गोकुलमाहात्म्यम् Gokula Māhātmyam

The Sadguru said:

Gokula is indeed a blessed abode, more auspicious even than Vaikuntha, where Vishnu was lovingly cherished by Nanda and Yashoda.

śrīsadgururuvāca

varaṃ hi gokulaṃ dhāma vaikuṇṭhādapi maṅgalam |

yatra saṃlālito viṣṇurnandenāpi yaśodayā

वरम् · varam — blessed/superior

हि · hi — indeed

गोकुलम् · gokulam — the abode of Gokula

धाम · dhāma — abode

वैकुण्ठात् · vaikuṇṭhāt — than Vaikuntha

अपि · api — even

मङ्गलम् · maṅgalam — auspicious

यत्र · yatra — where

संलालितः · saṃlālitaḥ — lovingly cherished

विष्णुः · viṣṇuḥ — Lord Vishnu

नन्देन · nandena — by Nanda

यशोदया · yaśodayā — by Yashoda

गोकुलं धाम वैकुण्ठादपि वरं मङ्गलमस्ति । यत्र विष्णुः नन्देन यशोदया च संलालितः ।

blessed/superior · indeed · the abode of Gokula · abode · than Vaikuntha · even · auspicious · where · lovingly cherished · Lord Vishnu · by Nanda · by Yashoda

This verse establishes the central thesis of the chapter: that Gokula is superior to Vaikuntha because it is the theater of intimate human-like interactions between the Lord and His devotees.

Oh, the fortune, oh, the fortune of Nanda Gopa and the dwellers of Vraja, whose friend was the Supreme Bliss, the complete, eternal Brahman.

aho bhāgyamaho bhāgyaṃ nandagopavrajaukasām |

yanmitraṃ paramānandaṃ pūrṇaṃ brahma sanātanam

अहो · aho — oh

भाग्यम् · bhāgyam — fortune

नन्दगोपव्रजौकसाम् · nandagopavrajaukasām — of Nanda Gopa and the residents of Vraja

यत् · yat — whose

मित्रम् · mitram — friend

परमानन्दम् · paramānandam — Supreme Bliss

पूर्णम् · pūrṇam — complete

ब्रह्म · brahma — Brahman

सनातनम् · sanātanam — eternal

नन्दगोपव्रजौकसाम् भाग्यमहो भाग्यम् । यत् मित्रं परमानन्दं पूर्णं सनातनं ब्रह्म अस्ति ।

oh · fortune · of Nanda Gopa and the residents of Vraja · whose · friend · Supreme Bliss · complete · Brahman · eternal

This verse highlights the 'bhava' of the Vraja-vasis, emphasizing that their relationship with the Supreme Brahman is one of friendship and intimacy, which is the pinnacle of devotion.

During the festival of Krishna's birth, the Gopas, drenching one another with waters of curd, milk, and ghee, dance with love.

kṛṣṇajanmotsave gopā dadhikṣīraghṛtāmbubhiḥ |

anyonyamabhiṣiñcanto nṛtyanti premapūrvakam

कृष्णजन्मोत्सवे · kṛṣṇajanmotsave — during the festival of Krishna's birth

गोपाः · gopāḥ — the cowherd men

दधिक्षीरघृताम्बुभिः · dadhikṣīraghṛtāmbubhiḥ — with waters of curd, milk, and ghee

अन्योन्यम् · anyonyam — one another

अभिषिञ्चन्तः · abhiṣiñcantaḥ — drenching/anointing

नृत्यन्ति · nṛtyanti — dance

प्रेमपूर्वकम् · premapūrvakam — with love

कृष्णजन्मोत्सवे गोपाः दधिक्षीरघृताम्बुभिः अन्योन्यम् अभिषिञ्चन्तः प्रेमपूर्वकं नृत्यन्ति ।

during the festival of Krishna's birth · the cowherd men · with waters of curd, milk, and ghee · one another · drenching/anointing · dance · with love

This verse depicts the atmosphere of Gokula during the birth festival, showing how the divine joy manifests in physical, ecstatic expressions of love among the Gopas.

In every house, there is a jeweled cradle, and in the cradle is the infant Madhava. In every mouth is the name of Krishna—this is the characteristic of Gokula.

gṛhe gṛhe ratnaḍolā ḍolāyāṃ bālamādhavaḥ |

mukhe mukhe kṛṣṇanāma hyetadgokulalakṣaṇam

गृहे गृहे · gṛhe gṛhe — in every house

रत्नडोला · ratnaḍolā — jeweled cradle

डोलायाम् · ḍolāyām — in the cradle

बालमाधवः · bālamādhavaḥ — infant Madhava

मुखे मुखे · mukhe mukhe — in every mouth

कृष्णनाम · kṛṣṇanāma — the name of Krishna

एतत् · etat — this

गोकुललक्षणम् · gokulalakṣaṇam — characteristic of Gokula

गृहे गृहे रत्नडोला वर्तते, डोलायां बालमाधवः अस्ति । मुखे मुखे कृष्णनाम अस्ति, एतत् गोकुललक्षणम् ।

in every house · jeweled cradle · in the cradle · infant Madhava · in every mouth · the name of Krishna · this · characteristic of Gokula

This verse defines the essence of Gokula: the constant presence of the infant Lord in every home and the constant chanting of His name, making the entire region a living temple.

In the homes of the people residing in Gokula, who are full of parental affection and love, the childhood pastimes of Krishna unfold in every house.

vātsalyapremapūrṇānāṃ nṛṇāṃ gokulavāsinām |

gṛhe gṛhe ca kṛṣṇasya bālalīlā pravartate

वात्सल्यप्रेमपूर्णानाम् · vātsalyapremapūrṇānām — full of parental affection and love

नृणाम् · nṛṇām — of the people

गोकुलवासिनाम् · gokulavāsinām — of the residents of Gokula

गृहे गृहे · gṛhe gṛhe — in every house

कृष्णस्य · kṛṣṇasya — of Krishna

बाललीला · bālalīlā — childhood pastimes

प्रवर्तते · pravartate — unfold/take place

वात्सल्यप्रेमपूर्णानां गोकुलवासिनां नृणां गृहे गृहे कृष्णस्य बाललीला प्रवर्तते ।

full of parental affection and love · of the people · of the residents of Gokula · in every house · of Krishna · childhood pastimes · unfold/take place

This verse emphasizes that the childhood pastimes of Krishna are not merely historical events but are perpetually unfolding in the hearts and homes of the loving residents of Gokula.

Blessed is the house of Nanda, served by Brahma and other gods, where the Supreme Brahman Himself crawls on His knees.

dhanyaṃ hi nandabhavanaṃ brahmādisurasevitam |

yatra sākṣātparaṃ brahma jānubhyāmabhiriṅgati

धन्यम् · dhanyam — blessed

नन्दभवनम् · nandabhavanam — the house of Nanda

ब्रह्मादिसुरसेवितम् · brahmādisurasevitam — served by Brahma and other gods

यत्र · yatra — where

साक्षात् · sākṣāt — Himself/directly

परं ब्रह्म · paraṃ brahma — the Supreme Brahman

जानुभ्याम् · jānubhyām — on His knees

अभिरिङ्गति · abhiriṅgati — crawls

ब्रह्मादिसुरसेवितं नन्दभवनं धन्यं हि । यत्र साक्षात् परं ब्रह्म जानुभ्याम् अभिरिङ्गति ।

blessed · the house of Nanda · served by Brahma and other gods · where · Himself/directly · the Supreme Brahman · on His knees · crawls

This verse highlights the supreme irony and glory of Nanda's house: the Absolute Brahman, who is the object of meditation for gods, is reduced to crawling on the floor like a human infant.

Here itself, the infant of Nanda, absorbed in wondrous playful sports, drank the life-breaths of Putana along with her dreadful poison and, out of compassion, bestowed upon her that supreme state which is ever sought by all yogis.

atraiva ghoragaralena ca pūtanāyāḥ

prāṇāṃśca nandaśiśuradbhutakelilolaḥ |

pītvā dadau karuṇayā paramaṃ padañca

tasyai sadā sakalayogibhirarthanīyam

अत्रैव · atraiva — here itself

घोरगरलेन · ghoragaralena — with dreadful poison

पूतनायाः · pūtanāyāḥ — of Putana

प्राणान् · prāṇān — life-breaths

नन्दशिशुः · nandaśiśuḥ — the infant of Nanda

अद्भुतकेलिलोलः · adbhutakelilolaḥ — absorbed in wondrous play

पीत्वा · pītvā — having drunk

ददौ · dadau — bestowed

करुणया · karuṇayā — out of compassion

परमं पदम् · paramaṃ padam — the supreme state

अत्रैव अद्भुतकेलिलोलः नन्दशिशुः घोरगरलेन सह पूतनायाः प्राणान् पीत्वा, करुणया तस्यै सकलयोगिभिरर्थनीयं परमं पदं ददौ ।

here itself · with dreadful poison · of Putana · life-breaths · the infant of Nanda · absorbed in wondrous play · having drunk · bestowed · out of compassion · the supreme state

This verse illustrates the Lord's infinite compassion, showing that even those who approach Him with malice (like Putana) are granted the highest spiritual liberation due to their contact with Him.

Here itself, Mukunda struck with His foot the demon who had come in the form of a cart—that same pair of lotus feet which sages, controlling their minds, always desire to touch in seclusion.

atraiva taṃ śakaṭarūpamupāgatañca

daityaṃ padā praharaṇaṃ kṛtavān mukundaḥ |

yatpādapallavayugaṃ munayaśca nityaṃ

spraṣṭuṃ rahasyabhilaṣanti niyamya cetaḥ

अत्रैव · atraiva — here itself

शकटरूपम् · śakaṭarūpam — in the form of a cart

उपागतम् · upāgatam — who had come

दैत्यम् · daityam — the demon

पदा · padā — with His foot

प्रहरणं कृतवान् · praharaṇaṃ kṛtavān — struck

मुकुन्दः · mukundaḥ — Mukunda

यत्पादपल्लवयुगम् · yatpādapallavayugam — whose pair of lotus feet

मुनयः · munayaḥ — sages

नित्यम् · nityam — always

स्प्रष्टुम् · spraṣṭuṃ — to touch

अभिलषन्ति · abhilaṣanti — desire

अत्रैव मुकुन्दः शकटरूपमुपागतं दैत्यं पदा प्रहरणं कृतवान् । यत्पादपल्लवयुगं मुनयः चेतो नियम्य नित्यं स्प्रष्टुं रहस्यभिलषन्ति ।

here itself · in the form of a cart · who had come · the demon · with His foot · struck · Mukunda · whose pair of lotus feet · sages · always · to touch · desire

This verse contrasts the physical simplicity of the Lord's act (kicking a cart) with the profound spiritual reality that these are the very feet sages meditate upon to attain liberation.

Here itself, Krishna, absorbed in the playful sports of His childhood age, killed the demon in the form of a whirlwind, throwing him down from the sky to the surface of the earth, and His face was kissed out of affection by the women of the Gopas.

atraiva śaiśavavayaḥ kṛtakelilolo

vātyāsvarūpamasuraṃ vinihatya kṛṣṇaḥ |

ākāśataḥ kṣititale vinipātya gopa-

rāmābhirādaravaśādabhicumbitāsyaḥ

अत्रैव · atraiva — here itself

शैशववयः · śaiśavavayaḥ — in childhood age

कृतकेलिलोलः · kṛtakelilolaḥ — absorbed in playful sports

वात्यास्वरूपम् · vātyāsvarūpam — in the form of a whirlwind

असुरम् · asuram — the demon

विनिहत्य · vinihatya — having killed

कृष्णः · kṛṣṇaḥ — Krishna

आकाशतः · ākāśataḥ — from the sky

क्षितितले · kṣititale — on the earth

विनिपात्य · vinipātya — having cast down

गोपरामाभिः · goparāmābhiḥ — by the women of the Gopas

अभिचुम्बितास्यः · abhicumbitāsyaḥ — whose face was kissed

अत्रैव शैशववयः कृतकेलिलोलः कृष्णः वात्यास्वरूपमसुरं विनिहत्य, आकाशतः क्षितितले विनिपात्य, गोपरामाभिरादरवशादभिचुम्बितास्यः बभूव ।

here itself · in childhood age · absorbed in playful sports · in the form of a whirlwind · the demon · having killed · Krishna · from the sky · on the earth · having cast down · by the women of the Gopas · whose face was kissed

This verse captures the sweetness of the Lord's childhood, where even after performing heroic feats like slaying a demon, He remains a vulnerable child kissed by the Gopis.

Here itself, the sage Garga bestowed the sweet name upon the wondrous child and also upon Rama—by experiencing the bliss of chanting which name, devotees do not desire even the realm of Vaikuntha.

atraiva gargamuniradbhutabālakasya

rāmasya cāpi nidadhe madhuraṃ hi nāma |

yannāmakīrtanarasaṃ tvanubhūya bhaktā

vaikuṇṭhalokamapi naiva hi kāmayante

अत्रैव · atraiva — here itself

गर्गमुनिः · gargamuniḥ — the sage Garga

अद्भुतबालकस्य · adbhutabālakasya — of the wondrous child

रामस्य · rāmasya — of Rama

निदधे · nidadhe — bestowed

मधुरं नाम · madhuraṃ nāma — sweet name

यन्नामकीर्तनरसम् · yannāmakīrtanarasam — the bliss of chanting which name

अनुभूय · anubhūya — having experienced

भक्ताः · bhaktāḥ — devotees

वैकुण्ठलोकमपि · vaikuṇṭhalokamapi — even the realm of Vaikuntha

नैव कामयन्ते · naiva kāmayante — do not desire at all

अत्रैव गर्गमुनिः अद्भुतबालकस्य रामस्य चापि मधुरं नाम निदधे । यन्नामकीर्तनरसं त्वनुभूय भक्ताः वैकुण्ठलोकमपि नैव हि कामयन्ते ।

here itself · the sage Garga · of the wondrous child · of Rama · bestowed · sweet name · the bliss of chanting which name · having experienced · devotees · even the realm of Vaikuntha · do not desire at all

This verse emphasizes the power of the Lord's names, which are so potent and blissful that they make the highest spiritual destination (Vaikuntha) seem unnecessary to the devotee.

Here itself, the son of Nanda, along with the groups of boys, playfully committed theft of butter, milk, and ghee in the houses, knocking over pots after respectfully climbing upon a stool and a mortar.

atraiva bālakagaṇaiḥ saha nandasūnu-

ścauryaṃ cakāra navanītapayoghṛtānām |

kumbhānnipātya bhavaneṣu ca līlayaiva-

māruhya pīṭhakamulūkhalamādareṇa

अत्रैव · atraiva — right here

बालकगणैः · bālakagaṇaiḥ — with groups of boys

सह · saha — together with

नन्दसूनुः · nandasūnuḥ — the son of Nanda

चौर्यं · cauryaṃ — theft

चकार · cakāra — performed

नवनीतपयोघृतानाम् · navanītapayoghṛtānām — of butter, milk, and ghee

कुम्भान् · kumbhān — pots

निपात्य · nipātya — having knocked down

लीलयैव · līlayaiva — by playfulness alone

आरुह्य · āruhya — having climbed

पीठकम् · pīṭhakam — a stool

उलूखलम् · ulūkhalam — a mortar

आदरेण · ādareṇa — with respect/care

अत्रैव नन्दसूनुः बालकगणैः सह भवनेषु नवनीतपयोघृतानां चौर्यं चकार। सः पीठकम् उलूखलं च आदरेण आरुह्य कुम्भान् लीलयैव निपात्य चकार।

right here · with groups of boys · together with · the son of Nanda · theft · performed · of butter, milk, and ghee · pots · having knocked down · by playfulness alone · having climbed · a stool · a mortar · with respect/care

This verse transitions the narrative from general descriptions of Gokula to specific, endearing childhood pastimes of Krishna, highlighting his playful nature as a thief of butter.

Here itself, Nanda's wife (Yashoda), having heard the pastimes of Krishna constantly flowing from the lotus-mouths of the beautiful ladies of Vraja, bound her own child to a mortar, and He then brought about the release from the curse for the two sons of Kubera.

atraiva nandagṛhiṇī vrajasundarīṇāṃ

nityaṃ mukhāmbujaviniḥsṛtakṛṣṇalīlām |

śrutvā babandha nijabālamulūkhale sā

cakre kuberasutayorapi śāpamokṣam

अत्रैव · atraiva — right here

नन्दगृहिणी · nandagṛhiṇī — Nanda's wife

व्रजसुन्दरीणाम् · vrajasundarīṇāṃ — of the beautiful ladies of Vraja

नित्यं · nityaṃ — constantly

मुखाम्बुजविनिःसृत · mukhāmbujaviniḥsṛta — flowing from the lotus-mouths

कृष्णलीलाम् · kṛṣṇalīlām — Krishna's pastimes

श्रुत्वा · śrutvā — having heard

बबन्ध · babandha — bound

निजबालम् · nijabālam — her own child

उलूखले · ulūkhale — to a mortar

सा · sā — she

चक्रे · cakre — caused

कुबेरसुतयोः · kuberasutayoḥ — for the two sons of Kubera

शापमोक्षम् · śāpamokṣam — release from the curse

अत्रैव नन्दगृहिणी सा व्रजसुन्दरीणां मुखाम्बुजविनिःसृतं कृष्णलीलां नित्यं श्रुत्वा निजबालं उलूखले बबन्ध। सा कुबेरसुतयोः शापमोक्षम् अपि चक्रे।

right here · Nanda's wife · of the beautiful ladies of Vraja · constantly · flowing from the lotus-mouths · Krishna's pastimes · having heard · bound · her own child · to a mortar · she · caused · for the two sons of Kubera · release from the curse

This verse connects the domestic life of Yashoda to the cosmic liberation of the sons of Kubera, illustrating how Krishna's pastimes in Gokula bridge the mundane and the divine.

Here itself, Mukunda, the sole cause of the universe, while playing with the groups of boys, ate mud. And to the angered Yashoda, He showed the entire universe within His own belly by opening His mouth.

atraiva dārakagaṇairviharanmukundo

mṛdbhakṣaṇañca kṛtavān kupitāṃ yaśodām |

āsyaṃ vidārya ca nijaṃ bhuvanañca sarvaṃ

prādarśayat svajaṭhare jagadekahetuḥ

अत्रैव · atraiva — right here

दारकगणैः · dārakagaṇaiḥ — with groups of boys

विहरन् · viharan — playing

मुकुन्दः · mukundo — Mukunda

मृद्भक्षणम् · mṛdbhakṣaṇañca — eating of mud

कृतवान् · kṛtavān — did

कुपितां · kupitāṃ — to the angered

यशोदाम् · yaśodām — Yashoda

आस्यं · āsyaṃ — mouth

विदार्य · vidārya — having opened

निजं · nijaṃ — his own

भुवनं · bhuvanañca — universe

सर्वं · sarvaṃ — all

प्रादर्शयत् · prādarśayat — showed

स्वजठरे · svajaṭhare — in his own belly

जगदेकहेतुः · jagadekahetuḥ — the sole cause of the world

अत्रैव जगदेकहेतुः मुकुन्दः दारकगणैः सह विहरन् मृद्भक्षणं कृतवान्। सः कुपितां यशोदां प्रति निजम् आस्यं विदार्य स्वजठरे सर्वं भुवनं प्रादर्शयत्।

right here · with groups of boys · playing · Mukunda · eating of mud · did · to the angered · Yashoda · mouth · having opened · his own · universe · all · showed · in his own belly · the sole cause of the world

This verse highlights the supreme paradox of Krishna: the infinite Brahman acting as a small child, revealing the entire universe within his mouth to his mother.

Here itself, the Gopa women, by drinking the nectar of the infant Nanda's playful sports, attain infinite bliss. That glorious Gokula, marked by the lotus feet of Sri Krishna, is indeed an ornament for the entire world.

atraiva nandaśiśukelirasaṃ pibantyo

gopāṅganā sukhamanantamavāpnuvanti |

śrīkṛṣṇapādasarasīruhalāñchitaṃ ta-

cchrīgokulaṃ bhuvanamaṇḍalabhūṣaṇaṃ hi

अत्रैव · atraiva — right here

नन्दशिशुकेलिरसम् · nandaśiśukelirasaṃ — the nectar of Nanda's child's play

पिबन्त्यः · pibantyo — drinking

गोपाङ्गनाः · gopāṅganā — the Gopa women

सुखम् · sukham — happiness

अनन्तम् · anantam — infinite

अवाप्नुवन्ति · avāpnuvanti — attain

श्रीकृष्णपादसरसीरुह · śrīkṛṣṇapādasarasīruha — lotus feet of Sri Krishna

लाञ्छितं · lāñchitaṃ — marked

तत् · ta — that

श्रीगोकुलं · chrīgokulaṃ — glorious Gokula

भुवनमण्डलभूषणं · bhuvanamaṇḍalabhūṣaṇaṃ — ornament of the world

हि · hi — indeed

अत्रैव नन्दशिशुकेलिरसं पिबन्त्यः गोपाङ्गनाः अनन्तं सुखम् अवाप्नुवन्ति। श्रीकृष्णपादसरसीरुहलाञ्छितं तत् श्रीगोकुलं भुवनमण्डलभूषणं हि अस्ति।

right here · the nectar of Nanda's child's play · drinking · the Gopa women · happiness · infinite · attain · lotus feet of Sri Krishna · marked · that · glorious Gokula · ornament of the world · indeed

This verse summarizes the spiritual impact of Gokula on its residents, establishing it as a sacred, transformative space that ornaments the entire world.

O devotee of Krishna! In Gokula, within the region of Vraja, the formless Brahman plays in the form of a child.

bhoḥ kṛṣṇabhakta gokulaṃ vrajamaṇḍale |

bālakarūpeṇa krīḍati brahma nirguṇam

भोः · bhoḥ — O!

कृष्णभक्त · kṛṣṇabhakta — devotee of Krishna

गोकुलं · gokulaṃ — Gokula

व्रजमण्डले · vrajamaṇḍale — in the region of Vraja

बालकरूपेण · bālakarūpeṇa — in the form of a child

क्रीडति · krīḍati — plays

ब्रह्म · brahma — the Supreme Brahman

निर्गुणम् · nirguṇam — formless/without attributes

भोः कृष्णभक्त, व्रजमण्डले गोकुलं अस्ति। तत्र निर्गुणं ब्रह्म बालकरूपेण क्रीडति।

O! · devotee of Krishna · Gokula · in the region of Vraja · in the form of a child · plays · the Supreme Brahman · formless/without attributes

This verse serves as a direct address to the devotee, defining the essential nature of Gokula as the place where the formless Brahman assumes a human form for divine play.

The three worlds are scorched by the various sorrows of worldly existence. The abode of Gokula alone is cool, due to the pastimes of Krishna.

nānāsaṃsāraduḥkhaiśca santaptaṃ bhuvanatrayam |

ekaṃ hi gokulaṃ dhāma śītalaṃ kṛṣṇalīlayā

नानासंसारदुःखैः · nānāsaṃsāraduḥkhaiḥ — by various worldly sorrows

सन्तप्तं · santaptaṃ — scorched

भुवनत्रयम् · bhuvanatrayam — the three worlds

एकं · ekaṃ — the only one

हि · hi — indeed

गोकुलं · gokulaṃ — Gokula

धाम · dhāma — abode

शीतलं · śītalaṃ — cool

कृष्णलीलया · kṛṣṇalīlayā — by Krishna's pastimes

भुवनत्रयं नानासंसारदुःखैः सन्तप्तं अस्ति। गोकुलं धाम एकं हि कृष्णलीलया शीतलं अस्ति।

by various worldly sorrows · scorched · the three worlds · the only one · indeed · Gokula · abode · cool · by Krishna's pastimes

This verse contrasts the suffering of the material world with the cooling, refreshing nature of Gokula, positioning it as the ultimate sanctuary for the soul.

O Vaishnavas, you who are pained by the fatigue of wandering in the desert of worldly existence, take refuge in Gokula and live happily.

saṃsāramarukāntārasañcāraśramaduḥkhitāḥ |

yūyaṃ gokulamāśritya sukhaṃ jīvata vaiṣṇavāḥ

संसारमरुकान्तारसञ्चार · saṃsāramarukāntārasañcāra — wandering in the desert of the world

श्रमदुःखिताः · śramaduḥkhitāḥ — pained by fatigue

यूयं · yūyaṃ — you all

गोकुलम् · gokulam — Gokula

आश्रित्य · āśritya — having taken refuge

सुखं · sukhaṃ — happily

जीवत · jīvata — live

वैष्णवाः · vaiṣṇavāḥ — O Vaishnavas

हे वैष्णवाः, यूयं संसारमरुकान्तारसञ्चारश्रमदुःखिताः सन्तः गोकुलम् आश्रित्य सुखं जीवत।

wandering in the desert of the world · pained by fatigue · you all · Gokula · having taken refuge · happily · live · O Vaishnavas

This verse is an invitation to the Vaishnavas to seek refuge in Gokula, offering a practical solution to the fatigue caused by the cycle of worldly existence.

The abode of Gokula is a refuge for those who possess parental affection and love for Sri Krishna, the Supreme Soul, and never for others.

vātsalyapremayuktānāṃ śrīkṛṣṇe paramātmani |

śaraṇaṃ gokulaṃ dhāma netareṣāṃ kadācana

वात्सल्यप्रेमयुक्तानाम् · vātsalyapremayuktānāṃ — for those endowed with parental love

श्रीकृष्णे · śrīkṛṣṇe — in Sri Krishna

परमात्मनि · paramātmani — the Supreme Soul

शरणं · śaraṇaṃ — refuge

गोकुलं · gokulaṃ — Gokula

धाम · dhāma — abode

नेतरेषाम् · netareṣāṃ — not for others

कदाचन · kadācana — ever

श्रीकृष्णे परमात्मनि वात्सल्यप्रेमयुक्तानां जनानां कृते गोकुलं धाम शरणं अस्ति, इतरेषां कृते कदाचन न।

for those endowed with parental love · in Sri Krishna · the Supreme Soul · refuge · Gokula · abode · not for others · ever

This verse defines the eligibility for entering the refuge of Gokula, emphasizing that it is reserved for those whose hearts are filled with parental love for Krishna.

Auspicious is the abode of Gokula, enchanting to the Vaishnavas. For those absorbed in meditation on Madhava, it is sweet in the region of Mathura.

Thus ends the eighteenth chapter, titled "The Glory of Gokula," in the First Part of the "Divyadesavaibhavam" composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.

maṅgalaṃ gokulaṃ dhāma vaiṣṇavānāṃ manoharam |

mādhavadhyānamagnānāṃ madhuraṃ madhurāpure

मङ्गलं · maṅgalaṃ — auspicious

गोकुलं · gokulaṃ — Gokula

धाम · dhāma — abode

वैष्णवानाम् · vaiṣṇavānāṃ — for the Vaishnavas

मनोहरम् · manoharam — enchanting

माधवध्यानमग्नानाम् · mādhavadhyānamagnānāṃ — for those absorbed in meditation on Madhava

मधुरं · madhuraṃ — sweet

मधुरापुरे · madhurāpure — in the region of Mathura

गोकुलं धाम वैष्णवानां मनोहरं मङ्गलं अस्ति। माधवध्यानमग्नानां जनानां कृते मधुरापुरे तत् मधुरं अस्ति।

auspicious · Gokula · abode · for the Vaishnavas · enchanting · for those absorbed in meditation on Madhava · sweet · in the region of Mathura

The concluding verse of the chapter summarizes the auspicious and enchanting nature of Gokula, positioning it as the ultimate destination for those meditating on Madhava.