Sri Vidagdha-Madhava (Clever Krishna)
by Srila Rupa Goswami
Act Three: Radha-sanga
The Meeting With Radha
TEXT 24 (b)
(tatah pravisati lalitayaradhyamana radha).
radha: (sakhedam. sanskritena).
pratyuhena parahata nu kim abhud gantum sakhi kshama
tasyah kintu niveditena hi harir visrambham abhyayayau
ha hanta pratikulatam mayi gatah kim va vidhir daruno
yad durad vana-malika-parimalo py adyapi nasadyate
(Consoled by Lalita, Radha enters).
Radha: (griefstricken) Stopped by some obstacle, could My friend not go to Him? Did Krishna not believe her words? Alas! Alas! Fate is cruel to Me. Even from far away I cannot smell the fragrance of Krishna’s forest garland.
TEXT 25
visakha: (puro ‘nusritya. sanskritena)
namri-kritya siro muhus taru-vritam alokate vartanim
utthaya kshanam asanat punar aho nishidaty asau
dvitrany etya padani vikshya lalitam bhuyah paravartate
pasyagre tava sangamotsukataya radha pariklamyati
Visakha: (approaching, in Sanskrit) Look! Bowing Her head, again and again looking at the tree-shaded path, one moment standing up, and the next moment, frustrated and bewildered, sitting down, again and again taking two or three steps, seeing Lalita, and then turning back, Radha, devastated by the desire to meet You, stands before You.
TEXT 26
krishnah:
vadana-dipti-vidhuta-vidhudaya
kumuda-dhama-dhura-madhura-smita
nakha-jitodur iyam harinekshana
trinayati kshanada-mukha-madhurim
Krishna: The luster of Her face eclipsing the moon, Her smile sweet like a lotus-filled lake, Her nails defeating the stars, and Her eyes like the doe, She makes the beauty of twilight seem as unimportant as a blade of grass.
TEXT 27
radhika: (sakataryam. sanskritena)
drig-bhanginam kim u parimalaih preyasibhir preyasibhir niruddhah
kim va svairi mayi vihitavan uddhatayam upeksham
ha candribhir dyutibhir abhito grasyamane ‘pi loke
prapto nayam yadi ha latika-mandire nanda-sunuh
Radhika: (dejected, in Sanskrit) Do other girls stop Him with the fragrance of their crooked glances? Is He averse to Me? Why, now that the whole world is swallowed by splendid moonlight, does Krishna not come to this cottage of flowering vines?
TEXT 28 (a)
krishnah: (puro ‘nusritya). aho, sadhiyan prasadah paurnamasyah, yad iyam amodayati kaumudi.
radhika: (camatkritim abhiniya. svagatam). hum, etti-a bha-a-dhe-anam bha-anam samvutto esa jano. (iti vaivasyam alambate).
Krishna: (approaches Radha) It is Paurnamasi’s great mercy that this moonlight shines so pleasantly.
Radhika: (full of wonder, She says to Herself) Ah, this is the most glorious person! (Radha is overwhelmed.)
TEXT 28 (b)
visakha: (sanskritena)
aho dhanya gopyah kalita-nava-narmoktibhir alam
vilasair anandam dadhati madhurair ya madhubhidah
dhig astu svam bhagyammama yad iha radha priya-sakhi
puras tasmin prapte nibida-jadimangi viluthati
Visakha: With sweet pastimes and new jokes the fortunate gopis delight Krishna. But my own good fortune is pathetic and worthless, for in my presence my dear friend Radha, her every limb stunned, rolls about on the ground.
TEXT 29 (a)
lalita: a-i lajjalu-e rahi-e, aggado eso de manasa-hamsa-haro na-aro. ta ma kkhu sajjhasena vimhala hohi. jam pagabhada jeva ajja kajja-sahini.
Lalita: O shy Radha, a lover more charming than the swans in the Manasa Lake stands before You. Don’t be paralyzed by fear. Now boldness will fulfill Your desires.
TEXT 29 (b)
(iti radhikam balad ivakrishya krishnantikam asadya ca. sanskritena).
vidurad alokya prabalatara-trishna-taralitah
sakhi-ceto-hamsas tava vadana-padme nipatitah
bhramad-bhru-pasabhyam kitava tam abadhnad iha bhavan
kim asmasu nyayya vyavasitir iyam te visadrisi
(Dragging Radha, as if by force, to Krishna, she says in Sanskrit). Seeing You from afar, the swan of my friend’s heart fell into the lotus flower of Your face and became trapped in the net of Your moving eyebrows. Thief, why do You tease us in this way?
TEXT 30 (a)
krishnah: (smitva) lalite, mad-vidha nabalartha-harino bhavanti.
visakha: dhammi-a, saccam saccam. bhaddakali-tittha-kalambo jjeva atta pamanam.
Krishna: (smiling) Lalita, persons like Me do not rob women.
Visakha: Saint, it is true. True. The kadamba tree here at Bhadrakali-tirtha bears witness it is true.
TEXT 30 (b)
krishnah: sakhi lalite, mad-visuddhau katham vah pratitih.
lalita: cha-illa-parikkha-vihanena.
krishnah: vame, kamam kathyatam pariksha. mama bhrajishnur ayam kirti-subhramsur na mrisha kalanki-kartum sakyate.
Krishna: Friend, what will make you think I am so pure and saintly?
Lalita: We will test You with a trial-by-ordeal.
Krishna: Crooked girl, say what this ordeal will be. The glory of My good reputation will never be disgraced.
TEXT 30 (c)
lalita: (sanskritena)
tvam unnaddhe radha-stana-kanaka-kumbhantara-milat-
tanujali-kaloraga-yuvati-murdha-pranayini
yadi kshobhonmuktah kalayasi karam nayaka-manau
tatas te dhvastankah pracarati yaso-mandala-sasi
Lalita: (in Sanskrit) A young, black, female snake that is the line of black hairs emerges from Radha’s golden-waterpot breasts. If You can place Your hand on the great jewel of that snake’s head and remain unhurt, then the moon of Your good reputation will shine without any touch of disgrace.
TEXT 31 (a)
krishnah: (kritrimam trasam abhiniya). hanta nishthure, namnaiva lalitasi. yad alpiyasi tavad-arthe gariyasim sarpa-ghatakhyam pariksham-upakshipasi.
Krishna: (pretending to be afraid) Cruel girl, you are called Lalita, which means playful and charming, but for a very slight crime you propose the very heavy test of touching a snake in a waterpot.
TEXT 31 (b)
radhika: (sapranayershyam). lalide, cittha cittha. (iti sa-bhru-bhangam avalokyate).
lalita: visahe nattha-ghanuddesa-karinim mam kisa tajjati rahi-a.
visakha: lalide ima-e hi-a-atthidam a-udam ma-e jani-adi.
lalita: tam kadhe-i. sunissam.
Radhika: (affectionately angry) Lalita, stop, stop! (Knitting her eyebrows, Radha stares at Lalita.)
Lalita: Visakha, I am driving away the dark cloud that troubles Her. Why does Radha rebuke me?
Visakha: Lalita, I know the desire hidden in Her heart.
Lalita: Tell it, and I will listen.
TEXT 31 (c)
visakha: (sanskritena asritya)
sprisantam yo meghan agham anagha-karma tam avadhi-
dvisha-jvala-jalonmada-mada-mayat-kaliyam ahim
akarshid gopendra-druham ajagaram divya-purusham
bhujangacaryo ‘smin kim iva ghatate yan naga-ghatah
Visakha: (in Sanskrit) He easily killed Aghasura, a snake that touched the clouds. He defeated the arrogant Kaliya snake, who spat flames of poison. The snake that attacked the gopa-king He turned into a demigod. Krishna must be the spiritual master of the snakes. What is Your ordeal of a snake in a waterpot to Him?
TEXT 32 (a)
lalita: (vihasya) hala radhe, appano pari-ara-ruva-e na janasi mahappam ima-e, pekkha. tah hi.
Lalita: (laughs) Radha, you do not know the glory of Your servant the snake. Look.
TEXT 32 (b)
avi garudassa siha-manim uraga-vahu-gavva-hari-virudassa
pahava-i sahi mohedum tuha na-a-roma-ali-bhu-agi
Friend, the snake of Your line of hairs has the power to bewilder and frustrate even the person who stays like a jewel on the head of Garuda, the bird whose calls take away the pride of the snakes’ wives.
Note: Krishna is the person who stays like a jewel on Garuda’s head.
TEXT 33 (a)
radhika: (sapranaya-rosham) a-i dhitthe lalide, ettha anavi-a mam vidambesi. ta gadu-a buddhi-anam go-inam vinnavissam (iti gantum icchati).
lalita: a-i muddhe. nam sahum coram va jani-a jahi. (iti patancalam adadati).
Radhika: (affectionately angry) Arrogant Lalita, first you bring me here, and then you mock me. I will go to Vrindavana and tell the elderly gopis about you. Lalita: Bewildered girl, first determine whether my actions are good or bad. Then go.
TEXT 33 (b)
krishnah: candi lalite, yad yato duragrahan na visrantasi, tatah karavani. (iti radham anusarpati).
lalita: (vilokya) cha-illa, cittha cittha. vinnadam vinnadam.
Krishna: Cruel Lalita, because you will not give up this wicked idea, I accept this trial-by-ordeal. (He approaches Radha).
Lalita: (observing Krishna). Clever Krishna, stop! Stop! I accept Your innocence. I accept it.
TEXT 33 (c)
(iti sanskritena)
prarabdhe puratah parikshana-vidhau trasanuviddhasya te
khinno ‘yam kara-pallavas tara-latam kampodgamaih pushpayati
romancam sikhi-piccha-cuda-nibidam murtis ca dhatte tato
jnatas tvam nanu pasyato hara-puri-samrajya-dhaureyakah
Krishna, when this trial-by ordeal began You were wounded by fear, and the blossoming twig of Your hand trembled. Then the hairs on Your body stood up like the peacock feathers in Your crown. Look, in this way I know that You must be the king who rules the city of thieves.
TEXT 34 (a)
krishnah: (sankucan namri-bhuya). hanta, dhi-gauravam gaurinam yad aham eva cauri-krito ‘smi.
lalita: cha-illa, ditthi-a appano muhena angikidam.
krishnah: sakhi, sauhridenopadisyatam me sreyasah panthah.
Krishna: (pulling back, He bows His head) Alas, the great intelligence of the fair gopis proves that I am a thief.
Lalita: Clever boy, You admit it with Your own mouth.
Krishna: Friend, out of friendship for Me, please show Me the right path, so I will be an offender no longer.
TEXT 34 (b)
lalita: (sanskritena asritya).
gatanam radhayah stana-giri-tate yogam abhito
vivikte muktanam tvam iha tarali-bhuya tarasa
visuddhanam madhye pravisa saranarthi sahridaya
bhajante sad-gunyad api prithula-dosham hi purusham
Lalita: (in Sanskrit) You should approach the great and pure liberated souls who in secluded places have climbed the mountain of perfection in yoga. Then, trembling, You should beg shelter from them. Because they are very kind and virtuous, they will help even a sinner.
This ambiguous verse may also be translated:
“You should become the central jewel on the splendid pearl-necklace decorating the solitary slopes of the mountains of Sri Radha’s breasts. You should approach those pearls and beg for shelter. Those saintly pearls will certainly accept You, the mighty-armed Supreme Personality of Godhead.”
TEXT 35 (a)
krishnah: sakhi sadhupadishtam tvaya. (iti sanandam upasritya panau radham dadhati).
radhika: (sagadgadam) sundara, ajuttam tujjha edam. (iti panim acchidya sakhinam tirodadhati).
krishnah: (Radham aprekshya. sasankam). hanta sakhyau, kva vam priya-sakhi.
Krishna: Friend, what you teach is right.
(Blissful, He approaches Radha, and places His hand upon Her).
Radhika: (with a faltering voice). Handsome one, this is not right. (Radha removes Krishna’s hand and then dissappears into the trees.)
Krishna: (Observing Radha’s departure, Krishna becomes alarmed.) Friends, where did your dear friend go?
TEXT 35 (b)
ubhe: mohana, niruvi-a bhanissamha. (iti sakhi-prshtham asadya). hala rahi.
namma-silam kanham parihasidum laddho osaro. ta kkhanam savahittha ho-i.
Lalita and Visakha: O charming one, when we find her, we will tell You. (They approach Radha from behind). Friend Radha, now is the chance to tease this playful joker Krishna. For a moment hide what You really feel.
TEXT 35 (c)
radhika: (savyajam bhruvau vibhujya). lalide, parihasidum ti kim bhanasi. jam irisam sahasam na kkhu madisi-e juttam. ta patthidamhi.
Radhika: (cunningly moving her eyebrows) Lalita, why do you say I should tease Him? It is not right for a person like Me to mistreat anyone. I will leave here at once.
TEXT 35 (d)
lalita: (krishnam abhyupetya). candanana. amha-pi-a-sahi kim vi vinnavidu-kamavi bha-edi.
krishnah: sakhi, na khalv atra vasa-vartini jane bhitir avakasam labhate. tan nikamam ajnapayatu.
Lalita: (approaches Krishna). O boy with a face like the moon, although She yearns to speak with You, our friend is afraid.
Krishna: Friend, there is no need to fear a submissive servant. She may order Me as She likes.
TEXT 35 (e)
lalita: (sanskritam asritya).
cetas tamyati me bhayormibhir alam pani-dvayam kampate
kanthah sajjati hanta ghurnati sirah svidyanti gatrany api
goshthakhandala canda-sahasa-vidhau tenasmi naham kshama
yad durad abhisarito nisi bhavan etan mama kshamyatu
Lalita: My heart is tossed by waves of fear. My hands tremble. My throat is choked. My head spins. O prince of Vraja, I have no power to do great deeds. From far away You have come here at night. Please forgive me.
TEXT 36 (a)
krishnah: (svagatam) na jane narmato dharmato vayam giram garima.
radhika: (kincid avirbhuya). sahi tunnam patthavehi nam. java kovi na pekkhadi.
krishnah: (sakhedam atmagatam) capala-premano hi bala-ramanyah. tat kim ivasambhavyam nama.
Krishna: (aside) I don’t know whether she is joking or showing good manners.
Radhika: (Becoming partly visible) Friend, quickly send Him away. No one should see me.
Krishna: (Unhappily says to Himself) Girls are very fickle in love. What is not possible for them?
TEXT 36 (b)
(prakasam).
tvayahutah parsve pranaya-nikurambena rabhasad
asiddhartho radhe bhavitum iha yuktah katham aham
sriyakrishtah krishnayasa-manir ayas-kanta-silaya
sphutam tam asprishtva bhajati kim adure sthagitatam
(openly) With passionate love You called Me to Your side. O Radha, is it right to leave My desire unfulfilled? As iron is drawn to a magnet, so I am drawn to You. I did not even touch You. Why did You run away and hide?
TEXT 37 (a)
lalita: go-ulananda, rahi-am kisa uvalahesi. nam dhamma-hada-am cce-a uvalaha, jo kkhu hadaso donam nibbhraranurattanam antare padibandhi-hodi.
Lalita: O bliss of Gokula, why do You blame Radha? You should blame Your own sin. That sin is not an obstacle to stop You two from becoming lovers.
TEXT 37 (b)
krishnah: pasya pasya.
sakhi nirbharam anuraktah
pranayinam anuyanti dharmam api hitva
iyam ati-raga praci
cumbati vidhum indra-nathapi
Krishna: Look! Look! O friend, leaving morality behind, those who love passionately run to their beloved. Passionately in love, Indra’s wife kissed the demigod Candra.
Note: This ambiguous verse may also be translated:
“Look! Look! O friend, leaving morality behind, those who love passionately run to their beloved. Passionately in love, even a king’s wife will kiss the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”
TEXT 38 (a)
lalita: tumhanam uttara-pa-uttare ko nama pahavadi. ta ido vijayentu sami-pada.
radhika: (sakutam anusritya). lalide, appano muhena kimvi vinnavi-a nam nivatthava-issam.
Lalita: Can You give an answer? O noble lady, You should leave this place.
Radhika: (deliberately approaching Lalita). Lalita, with My owm mouth I will say something. Then I will go.
TEXT 38 (b)
(iti lalitam avekshya. sanskritena).
samantan me kirtir mukharita-sati-mandala-mukha
kalanonmuktam kulam avikala-srir api patih
calac-cilli-lila-jita-madana-dhanvoddhatir ayam
tad asminn arambhe hridayam aphalam viklavayati
(Glances at Lalita). My glories always stay in the mouths of the circle of saintly ladies. My family is free from any impurity. My husband has all glory and opulence. Still, He whose restless eyebrows defeat even Kamadeva’s bow now brings sorrow to My worthless heart.
TEXT 39
krishnah: (radham nirupya. socchvasam atmagatam).
dhavantyah sruti-sashkuli-parisaram sangad apangad apanga-sriyo
dhatte hiraka-kundalam marakatottamsa-dyutim subhruvah
vag-antah smita-bhag vibhati tad idam sanke sakhi-sikshaya
vaimukhyam kila kritrimam vilasati klantim mano ma sma gah
Krishna: (glancing at Radha, Krishna sighs and says to Himself) Touched by Her restless sidelong glances, Radha’s earrings are now dark like emeralds. Also, within the words of this girl with beautiful eyebrows a smile now glistens. O My heart, please do not be unhappy. I suspect Her rejection of Me is a pretense created by Her friend’s advice.
TEXT 40 (a)
lalita: (krishna-mukham alokya. janantikam). visahe, ingidena lakkhemi. unnidam imina amhanam rahassam.
visakha: adha im.
Lalita: (She looks at Krishna’s face and whispers to Visakha:) Visakha, by looking at Him I know that Krishna has uncovered our secret.
Visakha: Yes, it is true.
TEXT 40 (b)
krishnah: (sasmitam) lalite, kritam atra vancana-caturi-prapancena. nahi lutaya prasaritas tantavo gandha-sindhurasya bandhaya prabhavanti.
visakha: sahi rahe, nipphalam vilambasi. jhatti kidatthi-kuna appano pi-a-janam.
Krishna: (smiles) Lalita, you cannot trick Me with these words. A spider cannot weave a web that will catch an elephant.
Visakha: Friend Radha, Your teasing is now useless. At once fulfill Your beloved’s desire.
TEXT 40 (c)
krishnah: (sanuragam)
karna-dvandvam idam rutair iha kuhu-kanthasya kunthi-kritam
sadyah komala-bharati-parimalenollaghaya slaghaya
nihsankam kila sitali-kuru parirambhena rambhoru me
gambhira-smara-vahni-tapa-lahari-patrani gatrany api
Krishna: (with passionate love) With the fragrance of sweet words please cure My ears deafened by the cuckoos’ cooing. O girl with the beautiful thighs, with Your unhesitating embrace please cool My limbs now splashed by waves of the flames of passionate love.
TEXT 41 (a)
visakha: sundara, esa bhaavadi lajja rahi-a-ruvena uttinna. ta java nam cadu-bandhena sammuhi kadu-a samapemha tava bhavantena somma-si-ala-vuttina hodavvam.
Visakha: Handsome one, assuming the form of Radha, the Goddess of Shyness has descended to this world. I will praise Her with sweet words. You please be cool and calm, like a perfect gentleman.
TEXT 41 (b)
krishnah: (sadaram)
ayam atra nisarga-sitalah
sakhi radha-kucayor avasthitim
nava-kancana-kumbhayor aham
sphurad indivra-damavad bhaje
Krishna: (repectful) By nature I am very cool and calm. Friend, now I will become like blue-lotus garland resting on the golden waterpots of Radha’s breasts.
TEXT 42 (a) (iti mandam mandam radham upasarpati).
radhika: (kincid upasritya) sahi visahe, sutthu bhidamhi. ta kimti mam uvekkhasi.
(Krishna slowly approaches Radha.)
Radhika: (backing away) Friend Visakha, I am afraid. Why do you abandon Me?
Krsna talks with Rasikapriya, for Radha
Mughal, c. 1617
