1. O Sri Krsna, O Sri Krsna Caitanya, O Lord accompanied by Srila Rupa Goswami and Srila Sanatana Goswami. O Lord attained by Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami and Srila Raghunatha dasa Goswami, O Lord dear to the residents of Vraja, please protect me!

2. With a happy heart I have written this verse. Now I will explain it. With is that explanation? This verse means: Step by step I meditate on my worshipable Supreme Lord(istadeva), His devotees, and certain specific devotees. Yes. Yes. This verse has three meanings. I will begin by explaining the first meaning. This verse is in the anustup meter. The first word is prefaced by "Sri" (glorious). Although the other words are not prefaced by "Sri" , the "Sri" in the first word should be assumed to apply to the other words.

Explanation of the Mangalacarana

3. In this verse "Sri Krsna" means, "O greatest of all, O Lord named Sri Krsna." "Sri Krsna Caitanya" means "O Lord glorious with all auspiciousness." "Sa-sanathana" means "accompanied by glorious Sri Sanatana Goswami". 'Rupaka" means "O great saint named Rupa Goswami, O great saint whose feet I place on my head." "Gopala" means, "O Sri Gopala Bhatta Goswami rich in learning and saintliness." "Raghunatha" means "O Raghunatha dasa Goswami". "Aptavraja" means "O devotee famous in Vraja for your great and perfect devotion, " or it may mean "Apta" means "O saint like an ornament decorating the ears of the devotees", or it may also mean "O leader of the devotees headed by Sri Bhugarbha Goswami." "Vallabha" means "O Sri Vallabha, O my saintly father of whose feet I take shelter." Or, "Raghunathapta-vraja-vallabha" may mean "O you who are dear to the followers of Sri Raghunatha." "Pahi mam" means "By giving me the shade of your lotus feet, please protect me."

4. Now I will explain the second meaning of this verse. In this verse the word "Sri" means "Radha". She is called Sri because She is the first of all goddesses of fortune, as will be proved later in this book. The word following "Sri" is "Krsna", which is the name of Nanda's son, the secret Supreme Personality of Godhead. Thus the words "Sri-Krsna" mean "Krsna, who is accompanied by His internal potency named Radha." The derivation of the word Krsna is given in these words (Mahabharata, Udyoga-parva 71.4):

krsir bhu-vacakah sabdo

nas ca nirvrti-vacakah

tayor aikyam param brahma

krsna ity abhidhiyate

"The word 'krs' is the attractive feature of the Lord's existence, and 'na' means spiritual pleasure. When the verb 'krs' is added to the affix 'na', it become Krsna which indicates the Absolute Truth."

This verse indicates how the two syllables "krs" and "na" are joined to make the name Krsna. The word "bhu-vacakah" here refers to the way the verb "bhu" is thus changed into the noun "bhava"(being) by the agency of the kvip-pratyaya affix. As the verb "bhu" is thus changed to become "bhava" so the verb "krs" to attract becomes "akarsana" (attraction). Thus "krs" means "He who attracts the hearts of others." The words "tayor aikyam," mean "As two lovers join, so the two syllables "krs" and "na" (bliss) join. When united in this way they create the meaning "all-attractive bliss". " The words "param brahma" are explained in these famous words:

naraktri param brahma

"The Supreme Personality of Godhead has a humanlike form."

The two syllables "krs" and "na" thus combine to become the name of Nanda's son. The words "ity abhidhiyate" mean "the power of the word is thus revealed." The Lord's nature is also described in the name "Caitanya", which means "all-pervading". The word "Rupaka" means "O Lord whose form is the shelter of all" or it may also mean "O Lord understood by the wise saints." The Lord's form is described in these words of Sri Gopala-tapani Upanisad:

sac-cid-ananda-rupaya

krsnayaklista-karine

"I offer my respectful obeisances to Lord Krsna, who rescues the devotees from all distress, and whose form is eternal and full of knowledge and bliss."

The Lord's form is also described in these words from Brahma's prayers in Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.14.22):

tvayy eva nitya-sukha-bodha-tanav anante

"O Lord, Your body is eternal and full of bliss and knowledge"

The word "sa-sanatana-rupaka" means "O Lord on whose form the devotees always (sanatana) gaze (rupaka), O Lord who always appear before the devotees, O Lord who appear before the devotees whose only treasure is devotion for You they keep in their hearts." Among the words "gopala raghunathapta vraja-vallabha" the word "gopala raghunathapta" means "O Lord who are attained (apta) by the leaders (natha) of the small boys (raghu) that protect the cows (gopala)." The word "apta-vraja-vallabha" means "O Lord dear to the glorious cowherd people of Vraja." "Gopala-raghunatha" may also be interpreted to mean, "O Lord who are the master (natha) the gopas (gopala) worship and yearn to attain (raghu)." In the Amara-kosa Dictionary these definitions of the word "raghu" are given:

trisv iste �lpe laghuh

�The word �raghu� may mean �three�, �desired�, �worshipped�, or �small�.�

Following these three different meanings one may accept many different interpretations of the vocative case word �gopala-raghunathapta.�

The word �apta-vraja-vallabha� may also be interpreted to mean �O Lord dear to Your multitude (vraja) of kinsmen (apta).� Implied in that interpretation is the thought, �O Lord, Your glory is never perceived by outsiders.�

5. Now I will explain the third meaning of this verse. In the word �Sri-Krsna� the word �Sri� means �Sri Radha, the best of the Lord�s beloveds�. �Krsna means �Krsna who enjoys charming pastimes with Her.� �Krsna-Caitanya� means �O bhakta-avatara (the Lord�s incarnation as a devotee) named Krsna-Caitanya� and �O same Supreme Personality of Godhead who descended to this world.� �Sa-sanatana-rupaka� means �O Lord who stays with Your two devotees Srila Rupa Gosvami and Srila Sanatan Gosvami.� �Gopala-raghunathapta� means �O lord attained by Your devotees Gopala Bhatta Gosvami and Raghunatha dasa Gosvami.� �Vraja-vallabha� means �O lord always dear to the residents of Vraja.� �Pahi mam� means �Please protect me.�

About This Book

6. Now that the mangalacarana is explained, the purpose of this book is explained in the following words. The nectar conclusions I collected in the book Krsna-sandarbha are now tasted by the tongue of the poet's intelligence.

7. I am the author of this poem. I am its heart. What I write the great souls will see is like a jewel set in gold.

8. This book is two campus, a first campu (purva) and a concluding campu (uttara). Each of these campus is divided in three parts. I pray the saintly devotees may, as they wish, place their intelligence on these campus.

9. I pray this book named Gopala-campu will please Lord Krsna and His devotees.

10. Although a long time has passed since they took birth and then disappeared from this world, the people of Gokula are even now present before the great souls.

The Book Begins

11. The glorious forest named Vrndavana begins a great auspiciousness to the earth goddess. This forest has the power to deliver all living beings in all the worlds. The mere touch of its purifying breeze washes away all troubles. That touch opens the bolt on the door in the prison of the three vargas (economic development, sense gratification, and material piety) and it carries away the fragrance of impersonal liberation. With is great glories it unties the bonds of impersonal liberation. Although in other places the Supreme Personality of Godhead does not easily give the gift of devotional service, in the land of Vrndavana He easily gives it always. In his heart the demigod Brahma yearned to attain even a lowly birth in Vrndavana. He thought his contact with Vrndavana was the beginning of his own glorious good fortune. The ways of Vrndavan are very mysterious. They are like the poetic ornament virodha-alankara, where what seems a contradiction is resolved in the end. Even if their authors lack poetic skill, poems about Vrndavana are glorious. That is because in those poems is an awareness of what is truly important and glorious. To help the people of this world, blissful Lord Krsna, the son of Nanda, descends again and again to the realm of Vrndavana. In this way a great festival of bliss always fills Vrndavana.

12. Srila Sukadeva Gosvami says Vrndavana is filled with wonderful bliss (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.11.36):

vrndavanam govardhanam

yamuna-pulinani ca

viksyasid uttama priti

rama-madhavayor nrpa

�O King Pariksit, when Rama and Krsna saw Vrndavana, Govardhana, and the banks of the river Yamuna, They both enjoyed great pleasure.�

13. In Vrndavana is Govardhana Hill, which is glorified in these words:

The Puranas call Lord Krsna by the name Gokulesvara (the master of Gokula). This confirms the truth that Gokula is Lord Krsna�s abode. Gokula is also the abode of the surabhi cows. Govardhana Hill is the shelter of Krsna and His cows.

14. It is also said:

Manasa-ganga and Govardhana are considered two different places in the realm of the three worlds. However, I think they are the same place. They are the same flood of love for Lord Krsna that has entered this world.

15. It is also said:

The two lakes Radha-kunda and Syama-kunda are the lover�s meeting of Sri Sri Radha Krsna. I think the sweet fragrances at those lakes are actually Sri Sri Radha-Krsna passionate embraces, the breezes are Radha-Krsna�s passionate sighs and trembling, and the water seen in those lakes is Radha-Krsna�s passionate love melted into nectar.

16. About the Yamuna it is said:

To one who simply bathes in her waters, the Yamuna gives the power to see Lord Krsna. To one who sees her, the Yamuna gives the sweetness of Lord Krsna�s abode.

17. Here is a guess about Yamuna�s true identity:

Is the Yamuna a single drop of perspiration from Lord Krsna�s body? Is the Yamuna love for Lord Krsna, love that has assumed the form of a dark river?

18. The Yamuna�s banks manifest great bliss and love:

Gazing on the Yamuna�s shore, the wise devotees have a vision of Lord Krsna�s nectar rasa-dance pastimes. Did the Yamuna sprinkle on her shores a divine elixir in the form of grains of sand?

19. A banyan tree makes our hearts tremble:

How can I describe the love a certain banyan tree feels for Lord Krsna? When Lord Krsna disappeared from this world, that tree thought, �Let Govardhana Hill and the other places stay in this world in their partial expansions. I have no power to stay.� Then that tree also disappeared from this world.

20. Ah! Look at the deep love Vrndavan forest feels:

Sometimes Lord Krsna�s forest becomes stunned like an motionless mountain. Sometimes that forest trembles, its leaves and petals moving. Suddenly pushing out many new sprouts, that forest sometimes stands with the hairs of its body erect in ecstasy.

21. Why would Lord Krsna and His multitude (vraja) of associates not wish to appear in that land of Vrndavan? We see Their appearance in Vrndavana as very appropriate. Some pundits say the land of Vraja is named for the multitudes (vraja) of the Lords associates.

22. In Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.5.18) it is said:

�O Maharaja Pariksit, the home of Nanda Maharaja is eternally the abode of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His transcendental qualities and is therefore always naturally endowed with the opulence of all wealth. Yet beginning from Lord Krsna�s appearance there, it became the place for the pastimes of the goddess of fortune.�

23. Following the Padma Purana�s descriptions of the Lord�s advent in this world, I will soon describe the Lord�s entrance, kalpa after kalpa, into the land of Vrndavana, a delightful, beautiful, opulent land where the Lord killed many crooked demons with dangerous fangs. Because it is never touched by the material bodies or minds of the residents of the material world, because it is filled with kadamba trees and many other kinds of glorious trees and plants elaborately described in Varaha Purana and other scriptures, and because within its borders Lord Krsna enjoys many eternal nectar pastimes with Balarama, the gopas, and the surabhi cows, pastimes elaborate descriptions of which may be heard in Skanda Purana and other scriptures, it should be understood that the glory and beauty of Vrndavana has no limit. Indeed, Vrndavana is outside the realm of the material world.

24-28. Vrndavana is described in these words by Lord Krsna Himself in these words from the Gautamiya Tantra:

�Vrndavana is My delightful spiritual abode. When they die, the cows, birds, deer, animals, human beings, and demigods who reside in Vrndavana go to My eternal spiritual abode.�

�Many gopi girls also reside here in Vrndavana. Great yoginis, they eternally serve Me with devotion.�

�This forty mile forest of Vrndavan is My own transcendental form. Flowing with nectar, the Yamuna is the transcendental Susumna-cakra.�

�Manifesting spiritual forms, the demigods and sages stay in this abode of Vrndavana. I, the master of all the demigods, never leave this forest.�

�Yuga after yuga I appear in this abode, and then again I disappear. Material eyes have no power to see this glorious and delightful world of Vrndavana.�

29. The realm of Gokula, which is full of all glories and opulences, which, as we will describe later in this book by following the descriptions in Srimad-Bhagavatam, is the place where the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is an ocean of mercy, after leaving His ocean abode, entered, and which is Lord Krsna�s own abode and the abode of His cowherd people, and which is the place where, by entering and then leaving the waters of delightful Brahma Lake, and by revealing His Vaikuntha opulences to Akrura, and by accepting the prayers of the Vedas Personified, Lord Krsna revealed the truth of His humanlike pastimes in Vrndavana and filled His associates with wonder, and where even now the wise devotees take shelter and directly see the Supreme Lord�s pastimes, and where, according to Hari-vamsa�s description of Govindabhiseka (Krsna�s coronation), King Indra came to understand that Krsna is the all-pervading Supreme Personality of Godhead, and which, including its forest of Vrndavana and the surrounding area, some say is situated in the spiritual sky, far above the coverings of the material world, and where the devotees take shelter of the spiritual ground where Lord Krsna enjoyed many pastimes, and where Lord Krsna manifested His spiritual form, a form described in Brahma-samhita and other scriptures, is the abode where Lord Krsna enjoys many manifest and unmanifest pastimes, described in many scriptures. This abode of Gokula is described in Brahma-samhita, which affirms (5.56, 2, 4, and 5):

30-31. I worship that seat known as Svetadvipa, where as loving consorts the Laksmis in their unalloyed spiritual essence practise the amorous service of the Supreme Lord Krsna as their only lover, where every tree is a transcendental purpose tree, where the soil is the only gem, all water is nectar, every word is a song, every gait is a dance, the flute is the favourite attendant, effulgence is full of transcendental bliss, and the supreme spiritual entities are all enjoyable and tasty, where numberless milk cows always emit transcendental oceans of milk, where there is eternal existence of transcendental time, who is ever present and without past or future and hence is not subject to the quality of passing away even for the space of half a moment. That realm is known as Goloka to only a very few self-realized souls in this world.

32. �The superexcellent station of Krsna, which is known as Gokula, has thousands of petals and a corolla like that of a lotus sprouted from a part of His infinittary aspect, the whorl of the leaves being the actual abode of Krsna.�

�The whorl of that eternal realm of Goloka is the hexagonal abode of Krsna. Its petals are the abodes of gopis who are part and parcel of Krsna to whom they are most lovingly devoted and are similar in essence. The petals shine so beautifully like so many walls. The extended leaves of that lotus are the garden-like dhama, i.e. the spiritual abode of Sri Radhika, the most beloved of Krsna.�

33 -36. �There is a mysterious quadrangular place named Svetadvipa surrounding the outskirts of Gokula. Svetadvipa is divided into four parts on all sides. The abodes of Vasudeva, Sankarsana, Pradyumna, and Aniruddha are separately located in each of these four parts. These four divided abodes are enveloped by the fourfold human requirements such as piety, wealth, passion, and liberation, as also by the four Vedas, viz. Rg, Sama, Yajur, and Atharva, which deal with the mantra and which are the bases of achievements of the fourfold mundane requirements. Ten tridents are fixed in the ten directions, including the zenith and nadir. The eight directions are decorated with the eight jewels of Mahapadma, Padma, Sankha, Makara, Kacchapa, Mukunda, Kunda, and Nila. There are ten protectors (dik - palas) of the ten directions in the form of mantra. The associates of the hues of blue, yellow, red, and white, and the extraordinary potencies bearing the names of Vimala etc., shine on all sides.�

37. �I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, the first progenitor, who is tending the cows, yielding all desire, in abodes built in spiritual gems, surrounded by millions of purpose trees, always served with great reverence and affection by hundreds of thousands of laksmis or gopis.�

38. In the Vamana Purana it is said:

�Studded with jewels and glorious with mineral pigments, Govardhana Hill is glorious in Gokula. Its banks studded with jewels, the Yamuna, the best of rivers flows in Gokula.�

39. The evidence of the scripture will be the resting place of this poem. That evidence will be like a board where I paint the picture that is this poem.

40. Because it is the home of the cows and cowherd people, Lord Krsna�s abode is called by the name �Goloka� (the world of the cows), and because it is untouched by matter and therefore is supremely pure, it is also called by the name �Svetadvipa� (the white island). Some few wise souls in this world know that this is the supreme, the highest realm. Therefore the transcendental Goloka and the transcendental Svetadvipa both mentioned in the Brahma-samhita verse quoted here in text 30 are the same place.

41. That is the proper, logical conclusion. The word �sriyah� in the Brahma-samhita verse quoted here in text 30 is in the nominative plural and refers to the blissful and independent gopis. In the other Vaikuntha realms there is only one Goddess Sri (Laksmi), but in Goloka there are many Sris. Therefore Goloka�s glory is without limit. These many Sris are the gopis, who are described in the great mantra �gopijana-vallabhaya svaha.�

42. Here we accept not only the customary meaning of the word �Sri� but also a special meaning, namely �gopi�. In Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.47.60 Srila Sukadeva Gosvami uses the general meaning of the word �Sri�, which there means �Goddess Laksmi.� In Brahma-samhita 5.29 (quoted here in text 37) Lord Brahma uses the word �Sri� in its special sense. There the word means �the gopis�. The words �Sri� and �gopi� are like the words �kuru� and �pandava�. In one sense they are not different, but in another sense there is a distinction. The most exalted Sri is Goddess Radha. This is described in the Padma, Skanda, Varaha, Matsya, and other Puranas, and also in the Govinda-Vrndavana Tantra. What more need be said? It is said:

43. Of all women, the Laksmis are the best. Among the Laksmis, the gopis are the best. Among the gopis, Radha is the best. What girl is beautiful and playful like Radha?

44. All the gopis share the same lover. His name is Govinda (Krsna), and He is the glory of Gokula. One by one, he enjoys pastimes with each of the beautiful gopis. He is the best of all lovers of beautiful girls.

45. Bewildered by Yogamaya, the gopis believe they are others wives and Krsna is their paramour. Because this idea is completely untrue, they are bewildered. The use here of the word �sri� (goddess of fortune) and �parama purusa� (the Supreme Personality of Godhead) prove that the idea is untrue. Quoting many passages from scripture, this I will explain later in this book.

46. The same truth applies also to Lord Balarama.

47. As explained in Brahma-samhita 5.56 (quoted here in text 30), because they have the power to fulfil all desires, all trees in Goloka are kalpa-vrksa trees(purpose trees). Not only are those trees glorious, but they are very extraordinary and rare. In their very nature kalpa-vrksa trees have very extraordinary qualities.

48. Furthermore, the land in Goloka is splendid to touch and splendid to see, splendid like a great mirror. It is a great monsoon of splendour. It is filled with cintamani jewels.

49. It is more beautiful and more glorious than any place in the fourteen worlds. Its palaces and buildings are all made of cintamini jewels. The great beauty of its trees and plants and flowers always takes birth in the devotee�s heart.

50. It is said:

That the sights and sounds of the different kinds of beautiful hills, birds, and beasts there fill the people of Goloka with wonder.

51. In Goloka all water is nectar. What is the nectar of this world in comparison to that nectar? In Goloka all words are song, are like nectar poured into the ears. What are the songs of this world in comparison to those songs? In Goloka all walking is the most graceful dance. Those dances are very glorious and charming.

52. In Goloka Lord Krsna�s flute sings very sweetly and playfully. That flute is Krsna�s dear friend. No one is fortunate like that flute.

53. Goloka is full of transcendental bliss. By the power of the Lord�s unparalleled transcendental potency, His pastimes, pastimes seeming like pastimes of the material world, are manifested in Goloka. By the Lord�s potency are manifest there a sun, moon, and stars, and other things very beautiful and charming. Still, Goloka is not at all like the material world. In Goloka are none of the inevitable transformations that make the material worlds so horrible.

54. In the course of its description of the five tattvas, in the Hayasirsa-pancaratra the things in Vaikuntha are described in these words:

�In the spiritual world the flowers and everything else are fragrant and very pleasing to the senses. Everything there is full of nectar.�

55. �There unpleasant things do not exist. Everything there is nectar. The fruits there have no skin, seed, hardness, or anything unpleasant. Please know that nothing there is made of matter.�

56. In Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.14.37) it is said:

�My dear Lord, Your Vrndavan pastimes are simply to enthuse Your devotees. If someone takes Your Vrndavana pastimes to be material, he will be misled.�

In these words the demigod Brahma says, �O Lord, Your surrendered devotees participate in Your pastimes, eternal, spiritual pastimes that are like an imitation of the activities of the material world. I cannot participate in these eternal pastimes as they can.�

57. In these words of the demigod Brahma the first sentence describes participating in the Lord�s pastimes and the second sentence also describes participating in Lord�s pastimes.

58. The first sentence refers to the transcendental potency that manifests pastimes according to the Lord�s will. The second sentence also refers to the Lord�s potency, the same potency that manifests all the Lord�s pastimes.

59. When Lord Krsna plays the flute, the surabhi cows become completely enchanted. The cows then make many great rivers of fragrant milk flow from the great mountains of their udders, rivers that join to become an ocean, an ocean of milk like a great moat surrounding Goloka on all sides. These cows are kamadhenu cows, cows that fulfil all desires, for from them flows an ocean of milk.

60. The wise devotees know that many different rivers of many different kinds of nectar flow in Goloka.

61. Furthermore, Lord Krsna�s parents, brother, friends, and other associates of different ages, some in kaisora(childhood), some in nava-yauvana (new youth), some in yauvana (youth), some in ardha-vardhakya (middle age), and some in other ages. They keep these ages eternally. They do not grow older.

62. In the middle of the face of Goloka is a jewel lotus of many thousands of petals. Lord Krsna affirms the world of Gokula is His very self. He says; �I am Vraja, the home of the cowherd people and their cows.�

63. Here the ordinary meaning of the word �Gokula� (a multitude of cows) should be rejected. It is said:

�A definition accepted by tradition and custom takes precedence over a definition based on mere etymology.�

The word �jalaja� may be taken as an example. The etymological definition is �anything born in water.� However in tradition and custom this word is used to mean �lotus flower.� In the same way �gokula� here refers not to a multitude of cows, but to a specific place.

64. Srila Sukadeva Gosvami uses the word �gokula� in this way when he says (Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.10.39):

�Sri Krsna is the master of Gokula.�

In this passage the �gokulesvara� is an example of the pratyaya varac. Another example of this usage is seen in these words from the Vedas:

�Gokula is a forest in Vaikuntha.�

65. In this way is gloriously manifest the abode of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who enjoys pastimes as Nanda�s son. That abode is made of jewels and filled with glorious variety. Its limitless variety is manifested from Lord Ananta Sesa. It is said:

66. In the filament of the lotus flower of Goloka are the abodes where the kind gopas, gopas who think Krsna is their only treasure, reside.

67. In this verse the word �daya� means �treasure�, and �dayadayah� means �they who think Krsna is their only treasure.�

68. The word �dayadayah� is a bahuvrihi-samasa. As the word �bahuvrihi� means �a person who has a great store of rice,� so the word �dayadayah� means �a person who has a great store of love for Lord Krsna.� Such a person takes shelter of Lord Krsna.

69. The word �dayadayah� may also be interpreted to mean kinsmen. That many of the cowherd people were Krsna�s kinsmen is explained by Sri Sukadeva Gosvami in these words (Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.36.15):

�Krsna was already the life and soul of the inhabitants of Vrndavana, and after killing this demon in the shape of a bull, He became the cynosure of all eyes. With Balarama He triumphantly entered Vrndavana village, and the inhabitants glorified Him and Balarama with great jubilation. When a person performs some wonderful feat, his kinsmen and relatives and friends naturally become jubilant.�

70. The petals of the Goloka lotus are many forests where the gopis, who are all expansions of the goddess of fortune, enjoy pastimes. As it is said in Brahma-samhita (5.29):

�In those abodes built with spiritual gems, surrounded by millions of purpose trees, Lord Krsna enjoys pastimes.�

71. Lord Krsna made Radha the queen of Goloka. That is described in the Puranas. There it is also said that Krsna has fallen under the spell of Radha�s transcendental qualities. This I know.

72. The words �Sri� and �parama-purusa� in Brahma-samhita refer to Lord Krsna and the gopis. If they did not, then why would these verses describe the lotus-petal world of Vraja?

73. From the centre of the lotus flower of Gokula came many raised and slightly jewelled petals connected by various paths. In the midst of these petals many cowherd villages are gloriously manifested. In this way Gokula is know.

74. Seeing that the time has come to milk the cows, Krsna and the gopas bring the cows to the barns made of jewels, barns surrounded by lotus flowers and kalpa-vrksa trees.

75. Surrounding the lotus flower of Gokula is a quadrangular place. This entire place is called by the name Vrndavana. The places that are like great splendid islands outside that place are called by the names Svetadvipa and Goloka. Beyond those islands is a great ocean. Beyond that ocean are lands that are a great variety of wonderful planets where suffering does not exist. On the petals of the Gokula lotus are many forests known by the name �Keli-Vrndavana� (Pastime Vrndavana). This is described in the following words from the Pancaratras:

�In the great world of Vrndavan are many pastimes of Vrndavan forests.�

76. Streams of nectar flow everywhere from that lotus flower of Gokula. In the south and west are bumblebee mountains that sip the stream of nectar. The king of the mountains is jewel-summit delightful Mount Govardhana.

77. With many charming jewel boulders, the mountain named Govardhana offers a sitting place for Lord Krsna. With the cooing of many birds Govardhana offers Lord Krsna a welcome. With its swiftly flowing streams filled with lotus flowers, durva grass, and syamaka seeds, Govardhana offers padya. With limitless new shoots of darbha grass growing deer-hoofprint puddles, Govardhana offers arghya. With ponds where jati, lavanga and kakkola grow on the shores Govardhana offers acamaniya. With fresh, fresh, fresh, yoghurt, ghee, and honey Govardhana offers madhuparka.. With water from a clear spring at its summit Govardhana offers bathing water. With golden tree bark, fine like silk, Govardhana offers garments. With fragrant powders, sandal paste, and red and white minerals Govardhana offers fragrant ointment. With blooms of malati vines and other vines Govardhana offers pleasing flowers. With the dust raised by the surabhi cows hooves Govardhana offers incense. With the glistening of its many jewels Govardhana offers a glittering lamp even in the daytime. With charming gunja, peacock feathers, clusters of flowers, and many other pleasing objects, Govardhana offers ornaments. With pleasing fruits and roots Govardhana offers delicious meals. With cool flower-scented water mixed with fragrant and pure tulasi leaves Govardhana offers water to rinse the mouth. With campaka flowers and other glorious blooming flowers moving in the gentle breeze Govardhana offers arati. With budding nakula flowers and other trees Govardhana offers a graceful parasol. With blooming branches moving in the breezes from the Malaya Hills, Govardhana offers the service of fanning Lord Krsna. With the dancing of the cooing peacocks Govardhana offers a festival of dancing. When, attracted by Krsna�s flute music carried by the breeze, a gopi comes, Govardhana prepares a soft couch of flowers. With the cuckoos� cooing Govardhana makes sweet singing. Gazing at Lord Krsna and performing these services to please Him, Govardhana Hill confirms his reputation as the best of the Lord�s servants.

78. Near Govardhana Hill is his companion, delightful Manasa-ganga, who melts with love for Lord Krsna. Manasa-ganga�s name is explained in this verse:

79. With a slight touch from the feet of Lord Vamana, who is an amsa incarnation of Lord Krsna, the Ganga river, which washes away all sins, came to this world and was carried on Lord Siva�s head. What then can be said of the peerless Ganga brought to this world by Lord Krsna Himself, Lord Krsna who always stays with the people of Vraja, people more exalted and glorious than Brahma, Siva, and Laksmi?

80. The Yamuna, which is also called by the name �Kalindi� (daughter of Mount Kalinda), enjoys pastimes in the northern and eastern terrace of the blissful land of Vraja. It is described in these words:

When Krsna does not play His flute, the Yamuna flows with waters like melted sapphires. When Krsna does play His flute, the Yamuna, stunned in ecstasy, becomes like the land paved with sapphires. In these ways, as either water or land the Yamuna serves Lord Krsna.

81. The lotus flowers that grow in her waters are the eyes with which she gazes at Lord Krsna. Her whirlpools are the ears with which hears about Krsna. Her fish are the nose with which she smells the fragrance of Lord Krsna. Her waves are the arms with which she embraces Lord Krsna. Her swans and cranes are the mouth with which she glorifies Lord Krsna. Her waters are the servant with which she glorifies Lord Krsna. What kind of goddess is Yamuna-devi, that she serves Lord Krsna in these ways?

82. The sages make this guess about the Yamuna�s waters:

Staying always in the forests of Vraja, the Yamuna nourishes all the lakes. Look. With her waters the Yamuna fills all the lakes.

83. It is also said:

In some places by the Yamuna�s shores lotuses and water lilies grow by the water�s edge, in other places are forests filled with many glorious flowers, in other places are the sweet sounds of peacocks, cuckoos, or bumblebees, and in other places are beautiful marks of rasa dances. All these places always delight the eyes, ears and nose.

84. It is also said:

Its great branches extending from one side to the other, a banyan tree is like a bridge across the Yamuna. Playing on that bridge, again and again the cowherd boys cross from one side to the other.

85. It is also said:

In one place it had a hollow like a palace. In another place it had a delightful branch like a couch. In another place was a vine-covered branch like a swing. What pastime-place did that banyan tree not provide for Lord Krsna?

86. North of that banyan tree is Rama-ghatta, where Krsna enjoys pastimes with Balarama.

87. In the sky of Goloka the most exalted demigods, the demigods worshipped by the rulers of the planets, fly in their airplanes. There the catur-vyuha expansions headed by Lord Vasudeva stand guard with Their armies. Of what use are petty human goals in Goloka?

88. The place named Goloka is supremely glorious. How can anyone say it is ordinary? To the demi-gods it is an ocean of nectar. To the poets it is filled with glory. To the followers of religion it is wonderful religious deeds personified. To they who meditate on the Supreme it is the bliss of seeing the Supreme directly. To the devotees of the Lord it is ecstatic love for Him. Thus, according to the different conceptions, they all see Goloka in different ways.

89. It is also said:

�What glory is this? What wonders are these? What kind of dancing is this? What world is this? What kind of love is this, love standing before us like a person, love glorified by Sukadeva Gosvami?� The demi-gods ruling the planets question and guess in these ways. Day after day they feel bewilderment in awe about Lord Krsna�s abode.

90. Lord Krsna�s world of Goloka is beyond the material intelligence�s power of understanding. Even so, that spiritual world forcibly enters the intelligence:

I do not hanker after material sense objects, objects that sometime bring pleasure and sometimes bring no pleasure. I speak the truth. Krsna, Krsna�s eternal world, and the souls who love Krsna have placed in me the hankering to see Them.

91. When they hear of Goloka�s wonderful glories, the people in numberless millions of material universes and even in the Vaikuntha worlds yearn to go there. What to speak of them, even Goddess Laksmi yearns to go to Goloka. Accompanied by His friends and kinsmen, Lord Krsna eternally enjoys glorious pastimes in Goloka. Again and again plunged in Goloka�s sweetness, my heart yearns to go there.

92. Ah! What am I doing? I have rashly begun a description of Goloka. I do not see how I will have the power to complete my description.

93. First I will gaze at this meditation on the beauty and glory of Lord Krsna�s pastimes in the quadrangular world of Goloka:

As He takes care of the cows, Krsna jokes and plays with His friends. When He calls, the cows come. I pray that playful Krsna will enter my memory and make me tremble with love for Him.

94. It is also said:

When will Krsna and Balarama, holding hands, laughing, and joking, make my heart tremble with love?

95. It is also said:

Some day will the music of Krsna's flute, music that makes the trees push out new shoots, makes the hills melt, makes the water become solid, and makes the rivers flow backwards, enter my ears as I meditate and make me tremble with love?

96. I have no power to describe the happiness persons who meditate on Lord Krsna feel in their heart:

When Krsna enters the heart to enjoy pastimes there, that heart blossoms with joy. About that joy there can be neither questions nor descriptions. No one should ask about it. No one has the power to describe it.

97. Lord Krsna attracts the hearts of the pious:

Anyone who meditates on Lord Krsna�s birth, His protecting the cows, His singing charming songs with the gopas, and His other pastimes, will find himself overcome with bliss and love.

98. Aha! How can one hold back a heart that yearns to see the land of Vraja?

Its palatial trees anointed with dust raised by the cows, dust fragrant like camphor, its days filled with young calves, and its evenings filled with surabhi cows that defeat the sweetest fragrance, the pasture lands of Vraja give to every heart a hundred memories.

99. At sunrise and sunset:

Pulling back the calves, milking the cows, collecting the milk, taking the cows into the barns, meeting with Krsna, singing songs of Krsna�s pastimes, and shedding tears of love, the cowherd boys, the hairs of their bodies erect, fill my heart with bliss.

100. Always filled with the chanting of Lord Krsna�s glories, the pathways of Goloka attract my heart:

�Rama! Krsna! Krsna-Rama! Krsna! Krsna! Krsna!� Here and there on the pathways of Goloka one may hear the people chanting these names as they come and go.

101. The poets are shy to describe some petals of the Goloka lotus, the garden petals where the beautiful gopis, who bring Krsna such pleasure reside. Those petals are very wonderful and glorious, and very difficult to know. It is said:

In some places are delightful forest gardens. In other places are hundreds of wonderful palaces delightful like gardens. In other places are bodies of water filled with lotus flowers. How can anyone know of all the beautiful places here?

102. The beautiful-eyed goddesses of Vraja�s forests sing songs describing a girl�s first beginnings of sweet and passionate love for Lord Krsna, love that overcomes her again and again. Who, hearing these songs, has the power to understand the bliss and despair they describe?

103. In some places are exquisite songs. In other places are singing, dancing, and instrumental music. In other places are passionate declarations of love. In other places are lovers� quarrels. Again and again the poets� hearts meditate on these pastimes, the gopis� pastimes of love.

104. Pastimes of love are manifest. Lovers quarrels are manifest. Being stunned and other symptoms of ecstatic love wander among the gopis. The gopis enjoy pastimes that jump over the rules of the Vedas. Shaking to pieces the path of the speculative philosophers, the divine couple�s pastimes shine with great splendour.

105. At every moment Krsna longs to be with the gopis, and at every moment the gopis long to be with Krsna. When They meet great pleasure is gloriously manifest. Their longings are sincere and very passionate. To what may I compare them?

106. Are the gopis beautiful? The gopis are indeed beautiful. The gopis have become the ornaments decorating Sri Krsna, who is decorated by only the most splendid and glorious of ornaments.

107. �Goddess Laksmi is not Radha�s equal.� Shall I praise Radha with those words? With their beauty the gopis defeat Laksmi. Radha is the most beautiful of the gopis.

108. How is it possible for even the ancient sages, what to speak of a person like me in present times, to see or describe the divine couple?

109. Sitting on a splendid throne in a palace in a forest more splendid than the sun or any other light, visible only to the devotees and hidden from others, and served and served by a host of gopis, the sweet nectar that is Sri Sri Radha-Krsna in vain tries to satisfy my thirst to always gaze on Them.

110. The effulgent abode of Lord Krsna, the prince of the gopas, who eternally enjoys pastimes with His associates in the whorl of the lotus flower previously described, an abode in the highest part of the blissful-petaled lotus world, an abode with many great-branched kalpa-vrksa trees, trees with roots too deep to be found, an abode with seven secret gardens, an abode made of cintamini jewels, an abode beyond what the unaided human mind can grasp, makes our eyes open wide with wonder. This peerless splendid abode is also the home of numberless trillions of personal associates of Lord Krsna. Falling in love with this abode, the devotee poets speak this question:

111. Why has the Goddess Yamuna, the daughter of the sun-god, come here to embrace this realm that was never created? This realm is glorious and effulgent, a great circle of light. This realm is the place where the gopa people have their homes. This realm is the home of Krsna, the gopas� king.

112. The residents of Lord Krsna�s realm are glorified with these words:

Their wealth surpasses all others� wealth. Their desires are the best of all desires. Their religion and their activities are glorified in all the Vedas. Their liberation surpasses all other kinds of liberation. They reside in Krsna�s abode. They serve Krsna. They thirst after Krsna�s company. Krsna is their glory, wealth, friend, lover, son, heart, and life.

113. If they do not see, hear, or think of Lord Krsna, then the eyes, ears, mind, and every other sense are all pathetic and worthless. Look! In the Vedas it is said, �Krsna is the eye of every eye.�

114. It is also said:

Will the gopa people of Vraja, their hearts bound by ropes of love for Krsna, ever leave the world of Vraja and wander here and there? Will wooden puppets some day become free from the puppetmaster�s strings and wander the earth to see many things?

115. It is also said:

Here is Krsna. Here are His father, mother, kinsmen, and glorious friends. The fame of Krsna�s companions in Vraja shines with great splendour. Where is any love equal to the love they feel for Him?

116. Now we will consider another topic. If what the devotees directly see of Lord Krsna is described, that is good. If poems do not describe invented things about Lord Krsna, then the readers will not be misled. Still, I think the devotees� desire to hear new things about Lord Krsna is glorious.

117. Now let us consider this: The saintly devotees may find a home in the spiritual world of the gopas, a world where the wonderful and colourful gates are like great palaces, a lotus-like world where many glorious pathways converge on the whorl of that lotus, a world where many great and very beautiful palaces may be seen together, palaces all would desire to attain, a world where many great thrones, thrones touched by the feet of powerful lion-like gopas make the eyes open wide with wonder, a world with many hundreds of thousands of secret places for confidential pastimes, a world that showers hundreds of pleasures, a world with places where the metaphors in metaphor-poetry (rupaka-kavya) are all proved to be true, a world where not only metaphors, but also the hints in poetry filled with hints (dhvani-kavya) may be seen directly, a world where pure-hearted souls manifest a host of spiritual qualities, a world where all these glories are seen and proved to be truth, a world where foolish material ideas are rejected and mocked, a world where Lord Krsna, who is the moon of Nanda's family, who is supremely happy and independent, and whose handsome glory is a flood of bliss, fills the cakora-bird eyes of the devotees with the nectar of His splendid form. He is the greatest festival of all festivals of bliss.

118. In that realm of Goloka are five confidential abodes. The first is the abode of Lord Krsna. There Lord Krsna stays with His mother, father, and kinsmen. That abode is in the centre of Goloka. The other confidential abodes are clustered around it in four directions. These five abodes are all very wonderful. In the west are many palaces and many great courtyards. That is the abode of King Nanda�s beloved Yasoda. In the north is the abode of Rohini. She is filled with splendour and beauty and joy. In the east is the abode of King Nanda. He is served by all. In the south is the abode where the foodstuffs and various valuable things are stored.

119. In the centre is the most confidential abode. Around it, in the west and other directions are other confidential abodes. These are the abode of Queen Yasoda whose glance brings all auspiciousness, the abode of Balarama called Rama-ghatta, the abode of King Nanda, an abode that is the goal of all the worlds, and the abode where Lord Krsna, who is Vraja�s prince and who enjoys pastimes on Govardhana Hill, is the glorious master.

120. In the centre is the abode where the best of the goddesses of fortune reside in their palaces. Day after day Krsna and Balarama enjoy pastimes there. They never leave. The goddesses are never separated from Them.

121. As Krsna gracefully enters the palaces, the goddesses gaze at Him and sing sweet songs describing the first feelings of passionate love the leader of the goddesses felt for Lord Krsna. The goddesses melted with ecstasy. Seeing the divine couple meet, the goddesses became stunned with bliss.

122. In another secluded place Krsna and Balarama both enter. As They sit together a host of blisses enters the gateway of Them both.

123. Again there are seven confidential abodes in this world, beautiful abodes, some having only one district, others with two districts, and others with more, abodes with many great palaces. In this way the realm of Goloka charms all the worlds. The walls of these palaces there are made of jewels so bright that each palace is reflected in the jewel walls of the other palaces. Seeing this the four directions look at each other. Stunned with bliss, they ask, �What is this?�

124. In the centre of all these confidential places is a great courtyard with many great palaces, palaces filled with splendid great gates, mosaic paved floors, great pillars, palatial rooms, and fluttering flags on their roofs.

125. When Lord Krsna stays like a great ornament in the best of these palaces, how can He not appear like the most glorious of sapphires, like a sapphire that fills that palace with splendour?

126. Around the whorl of the Goloka lotus flower are the many petals that are the abode of Lord Krsna�s gopi beloveds. Those abodes are splendid with many jewel palaces glistening like the sun, glorious with breezes bearing the fragrances of many flowers, delightful with secluded places for confidential pastimes, splendid with couches, sitting places, camaras, and many other kinds of paraphernalia, decorated with places ideal for many kinds of pastimes, and graceful with deer, birds, and many beautiful people. In the pathways and gardens of those realms Lord Krsna, delighting His gopi beloveds, enjoys many pastimes. In this way the four directions of the Goloka world are filled with beautiful gardens.

127. Lord Balarama�s pastime forest is named Rama-ghatta. It�s path is lined with palm trees. Its entrance is hidden with leaves.

128. These verses glorify the king of Vraja�s palace: In that place many flags flutter in the breeze and all the directions are filled with sweet fragrances. Everyone gazes at that place with wonder.

129. There the nectar moonlight fills everything with auspiciousness. The moonlight makes the candrakanta jewels seem like cups of water and the mountain peaks seem like jewel crowns.

130. The moon and the stars are reflected in the diamonds and other jewels of the palaces there. Thus the palaces and the sky look identical. They look like they have attained impersonal liberation, merged together, and become one with each other.

131. The cuckoos, doves, peacocks, and other birds happily stay there without any trouble. Cooing in the forest, they seem to begin controversing, or earnestly engaging in debates.

132. Everywhere on the golden palace walls are jewel pictures of Krsna and the boys enjoying pastimes and they herd cows.

133. The palace porches are like laps where the palaces hold Krsna and embrace Him. In this way even the palaces themselves have become like the devotees that live within them.

134. In the palaces are courtyards splendid like jewel mirrors. There the gopi girls shyly gaze at Lord Krsna.

135. The beautiful faces of Radha and the gopis are like moons. When those moon faces rise they turn the places paved with candrakanta jewels into glistening lakes.

136. The world of Goloka eclipses the glory of Lord Narayana�s Vaikuntha. Goddess Laksmi yearns to stay in Goloka. The residents of Goloka are more glorious than the residents of Vaikuntha. In Goloka Lord Krsna is the enjoyer, and tasting the sweetness of the devotees� love for Him is His enjoyment. Goloka is eternal. Everything in Goloka is beyond the touch of the limited material mind. Who can find the end of Goloka�s glories?

137. In my heart I know that love for Krsna is the most glorious of all dharmas:

Neither Lord Krsna, nor the gopa rulers Nanda and Yasoda, nor the liberated residents of Goloka have the power to soften my cruel heart even slightly. But the people of Goloka are not like that. They love Krsna very strongly, and Lord Krsna�s love for them makes them melt with love at every moment.

138. Of all that is auspicious, love for Lord Krishna is the most auspicious:

Is it Lord Krishna who now stands before us like spiritual love personified, or is it the people of Vraja assembled together? Though they may try again and again, neither Brahma, Siva, Narada, nor anyone else has the power to love as Krishna and the people of Vraja do.

139. That love is very wonderful. :

Although their love brings great happiness, their only motive is to please Lord Krishna. As the Supreme Lord�s creation of the world is beyond human understanding, so the love felt by the people of Vraja is also beyond human understanding. That love will not tolerate the logicians� attempts to discuss and understand it.

140. Because that love attracts the heart, therefore:

Fully aware of what those activities are, the worshipable people of Vraja always perform activities that will inflame their thirst for Krishna. As they come and go, busy about their business, their hearts yearn after Krishna. I hope some day I will love Krishna as they do.

141. The people of Vraja are very wonderful to see:

The followers, friends, and associates of the gopa king Nanda and his wife Yasoda, who is like his second self, are overcome with love for Krishna. Because they are tightly tied to Krishna with ropes of love, the splendour of Krishna's handsomeness has made Nanda and Yasoda splendid like the sun and the moon, and their associates splendid like the stars.

142. Even Lord Krishna's seemingly ordinary activities are glorified in song:

Lord Krishna's birth and early childhood, which are mostly seen by the elders of Vraja, Lord Krishna's boyhood victories over the demigods, which are mostly seen by His boyhood friends, Lord Krishna's great mercy to Kaliya and other demons, which is seen by the devoted people of Vraja, and especially Lord Krishna's pastimes of love with His gopis beloveds are all glorified in song.

143. It is also said:

Anyone who thinks that some of Lord Krishna's pastimes are happy pastimes and others of Lord Krishna's pastimes are sad pastimes is bewildered. How can anyone say that about Lord Krishna's pastimes in santa, dasya, sakhya, vatsalya, and madhurya rasa? Can anyone separate milk and water when they are stirred together?

144. Aha! Even a person with a peaceful heart will feel his heart tremble when he reads these two verses:

�Mother! Mother! Mother! Give it to me! Please give it to me!�

�O my child, my calf, my boy who will live a long life, my boy more dear than life to me, for what do you ask?�

When will affectionate words like these make me remember Krishna and Balarama and Their mothers in Vraja?

145. �O queen of my house, you must have performed many pious deeds in past lives that now your glorious son talks to you, eats in your presence, asks you for things, smiles, laughs, and is so charming.�

When, thinking of these affectionate words whispered by Vraja�s king Nanda, will my heart be bewildered with love?

1. Now the story of this book will begin.

2. To show His birth pastime and other pastimes to the devotees who worship Him in their glistening hearts, Lord Krishna, accompanied by the people of Vraja, descended to this earth, killed the demon Dantavakra, and then returned to the world of Goloka, where suffering never enters. Following the evidence of scripture, that history will be related in these two campus. When, late at night, Lord Krishna returned to Goloka, dundubhi drums were sounded at King Nanda�s doorway in Goloka. Thinking, �This sound must signal a blissful festival,� the people of Goloka rose from their sleep. Not only the people awakened. Thirsting to see Lord Krishna, the lotus flowers bloomed and sent forth a great flood of sweet fragrance. Then the poets and singers came to the lion-gate at Nanda�s palace, climbed to the rooftop room meant for looking at the moon, and recited many newly composed virut-kavyas and other kinds of poems, poems glorifying Lord Krishna's killing a host of demons beginning with Putana and ending with Dantavakra. Reciting these poems, they seemed to be dancing. In this way that plunged everyone into a flood of the nectar of bliss. They also sang songs glorifying Lord Krishna's many loving pastimes with His devotees.

3. Delighted to hear these songs about Lord Krishna, the kings and queens of Vraja again and again joyfully gave to the singers many gifts of precious garments and ornaments. The people never tired of hearing those songs. How could they not give gifts? Then the ocean of Vraja became filled with the nectar of love. Tossed by the great waves that came from songs about Krishna, Krishna who delights Vraja�s hearts, that ocean of Vraja filled everyone with wonder. We can only assume that the moon of Krishna's glories, risen with those songs, was the cause of those waves.

4. Then the gopis began to sing songs of Lord Krishna's pastimes. Thirsting to hear these songs, the gopa men became silent. They became like kokila birds who hear the sweet sound of Krishna's flute. When the gopis sang, the gopas made no sound with their ornaments or anything else. The melodies and tempos of the gopis songs were like a gift. Accepting that gift, the gopas became wealthy.

5. Bewildered by others� words, the gopi goddesses of Vraja believe they are married to gopas other than Krishna. Still, their hearts are gravely wounded by arrows of love for Krishna alone. In their palaces, which are dedicated to Lord Krishna's service alone, they never stop desiring Krishna as their only lover. With their playful singing of songs in the sunrise raga they made everyone stop whatever else they were doing.

6. Not quickly, but slowly they sang:

�Their arms and chests were now slackened. Their mouths were agape. Again and again They struggled to rise from the bed. Filled with great pleasure by each other's touch, Lord Krishna and His beloved could not bare to make Their eyes meet.�

7. When She heard this verse sung, Radha, the best of the gopis, fainted in ecstasy.

8. Then the gopis sang:

�With Me, She melts with love. Away from Me, She is torn to shred by wicked gossip. Now She thinks the jasmine flowers in the forest are like flames in a fire. How, how will I comfort Her?�

9. Singing this song, a song of words spoken by agitated Krishna, the gopis tried to comfort Radha. Offering Her gifts, including betelnuts chewed by Krishna, they revived Her. When She was again peaceful, they asked Her, �What happened to You?�

10. Weeping, She said:

�I am not a fool. Nor am I stubborn. Nor do I yearn after the happiness of this body. Still, the qualities of Vraja�s prince make Me faint.�

11. �What can We do? How can We attain peace when Our heart is wounded?"

12. Radha, who has beautiful white teeth, was very agitated. Talking of the nectar of other things, the gopis tried to comfort Her. That is what She said on that day. Then Vraja�s all-auspicious Queen Yasoda said, �Ah! All the girls have come. Why has Radha who is more dear to me than life, not come?� Hearing that Yasoda had said those words, and seeing that the sun had risen, Radha quickly performed Her morning duties and, accompanied by Lalita, Visakha, and Her other gopi friends who had taken turns sleeping and staying awake to guard Her at night, Radha went to Queen Yasoda�s abode. As She went, Radha delighted the gopis with the splendour of her beauty. Every direction and every heart was filled with Her splendour.

13. The gopis gazed at Her with unblinking eyes. They thought:

�When the moon, the blue lotus, and the bandhuka and sesame flowers all blossom on a golden vine, that is the wonder that is Krishna's dear Radha.�

14. Her heart thirsting with devotion, Radha fell to the ground and humbly offered obeisances to Lord Krishna's mother. Accompanied by her associates, Yasoda happily welcomed Her.

15. Radha fell at Yasoda�s feet. Yasoda placed a hand on Radha�s head. Radha remained on the ground before Yasoda. Yasoda smelled the hair of Radha�s head. Yasoda picked Her up and held Her in her arms. With eyes filled with tears Radha and Yasoda gazed at each other. How can I describe Their gaze?

16. Seeing that Radha was shy to honour Rohini and the other ladies, Yasoda said to Her, �Daughter, You should offer obeisances to Your elders.� With a flood of devotion wise and charming Radha bowed down before the elder ladies. With a bowed head she sat down at a respectful distance.

17. Then Lalita and the other friends of Radha also offered obeisances to the elder ladies and also sat down.

18. Then Rohini said, �O queen of Vraja, the star Rohini now shines with great happiness. Shaking off Her original nature, the star Radha has now become an intelligent girl. I give this command: Radha and Her friends, splendid like moonlight, should go into the kitchen and prove their skill in cooking. Dhanya, Mangala and other glorious girls dear to Krishna, girls whose names are delightful and auspicious, should join them there. I do not need to ask Lalita and the other girls who are like expansions of Radha�s own form. They will certainly help.�

19. With this command the saintly girls offered obeisances and disappeared into the kitchen.

20. Now we will tell another story.

21. Then, at sunrise, Krishna's affectionate and gloriously youthful friends, followers, kinsmen, cowherd associates and sudra servants all met at the entrance of Krishna's charming palace. They all shone with great splendour.

22. Then, accompanied by servants bearing various articles for His bath, youthful Krishna, the brother of Balarama and the protector of all, entered the bathing room for His early morning bath.

23. Then Subala and other playful, joking, cheerful, affectionate friends, all sons of vaisya cowherds, came there. Eager for joking words, Krishna stopped to talk with them. He sat down on a glorious seat. Filled with wonder, all the boys affectionately served Him.

24. The soul and the body are different. The life and the life-force are different. But Krishna and His friends are not different. They are each others life. They are each other�s life force.

25. Morning after morning Krishna enjoys these pastimes in the company of His friends:

Krishna washing Krishna's glorious face, hands, and feet, the massage of His body with oil, His bath, the washing of His limbs, His being dressed with a pair of garments, His performing acamana, His being marked with tilaka, His performing His morning duties, His being dressed in splendid garments and decorated with jewel ornaments, His wearing a peacock feather, and His carrying a flute, bugle, and a stick all attract my heart.

26. Even Lord Ananta Sesa praises the servants that massage Lord Krishna's body:

The servant who, thirsting after the touch of Lord Krishna's body, lovingly place fragrant oils on His head and lovingly massage His feet, arms, and other limbs, attain the same happiness Krishna's parents and gopi lovers attain.

27. Then, wearing yellow garments, and accompanied by His friends and servants, Krishna entered the courtyard. Standing before His mother. He became like a lifeless statue.

28.

�He has come!�

�Glory to His graceful sweetness!�

�We should offer arati to Him.�

�Please stand before my eyes.�

�May He stand always before my eyes.�

Suddenly seeing lotus-eyed Krishna come before them, the people became filled with wonder. How can I describe the wonder they felt?

29. The elder ladies had burned in flames of separation from Krishna. Now they were flooded with love for Him. Giddy and restless, and overcome with pure bliss, they came down from the palace porch. As a cow greets her dear calf, so Yasoda greeted her son. As everyone watched, Rohini also greeted Krishna.

30. Krishna bowed down before the feet of the first one and then the other. Then He honoured all the elder ladies. He pleased them all.

31. Then, following behind Balarama, came Sridama, Sudama, and the other boys who always played with Krishna. The learned sons of brahmana priest also came. The boys honoured the ladies there as if they were their own mothers, and the boys delighted their sisters and cousins.

32. Again and again they respectfully stood before each of the elder ladies and spoke respectful words.

33. The goddess who in the assembly of siddhas, in the assembly of saints who know the conclusions of devotional service, and in the Srimad-Bhagavatam(10.29.1), is famous by the name Yogamaya, who makes arrangements for the Lord�s pastimes, and who is the Lord�s internal potency, was manifested there as an austere old lady. There her name is Paurnamasi. The boys all approached her. She happily blessed them all.

34. Her son was a learned brahmana who thirsted to enjoy pastimes of confidential joking words. He was bound to Krishna with ties of friendship. He had no faults. He was like Narada himself. He was decorated with skill in speaking joking words. His name was Madhumangala. Expertly speaking joking words that touched the heart, he delighted everyone. He was like a great treasure standing by Lord Krishna's side.

35. Holding hands, fair and dark Balarama and Krishna approached Their mothers, embraced them, and smiling, stood in the courtyard before the palace doors.

36. Then Krishna and Balarama sat on thrones of splendid gold and jewels of many colours. Their glance on everyone was like a shower of nectar.

37. That day was the birthday of Krishna, Krishna who makes Yasoda glorious. Performing Krishna's birthday abhiseka, the learned boys chanted many mantras.

38. In the festival the devotees� affectionate and splendid mantras, songs, instrumental music, and calls of �Jaya Krishna� all joined together to make a very beautiful sound. They joined as the rasas beginning with srngara-rasa join to make a beautiful poem, or the six notes of the scale join to make beautiful melodies.

39. In that festival an arati ceremony, the touch of auspicious words, and many kinds of worship performed by brahmanas presiding over mirrors of ghee, were all offered to Lord Krishna. Krishna was very glorious. Hundreds of His glories filled all the worlds.

40. Touching the hair of Krishna's head with durva grass and other auspicious things, the brahmana ladies offered their blessings. Tears in their eyes, they prayed that Krishna's every wish be filled.

41. Her body stunned and her eyes filled with tears, how could Yasoda place tilaka on her son�s head? Stunned Rohini could do nothing to help.

42. Krishna's father, mother, uncles, and aunts were all stunned. None of them had the power to decorate Krishna with tilaka.

43. Entering the inner courtyard, a graceful boy said, �O glorious prince of Vraja, on this festival day we have all come here in the assembly of Vraja�s king. Standing before the gates of Your palace, we have brought betelnuts, silk garments and many other gifts for You, gifts we now place before the king of Vraja�s lotus feet. Please, it is not right for You to shake Your head and decline to accept these gifts.�

44. Hearing these words Krishna became thoughtful. Agitated, and bowing down before her, he asked His mother�s permission to visit Paurnamasi�s cottage. Trembling with love, following Balarama, and accompanied by Sridama and His friends, he began to leave as the gopis earnestly kept their eyes on Him.

45. Everyone became like cataka birds gazing at a host of rainclouds, or like cakora birds gazing at the moon, or like lotus flowers in lakes filled with water, or like unconscious persons suddenly awakened. They were all filled with bliss. When the poets and singers began to chant Krishna's glories, they all stood up.

46. Their hearts anxious, Nanda and everyone else became stunned. This was right, for the greatest love stays in King Nanda�s village.

47. At one moment someone said to someone else:

�Krishna and Balarama are more glorious than a monsoon cloud and lightning. The garments of Their chests are splendid like sapphires and gold. Their handsome faces defeat the grace of blue and white lotus flowers. Their restless eyes defeat the khanjana birds. Their strength defeats the king of elephants. O my friend, it is not surprising that everyone is stunned by gazing at Them.�

48. On the right were the elders filled with eternal glory. One by one the elders stood. One by one the priests(purohita) offered priceless arghya. In the Nirukti Dictionary the word �purohita�(priest) is said to mean, �He who goes(hita) first (puro).� The word may also be said to mean �He from whom the very beginning (puro) brings auspiciousness (hita).�

49. Bound to Krishna with family ties, and filled with the blissful nectar of pure love for Him, Nanda, Upananda, Abhinanda, Sannanda, Nandana, and the other gopa men stood, eager to see Him.

50. They were also giddy with love for Balarama.

51. As lotus flowers are delighted by the presence of the moon, so the gopa men were delighted at heart by the presence of the charming Krishna and Balarama.

52. For a few moments the gopa men rose from the nectar of bliss into which they were plunged. As they all gazed at Krishna's wonderful face, King Nanda said, �Son, today is Your auspicious birthday. Therefore today You should stay in Vraja Village. I will send some of the other cowherds to take care of Your cows today. Sit down and let Your kinsmen see You�

53. Placing the kings command like a flower garland on His head, Krsna glanced at Balarama�s lotus face, and then, like a rising moon surrounded by lotus flowers, sat down in the courtyard. Krsna prepared Himself to give cows in charity to the brahmanas. Sitting down, and happily chewing betelnuts, He joked with His kinsmen.

54. In a moment a boy came from inside the palace and approached Krsna and Balarama who, thirsting to worship Their kinsmen, happily sat together. With Their handsome forms They filled King Nanda with wonder. Nanda said, �Today is the auspicious day when, by Lord Narayana�s mercy, Krsna was born.� Folding his hands, Nanda then humbly asked his guests to accept something to eat. Cheerfully glancing at king Nanda, in a single moment everyone rose and entered the palace.

55. A dedicated boy led the pure-hearted ladies from the courtyard to inside the palace. Then the men, yearning to see Krsna and the splendour of His palace, one by one entered the dining room.

56. Entering a great room the size of Mount Meru, Krsna and Balarama cast glances like showers of nectar. Thirsting to see Their cows, They said, �O gopa men, someone should protect the cows as they walk to the right and left of the pathways.�

57. Krsna and Balarama joined the guests:

There was sweet aguru incense. There were splendid jewel chairs, splendid plates, and golden cups. With awe and love Lord Krsna�s eternal associates gazed at the glorious dining room.

58. Someone asks, �O Lord, please allow me to wash Your feet.� Someone fans the Lord. Someone speaks pleasing joking words. Someone serves delicious foods. Krsna�s merciful glance is like nectar. In this way Krsna�s friends enjoy a great feast. Do they not taste great bliss?

59. In one place the brahmanas happily ate delicious foods. Each in their own places, the children, adults, and elders could be seen joking, feasting, and enjoying pastimes. They did not enjoy alone. As they enjoyed so also did Krsna, Krsna who is the nectar moon of King Nanda�s dynasty, Krsna who is a nectar ocean of pastimes, of playful words, and of delightful wide-eyed glances.

60. The most prominent of the rasas:

The people happily joked and laughed with each other and with Lord Krsna. They enjoyed the six tastes of the feast, and they also enjoyed the seventh taste: the taste of joking words.

61. The different kinds of food became the root of many jokes. Many puns were made. With ambiguous words one thing seemed to have been said but another was hinted.

62. Joking with King Nanda, Madhumangala playfully said, �O great king, the brahmanas tell us that the first meaning of the word �sakula� is �auspiciousness�, and the second meaning is �accepting the sacred thread and chanting the gayatri mantra.� By chanting the gayatri mantra the vaisyas and ksatriyas attain power and wealth, and the brahmanas attain many kinds of delicious foods to eat. We do not know from what far away places you have brought all these delicious foods. How were you able to serve such delicious foods to us? How? How? Under the careful eye of King Nanda, for our sakes Vrsabhanu�s daughter and Her friends expertly prepared all these delicious foods. In the Gopala-tapani Upanisad it is said that by the ferocious Durvasa Muni�s mercy, Radha�s cooking is always delicious and sweet like nectar. You have served this delicious food to us and we have eaten it. It is already eaten. Now we have become like thieves. Thieves. Food should first be offered to Lord Visnu in a yajna. Now that we have eaten it, we cannot offer it. We have committed an offence. The only solution, the solution described in the Sruti and Smrti sastras, is that we should accept diksa from a guru. That diksa is the third meaning of the word �sakula�.�

63. These joking words brought an uproar of laughter. Queen Yasoda came from the kitchen and watched. Everyone laughed at another joke, a joke comparing food cooked on fire to food cooked with suryakanta jewels.

64. Enjoying the feast, everyone felt satiated, but their eyes never felt satiated by gazing at Krsna gloriously dressed in yellow garments. Somehow the feast ended, and everyone rinsed their mouths with scented water, although everyone yearned to continue gazing at Krsna.

65. With gifts of betelnuts, fragrant sandal, garments, flower garlands, and ornaments, the kinsmen and brahmanas were then worshipped.

66. Seeing the gifts given to the brahmanas, Madhumangala spoke these nectar joking words: �O glorious people of Vraja, please do not envy us brahmanas that we have received so many gifts. After all the great feast you have all enjoyed is completely priceless.�

67. At this there was an uproar of laughter. Approaching His father, charming Krsna humbly asked, �You have brought Us all to this assembly. Now it is almost time for Sri Balarama, Dama, Sudama, and the other of Us boys to go.� Then Krsna went to His mother�s room and said to her, �Mother of mothers, please give Us boys permission to depart.�

68. Milk trickling from the flower-buds of her breasts, Mother Yasoda said, �Son, may You live a long life. You boys are like one life in many bodies. Therefore it is not right that I should detain You.�

69. Then Mother Yasoda�s friends said, �Child, we are also called Your mothers, but Yasoda is Your true mother. Why do You not love her?� Bowing His head and with a smile mixed with tears, Krsna said, �O My mothers, what can I do? The cows do not know what to do. Without Me they will not even eat a mouthful of grass.�

70. Mother Yasoda said, �What the boy says is true. If we make them stay here, their hearts would break. The boy, His cows, and His friends have made the forest their home.�

71. Krsna smiled and said, �Mother, there are no dangers to fear in the forest. Kesi and the other demons were killed, all pulled up by their roots.�

72. Mother Yasoda said, �What did I hear? I heard all those demons became ghosts. They may still attack You as ghosts.�

73. Krsna smiled and said, �Mother, They did not become ghosts. Rather, because they died in the land glorified by the touch of the dust of Your feet, they all attained liberation. Sometimes we make statues of these magician demons, but that is only for our playing games.� The games of Krsna and Balarama are described in these words of Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.11.59 and 10.14.61):

�In this way Krsna and Balarama passed Their childhood age in Vrajabhumi by engaging in activities of childish play, such as playing hide-and-seek, constructing a make-believe bridge on the ocean, and jumping here and there like monkeys.�

74. Hearing this, the elder ladies gave up their fears. With great love Krsna�s mother placed her left hand on Krsna�s back and her right hand on His chin. Then, with tears in her eyes, she said to Balarama, �Child Balarama, I am Your mother. Have I not love You from Your earliest childhood? Still, I can understand objectively, impartially, what is the truth. Why, then, do I tremble with worry? I ask You this: 'When He walks in the pathways of Vraja, please stay always with Krsna.' "

75. Then Rohini said to Krsna, �Child, son of Yasoda from the earliest childhood, You have been restless and mischievous, and not always obedient to Your mother. Neither were You very obedient to me. Please chase Your mother�s sufferings far away. Please make the nectar moon of her face shine bright with happiness.�

76. Bowing down before their feet, Krsna pleased the elder ladies. Taking Him by the hand, they led Him to the courtyard. Standing at the filigree windows, the younger girls, Krsna�s beloveds , all gazed at Him.

77. The young gopis longed to be with Krsna. They were intoxicated by drinking the nectar of love for Him. They were terrified that soon they would be separated from Him. As Krsna was about to leave for the forest with the cows, the gopis, free of any inhibitions, gazed at Him. For two or three moments they looked like pictures painted on the palace walls.

78. Seeing the gopis gaze at Him in that way, Krsna felt embarrassment and thirst. Embarrassment and thirst made Him close His own eyes. Seeing Krsna close His eyes, the gopis thought, �In His heart Krsna deeply meditates on us.� Thinking this, the gopis yearned to meet Krsna in the forest.

79. As the gopis gazed at Krsna, Radha worried, �Alas, if my elders see the signs that I have fallen in love with Krsna, what will happen to Me?�

80. As one by one He bid farewell to the elder gopis, gopis He treated like mothers, Krsna�s form was reflected in the gopi�s eyes.

81. Carrying parasols, camaras, garments, cups, betelnuts, cases and other things difficult even for the demigods to attain, the servants followed Krsna as He left with Balarama, Dama, and the other boys.

82. Eager to please, charming Krsna and Balarama entered the glances of Father Nanda and the others in the glorious assembly.

83. Surrounded by the stars of His friends, Krsna was like a moon descended to earth. He gloriously stood before everyone�s eyes.

84. Krsna�s form is embraced by all splendour and glory. With restless and unblinking eyes, He glances at the people of Vraja.

85. Gazing at Krsna and Balarama, the people of Vraja became plunged in an ocean of bliss. Again and again they offered prayers and blessings to Krsna and Balarama , whose garments were splendid and whose hair was like a raincloud and lightning that attracted the cataka birds of the people�s eyes, or like a great nectar ocean, the most glorious of all oceans, or like the best of glorious cintamini jewels, or like an evening sky splendid with many stars. Rapt in thinking of Krsna and Balarama, who were like an ocean of glory, everyone became stunned and then fainted in ecstasy. Becoming conscious again, two people said, �Glory to Krsna, who is glorious like a sapphire cintamini jewel! Glory to the king of Vraja! Glory to the Lord who descended to the earth! Glory to Vraja�s prince, who delights the people of the world! Glory to His elder brother Balarama! Glory, glory to Balarama, who is glorious with a great flag of victory!�

86. Gazing at lotus eyed Krsna, two devotees said:

�Glory to Krsna who, on the dark fortnight when the star Rohini was conjoined with the moon, took birth as the glorious and blissful son of Nanda and Yasoda.�

87. Filled with wonder, the devotees again said:

�Let us gaze on the glorious form of Krsna, Krsna who was born from Yasoda, Krsna whom even the great philosophers have not even enough words to properly praise.�

88. Then Nanda, the glorious king of Vraja, gracefully said, �O Ratnacuda, O crest jewel of poets, who are these two delicate boys?�

89. Ratnacuda said: �O Nanda splendid with opulence and good fortune, O glorious king of Vraja, these two boys are my sister�s sons.�

90. Then the king of Vraja said, �From which of these two glorious boys born?�

91. Ratnacuda replied, �O unrivalled king of a country filled with jewels, desiring to see the peerless Supreme Person, my jewellike sister Ratnavati came here. I offer my respectful obeisances to her.�

92. The king of Vraja said, �O sister, may your good fortune increase.�

93. Ratnacuda said, �O lord, my sister�s husband is named Sumati.�

94. Smiling, the king said, �Anyone who sees this boy will not suffer.�

95. Then the king respectfully said, �O glorious one, I would like to ask You some questions. Where is your home these days?�

96. Ratnacuda replied, �O hero of kings, it is on the seashore.�

97. Upananda said, �Then you must have come from afar.�

98. Then, His eyes bathed with the nectar effulgence of His face and His jasmine-bud teeth showing from behind His sweetly smiling lips, Krsna said, �Who are these two?�

99. Ratnacuda replied, �O boy the tips of whose toenails we worship with arati, placing before them our lives many millions of times, their names are Madhukantha and Snigdhakantha.�

100. Krsna said, �Their names are similar.�

101. Ratnacuda replied, �They are brothers.�

102. Upananda said, �Ratnacuda, did these two study and attain pure knowledge.�

103. Ratnacuda replied, �Yes. Of course. These are full of many wonderful virtues.�

104. Upananda said, �What kind of persons are they?�

105. Ratnacuda said, �They know everything. They are protectors of everyone. They are great poets�

106. Then everyone gazed at them with great wonder.

107. The king of Vraja said, �O glorious Sumati, how did these two boys become so glorious?�

108. Sumati said, �O purifier of the worlds, O pure and famous one, please ask them directly.�

109. The king of Vraja said, �O boys, may you live long. The description of your virtues fills our hearts with wonder. Please tell how you attained them.�

110. Folding their palms, the two boys said, �O king of glorious Goloka, The peerless mercy of the spiritual master is the cause of all virtues. This the saintly devotees see with their own eyes.�

111. The king of Vraja said, �What are the glories of your spiritual master?�

112. Folding their hands, the two boys said, �Our spiritual master�s name is glorious. He brings good fortune to persons like ourselves. He is a monsoon of spiritual happiness. He is Narada Muni, the sage of the demigods.�

113. Then everyone said, �Then it is not surprising that he is very glorious.�

114. The two boys again said, �We have left the land of the Yadus and come to the land of Vrndavana. By our spiritual master�s mercy we have come to Your glorious world, a world even the demigods cannot attain, a world the thought of which brings deliverance from the world of birth and death.�

115. Filled with wonder everyone gazed at the two boys.

116. Lord Krsna thought, �Yes. Yes. After a long time they have at last come before Me.�

117. Understanding a hint sent by Krsna, Balarama approached the king of Vraja and said, �Noble father, We are very eager to see these two boys.�

118. Approving, the king of Vraja said, �Rama this is an auspicious day. It is a good sign that our guests have come. As by chance an insect may leave on a leaf a mark resembling a letter of the alphabet, so by this chance visit our guests have brought auspiciousness to us. We should offer them all hospitality.� To the attendants at his side, the king said, �As the monsoon rains bright all that is needed, in the same way bring our guests all that they need. From early morning everyone should be called to observe a festival.�

119. Upananda and the gopas expressed their happiness. The poets chased away any possible sadness. Everyone enjoyed a great festival. In this way the middle of the day passed. Then, after requesting the king�s permission, glorious Krsna, Balarama, and the gopa boys offered obeisances and departed.

120. Krsna�s friends did not want to stay at home. They wanted to herd the cows. In that way their limitless desires would be fulfilled.

121. Accompanied by Balarama and His friends, Krsna entered the forest. Before the trees were empty. But when Krsna played His flute, the trees were suddenly filled with flowers.

122. Far from their elders, the boys happily held hands. Pretending to stutter, they joked and laughed.

123. Joking, Balarama said, �Crooked Madhumangala, why, when all the rest of Us were respectfully receiving instructions from the elder gopis, who are like Our mothers, did you whisper, �O queen of Vraja, in private I will tell you a secret?�� Then, intent on their duties, the elder gopis never heard that secret.

124. Opening his eyes wide and loudly laughing, Madhumangala did not say a word. Then after a moment, he said, �Aha! I forgot.�

125. The Balarama said, �Dear friend, please vow you will speak the truth: What did you want to say?�

126. Madhumangala said, �On my sacred thread I vow I will speak only the truth and nothing else.�

127. By a person who is self-controlled, I am conquered, By a person who is peaceful at heart, I am pacified. By a person who knows the truth I am taught. By a perfect spiritual teacher I am filled with knowledge.

128. �By a secretive person I am concealed by many lies. Why would I try to hide a host of glorious virtues?�

129. �But first I will ask a permission of Your gopis beloveds. If they withold their permission, I will never tell You.�

130. Krishna said, �Wild madman, first tell Us.�

131. Madhumangala said, �If You promise You will not be upset, then I will tell.�

132. Krsna and Balarama said, �We won�t be upset. We promise We won�t.�

133. Madhumangala said, �If I openly spoke the real truth to You and Your gopi friends, then in this forest You would playfully quarrel with them...�

134. Grabbing Madhumangala�s right arm with His left hand, and suddenly pressing Madhumangala�s lips closed with His right thumb and middle finger, Krsna said, �Sewing his lips together, I will quiet My crazy brahmana friend.� Struggling to speak in this situation, Madhumangala somehow said, �If that is the desire in Your heart, You need only fill my mouth with sugar-candies from home. Why should I not speak? My words are meant to serve You.�

135. Smiling, Balarama said, �He wants a bribe. Is this what the brahmanas want?�

136. As all the boys laughed, the clever jokester Madhumangala hugged Krsna, shook Him, and laughed.

137. Filled with all glorious virtues, surrounded by His friends and happy at heart, forest-flower-garlanded Krsna walked down the forest path, a path charming with many flower-filled trees. Approaching the cows He began to play His flute.

138. Krsna charmed all the cows. They were all attracted to Him. Filled with wonder, a demigod in the sky said:

�Rivers always flow downstream. But the stream of Krsna�s flute-music charms the rivers and makes them flow backwards.�

139. Then he said:

�Cows moo. Peacocks sing the sixth note and the cuckoos the fifth note. Other creatures make each their own sounds. But not now. Hearing the sound of Krsna�s flute, they are now stunned with wonder. Who will wake them up from their trance of bliss?�

140. �Even Krsna is entranced by His own flute music. Krsna is the life of all who live. If Krsna is entranced, who will not be entranced?�

141. Aha! Hearing the sound of Krsna�s flute, everyone became filled with bliss.�

Hearing the sweet sound of Krsna�s flute, everyone fell into a trance. Awakening from that trance, everyone looked at each other with eyes filled with wonder.

142. When the cows and other creatures had returned to consciousness, Madhumangala smiled and said, �This is the fruit that grows from insulting a brahmana. These creatures are all my friends. Their response to Your insults is stunned silence.�

143. Hearing this, all the boys laughed. Then the boys began to call the cows on Mathura�s path:

To lead the cows to the Yamuna, the boys called out �hihi� for the cows to walk and �dhiriha� for them to stop.

144. The called out �co� for the cows to drink water, �jhiri� for them to stop drinking, and �tiritiri� to make them walk away from the water.

145. Making the billion cows stay on the river bank, the boys happily bathed in the water. They played and sang.

146. Then Krsna had the boys eat the fragrant lunches their mothers made for them. Smiling, Krsna made His tongue explore the different flavours of His lunch.

147. Finished with lunch, Krsna rinsed His mouth, Accompanied by Sridama, Dama, Sudama, Vasudama, and His other friends, His cheeks filled with crushed, splendid, golden-coloured betel mixed with camphor, His handsome face decorated with swinging earrings, and His lotus eyes happily glancing at His friends, the glorious protector of the cows, returned to His home.

148. Travelling through different forests, allowing the cows sometimes to stop and eat the fragrant grasses, and making the people of Vraja Village more and more anxious in His separation, Krsna slowly walked home with His friends.

149. Taking the cows with Him, Krsna walked to Gokula. Stopping to rest under a great shade tree, He listened to the prayers, singing, and instrumental music of the demigods and other celestial beings. Again walking, He came to the outskirts of Vraja Village.

150. His glorious handsome face gazed at by demigods flying in airplanes, by sages learned in mantras, yoga, and other sciences, by people coming before His eyes, and by the cows with their eyes and noses, Krsna playing His flute and casting glances from the corners of His happy, graceful, glorious eyes, walked on one path and then another, and finally entered the village of Vraja.

151. Glory to the sound of Krsna�s flute. Even though the cows� mooing, the cowherd boys� happy talking, the demigods� flood of prayers, and the sages� many quotes from the scripture have all assembled together to make a deafening tumult, the faint sound of Krsna�s flute breaks that tumult into pieces.

152. Hearing the sound of Krsna�s flute, the cows and boys in the forest became filled with bliss and the demigods in the celestial worlds became filled with wonder. Krsna had become glorious like the moon. With the sound of His flute He made the cows stunned with bliss.

153. Pausing for a moment outside, Krsna, Balarama and the boys entered the barn to delight the cows and calves and to enjoy the pastimes of milking the cows. Then Krsna and Balarama entered the palace Yasoda and the other glorious ladies offered arati to Them and showered Them with grains and other auspicious offerings. Meanwhile the younger gopis, Krsna�s beloveds, kept their eyes on Him. As the elder gopis massaged Their feet, fanned Them, and served Them in many ways, Krsna and Balarama relaxed.

154. For some moments Krsna and Balarama were caressed by Their mothers. Then They went to the bathing room, were bathed and dressed by servants, and returned to Their mothers.

155. As sunset came, Krsna and Balarama enjoyed pastimes of an evening meal with Father Nanda and Their kinsmen. Leaving the dining-room they met other kinsmen and they sat down together with them.

156. As the kinsmen, glorious with a hundred virtues, associated with the two delicate boys Krsna and Balarama, the guests Sumati and Ratnacuda arrived.

157. Having enjoyed His evening meal and other pastimes with Nanda, the glorious king of Gokula, and with joyful Sumati and Ratnacuda, Krsna affectionately called for the two sons of the poet and had the two sons sit down with Him. Then Krsna had everyone listen to the beautiful poems composed by the glorious poets of Vraja. Hearing the poems the two boys became very happy. They yearned to become qualified like those poets.

158. The festival continued in that way for three hours of the night. At dawn, when the festival of listening to poems came to an end, Krsna with His father's permission, took golden garments in His hand and, in the presence of His mother in her own room, embraced the poet�s two delicate sons and gave them a gift of the garments.

159. Standing before Krsna�s glorious mother, the two boys felt very happy. They thought, �Does this milk ocean where Krsna, the moon of Gokula, shines have an end? Does the full moon now shine before our eyes? Does the eastern horizon now joyfully stand here? Does the goddess who rules in the realm of a mother�s kindness to her son now bring a pleasant coolness to all the worlds?�

160. Then graceful Mother Yasoda very sweetly and affectionately gave delicious foods, valuable garments and ornaments and other gifts to the two boys.

161. Receiving the blessings and garments from Mother Yasoda, the two boys requested permission to depart. Taking the boys with Him, blissful Krsna entered His bedroom to take rest. He had the boys sit down. Then He sat down next to Sri Radha.

162. Then, as if She were the goddess of lightning flashes surrounded by lightning or a great lake filled with lotuses surrounded by lotus lakes, or spiritual mercy surrounded by all kinds of opulence and good fortune, or humbleness and saintliness surrounded by all virtues, or a great treasure of ecstatic love for Krsna surrounded by many kinds of love for Krsna, the boys saw Sri Radha surrounded by Her friends.

163. Seeing Sri Radha, the two boys now overcome with devotion, forgot who they were. Lord Krsna then pacified the overwhelmed boys. Gazing on Radha and Krsna the boys thought:

Krsna�s splendour brings life to the splendour of sapphires. Radha�s splendour is more glorious than the splendour of gold personified. When They meet, Radha and Krsna are the cause of the sweetest pastimes of the rasa that is the first of rasas.

164. When Krsna introduced them, Sri Radha happily, gracefully, and playfully honoured the two saintly boys.

165. After sending the boys back to their uncle�s home, Lord Krsna entered His own charming palace.

166. Approaching Krsna, Radha respectfully offered Him a sitting place. She fanned Him and served Him in many ways. Then Krsna lay down on His bed. Then Radha withdrew from Krsna�s sight. To Her friends Radha said, �Please do not let Krsna ever know I am here.�

167. The Radha�s friends said:

�When Krsna is not present You yearn to see Him, but when He stands before Your eyes You hide from Him. Why is that? We do not understand You.�

168. Taking Her by the arm, two friends brought wide-eyed Radha back to Krsna�s bedroom. Stunned with bliss Her beloved Krsna pulled Her toward Him.

169. Pulled by Krsna, She sat on the bed. Although in her heart She yearned to embrace Him, She rejected His advances. Then the two of them fought hand to hand.

170. Sometimes Radha is happy to meet Krsna, and other times She pretends to shun Him. These pastimes of the divine couple are not surprising. After all, Radha is playful nectar pastimes personified.

171. O Sri Krsna, O Sri Krsna Caitanya, O Lord accompanied by Srila Rupa Gosvami and Srila Sanatana Gosvami, O Lord attained by Srila Gopala Bhatta Gosvami and Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, O Lord dear to the residents of Vraja, please protect me.

1. O Sri Krsna, O Sri Krsna Caitanya, O Lord accompanied by Srila Rupa Gosvami and Srila Sanatana Gosvami, O Lord attained by Srila Gopala Bhatta Gosvami and Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, O Lord dear to the residents of Vraja, please protect me.

2. In the best of the scriptures is described glorious Goloka Vrndavana, which has two features, one feature manifested in the material world and the other not manifest there. Goloka Vrndavana, which in its unmanifest feature is known as Gokula and has the form of a lotus flower of cintamini jewels, which is said to be the palace-city of the gopa king, a palace with seven great courtyards, which is the place where Krsna performs His morning duties and other pastimes, which is the place where in the gopa-kings splendid assembly gloriously arrived two boys born in a dynasty of great, all-knowing, eloquent, charming poets, which is the place where Vraja�s king and all the other people were very eager to hear the two boys speak. Now that pastime will be described.

3. On another morning, at brahma-muhurta, Krsna hosted a breakfast for all His friends. One by one, everyone ate. Then King Nanda said, �Son, at sunrise take the cows to the pasture. Let them eat the peerless grasses, and, on my order, at the appropriate time You also enjoy Your lunch.�

4. Krsna�s breakfast is described in these words:

Sitting on a jewel throne in the palace, joking and laughing, and enjoying the foods the young gopis cooked and Yasoda and Rohini served, Krsna and Balarama enjoyed a festive breakfast with Their friends and kinsmen.

5. With tears and a smile Rohini watched and listened as Krsna and Balarama enjoyed pastimes with Their friends. Then King Nanda said to Krsna, �Son, the boys in Your company are now honoured by the presence of the poet's two boys.�

6. Krsna bowed before His mother. She gave permission. Then Krsna and Balarama went to Their friends. Krsna and Balarama shone like the moon, and Their friends blossomed like a host of flowers.

7. Then Krsna and Balarama entered the eastern, the fifth, portal of the great assembly house, an assembly house decorated with a host of pillars and filled with a thousand people, an assembly house glorious with lattice windows, slanting, descending aisles leading to the centre, and four mosaic-paved areas in the four directions. Happily sitting on jewelled thrones in the midst of two mosaic areas, Krsna, Balarama, and the boys shone with great splendour.

8. Sitting in the northern part and facing south, King Nanda and his associates shone with great splendour. Sitting in the west, surrounded by His glorious associates and at King Nanda�s right was Krsna. Sitting in the west and facing the east were many brahmanas and priests who do good to others. Sitting in the south were many glorious cowherds.

9. In the centre of the assembly-house was a glorious raised platform visible from every direction. Their palms folded, the poet's two sons stood on that platform. On their left and right the people of Vraja honoured them.

10. Sitting on a high jewelled throne surrounded by his brothers and subjects, showered with flowers, honoured by the saintly people, and casting on Krsna�s face a thirsty glance like a shower of nectar, King Nanda shone with great splendour in the assembly.

11. Sitting on a glorious throne with soft moon-cushions, and surrounded by Balarama, Dama, and other friends, and casting a smiling glance at all His associates in the assembly even now Sri Krsna is manifest before our eyes.

12. The colours of Krsna�s form are described in these words:

Krsna�s dark complexion, red eyes, and yellow garments combine to make a kaleidoscope of colour manifest like a host of smiling, laughing, dancing actors on the stage of the eyes of the devotees.

13. It is also said:

�There is a dark moon.�

�There is a monsoon cloud.�

�There is a lamp lighting the world.�

�There is a host of lightning flashes that does not disappear, but stays steadily before our eyes.�

�The lightning stays but the stars are all hiding.�

�Fool, we are not looking at the sky.�

Gazing at Krsna�s form, speaking these words, the poets joked among themselves.

14, One poet described Krsna�s form in these words:

�On top is a swarm of black bees. Below the bees is a blue lotus flower. Below the lotus flower are the clear dark waters of the Yamuna. O my friend how have all these come together before us?�

15. Then sent by Krsna and Balarama, and with glorious King Nanda�s permission, saintly Sridama entered the inner rooms of the palace, rooms like lotus petals, rooms with walls made of emeralds. Climbing higher and higher in the palace, and keeping His eyes cast downward he entered those rooms, rooms decorated with a great network of lattice windows. Taking Queen Yasoda and the other ladies with him, he came to the doorkeeper of the assembly house. With a glance he explained everything. They all entered and Sridama returned to the side of Krsna and Balarama.

16. Then, eager to please everyone with many waves of playful jokes, Madhumangala also entered and immediately went to his glorious friends.

17. Queen Yasoda is described in these words:

Sitting on a jewel throne, surrounded by her sisters-in-law, served by the young girls of the family, and from the latticework gazing at the splendid moonlight of her son�s face, Krsna�s mother shone with great splendour.

18. King Nanda sweetly said, �O Madhukantha and Snigdhakantha, we wish to hear you speak.�

19. Folding their hands, Madhukantha and Snigdhakantha said, �My lord, on what topic shall we speak?�

20. King Nanda said, �You know everything. Please narrate something that will fill us with wonder.�

21. The two boys said, �A wise person's command should be followed. We boys accept your command. Please listen.�

22. King Nanda said, �Sometimes one is a speaker and other times one is a listener.�

23. Then, folding his palms earnest Madhukantha recited this delightful introductory verse:

24. �Glory to the all-opulent, all-powerful Supreme Personality of Godhead. Glory to Brahma, Narada, Vyasa, Pariksit, Ugrasravah-suta, and Saunaka Rsi, who are the speakers of the Srimad-Bhagavatam and the deliverers of all the worlds. To tell others of Their glories, I now bow down before Them all. �

25. �Let the two musicians sing and strike their drums. As my brother listens, I will now speak.�

26. Singing, dancing, and dramatically acting the different parts, Madhukantha told the following story.

27. �The famous Vrsni dynasty is described in the Vedas, Puranas, and other scriptures. That dynasty�s crowning garland, who was named Sri Devamidha and who was the abode of great virtue, resided in the city of Mathura. He was the crest jewel of all religious persons. He had two wives. His first wife was a ksatriya, and his second wife was a vaisya. These two wives each bore a son. The sons were Sura and Parjanya. From Sura Vasudeva and other sons were born. Following the injunction, �One accepts the caste of ones mother,� Parjanya became a vaisya. He was the master of many cows. He made his home in Brhadvana. From childhood he worshipped the brahmanas. He showered on them all they desired. He was affectionate to the Vaisnavas. He followed the Vedas. For his whole life he worshipped Lord Hari. Accepting his mother's caste he became famous and glorious as the crowning garland of the vaisyas. According to the definition given by wise pundits he became an excellent cowherd, a master of many cows.�

28. The definition of a cowherd is given in these words of Manu-samhita:

�The child of a brahmana father and an ugra mother (born from a ksatriiya and a sudra) accepts the sub-caste known as avrta. The child of a brahmana father and anambastha mother (born from a brahmana and a vaisya) accepts the sub-caste known as abhira (cowherd). The child of a brahmana father and an ayogavi mother (born from a sudra father and a vaisya mother) accepts the sub-caste known as dig-gana.�

29. In another place it is said:

An ambastha is a person born from a brahmana father and a vaisya mother.

�In the Padma Purana, in the beginning of the Srsti-khanda, it is said that a brahmana who performs a yajna may be in a situation where he accepts as a wife the daughter of the gopa for whom he performed the yajna. This kind of gopa dynasty will be seen in Lord Krsna�s pastimes. This is clearly explained in the Srsti-khanda. In this way the acceptance of the twice-born vaisya caste is explained.�

30. Then, in his heart Snigdhakantha thought, �Some people may doubt that Krsna was a twice born vaisya.� In Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.8.10) King Nanda tells Garga Muni:

�Please perform the purifying process of Krsna�s second birth.�

Lord Krsna also tells King Nanda (Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.24.20-21):

�The proper duty of the vaisya community is agriculture, trade and the protection of the cows...We belong to the vaisya community, and our proper duty is to farm, or to trade with agricultural produce, to protect cows, or take to banking.�

�Srila Sukadeva Gosvami described the cowherd people�s home in these words (Srimad-Bhagavatam):

�Every residential house in Vrndavan was decorated for the worship of the sun-god and the fire-god and for reception of guests, cows, brahmanas, and demigods. Every home was illuminated with light and incense arranged for sancitification.�

�On the other hand Vidura, although born as a sudra, became, because of his activities, more than a brahmana.�

31. He said, �Then? Then?�

32. Madhukantah said, �Because he was very kind and good, Parjanya became an extraordinary vaisya. That is not surprising. Protecting his home area, being always kind and generous to others, and giving in charity a flooding ocean of milk, he was glorious like a monsoon cloud. He was glorious like Prahlada, true to his promise like Dhruva, and magnificent like Prthu. To his enemies he was like Bhisma. To his friends he was like Lord Siva. He was exalted like Lord Brahma and effulgent and powerful like Lord Hari Himself. He was filled with a great host of virtues. Many thousands of gopas and their brahmana priests took shelter of him. Seeing his host of virtues and seeing that he was the tilaka mark and king of the cowherd people, King Ugrasena and others in the Yadu dynasty greatly honoured him. His five sons headed by Upananda, delighted the world.

33. The poets praised him with these verse:

�Parjanya is glorious like a monsoon cloud. He is like a cloud filled with bliss. Accompanied by his sons headed by Upananda, he delights people.�

34. �Among farmers Parjanya is glorious. His great glory is not surprising.�

35. Parjanya is praised by the following comparison:

�As, according to Vedanta-sutra, the Supreme Brahman appears in five forms, forms that begin with His Anandamaya form (the form of spiritual bliss), so Parjanya also appears in five forms, the forms of his five sons, sons headed by Upananda.�

36. Parjanya is also praised by the following suggestion:

�By naming his sons Upananda, Abhinanda, Nanda, Sannanda, and Nandana, Parjanya has give a perfect commentary to explain the word Nanda(joy).

37. As of all kinds of decorations of having splendid garments is the best, so of all kinds of opulences the opulence of having a good son is the most glorious. Of Parjanya�s five sons the middle son (Nanda) is most glorious. His opulences have no end.

38. Some say that Nanda is like Arjuna, but I do not Parjanya�s middle son, the delightful Nanda is like Pandu�s son Arjuna. Compare to his gentle, kind and noble brothers, Nanda is in the middle only when we consider the sequence of the brother�s births. Nanda is affectionate not only to his brothers and kinsmen, rather he is affectionate to everyone. Of course he dearly loves his parents and his brothers. It is not that different people are ever rivals for his affection. Therefore Nanda's eternal spiritual virtues are very wonderful.

39. The most important virtue is devotion to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as Srimad-Bhagavatam (5.18.12)explains:

�All the demigods and their exalted qualities such as religion, knowledge and renunciation become manifest in the body of one who has developed unalloyed devotion for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vasudeva.�

40. Hearing these words from Madhukantha�s throat, Sriman Upananda whispered to Sriman Abhinanda, �How did he get the power to understand the hearts of others?�

41. Filled with wonder Abhinanda said, �Then? Then?�

42. Madhukantha said, �Then a great gopa named Sumukha offered his daughter to Nanda. With her many virtues this girl entranced all her relatives. Her glories filled the thoughts of all who heard of her, what to speak of all who had seen her, what to speak of all who were devoted to her. When Nanda marries this girl, joy filled everyone what to speak of the couple's parents and kinsmen.�

43. All glorious Parjanya filled everyone with joy. He himself was always joyful. He was devoted to his family and always intent on serving Lord Krsna�s lotus feet. He desired to make his eldest son the tilaka mark of his family. Thus he asked his eldest son, Upananda, to call an assembly of Vasudeva and the kings and Garga Muni and the brahmanas.

44. Thus commanded by his father, fortunate Upananda called Vasudeva and the others to the assembly. In that assembly Upananda embraced his middle younger brother, Nanda, made him the tilaka mark of the family, crowned him king of Gokula and worshipped him.

45. The younger brother, Nanda, shyly withdrew. Everyone was surprised. Parjanya, the affectionate father, looked on with glistening eyes. Upananda said, �I do not act thoughtlessly. I am conquered by my brother�s love. He has all virtues. Therefore what I do now is right. I am not his equal. We are all his subordinates He should control us.

46. �Furthermore, even Lord Narayana, the Supersoul who stays in the hearts of all, accepts this arrangement. Look. In this assembly every eye is like a black bee hovering at the lotus flower of Nanda�s face. This arrangement is right. Therefore it is right that I bear the name Upananda (Nanda�s follower). It is appropriate because Nanda is our king.�

47. At that moment flowers fell, and from the sky came calls of �Glory! Glory!� Gazing with wide-open eyes, everyone in the assembly also called, �Glory! Glory!�

48. Then Snigdhakantha said, �O sweet-voiced Madhukantha, whom all the worlds want to hear, between the eldest Upananda and the youngest Nanda, three brothers stand. Who is the middle one of these three brothers. What is his nature? Please describe him.�

49. Madhukantha said, �In this verse I will speak a glorious riddle, a riddle that will fill your thoughts with happiness.�

50. Snigdhakantha said �Please say that riddle.�

51. Madhukantha said: "Which person, even though he gave me the greatest treasure by accepting me as his son, still does not stop treating me as a friend?"

52. Eagerly and happily, Snigdhakantha at once said, "The answer is: Nanda.

53. Then Madhukantha said, "You understand that riddle. Now her this: "The people yearn to attain even a

small fragment of his many virtues. They happily worship him for his glories. He is Nanda, the king of

Vraja. He delights King Vasudeva. He is Vasudeva's friend. He cannot bear to be parted from

Vasudeva."

54. The nectar moon of Madhukantha's words brought great waves to the jewel-filled nectar ocean of the

devotees' hearts. Were they hearts or treasure-houses filled with jewels? Madhukantha did not know.

55. Then Snigdhakantha said , "Then? then?"

56. Madhukantha said, "So he would attain the opportunity to worship Lord Krsna's lotus feet, glorious

and fortunate Parjanya entered the land of Vrndavana. When his sons asked about the final truth taught

by all the scriptures, These were their questions and answers:

57. "What is the root of fear?"

"Destiny, which brings future events we cannot foresee, is the root of fears."

"Where can we find shelter from these dangers?"

"A devotee of Lord Krsna gives shelter."

"What should we pray to attain?"

'One should pray for devotional service to Lord Krsna and His devotee."

"Where is happiness?"

"Happiness is in spiritual love for Lord Krsna."

58. "Accompanied by his wife, parjanya came to Vrndavana. then, standing in Nanda's assembly as

Bhisma stood in the assembly of wonderful fighters, Upananda affirmed that his own name meant 'the

follower of Nanda'. Accepting Upananda's words, Nanda accepted everyone there as his eternal

subjects. He ruled over them and protected them.

59. "Nanda's actions were wonderful:

"Nanda was always respectful to his father. In his country religion was never in distress. In his country prosperity was never crippled. In his country propensity always grew more and more.

60. "Everyone in Vraja lived at the height of propensity. Still, one worry gradually blossomed amongst them. "Our king, who is more dear to us than life, has no children," they thought. In the course of time this worry troubled Upananda and everyone else. Then Nanda and Yasoda, the rulers of Vraja, became overwhelmed with the desire for a child. As time passed that desire grew stronger and stronger."

61. Snigdhakanta said, "Why did Nanda's friends and kinsmen not perform a yajna to give Nanda children? Why were intelligent Nanda and Yasoda so upset that they had no children? They were already king and queen of Vraja. Why did they yearn for children? Why did that desire become stronger and stronger as time passed?"

62. Madhukantha said, "A yajnas was performed, but it brought no result."

63. Snigdhakantha said, "Why? Why was there no result?"

64. Madhukantha said, "In private glorious Nanda and Yasoda spoke about this. Nanda said, 'Dear wife, Why do my grief-stricken relatives perform yajnas and other ceremonies so I may have children? My heart yearns to have a glorious son. Why is that desire not fulfilled? My heart cannot say. If merciful Lord Narayana, who is attained by the followers of the Vedas, is kind to me, then I will certainly have a glorious child. Perhaps my desire is like a parijata flowers fools imagine to float in the sky.'"

65. Then Snigdhakanta thought, "Krsna is more sweet and charming than Lord Narayana Himself. It is not wrong to say this. This truth is confirmed by Srimad-Bhagavatam (3.2.12) in these words:

"The Lord appeared in the mortal world by His internal potency, Yogamaya. He came in His eternal form, which is just suitable for His pastimes. These pastimes are wonderful for everyone, even for those proud of their own opulence, including the Lord Himself in His form as the Lord of Vaikuntha. Thus His (Sri Krsna's) transcendental body is the ornament of all ornaments.'"*

66. Then Snigdhakantha openly said, "Then? Then?"

67. Madhukantha said, "Then Yasoda, Nanda's beautiful wife, said, "What reply can I give?"

68. "Then Nanda said: " 'I see a dark boy with large restless eyes. I see Him playing, and I see him sitting

on your lap, and I see Him drinking milk from your breast. when I see Him am I dreaming or am I awake? I do not know. O saintly wife, please tell me the truth: Do you also se Him in your heart?'

69. "Yasoda said, 'O glorious husband, I have also seen this child in my thoughts, but I was too shy to tell you. This desire can never be attained. We should not keep it in our hearts.'

70. "Nanda said, 'Although it is my destiny to be childless, I will take shelter of Glorious Lord Narayana, the controller of the worlds. With His help my desire will be fulfilled. This I know. What has never been seen or heard of before He can place before everyone's eyes. He can do any impossible deed.'

71. "Yasoda said, O master, we should serve Lord Narayana?'

72. "Nanda said, 'Good. What service shall we perform?'

73. "Yasoda said, "We could follow the dvadasi vow.'

74. "Nanda happily said, 'What you say is good. The desire to follow this vow has now sprouted in my heart. We will follow it.'

75. "When the two of them decided in this way, the demigods made a great sound of dundubhi drums, a sound that filled all directions."

76. Hearing this description of his thoughts and desires, Nanda felt his heart melt. To the young poet he gave a gift of his own glistening ornaments. His wife, glorious Yasoda, gave the poet a great necklace of sapphires.

77. Snigdhakantha earnestly said, "What happened then?"

78. Madhukantha said, "When Nanda and Yasoda had passed a year of following this vows, in the Supreme Personality of Godhead appeared before them both in their dreams. He said, 'O devotees very attached to Me, why are you so troubled? A delicate boy dark and glorious like an atasi flower will become your son. You will be able to gaze on Him always. To increase your love for Him, this boy becomes your son kalpa after kalpa. Following My order, you appeared in your amsa-kala forms as Drona and Dhara in the world of the demigods cannot attain, you took birth on the earth in this place, a place glorified in Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.14.34). Please know that your glorious desire will soon be fulfilled.'

79. "After speaking these words, the glorious Supreme Personality of Godhead at once disappeared. Suddenly awakening, Nanda and Yasoda became as if plunged in an ocean of nectar. Telling each other what they had seen, they were filled with wonder."

80. In his heart Snigdhakantha thought, "Now my questions are answered. When He said, 'You two will attain Him as your son', that is what the Supreme Lord meant. That is what Garga Muni meant when he said (Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.8.14): " 'For many reasons, this beautiful son of yours sometimes appeared previously as son of Vasudeva. Therefore, those who are learned call this child Vasudeva.'*

81. "Love is the only way one can attain a relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Lord Himself says (Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.14.11): " 'I am attained through unflinching faith and devotional service.'*

"The Lord also says (Bhagavad-gita 4.11): " 'All of them, as they surrender unto Me, I reward accordingly."*

"In this way a devotee attains love for Krsna, love like the love of a parent for a son, a love called 'vatsalya'.

82. "Vasudeva's paternal love for Krsna is sincere, intense, and glorious. King Nanda's eternal parental love for Krsna is even more pure and glorious. By mediating on Krsna, Vasudeva and Devaki attained Krsna as their son. This is the sages' opinion, as confirmed by these words of Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.2.16-17 and 18-19): " 'Thus the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who vanquishes all fear of His devotees, entered the form of the supreme Personality of Godhead within the core of his heart, Vasudeva bore the Lord's transcendentally illuminating effulgence, and thus he became as bright as the sun.'*

" 'Thereafter, accompanied by plenary expansions, the fully opulent Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is all-auspicious for the entire universe, was transferred from the mind of Vasudeva, became beautiful by carrying Lord Krsna, the original consciousness for everyone, the cause of all causes, within the core of her heart, just as the east becomes beautiful by carrying the rising moon.'*

"Nanda and Yasoda also mediate on Lord Krsna in their hearts. Therefore their position was not different from that of Vasudeva and Devaki. Nanda and Yasoda have great devotion to Lord Krsna, Therefore, O Nanda and Yasoda, Krsna is your son as much as He is Vasudeva's son."

83. Then Snigdhakantha openly said, "Then? Then?"

84. Madhukantha said, "Seeing that Nanda and Yasoda were unhappy, the elders of Vraja gathered around them and praised them.

85. "At that moment a saintly ascetic lady accompained by a brahmana came to that place. Seeing the lady's great splendour and glory, everyone stood out of respect. Treating her like a honoured guest, they said, 'Who are you? You are like Goddess Yogamaya herself. Who is the boy with you? He is like Narada Muni in the form of a boy."

86. "Smiling, the lady said, 'My name is Paurnamasi. I am a widow, an ascetic who practices meditation. I am also a astrologer. I can see the future. This brahmana boy is named Madhumangala. He is saintly like Narada Muni himself. We both have special, secret knowledge.'

87. "The people of Vraja said, 'Why are you so kind to us poor people?"

88. "Paurnamasi said, 'We know that you have uncommon power and glory.'

89. "The people said, 'How is that ?'

90. "Paurnamasi said, 'King Nanda, who is the root of your lives, will have a son that delights the worlds.'

91. "Shedding tears and the hairs of their bodies erect with joy, everyone said, "Our forest of Brhadvana is a very holy place. Stay here and we will build you a leaf-cottage by the Yamuna's shore."

92. "Paurnamasi said, 'The goddess of the Vedas spoke to me in a dream. She should not speak anything untrue. She spoke the word Krsna. That means a very powerful and glorious person named Krsna will take birth in this place on earth. This person's qualities will be eternally new and fresh. His transcendental knowledge and other virtues will be beyond the touch of the three modes of material nature. He will possess all wealth and all glory. His devotees will renounce material wealth and glory. He will subdue all that oppose Him. By your mercy I will happily stay here in this place.'

93. "Everyone happily offered obeisances to Paurnamasi. Going to the Yamuna, its dark waters more splendid than a forest of blue lotus flowers, they built for Paurnamasi a cottage of leaves.

94. "Her heart withered by cruel Kamsa's ferocious words, Rohini complained to Vasudeva, and Vasudeva sent her to Vraja. Riding on a horse, Rohini secretly entered the land of Vraja at dusk. Seeing chaste Rohini's arrival as an auspicious omen, everyone in King Nanda's assembly became happy at heart. Overcome with joy, Rohini and Yasoda embraced. They were like the Ganga and Yamuna flowing together.

95. "Then it was the month of Jyaistha. Seeing that Rohini was three months pregnant, Yasoda became very happy.

96. "On the delightful full-moon evening of the month of Magha, Yasoda served King Nanda and then, exhausted, fell asleep. In a dream she had a vision.

97. "In that dream a young boy was hiding behind a young girl. Placing His place in King Nanda's heart, the boy entered Yasoda's heart. The boy stayed in Yasoda's lotus heart. Then the young girl entered Yasoda womb. King Nanda also saw these bewildering activities. At first he was unhappy. Then he shook away that unhappiness and felt joyful."

98. In the heart Snigdhakantha thought, "This is all true. The truthful sage know this boy is the son of Nanda's and Yasoda. Considering all this, I agree with their conclusion." Then Snigdhakantha openly said, "Then? Then?"

99. Madhukantha said, "Seeing that Yasoda was now pregnant, all the women of Gokula became joyful. It is said: "Yasoda's face was effulgent. Her breast and belly had grown large. The word in everyone's ears was that she was now pregnant.

100. "Krsna now stayed in Yasoda's womb. Glistening like a lamp in a crystal base, He filled her with light that shone within and without.

101. "Wise Queen Yasoda thought profound thoughts and had a host of virtues. Peaceful, she controlled her tongue and senses. Still, there were some things she intently desired.

102. "Krsna present in her womb, she had the longings of a pregnant women. She longed for sweet-rice with fragrant camphor, sugar, ghee, and tulasi.

103. "Then Goddess Yogamaya suddenly ended Rohini's seven-month-old pregnancy and placed in Rohini's womb an unborn child taken from Devaki's womb. Then, in the fourteenth month, the month of Sravana, when the auspicious star Sravana conjoined with the moon, joyful Rohini gave birth to a handsome son glorious with all transcendental qualities. She was like a glorious moon effulgent with moonlight. She was like a lioness who has given birth to a very powerful cub. She was like a fresh lotus-lake in which a fragrant white lotus flower has bloomed. She was like pure knowledge that has given birth to all-auspicious glory.

104. "Rohini gave birth to a son with a glorious face, lighting-flash eyes, dark-cloud hair, a white autumn-cloud form, and great glory and prowess. Her son was very glorious and transcendental.

105. "Her son's form was fair and powerful without limit. The astrologers said, 'This boy will be the elder brother of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He will be the protector of the cows, and the killer of Dhenukasura, Pralambasura, Dvivida, and a host of demons. His arms will be long, His name will be Rama. In a past life He enjoyed pastimes with Lord Ramacandra.'

106. "Sent by Vasudeva, learned brahmanas named Sarma performed the nama-karana and other ceremonies for Balarama.

Still, there was a sadness in Vraja.

107. "From the time of Balarama's birth a dull sadness was be seen in Vraja. For this sadness there was only one remedy. The remedy was the infant that appeared in Queen Yasoda meditations.

108. "After some days that infant entered Yasoda's womb. In the eighth month of Bhadra, on a Wednesday, during the auspicious astrological yoga named harsana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, shaking away the darkness of this world, appeared in this world to delight Nanda and Yasoda.

109. "They also say: "The demigods made everything glorious and auspicious on the night of Lord Krsna's birth. In this way they served the Lord.

110. " They also say: "Even when it is not Satya-yuga, one may still meditate. Even when it is not Treta-yuga, one may still perform yajnas. Even when it is not Dvapara-yuga, one may still perform Deity-worship. Even when it is not Kali-yaga, one may still chant the holy names of Lord Hari. Even when it is not springtime, Jasmines and other flowers may still bloom. Even when it is not summertime, mangoes may still ripen. Even when it is not autumn, clouds may still be beautiful. Even when it is not autumn, rice may still be harvested. Even when it is not winter, there may still be cold weather. Even when it is not daytime, lotus may still bloom. Even when the astrologers learned in the jyotih-sastra do not know it, the stars may still be auspicious. Even if the spiritual masters do not teach it, the Supreme Personality of Godhead is still present everywhere. In the same way, even though Yasoda was unaware of it, Lord Krsna was born as her son.

111. "First this will be said: "Beautiful stars shone in the sky. Clouds rumbled over the ocean. There was a glorious shower. On that day the beauty of autumn was a guest on earth.

112. "Furthermore: "At that time, even though it was not their season, madhavi, jati, ketaka, kumuda, and ambuja flowers bloomed in the four directions.

113. "The wise acaryas say this was not suprising, for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the treasure-house of all wonders, had taken birth at that moment.

114. "They who could see into the future might say these words: 'Krsna face is like the king of graceful, smiling blue lotus flowers. Krsna's eyes are like the king of graceful black bees resting in the king of white lotus flowers. Krsna's nose is like the king of sesame flowers splendid like the kings of dark monsoon clouds. Krsna's lips are like the king of lips red like red sindura, girija, roses, bandhuka flowers, or bimba berries. Krsna's ears are like the king of splendor of blackness that rule over dark anjana ointments. Krsna's arms and hands are like the king of branches bearing blossoming twigs. Krsna's chest marked with Srivatsa is like the king of dark clouds embraced by an unmoving lightning flash.

115. "Furthermore, Krsna's eyes defeat the maha-padma lotus, His eyes defeat the padma lotus, His defeats the shark, His smile defeats the kunda jasmine, His neck defeats the conchshell, the soles of His feet defeat the turtle. His glorious complexion defeats the sapphire. All His feature dwarf these seven famous treasures, which begin with the maha-padma. What more need be said? These seven rare treasures, which are difficult to attain, stay always with Lord Krsna. Of this there is no doubt.

116. "Something extraordinary occurred at the time of Krsna's birth. It is said: "To please Lord Krsna, who is purchased by kindness, Goddess Yogamaya assumed the form of an infant girl and took birth as Krsna's elder sister."

117. Snigdhakantha then thought of these verses of Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.4.9 and 10.5.1): "The child, Yogamaya-devi, the younger sister of Lord Visnu, slipped upwards from Kamsa's hands and appeared in the sky as Devi, the goddess Durga with eight arms, completely equipped with weapons.�*

"Nanda Maharaja was naturally very magnanimous, and when Lord Sri Krsna appeared as his son, he was overwhelmed by Jubilation."*

Thinking of this and other verses affirming that Krsna is in the truth Nanda's son of Devaki and Vasudeva?"

118. He openly said, '"O saintly one, if Krsna is Nanda's son, why does everyone think Him the son of Devaki and Vasudeva?"

119. A little startled by Snigdhakantha's words, Madhukantha thought, "Devarsi Narada said, 'If there is talk of Krsna among love-filled people of Vraja, then Krsna's powers and opulences should be hidden.' That was the conclusion of Garga Muni also. That conclusion is not surprising."

120. Then Madhukantha openly said, "Narada will not mind if I now reveal the secret of Nanda's son. Rather, by revealing it in this assembly I will attain perfection. Lord Krsna Himself is reflected in the loving hearts of the love-anointed people of Vraja. Controlled by His devotees love, Lord Krsna manifests himself. In the absence of love He does not manifest Himself. Before those who love him as parents love a son, Lord Krsna appears as a son. He does not appear in that way before others. Before devotees who love Him as a son, He takes birth as their son.

121. "Once every kalpa in every lifetime of Brahma, Krsna appears before Nanda, Yasoda, and the people of Vraja, People who love Him dearly, to give them a chance to love Him as Nanda's son. He will not appear before other persons even for a single sesame-seed worth of time.

122. "This is described by the demigod Brahma in these words (Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.14.35): " 'My

Lord, sometimes I am puzzled as to how Your Lordship will be able to repay, in gratitude, the devotional service of these residents of Vrndavana.'*

"Lord Narayana Himself said (in paragraph 78 of this chapter): " 'O devotees very attached to Me, why are you so troubled? A delicate boy dark and glorious like an atasi flower will become your son. You will be able to gaze on Him always. To increase your love for Him, this boy becomes your son kalpa after kalpa.'

"In Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.8.19) it is also said: " 'In conclusion, therefore, O Nanda Maharaja, this child of Yours is as good as Narayana. In His transcendental qualities, opulence, name, fame, and influence, He is exactly like Narayana. You should all raise this child very carefully and cautiously.'*

"From these words spoken by Garga Muni we may make these assumptions: 'Goddess Yogamaya, who has the power to make any impossible thing possible and who is the potency of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, arranged that Lord Krsna became the son of Nanda. Yearning to have a son like the Lord Himself, Nanda had worshipped the Supreme Lord. Although Nanda, his heart full of love for his kinsmen, gave no thought to his future son, this was merely an action of Yogamaya to help the Lord's pastimes while yet He could not be seen in Vraja. As Yogamaya acts, so Mahamaya and the other potencies of the Lord follow. When Garga Muni here says, 'gopayasva' (protect this child very carefully and cautiously), he means 'With the potencies given by the Lord Himself, please protect this boy. Garga Muni also says (Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.8.15):

" 'For this son of yours there are many forms and names according to His transcendental qualities and activities.�*

"Lord Krsna enjoys tasting the nectar of loving relationships with His devotees. Lord Krsna every desire, whether eternal and important, of a fleeting whim, is attained without any effort. In this way, to enjoy pastimes with His affectionate devotees, Lord Krsna appeared before them in His two-armed form, and then eventually disappeared also.

123. "The four-armed Narayana manifested in the heart of Vasudeva and Devaki came out of their hearts and stood before them. The nyaya states: " 'One fruit becomes the cause of another fruit.'

Following this nyaya it is seen that Krsna first appeared in a four-armed Narayana form before Vasudeva and Devaki and then later appeared in His original two-armed Krsna-form before Nanda and Yasoda. In Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.8.14) it is said:

" 'For many reasons this beautiful son of yours sometimes appeared previously as the son of Vasudeva.'*

"Afraid of cruel Kamsa, Devaki wished four-armed Lord Narayana would appear before her. At the same time, accompanied by Goddess Yogamaya, two-armed Krsna appeared in Yasoda womb. When the two-armed and four-armed forms met, the four-armed Narayana-form entered the two-armed krsna-form. Manifesting her form, Goddess Yogamaya was present in Yasoda's womb. Manifesting her formless feature, she became the wind that pushed infant Krsna from Yasoda's womb. In this way Yogamaya was like a fragrant breeze that, although invisible, still makes a lotus flower move to and fro. Goddess Yogamaya also put Yasoda into a state of bewilderment.

124. "From within the womb, Yogamaya made Yasoda bewildered about the new-born child. Then Yogamaya herself took birth. Then she, Yogamaya who had transferred Balarama from Devaki's womb to Rohini's womb, lay on the bead in the maternity room."

125. In his heart Snigdhakantha thought, "In Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.2.9) Lord Krsna said to Yogamaya: " 'O all-auspicious Yogamaya, I shall appear with My full six opulences as the son of Devaki, and you will appear as the daughter of mother Yasoda, the queen of Maharaja Nanda.'*

"The demigod Brahma said to the demigods (Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.1.25): " 'The property of the Lord, known as Visnu-maya, who is as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, will also appear with Lord Krsna. This potency, acting in different capacities, captivates all the worlds, both material and spiritual. At the request of her master, she will appear with her different potencies in order to execute the work of the Lord.' "*

"In the first of these quotes Lord Krsna uses the word 'amsa-bhagena' in the sense 'accompanied by My four-handed Narayana form". In the second of these quotes the demigod Brahma uses the word 'karyarthe' (to execute the work of the Lord) means 'to attract the people of the world with His charming features'. The sages who know the truth of Lord Krsna give this explanation (Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.38.32):

" 'The Supreme Personality of Godhead (Krsna and Balarama) appeared personally for the welfare of His creation. "*

"Here the word 'amsa-bhagena' means accompanied by His various forms'.

126. "Goddess Yogamaya established the relationship of King Nanda and Lord Krsna. That is the final conclusion. Even though He is all-powerful, Lord Krsna still submits Himself to His devotee's desire. He does not merely follow His own whim. "

127. Filled with wonder, everyone then said, "So it was. What happened then?"

128. Madhukantha said, "Then, following Lord Krsna's command, Yogamaya arranged that four-handed Lord Narayana took birth from Vasudeva, and she also arranged that because of Vasudeva's fear, Lord Narayana changed Himself into the two-handed form of Krsna to Yasoda. There he saw Yasoda's infant boy and infant girl. Seeing Krsna's four-handed form, Vasudeva understood that Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He doubted that Krsna was his own son. He had no power to say how his son was first four-handed and then two-handed. Vasudeva could not understand anything of what just happened."

129. Snigdhakantha said, "He did not understand. Still,he place his son there and, taking the girl with him, left. That is why the names Agama-sastras and other scriptures call Lord Krsna by the names 'Nanda-nandana', 'Nandatmaja', 'Nandaja', 'Nanda-tanaya' (Nanda's son), 'Ballavi-nandana' (a gopi's son), and many other like names."

130. Smiling, he continued, "At first it may not have been accurate to say that Krsna is Nanda�s son. But in the course of time it became accurate. It became the truth."

131. Smiling, he continued, "Tell us how Krsna father Vasudeva came to Vraja."

132. Madhukantha said: "The shackles fell from Vasudeva's feet. The prison guards fell asleep. Sesa became like an umbrella. The Yamuna became shallow like a field covered with water. In this way Vasudeva carried Krsna to Nanda's home. Now I have told you everything. Of whom shall I speak now?"

133. Snigdhakantha said, "Tell us King Nanda's glories."

134. Nanda�s glories are described in these words:

�Captured in the mystic net of descriptions of Krsna, the people of Vraja think they now see Lord Krsna�s pastimes with their own eyes. Tears fill their eyes. They are stunned. They are overcome with love. Who has the power to describe their good fortune.?�

135. Snigdhankantha again said, �Then? Then?�

136. His eyes begin to shed tears of joy, Madhukantha said, �Placing this great jewel in Vraja, Vasudeva left. Pushed by Yogamaya, Yasoda awakened and saw her new-born son.�

137. It is said in the Visnu Purana:

�Yasoda awakened and saw her new-born son dark like a blue lotus petal. She was very happy.�

138. It is also said:

�Gazing at there new-born son, His body more glorious than the most glorious sapphire, His face defeating the moon. His eyes more graceful than the most graceful lotus flowers, His hands and feet more charming than new petals on kalpavrksa trees in Vaikuntha, and His soft and sweet infant cries entrancing the whole world, stunned Yasoda looked like a painted picture.�

139. �Is this boy the king of the kingdom of dark splendour? Is He the most splendid of all oceans of handsome splendour? Is He the personified good fortune of all who are graceful and glorious? Is this boy a fruit that has grown from the tree of my limbs?� As Yasoda asked herself these questions, the new-born infant Krsna cries, �Om! Om!�

140. �Yasoda gazed at her son. She tried to call her friends, but she could not. Tears streamed from her eyes to her neck. She was stunned. She was overcome with love for her son.�

141. �Touched by Yogamaya, the people of Vraja wakened from their sleep. Now the Supreme Personality of Godhead was present amongst them.�

142. �Krsna was like glorious moon that with its cooling light made the lotus forests and the hearts of Vraja�s people bloom with joy.�

143. �The new-born child did not stay only on His mother�s bed. He was also reflected in the glistening mirrors of His affectionate kinsmen�s hearts.�

144. �As cataki birds gaze at a moonsoon cloud, the ladies of Vraja gazed at the reflection of Lord Krsna in their hearts. Quickly they came to see Him.�

145. �Rohini and the other ladies gazed at the infant boy. They were like cakori birds gazing at the newly risen full moon.

146. �Thinking of how to awaken her from trance, the ladies gazed at Mother Yasoda as she, stunned, gazed at her new-born son.

147. �With their eyes the ladies gazed at the dark infant boy. With their hearts they were filled with doubt. �s He a demigod?� ,they thought. The idea that this could possibly be an ordinary human child refused to walk on the pathway of what they could believe.�

148. �The ladies thought, �Is this a great garland of blue lotuses? Is it a gigantic sapphire? Is it a great Vidura jewel? We don�t know what it is? It appears to have the form of a new-born infant boy. As we gaze on this boy all our senses are stunned. Our eyes are fixed on Him alone.�

149. The ladies thought, �This boy s actually a dark tamala leaf fragrant with musk, anointed with glistening handsomeness, anointed with the splendour of His own glorious form, bathed in the nectar of His own handsome face, anointed with beautiful sandal and camphor of His mothers glances, and decorated with the ornaments of His own glorious handsomeness.� The ladies gazed at the infant boy, His delicate limbs like a tamala leaf and musk. To attract their hearts, with His hand the boy played with His few strands of curly hair. Then He made His hand into a tiny fist. The ladies gaezed at Him when, as if tossed to and fro by the Yamuna�s waves, He moved His hands and feet.

150. The ladies gazed at new-born Krsna:

�Gazing at new-born Krsna, the delighted ladies whispered among themselves. They had forgotten all their household duties. One peaceful hearted lady placed her trembling hands on the new-born child.�

151. Now the ladies could see the infant was a boy:

�They said, �Aha! Now He touches His head. Now He rubs His eyes. Now He touches His chest. Now He rests His hands on His chest.� Saying these words, the beautiful-eyed ladies gazed at new-born Krsna.�

152. �Again and again everyone�s eyes rested on the child. No one grew tired of gazing on Him. Shedding a shower of nectar tears, delighted Mother Yasoda offered to her new-born son a nectar shower of milk from her breast.�

153. �Everyone carefully watched as the infant was bathed and various ritual were performed.�

Following Rohini�s request, an elderly brahmini went to tell the delighted Nanda. His face filled with a joyful smile, and his hair and garments white, Nanda quickly came.

154. Filled with ecstatic love, everyone in the assembly stood with folded hands before Madhukantha and Snigdhakantha. Madhukantha said:

�O King of Vraja, your son is the greatest treasure of this exalted assembly. Simply by hearing of His birth pastimes, everyone here is now filled with bliss.�

155. King Nanda respectfully worshipped Madhukantha and Snigdhakantha. Placing his hand on their heads, he blessed them. Taking his own ornaments, he decorated them.

Everyone there offered gifts to them. King Nanda said to them, �Please stay as my guests and enjoy a feast with us.� Then Nanda said to everyone, �Please come again. Morning after morning please assemble here.�

156. Following His father�s instructions, Krsna took His lunch-packet, honored His mother, gave His company to the two poet boys, and went to the forest to look after His cows. Then the people in the assembly returned to their homes.

1. On the first day Madhukantha sang the glories of Lord Krsna. On the second day in the same way, Snigdhakantha sang the glories of Lord Krsna.

2. Madhukantha eagerly asked:

�Yesterday my voice tasted the sweet nectar of talking about Lord Krsna. Today it is ears that yearn to taste that nectar. Although it is the soul that truly tastes that nectar, it seems that my eyes and other senses again and again yearn to taste it.�

3. Then Snigdhakantha said, �Filled with joy, the elderly lady found Nanda, Upananda, and the others who had gone to the barn to milk the cows.�

4. It is said:

�She happily hurried there. Seeing Nanda, she approached to speak to him. Her hands bearing fruit and other gifts, she told him of her son�s birth. Again she told him. Everyone there honoured her.�

5. Madhukantha said, �What did she say?�

6. Smiling Snighdhakantha said, �She said,�Our king now has a son. Will you come to see Him.��

7. Smiling Madhukantha said, �Then? Then?�

8. Snigdhakantha said, �Like peacocks when they meet the nectar monsoon rains, the cowherd men let out a great sound of rejoicing. Overcome with bliss Nanda could not speak a word. The hairs of his body erect with joy, he had become like a great tree suddenly blooming with new twigs and flowers.�

9. Madhukantha said, �Then? Then?�

10. Snighdhakantha said, �Smiling, everyone honoured the grey-haired old lady, who then happily said, �May auspiciousness come to your son.� Then she offered to Nanda an auspicious gift of fruit and durva grass anointed with rocana, kumkuma and sandal woodpaste. Seeing this, Sriman Upananda joyfully said to Nanda, �You should leave the cows and quickly return home.� All the men there happily said, �This lady has brought the good news you yearned to hear.��

11. �A son was happily born to Nanda. How was it possible? How was it possible? Nanda�s intelligence had no power to understand how it had happened.�

12. �Donning the robes of a person performing religious rituals, glorious King Nanda gave many valuables away in charity. All other charity was dwarfed by his actions. Deciding to visit Nanda�s home, the leaders of Vraja also dressed in fine garments. By Rohini�s order two drummers sounding dundubhi drums walked from the great archway. First they would sound the drums, and then they would announce, �Nanda�s son is born!� This they did again and again.

13. �At night hearing from the sky a great tumult of heavenly music and many calls of �Jaya! Jaya!�, the people of Vraja also made a great tumult of joyful sounds.�

14. Nanda trembled. He was stunned with bliss and longing. It was only when Lord Narayana, whom Nanda had long served, took his hand that Nanda became peaceful. Then Nanda returned to his home.

15. �One by one meeting each other, a great host of friends and kinsmen hurried to Nanda�s home. As many streams gradually combine to form the Ganga, they gradually became a great stream of people flowing towards Nanda�s home.�

16. Thousand and thousands of glorious saintly ladies also came. They offered arati to King Nanda, and they celebrated the birth of his son.

17. �When King Nanda came to greet them, the people of Vraja made a great joyful noise. Gracefully decorated handsome Nanda was like a glistening nectar moon surrounded by many hosts of stars in the assembly of the sky.�

18. �Although the brahmanas were eager to greet Nanda with great respect, before they could do that, Nanda called them each forward and worshipped them.�

19. �Many learned, auspicious, and affectionate brahmanas sat around the jubilant King Nanda. They offered many blessings, recited mantras from the Vedas, and placed durva grass and other auspicious articles on new-born Krsna�s head. Nanda was glorious with joy.�

20. �Listening to the auspicious Vedic hymns, and celebrating the birth of his son, the great soul Nanda performed the rituals of decorating and bathing the body. I cannot glorify these actions of his enough. Simply by hearing of these activities that begin with the ritual bath, every listener attains a pious result that has no limit.�

21. �Ordered by the guru, �Now the jata-karma rituals should be performed,� Nanda performed those rituals.�

22. �First Nanda worshipped his sister-in-law, who were happy as if they themselves were the boys� mother.�

23. Then Nanda performed the nandimukha-sraddha ceremony where he worshipped his ancestors.

24. �Then accompanied by many brahmana boys learned in Vedic rituals, Nanda entered the maternity room were at the entrance was a altar with purna-kumbha and other auspicious articles. Then, while Yasoda whose glories fill the three worlds, concealed the new-born on the bed, Rohini, whose glory fulfils all desires, greeted Nanda and the visitors. They entered the forepart of the room. Then, with sweet and playful words the visitors begged to see the new-born boy so their eyes maybe decorated with His glorious vision. Begging and begging, they finally gazed at the new-born boy, a boy whose glory and worth are beyond measure.�

25. �Everyone gazed at the new-born boy more splendid than the king of lotus flowers, His form the playground of splendid and gentle glory, His playful actions filling the worlds with wonder, His limbs more splendid than the most glorious sapphire, His gentle splendour more charming than a host of glorious vaidurya jewels or than graceful moss decorating the Yamuna�s dark waters, His glistening eyes like blue lotus buds placed within expanded white lotus flowers, His limbs and feet resting on a bed of leaves from a kapla-vrksa tree in the world of Vaikuntha, and His limbs adorned with yellow garments more glorious than gold. Bathing Him with the tears from their eyes, they gazed for some moments. Everyone was stunned.�

26. �Although many kinds of ecstatic love took birth within him, saintly and profound King Nanda did not move. He was stunned.�

27. �As Vraja�s king Nanda was stunned and motionless, Upanada�s wife eagerly and happily placed the new-born boy on her lap.�

28. �Hearing the words, �Place the child on King Nanda�s lap,� Queen Yasoda, resting on the maternity bed, was overcome with joy. She was stunned. The hairs of her body stood erect. Tears slid from her eyes.�

29. �The brahmanas bearing the surname Sarma performed the jata-karma ritual. Reciting the Dasa-karma-paddhati mantra beginning �bhus tvayi�, a priest had new-born Krsna lick a drop of ghee from his golden-ringed ring finger. Then he performed the ayusua-kriya(longlife) ritual. In that ritual he recited the mantras beginning �om agnir ayusman� in the newborn boys right ear. Then chanting the mantras beginning, �om divaspati�, the priest touched the newborn boy. Then he chanted the mantra beginning �om idam annam pranaya�, in each of the four directions. Then chanting the mantra beginning �om asma bhava,� he again touched the new-born boy. Then he chanted the mantra beginning �om idasi� over the new-born boy�s mother. Then he recited two mantras beginning �om idam stanam�, and the other beginning, �om yas te stanam� over the mother�s breasts. Then as the newborn boy lay on the bed, the priest chanted the mantra beginning �om apo devesu� and sprinkled water on the boys head.�

30. When the jata-karma ritual was thus completed, the joyous time for cutting the umbilical cord came. At the time the midwife, the hairs of her body erect, twice or thrice called out, �A wonder!� She said, �O King, I cannot find any umbilical cord on the boys navel lake. I am not lying. I am not lying. There is no umbilical cord.�

31. �On this boy�s feet are glorious marks beginning with the marks of a conchshell, cakra, thunderbolt, and lotus. Other auspicious marks are on His hands. O king of Vraja, look! On this boys body splendid like a monsoon cloud are more auspicious marks than are described in the Samudrika-sastra. This is very surprising.�

32. �Filled with wonder, the brahmana boys smiled and said, �O giver of all auspiciousness, O supremely pure master of religion, if we cannot cut Your umbilical cord, how can we perform this purifying ceremony?��

33. Their moonlike faces blossoming with wonder and the hairs of their bodies erect, the brahmana boys performed the appropriate yajna. Happy and satisfied Nanda gave them appropriate gifts.

34. �Nanda gave many glorious gifts. No one could even count all the gifts he gave.�

35. �Nanda gave many cows in charity. He began by giving a ten thousand cows, a hundred thousand cows, and a million cows. Then he gave two million cows.�

36. �When he gave another two million cows with gold-anointed horns top another brahmana, he still felt unsatisfied at heart.�

37. �By the tens of dronas he gave away seven mountains of grain. Then he gave away seven mountains of gold and jewels to the brahmanas.�

38. �In this way he gave a very great daksina to the brahmanas. The brahmanas were all filled with wonder.�

39. �Brahmanas without number could not count all charity that Nanda gave. In this way Nanda glorified the brahmans.�

40. �Reciting auspicious poems at the festival, may brahmana poets learned in the Vedas and expert in various subjects, brahmans poets who were sutas, magadhas, vandis, krsasvis, and gayakas, filled the whole of Vraja with wonder. The land of Vraja was seen to be filled with bliss. How can I describe the bliss the people of Vraja felt? Vraja was free from any suffering. It glistened with spiritual love. It was decorated with hosts of colorful, wonderful dancing flags. The calves, the cows and bulls were affectionately anointed with oil and tumeric, happily painted with pictures and designs drawn in mineral pigments, and decorated with peacock feathers and golden necklaces. How can I describe how the cowherd people were decorated. They were glorious like kings of the earth. They were decorated with glorious ornaments. They were not different from the glorious heroes described in books of poetry. In their hands they held gifts of glistening jewels. They were great heroes and heroines of spiritual love The cowherd people were like that. Who has the power to describe Gokula�s Queen Yasoda and the other gopis, whose hearts are anointed with a great host of spiritual virtues.?�

41. �At first, unhappy they had not the good fortune to have Krsna as their son, the ladies of Vraja did not wear any ornaments. But then hearing of Krsna�s glories,they became filled with ecstatic bliss and beauty and opulence.�

42. �In the festival of Yasoda�s sons birth the effulgence of the gopis� moonlike faces joyfully shone with a splendour that defeated kumkuma.�

43. The gopis sang:

�Hearing that last night Yasoda gave birth to a glorious son, all the gopis have come to her home.

Quickly they dressed in beautiful garments and ornaments. As they hurried, the path became filled with many flowers fallen from their garlands.

Jewel earring swung in their cheeks. Great cloaks bit their necks.

Their necklaces were trembling lightning flashes. Their wonderful garments were tied with graceful sashes.�

44. It is also said:

�When the people of Vraja came before new-born Krsna, the musicians among the demigods sweetly played on their musical instruments.�

45. �Hearing this music Upananda and the other deeply wise cowherd people became filled with joy. They sang,danced, and enjoyed many pastimes.�

46. �The assembled women blessed the new-born boy with many words. Gazing at Him, they sang this song describing His glories:�

47. �O graceful young prince of Vraja, please always protect us.�

�Very quickly your power and glory and opulence will grow. If you will please make us happy and prosperous.

We yearn to see your smiling face. We yearn to see You as an infant happily crawling in the courtyard.�

When, grasping a calf�s tail, will you be pulled to and fro?

When, running to and fro, will You happily play with the calves?

Anyone who sees Your pastimes of herding the cows will become very fortunate.

�With your great power You will crsuh the demons. To the saintly devotees You will give the glorious fruit of their devotional service.�

48. �The joyful women sang this song at the festival. Again and again they sprinkled tumeric and oil. Then they went outside.�

49. Furthermore:

�Sprinkling each other with milk, yoghurt and other like things, the gopis become white. They were like waves dancing in an ocean of milk.�

50. Gathering together, the gopis sang this song:

�O gopis friends, look at Vraja�s king. He has become joyful and playful in his son�s festival.

It is as if he is now churning Mount Mandara in an ocean of yoghurt.

It is as if Vasuki, the king of Snakes, is now coiled about his waist. He is delighted by his dear friends.

Again and again he gives rare and precious gifts. He fills everyone with wonder.

Appearing on the eastern horizon, a wonderful moon is now born as his son.�

51. Then they recited this sloka:

�This is not sprinkling of drops of milk. It is a monsoon flood. This is not sprinkling of lumps of butter. It is a shower of pearls falling from monsoon clouds. This is not sprinkling of tumeric and water. It is the splendour of many lightning flashes. The monsoon season personified has joyfully created the festival we now observe.�

52. �Again and again slipping on the ground muddy with yoghurt and other milk products, Yasoda�s brothers again and again held on to their father as if they were a band of thieves. Seeing this, Nanda�s brothers loudly laughed.�

53. Very generous and wealthy Nanda called for ten billion virtuous men and, without thinking who was more and who was less qualified to receive, carefully gave them many jewels as far as he was able.

54. Furthermore:

�In ordinary situations a beggar asks and a donor gives. With Nanda the situation was different. He gave without being asked.�

55. Therefore:

�King Nanda gave without being asked. He was so generous that the kalpa-vrksa trees, the cinatmini jewels and all other generous donors seemed misers by comparison.�

56. There also:

�If He is pleased with these actions, may Lord Visnu auspiciousness to my son. As he gave charity King Nanda thought this.�

57. After the festival everyone desired to bathe. Taking Nanda with them they went to the Yamuna.

58. Without any restrain they happily played in the water with King Nanda. Then they anointed their bodies with fragrances, donned splendid garments, and anointed their bodies with sandal paste and camphor. Then they went to saintly Purnamasi, who was meditating in a leaf cottage, and they all bowed down before her. She listened to the poets poems. Then they all returned to King Nanda�s palace.

59. �There glorious King Nanda made a great river of splendid gifts, a river that flowed into the ocean of his kinsmen.�

60. �On that blissful day Rohini faithfully prepared many delicious foods cooked in ghee. That festival was like a great host of full moons shining in King Nanda�s palace. Feeling great bliss, everyone spent the whole night singing and dancing.�

61. �Who has the power to describe the joy Rohini felt on the day Lord Krsna was born? Even though her husband was far away, on that day Rohini dressed in beautiful garments and many splendid ornaments. Her glory and saintliness were very wonderful to see. Very wonderful. Even King Nanda, who is worshipped by all the worlds, considered himself very fortunate that she had come to stay in his home.�

62. The land of Vraja is always like an ocean filled with jewels, Still, from the time of Lord Krsna�s appearance there, and as long as He had not departed from it, the glory of Vraja increases more and more. That glory became very wonderful. One by one, the goddesses of fortune took birth in the homes of the cowherd people there. They made Vraja in to their place of pastimes. What more can I say about Vraja?

63. Then Madhukantha thought, �Yes. It is true. In Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.5.18) it is said:

�O Mahraja Pariksit, the home of Nanda Maharaja is eternally the abode of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His transcendental qualities and is therefore always naturally endowed with the opulence of all wealth. Yet beginning from Lord Krsna�s appearance there, it became a place for the pastimes of goddess of fortune.�

64. Thinking for a moment, Snigdhakantha said, �Ah! King Nanda is always glorious with earnestness and a host of virtues.�

�How great is King Nanda�s good reputation? How great is his wealth and opulence? How great is his limitless glory? How many are his servants? Where are boundaries of his kingdom. Who has the power to know all of his glories.�

65. Concluding his description, Snigdhakamtha said:

�O King of Vraja, the son that was born to you filled Vraja with glory and beauty and opulence. He made Vraja a place of wonders.�

66. Then as the previous day everyone returned to their homes, and Gokula�s prince Krsna went to take care of the cows.