Today's Beautiful Gem: Eighth ashhTapadi of Jayadeva (Part I)

"ni.ndati cha.ndanam+ indukiraNam+ anu vi.ndati khedam+ adheeram.h |
vyaala-nilaya-milanena garalam+iva-kalayati-malaya-sameeram.h ||

"With sorrow and fear, she blames the cool sandal paste and the moonlight;
She considers the gentle breeze blowing from the serpent-infested trees
as poison.

"maadhava manasija-vishika-bhayaat+iva bhaavanaya tvayi leenaa
saa virahe tava deenaa || (dhruvam.h)

"O Madhava! fearful of the arrows of the love-god, she is immersed in your
thoughts only-- that poor woman (Radha) separated from you! (Refrain)

"avirala-nipatita-madanasharaat+ iva bhavadavanaaya vishaalam.h |
svahR^idaya-marmaNi varma karoti sajala-nalineedala-jaalam.h ||

"To protect you from the incessant strikes of Cupid's arrows, she offers her
wide tear-filled lotus eyes as an armour to the centre of her soul.

"kusumavishikha-sharatalpam+ analpa-vilaasa-kalaa-kamaneeyam.h |
vratam+iva tava-parira.mbha-sukhaaya karoti-kusumashayaneeyam.h ||

"She lies on the bed of flowers as if she took a vow to lie on a bed
of arrows of the blossom-bowed one, in anticipation of your sweet
embrace.

"vahati cha valita-vilochana-jaladharam+aanana-kamalam+udaaram.h |
vidhum+ iva vikaTa-vidhuMtuda-da.nta-dalana-galita+amR^ita-dhaaram.h ||"

"With eyes that await your arrival shedding tears like clouds, her beautiful
lotus face seems to resemble the moon shedding ambrosia when being
devoured by the fierce teeth of Raahu."

Om shaantiH Peace! - J. K. Mohana Rao

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