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Biographies of various saints.

Sri Ramananda Raya - disappearance day on pancami



Raga - Fri, 31 May 2002 00:19:59 +0530
On pancami (Friday for the most of us), we celebrate the disappearance day of Sri Ramananda Raya. The following excerpt is from the extensive archives of http://veda.harekrsna.cz , compiled from various sources.
Raga - Fri, 31 May 2002 00:31:33 +0530
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SRI RAMANANDA RAYA


Sri Ramananda Raya was the viceroy of the east and west side of the Godavari River in the empire of Raja Sri Prataparudra. When Mahaprabhu was setting out on his tour of South India, Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya especially requested him to meet Ramananda Raya.

“‘Please do not neglect him, thinking he belongs to a sudra family engaged in material activities. It is my request that You meet him without fail. Ramananda Raya is a fit person to associate with You; no other devotee can compare with him in knowledge of the transcendental mellows.’[C.c. Madhya 7.63-64]

“As previously, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu converted to Vaisnavism many people He met on the road. After some days, the Lord reached the banks of the River Godavari. When He saw the River Godavari, the Lord remembered the River Yamuna, and when He saw the forest on the banks of the river, He remembered Sri Vrndavana-dhama.

“After performing His usual chanting and dancing for some time in this forest, the Lord crossed the river and took His bath on the other bank. After bathing in the river, the Lord walked a little distance from the bathing place and engaged in chanting the holy name of Krsna.

“At that time, accompanied by the sounds of music, Ramananda Raya came there mounted on a palanquin to take his bath. Many brahmanas, following the Vedic principles, accompanied Ramananda Raya. According to Vedic rituals, Ramananda Raya took his bath and offered oblations to his forefathers.

“Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu could understand that the person who had come to bathe in the river was Ramananda Raya. The Lord wanted so much to meet him that His mind immediately began running after him.

“Although Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was running after him mentally, He patiently remained sitting. Ramananda Raya, seeing the wonderful sannyasi, then came to see Him. Srila Ramananda Raya then saw Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu as brilliant as a hundred suns. The Lord was covered by a saffron garment. He was large in body and very strongly built, and His eyes were like lotus petals.

“When Ramananda Raya saw the wonderful sannyasi, he was struck with wonder. He went to Him and immediately offered his respectful obeisances, falling down flat like a rod. The Lord stood up and asked Ramananda to arise and chant the holy name of Krsna. Indeed, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was very eager to embrace him. Sri Caitanya then inquired whether he was Ramananda Raya, and he replied, “Yes, I am Your very low servant, and I belong to the sudra community.”

“Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu then embraced Sri Ramananda Raya very firmly. Indeed, both the master and the servant almost lost consciousness due to ecstatic love. Their natural love for one another was awakened in them both, and they both embraced and fell down on the ground. When they embraced one another, ecstatic symptoms - paralysis, perspiration, tears, shivering, palpitations, and paleness - appeared. The word ‘Krsna’ came from their mouths falteringly.

“When the stereotyped, ritualistic brahmanas who were following the Vedic principles saw the ecstatic manifestation of love, they were struck with wonder. All these brahmanas began to think, ‘We can see that this sannyasi has a luster like the effulgence of Brahman, but how is it He is crying upon embracing a sudra, a member of the fourth caste in the social order?’ They thought, ‘This Ramananda is the Governor of Madras, a highly learned and grave person, a mahapandita, but upon touching this sannyasi he has become restless like a madman.’

“While the brahmanas were thinking in this way about the activities of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Ramananda Raya, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu saw the brahmanas and restrained His transcendental emotions. When they regained their sanity, the

y both sat down, and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu began to smile and speak as follows.

“‘Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya has spoken of your good qualities, and he has made a great endeavor to convince Me to meet you. Indeed, I have come here just to meet you. It is very good that even without making an effort I have gotten your interview here.’

“Ramananda Raya replied, ‘Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya thinks of me as his servant. Even in my absence he is very careful to do me good. By his mercy I have received Your interview here. Consequently I consider that today I have become a successful human being. I can see that You have bestowed special mercy upon Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya. Therefore You have touched me, although I am untouchable. This is due only to his love for You. You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Narayana Himself, and I am only a government servant interested in materialistic activities. Indeed, I am the lowest amongst men of the fourth caste. You do not fear the Vedic injuctions stating that You should not associate with a sudra. You were not contemptuous of my touch, although in the Vedas You are forbidden to associate with sudras. You care the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself; therefore no one can understand Your purpose. By Your mercy, You are touching me, although this is not sanctioned in the Vedas.’

“‘You have come here specifically to deliver me. You are so merciful that You alone can deliver all fallen souls. It is the general practice of all saintly people to deliver the fallen. Therefore they go to people’s houses, although they have no personal business there.” [C.c. Madhya 8.10-39]

“‘Along with me there are about a thousand people - including the brahmanas - and all of them appear to have had their hearts melted simply by seeing You. I hear everyone chanting the holy name of Krsna. Everyone’s body is thrilled with ecstacy, and there are tears in everyone’s eyes. My dear sir, according to Your bodily features and Your behavior, You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Such behavior and features are impossible for ordinary living beings, for they cannot possess such transcendental qualities.’“

“The Lord replied to Ramananda Raya: ‘Sir, you are the best of topmost devotees; therefore upon seeing you everyone’s heart has melted. Although I am a Mayavadi sannyasi, a nondevotee, I am floating in the ocean of love of Krsna simply by touching you. And what to speak of others? Knowing this, in order to rectify My heart, which is very hard, Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya asked Me to meet you.’ In this way each of them praised the qualities of the other, and both of them were pleased to see one another.” [C.c. Madhya 8.41-47]

One Vaisnava brahmana came forward at this time and invited the Lord to accept His midday meal at his house. And so the Lord, after arranging a later meeting with Raya Ramananda, left the Godavari in the company of that brahmana.

Sri Ramananda Raya was the son of Sri Bhavananda Ray, who was previously Maharaja Pandu, the father of the five Pandavas. Bhavananda Raya dedicated all of his five sons, Ramananda (Arjuna?), Gopinatha, Kalanidhi, Sudhanidhi and Baninatha to the service of Sriman Mahaprabhu. His wife was formerly Sri Kuntidevi.

In the afternoon, after Mahaprabhu had finished His bath in the Godavari, He sat down and waited. Ramananda Raya, accompanied by one servant, arrived there. He fell down to offer his obeisances at the Lord’s lotus feet. Mahaprabhu pulled him up, and after embracing him very firmly, seated Ramananda next to Himself in a secluded place. Then the two of them, in the madness of ecstatic love, began to converse together on the topics of Sri Krsna. Mahaprabhu asked questions to which Ramananda was to supply the answers.

On the subject of the supreme goal of life, Ramananda first proposed observance of the four orders of social and spiritual life and executing one’s duties in accordance with these. Next, one after another, he mentioned renouncing the fruits of one’s activities, rendering formal service to th

e Lord, serving the Lord in devotion mixed with knowledge, and finally pure devotional service.

Though Mahaprabhu assented that the rendering of pure devotional service is the entrance into the ultimate goal of life, he urged Ramananda Raya to go even beyond this. One after the other, Ramananda then described attachment to Krsna in servitorship, friendship, parenthood, and finally conjugal love, to which Mahaprabhu again replied, “Kindly proceed further and tell me something more.” Ramananda Raya then explained that amongst the gopis who worship Krsna in conjugal love, the mood of Srimati Radharani is superexcellent.

This Mahaprabhu accepted as being the essense of perfection. As He still wanted to hear more, Ramananda Raya sang a song of his own composition that nicely conveyed Srimati Radharani’s confidential mood known as prema-vivarta-vilasa. Hearing this song, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu covered Ramananda’s mouth with His hand, confirming that he had expressed the limit of the goal (sadhya) of human life, which could only be realized by the practice of devotional service (sadhana). Then Ramananda Raya explained that Srimati Radharani is the creeper of love for Krsna and her sakhis are like the twigs, flowers and leaves of that creeper of devotion. Sri Krsna is the reservoir of pleasure and Radharani is the greatest manifestation of ecstatic emotions. Finally Lord Caitanya and Ramananda Raya embraced, crying in the ecstacy of Krsna-prema. Toward the end of the night they concluded their talk and each went to take rest.

The next evening Ramananda again came to Mahaprabhu’s lotus feet and offered his prostrated obeisances. Mahaprabhu firmly embraced him and after seating him began to again ask him questions:

“What is the best education?” “Devotion to Krsna,” answered Ramananda Raya.

“What is the greatest activity for a living entity?” “To be the servant of Krsna.”

“What is the supreme wealth?” “Love of Radha-Krsna.”

“What is the greatest unhappiness?” “To not have the association of devotees of Krsna.”

“What is the highes liberation?” “The best jewel of all kinds of liberation is to develop love for Krsna.”

“What is the best song?” “Songs describing the pastimes of Radha-Krsna.”

“What is most auspicious for living entities?” “The association of a devotee of Krsna.”

“What is the only thing we have to remember?” “Krsna’s name, qualities and pastimes.”

“What is the only thing to meditate upon?” “The lotus feet of Radha-Krsna.”

“Where is the best place to live?” “In the place where Krsna has His pastimes.”

“What is the best thing to be heard?” “Descriptions of the loving pastimes of Radha-Krsna.”

“What is the only thing which has to be glorified?” “The name of Radha-Krsna.”

“What are the destinations of those who desire liberation, and those who are gross materialistic enjoyers?” “The first attain bodies as trees and the second, demigods.”

Ramananda Raya continued, “Those who are devoid of all mellows are like the crows that suck the juice from the bitter fruits of the nimba tree of knowledge, whereas those who enjoy mellows are like the cuckoos who eat the buds of the mango tree of love of Godhead.” Ramananda Raya concluded, “The unfortunate empiric philosophers taste the dry process of philosophical knowledge, whereas the devotees reularly drink the nectar of love of Krsna. Therefore they are the most fortunate of all.”

Thereafter Mahaprabhu revealed His form of Radha-Krsna, seeing which Ramananda fell unconscious. Regaining his senses he began to offer hymns and praises in glorification of the Lord. Mahaprabhu requested him to please not reveal any of these esoteric truths to anyone.

When Mahaprabhu was about to take leave of Ramananda Raya, He gave him the following instruction: “Give up all material engagements and come to Jagannatha Puri. I will return there very soon after finishing My tour and pilgrimage. The two of us shall remain together at Jagannatha Puri and happily pass our time di

scussing Krsna.”

When He returned to Puri He found that Ramananda had gotten the permission of Maharaja Prataparudra to leave his post and reside in Sri Ksetra, Jagannatha Puri. He had become a close friend of Sri Svarupa Damodara.

Ramananda Raya would compose dramas and then would have them acted out for the pleasure of Lord Jagannatha by young girls. Mahaprabhu stated that the minds of great yogis can become disturbed simply by seeing a female doll, but the mind of Raya Ramananda doesn’t slightly waver, even he personally bathed and decorated the bodies of young dancing girls.

Ramananda Raya and Svarupa Damodara were the constant companions of Mahaprabhu during His final pastimes.

“When the Lord acutely felt pangs of separation from Krsna, only Sri Ramananda Raya’s talk about Krsna and the sweet songs of Svarupa Damodara kept Him alive.” [Cc. Antya 6.6]

“Hearing that Mahaprabhu had closed his earthly pastimes, Maharaja Prataparudra threw himself on the ground and lost consciousness, his head suffering heavy blows with the earth, while Ramananda Raya was only just barely able to remain alive.” [B.R. 3.218]

Ramananda Raya’s house is still existing at Jagannatha-Ballabha Uddyan, on the Grand Road, Puri.
Madhava - Sat, 01 Jun 2002 02:50:42 +0530
Sri Caitanya was very attached to the Jagannatha Vallabha Nataka composed by Raya Ramananda.
kAhAre kahiba, kebA jAne mora duHkha
vrajendra-nandana vinu phATe mora buka

“To whom skall I speak? Who can understand my misery? Without the son of the king of Vraja, my heart is broken.”

ei-mata vilApa kare vihvala antara
rAyera nATaka-zloka paDe nirantara

”Lamenting in this way, bewildered within, he constantly recited verses from the drama of Raya Ramananda.”

(Sri Caitanya Caritamrta, Madhya-lila 2.16-17)
The following text is the first chapter of Sri Jagannatha Vallabha Nataka. In great gratitude to the unknown translator we submit it for the devotees to relish.
Madhava - Sat, 01 Jun 2002 03:02:48 +0530

Sri Jagannatha Vallabha Nataka


Act One: PUrva-rAga -- The Beginnings of Love


Text 1

svaraJcita-vipaJcikA-muraja-veNu-saGgItakaM
tri-bhaGga-tanu-vallarI-valita-valgu-hAsolbanam
vayasya-kara-tAlika-raNita-nUpurair ujjvalaM
murAri-naTanaM sadA dizatu zarma loka-traye

May KRSNa's splendid dancing, which is accompanied by the melodies of the lute, flute, and drum and the tinkling of the gopIs' karatAlas and ankle-bells, and which reveals His charming smile and the graceful three-fold movements of the vine of His transcendental form, bring bliss to the three worlds.

Text 2

api ca
smitaM nu na sita-dyuti-taralam akSi nambhoruhaM
zrutir na ca jagaj-jaye manasijasya maurvI-latA
mukunda-mukha-maNDale rabhasa-mugdha-gopAGganA-
dRg-aJcala-bhavo bhramaH zubha-satAya te kalpatAm

"This is not a smile, but moonlight. These are not eyes, but lotus flowers. These are not ears, but KAmadeva's bowstring (stretched, for the conquest of the world". May the blissful gopIs' bewilderment, born from their gazing at KRSNa's face, bring to you a hundred benedictions.

Text 3

api ca
kAmaM kAma-payonidhiM mRga-dRzAm udbhAvayan nirbharaM
cetaH-kairava-kAnanAni yaminAm atyantam ullAsayan
rakSaH-koka-kulAni zoka-vikalAny ekAntam Akalpayann
AnandaM vitanotu vo madhuripor vaktrApadezaH zazI

Making great tidal waves in the ocean of the doe-eyed gopIs' amorous desires, delighting the lotus flowers of the yogIs' hearts, and tormenting the cakravAka birds of the demons, may the moon of KRSNa's face, bring you transcendental bliss.

Text 4  Song in NaTa-rAga

Text A

mRdula-malayaja-pavana-taralita-cikura-parigata-kalapakaM saci-taralita-nayana-manmatha-zaGku-saGkula-citta-sundarI-jana-janita-kautukam

The peacock feathers in His hair move in the gentle Malayan breeze. The KAmadeva's arrows from His crooked restless eyes pierce the hearts of the beautiful gopIs and arouse their desires.

Text B Refrain

manasija-keli-nandita-mAnasam
bhajata madhuripum indu-sundara-ballavI-mukha-lAlasam

Worship KRSNa. His heart is blissful with amorous pastimes. The moons of the beautiful gopIs' faces fill Him with amorous longing.

Text C

laghu-taralita-kandharam- hasita-nava-sundaram- gajapati-pratAparudra-hRdayAnugatam anudinam
sa-rasaM racayati rAmAnanda-rAya iti cAru

Smiling, youthful KRSNa is very handsome. His neck trembles slightly. He always stays in Gajapati MahArAja PratAparudra's heart. RAmAnanda RAya sings this beautiful sweet song about Him.

Text 5

nandy-ante sUtradhAraH:  alam- ati-vistareNa. priye ita itaH.

(After the nandI-zlokas are concluded).
SUtradhAra:  What use is all this talking? Beloved, come here.


Text 6

(pravizya naTI)
naTI:  ajja esa hmi ni-a-kiGkari-anaM caraNa-padidaM vilo-ana-pasadehiM pasanna-hi-a-aM kaduM bhatta paraM pamanam.

(NaTI enters).
NaTI:  O noble sir, here I am. I am your maidservant. I fall down at your feet. The mercy of your glance delights my heart. You are my husband, my supreme authority.


Text 7

sUtradhAraH:  (sa-harSam,  cira-samayam- vidagdhocita-veSeNa yauvana-vilAsam anubhavatu bhavati.

SUtradhAra:  (Happily,  May you happily enjoy the pastimes of youth for a long time.

Text 8

naTI:  ajjena kudo ahudamhi.

NaTI:  Why have I been called by the noble sir?

Text 9

sUtradhAraH:  priye na viditaM bhavatyAH prasAda-kathanam etat.

SUtradhAra:  Beloved, you do not know the kind words (I am about to say?)

Text 10

naTI:  sampadi ta soduM mama hi-a-aM kuduhalehiM vippharidaM Tattadi.

NaTI:  Now my heart is filled with eagern

ess to hear these words.


Text 11

sUtradhAraH:  priye zRNu. adya khalu vasanta-vasarAvasare taruNa-bhAsvad-vimukta-dakSiNa-dig-vilAsinI-stana-malayAcalAvalambi-veNI-bhujaGga-saGgi-sa



mIraNa-mUrchita-virahinI-jana-jIvAtu-vayasy-AsvAsa-vacaH-prasAre vikasita-sita-kiraNa-prasUne ca vimala-nabho-vana-projjRmbhamAna nava-navonmIlita-nistala-muktAphala-tulita-tara-mukula madhyAvalambinI sAsUya-nirbhara-nirIkSamAna-virahinI-jana caJcala-locanAJcala-latAgra-vartinI nirupama-kAnti-lakSmI-lubdhalakSmI-ramaNAvasthAnocita-citta-dugdhAbdhinA vibhAvAdi-pariNata-rasa-rasAla-mukula-rasAsvAda-kovida-puMs-kokilena zrI-kaNTha-hAra-sahacara-guNa-muktAphala-maNDita-hRdayena kim- bahunA.

SUtradhAra:  Beloved, listen. Now that springtime is filled with words of friendly consolation for girls separated from their lovers and fainting from a breeze touched by the snake-braids in the Malayan Hill breasts of the splendid girl of the personified southern direction now herself separated from (her lover, the youthful sun, and now that the white flower of the moon has bloomed, and now that the budding stars are like great new round pearls in the splendid forest of the sky, and now that the vines of restless sidelong glances of girls jealously looking for their lost lovers have blossomed, how can I properly glorify that person whose milk-ocean heart is a proper home for the passionate lover of peerlessly beautiful LakSmI, that person who is a cuckoo that tastes the nectar mango-bud of vibhava and other ecstasies of spiritual love and whose heart is decorated with the pearl necklace of the transcendental qualities of Lord NArAyaNa, the intimate friend of LakSmI's necklace?

Text 12

yan-nAmApi nizamya sannivizate sekandharaH kandaraM
svaM vargaM kala-varga-bhUmi-tilakaH sAsraM samudvIkSate
mene gurjara-bhUpatir jarad ivAraNyaM nijaM paTTanaM
vAta-vyagra-payodhi-potagam iva svaM veda gauDezvaraH

King PratAparudra, by hearing whose name the yavana king Sekandhara hides in a cave, the king of Kerala sheds tears to see his own realm, the king of Gujarat thinks his capitol a decaying jungle, and the king of Bengal thinks his kingdom a boat tossed in a hurricane ocean, . . .

Text 13

kAya-vyUha-vilAsa Izvara-girer dvaitaM sudhAdIdhiter
niryAsas tu himAcalasya yamakaM kSirAmburAzer asau
sAraH zArada-vAridasya kim api svar-vAhinI-vAriNo
dvairAjyaM vimalI-karoti satataM yat-kIrti-rAzir jagat

. . . whose great fame, massive as Mount KailAsa, sweet as a nectar moon, a double of the Himalayas, the ocean of milk, the autumn cloud, and the celestial Ganges, purifies the world, . . .

Text 14

yad-dAnAmbukadamba-nirmita-nadI-saMzleSa-harSAd asau
riGgat-tuGga-taraGga-niHsvana-miSAt prastauti yaM vAridhiH
nitya-prastuta-sapta-tantubhir abhisyUtAM mano nAkinAM
yenaitat pratimA-cchalena yad amI muJcanti na praGganam

. . . whose flowing rivers of charity bring happiness to the ocean and inspire it, on the pretext of great roaring waves, to glorify him, whose continual VedI sacrifices bind the hearts of the demigods and inspire them, disguised as deities, never to leave his courtyard,. . .

Text 15

tena pratibhATa-nRpa-ghaTa-
kAlAgni-rudreNa zrImat-pratAparudreNa
zrI-hari-caraNam adhikRtya
kam api prabandham abhinetum adiSTo 'smi

. . . and who is a ferocious fire of death for enemy kings, ordered me to write this play about Lord Hari's lotus feet.

Text 16

yad-uktam
madhuripu-pada-lIlA-zAlI tat-tad-guNADhyaM
sahRdaya-hRdayAnAM kAmaM Amoda-hetum
abhinava-kRtim anyac-chAyayA no nibaddhaM
samabhinaya naTAnAM varya kiJcit prabandham

He said: "O best of dramatists, please write about KRSNa's pastimes a play rich in many virtues, bringing to the kind-hearted devotees as much happiness as they could wish, and newly written, not another play's shadow.

Text 17

naTI:  tat kathaya.

NaTI: Please describe it.



Text 18

sUtradhAraH:  katham. ArAdhanIyo vidyAnAM nidhiH. yato 'sminn abhidhAtu-kAmo vAkpatir api pratipatti-mUDhaH syAt. (kSaNaM vimRSya,  AM smRtam.

SUtradhAra:  How? It is worshipable. It is an ocean of many kinds of knowledge. Desiring to describe it, even BRhaspati becomes bewildered. (Reflecting for a moment). Ah! I remember.

Text 19

naTI:  ta kiM so.

NaTI:  What is it?

Text 20

sUtradhAraH:  priye sarva-vidyAnAdi-vilAsa-gAmbhIrya-maryAdA-sthairya-prasAdAdi-guNa-ratnAkArasya suraguru-praNIta-nIti-kadamba-karambita-mantrasrAvi-kRta-praguNa-pRthvIzvarasya zrI-bhavAnanda-rAyasya tanujena zrI-hari-caraNAlaGkRta-mAnasena zrI-rAmAnanda-rAyena kavinA tat-tad-guNAlaGkRtam- zrI-jagannAtha-vallabha-nAma gajapati-pratAparudra-priyam- rAmAnanda-saGgIta-nATakam- nirmaya samarpitam abhineSyAmi.

SUtradhAra: Beloved, I will now show the musical play named zrI JagannAtha-vallabha, which is decorated with many virtues, which is dear to Gajapati MahArAja PratAparudra, and which was written by the poet RAmAnanda RAya, whose heart is decorated with Lord Hari's lotus feet, and who is the son of MahArAja BhavAnanda RAya, himself a personal student of BRhaspati and an ocean of virtues, beginning with all knowledge, beginningless cheerfulness, profound gravity, politeness, patience, and compassion.

Text 21

tathA cAyaM kaviH sa-vinayam idam avadIt
na bhavatu guNa-gandho 'py atra nAma prabandhe
madhuripu-pada-padmotkIrtanaM nas tathApi
sa-hRdaya-hRdayasyAnanda-sandoha-hetur
niyataM idam ato 'yaM niSphalo na prayAsaH

The author humbly said this: "It may be that this play has not the slightest fragrance of any good quality. Still, I have glorified Lord KRSNa's lotus feet within it. For this reason it will delight the kind-hearted devotees and my labor will not be fruitless."

Text 22

tadAdizyantaM kuzIlavA varNika-parigrahAya.

The actors should costume themselves.

Text 23

naTI:  (sanskRtam Azritya,  yad AjJApayati svAmI. (puro 'valokya, pazya pazya.

NaTI:  (In Sanskrit,  As the master orders. (looking ahead,  Look! Look!

Text 24

mRdula-malaya-vAtAcanta-vIci-pracAre
sarasi nava-parAgaiH piJjaro 'yaM klamena
prati-kamala-madhUnAM pAna-matto dvirephaH
svapiti kamala-koze nizcalAGgaH pradoze

At the beginning of evening, in a lake where a gentle Malayan breeze sips the waves, a bumble-bee, yellow with new pollen, intoxicated by drinking the honey of each lotus, and motionless with exhaustion, now sleeps in a closed lotus flower.

Text 25

sUtradhAraH:  (sa-harSam, priye sAdhu sAdhu man-manaH kutUhala-jalanidhi-vivarte nihitaM bhavatyA yato gopAGganA-zatAdhara-madhu-pAna-nirbhara-keli-klamAlasApaghanaH kvacit prauDha-vadhU-stanopadhanIya-maNDita-hRdaya-paryaGka-zAyI pItAmbaro nArAyaNaH smAritaH.

SUtradhAra:  (With happiness, Beloved, well done! Well done! Because this makes me remember Lord NArAyaNa who, wearing yellow garments and His limbs exhausted by enjoying pastimes of drinking the honey of hundreds of gopIs' lips, lies on a bed, His chest decorated with the pillow of an expert gopI's breasts.

Text 26

(nepathye)
dvatriMzal-lakSaNair yukto
deva-devezvaro hariH
gopAla-bAlakaiH sArdhaM
jagAma yAmuna-vanam

A Voice From Behind the Scenes:  Lord KRSNa, who is endowed with 32 transcendental qualities, and who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master of the demigods, has gone with the cowherd boys to the forest by the YamunA's shore.

Text 27  Song in KedAra-rAga

Text A

mRdutara-maruta-vellita-pallava-valli-valita-zikhaNDam
tilaka-viDambita-marakata-maNi-tAla-bimbita-zazadhara-khaNDam

His flowers and peacock feather tremble in the very gentle breeze. He is a crescent moon marked with tilaka and reflected in a sapphire mirror.

Text B  Refrain

yuvati-manohara-vezam<

br>kelaya kalAnidhim iva dharaNIm anu pariNata-rUpa-vizeSam

Look at Him! He is like a moon come to earth. He enchants the young gopIs' hearts.

Text C

khelA-dolayita-maNi-kuNDala-ruci-rucirAnana-zobham
helA-taralita-madhura-vilocana-janita-vadhU-jana-lobham

His handsome face is glorious with playfully swinging jewel-earrings. His restless sweet passionate glances arouse the gopIs' desires.

Text D

gajapati-rudra-narAdhipa-cetasi janayatu mudam anuvAram
rAmAnanda-rAya-kavi-bhaNitaM madhuripu-rUpam udAram

Described by the poet RAmAnanda RAya, may Lord KRSNa's transcendental form again and again delight Gajapati MahArAja PratAparudra's heart.

Text 28

sUtradhAraH:  (sa-cakitam,  priye matkanIyAn zrI-kRSNa-vRndAvana-gamanam Avedayati. tad vayam api sva-nepathyopacitAya yAma.) iti niSkrAntau,. prastavanA.

SUtradhAra:  (Frightened,  Beloved, to persons like us he announces zrI KRSNa's arrival in VRndAvana forest. Let us go behind the curtain. (They both exit).
Thus ends the prastavanA (introduction).


Text 29

(tataH pravizati yathA-nirdiSTaH kRSNaH).
kRSNaH:  sakhe ratikaNDala pazya pazya ramaNIyakaM vRndAvanasya.

(KRSNa enters as directed).
KRSNa:  Friend RatikaNDala, look! Look at the beauty of VRndAvana forest!


Text 30

tathA hi
uddAma-dyuti-pallavAvali-calat-spRzo 'mI sphurad
bhRGgAliGgita-puSpa-saJjana-dRzo mAdyat-pikAnAM ravaiH
arabdhotkalikA latAz ca taravaz cAlola-mauli-zrIyaH
praty-AzAM madhu-sampadAd iva rasAlApaM mithaH kurvate

Touching each other with moving hands of splendid twigs and buds, gazing at each other with aJjana-anointed eyes of flowers embraced by black bees, and the glory of their crowns moving to and fro, the trees and vines sweetly talk with maddened cuckoos' words like a treasury of honey.

Text 31

vidUSakaH:  bho vayassa tujjha edaM vunda-anaM ramanijjaM mama una bho-anala-o jjevva. jaththa kahimpi siharini kahimpi rasala kahimpi surahi ghi-oM kahimpi sali-bhattam.

VidUSaka:  O friend, Your VRndAvana forest is as beautiful as my dining-room. Ah, in my dining-room there are sometimes sweet-candies, sometimes mangoes, sometimes many foods cooked in fragrant ghee from the surabhi cows, and sometimes cooked rice.

Text 32

kRSNaH:  sakhe.

KRSNa: Friend, . . .

Text 33  Song in Vasanta-rAga

Text A

aparicitaM tava rUpam idam bata pazyadivocita-khelam
lalita-vikasvara-kusume-cayair iva hasati cirad ati-velam

. . . You don't know how beautiful it is. Look! It's like a pleausre-garden in the heavenly planets. It eternally smiles and laughs with beautiful flowers eternally in bloom.

Text B Refrain

kalaya sakhe bhuvi sAram
tvad-upagamAd iva sa-rasam idaM mama vRndAvanam anuvAram

Friend, again and again look at My sweet VRndAvana forest, the most beautiful place in the world. As if inspired by your arrival. . .

Text C

mRdu-pavanAhati-caJcala-pallava-kara-nikarair iva kAmam
narTitum upadizatIva bhavantam antatam idam abhirAmam

. . . with many hands of blossoming branches moving in the gentle breeze, again and again it gracefully invites you to dance.

Text D

sukhayatu gajapati-rudra-manoharam anudinam idam abhidhAnam
rAmAnanda-rAya-kavi-racitaM rasika-janaM su-vidhAnam

May this song, written by the poet RAmAnanda RAya and charming Gajapati MahArAja PratAparudra's heart, day after day please the devotees expert at tasting nectar.

Text 34

sakhe ati-madhuro 'yaM kokilAnAM ravaH.

Friend, the cuckoos' singing is very sweet.

Text 35

vidUSakaH:  bho va-assa tujjha vamsi-a ra-o ido bi mahuro tado bi ahmanaM kantha-ra-o. ta tu-e vamsi vadi-adu ma-e bhi kantha-ra-o kadavvo.

VidUSaka:  Friend, Your flute-musI is much sweeter. It is even sweeter than my

singing. Please play Your flute, and I will sing along.


Text 36

kRSNaH:  yad abhirucitaM vayasyAya. (vaMzIM vAdayate).

KRSNa:  As it pleases My friend. (He plays the flute).

Text 37

vidUSakaH:  bho sudo de vamsi-ra-o mamabi kantha-ra-o suni-adu. (iti mukha-vaikRtya pAruSaM nadati).

VidUSaka:  I have heard You play the flute, now hear me sing. (Contorting his face and mouth, he sings with superlative ugliness).

Text 38

(taru-zikharAn avalokya,  bho jidam anmehiM tujjha vamsi-e ra-ehiM ede dasi-e putta-a ko-ila nihadaM thida. maha una kantha-ra-ehiM kahiM bi pala-ida. ta va-assa ma gavvo de hodu.

(Looking at the treetops,  My singing and Your flute-musI have defeated these low-class cuckoos and made them hide. If I were to sing again they would fly away. Friend, are You not proud of Our great accomplishment?

Text 39

kRSNaH:  sakhe pazya pazya. kenApy akaruneNa bhagnAni navAzoka-pallavAni cetaH khedayanti.

KRSNa:  Friend, look! Look! Some merciless person broke these new azoka twigs! That troubles My heart.

Text 40

vidUSakaH:  bho vayassa ma-e dasi-e dhida-o gobi-a eththa kusumAni aharanti. (sa-parihasam,  tumaM bi tado jjeva edaM vunda-anaM na muJcasi.

VidUSaka:  Friend, I heard some low-class gopIs are picking flowers here. (making a joke, That is why You never leave VRndAvana.

Text 41

(nepathye)
vRndAvane viharato madhusUdanasya
veNu-svanaM zruti-puTena nipIya kAmam
udyan-manoja-zithili-kRta-gADha-lajjA
rAdhA viveza kutukena sakhI-kadambam

A Voice From Behind the Scenes: Her ears drinking playful KRSNa's flute musI in VRndAvana, and Her great shyness now slackened, RAdha' eagerly goes to Her friends.

Text 42  Song in GoNDakirI-rAga

Text A

kalayati nayanaM dizi valitam
paGkajaM iva mRdu-mAruta-calitam

RAdhA's eyes move in all directions, as a lotus moving in a gentle breeze.

Text B  Refrain

keli-vipinaM pravizati rAdhA
pratipada-samudita-manasija-bAdhA

Tortured by ever-increasing amorous desires, RAdhA enters the pastime-forest.

Text C

vinidadhAti mRdu-manthara-pAdam
racayati kuJjara-gatim anuvAdam

She walks with gentle, slow steps. She walks as a graceful elephant.

Text D

janayatu rudra-gajAdhipa-muditam
rAmAnanda-rAya-kavi-gaditam

May these words, spoken by the poet RAmAnanda RAya, bring happiness to Gajapati MahArAja PratAparudra.

Text 43

vidUSakaH:  (karNaM datvA,  bho suSThu ma-e janidam
kRSNaH:  kim.
vidUSakaH:  maM jjeva pucchasi.

VidUSaka:  (Listening,  Ah!  Now I understand.
KRSNa:  What is it?
VidUSaka:  Why ask me?


Text 44

(tataH pravizati sakhIbhir anugamyamAnA rAdhikA madanikA vanadevatA ca).
vidUSakaH:  (purato 'valokya,  bho vayassa pekkha pekkha kanabi inda-ali-enaM saJcalido kana-a puttali-a ni-ara idha jjeva a-acchadi. ta edam ekkaM gohni-a pala-issaM mama daridda badu-assa eda-e jjeva kidathada huvissadim. (iti svairaM svairaM dhartum upasarpati).

(Followed by their gopI-friends, RAdhA, MadanikA, and VanadevatA enter.)
VidUSaka:  Friend, look! Look! Here comes a rainbow followed by a troop of golden puppets. I will steal one of the puppets and run away. Then my poverty-stricken brahmacArIhood will finally become a grand success.
(He slowly creeps up to steal one of them.)


Text 45

kRSNaH:  dhiG mUrkha nAyaM kanaka-puTTalikA-nikAraH. kintu gopI-kadambakam idam.

KRSNa:  Fool, they are not golden puppets. They are cowherd girls.

Text 46

vidUSakaH:  (nirUpya vihasya,  suSThu tu-e takkidaM ta phalidaM de vunda-anagamanam.

VidUSaka:  (He carefully looks at them, and then chuckles,  You have guessed the truth. Now Your arrival in VRndAvana is a grand success.

Text 47

kRSNaH:  dhiG mUrkha kiM phalaM mama vRndAvanAgam

anasya.

KRSNa:  Fool, what benefit do I get by coming to VRndAvana forest?

Text 48

vidUSakaH: edanaM dasi-e dhidanaM sa-asado vunda-ana-na-a-pallavanaM padibalanam tti bhanami.

VidUSaka:  I am talking of Your protecting the flowers of VRndAvana forest from these low-class girls.

Text 49

rAdhA:  (purato 'valokya,  ajje ma-ani-e ko eso niluppala-dala-komala-ccha-i kana-a ni-ara-viccha-vasano isi-a alambi-a kandharaM mahura-mahuraM veNuM vade-i.

RAdhA:  (Looking ahead,  O noble MadanikA, who is this person splendid as a blue lotus petal, His garments like gold, and His neck gracefully bending, sweetly playing a flute?

Text 50

madanikA:  sakhi na jAnAsi yas tava mayA kathitaH.
so 'yaM yuvA yuvati-citta-vihaGga-zakhI
sAkSAd iva sphurati paJcazaro mukundaH
yasmin gate nayanayoH pathi sundarINAM
nIviH svayaM zithilatAm upayAti sadyaH

MadanikA:  Friend, You don't know? I will tell You. He is KRSNa. He is like KAmadeva himself. He is a tree on whose branches rest the birds of young girl's hearts. When He enters the pathway of beautiful girls' eyes, tight belts suddenly become loosened.

Text 51

kRSNaH:  (manAg avalokya svagatam,  aho zubha-samaya-jAtatvaM kasyacid vastunaH.

KRSNa:  (furtively glances, and then says to Himself,  Ah, somehow this is an auspicious moment.

Text 52

tathA hi
yad api na kamalaM nizAkaro vA
bhavati mukha-pratimo mRgekSaNAyAH
racayati na tathApi jAtu tAbhyAm
upamItir anya-pade padaM yad asya

If this is neither a lotus nor the moon, but indeed a doe-eyed girl's face, then it cannot be compared to either. There is no other thing to compare it.

Text 53

vidUSakaH:  janidaM ma-e dasi-e dhida ehiM gobi-ahiM ukkanthida-hi-a-o samvutto bhavam. ta ehi edanaM damsana-pathado gadu-a siharinihiM rasalihiM bi appanaM nivvudaM karehma. pekkha majjhanno jAdo.

VidUSaka:  I know these low-class gopIs are yearning after You. Come, escape the pathway of their eyes, and We will enjoy eating sugar-candies and curd mixed with sugar and spices. Look!  It is now mid-day.

Text 54

kRSNaH:  sakhe samyag upalakSitam.

KRSNa:  Friend, you are right.

Text 55

tathA hi
katham iva parikhinnA vyoma-mAtrA prayAtuM
yad iha galita-vegA vAjino yUyam ittham
iti vitata-karantaH sann upAlabdhum azvAn
gaganam iva mimIte madhya-madhyasya bhAnuH

Saying, "Horses, why is your speed now swallowed up, as if you are exhausted to run in the sky?" and whipping them with glaring sunlight, the sun-god travels in the mid-day sky.

Text 56

vidUSakaH:  (akuJcita-locanaM ciraM nirikaya,  vayassa ma-e vannidavvo ra-i-maNDalo. arobi-a cakka-bhamiM bhamido jaha vissakamana suro. ajjabi taha sakkaraM bhamidaM ra-i-maNDalaM takkemi.

VidUSaka:  (Without blinking, he gazes at the sun for a long time,  Friend, I can explain the sun. Vizvakarma' made a circular path for the sun-god's journey. I think that is why the sun travels so perfectly in the sky.

Text 57

madanikA:  sakhi cira-vihAra-parizrAntAsi tad ehi gacchAva. (iti niSkrAntaH sarve).

MadanikA:  Friend, You must be tired from playing for such a long time. Come, let us go. (All exit).





anuraag - Sun, 09 Jun 2002 07:43:59 +0530
Jaya Sri Radhey!
Unlimited thanks, Madhavananda ji! smile.gif
I was trying to get this book for a long time but not successful.
Do you have any information  how to get the entire text of the Nataka? Some one said Tamala Krishna Goswami had translated it but it seems to be out of print now.
On another Krishna site I found only English translation without the sweet  Sanskrit text.
It reminds me so much of Sri Jayadeva kavi's Gita Govinda Kavya.
Hope you will continue to post more from it.

Thankfully, biggrin.gif

Jaya Sri Radhey!
Madhava - Sun, 09 Jun 2002 12:22:13 +0530
Our Grantha Mandir should soon have the Sanskrit text in Balaram encoding. Stay tuned. I'll drop a note in the GGM section of our BB when it'll be out.

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