karmetyāhurmanīṣiṇaḥ

'How can the very lord of dharma be ever devoted to another's wife? Even the Lord himself, wise men say, reaps the fruit of his own deeds.

Verse 54 (padma.6.15.54)

अहं मोहं यथानीता त्वया माया तपस्विना । तथा तव वधूं माया तपस्वीकोऽपि नेष्यति

ahaṁ mohaṁ yathānītā tvayā māyā tapasvinā tathā tava vadhūṁ māyā tapasvīko'pi neṣyati

'As I was led into delusion by you, an illusory ascetic — so too shall your own wife be led into delusion by some other illusory ascetic!'

Verse 55 (padma.6.15.55)

इति शप्तस्तथा विष्णुर्जगामादृश्यतां क्षणात् । सा चित्रशालापर्यंकः स च तेऽथप्लवंगमाः

iti śaptastathā viṣṇurjagāmādṛśyatāṁ kṣaṇāt sā citraśālāparyaṁkaḥ sa ca te'thaplavaṁgamāḥ

Thus cursed, Vishnu vanished from sight in that very instant; the painted chamber's couch, and he himself, and all those monkey-forms — everything vanished.

Verse 56 (padma.6.15.56)

नष्टं सर्वं हरौ याते वनं शून्यं विलोक्य सा । वृंदा प्राह सखीं प्राप्य जिह्मं तद्विष्णुना कृतम्

naṣṭaṁ sarvaṁ harau yāte vanaṁ śūnyaṁ vilokya sā vṛṁdā prāha sakhīṁ prāpya jihmaṁ tadviṣṇunā kṛtam

With Hari's departure everything vanished; seeing the forest empty, Vrinda, finding her friend, said: 'This was a crooked deed done by Vishnu.

Verse 57 (padma.6.15.57)

त्यक्तं पुरं गतं राज्यं कांतः संदेहतां गतः । अहं वने विदित्वैतत्क्व यामि विधिनिर्मिता

tyaktaṁ puraṁ gataṁ rājyaṁ kāṁtaḥ saṁdehatāṁ gataḥ ahaṁ vane viditvaitatkva yāmi vidhinirmitā

'My city is forsaken, my kingdom lost, my husband's very life now in doubt; knowing all this here in this forest, where shall I, fashioned by fate, now go?

Verse 58 (padma.6.15.58)

मनोरथानां विषयमभून्मे प्रियदर्शनम् । प्राह निःश्वस्य चैवोष्णं राज्ञी वृंदातिदुःखिता

manorathānāṁ viṣayamabhūnme priyadarśanam prāha niḥśvasya caivoṣṇaṁ rājñī vṛṁdātiduḥkhitā

'The very object of my desires was only the sight of my beloved.' Saying this, sighing hot breath, the utterly sorrowful queen Vrinda said —

Verse 59 (padma.6.15.59)

मम प्राप्तं हि मरणं त्वया हि स्मरदूतिके । इत्युक्ता सा तया प्राह मम त्वं प्राणरूपिणी

mama prāptaṁ hi maraṇaṁ tvayā hi smaradūtike ityuktā sā tayā prāha mama tvaṁ prāṇarūpiṇī

'O Smaraduti, through you this very death has come upon me.' Thus addressed, she said: 'I am the very embodiment of your life-breath.'

Verse 60 (padma.6.15.60)

तस्यास्तथोक्तमाकर्ण्य इतिकर्त्तव्यतां ततः । वने निश्चित्य सा वृंदा गत्वा तत्र महत्सरः

tasyāstathoktamākarṇya itikarttavyatāṁ tataḥ vane niścitya sā vṛṁdā gatvā tatra mahatsaraḥ

Hearing what she said, and then resolving what was to be done in that forest, Vrinda went there to a great lake,

Verse 61 (padma.6.15.61)

विहाय दुःखमकरोद्गात्रक्षालनमंबुना । तीरे पद्मासनं बद्ध्वा कृत्वा निर्विषयं मनः

vihāya duḥkhamakarodgātrakṣālanamaṁbunā tīre padmāsanaṁ baddhvā kṛtvā nirviṣayaṁ manaḥ

and, setting aside her sorrow, washed her limbs with its water; seated in lotus-posture on the bank, her mind freed of every sense-object,

Verse 62 (padma.6.15.62)

शोषयामास देहं स्वं विष्णुसंगेन दूषितम् । तपश्चचारसात्युग्रं निराहारा सखीसमम्

śoṣayāmāsa dehaṁ svaṁ viṣṇusaṁgena dūṣitam tapaścacārasātyugraṁ nirāhārā sakhīsamam

she withered her own body, which she felt defiled by union with Vishnu; together with her friend, without food, she performed most severe austerity.

Verse 63 (padma.6.15.63)

गंधर्वलोकतो वृंदामथागत्याप्सरोगणः । प्राह याहीति कल्याणि स्वर्गं मा त्यज विग्रहम्

gaṁdharvalokato vṛṁdāmathāgatyāpsarogaṇaḥ prāha yāhīti kalyāṇi svargaṁ mā tyaja vigraham

Then, from the Gandharva realm, a host of Apsaras came to Vrinda and said: 'Go, auspicious one, to heaven — do not abandon this body.

Verse 64 (padma.6.15.64)

गांधर्वं शस्त्रमेतत्त्रिभुवनविजयं श्रीपतिस्तोषमग्र्यं। नीतो येनेह वृंदे त्यजसि कथमिदं तद्वपुः प्राप्तकामम् । कांतं ते विद्धि शूलिप्रवरशरहतं पुण्यलाभस्य भूषास्वर्गस्य त्वं। भवाद्य द्रुतममरवनं चंडिभद्रे भज त्वम्

gāṁdharvaṁ śastrametattribhuvanavijayaṁ śrīpatistoṣamagryaṁ nīto yeneha vṛṁde tyajasi kathamidaṁ tadvapuḥ prāptakāmam kāṁtaṁ te viddhi śūlipravaraśarahataṁ puṇyalābhasya bhūṣāsvargasya tvaṁ bhavādya drutamamaravanaṁ caṁḍibhadre bhaja tvam

'This is the Gandharva power that grants victory over the three worlds, by which even the Lord of Sri himself attained supreme delight — Vrinda, why do you abandon this body of yours, its desire now fulfilled? Know your beloved to have been struck by the trident-bearer's finest arrow. You are the very ornament of heaven's merit — O fierce, auspicious one, go now swiftly to the forest of the immortals, and worship there.'

Verse 65 (padma.6.15.65)

श्रुत्वा शास्त्रं वधूनां जलधिजदयिता वाक्यमाह प्रहस्य । स्वर्गादाहृत्य मुक्तात्रिदशपति वधूश्चातिवीरेण पत्या । आदौ पात्रं सुखानामहममरजिता प्रेयसा तद्वियुक्तानिर्दुष्टा तद्य। तिष्ये प्रियममृतगतं प्राप्नुयां येन चैव

śrutvā śāstraṁ vadhūnāṁ jaladhijadayitā vākyamāha prahasya svargādāhṛtya muktātridaśapati vadhūścātivīreṇa patyā ādau pātraṁ sukhānāmahamamarajitā preyasā tadviyuktānirduṣṭā tadya tiṣye priyamamṛtagataṁ prāpnuyāṁ yena caiva

Hearing this scripture-like counsel of those celestial brides, the ocean-son's beloved, laughing, replied: 'Let there be wives of the king of the thirty gods, brought back from heaven, freed by their own most valiant husbands — I am the very first vessel of happiness, unconquered even by immortals, though parted from my beloved, and blameless. I wish only to attain that beloved of mine, who is like very nectar, and through whom alone I may attain it.'

Verse 66 (padma.6.15.66)

इत्युक्त्वा ससखी वृंदा विससर्जाप्सरोगणान् । तत्प्रीतिपाशबद्धास्ता नित्यमायांति यांति च

ityuktvā sasakhī vṛṁdā visasarjāpsarogaṇān tatprītipāśabaddhāstā nityamāyāṁti yāṁti ca

Having said this, Vrinda, together with her friend, sent away that host of apsaras; bound by the bond of love for her, they still come and go there always, even now.

Verse 67 (padma.6.15.67)

योगाभ्यासेन वृंदाथ दग्ध्वा ज्ञानाग्निना गुणान् । विषयेभ्यः समाहृत्य मनः प्राप ततः परम्

yogābhyāsena vṛṁdātha dagdhvā jñānāgninā guṇān viṣayebhyaḥ samāhṛtya manaḥ prāpa tataḥ param

Then Vrinda, through the practice of yoga, having burned away the gunas with the fire of knowledge, withdrawing her mind from all sense-objects, attained the Supreme.

Verse 68 (padma.6.15.68)

दृष्ट्वा वृंदारिकां तत्र महांतश्चाप्सरोगणाः । तुष्टुवुर्नभसस्तुष्टा ववृषुः पुष्पवृष्टिभिः

dṛṣṭvā vṛṁdārikāṁ tatra mahāṁtaścāpsarogaṇāḥ tuṣṭuvurnabhasastuṣṭā vavṛṣuḥ puṣpavṛṣṭibhiḥ

Seeing Vrindarika thus there, the great hosts of Apsaras, satisfied, praised her from the sky and rained down showers of flowers.

Verse 69 (padma.6.15.69)

शुष्ककाष्ठचयं कृत्वा तत्र वृंदाकलेवरम् । निधायाग्निं च प्रज्वाल्य स्मरदूती विवेश तम्

śuṣkakāṣṭhacayaṁ kṛtvā tatra vṛṁdākalevaram nidhāyāgniṁ ca prajvālya smaradūtī viveśa tam

Having made a pile of dry wood there, and laid Vrinda's body upon it, and kindled the fire, Smaraduti too entered into it.

Verse 70 (padma.6.15.70)

दग्धं वृंदांगरजसां बिंबं तद्गोलकात्मकम् । कृत्वा तद्भस्मनः शेषं मंदाकिन्यां विचिक्षिपुः

dagdhaṁ vṛṁdāṁgarajasāṁ biṁbaṁ tadgolakātmakam kṛtvā tadbhasmanaḥ śeṣaṁ maṁdākinyāṁ vicikṣipuḥ

Having burnt that form made from the very dust of Vrinda's body, they cast the remainder of its ashes into the Mandakini.

Verse 71 (padma.6.15.71)

यत्र वृंदा परित्यज्य देहं ब्रह्मपथं गता । आसीद्वृंदावनं तत्र गोवर्द्धनसमीपतः

yatra vṛṁdā parityajya dehaṁ brahmapathaṁ gatā āsīdvṛṁdāvanaṁ tatra govarddhanasamīpataḥ

There, where Vrinda, having relinquished her body, attained the path of Brahman, there arose Vrindavana, close by Govardhana.

Verse 72 (padma.6.15.72)

देव्योऽथ स्वर्गमेत्य त्रिदशपतिवधूसत्त्वसंपत्तिमाहुर्देवीभ्यस्तन्निशम्य प्रमुदितमनसो निर्जराद्याश्च सर्वे । शत्रोर्दैत्यस्य हित्वा प्रबलतरभयं भीमभेर्यो निजघ्नुः श्रुत्वा तत्रासनस्थः । परिजननिवहोवापशोभां शुभस्य

devyo'tha svargametya tridaśapativadhūsattvasaṁpattimāhurdevībhyastanniśamya pramuditamanaso nirjarādyāśca sarve śatrordaityasya hitvā prabalatarabhayaṁ bhīmabheryo nijaghnuḥ śrutvā tatrāsanasthaḥ parijananivahovāpaśobhāṁ śubhasya

Then the goddesses, going to heaven, told the gods this account of the constancy and glory of the king of the thirty gods' own wife; hearing it, all the immortals rejoiced greatly in their hearts, and, casting off their fear of that mighty demon-foe, sounded their fearsome war-drums; the assembled attendants seated there, hearing this, beheld the splendor of that auspicious event.