Srikrishna Karnamrutham
Srikrishna Karnamrutham is a beautiful
devotional poem authored by Bilwamangala Swami, also known as Lila Shuka
because of his descriptions of the leelas
of Krishna in the same manner in which Suka described it to Parikshit. Lila Suka has painted vivid word picutres of
the leelas of Krishna as a child, as
an adolescent boy and as a lover. The work contains 328 verses in three
aashwasas (or sargas, chapters). Throughout the book the undercurrent is loving
devotion to Krishna who is regarded as the plenary incarnation of Mahavishnu,
the purely sattwic aspect of brahman, the Ultimate reality. It is said that Chaitanya mahaprabhu was
acquainted with this work and he greatly appreciated it.
devotional poem authored by Bilwamangala Swami, also known as Lila Shuka
because of his descriptions of the leelas
of Krishna in the same manner in which Suka described it to Parikshit. Lila Suka has painted vivid word picutres of
the leelas of Krishna as a child, as
an adolescent boy and as a lover. The work contains 328 verses in three
aashwasas (or sargas, chapters). Throughout the book the undercurrent is loving
devotion to Krishna who is regarded as the plenary incarnation of Mahavishnu,
the purely sattwic aspect of brahman, the Ultimate reality. It is said that Chaitanya mahaprabhu was
acquainted with this work and he greatly appreciated it.
Given below are slokas 26 to 50 of the second
ashwasa with a prosaic translation in English.
ashwasa with a prosaic translation in English.
गोधूलिधूसरितकोमलकुन्तलाग्रं
गोवर्धनोद्धरणकेलिकृतप्रयासम् ।
गोपीजनस्य कुचकुङ्कुममुद्रिताङ्गं
गोविन्दमिन्दुवदनं शरणं व्रजामः ॥२६॥
We
take refuge in Govinda who has a moon-like face, ends of whose soft hair are
coated with the dust raised by the hooves of cows, who playfully lifted the
Govardhana mountain and whose body bears the marks of kumkum from the
breasts of gopis
take refuge in Govinda who has a moon-like face, ends of whose soft hair are
coated with the dust raised by the hooves of cows, who playfully lifted the
Govardhana mountain and whose body bears the marks of kumkum from the
breasts of gopis
यद्रोमरंध्रपरिपूर्तिविधावदक्षाः
वाराहजन्मनि बभूवुरमी समुद्राः।
तं नाम नाथमरविन्ददृशं यशोदा
पाणिद्वयान्तरजलैः स्नपयां बभूव ।२.२७॥
During the incarnation of
Lord Vishnu as Varaha his body was so huge that the waters of all the oceans were not enough to fill a
single follicle of His hair. The same Lord in his incarnation as the child of
Yasoda, was bathed in as little water as his mother Yashoda’s cupped hands
could hold.
Lord Vishnu as Varaha his body was so huge that the waters of all the oceans were not enough to fill a
single follicle of His hair. The same Lord in his incarnation as the child of
Yasoda, was bathed in as little water as his mother Yashoda’s cupped hands
could hold.
वरमिममुपदेशमाद्रियध्वं
निगमवनेषुनितान्तचारखिन्नाः
विचिनुत भवनेषु वल्लवीना-
मुपनिषदर्थमुलूखले निबद्धम्
॥२. २८॥
॥२. २८॥
All
those who have become extremely tired of wandering in the forest of vedas ! pl
hear the best of advices from me. Search
in the houses of cowherd women to find the embodiment of the meaning of
Upanishads tied to a mortar.
those who have become extremely tired of wandering in the forest of vedas ! pl
hear the best of advices from me. Search
in the houses of cowherd women to find the embodiment of the meaning of
Upanishads tied to a mortar.
देवकीतनयपूजनपूतः
पूतनारिचरणोदकधौतः।
यद्यहं स्मृतधनञ्जय सूतः
किं करिष्यति स मे यमदूतः ॥२. २९॥
What can
the messenger of Yama do to me when I have been purified by worshipping the son
of Devaki, when I have been washed by the holy waters from the feet of the
enemy of Putana and when I always remember the charioteer of Arjuna.
the messenger of Yama do to me when I have been purified by worshipping the son
of Devaki, when I have been washed by the holy waters from the feet of the
enemy of Putana and when I always remember the charioteer of Arjuna.
भासतां भवभयैकभेषजं
मानसे मम मुहुर्मुहुर्मुहुः।
गोपवेषमुपसेदुषः स्वयं
यापि कापि रमणीयता विभोः ॥२.३०॥
May that
enthralling beauty of the Lord, who has
taken on the role of a cowherd, shine in
my mind again and again and again as it is the only medicine to dispel the fear
of samsara.
enthralling beauty of the Lord, who has
taken on the role of a cowherd, shine in
my mind again and again and again as it is the only medicine to dispel the fear
of samsara.
कर्णलंबितकदम्बमञ्जरी-
केसरारुणकपोलमण्डलम्।
निर्मलं निगमवागगोचरं
नीलिमानमवलोकयामहे ॥२.३१॥
I see
before my (mind’s) eyes Krishna who is of dark blue complexion, whose cheeks
have a red tinge from the bunch of kadamba flowers hanging from his
ears, who is without blemish and beyond the reach of words of the Vedas.
before my (mind’s) eyes Krishna who is of dark blue complexion, whose cheeks
have a red tinge from the bunch of kadamba flowers hanging from his
ears, who is without blemish and beyond the reach of words of the Vedas.
साचिसञ्चलितलोचनोत्पलं
सामिकुड्मलितकोमलाधरम्।
वेगवद्गितकराङ्गुलीमुखं
वेणुनादरसिकं भजामहे ॥३२॥
I
worship Krishna who enjoys the music from his flute, whose lotus-eyes cast sidelong glances, whose
pretty lips are like half open buds and who moves his fingers with speed (on the holes of his flute).
worship Krishna who enjoys the music from his flute, whose lotus-eyes cast sidelong glances, whose
pretty lips are like half open buds and who moves his fingers with speed (on the holes of his flute).
स्यन्दने गरुडमण्डितध्वजे
कुण्डिनेशतनयाधिरोपिता।
केनचिन्नवतमालपल्लव-
केनचिन्नवतमालपल्लव-
श्यामलेण पुरुषेण नीयते ॥३३॥
(I see
before my mind’s eye) Rukmini, daughter of the King of Kundinapura, being taken
away by a man of dark blue colour like that of fresh leaf buds of the tamala
tree in a chariot adorned with a
flag bearing the emblem of Garuda.
before my mind’s eye) Rukmini, daughter of the King of Kundinapura, being taken
away by a man of dark blue colour like that of fresh leaf buds of the tamala
tree in a chariot adorned with a
flag bearing the emblem of Garuda.
मा यात पान्थाः पथि भीमरथ्या
दिगंबरः कोऽपि तमालनीलः।
विन्यस्तहस्तोऽपि नितंबबिम्बे
धूर्त्तस्समाकर्षति चित्तवित्तम्
॥३४॥
॥३४॥
Oh wayfarers! do not take the path by the side of the
Bhimarathi river where you will find someone with dark blue complexion in his
birthday suit. Though he will have his hands on his hips, he will snatch your
wealth which is your heart, the rogue that he is.
Bhimarathi river where you will find someone with dark blue complexion in his
birthday suit. Though he will have his hands on his hips, he will snatch your
wealth which is your heart, the rogue that he is.
अंगनामंगनामन्तरे माधवो
माधवं माधवं चान्तरेणांगना।
इत्थमाकल्पिते मण्डले मध्यगः
सञ्जगौ वेणुना देवकीनन्दनः ॥३५॥
Between two women was Krishna
and between two Krishnas was a woman. In the middle of the circle so formed was
the Son of Devaki, Krishna himself playing his flute.
and between two Krishnas was a woman. In the middle of the circle so formed was
the Son of Devaki, Krishna himself playing his flute.
केकिकेकादृतानेकपङ्केरुहा-
लीनहंसावलीहृद्यया विद्यया
कंसवंशाटवीदाहदावानलः
सञ्जगौ वेणुना देवकीनन्दनः ॥३६॥
The son
of Devaki, the fire to burn up the forest of the Kamsa clan, played his flute
extremely well delighting the hearts of swans inhabiting the lotus flowers patronized by peacocks and peahens.
of Devaki, the fire to burn up the forest of the Kamsa clan, played his flute
extremely well delighting the hearts of swans inhabiting the lotus flowers patronized by peacocks and peahens.
क्वापि वीणाभिराराविणा
कम्पितः
कम्पितः
क्वापि वीणाभिराकिङ्किणी नर्तितः।
क्वापि वीणाभिरामान्तरंगापितः
सञ्जगौ वेणुना देवकीनन्दनः ॥३७॥
The son
of Devaki played his flute really well, somewhere shaken by those playing the
Veena, some other place made to dance to the music of Veena with his anklets
tinkling and yet at another place made to sing along with the music of
Veena.
of Devaki played his flute really well, somewhere shaken by those playing the
Veena, some other place made to dance to the music of Veena with his anklets
tinkling and yet at another place made to sing along with the music of
Veena.
चारुचन्द्रावलीलोचनैश्चुम्बितो
गोपगोवृन्दगोपालिकावल्लभः।
वल्लवीवृन्दवृन्दारकः कामुकः
सञ्जगौ वेणुना देवकीनन्दनः ॥३८॥
Kissed
by the beautiful eyes of the belles of Vraja, being the darling of the
cowherds, cows and the cowherd belles and being the god and lover of cowherd
maidens, the son of Devaki played his flute exceedingly well.
by the beautiful eyes of the belles of Vraja, being the darling of the
cowherds, cows and the cowherd belles and being the god and lover of cowherd
maidens, the son of Devaki played his flute exceedingly well.
मौलिमालामिलन्मत्तभृंगीलता
भीतभीतप्रियाविभ्रमालिङ्गितः।
स्रस्तगोपीकुचाभोगसंमेलितः
सञ्जगौ वेणुना देवकीनन्दनः ॥३९॥
Embraced by a sweetheart
frightened by the swarm of bees attracted by the garlands of flower on the head
and in turn embracing the sweetheart when her upper garment slips off, the son
of Devaki played his flute well indeed.
frightened by the swarm of bees attracted by the garlands of flower on the head
and in turn embracing the sweetheart when her upper garment slips off, the son
of Devaki played his flute well indeed.
चारुचामीकराभासिभामाविभुः
वैजयन्तिलतावासितोरस्थलः
नन्दवृन्दावने वासितो मध्यगः
सञ्जगौ वेणुना देवकीनन्दनः ॥४०॥
Being
the Lord of Satyabhama of golden hue, his chest fragrant with the vaijayanti
garland, living in Vrindavan of Nanda amidst gopis, the son of Devaki
created captivating music from his flute.
the Lord of Satyabhama of golden hue, his chest fragrant with the vaijayanti
garland, living in Vrindavan of Nanda amidst gopis, the son of Devaki
created captivating music from his flute.
बालिकातालिकाताललीलालया-
सङ्गसन्दर्शितभ्रूलताविभ्रमः।
गोपिकागीतदत्तावधानः स्वयं
सञ्जगौ वेणुना देवकीनन्दनः ॥४१॥
Moving
his eye brows to synchronize with the beat of the music of young girls and focusing his attention on the music, the
son of Devaki created beautiful melodies from his flute.
his eye brows to synchronize with the beat of the music of young girls and focusing his attention on the music, the
son of Devaki created beautiful melodies from his flute.
पारिजातं समुद्धृत्य राधावरो
रोपयामास भामागृहस्याङ्गणे।
शीतशीते वटे यामुनीये तटे
सञ्जगौ वेणुना देवकीनन्दनः ॥४२॥
The groom of Radha lifted the parijata plant
(from heaven) and planted it in the courtyard of Bhama’s house. Sitting under a cool banyan tree on the banks
of Yamuna, the son of Devaki created magic from his flute in the form of sweet songs,.
(from heaven) and planted it in the courtyard of Bhama’s house. Sitting under a cool banyan tree on the banks
of Yamuna, the son of Devaki created magic from his flute in the form of sweet songs,.
अग्रे दीर्घतरोऽयमर्जुनतरुस्तस्याग्रतो वर्तनी
सा घोषं समुपैति तत्परिसरे देशे कलिन्दात्मजा ।
तस्यास्तीरतमालकाननतले चक्रं गवां चारयन्
गोपः क्रीडति दर्शयिष्यति सखे पन्थानमव्याहतम् ॥२.४३॥
Ahead is a tall Arjuna tree.
Beyond that is a foot path that leads to the colony of milkmen in the vicinity
of which is the river Yamuna on the banks of which is a forest of tamala trees.
There you will find a gopa (cowboy)
grazing a herd of cows and playing. He
will, O friend ! show you the untrodden
path (that will free you from the cycle of births and deaths)
Beyond that is a foot path that leads to the colony of milkmen in the vicinity
of which is the river Yamuna on the banks of which is a forest of tamala trees.
There you will find a gopa (cowboy)
grazing a herd of cows and playing. He
will, O friend ! show you the untrodden
path (that will free you from the cycle of births and deaths)
गोधूलिधूसरितकोमलगोपवेषं
गोपालबालकशतैरनुगम्यमानम्।
सायन्तने प्रतिगृहं पशुबन्धनार्थं
गच्छन्तमच्युतशिशुं प्रणतोऽस्मि
नित्यम्॥४४॥
नित्यम्॥४४॥
I bow to
the child Krishna in the garb of a handsome
cowherd boy with his body covered by the
dust raised by the hooves of cows, who is followed by hundreds of cowherd
children and who goes to every house in the evening to tie the cows and calves
(brought after grazing them).
the child Krishna in the garb of a handsome
cowherd boy with his body covered by the
dust raised by the hooves of cows, who is followed by hundreds of cowherd
children and who goes to every house in the evening to tie the cows and calves
(brought after grazing them).
निधिं लावण्यानां निखिलजगदाश्चर्यनिलयं
निजावासं भासां निरवधिकनिःश्रेयसरसम्।
सुधाधारासारं सुकृतपरिपाकं
मृगदृशां
मृगदृशां
प्रपद्ये माङ्गल्यं प्रथममधिदैवं
कृतधियाम् ॥४५॥
कृतधियाम् ॥४५॥
I
surrender myself to the very first God who is the embodiment of all
auspiciousness, repository of all things beautiful, the home of all the wonders of the
world, the natural source of all
radiance, the giver of good fortune
without limit, the essence of the flow of nectar and the result of the good deeds of doe-eyed gopis.
surrender myself to the very first God who is the embodiment of all
auspiciousness, repository of all things beautiful, the home of all the wonders of the
world, the natural source of all
radiance, the giver of good fortune
without limit, the essence of the flow of nectar and the result of the good deeds of doe-eyed gopis.
आताम्रे पाणिकमलप्रणयप्रतोद-
मालोलहारमणिकुण्डलहेमसूत्रं।
आविःश्रमाम्बुकणमम्बुदनीलमव्या-
दाद्यं धनञ्जयरथाभरणं महो नः
॥४६॥
॥४६॥
May that primeval effulgence, dark blue as the cloud, adornment of the chariot of Arjuna, holding a whip in hands which have a red
tinge, wearing ornaments like chains, ear globes and waistband, with drops of
sweat glistening on the body, protect us.
tinge, wearing ornaments like chains, ear globes and waistband, with drops of
sweat glistening on the body, protect us.
नखनियमितकण्डून् पाण्डवस्यन्दनाश्वा-
ननुदिनमभिषिञ्चन्नञ्जलिस्थैः पयोभिः ।
अवतु विततगात्रस्तोत्रनिस्यूतमौलिः
दशनविधृतरश्मिः देवकीपुण्यराशिः ॥ २.४७॥
May we be protected by
Krishna, wide-bodied and born to Devaki as a result of her meritorious deeds,
who daily bathes the horses yoked to the chariots of the Pandavas with water
gathered in his cupped hands and removes their itching by scratching their
bodies with his finger nails while holding their reins between his teeth and
keeping the cane stuck into the folds of his turban.
Krishna, wide-bodied and born to Devaki as a result of her meritorious deeds,
who daily bathes the horses yoked to the chariots of the Pandavas with water
gathered in his cupped hands and removes their itching by scratching their
bodies with his finger nails while holding their reins between his teeth and
keeping the cane stuck into the folds of his turban.
व्रजयुवतिसहाये यौवनोल्लासिकाये
सकलशुभविलासे कुन्दमन्दारहासे।
निवसतु मम चित्तं तत्पदायत्तवृत्तं
मुनिसरसिजभानौ नन्दगोपालसूनौ॥४८॥
Let
my mind ever dwell at the lotus feet of Krishna, son of Nandagopa,
who keeps company with the belles of Vraja, whose body is handsome with
blooming youth, who is the repository of everything good, whose smile is bright
as jasmine and mandara flowers
and who is like the sun for the lotus of sages.
my mind ever dwell at the lotus feet of Krishna, son of Nandagopa,
who keeps company with the belles of Vraja, whose body is handsome with
blooming youth, who is the repository of everything good, whose smile is bright
as jasmine and mandara flowers
and who is like the sun for the lotus of sages.
आरण्यानीमार्द्रस्मितमधुरबिम्बाधरसुधा-
सरण्या संक्रान्तैस्सपदि मदयन् वेणुनिनदैः।
धरण्या सानन्दोत्पुलकमुपगूढाङ्घ्रिकमलः
शरण्यानामाद्यः स जयतु शरीरी मधुरिमा ॥४९॥
Victory
to Krishna who is the very embodiment of sweetness, who is at the top of those
who are capable of granting refuge, who delights the denizens of the forest by the
sweet melodies from his flute surcharged with the nectar from his lips which
are red like the bimba fruit and which always wear a loving smile and whose
lotus feet are embraced by the goddess of Earth with ecstasy and with hairs on
her body standing erect.
to Krishna who is the very embodiment of sweetness, who is at the top of those
who are capable of granting refuge, who delights the denizens of the forest by the
sweet melodies from his flute surcharged with the nectar from his lips which
are red like the bimba fruit and which always wear a loving smile and whose
lotus feet are embraced by the goddess of Earth with ecstasy and with hairs on
her body standing erect.
विदग्धगोपालविलासिनीनां’
संभोगचिह्नाङ्कितसर्वगात्रम्।
पवित्रमाम्नायगिरामगम्यं
ब्रह्म प्रपद्ये नवनीतचोरम् ॥५०॥
I surrender
myself to the Brahman which is pure and holy
and beyond the words of the Vedas, which in the form of Krishna, steals
butter and bears the marks left by smart cowherd belles during love sport.
myself to the Brahman which is pure and holy
and beyond the words of the Vedas, which in the form of Krishna, steals
butter and bears the marks left by smart cowherd belles during love sport.
