Sri Jagannatha-vallabha

Act One

Prva-rga
The Beginnings of Love

Text 1

svaracita-vipacik-muraja-veu-sagtaka
tri-bhaga-tanu-vallar-valita-valgu-hsolbanam
vayasya-kara-tlika-raita-npurair ujjvala
murri-naana sad diatu arma loka-traye

svara-with sounds; acita-bent; vipacika-of the lute; muraja-of drums; veu-and flute;
sagitakam-with music; tri- three-fold; bhaga-bendig; tanu-form; vallari-creeper; valita-
moving; valgu-charming; hasa-smiles; ulbanam- manifestation; vayasya-of friends; kara-
talika-with karatalas; ranita-sounded; nupurai-with ankle-bells; ujjvalam-splendid; mura-ari-
of Lord Ka, the enemy of Mura; natanam-the dancing; sada-eternally; diatu-may show;
sarma-transcendental auspiciousness and bliss; loka-worlds; traye-in the three.

May Ka's splendid dancing, which is accompanied by the melodies of the lute, flute,
and drum and the tinkling of the gops' karatlas and ankle-bells, and which reveals His
charming smile and the graceful three-fold movements of the vine of His transcendental
form, bring bliss to the three worlds.

Text 2

smitam nu na sita-dyuti-taralam aksina nambhoruham

rutir na ca jagaj-jaye manasijasya maurv-lat

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 mukunda-mukha-madale rabhasa-mugdha-gopngan-
drk-ancala-bhavo bhramah ubha-satya te kalpatm

smitam-smile; nu-indeed; na-not; sita-dyuti-of the moon; taralam-the splendor; akina-ears;

na-not; ca-and; jagat-of the world; jaye-in the conquest; manasijasya-of cupid; maurvi-lata-the
bowstring; mukunda-of Lord Ka; mukha-of the face; maale-in the circle; rabhasa-by
delight; mugdha-intoxicated; gopa-agana-of the gops; drk-of the eyes; acala-of the corners;
bhava-nature; bhrama-playful; subha-of blessing; sataya-for hundreds; te-of you; kalpatam-
may be suitable.

"This is not a smile, but moonlight. These are not eyes, but lotus flowers. These are not
ears, but Kmadeva's bowstring (stretched) for the conquest of the world". May the
blissful gops' bewilderment, born from their gazing at Ka's face, bring to you a
hundred benedictions.

Text 3

kma kma-payonidhi mga-dm udbhvayan nirbhara

ceta-kairava-knanni yaminm atyantam ullsayan
raka-koka-kulni oka-vikalny ekntam kalpayann
nanda vitanotu vo madhuripor vaktrpadea a

kmam-indeed; kama-of amorous desires; payonidhim-the ocean; mga-dam-of the doe-eyed

gops; udbhavayan-increasing; nirbharam-greatly; ceta-of the hearts; kairava-of lotus flowers;
kananani-the forests; yaminam-of the yogis; atyantam-greatly; ullasayan-delighting; raka-of
the demons; koka-of cakravaka birds; kulani-the multitudes; soka-with unhappiness; vikalani-
agitated; eka-antam-exclusive; akalpayan-making; nandam-bliss; vitanotu-may grant; va-to
you; madhu-ripo-of Lord Ka, the enemy of Madhu; vaktra-as a face; apadesa-disguised;
sasi-the moon.

Making great tidal waves in the ocean of the doe-eyed gops' amorous desires, delighting
the lotus flowers of the yogs' hearts, and tormenting the cakravka birds of the demons,
may the moon of Ka's face, bring you transcendental bliss.

Text 4
Song in Naa-rga

Text A

mdula-malayaja-pavana-taralita-cikura-parigata-kalapaka saci-taralita-nayana-manmatha-
aku-sakula-citta-sundar-jana-janita-kautukam

mdula-gentle; malayaja-from the Malayan Hills; pavana-by the breeze; taralita-moved;

cikura-on the hair; parigata-filled; kalapakam-peacock feather; saci-crooked; taralita-restless;

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nayana-of the eyes; manmatha-of cupid; saku-with arrows; sakula-filled; citta-the heart;
sundari-jana-of the beautiful gops; janita-produced; kautukam-eager desire.

The peacock feathers in His hair move in the gentle Malayan breeze. The Kmadeva's
arrows from His crooked restless eyes pierce the hearts of the beautiful gops and arouse
their desires.

Text B
Refrain

manasija-keli-nandita-mnasam
bhajata madhuripum indu-sundara-ballav-mukha-llasam

manasija-of cupid; keli-by the pastimes; nandita-delighted; manasam-whose heart; bhajata-

please worship; madhu-ripum-Lord Ka, the enemy of Madhu; indu-as the moon; sundara-
beautiful; ballavi-of the gops; mukha-the face; lalasam-yearning.

Worship Ka. His heart is blissful with amorous pastimes. The moons of the beautiful
gops' faces fill Him with amorous longing.

Text C

laghu-taralita-kandhara hasita-nava-sundara gajapati-pratparudra-hdaynugatam

anudinam
sa-rasa racayati rmnanda-rya iti cru

laghu-slightly; taralita-moving; kandharam-neck; hasita-smiling; nava-fresh; sundaram-

handsome; gajapati-pratparudra-of Gajapati Mahrja Pratparudra; hdaya-in the heart;
anugatam-gone; anudinam-continually; sa-with; rasam-sweet nectar; racayati-creates;
rmnanda-rya-Rmnanda Rya; iti-thus; caru-beautiful.

Smiling, youthful Ka is very handsome. His neck trembles slightly. He always stays in
Gajapati Mahrja Pratparudra's heart. Rmnanda Rya sings this beautiful sweet song
about Him.

Text 5

nandy-ante stradhra: ala ati-vistarea. priye ita ita.

nandi-the nandi-slokas; ante-after; stradhra-the stage-manager; alam-what is the use?; ati-

vistarea-with all this verbose talk; priye-beloved; itah ita-here and there.

(After the nand-lokas are concluded).

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Stradhra: What use is all this talking? Beloved, come here.

Text 6

(praviya na)
na: ajja esa hmi ni-a-kikari-ana caraa-padida vilo-ana-pasadehi pasanna-hi-a-a
kadu bhatta para pamanam.

praviya-entering; na-the actress; ajja-O noble sir; esa-she; hmi-I am; ni-a-your; kikari-
maidservant; anam-person; carana-at the feet; padidam-fallen; vilo-ana-of a glance;
pasadehim-with the mercy; pasanna-pleased; hi-a-am-heart; kadum-to do; bhatta-husband;
param-supreme; pamanam-authority.

(Na enters).
Na: O noble sir, here I am. I am your maidservant. I fall down at your feet. The mercy
of your glance delights my heart. You are my husband, my supreme authority.

Text 7

stradhra: (sa-haram) cira-samaya vidagdhocita-veea yauvana-vilsam anubhavatu

bhavati.

sa-with; harsam-happiness; cira-samayam-for a long time; vidagdha-expert; ucita-suitable;

vesena-with the costume; yauvana-of youth; vilasam-the pastimes; anubhavatu-may
experience; bhavati-you.

Stradhra: (Happily) May you happily enjoy the pastimes of youth for a long time.

Text 8

na: ajjena kudo ahudamhi.

ajjena-by the noble sir; kudo-why?; ahudamhi-I am called.

Na: Why have I been called by the noble sir?

Text 9

stradhra: priye na vidita bhavaty prasda-kathanam etat.

priye-O beloved; na-not; viditam-understood; bhavatya-by you; prasada-kind; kathanam-

words; etat-these.

Stradhra: Beloved, you do not know the kind words (I am about to say?)

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 Text 10

na: sampadi ta sodu mama hi-a-a kuduhalehi vippharida vattadi.

sampadi-now; ta-that; sodum-to hear; mama-my; hi-a-am-heart; kuduhalehim-with

eagerness; vippharidam-expanded; vattadi-is.

Na: Now my heart is filled with eagerness to hear these words.

Text 11

stradhra: priye u. adya khalu vasanta-vasarvasare tarua-bhsvad-vimukta-

dakia-dig-vilsin-stana-malaycalvalambi-ve-bhujaga-sagi-samraa-mrchita-
virahin-jana-jvtu-vayasy-svsa-vaca-prasre vikasita-sita-kiraa-prasne ca vimala-
nabho-vana-projjmbhamna- nava-navonmlita-nistala-muktphala-tulita-tara-mukula-
madhyvalambin ssya-nirbhara-nirkamna-virahin-jana- cacala-locancala-latgra-
vartin nirupama-knti-lakm-lubdha-lakm-ramavasthnocita-citta-dugdhbdhin
vibhvdi-pariata-rasa-rasla-mukula-rassvda-kovida-pus-kokilena r-kaha-hra-
sahacara-gua-muktphala-maita-hdayena ki bahun.

priye-beloved; u-listen; adya-today; khalu-indeed; vasanta-spring; vasara-day; avasare-

on the occasion; taruna-young; bhasvat-sun; vimukta-left; dakina-southern; dik-direction;
vilasini-shining; stana-breast; malaya-Malayan; acala-Hills; avalambi-resting; veni-of a braid;
bhujaga-the serpent; sangi-touching; samirana-the breeze; murchita-fainted; virahini-jana-of
lovers separated from the beloved; jivatu-the life; vayasi-friends; asvasa-consolation; vaca-
words; prasare-in the expansion; vikasita-blossomed; sita-splendid; kirana-effulgence;
prasune-in the flower; ca-also; vimala-splendid; nabha-of the sky; vana-in the forest;
projjrmbhamana-manifesting; nava-nava-ever new and fresh; unmilita-opened; nistala-round;
muktaphala-pearl; tulita-like; tara-of stars; mukula-of buds; madhya-in the middle;
avalambin-resting; sa-with; asuya-envy; nirbhara-great; nirikamana-looking; virahini-jana-of
lovers separated from the beloved; cacala-restless; locana-of the eyes; acala-of the corners;
lata-of the creeper; agra-the tip; vartini-staying; nirpama-incomparable; kanti-of beauty;
lakmi-the opulence; lubdha-greedy; lakmi-of the goddess of fortune; ramana-of the
husband; avasthana-place; ucita-proper; citta-of the heart; dugdha-of milk; abdhina-with the
ocean; vibhava-adi-ecstatic devotional love, beginning with vibhava ecstasy; parinata-
transformed; rasa-nectar; rasala-mango; mukula-buds; rasa-nectar; asvada-in tasting; kovida-
expert; pum-of men; kokilena-by the cuckoo; r-of the goddess of fortune; kantha-on the
neck; hara-the necklace; sahacara-the companion; guna-string; muktaphala-with pearls;
maita-decorated; hdayena-heart; kim-what?; bahuna-further.

Stradhra: Beloved, listen. Now that springtime is filled with words of friendly
consolation for girls separated from their lovers and fainting from a breeze touched by the
snake-braids in the Malayan Hill breasts of the splendid girl of the personified southern
direction now herself separated from (her lover) the youthful sun, and now that the white
flower of the moon has bloomed, and now that the budding stars are like great new round

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pearls in the splendid forest of the sky, and now that the vines of restless sidelong glances of
girls jealously looking for their lost lovers have blossomed, how can I properly glorify that
person whose milk-ocean heart is a proper home for the passionate lover of peerlessly
beautiful Lakm, that person who is a cuckoo that tastes the nectar mango-bud of vibhava
and other ecstasies of spiritual love and whose heart is decorated with the pearl necklace of
the transcendental qualities of Lord Nryaa, the intimate friend of Lakm's necklace?

Text 12
yan-nmpi niamya sanniviate sekandhara kandara
sva varga kala-varga-bhmi-tilaka ssra samudvkate
mene gurjara-bhpatir jarad ivraya nija paana
vta-vyagra-payodhi-potagam iva sva veda gauevara

yat-of whom; nama-the name; pi-even; nisamya-hearing; sannidvisate-enters;

sekandhara-Sekandhara, the king of the yavanas; kandaram-a cave; evam-own; vargam-
community; kala-varga-of Kerala; bhmi-tilaka-the king; sa-with; asram-tears;
smaudvikate-sees; mene-considers; gurjara-of Gujarat; bhpati-the king; jarat-old; iva-like;
aranyam-forest; nijam-own; pattanam-capital; vata-by the wind; vyagra-tossed about;
payodhi-in the ocean; potagam-a boat; iva-like; svam-own place; veda-considers; gauda-of
Bengal; isvara-the king.

King Pratparudra, by hearing whose name the yavana king Sekandhara hides in a cave,
the king of Kerala sheds tears to see his own realm, the king of Gujarat thinks his capitol a
decaying jungle, and the king of Bengal thinks his kingdom a boat tossed in a hurricane
ocean, . . .

Text 13

kya-vyha-vilsa vara-girer dvaita sudhddhiter

nirysas tu himcalasya yamaka kirmburer asau
sra rada-vridasya kim api svar-vhin-vrio
dvairjya vimal-karoti satata yat-krti-rir jagat

kaya-vyuha-vilasa-the size; isvara-of Lord Siva; gire-of the mountain; dvaitam-two;

sudhadidhite-of the moon; niryasa-the nectar; tu-indeed; hima-acalasya-of the Himalaya
Mountains; yamakam-doubled; kira-of milk; amburase-of the ocean; asau-this; sara-the
cream; sarada-autumn; varidasya-of the cloud; kim api-something; svah-vahini-of the celestial
Ganges; varina-of the water; dvairajyam-doubled; vimali-pure and splendid; karoti-makes;
satatam-always; yat-of whom; kirti-of fame; rasi-the abundance; jagat-the world.

. . . whose great fame, massive as Mount Kailsa, sweet as a nectar moon, a double of the
Himalayas, the ocean of milk, the autumn cloud, and the celestial Ganges, purifies the world,

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Text 14

yad-dnmbukadamba-nirmita-nad-salea-hard asau
rigat-tuga-taraga-nisvana-mit prastauti ya vridhi
nitya-prastuta-sapta-tantubhir abhisyt mano nkin
yenaitat pratim-cchalena yad am mucanti na praganam

yat-of whom; dana-of charity; ambukadamba-by the flood; nirmita-created; nadi-river;

samslena-of embracing; harsat-from the joy; asau-this; ringat-moving; tunga-lofty; taraga- of
waves; nihsvana-of sounds; misat-on the pretext; prastauti- glorifies; yam-whom; varidhi-the
ocean; nitya-always; prastuta-glorious; sapta-tantubhi-by sacrifice; abhisyutam- bound;
mana-heart; nakinam-of the demigods; yena-by which; etat-this; pratima-of deities; chalena-
on the pretext; yat- which; ami-they; mucanti-leave; na-do not; praganam-the courtyard.

. . . whose flowing rivers of charity bring happiness to the ocean and inspire it, on the pretext
of great roaring waves, to glorify him, whose continual Vedic sacrifices bind the hearts of the
demigods and inspire them, disguised as deities, never to leave his courtyard,. . .

Text 15

tena pratibha-npa-ghaa-
klgni-rudrea rmat-pratparudrea
r-hari-caraam adhiktya
kam api prabandham abhinetum adi o 'smi

tena-by him; pratibhata-inimical; npa-of kings; ghata-for the hosts; kala-agni-rudrea-as

ferocious as the fire of death; rmat-pratarudrea-r Mahrja Pratparudra; r-hari-of Lord
Ka; caranam-the feet; adhiktya-in relation to; kam api-a certain; prabandham-literary
work; abhinetum-to write a drama; adista-ordered; asmi-I am.

. . . and who is a ferocious fire of death for enemy kings, ordered me to write this play about
Lord Hari's lotus feet.

Text 16

yad-uktam

madhuripu-pada-ll-l tat-tad-guhya
sahdaya-hdayn kma moda-hetum
abhinava-ktim anyac-chyay no nibaddha
samabhinaya nan varya kicit prabandham

yat-by whom; uktam-said; madhu-ripu-of Lord Ka, the enemy of the Madhu demon;
pada-of the feet; ll-with the pastimes; sali-endowed; tat-tat-various; guna-with literary
merits; adhyam-enriched; sa-hdaya-kind; hdaynm-of those whose hearts are; kmam-to

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their heart's content; amoda-of happiness; hetum-the source; abhinava-newly; ktim-written;
anyat-of another work; chayaya-as the shadow; na-not; u-indeed; nibaddham-done;
samabhinaya-please write a play; natanam-of dramatists; varya-O best; kicit-something;
prabandham-literary work.

He said: "O best of dramatists, please write about Ka's pastimes a play rich in many
virtues, bringing to the kind-hearted devotees as much happiness as they could wish, and
newly written, not another play's shadow.

Text 17

na: tat kathaya.

tat-that; kathaya-please tell.

Na: Please describe it.

Text 18

stradhra: katham. rdhanyo vidyn nidhi. yato 'sminn abhidhtu-kmo vkpatir

api pratipatti-mha syt. (kaa vimya) smtam.

katham-how is it possible?; ardhniya-worshippable; vidynm-of transcendental

knowledge; nidhi-an ocean; yata-because; asmin-in it; abhidatu-to describe; kama-
desiring; vak-pati-Brhaspati; api-even; pratipatti-knowledge; mudha-bewildered; syat-is;
kaam-for a moment; vimrsya-reflecting; am-ah!; smtam-remembered.

Stradhra: How? It is worshipable. It is an ocean of many kinds of knowledge. Desiring to

describe it, even Bhaspati becomes bewildered. (Reflecting for a moment). Ah! I remember.

Text 19

na: ta ki so.

ta-then; kim-what?; so-that.

Na: What is it?

Text 20

stradhra: priye sarva-vidyndi-vilsa-gmbhrya-maryd-sthairya-prasddi-gua-

ratnkrasya suraguru-prata-nti-kadamba-karambita-mantrasrvi-kta-pragua-
pthvvarasya r-bhavnanda-ryasya tanujena r-hari-caralakta-mnasena r-
rmnanda-ryena kavin tat-tad-gulakta r-jaganntha-vallabha-nma gajapati-
pratparudra-priya rmnanda-sagta-naka nirmaya samarpitam abhineymi.

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 priye-O beloved; sarva-of all; vidya-knowledge; anadi-beginningless; vilasa-of pastimes;
gambhirya-profundity; maryada-decorum; sthairya-patience; prasada-compassion; adi-
beginning with; guna-of virtues; ratnakarasya-an ocean; suraguru-by Brhaspati; pranita-
presented; niti-instruction; kadamba-multitude; karambita-together; mantra-advice; asravi-
kta-heard; praguna-virtuous; prthvi-isvarasya-of the king; r-bhavnanda-ryasya-r
Bhavnanda Rya; tanujena-by the son; r-hari-of Lord Ka; carana-by the feet; alakta-
decorated; manasena-whose heart; r-rmnanda-ryena-by r Rmnanda Rya; kavina-the
poet; tat-tat-various; guna-with virtues; alaktam-decorated; r-jagannatha-vallabha-r
Jagannatha-vallabha; nama-named; gajapati-pratparudra-to Gajapati Mahrja Pratparudra;
priyam-dear; rmnanda-of Rmnanda Rya; sangita-with songs; natakam-the play; nirmaya-
creating; samarpitam-placed; abhinesyami-I shall show the play.

Stradhra: Beloved, I will now show the musical play named r Jaganntha-vallabha,
which is decorated with many virtues, which is dear to Gajapati Mahrja Pratparudra, and
which was written by the poet Rmnanda Rya, whose heart is decorated with Lord Hari's
lotus feet, and who is the son of Mahrja Bhavnanda Rya, himself a personal student of
Bhaspati and an ocean of virtues, beginning with all knowledge, beginningless cheerfulness,
profound gravity, politeness, patience, and compassion.

Text 21

tath cya kavi sa-vinayam idam avadt

na bhavatu gua-gandho 'py atra nma prabandhe

madhuripu-pada-padmotkrtana nas tathpi
sa-hdaya-hdayasynanda-sandoha-hetur
niyata idam ato 'ya niphalo na praysa

tath-then; ca-also; ayam-this; kavi-poet; sa-with; vinayam-humbleness; idam-this;

avadit-said; na-not; bhavatu-may be; guna-of good qualities; gandha-the scent; api-even;
atra-here; nama-indeed; prabandhe-in this composition; madhu-ripu-of Lord Ka, the
enemy of the madhu demon; pada-feet; padma-of the lotus flower; utkirtanam-glorification;
na-by us; tath api-nevertheless; sa-hdaya-kind; hdayasya-whose heart; nanda-of bliss;
sandoha-an abundance; hetu-the cause; niyatam-certainly; idam-this; ata-therefore; ayam-
this; nisphala-fruitless; na-not; pryasa-endeavor.

The author humbly said this: "It may be that this play has not the slightest fragrance
of any good quality. Still, I have glorified Lord Ka's lotus feet within it. For this reason it
will delight the kind-hearted devotees and my labor will not be fruitless."

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Text 22

taddiyanta kulav varika-parigrahya.

tada-then; adisyantam-should be directed; kusilava-the actors; varnika-the costumes;

parigrahaya-for taking.

The actors should costume themselves.

Text 23

na: (sansktam ritya) yad jpayati svm. (puro 'valokya) paya paya.
saktam-of Sanskrit; artya-taking shelter; yat-as; ajnapayati-orders; svami-the master;
pura-ahead; avalokya-looks; paya-look!; paya-look!

Na: (In Sanskrit) As the master orders. (looking ahead) Look! Look!

Text 24

mdula-malaya-vtcanta-vci-pracre
sarasi nava-pargai pijaro 'ya klamena
prati-kamala-madhn pna-matto dvirepha
svapiti kamala-koe nicalga pradoe

mdula-gentle; malayan-from the Malaya Hills; vata-by the breeze; acanta-sipped; vici-of
waves; pracare-movement; sarasi-in a lake; nava-with fresh; pargai-pollen; pijara-orange-
coloured; ayam-this; klamena-with exhaustation; prati-each; kamala-lotus; madhunam-of the
honey; pana-by drinking; matta-intoxicated; dvirepha-a bumble-bee; svapiti-sleeps;
kamala-a lotus flower; kose-closed; niscala-motionless; aga-whose limbs; pradose-in the
beginning of evening.

At the beginning of evening, in a lake where a gentle Malayan breeze sips the waves, a
bumble-bee, yellow with new pollen, intoxicated by drinking the honey of each lotus, and
motionless with exhaustion, now sleeps in a closed lotus flower.

Text 25

stradhra: (sa-haram) priye sdhu sdhu man-mana kuthala-jalanidhi-vivarte

nihita bhavaty yato gopgan-atdhara-madhu-pna-nirbhara-keli-klamlaspaghana
kvacit prauha-vadh-stanopadhanya-maita-hdaya-paryaka-y ptmbaro nryaa
smrita.

sa-with; harsam-joy; priye-beloved; sadhu-well done; sadhu-well done; mat-my; mana-

heart; kutuhala-of delight; jalanidhi-of the oceanl; vivarte-in the whirpol; nihitam-is placed;

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bhavatya-by you; yata-because; gopagana-of gops; sata-of hundreds; adhara-of lips;
madhu-of the honey; pana-drinking; nirbhara-many; keli-by pastimes; klama-fatigued; alasa-
motionless; apaghana-limbs; kvacit-somewhere; praudha-experienced; vadhu-decorated;
hdaya-chest; paryaka-on a bed; sayi-resting; pita-yellow; ambara-with garments;
nryaa-Nryaa; smarita-is called to mind.

Stradhra: (With happiness) Beloved, well done! Well done! Because this makes me
remember Lord Nryaa who, wearing yellow garments and His limbs exhausted by
enjoying pastimes of drinking the honey of hundreds of gops' lips, lies on a bed, His chest
decorated with the pillow of an expert gop's breasts.

Text 26

(nepathye)
dvatrial-lakaair yukto
deva-devevaro hari
gopla-blakai srdha
jagma ymuna-vanam

nepathye-from behind the scenes; dvatrimsat-32; lakaai-with transcendental qualities;

yukta-endowed; deva-of the demigods; deva-of the leader; isvara-the controller; hari-Lord
Ka; gopala-cowherd; balakai-boys; sardham-with; jagama-has gone; yamuna-by the shore
of the Yamuna; vanam-to the forest.

A Voice From Behind the Scenes: Lord Ka, who is endowed with 32 transcendental
qualities, and who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master of the demigods, has
gone with the cowherd boys to the forest by the Yamun's shore.

Text 27 Song in Kedra-rga

Text A

mdutara-maruta-vellita-pallava-valli-valita-ikhaam
tilaka-viambita-marakata-mai-tla-bimbita-aadhara-khaam

mdu-gentle; tara-very; maruta-by a breeze; vellita-made to tremble; pallava-valli-flowers;

valita-moving; sikhandam-peacock feather; tilaka-tilaka marking; vidambita-imitated;
marakata-mani-sapphire; tala-surface; bimbita-reflected; sasadhara-khandam-crescent moon.

His flowers and peacock feather tremble in the very gentle breeze. He is a crescent moon
marked with tilaka and reflected in a sapphire mirror.

11
Text B Refrain

yuvati-manohara-veam
kelaya kalnidhim iva dharam anu pariata-rpa-vieam

yuvati-of the young gops; mana-the hearts; hara-enchanting; vesam-whose appearance;

kalaya-look!; kalanidhim-the moon; iva-like; dharanim anu-on the earth; parinata-
transformed; rpa-form; visesam-specific.

Look at Him! He is like a moon come to earth. He enchants the young gops' hearts.

Text C

khel-dolayita-mai-kuala-ruci-rucirnana-obham
hel-taralita-madhura-vilocana-janita-vadh-jana-lobham

hela-with playfulness; dolayita-swinging; mani-jewelled; kundala-earrings; ruci-beauty;

rucira-beautiful; anana-of the face; sobham-splendor; hela-with amorous passion; taralita-
restlessly moving; madhura-sweet; vilocana-by glances; janita-born; vadhu-jana-of the gops;
lobham-greedy desire.

His handsome face is glorious with playfully swinging jewel-earrings. His restless sweet
passionate glances arouse the gops' desires.

Text D

gajapati-rudra-nardhipa-cetasi janayatu mudam anuvram

rmnanda-rya-kavi-bhaita madhuripu-rpam udram

gajapati-rudra-Pratparudra; naradhipa-King; cetasi-in the heart; janayatu-may arouse;

sudam-delight; anuvaram-at every moment; rmnanda-rya-Rmnanda Rya; kavi-by the
poet; bhanitam-spoken; madhu-ripu-of Lord Ka, the enemy of the Madhu demon; rpam-
the form; udaram-handsome.

Described by the poet Rmnanda Rya, may Lord Ka's transcendental form again and
again delight Gajapati Mahrja Pratparudra's heart.

Text 28

stradhra: (sa-cakitam) priye matkanyn r-ka-vndvana-gamanam vedayati. tad

vayam api sva-nepathyopacitya yma. (iti nikrntau). prastavan.

sa-with; cakitam-fear; priye-beloved; matkaniyan-those like me; r-ka-of r Ka;

vndvana-to Vndvana; gamanam-to going; avedayati-informs; tat-therefore; vayam-we; api-

12
also; eva-own; nepathya-behind the scenes; upacitaya-appropriate; yama-let us go; iti-thus;
nikrntau-they both exit; prantavana-thus ends the introduction.

Stradhra: (Frightened) Beloved, to persons like us he announces r Ka's arrival in

Vndvana forest. Let us go behind the curtain. (They both exit).

Thus ends the prastavan (introduction).

Text 29

(tata praviati yath-nirdia ka).

ka: sakhe ratikaala paya paya ramayaka vndvanasya.

tata-then; praviati-enters; yatha-as; nirdista-indicated; ka-Ka; sakhe-O friend;

ratikandala-Ratikandala; paya-look!; paya-look!; ramaniyakam-at the beauty; vndvanasya-
of Vndvana forest.

(Ka enters as directed).

Ka: Friend Ratikaala, look! Look at the beauty of Vndvana forest!
Text 30

tath hi

uddma-dyuti-pallavvali-calat-spo 'm sphurad

bhgligita-pupa-sajana-do mdyat-pikn ravai
arabdhotkalik lat ca tarava clola-mauli-rya
praty- madhu-sampadd iva raslpa mitha kurvate

tath pi-furthermore; uddama-great; dyuti-with splendor; pallava-of blossomed; avali-

series; calat-moving; pani-of hands; sprsa-touching; ami-these; sphurat-splendid; bhrnga-by
bumble-bees; alingita-embraced; puspa-of flowers; sa-with; ajana-mascara; da-eyes;
madyat-jubilant; pikanam-of cuckoos; ravai-with the sounds; arabdha-begun; utkalika-
pastimes; lata-creepers; ca-and; tarava-trees; ca-and; alola-moving; mauli-of crowns;
rya-beauty; prati-in every; asam-direction; madhu-of honey; sampadat-from the opulence;
iva-as if; rasa-of nectar; alapam-conversations; mitha-together; kurvate-do.

Touching each other with moving hands of splendid twigs and buds, gazing at each other
with ajana-anointed eyes of flowers embraced by black bees, and the glory of their crowns
moving to and fro, the trees and vines sweetly talk with maddened cuckoos' words like a
treasury of honey.

Text 31

13
 vidaka: bho vayassa tujjha eda vunda-ana ramanijja mama una bho-anala-o
jjevva. jaththa kahimpi siharini kahimpi rasala kahimpi surahi ghi-o kahimpi sali-bhattam.

bho-O; vayassa-friend; tujjha-Your; edam-this; vunda-anam-Vndvana; ramanijjam-

beautiful; jaththa-just as; kahimpi-sometimes; siharini-sugar candy; kahimpi-sometimes;
rasala-mangoes; kahimpi-sometimes; surahi-of the surabhi cows (or fragrant); ghi-om-ghee;
kahimpi-sometimes; sali-rice; bhaktam-cooked.

Vidaka: O friend, Your Vndvana forest is as beautiful as my dining-room. Ah, in my

dining-room there are sometimes sweet-candies, sometimes mangoes, sometimes many foods
cooked in fragrant ghee from the surabhi cows, and sometimes cooked rice.

Text 32

ka: sakhe.

sakhe-O friend.

Ka: Friend, . . .

Text 33 Song in Vasanta-rga

Text A

aparicita tava rpam idam bata payadivocita-khelam

lalita-vikasvara-kusume-cayair iva hasati cirad ati-velam

aparicitam-unknown; tava-by you; rpam-beauty; idam-this; bata-indeed; paya-look;

diva-for the heavenly planets; ucita-suitable; khelam-playfulness; lalita-charming; vikasvara-
blossoming; kusuma-of flowers; cayai-with multitudes; iva-as is; hasati-smiles and laughs;
cirat-for a longtime; ati-beyond; velam-the season.

. . . You don't know how beautiful it is. Look! It's like a pleausre-garden in the heavenly
planets. It eternally smiles and laughs with beautiful flowers eternally in bloom.

Text B Refrain

kalaya sakhe bhuvi sram

tvad-upagamd iva sa-rasam ida mama vndvanam anuvram

kalaya-look!; sakhe-O friend; bhuvi-on the earth; saram-the most beautiful; tvat-of you;
upagamat-from the undertanding; iva-as if; sa-with; rasam-nectar; idam-this; mama-My;
vndvanam-Vndvana forest; anuvaram-repeatedly.

14
 Friend, again and again look at My sweet Vndvana forest, the most beautiful place in the
world. As if inspired by your arrival. . .

Text C

mdu-pavanhati-cacala-pallava-kara-nikarair iva kmam

naritum upadiatva bhavantam antatam idam abhirmam

mdu-gentle; pavana-of the breezes; ahati-by the strokes; cacala-moving; pallava-

blossoming branches; kara-of hands; nikarai-with a host; iva-as if; kmam-if you wish;
nartitum-to dance; upadiati-instructs; iva-as if; bhavantam-you; santatam-repeatedly; idam-
this place; abhiramam-delightful.

. . . with many hands of blossoming branches moving in the gentle breeze, again and again it
gracefully invites you to dance.

Text D

sukhayatu gajapati-rudra-manoharam anudinam idam abhidhnam

rmnanda-rya-kavi-racita rasika-jana su-vidhnam

sukhayatu-may please; gajapati-rudra-of Gajapati Pratparudra; mana-the heart; haram-

enchanting; anudinam-at every moment; idam-this; abhidhanam-description; rmnanda-
rya-Rmnanda Rya; kavi-by the poet; racitam-created; rasika-janam-those exalted devotees
expert at relishing transcendental mellows; su-vidhanam-beautiful.

May this song, written by the poet Rmnanda Rya and charming Gajapati Mahrja
Pratparudra's heart, day after day please the devotees expert at tasting nectar.

Text 34

sakhe ati-madhuro 'ya kokiln rava.

sakhe-O friend; ati-very; madhura-sweet; ayam-this; kokilnm-of the cuckoos; rava-the

sound.

Friend, the cuckoos' singing is very sweet.

Text 35

vidaka: bho va-assa tujjha vamsi-a ra-o ido bi mahuro tado bi ahmana kantha-ra-o.
ta tu-e vamsi vadi-adu ma-e bhi kantha-ra-o kadavvo.

bho-O; va-assa-friend; tujjha-of You; vamsi-e-of the flute; ra-o-the sound; ido-than this; bi-
even; mahuro-more sweet; tado-than; bi-ahmanam-of us; kantha-of the throat; ra-o-the

15
sound; ta-therefore; tu-e-by You; vamsi-the flute; vadi-adu-should be played; ma-e-by me; bi-
also; kantha-of the throat; ra-o-the sound; kadavvo-will be done.

Vidaka: Friend, Your flute-music is much sweeter. It is even sweeter than my singing.
Please play Your flute, and I will sing along.

Text 36

ka: yad abhirucita vayasyya. (va vdayate).

yat-because; abhirucitam-liked; vayasyaya-for a friend; vamsim-the flute; vadayate-He

plays.

Ka: As it pleases My friend. (He plays the flute).

Text 37

vidsakah: bho sudo de vamsi-ra-o mamabi kantha-ra-o suni-adu. (iti mukha-vaiktya

prua nadati).

bho-O; sudo-heard; te-of You; vamsi-of the flute; ra-o-the sound; mama-of me; abi-also;
kantha-of the throat; ra-o-the sound; suni-adu-may be heard; iti-thus; mukha-mouth;
vaiktya-contorting into a funny expression; parusam-with harsh notes; nadati-sings.

Vidaka: I have heard You play the flute, now hear me sing. (Contorting his face and
mouth, he sings with superlative ugliness).

Text 38

(taru-ikharn avalokya) bho jidam anmehi tujjha vamsi-e ra-ehi ede dasi-e putta-a
ko-ila nihada thida. maha una kantha-ra-ehi kahi bi pala-ida. ta va-assa ma gavvo de
hodu.
taru-of the trees; sikharan-at the tops; avalokya- looking; bho-O; jidam-defeated;
ahmhehim-by me; tujjha-of You; vamsi-e-of the flute; ra-ehim-by the sounds; ede-these; dasi-
e-of a maidservant; putta-the children; ko-ila-cuckoos; nihadam-in a hidden place; thida-
staying; maha-my; una-again; kantha-of the throat; ra-ehim-with the sounds; kahimbi-
somewhere; pala-ida-have fled; ta-this; va-assa-O friend; ma- not; gavvo-pride; de-of You;
hodu-may be.

(Looking at the treetops) My singing and Your flute-music have defeated these low-class
cuckoos and made them hide. If I were to sing again they would fly away. Friend, are You not
proud of Our great accomplishment?

16
Text 39

ka: sakhe paya paya. kenpy akarunea bhagnni navoka-pallavni ceta

khedayanti.

sakhe-O friend; paya-look!; paya-look!; kena api-by some person; akurunena-merciless;

bhagnani-broken; nava-new; asoka-of asoka trees; pallavani-blossoming twigs; ceta-the
heart; khedayanti-distresses.

Ka: Friend, look! Look! Some merciless person broke these new aoka twigs! That
troubles My heart.

Text 40

vidaka: bho vayassa ma-e dasi-e dhida-o gobi-a eththa kusumni aharanti. (sa-
parihasam) tuma bi tado jjeva eda vunda-ana na mucasi.

bho-O; vayassa-friend; sudam-heard; ma-e-by me; dasi-e-of a maidservant; dhida-o-

daughters; gobi-a-gops; eththa-here; kusumani-flowers; aharanti-are picking; sa-with;
parihasam-joking; tumam-You; bi-indeed; tado-therefore; jjeva-certainly; edam-this; vunda-
anam-Vndvana; na-do not; mucasi-leave.

Vidaka: Friend, I heard some low-class gops are picking flowers here. (making a joke)
That is why You never leave Vndvana.
Text 41

(nepathye)

vndvane viharato madhusdanasya

veu-svana ruti-puena nipya kmam
udyan-manoja-ithili-kta-gha-lajj
rdh vivea kutukena sakh-kadambam

nepathye-from behind the scenes; vndvane-in Vndvana; viharata-enjoying pastimes;

madhu-sudanasya-of Lord Ka, the killer of the Madhu demon; veu-of the flute; svanam-
the sound; ruti-putena-by the ears; nipiya-drinking; kamam-to Her heart's content; udyat-
rising; manoja-of amorous desires; sithili-kta-slackened; gadha-strong; lajja-shyness; rdh-
Rdh; vivesa-entered; kutukena-with eagerness; sakhi-of friends; kadambam-the multitude.

A Voice From Behind the Scenes: Her ears drinking playful Ka's flute music in
Vndvana, and Her great shyness now slackened, Rdh eagerly goes to Her friends.

17
Text 42 Song in Goakir-rga

Text A

kalayati nayana dii valitam

pakaja iva mdu-mruta-calitam

kalayati-look; nayanam-eyes; disi disi-in all directions; valitam-moving; pakajam-a lotus

flower; iva-like; mdu-gentle; maruta-by the breeze; calitam-moved.

Rdh's eyes move in all directions, as a lotus moving in a gentle breeze.

Text B Refrain

keli-vipina praviati rdh

pratipada-samudita-manasija-bdh

keli-pastimes; vipinam-forest; praviati-enters; rdh-Rdh; pratipada-at every moment;

samudita-rising; manasija-by amorous desires; badha-overwhelmed.

Tortured by ever-increasing amorous desires, Rdh enters the pastime-forest.

Text C

vinidadhti mdu-manthara-pdam
racayati kujara-gatim anuvdam

vinidadhati-does; mdu-gentle; manthara-slow; padam-steps; racayati-does; kujara-of an

elephant; gatim-the gait; anuvadam-like.

She walks with gentle, slow steps. She walks as a graceful elephant.

Note: In Sanskrit literature the elephant is considered among the most graceful of
creatures.

Text D

janayatu rudra-gajdhipa-muditam
rmnanda-rya-kavi-gaditam

janayatu-may create; rudra-gajadhipa-of Gajapati Mahrja Pratparudra; muditam-the

happiness; rmnanda-rya-Rmnanda Rya; kavi-by the poet; gaditam-spoken.

May these words, spoken by the poet Rmnanda Rya, bring happiness to Gajapati
Mahrja Pratparudra.

18
Text 43

vidaka: (kara datv) bho suhu ma-e janidam

ka: kim.
vidaka: ma jjeva pucchasi.

karam-an ear; datva-giving; bho-O; susthu-nicely; ma-e-by me; janidam-understood;

kim-what?; mam-me; jjeva-certainly; pucchasi-You ask.

Vidaka: (Listening) Ah! Now I understand.

Ka: What is it?
Vidaka: Why ask me?

Text 44

(tata praviati sakhbhir anugamyamn rdhik madanik vanadevat ca).

vidaka: (purato 'valokya) bho vayassa pekkha pekkha kanabi inda-ali-ena sacalido
kana-a puttali-a ni-ara idha jjeva a-acchadi. ta edam ekka gohni-a pala-issa mama daridda
badu-assa eda-e jjeva kidathada huvissadim. (iti svaira svaira dhartum upasarpati).

tata-then; praviati-enters; sakhibhi-by gop-friends; anugamyamana-followed; rdhik-

Rdh; madanik-Madanik; vanadevata-Vanadevata; ca-and; purata-ahead; avalokya-
looking; bho-O; vayassa-friend; pekkha-look!; pekkha-look!; kenabi-by someone; inda-ali-
enam-with a rainbow; sacalido-walks; kana-a-golden; puttali-a-puppets; ni-ara-a host; idha-
thus; jjeva-certainly; a-acchadi-comes; ta-therefore; edam-thus; ekkam-one; gohni-a-taking;
pala-issam-I shall flee; mama-my; daridda-poverty-stricken; badu-assa-brahmacari; eda-e-by
this; jjeva-certainly; kidaththada-successful; huvassidam-shall become; iti-thus; svairam
svairam-slowly; dhartum-to take; upasarpati-creeps up.
(Followed by their gop-friends, Rdh, Madanik, and Vanadevat enter.)

Vidaka: Friend, look! Look! Here comes a rainbow followed by a troop of golden
puppets. I will steal one of the puppets and run away. Then my poverty-stricken
brahmacrhood will finally become a grand success.
(He slowly creeps up to steal one of them.)

Text 45

ka: dhi mrkha nya kanaka-pualik-nikra. kintu gop-kadambakam idam.

dhik-fie!; murkha-O fool; na-not; ayam-this; kanaka-golden; puttalika-of puppets;

nikara-a troop; kintu-however; gop-of gops; kadambakam-a group; idam-this.

Ka: Fool, they are not golden puppets. They are cowherd girls.

19
Text 46

vidaka: (nirpya vihasya) suhu tu-e takkida ta phalida de vunda-anagamanam.

nirpya-looking carefully; vihasya-chuckling; susthu-nicely; tu-e-by You; takkidam-

guessed; ta-therefore; phalidam-successful; de-of You; vunda-ana-in Vndvana; agamanam-
the arrival.

Vidaka: (He carefully looks at them, and then chuckles) You have guessed the truth.
Now Your arrival in Vndvana is a grand success.

Text 47

ka: dhi mrkha ki phala mama vndvangamanasya.

dhik-fie; murkha-O fool; kim-what?; phalam-result; mama-of Me; vndvana-into

Vndvana; agamanasya-of the arrival.

Ka: Fool, what benefit do I get by coming to Vndvana forest?

Text 48

vidaka: edana dasi-e dhidana sa-asado vunda-ana-na-a-pallavana padibalanam tti

bhanami.

ednm-of these; dasi-e-of a maidservant; dhidnm- daughters; sa-asado-in the presence;

vunda-ana-in Vndvana; na-a-fresh; pallavanam-of blossoms; padibalanam-protection; tti-
thus; bhanami-I speak.
Vidaka: I am talking of Your protecting the flowers of Vndvana forest from these low-
class girls.

Text 49

rdh: (purato 'valokya) ajje ma-ani-e ko eso niluppala-dala-komala-ccha-i kana-a ni-ara-

viccha-vasano isi-a alambi-a kandhara mahura-mahura veu vade-i.

purata-ahead; avalokya-looking; ajje-O noble lady; ma-ani-e-Madanik; ko-who?; eso-is

this; niluppala-of a blue lotus; dala-petal; komala-beautiful; ccha-i-splendor; kana-a-of gold;
ni-ara-an abundance; viccha-like; vasano-whose garments; isi-a-slightly; alambi-a-resting on;
kandhara-His neck; mahura-mahuram-very sweet; veum-flute; vade-i-plays.

Rdh: (Looking ahead) O noble Madanik, who is this person splendid as a blue lotus
petal, His garments like gold, and His neck gracefully bending, sweetly playing a flute?

20
Text 50

madanik: sakhi na jnsi yas tava may kathita.

so 'ya yuv yuvati-citta-vihaga-akh

skd iva sphurati pacaaro mukunda
yasmin gate nayanayo pathi sundar
nvi svaya ithilatm upayti sadya

sakhi-O friend; na-not; janasi-You know; ya-who; tava-to You; maya-by me; kathita-
said; sah ayam-he; yuva-youth; yuvati-of young girls; citta-of the hearts; vihaga-if the birds;
sakhi-the tree with branches; sakat-directly; iva-as if; sphurati-manifested; pacasara-cupid;
mukunda-Ka; yasmin-when He; gate-goes; nayanayo-of the eyes; pathi-on he path;
sundarinam-of beautiful girls; nivi-tight belts; svayam-spontaneously; sithilatam-looseness;
upayati-attains; sadya-at once.

Madanik: Friend, You don't know? I will tell You. He is Ka. He is like Kmadeva
himself. He is a tree on whose branches rest the birds of young girl's hearts. When He enters
the pathway of beautiful girls' eyes, tight belts suddenly become loosened.

Text 51

ka: (mang avalokya svagatam) aho ubha-samaya-jtatva kasyacid vastuna.

manak-slightly; avalokya-looking; svagatam-to Himself; aho-ah!; subha-auspicious;

samaya-moment; jatatvam-birth; kasyacit-for a certain; vastuna-substance.

Ka: (furtively glances, and then says to Himself) Ah, somehow this is an auspicious
moment.

Text 52

tath hi

yad api na kamala nikaro v

bhavati mukha-pratimo mgekay
racayati na tathpi jtu tbhym
upamtir anya-pade pada yad asya

tath hi-furthermore; yat-which; api-indeed; kamalam-lotus flower; nisakara-moon; va-

or; bhavati-is; mukha-of the face; pratima-comparison; mga-ikaayan-of this doe-eyed girl;
racayati-does; na-not; tath api-still; jatu-at any time; tabhyam-with them; upamiti-
comparison; anya-another; pade-in a subtance; padam-word; yat-which; asya-of it.

21
 If this is neither a lotus nor the moon, but indeed a doe-eyed girl's face, then it cannot be
compared to either. There is no other thing to compare it.

Text 53

vidaka: janida ma-e dasi-e dhida ehi gobi-ahi ukkanthida-hi-a-o samvutto

bhavam. ta ehi edana damsana-pathado gadu-a siharinihi rasalihi bi appana nivvuda
karehma. pekkha majjhanno jdo.

janidam-known; ma-e-by me; dasi-e-of a maidservant; didha-ehim-by these daughters;

ukkanthida-longing; hi-a-o-hearts; samvutto-become; bhavam-You; ta-therefore; ehi-come;
edanam-of them; damsana-of the eyes; pathado-from the path; gadu-a-having gone;
sikharihim-sugar-candy; rasalihim-curds with sugar and spices; bi-also; appanam-ourselves;
nivvudam-enjoyment; karemha-let us do; pekkha-look; majjanno-mid-day; jado-is
manifested.

Vidaka: I know these low-class gops are yearning after You. Come, escape the pathway
of their eyes, and We will enjoy eating sugar-candies and curd mixed with sugar and spices.
Look! It is now mid-day.

Text 54

ka: sakhe samyag upalakitam.

sakhe-O friend; samyak-correctly; upalakitam-it is seen.

Ka: Friend, you are right.

Text 55

tath hi
katham iva parikhinn vyoma-mtr praytu
yad iha galita-veg vjino yyam ittham
iti vitata-karanta sann uplabdhum avn
gaganam iva mimte madhya-madhyasya bhnu

tath hi-furthermore; katham-how is it?; iva-as if; parikhinna-fatigued; vyoma-matra-in

the sky; prayatum-to go; yat-which; iha-here; galita-swallowed; vega-speed; vajina-O
horses; yuyam-you; ittham-in this way; iti-thus; vitata-expanded; kara-anta-rays of light;
san-being so; upalabdhum-to chastise; asvan-the horses; gaganam-the sky; iva-as if; mimite-
measure; madhya-madhyasya-of the mid-day; bhanu-the sun.

Saying, "Horses, why is your speed now swallowed up, as if you are exhausted to run in
the sky?" and whipping them with glaring sunlight, the sun-god travels in the mid-day sky.

22
Text 56

vidaka: (akucita-locana cira nirikaya) vayassa ma-e vannidavvo ra-i-maalo.

arobi-a cakka-bhami bhamido jaha vissakamana suro. ajjabi taha sakkara bhamida ra-i-
maala takkemi.

akucita-without shrinking; locana-his eyes; ciram-for a long time; nirikaya-gazes;

vayassa-O friend; ma-e-by me; bi-indeed; vannidavvo-may be described; ra-i-of the sun;
maalao-the circle; arobi-a-ascending; cakka-circular; bhamim-path; bhamido-travelling;
jaha-which; vissakamana-by Visvakarma; suro-the sun-god; ajja-now; hi-even; sakkaram-
perfectly; bhamidam-travelling; ra-i-of the sun; maalam-the disk; takkemi-I think.

Vidaka: (Without blinking, he gazes at the sun for a long time) Friend, I can explain
the sun. Vivakarm made a circular path for the sun-god's journey. I think that is why the
sun travels so perfectly in the sky.

Text 57

madanik: sakhi cira-vihra-parirntsi tad ehi gacchva. (iti nikrnta sarve).

sakhi-friend; cira-for a long time; vihara-of pastimes; parispanta-fatigued; asi-You are; tat-
therefore; ehi-come; gacchava-let us go; iti-thus; nikrnta-exit; sarve-all.

Madanik: Friend, You must be tired from playing for such a long time. Come, let us go.
(All exit).

23
 Act Two

Bhva-park
The Test of Love

Text 1

(tata praviati madanik).

madanik: katham iyam aoka-majar.

tata-then; praviati-enters; madanik-Madanik; katham-is?; iyam-this; aoka-majar-

Aoka-majar.

(Madanik enters).
Madanik: Is this Aoka-majar?

Text 2

aoka-majar: de-i vandijjasi. gahida-kajja-bharavva ki pi cinta-anti kahi paththidasi.

de-i-O noble lady; vandijjasi-obeisances to you; gahida-taken; kajja-work; bharavva-with

great; kim pi-something; cinta-anti-considering; kahim-where?; paththidasi-you go.

Aoka-majar: Noble lady, obeisances to you. Where did you go on your mission?

Text 3

madanik: vacche mahati khalv iya varta.

vacche-O child; mahati-great; khalu-indeed; iyam-this; varta-news.

Madanik: Child, there is great news.

Text 4

aoka-majar: katha bi-a.

katham-what?; bi-a-like.

Aoka-majar: What is it?

24
Text 5

madanik: vacche na jnsi priya-sakh rdhm dya kusuma-vihrrtha gat sma.

vacche-O child; na-do not; janasi-you know; priya-dear; sakhim-friend; rdhm-Rdh;

adaya-approaching; kusuma-flower; vihra-pastimes; artham-for the purpose; gata sma-we
shall go.
Madanik: Child, you don't know? Taking our dear friend Rdh, we went to pick
flowers.

Text 6

aoka-majar: adha i taththa.

adha-then; im-what?; taththa-there.

Aoka-majar: Then what?

Text 7

madanik: tatroka-taru-mle tay locantith-kto 'ya mukunda.

tatra-there; aoka-taru-of an aoka tree; mule-at the base; taya-by Her; locana-of the eyes;
atithi-a guest; krta-become; ayam-He; mukunda-Ka.

Madanik: At the base of an aoka tree Ka became the guest of Rdh's eyes.

Text 8

aoka-majar: na kkhu vilasida ki pi kusuma-uhena.

na-not; kkhu-indeed; vilasidam-manifested; ki pi-something; kusuma-uhena-by cupid,

who carries arrows flowers.

Aoka-majar: Kmadeva, who carries arrows of flowers, must not have intruded there.

Text 9

madanik: atha kim.

atha-then; kim-why?

Madanik: Why?

25
Text 10

aoka-majar: ta eththa ki padibanna taththa bhodi-e.

ta-then; eththa-there; kim-what?; padibannam-perceived; taththa-then; bhodi-e-by you.

Aoka-majar: What did you see?

Text 11

madanik: ayi sarale tatrpi pavysi

ayi-O; sarale-honest girl; tatra-there; api-even; pavyasi-you will enquire.

Madanik: O honest girl, even about that you ask!

Text 12

aoka-majar: anusaridavvo mu-undo.

anusaridavvo-remembered; mu-undo-Mukunda (Ka).

Aoka-majar: I remember Ka.

Text 13

madanik: atha kim.

atha-then; kim-what?

Madanik: Then what?

Text 14

aoka-majar: adha kadha ta-e lajja-tarala-e hi-a-a tu-e nnadam.

adha-then; kadham-was it?; ta-e-of Her; lajja-with shyness; tarala-e-trembling; hi-a-am-the

heart; tu-e-by you; nnadam-understood.

Aoka-majar: Could you understand Her heart as She trembled with embarrassment?

26
Text 15

madanik: vacche

tvad eva trpa-varma

baln hdaye sthiram
yvad viama-basya
na patanti il-mukh

vacche-O child; tavat-in that way; eva-certainly; trapa-of shyness; varma-the armor;
balanam-of young girls; hdaye-in the heart; sthiram-firm; yavat-in which way; visama-
banasya-of cupid, who shoots very powerful arrows; na-not; patanti-fall; sili-mukha-the
arrows.

Madanik: Child, girls wear the strong armor of shyness over their hearts so Kma's
arrows will not wound them.

Text 16

aoka-majar: tahabi ki ta-e jjeva sphudi-kida tumhehi va anumidam.

tahabi-still; kim-what?; ta-e-by Her; jjeva-certainly; sphudi-kidam-openly displayed;

tumhehim-by you; va-or; anumidam-inferred from hints.

Aoka-majar: Still, what did She outwardly show, or what could you infer from Her
actions?

Text 17

madanik: mayaivnumitam.

maya-by me; eva-certainly; anumitam-something was inferred.

Madanik: I could infer some things.

Text 18

aoka-majar: kadha vi-a.

kadham-what?; vi-a-like.

Aoka-majar: What was that?

27
Text 19

madanik:

aini nayana-pto ndard unmadn

rutam anu ca piknmkara-rodha chalena
prativacanam aprtham yat-sakhnm kathsu
smara-vilasitam asys tena kincit prattam

sasini-on the moon; nayana-of the eyes; pata-falling; na-not; adrat-with attentiveness;
unmadanam-intoxicated; rutam-the sound; anu-following; ca-and; pikanam-of the cuckoos;
karna-of the ears; rodha-covering; chalena-on the pretext; prativacanam-answer; apartham-
meaningless; yat-of whom; sakhinam-of the gop-friends; kathasu-to the talking; smara-of
amorous love; vilasitam-the pastimes; asya-of Her; tena-by this; kicit-something; pratitam-
is believed.

Madanik: She blankly stares at the moon, covers Her ears on the pretext of the
maddened cuckoos' chirping, and replies to Her friends' conversations with babbled
nonsense. All this makes me believe She has fallen in love.

Text 20 Song in Gndhra-rga

Text A

hari haricandana-mruta-pika-rutam anu tanur-atanu-vikram

tirayitum iva sa kati kati sahas racayati na iu-vihram

hari-Oh!; haricandana-from the sandalwood forests in the Malaya Hills; maruta-the

breeze; pika-of the cuckoos; rutam-the warblings; anu-following; tanu-in the form; atanu-of
cupid; vikram-the transformation; tirayitum-to eclipse; iva-as if; na-She; kati kati-how many
times; sahasa-at once; racayati-performs; na-not; sisu-of a child; vihram-the pastimes.

Oh! How many times does She shun the cuckoos' singing and the sandalwood breeze? She
has fallen in love. She no longer acts as a child.

Text B Refrain

upanata-manasija-bdh
abhinava-bhva-bharn api dadhti iva iva sdati rdh

upanata-arrived; manasija-by love; bdha-overwhelmed; abhinava-new; bhava-of love;

bharan-abundance; api-even; dadhati-manifesting; siva-Oh!; siva-Oh!; sidati-is situated;
rdh-Rdh.

Oh! Oh! She is overwhelmed with love. Rdh is newly, deeply in love.

28
Text C

avidhaya-nicala-nayana-yugala-galad-ambu-kan anuvram
rahasi hahd upayti sakhm anu racayati sauhda-sram

avidhaya-niscala-blankly staring; nayana-of eyes; yugala-from the pair; galat-streaming;

ambu-kanan-tears; anuvram-at every moment; rahasi-approaches; sakhim-a friend; anu-to;
racayati-does; sauhdra-of frienship; sram-the best.

Tears constantly stream from Her blankly staring eyes. She approaches a gop-friend in a
secluded place and swears Her unswerving friendship.

Text D

gajapati-rudra-mano-hram ahar ahar idam anu rasika-samjam

rmnanda-rya-kavi-bhaita viharatu hari-pada-bhjam

gajapati-of Gajapati; rudra-Mahrja Pratparudra; mana-the heart; hram-enchanting;

aha-day; aha-after day; idam-this; anu-following; rasika-of exalted devotees expert at
relishing transcendental mellows; samajam-the assembly; rmnanda-rya-Rmnanda Rya;
kavi-by the poet; bhaitam-spoken; vihratu-may enjoy pastimes; hari-of Lord Ka; pada-
the feet; bhajam-at.

May this song, which bears the mark of Lord Hari's feet, which was spoken by the poet
Rmnanda Rya, and which charms Gajapati Mahrja Pratparudra's heart, charm the
devotees expert at tasting nectar.
Note: This verse may also be interpreted to mean:

"May this song, which was spoken by the poet Rmnanda Rya, and which charms
Gajapati Mahrja Pratparudra's heart, charm they who, expert at tasting nectar, have taken
shelter of Lord Hari's feet.

Text 21

madanik: tva puna kutra prasthitsi.

tvam-you; puna-again; kutra-where?; prasthita-went; asi-you.

Madanik: Why did you return?

29
Text 22

aoka-majar: aha pi ta-e bhaida sahi ahina-a pa-uma-dala sejja pajjussu-amhi ta

ubanehi tarisa-i pau-ma-dala-im ado tad-aththa paththidahmi.

aham-I; pi-also; ta-e-by Her; bhaida-said; sahi-O friend; ahina-a-new; pa-uma-lotus; dala-
petal; sejja-couch; pajjussu-eager; amhi-I am; ta-therefore; ubanehi-please bring; tarisa-im-
like this; pa-uma-lotus; dala-im-petals; ado-then; tad-for this; aththam-purpose;
paththidahmi-I went.

Aoka-majar: Rdh said to me, "I wish to lie down on a bed of lotus petals. Bring Me
many lotus petals like these". For this purpose I have come.

Text 23

madanik: (svagatam) aye ati-nihra vilasati pupacpa ruta may.

sa dakinila-kuhu-ruta-bhga-nda-
vyjmbhamna-madan su-cira vicryam
kicit sakh aimukh sumukh vivikte
parykulkaram ida nijagda rdh

svagatam-aside; aye-Oh!; ati-very; nisthuram-cruelly; vilasati-enjoys pastimes;

pupacapa-cupid, who wields a bow of flowers; srutam-it is heard; maya-by me; sa-She;
dakina-southern; anila-breeze; kuhu-of the cuckoos; ruta-the warbling; bhga-of the
bumble-bees; nadam-the sounds; vyajrmbhamana-manifesting; madana-amorous desires; su-a
very; ciram-for a long time; vicaryam-may be seen; kicit-something; sakhim-to Her friend;
aimukhm-aimukh; sumukhi-who has a beautiful face; vivikte-in a solitary place;
paryakula-stuttered; akaram-words; idam-this; nijagada-said; rdh-Rdh.

Madanik: (Aside) Ah! I have heard Kmadeva is cruel. Her desires aroused by the
southern breeze, the cuckoos' singing, and the bees' humming, in a solitary place beautiful-
faced Rdh, in a choked voice, said to Her friend aimukh:

Text 24 Song in Tovar-rga

Text A

vidalita-sarasija-dala-caya-ayane
varita-sakala-sakhjana-nayane

vidalita-broken; sarasija-lotus; dala-petals; caya-multitude; sayane-on a bed; varita-chosen;

sakala-all; sakhi-of friends; nayane-eyes.

For a flower-petal bed pleasing to the eyes of all My gop-friends. . .

30
Text B Refrain

valate mano mama stvara-vacane

praya kmam ima aivadane

valate-goes; mana-mind; mama-My; satvara-quick; vacane-words; puraya-please fulfill;

kamam-desire; imam-this; sasivadane-O aimukh.

. . . My heart yearns. O aimukh, O girl who at once does what I say, please fulfill this
desire.

Text C

abhinava-via-kialaya-caya-valaye
malayaja-rasa-parievita-nilaye

abhinava-new; visa-lotus stems; kisalaya-blossoming; twigs; caya-multitude; valaye-

construction; malayaja-of sandalwood; rasa-paste; parisevita-decorated; nilaye-area.

For a bed of blossoming twigs and lotus stems anointed with sandalwood paste. . .

Text D

sukhayatu rudra-gajdhipa-cittam
rmnanda-rya-kavi-bhaitam

sukhayatu-may delight; rudra-Mahrja Pratparudra; gajdhipa-Gajapati; cittam-the

heart; rmnanda-rya-Rmnanda Rya; kavi-by the poet; bhaitam-spoken.

May these words, spoken by the poet Rmnanda Rya, please Gajapati Mahrja
Pratparudra's heart.

Text 25

madanik: sdhaya iva santu te panthna. aham api mukundam anusariymi.

sdhaya-may you be successful; siva-auspiciousness; santu-may be; te-to you; panthana-

on the path; aham-I; api-also; mukundam-to Ka; anusariyami-shall go.

Madanik: May you be successful. May your path be auspicious. I myself will find Ka.

31
Text 26

aoka-majar: ta vandijjasi. (iti nikrnt).

ta-therefore; vandijjasi-you may be offered respectful obeisances; iti-thus; nikrnta-she

exits.

Aoka-majar: Obeisances to you. (She exits).

Text 27

madanik: (parikramya ke lakya baddhv) bho sukh janit kutrya draavyo

mukunda. ki bruta bhaira-taru-mle aimukh-dvitya prativasatti. bhavatu niyojita
mayaiva tatra aimukh (pretya) ki bruta tva kutra prasthitsti. tatraivtmnam
apavarya rotavyo 'ya vttnta. iti tatraiva gacchmi. (iti nikrnt).

(vikambhakah). bhvi-bhta-vastv-am/-scaka).

parikramya-walking; akase-into the sky; lakyam baddhva-glances; bho-o; suka-parrots;

janita-you know; kutra-where?; ayam-this; drastavya-may be seen; mukunda-Ka; kim-
what?; bruta-do you say; bhadira-taru-of a bhadira tree; mule-at the base; aimukh-to
aimukh; dvitiya-a second; prativasati-He stays; iti-thus; bhavatu-may be; niyojita-joined;
maya-by me; eva-certainly; tatra-there; aimukh-aimukh; pretya-walks; kim-what?;
brute-you say; tvam-you; kutra-where?; prasthita asi-you will go; tatra-there; eva-certainly;
atmanam-self; apavarya-concealing; srotavya-heard; ayam-this; vttanta-news; iti-thus;
tatra-there; eva-certainly; gacchami-I go; iti-thus; nikrnta-exits; iti-thus; viskambhaka-the
viskambhaka interlude; bhavi-future; bhuta-past; vastu-subtance; amsa-part; sucaka-
indicating.

Madanik: (Takes a few steps and then looks up at the sky) O parrots, you must know:
Where is Ka now? What? Do you say He is with aimukh under a bhaira tree? I
should join aimukh there. (walks) What do you say? Where are you? I will hide and hear
the news. I will go there. (She exits).

(Thus ends the vikambhaka interlude, which summarizes pasts events and hints the
future).

Text 28
(tata praviati aimukh-dvitiya ka).

ka: ita ita.

aimukh: (anaga-ptrikm arpayati).

tata-then; praviati-enters; aimukh-aimukh; dvitiya-accompanying; ka-Ka;

ita-here; ita-here; anaga-patrikam-the love-letter; arpayati-gives.

32
 (Ka and aimukh enter).

Ka: Here. Here.

aimukh: (gives Him the love-letter).

Text 29

ka: (vacayati)

su-ira vijjhasi hi-a-a lambha-i ma-ano kkhu dujjasa vali-a disasi sa-aladisasu disa-i
ma-ano na kuttavi

vacayati-reads; su-iram-for a very long time; vijjhasi-you have been wounded; hi-a-am-
heart; lambha-i-obtains; ma-ano-cupid; kkhu-indeed; dujjasam-infamy; vali-am-powerful;
disasi-you are seen; sa-ala-all; disasum-in directions; disa-i-is seen; ma-ano-cupid; na-not;
kuttavi-anywhere.

Ka: (Reads the letter aloud)

"My dear Ka, over a very long period You repeatedly wounded My heart, and now the
powerful, infamous cupid (Kmadeva) has entered into the wound You created. Now I see
You everywhere, in all directions, but I cannot find that cupid (Kmadeva) anywhere".*

Text 30

ka: (svagatam) aye ati-bhumi gato 'sya rga. tadkalaymy audsyensya hdaya-
sthairyam.
(praka svahittham) sakhi

svagatam-aside; aye-Oh; ati-beyond; bhumim-the limit; gata-has gone; asya-of Her;

rga-the love; tada-then; akalayami-I shall see; audasyena-with indifference; asya-of Her;
hdaya-of the heart; sthairyam-the fixity; prakasam-openly; sa-with; avahittham-
dissimulation; sakhi-O friend.

Ka: (Aside) Her love is boundless. By pretending to be indifferent to Her, I will see
whether She has actually fixed Her heart on Me. (Concealing His real intention, He says to
aimukh) Friend . . .

Text 31

ko vaya madanbhidha katham ita ki vaparddha tay

yenya vidaya dunoti sud kasasya ki ko 'py asau(sopam) taddeaya
kvsau.
adyaina bhuja-yugma-mtra-aran sammardya blam imm

33
 avyagra racaymi ki mayi sat trso vraja-str-jane

ka-who?; va-or; ayam-this person; madana-Kmadeva; abhidha-named; katham-why?;

ita-here; kim-what?; va-or; aparaddham-offended; taya-by Her; yena-because of whom;
ayam-this; vidayam-mercilessly; dunoti-pains; su-drsam-the beautiful-eyed girl; kamsasya-of
Kamsa; kim-whether; kah api-this person; asau-he; sa-with; atopam-pride; tada-then;
adesaya-please inform; kva-where?; asau-he; adya-at this moment; enam-him; bhuja-of arms;
yugma-pair; matra-alone; sarana-shelter; sammardya-crushing; balam-young girl; imam-this;
avyagram-fearless; racayasi-I shall make; kim-how?; mayi-in My presence; sati-O pious girl;
trasa-gear; vraja-in Vraja; stri-jane-of the women.

Who is this person named Kmadeva? How did he come here? How did this beautiful-
eyed girl offend him that he now mercilessly tortures Her in this way? Is he one of Kasa's
men? (With pride) Tell Me where he is! Today I will crush him to death with My bare arms!
I will free this girl from Her fears. O pious (aimukh), how can the girls of Vraja be afraid
when I am here?

Text 32

(pi-kepea praviya)
vidaka: bho vayassa na kkhu eso kamsassa ko bi aha jjeva ma-anabhi-o ta tu-e ki
maha bahmanassa kadavvam.

apati-the curtain; kepena-tossing aside; pravosya-enters; bho-O; vayassa-friend; na-not;

kkhu-indeed; eso-he; kamsassa-of Kamsa; ko bi-person; aham-I; jjeva-certainly; ma-ana-
Kmadeva; abhi-o-named; ta-therefore; tu-e-by You; maha-of me; bahmanassa-a brahmana;
kadavvam-should be done.

Vidaka: (Pushing aside the curtain, he hastily enters) Friend, Kmadeva is not one of
Kasa's men. Kmadeva is my name. I am a brhmaa. Why do you want to kill me?

Text 33

ka: dhi mrkha ala parihsena.

dhik-fie; murkha-fool; alam-enough!; parihasena-with this joking.

Ka: Fool, stop joking around!

Text 34

vidaka: bho-adi ahmana pi-a-vayassassa haththe laddu-a-ju-ala tu-e dadavva pi-

a-va-assa taththa gadu-a ma-ana nirakarissadi.
bho-adi-O noble lady; ahmanam-of us; pi-a-dear; vayassassa-of the friend; haththe-in the
hand; laddu-a-of laddu candies; ju-alam-a pair; tu-e-by you; dadavvam-should be placed; pi-

34
a-dear; va-assa-friend; taththa-then; gadu-a-having gone; ma-anam-this Kmadeva;
nirakassadi-will kill.

Vidaka: Noble lady, put two lau candies in my dear friend's hand. Then my dear
friend will certainly go and kill this Kmadeva person.

Text 35

madanik: (kara datv) aye nisrthe 'ya dt yata

iya tat-tad-vaco vnd-

vane mdhava-sannidhau
rdh-rpa-kath-vyjd
uvcsatti-kovid

karnam-an ear; datv-giving; aye-Oh; nisrsta-given; arthe-in the meaning; ayam-this; duti-
a gop-mesenger; yata-because; iyam-this; tat-tat-various; vaca-of words; vndvane-in
Vndvana forest; mdhava-Ka; sannidhau-near; rdh-Rdh; rpa-the form; katha-
topics; vyajat-on the pretext; uvaca-spoke; asatti-at arranging for the couple's meeting;
kovida-expert.

Madanik: (giving an ear) This gop-messenger wishes to arrange for Them to meet.
Expert at arranging lover's meetings, on the pretext of repeating Rdh's words, she will
describe Rdh's beauty to Ka in Vndvana forest.

Text 36

(nirpya vihasya)

amuya pronmlat-kamala-madhu-dhr iva giro

nipya kbatva gata iva calan-maulir adhikam
udacat-kmo 'pi sva-hdaya-kal-gopana-paro
hari svaira svaira smita-subhagam ce katham ayam

nirpya-dramatically representing; vihasya-laughing; amusya-of Him; pronmilat-

opening; kamala-of a lotus flower; madhu-of the honey; dhara-a stream; iva-as if; gira-
words; nipiya-drinking; kibatvam-intoxication; gata-attained; iva-as if; calat-moving;
mauli-crown; adhikam-greatly; udacat-rising; kama-amorous passion; api-even; sva-own;
hdaya-of the heart; kala-the art; gopana-protecting; para-devoted; hari-Lord Ka;
svairam svairam-voluntarily; smita-smiling; subhagam-charming; uce-describe; katham-how?;
ayam-this person.

(Laughing) His crown trembling, He reads the words as if intoxicated by drinking a flood
of a blossoming-lotus nectar. He tries to hide the love rising in His heart. How can I describe
the charm of His smile?

35
Text 37

tad bhavatu ati-bhmi gato rgo mdhuryam avahti.

tat-then; bhavatu-may be; ati-beyond; bhumim-the boundary; gata-gone; rga-love;

mdhuryam-sweetness; avahati-brings.

His boundless love is very sweet.

Text 38

ka: (punar api ptrik vcayitv) sakhi samyg ida nv akalitam.

gopla-blaka-vto yamun-tante
vndvane kim api keli-kal bhajmi
kasmd iyam dii dii sphua-rpa-bhjam
mm eva payati kurga-kiora-netr

puna-again; api-also; patrikam-the letter; vacayitv-reading; sakhi-O friend; samyak-

completely; idam-this; nau-by us; akalitam-not understood; gopala-cowherd; balaka-boys;
vta-accompanied; yamuna-of the Yamuna River; tata-of the shore; ante-on the edge;
vndvane-in Vndvana; kim api-something; keli-of transcendental pastimes; kalam-the art;
bhajami-I do; kasmt-why?; iyam-this; dii dii-in all directions; sphuta-manifested; rpa-
form; bhajam-possessing; mam-Me; eva-certainly; payati-sees; kuraga-deer; kiora-young;
netra-a girl with such eyes.

Ka: (He again reads the letter aloud) Friend, I don't understood it. I play with the
cowherd boys on the Yamun's shore and in Vndvana forest. Why does this doe-eyed young
girl stare at Me from every direction?

Text 39 Song in Sama-gurjar-rga

Text A

gopa-kumra-samajam ima sakhi pccha kad nu gato 'ham

katham iva mam anupayati dii dii katham iva kalayati moham

gopa-cowherd; kumra-of boys; samajam-the group; imam-this; sakhi-O friend; prccha-

ask; kada-when?; nu-indeed; gata-gone; aham-I am; katham-why?; iva-indeed; mam-at Me;
anupayati-stares; dii dii-in every direction; katham-why?; iva-indeed; kalayati-does;
moham-illusion.

When did I ever leave them? Friend, ask the cowherd boys! Why does She stare at Me
from every direction? Why does this illusion stare at Me?

36
Text B Refrain

sakhi parihara vacana-vilsam

gopa-in viditam ida mama janayati guru-parihsam

sakhi-O friend; parihra-give up; vacana-of words; vilasam-playing; gopa-cowherds;

sisunam-by the boys; viditam-understood; idam-this; mama-to Me; janayati-does; guru-heavy;
parihasam-joking.

Friend, please give up these joking words. The cowherd boys know about this, and now
they are making fun of Me.

Text C

yadi ca kulcalaypi kula-sthitir anay pariharay

kim iti tad ratir ati-vikal ble kila karay

yadi-if; ca-and; kula-acalaya-by this pious girl; api-even; kula-asthiti-the bounds of

propriety; anaya-by Her; pariharaniya-to be transgressed; kim-why?; iti-thus; tada-then; mayi-
with Me; rati-love; ati-very; vikala-agitated; bale-O girl; kila-indeed; karaniya-is to be done.

Child, even if this pious girl wishes to transgress the bounds of proper conduct, why did
She fall in love with Me?

Text D

gajapati-rudra-mude madhusdana-vacanam ida rasikeu

rmnanda-rya-kavi-bhaita janayatu mudam akhileu

gajapati-Gajapati; rudra-Mahrja Pratparudra; mude-for the pleasure; madhusudana-of

Lord Ka; vacanam-the statement; idam-this; rasikesu-in the exalted devotees expert at
relishing the nectar of transcendental mellows; ramananada-raya-Rmnanda Rya; kavi-by
the poet; bhaitam-spoken; janayatu-may create; mudam-delight; akhilesu-in all of them.

May these words of Lord Ka, which the poet Rmnanda Rya has repeated to please
Gajapati Mahrja Pratparudra, give happiness to all devotees expert at tasting nectar.

Text 40

aimukh: (svagatam) aho pi-a-sahi-e aththananura-o ta kim eththa kadavvam.

svagatam-aside; aho-O; pi-a-dear; sahi-e-of the friend; aththana-without a foundation;

anura-o-love; ta-therefore; kim-what?; eththa-here; kadavvam-should be done.

37
 aimukh: (aside) Ah! My dear friend's love is hopeless. What will I do?

Text 41

vidaka: bho kim eda-e duttha-gobi-dhida-e bhaida-e va-assa pekkha pekkha.

bho-O; kim-what is the use?; eda-e-of these; duttha-of the wicked; gobi-of a gop; dhida-e-
of the daughter; bhaida-e-of the words; va-assa-O friend; pekkha-look!; pekkha-look!

Vidaka: Who needs this wicked gop-girl's words? Friend, look! Look!

Text 42

ra-i-ara-calida hamsi magga-i ccha-a kamala-gucchassa

maru-a-dhu-a-ara-atta pekkhasi ja ta ni-arodi

ra-i-ara-in the sunlight; calida-moving; hamsi-a female swan; magga-i-seeks; ccha-am-the

shade; kamala-of lotus flowers; gucchassa-of the group; maru-a-by the breeze; dhu-a-ara-
shaken; atta-self; pekkhasi-you see; jam-which; tam-her; ni-arodi-keeps away.

Moving in the sunlight, a female swan, seeks the shade of the lotus flowers. As you may
see, the breeze makes the lotus flowers move, and prevents the swan from entering among
them.

Text 43

ka: (svagatam) aho vacana-bhag dhrtasya. (prakam) dhi mrkha kim

aprastutam lapasi.

svagatam-aside; aho-O; vacana-of words; bhagi-clever crookedness; dhurtasya-of this

rascal; prakasam-openly; dhik-fie!; murkha-fool; kim-what; aprastutam-nonsense; alapasi-you
speak.

Ka: (aside) Ah! What clever crooked words this rascal speaks! (openly) Fool, what
nonsense do you speak now?

Text 44

vidaka: bho va-assa ma-e jjevva paththuda bhaidam.

bho-O; va-assa-friend; ma-by me; jjevva-certainly; paththudam-nicely; bhaidam-it is

spoken.

Vidaka: Friend, I am speaking very eloquently.

38
Text 45

madanik: (svagatam) sarvath ktrthsi aye rdhike.

svagatam-aside; sarvatha-in all respects; krta-artha-successful; asi-You are; aye-O; rdhika-

Rdh.
Madanik: (Aside) O Rdh, now You are successful.

Text 46

aimukh: (prakam) maha-bha-a asarisa tuhmarisana anugata-vacanam.

prakasam-openly; maha-bha-O greatly fortunate one; asarisam-not like this; tuhmarisana-

of those like You; anugata-followers; vacanam-cheating.

aimukh: (openly) O very fortunate one, it is not right for persons like You to cheat
Your followers in this way.

Text 47

ka: bhadre anyad apy kalaya.

bhadre-O auspicious girl; anyat-another thing; api-also; akalaya-please understand.

Ka: Beautiful one, please understand.

Text 48

dayito dayitas tasy

bleya kula-plik
ake kim asau mugdhe
dhattam cra-viplavam

dayita-dear; dayita-husband; tasya-of Her; bala-this girl; kula-palika-chaste and

religious; akande-suddenly and for no reason; kim-why?; asau-She; mugdhe-O charming girl;
dhattam-placed; acra-of morality; viplavam-transgression.

O charming one, She is a chaste and religious girl, and She has a very affectionate
husband. Why has She suddenly, and for no reason, decided to break the rules of morality?

Text 49

vidaka: bhodi ahmana pi-a-va-asso dhamma-sarano ta osaradu bhodi. (kasya hdi

hasta datv) bhodi ma uttamma sa jjevva pi-a-va-assassa hi-a-e kurakura-adi. ta ma-e jjeva

39
phuda kadavva sarvvam. (karne) bho va-assa tuhmehi pi sa sivine vara sahassa
dittha. emhi kisa aththijjanto appa atthabijjadi.

bhodi-is; ahmanam-of us; pi-a-dear; va-asso-friend; dhamma-of religion; sarano-on the

path; ta-therefore; osaradu-go away; bhodi-you; kasya-of Lord Ka; hdi-on the heart;
hastam-hand; datv-placing; bhodi-yourself; ma-don't; uttamma-make unhappy; sa-She;
jjevva-certainly; pi-a-dear; va-assassa-of the friend; hi-a-e-in the heart; kukura-adi-makes
meaningless sounds; ta-therefore; ma-e-by me; jjeva-certainly; pi-a-dear; va-assassa-of the
friend; hi-a-e-in the heart; kukura-adi-makes meaningless sounds; ta-therefore; ma-e-by me;
jjeva-certainly; phudam-revealed; kadavvam-may be; sarvvam-everything; karne-in the ear;
bho-O; va-assa-friend; tuhmehim-by You; pi-even; sa-She; sibine-seen; emhim-now; kisa-
why?; aththijjanto-being requested; appa-self; atthabijjadi-you make Her beg.

Vidaka: My dear friend follows the path of religion. Go away! (He places his hand over
Ka's heart) Don't make trouble. To my dear friend's heart this is all nonsense. There. Now
I have revealed everything. (in Ka's ear) Friend, this is the girl You see thousands of times
in Your dreams. She is begging You. Why make Her beg?

Text 50

ka: dhi mrkha mama svapna-vttnta katha svay jta.

dhik-fie; murkha-O fool; mama-of Me; svapna-of the dreams; vttanta-the story; katham-
how?; svaya-by you; jta-known.

Ka: Idiot! How did you get this story of My dreams?

Text 51

vidaka: sibine bi ki pariharasi tahi jjevva ahmehi pi dittham.

sibine-in dream; bi-indeed; kim-what?; pariharasi-did You abandon; tahim-in that; jjevva-
certainly; ahmehim-by us; dittham-seen.

Vidaka: Why won't You talk about Your dreams? I never saw them.

Text 52

ka: (svagatam) yadyapy anena vacat-baun parihsa-latay lapita tathpi sad-

vdo vtta. bhavatu tathpi jijsanya-svabhv hi bla-ramaya. (prakam) bhadre tan
nivartyatm asdt sahasd iya bl. (vidaka prati) vayasya tad ehi. vaya api
vatshraya yma. bhadre tvam api snunaym ena nivartayeti.

svagatam-aside; yadyapi-if; anena-by him; vacata-talkative; batuna-brahmacari; parihasa-of

joking; silataya-with the nature; alapitam-spoken; tatha api-still; sat-vada-the truth; vtta-

40
is; bhavatu-may be; tatha api-still; jijsaniya-inquisitive; svabhava-natures; hi-indeed; bala-
the young; ramanya-girls; prakasam-openly; bhadre-O noble lady; tat-this; nivartyatam-
should be stopped; asadrsat-not like this; sahasat-at once; iyam-this; bala-girl; vidakam-the
Vidaka; prati-to; vayasya-friend; tat-therefore; ehi-come; vayam-we; api-indeed; vatsa-of the
calves; ahranaya-for herding; yama-we shall go; bhadre-O noble lady; tvam-you; api-also;
sa-with; anunayam-kind words; enam-Her; nivartaya-please stop; iti-thus.

Ka: (Aside) Even though this talkative brahmacr is only joking, still, his words are
true, and young girls are naturally eager to ask questions. (openly) Noble lady, please stop
this girl from doing the wrong thing. (to the Vidaka) Friend, come. Let us go take care of
the calves. Noble lady, with kind words please stop this girl.

Text 53 Song in Mallra-rga

Text A

aini na rga bhajate nalin

ravim anu naiva vasyati rajan

sasini-for the moon; na-not; rgam-love; bhajate-feels; nalin-the lotus flower; ravim anu-
for the sun; na-not; eva-certainly; vrsayati-longs; rajani-the night.

The lotus does not love the moon. The night does not yearn for the sun.

Text B Refrain

aimukhi vraya vrija-vadanam

anucita-viaya-vikasvara-madanam

aimukh-O aimukh; varaya-please stop; varija-lotus; vadanam-whose face; anucita-

improper; visaya-object; vikasvara-manifesting; madanam-love.

aimukh, please stop this lotus-faced girl. She has fallen in love with the wrong man.

Text C

kula-vanitnm idam caritam

para-purudhigame guru-dritam

kula-vanitanam-of pious, chaste girl; idam-this; acaritam-done; para-another; purua-to a

man; dhigame-in going; guru-grave; duritam-sin.

For pious, chaste girls, adultery is a very grave sin.

41
Text D

sa yadi gaayati na kula-caritram

kim iti vaya kalayma na citram

sa-She; yadi-if; gaayati-counts; na-not; kula-pious; caritram-activities; kim-why?; iti-thus;

vayam-we; kalayama-may see; na-not; citram-astonishing.

If She does not think it important to follow the rules of religion should we not be
surprised?

Text E

udayatu rudra-gajdhipa-hdaye
rmnanda-bhaitam ati-sadaye

(iti nikrnt sarve).

udayatu-may rise; rudra-of Mahrja Pratparudra; gajdhipa-Gajapati; hdaye-in the

heart; rmnanda-by Rmnanda Rya; bhaitam-spoken; ati-very; sa-sadaye-merciful; iti-
thus; nikrnta-exit; sarve-all.

May these words, spoken by Rmnanda Rya, rise in the Gajapati Mahrja
Pratparudra's very merciful heart.
(All exit).

42
 Act Three

Bhva-praka
The Revelation of Love

Text 1

(tata praviati aoka-majar)

aoka-majar: a-e suda ma-e ma-ani-a-e vanade-ada-e aimuhi-e saddha ki pi

rahassa kunanti mahavi-lada-mandaba-sa-ase pi-a-sahi citthadi ta pekkhi-a gamissam.
(agrato 'valokya samupasarpya ca). a-e eda-o lahu lahu ki pi jampanti ta na jujjadi ettha
parisidum. (iti nikrnt).

tata-then; praviati-enters; aoka-majar-Aoka-majar; a-e-O; sudam-heard; ma-e-by

me; ma-ani-a-e-Madanik; vanade-ada-e-Vanadevata; aimuhi-e-aimukh; saddham-with;
ki pi-somewhat; rahassam-secret; kunanti-doing; mahavi-lada-of mdhav creepers;
mandaba-the cottage; sakase-near; pi-a-dear; sahi-friend; citthadi-stays; ta-that; pekkhi-a-
seeing; gamissam-I shall go; agrata-before; avalokya-looking; samupasarpya-goes; ca-and; a-
e-O; eda-o-they; lahu lahu-very loftly; ki pi-something; jampanti-are talking; ta-therefore;
na-not; jujjadi-is appropriate; ettha-here; parisidum-to enter; iti-thus; nikrnta-she exits.

(Enter Aoka-majar).

Aoka-majar: Ah! I have heard that my dear friend Rdh, accompanied by Madanik,
Vanadevat, and aimukh, has gone to a secluded place near the cottage of mdhav vines. I
will go there and see them. (She walks some distance, and then looks ahead) Ah! They are
whispering very softly. It is not right to go there now. (She exits).

Text 2

(tata praviati aimukh-madanikbhy prabhodhyamn rdh).

rdh: (drgham ua ca nivasya) saccaka jjevva parihidamhi mhavena.

tata-then; praviati-enters; aimukh-by aimukh; madanikbhyam-and Madanik;

prabodhyamna-being informed; rdh-Rdh; dirgham-long; usnam-warm; ca-also; nisvasya-
sighing; saccakam-in truth; jjevva-certainly; parihiamhi-I have been abandoned; mahavena-by
Ka.

(As She is addressed by aimukh and Madanik, Rdh enters).

Rdh: (with a long, warm sigh) It is true. Ka has rejected Me.

43
Text 3 Song in Samagujjari-rga

Text A

kula-vanita-jana-dhtam cram
ta-vad agaaya galita-vicram

kula-pious; vanita-jana-of girls; dhtam-performed; acaram-the conduct; trna-a blade of

grass; vat-like; aganayam-I have considered; galita-fallen; vicaram-discrimination.

I think the saintly conduct of pious, chaste girls worthless as a blade of grass.

Text B Refrain

iva iva ki vcaritam aastam

vidhir adhun vada vaayatu kas tam

siva-ah!; siva-ah!; kim-what?; va-or; acaritam-conduct; asastam-ignoble; vidhi-rule;

adhuna-now; vada-please tell; vasayatu-should control; ka-what?; tam-that.

Alas! Alas! How badly have I acted! Tell Me: How can I bring Ka under My control?

Text C

iur api yuvatir ivhita-bhv

vigalita-lajjitm aham iva k v

sisu-a child; api-even; yuvati-young; iva-like; ahita-inauspicious; bhava-condition;

vihalita-fallen; lajjitam-shyness; aham-I; iva-as if; ka-who?; va-or.

What young girl is misbehaved and shameless as I?

Text D

gajapati-rudra-mude samudtam
rmnanda-rya-kavi-gtam

gajapati-Gajapati; rudra-Mahrja Pratparudra; mude-for the pleasure; samuditam-

manifested; rmnanda-rya-Rmnanda Rya; kavi-by the poet; giram-sung.

For the pleasure of Gajapati Mahrja Pratparudra, the poet Rmnanda Rya sings this
song.

44
Text 4

aimukh: vinnido jevva savvo vuttanto ta sa-a jevva vi-ari-adu.

vinnido-described; jevva-certainly; savvo-the entire; vuttanto-story; ta-then; sa-am-

personally; jevva-certainly; vi-ari-adu-may be considered.

aimukh: The whole story has been told. Now You must think what to do.
Text 5

rdh: (sansktam ritya)

rva rva su-sama-ruti-samit-para-brahma va-prastam

dra dra tri-loki-vara-tarua-kal-keli-lvaya-sram
dhyya dhyya samudyad-dyumai-kumudin-bandhu-roci sa-roci
chy r-knta-saga dahati mama mano m kukulgni-dham

sanktam-of Sanskrit; ritya-taking shelter; sravam sravam-repeatedly hearing; su-

beautiful; sama-ruti-to the Sama Veda; samita-equal; para-brahma-spiritual sound; vamsi-
from the flute; prasutam-born; darsam-seeing; darsam-and seeing; tri-three; loki-of the
worlds; vara-best; taruna-youthful; kala-expert; keli-pastimes; lavanya-of beauty; saram-the
essence; dhyyam-meditation; dhyyam-and meditation; samudyat-rising; dyumani-of the
sun; kumudini-bandhu-and of the moon, the friend of the lotus flowers; roci-of the shining;
sa-rocih-chayam-the splendor; sri-of the goddess of fortune; kanta-of the lover; sagam-the
touch; dahati-burns; mama-My; mana-heart; mam-Me; kukula-agni-daham-burning in a
blazing fire.

Rdh: (in Sanskrit) Hearing again and again His flute music beautiful as the Sma Veda,
seeing again and again His youthful playfulness and handsomeness glorious in the three
worlds, and meditating again and again on the touch of Him, My lover splendid as the moon
or the rising sun, My burning heart has set Me on fire.

Text 6

aimukh: sahi muca aththanagaham.

sahi-O friend; muca-give up; aththana-improper; agaham-attachment.

aimukh: Friend, give up this wrong desire.

Text 7

yad yad-vyajita-majana-pratiktau ke tvad-artha may

tat tat tena nivrita iu-da-bhva-prakair alam
astm utkalik-prasna-vigalan-mdhvka-naddha via

45
 ka-dhyna ito 'nyata su-vadane sakalpam kalpaya

yat yat-whatever; vyajita-manifested; majana-pratiktau-in response; ke-to Ka;

tvat-of You; artham-for the sake; maya-by me; tat tat-that; tena-by Him; nivaritam-repudiated;
sisu-of a child; dasa-the condition; bhava-existace; prakai-by the display; alam-greatly;
astam-is; utkalika-trickling down; madhvika-with madhvika nectar; naddham-mixed; visam-
poison; ka-on Ka; dhynam-meditation; ita-thus; anyata-somewhere else; su-vadane-
O beautiful-faced girl; sakalpam-desire; akalpaya-You should do.

Whenever I put Your proposal before Ka, He rejects it as if He were still a small child.
Your meditation on Him is poison mixed with mdhvka nectar flowing from the flower of
passionate yearning. O girl with the beautiful face, place Your love somewhere else.

Text 8 Song in Sahavi-rga

Text A

hna pati bhajate rama

keari kim u kalayati hari

hinam-without; patim-husband; api-even; bhajate-worships; ramani-a girl; kesarinam-a

lion; kim-will?; u-indeed; kalayati-become attached; harini-a doe.

Will a chaste wife love anyone but her husband? Will a doe fall in love with a lion?

Text B Refrain

rdhike parihara mdhava-rgam aye

radhike-O Rdh; parihara-give up; madhava-for Ka; rgam-this love; aye-O.

Rdh, give up this love for Ka.

Text C

kie aini ca kumuda-vanyam

bhajati na bhvam kim u ramayam

ksine-diminished; aini-the moon; ca-also; kumuda-of lotus flowers; vani-forest; yam-

this; bhajati-attains; na-not; bhavam-condition; kim-whether?; u-indeed; ramanyam-
delightful.

What lotus flowers are not delighted when the crescent moon rises?

46
Text D

sukhayatu gajapati-rudra-naream
rmnanda-rya-gtam aniam

sukhayatu-may please; gajapati-Prataparudra; nara-isam-the king; rmnanda-rya-by

Rmnanda Rya; gitam-sung; anisam-day and night.
May Rmnanda Rya's song always please Gajapati Mahrja Pratparudra.

Text 9

rdh: (ssram) devi madanike ka prakra

prema-ccheda-rujo 'vagacchati harir nya na ca prema v

sthnsthnam avaiti npi madano jnti no durbal
anyo veda na cnya-dukham akhila no jvana vrava
dvi-trny eva dinni yauvanam ida h-h vidhe k gati

sa-with; asram-tears; devi-O noble; madanik-Madanik; ka-what?; prakara-kind;

prema-cheda-ruja-the sufferings of a broken loving relationship; avagac-chati-knows; hari-
the Supreme Lord; na-not; ayam-this; na ca-nor; prema-love; v-nor; sthna-the proper place;
asthnam-an unsuitable place; avaiti-knows; na-not; api-also; madana-Cupid; jnti-knows;
na-us; durbal-very weak; anya-another; veda-knows; na-not; ca-also; anya-dukham-the
difficulties of others; akhilam-all; na-our; jvanam-life; v-or; ravam-simply full of
miseries; dvi-two; tri-three; eva-certainly; dinni-days; yauvanam-youth; idam-this; h-h-
alas; vidhe-O creator; k-what; gati-our destination.

Rdh: (with tears) O noble Madanik, what will be My fate? Our Ka does not realize
what We have suffered from injuries inflicted in the course of loving affairs. We are actually
misused by love because love does not know where to strike and where not to strike. Even
Cupid does not know of our very weakened condition. What should I tell anyone? No one
can understand another's difficulties. Our life is actually not under our control, for youth will
remain for two or three days and soon be finished. In this condition, O creator, what will be
our destination?*

Text 10

madanik: katham evam uttmyasi yata

samk drt kim api yadi s ketaki-vana-

prasnenonmlat-surabhi-bhara-srea niyatm
atha bhrma bhrma rajasi rasam lokya na mang
api prnta-prpt pariharati tan no madhukar

47
 katham-why?; evam-in this way; uttamyasi-You are distressed; yata-because; samakrsta-
attracted; durat-from a distance; api-although; yadi-if; sa-she; ketaki-of ketaki trees; vana-of
the forest; prasunena-from the flowers; unmilat-rising; surabhi-of sweet fragrance; bhara-
abundance; sarena-by the excellent; niyatam-always; atha-then; bhramam-wandering;
bhramam-and wandering; rajasi-in the flower-pollen; rasam-nectar; alokya-seeing; na-not;
mnak-the slightest; api-whether; prapta-attained; pranta-the vicinity; pariharati-abandons;
tat-that; na-not; u-indeed; madhukari-a bumble-bee.
Madanik: Why trouble Yourself in this way? If, attracted by the ketak flowers' fragrance,
and again and again wandering among them, sees no nectar pollen, a bumble-bee will leave.

Text 11

rdh: (dhairyam avalambya) parityakta evety ardhoktena. (sa-sdhvasotkampam) devi

nya mampardha

yad yao daivn madhu-ripur asau locana-patha

tadmka ceto madana-hatakenhtam abht

(kaa sthitv drgham ua ca nivasya).

punar yasminn ea kaam api dor eti padavi

vidhsymas tasminn akhila-ghaik ratna-khacit_

dhairyam-peaceful composure; avalmabya-attaining; parityakta-abandoned; eva-certainly;

iti-thus; ardha-half; uktena-with the statement; sa-with; sadhvasa-agitated; utkampam-
trembling; devi-O noble lady; na-not; ayam-this; mama-of Me; apardh-the fault; yata-
because; puna-again; yasmin-when; ea-Ka; kaam api-even for a moment; do-of
the two eyes; eti-goes to; padavim-the path; vidhsyma-we shall make; tasmin-at that time;
akhila-all; ghaik-indications of time; ratna-khacit-bedecked with jewels; kanam-for a
moment; sthitva-pausing; dirgham-a long time; usnam-warm; ca-and; nihsvasya-sighing;
yad-when; yta-entered upon; daivt-by chance; madhu-ripu-the enemy of the demon
Madhu; asau-He; locana-patham-the path of the eyes; tad-at that time; asmkam-our; ceta-
consciousness; madana-hatakena-by wretched Cupid; htam-stolen; abht-has become.

Rdh: (Becoming peaceful and composed) By the time you were half-finished, I had
already abandoned this Ka. (involuntarily trembling) Noble lady, this is not My fault,
because if, by chance, the transcendental form of Ka comes before My path of vision, My
heart, injured from being beaten, will be stolen away by Cupid, happiness personified.*

(pausing for a moment and beathing a long, warm sigh)

Because I could not see the beautiful form of Ka to My heart's content, when I again see
His form I shall decorate the phases of time with many jewels.*

Text 12

48
 madanik: (svagatam) ati-bhmi gato 'sya anurgas tad ati-priya-kathanennya-
manasa racaymi. (prakam) vatse paya paya

svagatam-aside; ati-beyond; bhumim-the limit; gata-gone; asya-of Her; anurga-the

love; tat-therefore; ati-very; priya-dear; kathanena-with words; anya-another; manasam-mind;
racayami-I shall create; prakam-openly; vatse-O child; pasya-look!; pasya-look!

Madanik: (aside) Her love has gone beyond all bounds. With very affectionate words I
will change Her mind. (openly) Child, look! Look!

Text 13

yo 'ya tvay sva-kara-pukara-sikta-mla

samvardhita sutanu-bla-rasla-kh
jta sa te mukula-dantura-maulir n
manye tad eva madhupa priyam lapanti

ya-who; ayam-that; tvaya-by You; sva-own; kara-of the hand; puskara-by the lotus
flower; sikta-watered; mula-the roots; samvardhita-grown; su-very; tanu-slender; bala-
young; rasala-mango; sakhi-tree; jata-born; sa-that; te-of You; mukula-of buds; dantura-
rising; mauli-crown; isat-a little; manye-I think; tat-therefore; eva-certainly; madhupa-the
bumble-bees; priyam-beloved; alapanti-speak.

The slender young mango-tree whose roots You watered with Your own lotus hand has
grown a great crown of new buds. I think the bumble-bees talk very affectionately to it.

Text 14

rdh: (sa-trsotkampam) hal aimukhi smartavysmi.

sa-with; trasa-fear; utkampam-trembling; hala-Oh!; aimukh-aimukh; smartavya-

should be remembered; asmi-I am.

Rdh: (trembling in fear) O aimukh, please remember Me (when I am gone).

Text 15

madanik: (svagatam) aho keyam anartha-parampar svayam upasthit. (prakam)

vacche mti-viklavbh. upalakitam evsya snurga-hdayam.

svagatam-aside; aho-Oh; ka-what; iyam-this; anartha-of useless things; parampara-series;

svayam-personally; upasthita-situated; prakam-openly; vacche-O child; mado-not; ati-very
much; viklava-agitated; abhu-become; upalaksitam-known; eva-certainly; asya-of Him; sa-
with; anurga-love; hdayam-heart.

49
 Madanik: (aside) Ah! What useless things are these? (openly) Child don't be unhappy. I
think His heart loves You.

Text 16 Song in Deaga-rga

Text A

sa-rasa-kathsu katha pulakacitam nana-kamalam ajasram

kalayata cru-hasita-nava-valita parihta-keli-sahasram

sa-with; rasa-nectar; kathasu-in the words; katham-why?; pulakacitam-blossomed; anana-

of the face; kamalam-the lotus flower; ajasram-continually; kalayata-look!; caru-beautiful;
hasita-wit smiles; nava-new; valitam-manifested; parihta-abandoned; keli-of pastimes;
sahasram-thousands.

Look! Why does His lotus face blossom with a charming new smile when He hears the
sweet descriptions of You? Why does He now abandon thousands of other pastimes.

Text B Refrain

mugdhe parihara sakitam adhikam aye

mugdhe-O charming girl; parihara-abandon; sakitam-anxiety; adhikam-great; aye-O!

Charming girl, give up Your fears.

Text C

adara-madhuram imam anuvela katham lapati sa-sram

sumukhi sakh tava tad api mano bata kalayati kim u na vicram

adara-madhuram-very sweetly; imam-this; anuvelam-always; katham-why?; alapati-talks;

sa-saram-earnestly; su-mukhi-O beautiful-faced girl; sakhim-to the friend; tava-of You; tat
api-still; mana-heart; bata-indeed; kalayati-sees; kim-why?; u-indeed; na-does not; vicaram-
discrimination.

O girl with the beautiful face, why does He speak so sweetly and earnestly, and for such a
long time to Your friend? Why has His heart lost it's discrimination in this way?

Text D

gajapati-rudra-nardhipa-hdaye vasatu cira rasa-sre

rmnanda-rya-kavi-bhaita paricita-keli-vicre

50
 gajapati-Gajapati; rudra-Prataparudra; nara-adhipa-king; hdaye-in the heart; vasatu-may
reside; ciram-for a lont time; rasa-sare-filled with the nectar of transcendental mellows;
rmnanda-rya-Rmnanda Rya; kavi-by the poet; bhanitam-spoken; paricita-collected;
keli-pastimes; vicare-learned.

May these words spoken by the poet Rmnanda Rya always stay in Gajapati Mahrja
Pratparudra's nectar heart expert in transcendental pastimes.

Text 17

rdh: devi

anumitam ambu-payode
tanu-parikalit dvnala-jvl
vapur ati-lalita bl
iva iva bhavit katha hari

devi-O noble lady; anumitam-guessed; ambu-payode-in a raincloud; tanu-body; parikalita-

known; dava-anala-of a forest fire; jvala-burning in the flames; vapu-body; ati-very; lalitam-
delicate and graceful; bala-young; siva-ah!; siva-ah!; bhavita-will be; katham-how?; harini-a
doe.

Rdh: Noble lady, trapped in a forest fire, how will a delicate young doe be saved? The
answer is: a cloud must rain on it.

Text 18

madanik: vatse niyojitpi may mdhav tat-parijnanya tvat-praticchandaka-santha-

citra-phalaka-hast.

vatse-o child; niyojita-engaged; api-also; maya-by me; mdhav-Mdhav; tat-of Him;

paricchandaka-picture; sa-with; natha-the master; citra-phalaka-a picture; hasta-in hand.

Madanik: Child, I sent Mdhav carrying in her hand a picture of You to show Him.

Text 19

(tata praviati citra-phalaka-hast mdhav).

mdhav: devi vande.

tata-then; praviati-enters; citra-phalaka-with the picture; hasta-in her hand; mdhav-

Mdhav; devi-O noble lady; vande-I offer my respectful obeisances.

(Holding the picture in her hand, Mdhav enters.)

51
 Mdhav: Noble lady, I offer my obeisances.

Text 20

madanik: vacche svagata te 'pi vidita rahasyam

vacche-O child; svagatam-welcome; te-by you; api-even; viditam-is known; rahasyam-the

confidential news.

Madanik: Child, welcome! You must know the secret.

Text 21

mdhav: atha kim.

atha-then; kim-what?

Mdhavka: Yes.

Text 22

madanik: tad vedaya.

tat-that; avedaya-you may inform.

Madanik: Tell Her.

Text 23

mdhav: phalakam vedayati.

phalakam-the letter; avedayati-will inform.

Mdhav: This letter will tell.

Text 24

rdh: (sa-lajja phalaka ycate).

sa-with; lajjam-shyness; phalakam-for the letter; yacate-begs.

(Rdh shyly begs for the letter).

Text 25

52
 mdhav: dehi me paritoakam.

dehi-give; me-me; paritosakam-a reward.

Mdhav: Give me a reward.

Text 26

madanik: (svagatam)

dhruva tad asy hdaya prattya

sphua mukundo 'pi cacra rgam
bhagna kadcid yad aya pramadt
premkuro yojayitu na akya

(prakam) vacche upanaya phalakam.

svagatam-aside; dhruvam-certainly; tat-this; asya-of Her; hdayam-the heart; pratitya-

understanding; sphutam-clearly manifested; mukunda-Ka; api-also; cacara-does; rgam-
love; bhagna-broken; kadacit-at any time; yat-which; ayam-this; pramadat-out of neglect;
prema-of love; akura-the new sprout; yojayitum-to make; na-not; akura-the new sprout;
yojayitum-to make; na-not; sakya-is able; prakam-openly; vacche-O child; upanaya-give;
phalakam-the letter.

Madanik: (Aside) When He understands Her heart Ka will love Her. He does not have
the power rashly to break the new sprout of Her love. (openly) Child, hand over the letter.

Text 27

mdhav: (mang darayitvcalencchadayati).

mnak-slightly; darsayitva-seeing; acalena-with the corner of her eyes; acchadayati-

covers.

(Mdhav glances at the letter from the corner of her eye, and then hides it).

Text 28

aimukh: (bald ghitvvalokayati). a-e kadha eda-i akkhara-im. (iti vcayati).

m sakiha sumukhi vimukh-bhvam etasya na syd

nandya prathama-mukul padmin kasya kmam
ghrayaiva praithila-dhtir gandham asys tathapi
nlambeta kaam api yuv ki nu madhyastha-bhvam

53
 balat-by force; ghitva-taking; avalokayati-looks; a-e-ah!; kadham-how?; eda-im-these;
akkhara-im-letters; iti-thus; vacayati-reads; ma-do not; sakistha-fear; su-mukhi-O
beautiful-faced girl; vimukhi-bhavam-aversion; etasya-of this; na-not; syat-is; nandaya-for
bliss; prathama-first; mukula-buds; padmini-lotus flowers; kasya-of whom?; kamam-the
desire; aghraya-smelling; eva-certainly; prasithila-loosened; dhti-peaceful composure;
gandham-fragrance; asya-of that; tatha api-still; na-not; alambeta-may attain; kanam-for a
moment; api-even; yuva-youth; kim-whether; nu-indeed; madhya-stha-bhavam-indifference.

aimukh: (Forcibly takes the letter and looks at it). Ah! What handwriting it is! (reads
aloud) O girl with the beautiful face, don't fear this person is averse to You. Who will not
feel great happiness when a lotus flower first blooms? Who will not become overwhelmed
and lose all composure by smelling the fragrance of that lotus flower? This youth is not
indifferent to You for even a moment.

Text 29

mdhav: sahi vaddhase piyanura-ena.

sahi-O friend; vaddhase-you are increased; piya-of Your lover; anura-ena-by the love.

Mdhav: Friend, Your beloved's love has made You happy.

Text 30

rdh: (drgham ua ca nivasya). hal kahi dn ahmna irisa bha-a-dhe-am.

(madanik prati) ettha ko attho.

dirgham-for a long time; usnam-warmly; ca-also; nisvasya-sighing; hala-Ah!; kahim-

what?; danim-gift; ahmnam-to Me; irisam-like this; bha-a-of good fortune; dhe-am-to be
given; madanikm-Madanik; prati-to; ettha-of this; ko-what?; attho-is the meaning.

Rdh: (With a long, warm sigh) Ah! How fortunate I am! (to Madanik) What does
this mean?

Text 31

madanik:
tavaitad eva hdaya prattya
sphua mukundo 'pi cakra rgam
bhagna kadcid yad aya pramadt
premkuro yojayitu na akya

tad vatse mti-viklavbhu. phalito 'smka mnaskara-taru.

54
 tava-of You; etat-this; asya-of Her; hdayam-the heart; pratitya-understanding; sphutam-
clearly manifested; mukunda-Ka; api-also; cacara-does; rgam-love; bhagna-broken;
kadacit-at any time; yat-which; ayam-this; pramadat-out of neglect; prema-of love; akura-
the new sprout; yojayitum-to make; na-not; sakya-is able; tat-therefore; vatse-O child; ma-
do not; ati-very; viklava-agitated; abhu-become; phalita-bearing fruit; asmakam-of us;
mnaskara-the desire; taru-tree.

Madanik: He knows Your heart. Ka loves You. He does not have the power rashly to
break the new sprout of Your love. (openly) Child, don't be unhappy. Now the tree of our
desires has borne fruit.

Text 32

rdh: ajjabi na paccemi ta ettha bhodi jjevva saranam.

ajja-now; bi-even; na-do not; paccemi-I believe; ta-this; ettha-here; bhodi-is; jjevva-
certainly; saranam-shelter.

Rdh: Even now I do not believe I have His shelter.

Text 33

madanik: eha calitsmi tad anumanyasva.

esa-she; aham-I; calita-asmi-I shall go; tat-that; anumanyasva-You may permit.

Madanik: Give permission and I will go.

Note: She hints, "I will go and and bring Ka.

Text 34

rdh: (sa-prama sansktam ritya) bhagavati

nikujo 'ya gujan-madhukara-kadambkulatara

prayta pryo 'ya carama-giri-ga dinamai
marun manda manda taralayati mall-madhukarn
kim anyad vaktavya vidhur api vidht samudayam

sa-with; pranamam-respectful obeisances; sansktam-of Sanskrit; ritya-taking shelter;

bhagavati-O noble lady; nikuja-grove; ayam-this; gujat-humming; madhukara-of bumble-
bees; kadamba-wit swarms; akulatara-completely filled; prayata-gone; praya-for the
most part; ayam-this; carama-giri-gam-to the western horizon; dinamani-the sun; marut-
the breeze; manda mandam-very gently; taralayati-moves; malli-in the creepers;

55
madhukaran-the bees; kim-what; anyat-else; vaktavyam-need be said; vidhu-the moon; api-
even; vidhata-does; samudayam-rising.

Rdh: (offers respectful obeisances and says in Sanskrit) Noble lady, this grove is filled
with humming bees, the sun is about to set on the west, a breeze very gently moves the bees
resting in the flowering vines, and the moon is now beginning to rise. What more need I say?

Text 35 Song in Karta-rga

Text A

majutara-gujad-ali-kujam ati-bhaam
manda-marud-antarga-gandha-kta-daam

majutara-very charming; gujat-humming; ali-with bees; kujam-grove; ati-very;

bhisanam-fearful; manda-gentle; marut-by the breeze; antarga-within; gandha-fragrance;
kta-made; dusanam-spoiled.

This grove is fearful with many sweetly humming bees. It is ruined by the sweet fragrance
of this gentle breeze.

Text B Refrain

sakalam etad ritam

ki ca guru-pacaara-cacala mama jvitam

sakalam-everything; etat-this; iritam-is said; kim ca-furthermore; ca-and; guru-intense;

pacasara-amorous desire; cacalam-agitated; mama-My; jvitam-life.
Kmadeva has wounded Me. There! Now I have told everything!

Text C

matta-pika-datta-rujam uttamdhikra vanam

saga-sukham agam api tuga-bhaya-bhajanam

matta-maddened; pika-by the cuckoos; datta-given; rujam-pain; uttama-supreme; adhi-

mental distress; karam-giving; vanam-forest; saga-association; sukham-happiness; agam-
body; api-also; tunga-great; bhaya-of fear; bhajanam-abode.

The maddened cuckoos' cries torment Me. This forest brings Me pain. Even happiness
brings Me great fear.

Text D

56
rudra-npam u vidadhtu sukha-sakulam
rma-pada-dhma-kavi-rya-ktam ujjvalam

rudra-Prataparudra; nrpam-King; asu-at once; vidadhatu-may bring; sukha-of happiness;

sakulam-abundance; rama-pada-dhama-Rmnanda Rya; kavi-of poets; raya-the king;
ktam-done; ujjvalam-splendid.

May these splendid words of Rmnanda Rya, the king of poets, fill Mahrja
Pratparudra with happiness.

Text 36

madanik: vatse asmin bakula-padapopakahe draavysmi (iti nikrnt. itar api

nikrnt).

vatse-O child; asmin-in this; bakula-bakula; padapa-tree; upakanthe-beneath; drasvtavya-

shall be seen; asmi-I; iti-thus; nikrnta-exits; itara-the others; api-also; nikrnta-exit.

Madanik: Child, I will see You under this bakula tree. (She exits, and then the others
also exit).

57
 Act Four

Rdhbhisra
Meeting Rdh

Text 1

(tata praviati madanik).

madanik: aye ruta madan-majar-mukhd yad-bakula-padapopakahe bau-dvityo

vasati mukunda. tat tatraiva gacchmti. (purato 'valokya) aye mukundo 'ya baun saha
kim api mantrayan sa-viadam aste tad dhruvam eva vilasitam atra kusuma-yakena. tan
mdhav-gucchntarit omty tmakam apavarya sthit.

tata-then; praviati-enters; madanik-Madanik; aye-ah!; rutam-heard; madana-majari-

of Madana-majari; mukhat-from the mouth; yat-which; bakula-bakula; padapa-of the tree;
upakanthe-in the vicinity; batu-to the brahmacari; dvitiya-a second; vasati-remains;
mukunda-Ka; tat-therefore; tatra-there; eva-certainly; gacchami-I shall go; iti-thus;
purata-ahead; avalokya-looking; aye-ah!; mukunda-Ka; ayam-this; batuna-the
brahmacari; saha-with; kim api-something; mantrayan-speaking; sa-with; visadam-
unhappiness; aste-remains; tat-that; dhruvam-certainly; eva-indeed; vilasitam-ejoyed
pastimes; atra-certainly; kusuma-of flowers; sayakena-the bed; tat-that; mdhav-of mdhav
flowers; guccha-a bunch; antarita-concealed; omi-I shall hear; iti-thus; tmanam-myself;
apavarya-hiding; sthita-situated.

(Enter Madanik).
Madanik: I have heard from the mouth of Madana-manjari that Ka is now staying
under a bakula tree with the brahmacr. I will go there. (Looks ahead) Ah! Here is Ka
lamenting to His brahmacr on this couch of flowers. I will hide among these mdhav
flowers and eavesdrop on their conversation.

Text 2

(tata praviati madanvasth naayan vidakena sahlapan kah).

tata-then; praviati-enters; madana-of love; avastham-the situation; natayan-represents

dramatically; vidakena-the jester Ratikandala; saha-with; alapan-talking; ka-Ka.

(Enter lovesick Ka talking with the Vidaka.)

58
Text 3 Song in Malava-rga

Text A

madanik: (svagatam)

vadanam ida vidhu-maala-madhura vidhura bata su-cirea

kalayad-anaga-arhatim ania nalinam ivendu-karea

vadanam-face; idam-this; vidhu-of the moon; mandala-the circle; madhuram-beautiful;

vidhuram-distressed; bata-indeed; su-cirea-for a very long time; kalayat-bearing; anaga-of
cupid; sara-of the arrows; ahatim-the wounds; anisam-day and night; nalinam-a lotus flower;
iva-like; indu-of the moon; karea-with the light.

Madanik: (aside) His unhappy face is sweet as the moon. Wounded by Kma's arrow, He
is like a blue lotus in the moonlight.

Note: The blue lotus closes its petals at night and opens them in the day.

Text B-- Refrain

mdhava-vapur ati-khedam
janayati cetasi atadh bhedam

mdhava-of Lord Ka; vapu-the body; ati-very; khedam-unhappy; janayati-creates;

cetasi-in the heart; satadha-hundreds; bhedam-in pieces.

Ka's unhappy form breaks my heart in hundreds of pieces.

Text C

parihta-hra hdayam udra dhsarita virahena

marakata-aila-il-talam ahatam ahaha kim indu-karea

parihta-removed; haram-necklace; hrdayam-chest; udaram-broad; dhusaritam-discolored;

virahena-wit separation; marakata-of sapphire; saila-of the mountain; sila-of a great boulder
talam-the surface; ahatam-struck; ahaha-Aha!; kim-whether?; indu-of the moon; karea-by
the light.

Its garland removed, His broad chest is discoloured in the anguish of separation. Is this a
chest, or is it the side of a sapphire mountain struck by the moonlight?

59
Text D

gajapati-rudra sukta-samudra ai-kirad api tam

rmnanda-rya-kavi-bhaita sukhayatu rucira gtam

gajapati-Gajapati; rudram-Mahrja Pratparudra; sukta-of piety; samudram-an ocean;

sasi-of the moon; kiranat-that the moonlight; api-even; sitam-more cool; rmnanda-rya-
Rmnanda Rya; kavi-by the poet; bhaitam-spoken; sukhayatu-may please; ruciram-
beautiful; gitam-song.

May this beautiful song, spoken by the poet Rmnanda Rya and more pleasantly cooling
than moonlight, delight Gajapati Mahrja Pratparudra, who is an ocean of piety.

Text 4

ka:

sa ced utpala-locan sahacar-vaktrea me nirbhara

prema praka-cakra tad aya hso may kalpita
h h sukti-dhiy mah-mair abht tyakto may daivato
yyl locana-gocara punar iya puyair agayair mama

sa-She; utpala-lotus; locana-eyes; sahacari-of a gopi-friend; vaktrea-by the mouth; me-to

Me; nirbharam-great; premanam-love; prakati cakara-manifested; tat-then; ayam-this; hasa-
laughter; maya-by Me; kalputa-was done; ha-ah!; ha-ah!; sukti-of being an oyster shell; dhiya-
with the conception; maha-a great; mani-jewel; abhuta-was; tyakta-abandoned; maya-by
Me; daivata-by destiny; yayat-goes; locana-of the eyes; gocaram-to the range of perception;
puna-again; iyam-this; punyai-wit pious deeds; agania-countless; mama-of Me.

Ka: Through the mouth of a gopi-friend, this lotus-eyed girl revealed Her love to Me. I
laughed at that love. Alas! Alas! I rejected a great jewel, thinking it only an oyster-shell. Only
after I have performed countless pious deeds will destiny bring this jewel again before My
eyes.

Text 5

vidaka: bho va-assa bhaida jevva ma-e ma esa anura-ini parihari-adu tti enahi kis
uttamasi. bho-aneccha-e ni-utta-e laddu-a-moda-ehi ki kadavva ta ettha aha jevva
uba-o.

bho-O; va-assa-friend; bhaidam-said; jevva-certainly; ma-e-by me; ma-not; esa-this girl;

anura-ini-who has fallen in love; parihari-adu-should be rejected; tti-thus; enahim-now; kis-
why; uttamasi-are You unhappy; bho-ana-eating; iccha-e-when the desire; ni-utta-e-is gone;
laddu-a-laddu; moda-ehim-and by modaka candies; kim-what?; kadavvam-is to be done; ta-
therefore; ettha-here; aham-I; jevva-certainly; uba-o-solution.

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 Vidaka: Friend, I myself said, "This girl has fallen in love with You. Don't reject Her".
Why are You now unhappy? When the hunger is gone what is the use of many lau and
modaka candies? I have the solution.

Text 6

ka: katham iva.

katham-what?; iva-like.

Ka: What is it?

Text 7

vidaka: aha bahmao mantam avati-a ima a-addha-ssam.

aham-I am; bahmano-a brhmaa; mantam-a mantra; avati-a-chanting; imam-Her; a-

addha-issam-I shall attract.

Vidaka: I am a brhmaa. By chanting mantras I will bring Her here.

Text 8

ka: jta te brahmaya tad kalaya madanikm.

jatam-known; te-of you; brahmanyam-brahminical status; tat-therefore; akalaya-please

bring; madanikm-Madanik.

Ka: I know you are a brhmaa. Call Madanik and bring her here in that way.

Text 9

(praviya) madanik: svasti vatsya.

praviya-enters; svasti-auspiciousness; vatsaya-to the child.

Madanik: (enters) Auspiciousness to You, child!

Text 10

ka: (purato 'valokya) katham iya madanik. (sa-prrayam) devi svagata te.

purata-ahead; avalokya-looking; katham-how?; iyam-this; madanik-Madanik; sa-with;

prasrayam-respect; devi-O noble lady; svagatam-welcome; te-to you.

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 Ka: (looking ahead) Is this Madanik? (with respect) Noble lady, welcome.

Text 11

madanik: (sa-smitam) maha-bhga mukha-candra-daranena.

sa-with; smitam-a smile; maha-greatly; bhaga-fortunate; mukha-of the face; candra-of the
moon; darsanena-by the sight.

Madanik: (smiling) O fortunate one, the sight of the moon of Your face makes
everything auspicious.

Text 12

vidaka: kusumasara-vvathido amhana pi-a-va-asso. ta ani-adiu sa jevva goba-

kumari-a.

kusumasara-by cupid; vvathido-agitated; mahanam-our; pi-a-dear; va-asso-friend; ta-

therefore; ani-adu-should be brought; sa-She; jevva-certainly; goba-kumari-a-the young gopi
girl.

Vidaka: My dear friend has been attacked by Kmadeva. Therefore please bring that
gop girl here.

Text 13

ka: (sa-lajjam) dhi mrkha maiva bhaa.

sa-with; lajjam-embarrassment; dhik-fie; murkha-fool; ma-don't; evam-in this way; bhaa-

talk.

Ka: (embarrassed) Fool, don't talk in that way.

Text 14

vidaka: ahme bahmana ujju-a phuda jevva bhaamo.

ahme-we are; bahmana-brhmaa; ujju-a-upright; phudam-clearly; jevva-certainly;

bhaamo-we speak.

Vidaka: We are honest, upright brhmaas. We always speak the straight truth.

Text 15

madanik: (sa-smitam) vatsa api nma amithy-vacano 'si.

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 sa-with; smitam-a smile; vatsa-O child; api nama-is it?; amithya-never untruthful;
vacana-words; asi-You are.

Madanik: (smiling) Child, do You always speak the truth?

Text 16

vidaka: adha i pekkhadha pekkhadha eda-i pa-uma-patta-i iti marmara-patrani

(darsayati).

adha im-yes, certainly; pekkhadha-look!; pekkhadha-look!; eda-im-these; pa-uma-lotus;

patta-im-petals; iti-thus; marmara-dried-up; patrani-petals; darsayati-shows.

Vidaka: Of course. Look! Look at how these lotus petals have wilted. (He points to
them).

Text 17 Song in Dukhi-vari-rga

Text A

nalina-vana vanaml-kte ktam ujjhita-kusuma-palsam

pallavam api vndvanam anu kalayasi lalita-viksam

nalina-of lotus flowers; vanam-the forest; vanamali-of Ka, who wears a garlnad of
forest-flowers; kte-for the sake; ktam-done; ujjhita-abandoned; kusuma-of flowers;
palasam-the petals; pallavam-blossoms; api-whether; vndvanam-Vndvana forest; anu-
following; kalayasi-you see; lalita-charming; vikasam-manifesting.

Do you see how the lotus-flower forest and the beautiful forest of Vndvana are dropping
their flower-petals in sympathy for forest-flower garlanded Ka?

Text B Refrain

sarale payasi kim u na hi k am

tvayi nihit galita-vilsa ctakam iva ghana-t am

sarale-O honest lady; pasyasi-you see; kim-do?; u-indeed; na-not; hi-indeed; kam-
Ka; tvayi-in you; nihita-placed; asam-hope; galita-lost; vilasam-charming playful
happiness; catakam-a cataka bird; iva-like; ghana-for a cloud; tam-thirsting.

O honest lady, do you not see how Ka has placed all His hopes in you? He is like a
joyless ctaka bird thirsting for a cloud.

Note: The ctaka bird drinks only rainwater caught in mid-air.

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Text C

vidhum iva vkya vidhuntudam naya capalam iti prativelam

vadati katha vada yadi madano hdi na vasati viracita-khelam

vidhum-the moon; iva-as if; viksya-seeing; vidhuntudam-the rahu planet; anaya-bring;

capalam-restless; iti-thus; prativelam-at every moment; vadati-says; katham-how?; vada-
speak; yadi-if; madana-cupid; hrdi-in the heart; na-not; vasati-stays; viracita-manifested;
khelam-pastimes.

Looking at the moon, He says, "Bring the restless Rahu planet here at once. Tell Me how I
could look at the moon if Kmadeva did not play in My heart."

Text D

gajapati-rudra-muda tanutm iti rmnanda-rya-su-gtam

nibhta-manobhava-viikha-parbhava-hari-virahea sametam

gajapati-Gajapati; rudra-Mahrja Pratparudra; mudam-the happiness; tanutam-may

bring; iti-thus; rmnanda-rya-of Rmnanda Rya; su-the beautiful; gitam-song; nibhta-
hiding; manobhava-of cupid; visikha-by the sharpened arrows; parabhava-defeat; hari-of Lord
Ka; virahena-with the feelings of separation from Rdh; sametam-endowed.

May Rmnanda Rya's beautiful song, which describes Lord Hari's feelings of separation
when He was wounded by hiding Kmadeva's sharp arrows, please Gajapati Mahrja
Pratparudra.

Text 18

madanik: kim etvat.

kim-what?; etavata-like this.

Madanik: What is the need of all these words?

Text 19

vidaka: tu pi pi-a-va-asso jado janida pi na janasi ta sa-a jevva gadu-a ma-e

anidavva. aha pi nisitthattho dudo. (iti gantu icchati).

tum-You; pi-indeed; pi-a-dear; va-asso-friend; jado-born; janidam-what should be said; pi-

even; na-do not; janasi-You know; ta-therefore; sa-am-personally; jevva-indeed; gadu-a-
having gone; ma-e-by me; anidavva-She will be brought; aham-I; pi-indeed; nisittha-
dispatched; attho-with the message; dudo-a messenger; iti-thus; gantum-to go; icchati-
desires.

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 Vidaka: Dear friend, You don't know what to say. I will be Your messenger. I will go
and bring Her. (He begins to go).

Text 20

ka: (uttarye ghti).

uttariye-the upper garment; grhnati-grasps.

(Ka grasps him by the upper garment).

Text 21

madanik: vatsa ka kim iti mayy eva gopayasi.

vatsa-O child; ka-Ka; kim-what?; iti-thus; mayi-from me; eva-certainly; gopayasi-do

You avoid.

Madanik: Child Ka, why do you avoid me?

Text 22

ka: devi kicit prastavysi.

devi-O noble lady; kincit-something; prastavy asi-you will say.

Ka: Noble lady, you wish to say something.

Text 23

madanik: virabdham abhidhyatm.

visrabdham-a secret; abhidhiyatam-is to be said.

Madanik: There is a secret to be told.

Text 24

ka:

tavsyd etasya vadana-rucam karya aina

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 ktvaj yasmd ayam api ruja tad vitanutm
tad-agensaga bhajata iti yo me bahumata
katha so 'pi prair mama malaya-vto viharati

tava-of you; asyat-form the mouth; etasya-of Her; vadana-of the face; rucam-the beauty;
akarnya-hearing; sasina-of the moon; kta-done; avaja-the rebuke; yasmat-from which;
ayam-this; api-also; rujam-distress; tat-that; vitanutam-brings; tat-of Her; angena-with the
body; sagam-touching; bhajata-attains; iti-thus; ya-which; me-of Me; bahu-greatly;
mata-wished; katham-why?; sah api-that; pranai-with the life-breath; mama-of Me; malaya-
the Malayan; vata-breeze; viharati-plays.

Ka: When I heard from your mouth about the beauty of Her face, which eclipses the
moon, I became agitated and I yearned to touch Her body. Why does the Malayan breeze now
play with My life-breath?

Text 25

madanik: (svagatam) ktrthsmka manorathena srdha rdhik tad asy api

virahvasth prakaymi. (prakam) vatsa spi lvaya-mtra-e kaly.

svagatam-aside; kta-artha-successful; asmakam-of us; manorathena-desire; sardham-with;

rdhik-Rdh; tat-then; asya-of Her; api-also; viraha-of separation; avastham-the condition;
praksayami-I shall reveal; prakam-openly; vatsa-O child; sa api-She; lavanya-matra-ea-
very beautiful; kalyani-and charming.

Madanik: (aside) Now Rdh is successful. Now our desires are fulfilled. I will reveal
Her feelings of separation. (openly) Child, She is certainly a most charming and beautiful girl.

Text 26

tath hi

il-pae haime tuhima-kiraa candana-rasair

iya tanv pi tanum anu vilepa mgayate
kaa sthitv h h sarasa-viin-ptra-ayane
samuttasthau yvj jvalati na cirn marmaram idam

tatha hi-furthermore; sila-patte-on a stone surface; haime-golden; tuhina-kiranam-the

camphor; candana-rasai-wit sandalwood paste; iyam-this; tanvi-slender body; pista-
massaged; tanum-body; anu-following; vilepam-ointment; mrgayate-seeks; ksanam-for a
moment; sthitva-staying; ha-ah!; ha-ah!; sarana-nectarean; visini-lotus; patra-of petals;
sayane-on the bed; samuttasthau-rises; yavat-when; jvalati-burns; na-not; cirat-for a long
time; marmaram-wilted petals; idam-this.

66
 Although it was massaged with cooling camphor and sandalwood paste mixed in a golden
pestle, Her slender body burns the nectar lotus petals on Her couch when She rests there for
even a moment, and so She must stand up again.

Text 27 Song in Samatodi-rga

Text A

niravadhi-nayana-salila-bhava-sde
patita-k paricalati na pde

niravadhi-limitless; nayana-of the eyes; salila-water; bhava-born; sade-exhaustion; patita-

fallen; krsa-very thin; paricalati-moves; na-not; pade-feet.

Exhausted by limitless tears, the emaciated girl cannot move Her feet.

Text B

mdhava gurutara-manasija-bdh
hari hari katham api jvati rdh

mdhava-O Ka; gurutara-very strong; manasija-with love; badha-afflicted; hari-ah!;

hari-ah!; katham api-somehow or other; jvati-lives; rdh-Rdh.
O Ka, She is overwhelmed with passionate love. Oh! Oh! Somehow or other Rdh
stays alive.

Text C

nivasasi cetasi katham iva vmam

iva iva amayasi tad api na kmam

nivasasi-You reside; citasi-in the heart; katham-why?; iva-indeed; vamam-with a contrary

nature; siva-ah!; siva-ah!; yamayasi-do You pacify; tat api-still; na-not; kmam-the desire.

You live in Her heart. Oh! Oh! Why are You so contrary that You do not fulfill Her desire?

Text D

gajapati-rudra-npatim avigtam
sukhayatu rmnanda-su-gtam

gajapati-Gajapati; rudra-Mahrja Pratparudra; nrpatim-the king; avigitam-pure-hearted;

sukhayatu-may please; ramananda-of Rmnanda Rya; su-the beautiful; gitam-song.
May Rmnanda Rya's beautiful song please pure-hearted Gajapati Mahrja
Pratparudra.

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Text 28

vidaka: bhodi sahasiya-o gobi-a-o honti tti takkemi. jam canda-candanehim

anulebana maggenti. ahmana pi-a-vayasso una canda pekkhi-a dina-ara vi-a ulu-o
kahi bi abavarida-sariro na-ana-ju-ala muddi-a citthadi. candanana va-a pi lambhi-a
siddha-tanta vi-a bhu-ango ido tado osarodi.

bhavati-to You; sahasiya-bold and forward; gobi-a-o-gopis; honti-are; tti-thus; takkemi-I

think; jam-because; canda-camphor; candanehim-and wit sandalwood paste; anulebanam-
ointment; maggenti-seek; ahmanam-of us; pi-a-the dear; vayasso-friend; una-again; candam-
the moon; pekkhi-a-seeing; dina-ara-the sun; vi-a-like; ulu-o-an owl; kahim-bi-somewhere;
abavarida-covered; sariro-body; na-ana-of eyes; ju-alam-pair; muddi-a-covering; citthadi-
stands; candananam-of sandalwood; va-am-the breeze; pi-also; lambhi-a-attaining; siddha-
tantam-perfection; vi-a-as if; bhu-ango-a snake; ido-here; tado-and there; osarodi-creepers.

Vidaka: I think this gop is very bold and reckless to try and anoint Her body with the
Malaya Hills and the moon. My dear friend is very modest and shy. When He sees the moon,
He covers His eyes, as if He were an owl gazing at the sun. When the breeze from the Malaya
Hills blows His way He flees as if He were a snake charmed by a mantra.

Note: In this statement the vidaka deliberately misconstrues Madanik's words (in Text
26).
Madanik used the words "tuhima-kiraa" (which means either "camphor" or "the
moon") and "candana" (which means either sandalwood paste" or "the Malaya Hills").
Madanik intended the meanings camphor and sandalwood paste, but the vidaka interprets
them to mean "the moon" and "the Malaya Hills". In this way he took it that rmat
Rdhr was trying to anoint Her body with the Malaya Hills and the moon.
Upset by the moon and the fragrant Malayan breeze, which arouse the desires of young
lovers, lovesick Ka flees from them.

Text 29

ka: (svagatam) sdhu bhaitam.

(prakam) dhi mrkha mtivcalo bhava.

svagatam-aside; sadhu-well; bhaitam-said; prakam-openly; dhin-fie; murkha-fool; ma-

do not; ati-very; vacala-talkative; bhava-become.

Ka: (aside) Well said! (openly) Fool, don't talk so much!

Text 30

madanik: etasya hdaya-parkaya kati kati prakit na dharm.

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 etasya-of Her; hrdaya-of the heart; pariksanaya-for the test; kati kati-how many;
prakita-manifested; na-not; dharma-natures.

Madanik: How many things were not shown to test Her heart?

Text 31

ka: (svagata sakam) api nma nivtteya mad-abhilata.

svagatam-arrived; sa-with; atakam-anxiety; api nama-will?; nivtta-returned; iyam-She;

mat-of Me; abhilasata-according to the desire.

Ka: (aside, with anxiety) In response to My wish, will She come?

Text 32

madanik: tad astu.

tat-in that way; astu-may it be.

Madanik: So be it.

Text 33

yada nsau doa gaayati gur ku-vacane

na v tosm dhatte sarasa-vacane narma-suhrdm
visbham r-khandam kalayati vidhum pvaka-samam
tad syah tad vrttam tvayi gaditum atrham agamam

yada-when; na-not; asau-She; dosam-fault; ganayati-considers; gurunam-of Her superiors;

ku-harsh; vacane-in the words; na-not; va-or; tosam-happiness; dhatte-places; sa-with; rasa-
nectar; vacane-in the words; narma-joking; suhrdam-of Her friends; visa-poison; abham-like;
sri-khandam-sandalwood paste; kalayati-sees; vidhum-the moon; pavaka-with fire; samam-
equal; tat-this; asya-of Her; vttam-the conduct; tvayi-to You; gaditum-to describe; atra-here;
aham-I; agamam-have come.

She sees no fault Her superiors' harsh words, She is not happy with the nectar joking
words of Her playful friends, She sees sandal paste to be like poison, and She sees the moon
to be like a blazing fire. I have come here to describe this to You.

Text 34

ka: (socchvsam)

69
tva ced avacana-pare smara-vri-rer
uddhartum ei tad akraa-vatsalsi
tat keara-druma-nikuja-ghe prasdya
tam nayasva naya-kovidat tanusva

sa-with; ucchvasam-a sigh; tvam-you; cet-if; avacana-pare-O honest one; smara-of love;
vara-rase-the ocean; uddhartum-to cross; esi-you go; tat-that; akarana-with motive; vatsala-
affectionate; asi-you are; tat-then; kesara-bakula; druma-of trees; nikuja-in the river; grhe-in
the cottage; prasadya-pleasing; tam-Her; anayasva-please bring; naya-in bringing; kovidatam-
expertise; tanusva-please do.

Ka: (Sighs) Honest lady, if your affection for Me has no motive and You wish to help
Me cross the ocean of these amorous desires, then please pacify Rdh and expertly bring Her
to the cottage in this grove of bakula trees.

Text 35

madanik: vatsa satyam evedam

vatsa-O child; satyam-true; eva-certainly; idam-this.

Madanik: Child, it will be done without fail.

Text 36

vidakah; bhodi ujju-e saccaka jevva eda ettha aha jevva padibhu bahmano.

bhodi-you; ujju-e-honest; saccakam-in truth; jevva-certainly; edam-this; ettha-in this;

aham-I; jevva-certainly; padibhu-guarantee; bahmano-brhmaa.

Vidaka: O honest lady, I, a brhmaa, am a witness to your promise.

Text 37

ka: alam anyath sambhvanay kuru mat-pratikram.

alam-enough; anyath-otherwise; sambhvanay-with this idea; kuru-do; mat-of Me;

pratikram-the remedy.

Ka: What is the need of that? Cure Me!

Text 38

madanik: iya prasthitsmi svasti vatsya. (iti nikrnt).

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 iyam-thus; prasthita asmi-I am going; svasti-auspiciousness; vatsaya-to the child; iti-thus;
nikrnta-exits.

Madanik: I will go now. Auspiciousness to You, child. (exits)

Text 39

(tata praviati saketocita-ve rdhik).

rdh: sahi mahavi vippalambhidahmi bhavadihim.

tata-then; praviati-enters; saketa-for a lover's rendezvous; ucita-appropiately; vesa-

dressed; rdhik-Rdh; sahi-O friend; mahavi-Mdhav; vippalammidahmi-I am cheated;
bhavadihim-by you.

(Dressed appropiately for a lover's rendezvous, Rdh enters).

Rdh: Friend Mdhav, you have cheated Me.

Text 40 Song in Kmakeli-rga

Text A

timira-tirohita-sara
giriu daru mameva hi dhara

timira-by darkness; tirohita-eclipsed; sarani-the path; girisu-on the mountains; darisu-in

the caves; mama-of Me; iva-as if; hi-indeed; dharani-the earth.

Darkness hides the path. For Me it is like walking in a mountain cave.

Text B Refrain

cirayati ki sakhi devi

vidhir api mayi kim u na hi hita-sev

cirayati-delays; kim-why?; sakhi-O friend; devi-noble Madanik; vidhi-fate; api-also;

mayi-to Me; kim-why?; u-indeed; na-not; hi-certainly; hita-auspiciousness; sevi-brings.

Friend, why is the noble lady so late? Why does fate not help Me?

Text C

ati-vahitam ati-bhmam

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viphalam ida kim u gahanam asmam

ati-very; vahitam-burdensome; ati-very; bhimam-frightened; viphalam-useless; idam-this;

kim-whether?; u-indeed; gahanam-impenetrable forest; asimam-boundless.

Does this troublesome, fearful, useless forest have no end?

Text D

sukhayatu rudra-gajeam
rmnanda-rya-ktam aniam

sukhayatu-may please; rudra-Mahrja Pratparudra; gaja-isam-Gajapati; rmnanda-rya-

by Rmnanda Rya; ktam-done; anisam-day and night.

May Rmnanda Rya's song always please Gajapati Mahrja Pratparudra.

Text 41

mdhav: sakhi alam anyath sambhvanay. gatam iva devm avadhraya.

sakhi-O friend; alam-what is the use?; anyatha-otherwise; sambhavanaya-of this idea;

agatam-arrived; iva-as if; devim-the noble lady; avadharaya-look!

Mdhav: Friend, why are You afraid? Look! Here comes the noble lady.

Text 42

(tata praviati madanik).

madanik: vatse diy vardhase.

tata-then; praviati-enters; madanik-Madanik; vatse-O child; distya-by good fortune;

vardhase-You increase.

(Madanik enters.)
Madanik: Child, You are fortunate.

Text 43

rdh: (sa-harocchvsam) devi adha ko tattha vuttanto.

sa-with; harsa-happiness; ucchvasam-a sigh; devi-O noble lady; adha-now; ko-what?;

tattha-in this; vuttanto-the news.

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 Rdh: (Sighs with happiness) Noble lady, what is the news?

Text 44

madanik: balavati madana-jvare ya syt.

balavati-powerful; madana-of love; jvare-in the fire; ya-who; syat-is.

Madanik: He burns in a great fire of love for You.

Text 45

rdh: kadha vi-a.

kadham-what?; vi-a-as if.

Rdh: How is it?

Text 46

madanik:

indu nindati candana vikirati pralambaka mucati

prleyt trasati priya parijana nbhate samprati
govindas tava viprayoga-vidhra ki ki na va ceate
tvat-kujodara-talpa-kalpana-para radhe tam rdhaya

indum-the moon; nindati-criticize; candanam-sandalwood paste; vikirati-scatters;

pralabakam-garland; muncati-abandons; praleyat-the mist; trasati-fears; priyam-dear;
parijanam-friend; no-does not; abhasate-talk; samprati-now; govinda-Ka; tava-of You;
viprayoga-by separation; vidhura-afflicted; kim-what?; kim-what?; na-not; va-or; cestate-
does; tvat-for You; kuja-of the forest-grove; udara-in the middle; talpa-a couch; jalpana-to
making; param-devoted; radhe-O Rdh; tam-Him; ardhya-worship.

Madanik: Ka now rebukes the moon. He throws away His sandal paste. He rejects His
flower garland. He fears the mist. He does not talk to His dear friends. What will He not do in
the agony of separation from You? Now He is intently preparing a couch for You in the
middle of the forest. O Rdh, go and worship Him!

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Text 47

(atha nikuje ka.)

ka: sakhe katha cirayati madanik. (sakam)

iya tanv pna-stana-jaghna-bharlasa-gatir

vidre kujo 'ya mama racita-saketa-vasati
svato bhrur bl gahanam api ghorndha-tamasa
katha kram s mm abhisaratu ko me 'tra araam

atha-now; nikuje-in the forest-grove; ka-Ka; sakhe-O friend; katham-why?;

cirayati-takes such a long time; madanik-Madanik; sa-with; atakam-anxiety; iyam-this;
tanvi-slender girl; pina-swollen; stana-breasts; jaghana-and hips; bhara-burnden; alasa-slow;
gati-gait; vidure-far away; kuja-grove; ayam-this; mama-by Me; racita-fashioned; saketa-
of the rendezvous; vasati-residence; svata-by nature; bhiru-timid; bala-girl; gahanam-
dense forest; api-also; ghora-terrible; andha-blinding; tamasam-darkness; katham karam-
how?; sa-She; mam-Me; abhisaratu-will meet; ka-what?; me-of Me; atra-in this; saranam-is
the shelter.

(Meanwhile, Ka in the forest-grove. . . )

Ka: Friend, why is Madanik so late? (anxious) Slender Rdh walks slowly because
Her breasts and hips are so large. The grove I chose for Our meeting is far away. She is a
timid girl. This impenetrable forest is filled with fearful, blinding darkness. How will She
meet Me here?

Text 48

(kaa cint naayitv drgham a ca nivasya).

kim e matv mm aparicita-bhva vimukhat

prayt vivsa kim u sahacar-vci na gat
atha bhrnt vartmany ati-timira-bhjha vipine
na akt tanv-ag smara-ara-hat v pracalitum

ksanam-for a moment; cintam-anxious reflection; natayitva-representing dramatically;

dirgham-long; usnam-warm; ca-and; nihsvasya-sighing; kim-whether?; esa-She; matva-
considering; mam-Me; aparicita-bhavam-a stranger; vimukhatam-aversion; prayata-attained;
visvasam-faith; kim-whether?; u-indeed; sahacari-of Her friend; vaci-in the words; na-has not;
gata-attained; atha-then; bhranta-darkness; bhaji-possessing; iha-in this; vipine-forest; na-not;
sakta-able; tanu-slender; angi-with a body; smara-of cupid; sara-by the arrows; hata-
wounded; va-or; pracalitum-to walk.

(After a moment's anxious reflection, He breathes a long, warm sigh). Is She averse to Me,
thinking Me a stranger? Does She not believe Her friend's words? Is She lost on the dark

74
forest-path, or, being very slender, and being wounded by Kmadeva's arrow, is She unable to
walk?

Text 49

(purato 'valokya) aye katham udita-pryo 'ya candra. tath hi

yatheda kokn prasaratitara kku-viruta

yath sphta sphta bhavati parita kairava-kulam
yath mrcchn mrccht pratipatam ida vrija-vana
tath ake candra prathama-giri-vthya viharati

purata-ahead; avalokya-looking; aye-O; katham-how is it?; udita-risen; praya-for the

most part; candra-the moon; tatha hi-furthermore; yatha-just as; idam-this; kokanam-of
cakravaka birds; prasaratitaram-goes; kaku-plaintive; virutam-warblings; yatha-just as;
sphitam sphitam-fully blossomed; bhavati-is; parita-everywhere; kairava-of kairava lotus
flowers; kulam-the community; yatha-just as; murcchat murcchat-repeatedly fainting;
pratipatam-repeatedly falling down; idam-this; varija-of varija lotus flowers; vanam-forest;
tatha-in that way; ake-I think; candra-the moon; prathama-giri-vithyam-on the eastern
horizon; viharati-enjoys pastimes.

(looking ahead) Ah! Has the moon almost risen? The cakravka birds are loudly
lamenting, the kairava lotuses are blossoming wide, and the vrija lotuses are fainting. I think
the moon must now be playing on the eastern horizon.

Text 50

(sa-khedam)
sakhy vci kathacana pratiyti blndhakrocite
nai vea-bharea v gatavat vartmany athrdhe mama
asmin akra-dia aka-hatake sandayaty unman
ngantu na ca gantum adya catur ki v kariyaty asau

sa-with; khedam-unhappiness; sakhya-of the gopi; vaci-in the statement; kathacana-

something; pratiyati-believing; bala-the girl; andhakara-blinding darkness; ucite-suitable; na-
not; esa-She; vesa-of garments and ornaments; bharea-with an abundance; va-or; gatavati-
gone; vartmani-on the path; atha-then; ardhe-half; mama-of Me; asmin-when this; sakra-
disam-the eastern direction; saaka-moon; hatake-when the vile; sandusavati-pollutes;
unmana-eager; na-not; agantum-to come; na-not; ca-and; gantum-to go; adya-now; catura-the
beautiful girl; kim-whether; va-or; karisyati-will do; asau-She.

(sadly) Perhaps the girl did not believe Her friend's words. Perhaps, burdened by many
garments and ornaments, She stopped halfway in the blinding-dark path leading to Me. As
this vile moon pollutes the entire eastern horizon, will this beautiful girl come, or not?

75
Text 51

(sa-vinayjali baddhv)

re prva-parvata sakhe kpay mama tva

tugny amni tanu ga-atni kmam
yte vilocana-patha aini prayno
vighno bhaven mga-do mama jvite ca

sa-with; vinaya-humbleness; ajalim baddhva-folding palms; re-O; purva-parvata-eastern

horizon; sakhe-O friend; krpaya-with mercy; mama-to Me; tvam-You; tungani-lofty; amuni-
these; tanu-please extend; ga-of summits; satani-hundreds; kmam-if you wish; yate-goes;
vilocana-of the eyes; patham-to the pathway; sasini-when the moon; prayana-journey;
vighna-obstacle; bhavet-may be; mrga-da-of the doe-eyed girl; mama-of Me; jvite-in the
life; ca-also.

(Humbly folding His hands) O mountain on the eastern horizon, O friend, please be
merciful to Me. Please expand hundreds of tall peaks. If the moon becomes visible on the
eyes' pathway, it will hinder the secret traveling of this doe-eyed girl, who is dear to Me as
life.

Text 52

vidaka: (kara datv) bho suni-adu ki runu runu sadda kuna-i.

karnam-an ear; datva-giving; bho-O; suni-adu-should be heard; kim-what?; runu runu-

"runu runu"; saddam-sound; kuna-i-makes.

Vidaka: (giving ear) Listen! What makes this sound "runu runu"?

Text 53

(nepathye)

tan-majra-rava kim ea kim u v bhgval-nisvana

tat-kc-raita nu manmathavat ki srasn rutam
eva kalpayato vikalpam acird lambya sakhya kara
govindasya nikuja-keli-sadane bhbhavad rdhik

nepathye-from behind the scenes; tat-of Her; majira-of the ankle-bells; rava-the sound;
kim-whether?; esa-this; kim-whether; u-indeed; va-or; bhrnga-of bees; avali-of a swarm;
nisvana-the sound; tat-of Her; kanci-of the bells decorating Her waist; ranitam ranitam-the
sound; nu-indeed; manmatha-vatam-amorous; kim-whether?; sarasanam-of the sarasa birds;
rutam-the cooing; evam-in this way; kalpayata-making; vikalpam-a guess; acirat-quickly;
alambya-resting; sakhya-of a gopi-friend; karam-the hand; govindasya-of Ka; nikuja-in

76
the forest grove; keli-for pastimes; sadane-in the abode; bhusa-an ornament; abhavat-became;
rdhik-Rdh.

A Voice from Behind The Scenes: He guessed, "Is it the sound of Her ankle-bells, or the
buzzing of bees? Is it the tinkling of Her sash of bells or the singing of amorous sarasa birds?"
Then, in that pastime-grove, holding a friend's hand, Rdh became an ornament decorating
Lord Ka.

Text 54 Song in Malavar-rga

Text A

cikura-tarangaka-phena-patalam iva kusumam dadhati kmam

natad-apasavya-da disativa ca nartitum atanum avamam

cikura-in the hair; taragaka-of waves; phena-of foam; patalam-a multitude; iva-like;
kusumam-flowers; dadhati-places; kmam-s She wishes; natat-dancing; apasavya-contrary;
da-with the eye; disati-shows; iva-as if; ca-also; nartitum-to dance; atanum-cupid; avamam-
friendly.

She wears a flower like foam in the waves of Her hair. With a dancing crooked glance, She
starts playful Kmadeva dancing.

Text B Refrain

rdh mdhava-vihrharim upagacchati mahara-pada-gati-laghu-laghu-taralita-hr

rdh-Rdh; mdhava-with Ka; vihara-ejoys transcendental pastimes; harim-Ka;

upagacchati-approaches; mathara-slow; pada-gati-steps; laghu-laghu-gently; taralita-moving;
hara-whose necklace.

Her necklace gently swaying, sweetly playful Rdh approaches Ka with graceful, slow
steps.

Text C

akita-lajjita-rasa-bhara-cacala-madhura-dg-anta-lavena
madhu-mathana prati samupaharanti kuvalaya-dm rasena

akita-frightened; lajjita-ashamed; rasa-mellows; bhara-abundance; cacala-restless;

madhura-sweet; drk-of the eyes; anta-from the corner; lavena-with a fraction; madhu-
mathanam-Ka, the killer of the Madhu demon; prati-to; samupaharanti-giving; kuvalaya-of
lotus flowers; dama-a garland; rasena-sweetly.

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 With a timid, embarrassed, restless, sweet sidelong glance, She sweetly gives Ka a
garland of lotus flowers.

Text D

gajapati-rudra-nardhipam adhuntana-madana madhurea

rmnanda-rya-kavi-bhaita sukhayatu rasa-visarea

gajapati-Gajapati; rudra-Prataparudra; nara-dhipam-king; adhuna-now; atana-manifest;

madanam-amorous pastimes; madhurea-sweet; rmnanda-rya-Rmnanda Rya; kavi-by
the poet; bhaitam-spoken; sukhayatu-may please; rasa-of nectar; visarea-with an
abundance.

May the poet Rmnanda Rya's description of these amorous pastimes delight Gajapati
Mahrja Pratparudra with its sweet nectar.

Text 55

vidaka: (purato 'valokya) bho va-assa amhehi jida esa tattha-bhodi a-acchadi tti
lakkhi-adi.

purata-ahead; avalokya-looking; bho-O; va-assa-friend; amhehim-by us; jida-conquered;

esa-this; tattha-there; bhodi-noble lady; a-acchadi-comes; tti-thus; lakkhi-adi-is seen.

Vidaka: (Looking ahead) O friend, we are victorious. I see the noble lady coming here.

Text 56

(tata praviati madanik).

madanik: vatsau sampanna cirea suhd manoratha tan mm anumanyasva

sthnntara-vsa-gamanya.

tata-then; praviati-enters; madanik-Madanik; vatsau-O children; sampanna-fulfilled;

cirea-after a long time; suhrdam-of friends; manoratha-the desire; tat-therefore; mam-me;
anumanyasva-please permit; sthana-place; antara-within; gamanaya-to go.

(Enter Madanik.)
Madanik: Children, after a long time, the desire of my friends is now fulfilled. Pleas give
me permission to go to another place.

Text 57

vidsakah: mam pi ni-unjantara-vsa-gamanassa.

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 mam-of me; pi-also; ni-uja-the grove; antara-within; vasa-residence; gamanassa-going.

Vidaka: I will also go to another forest.

Text 58

(iti nikrnta sarve).

iti-thus; nikrnta-exit; sarve-all.

(Exit all).

79
 Act Five

Rdh-sagama
Rdh's Company

Text 1

(tata praviati aimukh).

aimukh: a-e ajja ni-unje kallanahinivesana ko vuttanto tti na jani-adi. ta de-i anu
sari-a janissam. (purato 'valokya) a-e kadham ea nidda-mu-ulida-lo-ana lahu lahu idha jevva
a-acchadi.

tata-then; praviati-enters; aimukh-aimukh; a-e-O; ajja-now; ni-unje-in this forest-

grove; kallana-ahinivesanam-of the auspicious divine couple; ko-what?; vuttanto-news; tti-
thus; na-not; jani-adi-is known; ta-therefore; de-im-noble Madanik; anu sari-a-having
approached; janissam-will inform; purata-ahead; avalokya-looking; a-e-O; kadham-how is
it?; nidda-from sleep; mu-ulida-budding; lo-ana-whose eyes; lahu lahu-slowly; idha-here;
jevva-certainly; a-acchadi-comes.

(Enter aimukh.)
aimukh: Ah! What is the news of the auspicious divine couple's pastimes in the forest?
I don't know. I will find noble Madanik. She will tell me. (looks ahead) Ah! Is this
Madanik, her eyes half-closed in sleep, slowly coming here?

Text 2

(sansktam ritya)

svaira svaira katham api dau manda-nipanda tre

vinyasyanti ithilita-bhuja-dvandva-sannmit
manda-nysa-skhalita-cara vyasta-manjra-gho
dev nidrkulatara-tanur modam vikaroti

sanktam-of Sanskrit; artya-taking shelter; svairam svairam-slowly; katham api-with

difficulty; dau-eyes; manda-nispanda-unmoving; tare-eyes; vinyasyanti-placing; sithila-
slackened; bhuja-of arms; dvandva-pair; sannamita-drooping; amsa-shoulders; manda-slowly;
nyasa-placing; skhalita-faltering; carana-steps; vyasta-irregular; manjira-of ankle-bells; ghoa-

80
sound; devi-noble Madanik; nidra-wit sleepiness; akulatara-very agitated; tanu-whose
form; modam-delight; avikaroti-manifests.

(in Sanskrit) With blankly staring, motionless eyes, slackened arms, drooping shoulders,
slow, faltering steps, and irregularly tinkling ankle-bells, the sleepy noble lady brings me
great delight.

Text 3 Song in Sukhasindhuda-rga

Text A
dara-mukulrua-locanam nana iha gata-knti-vikse
kamalam ivruam uasi vidhv anubimbitam ambu-sake

dara-mukula-half-closed; aruna-reddish; locanam-eyes; anane-on the face; iha-here; gata-

gone; kanti-of luster; vikase-manifestations; kamalam-lotus flower; iva-like; arunam-red;
usasi-at sunrise; vidhau-in the moon; anubimbitam-reflected; ambu-sakase-in the water.

Her half-closed, lusterless red eyes are like a red lotus flower at sunrise, reflected, along
with the moon, in the water.

Text B Refrain

kim idam iya pravianti

bhajati mano mama rati-virat iva vanit kpi calanti

kim-how is?; idam-this; iyam-she; pravianti-entering; bhajati-attains; mana-heart;

mama-my; rati-amorous pastimes; viratau-stopped; iva-like; vanita-woman; ka api-a certain;
calanti- walking.

How is, now that the amorous pastimes are over, that this lady walking here fills my heart
with bliss?

Text C

ithila-bhuja-mudu-raita-kanaka-mai-kakana idam anuvram

via-kala-pda-nivea-nivrita-npura-lalita-vihram

sithila-slackened; bhuja-whose arms; mudu-"mudu"; ranita-sounding; kanaka-golden;

mani-jewelled; kakanam-bracelets; idam-this; anuvram-repeatedly; visa-lotus stem; kala-
gentle; pada-step; nivesa-enhance; nivarita-stopped; nupura-of the ankle-bells; lalita-
charming; vihram-pastimes.

The bracelets of gold and jewels on her slackened arms tinkle "mudu mudu". The anklets
on her slowly moving lotus-stem ankles have stopped their charming pastimes.

81
Text D

gajapati-rudra-nardhipa-hdaye mudam idam tanute 'ti

rmnanda-rya-kavi-bhaita vilasati rasika-jane 'ti

gajapati-Gajapati; rudra-Pratparudra; nardhipa-of the king; hdaye-in the heart; mudam-

delight; idam-this; atanuta-brings; iti-thus; rmnanda-rya-Rmnanda Rya; kavi-by the
poet; bhaitam-spoken; vilasati-shines splendidly; rasika-jane-in the exalted devotees expert
at relishing transcendental mellows; ati-greatly.

This song spoken by the poet Rmnanda Rya delights the Gajapati Maharaja
Pratparudra's heart. It plays among the great devotees who taste the nectar of transcendental
mellows.

Text 4

(tata praviati yathokta-ve madanik).

(cakui vimjya purato 'valokya).

madanik: aho ramayat vasanta-yamin-parimasya. tath hi.

tata-then; praviati-enters; yath-as; ukta-described; madanik-Madanik; caksusi-eyes;

vimjya-rubbing; purata-ahead; avalokya-looking; aho-ah!; ramaniyata-the beauty; vasanta-
springtime; yamini-of night; parinamasya-of the transformation; tath hi-furthermore.

(Enter, as described, Madanik.)

(She rubs her eyes and looks ahead.)

Madanik: Ah, the beauty of this springtime night!

Text 5

ito manda manda sarasija-van-vta-lahar

tata ctsvda-pramudita-pikn kala-kala
kvacit phulla vallm anu madhukar svara-kath
kutacit kokn mdu-madhuram nanda-lapitam

ita-thus; mandam mandam-very gently; sarasija-of lotus flowers; vani-forest; vata-breeze;

lahari-waves; tata-then; cuta-mangoes; asvada-from tasting; pramudita-jubilant; pikanam-of
cuckoos; kala-kala-sweet cooing; kvacit-somewhere; phullam-blossoming; vallim-creeper;
anu-following; madhukaranam-of bees; svara-katha-humming; kutascit-somewhere;
kokanam-of cakravaka birds; mdu-gentle; madhuram-sweet; nanda-of bliss; lapitam-words.

82
 A breeze very gently blows over the lotus forest and the Yamun's waves. Happy by eating
mangoes, the cuckoos chirp sweetly. Somewhere the bumble-bees hum in the blossoming
vines, and somewhere the cakravka birds happily and sweetly talk.

Text 6

(dvi-tri padni parikramya nandam abhinya).

uddma-smara-catur-paricayd anyonya-rgd ima

rtri jgaritni sadmani yuva-dvandvni yac cerate
tat tem svasitnilena tulanam asdayiyann iva
pronmilat-kamalvalu valate rkhanda-vthi-marut

dvi-two; trani-or three; padani-steps; panikramya-taking; nandam-bliss; abhiniya-

representing dramatically; uddama-passionate; smara-in loving affairs; caturi-expertise;
paricayat-because of an abundance; anyonya-mutual; rgat-because of love; imam-this;
ratrim-for the night; jagaritani-awake; sadmani-in homes; yuva-dvandvani-young couples;
yat-which; cerate-go; tat-that; tesam-of them; svasita-of sighs; anilena-with the breeze;
tulanam-similarly; asadayisyan-on the verge of attaining; iva-as if; pronmilat-blossoming;
kamala-of lotus flowers; avalisu-among the hosts; valate-goes; rkhada-vithi-marut-the
sandalwood-scented breeze from the Malaya Hills.

(She takes two or three steps and then becomes filled with happiness.)

The sandalwood-scented breeze blowing over the blossoming lotus flowers is almost like
the sighs of young couples who out of love for each other and out of great skill in enjoying
passionate pastimes, stay awake at night in their homes.

Text 7

(purato 'valokya sa-vismayam).

cakita-cakitam kvpi kvpi pramoda-nirantaram

kvacana vanitkuhotkaham nidhya vilocane
kalayati tathvasthm esa rathnga-kuumbin
bhavati na yath cntevs vidagdha-vadh-jana

purata-ahead; avalokya-looking; sa-with; vismayam-wonder; cakita-with fear; cakitam-

trembling; kvapi-somewhere; kvapi-somewhere; pramoda-happiness; nirantaram-
uninterrupted; kvacana-somewhere; vanita-girl; akuntha-intense; utkantham-longing;
nidhaya-placing; vilocane-in the eye; kalayati-sees; tath-in that way; avastham-the condition;
esa-she; rathaga-kutumbini-the cakravaka bird; bhavati-is; na-not; yaya-by whom; cantevasi-
a disciple; vidagdha-expert; vadhu-jana-girls.

(Looking ahead, she becomes struck with wonder.)

83
 Sometimes a cakravk bird trembles with fear. Sometimes it is filled with happiness.
Sometimes it gazes with amorous longings. These intelligent girls are not like them.

Note: Cakravka couples separate in the evening and meet at sunrise. They remain apart
throughout the night.

Text 8

(kaam anyato gatv scaryam) aye. ati-ramayam ida vartate. tath hi

kaam-for a moment; anyata-in another direction; gatv-going; sa-with; ascarayam-

wonder; aye-O!; ati-very; ramaniyam-beautiful; idam-this; vartate-is; tath hi-furthermore.

(After a moment she changes direction, and then becomes struck with wonder) Ah! This
is very beautiful.

Text 9
unmlat-kamalodare madhu-bhare dvnubimba nija
manvn dayita kathacid adhun notkahay dhvati
utkahopanat puna sahacara dv vilak muhur
na sthtum na ca gantum atra catur bhrng ciram bhrmyati

unmilat-blossoming; kamala-lotus flower; udare-within; madhu-of honey; bhare-an

abundance; dva-seeing; anubimbam-reflection; nijam-own; manvana-thinking; dayitam-her
lover; kathancit-somehow; adhun-now; na-does not; untkanthaya-with amorous longings;
dhavati-go away; utkantha-with longing; upanatam-approached; puna-again; sahacaram-
friend; dva-seeing; vilaka-embarrassment; muhu-for a moment; na-not; sthatum-to stay;
na-not; ca-and; gantum-to go; atra-here; catura-beautiful; bhrngi-bumble-bee; ciram-for a
long time; bhramyati-wanders.

Seeing her own reflection in a honey-filled blossoming lotus flower, a beautiful bumblebee
girl thinks the reflection her lover and, filled with amorous longings, does not fly away. Then
her passionate lover comes. Seeing him, she becomes embarrassed and, not knowing whether
to go or to stay, is bewildered for a long time.

Text 10

aimukh: iyam ati-prabhik-ramayakhta-cittatay na mm avalokayati. tad

upartya vande. (ity upartya) devi vandyase.

iyam-she; ati-great; prabhatika-of the morning; ramaniyaka-by the beauty; ahrta-taken;

cittataya-because her consciousness; na-not; mam-me; avalokayati-sees; tat-then; upartya-
approaching; vande-I shall offer obeisances; iti-thus; upartya-approaching; devi-O noble
lady; vandyase-obeisances are offered to you.

84
 aimukh: Her heart taken by the morning's beauty, she does not see me. I will go to her
and offer my obeisances. (approaching) Noble lady, I offer my respectful obeisances to you.

Text 11

madanik: katha aimukh vatse me ciram anya-cittatay nvadhritsi.

katham-why; aimukh-O aimukh; vatse-O child; me-me; ciram-for a long time; anya-
elsewhere; cittataya-with consciousness; na-not; avadharita asi-you saw.

Madanik: What! aimukh! Child, my thoughts were elsewhere. I did not see you.
Text 12

aimukh: devi katha nidrkulm iva bhagavat tarkaymi.

devi-O noble lady; katham-why?; nidra-by sleep; akulam-afflicted; iva-as if; bhagavatim-
the noble lady; tarkaymi-I think.

aimukh: Noble lady, I think you were overcome by sleep.

Text 13

madanik: vatse iveti katha tathaiva.

vatse-O child; iva-as if; iti-thus; katham-why?; tath-in that way; eva-certainly.

Madanik: Child, why is that?

Text 14

aimukh: atha katham iva.

atha-now; katham-why?; iva-as if.

aimukh: Why?

Text 15

madanik:

rdh-madhavayor adya
nikunjam adhitisthato
tat-tat-kutukitalokan
niseyam ati-vahita

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 rdh-madhavayor-of Sri Sri Rdh-Ka; adya-now; nikunjam-in the grove; dhitisthato-
staying; tat-tat-various; kutukita-with eagerness; alokat-from seeing; nisa-night; iyam-this;
ati-vahita-was passed.

Madanik: I spent the night eagerly watching Rdh and Ka in the forest.

Text 16

aimukh: atha kdas tatratyo vttanta.

atha-then; kida-like what?; tatratya-there; vttanta-the news.

aimukh: What happened there?

Text 17

madanik: u. (nayane pramjya) vatse jnsi nikuna-pravevadhi.

srnu-listen; nayane-eyes; pramjya-wiping; vatse-O child; janasi-you know; nikunja-of the

grove; pravesa-of the entrance; avadhi-up until.

Madanik: Listen. (rubbing her eyes) Child, you know what happened up to the time
They entered the forest.

Text 18

aimukh: adha kim.

adha-then; kim-what?

aimukh: Yes.

Text 19

madanik: tad-anantaram

ya stambho mura-vidvisa samabhavat tenapi mano-

madhyasthya parisakate bhaya-manojanma-trapa-nirbharam
kamesu-vraja-paksa-vata-visara-praptodayo na ksaad
asvasam harini-dro vitanute tasya prakampo yadi

tat-that; anantaram-after; ya-who; stambha-stunned; mura-vidvisa-Ka, the enemy

of Mura; samabhavat-became; tena-by this; api-also; tasya-of Her; mana-of the heart;
madhyasthyam-indifference; parisakate-fears; bhaya-fear; manojanma-of cupid; trapa-of

86
embarrassment; nirbharam-abundance; kama-of cupid; isu-of arrows; vraja-host; paka-vata-
hurricanes; visara-abundance; prapta-attained; udaya-arisal; na-not; kaat-for a moment;
asvasam-sighing; harini-da-of the doe-eyed girl; vitanute-creates; tasya-of Him;
prakampa-trembling; yadi-if.

Madanik: Atfter that Ka became stunned. Then He feared that Rdh's anxiety and
shyness would make Her indifferent to His advances. If He had not trembled and showered a
hurricane of Kmadeva's arrows on Her, doe-eyed Rdh would not have sighed.

Text 20

aimukh: priya me priya ktarthsmi.

priyam-pleased; me-my; priyam-beloved; kta-artha-succesful; asmi-I am.

aimukh: If He is pleased, that is my success.

Text 21

madanik: ita param api suhd ktarthat.

ita-in this way; param-then; api-also; suhdam-of the gop-friends; kta-arthata-success.

Madanik: That is the success of our gop friends.

Text 22

aimukh: api mama da devya anyad api.

api nama-whether?; dam-seen; devya-by the noble lady; anyat-some other gop; api-
also.

aimukh: Did you see any other gops there?

Text 23

madanik: samastam eva.

samastam-all; eva-certainly.

Madanik: All of them.

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Text 24

madanik: vatse

sasaka sa-manobhava-prahasita sapatrapa sa-smaya

sasuyam sa-manoharatmaka-padam sa-prema sotkanthitam
rdhya madhusudanasya ca tada kunje tadasid ratam
yenasin madano 'pi vismaya-rasa-snigdhantaro nirbharam

vatse-O child; sa-with; asakam-fear; sa-with; manobhava-amorous; prahasitam-smiles

and laughter; sa-with; apatrapam-shyness; sa-with; manohara-atmaka-padam-amorous
passion; sa-with; prema-affection; sa-with; utkanthitam-longing; rdhya-of Rdh; madhu-
sudanasya-of Ka, the killer of Madhu; ca-and; tada-then; kunje-in the forest-grove; tada-
then; asit-was; ratam-amorous pastimes; yena-by which; asit-was; madana-cupid; api-even;
vismaya-of astonishment; rasa-with the nectar; snigdha-anointed; antara-within the heart;
nirbharam-greatly.

Madanik: In that grove Rdh and Ka then enjoyed amorous pastimes filled with
amorous smiles and laughter, shyness, wonder, envy, doubt, affection, and passionate desires
and longings, pastimes that anointed Kmadeva's heart with the nectar of wonder.

Text 25 Song in Ahra-rga

Text A

mdu-majira-ravnugata gatam anay ayana-sampam

madhuripunpi padni kiyanty lita kiyad anurpam
mdu-gentle; manjitra-of ankle-bells; rava-the sound; anugatam-followed; gatam-gone;
anaya-by Him; sayana-the bed; samipam-near; madhu-ripuna-by Ka, the enemy of Madhu;
api-even; padani-steps; kiyanti-how many; api-even; calitam-walked; kiyat-like what?;
anurupam-resembling.

How many steps did Ka take as He followed the gentle tinkling of Rdh's anklets to
the bed? What were Their pastimes together like?

Text B Refrain

aimukh ki tava bata kathaymi

rdh-madhava-keli-bharad aham adbhutam akalaymi

aimukh-O aimukh; kim-what?; tava-to you; bata-indeed; kathaymi-shall I say;

rdh-of Rdh; madhava-and Ka; keli-of pastimes; bharat-from abundance; aham-I;
adbhutam-wonder; akalaymi-see.

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 O aimukh, what will I say to you? Rdh and Ka's pastimes have filled me with
wonder.

Text C

militam idam kila tanu-yugalam punar apa na kancana bhedam

visamasarasuga-kilitam iva sakhi galita-cirantana-khedam

militam-met; idam-this; kila-indeed; tanu-of bodies; yugalam-pair; puna-again; apa-

attained; na-not; kancana-something; bhedam-separation; visamasara-of cupid; asuga-by the
arrows; kilitam-pierced; iva-as if; sakhi-O friend; galita-lost; cirantana-long-standing;
khedam-sufferings.

Their two bodies have met and now They cannot be separated. Kmadeva's arrows have
killed all Their long sufferings.

Text D

nakhara-radavali-khanditam api guru-nihsvasitayata-bhitam

rudra-gajdhipa-mudam atanuta rmnanda-rya-su-gitam

nakhara-of nails; rada-and teeth; avali-by the rows; khanditam-wounded; api-even; guru-
deep; nihsvasitaya-wit sighs; bhitam-fearful; rudra-Prapaparudra; gajdhipa-Gajapati;
mudam-delight; atanutam-may bring; rmnanda-rya-of Rmnanda Rya; su-the beautiful;
gitam-song.

Rdh and Ka wounded each other with Their nails and teeth. They breathed deep,
fearful sighs. May Rmnanda Rya's beautiful song please Gajapati Maharaja Pratparudra.

Text 26

aimukh: devi asambadddham iveda pratibhati mam.

devi-O noble lady; asambaddham-disconnected; iva-as if; idam-this narrative; pratibhati-

appears; mam-to me.

aimukh: Noble lady, this narrative seems somewhat disconnected to me.

Text 27
madanik: katham iva.

katham-how?; iva-as if.

Madanik: How is that?

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Text 28

aimukh: tayo katham da saurata-kauala-jtam

tayo-of them; katham-how is it?; idam-like this; saurata-of conjugal pastimes; kausala-
expectness; jatam-born.

aimukh: How did They become so expert in amorous pastimes?

Text 29

madanik: ayi sarale

upadisati gurur guru-prayatnat

tad kala-vasat prayati pakam
iti kila niyata samasta-vidya
surata-kala svata eva sambhavanti

ayi-O; sarale-honest girl; upadisati-teaches; guru-the teacher; guru-with great; prayatnat-

endeavor; tat api-still; kila-indeed; niyata-attempted; samasta-all; vidya-branches of
knowledge; surata-in conjugal pastimes; kala-expertness; svata-spontaneously; eva-
certainly; sambhavanti-become manifested.

Madanik: O honest, simple girl, when a teacher diligently teaches, then, in time, all
things are learned. The arts of love, however, spontaneously appear of their own accord.

Text 30

atrantare surata-keli-kalasu tasu

prayena siksita ivaisa sasi cirena
yogyam tatah kim api kartum iva prakamam
samsevate sma carama disam adarena

atra-here; antare-in this; surata-conjugal; keli-of pastimes; kalasu-in the arts; tasu-in them;
prayena-for the most part; siksita-instructed; iva-as if; esa-this; sasi-moon; cirena-for a long
time; yogyam-what is suitable; tata-them; kim api-something; kartum-to do; iva-as if;
prakamam-voluntarily; samsevate sma-served; caramam disam-the western horizon; adarena-
with respect.

Lingering on the western horizon, the moon spent a very long time carefully and
respectfully teaching Them the arts of amorous pastimes.

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Text 31

aimukh: samprati ca kalyaino

abhimata-surata-pramoda-laksmi-
paricaya-nirvtim ayatos cirena
nakha-pada-dasanaka-caru-bhusa-
lalitatama vapur iksitu mano me

smaprati-now; ca-also; kalyanino-of the beautiful divine couple; abhimata-pleasant;

surata-of conjugal pastimes; pramoda-of the bliss; laksmi-of opulences; paricaya-the
abundance; nirvtim-the happiness; ayato-attained; cirena-for a long time; nakha-pada-of
fingernail scratch-marks; dasana-of teeth; aka-marks; caru-beautiful; bhusa-with ornaments;
lalita-tamam-most charming; vapu-form; iksitum-to see; mana-heart; me-my.

aimukh: My heart yearns to see the two forms, gracefully decorated with bites and
scratches, of Rdh and Ka, who for a long time tasted the intense happiness of amorous
pastimes.

Text 32

(tata praviati sa-tvra rdhik katicid dure kas ca).

rdh: (purato 'valokya) apsanna-i disa muham-im. ta kadha obarida-sarira

gamissam. (sa-tvara dvi-trni padni parikramya valita-grivam avalokate).

tata-then; praviati-enters; sa-with; tvra-haste; rdhik-Rdh; katicit-somewhat; dure-

far away; ka-Ka; ca-also; purata-ahead; avalokya-looking; apasanna-im-somewhat
clear; disam-the direction; muha-im-faces; ta-therefore; kadham-how?; obarida-concealed;
sarira-body; gamissam-I may go; sa-with; tvaram-haste; dvi-two; trani-or three; padani-steps;
parikramya-walking; valita-tilted; grivam-with the neck; avalokate-looks.

(Rdh hastily enters. Ka is a little behind Her).

Rdh: (Looks ahead) All directions are clear and well-lit. How can I walk and also hide
My body? (She takes two or three quick steps, tilts Her neck, and looks ahead.)

Text 33

ka: (kaa nirvaya) aho bhaya-manmatha-samvalan mgk.

dvi-trny eva padni gacchati javad dvi-trni manda punas
trasotkampam athapi payati disa sakutam eta puna
yo na syad api gocare nayanayor mediam eta jana
sampraty eti pade pade vyavahita ma natike 'pi priya

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 kaam-for a moment; nirvanya-silent; aho-ah!; bhaya-fear; manmatha-and amorous
desires; samvalana-mixed; mga-aksi-the doe-eyed girl; dvi-two; trani-or three; eva-certainly;
padani-steps; gacchati-slowly; puna-again; trasa-with fear; utkampam-trembling; atha api-
still; payati-looks; disa-in all directions; sa-with; akutam-intenstness; eta-they; puna-
again; ya-who; na-not; syat-may be; api-even; gocare-in the range of perception; nayanayo-
of the eyes; nediam-near; etam-this; janam-person; samprati-now; eti-goes; pade pade-step
by step; vyavahitam-separated; mam-Me; antike-near; api-even; priya-beloved.

Ka: (after a moment's silence) This doe-eyed girl is filled with both fear and amorous
desire. She takes two or three quick steps and then two or three slow ones. She trembles in
fear and then intently gazes in all directions. When no other person is in the field of Her
vision, step by step She comes to Me.

Text 34

rdh: (puna sa-tvara parikramati).

puna-again; sa-with; tvaram-speed; parikramati-walks.

(Rdh walks quickly.)

Text 35

madanik: vatse paya paya purato rdhik katicid dure madhava ca. iya hi

na vyalad api sambibheti purata sthanor yath durato

nodvigna kari-garjitad api yath kakavali-nihsvanat
naiveya timire 'pi muhyatitara kama prakase yath
tan manye virahe 'pi naiva vidhura kantasya yoge yath

vatse-O child; paya-look!; paya-look!; purata-ahead; rdhikm-Rdh; katicit-a certain;

dure-distance away; madhavam-Ka; ca-and; iyam hi-furthermore; na-not; vyalat-because of
a snake; api-even; sambibheti-fears; purata-ahead; sthano-an immoveable trees; yath-as;
durata-far away; na-not; udvigna-agitated; kari-of a lion; garjitat-from the roaring; api-even;
yath-as; kaka-of crows; avali-from the multitude; nihsvanat-from the sounds; na-not; eva-
certainly; iyam-She; timire-in the darkness; api-even; muhyatitaram-becomes bewildered;
kamam-love; prakase-in the shining; yath-just as; tat-this; manye-I think; virahe-in
separation; api-even; na-not; eva-certainly; vidhura-agitated; kantasya-of Her lover; yoge-in
meeting; yath-as.
Madanik: Child, look! Look! Here is Rdh and, a little apart from Her, Ka. She does
not fear the snake before her as She does that tree far away. She is not disturbed by a lion's
roar as She is by a crow's cawing. The darkness does not bewilder Her as does the light. I
think She is not as unhappy in separation as She is in Her lover's company.

92
Text 36 Song in Lalita-rga

Text A

abhimata-gha-manoratha-samucita-ratipati-samara-viee
vijaya-parajaya-paricaya-vimuita-cetasi valad-abhile

abhimata-cherished; gadha-strong; manoratha-desire; samucita-suitable; ratipati-amorous;

samara-battle; visese-specific; vijaya-victory; parajaya-defeat; paricaya-awareness; vimusita-
stolen; cetasi-in the heart; valat-moving; abhilase-desire.

She yearns for the playful battle of passionate amorous pastimes. Her heart is entranced by
the prospects of victory or defeat.

Text B Refrain

lulita-manohara-deha
kathayati paricayam iyam ati-nipua mdu-pada-kamala-laveha

lulita-trembling; manohara-beautiful; deha-body; kathayati-says; paricayam-greatly; iyam-

She; ati-very; nipunam-expertly; mdu-gentle; pada-steps; kamala-lotus; lava-slight; iha-
endeavor.

Rdh's beautiful body trembles. Her small, soft lotus steps speak with great eloquence.

Text C

kusuma-arsana-ara-nikara-dhvani-manita-manohara-gho e
gua-paripatitay parikalpita-nakha-daana-k ata-do e

kusuma-sara-asana-of cupid; sara-of the arrows; nikara-of the host; dhvani-the sound;
manita-amorous cooing; manohara-beautiful; ghoe-sounds; guna-of good qualities;
paripatitaya-as a series; parikalpita-considered; nakha-of nails; dasana-and teeth; kata-of
wounds; dose-the defect.

Her sweet amorous cooing is the sound of a host of arrows from Kmadeva's quiver. The
scratches and bites on Her body are beautiful.

Text D

gajapati-rudra-nardhipa-vidite rasika-janhita-toermnanda-rya-kavi-bhaite hdaya

kuruta vidoe

gajapati-Gajapati; rudra-Pratparudra; nara-dhipa-king; vidite-known; rasika-jana-to the

exalted devotees expert at relishing transcendentla mellows; ahita-given; tose-pleasure;

93
rmnanda-rya-Rmnanda Rya; kavi-by the poet; bhaite-spoken; hdayam-the heart;
kuruta-do; vidose-pure.

Please place your heart in the poet Rmnanda Rya's faultless words, which are heard by
Gajapati Mahrja Pratparudra and which delight they who know how to taste nectar.

Text 37

tad ati-bhaya-katareya vats. tad upartya sambhavayms tvad enm. (ity upartya)
vatse svagata te.

tat-therefore; ati-great; bhaya-with fear; katara-distressed; iyam-this; vatsa-child; tat-

therefore; upartya-approaching; sambhavayama-let us approach; tavat-then; enam-Her; iti-
thus; upartya-approaching; vatse-O child; avagatam-welcome; te-to You.

This girl is very afraid. Let us go to Her. (approaching) Child, welcome.

Text 38

rdh: (sa-sambhramam avalokya) atra kadha ea de-i. (sa-lajja vandate).

sa-with; smabhramam-fear; avalokya-looking; atra-here; kadham-how?; esa-this; de-i-the

noble lady; sa-with; lajjam-embarrassment; vandate-offers respectful obeisances.

Rdh: (fearfully looks) Who is it? It is the noble lady. (Embarrassed, Rdh offers
respectful obeisances).

Text 39

(nepathye kalakala) abrahmayam abrahmayam.

(sarv rutim abhinayanti.)

nepathye-behind the scenes; kala-kala-a confused tumult; abrahmanyam-help!;

abrahmanyam-help!; sarva-everyone; rutim-listening; abhinayanti-represents dramatically.

(From behind the scenes there is a great tumult. Behind the scenes someone calls out
"Help! Help!" All listen intently.)

Text 40

(punar nepathye)

gabhya ca khurancalena ca balad ea kamam ullikhan kalpanta tanayitnu-garjita-

ghana-dhvanair diso darayan
ulkarcih-pratimallam aksi-yugala krodhad ivandolayann

94
 ea vyapadi majjayan vrajam abhud daivad ario 'grata

puna-again; nepathye-from behind the scenes; gabhyam-with horns; ca-and; khura-of

hooves; ancalena-with the tips; ca-and; balat-forcibly; esa-he; kamam-the earth; ullikhan-
scratching; kalpa-of the kalpa; anta-at the end; tanayitnu-roar; garjita-roaring; ghana-
dhvanai-with thunder; disa-the directions; darayan-ripping apart; ulka-arci-to blazing
comets; pratimallam-competitors; aksi-of eyes; yugalam-the pair; krodhat-from anger; iva-as
if; andolayan-rolling; esa-he; vyapadi-in calamity; majjayan-plunging; vrajam-Vraja; abhut-
is; daivat-by destiny; aria-Ariasure; agrata-in the presence.

The Voice from behind the scenes again says: Violently scratching the earth with his
horns and hooves, ripping apart the directions with his roaring like thunder claps at the
kalpa's end, rolling his eyes rivaling blazing comets, and plunging Vraja into a great
catastrophe, Arisura has come before us.

Text 41

(sarve nikujodare tmnam apavarya payanti.)

sarve-everyone; nikunja-the grove; udare-within; atmanam-themselves; apavarya-hiding;

payanti-look.

(Everyone hides in the forest-grove and watches.)

Text 42

ka: (sopam upasarpan) abhaya ghoa-nivsinm.

sa-with; atopam-pride; upasarpan-approaching; abhayam-fearlessness; ghoa-of Vraja;

nivasinam-to the residents.

Ka: (proudly struts) The residents of Vraja will have no fears.

Text 43

(sa-garva bhum udyamya)

dpyad-dnava-ra-aila-valaya-kaui-mahlambane
vairi-vykula-akra-ntika-makha-proddma-ype 'pi ca
asmin ka-bhuje 'pi jgrati bhaya nitya tad ekrayan
ghoasthn api samsped ahaha ki prair mama krati

(iti sopa parikramati).

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 sa-with; garvam-pride; bahum-an arm; udyamya-lifting; drpyat-arrogant; danava-demon;
sirna-torn apart; saila-mountain; valaya-circle; kauni-of earth; maha-great; alambane-restin
place; vairi-enemies; vyakula-for distressing; sakra-Indra; santika-for pacifying; makha-in the
sacrifice; proddama-great; yupe-post; api-even; ca-also; asmin-in this; ka-of Ka; bhuje-
arm; api-even; jagrati-wakens; bhayam-fear; nityam-continual; tat-then; eka-sole; asrayan-
who have taken shelter; gostha-sthan-the residents of Vraja; api-even; samsprset-may touch;
ahaha-aha!; kim-what?; pranai-life-breath; mama-of Me; kridati-plays; iti-thus; sa-with;
atopam-pride; parikramati-goes.

(Proudly lifts one arm) This arm is a great mountain to crush the arrogant Aria demon.
This arm is a great post in the indra-yajna for bringing pain to enemies. When Ka's arm is
vigilant and awake, what fear can touch the residents of Vraja who always completely take
shelter of Me? Aha! If this Aria plays wiht Me, how much will his life become worth? (He
proudly goes off).

Text 44

(nepathye) bho kasta kastam.

yabhya girinam api gavattva

sodhum na saktena vidaritas te
tayor anenotpala-komalango
laksyi-kto bala-tanur mukunda

nepathye-from behind the scenes; bho-ah!; kastam-alas!; kastam-alas!; yabhyam-by

which; girinam-of mountains; gavat-the state of having peaks; sodhum-to tolerate; na-not;
saktena-able; vidarita-ripped into pieces; te-they; tayo-of them; anena-by him; utpala-as a
blue lotus flower; komala-delicate; aga-whose body; laksi-into a target; kta-made; bala-
young; tanu-body; mukunda-Ka.

A Voice From Behind the Scenes: Alas! Alas! Alas! Unable to bear the rivalry of the
mountains peaks, Aria's horns rip many great mountains into pieces. Those horns have now
made a target of Lord Mukunda (Ka), whose young body is as delicate as a blue lotus
flower.

Text 45

madanik: (vilokya sasram)

adya kauni sahasva bharam atula deva jayasa kuta

r-devi vratam acara vraja-jana kvnanda-vartapi va
matar devaki ki bhavisyasi gata nandadayo rdhike
sunya te jagad adya jatam adhun ha ha hata smo vayam

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 vilokya-looking; sa-with; asram-tears; adya-now; kauni-O earth; sahasva-please tolerate;
bharam-burden; atulam-incomparable; deva-O demigods; jaya-victory; asa-hopes; kuta-
where?; r-devi-O Laksmi-devi; vratam-vows; acara-perform; vraja-of Vraja; jana-O people;
kva-where? nanda-of happiness; varta-the news; va-of you; mata-O mother; devaki-
Yasoda; kim-what?; bhavisyasi-will become of you; gata-gone; nanda-with Nanda; adaya-
beginning; rdhike-O Rdh; sunyam-empty; te-for You; jagat-the universe; adya-now; jatam-
is manifested; adhun-now; ha-alas!; ha-alas! hata-killed; sma-are; vayam-we.

Madanik: (Looking on with tears in her eyes) O earth, what an incomparable heavy
burden must you bear now! O demigods, where have all your hopes for victory gone now?
O people of Vraja, what has happened to the good tidings of your transcendental happiness?
O Mother Yasoda, what will become of you now? O Nanda Maharaja, O people of Vraja,
what will become of all of you? O Rdh, for You the entire universe has now become a
desolate wasteland. Alas! Alas! Now we are all dead!

Text 46

rdh: (rutim abhiniya satakam) haddhi haddhi maha manda-bha-ina-e e-arisa

duddevva vilasida jadam.

rutim-listening; abhiniya-representing dramatically; sa-with; atakam-anxiety; haddhi-

alas!; haddhi-alas!; maha-of Me; manda-bha-ina-e-unfortunate; e-arisam-like this; duddeva-by
ill-fortune; vilasidam-manifested; jadam-produced.

Rdh: (Anxiously listening) Alas! Alas! I am so unfortunate! This is a grear calamity

that wicked destiny imposes upon Me!

Text 47

aimukh: sakhi samasvasihi ea khalu mukundah.

sakhi-O friend; samasvasihi-be calm; esa-He; khalu-indeed; mukunda-Ka.

aimukh: Friend, do not be unhappy. Mukunda (Ka) is here. (He is unharmed).

Text 48

(nepathye)

yatronmilati milita tri-bhuvanam yatronnamaty anata

yasmin bhramyati na bhramanti viyati prayena vata api
ksiptv kanduka-llya tam adhun vrndavanad durato
hatvariam ariam etad akarot rman mukundo jagat

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 nepathye-from behind the scenes; yatra-where; unmilati-is manifested; militam-
unmanifested; tri-the three; bhuvanam-worlds; yatra-where; unnamati-rises; anatam-bowed
down; yasmin-when he; bhramayati-wanders; na-do not; bhramanti-wander; viyati-in the sky;
prayena-for the most part; vata-winds; api-also; ksiptva-having tossed aside; kandula-a toy
ball; llya-with the pastime; tam-him; durata-from a great diance; hatva-having killed;
ariam-Aria; ariam-free from all misfortune; etat-this; akarot-made; rman-filled with
transcendental opulence; mukunda-Ka; jagat-the universe.
A Voice From Behind the Scenes: When Aria appeared, the three worlds hid. When he
stood, they fell down. When he moved about, the winds declined to move in the sky. Ka
playfully tossed Aria far out of Vrndavana forest as if the demon had become a toy ball (In
His hand). By killing Aria, Lord Mukunda (Ka) freed the universe from a great calamity
and made it auspicious and happy again.

Text 49

(tata praviati kah. sarva sa-sprham alokayanti).

tata-then; praviati-enters; ka-Ka; sarva-all the gops; sa-with; sprham-desire;

alokayanti-look.
(Ka enters. All the gops intently gaze upon Him).

Text 50

madanik: aho ramaniyaka jaya r-bhusanasya vatsasya tath hi

visrastalaka-vallari-parimilat-svedoda-bindutkara-
vyaliptalika-candana krama-galat-keki-cchadottamsaka
pada-ksepa-samucchalat-ksiti-rajo-ramyaga-rgas cirad
nanda vitanoty aya nayanor avirbhavan madhava

aho-ah!; ramaniyakam-the beauty; jaya-of victory; r-with the opulence; bhasanasya-

decorated; vatsasya-of the boy Ka; tath hi-furthermore; visrasta-dishevelled; alaka-curling
locks of hair; vallari-the vines; parimilat-touching; sveda-uda-of perspiration; bindu-of drops;
utkara-by a multitude; vyalipta-wiped away; alika-on the forehead; candana-sandalwood
paste; krama-one after another; galat-falling; keki-chada-of peacock feathers; uttamsaka-
crown; pada-of the feet; ksepa-kicking; samucchalat-rising; ksiti-from the ground; raja-dust;
ramya-charming; aga-rga-ointment; cirat-eternally; nandam-bliss; vitanoti-gives; ayam-
He; nayanayo-before the eyes; avirbhavan-appearing; madhava-Ka.

Madanik: How handsome is the boy Ka decorated in this way by the goddess of
victory! The vines of His dishevelled curling locks of hair touch the drops of perspiration
that have washed away the sandalwood paste anointing with the dust raised by the kicking of
His feet on the ground. Appearing in this away before us, Lord Madhava (Ka) brings
eternal bliss to our eyes.

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Text 51

(upartya) diya do 'si vatsa jaya-r-svayamvaralingitah.

upartya-approaching; diya-by good fortune; da-seen; asi-you are; vatsa-O child; jaya-
of victory; r-by the goddess; svayamvara-in the svayamvara ceremony; alingita-embraced.

(Approaches Ka) By good fortune the goddess of victory has placed her glance upon
You. She has selected You to be her husband, and now she embraces You.

Text 52

ka: (dva sa-harsam) devi svagata te.

dva-seeing; sa-with; harsam-happiness; devi-O noble lady; svagatam-greetings; te-to

you.

Ka: (Happily glances at Madanik) O noble lady, salutations unto you.

Text 53

madanik: svagatam adhun vatsena jaya-r-bhusanena dena tad vatsa kaam iha
bakula-padapopavithya visramyatam.

svagatam-greeting; adhun-now; vatsena-by the boy; jaya-of victory; r-by the goddess;
bhusanena-decorated; dena-seen; tat-then; vatsa-O child; kaam-for a moment; iha-here;
bakula-the bakula; padapa-tree; upavithyam-on the path; visramyatam-may be rested.

Madanik: Salutations to You, my child. Now that the goddess of victory has placed her
glance upon You and decorated you with this victory, please stop and rest for a moment
underneath this bakula tree.

Text 54

ka: yad abhirucita devyai. (ity upavisati).

yat-which; abhirucitam-the pleaure; devyai-to the noble lady; iti-thus; upavisati-enters.

Ka: In order to please the noble lady. (He goes under the tree).

Text 55

madanik: (sa-sneham aga sprsati) vatsa kta-dukara-karmana kim api paritosaka

ditsmi.

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 sa-with; sneham-affection; agam-the body; sprsati-touches; vatsa-O child; kta-done;
dukara-difficult to do; karmana-task; kim api-something; paritosakam-reward; ditsmi-I
wish to give.

Madanik: (Affectionately touches Ka) My child, You have done a very difficult task. I
wish to give You something as a reward.

Text 56

ka: yad abhirucita devyai.

yat-which; abhirucitam-pleasure; devyai-to the noble lady.

Ka: As it pleases the noble lady.

Text 57

madanik: (nikramya rdhm adaya praviya) vatsa

navabhisaga-vidhura
trasonmilita-locanam
madhuralokanenaina
sambhavaya cirad iva

nikramya-going; rdhm-Rdh; adaya-taking; praviya-entering; vatsa-O child; nava-

new; abhisagam-meeting; vidhuram-anxious; trasa-with fear; unmilita-wide open; locanam-
whose eyes; madhura-sweet; alokanena-with glances; enam-Her; sambhavaya-please enjoy;
cirat-eternally; iva-as if.

Madanik: (She goes, takes Rdh, and return with Her) Child, this girl is very anxious
to meet You again. Her eyes are wide open with fear of not seeing You again. Please sweetly
glance upon Her and enjoy transcendental pastimes with Her forever.

Text 58

ka: (sa-sprham alokayati).

sa-with; srham-intentness; alokayati-gazes.

(Ka intently gazes at Rdh).

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Text 59

madanik: vatse

krura-sagara-parisramollasat-
sveda-bindu-nikaraih karambitam
ancalena nija-vasasah priyam
vijaya priya-girabhinandya ca

(rdh sa-sprham vijayati).

vatse-O child; krura-cruel; sagara-of the battle; parisrama-from the fatigue; ullasat-
manifested; sveda-of perspiration; bindu-of drops; nikarai-with the multitude; karambitam-
mixed; ancalena-with the edge; nija-own; vasasa-of the garment; priyam-Your beloved;
vijaya-please fan; priya-wit pleasant; gira-words; abhinandya-addressing; ca-also; rdh-
Rdh; sa-with; sprham-intentness; vijayati-fans.

Madanik: Child, the fatigue of the cruel battle has made drops of perspiration on Your
beloved. You should speak sweetly to Him and fan Him with the edge of Your garment.
(Rdh intently fans Ka).

Text 60

madanik: ita para ki te priya sampadaymi.

ita-this; param-beyond; kim-what; te-to You; priyam-dear thing; sampadaymi-shall I

bring.

Madanik: What other pleasant thing may I bring You?

Text 61

ka: devi ita para kim api priyam asti.

pancesor visikhavalibhir abhito niaksyamanena ced

nandaika-nidanam ena-nayana prapta prasadat tava
bhuyat sayam alambhi kacana do piyusa-dhara maya
ki vata param asti devi bhuvane kincit priya madam

Ka: O noble lady, what could be more pleasant or dear than this? I was sorely
wounded by the sharpened arrows of cupid, and now, by your mercy, I have attained this
blissful doe-eyed girl, who now showers nectar upon My eyes. What could be more pleasant
or dear than this for a person like Me?

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Text 62 Song in Magala-gujjari-rga

Text A

parinata-sarada-sasadhara-vadana
milita pani-tale guru-madana

parinata-full; sarada-autumn; sasadhara-moon; vadana-face; milita-placed; pani-of the

hand; tale-in the surface; guru-madana-passionate.

This passionate girl, whose face is like the full autumn moon, is now placed in My hand.

Text B Refrain
devi kim iha param asti mad-iam
bahutara-sukta-phalitam anudiam

devi-O noble lady; kim-what?; iha-here; param-else; asti-is; mat-by Me; iam-desired;
bahutara-many; sukta-of pious deeds; phalitam-borne fruit; anudiam-indicated.

O noble lady, what more could I want? Now I have received the fruits of many past pious
deeds.

Text C

pika-vidhu-madhu-madhupavali-caritam
racayati mam adhun sukha-bharitam

pika-of the cuckoos; vidhu-moon; madhu-springtime; madhupa-of bees; avali-of the

swarms; caritam-the activities; racayati-make; mam-Me; adhun-now; sukha-with happiness;
bharitam-filled.

The activities of the cuckoos, Moon, springtime, and bumble-bees now make Me very
happy.

Text D

pranayatu rudra-npe sukham amtam

rmnanda-bhaita-hari-ramitam

pranayatu-may bring; rudra-Pratparudra; npe-to the king; sukham-happiness; amtam-

nectar, or immortal; rmnanda-by Rmnanda Rya; bhaita-spoken; hari-of Lord Ka;
ramitam-the delightful pastimes.

May Rmnanda Rya's description of Lord Hari's (Ka's) delightful transcendental

pastimes bring eternal nectarlike happiness to Gajapati Maharaja Pratparudra.

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Text 63

tathpidam astu

sraddha-baddha-matir mama pratidina gopala-llsya ya

samseveta rahasyam etad atula llmta lola-dhi
tasmin mad-gata-manase kila kp-dya bhavatya sada
bhavya yena nijepsita vraja-vane siddhi samapnoti sa

tath api-still; idam-this; astu-may be; sraddha-by faith; baddha-bound; mati-whose

heart; mama-of Me; prati-every; dinam-day; gopala-as a cowherd boy; llsya-who enjoys
pastimes; ya-who; samseveta-may serve; rahasyam-secret; etat-this; atulam-peerless; ll-of
pastimes; amtam-nectar; lola-yearning; dhi-whose heart; tasmin-to him; mat-to Me; gata-
gone; manase-whose thoughts; kila-indeed; kp-of mercy; dya-by a glance; bhavatya-by
you; sada-always; bhavyam-the future; yena-by which; nija-by him; ipsitam-desired; vraja-
vane-in Vrndavana; siddhim-spiritual perfection; samapnoti-attains; sa-he.
You should bestow your glance of mercy on that devotee who has given his heart to Me,
who always thinks of Me, whose heart is bound with faith in Me, who yearns to attain Me,
and who, every day, serves the incomparable nectarlike confidential pastimes I enjoy as a
cowherd boy. By your merciful glance that devotee will, in the future, enter this
transcendental forest of Vraja, and will attain the spiritual perfection he desires.

Text 64

madanik: tathstu.
(iti nikranta sarve).
tath-in that way; astu-may it be; iti-thus; nikranta-exits; sarve-all.

Madanik: So be it. (Everyone exits).

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About the Translator
Peter Viggiani, (aka Kusakratha das) an accomplished Sanskrit and Bengali scholar, is an
initiated disciple of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder/Acharya of the
International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Peter took the spiritual name Kusakratha dasa in
1971 spending many years thereafter constantly studying the ancient Vedic scriptures of India,
learning the Sanskrit and Bengali languages the literatures are written in. Even before coming to Krsna
Consciousness, Kusakratha dasa had been a voracious reader of philosophy, studying the Bhagavad-
gita and other spiritual literatures in his youth.
His spiritual master Srila Prabhupada had translated and published between the years of 1965
and 1977 the most important Vedic texts, namely Bhagavad-gita, Bhagavata-Purana, Bhakti-rasamrta-
sindhu, Chaitanya-Caritamrta, and many others, establishing the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust for
their distribution.
Srila Prabhupada on several occasions expressed his intention to translate all the Vaisnava
writings for the benefit of mankind and it is to the credit of Kusakratha dasa, in service to his
spiritual master, that he has so far translated dozens of these ancient spiritual texts set down by the
chief Vedic scholars and spiritual leaders of Indias past. We are most indebted to Kusakratha das for
his prodigious output, he has rendered a great service to all devotees of God through his sublime
Krsna Bhakti.

His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada

Founder/Acarya of the International Society for Krsna Consciousness

Srila Prabhupada appeared in Calcutta, India in 1896. Meeting his own spiritual master His
Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati in 1922 he took formal initiation in 1933. At the very
first meeting, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta requested Srila Prabhupada to broadcast Vedic knowledge in the
English language.
In the years that followed Srila Prabhupada took up that desire, writing a commentary on
Bhagavad-gita and founding a fortnightly magazine, Back to Godhead, in 1944. Actively
endeavoring to teach Krsna Consciousness while in household life, Srila Prabhupada retired in 1954 to
devote more time to his studies and spiritual masters service. Residing in the holy city of Vrndavana
for some 11 years, he formally took to the renounced order of life, sannyasa, in 1959. Constantly
pursuing his spiritual masters request to broadcast the Vedic knowledge, Srila Prabhupada began
planning a world-wide movement, and started the translation work of his lifes opus, Srimad
Bhagavatam, revered in the Vedas as the essence of all Vedic knowledge.
Srila Prabhupada struggled against many obstacles, and in 1965 left India for America,
carrying very little money, the first three volumes of Srimad-Bhagavatam he had published, and the
order of his spiritual master in his heart. The rest is history. Within eleven years, up to 1977, a world-
wide movement dedicated to exemplifying and broadcasting the Vedic spiritual knowledge sprouted
up, comprising over 200 temples in fifty countries, a dozen farming communities, and several
publishing houses and schools.
Srila Prabhupada initiated some 5,000 disciples, circled the globe fourteen times, and spoke
with countless world leaders, all the while continuing to translate the Vedic texts into English just
exactly in pursuance of his spiritual masters original instruction way back in 1926.

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 The spiritual society Srila Prabhupada founded goes on to this day having distributed over 500
million literatures in 50 languages, blooming into a world-wide movement known for its purity,
dedication, and international welfare activities of food distribution.
These writings comprise a veritable library of Vedic philosophy, religion, and culture and the
reader is heartily encouraged to please examine these literatures, they are a meant to offer a clue for
the re-spiritualization of the entire human society, which although having made rapid material
progress, seems to be so much disturbed with unwanted quarrels and discord.

Readers can contact the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust at

3764 Watseka Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90034 USA

Telephone: 1-800-927-4152
http://www.krishna.com

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