|
Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 10: Chapter 59: Verses 35-45
(They) all severally set their heart on Sri Krsna with the feeling (prayer), "May He be my husband and may Providence approve of this." Sri Krsna sent them (all) in (closed) palanquins to Dwaraka, now that they had been duly washed and neatly dressed, and (also) sent (with them) valuable treasures, chariots, horses and abundant wealth, as well as sixty-four swift-footed white elephants descended from Airavata (the king of elephants and the carrier of Indra) and endowed with four tusks. Flying (thence) to the abode of Indra (the ruler of the gods), the Lord made over to Aditi (Indra's mother) her pair of ear-rings (recovered from the possession of Naraka, by whom they had been snatched away by force), as well as the umbrella (of Varuna) to Indra, and was worshipped (in return) alongwith His beloved spouse (Satyabhama) by the said king of immortals accompanied by his consort. Urged on by His consort, He pulled up a Parijata tree (from the garden of Indra) and, placing it on the back of Garuda and vanquishing the gods, Indra and all (who opposed Him), He brought it down[1] to His (own) capital (Dwaraka). It was planted to adorn the (pleasure-) garden attached to Satyabhama's mansion. Hankering after its (delicious) fragrance and honey, bees followed it (all the way) from heaven. Bowing low (with reverence) and touching His feet with the corners of his diadem, Indra had (formerly) sought from Sri Krsna (the immortal Lord) the accomplishment of his purpose (viz., the recovery of his mother's ear-rings and the umbrella of Varuna from Naraka). Once (however) he had his purpose accomplished, he fought with Him, though wise. Oh, the ignorance even of the gods (who are predominantly Sattvika in character)! Accursed is opulence.
Assuming as many semblances as the brides, and remaining undiminished (integral), the almighty Lord espoused with due ceremony (all) those damsels in different mansions at one and the same hour. Remaining constantly (and simultaneously) present in their mansions, which were not only unsurpassed but were beyond (all) comparison (in point of abundance of luxuries), Sri Krsna, who wrought inconceivable things and was perfect in His own blissfulness, sported with those part manifestations of Goddess Rama like an ordinary mortal, (scrupulously) performing (all) the duties of a householder. Having thus secured for their husband the (very) Spouse of Rama, whose ways (the path leading to whom) even Brahma (the creator) and others are unable to make out, the aforesaid ladies waited upon Him with incessantly increasing joy, greeting Him with glances accompanied by loving smiles in their (ever) fresh meeting (with the Lord) marked by exchange of jokes and bashfulness. Though attended by hundreds of servant-maids, they rendered (personal) service to the almighty Lord by going forth to meet Him (when He called at their door), offering Him (an exalted) seat and excellent articles of worship, laving His feet, presenting betel leaves seasoned with catechu, lime areca-nut parings, cloves and cardamom seeds etc., relieving His fatigue (by kneading His feet etc.), fanning Him, daubing Him with sandal-paste and
decking Him with garlands (in the hot weather), dressing His hair, arranging His bed, bathing Him and serving Him with refreshments etc.
Thus ends the fifty-ninth discourse entitled "The Lord snatches away
(by force) a Parijata tree (from Indra's paradise) and
makes short work of Naraka, " in the latter half of
Book Ten of the great and glorious
Bhagavata-Purana, otherwise known
as the Paramahamsa-Samhita.
|
|
