Chapter 41 - Kṛṣṇa’s Arrival at Mathurā

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Śrī Śuka said:

1. Having manifested his (original Viṣṇu) form in the water to Akrūra, the glorious Lord Kṛṣṇa withdrew it again, even while he was glorifying him,^[1] like an actor (who instantly retires) after playing his role.

2. Noticing that the vision had disappeared, Akrūra emerged from water. He hastily performed the (mid-day) religious duties. He then returned to the chariot still wondering at the vision.

3. Lord Kṛṣṇa (the Controller of Senses) enquired, “have you seen anything miraculous either on the land or in the water or in the sky? I surmise (from your appearance) that you have perceived some such wonder.

Akrura replied:

4. “Whatever wonders are there on the earth, in the sky or in the water in this world exist in you who constitute the whole of the universe. What marvel can remain un-witnesseḍ by me who have a direct vision of you?

5. Oh Supreme Lord! When I directly perceive you who accommodate all the marvels within you, what wonder, either on the earth, in the water or the sky could be witnessed by me.”

6. Replying him in these words, Akrūra, the son of Gāndinī, drove the chariot and at the end of the day, he brought Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa to Mathurā,

7. People in the country-side who assembled at various stages on the way, became delighted to see the sons of Vasudcva (Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa) and were not able to take away their eyes from them.

8. In the meanwhile, Nanda, the cowherd, and other inhabitants of Vraja who came ahead of them (by a short-cut) stood waiting for them in a park near the city (Mathurā).

9. After joining them (Nanda and his group of cowherds) the glorious Lord of the world took Akrūra by hand while Akrūra was modestly bowing, and spoke to him as if with a laugh.

10. “You may go in advance with the chariot to the city and return home. We shall get down here and after resting for some time, shall go to the city.”

Akrūra requested:

11. Oh Lord! I shall not enter Mathurā leaving you both here. It does not behove you, Oh Protector (of the world) who are so kind to your devotees, to forsake me who am your votary.

12. Be pleased to come. Let us go together. Oh Lord! You transcend sense-perception. Oh best of friends! Visiting our house along with your elder brother (Balarāma), with your friends and cowherds bless our home with your august presence.

13. Be gracious to sanctify our houses with the dust of your feet as we are after all householders (inevitably committing five types of sins^[2]). For the ancestors and gods including the Fire-god get satisfied and propitiated with the water used for washing your feet (which is kept in a vessel or small reservoir in the courtyard of the house).

14. By washing the pair of your feet the great king Bali attained sanctifying fame, incomparable affluence and supreme sovereignty) as also the goal reached by absolute votaries.

15. The sacred waters (viz. the river Gaṅgā) that washed your feet have sanctified the three worlds, were borne by god Śiva on his head and by contact with which the sons of Sagara attained to the heaven.

16. I bow to you, Oh God of gods, Oh Lord of the universe, the listening and recital of whose glory bring spiritual merit; On the foremost one in the Yadu clan, Oh Nārāyaṇa of glorious reputation.”

The glorious Lord replied:

17. It is after slaying Kaṃsa who is the enemy of our Yadu clan, that I shall visit your house in company of my elder brother (Balarāma) and shall bring delight to my friends.

Śrī Śuka said:

18. Akrūra who was thus replied, became rather disappointed. He, however, entered the city, reported (to Kaṃsa) the account of the mission assigned to him and returned home.

19. The next day in the afternoon, Lord Kṛṣṇa, accompanied by Balarāma and surrounded by the cowherds, entered Mathura with a view to see the city.

20. He saw the city Mathurā with high gate-ways and entrances made of crystals, with huge doors of gold beautified with gold arches. The granaries thereof were made of copper and brass. It was inaccessible due to deep moats around it. Its outskirts were made attractive with parks and beautiful gardens.

21-22. It appeared beautiful with its quadrangles (where four roads meet) decorated with gold and with mansions of gold with suitable pleasure gardens attached to each of them. It was decorated with guild-halls of different classes of artisans and with buildings of other citizens. It was filled with the joyful cooing of pigeons and joyous notes of the peacocks perching on the window-grills and platforms, eaves (awnings) and seats (under trees) all inlaid with Vaiḍūrya (cat’s eyes) diamonds, crystals, sapphires, corals, pearls and emeralds. Its streets, market places and quadrangles were profusely sprinkled with water and were strewn with flowers, sprouts, parched paddy and unbroken rice-grains.

23. He saw that it appeared beautiful for the entrances of houses were decorated with (auspicious objects such as) artistic pitchers full of water, sprinkled with curds and sandal, graced around with flowers and with rows of lamps and with tender foliage, inserted in the pitchers, with trunks of plantain trees and areca nut-trees with bunches of fruit on the branches, and festive flags and buntings hoisted over them.

24. Oh King! When Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, the sons of Vasudeva, surrounded by their friends, entered the city by the royal road, women of that city hastily came out to have a look at them, and some eager ones climbed the terraces of their houses.

25. Out of haste some dressed themselves and put on ornaments in the wrong way; some forgot to wear the ornament in pair and put on one ear-ring (leaving the other ear ornamentless), and one anklet (leaving the other foot anklet-less); while others started (with only one eye painted with collyrium) without applying collyrium to the other eye.

26. Hearing the noise (as the sons of Vasudeva approached), some were so overjoyed that they set aside their dishes while taking meals; some besmeared with oil (preliminary to bath) came out (with oily appearance) without taking bath; some rose from sleep (and without taking any wash, ran up to see), while mothers suckling babies hurried forth (leaving their babies half-fed and crying).

27. With his noble gait and deportment like a mighty elephant in an intoxicated stage (exuding ichor), and with his personality delighting (his consort) the goddess Śrī, the Lotus-eyed Kṛṣṇa provided a sumptuous feast to their eyes and captivated their hearts with his noble sportive smiles and glances.

28. The women of Mathurā whose hearts were already deeply attached to him (lit. were melted and rushed after him) through the reports they frequently heard about him, (regarding his excellences, prowess etc.) now espied him personally. They were honoured by being sprinkled with the nectar-like glances and fascinating smiles by him. They embraced that Embodiment of Bliss (mentally) as he entered through the gate-way of their eyes, occupied their hearts (and was in their ‘possession’). They were so thrilled with joy that the hair on their body stood on their ends. They felt relieved of the endless agony of their hearts through pangs of separation (from him), Oh subjugator of enemies (e.g. lust, passions etc.)^[3]

29. Climbing to the highest terraces of the mansions and with their lotus-like faces blooming with delight, the young damsels showered flowers on Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa.

30. At every stop Brāhmaṇas, being overwhelmed with joy, worshipped them with pots of water (to wash their feet), curds and rice-grains (to be applied to their fore-heads as an auspicious mark) and with wreaths, sandal-paste, perfumes and suitable presents (e. g. fruits, sweetmeats etc.)

31.^[4] The ladies of the city (Mathura) remarked to each other, “Oh! What great penance must have been performed by cowherd women on account of which they had the privilege to behold at will these two brothers who are themselves a joyous festival to the eyes of the human world.

32. Beholding a certain washerman who was a dyer too coming that way, Kṛṣṇa, the elder brother of Gada^[5] asked him to give the excellent, well-washed clothes.

33. “Please give us both suitable clothes becoming to our worthy status. The highest prosperity will certainly be yours for offering us these as gift.”

34. Though requested by the glorious Lord who was perfect and possessed of plenty in every respect, the highly arrogant servant of the king (Kaṃsa) got angry and retorted with scorn.

35. “You ill-mannered, rustic hill-dwellers and foresters! Do you always ever wear such fine clothes? How do you have the audacity to overstep your limits and to desire to have the royal clothes.

36. Get ye gone, you childish fellow. If you really wish to live, you should never make such requests. Take care. The king’s men verily arrest insolent people, beat them (soundly) and strip them of their belongings.”

37. While he was thus swaggeringly boasting, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the son of Devakī, got enraged and with his finger-tips he severed his head from his trunk.

38. All the servants of the washerman threw down the bundles of clothes and took to their heels in all directions. Kṛṣṇa took the clothes (he wanted).

39. Kṛṣṇa as well as Balarāma put on two pieces of garments (an upper and lower one) of their choice. They distributed the remaining to the (accompanying) cowherds and threw the rest on the ground.

40. Then a weaver was pleased with them and elegently dressed them both with rich multi-coloured clothes in a manner worthy of them.

41. With the variety of excellent clothes and decorations, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma appeared brilliant and most beautiful like two young elephants, one white and the other dark, tastefully adorned for some festival.

42. Being pleased with him, the glorious Lord Kṛṣṇa conferred on him the type of liberation called “similarity of godly form” (in the next world), and superb affluence, strength, wealth, memory and acuteness of sense organs in this world.

43. Then they proceeded to the house of a florist called Sudāman. Seeing them he respectfully rose to receive them and bowed, placing his head on the ground (i.e. lying prostrate before them).

44. He offered them seat and water to wash their feet. He worshipped both of them along with their followers (cowherds) by offering the articles of worship, wreaths of flowers, betel leaves and sandal paste.

45. He submitted, “The very object of our life has been fulfilled, Oh Lord, My race has been sanctified by you. And by your arrival my ancestors, gods and sages have been pleased with me.

46. Both of Your Honour are the ultimate cause of this Universe. It is by your rays that you have descended on this earth for its prosperity and protection.

47. Both of you are the friends and the soul of the world. Even though you are favourable to your devotees, you do not entertain discriminating outlook. You are equal unto all beings.

48. Therefore be pleased to lay down a command on Your servant as to what I should do for you. It is a high favour upon a human being that you direct him to do your service.”

49. Oh Great King, Sudāman who was greatly pleased in mind, divined the wishes of them both and he presented them garland made of specially fragrant flowers.

50. Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma who were excellently decorated by the garlands, were greatly pleased with him and they, the great bestowers of boons, conferred on him, blessings as he bowed them respectfully and sought their protection.

51. He sought from them the boon of entertaining unswerving devotion unto them who constituted the soul of all, as well as friendship to their devotees and great compassion to all beings.

52. Having given him the boon as well as bestowing on him prosperity that would increase with his descendents and having conferred on him strength, longevity, glory and splendour, the Lord departed with his elder brother.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Despite Akrūra’s continuation of praise. This shows Kṛṣṇa’s indifference to praise (anādare ṣaṣṭḥī)—VT

[2]:

Manu enumerates five types of inevitable sins caused in the household work such as ‘cooking on a stove’, ‘pounding’, ‘crushing’, ‘brushing up of vessel’ etc. as follows:

pañca sūnā gṛhasthasya cullī peṣaṇyupaskarāḥ /
kaṇḍanī coda-kumbhaśca-manu 3.66

[3]:

Bhāvāratha Dīpikā adds: Oh King! Don’t be immersed in the erotic sentiment.

[4]:

Not found in Padaratnāvalī’s Text.

[5]:

Name of Kṛṣṇa’s step-brother, son of Vasudeva and Devarakṣitā (Devakī’s sister)—Supra 9.24.46-52.