ಗೀತಗೋವಿಂದಮ್ ದ್ವಾದಶಃ ಸರ್ಗಃ

GITA GOVINDAM (ಗೀತಗೋವಿಂದಂ)
Gita Govindam, lyrical poetry in Sanskrit celebrating the love between Krishna and the gopis,  specifically Radha, is authored by Jayadeva, the ೧೨th century devotee-poet from Orissa.  The basis for this work is the ೫ chapters ೨೯ to ೩೩ of Srimadbhagavatam  (known as Rasapanchadhyaayi) which describe the events  leading to the  rasaleela, the great dance on the banks of the Yamuna where each gopi thinks that Krishna is with her.  Srimadbhagavatam, however, does not specifically talk about a gopi named Radha though Radha is described as the very heart of Krishna in some of the other Puranas.

The  above theme has been developed in Gita Govindam to such an extent that it  is known as ‘Sringara Mahakavya’ wherein  the predominant sentiment is sringara (erotic sentiment) in all its various moods in relation to the divine love between Radha and Krishna. The ecstasy of union,  the agony of separation, the anxious moments of wait for the loved one are all treated with sensitivity and poetic excellence.  The whole work is divided into twelve chapters ( sargas), each chapter containing one or more prabandhas. There are ೨೪ prabandhas each containing couplets grouped into eights called  Ashtapadis, songs with a refrain specific to that  Ashatapadi.  There are in all ೨೪ Ashtapadis in Gita Govindam. Each Chapter may have one or more slokas in  different metres of Sanskrit poetry interspersed with the Ashtapadis.  It is said that the Poet-devotee Jayadeva would sing the Ashtapadis and his wife Padmavati would dance to the music.  There have been many choreographic works  to enact and present the Ashtapadis  as  a dance drama.
Given below is the text of   the Twelfth Chapter (ದ್ವಾದಶಃ ಸರ್ಗಃ) with a prosaic translation in English for those who cannot follow the Sanskrit of the original. The translation in no way can do justice to the poetic excellence or the beauty of expression of the original.
CHAPTER-೧೨
Prabandha-೨೩

ಗತವತಿ ಸಖೀವೃಂದೇಽಮಂದತ್ರಪಾಭರನಿರ್ಭರ-
ಸ್ಮರಶರವಶಾಕೂತಸ್ಫೀತಸ್ಮಿತಸ್ನಪಿತಾಧರಾಂ|
ಸರಸಮನಸಂ ದೃಷ್ಟ್ವಾ ರಾಧಾಂ ಮುಹುರ್ನವಪಲ್ಲವ-
ಪ್ರಸವಶಯನೇ ನಿಕ್ಷಿಪ್ತಾಕ್ಷೀಮುವಾಚ ಹರಿಃ ಪ್ರಿಯಾಂ || ೧||

When her friends left her alone with Krishna, Radha, overcome by shyness and tormented by Cupid’s arrows, was glancing frequently at the bed of tender leaves with a smile on her lips which showed that her heart was in love sport.  Hari then speaks to Radha thus:

ಅಷ್ಟಪದೀ-೨೩

ಕಿಸಲಯಶಯನತಲೇ ಕುರು ಕಾಮಿನಿ ಚರಣನಲಿನನಿವೇಶಂ
ತವ ಪದಪಲ್ಲವವೈರಿಪರಾಭವಮಿದಮನುಭವತು ಸುವೇಷಂ|| ೧||
ಕ್ಷಣಮಧುನಾ ನಾರಾಯಣಮನುಗತಮನುಸರ ಮಾಂ ರಾಧಿಕೇ ||

My Love!, place your lotus-feet on this bed of tender leaves. Let these tender leaves experience their defeat from the tenderness of your feet-leafbuds. For a moment O Radha! follow me, who am Narayana, even as I have followed you.


ಕರಕಮಲೇನ ಕರೋಮಿ ಚರಣಮಹಮಾಗಮಿತಾಸಿ ವಿದೂರಂ|
ಕ್ಷಣಮುಪಕುರು ಶಯನೋಪರಿ ಮಾಮಿವ ನೂಪುರಮನುಗತಿಶೂರಂ || ೨||  (ಕ್ಷಣಮಧುನಾ ….)

O Radha! You have come a long way on foot.  Let me stroke those feet with my lotus-hands.  Place these anklets of yours on the bed just like me. For a moment….


ವದನಸುಧಾನಿಧಿಗಲಿತಮಮೃತಮಿವ ರಚಯ ವಚನಮನುಕೂಲಂ|
ವಿರಹಮಿವಾಪನಯಾಮಿ ಪಯೋಧರರೋಧಕಮುರಸಿ ದುಕೂಲಂ || ೩||  (ಕ್ಷಣಮಧುನಾ ….)

O Radha! speak to me sweet words like nectar dripping from your moon-like face.  Just as I am casting off viraha (separation) now, I am taking away the clothes which bar access to your breasts.  For a moment…


ಪ್ರಿಯಪರಿರಂಭಣರಭಸವಲಿತಮಿವ ಪುಲಕಿತಮನ್ಯದುರಾಪಂ|
ಮದುರಸಿ ಕುಚಕಲಶಂ ವಿನಿವೇಶಯ ಶೋಷಯ ಮನಸಿಜತಾಪಂ || ೪||  (ಕ್ಷಣಮಧುನಾ ….)

Place these pot-like breasts,  which bristle at the prospect of the lover’s embrace and which are unavailable to others, and allay the Cupid’s heat in my heart. For a moment……

ಅಧರಸುಧಾರಸಮುಪನಯ ಭಾಮಿನಿ! ಜೀವಯ ಮೃತಮಿವ ದಾಸಂ|
ತ್ವಯಿ ವಿನಿಹಿತಮನಸಂ ವಿರಹಾನಲದಗ್ಧವಪುಷಮವಿಲಾಸಂ || ೫|| (ಕ್ಷಣಮಧುನಾ ….)

O Radha! Give the nectar from your lips and bring to life this servant of yours who is almost like dead, who has surrendered his heart to you, whose body is burnt by the fire of separation, deprived of love sport. For a moment……




ಶಶಿಮುಖಿಮುಖರಯಮಣಿರಶನಾಗುಣಮನುಗುಣಕಂಠನಿನಾದಂ|
ಮಮಶ್ರುತಿಯುಗಲೇ ಪಿಕರವವಿಕಲೇ ಶಮಯ ಚಿರಾದವಸಾದಂ || ೬||  (ಕ್ಷಣಮಧುನಾ ….)

O Radha with moon-like face! create sweet tinkling sound from your gem-studded girdle similar to your sweet voice and allay the suffering of my ears which have been tortured by the coos of the cuckoo for long. For a moment……


ಮಾಮತಿವಿಫಲರುಷಾ ವಿಕಲೀಕೃತಮವಲೋಕಿತುಮಧುನೇದಂ|
ಮೀಲತಿ ಲಜ್ಜಿತಮಿವ ನಯನಂ ತವ ವಿರಮ ವಿಸೃಜ ರತಿಖೇದಂ || ೭||  (ಕ್ಷಣಮಧುನಾ ….)

O Radha! Your eyes want to look at me but they tend to close as if by shame because of your spurning me with purposeless anger.  Therefore retire now and leave the effort of love sport.
ಶ್ರೀಜಯದೇವಭಣಿತಮಿದಮನುಪದನಿಗದಿತಮಧುರಿಪುಮೋದಂ|
ಜನಯತು ರಸಿಕಜನೇಷು ಮನೋರಮರತಿರಸಭಾವವಿನೋದಂ|| ೮||  (ಕ್ಷಣಮಧುನಾ ….)

Jayadeva has described the joy of the enemy of Madhu at every step.  Let this song generate in the heart of connoisseurs of poetry the joy of shringara rasa (erotic sentiment)

ಪ್ರತ್ಯೂಹಃ ಪುಲಕಾಂಕುರೇಣ ನಿಬಿಡಾಶ್ಲೇಷೇ ನಿಮೇಷೇಣ ಚ
ಕ್ರೀಡಾಕೂತವಿಲೋಕಿತೇಽಧರಸುಧಾಪಾನೇ ಕಥಾನರ್ಮಭಿಃ
ಆನಂದಾಭಿಗಮೇನ ಮನ್ಮಥಕಲಾಯುದ್ಧೋಽಪಿ ಯಸ್ಮಿನ್ನಭೂ-
ದುದ್ಭೂತಃ ಸ ತಯೋರ್ಬಭೂವ ಸುರತಾರಂಭಃ ಪ್ರಿಯಂ ಭಾವುಕಃ|| ೧||

Bristling hair, tight embrace, closed eyes, playful glances, savouring the nectar of lips, humorous,  witty and sweet talk etc., although pleasurable,  both Radha and Krishna felt,  were obstacles to their commencement of love sport.

ದೋರ್ಭ್ಯಾಂ ಸಂಯಮಿತಃ ಪಯೋಧರಭರೇಣಾಪೀಡಿತಃ ಪಾಣಿಜೈಃ
ರಾವಿದ್ಧೋ ದಶನೈಃ ಕ್ಷತಾಧರಪುಟಃ ಶ್ರೋಣೀತಟೇನಾಹತಃ|
ಹಸ್ತೇನಾನಮಿತಃ ಕಚೇಽಧರಮಧುಸ್ಯಂದೇನ ಸಮ್ಮೋಹಿತಃ
ಕಾಂತಃ ಕಾಮಪಿ ತೃಪ್ತಿಮಾಪ ತದಹೋ ಕಾಮಸ್ಯ ವಾಮಾ ಗತಿಃ || ೨||

Locked in the tight embrace of Radha, pressed against her full breasts, hurt by her nails, lips bitten by her, knocked by her hip, face pulled down by the hair and intoxicated by the dripping honey from the lips, Krishna experienced a kind of pleasure from all this.  It seems everything is reversed in love (where otherwise painful activities seem to give pleasure).

ಮಾರಾಂಕೇ ರತಿಕೇಲಿಸಂಕುಲರಣಾರಂಭೇ ತಯಾ ಸಾಹಸ-
ಪ್ರಾಯಂ ಕಾಂತಜಯಾಯ ಕಿಂಚಿದುಪರಿ ಪ್ರಾರಂಭಿ ಯತ್ಸಂಭ್ರಮಾತ್|
ನಿಷ್ಪಂದಾ ಜಘನಸ್ಥಲೀ ಶಿಥಿಲಿತಾ ದೋರ್ವಲ್ಲಿರುತ್ಕಂಪಿತಂ
ವಕ್ಷೋ ಮೀಲಿತಮಕ್ಷಿ ಪೌರುಷರಸಃ ಸ್ತ್ರೀಣಾಂ ಕುತಃ ಸಿದ್ಧ್ಯತಿ || ೩||

In love-fight Radha wants to score victory over her lover  and, in a reversal of roles, is on top of Krishna and excitedly commenced the fight.  But the region of her hip became motionless, her creeper-like arms went limp, breasts trembled and eyes closed.  How can woman get man’s pleasure in love sport?

ತಸ್ಯಾಃ ಪಾಟಲಪಾಣಿಜಾಂಕಿತಮುರೋ ನಿದ್ರಾಕಷಾಯೇ ದೃಶೌ
ನಿರ್ಧೂತಾಧರಶೋಣಿಮಾ ವಿಲುಲಿತಸ್ರಸ್ತಸ್ರಜೋ ಮೂರ್ದ್ಧಜಾಃ|
ಕಾಂಚೀದಾಮದರಶ್ಲಥಾಂಚಲಮಿತಿ ಪ್ರಾತರ್ನಿಖಾತೈರ್ದೃಶೋ-
ರೇಭಿಃ ಕಾಮಶರೈಸ್ತದದ್ಭುತಮಹೋ ಪತ್ಯುರ್ಮನಃ ಕೀಲಿತಂ || ೪||

Early morning, Radha’s breasts bore nail-marks, eyes were red with sleeplessness, lips had lost the reddish tinge, hair was disheveled, flowers were falling from garlands, girdle and clothes at hip were loose. These very things acted as Cupid’s arrows and pierced Krishna’s heart; it was a wonder indeed.

ತ್ವಾಮಪ್ರಾಪ್ಯ ಮಯಿ ಸ್ವಯಂವರಪರಾಂ ಕ್ಷೀರೋದತೀರೋದರೇ
ಶಂಕೇ ಸುಂದರಿ! ಕಾಲಕೂಟಮಪಿಬನ್ಮೂಢೋ ಮೃಡಾನೀಪತಿಃ|
ಇತ್ಥಂ ಪೂರ್ವಕಥಾಭಿರನ್ಯಮನಸಾ ವಿಕ್ಷಿಪ್ಯವಾಮಾಂಚಲಂ
ರಾಧಾಯಾಃ ಸ್ತನಕೋರಕೋಪರಿಚಲನ್ನೇತ್ರೇ ಹರಿಃ ಪಾತು ವಃ || ೫||

“O Beauty! Lord Shiva drank the kalakuta poison as He could not not win your hand at the shores of the milky ocean since you chose me as your life partner”, narrating this story to Radha and diverting her mind, Krishna pulled her upper clothes and directed his roving eyes on her breasts.  May that Krishna protect you.  


ವ್ಯಾಲೋಲಃ  ಕೇಶಪಾಶಸ್ತರಲಿತಮಲಕೈಃ ಸ್ವೇದಲೋಲೌ ಕಪೋಲೌ
ಸ್ಪಷ್ಟಾ ದಷ್ಟಾಧರಶ್ರೀಃ ಕುಚಕಲಶರುಚಾ ಹಾರಿತಾ ಹಾರಯಷ್ಟಿಃ|
ಕಾಂಚೀ ಕಾಂಚಿದ್ಗತಾಶಾಂ ಸ್ತನಜಘನಪದಂ ಪಾಣಿನಾಚ್ಛಾದ್ಯ ಸದ್ಯಃ
ಪಶ್ಯಂತೀ ಸತ್ರಪಂ ಮಾಂ ತದಪಿ ವಿಲುಲಿತಸ್ರಗ್ಧರೇಯಂ ಧುನೋತಿ || ೬||

Krishna says: “Hair disheveled, cheeks sweating, lips bitten, necklaces defeated by the beauty of pot-shaped breasts, girdle displaced from its position, covering her breasts and hip by her hands, Radha looks at me abashed with a garland from which  flowers are falling.  Even in this state, Radha captivates my heart.””

ಈಷನ್ಮೀಲಿತದೃಷ್ಟಿ ಮುಗ್ಧಹಸಿತಂ ಸೀತ್ಕಾರಧಾರಾವಶಾ-
ದವ್ಯಕ್ತಾಕುಲಕೇಲಿಕಾಕು ವಿಕಸದ್ದಂತಾಂಶುಧೌತಾಧರಂ|
ಶ್ವಾಸೋತ್ಕಂಪಿಪಯೋಧರೋಪರಿ ಪರಿಷ್ವಂಗಾತ್ಕುರಂಗೀದೃಶೋ
ಹರ್ಷೋತ್ಕರ್ಷವಿಮುಕ್ತನಿಃಸಹತನೋರ್ಧನ್ಯೋ ಧಯತ್ಯಾನನಂ || ೭||


Half-closed eyes, pretty smile, unclear playful speech because of sighs, lips washed with the radiance of teeth, breasts slightly trembling by faster breathing, the heightened pleasure of embrace and the yielding of the body – fulfilled is the lover who drinks at the doe-eyed one’s lips.

ಅಥ ಸಾ ನಿರ್ಗತಬಾಧಾ ರಾಧಾ ಸ್ವಾಧೀನಭರ್ತೃಕಾ |
ನಿಜಗಾದ ರತಿಕ್ಲಾಂತಂ ಕಾಂತಂ ಮಂಡನವಾಂಛಯಾ|| ೮||
ಇತಿ ಸಹಸಾ ಸುಪ್ರೀತಂ ಸುರತಾಂತೇ ಸಾ ನಿತಾಂತ ಖಿನ್ನಾಂಗೀ
ರಾಧಾ ಜಗಾದ ಸಾದರಮಿದಮಾನಂದೇನ ಗೋವಿಂದಂ || ೯||

Radha free from the torments of love and having Krishna under her control desired to dorn herself. Krishna was tired but  contented and joyful at the end of sport . Radha’s limbs were extremely tired. She spoke to Krishna thus:

ಅಷ್ಟಪದೀ -೨೪

ಕುರು ಯದುನಂದನ ಚಂದನಶಿಶಿರತರೇಣ ಕರೇಣ ಪಯೋಧರೇ
ಮೃಗಮದಪತ್ರಕಮತ್ರ ಮನೋಭವಮಂಗಲಕಲಶಸಹೋದರೇ|| ೧||
ನಿಜಗಾದ ಸಾ ಯದುನಂದನೇ ಕ್ರೀಡತಿ ಹೃದಯಾನಂದನೇ||

“O Yadunandana! With your hands cooler than sandal paste anoint deer-musk on my breasts which are like the auspicious kalasha (pitcher) of the Love-god” – Thus spoke Radha to Krishna who was delighting her with his sport.


ಅಲಿಕುಲಭಂಜನಮಂಜನಕಂ ರತಿನಾಯಕಸಾಯಕಮೋಚನೇ|
ತ್ವದಧರಚುಂಬನಲಂಬಿತಕಜ್ಜಲಮುಜ್ಜ್ವಲಯ ಪ್ರಿಯ ಲೋಚನೇ|| ೨||  (ನಿಜಗಾದ….)

“O Dear! the collyrium in my eyes which send out arrows of Cupid has lost its sheen by your kisses.  Brighten it by applying kajal which is darker than the colour of honey bees” – Thus spoke Radha to Krishna who was delighting her with his sport.

.
                                     
ನಯನಕುರಂಗತರಂಗವಿಲಾಸನಿರೋಧಕರೇ ಶ್ರುತಿಮಂಡಲೇ |
ಮನಸಿಜಪಾಶ ವಿಲಾಸಧರೇ ಶುಭವಂಶೇ ನಿವೇಶಯ ಕುಂಡಲೇ || ೩||   (ನಿಜಗಾದ….)

“Adorn my ears, which restrict the playful activities of my doe-eyes, with ear-globes which are like the ropes of Love-god.” – Thus spoke Radha to Krishna who was delighting her with his sport.


ಭ್ರಮರಚಯಂ ರಚಯಂತಮುಪರಿ ರುಚಿರಂ ಸುಚಿರಂ ಮಮ ಸಮ್ಮುಖೇ|
ಜಿತಕಮಲೇ ವಿಮಲೇ ಪರಿಕರ್ಮಯ ನರ್ಮಜನಕಮಲಕಂ ಮುಖೇ || ೪||  (ನಿಜಗಾದ….)

“Please rearrange the hair falling like a swarm of bees  on my face which is  more beautiful than the lotus and blemishless” – Thus spoke Radha to Krishna who was delighting her with his sport.
ಮೃಗಮದರಸವಲಿತಂ ಲಲಿತಂ ಕುರು ತಿಲಕಮಲಿಕರಜನೀಕರೇ|
ವಿಹಿತಕಲಂಕಕಲಂ ಕಮಲಾನನ ವಿಶ್ರಮಿತಶ್ರಮಶೀಕರೇ || ೫||  (ನಿಜಗಾದ….)

“O Krishna with lotus-face! put a round mark  with deer-musk on my brow resembling the half-moon and with drops of perspiration on it because of the effort.” - Thus spoke Radha to Krishna who was delighting her with his sport.

ಮಮ ರುಚಿರೇ ಚಿಕುರೇ ಕುರು ಮಾನದ ಮನಸಿಜಧ್ವಜಚಾಮರೇ |
ರತಿಗಲಿತೇ ಲಲಿತೇ ಕುಸುಮಾನಿ ಶಿಖಂಡಿಶಿಖಂಡಕಡಾಮರೇ || ೬||  (ನಿಜಗಾದ….)

“O  Hari who respects others!  replace the flowers which have fallen from my tresses which are beautiful as peacock feathers and are, as it were, like the flag of Cupid”.  - Thus spoke Radha to Krishna who was delighting her with his sport.

ಸರಸಘನೇ ಜಘನೇ ಮಮ ಶಂಬರದಾರಣವಾರಣಕಂದರೇ|
ಮಣಿರಶನಾವಸನಾಭರಣಾನಿ ಶುಭಾಶಯ ವಾಸಯ ಸುಂದರೇ || ೭||  (ನಿಜಗಾದ….)

“O Hari of auspicious thoughts! replace the gem-studded ornaments, waist-string, clothes etc on my hip, cave of the elephant Cupid” - Thus spoke Radha to Krishna who was delighting her with his sport.

ಶ್ರೀಜಯದೇವವಚಸಿ ಶುಭದೇ ಹೃದಯಂ ಸದಯಂ ಕುರು ಮಂಡನೇ|
ಹರಿಚರಣಸ್ಮರಣಾಮೃತನಿರ್ಮಿತ ಕಲಿಕಲುಷಜ್ವರಖಂಡನೇ || ೮||  (ನಿಜಗಾದ….)

Put your heart in these auspicious words of Jayadeva which are sweet as the nectar of remembering the lotus feet of Hari and which destroy the sins of Kaliyuga- Thus spoke Radha to Krishna who was delighting her with his sport.


ರಚಯ ಕುಚಯೋಃ ಪತ್ರಂ ಚಿತ್ರಂ ಕುರುಷ್ವ ಕಪೋಲಯೋ-
ರ್ಘಟಯ ಜಘನೇ ಕಾಂಚೀಮಂಚ ಸ್ರಜಾ ಕಬರೀಭರಂ|
ಕಲಯ ವಲಯಶ್ರೇಣೀಂ ಪಾಣೌ ಪದೇ ಕುರು ನೂಪುರಾ-
ವಿತಿ ನಿಗದಿತಃ ಪ್ರೀತಃ ಪೀತಾಂಬರೋಽಪಿ ತಥಾಕರೋತ್|| ೧||

Radha said to Krishna “Please decorate my breasts and cheeks, arrange the girdle on my hip, adorn the hair with garlands of flower, replace the bracelets on my hands and the anklets on my feet “ Thus told Krishna happily carried out her request.

ಪರ್ಯಂಕೀಕೃತನಾಗನಾಯಕಫಣಾಶ್ರೇಣೀಮಣೀನಾಂ ಗಣೇ
ಸಂಕ್ರಾಂತಪ್ರತಿಬಿಂಬಸಂವಲನಯಾಬಿಭ್ರದ್ವಿಭುಪ್ರಕ್ರಿಯಾಂ|
ಪಾದಾಂಭೋರುಹಧಾರಿವಾರಿಧಿಸುತಾಮಕ್ಷ್ಣಾಂ ದಿದೃಕ್ಷುಃ ಶತೈಃ
ಕಾಯವ್ಯೂಹಮಿವಾಚರನ್ನುಪಚಿತೀಭೂತೋ ಹರಿಃ ಪಾತು ವಃ || ೨||

Lord Vishnu is reclining on the bed of Adisesha and his form is reflected in the gems on the thousand hoods of Adishesha creating the impression of his pervasiveness. It also looks as if He wants to see Lakshmi, who is serving his lotus feet,  with a hundred eyes  and it seems that he has created the many reflections for this purpose. May that Hari potect you all.

ಯದ್ಗಾಂಧರ್ವಕಲಾಸು ಕೌಶಲಮನುಧ್ಯಾನಂ ಚ ಯದ್ವೈಷ್ಣವಂ
ಯಚ್ಛೃಂಗಾರವಿವೇಕತತ್ತ್ವರಚನಾಕಾವ್ಯೇಷುಲೀಲಾಯಿತಂ|
ತತ್ಸರ್ವಂ ಜಯದೇವಪಂಡಿತಕವೇಃ ಕೃಷ್ಣೈಕತಾನಾತ್ಮನಃ
ಸಾನಂದಾಃ ಪರಿಶೋಧಯಂತು ಸುಧಿಯಃ ಶ್ರೀಗೀತಗೋವಿಂದತಃ || ೩||

Let the wise and intelligent men critically and joyfully examine Gita Govindam of poet Jayadeva, whose mind is fully engaged in Krishna, and evaluate the poet in terms of his skill in the fine art of music, his understanding of Vaishnavism, his handling of the   shringara rasa (erotic sentiment) in his work.

ಸಾಧ್ವೀ ಮಾಧ್ವೀಕಚಿಂತಾ ನ ಭವತಿ ಭವತಃ ಶರ್ಕರೇ ಕರ್ಕಶಾಸಿ
ದ್ರಾಕ್ಷೇ ದ್ರಕ್ಷ್ಯಂತಿ ಕೇ ತ್ವಾಮಮೃತ! ಮೃತಮಸಿ ಕ್ಷೀರ ನೀರಂ ರಸಸ್ತೇ|
ಮಾಕಂದ! ಕ್ರಂದ ಕಾಂತಾಧರ ಧರಣಿತಲಂ ಗಚ್ಛ ಯಚ್ಛಾಂತಿ ಭಾವಂ
ಯಾವಚ್ಛೃಂಗಾರಸಾರಸ್ವತಮಿಹ ಜಯದೇವಸ್ಯ ವಿಷ್ವಗ್ವಚಾಂಸಿ || ೪||

So long as this literary work of Jayadeva, full of shringara rasa,  (erotic sentiment) is around,   O Madhweeka (a kind of sweet)!  your worry is wasted; O Sugar! You are hard; O Grapes! who will look at you? O nectar! (amruta)! You are as good as dead (mrita); O Milk! Your taste is like water; O makanda (flower honey)! You cry; O lips of the loved one! go to the nether world   [ the idea is all these other things are insipid in comparison with the shringara rasa in this work of Jayadeva]


ಶ್ರೀಭೋಜದೇವಪ್ರಭವಸ್ಯ ರಾಧಾದೇವೀಸುತಶ್ರೀಜಯದೇವಕಸ್ಯ
ಪರಾಶರಾದಿಪ್ರಿಯವರ್ಗಕಂಠೇ ಶ್ರೀಗೀತಗೋವಿಂದಕವಿತ್ತ್ವಮಸ್ತು|| ೫||

May this song Gita Govindam by Jayadeva, son of Bhojadeva and Radha Devi be dedicated to sri Parasara and other poets of yore.

ಇತಿ ಶ್ರೀಗೀತಗೋವಿಂದೇ ಶೃಂಗಾರಮಹಾಕಾವ್ಯೇ ಜಯದೇವಪಂಡಿತಕೃತೌ
ಸುಪ್ರೀತಪೀತಾಂಬರೋನಾಮ ದ್ವಾದಶಃ ಸರ್ಗಃ ಸಮಾಪ್ತಃ||

ಗೀತಗೋವಿನ್ದಮ್,ಏಕಾದಶಃ ಸರ್ಗಃ

GITA GOVINDAM (ಗೀತಗೋವಿನ್ದಮ್)
Gita Govindam, lyrical poetry in Sanskrit celebrating the love between Krishna and the gopis,  specifically Radha, is authored by Jayadeva, the ೧೨th century devotee-poet from Orissa.  The basis for this work is the ೫ chapters ೨೯ to ೩೩ of Srimadbhagavatam  (known as Rasapanchadhyaayi) which describe the events  leading to the  rasaleela, the great dance on the banks of the Yamuna where each gopi thinks that Krishna is with her.  Srimadbhagavatam, however, does not specifically talk about a gopi named Radha though Radha is described as the very heart of Krishna in some of the other Puranas.   

The  above theme has been developed in Gita Govindam to such an extent that it  is known as ‘Sringara Mahakavya’ wherein  the predominant sentiment is sringara (erotic sentiment) in all its various moods in relation to the divine love between Radha and Krishna. The ecstasy of union,  the agony of separation, the anxious moments of wait for the loved one are all treated with sensitivity and poetic excellence.  The whole work is divided into twelve chapters ( sargas), each chapter containing one or more prabandhas. There are ೨೪ prabandhas each containing couplets grouped into eights called  Ashtapadis, songs with a refrain specific to that  Ashatapadi.  There are in all ೨೪ Ashtapadis in Gita Govindam. Each Chapter may have one or more slokas in  different metres of Sanskrit poetry interspersed with the Ashtapadis.  It is said that the Poet-devotee Jayadeva would sing the Ashtapadis and his wife Padmavati would dance to the music.  There have been many choreographic works  to enact and present the Ashtapadis  as  a dance drama. 
Given below is the text of   the Eleventh Chapter (ಏಕಾದಶಃ ಸರ್ಗಃ) with a prosaic translation in English for those who cannot follow the Sanskrit of the original. The translation in no way can do justice to the poetic excellence or the beauty of expression of the original.
CHAPTER-೧೧
Prabandha-೨೦

ಸುಚಿರಮನುನಯೇನ ಪ್ರೀಣಯಿತ್ವಾ ಮೃಗಾಕ್ಷೀಂ
ಗತವತಿ ಕೃತವೇಷೇ ಕೇಶವೇ ಕುಞ್ಜಶಯ್ಯಾಮ್| 
ರಚಿತರುಚಿರಭೂಷಾಂ ದೃಷ್ಟಿಮೋಷೇ ಪ್ರದೋಷೇ
ಸ್ಫುರತಿ ನಿರವಸಾದಾಂ ಕಾಪಿ ರಾಧಾಂ ಜಗಾದ || ೧|| 


Having made Radha happy by his conciliatory words,  Krishna,  decked in his fine clothes,  went to his arbour-bed for rest . It was twilight which steals one’s eyes and someone spoke thus to Radha  who was decked out in her finery and was in a cheerful mood. 

ವಿರಚಿತಚಾಟುವಚನರಚನೇನ ಚರಣರಚಿತಪ್ರಣಿಪಾತಂ
ಸಂಪ್ರತಿ ಮಞ್ಜುಲವಞ್ಜುಲಸೀಮನಿ ಕೇಲಿಶಯನಮನುಯಾತಮ್| 
ಮುಗ್ಧೇ ಮಧುಮಥನಮನುಸರ ರಾಧಿಕೇ || ೧|| 

O  Radha! Having spoken sweet words to you and having bowed at your feet Krishna has retired to his arbour and is lying on his bed. O pretty Radha! follow him, enemy of Madhu, into the arbour.  



ಘನಜಘನಸ್ತನಭಾರಭರೇ ದರಮನ್ಥರಚರಣವಿಹಾರಮ್| 
ಮುಖರಿತಮಣಿಮಞ್ಜೀರಮುಪೇಹಿ ವಿಧೇಹಿ ಮರಾಲವಿಕಾರಮ್|| ೨||  (ಮುಗ್ಧೇ ….)

O Radha! Walking slowly with your heavy breasts and hips and with the tinkling sound of the small bells in your girdle, imitate the swan in your gait and (approach Krishna). O  pretty Radha! etc.   

ಶೃಣು ರಮಣೀಯತರಂ ತರುಣೀಜನಮೋಹನಮಧುರಿಪುರಾವಮ್| 
ಕುಸುಮಶರಾಸನಶಾಸನವನ್ದಿನಿ ಪಿಕನಿಕರೇ ಭಜ ಭಾವಮ್ || ೩||  (ಮುಗ್ಧೇ ….)

Hear the melodies from the flute of Krishna which are sweet and captivate the hearts of young women.  Listen to the cuckoos which praise the commands of Cupid.  O Pretty Radha! etc.

ಅನಿಲತರಲಕಿಸಲಯನಿಕರೇಣ ಕರೇಣ ಲತಾನಿಕುರುಮ್ಬಮ್| 
ಪ್ರೇರಣಮಿವ ಕರಭೋರು! ಕರೋತಿ ಗತಿಂ ಪ್ರತಿ ಮುಞ್ಚ ವಿಲಮ್ಬಮ್|| ೪||  (ಮುಗ್ಧೇ ….)

O Radha!  whose thighs resemble trunks of elephants! These creepers, with their hands of leaf buds waving in the wind, prompt you to go to Krishna.  Don’t delay any more. O Pretty Radha! etc.

ಸ್ಫುರಿತಮನಙ್ಗತರಙ್ಗವಶಾದಿವ ಸೂಚಿತಹರಿಪರಿರಂಭಮ್| 
ಪೃಚ್ಛ ಮನೋಹರಹಾರವಿಮಲಜಲಧಾರಮಮುಂ ಕುಚಕುಮ್ಭಮ್ || ೫|| (ಮುಗ್ಧೇ ….)

O Radha! ask your pot-like breasts,  adorned by a necklace which is like a pure slender column of water, which are trembling as if in a wave of passion indicating Hari’s embrace. Pretty Radha! etc

ಅಧಿಗತಮಖಿಲಸಖೀಭಿರಿದಂ ತವ ವಪುರಪಿ ರತಿರಣಸಜ್ಜಮ್| 
ಚಣ್ಡಿ!  ರಣಿತರಶನಾರವಡಿಣ್ಡಿಮಮಭಿಸರ ಸರಸಮಲಜ್ಜಮ್ || ೬|| (ಮುಗ್ಧೇ ….)
O Radha! all your friends know that you body is ready for the love-fight. O Chandi!  go to the rendezvous with your girdle announcing your arrival, shaking off your shyness and in a joyous mood.  Pretty Radha! etc 

ಸ್ಮರಶರಸುಭಗನಖೇನ ಸಖೀಮವಲಮ್ಬ್ಯ ಕರೇಣ ಸಲೀಲಮ್| 
ಚಲವಲಯಕ್ವಣಿತೈರವಬೋಧಯ ಹರಿಮಪಿ ನಿಜಗತಿಶೀಲಮ್ || ೭|| (ಮುಗ್ಧೇ ….)

Playfully taking the support of your Sakhi with your hand having nails as the arrows of Cupid, announce your arrival to Krishna by the tinkling of your bracelets. Pretty Radha! etc  


ಶ್ರೀಜಯದೇವಭಣಿತಮಧರೀಕೃತಹಾರಮುದಾಸಿತವಾಮಮ್| 
ಹರಿವಿನಿಹಿತಮನಸಾಮಧಿತಿಷ್ಠತು ಕಣ್ಠತಟೀಮವಿರಾಮಮ್|| ೮|| (ಮುಗ್ಧೇ ….)

May this song by Jayadeva more beautiful than the necklace stay perpetually in the throat of those whose minds always rest in Hari.  Pretty Radha! etc

ಸಾ ಮಾಂ ದ್ರಕ್ಷ್ಯತಿ ವಕ್ಷ್ಯತಿ ಸ್ಮರಕಥಾಂ ಪ್ರತ್ಯಙ್ಗಮಾಲಿಙ್ಗನೈಃ| 
ಪ್ರೀತಿಂ ಯಾಸ್ಯತಿ ರಂಸ್ಯತೇ ಸಖಿ ಸಮಾಗತ್ಯೇತಿ ಚಿನ್ತಾಕುಲಃ|| ೧|| 
ಸ ತ್ವಾಂ ಪಶ್ಯತಿ ವೇಪತೇ ಪುಲಕಯತ್ಯಾನನ್ದತಿ ಸ್ವಿದ್ಯತಿ
ಪ್ರತ್ಯುದ್ಗಚ್ಛತಿ ಮೂರ್ಛತಿ ಸ್ಥಿರತಮಃ ಪುಞ್ಜೇ ನಿಕುಞ್ಜೇ ಪ್ರಿಯಃ|| ೨|| 

Sakhi tells Radha: O Radha! Krishna in his dark bower is immersed in thought thinking about you : “Radha will come,  she will see me, tell me about her love, embrace every limb of mine and feel happy and engage in love play”. He mentally visualises seeing you, trembles, bristles,  makes love, sweats and when he recovers from his reverie, he swoons not seeing you.



ಅಕ್ಷ್ಣೋರ್ನಿಕ್ಷಿಪ ಕಜ್ಜಲಂ ಶ್ರವಣ್ಯೋಸ್ತಾಪಿಚ್ಛಗುಚ್ಛಾವಲೀಂ
ಮೂರ್ಧ್ನಿ ಶ್ಯಾಮಸರೋಜದಾಮ ಕುಚಯೋಃ ಕಸ್ತೂರಿಕಾಪತ್ರಕಮ್| 
ಧೂರ್ತಾನಾಮಭಿಸಾರಸತ್ವರಹೃದಾಂ ವಿಷ್ವಙ್ನಿಕುಞ್ಜೇ ಸಖಿ!
ಧ್ವಾನ್ತಂ ನೀಲನಿಚೋಲಚಾರುಸುದೃಶಾಂ ಪ್ರತ್ಯಙ್ಗಮಾಲಿಙ್ಗತಿ|| ೩|| 

O Radha! apply mascara (kajal)  to your eyes, put tapinchcha blossoms in your ears, adorn your head with blue lotus flowers, mark your breasts with deer musk. This is how women deck themselves while going to the rendezvous where they meet their  paramours. Darkness completely envelopes these young women in dark blue clothes.  

ಕಾಶ್ಮೀರಗೌರವಪುಷಾಮಭಿಸಾರಿಕಾಣಾ-
ಮಾಬದ್ಧರೇಖಮಭಿತೋ ಮಣಿಮಞ್ಜರೀಭಿಃ| 
ಏತತ್ತಮಾಲದಲನೀಲತಮಂ ತಮಿಸ್ರಂ
ತತ್ಪ್ರೇಮಹೇಮನಿಕಷೋಪಲತಾಂ ತನೋತಿ || ೪|| 

The women of easy virtue on the way to meet their paramours are completely enveloped by this darkness which is darker than the tamala  petals and which, like the touchstone for testing gold, serves as the touchstone for testing their love.


ಹಾರಾವಲೀತರಲಕಾಞ್ಚನಕಞ್ಚಿದಾಮ-
ಕೇಯೂರಕಙ್ಕಣಮಣಿದ್ಯುತಿದೀಪಿತಸ್ಯ | 
ದ್ವಾರೇ ನಿಕುಞ್ಜನಿಲಯಸ್ಯ ಹರಿಂ ನಿರೀಕ್ಷ್ಯ
ವ್ರೀಡಾವತೀಮಥ ಸಖೀ ನಿಜಗಾದ ರಾಧಾಮ್ || ೫|| 
       ----
Seeing Hari,  radiant in gold and gem-studded necklaces, armlets, bracelets, girdle etc, at the entrance to the love-bower Radha was overcome by shyness. Her friend (sakhi )spoke to her thus:

ಗಿತಗೋವಿನ್ದಮ್ – ಅಷ್ಟಪದೀ-೨೧
ಮಞ್ಜುತರಕುಞ್ಜತಲಕೇಲಿಸದನೇ| 
ಇಹ ವಿಲಸ ರತಿರಭಸಹಸಿತವದನೇ|| 
ಪ್ರವಿಶ ರಾಧೇ! ಮಾಧವಸಮೀಪಮಿಹ|| ೧|| 

O Radha with face lit up in a smile with the urge for love sport in this beautiful bower-house!  enter the bower and go near Madhava.

ನವಭವದಶೋಕದಲಶಯನಸಾರೇ| 
ಇಹ ವಿಲಸ ಕುಚಕಲಶತರಲಹಾರೇ || ೨||  (ಪ್ರವಿಶ …)

O Radha with necklaces curling on your breasts!  sport with Hari on the bed made of fresh ashoka blossoms. Enter the bower.... 

ಕುಸುಮಚಯರಚಿತಶುಚಿವಾಸಗೇಹೇ| 
ಇಹ ವಿಲಸ ಕುಸುಮಸುಕುಮಾರದೇಹೇ || ೩||  (ಪ್ರವಿಶ …)
O Radha of body as soft as flower!  Sport with Hari in the clean bower-house made of heaps of flowers. Enter the bower.....

ಚಲಮಲಯಪವನಸುರಭಿಶೀತೇ| 
ಇಹ ವಿಲಸ ರಸವಲಿತಲಲಿತಗೀತೇ || ೪|| (ಪ್ರವಿಶ …)
O Radha whose songs are full of rasa and melodious!  sport with Hari in the bower which is cool and fragrant as the breeze from the malaya mountain. Enter the bower.....



ವಿತತಬಹುವಲ್ಲಿನವಪಲ್ಲವಘನೇ| 
ಇಹ ವಿಲಸ ಪೀನಕುಚಕುಮ್ಭಜಘನೇ || ೫||   (ಪ್ರವಿಶ …)

O Radha of heavy breasts and broad hips! sport with Hari in the bower of thick  creepers and tender leaves. Enter the bower.....


ಮಧುಮುದಿತಮಧುಪಕುಲಕಲಿತರಾವೇ| 
ಇಹ ವಿಲಸ ಮದನಶರರಭಸಭಾವೇ || ೬||  (ಪ್ರವಿಶ …)
O Radha urged on by the arrows of Cupid! Sport with Hari in the bower where bees intoxicated by the flower honey are humming. Enter the bower.....   


ಮಧುರತರಪಿಕನಿಕರನಿನದಮುಖರೇ| 
ಇಹ ವಿಲಸ ದಶನರುಚಿ ರುಚಿರಶಿಖರೇ || ೭|| (ಪ್ರವಿಶ …)
O Radha of radiant white teeth and beautiful tresses!  Sport with Hari in the bower which is full of the sound of cuckoos cooing. Enter the bower.....  

ವಿಹಿತಪದ್ಮಾವತೀಸುಖಸಮಾಜೇ| 
ಕುರು ಮುರಾರೇ ಮಙ್ಗಲಶತಾನಿ| 
ಭಣಿತಜಯದೇವಕವಿರಾಜರಾಜೇ || ೮||  (ಪ್ರವಿಶ …)

O Murari! Bestow hundreds of auspicious things on the king of poets Jayadeva who creates all comforts for Padmavati. Enter the bower.....  


ತ್ವಾಂ ಚಿತ್ತೇನ ಚಿರಂ ವಹನ್ನಯಮತಿಶ್ರಾನ್ತೋ ಭೃಶಂ ತಾಪಿತಃ
ಕನ್ದರ್ಪೇಣ ಚ ಪಾತುಮಿಚ್ಛತಿ ಸುಧಾಸಮ್ಬಾಧಬಿಮ್ಬಾಧರಮ್| 
ಅಸ್ಯಾಙ್ಕಂ ತದಲಙ್ಕುರು ಕ್ಷಣಮಿಹ ಭ್ರೂಕ್ಷೇಪಲಕ್ಷ್ಮ್ಯಾಸ್ತವ
ಕ್ರೀತೇ ದಾಸ ಇವೋಪಸೇವಿತಪದಾಮ್ಭೋಜೇ ಕುತಃ ಸಂಭ್ರಮಃ || ೬|| 

O Radha ! Krishna has been carrying you in his heart for long and he is very much tired and tormented by Cupid. He wants to drink the nectar of your lips which are red as the bimba fruit. Adorn his lap for a few seconds; don’t be agitated; he has been bought over by the beauty of your arched eyebrows and is bowing down at your lotus feet.  


             
ಗಿತಗೋವಿನ್ದಮ್ – ಅಷ್ಟಪದೀ-೨೨
ಸಾ ಸಸಾಧ್ವಸಸಾನನ್ದಂ ಗೋವಿನ್ದೇ ಲೋಲಲೋಚನಾ| 
ಶಿಞ್ಜಾನಮಞ್ಜುಮಞ್ಜೀರಂ ಪ್ರವಿವೇಶ ನಿವೇಶನಮ್ || ೭|| 

With fear and joy she glanced at Govinda with wavering eyes and entered the bower-house with her pretty anklets tinkling.

ಅಷ್ಟಪದೀ-೨೨

ರಾಧಾವದನವಿಲೋಕನವಿಕಸಿತವಿವಿಧವಿಕಾರವಿಭಙ್ಗಮ್| 
ಜಲನಿಧಿಮಿವ ವಿಧುಮಣ್ಡಲದರ್ಶನತರಲಿತತುಙ್ಗತರಙ್ಗಮ್|| ೧|| 
ಹರಿಮೇಕರಸಂ ಚಿರಮಭಿಲಷಿತವಿಲಾಸಮ್| 
ಸಾ ದದರ್ಶ ಗುರುಹರ್ಷವಶಂವದವದನಮನಂಗವಿಕಾಸಮ್|| 

Radha saw Hari who, like the ocean with its tumultuous billows on a full moon day, was filled with different moods and emotions on seeing her. She saw Hari, who had long been desiring her with one emotion, his face in the grip of joy as well as of Cupid.

ಹಾರಮಮಲತರತಾರಮುರಸಿತತಂ ಪರಿಲಮ್ಬ್ಯ ವಿದೂರಂ| 
ಸ್ಫುಟತರಫೇನಕದಮ್ಬಕರಮ್ಬಿತಮಿವ ಯುಮುನಾಜಲಪೂರಮ್|| ೨||  (ಹರಿಮೇಕರಸಂ…)

The pure white chain of pearls on Hari’s chest was long and far-reaching like the foams on the dark waters of the Yamuna.  She saw Hari ….

ಶ್ಯಾಮಲಮೃದುಲಕಲೇವರಮಣ್ಡಲಮಧಿಗತಗೌರದುಕೂಲಮ್| 
ನೀಲನಲಿನಮಿವ ಪೀತಪರಾಗಪಟಲಭರ ವಲಯಿತ ಮೂಲಮ್ || ೩|| (ಹರಿಮೇಕರಸಂ…)

The bright yellow silks on his dark and soft body resembled the blue lotus flower surrounded by the yellow-coloured particles of pollen .  She saw Hari ..

ತರಲದೃಗಞ್ಚಲಚಲನಮನೋಹರಮದನಜನಿತರತಿರಾಗಮ್| 
ಸ್ಫುಟಕಮಲೋದರಖೇಲಿತಖಞ್ಜನಯುಗಮಿವ ಶರದಿ ತಡಾಗಮ್|| ೪||  (ಹರಿಮೇಕರಸಂ…)

The liquid roving eyes were red with passionate love as if they were a pair of khanjana birds on a lotus flower blooming in the midst of a lake in Autumn.   She saw Hari…

ವದನಕಮಲಪರಿಶೀಲನಮಿಲಿತಮಿಹಿರಸಮಕುಣ್ಡಲಶೋಭಮ್ | 
ಸ್ಮಿತರುಚಿರುಚಿರಸಮುಲ್ಲಸಿತಾಧರಪಲ್ಲವಕೃತರತಿಲೋಭಮ್ || ೫||  (ಹರಿಮೇಕರಸಂ…)

The two ear-globes shining like the sun looked as if they were together examining the lotus-face of Hari.  His lips red like tender leaves were lighted up by a beautiful smile creating desire for love sport in women. She saw Hari …

ಶಶಿಕಿರಣಚ್ಛುರಿತೋದರಜಲಧರಸುನ್ದರಕುಸುಮಸುಕೇಶಮ್| 
ತಿಮಿರೋದಿತವಿಧುಮಣ್ಡಲನಿರ್ಮಲಮಲಯಜತಿಲಕನಿವೇಶಮ್ || ೬|| (ಹರಿಮೇಕರಸಂ…)

His hair adorned with flowers resembled like dark clouds penetrated by the rays of the sun.  The mark on his brow by sandal paste resembled the orb of the moon rising out of darkness.  She saw Hari …

ವಿಪುಲಪುಲಕಭರದನ್ತುರಿತಂ ರತಿಕೇಲಿಕಲಾಭಿರಧೀರಮ್| 
ಮಣಿಗಣಕಿರಣಸಮೂಹಸಮುಜ್ಜ್ವಲಭೂಷಣಸುಭಗ ಶರೀರಮ್|| ೭||  (ಹರಿಮೇಕರಸಂ…)

Hari’s body was bristling, he was excited about love sport and his body was handsome with the radiance of the gem stones in his ornaments.  She saw Hari…. 

ಶ್ರೀಜಯದೇವಭಣಿತವಿಭವೇ ದ್ವಿಗುಣೀಕೃತಭೂಷಣಭಾರಮ್| 
ಪ್ರಣಮತ ಹೃದಿ ವಿನಿಧಾಯ ಹರಿಂ ಸುಚಿರಸುಕೃತೋದಯಸಾರಮ್ || ೮|| (ಹರಿಮೇಕರಸಂ…)

Hari is adorned with twice as many ornaments as have been described by Jayadeva. Instal in your heart Hari who is the essence of meritorious deeds done by you 


ಅತಿಕ್ರಮ್ಯಾಪಾಂಗಂ ಶ್ರವಣಪಥಪರ್ಯನ್ತಗಮನ-
ಪ್ರಯಾಸೇನೈವಾಕ್ಷ್ಣೋಸ್ತರಲತರತಾರಂ ಗಮಿತಯೋಃ| 
ಇದಾನೀಂ ರಾಧಾಯಾಃ ಪ್ರಿಯತಮಸಮಾಲೋಕಸಮಯೇ
ಪಪಾತ ಸ್ವೇದಾಂಬುಪ್ರಸರ ಇವ ಹರ್ಷಾಶ್ರುನಿಕರಃ || ೮|| 

Now,  when Radha was looking at her dearest lover, her eyes shed profuse tears of joy as if it was the profusion of sweat produced in their (eyes’) effort to reach upto the ears transgressing their corners.

ಭಜನ್ತ್ಯಾಸ್ತಲ್ಪಾನ್ತಂ ಕೃತಕಪಟಕಣ್ಡೂತಿಪಿಹಿತ-
ಸ್ಮಿತೇ ಯಾತೇ ಗೇಹಾದ್ಬಹಿರವಹಿತಾಲೀಪರಿಜನೇ| 
ಪ್ರಿಯಾಸ್ಯಂ ಪಶ್ಯನ್ತ್ಯಾಃ ಸ್ಮರಶರವಶಾಕೂತಸುಭಗಂ
ಸಲಜ್ಜಾಯಾಃ ಲಜ್ಜಾ ವ್ಯಗಮದಿವ ದೂರಂ ಮೃಗದೃಶಃ|| ೯|| 

Radha was sitting at the edge of the bed and was concealing her smile in the guise of scratching her ear or some other part of her body.  When her friends left the bower she looked at the face of her lover who was under the control of the arrows of Cupid. Then it was as if doe-eyed Radha’s shyness itself fled ashamed.    

ಜಯಶ್ರೀವಿನ್ಯಸ್ತೈರ್ಮಹಿತ ಇವ ಮನ್ದಾರಕುಸುಮೈಃ
ಸ್ವಯಂ ಸಿನ್ದೂರೇಣ ದ್ವಿಪರಣಮುದಾ ಮುದ್ರಿತ ಇವ| 
ಭುಜಾಪೀಡಕ್ರೀಡಾಹತಕುವಲಯಾಪೀಡಕರಿಣಃ
ಪ್ರಕೀರ್ಣಾಸೃಗ್ಬಿನ್ದುರ್ಜಯತಿ ಭುಜದಣ್ಡೋ ಮುರಜಿತಃ || ೧೦|| 

Victory to the arms of the slayer of Mura whose arms were dotted with the blood of the elephant, Kuvalayapeeda, which was playfully killed by Krishna with his strong arms which were adorned with mandara flowers by Lakshmi to mark this victory and which Krishna himself adorned with saffron to celebrate the joyous occasion.


ಇತಿ ಶ್ರೀಗೀತಗೋವಿನ್ದೇ ಶೃಙ್ಗಾರಮಹಾಕಾವ್ಯೇ ರಾಧಾವರ್ಣನೇ
ಸಾನನ್ದಗಿವಿನ್ದೋ ನಾಮ ಏಕಾದಶ: ಸರ್ಗಃ

ಗೀತಗೋವಿನ್ದಮ್,ದಶಮಃ ಸರ್ಗಃ

GITA GOVINDAM (ಗೀತಗೋವಿನ್ದಮ್)
Gita Govindam, lyrical poetry in Sanskrit celebrating the love between Krishna and the gopis,  specifically Radha, is authored by Jayadeva, the ೧೨th century devotee-poet from Orissa.  The basis for this work is the ೫ chapters ೨೯ to ೩೩ of Srimadbhagavatam  (known as Rasapanchadhyaayi) which describe the events  leading to the  rasaleela, the great dance on the banks of the Yamuna where each gopi thinks that Krishna is with her.  Srimadbhagavatam, however, does not specifically talk about a gopi named Radha though Radha is described as the very heart of Krishna in some of the other Puranas.   

The  above theme has been developed in Gita Govindam to such an extent that it  is known as ‘Sringara Mahakavya’ wherein  the predominant sentiment is sringara (erotic sentiment) in all its various moods in relation to the divine love between Radha and Krishna. The ecstasy of union,  the agony of separation, the anxious moments of wait for the loved one are all treated with sensitivity and poetic excellence.  The whole work is divided into twelve chapters ( sargas), each chapter containing one or more prabandhas. There are ೨೪ prabandhas each containing couplets grouped into eights called  Ashtapadis, songs with a refrain specific to that  Ashatapadi.  There are in all ೨೪ Ashtapadis in Gita Govindam. Each Chapter may have one or more slokas in  different metres of Sanskrit poetry interspersed with the Ashtapadis.  It is said that the Poet-devotee Jayadeva would sing the Ashtapadis and his wife Padmavati would dance to the music.  There have been many choreographic works  to enact and present the Ashtapadis  as  a dance drama. 
Given below is the text of   the Tenth Chapter (ದಶಮಃ ಸರ್ಗಃ) with a prosaic translation in English for those who cannot follow the Sanskrit of the original. The translation in no way can do justice to the poetic excellence or the beauty of expression of the original.
CHAPTER-೧೦
Prabandha-೧೯

ಅತ್ರಾನ್ತರೇ ಮಸೃಣರೋಷವಶಾದಸೀಮ-
ನಿಃಶ್ವಾಸನಿಃಸಹಮುಖೀಂ ಸಮುಪತ್ಯೇ ರಾಧಾಮ್| 
ಸವ್ರೀಡಮೀಕ್ಷಿತಸಖೀವದನಾಂ ದಿನಾನ್ತೇ
ಸಾನನ್ದಗದ್ಗದಮಿದಂ ಹರಿರಿತ್ಯುವಾಚ
By this time it was sunset and Radha was still in an angry mood, her breathing was fast and her face had a tired look.  Seeing Krishna, she looked at her friend with a tinge of shyness on her face.  Krishna, whose happiness knew no bounds on seeing Radha, spoke to her thus, his voice choking with emotion.  

ಅಷ್ಟಪದೀ-೧೯
ವದಸಿ ಯದಿ ಕಿಞ್ಚಿದಪಿ ದನ್ತರುಚಿಕೌಮುದೀ
ಹರತಿ ದರತಿಮಿರಮತಿಘೋರಮ್
ಸ್ಫುರದಧರಸೀಧವೇ ತವ ವದನಚನ್ದ್ರಮಾ
ರೋಚಯತಿ ಲೋಚನಚಕೋರಮ್  
ಪ್ರಿಯೇ ಚಾರುಶೀಲೇ ಪ್ರಿಯೇ ಚಾರುಶೀಲೇ
ಮುಞ್ಚ ಮಯಿ ಮಾನಮನಿದಾನಮ್ | 
ಸಪದಿ ಮದನಾನಲೋ ದಹತಿ ಮಮ ಮಾನಸಂ
ದೇಹಿ ಮುಖಕಮಲಮಧುಪಾನಮ್ || ೧|| 

O Radha! even if you talk only a little the moonlight-like radiance of your teeth dispels the terrible darkness of my grief. Your moon-like face is prompting my chakora-eyes to drink the nectar from your lips.
My love, your conduct is indeed charming. Give up this aloofness from me. You have no cause to be cross with me. The fire of passion is burning my heart;  allow me to drink the nectar from your lotus-face.   


ಸತ್ಯಮೇವಾಸಿ ಯದಿ ಸುದತಿ! ಮಯಿ ಕೋಪಿನೀ
ದೇಹಿ ಖರನಖರಶರಘಾತಮ್| 
ಘಟಯ ಭುಜಬನ್ಧನಂ ಜನಯ ರದಖಣ್ಡನಂ
ಯೇನ ವಾ ಭವತಿ ಸುಖಜಾತಮ್ || ೨||  (ಪ್ರಿಯೇ ಚಾರುಶೀಲೇ ….)

O Radha with beautiful teeth! If you are really angry with me, claw at my body with your sharp nails, bind me with your arms or inflict injury with your teeth-all of which will be a source of pleasure for me.  My love, etc…..


ತ್ವಮಸಿ ಮಮ ಭೂಷಣಂ ತ್ವಮಸಿ ಮಮ ಜೀವನಂ
ತ್ವಮಸಿ ಮಮ ಭವಜಲಧಿರತ್ನಮ್| 
ಭವತು ಭವತೀಹ ಮಯಿ ಸತತಮನುರೋಧಿನೀ
ತತ್ರ ಮಮ ಹೃದಯಮತಿಯತ್ನಮ್|| ೩||  (ಪ್ರಿಯೇ ಚಾರುಶೀಲೇ ….)

You are my ornament, you are my life, you are the gem of my ocean of samsara . My heart always endeavours to see that you are always in  my favour.  My love, etc…

ನೀಲನಲಿನಾಭಮಪಿ ತನ್ವಿ! ತವ ಲೋಚನಂ
ಧಾರಯತಿ ಕೋಕನದರೂಪಮ್| 
ಕುಸುಮಶರಬಾಣಭಾವೇನ ಯದಿ ರಞ್ಜಯಸಿ
ಕೃಷ್ಣಮಿದಮೇತದನುರೂಪಮ್ || ೪||  (ಪ್ರಿಯೇ ಚಾರುಶೀಲೇ ….)

Though your eyes are like the blue lotus they are also red like the red lotus because of your being angry.  If you use them on me as the arrows of Cupid, it would be most appropriate.  My love, etc..
                                                    

ಸ್ಫುರತು ಕುಚಕುಮ್ಭಯೋರುಪರಿಮಣಿಮಞ್ಜರೀ
ರಞ್ಜಯತು ತವ ಹೃದಯದೇಶಮ್ | 
ರಸತು ರಶನಾಪಿ ತವ ಘನಜಘನಮಣ್ಡಲೇ
ಘೋಷಯತು ಮನ್ಮಥನಿದೇಶಮ್ || ೫||  (ಪ್ರಿಯೇ ಚಾರುಶೀಲೇ ….)

Let the necklace of gems shining on your breasts gladden the region of your heart and the tinkling sound of the girdle around your hips announce the command of Cupid. My love, etc

ಸ್ಥಲಕಮಲಗಞ್ಜನಂ ಮಮ ಹೃದಯರಞ್ಜನಂ
ಜನಿತರತಿರಙ್ಗಪರಭಾಗಮ್| 
ಭಣ ಮಸೃಣವಾಣಿ ಕರವಾಣಿ ಚರಣದ್ವಯಂ
ಸರಸಲಸದಲಕ್ತಕರಾಗಮ್ || ೬||  (ಪ್ರಿಯೇ ಚಾರುಶೀಲೇ ….)

Tell me O Radha of soft voice! May I adorn, with shining red lac paint, your feet which excel the hibiscus and delights my heart.... etc. My love, etc.......   

ಸ್ಮರಗರಲಖಣ್ಡನಂ ಮಮ ಶಿರಸಿ ಮಣ್ಡನಂ
ದೇಹಿಪದಪಲ್ಲವಮುದಾರಮ್| 
ಜ್ವಲತಿ ಮಯಿ ದಾರುಣೋ ಮದನಕದನಾನಲೋ
ಹರತು ತದುಪಹಿತವಿಕಾರಮ್ || ೭||  (ಪ್ರಿಯೇ ಚಾರುಶೀಲೇ  ….)

Place your feet, tender and smooth as leaf buds, on my head so that it will adorn my  head and counteract the poison of Cupid. It will quench the fire of passion which is burning the inside of me.  My love, etc.... 

ಇತಿ ಚಟುಲಚಾಟುಪಟುಚಾರುಮುರವೈರಿಣೋ
ರಾಧಿಕಾಮಧಿವಚನಜಾತಮ್| 
ಜಯತಿ ಪದ್ಮಾವತೀರಮಣಜಯದೇವಕವಿ-
ಭಾರತೀಭಣಿತಮಿತಿ ಗೀತಮ್ || ೮||  (ಪ್ರಿಯೇ ಚಾರುಶೀಲೇ ….)

Thus has the poet Jayadeva, consort of Padmavati, sung about the sweet, charming and pleasing words of Krishna addressed to Radha.  My love etc


ಪರಿಹರ ಕೃತಾತಙ್ಕೇ ಶಙ್ಕಾಂ ತ್ವಯಾ ಸತತಂ ಘನ-
ಸ್ತನಜಘನಯಾಕ್ರಾನ್ತೇ ಸ್ವಾನ್ತೇ ಪರಾನವಕಾಶಿನಿ| 
ವಿಶತಿ ವಿತನೋರನ್ಯೋ ಧನ್ಯೋ ನ ಕೋಽಪಿ ಮಮಾನ್ತರಂ
ಸ್ತನಭರಪರೀರಮ್ಭಾರಂಭೇ ವಿಧೇಹಿ ವಿಧೇಯತಾಮ್ || ೧|| 

O Radha! Do not have any doubt that I am dallying with another young woman. My heart is fully occupied by you with your heavy breasts and hips and there is no room there for someone else.  Allow me therefore to embrace you with your breasts pressed against me.  

ಮುಗ್ಧೇ! ವಿಧೇಹಿ ಮಯಿ ನಿರ್ದಯದನ್ತದಂಶಂ
ದೋರ್ವಲ್ಲಿಬನ್ಧನಿಬಿಡಸ್ತನಪೀಡನಾನಿ| 
ಚಣ್ಡಿ! ತ್ವಮೇವ ಮುದಮಞ್ಚಯ ಪಞ್ಚಬಾಣ-
ಚಣ್ಡಾಲಕಾಣ್ಡದಲನಾದಸವಃ ಪ್ರಯಾನ್ತಿ || ೨|| 

O Beautiful One! Inflict on me merciless bites of your teeth. Bind me with the creepers of your hands. Inflict on me the pressure of your full breasts. You only can delight me. e. My life is ebbing out pierced by the arrows of Cupid who is a chandala

ಶಶಿಮುಖಿ! ತವ ಭಾತಿ ಭಙ್ಗುರಭ್ರೂ-
ರ್ಯುವಜನಮೋಹಕರಾಲಕಾಲಸರ್ಪೀ| 
ತದುದಿತಭಯಭಞ್ಜನಾಯ ಯೂನಾಂ
ತ್ವದಧರಸೀಧುಸುಧೈವ ಸಿದ್ಧಮನ್ತ್ರಃ || ೩|| 

O moon-faced one! Your arched brows are black serpents which seduce the young.  To counteract the fear from those brows the nectar of your lips is the only mantra.

ವ್ಯಥಯತಿ ವೃಥಾ ಮೌನಂ ತನ್ವಿ! ಪ್ರಪಞ್ಚಯ ಪಞ್ಚಮಂ
ತರುಣಿ! ಮಧುರಾಲಾಪೈಸ್ತಾಪಂ ವಿನೋದಯ ದೃಷ್ಟಿಭಿಃ| 
ಸುಮುಖಿ! ವಿಮುಖೀಭಾವಂ ತಾವದ್ವಿಮುಞ್ಚ ನ ವಞ್ಚಯ
ಸ್ವಯಮತಿಶಯಸ್ನಿಗ್ಧೋ ಮುಗ್ಧೇ! ಪ್ರಿಯೋಽಹಮುಪಸ್ಥಿತಃ|| ೪|| 

O slender one! Your purposeless silence pains me.  Remove the sorrow in my heart by your sweet talk and delight me with your glance. O pretty one! shake off your aloofness. Do not deceive me.  I am extremely loving and I am present here before very eyes.   


ಬನ್ಧೂಕದ್ಯುತಿಬಾನ್ಧವೋಽಯಮಧರಃ ಸ್ನಿಗ್ಧೋ ಮಧೂಕಚ್ಛವಿ-
ರ್ಗಣ್ಡಶ್ಚಣ್ಡಿ! ಚಕಾಸ್ತಿ ನೀಲನಲಿನಶ್ರೀಮೋಚನಂ ಲೋಚನಮ್| 
ನಾಸಾಭ್ಯೇತಿ ತಿಲಪ್ರಸೂನಪದವೀಂ ಕುನ್ದಾಭದನ್ತಿ ಪ್ರಿಯೇ!
ಪ್ರಾಯಸ್ತ್ವನ್ಮುಖಸೇವಯಾ ವಿಜಯತೇ ವಿಶ್ವಂ ಸ ಪುಷ್ಪಾಯುಧಃ || ೫|| 

Darling! your lips are red like the bandhuka flower,  your cheeks are soft as the madhuka flower, your eyes are more beautiful than the blue lotus, the nose resembles sesame flower and teeth are like jasmine buds.  I think that Cupid relies on your face which has the flower-arrows he uses for conquering the world.       

ದೃಶೌ ತವ ಮದಾಲಸೇ ವದನಮಿನ್ದುಮತ್ಯಾನ್ವಿತಂ
ಗತಿರ್ಜನಮನೋರಮಾ ವಿಧುತರಂಭಮೂರುದ್ವಯಮ್ | 
ರತಿಸ್ತವ ಕಲಾವತೀ ರುಚಿರಚಿತ್ರಲೇಖೇ ಭ್ರುವಾ-
ವಹೋ ವಿಬುಧಯೌವನಂ ವಹಸಿ ತನ್ವಿ! ಪೃಥ್ವೀಗತಾ || ೬|| 

Your eyes are lazy with exhilaration, your face is like the moon, your gait is captivating, your thighs are like stems of banana trees, your loving is a fine art, your eyebrows are pretty and picture-perfect.  Being of the Earth, you carry the youth of the celestials.


ಪ್ರೀತಿಂ ವಸ್ತನುತಾಂ ಹರಿಃ ಕುವಲಯಾಪೀಡೇನ ಸಾರ್ಧಂ ರಣೇ
ರಾಧಾಪೀನಪಯೋಧರಸ್ಮರಣಕೃತ್ಕುಮ್ಭೇನ ಸಮ್ಭೇದವಾನ್| 
ಯತ್ರ ಸ್ವಿದ್ಯತಿ ಮೀಲತಿ ಕ್ಷಣಮಥ ಕ್ಷಿಪ್ತೇ ದ್ವಿಪೇ ತತ್ಕ್ಷಣಾತ್
ಕಂಸಸ್ಯಾಲಮಭೂಜ್ಜಿತಂ ಜಿತಂ ಜಿತಮಿತಿ ವ್ಯಾಮೋಹಕೋಲಾಹಲಃ || ೭|| 

While fighting with the kuvalayapida, Krishna remembered the ample bosom of Radha and here was the bulging forehead of the elephant.  Confused, Krishna closed his eyes for a moment and then killed the elephant which fell dead.  Immediately pandemonium broke out with the people shouting in confusion  “Kamsa has been vanquished, Kamsa has been vanquished”.   May that Krishna give you happiness. 

ಇತಿ ಶ್ರೀಗೀತಗೋವಿನ್ದೇ ಶೃಙ್ಗಾರಮಹಾಕಾವ್ಯೇ ರಾಧಾವರ್ಣನೇ
ಮುಗ್ಧಮಾಧವೋ ನಾಮ ದಶಮಃ ಸರ್ಗಃ

ಗೀತಗೋವಿನ್ದಮ್, ನವಮಃ ಸರ್ಗಃ

GITA GOVINDAM (ಗೀತಗೋವಿನ್ದಮ್)
Gita Govindam, lyrical poetry in Sanskrit celebrating the love between Krishna and the gopis,  specifically Radha, is authored by Jayadeva, the ೧೨th century devotee-poet from Orissa.  The basis for this work is the ೫ chapters ೨೯ to ೩೩ of Srimadbhagavatam  (known as Rasapanchadhyaayi) which describe the events  leading to the  rasaleela, the great dance on the banks of the Yamuna where each gopi thinks that Krishna is with her.  Srimadbhagavatam, however, does not specifically talk about a gopi named Radha though Radha is described as the very heart of Krishna in some of the other Puranas.   

The  above theme has been developed in Gita Govindam to such an extent that it  is known as ‘Sringara Mahakavya’ wherein  the predominant sentiment is sringara (erotic sentiment) in all its various moods in relation to the divine love between Radha and Krishna. The ecstasy of union,  the agony of separation, the anxious moments of wait for the loved one are all treated with sensitivity and poetic excellence.  The whole work is divided into twelve chapters ( sargas), each chapter containing one or more prabandhas. There are ೨೪ prabandhas each containing couplets grouped into eights called  Ashtapadis, songs with a refrain specific to that  Ashatapadi.  There are in all ೨೪ Ashtapadis in Gita Govindam. Each Chapter may have one or more slokas in  different metres of Sanskrit poetry interspersed with the Ashtapadis.  It is said that the Poet-devotee Jayadeva would sing the Ashtapadis and his wife Padmavati would dance to the music.  There have been many choreographic works  to enact and present the Ashtapadis  as  a dance drama. 
Given below is the text of   the Ninth Chapter (ನವಮಃ ಸರ್ಗಃ) with a prosaic translation in English for those who cannot follow the Sanskrit of the original. The translation in no way can do justice to the poetic excellence or the beauty of expression of the original.
CHAPTER-೯
Prabandha-೧೮

ಅಥ ತಾಂ ಮನ್ಮಥಖಿನ್ನಾಂ ರತಿರಸಭಿನ್ನಾಂ ವಿಷಾದಸಮ್ಪನ್ನಾಮ್| 
ಅನುಚಿನ್ತಿತಹರಿಚರಿತಾಂ ಕಲಹಾನ್ತರಿತಾಮುವಾಚ ರಹಃಸಖೀ || ೧|| 

Now the friend spoke to Radha who was pining in separation, was deprived of love, full of grief, thinking of the conduct of Hari and regretting her spurning of him.

ಅಷ್ಟಪದೀ-೧೮
ಹರಿರಭಿಸರತಿ ವಹತಿ ಮಧುಪವನೇ| 
ಕಿಮಪರಮಧಿಕಸುಖಂ ಸಖಿ ಭವನೇ
ಮಾಧವೇ ಮಾ ಕುರು ಮಾನಿನಿ ಮಾನಮಯೇ || ೧|| 

While the spring breeze blows Hari is waiting for you at the rendezvou. What is more joyful than this. O friend! It is OK, your self-respect, but do not be vain where Madhava is concerned.  

ತಾಲಫಲಾದಪಿ ಗುರುಮತಿಸರಸಮ್| 
ಕಿಂ ವಿಫಲೀಕುರುಷೇ ಕುಚಕಲಶಮ್ || ೨||  (ಮಾಧವೇ ಮಾ ಕುರು ….)

Why would you waste those pot-shaped breasts of yours, heavier and juicy than the fruit of the palmyra tree?  O friend! ….  


ಕತಿ ನ ಕಥಿತಮಿದಮನುಪದಮಚಿರಮ್| 
ಮಾ ಪರಿಹರ ಹರಿಮತಿಶಯರುಚಿರಮ್ || ೩||  (ಮಾಧವೇ ಮಾ ಕುರು ….)

How many times I have told you this ‘do not avoid Hari who is extremely handsome and captivating’. O Friend! …..

ಕಿಮಿತಿ ವಿಷೀದಸಿ ರೋದಿಷಿ ವಿಕಲಾ| 
ವಿಹಸತಿ ಯುವತಿಸಭಾ ತವ ಸಕಲಾ || ೪||  (ಮಾಧವೇ ಮಾ ಕುರು ….)

Why are you grieving, crying and out of sorts?  The whole assembly of young girls is laughing at you . O Friend!.....

ಮೃದುನಲಿನೀದಲಶೀತಲಶಯನೇ| 
ಹರಿಮವಲೋಕಯ ಸಫಲಯ ನಯನೇ || ೫||  (ಮಾಧವೇ ಮಾ ಕುರು ….)

See Hari on the soft and cool bed made of lotus petals and make your eyes fulfilled. O Friend!  ….


ಜನಯಸಿ ಮನಸಿ ಕಿಮಿತಿ ಗುರುಖೇದಮ್| 
ಶೃಣು ಮಮ ವಚನಮನೀಹಿತಭೇದಮ್ || ೬||  (ಮಾಧವೇ ಮಾ ಕುರು ….)

Why does your heart grieve so much? Listen to my words which are only for your good. O Friend!

ಹರಿರುಪಯಾತು ವದತು ಬಹು ಮಧುರಮ್| 
ಕಿಮಿತಿ ಕರೋಷಿ ಹೃದಯಮತಿವಿಧುರಮ್|| ೭|| (ಮಾಧವೇ ಮಾ ಕುರು ….)

Let Krishna come and speak to you sweet words. Why do you make your heart so sad?. O Friend!.

ಶ್ರೀಜಯದೇವಭಣಿತಮತಿಲಲಿತಮ್| 
ಸುಖಯತು ರಸಿಕಜನಂ ಹರಿಚರಿತಮ್|| ೮||  (ಮಾಧವೇ ಮಾ ಕುರು ….)

May this sweet and beautiful song on the leela of Hari delight the hearts of lovers of poetry and song.   

ಸ್ನಿಗ್ಧೇ ಯತ್ಪರುಷಾಸಿ ಯತ್ಪ್ರಣಮತಿ ಸ್ತಬ್ಧಾಸಿ ಯದ್ರಾಗಿಣಿ
ದ್ವೇಷಸ್ಥಾಸಿ ಯದುನ್ಮುಖೇ ವಿಮುಖತಾಂ ಯಾತಾಸಿ ತಸ್ಮಿನ್ಪ್ರಿಯೇ| 
ತದ್ಯುಕ್ತಂ ವಿಪರೀತಕಾರಿಣಿ ತವ ಶ್ರೀಖಣ್ಡಚರ್ಚಾವಿಷಂ
ಶೀತಾಂಶುಸ್ತಪನೋ ಹಿಮಂ ಹುತವಹಃ ಕ್ರೀಡಾಮುದೋ ಯಾತನಾಃ || ೧|| 

The friend says to Radha:

When Krishna, your darling, is soft you are harsh; when he bows you are stiff; when he loves you hate; when he is face-to-face you turn way. It is antithesis all along;  therefore it is but proper that you should see sandal paste as poison, moon as sun, ice as fire and pleasures of sporting as torture.

ಅನ್ತರ್ಮೋಹನಮೌಲಿಘೂರ್ಣನಚಲನ್ಮನ್ದಾರವಿಸ್ರಂಸನ-
ಸ್ತಬ್ಧಾಕರ್ಷಣದೃಷ್ಟಿಹರ್ಷಣಮಹಾಮನ್ತ್ರಃ ಕುರಙ್ಗೀದೃಶಾಮ್| 
ದೃಪ್ಯದ್ದಾನವದೂಯಮಾನದಿವಿಷದ್ದುರ್ವಾರದುಃಖಾಪದಾಂ
ಭ್ರಂಶಃ ಕಂಸರಿಪೋರ್ಸಮರ್ಪಯತು ವಃ ಶ್ರೇಯಾಂಸಿ ವಂಶೀರವಃ || ೨|| 


When Krishna, enemy of Kamsa,  plays the flute,  the mandara flowers adorning his head are  loosened. The melody of the music attracts even inanimate objects. It delights those  who see him.  It is like a powerful mantra for the doe-eyed gopis. It is the end of those arrogant asuras who cause untold suffering and difficulties for the devas.  May those melodies from the flute of Krishna bring you all things auspicious.


ಇತಿ ಶ್ರೀಗೀತಗೋವಿನ್ದೇ ಶೃಙ್ಗಾರಮಹಾಕಾವ್ಯೇ ಖಣ್ಡಿತಾವರ್ಣನೇ
ಮುಗ್ಧಮುಕುನ್ದೋ ನಾಮ ನವಮಃ ಸರ್ಗಃ

ಗೀತಗೋವಿನ್ದಮ್, ಅಷ್ಟಮಃ ಸರ್ಗಃ

GITA GOVINDAM (ಗೀತಗೋವಿನ್ದಮ್)
Gita Govindam, lyrical poetry in Sanskrit celebrating the love between Krishna and the gopis,  specifically Radha, is authored by Jayadeva, the ೧೨th century devotee-poet from Orissa.  The basis for this work is the ೫ chapters ೨೯ to ೩೩ of Srimadbhagavatam  (known as Rasapanchadhyaayi) which describe the events  leading to the  rasaleela, the great dance on the banks of the Yamuna where each gopi thinks that Krishna is with her.  Srimadbhagavatam, however, does not specifically talk about a gopi named Radha though Radha is described as the very heart of Krishna in some of the other Puranas.   

The  above theme has been developed in Gita Govindam to such an extent that it  is known as ‘Sringara Mahakavya’ wherein  the predominant sentiment is sringara (erotic sentiment) in all its various moods in relation to the divine love between Radha and Krishna. The ecstasy of union,  the agony of separation, the anxious moments of wait for the loved one are all treated with sensitiviy and poetic excellence.  The whole work is divided into twelve chapters ( sargas), each chapter containing one or more prabandhas. There are ೨೪ prabandhas each containing couplets grouped into eights called  Ashtapadis, songs with a refrain specific to that  Ashatapadi.  There are in all ೨೪ Ashtapadis in Gita Govindam. Each Chapter may have one or more slokas in  different metres of Sanskrit poetry interspersed with the Ashtapadis.  It is said that the Poet-devotee Jayadeva would sing the Ashtapadis and his wife Padmavati would dance to the music.  There have been many choreographic works  to enact and present the Ashtapadis  as  a dance drama. 
Given below is the text of   the Eigth Chapter (ಅಷ್ಟಮಃ ಸರ್ಗಃ) with a prosaic translation in English for those who cannot follow the Sanskrit of the original. The translation in no way can do justice to the poetic excellence or the beauty of expression of the original.
CHAPTER-೮
Prabandha-೧೭
ಅಥ ಕಥಮಪಿ ಯಾಮಿನೀಂ ವಿನೀಯ
ಸ್ಮರಶರಜರ್ಜರಿತಾಪಿ ಸಾ ಪ್ರಭಾತೇ| 
ಅನುನಯವಚನಂ ವದನ್ತಮಗ್ರೇ
ಪ್ರಣತಮಪಿ ಪ್ರಿಯಮಾಹ ಸಾಭ್ಯಸೂಯಮ್ || ೧|| 

Radha somehow passed the night and in the morning,  though tormented by the arrows of Cupid, spoke thus to Krishna, who was bowing down and trying to pacify her, jealousy in her voice.

ಅಷ್ಟಪದೀ-೧೭
ರಜನಿಜನಿತಗುರುಜಾಗರರಾಗಕಷಾಯಿತಮಲಸನಿಮೇಷಮ್
ವಹತಿನಯನಮನುರಾಗಮಿವಸ್ಫುಟಮುದಿತರಸಾಭಿನಿವೇಶಮ್| 
ಹರಿ ಹರಿ ಯಾಹಿ ಮಾಧವ ಯಾಹಿ ಕೇಶವ ಮಾ ಕುರು ಕೈತವವಾದಮ್| 
ತಾಮನುಸರ ಸರಸೀರುಹಲೋಚನ ಯಾ ತವ ಹರತಿ ವಿಷಾದಮ್ || ೧|| 

Krishna’s eyes are red because of the sleepless night and his eye-lids are idle. There is the mark of passionate love in his eyes. Radha says with jealousy in her voice: “ O Madhava!, O Keshava! please go; don’t tell me deceitful words.  O lotus-eyed one! follow her who will remove your grief.”

ಕಜ್ಜಲಮಲಿನವಿಲೋಚನಚುಮ್ಬನವಿರಚಿತನೀಲಿಮರೂಪಮ್| 
ದಶನವಸನಮರುಣಂ ತವ ಕೃಷ್ಣ ತನೋತಿ ತನೋರನುರೂಪಮ್ || ೨||  (ಹರಿ ಹರಿ....)
O Krishna! Your lips have become dark by repeatedly planting kisses on eyes adorned with black kajal. Thus the colour of your lips have become the same as the colour of your body. “O  Madhava” etc.

ವಪುರನುಸರತಿ ತವ ಸ್ಮರಸಙ್ಗರಖರನಖರಕ್ಷತರೇಖಮ್| 
ಮರಕತಶಕಲಕಲಿತಕಲಧೌತಲಿಪೇರಿವ ರತಿಜಯಲೇಖಮ್ || ೩||  (ಹರಿ ಹರಿ....)

O Krishna!  Your body bears marks of nails inflicted by your partner during the fight of Love. Those marks on your body resemble the record of her victory in this fight written on emerald bits in white characters. “O Madhava” etc.

ಚರಣಕಮಲಗಲದಲಕ್ತಕಸಿಕ್ತಮಿದಂ ತವ ಹೃದಯಮುದಾರಮ್| 
ದರ್ಶಯತೀವ ಬಹಿರ್ಮದನದ್ರುಮನವಕಿಸಲಯಪರಿವಾರಮ್ || ೪|| (ಹರಿ ಹರಿ....)
O Krishna! The lac paint on the lotus feet of your partner has spilled on your chest resembling tender leaf buds sprouting from the tree of Love . “O Madhava” etc.


ದಶನಪದಂ ಭವದಧರಗತಂ ಮಮ ಜನಯತಿ ಚೇತಸಿ ಖೇದಮ್ | 
ಕಥಯತಿ ಕಥಮಧುನಾಪಿ ಮಯಾ ಸಹ ತವ ವಪುರೇತದಭೇದಮ್ || ೫||  (ಹರಿ ಹರಿ....)

O Krishna! I am sorry to see the mark of the teeth of your partner on your lips.  It says “How even now this body of yours  is no different from mine”.   “O Madhava” etc.

ಬಹಿರಿವ ಮಲಿನತರಂ ತವ ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಮನೋಽಪಿ ಭವಿಷ್ಯತಿ ನೂನಮ್| 
ಕಥಮಥ ವಞ್ಚಯಸೇ ಜನಮನುಗತಮಸಮಶರಜ್ವರದೂನಮ್ || ೬||  (ಹರಿ ಹರಿ....)‘
O Krisha! Just like your exterior your heart will also be certainly dark. Otherwise how would you deceive one who follows you and is tormented by the arrows of Cupid? “O Madhava” etc.

ಭ್ರಮತಿ ಭವಾನಬಲಾಕಬಲಾಯ ವನೇಷು ಕಿಮತ್ರ ವಿಚಿತ್ರಮ್| 
ಪ್ರಥಯತಿ ಪೂತನಕೈವ ವಧೂವಧನಿರ್ದಯಬಾಲಚರಿತ್ರಮ್ || ೭||  (ಹರಿ ಹರಿ....)
O Krishna! It is no wonder that you wander the forests to hurt women. The story of Putana tells about your cruelty to women even as child. O Madhava” etc. 

ಶ್ರೀಜಯದೇವಭಣಿತರತಿವಞ್ಚಿತಖಣ್ಡಿತಯುವತಿವಿಲಾಪಮ್| 
ಶೃಣುತ ಸುಧಾಮಧುರಂ ವಿಬುಧಾ ವಿಬುಧಾಲಯತೋಽಪಿ ದುರಾಪಮ್ || ೮||  (ಹರಿ ಹರಿ....)
              ----
Thus has Jayadeva chronicled the wailings of the Khandita( one who has been spurned by the lover who courts another young woman)  Let the wise and learned hear this song, sweet as nectar and difficult to get even in heaven “O Madhava” etc.


ತವೇದಂ ಪಶ್ಯನ್ತ್ಯಾಃ ಪ್ರಸರದನುರಾಗಂ ಬಹಿರಿವ
ಪ್ರಿಯಾಪಾದಾಲಕ್ತಕಚ್ಛುರಿತಮರುಣಚ್ಛಾಯಹೃದಯಮ್| 
ಮಮಾದ್ಯ ಪ್ರಖ್ಯಾತಪ್ರಣಯಭರಭಙ್ಗೇನ ಕಿತವ!
ತ್ವದಾಲೋಕಃ ಶೋಕಾದಪಿ ಕಿಮಪಿ ಲಜ್ಜಾಂ ಜನಯತಿ || ೧|| 
Radha says:
I see the red mark on your breast which has been planted their from the lac paint on the feet of your love.  You deceiver, by your spurning of my love, I feel more shame than sorrow when I see you.  
ಪ್ರಾತರ್ನೀಲನಿಚೋಲಮಚ್ಯುತ ಉರಃಸಂವೀತಪೀತಾಂಶುಕಂ
ರಾಧಾಯಾಶ್ಚಕಿತಂ ವಿಲೋಕ್ಯ ಹಸತಿ ಸ್ವೈರಂ ಸಖೀಮಣ್ಡಲೇ| 
ವ್ರೀಡಾಚಞ್ಚಲಮಞ್ಚಲಂ ನಯನಯೋರಾಧಾಯ ರಾಧಾನನೇ
ಸ್ಮೇರಸ್ಮೇರಮುಖೋಽಯಮಸ್ತುಜಗದಾನನ್ದಾಯ ನನ್ದಾತ್ಮಜಃ || ೨|| 

One early morning Radha’s friends are surprised to see Krishna waking up in blue clothes (which belonged to Radha) and Radha  wrapped in yellow silk (which was Krishna’s).  There is uncontrollable laughter among the friends.  Krishna smiles and casts a bashful wavering glance at Radha. May that Krishna, son of Nanda make the world happy. 

ಇತಿ ಶ್ರೀಗೀತಗೋವಿನ್ದೇ ಶೃಙ್ಗಾರಮಹಾಕಾವ್ಯೇ ಖಣ್ಡಿತಾವರ್ಣನೇ
ವಿಲಕ್ಷಣಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀಪತಿರ್ನಾಮ ಅಷ್ಟಮಃ ಸರ್ಗಃ

ಗೀತಗೋವಿನ್ದಮ್, ಸಪ್ತಮಃ ಸರ್ಗಃ

GITA GOVINDAM (ಗೀತಗೋವಿನ್ದಮ್)
Gita Govindam, lyrical poetry in Sanskrit celebrating the love between Krishna and the gopis,  specifically Radha, is authored by Jayadeva, the ೧೨th century devotee-poet from Orissa.  The basis for this work is the ೫ chapters ೨೯ to ೩೩ of Srimadbhagavatam  (known as Rasapanchadhyaayi) which describe the events  leading to the  rasaleela, the great dance on the banks of the Yamuna where each gopi thinks that Krishna is with her.  Srimadbhagavatam, however, does not specifically talk about a gopi named Radha though Radha is described as the very heart of Krishna in some of the other Puranas.   

The  above theme has been developed in Gita Govindam to such an extent that it  is known as ‘Sringara Mahakavya’ wherein  the predominant sentiment is sringara (erotic sentiment) in all its various moods in relation to the divine love between Radha and Krishna. The ecstasy of union,  the agony of separation, the anxious moments of wait for the loved one are all treated with sensitiviy and poetic excellence.  The whole work is divided into twelve chapters ( sargas), each chapter containing one or more prabandhas. There are ೨೪ prabandhas each containing couplets grouped into eights called  Ashtapadis, songs with a refrain specific to that  Ashatapadi.  There are in all ೨೪ Ashtapadis in Gita Govindam. Each Chapter may have one or more slokas in  different metres of Sanskrit poetry interspersed with the Ashtapadis.  It is said that the Poet-devotee Jayadeva would sing the Ashtapadis and his wife Padmavati would dance to the music.  There have been many choreographic works  to enact and present the Ashtapadis  as  a dance drama. 
Given below is the text of   the Seventh Chapter (ಸಪ್ತಮಃ ಸರ್ಗಃ) with a prosaic translation in English for those who cannot follow the Sanskrit of the original. The translation in no way can do justice to the poetic excellence or the beauty of expression of the original.
CHAPTER-೭
Prabandha-೧೩
ಅತ್ರಾನ್ತರೇ ಚ ಕುಲಟಾಕುಲ ವರ್ತ್ಮಘಾತ-
ಸಞ್ಜಾತ ಪಾತಕ ಇವ ಸ್ಫುಟಲಾಞ್ಛನಶ್ರೀಃ| 
ವೃನ್ದಾವನಾನ್ತರಮದೀಪಯದಂಶುಜಾಲೈಃ
ದಿಕ್ಸುನ್ದರೀವದನಚನ್ದನಬಿನ್ದುರಿನ್ದು:|| ೧|| 

By this time all of Vrindavan  was lighted up by the moon whose blemish on the body was as if  by the curse of women of easy virtue (who wanted the cover of darkness). The moon itself resembled the mark of sandal paste on the face of the beautful woman, the Eastern horizon.

ಪ್ರಸರತಿ ಶಶಧರಬಿಮ್ಬೇ ವಿಹಿತವಿಲಮ್ಬೇ ಚ ಮಾಧವೇ ವಿಧುರಾ| 
ವಿರಚಿತವಿವಿಧವಿಲಾಪಂ ಸಾ ಪರಿತಾಪಂ ಚಕಾರೋಚ್ಚೈಃ || ೨|| 
With the moon spreading its light and Madhava delaying his arrival, Radha bewails her fate and laments loudly.

ಅಷ್ಟಪದೀ-೧೩
ಕಥಿತಸಮಯೇಽಪಿ ಹರಿರಹಹ ನ ಯಯೌ ವನಮ್| 
ಮಮ ವಿಫಲಮಿದಮಮಲರೂಪಮಪಿ ಯೌವನಮ್
ಯಾಮಿ ಹೇ ಕಮಿಹ ಶರಣಂ ಸಖೀಜನವಚನವಞ್ಚಿತಾ || ೧|| 
Alas! Hari hasn’t come to the forest at the appointed time. Of what use is my blemishless beauty and my youth.  Who will give me refuge? (or I will take refuge in water meaning I will drown myself). I have been deceived by the words of my friend (sakhi)
[Note: In Sanskrit ಕಂ means  both  ‘who’ and also ‘water’] 

ಯದನುಗಮನಾಯ ನಿಶಿ ಗಹನಮಪಿ ಶೀಲಿತಮ್| 
ತೇನ ಮಮ ಹೃದಯಮಿದಮಸಮಶರಕೀಲಿತಮ್ || ೨||  (ಯಾಮಿ ಹೇ ….)
For following whom I practiced staying in the dense forest during night, because of the same Krishna my heart is being pierced by the arrows of Cupid.  Who will give……. 

ಮಮ ಮರಣಮೇವ ವರಮತಿವಿತಥಕೇತನಾ| 
ಕಿಮಿತಿ ವಿಷಹಾಮಿ ವಿರಹಾನಲಮಚೇತನಾ || ೩||  (ಯಾಮಿ ಹೇ ….)

This body is without a purpose, for me it is better to die.  I am already half-dead;  how can I endure this separation which is burning me like fire?  Who will give ……. 

ಮಾಮಹಹ ವಿಧುರಯತಿ ಮಧುರಮಧುಯಾಮಿನೀ| 
ಕಾಪಿ ಹರಿಮನುಭವತಿ ಕೃತಸುಕೃತಕಾಮಿನೀ || ೪||  (ಯಾಮಿ ಹೇ ….)
Alas! these nights of sweet spring season give me only sorrow. Some other gopi who has earned enough punya  (meritorious deeds)  is enjoying the company of Krishna. Who will give …..

ಅಹಹ ಕಲಯಾಮಿ ವಲಯಾದಿ ಮಣಿಭೂಷಣಮ್| 
ಹರಿವಿರಹದಹನವಹನೇನ ಬಹುದೂಷಣಮ್ || ೫||  (ಯಾಮಿ ಹೇ ….)
Alas! I think that my gem-studded ornaments like bracelets have ceased to be ornaments (instead of bhushanam they have become dushanam) since I am being burnt by the fire of separation (viraha) from Krishna. Who will give ……

ಕುಸುಮಸುಕುಮಾರತನುಮತನುಶರಲೀಲಯಾ| 
ಸ್ರಗಪಿ ಹೃದಿ ಹನ್ತಿ ಮಾಮತಿವಿಷಮಶೀಲಯಾ || ೬|| (ಯಾಮಿ ಹೇ ….)

By the play of the arrows of Cupid which have the habit of hurting (lovers) a garland of flowers also hurts  my heart, my body being as soft and delicate as flowers. Who will give …. 
ಅಹಮಿಹ ನಿವಸಾಮಿ ನ ಗಣಿತವನವೇತಸಾ| 
ಸ್ಮರತಿ ಮಧುಸೂದನೋ ಮಾಮಪಿ ನ ಚೇತಸಾ || ೭|| (ಯಾಮಿ ಹೇ ….)

For the sake of Krishna I am staying here not caring about the forest.  But Krishna does not remember me in his heart.  Who will give me..


ಹರಿಚರಣಶರಣಜಯದೇವಕವಿಭಾರತೀ | 
ವಸತು ಹೃದಿ ಯುವತಿರಿವ ಕೋಮಲಕಲಾವತೀ || ೮|| (ಯಾಮಿ ಹೇ ….)

May this song of poet Jayadeva,  whose refuge is the lotus feet of Hari,  stay in the heart like a  pretty young woman skilled in the fine arts. Who will give me..

            ----
ತತ್ಕಿಂ ಕಾಮಪಿ ಕಾಮಿನೀಮಭಿಸೃತಃ ಕಿಂ ವಾ ಕಲಾಕೇಲಿಭಿ-
ರ್ಬದ್ಧೋಬನ್ಧುಭಿರನ್ಧಕಾರಿಣಿ ವನೋಪಾನ್ತೇ ಕಿಮು ಭ್ರಾಮ್ಯತಿ| 
ಕಾನ್ತಃ ಕ್ಲಾನ್ತಮನಾಃ ಮನಾಗಪಿ ಪಥಿ ಪ್ರಸ್ಥಾತುಮೇವಾಕ್ಷಮಃ
ಸಂಕೇತೀಕೃತಮಞ್ಜುಮಞ್ಜುಲಲತಾಕುಞ್ಜೇಽಪಿ ಯನ್ನಾಗತಃ || ೧|| 

Krishna has not yet reached the bower which is the meeting place. Rather thinks thus: “ Has he gone to meet some other sweetheart of his?  Is he tied up in artistic or playful activities with friends and relatives?  Has he lost his way in the darkness of the forest and is going round and round?  Or tired in body and mind, he is unable to start even? “


            [End of prabandha-೧೩]

CHAPTER-೭
Prabandha-೧೪
ಅಥಾಗತಾಂ ಮಾಧವಮನ್ತರೇಣ ಸಖೀಮಿಯಂ ವೀಕ್ಷ್ಯ ವಿಷಾದಮೂಕಾಮ್| 
ವಿಶಂಕಮಾನಾ ರಮಿತಂ ಕಯಾಪಿ ಜನಾರ್ದನಂದೃಷ್ಟವದೇತದಾಹ || ೧|| 
The friend returned without Krishna.  She was dejected and silent. Apprehending that some other girl is giving Krishna company, Radha spoke as if she saw everything before her very eyes.

ಅಷ್ಟಪದೀ-೧೪

ಸ್ಮರಸಮರೋಚಿತವಿರಚಿತವೇಶಾ| 
ಗಲಿತಕುಸುಮದಲವಿಲುಲಿತಕೇಶಾ
ಕಾಪಿ ಮಧುರಿಪುಣಾ ವಿಲಸತಿ
ಯುವತಿರತ್ಯಧಿಕಗುಣಾ|| ೧|| 

Decked for the Love fight, with petals of the flowers falling from her disheveled hair, some other young girl with much more merit revels with Krishna, slayer of Madhu.

ಹರಿಪರಿರಮ್ಭಣವಲಿತವಿಕಾರಾ| 
ಕುಚಕಲಶೋಪರಿ ತರಲಿತಹಾರಾ || ೨||  (ಕಾಪಿ ….)

Emotions heightened by the embrace of Hari and the necklaces on her pot-like breasts swaying, some other young girl with more merit revels with Krishna, slayer of Madhu.

ವಿಚಲದಲಕಲಲಿತಾನನಚನ್ದ್ರಾ| 
ತದಧರಪಾನರಭಸಕೃತತನ್ದ್ರಾ|| ೩||  (ಕಾಪಿ ….)

With curly hair floating on her moon-like face and indolence induced by Krishna drinking at her lips, some other young girl with more merit revels with Krishna, slayer of Madhu.

ಚಞ್ಚಲಕುಣ್ಡಲದಲಿತಕಪೋಲಾ| 
ಮುಖರಿತರಶನಜಘನಗತಿಲೋಲಾ|| ೪||   (ಕಾಪಿ ….)

With oscillating ear globes striking her cheeks, with the tinkling sound of her girdle and the swaying of her hip,  some other young girl with more merit revels with Krishna, slayer of Madhu.
ದಯಿತವಿಲೋಕಿತಲಜ್ಜಿತಹಸಿತಾ| 
ಬಹುವಿಧಕೂಜಿತರತಿರಸರಸಿತಾ || ೫||  (ಕಾಪಿ ….)

Laughing shyly when her eyes meet her lover’s and making different kinds of sounds with heightened feelings, some other young girl with more merit revels with Krishna, slayer of Madhu.
ವಿಪುಲಪುಲಕಪೃಥುವೇಪಥುಭಂಗಾ| 
ಶ್ವಸಿತನಿಮೀಲಿತವಿಕಸದನಂಗಾ || ೬|| (ಕಾಪಿ ….)

With body bristling and shaking, breath quickening and eyes half-closed with heightened erotice experience some other young girl with more merit revels with Krishna, slayer of Madhu.

ಶ್ರಮಜಲಕಣಭರಸುಭಗಶರೀರಾ| 
ಪರಿಪತಿತೋರಸಿರತಿರಣಧೀರಾ || ೭|| (ಕಾಪಿ ….)
With body glistening with the profusion of sweat, resting on the breast of her lover after the  battle of Love, some other young girl with more merit revels with Krishna, slayer of Madhu.

ಶ್ರೀಜಯದೇವಭಣಿತಮತಿಲಲಿತಮ್| 
ಕಲಿಕಲುಷಂ ಶಮಯತು ಹರಿರಮಿತಮ್|| ೮||  (ಕಾಪಿ ….)
May this pretty song composed by poet Jayadeva destroy all the sins of Kali. 

               [End of prabandha -೧೪]

CHAPTER-೭
Prabandha-೧೫

ವಿರಹಪಾಣ್ಡುಮುರಾರಿಮುಖಾಂಬುಜ-
ದ್ಯುತಿರಯಂ ತಿರಯನ್ನಪಿ ವೇದನಾಮ್| 
ವಿಧುರತೀವ ತನೋತಿ ಮನೋಭುವಃ
ಸುಹೃದಯೇ ಹೃದಯೇ ಮದನವ್ಯಥಾಮ್ || ೧|| 

Radha says to her friend: “The moon, whose radiance resembles Hari’s face which is pale because of  viraha (separation), though concealing sorrow, increases the agony of Love.’’

ಅಷ್ಟಪದೀ-೧೫

ಸಮುದಿತಮದನೇ ರಮಣೀವದನೇ ಚುಮ್ಬನವಲಿತಾಧರೇ| 
ಮೃಗಮದತಿಲಕಂ ಲಿಖತಿ ಸಪುಲಕಂ ಮೃಗಮಿವ ರಜನೀಕರೇ|| 
ರಮತೇ ಯಮುನಾಪುಲಿನವನೇ ವಿಜಯೀ ಮುರಾರಿರಧುನಾ || ೧|| 

Krishna makes a mark with deer-musk, just as the deer-mark on the moon, on the face of the girl who is in the grip of Love and whose lips have become thin because of kissing. Triumphant Murari revels in the forest on the banks of Yamuna.


ಘನಚಯರುಚಿರೇ ರಚಯತಿ ಚಿಕುರೇ ತರಲಿತ ತರುಣಾನನೇ| 
ಕುರುವಕಕುಸುಮಂ ಚಪಲಾಸುಷುಮಂ ರತಿಪತಿಮೃಗಕಾನನೇ|| ೨||   (ರಮತೇ…….)

Krishna adorns with kuravaka flowers,  bright yellow as the lightning, the  young gopi’s tresses which are  beautiful as the dark clouds,  which attract young men and which are like the forest of deer of Kamadeva. Triumphant Murari …..

ಘಟಯತಿ ಸುಘನೇ ಕುಚಯುಗಗಗನೇ ಮೃಗಮದರುಚಿರೂಷಿತೇ| 
ಮಣಿಸರಮಮಲಂ ತಾರಕಪಟಲಂ ನಖಪದಶಶಿಭೂಷಿತೇ || ೩||  (ರಮತೇ…….)
Krishna adorns with gem-studded necklaces the young girl’s breasts smeared with deer-musk and embellished with Krishna’s moon-like nails of the hands, giving the impression of the sky with the moon and the stars. Triumphant Murari ….


ಜಿತಬಿಸಶಕಲೇ ಮೃದುಭುಜಯುಗಲೇ ಕರತಲನಲಿನೀದಲೇ| 
ಮರಕತವಲಯಂ ಮಧುಕರನಿಚಯಂ ವಿತರತಿ ಹಿಮಶೀತಲೇ || ೪||  (ರಮತೇ…….)

Krishna adorns with emerald bracelets the hands of the young girl which are soft and slender than the lotus stalk, cool  as the snow and the palms of which are red and soft as the petals of the lotus. Triumphant Murari ….

ರತಿಗೃಹಜಘನೇ ವಿಪುಲಾಪಘನೇ ಮನಸಿಜಕನಕಾಸನೇ| 
ಮಣಿಮಯರಶನಂ ತೋರಣಹಸನಂ ವಿಕಿರತಿ ಕೃತವಾಸನೇ || ೫||  (ರಮತೇ…….)

Krishna adorns with a diamond-studded girdle the young gopi’s hip, broad and heavy, golden throne of Cupid .  Triumphant Murari …

ಚರಣಕಿಸಲಯೇ ಕಮಲಾನಿಲಯೇ ನಖಮಣಿಗಣಪೂಜಿತೇ| 
ಬಹಿರಪವರಣಂ ಯಾವಕಭರಣಂ ಜನಯತಿ ಹೃದಿ ಯೋಜಿತೇ || ೬|| (ರಮತೇ…….)

The young gopi’s feet, soft and tender as leaf buds, abode of Lakshmi and embellished by nails like jewels, Krishna places on his breast (heart) and decorates them with lac paint.   
Triumphant Murari revels in the forest on the banks of Yamuna.

ರಮಯತಿ ಭೃಶಂ ಕಾಮಪಿ ಸುದೃಶಂ ಖಲಹಲಧರಸೋದರೇ| 
ಕಿಮಫಲಮವಸಂ ಚಿರಮಿಹ ವಿರಸಂ ವದ ಸಖಿ ವಿಟಪೋದರೇ || ೭|| (ರಮತೇ…….)
When the younger brother of Balaram is reveling with some one with beautiful eyes why should I, tell me O Friend!,  wait for him under this tree without any purpose and in utter boredom. Triumphant Murari revels in the forest on the banks of Yamuna.

ಇಹ ರಸಭಣನೇ ಕೃತಹರಿಗುಣನೇ ಮಧುರಿಪುಪದಸೇವಕೇ| 
ಕಲಿಯುಗಚರಿತಂ ನ ವಸತು ದುರಿತಂ ಕವಿನೃಪಜಯದೇವಕೇ || ೮|| (ರಮತೇ…….)

Let not the sins of Kali touch the king of poets Jayadeva who sings on sringara rasa (erotic sentiment), praises the qualities of Hari and serves at the feet of the enemy of Madhu.  Triumphant Murari revels in the forest on the banks of Yamuna.
[End of prabandha-೧೫]

CHAPTER-೭
Prabandha-೧೬
ನಾಯಾತಃ ಸಖಿ ನಿರ್ದಯೋ ಯದಿ ಶಠಸ್ತ್ವಂ ದೂತಿ ಕಿಂ ದೂಯಸೇ
ಸ್ವಚ್ಛನ್ದಂ ಬಹುವಲ್ಲಭಃ ಸ ರಮತೇ ಕಿಂ ತತ್ರ ತೇ ದೂಷಣಮ್| 
ಪಶ್ಯಾದ್ಯ ಪ್ರಿಯಸಂಗಮಾಯ ದಯಿತಸ್ಯಾಕೃಷ್ಯಮಾಣಂ ಗುಣೈ-
ರುತ್ಕಣ್ಠಾರ್ತಿಭರಾದಿವ ಸ್ಫುಟತಿ ತಂ ಚೇತಃ ಸ್ವಯಂ ಯಾಸ್ಯತಿ || 

O friend (sakhi)! Why are you sad if that unkind deceiver Krishna hasn’t come? If he revels with many young gopis according to his own wish how can you be at fault?  You will see that today,  drawn by the good qualities of the loved one,  this heart of mine is raring,  with anxiety and expectation, for union with him.
ಅಷ್ಟಪದೀ-೧೬
ಅನಿಲತರಲಕುವಲಯನಯನೇನ| 
ತಪತಿ ನ ಸಾ ಕಿಸಲಯಶಯನೇನ|| 
ಸಖಿ ಯಾ ರಮಿತಾ ವನಮಾಲಿನಾ || ೧|| 

She will not be scorched on a bed of tender leaves, O friend!, if she is being courted by Vanamali, Krishna whose eyes are like the lotus waving in the breeze.

ವಿಕಸಿತಸರಸಿಜಲಲಿತಮುಖೇನ| 
ಸ್ಫುಟತಿ ನ ಸಾ ಮನಸಿಜವಿಶಿಖೇನ || ೨||  (ಸಖಿ ಯಾ …)

She will not be pierced by the arrows of Cupid , O friend!,  if she is being courted by Vanamali, Krishna who has a face beautiful as the lotus in full bloom.

ಅಮೃತಮಧುರಮೃದುತರವಚನೇನ| 
ಜ್ವಲತಿ ನ ಸಾ ಮಲಯಜಪವನೇನ|| ೩||  (ಸಖಿ ಯಾ …)
The breeze from the malaya mountain will not burn the young girl , O friend! ,  if she is being courted by Vanamali, Krishna whose words are nectarine, sweet and soft.

ಸ್ಥಲಜಲರುಹರುಚಿಕರಚರಣೇನ| 
ಲುಠತಿ ನ ಸಾ ಹಿಮಕರಕಿರಣೇನ || ೪||  (ಸಖಿ ಯಾ …)

she will not be tormented by the rays of the moon, O friend!,  if she is being courted by Vanamali, Krishna whose hands and feet are soft like the lotus.

ಸಜಲಜಲದಸಮುದಯರುಚಿರೇಣ| 
ದಲತಿ ನ ಸಾ ಹೃದಿ ವಿರಹಭರೇಣ || ೫||  (ಸಖಿ ಯಾ …)

She will not suffer the agony of separation, O friend!, if she is being courted by Vanamali, Krishna,  whose complexion is beautiful as the water-bearing cloud.


ಕನಕನಿಕಷರುಚಿಶುಚಿವಸನೇನ| 
ಶ್ವಸಿತಿ ನ ಸಾ ಪರಿಜನಹಸನೇನ || ೬||  (ಸಖಿ ಯಾ …)

She will not sigh when relatives laugh at her, O friend!,  if she is being courted by Vanamali, Krishna,  who clothes himself in golden coloured silks

ಸಕಲಭುವನಜನವರತರುಣೇನ| 
ವಹತಿ ನ ಸಾ ರುಜಮತಿಕರುಣೇನ|| ೭||  (ಸಖಿ ಯಾ …)

She will not be tormented by Cupid, O friend!, if she is being courted by Vanamali, Krishna who is the best among the youth of all the worlds and who is very kind.

ಶ್ರೀಜಯದೇವಭಣಿತವಚನೇನ| 
ಪ್ರವಿಶತು ಹರಿರಪಿ ಹೃದಯಮನೇನ|| ೮||  (ಸಖಿ ಯಾ …)

My Hari enter your heart by these words spoken by Jayadeva.         

The following are the words of Radha reflecting the state of her mind:
ಮನೋಭವಾನನ್ದನ ಚನ್ದನಾನಿಲ
ಪ್ರಸೀದ ರೇ ದಕ್ಷೀಣ ಮುಞ್ಚ ವಾಮತಾಮ್| 
ಕ್ಷಣಂ ಜಗತ್ಪ್ರಾಣ ವಿಧಾಯ ಮಾಧವಂ
ಪುರೋ ಮಮ ಪ್ರಾಣಹರೋ ಭವಿಷ್ಯಸಿ || ೧|| 

O Breeze carrying the fragrance of sandalwood from malaya mountain and blowing south (dakshina also means right side) May you be pleased and leave your crookedness (vamata  also means left side). You are the life of the world; put Krishna (Madhava also means spring) in front of me for a moment and then you can take my life. (These are words of Radha who is pining in separation from Krishna and the cool breeze from the malaya mountain is scorching her)

ರಿಪುರಿವ ಸಖೀ ಸಂವಾಸೋಽಯಂ ಶಿಖೀವ ಹಿಮಾನಿಲೋ
ವಿಷಮಿವ ಸುಧಾರಶ್ಮಿರ್ಯಸ್ಮಿನ್ ದುನೋತಿ ಮನೋಗತೇ| 
ಹೃದಯಮದಯೇ ತಸ್ಮಿನ್ನೇವಂ ಪುನರ್ವಲತೇ ಬಲಾತ್
ಕುವಲಯದೃಶಾಂ ವಾಮಃ ಕಾಮೋ ನಿಕಾಮನಿರಂಕುಶಃ || ೨|| 

O friend! In this separation from Krishna, the company of friends seems like enemy, the cool breeze is like fire, the moon is like poison.  Still when I remember him who is very unkind, my heart forcefully attaches itself to him.  Cupid indeed is crooked and without  control where lotus-eyed young girls are concerned.

ಬಾಧಾಂ ವಿಧೇಹಿ ಮಲಯಾನಿಲ ಪಂಚಬಾಣ
ಪ್ರಾಣಾನ್ ಗೃಹಾಣ ನ ಗೃಹಂ ಪುನರಾಶ್ರಯಿಷ್ಯೇ| 
ಕಿಂ ತೇ ಕೃತಾನ್ತಭಗಿನಿ ಕ್ಷಮಯಾ ತರಂಗೈ-
ರಂಗಾನಿ ಸಿಂಚ ಮಮ ಶಾಮ್ಯತು ದೇಹದಾಹಃ || ೩|| 

O Breeze from the Malaya mountain! you can trouble me as much as you want. O Cupid! take my life; I will not return home. O Yamuna! Why are you waiting patiently?  Drench my limbs with your waves so that the burning sensation in my body is gone. 

ಸಾನ್ದ್ರಾನನ್ದಪುರನ್ದರಾದಿದಿವಿಷದ್ವೃನ್ದೈರಮನ್ದಾದರಾ-
ದಾನನ್ದೈರ್ಮುಕುಟೇನ್ದ್ರನೀಲಮಣಿಭಿಃ ಸಂದರ್ಶಿತೇನ್ದೀವರಮ್|| 
ಸ್ವಚ್ಛನ್ದಂ ಮಕರನ್ದಸುನ್ದರಗಲನ್ಮನ್ದಾಕಿನೀಮೇದುರಂ
ಶ್ರೀಗೋವಿನ್ದಪದಾರವಿನ್ದಮಶುಭಸ್ಕನ್ದಾಯ ವನ್ದಾಮಹೇ || ೪|| 

Prostrations at the lotus feet of Govinda before whom the blissful Indra and other celestials bow down with their crowns studded with blue gem stones and from which flows freely the Ganga carrying the particles from the lotus feet of Lord Krishna. May he destroy all inauspiciousness in us.    

ಇತಿ ಶ್ರೀಗೀತಗೋವಿನ್ದೇ ಶೃಙ್ಗಾರಮಹಾಕಾವ್ಯೇ ವಾಸಕಸಜ್ಜಾವರ್ಣನೇ
ನಾಗರನಾರಾಯಣೋ ನಾಮ ಸಪ್ತಮಃಸರ್ಗಃ

ಗೀತಗೋವಿನ್ದಮ್ ಷಷ್ಠಃ ಸರ್ಗಃ

GITA GOVINDAM (ಗೀತಗೋವಿನ್ದಮ್)
Gita Govindam, lyrical poetry in Sanskrit celebrating the love between Krishna and the gopis,  specifically Radha, is authored by Jayadeva, the ೧೨th century devotee-poet from Orissa.  The basis for this work is the ೫ chapters ೨೯ to ೩೩ of Srimadbhagavatam  (known as Rasapanchadhyaayi) which describe the events  leading to the  rasaleela, the great dance on the banks of the Yamuna where each gopi thinks that Krishna is with her.  Srimadbhagavatam, however, does not specifically talk about a gopi named Radha though Radha is described as the very heart of Krishna in some of the other Puranas.   

The  above theme has been developed in Gita Govindam to such an extent that it  is known as ‘Sringara Mahakavya’ wherein  the predominant sentiment is sringara (erotic sentiment) in all its various moods in relation to the divine love between Radha and Krishna. The ecstasy of union,  the agony of separation, the anxious moments of wait for the loved one are all treated with sensitiviy and poetic excellence.  The whole work is divided into twelve chapters ( sargas), each chapter containing one or more prabandhas. There are ೨೪ prabandhas each containing couplets grouped into eights called  Ashtapadis, songs with a refrain specific to that  Ashatapadi.  There are in all ೨೪ Ashtapadis in Gita Govindam. Each Chapter may have one or more slokas in  different metres of Sanskrit poetry interspersed with the Ashtapadis.  It is said that the Poet-devotee Jayadeva would sing the Ashtapadis and his wife Padmavati would dance to the music.  There have been many choreographic works  to enact and present the Ashtapadis  as  a dance drama. 
Given below is the text of   the Sixth Chapter (ಷಷ್ಠಃ ಸರ್ಗಃ) with a prosaic translation in English for those who cannot follow the Sanskrit of the original. The translation in no way can do justice to the poetic excellence or the beauty of expression of the original.
CHAPTER-೬
Prabandha-೧೨

ಅಥ ತಾಂ ಗನ್ತುಮಶಕ್ತಾಂ ಚಿರಮನುರಕ್ತಾಂ ಲತಾಗೃಹೇ ದೃಷ್ಟ್ವಾ | 
ತಚ್ಚರಿತಂ ಗೋವಿನ್ದೇ ಮನಸಿಜಮನ್ದೇ ಸಖೀ ಪ್ರಾಹ || ೧|| 

Radha’s friend finds her in the leafy bower unable to move about as her body had become very weak because of the agony of a long separation. She speaks about her condition to Krishna who is tormented by the arrows of Cupid.

ಅಷ್ಟಪದೀ-೧೨
ಪಶ್ಯತಿ ದಿಶಿ ದಿಶಿ ರಹಸಿ ಭವನ್ತಮ್| 
ತದಧರಮಧುರಮಧೂನಿ ಪಿಬನ್ತಮ್
ನಾಥ ಹರೇ ಜಯ ನಾಥ ಹರೇ ಸೀದತಿ ರಾಧಾ ವಾಸಗೃಹೇ || ೧|| 

Radha sees you everywhere drinking the nectar from her lips. O Lord Hari! Radha pines away in separation in her lonely bower.


ತ್ವದಭಿಸರಣರಭಸೇನ ವಲಂತೀ
ಪತತಿ ಪದಾನಿ ಕಿಯನ್ತಿ ಚಲನ್ತೀ || ೨||   (ನಾಥ ಹರೇ….)
Hastening towards the rendezvous she takes a few steps and then falls down. O Lord Hari! Etc....
ವಿಹಿತವಿಶದಬಿಸಕಿಸಲಯವಲಯಾ| 
ಜೀವತಿ ಪರಮಿಹ ತವ ರತಿಕಲಯಾ || ೩||  (ನಾಥ ಹರೇ….)
She wears a garland of lotus stalk and bracelets of leaf buds.  She holds on to life only in the hope of union with you. O Lord Hari! etc.

ಮುಹುರವಲೋಕಿತಮಣ್ಡನ ಲೀಲಾ
ಮಧುರಿಪುರಹಮಿತಿಭಾವನಶೀಲಾ || ೪||   (ನಾಥ ಹರೇ….)

She puts on clothes and ornaments like you and says “I am krishna” and also imagines that she is Krishna.  O Lord Hari! …


ತ್ವರಿತಮುಪೈತಿ ನ ಕಥಮಭಿಸಾರಮ್| 
ಹರಿರಿತಿ ವದತಿ ಸಖೀಮನುವಾರಮ್ || ೫||   (ನಾಥ ಹರೇ….)

Radha repeatedly asks her friend why Krishna does not come to the rendezvous quickly. O Lord Hari!..
ಶ್ಲಿಷ್ಯತಿ ಚುಮ್ಬತಿ ಜಲಧರಕಲ್ಪಮ್| 
ಹರಿರುಪಗತ ಇತಿ ತಿಮಿರಮನಲ್ಪಮ್ || ೬||   (ನಾಥ ಹರೇ….)

Seeing dense darkness like the dark clouds Radha thinks that Hari has come and starts embracing and kissing him. O Lord Hari!... 

ಭವತಿ ವಿಲಮ್ಬಿನಿ ವಿಗಲಿತಲಜ್ಜಾ| 
ವಿಲಪತಿ ರೋದಿತಿ ವಾಸಕಸಜ್ಜಾ || ೭||   (ನಾಥ ಹರೇ….)

When you delay in coming, she bewails, cries and decks herself casting away all sense of shame. O Lord Hari! ….

ಶ್ರೀಜಯದೇವಕವೇರಿದಮುದಿತಮ್| 
ರಸಿಕಜನಂ ತನುತಾಮತಿಮುದಿತಮ್ || ೮||   (ನಾಥ ಹರೇ….)
May this song by poet Jayadeva gladden the heats of connoisseurs of poetry.  O Lord Hari…..

ವಿಪುಲಪುಲಕಪಾಲಿಃ ಸ್ಫೀತಸೀತ್ಕಾರಮನ್ತ-
ರ್ಜನಿತಜಡಿಮಕಾಕುವ್ಯಾಕುಲಂ ವ್ಯಾಹರನ್ತೀ| 
ತವ ಕಿತವ ವಿಧಾಯಾಮನ್ದಕನ್ದರ್ಪಚಿನ್ತಾಂ
ರಸಜಲಧಿನಿಮಗ್ನಾ ಧ್ಯಾನಲಗ್ನಾ ಮೃಗಾಕ್ಷೀ|| ೧|| 

The doe-eyed Radha always thinks of you as if in meditation.  She is immersed in the ocean of sringara rasa (erotic sentiment) in this state. She bristles, whistles, embraces, kisses and does other things in her imagined world of union with you O deceiver.


ಅಂಗೇಷ್ವಾಭರಣಂ ಕರೋತಿ ಬಹುಧಾ ಪತ್ರೇಽಪಿ ಸಂಚಾರಿಣಿ
ಪ್ರಾಪ್ತಂ ತ್ವಾಂ ಪರಿಶಙ್ಕತೇ ವಿತನುತೇ ಶಯ್ಯಾಂ ಚಿರಂ ಧ್ಯಾಯತೀ| 
ಇತ್ಯಾಕಲ್ಪವಿಕಲ್ಪತಲ್ಪರಚನಾಸಂಕಲ್ಪಲೀಲಾಶತ-
ವ್ಯಾಸಕ್ತಾಪಿ ವಿನಾ ತ್ವಯಾ ವರತನುರ್ನೈಷಾ ನಿಶಾಂ ನೇಷ್ಯತಿ || ೨|| 

Even the flutter of a leaf makes her think that you have come and she starts adorning herself in different ways.  Meditating long she makes the bed and thinks many thoughts and does many playful things.  But without you she cannot pass a single night.

ಕಿಂ ವಿಶ್ರಾಮ್ಯಸಿ ಕೃಷ್ಣಭೋಗಿಭವನೇ ಭಾಣ್ಡೀರಭೂಮೀರುಹಿ
ಭ್ರಾತರ್ಯಾಸಿ ನ ದೃಷ್ಟಿಗೋಚರಮಿತಃ ಸಾನನ್ದನನ್ದಾಸ್ಪದಮ್| 
ರಾಧಾಯಾ ವಚನಂ ತದಧ್ವಗಮುಖಾನ್ನನ್ದಾನ್ತಿಕೇ ಗೋಪತೋ
ಗೋವಿನ್ದಸ್ಯ ಜಯನ್ತಿ ಸಾಯಮತಿಥಿಪ್ರಾಶಸ್ತ್ಯಗರ್ಭಾ ಗಿರಃ || ೩|| 
Radha tells a wayfarer who wants to rest under the bhandira tree that it was the abode of a krishnasarpa ( which has two meanings :black cobra, cobra named Krishna). “Bother! Don’t you see the abode of Nanda? Go there for rest”  The wayfarer comes to Nanda’s abode but Krishna wants to hide from Nanda Radha’s comments. So before the traveler talks to Nanda,  Krishna praises and welcomes him  so that he does not repeat Radha’s words to Nandagopa.  Victory to those words of Krishna.   

ಇತಿ ಶ್ರೀಗೀತಗೋವಿನ್ದೇ ಶೃಙ್ಗಾರಮಹಾಕಾವ್ಯೇ ವಾಸಕಸಜ್ಜಾವರ್ಣನೇ
ಸೋತ್ಕಣ್ಠಧನ್ಯವೈಕುಣ್ಠೋ ನಾಮ ಷಷ್ಠಃ ಸರ್ಗಃ