Contents
Gita Govinda -Shri Jayadeva Gosvami
Act Four : snigdha madhusüdanaù
The Tender Slayer of Madhu
Scene Nine
Song 9
Verse 10
Commentary
|
|
Rädhä’s sorrowful sighs seem just like the flames of a forest fire. Only the sound “Alas! Alas!” comes from her mouth. Kämadeva is always favourably disposed to Rädhä when she is close to Kṛṣṇa. But now Kämadeva is playing like a tiger, as if he wants to kill her. That same god of amorous love now appears to be death personified. Amorous desire is like the play of a tiger who pounces upon an innocent deer. The metre of this verse is also called çärdüla-vikréòita (tiger’s play). The entire metre is exactly like the play of Kämadeva. The comparison of Rädhä with a deer is also appropriate. The sakhé implies, “A discerning woman will fall in love with one who has affection for her, but Rädhä has fallen in love with you. She is constantly immersed in the ocean of affection. How can you be devoid of love for her? Only a living entity born in the animal species can have one-sided love.” Furthermore, like a deer, her body is feeble and she is perplexed about what to do. The helpless and innocent Rädhä is tortured by the desire for Kṛṣṇa’s affection. Over and above all, Cupid is also demonstrating his prowess like a cruel tiger. However, in this case, it is the highly discerning Rädhä who has fallen in love with an unwilling candidate. The chanda of this verse is çärdüla-vikréòita. The alaìkäras are luptopamä and virodhäbhäsa. |
 |
