Gita Govinda -Jayadeva 185

Gita Govinda -Shri Jayadeva Gosvami

Act Four : snigdha madhusüdanaù

The Tender Slayer of Madhu

Scene Eight

Song 8

Verse 4

kusuma-viçikha-çara-talpam analpa-viläsa-kalä-kamanéyam vratam iva tava parirambha-sukhäya karoti kusuma-çayanéyam sä virahe tava dénä Translation “Mädhava! Rädhä is making a delightful flower bed, suitable for the enjoyment of many amorous pastimes. Yet it seems to be a bed of Kämadeva’s arrows. She is performing severe austerities in the form of a vow to recline on a bed of arrows in the hope of attaining your deep embrace.” Commentary “Shri Kṛṣṇa! Rädhä is burning in separation from you. She is making a bed of flowers. Although it appears to be the highest art of lovemaking personified, to her this bed looks like a bed of Kämadeva’s arrows.” The sakhé implies, “Just as one might observe a dreadful vow to attain some fabulous happiness, similarly Rädhä is performing çaraçayyä-vrata, the severe austerity of lying on a bed of arrows, for the sake of attaining the uncommon happiness of your embrace.”