śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; sukha — comfortably; upaviṣṭaḥ — seated; paryaṅke — on a couch; rāma-kṛṣṇa — by Lord Balarāma and Lord Kṛṣṇa; uru — very much; mānitaḥ — honored; lebhe — he attained; manaḥ-rathān — his desires; sarvān — all; pathi — on the road; yān — which; saḥ — he; cakāra ha — had manifested.

kim — what; alabhyam — is unattainable; bhagavati — the Supreme Lord; prasanne — being satisfied; śrī — of the goddess of fortune; niketane — the resting place; tathā api — nevertheless; tat-parāḥ — those who are devoted to Him; rājan — O King (Parīkṣit); na — do not; hi — indeed; vāñchanti — desire; kiñcana — anything.

sāyantana — of the evening; aśanam — the dining; kṛtvā — having done; bhagavān — the Supreme Lord; devakī-sutaḥ — the son of Devakī; suhṛtsu — toward His well-wishing relatives and friends; vṛttam — about the behavior; kaṁsasya — of Kaṁsa; papraccha — He inquired; anyat — other; cikīrṣitam — intentions.

śrī-bhagavān uvāca — the Supreme Personality of Godhead said; tāta — O uncle; saumya — O gentle one; āgataḥ — arrived; kaccit — whether; su-āgatam — welcome; bhadram — all good; astu — may there be; vaḥ — for you; api — whether; sva — for your well-wishing friends; jñāti — intimate relatives; bandhūnām — and other family members; anamīvam — freedom from unhappiness; anāmayam — freedom from disease.

kim — what; nu — rather; naḥ — our; kuśalam — about the well-being; pṛcche — I should inquire; edhamāne — when he is prospering; kula — of our family; āmaye — the disease; kaṁse — King Kaṁsa; mātula-nāmnā — by the name “maternal uncle”; aṅga — my dear; svānām — of the relatives; naḥ — our; tat — his; prajāsu — of the citizens; ca — and.

aho — ah; asmat — because of Me; abhūt — there was; bhūri — great; pitroḥ — for My parents; vṛjinam — suffering; āryayoḥ — for the offenseless ones; yat-hetoḥ — because of whom; putra — of their sons; maraṇam — the death; yat-hetoḥ — because of whom; bandhanam — bondage; tayoḥ — their.

diṣṭyā — by good fortune; adya — today; darśanam — the sight; svānām — of My close relative; mahyam — for Me; vaḥ — yourself; saumya — O gentle one; kāṅkṣitam — desired; sañjātam — has come about; varṇyatām — please explain; tāta — O uncle; tava — your; āgamana — for the coming; kāraṇam — the reason.

śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; pṛṣṭaḥ — requested; bhagavatā — by the Supreme Lord; sarvam — everything; varṇayām āsa — described; mādhavaḥ — Akrūra, descendant of Madhu; vaira-anubandham — the inimical attitude; yaduṣu — toward the Yadus; vasudeva — Vasudeva; vadha — to murder; udyamam — the attempt.

yat — having which; sandeśaḥ — message; yat — which; artham — purpose; vā — and; dūtaḥ — as a messenger; sampreṣitaḥ — sent; svayam — himself (Akrūra); yat — what; uktam — was spoken; nāradena — by Nārada; asya — to him (Kaṁsa); sva — His (Kṛṣṇa’s); janma — birth; ānakadundubheḥ — from Vasudeva.

śrutvā — hearing; akrūra-vacaḥ — Akrūra’s words; kṛṣṇaḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa; balaḥ — Lord Balarāma; ca — and; para-vīra — of opposing heroes; hā — the destroyer; prahasya — laughing; nandam — to Nanda Mahārāja; pitaram — Their father; rājñā — by the King; diṣṭam — the order given; vijajñatuḥ — They informed.

gopān — the cowherd men; samādiśāt — ordered; saḥ — he (Nanda Mahārāja); api — also; gṛhyatām — have collected; sarva — all; go-rasaḥ — the milk products; upāyanāni — excellent gifts; gṛhṇīdhvam — take; yujyantām — yoke; śakaṭāni — the wagons; ca — and; yāsyāmaḥ — we shall go; śvaḥ — tomorrow; madhu-purīm — to Mathurā; dāsyāmaḥ — we shall give; nṛpateḥ — to the King; rasān — our milk products; drakṣyāmaḥ — we shall see; su-mahat — a very great; parva — festival; yānti — are going; jānapadāḥ — the residents of all the outlying districts; kila — indeed; evam — thus; āghoṣayat — he had announced; kṣatrā — by the village constable; nanda-gopaḥ — Nanda Mahārāja; sva-gokule — to the people of his Gokula.

gopyaḥ — the cowherd girls; tāḥ — they; tat — then; upaśrutya — hearing; babhūvuḥ — became; vyathitāḥ — distressed; bhṛśam — extremely; rāma-kṛṣṇau — Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa; purīm — to the city; netum — to take; akrūram — Akrūra; vrajam — to Vṛndāvana; āgatam — come.

kāścit — some of them; tat — by that (hearing); kṛta — created; hṛt — in their hearts; tāpa — from the torment; śvāsa — by the sighing; mlāna — made pale; mukha — of their faces; śriyaḥ — the luster; sraṁsat — loosening; dukūla — their dresses; valaya — bracelets; keśa — in their hair; granthyaḥ — the knots; ca — and; kāścana — others.

anyāḥ — others; ca — and; tat — on Him; anudhyāna — by fixed meditation; nivṛtta — ceased; aśeṣa — all; vṛttayaḥ — their sensory functions; na abhyajānan — they were unaware; imam — of this; lokam — world; ātma — of self-realization; lokam — the realm; gatāḥ — those who have attained; iva — just as.

smarantyaḥ — remembering; ca — and; aparāḥ — others; śaureḥ — of Kṛṣṇa; anurāga — affectionate; smita — by His smile; īritāḥ — sent; hṛdi — the heart; spṛśaḥ — touching; citra — wonderful; padāḥ — with phrases; giraḥ — the speech; sammumuhuḥ — fainted; striyaḥ — women.

gatim — the movements; su-lalitām — very charming; ceṣṭām — the activities; snigdha — affectionate; hāsa — smiling; avalokanam — the glances; śoka — unhappiness; apahāni — which remove; narmāṇi — the joking words; proddāma — mighty; caritāni — the deeds; ca — and; cintayantyaḥ — thinking about; mukundasya — of Lord Kṛṣṇa; bhītaḥ — afraid; viraha — because of separation; kātarāḥ — greatly distressed; sametāḥ — joining together; saṅghaśaḥ — in groups; procuḥ — they spoke; aśru — with tears; mukhyaḥ — their faces; acyuta-āśayāḥ — their minds absorbed in Lord Acyuta.

śrī-gopyaḥ ūcuḥ — the gopīs said; aho — O; vidhātaḥ — Providence; tava — your; na — there is not; kvacit — anywhere; dayā — mercy; saṁyojya — bringing together; maitryā — with friendship; praṇayena — and with love; dehinaḥ — embodied living beings; tān — them; ca — and; akṛta — unfulfilled; arthān — their aims; viyunaṅkṣi — you separate; apārthakam — uselessly; vikrīḍitam — play; te — your; arbhaka — of a child; ceṣṭitam — the activity; yathā — as.

yaḥ — who; tvam — you; pradarśya — showing; asita — black; kuntala — by locks; āvṛtam — framed; mukunda — of Kṛṣṇa; vaktram — the face; su-kapolam — with fine cheeks; ut-nasam — and raised nose; śoka — misery; apanoda — eradicating; smita — with His smile; leśa — slight; sundaram — beautiful; karoṣi — you make; pārokṣyam — invisible; asādhu — not good; te — by you; kṛtam — done.

krūraḥ — cruel; tvam — you (are); akrūra-samākhyayā — by the name Akrūra (which means “not cruel”); sma — certainly; naḥ — our; cakṣuḥ — eyes; hi — indeed; dattam — given; harase — you are taking; bata — alas; ajña — a fool; vat — just like; yena — with which (eyes); eka — in one; deśe — place; akhila — of all; sarga — the creation; sauṣṭhavam — the perfection; tvadīyam — your; adrākṣma — have seen; vayam — we; madhudviṣaḥ — of Lord Kṛṣṇa, enemy of the demon Madhu.

na — does not; nanda-sūnuḥ — the son of Nanda Mahārāja; kṣaṇa — in a moment; bhaṅga — the breaking; sauhṛdaḥ — of whose friendship; samīkṣate — look upon; naḥ — us; sva — by Him; kṛta — made; āturāḥ — under His control; bata — alas; vihāya — giving up; gehān — our homes; sva-janān — relatives; sutān — children; patīn — husbands; tat — to Him; dāsyam — servitude; addhā — directly; upagatāḥ — who have taken up; nava — ever new; priyaḥ — whose lovers.

sukham — happy; prabhātā — its dawn; rajanī — the night; iyam — this; āśiṣaḥ — the hopes; satyāḥ — true; babhūvuḥ — have become; pura — of the city; yoṣitām — of the women; dhruvam — certainly; yāḥ — who; saṁpraviṣṭasya — of Him who has entered (Mathurā); mukham — the face; vrajaḥ-pateḥ — of the master of Vraja; pāsyanti — they will drink; apāṅga — upon the corners of His eyes; utkalita — expanded; smita — a smile; āsavam — nectar.

tāsām — their; mukundaḥ — Kṛṣṇa; madhu — like honey; mañju — sweet; bhāṣitaiḥ — by the words; gṛhīta — seized; cittaḥ — whose mind; paravān — subservient; manasvī — intelligent; api — although; katham — how; punaḥ — again; naḥ — to us; pratiyāsyate — will He return; abalāḥ — O girls; grāmyāḥ — who are rustic; sa-lajja — shyly; smita — smiling; vibhramaiḥ — by their enchantments; bhraman — becoming bewildered.

adya — today; dhruvam — certainly; tatra — there; dṛśaḥ — for the eyes; bhaviṣyate — there will be; dāśārha-bhoja-andhaka-vṛṣṇi-sātvatām — of the members of the Dāśārha, Bhoja, Andhaka, Vṛṣṇi and Sātvata clans; mahā-utsavaḥ — a great festivity; śrī — of the goddess of fortune; ramaṇam — the darling; guṇa — of all transcendental qualities; āspadam — the reservoir; drakṣyanti — they will see; ye — those who; ca — also; adhvani — on the road; devakī-sutam — Kṛṣṇa, the son of Devakī.

mā — should not; etat-vidhasya — of such; akaruṇasya — an unkind person; nāma — the name; bhūt — be; akrūraḥ iti — “Akrūra”; etat — this; atīva — extremely; dāruṇaḥ — cruel; yaḥ — who; asau — he; anāśvāsya — not consoling; su-duḥkhitam — who are very miserable; janam — people; priyāt — than the most dear; priyam — dear (Kṛṣṇa); neṣyati — will take; pāram adhvanaḥ — beyond our sight.

anārdra-dhīḥ — hard-hearted; eṣaḥ — this (Kṛṣṇa); samāsthitaḥ — having mounted; ratham — the chariot; tam — Him; anu — following; amī — these; ca — and; tvarayanti — hurry; durmadāḥ — befooled; gopāḥ — cowherds; anobhiḥ — in their bullock carts; sthaviraiḥ — by the elders; upekṣitam — disregarded; daivam — fate; ca — and; naḥ — with us; adya — today; pratikūlam — unfavorably; īhate — is acting.

nivārayāmaḥ — let us stop; samupetya — going up to Him; mādhavam — Kṛṣṇa; kim — what; naḥ — to us; akariṣyan — will do; kula — of the family; vṛddha — the elders; bāndhavāḥ — and our relatives; mukunda-saṅgāt — from the association of Lord Mukunda; nimiṣa — of the wink of an eye; ardha — for one half; dustyajāt — which is impossible to give up; daivena — by fate; vidhvaṁsita — separated; dīna — wretched; cetasām — whose hearts.

yasya — whose; anurāga — with loving affection; lalita — charming; smita — (where there were) smiles; valgu — attractive; mantra — intimate discussions; līlā — playful; avaloka — glances; parirambhaṇa — and embraces; rāsa — of the rāsa dance; goṣṭhām — to the assembly; nītāḥ sma — who were brought; naḥ — for us; kṣaṇam — a moment; iva — like; kṣaṇadāḥ — the nights; vinā — without; tam — Him; gopyaḥ — O gopīs; katham — how; nu — indeed; atitarema — will we cross over; tamaḥ — the darkness; durantam — insurmountable.

yaḥ — who; ahnaḥ — of the day; kṣaye — at the demise; vrajam — the village of Vraja; ananta — of Ananta, Lord Balarāma; sakhaḥ — the friend Kṛṣṇa; parītaḥ — accompanied on all sides; gopaiḥ — by the cowherd boys; viśan — entering; khura — of the hoofprints (of the cows); rajaḥ — with the dust; churita — smeared; alaka — the locks of His hair; srak — and His garlands; veṇum — His flute; kvaṇan — playing; smita — smiling; kaṭa-akṣa — from the corners of His eyes; nirīkṣaṇena — with glances; cittam — our minds; kṣiṇoti — He destroys; amum — Him; ṛte — without; nu — indeed; katham — how; bhavema — we can exist.

śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; evam — thus; bruvāṇāḥ — speaking; viraha — by feelings of separation; āturāḥ — distraught; bhṛśam — thoroughly; vraja-striyaḥ — the ladies of Vraja; kṛṣṇa — to Kṛṣṇa; viṣakta — attached; mānasāḥ — their minds; visṛjya — abandoning; lajjām — shame; ruruduḥ sma — they cried; su-svaram — loudly; govinda dāmodara mādhava iti — O Govinda, O Dāmodara, O Mādhava.

strīṇām — the women; evam — in this manner; rudantīnām — while they were crying; udite — rising; savitari — the sun; atha — then; akrūraḥ — Akrūra; codayām āsa — started; kṛta — having performed; maitra-ādikaḥ — his morning worship and other regular duties; ratham — the chariot.

gopāḥ — the cowherd men; tam — Him; anvasajjanta — followed; nanda-ādyāḥ — headed by Nanda; śakaṭaiḥ — in their wagons; tataḥ — then; ādāya — having taken; upāyanam — offerings; bhūri — abundant; kumbhān — clay pots; go-rasa — with milk products; sambhṛtān — filled.

gopyaḥ — the gopīs; ca — and; dayitam — their beloved; kṛṣṇam — Kṛṣṇa; anuvrajya — following; anurañjitāḥ — pleased; pratyādeśam — some instruction in reply; bhagavataḥ — from the Lord; kāṅkṣantyaḥ — hoping for; ca — and; avatasthire — they stood.

tāḥ — them (the gopīs); tathā — thus; tapyatīḥ — lamenting; vīkṣya — seeing; sva-prasthāne — as He was leaving; yadu-uttamaḥ — the greatest of the Yadus; sāntvayām āsa — He consoled them; sa-premaiḥ — full of love; āyāsye iti — “I will return”; dautyakaiḥ — with words sent through a messenger.

yāvat — as long as; ālakṣyate — was visible; ketuḥ — the flag; yāvat — as long as; reṇuḥ — the dust; rathasya — of the chariot; ca — and; anuprasthāpita — sending after; ātmānaḥ — their minds; lekhyāni — painted figures; iva — like; upalakṣitāḥ — they appeared.

tāḥ — they; nirāśāḥ — without hope; nivavṛtuḥ — turned back; govinda-vinivartane — of Govinda’s returning; viśokāḥ — extremely sorrowful; ahanī — the days and nights; ninyuḥ — they spent; gāyantyaḥ — chanting; priya — of their beloved; ceṣṭitam — about the activities.

bhagavān — the Supreme Lord; api — and; samprāptaḥ — arrived; rāma-akrūra-yutaḥ — together with Balarāma and Akrūra; nṛpa — O King (Parīkṣit); rathena — by the chariot; vāyu — like the wind; vegena — swift; kālindīm — at the river Kālindī (Yamunā); agha — sins; nāśinīm — which destroys.

tatra — there; upaspṛśya — touching the water; pānīyam — in His hand; pītvā — drinking; mṛṣṭam — sweet; maṇi — like jewels; prabham — effulgent; vṛkṣa — of trees; ṣaṇḍam — a grove; upavrajya — moving up to; sa-rāmaḥ — with Balarāma; ratham — the chariot; āviśat — He mounted.

akrūraḥ — Akrūra; tau — from the two of Them; upāmantrya — taking permission; niveśya — having Them sit down; ca — and; ratha-upari — on the chariot; kālindyāḥ — of the Yamunā; hradam — to a pond; āgatya — going; snānam — his bath; vidhi-vat — in accordance with scriptural injunction; ācarat — he performed.

nimajjya — immersing himself; tasmin — in that; salile — water; japan — reciting; brahma — Vedic mantras; sanātanam — eternal; tau — Them; eva — indeed; dadṛśe — saw; akrūraḥ — Akrūra; rāma-kṛṣṇau — Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa; samanvitau — together.

tau — They; ratha-sthau — present on the chariot; katham — how; iha — here; sutau — the two sons; ānakadundubheḥ — of Vasudeva; tarhi — then; svit — whether; syandane — on the chariot; na staḥ — They are not there; iti — thinking this; unmajjya — rising from the water; vyacaṣṭa — saw; saḥ — he; tatra api — in the same place; ca — and; yathā — as; pūrvam — previously; āsīnau — sitting; punaḥ — again; eva — indeed; saḥ — he; nyamajjat — entered the water; darśanam — the vision; yat — if; me — my; mṛṣā — false; kim — perhaps; salile — in the water; tayoḥ — of Them.

bhūyaḥ — again; tatra api — in that same place; saḥ — he; adrākṣīt — saw; stūyamānam — being praised; ahi-īśvaram — the Lord of serpents (Ananta Śeṣa, the plenary expansion of Lord Balarāma who serves as the bed of Viṣṇu); siddha-cāraṇa-gandharvaiḥ — by Siddhas, Cāraṇas and Gandharvas; asuraiḥ — and by demons; nata — bowed; kandharaiḥ — whose necks; sahasra — thousands; śirasam — having heads; devam — the Supreme Lord; sahasra — thousands; phaṇa — having hoods; maulinam — and helmets; nīla — blue; ambaram — whose clothing; visa — like the filaments of a lotus stem; śvetam — white; śṛṅgaiḥ — with its peaks; śvetam — Kailāsa Mountain; iva — as if; sthitam — situated.

tasya — of Him (Ananta Śeṣa); utsaṅge — on the lap; ghana — like a rain cloud; śyāmam — dark blue; pīta — yellow; kauśeya — silk; vāsasam — whose garment; puruṣam — the Supreme Lord; catuḥ-bhujam — with four arms; śāntam — peaceful; padma — of a lotus; patra — like the leaves; aruṇa — reddish; īkṣaṇam — whose eyes; cāru — attractive; prasanna — cheerful; vadanam — whose face; cāru — attractive; hāsa — smiling; nirīkṣaṇam — whose glance; su — beautiful; bhrū — whose eyebrows; ut — raised; nasam — whose nose; cāru — attractive; karṇam — whose ears; su — beautiful; kapola — whose cheeks; aruṇa — reddish; adharam — whose lips; pralamba — extended; pīvara — stout; bhujam — whose arms; tuṅga — raised; aṁsa — by His shoulders; uraḥ-sthala — and chest; śriyam — beautified; kambu — like a conchshell; kaṇṭham — whose throat; nimna — low; nābhim — whose navel; vali — lines; mat — having; pallava — like a leaf; udaram — whose abdomen.

bṛhat — large; kaṭi-taṭa — whose loins; śroṇi — and hips; karabha — like an elephant’s trunk; ūru — of thighs; dvaya — a pair; anvitam — having; cāru — attractive; jānu-yugam — whose two knees; cāru — attractive; jaṅghā — of shanks; yugala — a pair; saṁyutam — having; tuṅga — high; gulpha — whose ankles; aruṇa — reddish; nakha-vrāta — from whose toenails; dīdhitibhiḥ — with effulgent rays; vṛtam — surrounded; nava — soft; aṅguli-aṅguṣṭha — the two big toes and other toes; dalaiḥ — like flower petals; vilasat — glowing; pāda-paṅkajam — whose lotus feet.

su-mahā — greatly; arha — precious; maṇi-vrāta — having many gems; kirīṭa — with helmets; kaṭaka — bracelets; aṅgadaiḥ — and armlets; kaṭi-sūtra — with belt; brahma-sūtra — sacred thread; hāra — necklaces; nūpura — ankle bells; kuṇḍalaiḥ — and earrings; bhrājamānam — effulgent; padma — carrying a lotus; karam — whose hand; śaṅkha — a conchshell; cakra — discus; gadā — and club; dharam — holding; śrīvatsa — carrying the mark known as Śrīvatsa; vakṣasam — whose chest; bhrājat — brilliant; kaustubham — with the Kaustubha gem; vana-mālinam — with a flower garland.

sunanda-nanda-pramukhaiḥ — headed by Sunanda and Nanda; parṣadaiḥ — by His personal attendants; sanaka-ādibhiḥ — by Sanaka Kumāra and his brothers; sura-īśaiḥ — by the chief demigods; brahma-rudra-ādyaiḥ — headed by Brahmā and Rudra; navabhiḥ — nine; ca — and; dvija-uttamaiḥ — by the chief brāhmaṇas (headed by Marīci); prahrāda-nārada-vasu-pramukhaiḥ — headed by Prahlāda, Nārada and Uparicara Vasu; bhāgavata-uttamaiḥ — by the most exalted devotees; stūyamānam — being praised; pṛthak-bhāvaiḥ — by each in a different loving attitude; vacobhiḥ — with words; amala-ātmabhiḥ — sanctified; śrīyā puṣṭyā gīrā kāntyā kīrtyā tuṣṭyā ilayā ūrjayā — by His internal potencies Śrī, Puṣṭi, Gīr, Kānti, Kīrti, Tuṣṭi, Ilā and Ūrjā; vidyayā avidyayā — by His potencies of knowledge and ignorance; śaktyā — by His internal pleasure potency; māyayā — by His material creative potency; ca — and; niṣevitam — being served.

vilokya — (Akrūra) seeing; su-bhṛśam — greatly; prītaḥ — pleased; bhaktyā — with devotion; paramayā — supreme; yutaḥ — enthused; hṛṣyat — standing on end; tanū-ruhaḥ — the hairs of his body; bhāva — out of loving ecstasy; pariklinna — wet; ātma — his body; locanaḥ — and eyes; girā — with words; gadgadayā — choking; astauṣīt — He offered homage; sattvam — soberness; ālambya — taking hold of; sātvataḥ — the great devotee; praṇamya — bowing down; mūrdhnā — with his head; avahitaḥ — attentively; kṛta-añjali-puṭaḥ — joining his palms in supplication; śanaiḥ — slowly.