indian art - miniatures - archecticture - vedic philosophy
 
 
   

 
Classical - Kangra - Jayadeva Goswami's Gita-Govinda
 
Plate 10 - Enter, Sweet Radha, The Bower of Hari  

 

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So came she where he sat awaiting her
At the bower's entry, like a god to see,
With marriage-gladness and the grace of heaven.
The pearl set upon his glorious head
Shone like a moon among the leaves, and shone
Like stars the gems that kept her gold gown close;
But still a little while she paused-abashed
At her delight, of her deep joy afraid.

This is an illustration of the following lines from Canto XI of the Gita Govinda:

hara valitara lakanchana kanchidama
keyura kankana manidyu tidipitasya
dvare nikun janila yasya harim nirikshya
vridavatimatha sakhi miyam ity uvacha

manju tarakunja talakeli sadane
vilasa ratirabha sahasita vadane
pravisa radhe madhava samipamiha

navabhavada sokadalala sayanasare
vilasa kuchakala satara lahare
kusuma chayarachita suchiva sagehe
vilasa kusuma suku maradehe

Noticing Hari at the entrance of the bower, Radha, who decked herself with beaming ornaments, felt abashed. But her sakhi thus exhorted her:

"Enter, sweet Radha,
the bower of Madhava.

Seek delight, O thou,
whose bosom laughs
with the foretaste of happiness.

Enter, sweet Radha,
the bower graced
with a bed of asoka leaves.

Seek delight, O thou,
whose garland leaps
with joy on the breast.

Enter, sweet Radha,
the bower illumined
with gay blossoms.

Seek delight, O thou,
whose limbs far excel
them in softness."