Jayadeva's Geeta Govinda - A Love Song 13 Poem by Geeta Radhakrishna Menon
Jayadeva's Geeta Govinda - A Love Song 13
Twilight approached as the moon rose, but Madhava is still unseen.
Radha restless, agitated and worried, begins to fret and fume. She says:
He never arrives at the promised time,
And now, the beauty of my youth fades away.
My Sakhi who said:
"Sit and wait here, I shall bring Madhava to you
Has betrayed me! O! What shall I do? "
So waits Radha in anguish.
I have been roaming around in the forest
At great risk, seeking Madhava!
He has pierced my heart with Kama's painful arrows.
My Sakhi who said:
"Sit and wait here, I shall bring Madhava to you
Has betrayed me! O! What shall I do? "
So waits Radha in anguish.
I prefer to die! My body has become useless waiting for him.
How can I bear this scorching fire of separation from Madhava?
My Sakhi who said:
"Sit and wait here, I shall bring Madhava to you
Has betrayed me! O! What shall I do? "
So waits Radha in anguish.
Since Hari is not with me,
Even the bangles and anklets that I wear,
Encircles and pains me like a fearsome chain.
My Sakhi who said:
"Sit and wait here, I shall bring Madhava to you
Has betrayed me! O! What shall I do? "
So waits Radha in anguish.
Alas! This beautiful night in springtime,
Brings me much sorrow!
Some lucky maiden is enjoying his attention.
My Sakhi who said:
"Sit and wait here, I shall bring Madhava to you
Has betrayed me! O! What shall I do? "
So waits Radha in anguish.
Though, I wear a garland of soft pretty flowers,
They prick, pierce and suffocate me.
My Sakhi who said:
"Sit and wait here, I shall bring Madhava to you
Has betrayed me! O! What shall I do? "
So waits Radha in anguish.
Here, I wait for Madhava amidst thick forest,
And O! He never remembers me at all!
My Sakhi who said:
"Sit and wait here, I shall bring Madhava to you
Has betrayed me! O! What shall I do? "
So waits Radha in anguish.
Before the sublime feet of Krishna,
Jayadeva prays.
His lyrical words can be compared to a maiden
Who is gentle and graceful
And deeply in love!
The poem Geeta Govinda is, as we all know, dedicated to God Krishna. It is a celebration of Krishna's love for Radha and also Radha's love for Krishna, set in the context of spring. Love in all its moods of longing, pain, anguish and pleasure are presented, specially evoking rasas of vipralambha Sringara (love in separation) and sambhoga Sringara (love in union) . Through the setting i.e. the environment of springtime, nature too is made part of this intense, passionate drama of human and divine love, of the cosmic play of love. To experience the erotic mood in the two above mentioned moods, is traditionally considered to be the height of aesthetic joy.
This famed song of Geeta Govinda has been translated by me from Sanskrit to English.
I published this work in the form of a book in 2002. The second Edition was published in 2006 and later, the third edition came out in 2010.
I am now happy to publish it in Poem Hunter for the poetry lovers.
Hi Geeta, Beautifully translated from Sanskrit of Jayadevar. Good. I would have loved if the original sanskrit verses are also posted here. I just looked for the Geeta Govinda in my library so I could read it aloud along with your translation; I know it is there, but could not locate it now. Thank you for reminding me again of Geeta Govinda- which I love to read aloud for its musical fullness, though I know nothing about ragaas et al. Nice. Thanks gain.
Beautifully and creatively expressed, really enjoyed reading it today.
Approach of twilight towards moon is beautifully painted with expression that looks like a loving rose of pure perception. Although Krishan never arrives at time of promise still restless Radha waits for more times with hope and patience and finally gets success. Before the sublime feet of Krishna, Jayadeva prays with beautiful tender voice with grace and devotion. A great epic poem is beautifully presented here is excellent...10
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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4/23/2024 5:54:52 PM # 1.0.0.1119
Hi Geeta, I just noticed- your name! Wonderful: Geeta (of Geeta Govinda) , Radha and Krishna are all there in your name. Which makes you the only person competent to render this translation! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
Thank you Unni for reading this translation! And noticing that everything is there in my name too. :)