Canto 14 - Dvarika

1. He prayed Lord Krishna throughout the way to Dvarika and decided to stick on to His name with least diversion. He would spend his time in meditating on the name of the Lord.

2. The people of Magadha, though fierce, had discrimination in regard to the whereabouts of the matter. Despite their first hand information and hearsay about the place and its location they had always been attentive to whatever others had to say. The Brahmin had pleasant surprise to view Dvarika as the most beautiful city on the earth, against all descriptions they had heard before.

3. There was good relationship established by the wedding and ladies had warded off the evil eye. The Brahmin arrived in the city of Dvarika unaffected by any other faith in the Almighty. The devotion of Brahmin stemmed in his belief in oneness of God as per the Vedas, God is one.^[1]

4. As the city, Dvarika was protected by Achyuta himself, it looked very beautiful and pleasing to the eye even from a distance. It gave to the humans of the world as good a result as their good deeds and on the whole a pleasant view to the viewers and thus happiness to all.

5. Ultimately he entered the abode of Hari in comparison to which everything else appears as slight as a stalk of grass! And so, it was worth worshiping and bowing in reverence and hence the source of happiness!

(All in couplets)

6. The army of the king consisted of sturdy elephants, innumerable to count, which gives an impression to the enemy that it was impossible for it to defeat the mighty army of the king.

7. Moreover, the fort was impenetrable due to the great circular trench around and strong and high walls which made it impossible for the strangers to enter the fort. The king understood that the city was called Dvarika which was protected by Krishna as it was occupied by Brahmins.88

( Entirely)

8. There was plenty of water since there were innumerable lakes in and around the city. The water of which was crystal clear and the pools filled with water provided the impression of being the sea by itself. There was water everywhere giving the impression of the city that it had plenty of water sufficient for living beings including trees.

9. There were hundreds of lakes full of crystal clear water from the water falls with waves touching the banks. There was the free movement of hundreds of herons playfully swimming on the crystal clear water of the beautiful lakes.^[2]

10. The gardens, which were replete with fully blown flowers, were very much pleasing to the eye. The birds were intoxicated by feeding on the foliage of the trees in the garden and sang pleasantly in intoxication. The garden was surrounded by beautiful trees, and hence presented panoramic view of the city.^[3]

11. The city presented a stately look with its tall towers shining with precious stones studded on them looked like a beautiful lady clad in a saree with bright stones studded on it. The city looked like a white flower shining in the darkness of the night.^[4]

12. With arms and ammunitions, hundreds of soldiers of the country of Dvarika with elephants ridden to madness, and with well decorated coaches seven in number, the procession was a feast to the eyes of the spectators!

(Entirely)

13. The coaches had been decorated with flags of different hues, and were ridden with utmost speed, like the terrible stormy winds, by sturdy horses, which looked very pleasing to the eyes of the spectators around the city called Dvarika. The beauty of the healthy horse-ridden coaches decorated to please the eye. They not only pleased the eye but exhibited the prosperity of Dvarika!

(Entirely)

14. The city was full of cow pens habited by innumerable cows with teats heavy with milk. They were seen in different colours like brown, black, rust etc. They were well cared by owners. They were, in fact, the symbols of prosperity of the city.

15. The city was sanctified by the smoke from the fires of thousands of holy yajnas performed in the city. It was resounded by the recitation of the Vedic hymns by scholars. The sanctity of the city was enhanced by the smoke emitted by the fires at the yajnas performed by the Vedic scholars and their recitation of the mantras.

16. The doors of the city were decorated with linen curtains of varied hues. The name of the city “Dvarika” stems from the well maintained and decorated doors of the city. The description of the decoration of doors with the curtains of different colours made the city named 'Dvarika' quite meaningful.

17. The king’s way was decorated on both sides convenient for computing on the road. They had streamers studded with rubies hung on both sides of the public road with best wishes written and displayed on them.^[5].

18. The granary of the king held plenty of grain for continual business and flow of money. The City was replete with gold plated towers as an evidence of successful business in the kingdom. The secret of their prosperity lay in their successful business.

(Kulakam)

19. The best brides of the world, and the brightest brides of the City were lustrous and bright like gems which could steal even the hearts of the resident of heaven, and as such, all gods had their trust in them. The ladies of Dvarika were extremely beautiful which could steal the hearts even of the residents of heaven

20. They were adorned with long and pitch dark thick hair like dark clouds and with a partition on the beautiful and bright forehead of the white face like the moon. Her eyes and brows which were frivolous, though, killed the lusty looks cast on them. The eyes of the ladies of Dvarika were very much attractive to men.

21. The eyelids were killing even the fish, and like the wings of the raven they could kill the man of desire. Those attractive eyes rained ambrosia like the lotuses that bloom untimely, though.^[6]

22. The ear rings of the ladies, made of the purest gold and studded with the most modern and the newest of the rubies covering the full lobe of the ear, stopping the sweat caused by their involvement in love making in the wee hours of the morning.^[7]

23. The chains hanging from the cheeks of the ladies shared the kisses stamped on them by their lovers. Their sharp noses had the golden jewelry hanging from them whereas they fulfilled the desire of stealing the heart of the lover!!

24. The earth was engaged in faint smile roused by the defeat of desire. It was always the case with people for whom the earth, the repository of all that is best in the world, is bestowed on humans.^[8]

25. They were created by God to be loved, as such, they were soft and sweet spoken women meant to be loved. The speech of the women of Dvarika was very sweet like the song of the cuckoo (koyals). They had thin throats attractive to men and their hands were as tender as foliage and the arms were like thick bushes.^[9]

26. The ladies of Dvarika were endowed with beautiful figures. The breasts were hard and heavy which made them look very attractive. The navel was deep and decisive with three wrinkles above it make it look deeper and attractive and bestow a look of voluptuous on her.

27. The ladies, with their thin waists gotten due to long time exertion looked as vivacious as proud and delicately beautiful as peacocks. They were conquered by the God of Love, Cupid. They looked like painted pictures with their deep navels and big and heavy buttocks which were kissed by long hair.

28. The ladies of Dvarika were very attractive to the mind with their heavy and fleshy buttocks which were inviting like ambrosia fallen to the ground on a full moon day and attractive and alluring like the mirage. The women of the city were alluring but not at all of yielding type.

(Entirely)

29. The ladies of Dvarika were endowed with attractive breasts which were tender yet heavy, though looked like twin pillars in strength. They were like golden temple in which the idol of the lord of their heart was situated and protected by the moon.

30. The feet of the ladies were like the lotus leaves the nails of those feet had the sheen of the ruby. Their throats were very beautiful to steal the heart of the onlookers and the walk was like that of the swan to make the spectators lose their hearts.

31. The faces of the ladies had the luster of the full moon on lotuses, which had all the qualities of well shaped duo of thighs which looked like a faded lotus and like the lotuses involved in erotic action.

32. The ladies who were involved for the first time in love making appeared heartless in their urge to enjoy. They were like voluptuous women. They were respectable despite their sleeping on the chest of their lovers since there was genuine love between them not lust.

33. The ladies, who occupied the bed, looked like pictures. They were ready to accept them and shower blessings on their worshippers by granting their desires.

34. Those ladies of Dvarika spent their nights in the company of the wise and they had reverential awe for their lovers and they were always engaged in the duties ordained by religion.

35. As the minds of the couple were tortured by the God of Love and became dirty to be cleaned by waters. There were many attractive places meant for picnic to please their wives.

36. They were very particular about their religious duties and they evinced interest in their duties and in women as well.

(Entirely)

37. Their pastime was to talk about women and their voluptuousness and mysticism as well. And there was jealousy as well of those who knew the secrets of women.

(All specials)

38. Small enclosures were filled with the postures and poses of women who were engaged in the talk of union and copulation, though mocked at the people who were not adept in such talk.^[10]

39-40. That atmosphere of the night was very sensuous and inviting. The nature with beautiful tall palm groves in the moonlight of the winter and the night lotuses were in full bloom. There was cool breeze blowing over the blooms and the butterflies, fully fed on the honey from them, were hovering over them. The intoxicant bees made the gestures of satisfied happiness which were very much expected by the ladies.^[11]

41. The good hearted humans do live all the time with great ideals and the wise and talented people know how to enjoy life. The people with charitable disposition do always behave in a praiseworthy manner.

42. The rule was so perfect that it had no opportunity to raise their banner against anybody and as it was an accident free regime, people were happy and complacent with government. Aditi, the mother of gods, became well known as beloved of all and the most loved by her son, Hari, the god of gods!

43. When he looked at Dvarika, as described earlier, it gave him extreme pleasure! The Brahmin was inclined more towards knowing more, he was inclined to get more and more knowledge. He was eager to visit the king’s palace first.

44. The huge banner that the people carried gave the greatest sound to mark their arrival into the city. The sound of the horns of the cows was more powerful than the fierce sound produced by the intoxicant Oxen. The sound of the banner signifies the fierceness of its owners.

45. The palace shone in gold colour and it looked so strong that it resounded strong. There were glittering precious gems of different hues studded all over the palace. It was like the ocean whose waves rose to the level of touching the windows at the appearance of the moon.

46. The building allocated was decorated for the purpose of staying of the guest who had just arrived. The windows of this palace had been decorated with the golden curtains made of transparent tissues through which the movements of the maids could be checked.

47. The curtains had the pictured snakes on them which were as though to be killed by the elephants on either side of the door with hanging daggers as though they were created there only to kill those snakes and protect the inmates!

48. The palace was decorated with various frescos that were the best of all. The pictures of all the buildings. They exhibited with the special qualities of the best artist, Vishwakarma, the divine artist.

49. The Brahmin being a scholar and had the knowledge to distinguish good from bad, went inside the palace and sent the gatekeepers to welcome the Lord with due respect and to beg Him to come inside (the palace).

50. Having been informed of the permission accorded to him, he entered the palace with the king and his retinue. The Brahmin, the angel on earth, followed the king, the bearer of the earth into the beautiful palace.

(The couplets of Kulaka)

51. As fast He approached so fast was mercy born in Him and he was installed on the golden throne studded with all kinds of precious stones which He richly deserved, indeed!!

52. Hari, the Lord of the three worlds was blessed with holy rice. He was served by the foliage-like tender hands of His consort, Padmini.

53. The golden crown was shining on the head with the peacock feathers and the rubies shining bright and they presented a pleasant show like the early morning sun in the cool breeze.

54. The ladies with broad and high foreheads had sandal paste applied, over which red vermillion was applied to enhance their beauty. Both the eyebrows were so beautiful that there was possibility of viewers getting lost in the brightness exuded by them!

55. The twin eyes of the ladies were replete with the luster of the butterflies there on the nose which could be likened to the collection of flowers not yet blown, put together and the nose looked as though ready to loot the sweetness of those flowers and also that of the face.

56. The earrings hanging in the shape of crocodile duo, were made in gold and studded with rubies, which shone bright on the twin shoulders of the ladies.

57. The pink colour of the roses fully blown in the spring, bestows pleasure of enjoyment to the bees of its honey. The ladies of Dvarika had drunk the honey gluttonously from the bees!^[2]

58. They wore jewelry like stars in different kinds of gems in different hues like blue, red etc and their ornaments of the head, made of conch and pearls and other precious gems from the ocean.

(The couplets of Kulaka)

59. The bracelets of the ladies were made of pure gold with varied kinds of Gems studded in them with extraordinary sheen, specially made for them. Despite their extra sheen presented by precious gems and yellow gold they were given extra sheen to attract ladies by the makers.

60. The shoulder duo was very high and strong and looked proud of being the highest of all. They looked like bulls that were intoxicant but peaceful, not belligerent since attractive ladies liked only valorous but not fighting type of men!^[12]

61. The glory lay in the elevated breast duo, though separate, express strong heart within. Both the shoulders were very strong, might be, because they had to handle the demons, if need be!

62. Both the hands were endowed with strength enough to hold the chariot even earlier, The Lord who was born by himself, took His mother like Lotus from the navel.^[13]

63. The waist of the ladies was very attractive with its thin and narrow but like the strong waist of the lion. The twin thighs were attractive with the hips like the reflection of the hips balancing on them!

(The couplets of Kulaka)

64. The ladies looked highly attractive in their dalliance like fully bloomed lotuses. Their lovers had them rested on their chests. They had their nails shone like the pink lotuses and drove their most extreme fear out of their minds since they won the hearts of their Lovers.

65. The ladies set their feet on the foot stools which had been studded with precious gems in gold. She had all the three worlds touch her lotus like tender and soft feet.

66. As described, this ancient Man had been worshipped in the heart of every one present there since he was the only One who could be Pleased by doing sacrifice since it was he who would receive anything that was given with dedication. The Brahmin, present there, was very much pleased by watching how all were drowned in the ocean Lord’s mercy.

67. The Brahmin was more than consecrated his body containing three qualities called 'Sattva' (virtues), 'Rajas' (liking for all worldly Pleasures) and 'Tamas' (all qualities that are unbecoming of a human). All humans are prone to possess them since they are bound to the earth. Others who are able to live beyond are divine.

68. All of them were ready to enter Dvarika which had already been described But All Knowing Hari had not yet revealed the reason for not entering the city as yet despite being asked by those who were anxious to know about it

69. As soon as being asked, the Brahmin determined to felicitate him with eulogies. The king (the bearer of the earth) delivered up to Hari, the Lord of the World, in privacy.

70. Hari, having observed their anxiety stricken faces on which sincerity in approach and anxiety for redemption were writ large, had now moved to kindness and He decided to deliver the people of Magadha.

71. “It is indeed certain that all the three worlds under my control would be saved, provided they surrender to me. Let us wait till all the kings of the empire come for help and surrender themselves.

72. “Don’t be afraid, oh kings, this earth will definitely be saved by me” On hearing this assurance from the Lord, the Brahmins were overwhelmed with those affectionate words of concern and left off their worry the very moment.

73. Having thus acquired Lord’s blessings^[14] the Brahmins immediately went incognito to Magadha, keeping their previous acquaintance with Magadhans in mind. The King passed orders that Brahmins should not be withheld. Even in the nights they should not be held back from the entry even into prisons.

74. One of the Brahmins explained to Hari how he would visit the prisons in Magadha and inspect the security measures there and suggest measures to be taken, after inquiring first about the well being of the king to gain his confidence and gain entry into the prison where tight security is expected to be there.

75. Hari, the Lord of the three worlds collected from the detailed talk of the Brahmin as to how he would gain entry into the palace through the nearest gate of the palace, in the most secret manner, the vital breath of the kings was revived and their faces were lit up with hope.

76. Even the boys forcibly smashed and were ready to surrender life. The trees were broken into pieces by the terrible demonic serpent since there was none to kill or at least control him. Having won the duel he clung to Kansa to squeeze out his life.^[15]

77. Great men make their country very great and sweet to live despite reports against it. Despite losing the battle and running away from it, is not a mistake. It is certain that the kings are considered steadfast in their determination to stick on.

78. Having been thus informed by the Brahmin, the angel on the earth, the Kings were extremely flushed with ecstasy. They expressed their happiness in uttering the words of joy in a choked voice. They expressed their confidence that they could abandon their fear and repose their trust in the kings.

79. Here and there in the offices of Magadha verifications were made and the statements were proved correct as expected.

80. Having kept their fear of untimely death in their mind itself all of them reposed their strong and infallible faith in Lord Krishna himself. They went on meditating on the Holy name of the Lord and established His Idol in their hearts and went on reciting His Name.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Brahmin is the one who knows Brahma, and is well versed in knowledge, is evident in this verse.

[2]:

The two stanzas above are replete with the description of life-sustaining water which is the symbol of life itself in Dvarika, the city bubbling with life and prosperity.

[3]:

The stanza presents the flora and fauna of Dvarika, the city created by the Almighty Himself. After all, there was God’s plenty.

[4]:

There are beautiful similes to describe the illuminated city in red and white streamers of light which give us the impression of the prosperity of the city.

[5]:

The description of the well planned and decorated roads tells of the civic sense of the people of yore.

[6]:

The attraction in the eyes of the ladies was described through the beautiful and appropriate similes of the fish for describing their beauty but with the raven for their killing quality.

[7]:

The similes used in this verse and in the verse below exhibit the closest observation.

[8]:

The description of the pleasure of the earth at her multifaceted beauty is appropriate.

[9]:

The beautiful description of the ladies in Dvarika is very subtle and realistic. To describe the unearthly with the earthly through similes is quite common with the poets of yore. We find beautiful description of the unearthly beauty of nature, both scenic and human beauty in these verses.

[10]:

All the above shlokas are replete with the description of the women of Dvarika endowed with divine beauty. The poets of yore used similes quite extensively since they had to describe divine beauty they had to take the help of similarly beautiful things from day to day life to explain!

[11]:

Here is extensive and excellent use of 'Anyapadesa Alankar' in the above three shlokas. It is through the description of butterflies and their intoxicant condition that we are made to imagine the condition of the women of Dvarika on one hand and the devotees of Lord Krishna who were intoxicant of their divine love for Him.

[12]:

The simile of the gentle 'bull' is worth noting, Virodhaabhas alankar is effectively used here.

[13]:

God is not supposed to have been born of a mother but from the lotus sprouted out of the navel and hence one of His million Names is Padma (lotus) naabha (from the navel)

[14]:

Sri=Lakshmi, pati=husband, the giver of wealth assurance and instruction, which were all for the welfare of all.

[15]:

The younger brother of Indra, in the dwarf or Vamana Avatara.