Srimad Bhagavatam: Canto 10

S'rî S'uka said: 'When Balarâma and Krishna lived in Dvârakâ, there was one day [*] an eclipse of the sun so complete that it seemed to be the end of the kalpa [a day of Brahmâ].

S'rî S'uka said: 'Then, as Râma and Krishna were living in Dvârakâ, was there one day [*] an eclipse of the sun as impressive as the end of the day of Brahmâ. (Vedabase)

Text 2

The people knowing that beforehand, oh King, came from everywhere to the field of Samanta-pañcaka ['the five lakes' at Kurukshetra] in the hope that that would work favorably.

The people knowing that beforehand, o King, came from everywhere to the field of Samanta-pañcaka ['the five lakes' at Kurukshetra] in the hope to benefit therefrom. (Vedabase)

Text 3-6

It is the place where Lord Paras'urâma, the greatest hero among the warriors, rid the earth of its [tyrannical] rulers and with the streams of their blood created the great lakes [see 9.16: 18-19]. Even though Bhagavân Lord Paras'urâma was unaffected by karmic reactions, He, in order to set an example for the common man, was there of worship like a normal person who wishes to dispel the sin. To that occasion therefore, oh son of Bharata, a great number of people of Bhârata came there on a holy pilgrimage. Vrishnis like Gada, Pradyumna and others, as also [the elders] Akrûra, Vasudeva and Âhuka [Ugrasena] who all wanted to eradicate their sins, went to that holy place. Aniruddha together with Sucandra, S'uka, Sârana and the army commander Kritavarmâ remained behind to guard [the city].

It is the place where Lord Paras'urâma, the greatest wielder of weapons, having rid the earth of its rulers with the streams of blood of the kings created the great lakes [see 9.16: 18-19]. Bhagavân Paras'urâma to that was, even though He was unaffected by karmic reactions, as the Controller to instruct the world in general of worship there like he was another [a common] person wishing to dispel the sin. So came, o son of Bharata, for the occasion a great number of people of Bhârata there on a holy pilgrimage. The Vrishnis, including Akrûra, Vasudeva, Âhuka [Ugrasena] and others wishing to eradicate their sins, went all to that holy place while Gada, Pradyumna and others with Sucandra, S'uka and Sârana and the army commander Kritavarmâ, remained home to guard the city. (Vedabase)

Text 7-8

As effulgent as Vidyâdharas they, in chariots resembling heavenly vehicles, moved on in waves of horses, bellowing elephants and masses of foot soldiers. Resplendent with their wives, with golden necklaces, flower garlands, attire and armor, they appeared on the road as supremely divine and majestic as [demigod] sky travelers.

Like effulgent Vidyâdharas came they in their chariots which resembled the seats of the gods, moving in waves with horses and bellowing elephants and masses of foot soldiers. Resplendent with their wives, with golden necklaces, flower garlands, attire and armor, appeared they on the road as supremely divine and majestic as the ones traveling through the sky. (Vedabase)

Text 9

The greatly pious Yâdavas bathing and fasting there, carefully saw to it that cows, garments, garlands, gold and necklaces were donated to the brahmins.

The greatly pious Yâdavas bathing and fasting there, with careful attention for the brahmins donated cows, garments, garlands, gold and necklaces. (Vedabase)

Text 10

After once more in the lakes of Paras'urâma as prescribed having taken a bath [the next day to conclude their fast], they fed the leading brahmins with the finest food and prayed thereto: 'Let there be our devotion for Krishna.'

In the lakes of Paras'urâma as prescribed once more taking a bath [the next day to conclude their fast], prayed the Vrishnis, to their feeding of the twiceborn sumptuously with the finest food: 'Let there be our devotion for Krishna.' (Vedabase)

Text 11

The Vrishnis thereupon with the permission of Krishna, their exclusive deity, comfortably sat down to eat in the cool shade of the trees.

Then ate the Vrishnis with the permission of Krishna as their exclusive deity, comfortably sitting down in the cool shade of the trees. (Vedabase)

Text 12-13

Having arrived there they saw their befriended and related kings of the Matsyas, Us'înaras, Kaus'alyas, Vidarbhas, Kurus, Sriñjayas, Kâmbojas, Kaikayas, Madras, Kuntîs, Ânartas and Keralas, and also met hundreds of other kings, both allies and adversaries, oh King. They as well saw their dear friends, the gopas and gopîs headed by Nanda, who had been aching [to see them] for so long.

They, having arrived there, saw their friends and relatives, the kings of the Matsyas, Us'înaras, Kaus'alyas, Vidarbhas, Kurus, Sriñjayas, Kâmbojas, Kaikayas, Madras, Kuntîs, Ânartas, Keralas and others, as also hundreds of allies and adversaries o King. They also met their friends, the gopas and gopîs headed by Nanda who had been anxious for so long [to see them]. (Vedabase)

Text 14

Meeting again, with their hearts and faces blooming as beautiful as lotuses because of the emotions, they embraced each other firmly and thus experienced the greatest delight with streams of tears, goose pimples and a choked-up voice.

Meeting again embraced they each other firmly experiencing the greatest delight with streams of tears, goose-pimpels and a choked-up voice, to which, because of the emotions, their hearts and faces bloomed as beautiful as lotuses. (Vedabase)

Text 15

The women looking at one another, with great eyes filled with tears of pure love, smiled with the greatest friendship and closed each other in their arms, pressing breasts to breasts that were smeared with kunkum paste.

The women seeing one another, with great eyes filled with tears of pure love, smiled with the greatest friendship and closed each other in their arms pressing breasts to breasts that were smeared with kunkum paste. (Vedabase)

Text 16

Thereupon they paid their respects to the elders and received obeisances from their younger relatives. Having inquired after their well-being and having discussed the comfort of their journey, they next started to talk with each other about Krishna.

Next proved they their respects to the elders and received they obeisances from their younger relatives. After they had inquired after their well-being and the comfort of their journey proceeded they with talking amongst each other about Krishna. (Vedabase)

Text 17

Kuntî saw her brothers and sisters with their children, her parents, her sisters-in-law and Mukunda, and gave up her sorrow while talking to them.

Kuntî seeing her brothers and sisters and their children, as well as her parents, her sisters-in-law and Mukunda, gave up her sorrow as she talked to them. (Vedabase)

Text 18

Kuntî said: 'Oh respectable brother, I feel most unfulfilled in my prayers because you, who are so very good, forgot what happened to me during my times of emergency [see also 1.8: 24]!

Kuntî said: 'O respectable one, o brother, I feel frustrated in my desires because you, however saintly you are, didn't think of what happened to me in my misfortune [see also 1.8: 24]! (Vedabase)

Text 19

Friends, relatives, sons, brothers, and even parents, easily forget the one [among them] suffering misfortune.'

Friends, relatives - sons, brothers and parents even - easily forget the one among them who is faring less in life.' (Vedabase)

Text 20

S'rî Vasudeva said: 'Dear sister, do not be cross with us, men are the playthings of fate. Whether someone acts of his own accord or follows the directions of others, he always falls under the control of the Lord.

S'rî Vasudeva said: 'Dearest, don't be cross with us, men are the playthings of fate, because a person, whether he acts on his own accord or is directed by others, is always under the control of the Lord. (Vedabase)

Text 21

Pestered by Kamsa we scattered in all directions [see 10.2: 7 and 10.4]. Only now we, by Divine Ordinance, have returned to our places, oh sister.'

Severely troubled by Kamsa we scattered in all directions [see 10.2: 7 and 10.4]; only now have we by Divine Ordinance been restored to our proper positions, o sister.' (Vedabase)

Text 22

S'rî S'uka said: 'All the kings who there were honored by Vasudeva, Ugrasena and the other Yâdavas, found peace in the supreme happiness of seeing Acyuta.

S'rî S'uka said: 'All the kings there honored by Vasudeva, Ugrasena and the other Yâdavas, found peace in the supreme ecstacy of seeing Acyuta. (Vedabase)

Text 23-26

Bhîshma, Drona, the son of Ambikâ [Dhritarâshthra], Gândhârî with her sons, as also the Pândavas and their wives, Kuntî, Sañjaya, Vidura and Kripa; Kuntîbhoja and Virâtha, Bhîshmaka, the great Nagnajit, Purujit, Drupada, S'alya, Dhrishthaketu and the king of Kâs'i; Damaghosha, Vis'âlâksha, the kings of Maithila, Madra and Kekaya, Yudhâmanyu, Sus'armâ, Bâhlika and others with their sons, as also, oh best of kings, many other kings resorting under Yudhishthhira, were all amazed to see the personal form of S'âuri, [Krishna] the abode of S'rî, there together with His wives.

Bhîshma, Drona, the son of Ambikâ [Dhritarâshthra], Gândhârî with her sons as also the Pândavas and their wives, Kuntî, Sañjaya, Vidura and Kripa; Kuntîbhoja and Virâtha, Bhîshmaka, the great Nagnajit, Purujit, Drupada, S'alya, Dhrishthaketu, and he, the king of Kâs'i; Damaghosha, Vis'âlâksha, the kings of Maithila, Madra and Kekaya, Yudhâmanyu and Sus'armâ and Bâhlika and others with their sons, as also, o best of kings, many other kings resorting under Yudhishthhira, were all amazed to see the abode of S'rî, the personal form of S'âuri, along with His wives. (Vedabase)

Text 27

After from both Balarâma and Krishna having received proper proof of respect, the kings in their turn filled with joy, enthusiastically praised the Vrishnis, the personal associates of Krishna:

Duely from Râma and Krishna having received proof of respect, praised the kings on their turn filled with joy, enthusiastically the Vrishnis, the personal associates of Krishna: (Vedabase)

Text 28

'Oh master of the Bhojas [Ugrasena], you have chosen a commendable birth among men in this world, for you continually see Krishna, He who even by the yogis is rarely seen.

'O master of the Bhojas [Ugrasena], you've chosen a birth worthwile among men in this world, because you repeatedly see Krishna, who even by the yogis is rarely seen. (Vedabase)

Text 29-30

His fame as praised in the Vedas, the water washing from His feet and the words of the revealed scriptures thoroughly purify this universe [see also B.G. 15: 15]. Even though her wealth had been ravaged by Time, the earth's vitality has been awakened by the touch of His lotus feet with her fulfilling all our desires like an abundance of rain. By seeing Him in person, by touching Him and walking with Him, conversing, lying down, sitting, eating, being bound through marriage with Him and having Him as a blood-relative, you [normally] following the hellish path of family life have now found Vishnu, liberation and heaven [in person] who constitutes the cessation [of one's searching in life. See also 5.14 and 7.14 and B.G. 11: 41-42].'

His fame as vibrated by the Vedas, the water washing from His feet and the words of the revealed scriptures thoroughly purify this universe [see also B.G. 15: 15]. By the touch of His lotus-like feet has, even though her good fortune was ravaged by Time, the vitality of the earth awakened and rains she in abundance rain down upon us all that we desire. With seeing Him, touching Him and walking, conversing, lying down, sitting, eating, being married to and being connected with Him as a blood-relative, have you traveling the [normally] hellish path of family life now found Vishnu, the liberation and heaven who constitutes the cessation [of one's search in life. See also 5.14 and 7.14 and B.G. 11: 41-42].' (Vedabase)

Text 31

S'rî S'uka said: 'When Nanda found out that the Yadus headed by Krishna had arrived there, he went to meet Him, accompanied by the gopas with their belongings on their wagons.

S'rî S'uka said: 'Nanda finding out that the Yadus with Krishna going first had arrived there, went to see Him, accompanied by the gopas with their belongings on their wagons. (Vedabase)

Text 32

In their delight excited to enjoy His presence after so long a time, the Vrishnis revived, as if awakened from death, and embraced Him firmly.

Delighted to see Him sprung the Vrishnis to life as if awakened from death and embraced they Him firmly, all exited about His presence after so long a time. (Vedabase)

Text 33

When Vasudeva, beside himself of love, overjoyed embraced Him, he remembered the troubles created by Kamsa because of which he had to leave his sons behind in Gokula [see 10.3 & 10.5].

Vasudeva, beside himself of love overenjoyed embracing, remembered the troubles created by Kamsa because of which he had to leave his sons in Gokula [see 10.3 & 10.5]. (Vedabase)

Text 34

Krishna and Râma embraced Their [foster] parents and offered Their respects, but could, with throats filled with tears of love, not utter a word, oh greatest hero of the Kurus.

Krishna and Râma embracing their [foster] parents offered Their respects and said, with throats filled with tears of love, nothing, o greatest hero of the Kurus. (Vedabase)

Text 35

The so very fortunate couple, Nanda and Yas'odâ, in their turn raised their sons on their laps, held Them in their arms and gave up their sorrow [of having been separated from Them].

Raising their sons on their laps and holding Them in their arms gave the so very fortunate two, he and Yas'odâ, up their sorrow [of being separated]. (Vedabase)

Text 36

Thereupon Rohinî and Devakî embraced the queen of Vraja and addressed her with their throats full of tears, remembering what she had done [for them] in her friendship:

Rohinî and Devakî next embraced the queen of Vraja and addressed her with their throats full of tears, remembering what she had done [for them] in her friendship: (Vedabase)

Text 37

'What woman can forget your unceasing friendship, oh queen of Vraja? Not even obtaining the wealth of Indra suffices to repay you in this world!

'What woman can forget the unceasing friendship of you and Nanda, o queen of Vraja; not even obtaining the wealth of Indra would do to repay you in this world. (Vedabase)

Text 38

When these Two [boys] had not yet met Their [real] parents, They, residing with the two of you as Their [foster] parents, received the education and affection, nourishment and protection. My good lady, in the custody of you, saintly souls strange to no one and as protective as eyelids to eyes, They had nothing to fear.'

Before these Two could see their parents received They, residing with the two of you as their [foster] parents, the education and affection, nourishment and protection, my good lady. In the custody of you saints, who are strange to no one and as good of protection as eyelids to the eyes, had They nothing to fear.' (Vedabase)

Text 39

S'rî S'uka said: 'The gopîs seeing Krishna, their object of desire after such a long time, the One for the sight of whom they would curse the creator of their eyelids [see 10.31: 15], all, by their eyes, took Him into their hearts to embrace Him there to their satisfaction. Thus they attained the ecstatic absorption that, even for souls constantly united [with Him in meditation], is difficult to attain.

S'î S'uka said: 'The gopîs after so long a time seeing Krishna, their object of desire - for seeing whom they'd curse the maker of their eyelids [see 10.31: 15] - all took with their eyes Him into their hearts to embrace Him there to their satisfaction and attained the ecstatic absorbtion that even for the ones constantly engaged in meditation is difficult to attain. (Vedabase)

Text 40

The Supreme Lord approached them more privately, embraced them, informed after their health and with a smile said the following:

The Supreme Lord approaching them more privately informed, embracing them, after their health and said with a smile the following: (Vedabase)

Text 41

'Dear girlfriends, do you still remember Us, We who, intent on destroying the enemy party, for that purpose stayed away so long?

'Dear girlfriends, do you still remember Us, We who intent on destroying the enemy party because of that duty stayed away so long? (Vedabase)

Text 42

Maybe you think ill of Us, being afraid that We have put you out of Our mind. But in fact it is the Supreme Lord who brings together and separates the living beings.

Maybe you think bad of Us being afraid that We've put you out of Our mind - but in fact is it the Supreme Lord who brings together and separates the living beings. (Vedabase)

Text 43

The way the wind brings together masses of clouds, grass, cotton and dust, and scatters them again, the same way the Creator of the living beings brings together and scatters His subjects [compare 10.5: 24-25].

The way the wind brings together masses of clouds, grass, cotton and dust, and scatters them again, is the Creator of the living doing the same with His beings [compare 10.5: 24-25]. (Vedabase)

Text 44

By the love for Me, you fortunately developed on your part, you have obtained Me; it is indeed the devotion unto Me that leads the living beings to immortality [compare B.G. 9.33].

By the love for Me that in good fortune developed on the part of your good selves, have you obtained Me; and indeed is it the devotional service to Me that leads the living beings to immortality [compare B.G. 9.33]. (Vedabase)

Text 45

Oh ladies, being present both inside and outside, I am both the beginning and the end of all created beings, the same way ether, water, earth, air and fire applies to all material things [see also e.g. 10.9: 13-14].

Like the ether, the water, the earth, the air and the fire of material things, o ladies, am I verily inside present as well as outside, am I the beginning as well as the end of all created beings [see also e.g. 10.9: 13-14]. (Vedabase)

Text 46

These material entities, who thus [on the one hand] exist within the elements of creation and [on the other hand] according to their true nature pervade those elements in the form of the âtmâ [the Soul, self and person], you should both ways consider as being present within Me, within the Imperishable, Supreme Truth [see also e.g. 1.3: 1, 3.26: 51, 10.59: 29, B.G. 9: 15 and siddhânta].'

These material entities, who this way exist within the elements of creation and as well exist as the âtmâ [the Soul, self and person] that according its own true nature pervades all, you should see as both being present within Me, within the Imperishable, Supreme Truth [see also e.g. e.g. 1.3: 1, 3.26: 51, 10.59: 29, B.G. 9.15 and siddhânta].' (Vedabase)

Text 47

S'rî S'uka said: 'The gopîs, this way being instructed by Krishna's teaching about the âtmâ, eradicated the subtle covering of their soul [their false ego, see linga, 7.2: 47 and 4.29] by constantly meditating on Him and were thus fulfilled by Him.

S'rî S'uka said: 'The gopîs, who with this instruction about the âtmâ thus were instructed by Krishna, eradicated with the help of the constant meditation on Him the subtle covering of the soul [see linga, 7.2: 47 and 4.29] and arrived at the full understanding of Him. (Vedabase)

Text 48

They said: 'With that what You said, oh Lord with the Lotus navel, we wish that our minds, however being engaged in household affairs, are ever vigilant at Your lotus feet, the feet that the great yogis and highly learned philosophers keep in mind to meditate upon, for they constitute, for those who fell into the dark pit of a material existence, the only shelter of deliverance [see also 7.5: 5, 10.51: 46, 7.9: 28, 7.15: 46].'

They said: 'With that what You said o Lord with the Lotusnavel, we wish that our minds, however they are engaged in household affairs, are ever vigilant to Your lotus feet that by the great yogis and highly learned philosophers are kept in their hearts to meditate upon, for they are, for those who fell in the dark well of a material existence, the only shelter for reaching the other side [see also 7.5: 5, 10.51: 46, 7.9: 28, 7.15: 46].' (Vedabase)

*: According to S'rîla Sanâtana Gosvâmî in his Vaishnava-toshanî commentary this event, described in retrospect, would have occurred after Balarâma's visit to Vraja (10.65) and before Mahârâja Yudhishthhira's Râjasûya sacrifice (in 10.74) because the enmity within the Kuru family, the exile of the Pândavas and the ensuing war at Kurukshetra arose directly after the sacrifice.