śabda-brahma-gaṇāś ca te ca nikhila-brahmāṇḍa-vaikuṇṭha-gāḥ
aśrāntoṣṭham agha-ghna-goṣṭh-caritaṁ gāyanta eva sthitāḥ
yady adya pratipadyatāṁ mama kṛtaṁ gadyaṁ ca padyaṁ ca kim
brahma-Brahmā; brahmaja-Nārada; śarva-Śiva; sarva-all; janatāḥ-living entities; rajyat-janāḥ-the jubilant devotees; śrī-of the goddess of fortune; pateḥ-of the husband; śabda-brahma-gaṇāḥ-learned in the Vedas; ca-and; te-they; ca-and; nikhila-all; bramāṇḍa-material universes; vaikuṇṭha-of spiritual planets; gāḥ-residents; aśrānta-without fatigue; oṣṭham-for the lips; agha-of material impurities; ghna-the destrouer; goṣṭha-in Vṛndāvana; caritam-pastimes; gāyantaḥ-glorify; eva-certainly; sthitāḥ-situated; yadi-if; daya-then today; pratipadyatām-is begun; mama-my; kṛtam-composed; gadyam-prose; ca-and; padyam-verse; ca-and; kim-how is it?
If Brahmā, Brahmā's sons, Śiva, all the splendid devotees of the goddess of fortune's husband, the personified Vedas, and all the residents of the material universes and the spiritual Vaikuṇṭha worlds, are singing the Vṛndāvana pastimes of the killer of Agha without their lips ever becoming tired, then why do I now write these words in verse and prose?
Although this poem is just like the mediocre poetry of many other foolish, greedy authors, proud of thinking themselves learned poets, I shamelessly continue to write.
nitya-eternal; vihṛti-pastimes; nija-varga-own devotees; sukha-transcendental happiness; pratha-granting; kṣiti-to the earth; avataraṇa-from the descent; ja-produced; sarvaga- everywhere manifested; sat-transcendental; katha-topics of discussion; akrama-jita-unconquered; tula-unequalled; sauṣṭhava- excellence satra-bha-the abode; śakra-maṇi-from the sapphire; ja-produced; ghṛni-splendor; nirjayi-completely dereating; sattra-bha-effulgence; svarṇa-golden; ghaṭita-endowed; nibhasat-lower; paṭa- garment; saṁhita-wearing; karṇa-to the ears; sukha-da- granting happiness; bahu-many; sat-transcendental; guṇa- attributes; bṛṁhita-expanded; citra-amazing; bha-splendor; maṇi-of jewels; gaṇa-of multitudes; saṅgraha-collection; vigraha-form; mitra-to the friends; sukha-happiness; da-granting; kṛta-performed; śatru-enemies; vinigraha-defeat; kīrti-fame; mahasi-glorious; jagat-to the universe; iṣṭa-desires; samarpaka-granting; kīrtita-glorified; lava- a small number; nija-own; saṁjñaka-with the names; tarpaka- pleasing; vaṁśa-from the flute; ja-produced; kala-musical sound; vaśa-the enchantment; sarva-of all; cara-moving; acara-and non-moving entities; vaṁśa-family; mahita-glorified; pitṛ-of the father; sindhu-of the ocean; sudhā-akara-the flood of nectar; ugra-terrible; naraka-of hells; gaṇa-for the multitude; yogya-suitable; vimikti-liberation; da-granting; ugra- intense; kiraṇa-with effulgence; mukha-face; dṛk-eyes; ruci-beauty; yuktida-appropriate; kṛṣṇa-black; subhaga-beautiful; jagat-from the universe; udgata-gone; dhāmaka-to the spiritual abode; kṛṣṇa-Kṛṣṇa; parama-tama-taking as the most dear; śastada-chastising; narmaka-in jest; śraddhita-faithful; manasi-in the mind; nibaddhavat-as if bound; āsita-situated; sat-to the devotees; hita-granted; karuṇa-of mercy; rasa-mellow; prativāsita-resided; dustara-insurmountable; bhaya-rear; jana-the people; śarmada-granting auspiciousness; su-nicely; smaya-smiling; pustaka-in Vedic scriptures; śata-śata-in hundreds and hundreds; su-excellent; stava-in prayers; dṛk-sight; jaya- all glories.
O Gopāla whose pastimes please Your devotees, O Gopāla whose descent to the Earth has created spiritual narrations everywhere, O Gopāla whose virtues have no equal or superior, O Gopāla whose splendor defeats the splendor of a host of sapphires, O Gopāla dressed in a shining golden dhotī, O Gopāla whose qualities delight the ears, O Gopāla decorated with colorful jewels, O Gopāla whose victory over the demons delights Your friends, O Gopāla whose glories fulfill the world's desires, O Gopāla whose names, when even briefly glorified, bring great pleasure, O Gopāla whose sweet flute music enchants all moving and non-moving living entities, O glistening nectar moon risen from the ocean of King Nanda"s family and glorified everywhere, O Gopāla who liberated those who deserved a terrible hell, O splendid sun whose face delights the eyes, O Gopāla who filled this world with pleasure and then returned to Your own abode, O Gopāla who joked with playful words of rebuke, O Gopāla who resides, as if bound, in the hearts of the faithful, O Gopāla fragrant with kindness to the devotees, O Gopāla whose smile protects those filled with terrible fears, O Gopāla whose glances are glorified in hundreds and hundreds of prayers, all glories to You!
Text 5
surūpa-gaṇa-śekhare ruci-jitendranīleśvare
praśasta-guṇa-maṇḍale sakala-sampad-ākhaṇḍale
ananta-bala-vīryake vijita-duṣṭa-śauṭīryake
samasta-sukhada-kriye hṛdayam astu vaṁśī-priye
surūpa-of those who are beautiful; gaṇa-of the multitude; śekhara-the crown; ruci-splendor; jita-defeated; indranīla-of sapphires; īśvare-the monarch; praśasta-of excellent; guṇa-auspicious qualities; maṇḍale-the sphere; sakala-all; sampat-good-fortune; ākhaṇḍale-unbroken; ananta-unlimited; bala-prowess; vīryake-and heroism; vijita-defeated; duṣṭa-of the demons; sauṭīryake-pride; samasta-all; sukhada-granting happiness; kriye-activities; hṛdayam-the heart; astu-may be; vaṁśī-priye-who is fond of playing the flute.
Let my heart belong to Gopāla who is the crown of all handsome persons, whose splendor defeats the king of sapphires, who has a host of glorious virtues, who is the king of all opulences, whose power is limitless, who checks the demons' pride, whose pastimes please everyone, and who is fond of playing the flute.
Text 6
śrita-vṛndāvana hita-vṛndāvana
avalokāmṛta- bhṛta-lokāvṛta
śrita-taken shelter; vṛndāvana-of Vṛndāvana; hita-welfare; vṛndāvana-of Vṛndāvana; avaloka-of the glance; amṛta-by the nectar; bhṛta-maintained; loka-by the people; āvṛta-surrounded.
O shelter of Vṛndāvana, O auspiciousness of Vṛndāvana, O Gopāla whose nectar glances are drunk by the people of Vṛndāvana!
Text 7
satyaṁ vṛndāvanam anu
sarvādṛśye pade sa-goṣṭhas
tvam vibhavasi satataṁ tadval
lokair ālokyase 'bhīkṣṇam
satyam-transcendental; vṛndāvanam-Vṛndāvana; anu-near; sarva-by everyone; adṛśye-visible; pade-at the place; sa-accompanied by; goṣṭaḥ-the cowherd boys and calves; tvam-You; vibhavasi-are manifest; satatam-continually; tadvat-to that extent; lokaiḥ-by the residents of Vṛndāvana; alokyase-are seen; abhīkṣṇam-continually.
O Gopāla, as You enter Vṛndāvana, you come with the cows and boys to a place where all can see You. The people gaze at You at every moment.
snigdha-affectionate; snigdha-friends; svaka-own; bhṛti-maintainence; kṛta-performed; sukha-happiness; svarvat-like the heavenly planets; parva-festival; sva-own; januṣi-in the birth; kṛta-performed; sukha-happiness; gacchat-going; yacchat-offering; jana-people; vṛta- gifts; maha-festival; pada-abode; tuṣyat-satisfied; puṣyat- flourishing; vraja-of Vraja; nṛpa-king; dhṛta-maintained; mada-joy; rakṣaḥ-pakṣa-striyam-the Rākṣasī Pūtanā; anusṛti- a post equal to that of Mother Yaśodā; dada-granting; asta-vyasta-inverted; sva-won; śakaṭa-cart; mṛdu-delicate; pada-feet; bhargat-garga-Garga Acārya; prakaṭita-revealed; sat-transcendental; abhidha-names; tarjat-chastising; jarjat- criticising; madhu-the Madhu demon; dabhihati-vidha-killing; varṇa-of words; svarṇa-with the gold; kraya-purchasing; phala-fruit; sa-with; kuṭuka-eagerness; svaḥ svaḥ-day after day; śaśvat-continually; sukha-with happiness; mukharita-made eager to speak; śuka-Śukadeva Gosvāmī; citrat-astonishing; mitra-of friends; pracaya-with the multitude; carita-of pastimes; cita-a multitude; bhakta- devotees; svakta-annointed; smita-smile; bala-by Balarāma; valayita-embraced; gacchat-going vatsa-calves; sthagana-concealment; dṛt- doing; anugama-following; sadma-abode; chadma-disguise; pratinaya-bringing back; dhṛta-held; śama-peace; navya-newly; sravya-caused to flow; krama-gradually; viharaṇa-from the theft of the calves and boys; raṇa-joy; gavya-calves; stavya-praiseworthy; svayam-personally; apahṛti-taking away; paṇa-the contest; prasu-by the mother Yaśodā; ahrasva-very long; pratisita-bound; sat-transcendental; udara-abdomen; vargya-svargya-the demigods Nalakūvara and Maṇigrīva; dvaya-two taru-of trees; gati--the state; hara-delivering from; tyakta-abandoned; vyakta-manifested; klama-fatigue; suvihṛt-avika-fond of performing pastimes; vṛndat-wandering; vṛnda-cowherd companions; sva-own; vipina-in the forest; vasatika-staying.
O Gopāla who pleased Your affectionate relatives, O Gopāla who celebrated Your birthday with a festival like those in Svargaloka, O Gopāla to whom visitors gave many gifts, O Gopāla who delighted the happy and prosperous king of Vraja, O Gopāla who made the demoness Pūtana a follower of Your mother, O Gopāla whose soft feet overturned the cart, O Gopāla whose auspicious names were revealed by the shining Garga Muni, O Gopāla who easily killed the menacing Madhu demon, O Gopāla eager to purchase some fruit with the golden coins of Your broken words, O Gopāla who day after day filled eloquent Śukadeva Gosvāmī with bliss, O Gopāla who enjoys many wonderful pastimes with Your cowherd friends, O Gopāla embraced by smiling Balarāma and Your devotees, O Gopāla who tried to solve the mystery of the wandering calves' disappearance, O Gopāla who to keep the peace returned home with calves that were Your disguised manifestations, O Gopāla who made a new stream of happiness flow from the theft of the cowherd boys and calves, O Gopāla who, personally returning the calves, defeated Brahma in the contest, O Gopāla whose belly Your mother bound with a long rope, O Gopāla who rescued Nalakūvara and Maṇigrīva from the fate of being trees, O Gopāla who enjoys pastimes without ever becoming tired, O Gopāla who wanders in the forest with Your friends,
janiḥ-birth; tava-your; janim-birth; mudām-joy; asṛjat-created; ṛddhim-opulence; ṛddhiḥ-opulence; sphuṭam-manifested; sadā-eternally; vihṛtiḥ-pastimes; uccakaiḥ-greatly; vihṛtim-pastime; evam-in this way; eka-ātmake-having the same nature; udañcati-rising; sudhā-of nectar; ambudi-of the ocean; plava-rase-in the inundation; mamajja-became immersed; vrajaḥ-the residents of Vrajabhūmi; tataḥ-from that prabalam-intensely; ucchalati-arises; api-also; mamat-at one time; juḥ-of this old person; āśā-hope; daśā-condition.
Because Your birth created a birth of happiness, Your opulence opulence, and Your pastimes pastimes, and because Vraja became plunged in a rising ocean of nectar, intense hope now rises in this old man.
O Gopāla who lives in glorious, splendid, ever-new Vraja, O Gopāla who without embarrassment plays and jokes with countless friends in the forest named Vṛndāvana, O Gopāla whose pastimes are happy and auspicious,
Text 11
govardhana-vṛndāvana- yamunā-pulināni
ramyāṇi sukha-rūpasya ca bhavataḥ
sukhadāny asmān vimohayanti
govardhana-Govardhana Hill; vṛndāvana-the forest of Vṛndāvana; yamunā-of the Yamunā river; pulināni-sandy banks; ramyāṇi-delightful; sukha-of bliss; rūpasya-with a form; ca-and; bhavataḥ-of You; sukhadāni-pleasing; asmān-us; vimohayanti-enchants.
O form of bliss, beautiful Govardhana, Vṛndāvana, and the sandy banks of the Yamunā, which all gave great pleasure to You, bring us under their spell.
It is not wonderful that You quickly pushed into the void the demon Vyomāsura, who pretended to join the boys' game of stealing lambs, or that when Aghāsura swallowed You and everyone else, You made him pure and sinless, although these were a great wonder for Dāma and Your other friends. May my mind be always fixed on these pastimes!
Text 14
arbhakāluñcaka- vidhi-dhī-vañcaka
kṛpayāmarṣaka anugākarṣaka
arbhaka-the boys; aluñcaka-stealing vidhi-of Gopāla Brahmā; dhī-the intelligence; vañcaka-tricking; kṛpayā- with mercy; amarṣaka-considering; anuga-of Your followers; ākarṣaka-attractive.
O Gopāla who, when Brahmā stole the cowherd boys, tricked him and bewildered his intelligence, O Gopāla whose thoughts are filled with mercy, O Gopāla who attracts Your followers,
Text 15
yad api vraja-nija-mitrāṇy
apaharamāṇo vidhir vyadhān
māyām tad api dadad vraja-bhaktiṁ
tasmiṁs tvam asi kṣamā-kṛpā-pūrṇaḥ
yat api-although; vraja-of Vrajabhūmi; nija-Your own; mitrāṇi-friends; apaharamānaḥ-stealing away; vichiḥ- Brahmā; vyadhat-placing; māyām-illusory potency; tat api- nevertheless; dadat-granting; vraja-of the residents of Vraja; bhaktim-the pure devotional service; tasmin-to him; tvam-You; asi-are; kṣama-indulgence; kṛpā-and mercy; pūrṇaḥ-full of.
O Gopāla filled with the mercy and forgiveness, even though Brahmā, displaying his illusory potency, stole away Your vraja-friends, still, You give him vraja-bhakti.
O Gopāla, holding the flute, and covered by the dust raised by Your cows, Your walking defeats the graceful movements of the elephant.
phaṇi-hrada-gāmin viṣa-hati-kāmin
svayam atha tasmin patana-tarasvinn
ahipati-yuddhvā yuva-ratha-ruddhvā
naṭana-parāstaṁ bhrama kuruthās taṁ
davitam akārśir iti nutir ārśī
phani-of the Kāliya serpent; hrada-the lake; gāmin-entering; viṣa-the poison; hati-the removal; kāmin-desiring; svayam-personally; atha-then; tasmin-in that; patanatarasvin-diving into; ahi-pati-with the king of the serpents; yuddhvā-having fought; yuva-ratha-the strong health; ruddhvā-having broken; naṭana-para-fond of nice dancing; astam-the serpent; bhrama-bewilder; kuruthaḥ-please do; tam-him; davitam-going far away; akāṛsiḥ-you performed; iti-thus; nutiḥ-the prayer; ārśī-of the sages.
"O Gopāla who went to the serpent's lake, O Gopāla who wished to destroy the poison, O Gopāla who dove into the water, O Gopāla who, fighting with the king of serpents, broke his strength and charmingly danced on him, bewildered him, and made him go away!" This was the sages' praise.
Text 17
anudinam atha cāraṁ cāram ātmīya-dhenūr
akhila-vipina-lakṣmī rañjayan kañja-netra
naṭana-paṭimabhis taṁ kāliyaṁ mūrdhni mṛdnaṁs
tapana-duhitṛ-gartaṁ nirviṣāpaṁ cakartha
anudinam-every day; caram caram-repeatedly travelling; ātmīya-Your own; dhenuḥ-cows; akhila-all; vipina-of the forest; lakṣmīḥ-the goddesses of fortune; rañjayan-delighting; kañja-lotus; netra-eyed; naṭana-of dancing; paṭimabhiḥ-with the sharpness; tam-him; kāliyam-Kāliya; mūrdhni-on the head; mṛdan-crushing; tapana-duhtṛ-of the Yamunā river, the daughter of the sun god; gartam-the lake; nirviśa-of freedom from poison; āpam-the attainment; cakartha-You performed.
Day after day herding Your cows, You please all the lotus-eyed forest-goddesses. O Gopāla, crushing Kalīya's head with the violence of Your dancing, You made the Yamuna free of poison.
Text 18
athavā
or
gavanuga-khelaḥ sakhi-kṛta-melaḥ
samid-ativelaḥ khala-jayi-helaḥ
phaṇi-hrada-yātaḥ sphuṭa-viśa-ghāta-
prathana-saśātas tvam asi vibhātaḥ
phaṇipati-maste bahu-mani-śaste
'jani śata-haste naṭana-bharas te
sa-parikarāgas- kara-khara-nāgaḥ
pravasana-rāga- śrita-hrada-bhāgaḥ
prabala-vilāsaḥ kṛta-tad-udāsaḥ
śrita-nija-vāsaḥ sphura mṛdu-hāsaḥ
gavanuga-with the cowherd boys; khelaḥ- performing pastimes; sakhi-with Your friends; kṛta-performed; melaḥ-meeting; samit-fight; ati-very; velaḥ-leisure; khala-the demons; jayi-defeating; helaḥ-with ease; phaṇi-of the Kāliya serpent; hrada-to the lake; yātaḥ-gone; sphuṭa-manifested; viśa-poison; ghāta-removing; prathana-manifest; sa-with; śātaḥ-jubilation; tvam-You; asi-are; vibhātaḥ-manifest; paṇi-pati-of Kāliya, the king of the serpents; maste-on the hoods; bahu-many; maṇi-with jewels; śaste-splendidly decorated; ajani-manifested; śata-haste-with hundreds of hods, naṭana-of dancing; bharaḥ-the burden; te-Your; sa-with; parikara-followers; agaskara-sinful; khara- formidable and dangerous; nāgaḥ-serpent; pravasana-exile; rāga-beauty; śrita-sheltered; hrada-of the lake; bhāgaḥ- good fortune; prabala-great; vilāsaḥ-pastimes; kṛta-performed; tat-udāsah-free from cares; śrita-situated in; nija-own; vāsah- abode; sphura-please become manifest; mṛdu-sweet; hādah-with a smile.
O Gopāla who meets Your cowherd friends, sports with them and playfully fights with them, who easily defeats the demons, who went to the serpent's lake, who became happy when the poison was gone, You shine with great splendor! O Gopāla whose dancing weighed heavily on the serpent's hundreds of splendidly jeweled hoods, who exiled the dangerous, sinful snake and his followers and thus made the lake beautiful, who performs great pastimes, who free of all cares, who resides in Your own abode, please manifest your sweet smile to me!
O Gopāla who extinguished the burning poison in the water, who extinguished the forest fire on the land, and who, having extinguished both fires, returned to Vraja and with a glance created a great shower of nectar, I worship You.
puṣṭī-kṛtya dṛśāṁ hare vara-dṛśāṁ dhinvan gatiṁ nandasi
dehunūnām-of the cows; parirakṣaṇāya-for the protection; viharan-performing pastimes; dhinvan-delighting; sva-own; bandhūn-friends; vadham-the killing; kurvan-performing; dhenuka-rākṣasasya-of the demon Dhenuka; vidadhat-displaying; dhāma-tha abode; āgatim-the arrival; ca-and; kramāt-gradually; ṣaṣṭhe-in the sixth; abde-year; api-and; mukha-of the face; adi-and other parts of the body; sauṣṭhava-excellent; rucā-beauty; kaiśora-juṣṭa-of youth; śriyam-beauty; puṣṭī-kṛtya-having increased; dṛśām-of the eyes; hare-O Gopāla Hari; vara-dṛśām-of the beautiful-eyed gopīs; dhinvan-delighting; gatim-the destination; nandasi-happily.
Protecting the cows, playing, delighting Your friends, killing Dhenukāsura, showing Your own spiritual abode to the cowherds, gradually manifesting full beauty of Your youth with the splendor of Your face and all limbs in Your sixth year, and delighting the eyes of the beautiful-eyed gopīs with Your beauty which is the goal of life, You were always joyful.