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Post by madanmohandas on Dec 29, 2023 16:39:14 GMT -6
Just to conclude the last post.
"Dear cowherds!" noble Nanda said, "Be not at all disquieted; Hearken to what I say. Garga the priest came long ago, Good names on the boys to bestow, And blessings to convey.
He hinted that this child of mine, A great one was, almost divine; Who would his grace afford To all the cowherds in their need, Like Narayana's self indeed, The Illustrious Lord,"
The cowherds there were comforted, When they had heard what Nanda said, And with utmost content, They honoured Nanda and his son, Their doubtings and misgivings gone, And happy, homeward went.
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Post by madanmohandas on Dec 30, 2023 4:17:40 GMT -6
Nanda, on the eleventh day, Did honour to Janardan pay, But ere the end of night, He bathed him in Kalindi's stream, Before Surya had spread his beam, Or given forth the light.
Sudden, from this venal offence, He was seized and conducted thence, To the watery home By servant of the water god, And brought to Varuna's abode, Where he was most welcome. The cowherds when they saw him gone, Cried out, 'alas, we are undone!' And called on Krishna's name; Who when he had the clamour heard, He was with apprehension stirred, And to them thither came.
When he had heard their sad lament, He understood and straightway went To Varuna's abode; Who when he saw the Lord had come, He offered him worthy welcome, Knowing him as his God.
He sought forgiveness of the Lord, To him his dear father restored, And bowed in reverence, And Nanda was amazed to see, The honour shown with dignity, And Krishna brought him thence.
The cowherds when they heard of this, Were filled with wonderment and bliss, 'If Krishna is the Lord, It wakes our curiosity, Of what else might hereafter be, What might be our reward?'
Now Govinda who all things sees, And heeds the thoughts of devotees, Began to cogitate; 'Creatures their own self do not know, And transmigrate both high and low, Unknowing of their state.'
Thus thinking, merciful Hari, The cowherders induced to see, His divine realm of light; Beyond all darkness, without end, Above, below, all round extend, And shimmering pure bright.
Into the Brahma-lake he urged The cowherds, who thereon emerged, And came to the lakeside, At Krishna being worshipped gazed, By all the gods, and were amazed, And felt beatified.
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Post by madanmohandas on Dec 31, 2023 2:59:31 GMT -6
Preamble to the Rasa.
Even the Lord at the fair sight, Of the soft balmy full moonlight, Desired sweet love sport; The Sharat season moon did shine, Where spread fragrance of jessamine; Whereon he did resort
To Yogamaya's influence, To revel in pure excellence. The moon arose to view; And paints the blushing orient, With a bright lustre radiant, Of a deep purple hue.
He saw the lily's friend arise, Surveyed the beauty with his eyes, Imbibed the flower scent; Reminded of the gladsome grace Of Goddess Ramaa's pleasing face, Glowing and radiant.
He then began his flute to play, The message of love to convey, With melodious strains, Which doth with dulcet tone resound, And which doth chaste damsels confound, And pride of haughty dames.
The cowherd girls when they had heard The flute, were by strong passion stirred, And Cupid took his aim; With flower arrows of delight, He did the damsels' soft hearts smite, And lit the amorous flame.
Their household tasks they quite forsook, And to the grove their way betook, Distracted in their mind; One placed her necklace on her waist, Her belt upon her neck she placed, And left all care behind.
The king was very glad to hear From Sukadev who hath no peer, But raised a gnawing doubt; And sought the sage to clarify, And said with curiosity, "What is it all about?"
"Do you not recall what I said? Be it from love or fear or dread, Who contemplate Hari, Who engrossed in him e'er remain, The highest salvation attain, What doubt of this could be?
For Shushupal, so full of hate, Attained the ultimate estate, By thinking of the Lord, What then of those who serve him well, Who on his beauty ever dwell, By whom he is adored?"
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Post by madanmohandas on Dec 31, 2023 12:03:25 GMT -6
The cowherd dames who had contrived Egress from home, soon there arrived, Where Krishna waiting stood; He greeted them with welcome fair, And questioned what had brought them there, Although he understood.
Thus he of orators the best, A cruel speech to them addressed, "Ah, greetings and welcome; Is everything in Vraja well? What can I do for you, pray tell, Why have you left your home?
Now you have seen with much delight The bowers bathed in soft moonlight, But you should not remain; Your parents, brothers, husbands too Will make a frantic search for you, Therefore, go home again."
Thus he, but they by passion moved, His unkind speech sternly reproved, And said, "it is not meet; We are your serving maids and thus You should not speak cruel words to us, Who your favour entreat.
O Lord of glorious renown! Do not our cherished hope cut down; But fulfil our desire; The charm and beauty of your smiles, Subdues the heart, the mind beguiles, And fans of love the fire.
If you will not thus condescend, To favour us, O dearest friend, Our souls shall be consigned, Like swan-like saints who strive to gain Your grace, we shall your feet attain, And keep them in our mind.
We throw ourselves upon your trust, And bear on our heads your foot-dust, O grant us this relief, We renounce all for your dear sake, And at your feet refuge we take, Son of the cowherd chief."
With such speeches their hearts outpoured, And pleased the Mighty yogins' Lord, Who with a smile complied; And with a crowd of fair consorts, Krishna indulges in love sports, Although self-satisfied.
Like the deer-marked the radiant, Lights up the spangled firmament, Surrounded by consorts, Who gaze on him with love the while, Enamoured of his comely smile, The Lord enjoyed love-sports.
His face did with rare beauty shine, With teeth like buds of jessamine, With wreaths of flowers dight; And sang in mellifluous strains, Accompanied by cowherd dames, In mutual delight.
He stroked their hands, their belts unlaced, His hands upon their persons placed, And fulfilled their desire; He discourses with witty jokes, Which passion in the hearts invokes, And tremble and perspire.
Thus having gained the Supreme Lord, The one Almighty and adored, They were most gratified, And deeming themselves fortunate, They were with vanity elate, And full of haughty pride.
When Keshava this pride did see, And observing their vanity, Although to him most dear; To favour them he did decide, And to diminish their vain pride, Did sudden disappear.
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Post by madanmohandas on Jan 3, 2024 5:31:56 GMT -6
When from their midst he had vanished, The cowherd girls were sore anguished, And most disconsolate; Like the cow elephants woeful, When they lose the elephant bull, And lamented their state.
Recalling dalliance they had, Engrossed their minds and made them mad; His deeds they emulate; They thought of how he spoke and smiled, His sweet beauty, and were beguiled, And imitate his gait.
They made earnest inquiries From Vrindavana's stately trees, As if the trees would know; "O Ashvattha, O Plaksha dear, Has Nanda's darling passed by here? Or which way did he go?
O Ashok, tell us if you please, Nyagrodha and you other trees, Who emit fragrant scent; Punnaga, Champaka we pray, And fragrant Naga, can you say, Which way Govinda went?
Chuta, Priyala, Panasa, Kovidar, Jambu, Asana, Who line Kalindi's shore, Arka, Bilva, Bakula, hear, O Kadamba who flourish here, We earnestly implore;
Tell us the way that we may find, Krishna who has stolen our mind, With his amorous wiles; O Tulsi, dear to Hari's feet, O show us the way, we entreat, Since he our heart beguiles.
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For botanists. (Copied from internet search)
*Ashvattha, Ficus religiosa *Plaksha; Ficus virens *Ashok; Saraca asoca *Nyagrodha; Ficus bengalensis *Punnaga; Calophyillum indophyllum; Indian laurel *Champaka; Magnolia champaca *Naga; Brachystegia eurycoma *Chuta; Magnifera indica; Mango *Priyala; Buchanania latifolia *Panasa; Artocarpus heterophyllus; Jackfruit *Kovidar; Bauhinia variegata Linn; Mountain Ebony *Jambu; Syzygium cumini: Java plum *Asana; Pterocarpus marsupium *Arka: Calotropis procera; Madar *Bilva; Aegle marmelos; Wood apple *Bakula; Mimusops elengi *Kadamba; Neolamarckia cadamba
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Post by madanmohandas on Jan 4, 2024 7:52:39 GMT -6
"O Earth! What penance have you done, Whereby you gained this benison, By Keshava's feet pressed, Or erst when you were highly graced, When Urukrama o'er you paced, And by his feet were blesss'd? 285
Or was it in the days of yore, When he in form of Cosmic Boar, Raised you from the abys, And is that why you flourish so, And fertile verdant lustre show Exhibiting your bliss? 286
O wife of the buck, can you say, Did Acyuta come by this way? Did he your vision bless? We apprehend the fragrance rare, Of scented garlands worn by her, We pray you, do confess. 287
But let us ask the creepers here, Entwining trees like husbands dear, With sprouts standing erect; Did Govinda pass by this place, With his beloved in embrace? Such signs we here detect." 288
Thus raving in beatitude, The search for Krishna they pursued, In their deluded state; They re-enact his deeds divine, As for his audience they pine; His havior immitate. 289
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