Song 31

(Sindhuḍā rāga)

Refrain: He who is Lord Gaura and the cowherd boy Kṛṣṇa is my very life.

154. "Hearing Lord Kṛṣṇa’s words, Dhruva returned to his own country. Meanwhile King Uttānapāda’s remorse had become very great.

155. "Even Dhruva’s stepmother wept. She lamented: ‘Where has Dhruva gone? I am very unfortunate. For my sons sake I pushed Dhruva from the throne.’

156. "King Uttānapāda said: ‘Perhaps my son’s death is already written by fate. How many days must pass before I see Dhruva again?’

157. "King Uttanapada said: ‘O mother of Dhruva, now you are my most important queen. From this day on all my other saintly queens are your maidservants.’

158. "Unable to see his son, the king was overcome. He fell to the ground unconscious.

159. "At that time seeing Nārada unexpectedly arrive, the king, the heart filled with worry and sorrow, respectfully stood to receive him.

160. "The king offered Nārada pādya, arghya, and a sitting place. Revealing his heart, he said:

161. "‘I have a five-year old son. Where did he go? I do not know.’

162. "Nārada said: ‘Enduring many troubles, Dhruva attained pure devotion to Lord Kṛṣṇa. Now he will return to his own place.

163. "It is said: kulaṃ pavitraṃ jananī kṛtārthā vasundharā sā vasatiś ca dhanyā svarge sthitās tatra pitaro’pī dhanyā yasyāḥ suto vaiṣṇava-nāma loke

"‘A woman whose son is famous as a Vaiṣṇava in this world is glorious and successful. Her family is purified. Her home and country are glorious. Her ancestors in Svargaloka are glorious and fortunate.

164. yasyāstī vaiṣṇava-putraḥ putriṇī sa vidhīyate avaiṣṇava-śata-putrā jananī śūkarī-samā

"‘A woman whose son is a Vaiṣṇava is the mother of a glorious son. A woman who has a hundred sons that are not Vaiṣṇavas is like a mother of piglets.’

165. "Father, mother, in-laws, and all family members are delivered when one of their number becomes a Vaiṣṇava.

166. "Your son purely worshiped Lord Kṛṣṇa. Now your son will return. Please know he is a tilaka mark glorifying your dynasty.

167. "Hearing Nārada’s words, the king became joyful, Now his desire was fulfilled. He had the royal road sprinkled with sandalwood perfume.

168. "Khadi, yogurt, maṅgala, dūrvā grass, kuṅkuma, and musk were sprinkled on the path. The path was splendid with flowers. It was decorated with rows of glistening lamps.

169. "The king ran to greet his lost son. After going some distance, he found Dhruva.

170. "Seeing Dhruva, the king said: ‘Now my life breath has returned. He embraced his son. He kissed him millions of times.

171. "King Uttanapada brought Dhruva back to the royal assembly. Hand after hand offered gifts to him.

172. "Giving the kingdom to Dhruva, Uttānapāda retired to the forest. After some days every heart in the kingdom was filled with bliss.

173. "With power and valor he conquered many kingdoms one by one. Untroubled by any thornlike rival, he ruled his empire for forty years.

174. "To the demigods and gandharvas he proved his power and valor. Then, accompanied by his mother, Dhruva went to his own abode, Dhruvaloka."

175. Then Śacī said: "I will go with You. I will stay with You and we will enjoy pastimes of talking about Lord Kṛṣṇa.

176. "You, my golden son, will shave Your head. I will also shave my head.

177. "I will wear saffron robes. I will place an earring in my ear. I will become a yoginī and I will travel with You."

178. Hearing His mother’s words, Lord Gaura became agitated. Worried, He spoke words to enlighten His mother.

179. Śacī’s son, the crest-jewel of the all-knowing, then enlightened His mother. Thus says Locana dāsa.