Chapter 69 - Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s Household Life

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

[Padaratnāvalī’s text introduces this chapter with three additional verses. It is after the 3rd verse of Padaratnāvalī that the texts of Bhāvāratha Dīpikā and Padaratnāvalī agree as from verse 1 above.]

Śrī Śuka said:

1.1 Having vanquished all his enemies, Śrī Kṛṣṇa stayed there a number of days enjoying himself with those excellent women in this way.

King Parīkṣit asked:

1.2. How could one person—Janārdana—who has assumed a human form, give satisfaction to those sixteen thousand queens?

Śrī Śuka said:

1.3 Well. I shall narrate to you what may make the listeners wonder, as to how that one person Śrī Kṛṣṇa gave satisfaction to all the numerous queens.

Śrī Śuka said:

1. Having heard that Narakāsura was killed and that Śrī Kṛṣṇa, a single individual as he was, married those numerous women, Nārada became eager to see how Kṛṣṇa managed to live with them all.

2. It is really miraculous that one person (Śrī Kṛṣṇa) possessing a single personality, could severally and simultaneously marry sixteen thousand women, each in a separate house.

3. Being curious to know this, the divine sage Nārada came to see this to Dvārakā which appeared beautiful with its parks and gardens in full blossom and was resonant with the notes of singing birds and humming of the swarms of bees.

4. It was resounded with the sweet warblings and melodious notes of swans and other waterbirds which swarmed the surrounding ponds and pools covered with full blown lotuses, lilies, Kalhāras and lotuses that bloom by day and by night.

5. (Nārada came to Dvārakā) which was thickly studded with nine hundred thousands of palatial buildings constructed with crystals and silver and was shining with excellent emeralds thickly set therein and furnished with articles (of furniture) plated with gold and adorned with jewels.

6. The city looked beautiful with its streets, roads, quadrangles and market places in the city distinctly laid out; with stalls, assembly-halls and shrines dedicated to gods. The roads, court-yards, foot-paths and threshholds of the city were profusely sprinkled with water. The heat of the sun in that city was warded off by everflying flags and pennants.

7. In that city, there was (a complex of palatial buildings known as) the harem of Lord Kṛṣṇa which was highly praised by all the presiding deities protecting different spheres (in the universe). In constructing that (palatial building complex), Tvaṣṭṛ, the celestial architect had exhibited all his architectural skill and ingenuity.

8. That part of the city was adorned with sixteen thousand palatial buildings of Kṛṣṇa’s queens. Nārada entered into one of the big palaces out of them.

9. It was supported on columns of coral and the ceiling was of Vaidūrya (a precious stone). Its walls were of sapphire and its floor of unfading lustre was paved with the same precious stones.

10. It was also furnished with canopies specially designed by Tvaṣṭṛ from which wreaths of pearls were hanging and it (was provided) with seats and beds made of ivory and set with excellent jewels.

11. It was staffed with maid-servants adorned with necklaces of gold-coins and wearing costly apparel and with men-servants wearing coats, turbans, excellent dress and diamond-ear-rings.

12. O child Parīkṣit. Darkness in that place was dispelled by the lustre of clusters of jewels radiating light like lamps. In them, peacocks perching in picturesque (artificial) caves screamed loudly and danced gaily regarding (foolishly) the clouds of fumes of aloewood issuing out of the windows, to be the real clouds.

13. The Brāhmaṇa sage Nārada saw there Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of Sātvatas who was being fanned with a chowrie provided with a gold handle by his consort who in her turn was waited upon constantly by a thousand maid-servants who were all equal (to each other) in nature, beauty, age and excellent dress.

14. On seeing him, the glorious Lord, the foremost among those who observe the injunctions of Dharma, promptly got up from the bed of Rukmiṇī (the goddess Śrī), paid respects to his feet with his head adorned with a diadem. With folded palms, He made Nārada occupy his own (exalted) seat.

15. Though he himself was the Creator and Preceptor of the universe and the chief among the righteous, he washed Nārada’s feet and bore that water on his own head. The epithet Brahmaṇya-deva (God who is friendly to Brāhmaṇas) is most appropriately applicable to him both in its implication and as a title. For the waters that wash his feet (viz. the river Gaṅgā) sanctifies the rest of the world.

16. Having worshipped the prominent divine sage (Nārada), the Ancient sage Nārāyaṇa, the friend and companion of the sage Nara, addressed him in measured words sweet like nectar and requested “O Lord Nārada! what service should we render to you?”

Nārada said:

17. “O almighty Lord! It is not at all wonderful in you who are the Protector of all the worlds that you entertain friendliness to all people as well as chastise the wicked (there is no contradiction in both these roles). You incarnate yourself at your own sweet will for conferring final Beatitude as well as for the maintenance and protection of the world. We realize this quite well, O Lord who are extolled as the highest one in the Vedas.

18. I have the good fortune of being blessed with the sight of the pair of your feet which in themselves are the blessed state of final Emancipation and which deserve to be meditated upon in their hearts by gods of unfathomable spiritual wisdom like Brahmā and others and which form the support to those who have fallen in the (dark) well of saṃsāra as a means to get out of it. (Hence I have accomplished my purpose). You, however, be pleased to favour me with unfailing, constant memory of your feet contemplating on which I shall move about in the world.”

19. Thereupon, in order to fathom and know the Yogic power of the Lord of the masters of Yoga, that sage Nārada entered the mansion of another queen of Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

20. Even there he found Kṛṣṇa playing dice with his beloved consort Satyabhāmā and Uddhava. He was worshipped with utmost devotion by Kṛṣṇa by rising up to receive him, offering a comfortable seat and such other formalities.

21. Nārada was enquired of by Kṛṣṇa showing as if he was not cognisant of Nārada’s arrival. He asked, “When did you come, O worshipful sage? We are after all imperfect beings. What service may we render to perfect (or persons established in the Self) sages like you?

22. O Brāhmaṇa sage! Be pleased to order us and make this life of ours blessed (by giving us an opportunity to serve you)”. Nārada was extremely surprised. He rose up without a word and went co another house (of another queen of Kṛṣṇa).

23. Even there, he saw Lord Kṛṣṇa playing and fondling with his infant sons. Then in another house (of another queen), he saw him preparing for his bath.

24. At some houses, Nārada saw him offering oblations to sacrificial fire, at other places, he was seen worshipping God by performing five kinds of daily sacrifices (called mahāyajñas); at some houses, he saw him feeding the Brāhmaṇas with a feast and at another place, he found him taking food after offering oblations to the sacred fire.

25. At some houses, he was performing sandhyā (twilight prayer); at other places, he was contemplating the Gāyatrī observing complete silence. At some places, he was practising various skills in fencing with a sword and a shield.

26. At some other houses, he found Kṛṣṇa the elder brother of Gada riding horses, elephants or chariots. At some other mansions, he found him lying in bed while being extolled by bards (bandins).

27. In a certain house, he was holding consultations with his counsellors like Uddhava and others; while at other places, surrounded by a bevy of courtesans, he was indulging in water-sports.

28. At some houses, he found him giving highly adorned cows to prominent Brāhmaṇas, while at others he saw him listening to the auspicious stories from Itihāsa and Purāṇas.

29. In a certain house, he was laughing by telling a joke to his beloved; in other places, he was carefully attending to Dharma, while at other places he was looking after matters pertaining to finance and at other places he was indulging in personal enjoyment.

30. At some houses he saw him sitting alone in meditation contemplating on the Supreme Lord transcendental to Prakṛti; at other places, he found him waiting upon the elders and the preceptors by offering them objects of enjoyment and articles of worship.

31. At some places, he was planning war against some kings, while at other places, he was negotiating peace; at some places he was conferring with Balarāma about the wellbeing of the saintly people.

32. At some place, he saw him celebrating the marriages of his sons and daughters at the proper age with brides and bridegrooms suitable to their status and royal fortune.

33. People were wonḍerstruck to see the enthusiasm of that Lord of Yoga in conducting festivities at the time of giving send off to children or welcoming those who returned (for example daughters going to their husbands’ houses or returning therefrom after a long stay).

34. Sometimes he saw Kṛṣṇa worshipping all gods with elaborate sacrifices. Sometimes he was seen engaged in performing the pūrta duties of religion by digging wells, founding groves, constructing temples, etc., for public weal.

35. At some places, he saw Kṛṣṇa riding a pedigree horse from the Sindhu country and chasing a game. Sometimes followed by Yādava warriors, he hunted animals useful for sacrifice.

36. Somewhere he found him moving about incognito among his subjects, their houses, harems etc. with a view to understand the real feelings and plans of the people.

37. In this way, after observing this exhibition of Kṛṣṇa’s vast Yogic powers, though he was following the human way of life, Nārada addressed him with a smile.

38. “O Lord of Yoga! Your Māyā is incomprehensible—nay not even easily cognisable—to the masters of Māyās. But through the service of Your feet, our hearts are filled with the spiritual light. And we can comprehend your Yoga Māyā.

39. O Lord Kṛṣṇa! Be pleased to give me leave. I shall range all over the worlds overflowing with your glory, celebrating in songs your sportive acts which sanctify the world.”

The Lord replied:

40. “Oh Brāhmaṇa sage. I am the promulgator of Dharma. It is I who practice it and grant my approbation to it. I have descended on this world for teaching it by my example. You need not get troubled, O child.”

Śrī Śuka said:

41. It is reported that Nārada saw one and the same Kṛṣṇa (present in all the houses of Kṛṣṇa’s queens) performing the righteous duties of householders which purify them.

42. Having observed time and anon the vast display of the Yogic powers of Kṛṣṇa of infinite prowess, the sage who became formerly curious about it, was overwhelmed with great astonishment.

43. Nārada who was duly worshipped by Śrī Kṛṣṇa who showed His faith in dharma, aṛtha and kāma, the three objects of human life, was greatly pleased with him. And constantly contemplating upon him only, he went his way.

44. O King! Following in this way the course of conduct as a human being, Lord Kṛṣṇa assumed different forms for the prosperity of the whole of the world; worshipped by the sixteen thousand beautiful damsels with their bashful, affectionate looks and smile, he spent his life delightfully (at Dvārakā).

45. He who celebrates in songs, listens to or expresses approbation for the exploits of Hari which it is impossible for others to perform but which Hari, who is the cause of creation, maintenance and destruction of the universe, has done, will get engendered in him the devotion to the Lord Almighty which will lead to the Final Beatitude.