Madhya5.34

TEXT 34

eta bali’ dui-jane calila desere

guru-buddhye chota-vipra bahu seva kare

SYNONYMS

eta bali’-speaking this; dui-jane—both the brahmanas; calila—went; desere—toward their own country; guru-buddhye—accepting the elderly brahmana as guru; chota-vipra—the young brahmana; bahu—various; seva—services; kare—renders.

TRANSLATION

After these talks, the two brahmanas started for home. As usual, the young brahmana accompanied the elderly brahmana as if the older brahmana were a guru [spiritual master] and rendered him service in various ways.

Madhya5.35

TEXT 35

dese asi’ dui-jane gela nija-ghare

kata dine bada-vipra cintita antare

SYNONYMS

dese asi’-after returning to their own country; dui-jane—both of them; gela—went; nija-ghare—to their respective homes; kata dine—after some time; bada-vipra—the elderly brahmana; cintita—very anxious; antare—within.

TRANSLATION

After returning to Vidyanagara, each brahmana went to his respective home. After some time, the elderly brahmana became very anxious.

Madhya5.36

TEXT 36

tirthe vipre vakya dilun,--kemate satya haya

stri, putra, jnati, bandhu janibe niscaya

SYNONYMS

tirthe—on pilgrimage; vipre—to a brahmana; vakya—word of honor; dilun—I have given; kemate—how; satya—true; haya—it is; stri—wife; putra—sons; jnati—relatives; bandhu—friends; janibe—will know; niscaya—certainly.

TRANSLATION

He began to think, “I have given my word to a brahmana in a holy place, and what I promised will certainly come to pass. I must now disclose this to my wife, sons, other relatives and friends.”

Madhya5.37

TEXT 37

eka-dina nija-loka ekatra karila

ta-sabara age saba vrttanta kahila

SYNONYMS

eka-dina—one day; nija-loka—all his relatives; ekatra—in one place; karila—assembled; ta-sabara—of all of them; age—in front; saba—all; vrttanta—narration; kahila—spoke.

TRANSLATION

Thus one day the elderly brahmana called for a meeting of all his relatives and friends, and before them all he narrated what had taken place in front of Gopala.

Madhya5.38

TEXT 38

suni’ saba gosthi tara kare haha-kara

’aiche bat mukhe tumi na anibe ara

SYNONYMS

suni’-hearing; saba—all; gosthi—family members and friends; tara—of the elderly brahmana; kare—do; ha-ha-kara—exclamation of disappointment; aiche—such; bat—proposal; mukhe—in the mouth; tumi—you; na—not; anibe—should bring; ara—again.

TRANSLATION

When those who belonged to the family circle heard the narration of the old brahmana, they made exclamations showing their disappointment. They all requested that he not make such a proposal again.

Madhya5.39

TEXT 39

nice kanya dile kula yaibeka nasa

sunina sakala loka karibe upahasa’

SYNONYMS

nice—to a lower family; kanya—daughter; dile—if offering; kula—family tradition; yaibeka—will go to; nasa—destruction; sunina—hearing; sakala—all; loka—friends; karibe—will do; upahasa—joking.

TRANSLATION

They unanimously agreed, “If you offer your daughter to a degraded family, your aristocracy will be lost. When people hear of this, they will make jokes and laugh at you.”

Madhya5.40

TEXT 40

vipra bale,--"tirtha-vakya kemane kari ana

ye ha-uk, se ha-uka, ami diba kanya-dana"

SYNONYMS

vipra bale—the brahmana says; tirtha-vakya—the promise made on the pilgrimage; kemane—how; kari—I shall do; ana—otherwise; ye ha-uk—whatever may be; se ha-uka—let it take place; ami—I; diba—shall give; kanya-dana—my daughter in charity.

TRANSLATION

The elderly brahmana said, “How can I undo the promise I made in a holy place while on pilgrimage? Whatever may happen, I must give him my daughter in charity.”

Madhya5.41

TEXT 41

jnati loka kahe,--’mora tomake chadiba’

stri-putra kahe,--’visa khaiya mariba’

SYNONYMS

jnati loka—the relatives; kahe—answer; mora—we all; tomake—you; chadiba—will give up; stri—wife; putra—sons; kahe—say; visa—poison; khaiya—drinking; mariba—we shall die.

TRANSLATION

The relatives unanimously said, “If you give your daughter to that boy, we shall give up all connection with you.” Indeed, his wife and sons declared, “If such a thing happens, we shall take poison and die.”

Madhya5.42

TEXT 42

vipra bale,--"saksi bolana karibeka nyaya

jiti’ kanya labe, mora vyartha dharma haya"

SYNONYMS

vipra bale—the brahmana says; saksi—a witness; bolana—calling for; karibeka—there will be; nyaya—justice; jiti’-winning; kanya—the daughter; labe—he will take; mora—my; vyartha—meaningless; dharma—religious principles; haya—will be.

TRANSLATION

The elderly brahmana said, “If I do not give my daughter to the young brahmana, he will call Sri Gopalaji as a witness. Thus he will take my daughter by force, and in that case my religious principles will become meaningless.”

Madhya5.43

TEXT 43

putra bale,--"pratima saksi, seha dura dese

ke tomara saksi dibe, cinta kara kise

SYNONYMS

putra bale—his son says; pratima—the Deity; saksi—witness; seha—He also; dura—distant; dese—in country; ke—who; tomara—of you; saksi—witness; dibe—will give; cinta—anxiety; kara—you do; kise—why.

TRANSLATION

His son replied, "The Deity may be a witness, but He is in a distant country. How can He come to bear witness against you? Why are you so anxious over this?

Madhya5.44

TEXT 44

nahi kahi--na kahio e mithya-vacana

sabe kahibe--’mora kichu nahika smarana’

SYNONYMS

nahi kahi—I did not say; na kahio—do not say; e—this; mithya-vacana—false statement; sabe—only; kahibe—you shall say; mora—my; kichu—anything; nahika—not; smarana—remembrance.

TRANSLATION

"You do not have to flatly deny that you spoke such a thing. There is no need to make a false statement. Simply say that you do not remember what you said.

Madhya5.45

TEXT 45

tumi yadi kaha,--’ami kichui na jani’

tabe ami nyaya kari’ brahmanere jini"

SYNONYMS

tumi—you; yadi—if; kaha—say; ami kichui na jani—I do not remember anything; tabe—in that case; ami—I; nyaya kari’-arguing; brahmanere—the younger brahmana; jini—shall conquer.

TRANSLATION

“If you simply say, ’I do not remember,’ I shall take care of the rest. By argument, I shall defeat the young brahmana.”

PURPORT

The son of the elderly brahmana was an atheist and a follower of the Raghunatha-smrti. He was very expert in dealing with pounds-shillings-pence, but he was fool number one. Consequently, he did not believe in the spiritual position of the Deity, nor did he have any faith in the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore, as a typical idol worshiper, he considered the form of the Lord to be made of stone or wood. Thus he assured his father that the witness was only a stone Deity and was not capable of speaking. Besides that, he assured his father that the Deity was situated far away and consequently could not come to bear witness. In essence, he was saying: “Have no anxiety. You do not have to lie directly, but you should speak like a diplomat, like King Yudhisthira when he spoke to Dronacarya-asvatthama hata iti gajah. Following this principle, simply say that you do not remember anything and are completely unaware of the statements given by the young brahmana. If you make the background like that, I shall know how to fill in the argument and defeat him by word jugglery. Thus I shall save you from having to give your daughter to him. In this way, our aristocracy will be saved. You have nothing to worry about.”

Madhya5.46

TEXT 46

eta suni’ viprera cintita haila mana

ekanta-bhave cinte vipra gopala-carana

SYNONYMS

eta suni’-hearing this; viprera—of the old brahmana; cintita—agitated; haila—became; mana—the mind; ekanta-bhave—with single-minded attention; cinte—thinks; vipra—the brahmana; gopala-carana—of the lotus feet of Sri Gopalaji.

TRANSLATION

When the elderly brahmana heard this, his mind became very agitated. Feeling helpless, he simply turned his attention to the lotus feet of Gopala.

Madhya5.47

TEXT 47

’mora dharma raksa paya, na mare nija-jana

dui raksa kara, gopala, lainu sarana’

SYNONYMS

mora—my; dharma—religious principles; raksa paya—spared; na—not; mare—die; nija-jana—own kinsmen; dui—two; raksa kara—You kindly protect; gopala—my Lord Gopala; lainu—I have taken; sarana—shelter under Your lotus feet.

TRANSLATION

The elderly brahmana prayed, “My dear Lord Gopala, I have taken shelter of Your lotus feet, and therefore I request You to please protect my religious principles from disturbance and at the same time save my kinsmen from dying.”

Madhya5.48

TEXT 48

ei-mata vipra citte cintite lagila

ara dina laghu-vipra tanra ghare aila

SYNONYMS

ei-mata—in this way; vipra—the elderly brahmana; citte—within the mind; cintite—to think; lagila—began; ara dina—the next day; laghu-vipra—the young brahmana; tanra—his; ghare—to the home; aila—came.

TRANSLATION

The next day, the elderly brahmana was thinking deeply about this matter when the young brahmana came to his house.

Madhya5.49

TEXT 49

asina parama-bhaktye namaskara kari’

vinaya karina kahe kara dui yudi’

SYNONYMS

asina—coming; parama-bhaktye—in great devotion; namaskara kari’-offering obeisances; vinaya karina—with great humility; kahe—says; kara—hands; dui—two; yudi’-folding.

TRANSLATION

The young brahmana came to him and offered respectful obeisances. Then, very humbly folding his hands, he spoke as follows.

Madhya5.50

TEXT 50

’tumi more kanya dite karyacha angikara

ebe kichu nahi kaha, ki tomara vicara’

SYNONYMS

tumi—you; more—to me; kanya—your daughter; dite—to give in charity; karyacha—have made; angikara—a promise; ebe—now; kichu—something; nahi—not; kaha—you say; ki—what; tomara—your; vicara—conclusion.

TRANSLATION

“You have promised to give your daughter in charity to me. Now you do not say anything. What is your conclusion?”

Madhya5.51

TEXT 51

eta suni’ sei vipra rahe mauna dhari’

tanra putra marite aila hate thenga kari’

SYNONYMS

eta suni’-hearing this; sei vipra—the elderly brahmana; rahe—remains; mauna dhari’-holding silence; tanra—his; putra—son; marite—to strike; aila—came out; hate—in hand; thenga—stick; kari’-taking.

TRANSLATION

After the young brahmana submitted this statement, the elderly brahmana remained silent. Taking this opportunity, his son immediately came out with a stick to strike the younger man.

Madhya5.52

TEXT 52

’are adhama! mora bhagni caha vivahite

vamana hana canda yena caha ta’ dharite’

SYNONYMS

are adhama—O most degraded one; mora—my; bhagni—sister; caha—you want; vivahite—to marry; vamana—a dwarf; hana—being; canda—the moon; yena—as if; caha—you want; ta’-certainly; dharite—to capture.

TRANSLATION

The son said, “Oh, you are most degraded! You want to marry my sister, just like a dwarf who wants to catch the moon!”

Madhya5.53

TEXT 53

thena dekhi’ sei vipra palana gela

ara dina gramera loka ekatra karila

SYNONYMS

thena dekhi’-seeing the stick in his hand; sei vipra—the young brahmana; palana gela—fled from that place; ara dina—the next day; gramera loka—the inhabitants of the village; ekatra karila—gathered in one place.

TRANSLATION

Seeing a stick in the hand of the son, the younger brahmana fled. The next day, however, he gathered together all the people of the village.

Madhya5.54

TEXT 54

saba loka bada-vipre dakiya anila

tabe sei laghu-vipra kahite lagila

SYNONYMS

saba loka—all the village inhabitants; bada-vipre—to the senior brahmana; dakiya—calling; anila—brought; tabe—then; sei laghu-vipra—the junior brahmana; kahite lagila—began to speak.

TRANSLATION

All the people of the village then called for the elderly brahmana and brought him to their meeting place. The young brahmana then began to speak before them as follows.

Madhya5.55

TEXT 55

’inha more kanya dite karyache angikara

ebe ye na dena, pucha inhara vyavahara’

SYNONYMS

inha—this gentleman; more—to me; kanya—his daughter; dite—to give in charity; karyache—has made; angikara—promise; ebe—now; ye—indeed; na—not; dena—he gives; pucha—kindly ask; inhara—of him; vyavahara—the behavior.

TRANSLATION

“This gentleman has promised to hand over his daughter to me, yet now he does not follow his promise. Please ask him about his behavior.”

Madhya5.56

TEXT 56

tabe sei viprere puchila sarva-jana

’kanya kene na deha, yadi diyacha vacana’

SYNONYMS

tabe—then; sei—that; viprere—brahmana; puchila—asked; sarva-jana—all the people; kanya—daughter; kene—why; na deha—you do not give in charity; yadi—if; diyacha—have given; vacana—word of honor.

TRANSLATION

All the people gathered there asked the elderly brahmana, “If you have already promised to give him your daughter in charity, why are you not fulfilling your promise? You have given your word of honor.”

Madhya5.57

TEXT 57

vipra kahe,--’suna, loka, mora nivedana

kabe ki baliyachi, mora nahika smarana’

SYNONYMS

vipra kahe—the senior brahmana replied; suna—please hear; loka—all people; mora—my; nivedana—submission; kabe—when; ki—what; baliyachi—I have said; mora—my; nahika—there is not; smarana—remembrance.

TRANSLATION

The elderly brahmana said, “My dear friends, please hear what I have to submit. I do not exactly remember making a promise like that.”

Madhya5.58

TEXT 58

eta suni’ tanra putra vakya-cchala pana

pragalbha ha-iya kahe sammukhe asina

SYNONYMS

eta suni’-hearing this; tanra putra—his son; vakya-cchala—for jugglery of words; pana—getting a chance; pragalbha—impudent; ha-iya—becoming; kahe—says; sammukhe—in the front; asina—coming.

TRANSLATION

When the elderly brahmana’s son heard this, he took the opportunity to juggle some words. Becoming very impudent, he stood before the assembly and spoke as follows.

Madhya5.59

TEXT 59

’tirtha-yatraya pitara sange chila bahu dhana

dhana dekhi ei dustera laite haila mana

SYNONYMS

tirtha-yatraya—when touring the holy places; pitara—my father; sange—with; chila—there was; bahu—much; dhana—money; dhana—money; dekhi—seeing; ei—this; dustera—of the rogue; laite—to take; haila—it was; mana—the intention.

TRANSLATION

"While touring various holy places of pilgrimage, my father carried much money. Seeing the money, this rogue decided to take it away.

Madhya5.60

TEXT 60

ara keha sange nahi, ei sange ekala

dhutura khaoyana bape karila pagala

SYNONYMS

ara—anyone; keha—else; sange—in company; nahi—there was not; ei—this brahmana; sange—in company; ekala—alone; dhutura—an intoxicant; khaoyana—making him eat; bape—my father; karila—made; pagala—mad.

TRANSLATION

"There was no one besides this man with my father. Giving him an intoxicant known as dhutura to eat, this rogue made my father mad.

Madhya5.61

TEXT 61

saba dhana lana kahe--’core la-ila dhana’

’kanya dite cahiyache’--uthaila vacana

SYNONYMS

saba—all; dhana—money; lana—taking; kahe—says; core—a thief; la-ila—took; dhana—all the money; kanya—the daughter; dite—to give in charity; cahiyache—has promised; uthaila—has raised; vacana—a slogan.

TRANSLATION

"Having taken all my father’s money, this rogue claimed that it was taken by some thief. Now he is claiming that my father has promised to give him his daughter in charity.

Madhya5.62

TEXT 62

tomara sakala loka karaha vicare

’mora pitara kanya dite yogya ki ihare’

SYNONYMS

tomara—you; sakala—all; loka—people; karaha—just make; vicare—judgment; mora—my; pitara—of the father; kanya—the daughter; dite—to give in charity; yogya—befitting; ki—is it; ihare—to him.

TRANSLATION

“All of you assembled here are gentlemen. Please judge whether it is befitting to offer this poor brahmana my father’s daughter.”

Madhya5.63

TEXT 63

eta suni’ lokera mane ha-ila samsaya

’sambhave,--dhana-lobhe loka chade dharma-bhaya’

SYNONYMS

eta suni’-hearing all this; lokera—of all the people; mane—in the minds; ha-ila—there was; samsaya—doubt; sambhave—possible; dhana-lobhe—by greed for money; loka—some man; chade—gives up; dharma-bhaya—religious principles.

TRANSLATION

Hearing all these statements, all the people gathered there became a little doubtful. They thought it quite possible that because of attraction for riches one might give up his religious principles.

Madhya5.64

TEXT 64

tabe chota-vipra kahe, "suna, mahajana

nyaya jinibare kahe asatya-vacana

SYNONYMS

tabe—at that time; chota-vipra—the young brahmana; kahe—says; suna—please hear; maha-jana—all gentlemen; nyaya—the argument; jinibare—to win; kahe—he says; asatya-vacana—untruthful statements.

TRANSLATION

At that time the young brahmana said, "My dear gentlemen, please hear. Just to gain victory in an argument, this man is lying.

Madhya5.65

TEXT 65

ei vipra mora sevaya tusta yabe haila

’tore ami kanya diba’ apane kahila

SYNONYMS

ei vipra—this brahmana; mora—my; sevaya—by the service; tusta—fully satisfied; yabe—when; haila—he was; tore—to you; ami—I; kanya—daughter; diba—shall give; apane—of his own accord; kahila—promised.

TRANSLATION

"Being very satisfied with my service, this brahmana said to me of his own accord, ’I promise to hand over my daughter to you.’

Madhya5.66

TEXT 66

tabe muni nisedhinu,--suna, dvija-vara

tomara kanyara yogya nahi muni vara

SYNONYMS

tabe—at that time; muni—I; nisedhinu—forbade; suna—hear; dvija-vara—O best of the brahmanas; tomara—your; kanyara—for the daughter; yogya—suitable; nahi—not; muni—I; vara—husband.

TRANSLATION

"At that time I forbade him to do this, telling him, ’O best of the brahmanas, I am not a fit husband for your daughter.

Madhya5.67

TEXT 67

kahan tumi pandita, dhani, parama kulina

kahan muni daridra, murkha, nica, kula-hina

SYNONYMS

kahan—whereas; tumi—you; pandita—learned scholar; dhani—rich man; parama—first class; kulina—aristocracy; kahan—whereas; muni—I; daridra—poor man; murkha—not educated; nica—fallen; kula-hina—without aristocracy.

TRANSLATION

" ’Whereas you are a learned scholar, a rich man belonging to an aristocratic family, I am a poor man, uneducated and with no claim to aristocracy.’

Madhya5.68

TEXT 68

tabu ei vipra more kahe bara bara

tore kanya dilun, tumi karaha svikara

SYNONYMS

tabu—still; ei—this; vipra—brahmana; more—to me; kahe—says; bara bara—again and again; tore—to you; kanya—my daughter; dilun—I have given in charity; tumi—you; karaha—make; svikara—acceptance.

TRANSLATION

"Still this brahmana insisted. Again and again he asked me to accept his proposal, saying, ’I have given you my daughter. Please accept her.’

Madhya5.69

TEXT 69

tabe ami kahilan--suna, maha-mati

tomara stri-putra-jnatira na habe sammati

SYNONYMS

tabe—at that time; ami—I; kahilan—said; suna—please hear; maha-mati—O intelligent brahmana; tomara—your; stri-putra—wife and children; jnatira—kinsmen; na habe sammati—will not agree.

TRANSLATION

"I then said, ’Please hear. You are a learned brahmana. Your wife, friends and relatives will never agree to this proposal.

Madhya5.70

TEXT 70

kanya dite naribe, habe asatya-vacana

punarapi kahe vipra kariya yatana

SYNONYMS

kanya—daughter; dite—to give; naribe—you will not be able; habe—it will become; asatya-vacana—a false statement; punarapi—again; kahe—he says; vipra—the brahmana; kariya yatana—with great attention.

TRANSLATION

" ’My dear sir, you will not be able to fulfill your promise. Your promise will be broken.’ Yet, again and again the brahmana emphasized his promise.

Madhya5.71

TEXT 71

kanya tore dilun, dvidha na kariha cite

atma-kanya diba, keba pare nisedhite

SYNONYMS

kanya—the daughter; tore—to you; dilun—I have given; dvidha—hesitation; na—do not; kariha—do; cite—within your mind; atma-kanya—my own daughter; diba—I shall give; keba—who; pare—is able; nisedhite—to forbid.

TRANSLATION

" ’I have offered you my daughter. Do not hesitate. She is my daughter, and I shall give her to you. Who can forbid me?’

Madhya5.72

TEXT 72

tabe ami kahilan drdha kari’ mana

gopalera age kaha e-satya vacana

SYNONYMS

tabe—at that time; ami—I; kahilan—said; drdha kari’ mana—fixing my mind; gopalera age—in front of the Gopala Deity; kaha—speak; e-satya vacana—this truthful statement.

TRANSLATION

"At that time I concentrated my mind and requested the brahmana to make the promise before the Gopala Deity.

Madhya5.73

TEXT 73

tabe inho gopalera agete kahila

tumi jana, ei vipre kanya ami dila

SYNONYMS

tabe—at that time; inho—this gentleman; gopalera—of the Gopala Deity; agete—in front; kahila—he said; tumi jana—my Lord, please know; ei vipre—unto this young brahmana; kanya—my daughter; ami—I; dila—have offered.

TRANSLATION

"Then this gentleman said in front of the Gopala Deity, ’My dear Lord, please bear witness. I have offered my daughter to this brahmana in charity.’

Madhya5.74

TEXT 74

tabe ami gopalere saksi karina

kahilan tanra pade minati karina

SYNONYMS

tabe—at that time; ami—I; gopalere—to the Gopala Deity; saksi—the witness; karina—making; kahilan—said; tanra pade—at His lotus feet; minati—humility; karina—making.

TRANSLATION

"Accepting the Gopala Deity as my witness, I then submitted the following at His lotus feet.

Madhya5.75

TEXT 75

yadi ei vipra more na dibe kanya-dana

saksi bolaimu tomaya, ha-io savadhana

SYNONYMS

yadi—if; ei—this; vipra—brahmana; more—to me; na—not; dibe—will give; kanya-dana—his daughter in charity; saksi bolaimu—I shall call as a witness; tomaya—You; ha-io savadhana—kindly be attentive.

TRANSLATION

" ’If this brahmana later hesitates to give me his daughter, my dear Lord, I shall call on You as a witness. Please note this with care and attention.’

Madhya5.76

TEXT 76

ei vakye saksi mora ache mahajana

yanra vakya satya kari mane tribhuvana"

SYNONYMS

ei vakye—in this statement; saksi—witness; mora—my; ache—there is; mahajana—a great personality; yanra—whose; vakya—words; satya—true; kari—taking as; mane—accepts; tri-bhuvana—the whole world.

TRANSLATION

“Thus I have called upon a great personality in this transaction. I have asked the Supreme Godhead to be my witness. The entire world accepts the words of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”

PURPORT

Madhya5.77-78

TEXTS 77-78

tabe bada-vipra kahe, "ei satya katha

gopala yadi saksi dena, apane asi’ etha

tabe kanya diba ami, janiha niscaya"

tanra putra kahe,--’ei bhala bata haya’

SYNONYMS

tabe—at that time; bada-vipra—the elderly brahmana; kahe—says; ei satya katha—this is true; gopala—the Gopala Deity; yadi—if; saksi—witness; dena—gives; apane—personally; asi’-coming; etha—here; tabe—at that time; kanya—daughter; diba—must give in charity; ami—I; janiha—you all know it; niscaya—certainly; tanra—his; putra—son; kahe—says; ei—this; bhala—nice; bata—statement; haya—is.

TRANSLATION

Taking this opportunity, the elderly brahmana immediately confirmed that this was really true. He said, “If Gopala personally comes here to serve as a witness, I shall surely give my daughter to the young brahmana.” The elderly brahmana’s son immediately confirmed this, saying, “Yes, this is a very nice settlement.”

PURPORT

As the Supersoul within the heart of all living entities, Krsna knows everyone’s desire, everyone’s request and everyone’s prayer. Although all these may be contradictory, the Lord has to create a situation in which everyone will be pleased. This is an instance of a marriage negotiation between an elderly brahmana and a youthful one. The elderly brahmana was certainly willing to give his daughter in charity to the young brahmana, but his son and relatives became impediments to this transaction. The elderly brahmana considered how to get out of this situation and still offer his daughter to the young brahmana. His son, an atheist and a very cunning fellow, was thinking of how to stop the marriage. The father and son were thinking in a contradictory way, yet Krsna created a situation wherein they both agreed. They both agreed that if the Gopala Deity would come and serve as a witness, the daughter would be given to the young brahmana.