Dashaka 51

कदाचन व्रजशिशुभि: समं भवान्
वनाशने विहितमति: प्रगेतराम् ।
समावृतो बहुतरवत्समण्डलै:
सतेमनैर्निरगमदीश जेमनै: ॥१॥

Once Thou decided to have a picnic in the woods. Along with the children of Gokul and surrounded by a large herd of calves, Thou set out early in the morning. O Lord Thou also took along eatables, cooked rice and other delicacies.

विनिर्यतस्तव चरणाम्बुजद्वया-
दुदञ्चितं त्रिभुवनपावनं रज: ।
महर्षय: पुलकधरै: कलेबरै-
रुदूहिरे धृतभवदीक्षणोत्सवा: ॥२॥

When Thou set out for the woods, from Thy lotus like two feet the dust arose which sanctifies the three worlds. The great sages received that dust on their bodies with great joy and horripilation as they feasted their eyes on Thy sight.

प्रचारयत्यविरलशाद्वले तले
पशून् विभो भवति समं कुमारकै: ।
अघासुरो न्यरुणदघाय वर्तनी
भयानक: सपदि शयानकाकृति: ॥३॥

Thou and the lads were grazing the cattle on the thick grass lands. Suddenly the most terrifying demon Aghaasura, in the form of a formidable python, with an evil intention blocked the way.

महाचलप्रतिमतनोर्गुहानिभ-
प्रसारितप्रथितमुखस्य कानने ।
मुखोदरं विहरणकौतुकाद्गता:
कुमारका: किमपि विदूरगे त्वयि ॥४॥

Thou had gone a little ahead. The lads mistook the huge body of the Asura for a mountain and its large spread out mouth for a cave. In their eagerness to explore the woods, they entered the python's open mouth.

प्रमादत: प्रविशति पन्नगोदरं
क्वथत्तनौ पशुपकुले सवात्सके ।
विदन्निदं त्वमपि विवेशिथ प्रभो
सुहृज्जनं विशरणमाशु रक्षितुम् ॥५॥

The Gopa boys along with the calves had entered the belly of the snake by mistake and started to feel the heat therein. O Lord! Apprehending the situation, Thou also entered immediately to save the helpless friends.

गलोदरे विपुलितवर्ष्मणा त्वया
महोरगे लुठति निरुद्धमारुते ।
द्रुतं भवान् विदलितकण्ठमण्डलो
विमोचयन् पशुपपशून् विनिर्ययौ ॥६॥

In the cavity of the throat of the python, Thou increased Thy size of Thy body, thus obstructing its breath. It began to wreath in agony, then Thou tore open its neck portion and releasing the Gopa boys and the calves, Thou also came out.

क्षणं दिवि त्वदुपगमार्थमास्थितं
महासुरप्रभवमहो महो महत् ।
विनिर्गते त्वयि तु निलीनमञ्जसा
नभ:स्थले ननृतुरथो जगु: सुरा: ॥७॥

A great brilliance emerged from the Asura and rose, in the sky and awaited Thy emerging from the body of the python. Oh! What a wonder, as soon as Thou came out the brilliance merged into Thee, while the gods danced and sang.

सविस्मयै: कमलभवादिभि: सुरै-
रनुद्रुतस्तदनु गत: कुमारकै: ।
दिने पुनस्तरुणदशामुपेयुषि
स्वकैर्भवानतनुत भोजनोत्सवम् ॥८॥

Brahmaa and other gods were wonderstruck and watched Thee and followed Thee in the skies. After that Thou went with the Gopa boys when the day had reached noontime and with Thy own people Thou celebrated the food festival, the picnic lunch.

विषाणिकामपि मुरलीं नितम्बके
निवेशयन् कबलधर: कराम्बुजे ।
प्रहासयन् कलवचनै: कुमारकान्
बुभोजिथ त्रिदशगणैर्मुदा नुत: ॥९॥

The horn and the flute were tucked in Thy waist band. Thou were holding a ball of rice in Thy lotus like hand and provoked peals of laughter among the boys by Thy humorous talks. As Thou took Thy meal the gods joyfully sang Thy praises.

सुखाशनं त्विह तव गोपमण्डले
मखाशनात् प्रियमिव देवमण्डले ।
इति स्तुतस्त्रिदशवरैर्जगत्पते
मरुत्पुरीनिलय गदात् प्रपाहि माम् ॥१०॥

O Lord of the Universe! The great gods praised Thee saying that the meal taken happily with the Gopa boys gave Thee more pleasure than the sacrificial offerings which Thou had received with the gods. O Thou Residing in Guruvaayur! Save me from my ailments.