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Appeasement of Radhika Page 4


  She’d snuggle up to him.

  Running around

  She would accost him.

  Playing by the sandbanks,

  Ila would nuzzle up to him,

  Never leaving his side

  Never passing up a chance

  To touch him.

  Thus did adore young Ila her beloved Krishna.

  Her friends would marvel,

  ‘God! This girl sure is naughty!’

  17. The ragas were mastered

  And the veena too,

  Bharata’s Natya Shastra

  And mudras true

  And rasa—the essence of the kavyas

  Rhyme and metre

  The art of writing

  Style, sophistry, elegance true

  And passion—

  Bandhas both

  Did Radha teach Ila

  With patience tenderly, gently.

  18. Then did Radha pray

  To the gods above

  For robust breasts and limbs long.

  Fragrant oils did she massage

  For glossy, glistening tresses.

  With local potions did she anoint Ila.

  ‘Dear Lord! May she attain puberty soon!’

  19. Nurturing and feeding Ila

  With care was Radha,

  Captivated by her protégé’s youth and growing beauty.

  Gazing at her she’d joke:

  20. ‘You? Competition? Fie!’

  But compelled, she would glance at Ila

  Caressing her cheeks playfully

  Kissing her fondly

  Over and over again.

  21. Thus did Radha care

  Warding off the evil eye and bad omens,

  Ensuring nothing untoward befell Ila

  Who grew luxuriantly like a lovingly tended plant

  In the garden of Manmatha,

  God of love.

  22. And then none too soon

  Did puberty arrive

  Sweeping away innocence and naïvete

  In its wake.

  Her fingertips grew red, the body fragrant

  Her speech mellifluous like birdsong

  And chattering parrots pecked at her red lips,

  Mistaking it for ripe fruit

  Braid as black as Rahu,

  Framing her round moon-like face

  Her romavalli like bees streaming towards

  Suraponna flowers

  Feet like swans, swinging gait elegant and measured

  Smiling eyes flashing, sharing secrets with her ears …

  Thus did this young child register

  Changes within

  Aware of the power of youth

  As she bloomed into womanhood.

  23. Her breasts,

  Shaming lofty mountains,

  Sizeably grew

  On the bashful maiden,

  As though on Manasarovar

  Had erupted twin gilded buds.

  24. As Krishna’s face glowed like moonlight,

  Hers softened like the lotus flower.

  As Krishna’s tresses merged with the darkness

  Her face shone bright, outshining the stars.

  As Krishna’s chest expanded with manhood,

  Her breasts rose in anticipation.

  25. As Krishna’s broad shoulders strengthened,

  Her arms stretched gracefully like creepers.

  As Krishna’s youthful beauty grew,

  Her voice took on the sweetness of a nightingale’s.

  ‘Rare,’ thought the god of love to himself,

  ‘Is such a perfect couple!’

  26. Like a polished faceted gem

  Like a laden creeper growing strong

  Like a polished statue burnished gold

  The young girl glowed, gorgeous in her youth.

  27. And then the auspicious day did dawn

  To announce Ila’s coming of age

  When, dressed and embellished,

  Young maidens tittered merrily

  Where sumptuous banquets were laid out.

  28. ‘Let us give Yashoda the news

  For surely she will bestow gifts!’

  ‘Let us call Rohini and ask,

  These surely are signs of maturity?’

  ‘Let us gather friends and family,

  Inform her uncles,

  Set an auspicious date.’

  ‘Let us inform Garga Muni

  That this young bud has blossomed.’

  ‘Let us anoint her with flowers, with fragrances,

  Feed her potions and dates!’

  29. When Ila did hear

  These whispered words,

  Her eyes did brim with tears.

  Oh, so shy!

  Noticing this, Radha admonished the others,

  ‘Why, pray, are you all gossiping about this young girl?’

  30. So, one brushed Ila’s tresses through

  While another piled her hair high in a coiffure.

  One marked her iridescent forehead with bright vermilion

  While another sprinkled a mist of perfume.

  One knotted her silk skirt at her tiny waist

  While another tied her blouse.

  Jewels sparkled brightly at her neck and ears

  As fragrance wafted through the room.

  Under Radha’s watchful eye

  Was lithe Ila thus dressed,

  Ready now to battle

  The god of love himself.

  31. Seated on a decorated stool

  Surrounded by young girls, married women, musicians,

  Her lissom body anointed with sandalwood paste

  Bathed in cool, scented waters

  Her long hair sun-dried and plaited

  Silk petticoats swishing

  Gossamer orange sari draped

  Bedecked with jewels, adorned with jasmine

  She sat thus

  Sipping milk and nibbling on fruit, jaggery and sweet til too.

  32. As the trumpets rose and fell

  Sounds of music filled the air,

  Radha accompanied by older women

  Led the rituals.

  Placing auspicious yellow rice

  At the corners of Ila’s new sari,

  She offered sindur and kasturi

  To friends and family gathered to witness

  This passage of rites.

  33. And the ceremony continued

  For five days long …

  Finally, exhausted and fatigued, the young maiden

  Lay on a jasmine-strewn bed,

  Soft and fragrant amidst neem leaves.

  As young keen-eyed girls

  Sticks in hands to ward away evil spirits,

  Stood vigil.

  34. With mantras and tantras

  Sprinkling holy water and vibhuti

  Did priests secure the house

  Warding off the evil eye with magic potions

  Ensuring protection to the lovely Ila.

  35. The following morning, as was the custom, Radha distributed gifts and the traditional pittu to the prominent people in town, piling them high on carriages; and on the fifth and final day, she distributed auspicious haldi and kumkum, coconuts and betel leaves to all present as the girl was made to sit on a raised platform.

  36. Giggling and laughing, the girls bathed the beauty

  With fragrant sampangi oil.

  Fragrant like jasmine,

  Tender as a quivering leaf

  In the hands of Manmatha, she sat.

  37. Dipping her hands in perfumed oil,

  One maiden dried Ila’s dripping hair

  As another plaited it.

  One anointed her with kasturi tilakam

  As another dusted her body with scented powder.

  One tied a red silk skirt,

  Another put on her blouse.

  One draped a shimmering golden sari,

  Another decked her with ornaments of gold.

  38. One showed her the mirror to inspect

  As another applied sa
ndal paste.

  Thus did Radha organize the festivities

  With efficacy, with elation.

  39. Beautiful and fragrant like a shower of jasmine

  Did her friends bring the bedecked Ilavati

  To bejewelled ivory chairs and cushioned seats

  Where sat old crones like Anasuya

  Singing songs and blowing conches

  Signalling thus the ‘nuptials of Ila with Madhava’.

  40. With love and dedication

  Did Radha labour,

  Preparing her beloved Krishna too

  For the ceremony ahead.

  41. Flushed face dripping sweat

  Forehead smudged with vermilion and musk

  Jingling bangles marking time

  Eyes darting, watchful and attentive

  Slender waist weighed by abundant breasts

  Heavy and heaving

  The waistband loosening

  Sensuously

  Long braids beating against ample hips

  Sighing softly but content

  Did Radha massage champak oil

  On her Lord and lover Krishna.

  42. Bursting like melons

  Pendulous breasts

  Brushed against him

  As maidens combed out

  Keshava’s curly tangled tresses.

  43. One applied haldi to Krishna’s body

  As though anointing him

  As though the love welling up in her heart

  Was itself being applied to him.

  44. Another walking with elephantine grace

  Applied sandal paste carefully

  With dedication deep

  While other graceful maidens handed her the paste.

  45. With enormous bowls of scented water

  Did Radha bathe him.

  A performance

  Akin to the very coronation

  Of the King of Love.

  46. One dried his hair

  Perfuming it with smoky, scented sticks

  Another combed his tangled tresses

  One knotted his hair

  While another placed

  Perfume-drenched flowers

  One helped him into his dhoti

  Another bent down to straighten the pleats.

  One applied kasturi tilakam to his forehead

  And adorned him with jewels

  As another rubbed sandalwood paste to his neck

  Thus did each maiden

  Serve her Lord God

  Adorning him

  Adoring him.

  47. Bright and incandescent

  Like gifts from the ashta dikpalakas,

  Pearl earnings shone brilliantly

  Adorning his ears.

  48. Overwhelmed by Krishna’s radiance

  Subdued by his lustre

  The moon settled at his feet

  Like a diamond in his lotus anklets.

  49. The glittering emerald pendant

  Of two parrots green

  On Krishna’s broad chest

  Left even Kamadeva

  Overwhelmed.

  50. A dazzling diamond

  On Krishna’s chest looked

  As though the very stars

  Radiated from his chest.

  51. The blue kaustubha mani

  The golden-hued pitambara

  On the auspicious body of the dark Lord

  Only enhanced

  His ever-glowing form.

  52. Beautiful maidens, in their attempts to amuse and entertain Krishna, would constantly cite Radha using her as a ploy to bend him to their will.

  53. ‘But Radha presses her nails thus

  She places the necklace so

  Radha wears her red stones like this

  And so should you.’

  The maidens babbled happily

  Surrounding him, shielding him

  From the evil eye.

  54. Thus dressed and adorned with sparkling jewels, Krishna shone bright like the moon and the twinkling stars that illuminated the night sky, ready to meet his beloved Ila.

  55. Rose he then, holding Radha’s hand,

  Slipping his feet

  Into proffered slippers.

  And led to sit amongst his own

  On an elevated seat, fragrant with flowers,

  To await his bride.

  56. The time then arrived

  The moment opportune

  As ordained by the heavens,

  And excited fair maidens

  Scrambled hither and thither,

  Urging Ila to appear

  For her Lord awaited …

  And so

  Step out she did

  Head bowed, bashful and graceful.

  57. Her swirling silk skirt

  The rustling pleats of her sari

  Catching the light

  Like the shimmering moon.

  The folds of her blouse

  Holding the promise of

  Full breasts,

  Gold anklets tinkling

  Did the lotus-eyed bride come forward

  To the king of the Yadus.

  58. When the propitious moment arrived,

  Garga and the other rishis

  Set out to perform the nuptial rituals.

  Chants arose and drums beat aloud

  As delighted gods watched from the heavens above

  Showering flowers and rose petals

  As assembled guests looked on, enchanted.

  59. Rites completed

  Did Hari and Ila

  Stand as man and wife

  With gathered friends and relatives

  Partaking of wedding delicacies.

  60. Joyous and proud,

  Did Nanda greet everyone.

  A kind word here, a gentle smile there,

  Gifts for one and all.

  Thus he did

  Thank his guests.

  61. Cheerfully did Krishna

  Accept tambulam and payasam,

  Slipping into jewel-studded slippers

  Offered by his new bride.

  62. Leaving the wedding hall,

  Went he to rest

  On a spacious bed strewn

  With fragrant flowers afresh …

  Musical instruments softly played

  As curtains of lace swayed

  Soft pillows plumped and puffed

  And elaborate mirrors adorned the room

  That Krishna entered.

  63. Decked in auspicious orange

  Draped in crimson red

  Anointed with sandalwood

  Long hair plaited and bejewelled

  Kasturi bindi on her forehead

  Fragrant with jasmine and javvaji

  Doe eyes lined with pitch-black kohl

  Was young Ila, as dressed by Radhika.

  64. Thus the mirror did reflect

  The image of Goddess Lakshmi rising

  Above the surf

  From the depths of the ocean blue

  This most gorgeous of God’s creations.

  65. ‘O killer of the demon Kaitabha!

  Will this young girl’s lips withstand your kisses?

  O Lion amongst cowherds

  Will her tender breasts bear your scratches?

  O wrestler of Canura

  Will her young adolescent thighs withstand your vigour?

  O elephant killer

  Will her tender body ever survive?’

  Blushing and embarrassed

  Face flushed red

  Head bent low

  Shy Ila stood surrounded

  By women joking and teasing

  Concerned Radhika drew her close

  Offering her comfort and counsel.

  66. ‘When your lover embraces you,

  Press gently holding him against your breast.

  As he kisses your cheek,

  Turn away shyly but softly touch his lips with yours.

  When he enters you,

  Arouse him moving against him vigorously.

  If he tir
es while making love,

  Get on top

  Take over quickly

  Encourage and persuade.

  Never forget: He is the ultimate lover

  A real expert, extremely skilled is he.

  So love him tender

  Love him true

  And make him love you.

  That’s my advice

  But you know better.

  67. ‘True love knows no boundaries

  Nor set rules.’

  Thus did Radha prime young Ila

  Quoting from the Kama Shastras.

  ‘Go now, go quickly, the auspicious time has come,

  Prepare to be loved,

  Delay no longer.’

  68. Slowly and tenderly,

  Like leading a sensuous elephant

  Did Radha gently escort Ila

  To a waiting Krishna, and said:

  69. ‘My lord! The anklets on her feet ring

  Like those on an elephant’s legs

  The bells on her girdle chime

  Like bells around a cow’s neck

  The down on her stomach

  Like sandalwood flows

  Her firm, rounded breasts

  Like shapely, upturned pots …

  This here is your bride, Krishna,

  Coming to you

  Her radiant beauty aglow

  Expectant and eager

  Waiting for a glimpse of you.

  70. ‘Her breasts are sensitive like buds coming abloom

  Unlike mine

  They won’t bear your scratching them.

  Her lips are green like young leaves,

  Unlike mine

  Which are mature like coral,

  Don’t bite too hard.

  Her thighs are soft like banana stems

  Unlike mine

  Which are used to grappling with you

  Her body is like a climbing vine

  Unlike mine

  Which is tough as gold.

  She is not me, and I am not her

  A novice is she, new to the game

  A mere child

  Nowhere your equal in the game of love.

  But you know that.

  Do you need my advice to handle women?

  You’re the expert, a skilled lover true.

  71. ‘Merely touch her tender body

  Don’t squash!

  Merely run your tongue over her lips,

  Don’t bite!

  Merely brush against her cheeks lightly

  Don’t scratch!

  Merely caress her nipples with your fingertips

  Don’t squeeze!

  Merely hold her gently

  Don’t crush her!

  Approach her

  Gently, tenderly, caringly

  Don’t be violent or rough!

  But impertinent am I! To try and teach

  You the most skilled of lovers?

  I know as you do

  That love knows no rules

  When you are together,

  Immersed in each other

  Would you heed my advice?’

  72. With these words did Radha hand

  To Hari his new bride

  Even as Ila clung to Radha,

  Who freed herself and left.

  ‘I’ll be back soon,’ she said,