Jayadeva's Geeta Govinda - A Love Song 23 Poem by Geeta Radhakrishna Menon

Jayadeva's Geeta Govinda - A Love Song 23

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When Radha's friends left her alone with Krishna, she smiled shyly, looking down at her soft bed made of tender leaves and flower beds. While Radha sat thus, fixing her gaze modestly on the grass bed, Krishna spoke to her gently and lovingly.


Rest your footprints on these tender shoots,
O Radhe, Your beautiful lotus-like feet
May ruffle the leafy bed at random.
I am your Narayana now!
Bestow on me your selfless and eternal love.

You have come walking through long distances,
I shall caress your tender feet with my hands
O Beautiful Radhe!
Keep your jewelled ankle feet on my bed and relax!
I am your Narayana now!
Bestow on me your selfless and eternal love.

Your moon-like face filled with
The elixir of happiness spills words of delight.
Come and embrace me, O Radhe!
I am your Narayana now!
Bestow on me your selfless and eternal love.

You expect to be loved and caressed, I know!
Quench your desire, Radhe, with an embrace,
Your full-formed breasts touching my bare chest!
I am your Narayana now!
Bestow on me your selfless and eternal love.

Allow me to touch your sweet nectar lips,
Separated from you, I have been like a starved slave.
O beautiful Radhe,
Revive the vital force of my body and mind
With your tender touch!
I am your Narayana now!
Bestow on me your selfless and eternal love.

O my moon-faced darling,
Adjust your diamond-studded girdle,
With a tinkling sound
That matches your sweet voice.
For me, even the Cuckoo's song has lost its melody.
I am your Narayana now!
Bestow on me your selfless and eternal love.


Your turbulent eyes belie the tears shed
And the anger directed at me.
Now, your eyes speak of intoxicating passion.
Look up at me, Radhe!
And end the long awaited union.
I am your Narayana now!
Bestow on me your selfless and eternal love.

Each word, each line, of Jayadeva's lyrics,
Expresses Krishna's undying love for his Radha.
May it bring "Sat- Chit- Ananda"
The "Highest Truth - Knowledge - Bliss
To all those reading and enjoying
This beautiful love song!

Jayadeva's Geeta Govinda -  A Love Song 23
Friday, October 27, 2017
Topic(s) of this poem: love,song
POET'S NOTES ABOUT THE POEM
Jayadeva's "Geeta Govinda" made its entry into Kerala, it was welcomed with open arms. People loved the language and the lyrics of the poetry, and when the same was sung with a melodious Raga, it made a tremendous impact. To such an extent, that most of the learned households in Kerala who had the eagerness to learn and acquire knowledge had the verses of Geeta Govinda at the tips of their fingers. But they coined another name for Geeta Govinda. They called it "Ashtapadi". ‘Ashta' means eight while ‘Pada' means a verse. Ashtapadi literally means eight verses. Though an Ashtapadi had eight verses, yet it was known as one song. So in all, Jayadeva's Geeta Govinda had 24 Ashtapadis - meaning 24 songs. They were called by numbers like the 2nd Ashtapadi or the 15th Ashtapadi and so on.

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.
COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Dev Anand 26 July 2018

Radha and Krishna...... what a wonderful lover . a lover without bias. is for love.......expressions of love is through......... thank u for telling us about the love play of Radha and Krishna.. thank u dear Gita. herd that you are a Danseuse.. is it true?

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Kumarmani Mahakul 28 October 2017

Love of Krishna towards Radha has been painted in 'Jayadeva's Geeta Govinda - A Love Song 23 - Poem by you hauntingly. Krishna spoke to her gently and lovingly. I quote here... Rest your footprints on these tender shoots, O Radhe, Your beautiful lotus-like feet May ruffle the leafy bed at random. I am your Narayana now! Bestow on me your selfless and eternal love. You have come walking through long distances, I shall caress your tender feet with my hands O Beautiful Radhe! Keep your jewelled ankle feet on my bed and relax! I am your Narayana now! Bestow on me your selfless and eternal love. Fantastic translation has been, dear Dr. Menon, made by you. Thanks for sharing.

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Akhtar Jawad 27 October 2017

Your turbulent eyes belie the tears shed And the anger directed at me. Now, your eyes speak of intoxicating passion. Beautiful lines.

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