Appeasement of Radhika Read online

  Vested with all good virtues

  Better-looking than even Manmatha

  Praised by all sages great

  Vanquisher of all sins

  The last refuge for all beings

  Hail to thee!

  113. Ruler of Kalindi

  Mover of mountains

  With your Garuda vahana

  Lying on Adi Shesha

  The one with the thousand hoods

  Ruler of words, unparalleled

  Radiant and resplendent

  Bejewelled and brilliant

  Manmatha pales in comparison

  With you in this splendid form

  Hail to thee!

  Thus ends the fourth and final 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.

  Works Consulted

  This is a select list of the works consulted. Publication details have been given wherever possible.

  "A historic perspective of women writing in Andhra Pradesh". http://englishthulika.wordpress.com/2008/03/16/telugu-women-writers/

  Balendusekharam, Khandavalli. Nayakas of Tanjore. Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Sahitya Akademi, 1975.

  Chakravarthy, Pradeep. Thanjavur: A Cultural History. New Delhi: Niyogi Books, 2010.

  Chenchiah, Bhujanga. History of Telugu Literature. Asian Educational Services, 1988.

  Devnath, Lakshmi. Writings in The Hindu.

  Jackson, William. Tyagaraja and the Renewal of Tradition. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1995.

  Kannabiran, Kalpana, and Vasantha Kannabiran. Muvalar Ramamirthammal's Web of Deceit: Devadasi Reform in Colonial India. New Delhi: Zubaan Books, 2003.

  Krishnamurthy, S. Sangita Samaya. Mysore: D.V.K. Murthy.

  Miller, Barbara Stoler. Jayadeva's Gita Govindam. Delhi: Oxford University Press, 1978.

  Muddupalani, Radhikasantvanam. Madras: EMESCO Books, 1972.

  Mulchandani, Sandhya. The Five Arrows of Kama. New Delhi: Penguin Books India, 2010.

  Narla, Venkateswar Rao. Veeresalingam. New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi, 1968.

  Neville, Pran. "The Courtesan Was Also a Scholar". The Tribune (December 12, 1999).

  Ramanujan, A.K., Velucheru Narayana Rao, and David Shulman, eds. and trans. When God Is a Customer: Telugu Courtesan Songs by Ksetrayya and Others. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1994.

  Rao, Velcheru Narayana, and David Shulman, eds. Classical Telugu Poetry: An Anthology. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2004.

  Sangham, Kandukuri Veeresalingam Smarakostavamula. Yugapurushudu.

  Sangham, Veeresalingam Smarakostavamula. Yugapurushudu Veeresalingam.

  Sankaran, T. Bangalore Nagarathnammal. Tamil Biography translated by Sulochana Govardhan. (Sadguru Shri Thyagaraja Swamigal birth bicentenary commemorative publication.)

  Sastry, B. Sadashiva Shankara. Samagra Andhra Sahityam (An Encyclopedia of Telugu Literature). Vols 8 and 12. Madras: Seshachalam & Co., 1965 and 1968.

  Scott, David C. "Radha in the Erotic Play of the Universe". http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=146

  Srinivasan, Amrit. "Reform or Continuity? Temple 'Prostitution' and the Community in the Madras Presidency." In Structures of Patriarchy: State, Community and Household in Modernising Asia. Edited by Bina Agarwal. New Delhi: Kali for Women, 1988.

  Sriram, V. The Devadasi and the Saint: The Life and Times of Bangalore Nagarathnamma. Madras: EastWest Books, 2007.

  Sruti magazine (January-February 1984).

  Subramanian, K.R. The Maharajas of Tanjore. New Delhi: Asian Educational Services, 1988.

  Tambimuttu and John Piper. Indian Love Poems. Mt Vernon, New York: Peter Pauper Press, 1967.

  Tharu, Susie, and K. Lalita, eds. Women Writing in India: 600 BC to the Present. Vol. 1, 600 BC to the Early 20th Century. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 1991.

  The Hindu (100 years commemorative volume).

  Whitehead, Judith. "Community Honor/Sexual Boundaries: A Discursive Analysis of Devadasi Criminalization in Madras, India, 1920-1947." In Prostitution: On Whores, Hustlers, and Johns. Edited by James E. Elias, Vern L. Bullough, Veronica Elias, and Gwen Brewer. New York: Prometheus Books, 1998.

  Glossary

  INTRODUCTION

  Chakravaka birds: Commonly known as Brahmany ducks, they are known to fly in pairs during the day but separate in the night symbolizing conjugal affection but destined to be separated at night.

  Ganika: A devadasi.

  Ishta devta: One’s personal god.

  Kavya: Poetry.

  Maharishi Suka: Brother of Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Vidura, Suka is the greatest son of the sage Vyasa. He is believed to have been of the Vedic fire when Vyasa was attracted to the apsara Ghrtaci, who flew away in a parrot’s form. Hence the epitaph Suka, which means parrot.

  Nava rasas: Nine emotions used in Bharatanatyam as exemplified in the treatise called Natya Shastra.

  Nayika: Heroine.

  Radhika/Radha: Krishna’s beloved. Acknowledged to be the supreme goddess, as she completely controls Krishna with her love. She is older than Krishna, apart from being his aunt.

  Sringara rasa: One of the nine rasas that translates as erotic love.

  Tanjore Quartet: Sadir is Tamil Nadu’s oldest classical dance form. In the nineteenth century it was designed as a stage art by four Tamil brothers, Sri Ponniah (b.1804), Sri Chinnaya (b.1802), Sri Sivanandan (b.1808) and Sri Vadivelu (b.1810), who were together known as the Tanjore Quartet.

  Veerabhadraya, Melattur: The architect of svarajati as a musical form.

  Vimana: The pyramid-shaped towers on south Indian temples.

  AVATARIKA

  Adi Shesha: One of the primal beings of creation. In Hindu tradition, he is depicted as a black multi-headed coiled serpent on whom Lord Vishnu rests.

  Agraharam: Village or local community in Tamil Nadu.

  Chakravarti: Emperor.

  Garuda: An eagle who is Lord Vishnu’s vahana (vehicle).

  Garudachala: Name of the hill where Lord Venkatesha (Vishnu) resides.

  Govardhana: The mountain that Krishna lifted to protect the cowherds of Vrindavan during a deluge.

  Kalinga/Kaliya: The name of a poisonous snake living in the Yamuna river in Vrindavan. Krishna is said to have subdued the snake by dancing on his hood.

  Kasturi tilakam: Mark made with fragrant musk applied on the forehead.

  Kaustubha mani: A ruby-red jewel worn by Lord Vishnu.

  Krishna: Souri, Madhava, Murari, Madhurvani, Damodara, Nandabala, Hari, Govinda, King of the Yadavas, Bala Gopala, Shrihari, Yogeshwara, Padmanabha, Shridhara, Dwarakadeesh, Murari (killer of Mura, the general of Narkasura), Gopala and Gadadhari are all names of Lord Krishna.

  Kukavi: Bad poet.

  Manmatha: Kama, Kamadeva, Kandarpa, Manmatha and Ananga are all synonyms for Kamadeva, the god of love. Kamadeva is also said to have reincarnated as Pradyumna, Krishna’s son, and is often referred to as such here.

  Most poetic works in Sanskrit and the vernacular use florid similes to describe female physical characteristics. Thighs usually resemble elephant trunks or smooth banana stems, breasts are compared to mountain peaks, and so on. The three folds of skin at the waist of buxom women were considered signs of beauty.

  Rambha: Celestial nymph in Lord Indra’s court.

  The first three verses are dedicated to Krishna’s two wives, Rukmini and Satyabhama, whose ongoing rivalry for the affections of Krishna may have laid the foundation for the theme of Radhika Santawanam. Even Krishna, despite being divine, could not escape human follies such as jealousy and rivalry.

  The parrot is the vehicle of Manmatha, the god of love.

  Vishwaksena: The general of Vishnu’s army.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Anasuya: Wife of the sage Atri.
r />   Ashta dikpalakas: Guardian deities of the eight cardinal directions.

  Bandha: Telugu term, pertains both to an expression in poetry as well as a posture in lovemaking.

  Chakora: Kind of partridge believed to live on the beams of the moon.

  Champak oil: Oil from the fragrant champak flower.

  Chandrakanta: Moonstone characterized by its enchanting play of light.

  Haldi and kumkum: Turmeric and vermilion, both marks of auspiciousness.

  Jaggery and til: Unrefined sugar and sesame seeds, traditionally distributed at auspicious occasions.

  Javvaji: Floral perfume.

  Kaitabha and Canura: Demons killed by Krishna.

  Karpuram and sunnam: Camphor and lime, often applied to betel leaves.

  Kaustubha mani: A deep blue-coloured jewel worn by Lord Vishnu in his necklace.

  Pitambara: Yellow silk garments always worn by Krishna.

  Pittu: Sweets made from rice flour and raw sugar.

  Rahu: One of the nine planets in Hindu astrology, depicted with a dragon head, said to swallow the moon, causing lunar eclipses.

  Romavalli: The line of hair on a woman’s body running down from between her breasts.

  Sakhi: A female friend.

  Sambrani: Fragrant resin made from the sap of the sal tree, used as incense.

  Sampangi: Fragrant ylang-ylang flower.

  Shivaratri: A festival celebrated every year for Lord Shiva, it entails keeping awake the whole night.

  Suraponna: White or pinkish, sweet-smelling flowers.

  Tambulam and payasam: Betel leaves and a sweet milk-based dessert.

  Vibhuti: Sacred ash.

  Vrepalle: Vrindavan, birthplace of Krishna.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Brahmananda: The bliss experienced in the union with the Absolute.

  Ditija: Descendants of Diti. Daityas or demons.

  Drishti: Sanskrit word for ‘sight’; ritual to ward off the evil eye.

  Gopikas or gopis: Women who were cowherds in Vrindavan where Krishna lived as a child.

  In Telugu poetry, the moon is associated with the tulip and the sun with the lotus; thus the enemy of the lotus is the moon.

  Indraneela: Blue sapphire.

  Krishna paksha: The dark fortnight of the waning moon.

  Mast: A male elephant in heat.

  Nagamani: A stone said to be embedded in the head of the king cobra and believed to have mystical powers.

  Nandasuta: Son of Nanda, Krishna.

  Pogadas, suraponna, sampangi, mandara, banthi, kaluva, malle: Names of different flowers.

  Purushottama: ‘Best amongst men’, Krishna.

  Ravana: King of Lanka who kidnapped Sita, wife of Lord Rama, and was vanquished by Rama in the epic Ramayana.

  Shankh and chakra: Conch and discus, emblems of Vishnu.

  Surabhi: Holy, wish-fulfilling cow in mythology.

  Swans (hamsa) are called wise as, mythically, they are supposed to have the ability to separate water from milk, and are thus identified with the Supreme Being.

  Tanpura: Stringed instrument, like the veena.

  Ugradeva: Another name for Shiva.

  Vajra: Indra’s thunderbolt.

  Varaha: Boar, one of the ten incarnations of Vishnu.

  Vasanta: Personification of spring, a close friend of Kamadeva.

  Yatri: Traveller.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Arjuna: Krishna’s friend and one of the five Pandava brothers from the epic Mahabharata.

  Bhiksha: Giving of alms.

  Bhikshu: A sage.

  Brahma is said to have committed incest by sleeping with his own daughter.

  Duta: Sanskrit for messenger.

  Golla: A subset of the Yadava community, to which Krishna belongs.

  In verses 147 and 148, Krishna attempts to justify his relationship with Radha (she was older and his aunt) by giving examples of other gods who too had committed transgressions.

  Kokila bird: Cuckoo bird.

  Krishna is like a son-in-law or nephew to Radha, through marriage.

  Ksheerasagara: Ocean of milk which is believed to have been churned by demons (asuras) and devas (angels).

  Malaya breeze: Breeze mixed with the scent of sandalwood.

  Punnaga: A white fragrant flower used in the worship of gods.

  Rabbit: The moon is likened to a rabbit as it moves faster than the other plants and satellites. It is also sacred to the moon god Chandra and all rabbits are considered to be under his protection.

  Rati: Personification of passion, and the wife of Kamadeva.

  Saturn in horoscope: In Hindu astrology Saturn, said to have a malefic effect, is present in a horoscope.

  Sri Vamuni is another name for Krishna’s brother-in-law Sreedama.

  The moon is said to have committed an indiscretion by abducting Tara, the wife of his guru Brihaspati.

  Vrata: A religious fast.

  Yesterday’s grain is today’s scorpion: This insignificant person of yesterday is ready to sting today.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Bommaramu: A spinning top shaped like an inverted umbrella.

  Durbeeja: Name of a tribe.

  Jaji flowers: A variety of jasmine.

  Kuvalayapeeda: An elephant that tried to kill Krishna.

  Maruvam plant: Marjoram. Fragrant leaves used in worship.

  Parijata: Night-flowering jasmine flowers.

  Sakatasura: A demon sent to kill Krishna who took the form of a wheel.

  Acknowledgements

  This book would have been impossible without the valuable assistance, guidance and support of the following people who helped translate, explore and understand the rhythm of language and emotion. I thank all of them.

  Dr C. Mrunalini: Gold medalist, professor, translator and, currently, director for comparative studies and course coordinator for Telugu classics at the Telugu University, Hyderabad, for her invaluable help with the translation of the book.

  Shrimati Bhamidi Kamaladevi, Tanuku, West Godavari district: Professor of music and an authority on classical Telugu literature, for her understanding of the language and its subtleties. Her interpretations, especially of the old aphorisms, were invaluable.

  Tuvar Krishnaswamy Raghavan: For his enthusiastic help and knowledge of Thanjavur, Carnatic music, Thyagaraja and the Tirruvaiyar festival.

  Cattamanchi Sudhakar Reddy, Bangalore: For his help in translating and understanding the nuances and intricacies of old Telugu.

  Most importantly, the late Dr K.P.S. Menon, winner of the Sahitya Akademi translation prize, for his guidance and interest in this project.

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  This collection published 2011

  Copyright © Muddupalani 2011

  The moral right of the author has been asserted

  Jacket images © T.Vaikuntam

  ISBN: 978-0-143-41743-9

  This digital edition published in 2016.

  e-ISBN: 978-8-184-75564-0

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