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.
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 51 to 75 of the first ashwasa with a prosaic
translation in English.
translation in English.
अहिमकरकरनिकरमृदुमृदितलक्ष्मी
सरसतरसरसिरुहसदृशदृशि देवे
व्रजयुवतिरतिकलहविजयनिजलीला
मदमुदितवदनशशिमधुरिमणि लीये ॥५१॥
Let me become dissolved in the
sweetness of Krishna whose eyes are more pretty than the beautiful lotus held
in the hand of Lakshmi which is bathed by the rays of the rising sun and whose
sweet moon-like face is happy because of his victory in playful love quarrel with
the gopis of Vraja.
sweetness of Krishna whose eyes are more pretty than the beautiful lotus held
in the hand of Lakshmi which is bathed by the rays of the rising sun and whose
sweet moon-like face is happy because of his victory in playful love quarrel with
the gopis of Vraja.
करकमलदरदलितललिततरवंशी
कलनिनदगलदमृतघनसरसि देवे
सहजरसभरभरितदरहसितवीची
सततवहदधरमणिमधुरिमणि लीये ॥५२॥
Let me get dissolved in the
sweetness of Krishna the nectar of sweet melodies flowing from the delicate
flute held in whose lotus-like hands create a lagoon and whose jewel-like lips
always carry a wave of smiles sprouting spontaneously out of his naturally blissful
state.
sweetness of Krishna the nectar of sweet melodies flowing from the delicate
flute held in whose lotus-like hands create a lagoon and whose jewel-like lips
always carry a wave of smiles sprouting spontaneously out of his naturally blissful
state.
कुसुमशरशरसमरकुपितमदगोपी-
कुचकलशघुसृणरसलसदुरसि देवे।
मदललितमृदुहसितमुषितशशिशोभा-
मुहुरधिकमुखकमलमधुरिमणि लीये ॥५३॥
Let me get dissolved in the
sweetness of Krishna whose body is smeared with sandal paste from the pot-like
breasts of gopis who are angry because
of the attack of Cupid with his flower
arrows and whose soft and sweet smile lighting up the lotus-like face steals
the brightness of the moon.
sweetness of Krishna whose body is smeared with sandal paste from the pot-like
breasts of gopis who are angry because
of the attack of Cupid with his flower
arrows and whose soft and sweet smile lighting up the lotus-like face steals
the brightness of the moon.
आनम्रामसितभ्रुवोरुपचितामक्षीणपक्ष्माङ्कुरे-
ष्वालोलामनुरागिणोर्नयनयोरार्द्रां मृदौ जल्पिते ।
आताम्रामधरामृते मदकलामम्लानवंशीरवे-
ष्वाशास्ते मम लोचनं व्रजशिशोर्मूर्तिं जगन्मोहिनीम्॥५४॥
My eyes yearn for Krishna’s form
which captivates the heart of the whole world with its curved brows and thick
hair, tenderness in the eyes for those who love, softness in speech, redness in
the nectarine lips and undiminished shringara in the melodies from the
flute.
which captivates the heart of the whole world with its curved brows and thick
hair, tenderness in the eyes for those who love, softness in speech, redness in
the nectarine lips and undiminished shringara in the melodies from the
flute.
तत्कैशोरं तच्च वक्त्रारविन्दं
तत् कारुण्यं तच्च लीलाकटाक्षाः ।
तत् सौन्दर्यं सा च मन्दस्मितश्रीः
सत्यं
सत्यं दुर्लभं दैवतेषु ॥१.५५॥
सत्यं दुर्लभं दैवतेषु ॥१.५५॥
That childhood,
that Lotus of a face, that compassion, that playful sidelong glances, that
beauty and that bewitching smile – truly
these are difficult to see even among the gods.
that Lotus of a face, that compassion, that playful sidelong glances, that
beauty and that bewitching smile – truly
these are difficult to see even among the gods.
विश्वोपप्लवशमनैकबद्धदीक्षं
विश्वासस्तबकितचेतसां जनानाम्।
पश्यामः प्रतिनवकान्तिकन्दलार्द्रम्
पश्यामः पथि पथि शैशवं मुरारेः॥ ५६॥
At every step
we see the child like form of Murari (Krishna)
which takes on ever new mellifluous effulgence and which has vowed to destroy
all those who hurt the people who have in their hearts unshakable faith in it.
we see the child like form of Murari (Krishna)
which takes on ever new mellifluous effulgence and which has vowed to destroy
all those who hurt the people who have in their hearts unshakable faith in it.
मौलिश्चन्द्रकभूषणं मरकतस्तम्भाभिरामं वपु-
र्वक्त्रं चित्रविमुग्धहासमधुरं बाले विलोले दृशौ।
वाचः शैशवशीतला मदगजश्लाघ्या विलासस्थितिः
मन्दं मन्दमये क एष मथुरावीथीमितो गाहते ॥५७||
Who is this who walks
slowly in the streets of Mathura, his
head adorned with peacock feathers, his body like a pillar of emerald, face
sweet with a beautiful smile, eyes childish and roving, speech cool as a
child’s and gait as that of an elephant in rut.
slowly in the streets of Mathura, his
head adorned with peacock feathers, his body like a pillar of emerald, face
sweet with a beautiful smile, eyes childish and roving, speech cool as a
child’s and gait as that of an elephant in rut.
पादौ पादविनिर्जिताम्बुजवनौ पद्मालयालङ्कृतौ
पाणी वेणुविनोदनप्रणयिनौ पर्याप्तशिल्पश्रियौ।
बाहू दोहदभाजनं मृगदृशां माधुर्याधारा गिरो
वक्त्रं वाग्विभवातिलङ्घितमहो बालं किमेतन्महः ॥५८॥
What is this
effulgence of a child whose feet excel forests of lotus flowers (in softness
and beauty) and are decorated by Goddess Lakshmi, hands which are fond of
playing the flute and which look as if beautifully sculptured, arms which induce passion in doe-eyed gopis,
speech which is a continuous flow of sweetness and a face the beauty of which
cannot be described in words?
effulgence of a child whose feet excel forests of lotus flowers (in softness
and beauty) and are decorated by Goddess Lakshmi, hands which are fond of
playing the flute and which look as if beautifully sculptured, arms which induce passion in doe-eyed gopis,
speech which is a continuous flow of sweetness and a face the beauty of which
cannot be described in words?
बर्हं नाम विभूषणं बहुमतं वेषाय शेषैरलं
वक्त्त्रं चित्रविशेषकान्तिलहरीविन्यासधन्याधरम्।
शीलैरल्पधियामगम्यविभवैः शृंगारभंगीमयं
चित्रं चित्रमहो विचित्रमहो चित्रं विचित्रं महः॥५९॥
Peacock
feathers are adornments, nothing else is required. The face is decorated by different coloured
designs which light up the lips. Body is
bewitchingly beautiful which dull wits
cannot comprehend or appreciate. This effulgence (of Krishna) is indeed the
wonder of wonders.
feathers are adornments, nothing else is required. The face is decorated by different coloured
designs which light up the lips. Body is
bewitchingly beautiful which dull wits
cannot comprehend or appreciate. This effulgence (of Krishna) is indeed the
wonder of wonders.
अग्रे
समग्रयति कामपि केलिलक्ष्मी-
समग्रयति कामपि केलिलक्ष्मी-
मन्यासु
दिक्ष्वपि विलोचनमेव साक्षी।
दिक्ष्वपि विलोचनमेव साक्षी।
हा हन्त हस्तपथदूरमहो किमेत-
दासीत् किशोरमयमम्ब जगत्त्रयं मे ॥६०॥
I see in front of me and in all
other directions the heart warming play of Krishna for which only my eyes are
witness. For me all the three worlds are
only the young boy Krishna but alas ! he is out of reach of my hands.
other directions the heart warming play of Krishna for which only my eyes are
witness. For me all the three worlds are
only the young boy Krishna but alas ! he is out of reach of my hands.
चिकुरं बहुलं विरलं भृमरं
मृदुलं वचनं विपुलं नयनम्।
अधरं मधुरं वदनं ललितं
चपलं चरितं च कदाऽनुभवे॥६१॥
When
shall I experience in my mind Krishna with his thick locks of hair, low brow,
soft speech, large eyes, sweet lips, pretty face and playful walk (habit).
shall I experience in my mind Krishna with his thick locks of hair, low brow,
soft speech, large eyes, sweet lips, pretty face and playful walk (habit).
परिपालय नः कृपालये-
त्यसकृज्जल्पितमात्मबान्धवः।
मुरलीमृदुलस्वनान्तरे
विभुराकर्णियिता कदा ननु? ॥६२॥
When will Lord
Krishna who is the friend of all hear, in between the sweet melodies from his
flute, my frequent prattle of ‘O
merciful one! kindly protect us’?
Krishna who is the friend of all hear, in between the sweet melodies from his
flute, my frequent prattle of ‘O
merciful one! kindly protect us’?
कदा नु कस्यां नु विपद्दशायां
कैशोरगन्धि करुणाम्बुधिर्नः
विलोचनाभ्यां विपुलायताभ्यां
व्यलोकयिष्यन्विषयीकरोति ॥६३॥
When and in what dire circumstances
will young boy Krishna, ocean of mercy, will see me with his wide, long eyes
and reveal Himself to me.
will young boy Krishna, ocean of mercy, will see me with his wide, long eyes
and reveal Himself to me.
मधुरमधरबिम्बे मञ्जुलं मन्दहासे
शिशिरममृतवाक्ये शीतलं दृष्टिपाते
विपुलमरुणनेत्रे विश्रुतं वेणुनादे
मरकतमणिनीलं बालमालोकयामः ॥६४॥
We see
child Krishna, dark blue as the emerald stone, sweet in his lips, pretty in his
smile, cool in his nectarine speech and in his glances, wide in his eyes with
reddish tinge and famous in the melodies from his flute.
child Krishna, dark blue as the emerald stone, sweet in his lips, pretty in his
smile, cool in his nectarine speech and in his glances, wide in his eyes with
reddish tinge and famous in the melodies from his flute.
माधुर्यादपि मधुरं
मन्मथतातस्य किमपि कैशोरम्।
चापल्यादपिचपलं
चेतो मम हरति हन्त किं कुर्मः
॥६५॥
॥६५॥
The boyhood of Krishna, father of the Love God,
is sweeter than sweetness itself and he is more playful than playfulness
itself. It has stolen my heart. What shall I do?
वक्षः स्थले च विपुलं नयनोत्पले च
स्मिते च मृदुलं मदजल्पिते च ।
बिम्बाधरे च मधुरं मुरलीरवे च
बालं विलासनिधिमाकलये कदा नु? ॥१.६६॥
Wide chest and wide eyes,
softness in smile and in talk,
sweetness in the lips and in the music of the flute – when can I see the child (Krishna), the treasure
house of all these qualities of beauty and grace?
softness in smile and in talk,
sweetness in the lips and in the music of the flute – when can I see the child (Krishna), the treasure
house of all these qualities of beauty and grace?
आर्द्रावलोकितदयापरिणद्धनेत्र-
माविष्कृतस्मितसुधामधुराधरोष्ठं ।
आद्यं पुमांसमवतंसितबर्हिबर्ह-
मालोकयन्ति कृतिनः कृतपुण्यपुञ्जाः ॥१.६७॥
Only those who have done a lot of good deeds and accumulated enough
merit can see the very First Person (incarnated as Krishna), his head adorned
with peacock feathers, his mellifluous glances tinged with compassion and with his
lips, as sweet as nectar, lit up by a beautiful smile.
merit can see the very First Person (incarnated as Krishna), his head adorned
with peacock feathers, his mellifluous glances tinged with compassion and with his
lips, as sweet as nectar, lit up by a beautiful smile.
मारः स्वयं नु मधुरद्युतिमण्डलं नु
माधुर्यमेव नु मनोनयनामृतं नु
वाणीमृजा नु मम जीवितवाल्लभो नु
बालोऽयमभ्युदयते मम लोचनाय ॥६८॥
The form of child
Krishna rises before my eyes making me wonder whether this is the Love god
himself, or effulgence of sweetness, or sweetness itself, or nectar for the
eyes and mind, or beauty of speech or
Lord and darling of my life.
Krishna rises before my eyes making me wonder whether this is the Love god
himself, or effulgence of sweetness, or sweetness itself, or nectar for the
eyes and mind, or beauty of speech or
Lord and darling of my life.
बालोऽयमालोलविलोचनेन
वक्त्रेण चित्रीकृतदिङ्मुखेन।
वेषेण घॊषोचितभूषणेन
मुग्धेन दुग्धे नयनोत्सवं नः ॥६९॥
This boy
Krishna is a veritable feast (festival) for our eyes with his roving eyes, with
his face which captures the beauty of all the directions, with his clothes and adornments suitable for
cowherds and with his fondness for milk.
Krishna is a veritable feast (festival) for our eyes with his roving eyes, with
his face which captures the beauty of all the directions, with his clothes and adornments suitable for
cowherds and with his fondness for milk.
आन्दोलिताग्रभुजमाकुलनेत्रलील-
मार्द्रस्मितार्द्रवदनांबुजचन्द्रबिम्बम्।
शिञ्जानभूषणशतं शिखिपिञ्छमौलिं
शीतं विलोचनरसायनमभ्युपैति ॥७०॥
Approaching me is an
effulgence (Krishna), cool and nectar to the eyes, arms swinging, eyes playfully roving, sweet
smile, moon-like lotus face, a hundred
ornaments tinkling and head adorned with peacock plumes..
effulgence (Krishna), cool and nectar to the eyes, arms swinging, eyes playfully roving, sweet
smile, moon-like lotus face, a hundred
ornaments tinkling and head adorned with peacock plumes..
पशुपालबालपरिषद्विभूषणं
शिशुरेष शीतलविलोललोचनः।
मृदुलस्मितार्द्रवदनेन्दुसंपदा
मदयन् मदीयहृदयं विगाहते ॥७१॥
This child who is the ornament of the assembly of cowherd boys,
whose eyes are cool and roving, and whose
moon-like face is lighted up by a soft smile dives into my heart filling
it with joy.
whose eyes are cool and roving, and whose
moon-like face is lighted up by a soft smile dives into my heart filling
it with joy.
तदिदमुपनतं तमाललीलं
तरलविलोचनतारकाभिरामम्।
मुदितमुदितवक्त्रचन्द्रबिम्बं
मुखरितवेणुविलासजीवितं मे ॥७२॥
I have been blessed
with the vision of this (Krishna), dark
blue as the tamala, eyes with the
pupils roving, moon-like face radiating joy and playing the flute the melodies
from which are my very life.
with the vision of this (Krishna), dark
blue as the tamala, eyes with the
pupils roving, moon-like face radiating joy and playing the flute the melodies
from which are my very life.
चापल्यसीम चपलानुभवैकसीम
चातुर्यसीम चतुराननशिल्पसीम ।
सौरभ्य सीम
सकलाद्भुतकेलिसीम
सकलाद्भुतकेलिसीम
सौभाग्यसीम तदिदं व्रजभाग्यसीम ॥१.७३॥
This (Krishna)
is the acme of playfulness, the limit of experience of Lakshmi, perfection of
cleverness, the highest manifestation of Brahma’s handiwork, the perfection of
sweet smell, the limit of all wonderful exploits, the repository of all
auspicious qualities and the summit of good fortune of the inhabitants of Vraja
is the acme of playfulness, the limit of experience of Lakshmi, perfection of
cleverness, the highest manifestation of Brahma’s handiwork, the perfection of
sweet smell, the limit of all wonderful exploits, the repository of all
auspicious qualities and the summit of good fortune of the inhabitants of Vraja
माधुर्येण द्विगुणशिशिरं वक्त्रचन्द्रं वहन्ती
वंशीवीथीविगलदमृतस्रोतसा सेचयन्ती।
मद्वाणीनां विहरणपदं मूर्तसौभाग्यभाजां
मत्पुण्यानां परिणतिरहो नेत्रयोस्सन्निधत्ते ॥१.७४॥
Wonder of
wonders! right before my eyes is (Krishna) the result of all my good deeds and the personification of my good luck, which
has a face twice cooler and prettier than the moon, which
waters the streets with the flow of nectar of music from the flute and which is
he playground for my words
wonders! right before my eyes is (Krishna) the result of all my good deeds and the personification of my good luck, which
has a face twice cooler and prettier than the moon, which
waters the streets with the flow of nectar of music from the flute and which is
he playground for my words
तेजसेऽस्तु नमो धेनु-
पालिने लोकपालिने।
राधापयोधरोत्संग-
शायिने शेषशायिने ॥१.७५॥
Prostrations
to that effulgence which takes care of cows and (at the same time) protects the
worlds, rests on the breasts and the lap of Radha and (at the same time ) also reclines on Adishesha,
the thousand hooded serpent.
to that effulgence which takes care of cows and (at the same time) protects the
worlds, rests on the breasts and the lap of Radha and (at the same time ) also reclines on Adishesha,
the thousand hooded serpent.
