GOVINDAM (गीतगोविन्दम्)
Gita Govindam, lyrical poetry in Sanskrit celebrating the love between Krishna and the gopis, specifically Radha, is authored by Jayadeva, the 12th century devotee-poet from Orissa. The basis for this work is the 5 chapters 29 to 33 of Srimadbhagavatam (known as Rasapanchadhyaayi) which describe the events leading to the rasaleela, the great dance on the banks of the Yamuna where each gopi thinks that Krishna is with her. Srimadbhagavatam, however, does not specifically talk about a gopi named Radha though Radha is described as the very heart of Krishna in some of the other Puranas.
above theme has been developed in Gita Govindam to such an extent that
it is known as ‘Sringara Mahakavya’
wherein the predominant sentiment is sringara
(erotic sentiment) in all its various moods in relation to the divine love
between Radha and Krishna. The ecstasy of union, the agony of separation, the anxious moments
of wait for the loved one are all treated with sensitivity and poetic
excellence. The whole work is divided
into twelve chapters ( sargas), each chapter containing one or more prabandhas.
There are 24 prabandhas each containing couplets grouped into eights
called Ashtapadis, songs with a
refrain specific to that
Ashatapadi. There are in all 24 Ashtapadis
in Gita Govindam. Each Chapter may have one or more slokas
in different metres of Sanskrit poetry
interspersed with the Ashtapadis. It is said that the Poet-devotee Jayadeva
would sing the Ashtapadis and his wife Padmavati would dance to the music. There have been many choreographic works to enact and present the Ashtapadis as a
dance drama.
text of the Ninth Chapter (नवमः सर्गः) with a prosaic
translation in English for those who cannot follow the Sanskrit of the
original. The translation in no way can do justice to the poetic excellence or
the beauty of expression of the original.
to Radha who was pining in separation, was deprived of love, full of grief,
thinking of the conduct of Hari and regretting her spurning of him.
blows Hari is waiting for you at the rendezvou. What is more joyful than this. O
friend! It is OK, your self-respect, but do not be vain where Madhava is
concerned.
(माधवे मा कुरु ….)
heavier and juicy than the fruit of the palmyra tree? O friend! ….
(माधवे मा कुरु ….)
who is extremely handsome and captivating’. O Friend! …..
(माधवे मा कुरु ….)
at you . O Friend!…..
(माधवे मा कुरु ….)
and make your eyes fulfilled. O Friend! ….
(माधवे मा कुरु ….)
which are only for your good. O Friend!
you make your heart so sad?. O Friend!.
(माधवे मा कुरु ….)
of Hari delight the hearts of lovers of poetry and song.
when he bows you are stiff; when he loves you hate; when he is face-to-face you
turn way. It is antithesis all along; therefore it is but proper that you should see
sandal paste as poison, moon as sun, ice as fire and pleasures of sporting as
torture.
वः श्रेयांसि वंशीरवः ॥२॥
Kamsa, plays the flute, the mandara flowers adorning his head are loosened. The melody of the music attracts
even inanimate objects. It delights those who see him.
It is like a powerful mantra for the doe-eyed gopis. It is the
end of those arrogant asuras who cause untold suffering and difficulties
for the devas. May those melodies
from the flute of Krishna bring you all things auspicious.
श्रीगीतगोविन्दे शृङ्गारमहाकाव्ये खण्डितावर्णने
नाम नवमः सर्गः