Apane Apane Tol · अपने अपने टोल

अपने अपने टोल कहत व्रजवासियां ॥ शरद कुहू निश जान दीपमालिका जो आई ॥

The residents of Vraj speak among their respective groups: “The dark Amavasya night of Sharad has come, and with it Deepmalika.

गोपन मन आनंद फिरत उनमद अधिकाई ॥ ऐं पन थापे दीजियें घरघर मंगलचार ॥

The Gopas move about filled with joy and great excitement. Let auspicious decorations be set up, and let there be celebration in every home.

सातवरसको सांवरो खेलत नंददुवार ॥१ ॥

The seven-year-old little dark-hued One plays at Nanda’s doorway. ॥१॥

बैठ नंद उपनंद बोल वृषभान पठाये ॥ सुरपति पूजा जान तहां चल गोविंद आये ॥

Nanda and Upananda sat together and sent word to Vrishabhan. Learning that the worship of Surapati was being prepared, Govind came there.

वारवार हाहा करें कहो बावा यह बात ॥ घरघर गोरस संचियें कोन देवकी जात ॥२ ॥

Again and again He pleaded, “Baba, tell Me this: for what kind of deity is all this milk and curd being collected in every home?” ॥२॥

कान्ह तुमारी कुशल जान एक मंत्र उपेहें ॥ खटरस व्यंजन साज भोग सुरपतिकों देहें ॥

“Kanh, for your well-being, we follow an established observance: we prepare dishes of the six tastes and offer bhog to Surapati.”

नंद कह्यो चुचकारकें जा दामोदर सोय ॥ वरस घोसको घोसहे महामहोत्सव होय ॥३ ॥

Nanda lovingly coaxed Him and said, “Go now, Damodar, and sleep. Once a year, the entire cowherd settlement celebrates this great festival.” ॥३॥

तब हँस बोले लाल मंत्र बहोर्यो एक कीनों ॥ आदि पुरुष निज जान रेंन सपनों मोहि दीनों ॥

Then Lala smiled and said, “I too have received another sacred teaching. The Adi Purush Himself appeared to Me in a dream during the night and gave it to Me.

सब देवनको देवता गिरि गोवर्द्धन राज ॥ ताहि भोग किन दीजियें सुरपतिको कहा काज ॥४ ॥

Giriraj Govardhan is the Deva of all the devas. Why should we not offer the bhog to Him? What need have we of Surapati?” ॥४॥

बाढे गोधन वृंद दूध दधिको कहा लेखो ॥ यह परचो विद्यमान नयन अपने किन देखो ॥

“See how the herds of cows flourish—who can count all their milk and curd? This proof is right before you; why not see it with your own eyes?

तुम देखत बल खायगो मोंहों मांग्यो फल देय ॥ गोप कुशलजो चाहियें तो गिरि गोवर्द्धन सेय ॥५॥

Before your very eyes He will eat the offering, and if I ask Him, He will grant the desired fruit. If you wish for the welfare of the Gopas, then serve Giriraj Govardhan.” ॥५॥

गोपन कीयो विचार सबन मिल शकट जो साजे ॥ बहु विध कर पकवान चले जहां बाजन बाजे ॥

The Gopas considered this together, and all prepared their carts. Having made many kinds of festive foods, they set out while musical instruments resounded.

एक वनही वनकों चले एक नंदीसुर भीर ॥ एकन पेंडो पावही फूले फिरत अहीर ॥६॥

Some went by one forest path and others through the crowds near Nandishvar. Some followed another path, while the Ahirs moved about overflowing with joy. ॥६॥

एक ऊबटहै चले एक वनही वनछाये ॥ एक गावें गुण गोविंद प्रेम उमगे न समाये ॥

Some went along the rising paths, while others passed through the shade of the forest. Some sang the virtues of Govind, unable to contain the love swelling within them.

गोपनको सागर भयो गिरि भयो मंदराचार ॥ रत्न भई सब गोपिका कान्ह विलोवन हार ॥७॥

The multitude of Gopas became like an ocean, and Giriraj like Mount Mandara. All the Gopis became its jewels, while Kanh was the One who churned that ocean. ॥७॥

व्रज चोरासी कोस परे गोपनके डेरा ॥ लंबे चौवन कोस जहाँ व्रजवास वसेरा ॥

Throughout the eighty-four kos of Vraj were the encampments of the Gopas, extending across the fifty-four kos where the people of Vraj dwelt.

सबहिनके मन सांवरो देखियत सबन मंझार ॥ कौतुक भूले देवता आये लोक विसार ॥८॥

The dark-hued One dwelt within everyone’s heart and could be seen in the midst of them all. The devas, forgetting their own realms in wonder, came to behold the sight. ॥८॥

लीने विप्र बुलाय यज्ञ आरंभन कीनों ॥ सुरपति पूजा मेंट राज गोवर्द्धन दीनों ॥

They called the Brahmins and began the yajna. Setting aside the worship of Surapati, they gave that honour to King Govardhan.

देव दीवारी श्यामही सब मिल पूजन जाय ॥ नंद प्रतीत जो चाहिये तो तुम देखत बलिखाय ॥९॥

On Dev Diwali, everyone went together to worship Shyam Himself. He said, “Nanda, if you want proof, you shall see Him accept the offering before your own eyes.” ॥९॥

प्रथमही दूध न्हवाय बोहोरि गंगाजल ढार्यो ॥ बडो देवता जान कान्हको मतो बिचार्यो ॥

First they bathed Him with milk and then poured Ganga water over Him. Accepting Kanh’s counsel, they honoured Him as the great Deva.

जेसेहें गिरिराजजू तैसो अन्नको कोट ॥ मग्नभये पूजा करें नरनारी बड छोट ॥१०॥

They made a mountain of food resembling Giriraj Himself. Men and women, young and old, became absorbed in His worship. ॥१०॥

सहस्र भुजाउरधरें करें भोजन अधिकाई ॥ नख शिखलों अनुहार मानों दूसरो कन्हाई ॥

With a thousand arms He accepted the abundant feast. From head to toe His appearance was just like another Kanhai.

ललिता राधासों कहे तेरे हृदें समाय ॥ गहे अंगुरिया नंदकी सो ढोटा पूजा खाय ॥११॥

Lalita says to Radha, “He is the One who dwells within Your heart. That very little boy who holds Nanda’s finger is here accepting the worship.” ॥११॥

पीत दुमालो बन्यो कंठ मोतिनकी माला ॥ सुंदर सुभग शरीर झलमले नयन विशाला ॥

A yellow dumala adorns Him, and a pearl necklace rests upon His neck. His beautiful, graceful form shines, and His large eyes are radiant.

श्यामकी शोभा गिरि भयो गिरिकी शोभा श्याम ॥ जेसो परवत भातको ढिंग भैया बलराम ॥१२॥

The beauty of Shyam has become the beauty of Giriraj, and the beauty of Giriraj is Shyam’s own. Beside the mountain of rice stands Bhaiya Balaram. ॥१२॥

व्यंजन बहुत बनाय कहांलों नाम बखानों ॥ भयो भातको कोट ओट गिरिराज छिपानों ॥

So many dishes were prepared—how could all their names be told? A great mountain of rice was raised, behind which even Giriraj seemed hidden.

बरा बिराजे भातपे चंदा पटतर सोय ॥ यज्ञपुरुष भोजन करे सब देवन सुख होय ॥१३॥

Baras arranged upon the rice shone like moons spread across it. Yajna Purush accepted the meal, bringing joy to all the devas. ॥१३॥

जेसी कंचनपुरी दिव्य रत्ननसों छाई ॥ बलि दीनीहे प्रात छांह चलि पूरव आई ॥

The place shone like a golden city covered with divine jewels. The offering was made at dawn as the morning light spread from the east.

बदरोला वृषभानकी रही विलोवन हार ॥ ताकी बलि उन देवता लीनी भुजापसार ॥१४॥

Vrishabhan’s Badarola stood watching in wonder. That Deva stretched out His arms and accepted her offering. ॥१४॥

सब सामग्री अरपि गोप गोपिन करजोरे ॥ अगणित कीने स्वाद दास बरणे कहा थोरे ॥

The Gopas and Gopis offered all the prepared items with folded hands. He tasted countless preparations—how could this servant describe more than a little of them?

यह विध पूजा कीजिये कह्यो सबन समुझाय ॥ श्याम कह्यो सूरदाससों मेरी लीला सरस बनाय ॥१५॥

In this way, Shyam instructed everyone how the worship should be performed. Shyam said to Surdas, “Sing this beautiful Leela of Mine with rasa.” ॥१५॥