Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 10 Chapter 41:1-15

Book 10: Forty-one Chapter (First Half)

Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 10: Chapter 41: Verses 1-15 Entry into Mathura (of Sri Krsna and Balarama) Sri Suka began again : Having shown (to Akrura) His (Narayana's) form under water, Lord Sri Krsna withdrew it again, (even) while he was eulogizing Him, (just) as an actor would wind up his part. Perceiving the vision withdrawn and emerging from the water, Akrura also hurriedly finished all his unavoidable routine of devotions, and returned wonder-struck to the chariot. Sri Krsna (the Ruler of the senses) asked him, "What wonder did you see (just) now on earth, in the heavens or in the water (of the Yamuna)? (From your moist and blooming eyes and cheerful countenance etc.), we conclude you to have witnessed something unusual. Akrura replied : "Whatever wonders there are on this earth, in the firmament or in water exist in You (alone), who ensoul the universe. What wonder can, therefore, remain unseen by me, when I am directly looking at You ? When I am gazing on Yourself, in whom all marvels exist, 0 infinite Lord, what miracle could have been seen by me (elsewhere, viz.,) on this earth, in the sky or in water ?" Observing thus, Akrura (the son of Gandini) drove his chariot and brought Balarama and Sri Krsna to Mathura at the decline of day. People from the country, 0 king, who flocked at every stage on the road, felt delighted to behold the two Sons of Vasudeva and could not withdraw their eyes (from Them). Meanwhile the people of Vraja, headed by Nanda, the chief of the cowherds, (who had left the main road when they found Akrura tarrying on the bank of the Yamuna, and taken a shorter route) reached a garden in the precincts of the city in advance and stood waiting (there for Balarama and Sri Krsna). Having joined them, Lord Sri Krsna (the Ruler of the universe) clasped with His own hand the hand of Akrura, who stood bent low with reverence, and spoke to him as though laughing heartily :-"Enter you the city in advance with the chariot and return home. We, however, shall presently take down our things here and having rested awhile shall then visit the city." Akrura submitted : Bereft of You both I shall not enter Mathura, 0 Lord ! You ought not to abandon me, Your devotee, my master, (so) fond of Your votaries. Come, let us (all) go (together). (Pray,) grace our house, 0 Lord, who are above sense-perception, with the presence of its master (in You), visiting it alongwith Balarama (Your elder Brother) as well as with Your near and dear ones and (other) cowherds, 0 best Friend ! (Please) sanctify our house, householders as we are, with the dust of Your feet. With the water washing Your feet (and collected in a basin in one's house or flowing in the form of the holy Ganga) the manes as well as the gods including the fire-god get eternally propitiated (if it is offered to them by way of Tarpana).(Nay,) by washing both Your feet (the celebrated demon king) Bali not only became worthy of (sacred) renown and great (in point of merits) but (also) attained incomparable affluence and power as well as the goal which is reached by those exclusively devoted to You. The waters that washed Your feet (when You measured the earth and heaven in a couple of strides, and which flowed in the form of the holy Ganga) and were (thus) hallowed (beyond all measure) sanctified all the three worlds (through which the Ganga flows), the (great) Lord Siva (the Destroyer of the universe) bore them on His head and the (famous) sons of Sagara ascended to heaven (by contact of their remains with those sacred waters).