Chapter 48 - Visit to the Houses of Trivakrā and Akrūra

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Śrī Śuka said:

1. Now knowing the earnest desire of the maid-servant Trivakrā who was pining with passionate love for him, the Almighty Lord, the In-dwelling soul of all, who is omniscient, went to her house with an intention to gratify her cherished desire.

2. The house was equipped with highly costly articles of furniture; was enriched with means of stimulating erotic passions, was decorated with garlands of pearls, flags, canopies, beds, seats, was perfumed with fragrant incenses, lights (emitting sweet scent), wreaths of flowers and perfumes.

[Texts of Bhāgavata Candrikā and Siddhāntapradīpa add:]

2(A). (It was beautified with beautiful paintings in various colours pertaining(or designed according) to kāmaśāstra (science of Erotics).

3. Beholding that he was coming, she (Tri-vakrā) in a flurry, quickly rose from her seat, went forward along with her female companions to pay him due respect, and warmly received him by offering a high, comfortable seat and other articles of worship.

4. Uddhava also was similarly received as a pious person, but he touched with his hand (to pay respects to) the seat offered to him, and sat on the floor. (To carry out his part as a man) Kṛṣṇa also, following the practice of the world, (got up from his seat and of his own accord quickly entered the bed-room furnished with costly bed.

5. Embellishing herself after bath, with cosmetics, fine clothes, ornaments, garlands of flowers, scents, betel-leaves chewing, nectar-like drinks and the like, she approached Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of goddess Lakṣmī—ogling him with amorous glances and bashful sportive smiles.

6. He called to his side that beautiful woman who was a bit nervous and hesitant through bashfulness, as it was their first meeting. He took her by the hand that was adorned with bracelets and made her sit on the bed. He gave that charming lady her desired pleasure for the slight act of merit she had done, by offering him the pigment (at his request, while going to Kaṃsa for service).

7. Enjoying the fragrance of his feet, swept off the agonies in her breast and bosom specially tormented by lovefever, and those of her eyes as well, by (the soothing touch of) his feet. She clasped in her arms her beloved Kṛṣṇa, the embodiment of bliss who was now on her bosom and thus got rid of the suffering of separation she had gone through, for a long time.

8. Alas! Having thus obtained in return for the offer of pigment the presence of the Lord of the Absolute state (who confers Final Beatitude), the Supreme Ruler of the Universe so difficult to attain, the unfortunate woman begged of him the following.

9. She said, “Oh beloved-most Lord! Be pleased to stay with me for some days here in my house and give me the pleasure of your company. Oh lotus-eyed god! I cannot forgo your company.”

10. Having conferred upon her the boon as per her desire and having honoured her (with presents), the Lord of all the universe who respects others, returned with Uddhava to his (Vasudeva’s) splendid palace.

11. Having propitiated the All-pervading Lord Viṣṇu, the Supreme Ruler of all rulers of the universe (like god Brahmā) who is so very difficult to be pleased, a person who seeks what is agreeable to the mind (viz. the pleasures of the sense) is certainly a man of perverted intelligence inasmuch as the so- called pleasures are trivial (and not worth craving).

12. With a desire to do a good turn to Akrūra in his interest and with the intention of sending him on some errand, Lord Kṛṣṇa accompanied by Balarāma and Uddhava went to the house of Akrūra.

13. Seeing from a distance that those greatest among foremost of men who were his own relations, were coming, he was overjoyed. He rose from his seat and went forward to receive them. He embraced them and honoured them.

14.^[1] He bowed down to Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma (as he knew their divine nature, though they were his juniors in age) and was reciprocally respected by them. When they were comfortably seated, he worshipped them with due formalities

15-16. He washed their feet and sprinkled over his head that water (with which he washed them). He received them respectfully by presenting articles of worship such as rich clothes, excellent perfumes, wreathes of flowers and ornaments. He bowed them bending down his head and kneaded their feet after taking them in his lap. Modest and devoted as he was, Akrūra submitted Lord Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma as follows:

17. “How fortunate it is that the wicked Kaṃsa along with his followers has been killed by you both and this clan of yours has been not only rescued from the (seemingly) unending harassment and difficulties but is made prosperous as well.

18. Both of you constitute Pradhāna (Primordial matter) and Puruṣa (the self, in Sāṅkhya terminology). Both of you constitute (the material and efficient) causes of universe and are inherent in it Without you neither cause nor effect can exist.

19. Oh Lord Kṛṣṇa who is the Supreme Brahman Itself! Having evolved the universe through your potencies (such as rajas and others) you have entered into it (as its Indwelling Soul or Inner Controller)! you appear as many in various innumerable forms which are within the ken of sight and hearing.

20. Just as the constituent elements like earth, water, fire etc exhibit themselves in various forms of beings mobile and immobile as through various species of creatures, so your honour who is the one, absolute, self-dependent Supreme self, manifest yourself in innumerable forms (in various species such as human beings, beasts etc. and in various stages of life such as child, youth etc. which are but your creations (and thus appear as many).

21. Through your potencies in the form of guṇas viz. rajas, sattva and tamas, you evolve, protect and dissolve the universe. But you are not bound or affected either by the guṇas or by the actions. Essentially constituted of pure knowledge and consciousness as you are, nothing could work as a limiting condition on you.

22. As physical body and other limiting conditions (which are supposed to subject the soul to limitations and bondage) are not observed preḍicable in your case, no birth or difference can be predicated of the soul in reality (much less so in the case of the Supreme Soul viz. your honour). There is no bondage or Liberation (mokṣa) therefrom for you. It is our lack of discrimination and ignorance which project these on you.

23. Whenever this ancient path (of religion prescribed in the Vedas promulgated by you for the good of the world is threatened with obstruction by the false heterodox creeds, your honour assumes a form (constituted) of pure, unalloyed sattva guṇa (for the re-establishment of the original Vedic path).

24. You are that Supreme Lord, now incarnated in the house of Vasudeva along with Balarāma, your partmanifestation, with the mission of removing the burden of the earth by slaying one hundred akṣauhiṇīs of kings born with non-celestial i.e. demonic asura aṃśa and also to enhance the glory of your (Yadu) race.

25. Oh Supreme Ruler! Today our homes have been rendered highly blessed and fortunate indeed inasmuch as they are visited by you who are the creator and the preceptor of the world, the very embodiment of all gods, ancestors, beings and the kings and the water washing whose feet (viz. the river Gaṅgā) hallows the three worlds. Oh Supra-sensuous Lord!

26. What learned person would seek resort to any person other than you who are so beloved of your devotees, true of word, friendly and grateful and who bestow on all his votaries and friends who resort to you, their desired objects—nay his own self which is above decay or growth.

27. Oh Janārdana! Luckily you, access to whom is very difficult even to the great masters of Yoga as well to the lords of gods, have become manifest to us. Be pleased to cut off cords your Māyā quickly (and immediately) regarding sons, wives, money, relatives and of our very body.

Śrī Śuka said:

28. The glorious Lord Hari who was worshipped and glorified by his votary Akrūra, spoke to him smilingly, and addressed to Akrūra hypnotising him as it were with his sweet and pleasant words.

The Lord said:

29. “You are our elderly relative (or preceptor), uncle. You are our ever praiseworthy relative. We are after all your children who are to be protected, nourished and looked after with compassion.

30. Highly blessed and most adorable persons like your honour should always be waited upon by persons desirous of achieving their summum bonum. For gods are always intent on achieving their own purpose (and are selfish), but saintly persons are never so selfish at all. (They oblige you without any expectation in return while gods won’t grant you anything unless they are pleased by the offer of oblations in the sacrifice etc. Hence saints are greater then gods).

31.^[2] Not that the holy places (tīrthas) consisting of water and gods represented in earth and stone images do not purify but they do so after a pretty long time, while saintly persons sanctify one immediately at the first sight.

32. You are verily the worthiest of our friends. With the object of doing some good to pāṇḍavas and making enquiries (probing the real state of affairs) about them, please do go to Hastinapura.

33. We have heard that after the death of their father those grieving children along with their grief-striken mother were brought by the king Dhṛtarāṣṭra to his capital and they stay there.

34. It is certain that king Dhṛtarāṣṭra, the son of Ambikā who is both blind and of poor intellect, is under the control of his wicked son and does not treat them impartially.

35. Do go now and ascertain his present behaviour (with them) whether it be good or otherwise. After knowing the facts correctly we shall so manage (the situation) as will be conducive to the welfare and happiness of our friends.”

36. Having briefed Akrūra (regarding his mission to Hastinapura) the glorious Almighty Lord Hari straightway returned to his palace along with Balarāma and Uddhava.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Not traced in Padaratnāvalī’s text.

[2]:

The term Tīrtha does not connote a storage of water but it is the deity presiding over them that is implied. The same is the case with images of gods made of earth or stone. But these deities have to be served for a long time to please them. But not so the saints—Padaratnāvalī