rukmiNIshavijaya-Canto17
shrI RukmInISha vijaya,Canto 17 - * Incarnations of Lord Vishnu*
On reaching Dvaraka, the sages began to praise the various incarnations of
Lord Vishnu:-
"Lord Vishnu is the Supreme Lord relaxing in the milky ocean on sesa, the
serpant lord. He fulfils the desires of his devotees. He came down as
Kapila, son of Kardama prajapati, lived in the hermitage of Siddhapuri &
converted the incomprehensible knowledge of supreme reality quite easy to be
grasped. Then he became the son of Yama in his wife Murti & stayed at
Satasringa mountain being served by sage Nara. Again, He descended on the
earth as Dattatreya, the son of Atri & Anasuya & bestowed infinite wealth of
Kaartaviryarjuna. He took the incarnation of Rsabha & taught all lores to
his son Bharatha. This same Lord Vishnu took the form of Simsumara son of
Dosa prajapati & Sarvari & delighted the parents by his wonderful deeds. He
was born as Dhanvantari from the milky ocean & cured manifold diseases. He
took the form of Hayagriva, killed demon Madhu & rescued the vedas stolen by
him. He is standing on the banks of river Bhimarathi as per the wishes of
his devotee Pundarika."
"The Supreme Lord gained meanful names like Kesava, Narayana, Madhava,
Govinda, Vishnu, Madhusudhana, Trivikrama, Vamana, Sridhara, Hrishkesa,
Padmanabha, Damodara, & so on. He was born as Vedavyasa, son of Parasara &
Sathyavati & imparted knowledge to sages like Suka. He is blessing his
devotees standing as Krishna at Udupi.
"He took the incarnation of a fish & rescued the vedas, by destroying the
acquatic demons. He entered the tortoise body of Vayudeva & giving a sound
support to both Sesa & direction elephants helped them in their generous
task of holding high the entire earth. Similarly, he supported the Mandara
mountain when it was used as the churning rod while churning the milky
ocean. He took the form of a boar, destoryed demon Hiranyaksha & rescued
the Earth carried away by him. In his incarnation of Narasimha, He killed
demon Hiranyakasipu in the most astounding manner & pleased Indra. He was
born as Vamana, younger brother of Indra & having punished emperor Bali
suitably, pleased Indra & other gods. In the incarnation as Parasurama, he
killed Kartaviryarjuna & conquered the ksatriya kings for twenty one times.
As Rama, son of Dasaratha, He destroyed Ravana who had carried away his
beloved Sita. In this carnation as Krishna, He would preach the Gita to
Arjuna & would bring prosperity to Dharmaraja. As Boudha, he would deceive
Tripura demons & would impart false knowledge to the evil minded. As kalki,
He would bring about the destruction of the wicked & pave way for the Kruta
yuga.
Thus singing the eulogies of Krishna, the Supreme Lord, those sages dwelt
with delight in Dvaraka. The heaven like abode of Krishna, wherein people
were living fully engaged in devotion to Him.
svabhajakAbjakulodayahetave jalanidhau varabhoginiketane
bhavamahAnalamuktabhayAnugachChavipade.avipade lasate namaH
[1]
(The first twentyfour verses contain the sages description of the moolarupa
& avataraupas of the Lord while the rest of the verses upto the end of the
canto contains a beautiful description of the town of Dwaraka.)
a. Lord Narayana of the form of Padmanabha who is the cause of the creation
of the rjugana class of His devotee chaturmukha Brahma who is born from the
lotus or who is the cause of the prosperity of the liberated Brahma. He
shines in the abode (on the body ) on the liberated sesa on the milk ocean
whicfh is the resort of the lustre of Lakhmi, liberated Garuda, Viswakshena
& others who are free from the fear of the great fire of the cycle of births
& deaths. He is free from the distress of birth, death & others. Or, He is
without the exertion caused by the act of creating etc... Salutation to Him.
b. Sri Krishna is the cause of the prosperity of the race of the moon, His
devotee (as He was born in the lunar dynasty). He shines on the ocean in
the town of Dwaraka which is the abode of the eminent enjoyers & which is
the place of the lustre of His followers, the yaadavas, who were fried from
the great (devilish) fire of the form of Krtya (caused for the destruction
of Dwaraka by Siva, the istadevata of the king of Kasi). He is free from
all distresses or He has Garuda as His vehicle. Salutations to Him.
(N. B. Sudakshina, son of Paundraka Vaasudeva whose head was chopped off by
Sri Krishna learnt from the Siva the method of creating Krtya. Accordingly,
he created from fire a krtya who dashed against Krishna who however burnt to
death not only Krtya but also Sudakshina.
kushakR^itasthalasiddhapurIshvaraM kaThinatatvagatishramadAyudhaM
janakakardamashbhigR^ihAN^gaNe munijanA nijanAthamamuM jaguH
[2]
a. The sages praised Lord Narayana of the form of Kapila, their preceptor
who was in the shining yard of the house of Kardama Prajapati. He was the
lord of the hermitage of Kapila known as Siddapuri which was surrounded by
sacrificial grasses. He was like a weapon in cutting off ignorance,
misunderstanding, etc... of the knowledge of the difficult higher & lower
principles. (or, He was like the weapon of knowledge in removing the strain
caused in knowing the difficult higher & lower principle.
b. The sages praised their Lord, Sri Krishna who was playing in the yard of
the house of His father Nandagopa which was shinning with the urine (of cow
dung, urine etc...).He was the lord of Dwaraka which was constructed on teh
site of demon Kusa (who though killed was born again & again on account of
the boon of Siva. Then Sri Krishna pushed into the moat formed by
Balarama's plough an installed a Sivalinga there. Kusa did not get up for
fear of wrecking the Sivalinga & so he died. Sri Krishna constructed the
town of Dwaraka there. He possessed the weapon (of sarnga bow) which caused
strain (pain) to the hard skin of the demon Kusa.
yamjaniM bhaja tApasavigrahaM prakaTitaM nijachddhanamUrthitaH
naradhR^itaM girimUrdhani yatpadaM vilasate lasateDadyanakhendunA
[3]
a. O mind! worship Lord Narayana having the form of a sage which was
manifested through yama by his wife Murti who was replete with His
knowledge. His feet which were grasped by the sage Nara on the peak of the
mountain Satasrnga shined with the lustrous & praise worthy moon like nails.
b. O mind ! Serve that birthless Krishna who obtained His body from the
black hair of the mUlarupa of the form of knowledge. Arjuna (who had the
avesha of Nara in him) kept His feet on his head & praised them. His feet
shine with the lustrous moon like nails which are works of being praised.
(N. B. For Arjuna's praise refer to the BG Chapter 9- verses 15-16 & 40
quited in the GBP.
In the first verse, Sri Krishna's birth in the lunar race & His stay along
with the yadavas are stated. In the second verse the construction of
Dwaraka & His bAlalila are mentioned. In the third verse, His divine birth
& body of the form of knowledge are mentioned.
vimaladattapadaH praNatArjunAbhyudayaheturamAnavayogadhR^it.h
hR^idi dhR^itaH sudhiyA hyanasUyayA sabhavatAdbhavatApaharo mama
[4]
a. May He having the pure name of Dattatreya remove my torment of the cycle
of births & deaths. He caused the properity (of kingdom) of
Kaartaviryarjuna who surrendered to Him. He who knew practice of yoga well
was borne in the womb by Anasuya (wife of Sage Atri) possessing good
spiritual knowledge.
b. May Sri Krishna remove my torment of the cycle of births & deaths. He
gave the place in Dwaraka to a pure minded devotee. He caused the
prosperity (such as the conquest of the foes) to Arjuna (son of Kunti) who
surrendered to Him (as per BG 18-73). He bore the Goverdhana mountain
having an unlimited number of birds. He is meditated upon by the devotees
by means of good spiritual knowledge free from jealously.
bharattashAstravishAradatAkaraM priyakR^itaM pitR^ivannayayoginAM
yamR^iShabhaM sumatirti jayantyagAtsumadhurA madhurAdhipamantike
[5]
a. Lord Narayana of the avatar of Rsabhamade His eldest son Bharata
profiecient in all shastras. He did the pleasing act of giving moksha
etc... like a father to Bharata's nine brothers (such as Kavi, Hari,
Antariksa, Prabuddha, PippalAyama, Avirhotra, Drumila, Chamasa & Karabhaaja)
who practised yoga. He is the lord of those who ulter pleasing words. The
beautiful Jayanti (daughter of Indra) having a good mind approached Rsabha
(=married Him).
b. The auspicious mind of the people of Mathura which conquered the
passions approached the eminent Sri Krishna, the lord of Mathura city. He
was an expert in the science of music & dramaturgy (as demonstrated by Him
earlier in brindavana), the founder of which was the ancient sage, Bharata.
He gives all the desired things to those who are newly initiated in the
Krishna mantra (at the time of the sacred thread ceremony) like an
affectionate father.
janakadoShamupetya sa sharvarItyanubhavaM jananImapi harShayan.h
ghaTayate dR^ishi bAlavapuH sphurarsurasato rasadohakR^idanvahaM
[6]
a. In each avatara of Simsumara Lord Narayana enters his father Dosa
(through the heart) & then pleases also His mother sarvari (by being born).
Everyday, He does wonderful deeds such as illuminating the group of planets
(such as the sun, moon, etc...) & reveals it to be people.
b. Dailly, Sri Krishna gives the happiness of the shinning divine assembly
(=heavenly bliss) to the devotees who see Him. After being fondled by His
father Nandagopa in his arms, Sri Krishna having the form of a babe gladdens
His mother Yasoda also (by being fondled by her). He causes in the eyes of
the onlookers the knowledge of the ways of Siva (by his nakedness, bodily
dustiness & the ornament on the forehead).
vijanitApadavadyavanAya yo hyagadapANirabhUchChamadAyakaH
udaghiratnamamuM sahajashriyaM hR^idi bhajedibhajeDadyagatiM kR^itI
[7]
a. A clever person should worship that Lord Narayana of the avatara of
Dhanvatari who having the medicine in His hand, was the destroyer of the
forest of the distress of disease (such as those caused by wind, bile &
phlegm), who came out of the milky ocean along with His sister (Lakshmi
during the churning) & who had the laudable gait of the young one of an
elephant.
b. A clever person should meditate in his heart on this Sri Krishna who
killed KAlayavana without a mace in His hand like a hunter who kills the
young birds (effortlessly without a weapon in his hand, who has natural
wealth, whose gait is worthy of praise by the elephant Kuvalayaapida & who
is an ornament to the ocean.
madhurayA.ajita dAnavasadigarAvashanikAya gatAgamasAdhaka
naraturaN^gamaharShakarAkR^ite bhagavata vagatAkhila pAhi naH
[8]
a. Lord Narayana of the avatara of Hayagriva was not conquered (in the
battle) by the speed of demon Madhu. He has a body which is like the
thunderbolt in respect of the mountain of the group of demons. He brought
back the vedas carried away by the demons Madhu & Kaitabha. He has no
sufferings of the cycle of births & deaths (or He is eternally free). He is
omniscient. O, Lord Hayagriva having a body of half horse & half man!
Protect us.
b. O, Sri Krishna! protect us. You conquered Duryodhana by uttering sweet
words (such as that you will not wield any weapon in the battle). You
restored the kingdom (lost in the game of dice) to the group of Pandavas,
who were under your control. You had a form causing happiness to the horses
of Arjuna (by being his charioteer). You did not lose your attributes (such
as perfectness etc...) though in the state of worldly life.
praNataviprajanAma yato.akaronnanu jalAntaravarti nijAspadaM
vimalabhImarathIpsitadAyakaH svavijitovijitopyayamachyutaH
[9]
a. O, Lord Narayana of the form of Panduranga! though invincible by
anyone, you are conquered by your devotees. That is why you named your
place that is inside the river of Pundarika Theertha after the brahmin
(Pundarika) who saluted you. You fulfil all the desires of the pure river
Bhimarathi. Protect us.
b. O, Sri Krishna. Protect us. Though invisible by anyone, you are
conquered by your devotees. That was why indeed you constructed your place
of Dwaravati in the middle of the sea on account of the trouble caused (by
Kaalavayana) to the brahmins of Mathura who saluted you. You fulfilled all
the desires of the pure minded charioteer Bhimasena.
ruchira keshava shambaradhAma te lasti mAramaNo.asi samAkR^ite
sakalagokulapAlaka kuShkR^itiM pariharAriharAkhilavAsa naH
[10]
O delightful paramatma of the name of Kesava! Your abode of the form of
water (milk ocean) shines (and hence you are known as Narayana as per the
Vyutpatti. You are the same in all your incarnations. You are the husband
of Lakshmi & hence known as Maadhava as per the Vyutpathi. You are the
protector of the group of sastras having the sixty four arts (and so you are
known as Govinda as per the Vyupatti. You are the destroyer of the foes.
You live everywhere (and so you are known as Vishnu as per the root viShala
vyAptau & vyulpathi (veveShTi sarvaM). Remove the sins.
b. O Sri Krishna having delightful hair! The Dwaraka that is under your
control shines. Your form is like a sword to the mind of cupid (=you are
infinitely more beautiful than cupid). You are the protector of the entire
Gokula. You are the destroyer of the foes (such as Kamsa & others). You
have as your abode Dwaraka which is indestructible. Remove our sins.
madhumadaxaya mAlyasuvisthR^ite kujanamAnasamAptidavikrama
sukhada vAmana somarasArthiShu shriyamudAya mudA.a.arjayase.avanau
[11]
O the destroyer of the pride of the demon Madhu (and so known as Madhusudana
as per the Vyutpatti) ! O, you who are the Lord of the life of your friend
Lakshmi! O, you having the three strides in the three worlds which put an
end to the arrogance of the wicked demons (and so known as Trivikrama)! O
Vamana, the giver of bliss to the deities who long for the juice of the soma
creeper in sacrifices. Oh, you who have obtained all your sublime wants !
You support gladly the goddess Sri on earth (and so known as Sridhara).
O, Sri Krishna! You who have a wide & long garland which has the honey of
the flowers & which is unfading ! Oh, you who have the prowess to put an
end to the haughtiness of the wicked people ! O, you who are the sylvan
fire to the happiness of the wicked minded people! O, you, who like the
sylvan fire, destroy the happiness of those who have no love for the good
people who are the allies of the gods ! O, you whose sublime desires are
all fulfilled! You gladly earn the wealth on this earth for the sake of
Dwaraka which will be sinking in the ocean at last.
karaNapAlanashIla na te sthitiM jalajanAbha vadaMti kamAshritAH
viduramI varadAmadharodara priyajuSho yajuSho.agnibalIva ||
[12]
O you who protect the sense organs (and so known as Hrsikesa) (lord of the
sense organs as per the Vyutpatti ! O, one having the lotus in your navel
(& so called Padmanaabha) ! the vaishnavas who have resorted to Mukhyaprana
say that you are present in your devotees. O, you having a rope tied (by
Yashoda) around your belly (and so known as Damodara)! these devotees
(disciples of Sri Madhwacharya) who do deeds pleasing to you understand your
presence in the devotees even as one learns about the sacrificial offerings
from the Yajurveda.
O, Sri Krishna who has the nature of creating & protecting the universe (or,
who did not kill Jarasandha for the sake of Bhima to whom you wanted the
credit to go)! these stupid Yadavas who are with you in places like Mathura
& Dwaraka ( or, who live with you in one body as per the sruti statement &
who please their sex & belly to not know that you are Primeval person even
as those who have not studied the yajurveda do not know about the
sacrificial offerings.
shubhbhasamudrakaraM bhajatAM mude priyamR^igAjinatA.akhiladaivataM
varayate sthirabhUtimaho muhurvibhajate bhajate.atyaruchipradA
[13]
The deer skin which causes great displeasure to Sri Vedavyasa when it is not
worn & his ever dear wearing of the same is for the pleasure of Sukacharya
who serves him, does not leave, like Brahma vidya which gives moksha to him
whose hand has the auspicious jnanamudra & who gave the wealth of knowledge
to the superior ascetic (Sri Madhwacharya).
The vedic text "na te jAyamAnaH etc.... which causes great displeasure to
him who worships Siva, the wearer of the ash vibhuti, describes the
supremacy of Sri Krishna who is liked by all people, who made the waters of
the ocean round Dwaraka fit for bathing & drinking (by sweetening it) for
the pleasure of the Yadavas who worship Him & at whose feet all the gods
saluted during the war at the time of transplantation of the Parijata tree
at Dwaraka. It also differentiates Siva who is endowed with the wealth of
dispassion.
viShNornu kaM jAyamAno na jAto deva mahimnaH paramaMtamApa
udastabhnA nAkamurShva vR^ihataM dAdhartha prAchI kakubhaM pR^ithivyAH
[13]
The Sruti text videhi rudre kadiyaM mahitvaM etc.... (RV 7-40-5) clearly
states that Siva is different from Lord Vishnu who alone is supreme. For
the Parijata harana episode refer tto the BhAgavata (10-65-66).
bhajakabhAviviri~NchakRkR^ite priyapraNayapAshavR^itastvamatheShyasi
tadavaniM shivarUpyamito.abdhigaH kumatinAmatinAshanadaMDadhR^it.h
[14]
O Sri Udupi Krishna having love for your devotees! you have a roepe in one
hand & in another the churning rod which kills the mayavadis who have a
wicked doctrine. For the sake of the future Brahma (Sri Madhwacharya) you
being under the sea goafter sometime from here to his place Sivabelli
(Udupi). (N.B. It is well known that later on Sri Madhwa installed the
image of Lord Krishna obtained from the sea. One can go through the
Dwadasastothram specially composed on the occasion & also the Madhwa vijaya
(9-40-43).
O Dwarvathi Krishna having a very beautiful & auspicious form! You are
incomprehensible to the wicked minded people (like Kamsa, Jarasandha &
others). You hold the staff that destroys ignorance. Lying on the sea with
your mularupa, you incarnate on earth for the sake of your devotee Brahma
who serves you & also for your devotees on earth being bound by the rope of
Love for them.
bhuvanavAschyanishaM manusaMstuto vidhivirodhivinAshakR^idanvahaM
animiShaprabhurAgamaharShado nijavasho javashobhitasAgaraH
[15]
(From here to 24th verse the ten incarnation of the Lord are described).
May Lord Narayana of the Fish incarnation be under our control (=fulfil all
our desires). He lives always in water. He is always praised by Vaivaswata
Manu. He kills the hater of Brahma (the demon who stole the vedas). He is
the Lord of the fishes. He gives happiness to the vedas (which were
recovered from the demons who stole them & He propagated them again). He
brightens the ocean of the deluge by His speed.
May Sri Krishna be under the control of His devotees! He lives always in
the world. He is always praised by means of Krishna mantra (by His
devotees). He kills those (like Jarasandha & others) who are the foes to
the sacrifices (such as Rajasuya & others). He gives happiness to the
Pandavas by His coming to Indraprastha. He brightened the ocean by His
speed (while coming to Dwaraka again & again). He is the Lord of (all) the
gods.
bbhujagadikkaribhArajashokahRutsuramanorathapUraNakAraNaH |
svamatavArinidhermathane paTurgiridharo.aridharo.ayamihaagataH
[16]
Lord Narayana of the incarnation of Turtle is the cause of the removal of
the suffering of Sesa & quarter elephants arinsing out of bearing the earth
& the mountains. He is the cause of the fulfilment of the desire (to drink
nectar) of the gods. He is an expert in the act of churning the milk ocean
which was to His liking. He bore the mandara mountain (for that purpose).
This Lord who holds a discuss (in His hand) has come to this place ( where
the churning of the milk ocean takes place.
Sri Krishna removes the suffering of Sesa & the quarter elephants caused by
the burden of the demons (who were killed by Him). He possesses the weapons
such as the discus & others which cause the fulfilment of the desire of the
gods. He is able to destroy the ocean of demons who are His foes. He bears
the govardhana mountain. This Sri Krishna who cannot be shaken like a
mountain by His foes has come to Dwaraka (by removing the allegation that He
has come here out of the fear of Jarasandha).
svavashagoripubhIShaNacheShTito varavarAhatayA davakR^iddviShAM
makhasahAyakR^itirdharayArchitaH kamalayA.amalayA.ayamahovR^itaH
[17]
Lord Narayana of the incarnation of the Boar causes fear by His deeds to the
demon (Hiranyaksha), the foe of the goddess of Earth who is under His
control. By being a boar, He kindles fire by the mutual contact of the
teeth to His foes (demons). He brings forth the sacrificial grasses &
others that are helpful to the sacrifice. It is strange that this Boar who
is worshipped by Earth is married by the pure Lakshmi.
Sri Krishna caused fear by His deeds (when He was a cowherd) to the tigers,
wild buffaloes, etc, the foes of cows which were under His contro.. He
makes the yaadavas invincible by the demons who obtained the boon of the
ability to kill all their foes) from the eminent Rudra & others. He helps
in the performance of the Rajasuya sacrifice (by the Pandavas) or He helps
in the acquision of money for the pAndavas who are fit to perform the
Rajasuya sacrifice. It is strange that this Krishna who was worshipped by
the goddess of Earth (mothe of Naraka in Pragjyotisa town) was married by
the pure Rukmini (though He has Lakshmi as His wife already).
arihiraNyakasaMxayakArakaM naramR^igAdhipamadbhutacheShTitaM
aghakR^idindrakR^itArchanatoShitaM bhaja manojamanoharavikramaM
[18]
O, mind ! worship that Lord Narayana of the incarnation of Nrisimha
(man-lion) who did the wonderful deed of destroying Hiranyakasipu, His foe.
He was pleased by the worship (of Him) made by Indra who committed the sin
of killing Vrtra. He has the prowess that gives happiness to Brahma.
(See the Bhagavata for an account of Narasimha vatara (10-7-8) & 6-12) & 13
for the fight between Indra & Vrtra & the former's victory).
O mind! worship that Sri Krishna, the Supreme person, who destroyed the
wealth of Duryodhana, His foe. He has done wonderful deeds *such as
revealing the entire universe in His mouth to His mother Yasodha). He was
pleased by the worship made by Indra who committed the sin (of causing
downpour of rain). His stride is as delightful as that of cupid.
balahRudArtiharonujaniH prabhurbaliparAjayakR^ijjayakR^itsatAM
avanijAtapalAshasudaNDadR^igb huvanapAvanapAdasaroruhaH ||
[19]
Lord Narayana of the incarnation of Vamana, the younger brother of Indra,
who removed the sorrow of Indra who killed the demon Bala is our Lord. He
defeated emperor Bali. He caused victory to the virtuous gods. He holds
the stalk of the Palasa tree as His staff as He is a brahmacharin). He is
one having lotus like feet (which weere washed by the waters of the Ganga)
which sanctify the world.
Sri Krishna, the younger brother of Balarama, who removed the worries of
Balarama, is our Lord. he defeated the powerful Jarasandha, Sishupala &
others. He causes victory to the virtuous Pandavas (as He is infinitely
stronger than them). He punished the (flesh eating) demons (palashAH) who
were born on earth. He is one having lotus like feet which protected
Arjuna, the protector of the earth (as He promised help to Arjuna who sat at
His feet leaving out Duryodhana who sat at His head.
yuthi sahasrakarorjitabANahrutparashurarjunasatxitidAyakaH
kubharasaMharaNograraNaagraNirdvijabhavo.ajabhavonnatidAyakaH
[20]
Lord Narayana of the incarnation of Parasurama is one having an axe that
splits the eminent arrows of the thousand armed KArtaviryarjuna. He is the
giver of suitable destruction (xiti) to Kaarlavirya. He is the foremost in
the tough battle of slaying the rulers of the earth. He was born to the
brahmin Jamadagni. He gives superiority to Brahma & siva or to Siva, son of
Brahma. (N. B. xitiH = destruction.
Sri Krishna was like an axe in war to the thousand armed demon Bana. He got
for Arjuna a good kingdom (by means of the slaying of Duryodhana & his
brothers). He was the foremost in the battle aimed at destroying the burden
of the earth. He is the giver of auspiciousness to the brahmins. He gave
importantance to siva (son of Brahma by His journey to Kailasa) or He was
eminently saluted by Brahma & Siva (since the time of His being in the womb
of Devaki upto His incarnation). BhavaH = auspiciousness
ahimakAntimataH kalayA kulaM vyatanutAdhikabhUShitamanchjasA
abhayamanyadashAsyasukhaNDanaH xitisutAtisutApabhidAkR^itiH
[21]
Lord Vishnu of the incarnation of Sri Rama decorated the race of the hot
rayed Sun perfectly by His avatara. He took away the vital airs of the ten
faced enemy (Ravana). He had the nature of removing the severe sufferings
of the daughter of the earth (Sita). He gave the world security & freedom
from fear.
Sri Krishna made the kaaliya serpent distressed by setting His foot on all
his hoods & therefore made him lose his lustre & live in the precious island
of Ramanaka. He made him perfectly free from the fear of Garuda by means of
the imprints of His feet on his hoods. He caused suffering & splitting (of
the body) to the demon Naraka (son of the earth). HE also destroyed the ten
stages of love of the enemies (for Rukmini), their swords & vital airs.
ruchirabhAratapuNyakathodayaH shukasubhAShaNatoShaNakAraNAH
vimaladharmashubhasthitikR^itxitAvayamasau yamasauhrudakR^innR^iNAM
[22]
Lord Narayana of the incarnation of Vedavyasa is the author of the
delightful & blessed story of the Mahabhaatha (having a lakh of granthas).
He is pleased by the words of Sukacharya (His son in the BhAghavata). He
established on earth the pure religious duties (dailly & occational). Sri
Vedavyasa having such famous qualities as these makes the people who observe
the daily & occasional duties the friends of Yama (god of death).
Sri Krishna is the author of the delightful & blessed story of Arjuna (of
the race of Bharatha in the Gita). He speaks pleasingly like a parrot. He
gave the excellent kingdom to Yudhisthira who possessed pure qualities (such
as freedom from passion, hatred etc....) & who observed (scrupulously
religious among human beings on earth. This Krishna who is now in Dwaraka
contracted the friendship of Nakula & Sahadeva.
bhuvi tathAgata eSha yathAmbaraM svavidito navamAkR^itirAtmanaH
sakalavitkhalasa~nchayava~chakaH svamatido matidoShaharo.astu vaH
[23]
Lord Narayana of the incarnation of Buddha, the ninth of the ten incarnation
of the Lord , is self luminous & all pervading like the sky over earth. He
is omnisicient. He deceived the group of the demons of Tripura. He gives
false knowledge to the wicked people. May this Buddha remove the defects of
our mind (such as passion, greed, etc....)
Sri Krishna who is not different from Lord Narayana who is all pervading
like the sky incarnated on earth. He is known by His devotees He is
omniscient. He deceived the group of foes (like Duryodhana & others). He
gives knowledge pertaining to Him (to the eligible souls). May He be the
remover of our defect of ignorance.
vitata viShNuyashojananA~njasA kR^itayugonnatidAtR^ikarorjitA
dvi jasuhrutkalikAnanadaityahetvasidharAsi dharAbhayakArakaH
[24]
O, the all pervading Lord Narayana of the form of Kalki. You had your birth
from the brahmin Vishnuyasas. You have walt given eminence to the Krta age
with your hands (by killing the mlecchas). You bear the sword that is the
cause of the destruction of the forest of Kali (staying) in the good hearts
of the brahmins. You have given freedom from fear to the earth.
O, Sri Krishna, you have spread the fame of Lord Narayana. You are eminent
by your hands that are long like the yoke of a chariot & that give the
fourfolds objects of human life. Your face has the lustrous digit of the
moon (the friend of the stars). You bear the sword (called Nandaka) that is
the cause of the sufferings of the foes. You give freedom from fear to the
earth (by your incarnation).
itthaM sarasasallApaiH saMstuvantaH satAM patim.h
pratyahaM tatpadAmbhojamIkShamANA vasanti te [25]
The sages praise thus Sri Krishna (the lord of the virtuous people) by words
of love &live in Dwaraka looking dailly at His lotus like feet.
ihAkhilaishvaryasubhogavR^ideH paratra nishreyasasaukhyasiddeH |
mahaH paraM dvAramavApya pR^ivyAmasau purI dvAravatI babhUva ||
[26]
This town of Dwaraka has obtained the splendour of the form of Sri Krishna
which is the excellent door for the increase of the prosperity (such as
kingdom, wealth, women, etc....) in this world & for the obtainment of
moksha in heaven. Hence, it has come to be known as Dwaravati on earth.
(N. B. It is generally said that Dwaravati is so called because it is like a
door to many towns. But the poet has brought out the special implication of
the name in the verse above.
yato.abhito.achChasphaTikAvadAtalasatkavATAMtaritApi seyaM |
purI nR^iNAM dwaravatIva bhAti tato.api tAM dvAravatiM vadanti ||
[27]
As this town, though lcosed by the doors shining with the pure crystal
stones all around (in all the four directions), appears as an open door to
persons (who can see everything from inside & outside), it is also called
Dwaravati.
yataH kavATe vivR^itepapi seyaM purI kavATAntariteva bhAti
harinmaNInAM prabhayaa mahatyaa kathenu saa dvAravatIti manye
[28]
Though the door of this town is open, it appears as if closed on account of
the deep lustre of the emerald (in its frame). Therefore, how can I think
that it is Dwaravati (one having doors)?
yatIyaratnAvR^itahaimavaprasakAshamabhyetya nivartate sma
samudyatAsInpratibimbarAshIn.h nirIkshya dInA bahusho.arisenA
[29]
The army of the foes coming near the golden fort studded with gems & seeing
the group of their own reflections of the swords held up was down cast with
grief & returned many a time (on account of the fear that the rival soldiers
are coming to attack them.
muktAvalIrAjitasarvagehA nityaM pramodAshanasatsamUhA
duShTairagamyA dayitA murArermuktiprabhA dvAravatI purI sA
[30]
That town of Dwaraka of Sri Krishna (foe of Mura) has the lustre of
Vaikunta. All the houses (there) shine with the groups of pearls. The
groups of virtuous people enjoy happiness always (on account of the presence
of Sri Krishna). It is inaccessible to those who do not wear the marks of
conch, discus, etc... It is most dear to Sri Krishna.
In Vaikunta, the houses shine with liberated souls. The groups of liberated
souls enjoy intrinsic bliss. It is inaccessible to demons. It is most dear
to Sri Krishna.
vichitraratnAvR^itavaprasaudhagR^ihAN~ganAgopuravApikaughaM
idaM purIratnamavApya nUnaM babhUva ratnAkarashabdito.abhdhiH
[31]
The sea contains the excellent town of Dwaraka which has the group of forts,
palaces, houses, women, city, gates & large ponds all decorated by wonderful
gems (such as blue gems, emeralds, etc....) Ithas (therefore) come to
acquire the name of Ratnakara (store house of gems). It is indeed so.
samudramutsR^ijya purIM praviShTA balena muktAvalirAshugascha
bhavAbdhimullaN~ghya marudbalAptavikuNThamuktAvalivaddireje
[32]
The group of pearls leaving the sea on account of the force of the wind
(which drives the water to & fro) & entering the town of Dwaraka (after
crossing the shore) shone like the group of liberated souls who have
obtained Vaikunta after crossing the cycle of births & deaths empowered to
take them near Lord Narayana as per the pramana (sa etAn.h brahmAgamayati).
(N. B. Figure of Speech- purnopama vaikunta= The abode of Lord Vishnu. It
may be noted that Sri Hari incarnated at the request of Ramaa, as the son of
Vaikunta, wife of Shubhra. In theninth chapter of the Bhaaghavata skandha
2) we have a glorious description of Vaikunta. Lord Vishnu is called
Vaikunta also because when He made the creation with the five elements, His
powers did not have any hindrance (vide Mahabharatha Santhi parvan, chapter
342). Saint Vadiraja's kannada work- Vaikunta Varnane deals with the
description of the glory & greatness of Lord Vishnu. It consists of four
sandhis- moksha sandhi, laya sandhi, srsti Sandhi, stithi sandhi).
taruM madIyaM nayatUchchamatsvaH purIM na netuM bhavate samarthaH
marutvatetIrita eva nUnaM purImimAM ramyatamAM chakAra
[33]
Let Sri Krishna carry away my tree (of Parijata). But He is not capable of
taking away my high town of Amaravati. On being said thus only by Indra,
Sri Krishna made this town (of Dwaraka) most beautiful. It is indeed so.
adhiShThitAH potamamUm.h shrayante svakAryalAbhAya vaNiksamUha
svarUpalabhdhyai haripAdapotakR^itAshrayAAH siddajanAshcha dUrAt.h
[34]
The groups of merchants sitting in the boats resort to this town (of
Dwaravati) for the profit of their business. The yogis who have resorted to
the boat in the form of the feet of Sri Krishna resort from afar to this
town (of Dwaravati) for the realization of their intrinsic form of
knowledge, bliss etc.... (by removing the nescience that conceals it).
imAmadhishritya purIM paratra vimuttimevavratino vrajanti
purApi nAkAdhikalokabhAjAM kathaM sa teShAM bahumAnapAtraM
[35]
By resorting to this town (of Dwaravati) the ascetics obtain in the world
only moksha (and not heaven). How can that heaven be fit to be aspired to
by the sages who even in the state of worldly life, resorted to Dwaravati
which is superior to heaven?
guNena yasyA shrutisaN~ganena svakoTimAtreNa vinamravakrA
avadyasaMChAdanavaikharIj~nA babhAra kAshI dhanuSho.anukAraM
[36]
Just as the (tip of a) bow bends when its string is drawn up to the ears, so
also the town of Kasi which knows the method of concealing its defects (of
jealously etc...) assumed the shape of a bent bow & bent its head on account
of the qualities (of the removal of sins, conferring of moksha, the
unfailing presence of Sri Krishna, etc...) of the town of Dwaravati that
are mentioned in the sruthis & that are a crore fold more than its own.
sudharmapu~njAvanamUlabhUtamihAchyutaM vIxya kR^itAdhivAsaM
sabhAM sudharmAM pradadau purIvatsvasaMsadatyuchchasabhAbhiyeva
[37]
On seeing Lord Achyutha who is the cause of the protection of the observance
of religious duties (such as the dailly & occasional ones) & who is living
here (in Dwaravati), Indra gave Him the Sudharma (the assemblyof the gods)
as though out of the fear of (the formation of ) another assembly (by Sri
Krishna) more excellent than his own Sudharma, as in the case of the city of
Dwaravati.
(N. B. The Lord says in the BG 4-7: yadhA yadha hi dharmasya glAnirbhavati
bhArata | AbhyutthAnamadharmasya tadA.atmAnaM srujAmyahaM || Indra was
afraid that just as Sri Krishna constructed a town superior to his own, so
also He might form an assembly superior to his Sudharma.)
purImagamyAM parikhIkR^itAbdhiM nishamya kR^iShNasya nirUDhachintaH
sa mAgadho.abhUdiha yogya nAmA kramAjjarAsaMhitagAtrasImA
[38]
Hearing that Sri Krishna's town of Dwaravati having the sea as a moat was
inaccessible (to the foes), that Jarasandha being gripped by anxiety, came
to have graduallyhere the suitable name of one having a body worn out by old
age.
(N. B. JarAsandha was the son of King Brhadratha. He was worn with a body
split into two parts. Jaraa, a demoness, who picked up the castaway body
joined the two parts together. Hence, he came to be called JarAsandha. The
Vishnu purana says. The story is also narrated in the sabha parvan of the
Mahabharatha in three chapters. But here, our poet says that he deserves to
be called Jaraasandha as he come to have a body worn out by senility caused
by great worry.
sitAnulepAmbaramAlyahArAH shuchismitA vAravadhUrvrajantIH
ihoditendudyutito.atirikthA na yAmikA laxayituM xamante
[39]
In this town, the night sentinels cannot distinguish from the lustre of the
rising moon the dancing girls who have smeared white unguents & put on white
clothes, jasminie garlands in their chignons (knots of hair) & pearl
necklaces, who have white (pure) gentle smile & who are going towards the
rendevouz.
kAvyochitaslokamapexamANA vichArayantIha padepade.arthAn.h
vidvajjanAnandakarAnmanoj~nA budhA vadAnyAshcha pure murAreH
[40]
In this town (of Dwaravati) of Sri Krishna (foe of Mura), the poets who know
the mind of the listeners, being desirous of the verses fit for poetry
discuss the meanings of each of the words that cause happiness to the the
learned ones. The philanthropists who know the mind of the suppliants,
being desirous of fame fit for description in poetry think every moment
about the things (such as gold, clothes, etc... to be donated).
yadaMghritIrthena yadIyanAmno balena kAshI prathitAM kilAsIt.h
muradviShastasya nivAsabhUtA purI trilokyAmiyamadvitIyA
[41]
The town of Kasi became famous indeed on account of its contact with the
Ganges that flowed fromt he feet of SriKrishna & on account of the strength
of the holy name Raama of Sri Krishna (imparted by Siva to the devotees).
But this town of Dwaravati which is the abode of Sri Krishna (foe of Mura)
is unequalled in the three worlds.
chaladdhuvashcha`nchalanetrapAtairjanAnsamAnAnvashayanti tasyAM |
smarochchalatkArmukalagnanIlotpaleShughAtairiva vAravadhvaH
[42]
In that town (of Dwaravati) the dancing girls havin the sportive movement of
their eye brows subjugate the young men who are puffed with pride (of
feeling that they cannot be conquered by them) by the unsteady side glance
of their eyes that is like the blow of the arrow of the form of blue lotus
that is discharged from the bow of cupid.
svagopuraugairiyamunmayUkhairdhivaM vyatIyAya na tadvichitraM
mukundamantarhR^idi dhArayantyA vichitratIrthAni cha saMspR^ushantyAH
[43]
This town of Dwaravati has gone beyond the world of the gods by the groups
of its (gem studded) turrets of the houses having lustre upwards. This is
not surprising in the case of this town which remembers Lord Krishna in its
mind & which has wonderful (sin destroying) holy spots.
puShpIkR^itya sharAsanaM ratipateH pan~chatvabhAjaH sharAMstatsenAmabalAM
vidhAya sachivaM tUShNIM vasantaM kvachit.h
tanmitraM kshayabhAjanaM tadanugAnmAdhuryadhuryAn.h girA.an~NgIkR^itya cha
taM jano.atra charati brahmAstravAnpratyahaM
[44]
The devotees in Dwaravati having (the grace of) Sri Krishna himself as
Brahmastra (for conquering cupid & his party) make the bow of cupid (husband
of Rati) as light as flowers (and so cupid is called puspadhanvan). They
make his five arrows (of red lotus, asoka, mango sprout, jasmine & blue
lotus) dead (and so he is famous as having five arrows).
They make his army (sena which is in femine gender) a member of the weaker
sex (and so the women are called the weaker sex). They make his minister,
the spring season, live in some place quitely without doing any work (and so
the spring season is called vasanta). They make his friend, the moon ( the
presiding deity of our mind) a tuberculosist (and so he wanes day by day in
the dark fortnight. They make his servants (peacocks, cuckoos, etc...)
expertly sweet tongued for sparing them from death (and so they sing
melodiously). They make cupid himself bodiless (and so he is called
ananga). Thus, they daily move about as real yogis without any desire
(Kama).
smarasya bhAryAmapahR^itya viShNoH snuShAM tadaMghriyabjayuge nidhAya
jaya svakIyaM bhuvi darshayantashcharanti tasyAM paripanthishUnyAH
[45]
In that town (of Dwaravati) the yogis who do not have the foe in teh form of
cupid (= who have conquered love), carrying away Rati, the daughter in law
of Sri Vishnu & wife of Pradhyumna (=giving up love for worldly things) &
offering her at the two lotus feet of that Krishna (even as the soldiers
carry away the wife of the enemy king after defeating him) move about on
earth displaying their conquest of love (& remember always the lotus feet of
Sri Krishna).
mAraM darpakaraM pratakrya suhR^idaM matvA jaganmohanaM senAM cha pramadAM
sharAMshcha viShamAMstasyAnugAn.h vyomagAn.h
kodaNDaM sumanaHsamUhavinutAM taiH pUritaM sArathiM senAM tAmavalambya tasya
vashagAstasyAM ramante.apare
[46]
Conjecturing that cupid kills them & casues pride in them, that his friend
(the moon) deludes the (people of the ) world by causeing happiness; that
his army (women) causes great pride; that his arrows are of uneven (five)
number & unbearable; that his servants (such as cuckoos etc...) are in the
sky) & so cannot be fought by them); that his flowery bow is specially
praised by the group of gods & that his charioteer (the spring season) is
filled with flowers (which bloom during that season), the lovers resort to
that army, the women, & thus being under the control of cupid, sport with
women in that town of Dwaravati.
tachChAstrashravaNotsavena katichitsaNgIrthya saMsmR^itya taM tatpAdAbja
niShevayA cha sudhiyastasyArchayA kechana
sakhyenApyapare praNamya bahushaH kechichcha dAsAstvetyAtmAnaM cha nivedya
moxaniratAH santyatra kR^iShNArchakAH
[47]
Here some worshippers of Sri Krishna observe the festival of listening to
His (Vaishnava) shastras. Some jnanis praise Him (by means of stothras).
Some others meditate on (remember) His great deeds such as the lifting up of
the govardhana mountain & others. Some serve His lotus feet. Some worship
Him. Some look upon Him as their friend. To a great extent, some others
salute Him. Some offer themselves (and everything belonging to them) to Him
saying that they are His servants. Thus, they are interested in obtaining
moksha.
N. B. Here nine forms of devotion are mentioned namely shravana keerthanaM
vishNoH smaraNaM pAdasevanaM| archanaM vandanaM dAsya saMkhyamAtmanivedanaM
||
Shravana, Kirtana, Smarana, Padasevena,
Archana, Vandana, Dasya, Sakhyam, Atmanivedanam
shrI vishhNostu shravane parIxidabhavat.h |
vaiyAsakiH kIrtane prahlAdassmaraNe ||
tadanghribhajane laxmiH pR^ithuH pUjane |
akrUrastvabhivandane kapipatirdAsye cha ||
sakhye.arjunaH sarvasvAtmanivedane |
balirabhUt.h kaivalyameshhAm phalam.h ||
shravana - parIxit, kIrtana - Shuka maharshhi, smaraNa - Prahlada,
pAdasevana - Laxmi, archana - pR^ithu (king)vandana - akrUra, dAsya -
Hanuman, sakhya - Arjuna, Atmanivedana - Bali
a~NgIkAragirAM shrutAvabhiratAH sa~Nkirtya tA mAninIstatpAdau parigR^ihya
vandanamaho kR^itvA tvadIyA vayaM
tvaddAsa vayamityudIrya manasA.atItAM smaranto ratIM nIvImokshaphalAyAya
sakhyakushalAH kechichcha rAmArchakAH
[48]
In this town, some worshippers of women are interested in listening to word
of acceptance (of sporting with them). Some praise those women who have the
anger of love. Some catch hold of their feet (for pardon). Some salute
them. Some say that they are theirs & so their servants. Some remember the
past love sport. Some experts in acquiring their friendship for the
purposes of the release (loosening) of the knot of their sarees. (Thus,
these lovers also know the nine forms of worship.
(N. B. shrIkR^iShNArchakAnAM pratinishita sphuraNAya nAryarchakA
ityanuktavA rAmArchakA ityuktaM
prAkArAdvahiratra vAridhirayaM prApyAmbudairarpitaM svAtau vAri
tatachchireNa hR^idaye muktAmayo jAyate
antarhastatTeShu viprajaladhiH kR^iShNAbdavR^iShTaM sadA vittAmbu pratipadya
tatkShaNamaho muktAmayo jAyate
[49]
In Dwaravati, the ocean outside the rampart having within the rain water
given by the cloud on the ascending of the star swati abounds after a long
time in pearls (muktAmaya). Inside, the ocean (multitude) of brahmins
getting the water of wealth showered by the cloud of Sri Krishna in their
palms becomes free from the disease of poverty at once. It is surprising.
AshAsaktajanAshugena javinopAnte rajo jR^imbhayaMstenaivogratamaH sR^ijan.h
shubhadR^ishAmpyAndhyamApAdayan.h
antastaMbhitasachvavR^ittiramishaM saMsAravArAshivatpratyUhIbhavati
tridhAmanagaraprAptau jalaugAshrayaH
[50]
The ocean, throwing the sandy dust on the shore all over & tossing the
people here & there in different directions with the hurricane blowing at
high velocity, creating a dense darkness thereby, rendering blind even those
who have full sight with the dust & making the sea creatures (such as
fishes, etc...) within it unable to do their routine work becomes an
impendiment for the foes to enter the Dwaraka of Sri Krishna even as the
ocean of the cycle of births & deaths is an impediment for the tamasas to
enter the three worlds of Sri Hari, namely AnantAsana, Vaikuntha,
Svetadwipa. The tAmasas having the greed of wealth go very far with
rapidity for wealth like hurricane. They go near the demons exhibiting
their quality of rajas by praising them & stir up their quality of tamas &
anger. Though the donors are wise, they make them fools & render their
quality of sattva inert.
uttuN^gormikarAnuShattuvilasachchakrAN^kashaN^gaH
sphuradratnaughAvR^itagAtravAsyanimiShaH phenAnulepojjvalaH |
svAsattairjalasaJNchayairapi mahApApAni nirmUlayanvArthiH kR^iShNa ivAvatoha
parito yogIndrajihvotsavaH || 17-51
The sea protects this town of Dwaravati on earth all around like Sri
Krishna. It has high hands in the form of waves having the shining
discuses & couches. It has the group of lustrous gems. It has fish (&
others) living in its water. It shines with unguents in the form of (white)
foams. It removes even the great sins of the people with its holy water.
It creates the faculty of taste in the mouths of the people who praise it
(as its Lord Varuna is the presiding deity of the tougue). Sri Krishna also
has the marks of the shining discus & counch in His hands which are as high
as the waves. He has Indra & other gods living in His body which is covered
with the group of gems having shining ornaments. He shines with unguents
which are (white) like foam. He removes even the great sins of His devotees
who are not clever in things other than Himself. He is praised by the best
of yogis (such as Sanaka & others). He protects on earth this town of
Dwaravati.
sachchakrA karapuShTaramyakaTakA bhogIndrabhogAspadA netrasthAanagatendvinA
kanakasadvaprAtipItAmbarA
bhAti svodaravAsihaMsagamanA seyaM sudharmAvahA viShNorAkR^iti
vatsamudrahR^idaye laxmIdharAliN^gatA || 17-52
This town of Dwaravati shines in the middle of the sea like the body of
Padmanaabha on the milk ocean. It has virtuous people in it. It has a
charming army strengthened by tributes (paid by Kings). The moon & the sun
shine a little over its high mansions. The sky there is highly yellow by
its good, golden rampart. It is a resort of the excellent lovers for the
enjoyment of pleasures. Its women have the gait of swans gliding in the
middle. It has an assemblyknown as Sudharma. It is supported by Sri
Krishna.
The body of Lord PadmanAbha shines on the middle of the milk ocean. Its
bracelet is rendered highly lustrous by the shining hand. It si lying on
the body of Sesa (King of the serpents). The moon & the sun are in its eyes
(as per the sruti). It wears a robe highly yellow like the golden rampart
Brahma (who rides a swan)lives inits navel. It is the source of the good
duties (such as the daily & the occasional ones). It is embraced by
goddesses Lakshmi & Bhu.
ye purAriripuNA.anaye purA saN^gatAmranayanAH sma saN^gAH
kAntayA saha varAlakAntayA tepi rechakabhR^ito.atra tepire || 17-53
Even those lovers, who in the past having red eyes due to their contact with
women, were interested insexual union being impelled by cupid, the foe of
Siva did penance by means of the control of breath through recaka (KumbhAka
& Puraka) along with women having the tip of the excellent ringlets here (in
Dwaravati).
rechaka= exhalation of the breath through the right nostril
pUraka= exhalation of the breath through the left nostril
kumbhaka= suspending breath
charanti tasyAM bahumAnayuktA budhA vidhagdhA bahumAnayuktAH
gajAshcha mattA bahushastaraN^gA bahishcha sindhorbahushastaraN^gA || 17-54
In that town of Dwaravati, many intelligent scholars who possess many
authentic statements about the supremacy of Lord Vishnu move about, being
honored by the learned person. Many intoxicated elephants having many
kinds of colors on their bodies move about. Outside the town, many waves
flow.
(N.B. vidagdha also nears a libertine. In this case, we understand that
scholars & very proud libertines were moving about in that town.
aN^ganAlamalakAvalibR^iN^gaM mandahAsamadhu mandahAsamadhu manmathabANaM
aN^ganA.alamamalaM mukhapadmaM bibhratI vashayituM jagadasyAM || 17-55
Every young woman in this town had a lotus stalk like body. The group of
her forelocks was like a bee. Her gentle smile was like honey. Her lotus
like face was like cupid's arrow. She was capable of bringing under her
control the world.
na munayo.anuyayurmanasA cha yaM tamapi labdhumimAmanasA chayaM
dadhadupaiti janaH saha jAyayA vighaTitA prakR^itiH sahajA yayA || 17-56
(In the past) the sages doing penance were not able to obtain Sri Krishna
through their mind even (let alone by feet & other external sense organs).
To obtain even such Krishna the group of people approaches this town in
carts along with wife. For, in this town of Dwaravati the obstacle to
seeing Krishna is naturally removed.
(N. B. People go to this town to stay for six months along with their wives
& children in carts loaded with their luggage & to be free from the fear of
thieves, etc...)
paramApa ramA yasyAmAshrayaM mAm.h shrayaM divi
nivasanniva savetti sarvadA sarvadAnataH || 17-57
Sri Lakshmi has obtained an excellent abode in Dwaravati. The people living
here do not know, as those in heaven, the difficulty caused by the lack of
material on account of donating it always.
nirArayantIha bhaTA yathesho navInamArge vishataH kR^itAnte
na chetxipantIha vR^ikA ivArtA navInamArge vishataH kR^itAnte || 17-58
At the end of Krta age (in Treta age) Siva prevents the demons from pursuing
the new Vaishnava dharma (by composing Shastras which delude them).
Similarly, in Dwaravati, the soldiers of Sri Krishna prevent the wicked
people from entering the town. If they try to enter the town by force (by
scaling & jumping from the rampart) they kill them just as wolves slay the
sheep that have lost their path in the forest & are therefore grief stricken
(or, the soldiers of Sri Krishna by His order throw near yama the demons
like Saalva & others who enter Dwaravati from the sky.
tanoti sA kopini shAntabhAvaM manaH su yaH ko.api nishAntabhAvaM
khagAshcha yasyAM kalashAlikaNThA gR^ihAshcha bhAsvatkalashAlikaNThAH ||
17-59
That town (of Dwaravati) makes even an angry person calm. It purifies the
mind of even a chandAla. In that town, there are birds (like parrots,
cuckoos etc...) whose throats shine with indistinct, sweet sounds. There
are houses which shine with the rows of shinning pitchers.
bhittistharatnaphalitapratirUpachitrachitrAH sushobhinavaratnaruchA
dhadhAnAH
raN^gAnuShaN^garamaNIyamiva pradeshaM yasyAM vibhAnti murajillalanAnivAsAH
|| 17-60
In that city, the harems of the queens of Sri Krishna, the conqueror of
(demon) Mura shine beautifully with the glamour of their reflections in the
nine precious stones of the walls with their pictures coupled with the blue
& yellow rangoli designs & paintings.
The nine precious jewels are enumerated in the following couplet: (
muktAmANikyavaidUrya gomedAn.h vajravidrumau padmarAga marakataM nIla cheti
yathAkramaM.)
sauhArdanR^ityadurukekinikAyashobhisaudheShu yatra
ruchirAchalashR^iN^gabuddhayA |
saMsaktamabhranichayaM paritaH patantyaH svaspaxapantIha vR^ikA
ivArthAnavInamArge vishataH kR^itAnte || 61 ||
In that city the flags hoisted on the tops of palatial buildings which shone
with the bevy of superior peacocks which dance on account of their
friendship with the clouds, conquered with the wind created by their
movements, the clouds which settled on the tops mistaking them for peaks of
high mountains.
yasyAM suvarNavaraveShTanabhAjitejaH pradyotitAmbaraharinmaNividrumAdyaH
rantairnavairnavidhaiH khachite sahante prAsAdamUrdhni na budhAH
kapishIrShanAma || 62 ||
In that city, the learned people do not agree with the meaning of the top of
the building as the head of the monkey (as per prAsAdAgre cha kapishIrSha
iti halaH) the top which illumines the sky with its lustre of the superior
golden cover in laid with the nine kinds of new jewels liek the blue stones,
corals etc....
nayati na yatiranyadbhojyamAtrAnnamAtrAt.h charati cha ratibhartrA prerito
naiva bhogya
janimajanimataj~naH santaratyeva chAnte yamabhayamabhayAptyA
svasthavR^ittirna vetti || 63 ||
In this town, the ascetic does nto take any more quantity of food than he
can eat. Not being prompted by cupid (husband of Rati) he is not interested
in the things of enjoyment (such as women, etc...). Having the knowledge of
the tenet of Chathurmukha Brahm (son of Lord Vishnu), i.e. the tenet of Sri
Madhva, he indeed overcomes birth after his death. Having the same kind of
attitude always by the attainment of Paramaathma, he does not know the fear
of death.
na vahati hR^idi toShaM vairivadhvAH kapole na vahatimavalokya
shvAsavishrAntavAkyA
samuditaravidR^iShTivrIDavibhrAntanetrA samuditaravarAN^gIbhAva mAviShkaroti
|| 64 ||
In that town, on seeing the new mark made with the teeth on the cheek of her
co wife, a certain lady, being speechless on account of a deep sigh does not
have happiness in her mind. On seeing the broad sunrise, the happy co wife,
with her eyes rolling to & fro out of shyness, exhibited her idea of hiding
it lest it should be noticed by others & if she does so in front of the
other lady love she might feel sorry.
vihAya sAlokyamudAramante vihAyasA.a.alokya mudA ramante
mahIshakanyAsakalArtharUpamahIshakanyAsakalArtharUpaM || 65 ||
The liberated souls in Vaikuntha leaving the gift of Saalokya (=being in the
same world with God) given in the end, seeing from the sky Sri Krishna who
is supreme who is the object of all the knowledge of Sesa, siva & Brahma.
(coupled with their aversion to worldly pleasures) who is the sole wealth of
the 16108 wives who were the daughters of kings & who took so many forms of
His own & lived with them, delight in joy (as they thought that the sight in
Dwaravati along with 16108 wives.
madabhramattA ravishN^kinetramadabhramattA ravishaN^kinetra
prAyo.ajayadyA nagadhIrachitta< prAyo.ajayadyAnagadhIrachittaM || 66 ||
In that town a woman who was fully drunk & consequently lost her
discrimination cast her glance with the moving of her pupils on a man who
was worried by the sunrise (as people will see him then). She who captures
(even) the minds of the gods who move about in planes (by her excessive
beauty) conquered greatl that man had a mind as firm as a mountain.
sarasA vilasaddhArasarasArashirodharAH |
nayanairvashayantyasyaM nayanaipuNyajiShNubhiH || 67 ||
In that town the women were endowed with the sentiments of love, etc....
Their necks were brilliant with the shinning necklaces. They were
captivating the men with their eyes (glances) which would win by their
justice & skill.
seyaM purI vitanute viShayopabhottuH prAyaH phale na samatAM
viShayojJhitasya
yatkR^iShNasaN^gavabhUShU lalAmalepaistaddhayyAnadhUtaduriteShu cha tasya
sAmyaM || 68 ||
This town of Dwaravati gives similarity of form to the women who are in
contact with Krishna (through embrace) by means of the marks of the forehead
& to the persons who have got rid of their sins by His meditatin.
Therefore, it gives similarity of result to a great extent to those who
enjoy the pleasures of senses & to those who have given up the pleasures of
objects.
dantaxataM vIxya navaM navoShThe chintA durantA samabhUtsapatnyAH
anyA tadAchChAdanayuktishUnya tanvI muhurdarshayatIha dainyaM || 69 ||
In this town, on seeing the new marks of the teeth on the lower lip of a new
young woman, her co rival had endless worry (caused by the fear that her
lover would leave her). The slim young woman also reveals her worry again &
again, not being able to find the means of concealing those marks.
vAchA yaH kItIrtato.alaM divijavarasabhA.a.arAdhitAnAM munInAM
janmAntAdenasAM yo rachayati vihatiM chitphalaM supragItaH
rugbhedI prauDhasadvAgmiShu vividhasuvANIvilAsaiH pratarkyaH shasto.astyAdau
tathAnte vimalayatitaterjalpashuddhau sahAyaH || 70 ||
That eminent Sri Krishna lives in this town of Dwaravati (which has been
described so far). He is well praised by the words of the sages such as
Narada & others who are worshipped in the assembly of the eminent gods.
Being praised well, He confers on the devotees the fruit of the form of
aparoksha knowledge & destroys the sins that cause birth & death. He
removes the disease oof the cycle of births & deaths. He is describable by
the eminent orators (eloquent people) skillfully by means of different kinds
of words. He helps the group of pure ascetics in obtaining purity of speech
(through the utterance of His sacred name) both during their life time & at
the time of death.
(N. B. Hence this town is described above).
2. This book is praised greatly by the words of the learned people who are
honored in the assembly of the devotee of Lord Vishnu who are as eminent as
the gods. Being praised well, it gives the fruit of the form of the
knowledge (pertaining to Sri Krishna). It removes the sins that cause
births & deaths. It is discussed (and praised) among eloquent & eminent
people in different kinds of words (as it has a variety of metres, figures
of speech sentients & ncie diction). It helps in the purity of speech (as
it describes the story of Sri Krishna). And therefore the name of this book
is found in this verse as can be seen from its faultless yati.
(N. B. This verse is composed int he sragdhara metre which contain 21
syllables in each quarter (pAda) & we find yati at the end of the seventh
syllable. As such, we have three yatis in each paada & twelve yatis in the
whole verse. By taking the first syllable at the beginning of each yati &
also the last syllable of the sixth yati & of the twelfth yati, we get the
name of the poet as well as that of his work as seen below:
1. vAchA yaM kIrtito.alaM
2. divijavarasabhA
3. rAdhikAnAM munInAM
4. janmAntAdenasAMyo
5. rachaMyati vihatiM
6. chitphalaM supragItaH (vAdirAjarachitaH)
7. rukbhdI prauDhasaddha
8. gmiShu vividhasuvA
9. NivilAsaiH pratakryaH
10. shasto.astyAdau tathAm.ate
11. vimalayati tateH
12. jalpashuddho sahAyaH (rukmaNIsha vijayaH)
romNAM harShakAriNi shravaNataH pApaughavidhvasini premNA chintayatAM
vichitravimalashlAgyArthasandAyini
sanjAte bhuvi rukmiNIshavijaye sadbAdirAjodite sargaH saptadasho
mudAmayamabhUtsvargIshvarANAM kule || 71 ||
(General) When the exploits of the victorious Lord of Rukmini which cause
the happy horripilation of joy in the hearers, which remove the multitudes
of sins by their mere hearing, which give wonderful, faultless & praise
worthy meaning & the four fold objects of human life (dharma, artha, kaama,
moksha) to those who con over them with devotion, were expounded by the good
& eminent disputants like Sukacharya & others (in the BhAghavatha), the
seventeenth creation of great joy was made among the group of denizens of
heaven.
(Particular) - When the exploits of the victorious Lord of Rukmini which
cause the happy horriilation of joy in the hearers, which remove the
multitudes of sins by their mere hearing, which give wonderful, faultless &
praise worthy meanings & the fourfold objects of human life (dharma, artha,
kAma & moksha) to those who con over them with devotion, were composed by
the good & eminent Saint Vadiraja on earth, this seventeenth canto causing
great joy to the group of the denizens of heaven is over.