rule



 

 
Canto 10

Vibhāvarī S'esha

 

 

Chapter 21: The Gopīs Glorify the Song of Krishna's Flute

(1) S'rī S'uka said: 'Acyuta together with the cows and gopas entered the place thus being cooled by the breezes sweet because of the fragrance of the lotus filled lakes with their pellucid, autumnal waters. (2) While the Sweet Lord with Balarāma and the cowherd boys was tending the animals between the groups of flowering trees, the lakes, rivers and hills, full of the sounds of maddened bees and flocks of birds, He was absorbed in playing His flute. (3) When the ladies of Vraja heard the song of the flute, that brought to mind the flourishing [of all existence], each of them confidentially revealed to her intimate companion her appreciation for Krishna. (4) But once they started that description they, remembering Krishna's deeds and getting excited in rapt attention, could no longer continue, oh ruler of man. (5) [Before their mind's eye they saw how] His glories were sung by the group of cowherds, and the holes of His flute were filled by the nectar of His lips, as He entered the forest of Vrindāvana that was so enchanting because of His footprints. [They pictured Him] with a peacock feather on His head, a body like that of the best dancers, a blue karnikāra lotus behind His ears, golden, yellow colored garments and the vaijayantī garland around His neck [the garland 'of victory' with flowers of five different colors]. (6) Oh King, when the women of Vraja heard the sound of the flute that captivates the minds of all living beings, they in their praise all embraced [Him in their mind].

(7) The gopīs said: 'Oh friends, we who have eyes know no greater achievement than this: to imbibe the loving glances radiating from the faces of the two sons of the king of Vraja while They play on Their flutes and with Their companions drive the cows from one forest to another. (8) With the mango sprouts, peacock feathers, garlands of flower buds, lotuses and lilies to Their colorful garments and Their occasional singing, the two of Them magnificently shine forth in the midst of the cowherd boys, just like two expert dancers on a stage. (9) Oh gopīs, how meritorious must the deeds have been of this [bamboo] flute of Krishna to be entitled to enjoy all alone the taste that is left behind by the nectar of His lips that [actually] belongs to the gopīs? His forefathers, the bamboo trees, are shedding tears of happiness, and also the river [where they grew] is full of shivers of joy. (10) Vrindāvana having received the treasure of the lotus feet of the son of Devakī, oh friends, adds to the glories of the earth. The sound of Govinda's flute makes the peacocks dance madly and stuns all the other creatures looking down from the hillsides. (11) How fortunate are the doe who, however ignorant they were born, in hearing the sound of the flute of the so very nicely dressed son of Nanda, with their affectionate glances performed worship in the company of their black husbands? (12) It is for the women a festival to listen to the clear song of Krishna's flute and observe His beauty and personality. Of the wives of the gods of heaven flying around in their heavenly vehicles slip, agitated and bewildered as they are by the thought of Him, the flowers tied in their hair and slacken their belts. (13) The cows raise their ears high to catch with those cups the nectar of the sounds emitted by Krishna holding the flute to His mouth. The calves, with mouths full of the milk that exuded from the udders, stand silently with in their eyes and hearts Govinda who moves them and fills their eyes with tears. (14) Dear sisters, the birds in the forest rising to the branches of the trees beautiful with creepers and twigs, sit there like great sages in their eagerness to see Krishna. With their eyes closed they listen to the sweet vibrations produced by His flute that silences other voices. (15) Hearing that song of Krishna the rivers, with their currents broken in whirlpools because of their minds steeped in love, seize and firmly hold the two feet of Murāri, while carrying offerings of lotus flowers in the embrace of their wavy arms. (16) While the Lord was herding Vraja's animals together with Rāma and the gopas, a cloud seeing Him continually loudly playing His flute in the heat of the sun, out of love expanded itself high above its friend to create with its body a parasol carrying a great number of [cool droplets that descended like] flowers. (17) The aboriginal women of Vraja, the Pulindas, are tormented to see the grass being marked by the red, transcendental kunkuma powder stemming from the lotus feet of this Cupid. But smearing on their breasts and faces that powder that once decorated the breasts of the girlfriends of the widely celebrated Lord, they are fully satisfied and forget that pain. (18) And oh, this [Govardhana] hill my friends, is the Lord's best servant because it, from being touched by the lotus feet of Krishna and Rāma, jubilantly proves its respect with offerings of drinking water, tender grass and edible roots for the cows, the calves and the cowherds. (19) The two of Them, who can be recognized by the ropes [*] They have for binding the rear legs of the cows, accompanied in all freedom together with the cowherd boys the cows to every place in the forest. With the vibrations of the sweet tones of Their flutes, oh friends, They therewith wondrously stunned the living entities that can move while They moved the otherwise immobile trees to ecstasy.'

(20)  The gopīs, picturing for each other the pastimes of the Supreme Lord the way He wandered around in Vrindāvana, thus being engaged became fully absorbed in Him.'

 

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 Third revised edition, loaded August 27, 2020.

 

 

 

 

 

Previous Aadhar edition and Vedabase links:

Text 1

S'rī S'uka said: 'Acyuta together with the cows and gopas entered the place thus being cooled by the breezes sweet because of the fragrance of the lotus filled lakes with their pellucid, autumnal waters.
S'rī S'uka said: 'Thus entered Acyuta with the cows and gopas the place that was cooled by the breezes sweet of the fragrance from the lotus filled lakes with their waters pellucid from the season of fall. (Vedabase)

 

Text 2

While the Sweet Lord with Balarāma and the cowherd boys was tending the animals between the groups of flowering trees, the lakes, rivers and hills, full of the sounds of maddened bees and flocks of birds, He was absorbed in playing His flute.

While He, roaming the lakes, rivers and hills, was tending the animals in the company of Balarāma and the cowherd boys, played the Sweet Lord between the blooming trees His flute vibrating along with the maddened bees and flocks of birds. (Vedabase)

 

Text 3

When the ladies of Vraja heard the song of the flute, that brought to mind the flourishing [of all existence], each of them confidentially revealed to her intimate companion her appreciation for Krishna.

Of the ladies of Vraja who heard the song of the flute, which brought to mind the flourishing [of all existence], revealed some in confidence to their intimates what their thoughts were about Krishna. (Vedabase)

     

Text 4

But once they started that description they, remembering Krishna's deeds and getting excited in rapt attention, could no longer continue, oh ruler of man.

Commencing with that description were they, remembering all that Krishna did and getting excited in rapt attention, no longer capable of proceeding, o ruler of man. (Vedabase)

 

Text 5

[Before their mind's eye they saw how] His glories were sung by the group of cowherds, and the holes of His flute were filled by the nectar of His lips, as He entered the forest of Vrindāvana that was so enchanting because of His footprints. [They pictured Him] with a peacock feather on His head, a body like that of the best dancers, a blue karnikāra lotus behind His ears, golden, yellow colored garments and the vaijayantī garland around His neck [the garland 'of victory' with flowers of five different colors].

With a peacock feather on His head, with the body of the best of dancers, a blue karnikāra lotus behind His ears, wearing golden, yellow colored garments and [decorated] with the vaijayantī garland ['of victory' with flowers of five different colors], filled He the holes of His flute with the nectar from His lips while He, with His glories being sung by the group of cowherds, entered the forest of Vrindāvana that was so enchanting because of His footprints. (Vedabase)

 

Text 6

Oh King, when the women of Vraja heard the sound of the flute that captivates the minds of all living beings, they in their praise all embraced [Him in their mind].

O King, hearing the sound of the flute which captivates the minds of all living beings, embraced all the women of Vraja each other as they were describing Him.  (Vedabase)

   

Text 7

The gopīs said: 'Oh friends, we who have eyes know no greater achievement than this: to imbibe the loving glances radiating from the faces of the two sons of the king of Vraja while They play on Their flutes and with Their companions drive the cows from one forest to another.

The gopīs said: 'O friends, we who have eyes know of no greater achievement than this: to imbibe the loving glances radiating from the faces of the two sons of the king of Vraja as They play on Their flutes and with Their mates drive the cows before them from one forest to another. (Vedabase)

 

Text 8

With the mango sprouts, peacock feathers, garlands of flower buds, lotuses and lilies to Their colorful garments and Their occasional singing, the two of Them magnificently shine forth in the midst of the cowherd boys, just like two expert dancers on a stage.

With the mango sprouts, peacock feathers, garlands of flower buds, lotuses and lilies in combination with the colorful garments They dress up with, shine the two magnificently forth in the midst of the cowherd boys, just like two expert dancers on a stage now and then singing. (Vedabase)

  

Text 9

Oh gopīs, how meritorious must the deeds have been of this [bamboo] flute of Krishna to be entitled to enjoy all alone the taste that is left behind by the nectar of His lips that [actually] belongs to the gopīs? His forefathers, the bamboo trees, are shedding tears of happiness, and also the river [where they grew] is full of shivers of joy.

O gopīs, how meritorious must the deeds have been of this flute of Krishna just to enjoy on its own the taste left behind by the nectar of the lips to which the gopīs are entitled. His forefathers the bamboo trees are shedding tears of joy just like the river [where they grew] with her wealth is full of joy [shedding tears of honey from her lotuses]. (Vedabase)


 Text 10

Vrindāvana having received the treasure of the lotus feet of the son of Devakī, oh friends, adds to the glories of the earth. The sound of Govinda's flute makes the peacocks dance madly and stuns all the other creatures looking down from the hillsides.

Vrindāvana, o friends, adds to the glories of the earth having received the treasure of the lotus feet of the son of Devakī. To that maddens the sound of Govinda's flute the peacocks, whose dance stuns all other creatures looking down from the hillsides. (Vedabase)

   

Text 11

How fortunate are the doe who, however ignorant they were born, in hearing the sound of the flute of the so very nicely dressed son of Nanda, with their affectionate glances performed worship in the company of their black husbands?

How fortunate are the doe who, however ignorantly they were born, in hearing the sound of the flute of the so very nicely dressed son of Nanda, with their affectionate glances performed worship in the company of their black husbands. (Vedabase)

 

Text 12

It is for the women a festival to listen to the clear song of Krishna's flute and observe His beauty and personality. Of the wives of the gods of heaven flying around in their heavenly vehicles slip, agitated and bewildered as they are by the thought of Him, the flowers tied in their hair and slacken their belts.

For all women is it a festival to observe Krishna with His beauty and character and to hear the clear song of His flute. Of the wives of the gods of heaven flying around in their heavenly vehicles slip, agitated and bewildered as they are by the thought of Him, the flowers they tied in their hair and slacken their belts. (Vedabase)

 

Text 13

The cows raise their ears high to catch with those cups the nectar of the sounds emitted by Krishna holding the flute to His mouth. The calves, with mouths full of the milk that exuded from the udders, stand silently with in their eyes and hearts Govinda who moves them and fills their eyes with tears.

The cows raise their ears high to catch in those vessels the nectar of the sounds emitted by Krishna with His mouth to the flute. The calves, with mouths full of the milk that exuded from the udders, stand silently with in their eyes and minds Govinda who touches them and fills their eyes with tears. (Vedabase)

 

Text 14

Dear sisters, the birds in the forest rising to the branches of the trees beautiful with creepers and twigs, sit there like great sages in their eagerness to see Krishna. With their eyes closed they listen to the sweet vibrations produced by His flute that silences other voices.
O mothers, for sure are the birds in the forest [as] great sages out there to see Krishna. Rising to the branches of the trees with all their wealth of creepers and twigs, hear they with their eyes closed the sweet vibrations of the flute that silences the rest. (Vedabase)

  

Text 15

Hearing that song of Krishna the rivers, with their currents broken in whirlpools because of their minds steeped in love, seize and firmly hold the two feet of Murāri, while carrying offerings of lotus flowers in the embrace of their wavy arms.

The [female] rivers when they hear that song of Krishna, run because of their minds steeped in love in whirlpools with their currents broken. Seizing and holding firm in the embrace of their wavy arms the two feet of Murāri, carry they to them offerings of lotus flowers. (Vedabase)

 

Text 16

While the Lord was herding Vraja's animals together with Rāma and the gopas, a cloud seeing Him continually loudly playing His flute in the heat of the sun, out of love expanded itself high above its friend to create with its body a parasol carrying a great number of [cool droplets that descended like] flowers.

Seeing in the heat of the sun Him all the time loudly playing His flute as He was herding Vraja's animals together with Rāma and the gopas, expanded out of the love of friendship a cloud high to create with its body a parasol with great numbers of [cool droplets descending like] flowers. (Vedabase)

 

Text 17

The aboriginal women of Vraja, the Pulindas, are tormented to see the grass being marked by the red, transcendental kunkuma powder stemming from the lotus feet of this Cupid. But smearing on their breasts and faces that powder that once decorated the breasts of the girlfriends of the widely celebrated Lord, they are fully satisfied and forget that pain.

The women of the Pulindya tribe [the aboriginal people of Vraja] find full satisfaction with the lotus feet of the Lord Glorified by the Great, when they, seeing its reddish kunkuma sticking to the grass that before decorated the breasts of His girlfriends, pained by the very thought, are in the position to overcome that pain by smearing the powder on their breasts and faces. (Vedabase)


Text 18

And oh, this [Govardhana] hill my friends, is the Lord's best servant because it, from being touched by the lotus feet of Krishna and Rāma, jubilantly proves its respect with offerings of drinking water, tender grass and edible roots for the cows, the calves and the cowherds.

And oh, this hill [Govardhana], o friends, is the Lord His best servant because it, from the touch of the lotus feet of Krishna and Rāma, is jubilant of respect with offers of drinking water, tender grass and edible roots for the cows, the calves and the cowtenders. (Vedabase)

 

Text 19

The two of Them, who can be recognized by the ropes [*] They have for binding the rear legs of the cows, accompanied in all freedom together with the cowherd boys the cows to every place in the forest. With the vibrations of the sweet tones of Their flutes, oh friends, They therewith wondrously stunned the living entities that can move while They moved the otherwise immobile trees to ecstasy.

Wondrously are, with Their in all freedom together with the cowherd boys leading the cows to each place in the forest, by the vibrations of the flute its sweet tones, o friends, of the living entities the ones that can move stunned and the otherwise immobile trees stirred to ecstasy by the two of Them, They who can be recognized by the ropes [*] They have for binding the rear legs of the cows.' (Vedabase)

 

Text 20

The gopīs, picturing for each other the pastimes of the Supreme Lord the way He wandered around in Vrindāvana, thus being engaged became fully absorbed in Him.'

This way picturing one another the pastimes of the Supreme Lord wandering around in Vrindāvana, became the gopīs fully absorbed by Him.' (Vedabase)

 

*: S'rīla Vis'vanātha Cakravartī Thhākura explains that the ropes of Krishna and Balarāma are made of yellow cloth and have clusters of pearls at both ends. Sometimes They wear these ropes around Their turbans, and the ropes thus become wonderful decorations.

 

 

 

 

 Creative Commons
                License
The text and audio are offered under the conditions of the
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.
The image is titled: "S'rī Krishna with the flute", Guler / Kangra region, India, ca. 1790-1800 Rajput.
Source:
Smithsonian Freer and Sackler Gallery.
Production:
Filognostic Association of The Order of Time.

 

 

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