The Glory of Mayasaras, the Lake Built by Maya

Verse 1 (skanda.7.459.1)

॥ प्रह्लाद उवाच ॥ ततो गच्छेद्द्विजश्रेष्ठा गोप्रचारमतः परम्। यत्र स्नात्वा नरो भक्त्या लभेद्गोदानजं फलम्॥

prahlāda uvāca| tato gacchedvijaśreṣṭhā gopracāramataḥ param| yatra snātvā naro bhaktyā labhedgodānajaṁ phalam||

Prahlada said: Thereafter, O foremost of brahmins, one should go to the sacred place called Goprachara, where a man, bathing with devotion, obtains the fruit of giving a cow.

Verse 2 (skanda.7.459.2)

यत्र स्नातो जगन्नाथो नभस्ये दैवतैर्वृतः। कटदानं च तत्प्रोक्तं द्वादश्यां द्विजसत्तमाः॥

yatra snāto jagannātho nabhasye daivatairvṛtaḥ| kaṭadānaṁ ca tatproktaṁ dvādaśyāṁ dvijasattamāḥ||

There the Lord of the universe bathes during the month of Nabhasya (Bhadrapada), surrounded by deities. O best of brahmins, on the twelfth lunar day, the gift of a mat is prescribed here.

Verse 3 (skanda.7.459.3)

॥ ऋषय ऊचुः ॥ कथं तु तत्र दैत्येन्द्राऽभवद्वै गोप्रचारकम्। तीर्थं कथय तत्त्वेन यत्र स्नातो जनार्द्दनः॥

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ| kathaṁ tu tatra daityendrā'bhavadvai gopracārakam| tīrthaṁ kathaya tattvena yatra snāto janārdanaḥ||

The sages said: O lord of demons, how did this Goprachara sacred place come to be there? Tell us truly of that place where Janardana bathed.

Verse 4 (skanda.7.459.4)

॥ प्रह्लाद उवाच ॥ हते कंसे भोजराजे कृष्णेनामिततेजसा। उग्रसेने चाभिषिक्ते मधुपुर्य्यां महात्मना॥

prahlāda uvāca| hate kaṁse bhojarāje kṛṣṇenāmitatejasā| ugrasene cābhiṣikte madhupuryāṁ mahātmanā||

Prahlada said: When the boundlessly radiant Krishna slew the Bhoja king Kamsa, and that great-souled one consecrated Ugrasena in the city of Mathura,

Verse 5 (skanda.7.459.5)

उद्धवं प्रेषयामास गोकुले गोकुलप्रियः। सुहृदां प्रियकामार्थं गोपगोपीजनस्य च॥

uddhavaṁ preṣayāmāsa gokule gokulapriyaḥ| suhṛdāṁ priyakāmārthaṁ gopagopījanasya ca||

Krishna, beloved of Gokula, sent Uddhava to Gokula, for the sake of pleasing his dear friends, the cowherd men and women.

Verse 6 (skanda.7.459.6)

नमस्कृत्य च गोविदं प्रययौ नंदगोकुलम्। स तत्सदृशवेषेण वस्त्रालंकारभूषणैः॥

namaskṛtya ca govidaṁ prayayau naṁdagokulam| sa tatsadṛśaveṣeṇa vastrālaṁkārabhūṣaṇaiḥ||

Bowing to Govinda, he set out for Nanda's Gokula, attired in garments and ornaments resembling those of Krishna himself.

Verse 7 (skanda.7.459.7)

तं दृष्ट्वा दिवसस्यांते गोविंदानुचरं प्रियम्। उद्धवं पूजयामास वस्त्रालंकारभूषणैः॥

taṁ dṛṣṭvā divasasyānte govindānucaraṁ priyam| uddhavaṁ pūjayāmāsa vastrālaṁkārabhūṣaṇaiḥ||

Seeing him at day's end, that beloved companion of Govinda, Uddhava was honoured with garments and ornaments.

Verse 8 (skanda.7.459.8)

तं भुक्तवंतं विश्रांतं यशोदा पुत्रवत्सला। आनंदबाष्पपूर्णाक्षी पप्रच्छानामयं हरेः॥

taṁ bhuktavantaṁ viśrāntaṁ yaśodā putravatsalā| ānaṁdabāṣpapūrṇākṣī papracchānāmayaṁ hareḥ||

To him, having eaten and now resting, the loving mother Yashoda, her eyes brimming with tears of joy, asked after Hari's welfare.

Verse 9 (skanda.7.459.9)

कच्चिद्धि स्तः सुखं पुत्रौ रामकृष्णौ यदूत्तमौ। कच्चित्स्मरति गोविंदो वयस्यान्गोपबालकान्॥

kacciddhi staḥ sukhaṁ putrau rāmakṛṣṇau yadūttamau| kaccitsmarati govindo vayasyāngopabālakān||

'Are my two sons, Rama and Krishna, foremost of the Yadus, well? Does Govinda remember his childhood companions, the cowherd boys?'

Verse 10 (skanda.7.459.10)

कच्चिदेष्यति गोविंदो गोकुलं मधुरेश्वरः। तारयिष्यति पुत्रोऽसौ गोकुलं वृजिनार्णवात्॥

kaccideṣyati govindo gokulaṁ madhureśvaraḥ| tārayiṣyati putro'sau gokulaṁ vṛjinārṇavāt||

'Will Govinda, lord of Mathura, come to Gokula? Will that son of mine deliver Gokula from this ocean of sorrow?'

Verse 11 (skanda.7.459.11)

इत्युक्त्वा बाष्पपूर्णाक्षौ यशोदा नंद एव च। दीर्घं रुरुदतुर्दीनौ पुत्रस्नेहवशंगतौ॥

ityuktvā bāṣpapūrṇākṣau yaśodā naṁda eva ca| dīrghaṁ rurudaturdīnau putrasnehavaśaṁgatau||

Saying this, Yashoda and Nanda, their eyes filled with tears, overwhelmed by love for their son, wept piteously for a long while.

Verse 12 (skanda.7.459.12)

उद्धवस्तौ ततो दृष्ट्वा प्राणसंशयमागतौ। मधुरैः कृष्णसंदेशैः स्नेहयुक्तैरजीवयत्॥

uddhavastau tato dṛṣṭvā prāṇasaṁśayamāgatau| madhuraiḥ kṛṣṇasaṁdeśaiḥ snehayuktairajīvayat||

Seeing them so close to death from grief, Uddhava revived them with sweet and affectionate messages from Krishna.

Verse 13 (skanda.7.459.13)

नमस्करोति भवतीं भवंतं च सहाग्रजः। अनामयं पृष्टवांश्च तौ च क्षेमेण तिष्ठतः॥

namaskaroti bhavatīṁ bhavantaṁ ca sahāgrajaḥ| anāmayaṁ pṛṣṭavāṁśca tau ca kṣemeṇa tiṣṭhataḥ||

'He, together with his elder brother, bows to you both and asks after your welfare; and they both remain well.'

Verse 14 (skanda.7.459.14)

क्षिप्रमेष्यति दाशार्हो रामेण सहितो विभुः। अत्रागत्य जगन्नाथो विधास्यति च वो हितम्॥

kṣiprameṣyati dāśārho rāmeṇa sahito vibhuḥ| atrāgatya jagannātho vidhāsyati ca vo hitam||

'Soon that lord, Dasharha, together with Rama, will come here; the Lord of the universe, arriving here, will bring about your welfare.'

Verse 15 (skanda.7.459.15)

इत्येवं कृष्णसंदेशैः समाश्वास्योद्धवस्तदा। सुखं सुष्वाप शयने नन्दाद्यैरभिनंदितः॥

ityevaṁ kṛṣṇasaṁdeśaiḥ samāśvāsyoddhavastadā| sukhaṁ suṣvāpa śayane nandādyairabhinaṁditaḥ||

Having thus comforted them with Krishna's messages, Uddhava, honoured by Nanda and the others, rested comfortably upon a bed.

Verse 16 (skanda.7.459.16)

गोप्यस्तदा रथं दृष्ट्वा द्वारे नंदस्य विस्मिताः। कोऽयं कोऽयमिति प्राहुः कृष्णागमनशंकया॥

gopyastadā rathaṁ dṛṣṭvā dvāre naṁdasya vismitāḥ| ko'yaṁ ko'yamiti prāhuḥ kṛṣṇāgamanaśaṅkayā||

At that moment, the gopis, seeing the chariot at Nanda's gate, were astonished; suspecting it might be Krishna's arrival, they exclaimed, 'Who is this? Who is this?'

Verse 17 (skanda.7.459.17)

गोपालराजस्य गृहे रथेनादित्यवर्चसा। समागतो महाबाहुः कृष्णवेषानुगस्तथा॥

gopālarājasya gṛhe rathenādityavarcasā| samāgato mahābāhuḥ kṛṣṇaveṣānugastathā||

At the home of the cowherd king, in a chariot as radiant as the sun, that mighty-armed one had arrived, attired in Krishna's likeness.

Verse 18 (skanda.7.459.18)

परस्परं समागम्य सर्वास्ता व्रजयोषितः। विविक्ते कृष्णदूतं तं पप्रच्छुः शोककर्षिताः॥

parasparaṁ samāgamya sarvāstā vrajayoṣitaḥ| vivikte kṛṣṇadūtaṁ taṁ papracchuḥ śokakarṣitāḥ||

Gathering together, all the women of Vraja, stricken with grief, questioned that messenger of Krishna in private.

Verse 19 (skanda.7.459.19)

॥ श्रीगोप्य ऊचुः ॥ कस्मात्त्वमिह संप्राप्तः किं ते कार्य्यमिहाद्य वै। दस्युरूपप्रतिच्छन्नो ह्यस्मान्संहर्तुमिच्छसि॥

śrīgopya ūcuḥ| kasmāttvamiha samprāptaḥ kiṁ te kāryamihādya vai| dasyurūpapraticchanno hyasmānsaṁhartumicchasi||

The gopis said: 'Why have you come here? What business do you have here today? Have you come disguised as a bandit, wishing to destroy us?'

Verse 20 (skanda.7.459.20)

पूर्वमेव हतं तेन कृष्णेन हृदयादिकम्। पाययित्वाऽधरविषं योषिद्व्रातं पलायितः॥

pūrvameva hataṁ tena kṛṣṇena hṛdayādikam| pāyayitvā'dharaviṣaṁ yoṣidvrātaṁ palāyitaḥ||

'That Krishna had already ravaged our very hearts; having made us women drink the poison of his lips, he fled.'

Verse 21 (skanda.7.459.21)

इत्येवमुक्त्वा ता गोप्यो मुमुहुः शोकविह्वलाः। ईक्षंत्यः कृष्णदासं तं निपेतुर्धरणीतले॥

ityevamuktvā tā gopyo mumuhuḥ śokavihvalāḥ| īkṣantyaḥ kṛṣṇadāsaṁ taṁ nipeturdharaṇītale||

Saying this, those gopis, overwhelmed with grief, fell into a swoon; beholding that servant of Krishna, they collapsed upon the ground.

Verse 22 (skanda.7.459.22)

उद्धवस्तं जनं दृष्ट्वा कृष्णस्नेहहृताशयम्। आश्वासयामास तदा वाक्यैः श्रोत्रसुखावहैः॥

uddhavastaṁ janaṁ dṛṣṭvā kṛṣṇasnehahṛtāśayam| āśvāsayāmāsa tadā vākyaiḥ śrotrasukhāvahaiḥ||

Seeing those people, their hearts stolen away by love for Krishna, Uddhava then consoled them with words pleasant to the ear.

Verse 23 (skanda.7.459.23)

॥ उद्धव उवाच ॥ भगवानपि दाशार्हः कन्दर्पशरपीडितः। न भुंक्ते न स्वपिति च चिन्तयन्वस्त्वहर्निशम्॥

uddhava uvāca| bhagavānapi dāśārhaḥ kandarpaśarapīḍitaḥ| na bhuṅkte na svapiti ca cintayanvastvaharniśam||

Uddhava said: 'The Lord Dasharha too, pierced by the arrows of Kamadeva, neither eats nor sleeps, thinking of you all, day and night.'

Verse 24 (skanda.7.459.24)

तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य ललिता क्रोधमूर्छिता। उद्धवं ताम्रनयना प्रोवाच रुदती तदा॥

tacchrutvā vacanaṁ tasya lalitā krodhamūrchitā| uddhavaṁ tāmranayanā provāca rudatī tadā||

Hearing his words, Lalita, near-swooning with anger, her eyes turned copper-red, weeping, said to Uddhava:

Verse 25 (skanda.7.459.25)

॥ ललितोवाच ॥ असत्यो भिन्नमर्य्यादः क्रूरः क्रूरजनप्रियः। त्वं मा कृथा नः पुरतः कथां तस्याऽकृतात्मनः॥

lalitovāca| asatyo bhinnamaryādaḥ krūraḥ krūrajanapriyaḥ| tvaṁ mā kṛthā naḥ purataḥ kathāṁ tasyā'kṛtātmanaḥ||

Lalita said: 'He is a liar, a breaker of boundaries, cruel, and dear to cruel people. Do not speak before us of that heartless one.'

Verse 26 (skanda.7.459.26)

धिग्धिक्पापसमाचारो धिग्धिग्वै निष्ठुराशयः। हित्वा यः स्त्रीजनं मूढो गतो द्वारवतीं हरिः॥

dhigdhikpāpasamācāro dhigdhigvai niṣṭhurāśayaḥ| hitvā yaḥ strījanaṁ mūḍho gato dvāravatīṁ hariḥ||

'Shame upon his sinful conduct, shame upon his callous heart! That foolish Hari abandoned us women and went off to Dvaravati.'

Verse 27 (skanda.7.459.27)

॥ श्यामलोवाच ॥ किं तस्य मन्दभाग्यस्य अल्पपुण्यस्य दुर्मतेः। मा कुरुध्वं कथाः साध्व्यः कथां कथयताऽपराम्॥

śyāmalovāca| kiṁ tasya mandabhāgyasya alpapuṇyasya durmateḥ| mā kurudhvaṁ kathāḥ sādhvyaḥ kathāṁ kathayatā'parām||

Shyamala said: 'What is there to say of that ill-fated, meagerly meritorious, ill-minded one? O virtuous ones, do not speak of him — talk of something else.'

Verse 28 (skanda.7.459.28)

॥ धन्योवाच ॥ केनायं हि समानीतो दूतो दुष्टजनस्य च। यातु तेन पथा पापः पुनर्नायाति येन च॥

dhanyovāca| kenāyaṁ hi samānīto dūto duṣṭajanasya ca| yātu tena pathā pāpaḥ punarnāyāti yena ca||

Dhanya said: 'Who brought this messenger of that wicked man here? Let this sinner depart by whatever road ensures he never returns.'

Verse 29 (skanda.7.459.29)

॥ विशाखोवाच ॥ न शीलं न कुलं यस्य नास्ति पापकृतं भयम्। तस्य स्त्रीहनने साध्व्यो ज्ञायते जन्म कर्म च। हीनस्य पुरुषार्थेन तेन संगो निरर्थकः॥

viśākhovāca| na śīlaṁ na kulaṁ yasya nāsti pāpakṛtaṁ bhayam| tasya strīhanane sādhvyo jñāyate janma karma ca| hīnasya puruṣārthena tena saṅgo nirarthakaḥ||

Vishakha said: 'One who has neither good character nor lineage, and no fear of doing wrong — O virtuous ones, his birth and deeds are revealed by how he torments women. Association with one so bereft of manly virtue is worthless.'

Verse 30 (skanda.7.459.30)

॥ राधोवाच ॥ भूतानां घातने यस्य नास्ति पापकृतं भयम्। तस्य स्त्रीहनने साध्व्यः शंका कापि न विद्यते॥

rādhovāca| bhūtānāṁ ghātane yasya nāsti pāpakṛtaṁ bhayam| tasya strīhanane sādhvyaḥ śaṅkā kāpi na vidyate||

Radha said: 'One who has no fear of sin in killing living beings — O virtuous ones, such a one has no hesitation whatsoever in tormenting women either.'

Verse 31 (skanda.7.459.31)

॥ शैब्योवाच ॥ सत्यं ब्रूहि महाभाग किं करोति यदूत्तमः। संगतो नागरस्त्रीभिरस्माकं किं कथां स्मरेत्॥

śaibyovāca| satyaṁ brūhi mahābhāga kiṁ karoti yadūttamaḥ| saṅgato nāgarastrībhirasmākaṁ kiṁ kathāṁ smaret||

Shaibya said: 'O illustrious one, tell us truly — what is that foremost of the Yadus doing? Consorting with city women, would he even remember to speak of us?'

Verse 32 (skanda.7.459.32)

॥ पद्मोवाच ॥ कदोद्धव महाभाग नागरीजनवल्लभः। समेष्यतीह दाशार्हः पद्मपत्रायतेक्षणः॥

padmovāca| kadoddhava mahābhāga nāgarījanavallabhaḥ| sameṣyatīha dāśārhaḥ padmapatrāyatekṣaṇaḥ||

Padma said: 'O illustrious Uddhava, when will that Dasharha, whose eyes are broad as lotus petals, now beloved of the city women, come here?'

Verse 33 (skanda.7.459.33)

॥ भद्रोवाच ॥ हा कृष्ण हा गोपवर हा गोपीजनवल्लभ। समुद्धर महाबाहो गोपीः संसारसागरात्॥

bhadrovāca| hā kṛṣṇa hā gopavara hā gopījanavallabha| samuddhara mahābāho gopīḥ saṁsārasāgarāt||

Bhadra said: 'Alas, Krishna! Alas, best of cowherds! Alas, beloved of the gopis! O mighty-armed one, deliver us gopis from this ocean of worldly existence!'

Verse 34 (skanda.7.459.34)

॥ प्रह्लाद उवाच ॥ इति ता विविधैर्वाक्यैर्विलपंत्यो व्रजस्त्रियः। रुरुदुः सुस्वरं देव्यः स्मरंत्यः कृष्ण चेष्टितम्॥

prahlāda uvāca| iti tā vividhairvākyairvilapantyo vrajastriyaḥ| rurudu susvaraṁ devyaḥ smarantyaḥ kṛṣṇa ceṣṭitam||

Prahlada said: Thus lamenting with manifold words, those women of Vraja, calling to mind Krishna's sportive deeds, wept aloud in sweet tones.

Verse 35 (skanda.7.459.35)

तासां तद्रुदितं श्रुत्वा भक्तिस्नेहसमन्वितः। विस्मयं परमं गत्वा साधुसाध्विति चाब्रवीत्॥

tāsāṁ tadruditaṁ śrutvā bhaktisnehasamanvitaḥ| vismayaṁ paramaṁ gatvā sādhusādhviti cābravīt||

Hearing their weeping, Uddhava, filled with devotion and affection, overcome with the greatest wonder, exclaimed, 'Well done, well done!'

Verse 36 (skanda.7.459.36)

॥ उद्धव उवाच ॥ यं न ब्रह्मा न च हरो न देवा न महर्षयः। स्वभावमनुगच्छंति सर्वा धन्या व्रजस्त्रियः॥

uddhava uvāca| yaṁ na brahmā na ca haro na devā na maharṣayaḥ| svabhāvamanugacchanti sarvā dhanyā vrajastriyaḥ||

Uddhava said: 'That very nature of the Lord which neither Brahma, nor Shiva, nor the gods, nor the great sages have grasped — all these blessed women of Vraja have attained.'

Verse 37 (skanda.7.459.37)

सर्वासां सफलं जन्म जीवितं यौवनं धनम्। यासां भवेद्भगवति भक्तिरव्यभिचारिणी॥

sarvāsāṁ saphalaṁ janma jīvitaṁ yauvanaṁ dhanam| yāsāṁ bhavedbhagavati bhaktiravyabhicāriṇī||

Fulfilled indeed is the birth, life, youth, and wealth of all those whose devotion to the Lord remains unwavering.

Verse 38 (skanda.7.459.38)

॥ गोप्य ऊचुः ॥ साधु दर्शय गोविंदं साधु दर्शय वल्लभम्। नयास्मान्साधु तत्रैव यत्र तिष्ठति सोऽच्युतः॥

gopya ūcuḥ| sādhu darśaya govindaṁ sādhu darśaya vallabham| nayāsmānsādhu tatraiva yatra tiṣṭhati so'cyutaḥ||

The gopis said: 'Kindly show us Govinda, kindly show us our beloved. Take us there, to that very place where that imperishable one dwells.'

Verse 39 (skanda.7.459.39)

॥ प्रह्लाद उवाच ॥ तासां तद्भाषितं श्रुत्वा तथा विलपितं बहु। बाढमित्येव ता ऊच उद्धवः स्नेहविह्वलाः॥

prahlāda uvāca| tāsāṁ tadbhāṣitaṁ śrutvā tathā vilapitaṁ bahu| bāḍhamityeva tā ūca uddhavaḥ snehavihvalāḥ||

Prahlada said: Hearing their words and their abundant lamenting, Uddhava, overcome with affection, said to them, 'So be it.'

Verse 40 (skanda.7.459.40)

उद्धवेन समं सर्वास्ततस्ता व्रजयोषितः। अनुजग्मुर्मुदा युक्ताः कृष्णदर्शनलालसाः॥

uddhavena samaṁ sarvāstatastā vrajayoṣitaḥ| anujagmurmudā yuktāḥ kṛṣṇadarśanalālasāḥ||

Then all those women of Vraja, longing to see Krishna, joyfully set out along with Uddhava.

Verse 41 (skanda.7.459.41)

गायन्त्यः प्रियगीतानि तद्बालचरितानि च। जग्मुः सहैव शनकैरुद्धवेन व्रजांगनाः॥

gāyantyaḥ priyagītāni tadbālacaritāni ca| jagmuḥ sahaiva śanakairuddhavena vrajāṅganāḥ||

Singing songs of their beloved and of his childhood exploits, the women of Vraja walked slowly along together with Uddhava.

Verse 42 (skanda.7.459.42)

यदुपुर्य्यां ततो दृष्ट्वा उद्यानविपिनावलीः। अद्य देवं प्रपश्यामः कृष्णाख्यं नंदनंदनम्॥

yadupuryāṁ tato dṛṣṭvā udyānavipināvalīḥ| adya devaṁ prapaśyāmaḥ kṛṣṇākhyaṁ nandanandanam||

Seeing the rows of gardens and groves in the Yadu city, they said: 'Today we shall behold that god called Krishna, son of Nanda.'

Verse 43 (skanda.7.459.43)

द्वारवत्यां तु गमनाद्ध्यानाल्लक्ष्मीपतेस्तदा। अशेषकल्मषान्मुक्ता विध्वस्ताखिलबन्धनाः॥

dvāravatyāṁ tu gamanāddhyānāllakṣmīpatestadā| aśeṣakalmaṣānmuktā vidhvastākhilabandhanāḥ||

By journeying toward Dvaravati, and by meditating upon the husband of Lakshmi, they became freed of all sin and rid of every bondage.

Verse 44 (skanda.7.459.44)

संप्राप्तास्तास्ततः सर्वास्तीरे मयसरस्य च। प्रणिपत्योद्धवः प्राह गोपिकाः कृष्णदेवताः॥

samprāptāstāstataḥ sarvāstīre mayasarasya ca| praṇipatyoddhavaḥ prāha gopikāḥ kṛṣṇadevatāḥ||

Then all of them arrived at the bank of Mayasaras, the lake made by Maya. Uddhava, bowing, said to those cowherd women who regarded Krishna alone as their deity:

Verse 45 (skanda.7.459.45)

स्थीयतां मातरश्चात्रात्रैवेष्यति महाभुजः। कृष्णः कमलपत्राक्षो विधास्यति च वो हितम्॥

sthīyatāṁ mātaraścātrātraiveṣyati mahābhujaḥ| kṛṣṇaḥ kamalapatrākṣo vidhāsyati ca vo hitam||

'O mothers, remain here; here that mighty-armed, lotus-eyed Krishna shall come, and shall bring about your welfare.'

Verse 46 (skanda.7.459.46)

॥ गोप्य ऊचुः ॥ कस्योद्धव इदं चात्र सरः सारसशोभितम्। संपूर्णं पंकजैश्चित्रैः कल्हारकुमुदोत्पलैः॥

gopya ūcuḥ| kasyoddhava idaṁ cātra saraḥ sārasaśobhitam| sampūrṇaṁ paṅkajaiścitraiḥ kalhārakumudotpalaiḥ||

The gopis said: 'O Uddhava, whose is this lake, adorned with cranes, filled with wondrous lotuses, water-lilies, night-lotuses, and blue lotuses?'

Verse 47 (skanda.7.459.47)

॥ उद्धव उवाच ॥ मयो नाम महादैत्यो मायावी लोकविश्रुतः। कृतं तेन सरः शुभ्रं तस्य नाम्ना च विश्रुतम्॥

uddhava uvāca| mayo nāma mahādaityo māyāvī lokaviśrutaḥ| kṛtaṁ tena saraḥ śubhraṁ tasya nāmnā ca viśrutam||

Uddhava said: 'A great demon named Maya, a sorcerer renowned throughout the world, made this splendid lake, and it is known by his very name.'

Verse 48 (skanda.7.459.48)

॥ श्रीगोप्य ऊचुः ॥ शीघ्रमानय गोविंदं साधु दर्शय चाच्युतम्। नयनानंदजननं तापत्रयविनाशनम्॥

śrīgopya ūcuḥ| śīghramānaya govindaṁ sādhu darśaya cācyutam| nayanānaṁdajananaṁ tāpatrayavināśanam||

The gopis said: 'Quickly bring Govinda, kindly show us that imperishable one, who brings joy to the eyes and destroys the three kinds of suffering.'

Verse 49 (skanda.7.459.49)

तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तासां गोपिकानां तदोद्धवः। दूतैः समानयामास श्रीकृष्णं शीघ्रयायिभिः॥

tacchrutvā vacanaṁ tāsāṁ gopikānāṁ tadoddhavaḥ| dūtaiḥ samānayāmāsa śrīkṛṣṇaṁ śīghrayāyibhiḥ||

Hearing the words of those cowherd women, Uddhava sent swift messengers to fetch Shri Krishna.

Verse 50 (skanda.7.459.50)

आयांतं शीघ्रयानेन दृष्ट्वा देवकिनंदनम्। भ्राजमानं सुवपुषा वनमालाविभूषितम्॥

āyāntaṁ śīghrayānena dṛṣṭvā devakinaṁdanam| bhrājamānaṁ suvapuṣā vanamālāvibhūṣitam||

Seeing the son of Devaki arriving in a swift conveyance, radiant with his beautiful form, adorned with a garland of forest flowers,

Verse 51 (skanda.7.459.51)

ज्वलत्किरीटमुकुटं स्फुरन्मकरकुण्डलम्। श्रीवत्सांकं महाबाहुं पीतकौशेयवाससम्॥

jvalatkirīṭamukuṭaṁ sphuranmakarakuṇḍalam| śrīvatsāṅkaṁ mahābāhuṁ pītakauśeyavāsasam||

his crown blazing, his makara-shaped earrings gleaming, bearing the mark of Shrivatsa, his arms mighty, clad in yellow silk garments,

Verse 52 (skanda.7.459.52)

आतपत्रैर्वृतं मूर्ध्नि संवृतं वृष्णिपुंगवैः। संस्तुतं बंदिमुख्यैश्च गीतवादित्रनिस्वनैः॥

ātapatrairvṛtaṁ mūrdhni saṁvṛtaṁ vṛṣṇipuṅgavaiḥ| saṁstutaṁ bandimukhyaiśca gītavāditraniśvanaiḥ||

his head shaded by royal parasols, surrounded by the foremost of the Vrishni clan, praised by court bards, amid the sounds of song and instrumental music,

Verse 53 (skanda.7.459.53)

पौरजानपदैर्लोकैर्वैष्णवैः सर्वतो वृतम्। पश्यन्तं हंसमिथुनैः सरः सारसशोभितम्॥

paurajānapadairlokairvaiṣṇavaiḥ sarvato vṛtam| paśyantaṁ haṁsamithunaiḥ saraḥ sārasaśobhitam||

surrounded on every side by the Vaishnava people of the city and countryside, gazing upon that lake, graced with pairs of swans and adorned with cranes,

Verse 54 (skanda.7.459.54)

तं दृष्ट्वाऽच्युतमायांतं लोककांतं मनोहरम्। प्रियं प्रियाश्चिराद्दृष्ट्वा मुमुहुस्ता व्रजांगनाः॥

taṁ dṛṣṭvācyutamāyāntaṁ lokakāntaṁ manoharam| priyaṁ priyāścirāddṛṣṭvā mumuhustā vrajāṅganāḥ||

Beholding that imperishable one, beloved of the world and enchanting, arriving, and seeing their beloved after so long a time, those women of Vraja swooned.

Verse 55 (skanda.7.459.55)

चिराय संज्ञां संप्राप्य विलेपुश्च सुदुःखिताः। हा नाथ कांत हा कृष्ण हा व्रजेश मनोहर॥

cirāya saṁjñāṁ samprāpya vilepuśca suduḥkhitāḥ| hā nātha kānta hā kṛṣṇa hā vrajeśa manohara||

Regaining consciousness after a long while, they, deeply grieved, broke into lament: 'Alas, my lord! Alas, beloved! Alas, Krishna! Alas, lord of Vraja, enchanting one!'

Verse 56 (skanda.7.459.56)

संवर्धितोऽसि यैर्बाल्ये क्रीडितो वत्सपालकैः। तेऽपि त्वया परित्यक्ताः कथं दुष्टोऽसि निर्घृणः॥

saṁvardhito'si yairbālye krīḍito vatsapālakaiḥ| te'pi tvayā parityaktāḥ kathaṁ duṣṭo'si nirghṛṇaḥ||

'Those very cowherd boys among whom you grew up and played, even them you have abandoned — how have you become so cruel and heartless?'

Verse 57 (skanda.7.459.57)

न ते धर्मो न सौहार्द्दं न सत्यं सख्यमेव च। पितृमातृपरित्यागी कथं यास्यसि सद्गतिम्॥

na te dharmo na sauhārdaṁ na satyaṁ sakhyameva ca| pitṛmātṛparityāgī kathaṁ yāsyasi sadgatim||

'You have neither righteousness, nor affection, nor truth, nor friendship. Having abandoned your very parents, how will you attain a good end?'

Verse 58 (skanda.7.459.58)

स्वामिन्भक्तपरित्यागः सर्वशास्त्रेषु गर्हितः। त्यजताऽस्मान्वने वीर धर्मो नावेक्षितस्त्वया॥

svāminbhaktaparityāgaḥ sarvaśāstreṣu garhitaḥ| tyajatā'smānvane vīra dharmo nāvekṣitastvayā||

'O master, the abandonment of a devotee is condemned in all the scriptures. O hero, in leaving us in the forest, you paid no heed at all to dharma.'

Verse 59 (skanda.7.459.59)

॥ प्रह्लाद उवाच ॥ श्रुत्वा तासां विलपितं गोपीनां नंद नंदन। अनन्यशरणाः सर्वा भावज्ञो भगवान्विभुः। सांत्वयामास वचनैर्व्रजेशस्ता व्रजांगनाः॥

prahlāda uvāca| śrutvā tāsāṁ vilapitaṁ gopīnāṁ naṁda naṁdana| ananyaśaraṇāḥ sarvā bhāvajño bhagavānvibhuḥ| sāṁtvayāmāsa vacanairvrajeśastā vrajāṅganāḥ||

Prahlada said: Hearing the lament of those gopis, who had no other refuge, the Lord, son of Nanda, the all-pervading one who knows the heart's feelings, the lord of Vraja, consoled those women of Vraja with his words.

Verse 60 (skanda.7.459.60)

अध्यात्मशिक्षया गोपीः प्रभुस्ता अन्वशिक्षयत्॥

adhyātmaśikṣayā gopīḥ prabhustā anvaśikṣayat||

The Lord instructed those gopis with spiritual teaching.

Verse 61 (skanda.7.459.61)

॥ श्रीभगवानुवाच ॥ भवतीनां वियोगो मे न हि सर्वात्मना क्वचित्। वसामि हृदये शश्वद्भूतानामविशेषतः॥

śrībhagavānuvāca| bhavatīnāṁ viyogo me na hi sarvātmanā kvacit| vasāmi hṛdaye śaśvadbhūtānāmaviśeṣataḥ||

The Lord said: 'I am never, in truth, wholly separated from you; I dwell always in the hearts of all beings without distinction.'

Verse 62 (skanda.7.459.62)

अहं सर्वस्य प्रभवो मत्तो देवाः सवासवाः। आदित्या वसवो रुद्राः साध्या विश्वे मरुद्गणाः॥

ahaṁ sarvasya prabhavo matto devāḥ savāsavāḥ| ādityā vasavo rudrāḥ sādhyā viśve marudgaṇāḥ||

'I am the source of all; from me arise the gods together with Indra, the Adityas, the Vasus, the Rudras, the Sadhyas, the Vishvedevas, and the Marut hosts.'

Verse 63 (skanda.7.459.63)

ब्रह्मा रुद्रश्च विष्णुश्च सनकाद्या महर्षयः। इंद्रियाणि मनो बुद्धिस्तथा सत्त्वं रजस्तमः॥

brahmā rudraśca viṣṇuśca sanakādyā maharṣayaḥ| indriyāṇi mano buddhistathā sattvaṁ rajastamaḥ||

'Brahma, Rudra, and Vishnu, Sanaka and the other great sages, the senses, mind, intellect, and the three qualities — sattva, rajas, and tamas —'

Verse 64 (skanda.7.459.64)

कामः क्रोधश्च लोभश्च मोहोऽहंकार एव च। एतत्सर्वमशेषेण मत्तो गोप्यः प्रवर्त्तते॥

kāmaḥ krodhaśca lobhaśca moho'haṅkāra eva ca| etatsarvamaśeṣeṇa matto gopyaḥ pravartate||

'Desire, anger, greed, delusion, and ego — O gopis, all of this, without exception, proceeds from me.'

Verse 65 (skanda.7.459.65)

एतज्ज्ञात्वा महाभागा मा स्म कृध्वं मनः शुचि। सर्वभूतेषु मां नित्यं भावयध्वमकल्मषाः॥

etajjñātvā mahābhāgā mā sma kṛdhvaṁ manaḥ śuci| sarvabhūteṣu māṁ nityaṁ bhāvayadhvamakalmaṣāḥ||

'Knowing this, O blessed ones, do not trouble your pure minds. Free from all taint, perceive me always in all beings.'

Verse 66 (skanda.7.459.66)

॥ प्रह्लाद उवाच ॥ ताः कृष्णवचनं श्रुत्वा गोप्यो विध्वस्तबन्धनाः। विमुक्तसंशयक्लेशा दर्शनानन्दसंप्लुताः। ऊचुश्च गोपवध्वस्ताः कृष्णं निर्मलमानसाः॥

prahlāda uvāca| tāḥ kṛṣṇavacanaṁ śrutvā gopyo vidhvastabandhanāḥ| vimuktasaṁśayakleśā darśanānandasamplutāḥ| ūcuśca gopavadhvastāḥ kṛṣṇaṁ nirmalamānasāḥ||

Prahlada said: Hearing Krishna's words, those gopis were freed of all bondage, released from doubt and distress, immersed in the joy of his presence, and those pure-hearted cowherd women said to Krishna:

Verse 67 (skanda.7.459.67)

॥ गोप्य ऊचुः ॥ अद्य नः सफलं जन्म अद्य नः सफला दृशः। यत्त्वां पश्याम गोविन्द नागरीजनवल्लभम्॥

gopya ūcuḥ| adya naḥ saphalaṁ janma adya naḥ saphalā dṛśaḥ| yattvāṁ paśyāma govinda nāgarījanavallabham||

The gopis said: 'Today our birth is fulfilled, today our eyes are fulfilled, in that we behold you, O Govinda, beloved of the city folk.'

Verse 68 (skanda.7.459.68)

पुण्यहीना न पश्यंति कृष्णाख्यं पुरुषं परम्। वाक्यैर्हेत्वर्थसंयुक्तैर्यदि संबोधिता वयम्। तथापि माया हृदयान्नापैति मधुसूदन॥

puṇyahīnā na paśyanti kṛṣṇākhyaṁ puruṣaṁ param| vākyairhetvarthasaṁyuktairyadi saṁbodhitā vayam| tathāpi māyā hṛdayānnāpaiti madhusūdana||

'Those bereft of merit do not behold that supreme Person called Krishna. O Madhusudana, even though we have been instructed with words full of sound reasoning, still this bewilderment does not depart from our hearts.'

Verse 69 (skanda.7.459.69)

॥ श्रीकृष्ण उवाच ॥ दर्शनात्स्पर्शनाच्चास्य विमुक्ताऽशेषबन्धनाः। स्नात्वा च सकलान्कामानवाप्स्यथ व्रजांगनाः॥

śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca| darśanātsparśanāccāsya vimuktā'śeṣabandhanāḥ| snātvā ca sakalānkāmānavāpsyatha vrajāṅganāḥ||

Shri Krishna said: 'O women of Vraja, by the mere sight and touch of this lake, you shall be freed of every bondage, and, bathing here, you shall obtain all your desires.'

Verse 70 (skanda.7.459.70)

॥ गोप्य ऊचुः ॥ अद्भुतो हि प्रभावस्ते सरसोऽस्य उदाहृतः। विधिं ब्रूहि जगन्नाथ विस्तराद्वृष्णिनन्दन॥

gopya ūcuḥ| adbhuto hi prabhāvaste saraso'sya udāhṛtaḥ| vidhiṁ brūhi jagannātha vistarādvṛṣṇinandana||

The gopis said: 'The power of this lake, as you have declared it, is truly wondrous. O Lord of the universe, delight of the Vrishnis, tell us its rite in full.'

Verse 71 (skanda.7.459.71)

॥ श्रीकृष्ण उवाच ॥ भवतीनां मया सार्द्धं सञ्जातमत्र दर्शनम्। तस्मान्मया सदा ह्यत्र स्नातव्यं नियमेन हि॥

śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca| bhavatīnāṁ mayā sārddhaṁ sañjātamatra darśanam| tasmānmayā sadā hyatra snātavyaṁ niyamena hi||

Shri Krishna said: 'Since our meeting here has taken place with you, I too shall always bathe here in accordance with this observance.'

Verse 72 (skanda.7.459.72)

यः स्नात्वा परया भक्त्या पितॄन्सन्तर्पयिष्यति। श्रावणस्य सिते पक्षे द्वादश्यां नियतः शुचिः॥

yaḥ snātvā parayā bhaktyā pitṝnsantarpayiṣyati| śrāvaṇasya site pakṣe dvādaśyāṁ niyataḥ śuciḥ||

'Whoever, bathing with the deepest devotion, on the twelfth of the bright fortnight of Shravana, purified and observant, offers libations to the ancestors,'

Verse 73 (skanda.7.459.73)

दत्त्वा दानं स्वशक्त्या च मामुद्दिश्य तथा पितॄन्। लभते वैष्णवं लोकं पितृभिः परिवारितः॥

dattvā dānaṁ svaśaktyā ca māmuddiśya tathā pitṝn| labhate vaiṣṇavaṁ lokaṁ pitṛbhiḥ parivāritaḥ||

'and gives charity according to his means, dedicated to me and to the ancestors, shall attain the realm of Vishnu, surrounded by his ancestors.'

Verse 74 (skanda.7.459.74)

मय तीर्थं समासाद्य कृत्वा च करयोः कुशान्। फलमेकं गृहीत्वा तु मन्त्रेणार्घ्यं प्रदापयेत्॥

maya tīrthaṁ samāsādya kṛtvā ca karayoḥ kuśān| phalamekaṁ gṛhītvā tu mantreṇārghyaṁ pradāpayet||

'Having arrived at this sacred place made by Maya, taking darbha grass in the hands, holding a single fruit, one should offer the water of welcome with this mantra:'

Verse 75 (skanda.7.459.75)

गृहान्धकूपे पतितं माया पाशशतैर्वृतम्। मामुद्धर महीनाथ गृहाणार्घ्यं नमोऽस्तु ते॥

gṛhāndhakūpe patitaṁ māyā pāśaśatairvṛtam| māmuddhara mahīnātha gṛhāṇārghyaṁ namo'stu te||

'O lord of the earth, deliver me, fallen into the blind well of household life, bound by the hundred snares of maya. Accept this offering; salutations to you.'

Verse 76 (skanda.7.459.76)

॥ अर्घ्यमन्त्रः ॥ स्नात्वा यः परया भक्त्या पितॄन्संतर्प्य भावतः। कुर्याच्छ्राद्धं च परया पितृभक्त्या समन्वितः॥

arghyamantraḥ| snātvā yaḥ parayā bhaktyā pitṝnsaṁtarpya bhāvataḥ| kuryācchrāddhaṁ ca parayā pitṛbhaktyā samanvitaḥ||

[The offering mantra] — Whoever, bathing with the deepest devotion, offering libations to the ancestors with true feeling, and filled with the deepest devotion to the ancestors, performs the shraddha rite,

Verse 77 (skanda.7.459.77)

दक्षिणां च ततो दद्याद्रजतं रुक्ममेव च। विशेषतः प्रदातव्यं पायसं च सशर्करम्॥

dakṣiṇāṁ ca tato dadyādrajataṁ rukmameva ca| viśeṣataḥ pradātavyaṁ pāyasaṁ ca saśarkaram||

should then give silver and gold as the sacrificial fee, and especially rice pudding sweetened with sugar.

Verse 78 (skanda.7.459.78)

नवनीतं घृतं छत्रं कंबलाजिनमेव च। भवतीभिः समं यस्मात्संजातं मम दर्शनम्। आगंतव्यं मया तस्मात्सदा ह्यस्मिञ्जलाशये॥

navanītaṁ ghṛtaṁ chatraṁ kambalājinameva ca| bhavatībhiḥ samaṁ yasmātsaṁjātaṁ mama darśanam| āgaṁtavyaṁ mayā tasmātsadā hyasmiñjalāśaye||

One should give butter, ghee, an umbrella, a blanket, and a deerskin. Since my meeting with you has taken place here, I too shall come always to this lake.

Verse 79 (skanda.7.459.79)

योऽत्र स्नानं प्रकुरुते मयस्य सरसि प्रियाः। गंगास्नानफलं तस्य विष्णुलोकस्तथाऽक्षयः॥

yo'tra snānaṁ prakurute mayasya sarasi priyāḥ| gaṅgāsnānaphalaṁ tasya viṣṇulokastathā'kṣayaḥ||

'O dear ones, whoever bathes in this lake of Maya obtains the fruit of bathing in the Ganga, and the imperishable realm of Vishnu.'

Verse 80 (skanda.7.459.80)

मुक्तिं प्रयांति तस्यैव पितरस्त्रिकुलोद्भवाः। पुत्रपौत्रसमायुक्तो धनधान्यसमन्वितः। यावज्जीवं सुखं भुक्त्वा चान्ते हरिपुरं व्रजेत्॥

muktiṁ prayānti tasyaiva pitarastrikulodbhavāḥ| putrapautrasamāyukto dhanadhānyasamanvitaḥ| yāvajjīvaṁ sukhaṁ bhuktvā cānte haripuraṁ vrajet||

His ancestors, born in his three lineages, attain liberation; he himself, blessed with sons and grandsons and abundant wealth and grain, enjoys happiness throughout his life, and at the end goes to Hari's abode.