Dashaka 61

ततश्च वृन्दावनतोऽतिदूरतो
वनं गतस्त्वं खलु गोपगोकुलै: ।
हृदन्तरे भक्ततरद्विजाङ्गना-
कदम्बकानुग्रहणाग्रहं वहन् ॥१॥

Once Thou went into the forest far away from Vrindaavana, with the cows and the cowherds. In Thy heart Thou carried the desire of blessing the large group of the very devout Braahmin women.

ततो निरीक्ष्याशरणे वनान्तरे
किशोरलोकं क्षुधितं तृषाकुलम् ।
अदूरतो यज्ञपरान् द्विजान् प्रति
व्यसर्जयो दीदिवियाचनाय तान् ॥२॥

Then Thou saw that the boys were hungry and were tormented by thirst and the forest was without any dwellings where some food could be got. Not very far away some Braahmins were performing Yagya. Thou sent the boys to them to beg for some boiled rice (food).

गतेष्वथो तेष्वभिधाय तेऽभिधां
कुमारकेष्वोदनयाचिषु प्रभो ।
श्रुतिस्थिरा अप्यभिनिन्युरश्रुतिं
न किञ्चिदूचुश्च महीसुरोत्तमा: ॥३॥

O Lord! The boys then went to the Braahmins and they mentioned Thy name and asked for food. But the great Braahmins who were known to be well versed in Vedas (Shrutis) acted as if they had not heard anything and did not respond in any manner.

अनादरात् खिन्नधियो हि बालका: ।
समाययुर्युक्तमिदं हि यज्वसु ।
चिरादभक्ता: खलु ते महीसुरा:
कथं हि भक्तं त्वयि तै: समर्प्यते ॥४॥

The boys came back, saddened at heart at being ignored thus. But such an indifferent behaviour was quite expected of such ritualistic Braahmins. Indeed for long they were not devoted to Thee so how was it possible that they would offer food to Thee?

निवेदयध्वं गृहिणीजनाय मां
दिशेयुरन्नं करुणाकुला इमा: ।
इति स्मितार्द्रं भवतेरिता गता-
स्ते दारका दारजनं ययाचिरे ॥५॥

Thou told the boys to go and announce Thy arrival to the housewives. Thou smilingly told them that those women were full of compassion and that they would give food. Thus being told the boys went to the housewives and requested them.

गृहीतनाम्नि त्वयि सम्भ्रमाकुला-
श्चतुर्विधं भोज्यरसं प्रगृह्य ता: ।
चिरंधृतत्वत्प्रविलोकनाग्रहा:
स्वकैर्निरुद्धा अपि तूर्णमाययु: ॥६॥

As Thy name was mentioned by the boys, the women who were eager to see Thee were very excited. They quickly came to Thee carrying with them four types food. For long they were holding a desire to see Thee, so in spite of being forbidden by their kith and kin, they came quickly.

विलोलपिञ्छं चिकुरे कपोलयो:
समुल्लसत्कुण्डलमार्द्रमीक्षिते ।
निधाय बाहुं सुहृदंससीमनि
स्थितं भवन्तं समलोकयन्त ता: ॥७॥

The peacock feather was quivering in the locks of Thy hair. Thy two cheeks were glowing with the reflection of the earrings. Thy hand was placed on the shoulder of Thy friend. The women joyfully saw Thee standing in this manner in front of them.

तदा च काचित्त्वदुपागमोद्यता
गृहीतहस्ता दयितेन यज्वना ।
तदैव सञ्चिन्त्य भवन्तमञ्जसा
विवेश कैवल्यमहो कृतिन्यसौ ॥८॥

And then, one of them who was eager to come near Thee, was held back by hand by her ritualistic husband. Thus being deterred, she meditated deeply on Thee. O What a wonder! This fortunate one easily entered oneness with Thee, there and then.

आदाय भोज्यान्यनुगृह्य ता: पुन-
स्त्वदङ्गसङ्गस्पृहयोज्झतीर्गृहम् ।
विलोक्य यज्ञाय विसर्जयन्निमा-
श्चकर्थ भर्तृनपि तास्वगर्हणान् ॥९॥

Accepting their offerings for food, Thou blessed them. They were always desirous of having physical contact with Thee and so abandoned their houses. Seeing this, Thou sent them back to conduct the Yagya rituals properly. Thou also rendered their husbands free from any ill feelings towards them.

निरूप्य दोषं निजमङ्गनाजने
विलोक्य भक्तिं च पुनर्विचारिभि:
प्रबुद्धतत्त्वैस्त्वमभिष्टुतो द्विजै-
र्मरुत्पुराधीश निरुन्धि मे गदान् ॥१०॥

The Braahmins realized their own mistake. They also recognized the great devotion of their wives. Those of them who reflected thus and then understood the Reality sang Thy praises. O Lord of Guruvaayur! Eradicate my sufferings.