sūta uvāca ānartān sa upavrajya svṛddhāñ jana-padān svakān dadhmau daravaraṁ teṣāṁ viṣādaṁ śamayann iva
Universal Translation
Sūta Gosvāmī said: Upon reaching the border of His most prosperous metropolis, known as the country of the Ānartas [Dvārakā], the Lord sounded His auspicious conchshell, heralding His arrival and apparently pacifying the dejection of the inhabitants.
sa uccakāśe dhavalodaro daro ’py urukramasyādharaśoṇa-śoṇimā dādhmāyamānaḥ kara-kañja-sampuṭe yathābja-khaṇḍe kala-haṁsa utsvanaḥ
Universal Translation
The white and fat-bowled conchshell, being gripped by the hand of Lord Kṛṣṇa and sounded by Him, appeared to be reddened by the touch of His transcendental lips. It seemed that a white swan was playing in the stems of red lotus flowers.
tam upaśrutya ninadaṁ jagad-bhaya-bhayāvaham pratyudyayuḥ prajāḥ sarvā bhartṛ-darśana-lālasāḥ
Universal Translation
The citizens of Dvārakā, having heard that sound which threatens fear personified in the material world, began to run towards Him fast, just to have a long desired audience with the Lord, who is the protector of all devotees.
natāḥ sma te nātha sadāṅghri-paṅkajaṁ viriñca-vairiñcya-surendra-vanditam parāyaṇaṁ kṣemam ihecchatāṁ paraṁ na yatra kālaḥ prabhavet paraḥ prabhuḥ
Universal Translation
The citizens said: O Lord, You are worshiped by all demigods like Brahmā, the four Sanas and even the King of heaven. You are the ultimate rest for those who are really aspiring to achieve the highest benefit of life. You are the supreme transcendental Lord, and inevitable time cannot exert its influence upon You.
bhavāya nas tvaṁ bhava viśva-bhāvana tvam eva mātātha suhṛt-patiḥ pitā tvaṁ sad-gurur naḥ paramaṁ ca daivataṁ yasyānuvṛttyā kṛtino babhūvima
Universal Translation
O creator of the universe, You are our mother, well-wisher, Lord, father, spiritual master and worshipable Deity. By following in Your footsteps we have become successful in every respect. We pray, therefore, that You continue to bless us with Your mercy.
aho sanāthā bhavatā sma yad vayaṁ traiviṣṭapānām api dūra-darśanam prema-smita-snigdha-nirīkṣaṇānanaṁ paśyema rūpaṁ tava sarva-saubhagam
Universal Translation
Oh, it is our good luck that we have come again today under Your protection by Your presence, for Your Lordship rarely visits even the denizens of heaven. Now it is possible for us to look into Your smiling face, which is full of affectionate glances. We can now see Your transcendental form, full of all auspiciousness.
yarhy ambujākṣāpasasāra bho bhavān kurūn madhūn vātha suhṛd-didṛkṣayā tatrābda-koṭi-pratimaḥ kṣaṇo bhaved raviṁ vinākṣṇor iva nas tavācyuta
Universal Translation
O lotus-eyed Lord, whenever You go away to Mathurā-Vṛndāvana or Hastināpura to meet Your friends and relatives, every moment of Your absence seems like millions of years. O infallible one, at that time our eyes become useless, as if bereft of sun.
kathaṁ vayaṁ nātha ciroṣite tvayi prasanna-dṛṣṭyākhila-tāpa-śoṣaṇam jīvema te sundara-hāsa-śobhitam apaśyamānā vadanaṁ manoharam iti codīritā vācaḥ prajānāṁ bhakta-vatsalaḥ śṛṇvāno ’nugrahaṁ dṛṣṭyā vitanvan prāviśat puram
Universal Translation
O master, if You live abroad all the time, then we cannot look at Your attractive face, whose smiles vanquish all our sufferings. How can we exist without Your presence? Upon hearing their speeches, the Lord, who is very kind to the citizens and the devotees, entered the city of Dvārakā and acknowledged all their greetings by casting His transcendental glance over them.
madhu-bhoja-daśārhārha- kukurāndhaka-vṛṣṇibhiḥ ātma-tulya-balair guptāṁ nāgair bhogavatīm iva
Universal Translation
As Bhogavatī, the capital of Nāgaloka, is protected by the Nāgas, so was Dvārakā protected by the descendants of Vṛṣṇi — Bhoja, Madhu, Daśārha, Arha, Kukura, Andhaka, etc. — who were as strong as Lord Kṛṣṇa.
sarvartu-sarva-vibhava- puṇya-vṛkṣa-latāśramaiḥ udyānopavanārāmair vṛta-padmākara-śriyam
Universal Translation
The city of Dvārakāpurī was filled with the opulences of all seasons. There were hermitages, orchards, flower gardens, parks and reservoirs of water breeding lotus flowers all over.
gopura-dvāra-mārgeṣu kṛta-kautuka-toraṇām citra-dhvaja-patākāgrair antaḥ pratihatātapām
Universal Translation
The city gateway, the household doors and festooned arches along the roads were all nicely decorated with festive signs like plantain trees and mango leaves, all to welcome the Lord. Flags, garlands and painted signs and slogans all combined to shade the sunshine.
sammārjita-mahā-mārga- rathyāpaṇaka-catvarām siktāṁ gandha-jalair uptāṁ phala-puṣpākṣatāṅkuraiḥ
Universal Translation
The highways, subways, lanes, markets and public meeting places were all thoroughly cleansed and then moistened with scented water. And to welcome the Lord, fruits, flowers and unbroken seeds were strewn everywhere.
dvāri dvāri gṛhāṇāṁ ca dadhy-akṣata-phalekṣubhiḥ alaṅkṛtāṁ pūrṇa-kumbhair balibhir dhūpa-dīpakaiḥ
Universal Translation
In each and every door of the residential houses, auspicious things like curd, unbroken fruits, sugarcane and full waterpots with articles for worship, incense and candles were all displayed.
vāraṇendraṁ puraskṛtya brāhmaṇaiḥ sasumaṅgalaiḥ śaṅkha-tūrya-ninādena brahma-ghoṣeṇa cādṛtāḥ pratyujjagmū rathair hṛṣṭāḥ praṇayāgata-sādhvasāḥ
Universal Translation
They hastened toward the Lord on chariots with brāhmaṇas bearing flowers. Before them were elephants, emblems of good fortune. Conchshells and bugles were sounded, and Vedic hymns were chanted. Thus they offered their respects, which were saturated with affection.
vāramukhyāś ca śataśo yānais tad-darśanotsukāḥ lasat-kuṇḍala-nirbhāta- kapola-vadana-śriyaḥ
Universal Translation
At the same time, many hundreds of well-known prostitutes began to proceed on various vehicles. They were all very eager to meet the Lord, and their beautiful faces were decorated with dazzling earrings, which enhanced the beauty of their foreheads.
naṭa-nartaka-gandharvāḥ sūta-māgadha-vandinaḥ gāyanti cottamaśloka- caritāny adbhutāni ca
Universal Translation
Expert dramatists, artists, dancers, singers, historians, genealogists and learned speakers all gave their respective contributions, being inspired by the superhuman pastimes of the Lord. Thus they proceeded on and on.
bhagavāṁs tatra bandhūnāṁ paurāṇām anuvartinām yathā-vidhy upasaṅgamya sarveṣāṁ mānam ādadhe
Universal Translation
Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead, approached them and offered due honor and respect to each and every one of the friends, relatives, citizens and all others who came to receive and welcome Him.
prahvābhivādanāśleṣa- kara-sparśa-smitekṣaṇaiḥ āśvāsya cāśvapākebhyo varaiś cābhimatair vibhuḥ
Universal Translation
The almighty Lord greeted everyone present by bowing His head, exchanging greetings, embracing, shaking hands, looking and smiling, giving assurances and awarding benedictions, even to the lowest in rank.
svayaṁ ca gurubhir vipraiḥ sadāraiḥ sthavirair api āśīrbhir yujyamāno ’nyair vandibhiś cāviśat puram
Universal Translation
Then the Lord personally entered the city accompanied by elderly relatives and invalid brāhmaṇas with their wives, all offering benedictions and singing the glories of the Lord. Others also praised the glories of the Lord.
rāja-mārgaṁ gate kṛṣṇe dvārakāyāḥ kula-striyaḥ harmyāṇy āruruhur vipra tad-īkṣaṇa-mahotsavāḥ
Universal Translation
When Lord Kṛṣṇa passed over the public roads, all the ladies from the respectable families of Dvārakā went up to the roofs of their palaces just to have a look at the Lord. They considered this to be the greatest festival.
nityaṁ nirīkṣamāṇānāṁ yad api dvārakaukasām na vitṛpyanti hi dṛśaḥ śriyo dhāmāṅgam acyutam
Universal Translation
The inhabitants of Dvārakā were regularly accustomed to look upon the reservoir of all beauty, the infallible Lord, yet they were never satiated.
śriyo nivāso yasyoraḥ pāna-pātraṁ mukhaṁ dṛśām bāhavo loka-pālānāṁ sāraṅgāṇāṁ padāmbujam
Universal Translation
The Lord’s chest is the abode of the goddess of fortune. His moonlike face is the drinking vessel for eyes which hanker after all that is beautiful. His arms are the resting places for the administrative demigods. And His lotus feet are the refuge of pure devotees who never talk or sing of any subject except His Lordship.
sitātapatra-vyajanair upaskṛtaḥ prasūna-varṣair abhivarṣitaḥ pathi piśaṅga-vāsā vana-mālayā babhau ghano yathārkoḍupa-cāpa-vaidyutaiḥ
Universal Translation
As the Lord passed along the public road of Dvārakā, His head was protected from the sunshine by a white umbrella. White feathered fans moved in semicircles, and showers of flowers fell upon the road. His yellow garments and garlands of flowers made it appear as if a dark cloud were surrounded simultaneously by sun, moon, lightning and rainbows.
praviṣṭas tu gṛhaṁ pitroḥ pariṣvaktaḥ sva-mātṛbhiḥ vavande śirasā sapta devakī-pramukhā mudā
Universal Translation
After entering the house of His father, He was embraced by the mothers present, and the Lord offered His obeisances unto them by placing His head at their feet. The mothers were headed by Devakī [His real mother].
tāḥ putram aṅkam āropya sneha-snuta-payodharāḥ harṣa-vihvalitātmānaḥ siṣicur netrajair jalaiḥ
Universal Translation
The mothers, after embracing their son, sat Him on their laps. Due to pure affection, milk sprang from their breasts. They were overwhelmed with delight, and the tears from their eyes wetted the Lord.
athāviśat sva-bhavanaṁ sarva-kāmam anuttamam prāsādā yatra patnīnāṁ sahasrāṇi ca ṣoḍaśa
Universal Translation
Thereafter, the Lord entered His palaces, which were perfect to the fullest extent. His wives lived in them, and they numbered over sixteen thousand.
patnyaḥ patiṁ proṣya gṛhānupāgataṁ vilokya sañjāta-mano-mahotsavāḥ uttasthur ārāt sahasāsanāśayāt sākaṁ vratair vrīḍita-locanānanāḥ
Universal Translation
The queens of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa rejoiced within their minds to see their husband home after a long period abroad. The queens got up at once from their seats and meditations. As was socially customary, they covered their faces shyly and looked about coyly.
tam ātmajair dṛṣṭibhir antarātmanā duranta-bhāvāḥ parirebhire patim niruddham apy āsravad ambu netrayor vilajjatīnāṁ bhṛgu-varya vaiklavāt
Universal Translation
The insuperable ecstasy was so strong that the queens, who were shy, first embraced the Lord in the innermost recesses of their hearts. Then they embraced Him visually, and then they sent their sons to embrace Him [which is equal to personal embracing]. But, O chief amongst the Bhṛgus, though they tried to restrain their feelings, they inadvertently shed tears.
yadyapy asau pārśva-gato raho-gatas tathāpi tasyāṅghri-yugaṁ navaṁ navam pade pade kā virameta tat-padāc calāpi yac chrīr na jahāti karhicit
Universal Translation
Although Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa was constantly by their sides, as well as exclusively alone, His feet appeared to them to be newer and newer. The goddess of fortune, although by nature always restless and moving, could not quit the Lord’s feet. So what woman can be detached from those feet, having once taken shelter of them?
evaṁ nṛpāṇāṁ kṣiti-bhāra-janmanām akṣauhiṇībhiḥ parivṛtta-tejasām vidhāya vairaṁ śvasano yathānalaṁ mitho vadhenoparato nirāyudhaḥ
Universal Translation
The Lord was pacified after killing those kings who were burdensome to the earth. They were puffed up with their military strength, their horses, elephants, chariots, infantry, etc. He Himself was not a party in the fight. He simply created hostility between the powerful administrators, and they fought amongst themselves. He was like the wind which causes friction between bamboos and so sparks a fire.
sa eṣa nara-loke ’sminn avatīrṇaḥ sva-māyayā reme strī-ratna-kūṭastho bhagavān prākṛto yathā
Universal Translation
That Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, out of His causeless mercy, appeared on this planet by His internal potency and enjoyed Himself amongst competent women as if He were engaging in mundane affairs.
uddāma-bhāva-piśunāmala-valgu-hāsa- vrīḍāvaloka-nihato madano ’pi yāsām sammuhya cāpam ajahāt pramadottamās tā yasyendriyaṁ vimathituṁ kuhakair na śekuḥ
Universal Translation
Although the queens’ beautiful smiles and furtive glances were all spotless and exciting, and although they could conquer Cupid himself by making him give up his bow in frustration, and although even the tolerant Śiva could fall victim to them, still, despite all their magical feats and attractions, they could not agitate the senses of the Lord.
tam ayaṁ manyate loko hy asaṅgam api saṅginam ātmaupamyena manujaṁ vyāpṛṇvānaṁ yato ’budhaḥ
Universal Translation
The common materialistic conditioned souls speculate that the Lord is one of them. Out of their ignorance they think that the Lord is affected by matter, although He is unattached.
etad īśanam īśasya prakṛti-stho ’pi tad-guṇaiḥ na yujyate sadātma-sthair yathā buddhis tad-āśrayā
Universal Translation
This is the divinity of the Personality of Godhead: He is not affected by the qualities of material nature, even though He is in contact with them. Similarly, the devotees who have taken shelter of the Lord do not become influenced by the material qualities.
taṁ menire ’balā mūḍhāḥ straiṇaṁ cānuvrataṁ rahaḥ apramāṇa-vido bhartur īśvaraṁ matayo yathā
Universal Translation
The simple and delicate women truly thought that Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, their beloved husband, followed them and was dominated by them. They were unaware of the extent of the glories of their husband, as the atheists are unaware of Him as the supreme controller.