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Appeasement of Radhika Page 3


  She, who like a parrot speaks,

  To this beauteous Rukmini

  I pray for prosperity.

  3. Like a graceful elephant she sways

  Long, black hair coiled like Adi Shesha

  Like lofty mountains her breasts rise

  With languorous grace her feet move

  To that gracious Satyabhama I pray

  For eternal protection.

  4. I bow to Adi Shesha

  On whom rests mighty Srinivasa,

  Hail to the able-bodied Garuda

  Who is His vahana,

  Praise be to Hari’s general Vishwaksena

  To all the gods and great scholars

  And to the Lord God, refuge of all beings,

  I pay obeisance.

  5. Muddupalani then evokes the blessings of all the scholars and poets she admires. These include Sanskrit littérateurs like Valmiki, Vyasa and Kalidasa, and Telugu poets Nannaya, Tikkana, Nachana Somana, Srinatha, Bhaskara, Vemulavada and Bheemakavi. She then disavows those she calls kukavis and critics while explaining the reason for her writing this kavya.

  6. Bad news are critics and kukavis

  Whose lives depend on calumny.

  Ignore them and pay not heed.

  And should you come to a barb while reading

  Use your discrimination.

  7. But cynics don’t stop:

  ‘What use is another kavya

  When so much,

  Far better, already exists?’

  To them, I say:

  ‘The bee that enjoys the lotus

  Delights in the honey of ordinary flowers

  With equal relish.’

  8. Brown body lustrous

  Gossamer pitambar tied at his waist

  Pearl nose pin gleaming bright

  Kasturi tilakam anointing his forehead

  Compassionate eyes reflecting his grace

  With peacock feathers and abundant flowers

  With the moon and the sun as his ornaments bright

  His matchless beauty

  Seemed all splendour and grace.

  Holding Radhika’s flower in his hand

  He appeared, the radiant Krishna,

  In my dream.

  9. Stunned and stupefied

  I was

  Prostrating before my Lord

  He looked

  At me

  My Krishna

  And spoke

  With much love, much compassion.

  10. ‘O Muddupalani!

  Most sensitive of poets,

  I desire you to write

  With great dedication

  The tale closest to my heart,

  The tale of Radhika Santawanam.’

  11. As soon as he uttered these words, the Lord disappeared, leaving me mesmerized and awestruck. Perturbed, and wondering what this wonderful dream meant, I sought the help of scholars to interpret it.

  12. Then did I remember the man who was steeped in Vedantic tradition, known for his gravitas and magnanimity, who felled disbelievers and ignoramuses alike with his depth of knowledge, surrounded by devotees—he who stood like the moon in a sea of scholars, whose guidance I sought because of my good fortune. This epitome of good qualities was my guru and preceptor, Veera Raghava Desika, who followed in the footsteps of His Holiness, the revered Thirumala Tatacharya. Propitiating him, as he sat surrounded by scholars and artistes, I narrated the dream, seeking answers to what it meant. And then in chorus they declared that I’d been blessed by Krishna’s presence, because I’d served well the great sire Veera Raghava, who was none other than the Lord incarnate. Graced as I was by the God’s presence they showered me with blessings saying that I would be the recipient of much fame and fortune.

  13. ‘He, most able of administrators,

  He, who chased away darkness from earth

  Earning the country’s praise.

  He, who with his might and valour, contained the enemy’s armies.

  He, whom Aryavrata considers an embodiment of knowledge,

  Is such a man a mere king?

  Loving son and compassionate ruler,

  Known as the Moon of the Bhosale kingdom

  Is the great Pratapsimha.

  14. ‘He whose magnanimity

  Put Lord Indra to shame

  Whose deep devotion to Lord Rama

  Caused Narada to pale in comparison

  Whose genius and knowledge

  Made Adi Shesha bow in humility

  Whose pervasive fame

  Rendered the Sea God shamefaced

  He whose eminence and reputation

  Spread through God’s kingdom,

  The Himalayas and the entire world

  Is the great Pratapsimha.’

  15. They said:

  ‘You who have received such a king’s affections,

  Should you be surprised by such unusual happenings?

  Elaborate on your life for all to know,’

  They encouraged with kindness.

  16. Thus persuaded, Muddupalani outlines her genealogy. Tanjanayaki, a renowned court dancer and courtesan, befriends a man called Ayyavaya, who is a great philanthropist although from a lower caste. Considering him a brother, she adopts his son and names him Muthyalu, raising him as her own. When Muthyalu comes of age, she gets him married to another talented and beautiful courtesan much like herself called Rama Vadhuti, who is also addressed here as Potiboti.

  17. What is it that turns red on touch?

  The tips of his lady’s breasts.

  What sparkles like precious stones

  On the crowns of Manmatha, Brahma and others?

  What blossoms like lotus fields

  In the hearts of devout sages?

  Who spreads the glory of the Vedas?

  The sacred Ganges rising from Shiva’s head

  Flows through the three worlds,

  To the auspicious feet of Shri Vishnu.

  18. From His holy feet was born

  Into the Sudra caste,

  A man called Ayyavaya,

  Renowned as Karna,

  The magnanimous philanthropist.

  19. He and his wife Chengathi

  Begot a son Muthyalu, whom

  The dancer Tanjanayaki loved so true

  That she took him for her own.

  20. Impossible to assess was

  Tanjanayaki’s wealth and intelligence,

  Shrewd, skilled, sensuous was she

  Winning over one and all.

  21. Could she play the veena?

  Oh! Even statues would start nodding their heads.

  Could she dance?

  Oh! Even Rambha would hang her head in shame.

  Could she sing?

  Oh! Even the hardest rock would melt in minutes.

  Could she converse?

  Like a sprinkle of cool water, drenching one in happiness.

  22. Epithets such as these adorned her

  Unequalled and beyond compare

  Embodiment of virtue and great beauty

  Kamadeva’s own creation, was Tanjanayaki.

  23. And like siblings true

  Did Tanjanayaki and Muthyalu’s father live

  Caring and coexisting

  Like Kunti and Vasudeva.

  24. Then one day did Muddu Tanjanayaki

  Come across another

  Best amongst women,

  An epitome of virtues,

  A beauteous ganika called Rama Vadhuti.

  25. An agraharam

  Ramambakhya Puram,

  A great temple to Shiva

  Playgrounds and verdant gardens

  Fragrant flowers full in bloom

  Great ponds and lakes with lotus buds

  All these and more had the great lady built

  Giving joy to one and all.

  26. On seeing her alluring face

  Stood Muthyalu transfixed.

  A king did he become, approaching this beauty

  Conquering her love, a chakravarti or emperor,r />
  And touching her breasts

  Turned him into a Durgadhipati, King of Forts.

  27. Devoted like Narada

  Compassionate like Rama

  Pleasant like the very moon, was he

  Rivalling Duryodhana and Bhima in valour.

  Like Raja Bhoj was he in the arts

  Well versed in Bharata Shastras like Krishna

  This disciple of the great Tatacharya

  Benefactor of all those in need

  Giving freely to all

  Was this great man Muthyalu

  Who chose Rama Vadhuti for his wife.

  28. Fêted and feasted

  Generous to a fault

  Radiant like Lakshmi and Indrani

  Devotee of Lord Shiva and his consort

  No words are enough to praise

  The wondrous Rama Vadhuti.

  29. Only the one who can gaze at her beautiful face

  Can be called the King of Kings.

  Only the one who sees her narrow waist

  Can be called the Lord of the Earth.

  Only the one who strokes her proud breasts

  Can be called the Owner of Forts.

  Only the one who touches her stomach folds

  Can call himself Supreme King.

  30. Possessing wealth, friendship, intelligence

  Beauty, loveliness, style and allure

  Her comeliness surpassing all others

  The epitome of good qualities,

  Shone Rama Vadhuti, resplendent.

  31. Such a person did Muthyalu marry

  A woman who suited him true,

  Giving his heart happily

  To the virtuous Rama Vadhuti.

  32. Muthyalu was the disciple of the great preceptor Thirumala Tatacharya, whose scholarship and character was equal to the gods, including Indra, Rama, Krishna, Bhoja and Narada. And I, Muddupalani, born to Muthyalu and Rama Vadhuti, also became his disciple.

  33. Shining bright like the moon amidst stars

  A rarity among poets

  Most experienced in the arts.

  Fish-like eyes desired even by Manmatha,

  She mocks even the lotus flower

  Padmavathi’s face,

  Is equalled only by Muddupalani’s.

  34. Which other woman of my kind

  Has written the Ramakoti?

  To which other woman of my kind

  Have epics been dedicated?

  Which other woman of my kind

  Has been felicitated by scholars with valuable gifts?

  35. Which other woman of my kind

  Has been honoured by kings and lords?

  Which other woman of my kind

  Has won such acclaim in all the arts?

  Blessed by the redoubtable Tatacharya,

  This is the daughter of Muthyalu

  Incomparable, is Muddupalani.

  36. Praised by kings stands she

  Of radiant countenance round like the full moon

  Sparkling conversation matching her face

  Compassionate eyes matching her gentle speech

  Generosity of spirit matching her luminous eyes

  Ornaments true of Muddupalani.

  37. The one who resides on Garudachala

  And dwells in the hearts of gopis

  The one who killed the demon Sambara

  To him, I pay obeisance.

  38. The one on whose broad chest rests

  The shimmering kaustubha.

  The Lord who protects his devotees true,

  Lord of the Vedas,

  Greatest amongst scholars,

  To him I pay my respects.

  39. To Souri who fulfils all desires,

  To the true friend of the Pandavas

  Lifting Govardhanagiri

  Eliminating the evil Kalinga

  He who destroys the arrogance of rakshasas

  To that God Hari I pray.

  40. Charioteer and devoted friend

  Who destroys the pride and ego

  Dwelling deep in Arjuna’s heart.

  His countenance and hands aglow

  Mischievous smile, sparkling eyes

  Before the enchanting Dwarkadheesh

  I do bow.

  41. To the compassionate Lord

  Who dwells in the hearts of great sages

  The one who won over the Kauravas

  Unequalled in all virtues

  At his lotus feet,

  I do meditate.

  Chapter One

  Vrepalla, the seat of art and beauty

  Krishna’s love life

  Radhika, Krishna’s beloved

  Young Ila

  Vasudeva’s life

  Ila’s desire for Krishna

  Radhika tutors Ila in the arts

  Ila attains puberty

  Radhika performs traditional rituals

  Wedding of Krishna and Ila

  Radhika tutors Ila on sexual matters

  Radhika’s depression

  Krishna woos Ila

  Parrot narrates Radhika’s anguish to Krishna

  Radhika tells Souri of her desire

  Love games between Radha and Krishna

  Sunrise and the morning after

  1. Muddupalani, believing that the subject and its treatment of her work could meet with censure from critics, shrewdly gets this tale of love between Radha, Krishna and Ila narrated by the wisest of sages, Maharishi Suka, to the scholarly King Janaka.

  2. King Janaka, addressed the revered and renowned Suka Muni, with great devotion and enthusiasm:

  3. O great saint! I have heard the stories of Lord Vishnu with great pleasure. Why though, did Radha, who had raised Ila from childhood, get so agitated? What was the cause of her anger? How did the leader of cowherds, son of Devaki, appease his lady love? Kindly narrate the story to me so I may hear and be blessed.

  4. Hearing this, the saint Suka reverentially recalled the auspicious feet of Lord Krishna and said, eyes brimming with tears of ecstasy:

  5. Whenever you hear

  The sweet music of beauteous gopis,

  Whenever you hear

  The melodious veena played by moon-faced girls,

  Whenever you see

  The confluence of music and literature

  By women who walk with elephantine grace,

  Whenever you see

  Expressive Bharatanatyam

  Rendered by dusky women,

  Whenever you hear

  Groups singing praises of Krishna’s exploits,

  Then Vrepalle shines

  Bathed in the glorious colour of this Love God

  Suffused with the divine love of Krishna.

  6. Lying in Nanda’s private chambers

  Is the one adorned with the kaustubha mani,

  The slayer of demons,

  The stealer of hearts,

  The embodiment of all virtues—

  Madanagopala.

  7. His fame like fire

  Spreads across the land,

  Should we doubt that he is the moon itself?

  His radiant glow forever attracts lotus flowers,

  Should we hesitate in addressing him as the Sun God?

  He is, verily, the slayer of demons,

  Should we waver in calling him the Lord of Gods?

  His resplendent body fascinates the very swan,

  Should we pause before addressing him as the Sea God?

  His feet that glow like the rising sun,

  Are they not equal to the lotus flower?

  Worshipping with reverence

  Wise men pray

  Whilst Lord Krishna sits

  Ever dignified, silent.

  8. Long, lustrous tresses that curl at the tips

  Face radiant as the full moon

  Arched brows framing twinkling eyes

  Skin rich like intense dark clouds

  The pretty women of Vrepalle

  Succumb to his irresistible charms.

  Alas! Should such a seductive man
set out to woo

  How can a virtuous lady

  Or even a nun resist?

  9. Were her breasts not like lofty mountains

  Would they withstand the attack of Krishna’s hands?

  Were her eyes not like black tulips

  Would they sparkle at a mere glance from Hari?

  Were her body not electrifying as lightning

  Would it merge with Krishna’s dark one?

  Were her feet not like blossoms fresh

  Would they flower at Krishna’s touch?

  Praised thus by the wise,

  The fairest of all

  The younger sister of Nanda with long-flowing tresses

  Who spoke as sweetly as a parrot

  Was the lady Radhika.

  10. Oh, was she content being the Lord’s lover!

  11. Long, dark tresses weighed down her nubile body

  Gazelle eyes darting shy

  Breasts youthful and upright

  Slimmest of waists and most youthful thighs

  Undulating gait and flushed cheeks

  Radiant face glowing bright

  Is this beauty

  Ila Devi.

  12. Pamper and spoil

  Did Yashoda and Nanda

  This nature’s child.

  Indulgently cared for

  With every need met

  Did Ila thrive under Radha’s tutelage.

  13. The destroyer of demons

  The Love God of village belles

  The Lord God of all deities

  The blue-eyed son of his parents.

  14. Attractive and irresistible

  Young eyes glint invitingly

  Slim-waisted women

  Flash beguiling smiles

  Mature women with faces round

  Entice by parading luscious breasts

  Middle-aged women with eyes a-roving

  Lure him, virtue abandoned

  Them and others more he fulfils

  Much like the moon lighting up the world

  Living amidst them is he

  Manmatha himself, churner of hearts

  The gorgeous Rajagopala.

  15. When Radha would offer her bountiful breasts

  To the slayer of demons,

  Ila would lament: ‘But I have none!’

  When Radha would present her full red lips,

  Ila would lament: ‘Mine aren’t so luscious.’

  When Radha would present him a peacock feather,

  Ila would lament: ‘I have nothing to give!’

  When Radha would flash her shining teeth,

  Ila would lament: ‘Mine don’t sparkle.’

  And when Radha would invite Krishna,

  ‘Come into the bedroom …’

  Ila would wail: ‘Wait for me too!’

  To the merriment and delight

  Of Radha and Krishna.

  16. Playing hide and seek,

  Ila would make Murari close her eyes.

  Playing touch and go,