Song 23

(Varāḍi rāga)

Refrain: O! Lord Gaurāṅgacandra is my very life!

148. The Lord and His associates enjoyed many pastimes in this way. Then dawn came. The Lord performed His morning duties.

149. On the day after His wedding the Lord performed the kuśaṇḍikā ritual. He offered a great feast to the brāhmaṇas. Then He performed His own brahminical duties.

150. All this He did on that day. On the following day He returned to His home. The narration is spoken in that way.

151. With a happy heart Lord Gaura returned to His home, where He worshiped His kinsmen with offerings of gold and silver.

152. Lord Gaura sat. Lakṣmīpriyā sat by His side on the same seat. The ladies surrounded Them on four sides.

153. Vallabhācārya’s heart was both happy and sad. When They left his house, he blessed the bride and groom.

154. To his son-in-law he gave dūrvā grass, grains, fragrances, garlands, betelnuts, and sandal. Then he said:

155. "I have no wealth. I am worthless like a pile of ashes. I am not fortunate. What proper gift can I give to You? How can I be worthy to be Your kinsman?

156. "Your mercy to me is my only virtue. By accepting my daughter You have made me fortunate.

157. "O Lord, what can I say to You? How can I be worthy to be Your kinsman? By Your own glorious mercy You have become my son-in-law.

158. "Now that I have taken shelter of Your fearless lotus-feet, Yamarāja will never trouble me.

159. "Now that I have given my daughter to You, the devas and pitās are certainly pleased with me.

160. "The feet I now worship Brahmā, Śiva, and all the demigods worship in a trance of meditation.

161. "Now I will say something more. Please listen, O Viśvambhara." As he spoke these words his throat became choked with emotion.

162. Tears pushed by emotion flowed from his eyes. Taking Lakṣmīpriyā’s hand, he placed it in Lord Viśvambhara’s hand.

163. "I give Lakṣmīpriyā to You. From today on she is Yours. Please know this. Now it is for You to maintain and protect her.

164. "In my home she was always like a queen. From today on she is Your maidservant.

165. "In my home she was always very free and independent. From her mother she would always demand very opulent foods.

166. "In my home she was always affectionately hugged by her mother and father. She came and went as she liked.

167. "Everyone was always very affectionate to Lakṣmīpriyā. I had no son. In my home my one daughter is everything to me.

168. "What can I say? I am Your follower. Overcome with a father’s love, I have spoken these words.

169. "With a bewildered heart I spoke these words. What could I do? I was bewildered by māyā, by the māyā of which You are the master.

170. "In the three worlds no girl is fortunate like my Lakṣmīpriyā. Overcome with love, I speak these words."

171. His lamenting eyes red like the rising sun, Vallabhācārya spoke these words.

172. His beloved on His left, Lord Viśvambhara departed. Accompanied by Lakṣmīpriyā, He ascended a carriage.

173. Conchshells and dundubhī drums sounded. There were shouts of "Jaya! Jaya!" Many different musical instruments were sounded. Everyone was tossed by waves of bliss.

174. Brāhmaṇas chanted the Vedas. Poets recited poems. Before the Lord dancers danced. Everyone was plunged in an ocean of bliss that had no shore.

175. Surrounded by His friends, the Lord proceeded on the pathway. Flying in outer space in their celestial airplanes, the demigods followed as the Lord proceeded.

176. Śacī and the married ladies were filled with bliss. With joy and wonder Śacī celebrated a great festival for her son.

177. Auspicious waterpots with twigs and coconuts adorned her door.

178. At an auspicious moment Lord Gaura returned home. With glistening ghee-lamps He was offered āratī.

179. The ladies offered āratī to Him. There was singing, dancing, and a great tumult of "Jaya Jaya!"

180. Many different musical instruemnts were played. Everyone was plunged in an ocean of bliss that had no shore. Śacī’s home was filled with delight.

181. Auspicious sounds arose. The bliss was great. Holding Lakṣmīpriyā’s hand, Lord Gaura entered His home.

182. Śacī-devī embraced her son and daughter-inlaw. Offering Them a gift of grains and dūrvā grass, she said: "May You both live long."

183. She kissed her son’s face and drank in the sight of her new daughter-in-law. Then she kissed her daughter-in-law’s face and gazed at her son.

184. Śacī’s home was filled with bliss. In this way Locana dāsa sings this song glorifying Lord Gaura.