Appeasement of Radhika Read online

  Radiant thighs spread wide,

  Fingers running through my hair,

  She pleases me so …

  How can I stand being separated from such a one?

  118. ‘With great passion, she embraces

  Slipping her hand into my dhoti

  Raising her thighs as I press mine,

  She responds with pleasure.

  Pressing again, with mounting desire

  Getting on top of me, with desire swelling,

  Satisfying my manliness …

  She holds our bodies together,

  Like a creeper does a tree …

  She does a “snake crawl” over me with passion,

  Can anyone else do this?

  None except her!

  119. ‘Haven’t I met other women?

  Haven’t I enjoyed sex?

  And separated from them with ease?

  But this separation,

  This overwhelming sadness,

  This boundless grief,

  I never knew, until today.

  120. ‘I knew no sleep with her by my side

  I know no sleep without her now

  Manmatha’s antics

  How can I describe?

  He’s punishing me, putting me down.

  121. ‘The embodiment of beauty

  An epitome of grace

  Expression of royalty

  Golden like a fresh floral creeper

  She is a pure pearl

  An expert of the Kama Shastras

  A teacher of love!

  Kama’s arrow, with elegant poise,

  She makes me faint.

  122. ‘Personification of desire

  Embodiment of beauty

  Treasure trove of goodness

  Divine exquisiteness

  This finest of women

  This sweet-voiced woman

  Is sweet Radhika …

  Who can sing like her in this whole world?

  123. ‘She would retreat to a corner, sulking,

  “Making love has messed up my sari!”

  I would hold her back grabbing the ends of her pallu

  She would look so bashful, so graceful, so charming

  Smiling a small, shy smile …

  Can anyone be so compelling?

  124. ‘As shimmering gold flashes

  Like thunderbolts on her thighs,

  She thrusts rapidly beneath.

  As diamond necklaces glitter,

  She sighs ecstatic.

  As the pearl nose ring shines,

  She offers me her lips, demurely.

  As necklaces swing,

  She presses me roughly against her breasts.

  Half-closed eyes and tentative smile,

  Words half-spoken,

  Half-conscious as she makes love to me,

  Exhausted

  When can I hold this darling woman in my arms again?

  125. ‘“Enough sleeping,” I would say.

  Feigning anger,

  She would turn and lie down on her sari.

  I would lie at her feet,

  Taking her with force

  And she would lie

  Languidly on the bed

  Like a doll.

  126. ‘“Don’t kiss me, I will become unclean,” I’d say …

  She’d deliberately press my lips against hers.

  “Don’t touch me, I’ve just bathed,” I’d say …

  She’d press against my body with her breasts

  Seductively.

  “Don’t fall on me, it’s not proper,” I’d chide …

  She’d forcefully jump on me.

  “I don’t want to make love today, it’s my vrata …

  “Can’t sleep with you, don’t want to,” I’d say …

  But she’d make love with renewed vigour.

  127. ‘She would entice and kiss,

  Seduce and chat all night long …

  Making love over and yet again.

  How can I stay without her love?

  128. ‘Desire will not subside

  Unless I glance at my love’s moon-like face.

  The thirst of love will not be quenched

  Unless I enjoy her nectar-sweet loveliness.

  Kamadeva will not leave me

  Unless I hold her flower-like hand.

  The blackness of my face will not be overwhelmed

  Unless I see her shining forehead.

  The demon of love cannot be satiated

  Until she offers her breasts …

  How can I bear this?

  How I suffer?

  Whom shall I send to her?

  When will I see her?

  129. ‘As we’d finish making love

  She’d descend from the bed

  Looking at me, her body tired,

  I’d take her arm, desiring her once more

  And she, her head inclined,

  Would smile quietly

  As Kandarpa rekindled,

  Would captivate me with her sexual acts.

  130. ‘“The Lord has come,” her maids would announce,

  And she’d come running to receive me.

  Miserable was she not seeing me

  All sounds attuned to my call

  Eyebrows knitted,

  Concentrating and worrying.

  I’d be exhausted from making love,

  She’d fan me gently, using her skirts.

  131. ‘She’s delighted when I’m happy

  Miserable when I’m not

  Such a lover have I abandoned,

  My suffering knows no end!

  132. ‘Would the moon appear like the scorching sun

  If I were touched by my lover?

  Would flowers like arrows sting

  If I were under my lover’s eye?

  Would the chatter of parrots sound like curses

  If I were listening to my lover?

  Would the soft bed seem to scald me

  If I were lying at my lover’s feet?

  Would the cool breeze feel like a furnace

  If I were fanning my beloved?

  I have brought this upon myself,

  Why blame others?

  133. ‘Applying scented talc to her breasts

  Bathing her with perfumed waters

  Persuading her gently

  Leading her to the flower-strewn bed

  Anointing her desire with enriching oils

  Feeding her tambulam

  And then getting on top, entering her,

  Engaging her in the game of love

  If I didn’t satisfy her

  My mind wouldn’t rest

  Content.

  134. ‘Were we the cause of broken homes?

  Did we separate any lovers?

  This all-pervasive grief,

  Without intention

  Have we hurt each other so?

  Drowning in desire yet unhappy,

  Our youth being dissipated …

  135. ‘“Ruler of my heart! I can’t live without you.

  Will you come back, in an hour at the most?

  Hurry, don’t be late!

  Ruler of life! Go but come back

  Two hours would be intolerable …

  O heart of my heart! Why don’t you respond?

  Will you be away for three hours?

  Thief of my heart! To rule me again

  Or will it be four?”

  For days on end, in a broken voice,

  Did she lie on my chest.

  She then let me go,

  Her tears streaming like rivulets

  And yet I stayed away

  Why do I cry now?

  136. ‘Like playful sparrows,

  Embracing, kissing and holding each other like wrestlers,

  Trying different positions, not letting go.

  Like famous wrestlers

  Competing with each other

  Showing off.

  Like mad elephants

  Fondling each other

  Getting on top of each
other.

  Making noises like swans in heat

  Wrapped in each other like two pythons

  Inspired by Kamadeva,

  Oh! When will I have her again?

  137. ‘Her elongated eyes like large fish

  Face glowing like the full moon

  Her glance sharper than sun rays

  She is far superior to all.

  138. ‘The scented lamp, the shimmering red clothes

  Are put to shame by her body and lips.

  The long line of bees and shining stars

  Are put to shame by her hair and fingers.

  The full-blown lotus and precious stones

  Are put to shame by her eyes and breasts.

  The apex of beauty

  Fragrant like the sampangi flower

  And perfumed waters

  Like the soft petals of love

  My golden lass

  When will I see her?

  Oh! How I suffer …

  139. ‘Her proud, jutting breasts, loftier than mountains

  Her swaying gait, superior to swaying elephants

  Her deep navel, surpassing the punnaga tree

  With such beauty, she naturally ruled over me, the Lord of Kalinga.

  140. ‘Her eyes are the beauty of her face

  Her breast the beauty of her body

  Her waist enhances her back

  Her beauty has no rivals.

  141. ‘If the lotus-eyed one weren’t the grace-filled river,

  Would lotuses flower in her eyes?

  If her beauty weren’t the garden of love,

  Would banana trees flourish there?

  If the flower-lipped woman weren’t enticing,

  Would honey bees hover around her?

  If the pretty lady weren’t Kamadeva’s bow,

  Would her glances pierce me like arrows?

  If the maid weren’t the moon herself,

  Would her shining face bewitch me so?

  If the lady weren’t the boon of my penance,

  Would my body quiver with pleasure?’

  142. As the flower-eyed Krishna sat,

  Overcome thus with distressing thoughts,

  Hearing his loud laments came visiting

  His brother-in-law Sreedama, Ila’s brother,

  Who teased him gently:

  143. ‘“Take me, take me,”

  Cry thousands of maidens

  But you, so engrossed in Radha,

  Pine away, O lotus-eyed one!

  144. ‘This Radha, this tough shrew,

  Is she better than my sister?

  If so, tell me how?

  If you compare their ages,

  One is a king, the other a mere servant!

  145. ‘They say neither committed relationships nor the perfect age

  Neither illicit romances nor abstinence

  Not experienced, clever women

  Guarantee happiness.

  This relationship, is it right?

  Nothing but sorrow will come of it.

  Don’t you know, Krishna?’

  146. As Sreedama spoke,

  The Yadava leader retorted,

  ‘Knowledge of the Kama Shastras,

  Practice of love games, skill at foreplay

  Are known only to veterans of love,

  Not to cowherds,

  You who know nothing but taking care of cows!

  147. ‘Brahma married his daughter,

  A girl he created himself—

  Was he considered depraved?

  The moon abducted his guru’s wife, Tara—

  Was he considered corrupt?

  Surya consorted with his friend’s wife—

  Was he considered to be a debauch?

  The lord of the seas paired with Ganga, his granddaughter—

  Was he considered lowly?

  Vyasa’s dalliances with his sisters-in-law—

  Did they make him lose his sanctity?

  This is not a sanctioned relationship, you say.

  But were they immoral,

  Those you preach about?

  148. ‘Isn’t Bhoodevi Hari’s aunt?

  Isn’t Ganga Shiva’s aunt?

  Wasn’t Ahalya Indra’s aunt?

  How, pray, did they have relationships?

  Verily, they know more than you!

  149. ‘Sita was older than Rama

  Revathi than Balarama

  Rati too, it is said, was older than Manmatha

  And you say she is older than me!

  150. ‘No ordinary woman is she, the very best

  No mere lady, she’s Manmatha’s arrow

  Not just any maiden, her beauty is like the sampangi flower

  She isn’t merely feminine but the sweetest thing on earth!

  151. ‘God knows when a friendship began

  Between the bees’ shimmering wings and her tresses …

  God knows when a marriage was consummated

  Between the moon and her radiant face …

  God knows when kinship was established

  Between karpuram and her lady’s lips …

  God knows when a relationship was forged

  Between the golden pots and her magnificent breasts …

  152. ‘Glittering fish scales are reflected in her wide eyes

  Kamadeva’s arrows are her sharp looks

  Her body like lightning strikes

  The best have all gathered in one place

  In Radhika!

  153. ‘I think of those

  Fragrant lips, sweet utterances,

  Black tresses, forehead like the half-moon,

  Long, beautiful neck and eyes like lotuses,

  Gait like the divine elephant, breasts like heavenly hills …

  154. ‘Shining fingers embellished like stars

  Brilliant pearl-like teeth

  Clear, white eyes

  No wonder she betters the stars in beauty.

  155. ‘Her flowing tresses defeat the clouds

  Her trim waist bests the bend of the arrow

  Her perfumed body outdoes tulip blossoms

  And her luminous complexion outshines lightning!

  156. ‘Her thighs are smoother than banana stems

  Her forehead shinier than moonbeams

  Her fingers more radiant than the stars

  Her shimmering body obliterates the arrogance of gold!

  157. ‘In the presence of her brilliant smile

  The rays of the moon pale.

  Compared to her pitch-black hair,

  The darkest clouds bow their heads.

  158. ‘Fresh fruit, sweet water, nectar and honey

  Grapes, sugarcane, milk, sugar and red rubies,

  Are they equal to her lips?

  Can they conquer Kama’s antics?

  Can anything be more gratifying?

  159. ‘Her luxuriant curly hair

  Became famous amongst people

  Her firm breasts gained notoriety

  Her languorous gait became synonymous with grace

  Her teasing eyes became symbols of charm

  Her slim waist was renowned

  Only a man who sleeps with such a woman

  Can be called a great man.

  160. ‘Her shining tresses, lovely graceful face

  Her large eyes and coquettish glances

  Her firm breasts and shimmering body

  Her artfulness, her sweet talk, only she is capable of it.

  161. ‘Beauty, glamour, colour, grace, all these

  Can be present in a great sculpture too

  But to what use?

  Graceful dignity, sweet utterances and artistry,

  Where can we find such perfection in the world?’

  162. Tetchy thus,

  Seeing Manmatha appear,

  His words reflecting his angst,

  Krishna summarily vented his anger at all present:

  163. ‘O moon! Carry on your waxing and waning

  Till my round-faced lady arrives.
r />   O Malaya breeze! Your gentle wind works

  Only till my lady love sighs.

  O drunken parrot! Wait until you hear her lovely voice.

  O peacock! Your preening will stop when she combs her long hair.

  O nightingale! Your song is good only until she speaks.

  O swan! Your gait looks good only until she walks towards me.

  O bee! Your sounds are melodious only till my lover looks at me.

  O Kamadeva! Your conceit will vanish when my beloved arrives.

  164. ‘You have all come together

  To tease me in all manners

  Still I bear this

  My revenge is she,

  When she comes.’

  165. So saying and cursing the god of love and all around him, his friends and his followers, Souri fell on his bed, in an utter state of despair, pining for her and worrying, worrying, worrying …

  166. Restless, he sighed, tossing and twisting

  Slipping into deep thought

  Now laughing, now weeping

  Abusing fate, making unreasonable demands

  In and out, he wandered impatiently,

  Abruptly stopping.

  167. He listened, to the slightest sounds,

  Angry and worried

  Hurt, his head hanging in despair

  He cried out loud,

  ‘My dear lady, come to me!’

  168. Seeing Hari lying thus

  On the flower-laden bed

  Finding no solace, struggling

  Remorseful and sorry

  His friends came, to try and console him.

  169. On his eyes and eyebrows,

  Head, lips, hands, fingertips,

  His lotus feet, his stomach, his entire body,

  They applied scented oil.

  170. As they continued to assist

  Calmness returned

  Srinivasa settled into tranquillity

  Even as the sun rose behind the Udaya hills

  Like a tilak on a radiant forehead.

  Thus ends the third chapter of the sringara prabhandam Radhika Santawanam, written by Muddupalani, well versed in literature, music and dance with the blessings of the young Krishna and her preceptor Tatacharya, and under the tutelage of Raja Pratapsimha of Tanjore, who showered her with pearls, gold, jewellery and other precious gifts.

  Chapter Four

  Krishna returns to Vrindavan

  He is repelled by maidens who guard Radha

  Parrot hits Krishna on his head

  Krishna coaxes parrot to help him be reconciled with Radha

  Krishna enters Radha’s palace

  Krishna loudly proclaims his love

  Radha is unrelenting

  Krishna lays his head at the lotus feet of Radha

  Love and anger make Radha kick Hari’s head

  Realizing her folly, Radha relents

  Appeasement of Radha

  Radha and Madhava celebrate

  Phala Stuti

  1. Extolled by Brahma

  Lying on the mighty Adi Shesha