śrī-rājā uvāca — the great King (Parīkṣit) said; brahman — O brāhmaṇa (Śukadeva); veditum — to know; icchāmaḥ — we wish; svasāram — the sister; rāma-kṛṣṇayoḥ — of Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa; yathā — how; upayeme — married; vijayaḥ — Arjuna; yā — she who; mama — my; āsīt — was; pitāmahī — the grandmother.

śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; arjunaḥ — Arjuna; tīrtha — to holy places; yātrāyām — while on pilgrimage; paryaṭan — wandering; avanīm — the earth; prabhuḥ — the great lord; gataḥ — having gone; prabhāsam — to Prabhāsa; aśṛṇot — heard; mātuleyīm — uncle’s daughter; saḥ — he; ātmanaḥ — his; duryodhanāya — to Duryodhana; rāmaḥ — Lord Balarāma; tām — her; dāsyati — intends to give; iti — thus; na — not; ca — and; apare — anyone else; tat — her; lipsuḥ — desirous of obtaining; saḥ — he, Arjuna; yatiḥ — a sannyāsī; bhūtvā — becoming; tri-daṇḍī — carrying a triple staff; dvārakām — to Dvārakā; agāt — went.

tatra — there; vai — indeed; vārṣikān — of the rainy season; māsān — for the months; avātsīt — he resided; sva — his own; artha — purpose; sādhakaḥ — trying to achieve; pauraiḥ — by the people of the city; sabhājitaḥ — honored; abhīkṣṇam — constantly; rāmeṇa — by Lord Balarāma; ajānatā — who was unaware; ca — and; saḥ — he.

ekadā — once; gṛham — to His (Balarāma’s) home; ānīya — bringing; ātithyena — as a guest; nimantrya — inviting; tam — him (Arjuna); śraddhayā — with faith; upahṛtam — presented; bhaikṣyam — food; balena — by Lord Balarāma; bubhuje — he ate; kila — indeed.

saḥ — he; apaśyat — saw; tatra — there; mahatīm — wonderful; kanyām — the girl; vīra — to heroes; manaḥ-harām — enchanting; prīti — with happiness; utphulla — blossoming; īkṣanaḥ — his eyes; tasyām — upon her; bhāva — with emotion; kṣubdham — agitated; manaḥ — his mind; dadhe — he put.

sā — she; api — also; tam — him; cakame — desired; vīkṣya — seeing; nārīṇām — of women; hṛdayam-gamam — the capturer of the hearts; hasantī — smiling; vrīḍitā — bashful; apāṅgī — casting sidelong glances; tat — upon him; nyasta — fixed; hṛdaya — her heart; īkṣaṇā — and eyes.

tām — on her; param — only; samanudhyāyan — meditating; antaram — the right opportunity; prepsuḥ — waiting to obtain; arjunaḥ — Arjuna; na lebhe — could not experience; śam — peace; bhramat — wavering; cittaḥ — his heart; kāmena — due to lust; ati-balīyasā — most strong.

mahatyām — important; deva — for the Supreme Lord; yātrāyām — during a festival; ratha — on a chariot; sthām — riding; durga — from the fortress; nirgatām — having exited; jahāra — he seized her; anumataḥ — sanctioned; pitroḥ — by her parents; kṛṣṇasya — by Kṛṣṇa; ca — and; mahā-rathaḥ — the mighty chariot warrior.

ratha — on his chariot; sthaḥ — standing; dhanuḥ — his bow; ādāya — taking up; śūrān — the heroes; ca — and; arundhataḥ — trying to block him; bhaṭān — and the guards; vidrāvya — driving off; krośatām — as they shouted in anger; svānām — her relatives; sva — his own; bhāgam — rightful portion; mṛga-rāṭ — the king of animals, the lion; iva — just as.

tat — this; śrutvā — hearing; kṣubhitaḥ — disturbed; rāmaḥ — Lord Balarāma; parvaṇi — at the juncture of the month; iva — as if; mahā-arṇavaḥ — the ocean; gṛhīta — grasped; pādaḥ — His feet; kṛṣṇena — by Lord Kṛṣṇa; suhṛdbhiḥ — by His family members; ca — and; anusāntvitaḥ — carefully pacified.

prāhiṇot — He sent; pāribarhāṇi — as wedding gifts; vara-vadhvoḥ — for the groom and the bride; mudā — with pleasure; balaḥ — Lord Balarāma; mahā-dhana — greatly valuable; upaskara — presents; ibha — elephants; ratha — chariots; aśva — horses; nara — men; yoṣitaḥ — and women.

śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śrī Śukadeva said; kṛṣṇasya — of Lord Kṛṣṇa; āsīt — there was; dvija — of brāhmaṇas; śreṣṭhaḥ — one of the best; śrutadevaḥ — Śrutadeva; iti — thus; śrutaḥ — known; kṛṣṇa — to Lord Kṛṣṇa; eka — exclusive; bhaktyā — by his devotion; pūrṇa — full; arthaḥ — in all goals of desire; śāntaḥ — peaceful; kaviḥ — learned and discriminating; alampaṭaḥ — not desirous of sense gratification.

saḥ — he; uvāsa — dwelled; videheṣu — in the kingdom of Videha; mithilāyām — in the city of Mithilā; gṛha-āśramī — as a member of the regulated order of family life; anīhayā — without endeavor; āgata — came to him; āhārya — by food and other means of sustenance; nirvartita — carried out; nija — his; kriyaḥ — obligations.

yātrā-mātram — bare maintenance; tu — and; ahaḥ ahaḥ — day after day; daivāt — due to his fate; upanamati — came to him; uta — indeed; na adhikam — no more; tāvatā — with that much; tuṣṭaḥ — satisfied; kriyāḥ — duties; cakre — he did; yathā — as; ucitāḥ — appropriate.

tathā — also (an advanced devotee of Kṛṣṇa); tat — of that; rāṣṭra — kingdom; pālaḥ — the ruler; aṅga — my dear (Parīkṣit); bahulāśvaḥ iti śrutaḥ — known as Bahulāśva; maithilaḥ — of the royal dynasty descending from King Mithila (Janaka); niraham-mānaḥ — free from false ego; ubhau — both of them; api — indeed; acyuta-priyau — dear to Lord Acyuta.

tayoḥ — with both of them; prasannaḥ — pleased; bhagavān — the Personality of Godhead; dārukeṇa — by Dāruka; āhṛtam — brought forth; ratham — His chariot; āruhya — mounting; sākam — together with; munibhiḥ — sages; videhān — to the Videha kingdom; prayayau — went; prabhuḥ — the Lord.

nāradaḥ vāmadevaḥ atriḥ — the sages Nārada, Vāmadeva and Atri; kṛṣṇaḥ — Kṛṣṇa-dvaipāyana Vyāsa; rāmaḥ — Lord Paraśurāma; asitaḥ aruṇiḥ — Asita and Aruṇi; aham — I (Śukadeva); bṛhaspatiḥ kaṇvaḥ — Bṛhaspati and Kaṇva; maitreyaḥ — Maitreya; cyavana — Cyavana; ādayaḥ — and others.

tatra tatra — in each place; tam — Him; āyāntam — as He was coming; paurāḥ — city residents; jānapadāḥ — and village residents; nṛpa — O King (Parīkṣit); upatasthuḥ — came forward to greet Him; sa — with; arghya — water to offer as a token of respect; hastāḥ — in their hands; grahaiḥ — by the planets; sūryam — the sun; iva — as; uditam — risen.

ānarta — the people of Ānarta (the region in which Dvārakā is situated); dhanva — the desert (of Gujarat and Rajasthan); kuru-jāṅgala — the region of the Kuru forests (the districts of Thaneswar and Kurukṣetra); kaṅka — Kaṅka; matsya — Matsya (the kingdoms of Jaipur and Aloyar); pāñcāla — the districts surrounding both banks of the Ganges; kunti — Mālava; madhu — Mathurā; kekaya — in northeast Punjab, the region between the Śatadru and Vipāśā rivers; kośala — the ancient kingdom of Lord Rāmacandra, stretching from the northern border of Kāśī to the Himālayas; arṇāḥ — and the kingdom bordering Mithilā on the east; anye — others; ca — also; tat — His; mukha — face; sarojam — lotus; udāra — generous; hāsa — with its smiles; snigdha — and affectionate; īkṣaṇam — glances; nṛpa — O King; papuḥ — drank; dṛśibhiḥ — with their eyes; nṛ-nāryaḥ — the men and women.

tebhyaḥ — to them; sva — His; vīkṣaṇa — by the glance; vinaṣṭa — destroyed; tamisra — the darkness; dṛgbhyaḥ — of whose eyes; kṣemam — fearlessness; tri — three; loka — of the worlds; guruḥ — the spiritual master; artha-dṛśam — spiritual vision; ca — and; yacchan — bestowing; śṛṇvan — hearing; dik — of the directions; anta — the ends; dhavalam — which purify; sva — His; yaśaḥ — glories; aśubha — inauspiciousness; ghnam — which eradicate; gītam — sung; suraiḥ — by demigods; nṛbhiḥ — and by men; agāt — He came; śanakaiḥ — gradually; videhān — to the kingdom of Videha.

te — they; acyutam — Lord Kṛṣṇa; prāptam — arrived; ākarṇya — hearing; paurāḥ — the people of the city; jānapadāḥ — and of the villages; nṛpa — O King; abhīyuḥ — came forward; muditāḥ — joyful; tasmai — to Him; gṛhīta — holding; arhaṇa — offerings to present to Him; pāṇayaḥ — in their hands.

dṛṣṭvā — seeing; te — they; uttamaḥ-ślokam — Lord Kṛṣṇa, who is praised in sublime poetry; prīti — with love; utphulla — broadly blossoming; ānana — their faces; āśayāḥ — and hearts; kaiḥ — on their heads; dhṛta — held; añjalibhiḥ — with joined palms; nemuḥ — they bowed down; śruta — heard of; pūrvān — before; tathā — also; munīn — to the sages.

sta — to himself; anugrahāya — for showing mercy; samprāptam — now; manvānau — both thinking; tam — Him; jagat — of the universe; gurum — the spiritual master; maithilaḥ — the King of Mithilā; śrutadevaḥ — Śrutadeva; ca — and; pādayoḥ — at the feet; petatuḥ — fell; prabhoḥ — of the Lord.

nyamantrayetām — they both invited; dāśārham — Kṛṣṇa, the descendant of Daśārha; ātithyena — to be their guest; saha — along with; dvijaiḥ — the brāhmaṇas; maithilaḥ — Bahulāśva; śrutadevaḥ — Śrutadeva; ca — and; yugapat — simultaneously; saṁhata — held firmly together; añjalī — whose palms.

bhagavān — the Supreme Lord; tat — this; abhipretya — accepting; dvayoḥ — of the two of them; priya — the pleasing; cikīrṣayā — wishing to do; ubhayoḥ — of both; āviśat — He entered; geham — the houses; ubhābhyām — to both; tat — in that (entering of the other’s house); alakṣitaḥ — unseen.

śrāntān — fatigued; api — indeed; atha — then; tān — them; dūrāt — from a distance; janakaḥ — King Bahulāśva, a descendant of Janaka; sva — to his; gṛha — home; āgatān — come; ānīteṣu — which were brought out; āsana — on seats; agryeṣu — excellent; sukha — comfortably; āsīnān — seated; mahā-manāḥ — very intelligent; pravṛddha — intense; bhaktyā — with devotion; ut-dharṣa — overjoyed; hṛdaya — whose heart; asra — with tears; āvila — clouded; īkṣaṇaḥ — whose eyes; natvā — bowing down; tat — their; aṅghrīn — feet; prakṣālya — washing; tat — from that; apaḥ — the water; loka — the whole world; pāvanīḥ — able to purify; sa — together with; kuṭumbaḥ — his family; vahan — carrying; mūrdhnā — on his head; pūjayām cakre — he worshiped; īśvarān — the lords; gandha — with fragrant (sandalwood) paste; mālya — flower garlands; ambara — clothing; ākalpa — jewelry; dhūpa — incense; dīpa — lamps; arghya — arghya water; go — cows; vṛṣaiḥ — and bulls.

vācā — in a voice; madhurayā — gentle; prīṇan — trying to please them; idam — this; āha — he said; anna — with food; tarpitān — who had been gratified; pādau — the feet; aṅka — on his lap; gatau — situated; viṣṇoḥ — of Lord Kṛṣṇa; saṁspṛśan — massaging; śanakaiḥ — slowly; mudā — happily.

śrī-bahulāśvaḥ uvāca — Śrī Bahulāśva said; bhavān — You; hi — indeed; sarva — of all; bhūtānām — created beings; ātmā — the Supreme Soul; sākṣī — the witness; sva-dṛk — self-illumined; vibho — O almighty one; atha — thus; naḥ — to us; tvat — Your; pada-ambhojam — lotus feet; smaratām — who are remembering; darśanam gataḥ — have become visible.

sva — Your own; vacaḥ — statement; tat — that; ṛtam — true; kartum — to make; asmat — our; dṛk — to the eyes; gocaraḥ — accessible; bhavān — You; yat — which; āttha — spoke; eka-anta — with a single aim; bhaktāt — than the devotee; me — my; na — not; anantaḥ — Lord Ananta; śrīḥ — Goddess Śrī; ajaḥ — unborn Brahmā; priyaḥ — more dear.

kaḥ — who; nu — at all; tvat — Your; caraṇa-ambhojam — lotus feet; evam — like this; vit — being in knowledge; visṛjet — would abandon; pumān — person; niṣkiñcanānām — for those who have no material possessions; śāntānām — who are peaceful; munīnām — sages; yaḥ — who; tvam — You; ātma — Yourself; daḥ — giving.

yaḥ — who; avatīrya — descending; yadoḥ — of Yadu; vaṁśe — into the dynasty; nṛṇām — for people; saṁsaratām — who are caught up in the cycle of birth and death; iha — in this world; yaśaḥ — Your fame; vitene — has disseminated; tat — of that (material existence); śāntyai — for the stopping; trai-lokya — of the three worlds; vṛjina — the sins; apaham — which removes.

namaḥ — obeisances; tubhyam — to You; bhagavate — the Supreme Lord; kṛṣṇāya — Kṛṣṇa; akuṇṭha — unconstricted; medhase — whose intelligence; nārāyaṇāya ṛṣaye — to the sage Nara-Nārāyaṇa; su-śāntam — perfectly peaceful; tapaḥ — austerities; īyuṣe — undergoing.

dināni — days; katicit — a few; bhūman — O omnipresent one; gṛhān — in the home; naḥ — our; nivasa — please dwell; dvijaiḥ — by the brāhmaṇas; sametaḥ — joined; pāda — of Your feet; rajasā — with the dust; punīhi — please sanctify; idam — this; nimeḥ — of King Nimi; kulam — the dynasty.

iti — thus; upāmantritaḥ — invited; rajñā — by the King; bhagavān — the Supreme Lord; loka — of the entire world; bhāvanaḥ — the maintainer; uvāsa — resided; kurvan — creating; kalyāṇam — good fortune; mithilā — of the city of Mithilā; nara — for the men; yoṣitām — and women.

śrutadevaḥ — Śrutadeva; acyutam — Lord Kṛṣṇa; prāptam — obtained; sva-gṛhān — at his house; janakaḥ — Bahulāśva; yathā — just as; natvā — bowing down; munīn — to the sages; su — very much; saṁhṛṣṭaḥ — delighted; dhunvan — waving; vāsaḥ — his cloth; nanarta ha — he danced.

tṛṇa — of grass; pīṭha — on seats; bṛṣīṣu — and on mats of darbha; etān — them; ānīteṣu — which were brought; upaveśya — making sit; saḥ — he; sva-āgatena — with words of welcome; abhinandya — greeting them; aṅghrīn — their feet; sa-bhāryaḥ — together with his wife; avanije — washed; mudā — with pleasure.

tat — with that; ambhasā — water; mahā-bhāgaḥ — very pious; ātmānam — himself; sa — along with; gṛha — his house; anvayam — and his family; snāpayām cakre — he bathed; uddharṣaḥ — overjoyed; labdha — having attained; sarva — all; manaḥ-rathaḥ — desires.

phala — of fruits; arhaṇa — with offerings; uśīra — with a kind of aromatic root; śiva — pure; amṛta — nectar-sweet; ambubhiḥ — and with water; mṛdā — with clay; surabhyā — fragrant; tulasī — tulasī leaves; kuśa — kuśa grass; ambujaiḥ — and lotus flowers; ārādhayām āsa — he worshiped them; yathā — as; upapannayā — could be obtained; saparyayā — with items of worship; sattva — the mode of goodness; vivardhana — which increases; andhasā — with food.

saḥ — he; tarkayām āsa — tried to understand; kutaḥ — for what reason; mama — for me; anu — indeed; abhūt — has happened; gṛha — of home; andha — blind; kūpe — in the well; patitasya — fallen; saṅgamaḥ — association; yaḥ — which; sarva — of all; tīrtha — holy places; āspada — which is the shelter; pāda — of whose feet; reṇubhiḥ — the dust; kṛṣṇena — with Lord Kṛṣṇa; ca — also; asya — this; ātma — of Himself; niketa — who are the place of residence; bhū-suraiḥ — with the brāhmaṇas.

su-upaviṣṭān — comfortably seated; kṛta — having been shown; ātithyān — hospitality; śrutadevaḥ — Śrutadeva; upasthitaḥ — sitting near them; sa-bhārya — along with his wife; sva-jana — relatives; apatyaḥ — and children; uvāca — he spoke; aṅghri — (Lord Kṛṣṇa’s) feet; abhimarśanaḥ — massaging.

śrutadevaḥ uvāca — Śrutadeva said; na — not; adya — today; naḥ — by us; darśanam — vision; prāptaḥ — obtained; param — only; parama — the supreme; pūruṣaḥ — person; yarhi — when; idam — this (universe); śaktibhiḥ — with His energies; sṛṣṭvā — creating; praviṣṭaḥ — entered; hi — indeed; ātma — His own; sattayā — in the state of existence.

yathā — as; śayānaḥ — sleeping; puruṣaḥ — a person; manasā — with his mind; eva — alone; ātma — own; māyayā — by his imagination; sṛṣṭvā — creating; lokam — a world; param — separate; svāpnam — dream; anuviśya — entering; avabhāsate — he appears.

śṛṇvatām — for those who are hearing; gadatām — speaking; śaśvat — constantly; arcatām — worshiping; tvā — You; abhivandatām — offering praise; nṛṇām — for men; saṁvadatām — conversing; antaḥ — within; hṛdi — the heart; bhāsi — You appear; amala — spotless; ātmanām — whose minds.

hṛdi — in the heart; sthaḥ — situated; api — although; ati — very; dūra-sthaḥ — far away; karma — by material activities; vikṣipta — disturbed; cetasām — for those whose minds; ātma — by one’s own; śaktibhiḥ — powers; agrāhyaḥ — not to be taken hold of; api — although; anti — near; upeta — realized; guṇa — Your qualities; ātmanām — by whose hearts.

namaḥ — obeisances; astu — may there be; te — unto You; adhyātma — the Absolute Truth; vidām — for those who know; para-ātmane — the Supreme Soul; anātmane — to the conditioned jīva soul; sva-ātma — from Yourself (in the form of time); vibhakta — who gives; mṛtyave — death; sa-kāraṇa — having a cause; akāraṇa — having no cause; liṅgam — the forms (respectively, the material form of the universe and also Your original spiritual form); īyuṣe — who assume; sva-māyayā — by Your own mystic potency; asaṁvṛta — uncovered; ruddha — and blocked; dṛṣṭaye — vision.

saḥ — He; tvam — You; śādhi — please order; sva — Your; bhṛtyān — servants; naḥ — us; kim — what; deva — O Lord; karavāma — we should do; he — oh; etat — having this; antaḥ — as its end; nṛṇām — of humans; kleśaḥ — the troubles; yat — that; bhavān — Your good self; akṣi — to the eyes; go-caraḥ — visible.

śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; tat — by him (Śrutadeva); uktam — what was spoken; iti — thus; upākarṇya — hearing; bhagavān — the Supreme Lord; praṇata — of the surrendered; ārti — of distress; hā — the destroyer; gṛhītvā — taking; pāṇinā — with His hand; pāṇim — his hand; prahasan — smiling broadly; tam — to him; uvāca ha — said.

śrī-bhagavān uvāca — the Supreme Lord said; brahman — O brāhmaṇa; te — your; anugraha — of bestowing benedictions; arthāya — for the purpose; samprāptān — come; viddhi — you should know; amūn — these; munīn — sages; sañcaranti — they wander; mayā — together with Me; lokān — all the worlds; punantaḥ — purifying; pāda — of their feet; reṇubhiḥ — with the dust.

devāḥ — temple deities; kṣetrāṇi — pilgrimage sites; tīrthāni — and sacred rivers; darśana — by being seen; sparśana — being touched; arcanaiḥ — and being worshiped; śanaiḥ — gradually; punanti — purify; kālena — with time; tat api — the same; arhat-tama — of those (brāhmaṇas) who are most worshipable; īkṣayā — by the glance.

brāhmaṇaḥ — a brāhmaṇa; janmanā — by his birth; śreyān — the best; sarveṣām — of all; prāṇinām — living beings; iha — in this world; tapasā — by his austerity; vidyayā — by his learning; tuṣṭyā — by his satisfaction; kim u — what more, then; mat — upon Me; kalayā — with loving meditation; yutaḥ — endowed.

na — not; brāhmaṇāt — than a brāhmaṇa; me — to Me; dayitam — more dear; rūpam — personal form; etat — this; catuḥ-bhujam — four-armed; sarva — all; veda — the Vedas; mayaḥ — comprising; vipraḥ — a learned brāhmaṇa; sarva — all; deva — the demigods; mayaḥ — comprising; hi — indeed; aham — I.

duṣprajñāḥ — those of corrupted intelligence; aviditvā — failing to understand; evam — in this way; avajānanti — neglect; asūyavaḥ — and behave enviously toward; gurum — their spiritual master; mām — Me; vipram — the learned brāhmaṇa; ātmānam — their own self; arcā-ādaū — in the visibly manifest Deity of the Lord; ijya — as being worshipable; dṛṣṭayaḥ — whose vision.

cara — moving; acaram — and nonmoving; idam — this; viśvam — universe; bhāvāḥ — elemental categories; ye — which; ca — and; asya — its; hetavaḥ — sources; mat — My; rūpāṇi — forms; iti — such a thought; cetasi — within his mind; ādhatte — maintains; vipraḥ — a brāhmaṇa; mat — of Me; īkṣayā — by his perception.

tasmāt — therefore; brahma-ṛṣīn — brāhmaṇa sages; etān — these; brahman — O brāhmaṇa (Śrutadeva); mat — (as you have) for Me; śraddhayā — with faith; arcaya — just worship; evam — thus; cet — if (you do); arcitaḥ — worshiped; asmi — I will be; addhā — directly; na — not; anyathā — otherwise; bhūri — vast; bhūtibhiḥ — with riches.

śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; saḥ — he (Śrutadeva); ittham — in this manner; prabhunā — by his Lord; ādiṣṭaḥ — instructed; saha — accompanying; kṛṣṇān — Lord Kṛṣṇa; dvija — the brāhmaṇas; uttamān — most exalted; ārādhya — by worshiping; eka-ātma — single-minded; bhavena — with devotion; maithilaḥ — the King of Mithilā; ca — also; āpa — attained; sat — transcendental; gatim — the ultimate destination.

evam — thus; sva — His; bhaktayoḥ — with the two devotees; rājan — O King (Parīkṣit); bhagavān — the Supreme Lord; bhakta — to His devotees; bhakti-man — who is devoted; uṣitvā — staying; ādiśya — teaching; sat — of pure saints; mārgam — the path; punaḥ — again; dvāravatīm — to Dvārakā; agāt — He went.