Today my sweet words have garlanded You!

Verse 101

Translation

Your love made the Gopa-vadhus lose their shame; it agitated their hearts and made them humble. When they got You with Your surging youth they considered their lives worthy. In the same manner, today my sweet poetic words have obtained Your shelter and have knit themselves into a beautiful garland (for You), so my insignificant life has become meaningful. 101.

Âswâd-bindu purport

rila Krishnadâs Kavirâj Goswâmi says: Sri Lilâshuk told Sri Krishna, “I have described Your beauty, excellences, pastimes and everything, but only now has my poetic endeavour gained success. O Krishna, my words have obtained Your shelter, so they are meaningful.” Some texts have the word ‘jâte’ instead of ‘yâte’ (in the last line of the verse). In that case, the meaning will be –”my life has become meaningful”. The poets worship Goddess Saraswati (who is the presiding deity of speech) to compose poetry.

Sri Lilâshuk is saying, “O my Lord, all good things become useful only after they do Your seva. Similarly, my words too are blest.”

How are his words?

They are ‘madhuramakirâm’ – sweet and poetic. Earlier my glorifications were under the influence of my past bad qualities. Therefore, they were falling short of the standard. Now, whatever I am saying is very lofty – they are free of any shortcoming. They are spontaneous, natural and ecstatic. Life is flickering. Prior to this moment, I have wasted my life, but now that I am singing Your all glory tofore You, my life has become successful.

When Sri Uddhav saw the Gopis, he had praised them –

“These Gopis of Braja are the only ones with exquisite bodies, since only these bodies can tolerate the topmost prem, that is, Mahâbhâv. It is a great offence to look upon their bodies as those belonging to ordinary women. We should remember that the One Whom they love is the source of Paramâtmâ – Who is the soul of all the souls. How can I extol their Bhâv? The ones who seek liberation, the ones who are already liberated, and we, who are His eternal associates in the servile mood, can only long for this Bhâv, but cannot procure it. Some people do not savour the infinitely sweet Sri Krishna-Kathâ – to them, what is the use of three Brahminical births^[1]?” – (Srimad-Bhâgavatam.10.47.58)

When it is so rare to find someone who is interested in Sri Hari-Kathâ, then how much rarer is the Mahâbhâv of the Vrajânganâs! However, the birth of all Gopis is not worthwhile. What about those Gopis who have given their hearts to their husbands? No, we cannot agree that their lives are beneficial. A few Gopis were unable to go to the Râs. They decided to give up their bodies. Then they abandoned the material bodies and attended the Râs festival in transcendental bodies that were eternal and blissful.

The poet mentions three qualities of the Gopis –

© Madana-vinatâ – they bow under the pressure of Madan (kâm). Goutamiya-tantra says –

“premaiva goparâmânâng kâma itya-gamat prathâm”.

Sri Chaitanya-Charitâmrita translates it as –

“The Gopis’ prem is highly exalted. We call it ‘Mahâbhâv’. It is extremely pure prem(uncontaminated with any desire for sense gratification). No one can ever call it ‘lust’.”

– (Sri Chaitanya-Charitâmrita.Âdi.4.139)

© Lolâ – they are extremely thirsty for You. Their thirst is never quenched.

“The thirst is never satiated, it increases constantly.”

– (Sri Chaitanya-Charitâmrita.Âdi.4.130)

© Galad-breedâ – they have forsaken societal norms, Vedic norms, shame, fear and decency. They have been highly anxious to obtain You and have succeeded in the same.

“The Gopis discarded societal norms, Vedic strictures, difficulties posed by the body, their karma, shame, self-control, material pleasures, spiritual pleasures, the Aryan sense of righteousness (that is impossible to abandon), kith and kin, loving ones, and all the abuse heaped on them. They gave up everything and performed Sri Krishna-Bhajan. They serve Sri Krishna lovingly to make Him happy. We call this ‘very deepanurâg for Krishna’. It is like clean and washed cloth without any stain on it.”

– (Sri Chaitanya-Charitâmrita.Âdi.4.143-146)

When Sri Lilâshuk beheld the sweetness of Sri Krishna’s adolescence, He drew a sharp breath and gushed – “Wow! This is the age!” He wanted to say some more, but the sweetness stupefied him and all he could utter was – “This is Sri Krishna’s indescribable age!” The Gopa maidens’ lives are successful because they have obtained You at this age.’ ‘Veetam mada-spheetam’ means ‘Sri Krishna’s childhood has nearly faded and He is on the threshold of youth. Therefore He is inebriated with youthful passion.”

Sri Krishna is saying, “Ohe Lilâshuk, there are many divine and non- divine beings at the ‘kishor’ stage. Why? Their age too may be worthy!”

The poet is replying, “No, my Lord, I’m afraid it’s not so. The non-divine (material) being’s kishor-age is fleeting; hence, it is futile. As for the divine kishors – they do not perform Râs or loving sports in the flower groves. You have made Your kishor-age profitable by spending loving moments with the Gopis during the Râs-leelâ.

Sri Vishnu Purân says –

“Sri Madhusudan paid homage to His kishor-age and to make it triumphant, He performed the Râs-sport with the Gopis on those nights of Sharad.”

“At the break of dawn, Sri Krishna revealed Srimati Râdhârâni’s expertise at love-making to the sakhis (by showing them Her nail-marks on His body). He also made Her squirm with embarrassment by describing boldly how She assumed the position of the male counterpart during love-making – and when She had closed Her eyes in discomfiture, He stole an opportunity to draw artistic designs of crocodiles making love to one another on Her breasts. He did this to prove Himself a pukka^[2] Pandit. In this manner, by performed amorous pastimes in the kunja, Sri Krishna made His kishorage meaningful.” – (Bhakti-Rasâmrita-Sindhu2.1.231.)

Then the poet saw Sri Krishna dancing swiftly and said, “’châpalyadhurâ’ – You are extremely sweet in His swiftness.” We may ask, “What is so special about it, since even the wind and water are sometimes very swift?” Sri Lilâshuk answers, “But You are extraordinary. You are dancing swiftly amidst crores of Gopis like a ring of light in just one body, and in this manner, You fulfilled their heartfelt desire. Hence, this swiftness is extremely captivating – we cannot find it elsewhere.

“All the Gopis prayed – O Aghahara^[3]! Please dance with me. To fulfil their prayer, Sri Krishna danced so swiftly that each Gopi felt He was with her.” – (Bhakti-Rasâmrita-Sindhu2.1.90)

Earlier I had failed to describe these excellent qualities and leelâs. I had spent my flickering life in a futile manner. Now I have obtained You. Therefore, my compositions are victorious. Not only my poems – but the births of the Gopa maidens also are worthwhile, since they are tempted to relish the sweetness of Your naughty kishorage.

Sri Bhatta Goswâmipâd explains, Sri Lilâshuk is stating that everything becomes successful when it serves Sri Krishna Who showers the nectar of supreme bliss.

The lives of the ‘Gopa-vanitâs’ (Gopa women) are blessed.

How are these Gopis?

They are ‘galad-breedâ’ – devoid of shame, and hence they are ‘lolâ’ – thirsty. 

Again, how are these Gopis?

They are ‘madana-vianatâ’ – very much bowed under the pressure of Madandev (Love-god) or passion. They are also ‘mada-spheetam’ – enriched by amorous intoxication. They are ‘veetam’ – moving here and there to meet Sri Krishna. ‘Veetam’ may also mean ‘their gaze and movements are exultant due to the Great Râs celebration.’ Lastly, ‘kimapi madhurâ châpaladhurâ’ – they express the most wonderful and sweet expressions of love.

Like them, my poems too are triumphant – ‘madhurimakirâm’ – they shower sweet and joyous ras. ’twayi sthâne’ means ‘when the Gopis meet You in the secludedkunjas of Sri Vrindâban, their movements, witty words and all other endeavours attain success. 

Verse 101

Translation

Your love made the Gopa-vadhus lose their shame; it agitated their hearts and made them humble. When they got You with Your surging youth they considered their lives worthy. In the same manner, today my sweet poetic words have obtained Your shelter and have knit themselves into a beautiful garland (for You), so my insignificant life has become meaningful. 101.

Âswâd-bindu purport

rila Krishnadâs Kavirâj Goswâmi says: Sri Lilâshuk told Sri Krishna, “I have described Your beauty, excellences, pastimes and everything, but only now has my poetic endeavour gained success. O Krishna, my words have obtained Your shelter, so they are meaningful.” Some texts have the word ‘jâte’ instead of ‘yâte’ (in the last line of the verse). In that case, the meaning will be –”my life has become meaningful”. The poets worship Goddess Saraswati (who is the presiding deity of speech) to compose poetry.

Sri Lilâshuk is saying, “O my Lord, all good things become useful only after they do Your seva. Similarly, my words too are blest.”

How are his words?

They are ‘madhuramakirâm’ – sweet and poetic. Earlier my glorifications were under the influence of my past bad qualities. Therefore, they were falling short of the standard. Now, whatever I am saying is very lofty – they are free of any shortcoming. They are spontaneous, natural and ecstatic. Life is flickering. Prior to this moment, I have wasted my life, but now that I am singing Your all glory tofore You, my life has become successful.

When Sri Uddhav saw the Gopis, he had praised them –

“These Gopis of Braja are the only ones with exquisite bodies, since only these bodies can tolerate the topmost prem, that is, Mahâbhâv. It is a great offence to look upon their bodies as those belonging to ordinary women. We should remember that the One Whom they love is the source of Paramâtmâ – Who is the soul of all the souls. How can I extol their Bhâv? The ones who seek liberation, the ones who are already liberated, and we, who are His eternal associates in the servile mood, can only long for this Bhâv, but cannot procure it. Some people do not savour the infinitely sweet Sri Krishna-Kathâ – to them, what is the use of three Brahminical births^[1]?” – (Srimad-Bhâgavatam.10.47.58)

When it is so rare to find someone who is interested in Sri Hari-Kathâ, then how much rarer is the Mahâbhâv of the Vrajânganâs! However, the birth of all Gopis is not worthwhile. What about those Gopis who have given their hearts to their husbands? No, we cannot agree that their lives are beneficial. A few Gopis were unable to go to the Râs. They decided to give up their bodies. Then they abandoned the material bodies and attended the Râs festival in transcendental bodies that were eternal and blissful.

The poet mentions three qualities of the Gopis –

© Madana-vinatâ – they bow under the pressure of Madan (kâm). Goutamiya-tantra says –

“premaiva goparâmânâng kâma itya-gamat prathâm”.

Sri Chaitanya-Charitâmrita translates it as –

“The Gopis’ prem is highly exalted. We call it ‘Mahâbhâv’. It is extremely pure prem(uncontaminated with any desire for sense gratification). No one can ever call it ‘lust’.”

– (Sri Chaitanya-Charitâmrita.Âdi.4.139)

© Lolâ – they are extremely thirsty for You. Their thirst is never quenched.

“The thirst is never satiated, it increases constantly.”

– (Sri Chaitanya-Charitâmrita.Âdi.4.130)

© Galad-breedâ – they have forsaken societal norms, Vedic norms, shame, fear and decency. They have been highly anxious to obtain You and have succeeded in the same.

“The Gopis discarded societal norms, Vedic strictures, difficulties posed by the body, their karma, shame, self-control, material pleasures, spiritual pleasures, the Aryan sense of righteousness (that is impossible to abandon), kith and kin, loving ones, and all the abuse heaped on them. They gave up everything and performed Sri Krishna-Bhajan. They serve Sri Krishna lovingly to make Him happy. We call this ‘very deepanurâg for Krishna’. It is like clean and washed cloth without any stain on it.”

– (Sri Chaitanya-Charitâmrita.Âdi.4.143-146)

When Sri Lilâshuk beheld the sweetness of Sri Krishna’s adolescence, He drew a sharp breath and gushed – “Wow! This is the age!” He wanted to say some more, but the sweetness stupefied him and all he could utter was – “This is Sri Krishna’s indescribable age!” The Gopa maidens’ lives are successful because they have obtained You at this age.’ ‘Veetam mada-spheetam’ means ‘Sri Krishna’s childhood has nearly faded and He is on the threshold of youth. Therefore He is inebriated with youthful passion.”

Sri Krishna is saying, “Ohe Lilâshuk, there are many divine and non- divine beings at the ‘kishor’ stage. Why? Their age too may be worthy!”

The poet is replying, “No, my Lord, I’m afraid it’s not so. The non-divine (material) being’s kishor-age is fleeting; hence, it is futile. As for the divine kishors – they do not perform Râs or loving sports in the flower groves. You have made Your kishor-age profitable by spending loving moments with the Gopis during the Râs-leelâ.

Sri Vishnu Purân says –

“Sri Madhusudan paid homage to His kishor-age and to make it triumphant, He performed the Râs-sport with the Gopis on those nights of Sharad.”

“At the break of dawn, Sri Krishna revealed Srimati Râdhârâni’s expertise at love-making to the sakhis (by showing them Her nail-marks on His body). He also made Her squirm with embarrassment by describing boldly how She assumed the position of the male counterpart during love-making – and when She had closed Her eyes in discomfiture, He stole an opportunity to draw artistic designs of crocodiles making love to one another on Her breasts. He did this to prove Himself a pukka^[2] Pandit. In this manner, by performed amorous pastimes in the kunja, Sri Krishna made His kishorage meaningful.” – (Bhakti-Rasâmrita-Sindhu2.1.231.)

Then the poet saw Sri Krishna dancing swiftly and said, “’châpalyadhurâ’ – You are extremely sweet in His swiftness.” We may ask, “What is so special about it, since even the wind and water are sometimes very swift?” Sri Lilâshuk answers, “But You are extraordinary. You are dancing swiftly amidst crores of Gopis like a ring of light in just one body, and in this manner, You fulfilled their heartfelt desire. Hence, this swiftness is extremely captivating – we cannot find it elsewhere.

“All the Gopis prayed – O Aghahara^[3]! Please dance with me. To fulfil their prayer, Sri Krishna danced so swiftly that each Gopi felt He was with her.” – (Bhakti-Rasâmrita-Sindhu2.1.90)

Earlier I had failed to describe these excellent qualities and leelâs. I had spent my flickering life in a futile manner. Now I have obtained You. Therefore, my compositions are victorious. Not only my poems – but the births of the Gopa maidens also are worthwhile, since they are tempted to relish the sweetness of Your naughty kishorage.

Sri Bhatta Goswâmipâd explains, Sri Lilâshuk is stating that everything becomes successful when it serves Sri Krishna Who showers the nectar of supreme bliss.

The lives of the ‘Gopa-vanitâs’ (Gopa women) are blessed.

How are these Gopis?

They are ‘galad-breedâ’ – devoid of shame, and hence they are ‘lolâ’ – thirsty. 

Again, how are these Gopis?

They are ‘madana-vianatâ’ – very much bowed under the pressure of Madandev (Love-god) or passion. They are also ‘mada-spheetam’ – enriched by amorous intoxication. They are ‘veetam’ – moving here and there to meet Sri Krishna. ‘Veetam’ may also mean ‘their gaze and movements are exultant due to the Great Râs celebration.’ Lastly, ‘kimapi madhurâ châpaladhurâ’ – they express the most wonderful and sweet expressions of love.

Like them, my poems too are triumphant – ‘madhurimakirâm’ – they shower sweet and joyous ras. ’twayi sthâne’ means ‘when the Gopis meet You in the secludedkunjas of Sri Vrindâban, their movements, witty words and all other endeavours attain success. 

Verse 101

Translation

Your love made the Gopa-vadhus lose their shame; it agitated their hearts and made them humble. When they got You with Your surging youth they considered their lives worthy. In the same manner, today my sweet poetic words have obtained Your shelter and have knit themselves into a beautiful garland (for You), so my insignificant life has become meaningful. 101.

Âswâd-bindu purport

rila Krishnadâs Kavirâj Goswâmi says: Sri Lilâshuk told Sri Krishna, “I have described Your beauty, excellences, pastimes and everything, but only now has my poetic endeavour gained success. O Krishna, my words have obtained Your shelter, so they are meaningful.” Some texts have the word ‘jâte’ instead of ‘yâte’ (in the last line of the verse). In that case, the meaning will be –”my life has become meaningful”. The poets worship Goddess Saraswati (who is the presiding deity of speech) to compose poetry.

Sri Lilâshuk is saying, “O my Lord, all good things become useful only after they do Your seva. Similarly, my words too are blest.”

How are his words?

They are ‘madhuramakirâm’ – sweet and poetic. Earlier my glorifications were under the influence of my past bad qualities. Therefore, they were falling short of the standard. Now, whatever I am saying is very lofty – they are free of any shortcoming. They are spontaneous, natural and ecstatic. Life is flickering. Prior to this moment, I have wasted my life, but now that I am singing Your all glory tofore You, my life has become successful.

When Sri Uddhav saw the Gopis, he had praised them –

“These Gopis of Braja are the only ones with exquisite bodies, since only these bodies can tolerate the topmost prem, that is, Mahâbhâv. It is a great offence to look upon their bodies as those belonging to ordinary women. We should remember that the One Whom they love is the source of Paramâtmâ – Who is the soul of all the souls. How can I extol their Bhâv? The ones who seek liberation, the ones who are already liberated, and we, who are His eternal associates in the servile mood, can only long for this Bhâv, but cannot procure it. Some people do not savour the infinitely sweet Sri Krishna-Kathâ – to them, what is the use of three Brahminical births^[1]?” – (Srimad-Bhâgavatam.10.47.58)

When it is so rare to find someone who is interested in Sri Hari-Kathâ, then how much rarer is the Mahâbhâv of the Vrajânganâs! However, the birth of all Gopis is not worthwhile. What about those Gopis who have given their hearts to their husbands? No, we cannot agree that their lives are beneficial. A few Gopis were unable to go to the Râs. They decided to give up their bodies. Then they abandoned the material bodies and attended the Râs festival in transcendental bodies that were eternal and blissful.

The poet mentions three qualities of the Gopis –

© Madana-vinatâ – they bow under the pressure of Madan (kâm). Goutamiya-tantra says –

“premaiva goparâmânâng kâma itya-gamat prathâm”.

Sri Chaitanya-Charitâmrita translates it as –

“The Gopis’ prem is highly exalted. We call it ‘Mahâbhâv’. It is extremely pure prem(uncontaminated with any desire for sense gratification). No one can ever call it ‘lust’.”

– (Sri Chaitanya-Charitâmrita.Âdi.4.139)

© Lolâ – they are extremely thirsty for You. Their thirst is never quenched.

“The thirst is never satiated, it increases constantly.”

– (Sri Chaitanya-Charitâmrita.Âdi.4.130)

© Galad-breedâ – they have forsaken societal norms, Vedic norms, shame, fear and decency. They have been highly anxious to obtain You and have succeeded in the same.

“The Gopis discarded societal norms, Vedic strictures, difficulties posed by the body, their karma, shame, self-control, material pleasures, spiritual pleasures, the Aryan sense of righteousness (that is impossible to abandon), kith and kin, loving ones, and all the abuse heaped on them. They gave up everything and performed Sri Krishna-Bhajan. They serve Sri Krishna lovingly to make Him happy. We call this ‘very deepanurâg for Krishna’. It is like clean and washed cloth without any stain on it.”

– (Sri Chaitanya-Charitâmrita.Âdi.4.143-146)

When Sri Lilâshuk beheld the sweetness of Sri Krishna’s adolescence, He drew a sharp breath and gushed – “Wow! This is the age!” He wanted to say some more, but the sweetness stupefied him and all he could utter was – “This is Sri Krishna’s indescribable age!” The Gopa maidens’ lives are successful because they have obtained You at this age.’ ‘Veetam mada-spheetam’ means ‘Sri Krishna’s childhood has nearly faded and He is on the threshold of youth. Therefore He is inebriated with youthful passion.”

Sri Krishna is saying, “Ohe Lilâshuk, there are many divine and non- divine beings at the ‘kishor’ stage. Why? Their age too may be worthy!”

The poet is replying, “No, my Lord, I’m afraid it’s not so. The non-divine (material) being’s kishor-age is fleeting; hence, it is futile. As for the divine kishors – they do not perform Râs or loving sports in the flower groves. You have made Your kishor-age profitable by spending loving moments with the Gopis during the Râs-leelâ.

Sri Vishnu Purân says –

“Sri Madhusudan paid homage to His kishor-age and to make it triumphant, He performed the Râs-sport with the Gopis on those nights of Sharad.”

“At the break of dawn, Sri Krishna revealed Srimati Râdhârâni’s expertise at love-making to the sakhis (by showing them Her nail-marks on His body). He also made Her squirm with embarrassment by describing boldly how She assumed the position of the male counterpart during love-making – and when She had closed Her eyes in discomfiture, He stole an opportunity to draw artistic designs of crocodiles making love to one another on Her breasts. He did this to prove Himself a pukka^[2] Pandit. In this manner, by performed amorous pastimes in the kunja, Sri Krishna made His kishorage meaningful.” – (Bhakti-Rasâmrita-Sindhu2.1.231.)

Then the poet saw Sri Krishna dancing swiftly and said, “’châpalyadhurâ’ – You are extremely sweet in His swiftness.” We may ask, “What is so special about it, since even the wind and water are sometimes very swift?” Sri Lilâshuk answers, “But You are extraordinary. You are dancing swiftly amidst crores of Gopis like a ring of light in just one body, and in this manner, You fulfilled their heartfelt desire. Hence, this swiftness is extremely captivating – we cannot find it elsewhere.

“All the Gopis prayed – O Aghahara^[3]! Please dance with me. To fulfil their prayer, Sri Krishna danced so swiftly that each Gopi felt He was with her.” – (Bhakti-Rasâmrita-Sindhu2.1.90)

Earlier I had failed to describe these excellent qualities and leelâs. I had spent my flickering life in a futile manner. Now I have obtained You. Therefore, my compositions are victorious. Not only my poems – but the births of the Gopa maidens also are worthwhile, since they are tempted to relish the sweetness of Your naughty kishorage.

Sri Bhatta Goswâmipâd explains, Sri Lilâshuk is stating that everything becomes successful when it serves Sri Krishna Who showers the nectar of supreme bliss.

The lives of the ‘Gopa-vanitâs’ (Gopa women) are blessed.

How are these Gopis?

They are ‘galad-breedâ’ – devoid of shame, and hence they are ‘lolâ’ – thirsty. 

Again, how are these Gopis?

They are ‘madana-vianatâ’ – very much bowed under the pressure of Madandev (Love-god) or passion. They are also ‘mada-spheetam’ – enriched by amorous intoxication. They are ‘veetam’ – moving here and there to meet Sri Krishna. ‘Veetam’ may also mean ‘their gaze and movements are exultant due to the Great Râs celebration.’ Lastly, ‘kimapi madhurâ châpaladhurâ’ – they express the most wonderful and sweet expressions of love.

Like them, my poems too are triumphant – ‘madhurimakirâm’ – they shower sweet and joyous ras. ’twayi sthâne’ means ‘when the Gopis meet You in the secludedkunjas of Sri Vrindâban, their movements, witty words and all other endeavours attain success.