मधुरामाहात्म्यम् Madhurā Māhātmyam

The Sadguru said:

Victorious in the three worlds is that city of Mathura, where Vishnu, having left Vaikuntha, indeed descended.

śrīsadgururuvāca

madhurā sā vijayate nagarī bhuvanatraye |

viṣṇurvaikuṇṭhamutsṛjya yasyāmavatatāra ha

मधुरा · madhurā — the city of Mathura

सा · sā — that

विजयते · vijayate — is victorious/triumphant

नगरी · nagarī — city

भुवनत्रये · bhuvanatraye — in the three worlds

विष्णुः · viṣṇuḥ — Lord Vishnu

वैकुण्ठम् · vaikuṇṭham — Vaikuntha

उत्सृज्य · utsṛjya — having left

यस्याम् · yasyām — in which

अवततार · avatatāra — descended

ह · ha — indeed

सा मधुरा नगरी भुवनत्रये विजयते। यस्यां विष्णुः वैकुण्ठम् उत्सृज्य अवततार ह।

the city of Mathura · that · is victorious/triumphant · city · in the three worlds · Lord Vishnu · Vaikuntha · having left · in which · descended · indeed

This verse establishes the divine status of Mathura as the earthly residence of Vishnu, setting the stage for the entire chapter's focus on its sanctity. It highlights that Mathura is not merely a city, but a direct extension of Vaikuntha.

In this forest, Madhusudana (the slayer of Madhu) killed the demon Madhu; therefore, it is named Madhuvana, in the region on the banks of the Yamuna.

asmin vane madhuṃ daityaṃ jaghāna madhusūdanaḥ |

tasmānmadhuvanaṃ nāma yamunātīramaṇḍale

अस्मिन् · asmin — in this

वने · vane — forest

मधुम् · madhum — the demon Madhu

दैत्यम् · daityam — demon

जघान · jaghāna — killed

मधुसूदनः · madhusūdanaḥ — the slayer of Madhu

तस्मात् · tasmāt — therefore

मधुवनम् · madhuvanam — Madhuvana

नाम · nāma — named

यमुनातीरमण्डले · yamunātīramaṇḍale — in the region of the Yamuna bank

मधुसूदनः अस्मिन् वने मधुं दैत्यं जघान। तस्मात् यमुनातीरमण्डले मधुवनं नाम।

in this · forest · the demon Madhu · demon · killed · the slayer of Madhu · therefore · Madhuvana · named · in the region of the Yamuna bank

This verse provides the etymological origin of the name 'Madhuvana', linking the geography of the Yamuna banks to the heroic act of the Lord, thereby grounding the city's holiness in historical divine intervention.

In this holy Madhuvana, Dhruva, the best of devotees and firm in his vow, performed penance, desiring to see Govinda.

puṇye madhuvane tvasmin dhruvo bhāgavatottamaḥ |

tapaścakāra govindaṃ draṣṭukāmo dṛḍhavrataḥ

पुण्ये · puṇye — in the holy

मधुवने · madhuvane — in Madhuvana

तु · tu — indeed

अस्मिन् · asmin — in this

ध्रुवः · dhruvaḥ — Dhruva

भागवतोत्तमः · bhāgavatottamaḥ — the best of devotees

तपः · tapaḥ — penance

चकार · cakāra — performed

गोविन्दम् · govindam — Govinda

द्रष्टुकामो · draṣṭukāmo — desiring to see

दृढव्रतः · dṛḍhavrataḥ — firm in his vow

अस्मिन् पुण्ये मधुवने भागवतोत्तमः दृढव्रतः ध्रुवः गोविन्दं द्रष्टुकामो तपः चकार।

in the holy · in Madhuvana · indeed · in this · Dhruva · the best of devotees · penance · performed · Govinda · desiring to see · firm in his vow

By introducing Dhruva, the text elevates Mathura from a mere geographical location to a site of intense spiritual realization, demonstrating that the greatest devotees chose this place for their penance.

In this Madhuvana, King Ambarisha formerly performed the concluding ceremony of his vow on the Dvādaśī tithi (the twelfth lunar day).

asmin madhuvane pūrvamambarīṣo mahīpatiḥ |

udyāpanaṃ vratasyāpi cakāra dvādaśī tithau

अस्मिन् · asmin — in this

मधुवने · madhuvane — in Madhuvana

पूर्वम् · pūrvam — formerly

अम्बरीषः · ambarīṣaḥ — King Ambarisha

महीपतिः · mahīpatiḥ — the king

उद्यापनम् · udyāpanam — concluding ceremony

व्रतस्य · vratasya — of the vow

अपि · api — also

चकार · cakāra — performed

द्वादशी · dvādaśī — on the twelfth day

तिथौ · tithau — on the lunar day

अस्मिन् मधुवने पूर्वं महीपतिः अम्बरीषः व्रतस्य उद्यापनम् अपि द्वादशी तिथौ चकार।

in this · in Madhuvana · formerly · King Ambarisha · the king · concluding ceremony · of the vow · also · performed · on the twelfth day · on the lunar day

This verse reinforces the sanctity of Madhuvana by citing King Ambarisha, a model of devotional duty, showing that the site is sanctified by both asceticism and the performance of sacred vows.

In this forest, there was formerly a demon named Lavana. Having killed him, Śatrughna built the city of Mathurā.

asmin vane pūrvamāsīllavaṇo nāma dānavaḥ |

taṃ nihatya ca śatrughno nirmame madhurāpurīm

अस्मिन् · asmin — in this

वने · vane — forest

पूर्वम् · pūrvam — formerly

आसीत् · āsīt — was

लवणः · lavaṇaḥ — Lavana

नाम · nāma — named

दानवः · dānavaḥ — demon

तम् · tam — him

निहत्य · nihatya — having killed

च · ca — and

शत्रुघ्नः · śatrughnaḥ — Shatrughna

निर्ममे · nirmame — built

मधुरापुरीम् · madhurāpurīm — the city of Mathura

अस्मिन् वने पूर्वं लवणो नाम दानवः आसीत्। शत्रुघ्नः तं निहत्य मधुरापुरीं निर्ममे।

in this · forest · formerly · was · Lavana · named · demon · him · having killed · and · Shatrughna · built · the city of Mathura

This verse transitions from the mythological/ascetic history to the historical founding of the city by Shatrughna, explaining the shift from a forest to a structured urban center.

He settled there Brahmins expert in the Vedas, and also other people: Śūdras, Vaiśyas, and Kṣatriyas.

nivāsayāmāsa tatra brāhmaṇān vedapāragān |

anyāḥ prajāstathā tatra śūdrān vaiśyāśca kṣatriyān

निवासयामास · nivāsayāmāsa — settled

तत्र · tatra — there

ब्राह्मणान् · brāhmaṇān — Brahmins

वेदपारगान् · vedapāragān — expert in Vedas

अन्याः · anyāḥ — other

प्रजाः · prajāḥ — people

तथा · tathā — also

शूद्रान् · śūdrān — Shudras

वैश्यान् · vaiśyān — Vaishyas

च · ca — and

क्षत्रियान् · kṣatriyān — Kshatriyas

तत्र वेदपारगान् ब्राह्मणान् निवासयामास। तथा अन्याः प्रजाः शूद्रान् वैश्यान् क्षत्रियान् च निवासयामास।

settled · there · Brahmins · expert in Vedas · other · people · also · Shudras · Vaishyas · and · Kshatriyas

This verse describes the social structure of the newly founded Mathura, emphasizing that it was built as a balanced, Vedic society, which is essential for a city to be considered truly sacred.

He built chariot-streets, market-streets, pavilions, great assembly halls, various mansions, and beautiful gardens,

rathavīthīḥ paṇyavīthīrmaṇṭapān mahatīḥ sabhāḥ |

bhavanāni vicitrāṇi ramyāṇyupavanāni ca

रथवीथीः · rathavīthīḥ — chariot-streets

पण्यवीथीः · paṇyavīthīḥ — market-streets

मण्टपान् · maṇṭapān — pavilions

महतीः · mahatīḥ — great

सभाः · sabhāḥ — assembly halls

भवनानि · bhavanāni — mansions

विचित्राणि · vicitrāṇi — various

रम्याणि · ramyāṇi — beautiful

उपवनानि · upavanāni — gardens

च · ca — and

रथवीथीः पण्यवीथीः महतीः सभाः मण्टपान् विचित्राणि भवनानि रम्याणि उपवनानि च निर्ममे।

chariot-streets · market-streets · pavilions · great · assembly halls · mansions · various · beautiful · gardens · and

The description of the city's infrastructure serves to illustrate that Mathura was not just a spiritual site but a prosperous, well-ordered capital, reflecting the glory of its founder.

as well as schools, theaters, and temples of the gods. As it was sweet (madhuram), it became known on earth as Mathurā.

vidyāśālāṃ nāṭyaśālāṃ devatāyatanāni ca |

nirmame madhuraṃ tasmānmadhureti bhuvi śrutā

विद्याशालाम् · vidyāśālāṃ — schools

नाट्यशालाम् · nāṭyaśālāṃ — theaters

देवतायतनानि · devatāyatanāni — temples of gods

च · ca — and

निर्ममे · nirmame — built

मधुरम् · madhuram — sweet

तस्मात् · tasmāt — therefore

मधुरा · madhurā — Mathura

इति · iti — thus

भुवि · bhuvi — on earth

श्रुता · śrutā — known

विद्याशालां नाट्यशालां देवतायतनानि च निर्ममे। तस्मात् मधुरं इति भुवि मधुरा इति श्रुता।

schools · theaters · temples of gods · and · built · sweet · therefore · Mathura · thus · on earth · known

This verse concludes the description of the city's construction and provides the final etymological justification for the name 'Mathura', linking its physical beauty to its inherent sweetness.

This Mathurā is sweet to live in, sweet to see, and likewise in contemplation and in praise, Mathurā is always sweet.

vāse'pi madhurā seyaṃ darśane madhurā tathā |

cintane kīrtane caivaṃ madhurā madhurā sadā

वासे · vāse — in dwelling

अपि · api — also

मधुरा · madhurā — sweet

सा · sā — that

अयम् · ayam — this

दर्शने · darśane — in sight

तथा · tathā — likewise

चिन्तने · cintane — in contemplation

कीर्तने · kīrtane — in praise

च · ca — and

एवम् · evam — thus

सदा · sadā — always

सेयं मधुरा वासे अपि मधुरा, दर्शने तथा मधुरा। चिन्तने कीर्तने च एवं सदा मधुरा मधुरा।

in dwelling · also · sweet · that · this · in sight · likewise · in contemplation · in praise · and · thus · always

This verse shifts from the historical to the experiential, asserting that Mathura's sweetness is not just a name but a constant reality for the devotee in every aspect of their engagement with the city.

Then it became the capital of all the Yādava kings—the city of Mathurā, where Hari is ever-present.

rājadhānī tataḥ sā'bhūt sarvayādavabhūbhujām |

madhurā nagarī yatra nityaṃ sannihito hariḥ

राजधानी · rājadhānī — capital

ततः · tataḥ — then

सा · sā — that

अभूत् · abhūt — became

सर्वयादवभूभुजाम् · sarvayādavabhūbhujām — of all Yādava kings

मधुरा · madhurā — Mathura

नगरी · nagarī — city

यत्र · yatra — where

नित्यम् · nityam — always

सन्निहितः · sannihito — present

हरिः · hariḥ — Lord Hari

ततः सा मधुरा नगरी सर्वयादवभूभुजां राजधानी अभूत्, यत्र हरिः नित्यं सन्निहितः।

capital · then · that · became · of all Yādava kings · Mathura · city · where · always · present · Lord Hari

This verse establishes Mathura as the political and spiritual center for the Yadavas, setting the scene for the birth of Lord Krishna, which is the climax of the city's glory.

Here, the great-minded Vasudeva married the divine Devakī. Joyfully, he went to his home with her.

atraiva devakīṃ devīṃ vasudevo mahāmanāḥ |

upayeme tayā sārdhaṃ muditaḥ svagṛhaṃ yayau

अत्रैव · atraiva — right here in this place

देवकीम् · devakīm — Devaki

देवीं · devīm — the divine lady

वसुदेवः · vasudevaḥ — Vasudeva

महामनाः · mahāmanāḥ — the great-minded one

उपयेमे · upayeme — married

तया · tayā — with her

सार्धम् · sārdham — together

मुदितः · muditaḥ — joyful

स्वगृहम् · svagṛham — to his own home

ययौ · yayau — went

महामनाः वसुदेवः अत्रैव देवीं देवकीम् उपयेमे। सः तया सार्धं मुदितः सन् स्वगृहं ययौ।

right here in this place · Devaki · the divine lady · Vasudeva · the great-minded one · married · with her · together · joyful · to his own home · went

This verse establishes the historical sanctity of Mathura as the site where the divine marriage of Vasudeva and Devaki took place, setting the stage for the Lord's appearance. It highlights the human context of the divine descent.

Kaṃsa also, out of a desire to please his sister, took the reins and drove the chariot on the street, surrounded by many people.

jagrāha raśmīn kaṃso'pi bhaginyāḥ priyakāṅkṣayā |

rathaṃ sañcārayāmāsa vīthyāṃ bahujanāvṛtaḥ

जग्राह · jagrāha — seized/took

रश्मीन् · raśmīn — the reins

कंसोऽपि · kaṃso'pi — Kamsa also

भगिन्याः · bhaginyāḥ — of his sister

प्रियकाङ्क्षया · priyakāṅkṣayā — with a desire to please

रथम् · ratham — the chariot

सञ्चारयामास · sañcārayāmāsa — drove

वीथ्याम् · vīthyām — on the street

बहुजनावृतः · bahujanāvṛtaḥ — surrounded by many people

कंसः अपि भगिन्याः प्रियकाङ्क्षया रश्मीन् जग्राह। सः बहुजनावृतः सन् वीथ्यां रथं सञ्चारयामास।

seized/took · the reins · Kamsa also · of his sister · with a desire to please · the chariot · drove · on the street · surrounded by many people

This verse depicts the irony of the situation where Kamsa, driven by affection, unknowingly facilitates the movement of the couple who will eventually bring about his destruction.

"Devakī's eighth child will be the death of Kaṃsa"—hearing this clear celestial voice, Kaṃsa became enraged.

devakyāstvaṣṭamo garbhaḥ kaṃsamṛtyuriti sphuṭam |

ākāśavāṇīṃ śrutvātha kaṃsaḥ kopamavāpa ha

देवक्याः · devakyāḥ — of Devaki

अष्टमः · aṣṭamaḥ — the eighth

गर्भः · garbhaḥ — child/womb

कंसमृत्युः · kaṃsamṛtyuḥ — death of Kamsa

इति · iti — thus

स्फुटम् · sphuṭam — clearly

आकाशवाणीम् · ākāśavāṇīm — celestial voice

श्रुत्वा · śrutvā — having heard

अथ · atha — then

कंसः · kaṃsaḥ — Kamsa

कोपम् · kopam — anger

अवाप · avāpa — attained

देवक्याः अष्टमः गर्भः कंसमृत्युः इति स्फुटम् आकाशवाणीं श्रुत्वा अथ कंसः कोपं अवाप।

of Devaki · the eighth · child/womb · death of Kamsa · thus · clearly · celestial voice · having heard · then · Kamsa · anger · attained

The celestial prophecy serves as the turning point in the narrative, shifting the mood from celebration to the conflict that necessitates the Lord's incarnation.

The leader of the Yadus (Vasudeva) stopped him (Kaṃsa), who had drawn his sword and was about to kill her, saying, "I will surrender the sons to you, release her."

khaṅgamudyamya tāṃ hantuṃ pravṛttaṃ yadupuṅgavaḥ |

putrān samarpayiṣyāmi visṛjeti nyavārayat

खङ्गम् · khaṅgam — sword

उद्यम्य · udyamya — having raised

ताम् · tām — her

हन्तुम् · hantum — to kill

प्रवृत्तम् · pravṛttam — engaged in/ready to

यदुपुङ्गवः · yadupuṅgavaḥ — the best of the Yadus

पुत्रान् · putrān — sons

समर्पयिष्यामि · samarpayiṣyāmi — I will surrender

विसृजेति · visṛjeti — release her (saying)

न्यवारयत् · nyavārayat — restrained

खङ्गम् उद्यम्य तां हन्तुं प्रवृत्तं कंसं यदुपुङ्गवः वसुदेवः 'पुत्रान् समर्पयिष्यामि, तां विसृज' इति उक्त्वा न्यवारयत्।

sword · having raised · her · to kill · engaged in/ready to · the best of the Yadus · sons · I will surrender · release her (saying) · restrained

This verse highlights Vasudeva's diplomacy and self-sacrifice, showing how he protects Devaki from Kamsa's immediate wrath through a desperate promise.

The stubborn and very wicked Kaṃsa, having placed the couple in prison, considered himself to have accomplished his purpose.

kārāgṛhe dampatī tau niveśya ca durāgrahaḥ |

kṛtakṛtyamivātmānaṃ mene kaṃsaḥ sudurmatiḥ

कारागृहे · kārāgṛhe — in prison

दम्पती · dampatī — the couple

निवेश्य · niveśya — having placed

दुराग्रहः · durāgrahaḥ — stubborn one

कृतकृत्यम् · kṛtakṛtyam — accomplished his duty

इव · iva — as if

आत्मानम् · ātmānam — himself

मेने · mene — considered

कंसः · kaṃsaḥ — Kamsa

सुदुर्मतिः · sudurmatiḥ — very wicked-minded

दुराग्रहः सुदुर्मतिः कंसः कारागृहे तौ दम्पती निवेश्य आत्मानं कृतकृत्यम् इव मेने।

in prison · the couple · having placed · stubborn one · accomplished his duty · as if · himself · considered · Kamsa · very wicked-minded

This verse illustrates the blindness of evil; Kamsa's cruelty is framed as a false sense of accomplishment, emphasizing his demonic nature.

Kaṃsa, overcome with rage, killed each child as it was born. He repeatedly committed violence against the Yādavas in many ways.

jātaṃ jātaṃ śiśuṃ kaṃso jaghāna krodhamūrcchitaḥ |

hiṃsāṃ cakāra bahudhā yādavānāṃ punaḥ punaḥ

जातम् · jātam — born

शिशुम् · śiśum — infant

कंसः · kaṃsaḥ — Kamsa

जघान · jaghāna — killed

क्रोधमूर्च्छितः · krodhamūrcchitaḥ — overcome with rage

हिंसाम् · hiṃsām — violence

चकार · cakāra — did

बहुधा · bahudhā — in many ways

यादवानाम् · yādavānām — of the Yadavas

पुनः पुनः · punaḥ punaḥ — again and again

क्रोधमूर्च्छितः कंसः जातं जातं शिशुं जघान। सः यादवानां बहुधा पुनः पुनः हिंसाम् चकार।

born · infant · Kamsa · killed · overcome with rage · violence · did · in many ways · of the Yadavas · again and again

The verse documents the escalation of Kamsa's tyranny, which creates the necessary 'bhara' (burden) on earth that triggers the Lord's descent.

Then Lord Mukunda, the beloved of devotees, with eyes like lotus petals, appeared, having been prayed to by Brahma, Śiva, and other gods, to quickly remove the burden of the earth.

tadā''virāsīdbhagavān mukundaḥ

saṃprārthito brahmaśivādidevaiḥ,

bhāraṃ kṣamāyāḥ sahasaiva hartuṃ

bhaktapriyaḥ padmadalāyatākṣaḥ

तदा · tadā — then

आविरासीत् · āvirāsīt — appeared

भगवान् · bhagavān — the Lord

मुकुन्दः · mukundaḥ — Mukunda

संप्रार्थितः · saṃprārthitaḥ — prayed to

ब्रह्मशिवादिदेवैः · brahmaśivādidevaiḥ — by Brahma, Shiva and other gods

भारम् · bhāram — burden

क्षमायाः · kṣamāyāḥ — of the earth

सहसैव · sahasaiva — quickly

हर्तुम् · hartum — to remove

भक्तप्रियः · bhaktapriyaḥ — beloved of devotees

पद्मदलायताक्षः · padmadalāyatākṣaḥ — lotus-eyed

तदा ब्रह्मशिवादिदेवैः संप्रार्थितः भक्तप्रियः पद्मदलायताक्षः भगवान् मुकुन्दः क्षमायाः भारं सहसैव हर्तुम् आविरासीत्।

then · appeared · the Lord · Mukunda · prayed to · by Brahma, Shiva and other gods · burden · of the earth · quickly · to remove · beloved of devotees · lotus-eyed

This verse marks the climax of the narrative's setup, introducing the Lord's descent as a direct response to the prayers of the gods and the suffering of the devotees.

Seeing that wonderful child, the lotus-eyed Lord, with four arms holding the conch and mace, clad in yellow silk, adorned with the Kaustubha gem, and His chest marked with the Śrīvatsa emblem,

tamadbhutaṃ bālakamambujākṣaṃ

caturbhujaṃ śaṅkhagadādharañca |

pītāmbaraṃ kaustubharatnabhūṣaṃ

śrīvatsalakṣmāṅkitavakṣasañca

तम् · tam — Him

अद्भुतम् · adbhutam — wonderful

बालकम् · bālakam — child

अम्बुजाक्षम् · ambujākṣam — lotus-eyed

चतुर्भुजम् · caturbhujam — four-armed

शङ्खगदाधरम् · śaṅkhagadādharam — holder of conch and mace

पीताम्बरम् · pītāmbaram — clad in yellow silk

कौस्तुभरत्नभूषम् · kaustubharatnabhūṣam — adorned with Kaustubha gem

श्रीवत्सलक्ष्माङ्कितवक्षसम् · śrīvatsalakṣmāṅkitavakṣasam — chest marked with Srivatsa

तम् अद्भुतं बालकं, अम्बुजाक्षं, चतुर्भुजं, शङ्खगदाधरं, पीताम्बरं, कौस्तुभरत्नभूषं, श्रीवत्सलक्ष्माङ्कितवक्षसं च (विलोक्य)।

Him · wonderful · child · lotus-eyed · four-armed · holder of conch and mace · clad in yellow silk · adorned with Kaustubha gem · chest marked with Srivatsa

The description of the Lord's divine form confirms His identity as Vishnu, providing the visual proof of the divinity that has entered the prison of Mathura.

he (Vasudeva), with his heart filled with joy, praised Him with folded hands. By His command, he took the child Kṛṣṇa at night and quickly set out for the cowherd settlement.

vilokya devaṃ muditāntarātmā

tuṣṭāva baddhāñjalisaṃpuṭo'yam |

tadājñayā taṃ niśi bālakṛṣṇam

ādāya goṣṭhaṃ sahasā pratasthe

विलोक्य · vilokya — having seen

देवम् · devam — the Lord

मुदितान्तरात्मा · muditāntarātmā — joyful-hearted

तुष्टाव · tuṣṭāva — praised

बद्धाञ्जलिसंपुटः · baddhāñjalisaṃpuṭaḥ — with folded hands

अयम् · ayam — he

तदाज्ञया · tadājñayā — by His command

तम् · tam — Him

निशि · niśi — at night

बालकृष्णम् · bālakṛṣṇam — infant Krishna

आदाय · ādāya — having taken

गोष्ठम् · goṣṭham — to the cowherd settlement

सहसा · sahasā — quickly

प्रतस्थे · pratasthe — set out

देवं विलोक्य मुदितान्तरात्मा अयम् बद्धाञ्जलिसंपुटः सन् तुष्टाव। तदाज्ञया सः तं बालकृष्णं निशि आदाय गोष्ठं सहसा प्रतस्थे।

having seen · the Lord · joyful-hearted · praised · with folded hands · he · by His command · Him · at night · infant Krishna · having taken · to the cowherd settlement · quickly · set out

Vasudeva's immediate response of praise and obedience highlights the ideal devotee's reaction to the presence of the Divine, transitioning into the mission of protecting the Lord.

Although the cloud rained heavily then, Śeṣa followed, warding off the water. The river Kṛṣṇā (Yamunā) herself gave way for Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of the three worlds.

vavarṣa megho nitarāṃ tadā'pi

śeṣo'nvagādvāri nivārayaṃśca |

mārgaṃ dadau sā svayameva kṛṣṇā

kṛṣṇasya lokatrayanāyakasya

ववर्ष · vavarṣa — rained

मेघः · meghaḥ — cloud

नितराम् · nitarām — heavily

तदाऽपि · tadā'pi — even then

शेषः · śeṣaḥ — Shesha

अन्वगात् · anvagāt — followed

वारि · vāri — water

निवारयन् · nivārayan — warding off

मार्गम् · mārgam — path

ददौ · dadau — gave

सा · sā — she

स्वयमेव · svayameva — herself

कृष्णा · kṛṣṇā — the river Yamuna

कृष्णस्य · kṛṣṇasya — for Krishna

लोकत्रयनायकस्य · lokatrayanāyakasya — Lord of the three worlds

तदा मेघः नितरां ववर्ष, अपि च शेषः वारि निवारयन् अन्वगात्। सा कृष्णा (यमुना) अपि लोकत्रयनायकस्य कृष्णस्य कृते स्वयमेव मार्गं ददौ।

rained · cloud · heavily · even then · Shesha · followed · water · warding off · path · gave · she · herself · the river Yamuna · for Krishna · Lord of the three worlds

This verse emphasizes that the entire creation—nature, the elements, and the divine serpent—conspires to assist the Lord's mission, underscoring His supreme authority.

Leaving Kṛṣṇa at night beside Nanda's wife, and then taking her daughter, he, the best of the Yadus and foremost of the truthful, went back to Mathurā.

visṛjya kṛṣṇaṃ niśi nandapatnyāḥ

pārśve tadīyāmatha kanyakāṃ ca |

ādāya bhūyo madhurāṃ yayau sa

yadūttamaḥ satyavatāṃ variṣṭhaḥ

विसृज्य · visṛjya — having left

कृष्णम् · kṛṣṇaṃ — Lord Krishna

निशि · niśi — at night

नन्दपत्न्याः · nandapatnyāḥ — beside Nanda's wife

पार्श्वे · pārśve — at the side of

तदीयाम् · tadīyām — her

अथ · atha — then

कन्यकाम् · kanyakāṃ — female child

आदाय · ādāya — having taken

भूयः · bhūyaḥ — again

मधुराम् · madhurāṃ — to Mathura

ययौ · yayau — went

सः · sa — he

यदूत्तमः · yadūttamaḥ — best of the Yadus

सत्यवताम् · satyavatām — of the truthful

वरिष्ठः · variṣṭhaḥ — foremost

सः यदूत्तमः सत्यवतां वरिष्ठः नन्दपत्न्याः पार्श्वे कृष्णं विसृज्य, अथ तदीयां कन्यकां आदाय भूयः मधुरां ययौ।

having left · Lord Krishna · at night · beside Nanda's wife · at the side of · her · then · female child · having taken · again · to Mathura · went · he · best of the Yadus · of the truthful · foremost

This verse concludes the narrative of the Lord's miraculous birth and secret transfer to Gokula, highlighting Vasudeva's unwavering commitment to his duty and truthfulness.

The goddess, however, as the merciless Kaṃsa took her in his hand, intending to strike her on a stone slab, said to him, "O fool, your enemy has been born somewhere in secret."

kare gṛhītvā'tha śilātale tāṃ

prahartukāmaṃ karuṇāvihīnam |

devī tu sā kaṃsamuvāca mūḍha

jāto ripuste kvacidasti gūḍhaḥ

करे · kare — in the hand

गृहीत्वा · gṛhītvā — having seized

अथ · atha — then

शिलातले · śilātale — on the stone slab

ताम् · tāṃ — her

प्रहर्तुकामम् · prahartukāmaṃ — intending to strike

करुणाविहीनम् · karuṇāvihīnam — merciless one

देवी · devī — the Goddess

तु · tu — however

सा · sā — she

कंसम् · kaṃsam — to Kamsa

उवाच · uvāca — said

मूढ · mūḍha — O fool

जातः · jātaḥ — born

रिपुः · ripuḥ — enemy

ते · te — your

क्वचित् · kvacid — somewhere

अस्ति · asti — is

गूढः · gūḍhaḥ — hidden

अथ करुणाविहीनं कंसं करे गृहीत्वा शिलातले तां प्रहर्तुकामं दृष्ट्वा, सा देवी कंसम् उवाच, 'मूढ, ते रिपुः क्वचित् गूढः जातः अस्ति'।

in the hand · having seized · then · on the stone slab · her · intending to strike · merciless one · the Goddess · however · she · to Kamsa · said · O fool · born · enemy · your · somewhere · is · hidden

This verse captures the dramatic moment of divine intervention where the Goddess reveals Kaṃsa's impending doom, shifting the narrative toward the inevitable destruction of evil.

This, therefore, is the sacred place, the birthplace of the Lord of the worlds, which immediately destroys all sins upon seeing or hearing of it.

tadidaṃ pāvanaṃ kṣetraṃ janmasthānaṃ jagatpateḥ |

darśanācchravaṇātsadyaḥ sarvapāpavināśanam

तत् · tad — that

इदम् · idaṃ — this

पावनम् · pāvanaṃ — sacred

क्षेत्रम् · kṣetraṃ — place

जन्मस्थानम् · janmasthānaṃ — birthplace

जगत्पतेः · jagatpateḥ — of the Lord of the worlds

दर्शनात् · darśanāt — by seeing

श्रवणात् · śravaṇāt — by hearing

सद्यः · sadyaḥ — immediately

सर्वपापविनाशनम् · sarvapāpavināśanam — destroyer of all sins

तत् इदं जगत्पतेः जन्मस्थानं पावनं क्षेत्रं वर्तते, यस्य दर्शनात् श्रवणात् च सद्यः सर्वपापविनाशनं भवति।

that · this · sacred · place · birthplace · of the Lord of the worlds · by seeing · by hearing · immediately · destroyer of all sins

This verse establishes the theological significance of Mathura as a sacred site, emphasizing its power to cleanse sins through mere remembrance or sight.

There exists an ancient, beautiful temple of Keśava, where Vishnu is present, bestowing the desired fruits to His devotees.

prācīnaṃ vidyate tatra ramyaṃ keśavamandiram |

yatra sannihito viṣṇurbhaktābhīṣṭaphalapradaḥ

प्राचीनम् · prācīnaṃ — ancient

विद्यते · vidyate — exists

तत्र · tatra — there

रम्यम् · ramyaṃ — beautiful

केशवमन्दिरम् · keśavamandiram — temple of Kesava

यत्र · yatra — where

सन्निहितः · sannihito — present

विष्णुः · viṣṇuḥ — Lord Vishnu

भक्ताभीष्टफलप्रदः · bhaktābhīṣṭaphalapradaḥ — bestower of desired fruits to devotees

तत्र प्राचीनं रम्यं केशवमन्दिरं विद्यते, यत्र विष्णुः सन्निहितः सन् भक्ताभीष्टफलप्रदः भवति।

ancient · exists · there · beautiful · temple of Kesava · where · present · Lord Vishnu · bestower of desired fruits to devotees

This verse introduces the physical presence of the Lord in Mathura, grounding the spiritual glory of the city in the tangible reality of the Keśava temple.

He who sees Keśava, the slayer of the Keśi demon, in Mathurā during the month of Kārtika, is truly the most fortunate one in the three worlds.

yaḥ paśyet kārtike māsi keśavaṃ keśisūdanam |

madhurāyāṃ mahābhāgaḥ sa eva bhuvanatraye

यः · yaḥ — he who

पश्येत् · paśyet — sees

कार्तिके · kārtike — in the month of Kartika

मासि · māsi — in the month

केशवम् · keśavaṃ — Lord Kesava

केशिसूदनम् · keśisūdanam — slayer of Kesi

मधुरायाम् · madhurāyāṃ — in Mathura

महाभागः · mahābhāgaḥ — most fortunate

सः · sa — he

एव · eva — indeed

भुवनत्रये · bhuvanatraye — in the three worlds

यः कार्तिके मासि मधुरायां केशिसूदनं केशवम् पश्येत्, सः एव भुवनत्रये महाभागः भवति।

he who · sees · in the month of Kartika · in the month · Lord Kesava · slayer of Kesi · in Mathura · most fortunate · he · indeed · in the three worlds

This verse elevates the act of pilgrimage to Mathura during the holy month of Kārtika, defining the highest standard of spiritual fortune.

The month of Kārtika is rare, the city of Mathurā is rare, and even there, the sight of Keśava is certainly rare for men.

durlabhaḥ kārtikamāso durlabhā madhurāpurī |

tatrāpi durlabhaṃ nūnaṃ nṛṇāṃ keśavadarśanam

दुर्लभः · durlabhaḥ — rare

कार्तिकमासः · kārtikamāso — month of Kartika

दुर्लभा · durlabhā — rare

मधुरापुरी · madhurāpurī — city of Mathura

तत्रापि · tatrāpi — even there

दुर्लभम् · durlabhaṃ — rare

नूनम् · nūnaṃ — certainly

नृणाम् · nṛṇāṃ — for humans

केशवदर्शनम् · keśavadarśanam — sight of Kesava

कार्तिकमासः दुर्लभः, मधुरापुरी दुर्लभा, तत्रापि नृणां केशवदर्शनं नूनं दुर्लभम्।

rare · month of Kartika · rare · city of Mathura · even there · rare · certainly · for humans · sight of Kesava

This verse emphasizes the rarity and supreme value of the opportunity to worship the Lord in Mathura, urging the devotee to recognize the uniqueness of this grace.

In the Kali age, fortunate are the people who, in the holy month of Kārtika, bathe in the Yamunā and reside in Mathurā.

pavitre kārtike māse bhāgyavanto narāḥ kalau |

kurvanti yamunāsnānaṃ madhurāyāṃ vasanti ca

पवित्रे · pavitre — holy

कार्तिके · kārtike — in Kartika

मासे · māse — in the month

भाग्यवन्तः · bhāgyavanto — fortunate

नराः · narāḥ — people

कलौ · kalau — in Kali age

कुर्वन्ति · kurvanti — they perform

यमुनास्नानम् · yamunāsnānaṃ — bath in Yamuna

मधुरायाम् · madhurāyāṃ — in Mathura

वसन्ति · vasanti — they reside

च · ca — and

कलौ पवित्रे कार्तिके मासे ये नराः यमुनास्नानं कुर्वन्ति मधुरायां च वसन्ति, ते भाग्यवन्तः।

holy · in Kartika · in the month · fortunate · people · in Kali age · they perform · bath in Yamuna · in Mathura · they reside · and

This verse highlights the specific spiritual practices of bathing in the Yamuna and residing in Mathura during Kārtika as the path to blessedness in the Kali age.

For those who offer rows of lamps day after day in the temple of Keśava during Kārtika, knowledge dawns in their hearts.

kārtike dīpamālāñca ye kurvanti dine dine |

keśavasyālaye teṣāṃ hṛdi jñānaṃ prakāśate

कार्तिके · kārtike — in Kartika

दीपमालाम् · dīpamālāñca — rows of lamps

ये · ye — those who

कुर्वन्ति · kurvanti — perform/offer

दिने · dine — day

दिने · dine — day

केशवस्यालये · keśavasyālaye — in the temple of Kesava

तेषाम् · teṣāṃ — their

हृदि · hṛdi — in the heart

ज्ञानम् · jñānaṃ — knowledge

प्रकाशते · prakāśate — shines/dawns

ये कार्तिके केशवस्यालये दिने दिने दीपमालां कुर्वन्ति, तेषां हृदि ज्ञानं प्रकाशते।

in Kartika · rows of lamps · those who · perform/offer · day · day · in the temple of Kesava · their · in the heart · knowledge · shines/dawns

This verse connects the simple act of offering lamps to the profound result of spiritual illumination, encouraging daily devotion during the holy month.

For the women who offer lamps during Kārtika, all inauspicious things are destroyed and auspicious things occur.

kārtike dīpadānañca kurvantīnāñca yoṣitām |

amaṅgalāni naśyanti maṅgalāni bhavanti ca

कार्तिके · kārtike — in Kartika

दीपदानम् · dīpadānañca — offering of lamps

कुर्वन्तीनाम् · kurvantīnāñca — of those women who perform

योषिताम् · yoṣitām — women

अमङ्गलानि · amaṅgalāni — inauspicious things

नश्यन्ति · naśyanti — are destroyed

मङ्गलानि · maṅgalāni — auspicious things

भवन्ति · bhavanti — happen

च · ca — and

कार्तिके दीपदानं कुर्वन्तीनां योषिताम् अमङ्गलानि नश्यन्ति, मङ्गलानि च भवन्ति।

in Kartika · offering of lamps · of those women who perform · women · inauspicious things · are destroyed · auspicious things · happen · and

This verse specifically addresses the spiritual benefits for women who perform the lamp-offering ritual, promising the removal of all inauspiciousness.

A devout person, residing in the region of Mathurā during the holy month of Kārtika, should daily worship Rādhā-Dāmodara.

Thus the seventeenth chapter, named 'The Glory of Mathurā', in the First Part of 'Divyadeśavaibhavam', composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.

pavitre kārtike māse madhurāmaṇḍale vasan |

rādhādāmodarau nityaṃ pūjayedbhaktimānnaraḥ

पवित्रे · pavitre — holy

कार्तिके · kārtike — in Kartika

मासे · māse — in the month

मधुरा-मण्डले · madhurāmaṇḍale — in the region of Mathura

वसन् · vasan — residing

राधा-दामोदरौ · rādhādāmodarau — Radha and Damodara

नित्यम् · nityaṃ — daily

पूजयेत् · pūjayed — should worship

भक्तिमान् · bhaktimānnaraḥ — devout person

पवित्रे कार्तिके मासे मधुरा-मण्डले वसन् भक्तिमान् नरः नित्यं राधा-दामोदरौ पूजयेत्।

holy · in Kartika · in the month · in the region of Mathura · residing · Radha and Damodara · daily · should worship · devout person

This final verse serves as a concluding instruction for the devotee, summarizing the ideal conduct for one residing in Mathura during the holy month.