Appeasement of Radhika Page 5

  Her breast welling up with longing and love

  Her mind muddled

  Joyous and miserable simultaneously.

  Bereft and desolate, Radha left the house slowly, leaning against her young sakhis, depressed at leaving her Vasudeva behind. Turning back over and again, she eyed Krishna’s closed door, even as she desperately tried to maintain her dignity. With a heavy heart, eyes welling up with tears, now smelling the flowers and examining her loose bangles, fretfully braiding and unbraiding her hair, fidgeting with her sari as her necklaces break, unable to contain the heaviness of her heart, she entered her bedroom. There in a cloud of floral perfumes, sambrani and sweet jasmine, she reclined on the beautifully decorated bed, resting her back against a pile of silk cushions, as a maid tried to massage her despondency away.

  73. Lying on her bed, she thought,

  ‘One can give away precious jewels,

  One can give up most relationships too,

  Even the most precious thing,

  Her own life,

  Can a woman give up.

  But giving away one’s own lover to another?

  Is this humanly possible?

  Which woman would do that?

  74. ‘By now, I’m sure she is sucking his delicious lips

  Pounding her breasts against his naked chest

  By now, they are probably cooing like doves

  Him on top and she below, pressing against him.

  She’s quite skilled already, a bit shy, maybe a bit diffident

  But by now he would have won her over, freed her

  From any bashfulness

  By now she would be whispering sweet nothings

  Secure in his embrace

  By now he would have held her close

  Touched her everywhere

  Taught her everything

  By now.’

  75. Her heart heavy

  Her mind restless

  Tortured by love

  And Manmatha’s machinations

  Burning inside

  Overcome with grief

  Crying deep into the night

  Not a wink did Radhika sleep.

  76. Sleep eluded him too

  Krishna hadn’t slept either

  Busy as he was

  With his lover new.

  77. ‘Did you heed Radha’s words?’

  Asked Krishna of his nightingale-voiced Ila.

  Tongue-tied and shy,

  Her head bowed, she stood

  So he took pity on her.

  78. ‘Friends have we been since childhood,

  Why then, O sweet-voiced girl, do you shy away?

  We have talked before,

  Why then, O moon-faced one, are you silent now?

  We have played together all these days,

  Why then, O lotus-eyed child, this reticence?

  Why then, lady of grace, this confusion?

  Reveal your face, my beautiful one

  Shower me with kisses, my sweet-faced love

  Why do you hide from me?

  79. ‘Tonight, as Radha ordained,

  We have to play the game of love!

  Not doing so would anger

  Manmatha’s very soul,

  So hurry to me, my love.

  80. ‘Silence is no virtue here.

  Were Kamadeva to arrive,

  Where would we hide?

  Could your shyness handle that?’

  81. Hearing this, Ila applied karpuram and sunnam to betel leaves. Making paan, she offered it with love to Shrihari who took it with great affection.

  82. He teased her then

  Stroking her breasts

  As his nails scratched her,

  She winced in pain.

  He covered her coy face,

  Pulling at her blouse strings.

  She attempted to run,

  He laughed mockingly.

  Feigning anger, she turned away …

  He closed her eyes

  She covered her ears

  Such innocence!

  Oh! Was Krishna amused by Ila.

  83. Kissing her tenderly,

  Holding her sweet face,

  Whispering sweet endearments,

  Lovingly touching her,

  Murari tried to rid her of her shyness,

  Bringing his face close to hers.

  84. Shyness and lust vie

  For dominance

  Demure Ila covered her face

  But through splayed fingers eyed her lover

  With wide-eyed wonder …

  All part of the game of love.

  85. She was timid, she was bold,

  Nervous and audacious

  She chattered and was quiet

  She stared at him and closed her eyes

  As her body quivered

  Anticipating physical ecstasy,

  The girl was a bundle of contradictions.

  86. Pressing her face against his chest

  She stayed still.

  Waiting for his embrace, staring at his lotus hands

  She stayed still.

  Pressing him close to her breasts

  She approached him but unable to move

  She stayed still.

  Though determined to unite with him,

  She hesitated

  She stayed still.

  87. Trying to kiss him, she wavered

  Trying to talk, her voice quavered,

  Trying to give him a paan, she froze,

  With half a leaf in her hand,

  Shyness overwhelmed the young bride.

  88. Long after the flowers had faded,

  As necklaces hung askew

  With pearl strings loose.

  She rose to mount him

  Getting on top

  Displaying her art,

  She proved equal to the Lord

  In the battle of love.

  89. Thus were Ila and Krishna immersed

  Playing and testing

  Coaxing and exploring

  In various stages of making love,

  Content and happy.

  90. As day broke,

  And the sun rose, the world awoke

  As people bustled and stirred

  Brahmins bathed, chanting aloud

  While the young couple rested

  After a night of love.

  91. Exhausted from a sleepless night

  Weary and fatigued

  The maids stood, waiting to be summoned.

  But up rose Radha, adjusting her clothes,

  Marched directly to Nanda’s abode

  And knocked loudly at his door.

  92. The spent lovers immersed in lust

  Finding love through the long night

  Tired and worn, now resting a bit

  Were Ila and Krishna

  Rudely awakened by the strident sound.

  93. Quickly did he wipe her wet, wet cheeks

  And the smudged kajal off her eyelids

  Shrihari did tend her tousled tresses

  Dressing them into an elegant knot

  Applying a fresh tilak on her forehead

  And straightening her tangled necklaces

  He took the fresh paan she offered

  Biting half, offering half back …

  But startled the couple jumped apart,

  As Radha’s anklets resounded

  Loudly.

  94. As Ila rose to open the door,

  Krishna beckoned Radha to enter

  The parrot on her arm in a hurry though

  Crept up to Hari and said:

  95. ‘The flowers in her hair are not tulips black

  But the arrows of the Love God,

  O lotus-eyed Krishna!

  Her nose ring is not sapphire, the gem blue

  It’s a pearl, for you, O Lord!

  The sandal paste on her breasts is not kasturi

  It’s dust carried by breeze,

  O father of Kamadeva!

  The powder on her body is not sandalwood

  I
t’s pollen from the flowers.

  96. ‘Struck is she by the fire of Kama’s arrows

  Unable to hide, she suppresses it.

  But she’s here now

  The brave Radhika

  Only you can lessen her pain, O Lord!

  97. ‘Lord with the lotus eyes,

  Listen now quickly

  For this perfumed lady here

  Is tormented,

  Her jewellery blazes like fire,

  Throwing up flames, that her maidens catch

  Assuming it to be fireflies

  And it burns their fingers.

  98. ‘Time stands still

  For the lady when you are present, sire

  But when you are not by her side

  The night seems endless

  For her it is Shivaratri.

  99. ‘Haven’t we all seen,

  Haven’t we all heard,

  Stories of women

  Who have wailed in separation?

  But never was there a lament so loud, O lotus-eyed one!’

  100. As Krishna listened to the parrot,

  Radha, unmindful, teased the Lord.

  Pointing to Ila, she said,

  With compassion:

  101. ‘Her delicate lips

  You have bruised with bites!

  Her tender, budding breasts

  You have marked with fingernails!

  Her soft, silken tresses are tangled

  Her jewellery in disarray

  Her clothes crushed

  Her graceful, delicate body

  You have squashed

  Rendering the young girl so tired, so listless!

  102. ‘O! What shame that men seek

  Their own gratification,

  Ignoring the needs of women.’

  Feigning concern for Ila

  Did Radhika thus vent her own desire.

  103. Hearing these words,

  And the desire behind,

  A friend and maiden flung Radha

  Right into Krishna’s arms.

  And as she fell into his embrace,

  Clasping his mighty chest,

  Ila, bashful and embarrassed,

  Ran away laughing

  Yet mortified.

  104. Thus did the Lord and his lover true, Radhika, commence their game of love.

  105. Then these two like lovelorn elephants

  Sat on the flower-strewn bed

  Pleasuring each other

  Before embarking on the game of love.

  106. Teasing and taunting

  With words and deeds

  Grappling through their clothes

  Touching and embracing fiercely

  Holding each other like wrestlers

  Flushed cheeks and blazing eyes

  Pressed thighs pushing ahead

  Getting on top

  Giggling and laughing

  Fighting and chiding

  Thus joyously

  Did Radha and Shrihari engage

  Content

  Immersed in each other.

  107. And then they talked:

  108. ‘Lord mine, do tell me the details,’ asked Radhika mischievously.

  To which Krishna, ever the diplomat, replied,

  ‘My dearest lover, your sensuous thighs hold me in thrall,

  Those slim ones, I don’t care for.’

  ‘But my love, it seems that you’re mesmerized

  And she bewitched …

  So did you make love languorously?

  Did she take the lead?’

  ‘Don’t ask me,’ says he.

  ‘Then make love to me too,

  Pleasure me true.’

  ‘Older and experienced are you, Radhika,

  Come, let us make love …’

  109. ‘Mmm … Did you kiss her, Krishna?’

  ‘Oh no, her lips tasted bitter, Radha!’

  ‘Did you clutch her breasts tight?’

  ‘No, they were too small!’

  ‘Did you relish her thighs?’

  ‘Too slim, Radhika!’

  ‘Did you embrace her beautiful body?’

  ‘She clung like a creeper!’

  ‘Oh, how you must have enjoyed sex with her …’

  ‘But a new union is never happy!

  How can one enjoy one so inexperienced?’

  ‘Did her foreplay hold you in thrall?’

  ‘How can such an innocent even know what foreplay is, Radhe?’

  110. And time did fly

  As songbirds woke

  To sing loudly again

  As the Sun God started his ascent

  And the moon reached his western abode

  The chandrakanta stones disappeared

  And the luminous stars did dim

  As the lights went off,

  One by one by one.

  111. Lotus buds came abloom

  Jakkava and chakora birds

  Riding on moonbeams

  Retired as the sun rose

  Spreading his radiance …

  And it was morning

  Once again.

  Thus ends the first 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 Two

  Radha takes Ila home

  Interplay between Ila and Krishna

  Kumbhaka arrives at Nanda’s house

  Ila and Madhava set off with Kumbhaka

  Radha suffers pangs of separation

  Krishna appears in Radha’s dreams

  Radha tells the parrot about her angst

  Radha sends the parrot as a messenger to Krishna

  Young maidens tease Radhika about her lover

  She insults Manmatha

  And curses the moon

  Radha vents her irritation at the birds

  Taunting the gentle breeze

  Deriding nightingales

  The parrot returns

  The parrot narrates Krishna’s love games

  Radha gives vent to grief

  Radha falls into deep despair

  1. Blessed is the one who enjoys the nectar of Radha’s lips The good-natured one who rules is none other than Lord Krishna.

  2. ‘Listen carefully, O Lord,’

  Said the illustrious son of Vyasa, Suka Muni, to King Janaka,

  Continuing to narrate in sweet words

  The tale of Radhika’s appeasement.

  3. As the long night ended,

  Krishna took leave of his lover Ila.

  As Radha, gently but firmly, took her home,

  Concealing her jealousy very carefully.

  4./5. ‘Oh look, how he’s tired you out!

  For long have I admonished him.

  Take some respite, come with me,’

  Said Radha, leading Ila away.

  6. Henna smeared across her cheeks

  Like the Lord’s earrings.

  Scarlet tambulam juices sprayed on her breasts

  Shining like Krishna’s kaustubha.

  The bruised redness of her lips

  Like Madhava’s flute.

  Dishevelled tresses and loosened plait

  Like Adi Shesha on whom rests the Lord.

  7. Radiating brilliance,

  As though Souri himself shone from within,

  Arrived Ila, accompanied by Radhika.

  Seeing them thus

  Comely maids offered advice

  Freely.

  8. ‘There is no remedy for a man’s bite,

  Try applying sandalwood paste,’ they advised.

  ‘Finger marks don’t fade,

  Try applying kumkum,’ they counselled.

  ‘Thighs bruised blue don’t subside,

  Try bathing in scented water.’

  ‘Love’s exertions leave you exhausted,

  Try applying san
dalwood to the body.’

  ‘Kamadeva’s protégé is spent,

  Try applying scented oils to her shining cheeks.’

  ‘Restore her vigour with medicinal herbs,

  Feed her some paan,’ they chorused.

  9. Gently, teasingly did they dispel

  The young lady’s fatigue

  She who had had a long night

  Playing to Kamadeva’s rules.

  10. Then he too, with lips swollen and red,

  Wet kiss marks on his cheeks

  Long black hair clinging to his bare back

  Eyes dimmed by sleeplessness

  Bangle imprints on his neck

  Came Krishna, out of his bedroom.

  11. Soon, refreshed and bathed

  In scented cool waters,

  Dressed in fresh clothes,

  And freshly anointed with sandal paste,

  The Lord ate heartily

  Surrounded by attentive maidens.

  12. One handed him red jewelled slippers

  Another fanned him lovingly

  One offered flavoured paan

  Another held a glass of sparkling water

  Sword in hand stood another,

  Following him protectively.

  13. The bright walls of Radha’s abode

  Sparkled as though with diamonds studded

  Veenas played softly

  As sweet jasmine wafted

  Spreading like a great swan’s wings

  Testament to great craftsmanship,

  Bedecked with pearls

  Stood a large bed, gracefully

  Occupying pride of place.

  14. On one side stood Ila,

  Offering him flavoured paan.

  And on the other sat Radha,

  Breasts heaving with desire,

  Pressing his feet.

  15. The tanpura played melodiously

  As delicate feet danced to rhythmic beats

  Pink lips sang songs mellifluous

  As young ladies sang endearing Gujarati ditties.

  One showered praises,

  Recalling tales of valour

  Robust maidens warned off

  Gathering crowds, managing people

  Happy himself and pleasing all around him

  Sat amidst them, the delight-giving Krishna,

  King of the Yadavas.

  16. Then to invite Krishna,

  Great son of the Yadavas,

  Killer of demons,

  Son-in-law of the Sea God,

  Came a man of repute, revered by kings,

  Kumbhaka with his retinue full.

  17./18. Greeting his brother-in-law with respect and love and welcoming him with warmth, Nanda respectfully inquired after Krishna’s well-being. He asked, ‘Sire, what brings you here?’ Traditionally, after a wedding is solemnized, the newly-weds must return to the bride’s home to visit her parents. Kumbhaka had come to seek Nanda’s permission to take his daughter home. Aware that they had to consult Radha, they proceeded to ask her permission.

  19. On hearing that Kumbhaka had arrived, Krishna and Radha received him with respect, offering him water and refreshment. Kumbhaka invited them to his house, asking Radha to accompany them too. Radha replied, ‘O honourable sir, do you need my permission? Do you have to invite me especially? I will come another time. For the moment, do take the newly-weds home.’ Pleased with her words, Kumbhaka joyously took Ila and Krishna away.