Gita Govinda -Jayadeva 324

Gita Govinda -Shri Jayadeva Gosvami

Act Eight : vilakñya lakñmépatiù

The Hapless Lord of Fortune

Scene Seventeen : Song 17 : Verse 2

Commentary Hari! hari!- “Oh God, Lord have mercy!” These two non-inflected interjections spoken by Rädhä are expressions of her profound disappointment. They also serve to complete the metre of the song. Kṛṣṇa’s eyes are red because he was awake all night in the anguish of separation. Kṛṣṇa is so weary that his eyes repeatedly close. Noticing this, Rädhä addresses him by three names that reveal her inner moods, especially jealousy towards her rival. Mädhava- In the mood of a jilted heroine (khaëòitä näyikä), Rädhä says to her beloved as he bows down before her, “Lakñmépati, go! Go away! You are deeply attached to someone else. Therefore you are bound to offend others in one way or another. You are not (mä) my husband (dhava). What to speak of being my husband, you cheat me.” Alternatively, mä implies, “Lakñmé is fickle by nature, therefore it is only logical to conclude that her consort is also fickle. Since I am devoted to only one consort, how could you have any real affection for me? It is not possible, so go away!”