C.D. Warner, et al., comp. The Library of the World’s Best Literature.
An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.

Specimens of the Religious-Erotic Lyric of the Twelfth Century

By Indian Literature

IN the breath of spring, Rādhā, with body fair as flowers of spring, seeking Krishna everywhere, was thus addressed by her friend:—“Under a garland of fragrant flowers, a garland which the bees surround, Krishna now in spring is playing, happy spring; and dances with the maidens at a time not sweet to those whose love is gone. Where lamentations arise from women whose lovers are away; where the young tamals are drunken with sweet flowers, and the kinçuka buds, the lovely, are gleaming; where are golden keçaras like to the sceptre of the love-god; and the pātali buds are filled with bees like the quiver of Eros. There is Krishna playing, and dances with the maidens. Krishna in the crowd of maidens jests with them that jest with him. Clothed in a yellow garment, crowned with flowers, anointed with sandal paste, rings in his ears, smiling amid the merry throng, he sports, all in the joy of spring; while, with swelling breasts, embracing Krishna, one of the maidens sings to him, and another whispers something in his ear and swiftly kisses the beloved one. One he embraces, and one he kisses, and one he presses upon his heart, looks at one with a smile, and lists to the words of another.”

DRUNK with joy on the breast of Krishna, while on her bosom the jewel trembles, sweetly with Krishna united, sports one who seems to me blest. Her moon-like face surrounded with fair locks, drinking his lips till weary with drinking, sweetly with Krishna united, sports one who seems to me blest. Smiling and reddening with the glance of the beloved, quivering with the rapture of love, sports one who seems to me blest [etc.].

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