Gita Govinda by Jeyadeva

  
     
 
Gita Govinda 

The Gita Govinda — a cycle of Sanskrit songs, commentaries and invocations depicting Krishna's courtship of the cowherdess Radha — was the most popular and influential poem to emerge from medieval India. The text was added to temple inscriptions, set to music, choreographed for dance, and studied as a religious text. Contemporary poems, recitations, songs and dances point to its continuing popularity. With frank and tender lyricism, the Gita Govinda explored the many aspects of sexual passion, from first awakening through fierce regrets and jealousies to the rapture and contentment of bodily possession. On one level it narrates the loves of Radha and Krishna as simple cowherds, but the poem also celebrates nature's regeneration through sexual congress, the interplay of the human and divine, and the profound mystery of erotic experience.

The poem can be dated to the late twelfth century and was probably written in north or north-eastern India, as it shows some familiarity with Vishnu sects in Orissa and mentions fellow poets at the court of the last Hindu ruler in Bengal, Maharaja Laksmanasena (AD 1175-1200). Of the author there are many anecdotes but no certain information. Jayadeva was probably a court poet, but tradition gives him a sound education before turning him into a wandering scholar, one of many at a time of Sanskrit revival. Poets were men of taste and learning given spacious quarters and a court position in return for ready compositions on conventional subjects and religious matters. Form took precedence over the content. Jayadeva was apparently a saintly ascetic induced to settle by marrying the temple dancer, Padmavati, and take up writing the Gita Govinda. Other verses are ascribed to Jayadeva, but Gita Govinda is his certain masterpiece. Two versions: for printing and on-screen reading. Both free.

CHAPTER ONE (Excerpt)
With clouds the sky is thickened, and the woodlands
darken with Tamála trees. Tonight
is someone leading home a doubting Rádhá
near the Yamuná, by Nanda sent:
by every path and tree and branching arbour
to win her Mádhava in honeyed sport.
As speech's deity adorns this house
the dance of Padmávatí turns the world,
and prince of wandering poets, Jayadeva,
tells of Vásudeva and his Shrí.
If, in memory of Krishna's mind,
you're curious to learn the lover's art,
then hear these sweet and tender verses
Jayadeva makes to eloquence.
Umápatidhara causes words to bloom,
Sharana dazzles with his lightning thought.
Dhoyí's lord of poets, Govardhana
has his love skills, Shrutidhara fame,
but Jayadeva is both clear and true.
First Song
When world was water, you became
a tireless vessel of the Vedas.
You, in Pisces form, Keshava:
conqueror of the world, Hari!
When this heavy earth you carried
on your callused turtle's back,
how venerable you were, Keshava:
conqueror of the world, Hari!
A blemish on the hare-marked moon,
the earth became as on your tusk:
you held us when a boar, Keshava:
conqueror of the world, Hari!
With nail on lotus hand you cut
the bee-like Hiranyakashipu.
What a lion-man, Keshava:
conqueror of the world, Hari!
A marvellous dwarf, Keshava, you
outwitted Bali: from your toenail
water poured to bless the people:
conqueror of the world, Hari!
Bhrgu's lord, you made in blood
of Kshatriyas the people bathe.
As evil left, the heat declined:
conqueror of the world, Hari!
In Ráma's body, you have hurled
around you heads of Rávana,
a blessing of the war, Keshava:
conqueror of the world, Hari!
You carried beauty as a cloud
and shone as wielder of the plough
that struck with fear the Yamuná:
conqueror of the world, Hari!
Kind as Buddha, you refused
to take the sacrificial life
of animals despite our customs:
conqueror of the world, Hari!
In Kalki's body you became
a sword to scourge the foreign people,
comet-like in fire, Keshava:
conqueror of the world, Hari!
You, in a decad form, Keshava,
are the comfort of our life.
Hear the poet Jayadeva,
conqueror of the world, Hari!