Gita Govinda -Jayadeva 210

Gita Govinda -Shri Jayadeva Gosvami

Act Four : snigdha madhusüdanaù

The Tender Slayer of Madhu

Scene Nine : Song 9 : Verse 23

Commentary Maìgaläntäni ca çästräëi prathante – “A scripture that is auspicious in the beginning, the middle and the end, is preached far and wide.” According to this injunction, the poet ShriJayadeva has presented an invocation of auspiciousness to conclude Act Four. This invocation pronounces a blessing. “May the arms of Kṛṣṇa bestow auspiciousness upon the reciters and hearers of this Gétagovinda.” The unique features of Kṛṣṇa’s arms have been described in the first line of this verse. In a rage, Indra had incited the puñkara and ävartaka clouds to release a terrifying bombardment of rain to destroy Gokula. Seeing the anxiety of the cowherd folk, Kṛṣṇa immediately uprooted Govardhana Mountain and held it aloft upon his hand to protect them. At that time, Kṛṣṇa’s arms manifested the mellow of chivalry (véra-rasa) in a way that stimulated the romantic mood (çåìgära-rasa). While Kṛṣṇa was holding Govardhana, the gopés, immersed in ecstasy, began to kiss his arms. As they beheld his dexterity, sweetness and beauty, they made red marks on his arms with sindüra from their brows and the gloss from their brilliant red lips. May the arms of Kṛṣṇa, marked with the signs of his intoxicating good fortune, bestow auspiciousness upon all. The title of this Act, Snigdha-madhusüdana, implies that when Kṛṣṇa heard about Rädhä’s sorrowful condition, he became completely inactive.   Thus ends the Bälabodhiné-prakäça commentary on Act Four of Shri Géta-govinda, entitled Snigdha-madhusüdana.