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Post by madanmohandas on Aug 12, 2021 7:10:31 GMT -6
The opening verses from Raghunatha Dasa's Sri Vraja Vilasa Stava. 1-4
Captured I am and bound by sturdy ropes Of honour and distinction's ardent hopes, And held in durance by the highwaymen, Called desire, pleasure, and thirst for gain; May highway guards of the adversary Of Agha, cut my bonds and set me free. 1
I am scorched in the conflagration dire Of decrepitude, like a forest fire; And by the serpent bitten of blindness; Pierced by keen darts of the unhappiness, Depending on others in my distress; The loud roaring of the lions resound, Of desire, and on all sides surround; Oh Swamin! Oh my Lord, Oh Sri Hari! Administer the love potion to me, That I may be steadfast in ardour due, And, sans distraction, always worship you. 2
Recalling but a droplet of the sea Of divine sweetness and pure ecstasy Of my sovereigns, I yearn to them behold, While Vraja's glory, in verse, shall be told. 3
The one whose body was of yore consumed, Seemeth to have another form assumed, By the constant revelation, replete With divine sports and ambrosia sweet; Whence the cowherd settlement is endued, With amorous sublime beatitude; Ah, when will I with deep passion behold Sri Gandharva and Giridhari bold? Who as the crowning wreath refulgent shine, Of all sweet amorous couples divine. 4
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Post by madanmohandas on Aug 14, 2021 5:58:36 GMT -6
Sri Vraja Vilasa Stava 5-6
The city Dvaaraavati is more dear Than Vaikuntha, since fondly he dwells there, With brother, and with sons the Lord abides, And a multitude of delightsome brides, Who each with a radiant lustre gleam, That dims a hundred Sri Goddess’s sheen. More dear, the realm of love here upon earth, Mathura city, where Hari took birth; And in the environs, preeminent, The meadows and the cowherd settlement Of Vraja, where Lord Hari freely plays; I thus adore divine Vraja always. 5
Where Madhava and his beloved friends, With Rama, through the forest pasture wends, And doth with cows affectionately stray, His sports enacting to this very day. Whoso the wonderful sweetness perceives, The love within the heart thereon conceives; May the pastures, dearer to Lord Hari Than Mathura city, my refuge be. 6
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Post by madanmohandas on Aug 14, 2021 18:12:34 GMT -6
Sri Vraja Vilasa Stava 7
Where their dear friends with height of skill display Gestures of love and comic repartee; In every mountain cave, through every grove, Under each tree, all day and night they rove; Where the young couple eagerly resort, To take delight in their amorous sport; Where groves are surcharged with the fragrance sweet, Emitted from their lotus-flower-feet; That Vrindavan, of divine love the store, I contemplate devoutly and adore. 7
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Post by madanmohandas on Aug 15, 2021 3:56:53 GMT -6
Continuing with Vraja Vilasa Stava. 8-10
That place by Goddess Sri's wandering blest, Where all accomplishments are manifest; Where herds of cows flourish with fair increase, And where the cowherd people dwell in peace; Where Krishna is nurtured with loving care By his affectionate parents, and where He plays without a care. That worthy town, Preeminent, as Nandisvara known, The capitol of the cowherd estate, Ruled by the cowherd chief, I contemplate. 8
Who celebrates lavish festivity, With a largess of pious charity; Who for the welfare of his son bestows Sweet rice and drinks, and herds of milking cows; Who each day doth abundant wealth supply The wise pious Vipras to satisfy, And solicits their grace and benison. Who lovingly inquires of his son, And on him doth always deliberate; On Gokula's Indra I meditate. 9
Whose breasts always trickle with affection, And intense fondness for her darling son; Who would billions of her life-breaths forgo, That not a drop of sweat should from him flow; Who for a moment if she does not see Her son, she is fraught with anxiety, And is into sore lamentation tossed, As the fond cow when her fond calf is lost. May the queen of the cowherds be adored, And unto us her protection afford. 10
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Post by madanmohandas on Aug 18, 2021 5:05:32 GMT -6
Continuing with Vraja Vilasa Stava. 11-17
Who loves Govinda e'en as her own son Haladhara, and showers affection; Who with her expertise and dext'rous hands, Cooks wondrous comestibles and viands. Who fond friendship for Vraja's queen doth show, On whom the cowherd chief doth grace bestow, And honours with favour and dignity; I contemplate the Goddess Rohini. 11
Whose handsome form eclipses the fair light Of millions of rising moons shining bright; The fragrance of whose boundless strength conveys, A dread terror that hosts of demons slays; And though his younger's might he comprehends, While roaming through the forest with his friends, He ne'er abandons his sweet company, Not even for the blinking of an eye. I sing his praise who all praises surpass, Who slew his foe vile Dhenuka the ass. 12
Hail Parjanya! who rumbles like a cloud, Delighted with his dear grandson and proud; Who whispers private jokes into his ear; Parjanya, Krishna's grand sire, I revere. 13
May Krishna's grandmother be glorified, Who in her grandson takes great joy and pride; Whose joy in such a grandson doth abound, Her feet no longer seem to touch the ground; Who praises him and offers benisons, And calls him the bright moon of all grandsons; I bow to her and praise the dignity, Of Krishna's grandmother Variyasi. 14
Good Upananda the wise and revered, Upon his dark face has a great white beard; Who with the cowherd chief always confides, And in the cowherd's counsel hall presides; Who looks upon his beloved nephew, The one who the great Mura demon slew, With a fond affection and tender care, That billions of his life-breaths would forswear; May Upananda thus always preside, And counsel for the cowherd's weal provide. 15
The cowherd chief's younger brother serene, Is Sannanda, of soft and gentle mien, Who doth his elder with honour revere, Whose beard is glossy black, whose face is fair; Who is the fortunate father as well, Of Sannandaa, the cowherd damosel; And with the dainties gathered from the herds Of buffalo, feeds Madhava the curds; And worships him with each breath he exhales, And inhales, and delighted he regales; May Sannanda, keeper of buffalo, Upon us his protective care bestow. 16
Dark Subhadra is Upananda's son, Of subtle wit and high erudition; Whose profound knowledge in astrology Surpasseth speech's lord, Brihaspati; Who by the left side of Vraja's Lord bides, And council for Krishna's welfare provides; Who thinks of him a billion times more dear, Than his own very breath and vital air. All hail to Subhadra, learned and wise, Who always proffers sound and good advice. 17
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Post by madanmohandas on Aug 25, 2021 0:14:33 GMT -6
Continuing Vraja Vilasa Stava. 18-19
Ambika from fear of the demons dread, Was apprehensive and disquieted, And due to her affection and alarm, That delicate Krishna might come to harm, Tormented herself by austerities, Amba, the great mother Goddess to please; Who granted her the boon and benison, That she would have a hero for her son; And gave birth to a son worthy and skilled, By whom with ease the demons should be killed; May Ambika, Krishna's dear nurse adored, Protection and safety to us afford. 18
Who when he calls aloud and challenge makes, Millions of egg-like words he splits and shakes, "Where are, and who the sons of Diti, say? Those feeble ones I will subdue and slay!" Due to her tender loving affection, Ambika always deputed her son To guard and protect Krishna from all woes, And safety secure wherever he goes. I worship the son of Ambika famed For mighty puissance and Vijaya named. 19
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Post by madanmohandas on Aug 27, 2021 0:58:41 GMT -6
Continuing Vraja Vilasa Stava 20-24
Hail to the chief priest and high dignity Of learned and sagacious Bhanguri, The god-like sage with scripture's lore replete, I bow in salutation at his feet; Who daily chants incantations and hymns For the protection of each of the limbs Of Mura's foe; and offers blessings rare, Then imbibes the sweet fragrance of his hair. 20
In whom fond affection for Krishna dwells, Whose wit mid all the cowherd friends excels, Who takes great pride in similarity In dark form, age and dress and quality, And in his handsome features that appear Like those of his most beloved friend dear. E'en for a moment if he does not see His friend, he is fraught with despondency, Who bound by strong affection always wends With Hari as the foremost of his friends. To Sridama I salutation make, With self surrender and his refuge take. 21
If even in his dreams he cannot see Due to his affection's profundity, Becomes apprehensive and full of woe, And of his hand would never thus let go; On whom Radhika showers affection, I bow unto him in salutation, Whose intense love sends shivers through his frame, Known as the worthy Subala by name. 22
The cowherds foregather in merry bands, Herding the kine and holding Krishna's hands, Who play and joke in comic ecstasy, Absorbed in the mood of fraternity; Who in the ocean of love sport and play, And wash the mud of reverence away; Let us these cowherd boys for grace entreat, Whose minds are consecrated to his feet. 23
Who is the very form of comedy, Replete with humour and always hungry, Who riddles makes and speeches every day, Contorted pose and gesture doth display, With grimaces and ready repartees, His dear sov'reign divine couple to please; Let us to Madhumangala bow down, Vrindavan Chandra's friend of high renown. 24
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Post by madanmohandas on Aug 28, 2021 7:43:23 GMT -6
Vraja Vilasa Stava 25-27
Who makes the arrangements in order due, With a friend, for the secret rendezvous, And reconciling any argument, Each day with a fond loving attachment; Who relishes ambrosial delight, To see Radha and Madhava unite; Abundant blessings on them doth bestow; To worthy dame Paurnamasi I bow. 25
Of a most illustrious pedigree, Noble and wise, of worthy dignity, Who by the cowherd chief is well revered, Of fair form and a neatly clipped fine beard; Who bears him well at fifty years of age, Who all his fond affections doth engage, And in his daughter Radha takes delight, More than his eldest son Sridama hight. I always with deep reverence bow down To Vrishabhanu of mighty renown. 26
Who doth for news of Radhika inquire, Everyday with a fond mother's desire, She eagerly a nursing maid commends, And to learn all of the latest news sends; Whose heart is ever full with loving care, In a flood of love for her daughters dear. May Kirtida forever be adored, And protection to us always afford. 27
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Post by madanmohandas on Aug 31, 2021 18:37:29 GMT -6
Continuing with Raghunatha das Goswami's Vraja Vilasa Stava, texts 28-31.
Who deviously makes impediments, And the sweet love of the couple prevents, But all invariably goes amiss, And only heightens their amorous bliss; Who is by her grandchildren affected, I bear Mukhara's feet upon my head. 28
Surcharged with intense bliss and haughty pride, In whom her friends intimately confide; More dear than life to the amorous pair, Who prepares for their rendezvous with care, She teaches her friend how pride to maintain, And does always in their presence remain. I bow down to Lalita and prostrate, May she make me her own associate. 29
With charming affection always disposed, Where the couple's confidence is reposed, Who always acts for Vraja's sovereign pair, With discourses and fond attentive care; The dulcet singing of her voice when heard, Rebukes the warbling of the Pika bird; May Vishakha, kind and compassionate, Take me as her pupil initiate. 30
Who is endued with a flood of pure love, And decorates each fresh garden and grove With an abundance of odorous flowers, And furnishes with all needments the bowers; And who occasions and facilitates, Radha and Krishna with associates, In festive joy of love and happiness, I bow to Vrinda, the sylvan goddess. 31
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Post by Nitaidas on Sept 1, 2021 11:26:58 GMT -6
Amazing work, Madanmohandasji. You must be an incarnation of Vyasa. Keep up the good work.
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Post by madanmohandas on Sept 2, 2021 0:31:48 GMT -6
Thanks Nitai.
Vraja Vilasa Stava 32-36
With a fond familiar friendship filled, Who is in merry comic speeches skilled, Who, on the cowherd chief's consort's behest, To bring Radha to cook her way addressed, And as with her she lovingly proceeds, She tells the latest news of Hari's deeds, Affording her great joy; I sing the fame Of Radha's friend, Kundalata by name. 32
And when the cowherd queen had thither brought, The damsel in cull'nary arts well taught, A fair damsel with love and joy replete, Arranged for Radha and Krishna to meet, By contrivance and keen dexterity Conducted them to a covert nearby, Secretly, upon Nandisvara hill, The couple's love-longing thus to fulfill; I worship and adore Dhanistha fair, Who loves her friend more than her own life-air. 33
Enamoured by hearing of the sweet fame, Who from distant Avanti-pura came, Whom fond anticipation did compel, To come and in the land of Vraja dwell; Who contrives to make clever arrangements, And Radha and Krishna's love-joy augments; With regard and devotion I bow down To her as pious Nandimukhi known. 34
In whose waters Radha and Krishna play, And the abundance of sweet love display; Whose stream is muddied and endued with scent, Of floating musk and saffron unguent Washed off their limbs as in the flood they roam. Who sprinkles them and smiles at them with foam; May the dark river, daughter of the Sun, Bestow upon us bliss and benison. 35
Whom ever-blissful Hari does acquaint, With blandishment and flattery his plaint; Who then repair with haste to Radha's side, And chide her for her stubbornness and pride; Who as her loving friends each day employ Some contrivance to bring the lovers joy, And fill Radha and Krishna with delight, In their attempt the couple to unite. To Radha's bosom friends most beloved, Resorting to their grace, I bow my head. 36
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Post by madanmohandas on Sept 3, 2021 6:01:50 GMT -6
Vraja Vilasa Stava 37-38
Who are to separate service consigned, Whereto in fondness they are most inclined; Some fetch the flute, and some a mirror hold, Some bring crystal waters in pots of gold; Some messages take, while as others bring, Some bring the Vina of the warbling string; And some the tasty betel wraps prepare, For him who is dearer than their life-air. To Krishna's servant boys, by Patri lead, In adoration fond I bow my head. 37
Who offer betel wraps and rub her feet, Who bring in vessels crystal water sweet; Prepare timely requisites for her bath, And escort her along the trysting path. Who, due to their profound intimacy, Abide where her bosom friends would not be, Because of their embarrassment and shame, Who still to render services remain. I bow to Radha's maidservants enthralled, Whose leader is Rupa manjari called. 38
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Post by madanmohandas on Sept 5, 2021 13:55:52 GMT -6
Vraja Vilasa Stava 39-40
Who take as worthless straw of little care, The essence of bliss from joy's ocean rare, Due to abundant love and amity, In servitude to Mura's enemy; Who most eagerly and earnestly strive, His utmost pleasure and joy to contrive; I bow to each blessed associate Of Madhava, and to them all prostrate. 39
Who become almost dead from misery, If she for a moment they do not see, Whose happiness from her pleasure derives, Who love her more than they love their own lives, Who great heaps of piety have accrued, Who have fond affection in servitude; To Praanesvari's associates dear, I bow in salutation, and revere. 40
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Post by madanmohandas on Sept 13, 2021 12:31:37 GMT -6
Continuing Vraja Vilasa Stava, 41-42
Those damsels who as love-rivals confide, Excite in Sri Radha her conscious pride, Derived from her exalted dignity, Sometime sport with Govinda amorously; He plays with blooming lovesome cowherd dames, Which Radhika's jealous passion inflames. I bow to them in reverent attitude, Who must have heaps of great merit accrued. 41
If all the happiness and joy beside, Existing in the world were multiplied A million fold, it still would not compare In joy they take in affectionate care, To protect Krishna at every moment, And see to his comfort, ease and content. Who contemplate the pollen dust that flows From his feet, radiant with petal toes; I bow in salutation unto them, The foremost elders of the cowherd men. 42
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Post by madanmohandas on Jan 3, 2022 8:57:33 GMT -6
Continuing with Vraja Vilasa Stava 43-47
Who love Mukunda than their own lives more, And as their own beloved son adore; Whose love would not permit a drop at all Of perspiration from his feet to fall; Their dear affection and worship express As on his head fond frequent kisses press; The cowherd dames I worship and entreat, And bow in the dust of their holy feet. 43
Whose hooves sapphire and silver plate enfold, Whose big horns are plated with fusile gold; Whose beautiful and brilliant white cheeks, Crumble the pride of snow capped mountain peaks. May Krishna's cows, beloved and adored, Straightway protective grace to us afford. 44
The cows are tended and milked every day By Krishna and his friends in eager play, And with Rama and all his cowherd friends Driving the herds, into the pasture wends; There delightsome festivity enjoys, Covered with cow-dust with the other boys; They traverse with delight forests and hills, By river banks and over rolling rills. Let me worship with deep adoration, The cattle of the cowherd king's dear son. 45
With jewel studded and gold plated horns, Whose hooves many a sapphire gem adorns; Whose neck and dewlap are engarlanded With wreaths of fragrant flowers glowing red; Hail to the lotus scented beautiful, Padmagandha, the foe of Baka's bull. 46
The foe of Mura, of wonderful deeds, The youngling calves affectionately feeds, And tender grass into their mouths doth place, With all fondness and care and loving grace; Occasioned by the affection he bears, He strokes and scratches them behind the ears. I yearn that his calves I may straightway see, Gamboling round and frolicking with glee. 47
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