Today's Beautiful Gem: An aSTapadi from Jayadeva's gItagovinda,
translated by me. (Part I)

"s'RtakamalAkucamaNDala dhRtakuNDala e
kalitalalitavanamAla jaya jayadeva hare

"O Krishna, embraced by Sridevi and resting on her breasts,
you wear earrings and deck yourself in garlands of tulasi.
Victory and salutations to you!

"dinamaNimaNDalamaNDana bhavakhaNDana e
munijanamAnasahaMsa jaya jayadeva hare

"O Krishna, the brilliant sunlight seems to be the halo encircling you;
Breaker of birth-bonds, you are the swan in heart-lake of the yogis.
Victory and salutations to you!

"kAliyaviSadharaganjana janaranjana e
yadukulanalinadines'a jaya jayadeva hare

"O Krishna, you tamed the venemous Kaliya and gladdened the people;
No wonder, you look like the sun for the lotus of the yaadava clan.
Victory and salutations to you!

"madhumuranarakavinAs'ana garuDAsana e
surakulakelinidAna jaya jayadeva hare

"O Krishna, Destroyer of Madhu, Mura and Naraka, the mount of Garuda,
you are the prime reason for the acts of gods.
Victory and salutations to you!

"amalakamaladalalocana bhavamocana e
tribhuvanabhavananidhAna jaya jayadeva hare"

"O Krishna, your eyes resemble the petals of fresh lotus;
Saviour from the cycle of births,
you are the sustainer of this entire universe.
Victory and salutations to you!"

Om s'aantih: Peace! - J. K. Mohana Rao

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