Shandilya's Teaching on the Glory of Vraja

Verse 1 (skanda.2.151.1)

।। व्यास उवाच ।। ।। श्रीसच्चिदानन्दघनस्वरूपिणे कृष्णाय चानन्तसुखाभिवर्षिणे ।। विश्वोद्भवस्थाननिरोधहेतवे नुमो वयं भक्तिरसाप्तयेऽनिशम्

vyāsa uvāca śrīsaccidānandaghanasvarūpiṇe kṛṣṇāya cānantasukhābhivarṣiṇe viśvodbhavasthānanirodhahetave numo vayaṁ bhaktirasāptaye'niśam

Vyasa said: We ever bow to Krishna, whose very form is dense being-consciousness-bliss, who ceaselessly showers infinite joy, who is the cause of the world's creation, preservation and dissolution — that we may attain the nectar of devotion.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.151.2)

नैमिषे सूतमासीनमभिवाद्य महामतिम् ।। कथामृतरसास्वादकुशला ऋषयोऽब्रुवन्

naimiṣe sūtamāsīnamabhivādya mahāmatim kathāmṛtarasāsvādakuśalā ṛṣayo'bruvan

In Naimisha forest, the sages skilled in tasting the nectar-essence of sacred stories bowed to the wise Suta, seated among them, and spoke.

Verse 3 (skanda.2.151.3)

।। ऋषय ऊचुः ।। ।। वज्रं श्रीमाथुरे देशे स्वपौत्रं हस्तिनापुरे ।। अभिषिच्य गते राज्ञि तौ कथं किं च चक्रतुः

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ vajraṁ śrīmāthure deśe svapautraṁ hastināpure abhiṣicya gate rājñi tau kathaṁ kiṁ ca cakratuḥ

The sages said: When the king, having installed Vajra in the land of Mathura and his own grandson in Hastinapura, had gone on his great final journey — what did those two do then, and how, O Suta?

Verse 4 (skanda.2.151.4)

।। सूत उवाच ।। ।। नारायणं नमस्कृत्य नरं चैव नरोत्तमम् ।। देवीं सरस्वतीं व्यासं ततो जयमुदीरयेत्

sūta uvāca nārāyaṇaṁ namaskṛtya naraṁ caiva narottamam devīṁ sarasvatīṁ vyāsaṁ tato jayamudīrayet

Suta said: Having bowed to Narayana, and to Nara the best of men, to the goddess Sarasvati, and to Vyasa, one should then proclaim the tale of Jaya.

Verse 5 (skanda.2.151.5)

महापथं गते राज्ञि परीक्षित्पृथिवीपतिः ।। जगाम मथुरां विप्रा वज्रनाभदिदृक्षया

mahāpathaṁ gate rājñi parīkṣitpṛthivīpatiḥ jagāma mathurāṁ viprā vajranābhadidṛkṣayā

O brahmins, when the king had departed on the great final journey, Parikshit, lord of the earth, went to Mathura, wishing to see Vajranabha.

Verse 6 (skanda.2.151.6)

पितृव्यमागतं ज्ञात्वा वज्रः प्रेमपरिप्लुतः ।। अभिगम्याभिवाद्याथ निनाय निजमन्दिरम्

pitṛvyamāgataṁ jñātvā vajraḥ premapariplutaḥ abhigamyābhivādyātha nināya nijamandiram

Knowing that his elder kinsman had come, Vajra, overflowing with love, went out to meet him, bowed, and led him to his own palace.

Verse 7 (skanda.2.151.7)

परिष्वज्य स तं वीरः कृष्णैकगतमानसः ।। रोहिण्याद्या हरेः पत्नीर्ववन्दायतनागतः

pariṣvajya sa taṁ vīraḥ kṛṣṇaikagatamānasaḥ rohiṇyādyā hareḥ patnīrvavandāyatanāgataḥ

That hero, his mind fixed solely on Krishna, embraced him; and having entered the inner apartments, Parikshit bowed to Rohini and the other wives of Hari.

Verse 8 (skanda.2.151.8)

ताभिः सम्मानितोऽत्यर्थं परीक्षित्पृथिवीपतिः ।। विश्रान्तः सुखमासीनो वज्रनाभमुवाच ह

tābhiḥ sammānito'tyarthaṁ parīkṣitpṛthivīpatiḥ viśrāntaḥ sukhamāsīno vajranābhamuvāca ha

Greatly honoured by them, King Parikshit rested, and sitting at ease, spoke to Vajranabha.

Verse 9 (skanda.2.151.9)

।। श्रीपरीक्षिदुवाच ।। ।। तात त्वत्पितृभिर्नूनमस्मत्पितृपितामहाः ।। उद्धृता भूरिदुःखौघादहं च परिरक्षितः

śrīparīkṣiduvāca tāta tvatpitṛbhirnūnamasmatpitṛpitāmahāḥ uddhṛtā bhūriduḥkhaughādahaṁ ca parirakṣitaḥ

Parikshit said: Dear one, surely by your forefathers our fathers and grandfathers were lifted out of a great flood of sorrows, and I too was protected.

Verse 10 (skanda.2.151.10)

न पारयाम्यहं तात साधु कृत्वोपकारतः ।। त्वामतः प्रार्थयाम्यङ्ग सुखं राज्येऽनुयुज्यताम्

na pārayāmyahaṁ tāta sādhu kṛtvopakārataḥ tvāmataḥ prārthayāmyaṅga sukhaṁ rājye'nuyujyatām

Dear one, I am unable to repay such kindness properly; therefore, my friend, I ask only this of you — remain happily engaged in your kingdom.

Verse 11 (skanda.2.151.11)

कोशसैन्यादिजा चिन्ता तथारिदमनादिजा ।। मनागपि न कार्या ते सुसेव्याः किन्तु मातरः

kośasainyādijā cintā tathāridamanādijā manāgapi na kāryā te susevyāḥ kintu mātaraḥ

Do not entertain even the slightest worry arising from treasury, army, or the subduing of enemies — rather, your mothers are to be well served by you.

Verse 12 (skanda.2.151.12)

निवेद्य मयि कर्तव्यं सर्वाधिपरिवर्ज्जनम् ।। श्रुत्वैतत्परमप्रीतो वज्रस्तं प्रत्युवाच ह

nivedya mayi kartavyaṁ sarvādhiparivarjjanam śrutvaitatparamaprīto vajrastaṁ pratyuvāca ha

Having conveyed this to me, you should set aside every other authority. Hearing this, Vajra, deeply pleased, replied to him.

Verse 13 (skanda.2.151.13)

।। श्रीवज्रनाभ उवाच ।। ।। राजन्नुचितमेतत्ते यदस्मासु प्रभाषते ।। त्वत्पित्रोपकृतश्चाहं धनुर्विद्याप्रदानतः

śrīvajranābha uvāca rājannucitametatte yadasmāsu prabhāṣate tvatpitropakṛtaścāhaṁ dhanurvidyāpradānataḥ

Vajranabha said: O king, what you say to us is fitting indeed, for I was helped by your father through his gift of the science of archery.

Verse 14 (skanda.2.151.14)

तस्मान्नाल्पापि मे चिन्ता क्षात्रं दृढमुपेयुषः ।। किन्त्वेका परमा चिन्ता तत्र किञ्चिद्विचार्य्यताम्

tasmānnālpāpi me cintā kṣātraṁ dṛḍhamupeyuṣaḥ kintvekā paramā cintā tatra kiñcidvicāryyatām

Therefore, having firmly attained my kshatriya duty, I have not the slightest worry — except for one supreme concern; on that, let something be considered.

Verse 15 (skanda.2.151.15)

माथुरे त्वभिषिक्तोऽपि स्थितोऽहं निर्जने वने ।। क्व गता वै प्रजाऽत्रत्या यत्र राज्यं प्ररोचते

māthure tvabhiṣikto'pi sthito'haṁ nirjane vane kva gatā vai prajā'tratyā yatra rājyaṁ prarocate

Though installed as king of Mathura, I find myself dwelling in a deserted forest — where indeed have the people of this land gone, that a kingdom here might flourish?

Verse 16 (skanda.2.151.16)

इत्युक्तो विष्णुरातस्तु नन्दादीनां पुरोहितम् ।। शांडिल्यमाजुहावाशु वज्रसंदेहनुत्तये

ityukto viṣṇurātastu nandādīnāṁ purohitam śāṁḍilyamājuhāvāśu vajrasaṁdehanuttaye

Thus addressed, Vishnurata, to dispel Vajra's doubt, quickly summoned Shandilya, the family priest of Nanda and the others.

Verse 17 (skanda.2.151.17)

अथोटजं विहायाशु शांडिल्यः समुपागतः ।। पूजितो वज्रनाभेन निषसादासनोत्तमे

athoṭajaṁ vihāyāśu śāṁḍilyaḥ samupāgataḥ pūjito vajranābhena niṣasādāsanottame

Then Shandilya, quickly leaving his hermitage, arrived; honoured by Vajranabha, he took his seat upon the finest seat.

Verse 18 (skanda.2.151.18)

उपोद्घातं विष्णुरातश्चकाराशु ततस्त्वसौ ।। उवाच परमप्रीतस्तावुभौ परिसान्त्वयन्

upodghātaṁ viṣṇurātaścakārāśu tatastvasau uvāca paramaprītastāvubhau parisāntvayan

Vishnurata then quickly gave the introduction; after that, greatly pleased, he spoke, comforting them both.

Verse 19 (skanda.2.151.19)

।। श्रीशांडिल्य उवाच ।। ।। शृणुतं दत्तचित्तौ मे रहस्यं व्रजभूमिजम् ।। व्रजनं व्याप्तिरित्युक्त्या व्यापनाद्व्रज उच्यते

śrīśāṁḍilya uvāca śṛṇutaṁ dattacittau me rahasyaṁ vrajabhūmijam vrajanaṁ vyāptirityuktyā vyāpanādvraja ucyate

Shandilya said: Listen, both of you, with attentive minds, to the secret concerning the land of Vraja. Because "vrajana" means pervasion, it is called "Vraja" on account of its all-pervading nature.

Verse 20 (skanda.2.151.20)

गुणातीतं परं ब्रह्म व्यापकं व्रज उच्यते ।। सदानन्दं परं ज्योतिर्मुक्तानां पदमव्ययम्

guṇātītaṁ paraṁ brahma vyāpakaṁ vraja ucyate sadānandaṁ paraṁ jyotirmuktānāṁ padamavyayam

The Vraja is called that all-pervading supreme Brahman beyond the guṇas — ever-blissful, the supreme light, the imperishable abode of the liberated.

Verse 21 (skanda.2.151.21)

तस्मिन्नन्दात्मजः कृष्णः सदानन्दांगविग्रहः ।। आत्मारामश्चाप्तकामः प्रेमाक्तैरनुभूयते

tasminnandātmajaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ sadānandāṁgavigrahaḥ ātmārāmaścāptakāmaḥ premāktairanubhūyate

In that Vraja dwells Krishna, son of Nanda, whose very form is ever-blissful; self-delighting and ever fulfilled in desire, he is experienced only by those steeped in love.

Verse 22 (skanda.2.151.22)

आत्मा तु राधिका तस्य तयैव रमणादसौ ।। आत्मारामतया प्राज्ञैः प्रोच्यते गूढवेदिभिः

ātmā tu rādhikā tasya tayaiva ramaṇādasau ātmārāmatayā prājñaiḥ procyate gūḍhavedibhiḥ

Radhika alone is his very self; and it is by sporting with her alone that he is called "Atmarama" by the wise who know the hidden truth.

Verse 23 (skanda.2.151.23)

कामास्तु वाञ्छितास्तस्य गावो गोपाश्च गोपिकाः ।। नित्याः सर्वे विहाराद्या आप्तकामस्ततस्त्वयम्

kāmāstu vāñchitāstasya gāvo gopāśca gopikāḥ nityāḥ sarve vihārādyā āptakāmastatastvayam

The desires he wishes for are the cows, the cowherds and the cowherd-women — all eternal, along with the sporting and so on; hence he is called "aptakama," one whose every desire is fulfilled.

Verse 24 (skanda.2.151.24)

रहस्यं त्विदमेतस्य प्रकृतेः परमुच्यते ।। प्रकृत्या खेलतस्तस्य लीलाऽन्यैरनुभूयते

rahasyaṁ tvidametasya prakṛteḥ paramucyate prakṛtyā khelatastasya līlā'nyairanubhūyate

This secret of his is called beyond his own nature; while he sports through his own nature, his play is experienced by others in a different, worldly, mode.

Verse 25 (skanda.2.151.25)

सर्गस्थित्यप्यया यत्र रजःसत्त्वतमोगुणैः ।। लीलैवं द्विविधा तस्य वास्तवी व्यावहारिकी

sargasthityapyayā yatra rajaḥsattvatamoguṇaiḥ līlaivaṁ dvividhā tasya vāstavī vyāvahārikī

There, through the qualities of rajas, sattva and tamas, occur creation, preservation and dissolution; thus his play is of two kinds — the real and the worldly.

Verse 26 (skanda.2.151.26)

वास्तवी तत्स्वसंवेद्या जीवानां व्यावहारिकी ।। आद्यां विना द्वितीया न द्वितीया नाद्यगा क्वचित्

vāstavī tatsvasaṁvedyā jīvānāṁ vyāvahārikī ādyāṁ vinā dvitīyā na dvitīyā nādyagā kvacit

The real play is known only to itself; the worldly one belongs to the embodied souls. Without the first, the second cannot be; nor does the second ever reach into the first.

Verse 27 (skanda.2.151.27)

आवयोर्गोचरेयं तु तल्लीला व्यावहारिकी ।। यत्र भूरादयो लोका भुवि माथुरमण्डलम्

āvayorgocareyaṁ tu tallīlā vyāvahārikī yatra bhūrādayo lokā bhuvi māthuramaṇḍalam

That which is within the range of us two ordinary observers is his worldly play — where the worlds beginning with Bhu exist, and on this earth, the region of Mathura.

Verse 28 (skanda.2.151.28)

अत्रैव व्रजभूमिः सा यत्र तत्त्वं सुगोपितम् ।। भासते प्रेमपूर्णानां कदाचिदपि सर्वतः

atraiva vrajabhūmiḥ sā yatra tattvaṁ sugopitam bhāsate premapūrṇānāṁ kadācidapi sarvataḥ

Right here lies that Vraja-bhumi, where the truth, well hidden, shines forth on every side, yet only occasionally, to those who are full of love.

Verse 29 (skanda.2.151.29)

कदाचिद्द्वापरस्यान्ते रहोलीलाधिकारिणः ।। समवेता यदाऽत्र स्युर्यथेदानीं तदा हरिः

kadāciddvāparasyānte raholīlādhikāriṇaḥ samavetā yadā'tra syuryathedānīṁ tadā hariḥ

Sometimes, at the end of Dvapara, when those entitled to his secret play gather here, as they have now, Hari —

Verse 30 (skanda.2.151.30)

स्वैः सहावतरेत्स्वेषु समावेशार्थमीप्सिताः ।। तदा देवादयोऽप्यन्येऽवतरन्ति समन्ततः

svaiḥ sahāvataretsveṣu samāveśārthamīpsitāḥ tadā devādayo'pyanye'vataranti samantataḥ

— descends with his own eternal, beloved associates, in order to draw his own people into that play; then the gods and others too descend on every side.

Verse 31 (skanda.2.151.31)

सर्वेषां वाञ्छितं कृत्वा हरिरन्तर्हितोऽभवत् ।। तेनात्र त्रिविधा लोकाः स्थिताः पूर्वं न संशयः

sarveṣāṁ vāñchitaṁ kṛtvā harirantarhito'bhavat tenātra trividhā lokāḥ sthitāḥ pūrvaṁ na saṁśayaḥ

Having fulfilled the desires of all, Hari became hidden from view; by that, three kinds of beings formerly dwelt here — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 32 (skanda.2.151.32)

नित्यास्तल्लिप्सवश्चैव देवाद्याश्चेति भेदतः ।। देवाद्यास्तेषु कृष्णेन द्वारिकां प्रापिताः पुरा

nityāstallipsavaścaiva devādyāśceti bhedataḥ devādyāsteṣu kṛṣṇena dvārikāṁ prāpitāḥ purā

By this distinction: the eternal ones, those seeking to attain him, and the gods and others. Of these, the gods and others were formerly brought by Krishna to Dvaraka.

Verse 33 (skanda.2.151.33)

पुनर्मौशलमार्गेण स्वाधिकारेषु चापिताः ।। तल्लिप्सूंश्च सदा कृष्णः प्रेमानन्दैकरूपिणः

punarmauśalamārgeṇa svādhikāreṣu cāpitāḥ tallipsūṁśca sadā kṛṣṇaḥ premānandaikarūpiṇaḥ

And again, through the path of the Mausala destruction, they were placed back into their own proper domains. And those who sought to attain him, Krishna — himself the sole embodiment of the bliss of love —

Verse 34 (skanda.2.151.34)

विधाय स्वीयनित्येषु समावेशितवांस्तदा ।। नित्याः सर्वेऽप्ययोग्येषु दर्शनाभावतां गताः

vidhāya svīyanityeṣu samāveśitavāṁstadā nityāḥ sarve'pyayogyeṣu darśanābhāvatāṁ gatāḥ

— having made them so, absorbed them then into his own eternal associates; and all the eternal ones, before those unfit for that vision, became unseen.

Verse 35 (skanda.2.151.35)

व्यावहारिकलीलास्थास्तत्र यन्नाधिकारिणः ।। पश्यन्त्यत्रागतास्तस्मान्निर्ज्जनत्वं समन्ततः

vyāvahārikalīlāsthāstatra yannādhikāriṇaḥ paśyantyatrāgatāstasmānnirjjanatvaṁ samantataḥ

Those established in the worldly play, not being entitled there, when they come here, see it only as utterly deserted on every side.

Verse 36 (skanda.2.151.36)

तस्माच्चिन्ता न ते कार्या वज्रनाभ मदाज्ञया ।। वासयात्र बहून्ग्रामान्संसिद्धिस्ते भविष्यति

tasmāccintā na te kāryā vajranābha madājñayā vāsayātra bahūngrāmānsaṁsiddhiste bhaviṣyati

Therefore, Vajranabha, you need not worry over this; by my instruction, settle many villages here, and success will be yours.

Verse 37 (skanda.2.151.37)

कृष्णलीलानुसारेण कृत्वा नामानि सर्वतः ।। त्वया वासय ता ग्रामान्संसेव्या भूरियं परा

kṛṣṇalīlānusāreṇa kṛtvā nāmāni sarvataḥ tvayā vāsaya tā grāmānsaṁsevyā bhūriyaṁ parā

Giving names to these places everywhere in accordance with Krishna's pastimes, you should settle those villages; this supreme land is to be devotedly served.

Verse 38 (skanda.2.151.38)

गोवर्द्धने दीर्घपुरे मथुरायां महावने ।। नन्दिग्रामे बृहत्सानौ कार्या राज्यस्थितिस्त्वया

govarddhane dīrghapure mathurāyāṁ mahāvane nandigrāme bṛhatsānau kāryā rājyasthitistvayā

At Govardhana, Dirghapura, Mathura, Mahavana, Nandigrama and Brihatsanu, you should establish the administration of the kingdom.

Verse 39 (skanda.2.151.39)

नद्यद्रिद्रोणिकुण्डादिकुञ्जान्संसेवतस्तव ।। राज्ये प्रजाः सुसंपन्नास्त्वं च प्रीतो भविष्यसि

nadyadridroṇikuṇḍādikuñjānsaṁsevatastava rājye prajāḥ susaṁpannāstvaṁ ca prīto bhaviṣyasi

As you devotedly tend the rivers, hills, valleys, sacred pools and groves, the subjects of your kingdom will prosper greatly, and you yourself will be filled with joy.

Verse 40 (skanda.2.151.40)

सच्चिदानन्दभूरेषा त्वया सेव्या प्रयत्नतः ।। तव कृष्णस्थलान्यत्र स्फुरन्तु मदनुग्रहात्

saccidānandabhūreṣā tvayā sevyā prayatnataḥ tava kṛṣṇasthalānyatra sphurantu madanugrahāt

This land, of the very nature of being-consciousness-bliss, is to be served by you with effort; by my grace, may the places of Krishna manifest for you here.

Verse 41 (skanda.2.151.41)

वज्र संसेवनादस्या उद्धवस्त्वां मिलिष्यति ।। ततो रहस्यमेतस्मात्प्राप्स्यसि त्वं समातृकः

vajra saṁsevanādasyā uddhavastvāṁ miliṣyati tato rahasyametasmātprāpsyasi tvaṁ samātṛkaḥ

O Vajra, through devoted service of this land, Uddhava will come to meet you; and from him, along with your mothers, you shall obtain this very secret.

Verse 42 (skanda.2.151.42)

एवमुक्त्वा तु शाण्डिल्यो गतः कृष्णमनुस्मरन् ।। विष्णुरातोऽथ वज्रश्च परां प्रीतिमवापतुः

evamuktvā tu śāṇḍilyo gataḥ kṛṣṇamanusmaran viṣṇurāto'tha vajraśca parāṁ prītimavāpatuḥ

Having spoken thus, Shandilya departed, remembering Krishna; and Vishnurata and Vajra both attained supreme joy.