On the bank of the Yamuna, the garlanded god says to his companions, “Bring all your victuals, let us make a joint feast; let us bring all together and then taste it; I give you what I have.” The cowherds say, “Excellent”; they overflow with joy; they make it known on the flute. They have opened their bags on the rock; they have put all together; Hari presides over the mixture and gives a share to each. One after another stretches forth his hand and opens his mouth; each who gets a ball feels an increase of joy. They say, “Delightful! Give me another! I am not satisfied.” Krishna moves his hand towards the face of one, he opens his mouth with desire; lo! he eats the morsel himself and makes faces at him! He embraces them and runs away; they run after him; they kiss his face and eat morsels from his lips. They say, “O Krishna, you are a cheat!” He sets one running for a morsel and runs into the jungle himself; he is a wise man who follows close on his heels.
He eats the food offered by all; ’tis a wonder Krishna can hold it! The best of gods exclaim, “Alas! we shall die of joy!” Krishna throws a ball at the back or face of one; he cries, “Enough, Hari!” Another entreats, “Dear father, I cannot bear the ball!” He says, “Let us play fairly now”; expressly he made this request, letting Hari at his own desire.
He eats the food offered by all; ’tis a wonder Krishna can hold it! The best of gods exclaim, “Alas! we shall die of joy!” Krishna throws a ball at the back or face of one; he cries, “Enough, Hari!” Another entreats, “Dear father, I cannot bear the ball!” He says, “Let us play fairly now”; expressly he made this request, letting Hari at his own desire.
They sound horns and flutes. Crooked men and stammerers, misshapen in hand and foot and lame, Krishna’s companions, are made bold by his presence. If any one still is hungry, he opens his mouth. Hari gives to all the same pleasure. They say, “Hari is good indeed; excellent is thy company; now though thou shouldst send us away, we shall worship none but Thee.”
The cows have forgotten their food, the birds and beasts their prey; the Yamuna stands still, its waters stay their course; they all gaze upon the God; their mouths water at the sight of Him. They say, “Blessed are the cowherds, wretched are we! What are we to do? Let us become fish in the water.”
The gods come in a crowd; they fill the banks of the Yamuna, quick and eager is the loud sound from their mouths. “Do not wash your hands in the Yamuna,” he says; “he who is hidden in secret, he knows it.” He says, “Let it be; why does it matter to him to be here? The remains which Krishna leaves are the chiefest blessing. Happy is the time!”
The cows have forgotten their food, the birds and beasts their prey; the Yamuna stands still, its waters stay their course; they all gaze upon the God; their mouths water at the sight of Him. They say, “Blessed are the cowherds, wretched are we! What are we to do? Let us become fish in the water.”
The gods come in a crowd; they fill the banks of the Yamuna, quick and eager is the loud sound from their mouths. “Do not wash your hands in the Yamuna,” he says; “he who is hidden in secret, he knows it.” He says, “Let it be; why does it matter to him to be here? The remains which Krishna leaves are the chiefest blessing. Happy is the time!”