{"id":2318,"date":"2013-07-13T01:40:49","date_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:40:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=2318"},"modified":"2013-07-13T01:40:49","modified_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:40:49","slug":"30-twentytwo-poems-of-bidyapati-vol-05-translations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/01-works-of-sri-aurobindo\/03-cwsa\/05-translations\/30-twentytwo-poems-of-bidyapati-vol-05-translations","title":{"rendered":"-30_Twentytwo Poems of Bidyapati.html"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\n\n
\n <\/td>\n\n

\n
\nTwenty-two Poems<\/font><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nof Bidyapati<\/font><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\n1<\/font><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\nChildhood and youth each other are nearing;<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nHer two eyes their office yield to the hearing.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nHer speech has learned sweet maiden craft<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nAnd low not as of old she laughed<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nHer laughter murmurs. A moon on earth<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nIs dawning into perfect birth.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nMirror in hand she apparels her now<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nAnd asks of her sweet girl-comrades to show<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nWhat love is and what love does<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nAnd all shamed delight that sweet love owes.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nAnd often she sits by herself and sees<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nSmiling with bliss her breasts’ increase,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nHer own milk-breasts that, plums at first,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nNow into golden oranges burst.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nDay by day Love’s vernal dreams<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nExpand her lovely blossoming limbs.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nMaadhuv, I saw a marvellous flower<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nOf girls; childhood and youth one power,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nOne presence grown in one body fair.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nFoolish maiden, not thus declare<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nThe oneness of these contraries.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nRather the two were yoked, say the wise.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

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Page \u2013 394<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n
\n
\n2<\/font><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\nDay by day her milk-breasts drew splendour,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nWider her hips grew, her middle more slender.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nLove has enlarged her childlike gaze.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nYea, all grace of childhood and childhood’s ways<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nFall from their thrones and take sweet flight.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nHer breasts before were plums of light,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nGolden oranges next and then<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nAs bodiless Love made bloom with pain<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nOf increase her body day by day,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nPomegranate seed-cities were they.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nTheir fair maturities now begin,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nNow are they fruits-of-opulence twin.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nMaadhuv, I sought thy lovely lady,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nBathing I found her in woodland shady.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nCoiled on her heart but not to drape<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nHer thin dress clung to her lovely shape.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nBlest were his eyes who had seen her thus<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nAnd his whole life made felicitous.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nOver her bosom her great hair floods<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nWith curls divine two golden gods.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nTrue love must his be, O youth, who would play,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nHer darling and joy, with this beautiful may.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n

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Page \u2013 395<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n
\n
\n3<\/font><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\nNow and again a sidelong look<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nAlong her lashes its shy curve took.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nNow and again her thin white dress<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nO’erlies like dust all her loveliness.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nNow she laughs divine and clear<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nAnd her pearly teeth like stars appear,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nAnd now to hide in her robe make shift.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nFor a little her startled feet run swift<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nBut soon that bounding gait subsides<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nAnd she in maiden gravity glides.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nLove’s scholar she and newly set<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nTo his first lesson and alphabet.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nWhere her bosom’s buds are hardly seen<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nNow she draws fast her robe to screen,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nNow careless leaves. In her limbs divine<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nChild and woman meet and twine.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nNor mark I yet whether older she<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nOf girlhood or younger of infancy.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nBeautiful Krishna, youth in her<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nIts childhood begins, these signs declare.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n

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\n

\n
\n
\n4<\/font><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\nChildhood and youth, maiden, are me<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nAnd strife twixt their armed powers is set.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nNow her ordered locks she dresses,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nNow scattering loosens a storm of tresses.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nSometimes she covers her body fair,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nSometimes the golden limbs are bare<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nIn childhood’s naked innocence.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nAnd childhood’s steadfast eyes with a sense<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nOf girlhood a little waver now<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nAnd her bosom is stained where the flowers grow.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nHer light uncertain feet now tell<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nThe uncertain heart and variable.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nLove is awake but his eyes are shut.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nO Krishna, flower of lovers, put<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nIn thy heart patience, for surely she<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nShall be brought at last and given to thee.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n

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\n

\n
\n
\n5<\/font><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\nPlaying she plays not, so newly shy<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nShe may not brook the passing eye.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nLooking she looks not lest surmise<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nLaugh from her own girl-comrades’ eyes.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nHearken, O hearken, Maadhuv, to me.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nJust is the case I bring to thee.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nRadha today these eyes beheld;<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nA maid she is unparalleled.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nO her face and its lovely lights!<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nO looks that ravish, O charm that invites!<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nFlower of ruby with lotus grows<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nIn her vermeil lips that exceed the rose;<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nAnd with honey have snared her large twin eyes<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nTwo shapes of bees that may not rise;<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nAnd her brow’s arch is as tho’ left slack<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nLove’s own bow in hue were black.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nSaith the envoy girl whose words I teach<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\n“The bloom of her limbs surpasseth speech.”<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n

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\n

\n
\n
\n6<\/font><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\nIn elders’ eyes she brooks not stay,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nHalf-clad no more her body
\nbut always<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nShe covers her most maidenly.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nYet with young girls when bideth she<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nKnowing her ripened child and budding may<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nThey plague her with sweet mockery.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nMaadhuv, for thee I wooed the sight<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nOf this fair flower; whom some delight<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nChild to call, but most agree<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nThat woman’s morning bloom has she.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nWhen of Love’s rites she hears and lovers’ play<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nShe turns her downcast eyes another way,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nO but her ears drink greedily.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nShould with more words one tease her shame,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nWith tears and angry smiles she utters blame.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nWho is wise in love alone knoweth<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nThe ways of a girl, the poet saith.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n

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\n

\n
\n
\n7<\/font><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\nA little and a little now<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nSee the bright bud half-open blow.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nHer swift and wilful feet grown wise<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nYield their rudderless gait to the eyes.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nEver her hand to her bosom’s dress<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nClings to control its waywardness.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nAfraid to utter her shy, hushed thought<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nHer comrade-girls she questions not.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nMaadhuv, how shall faltering word<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nHer sweet and twilight age record?<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nLove, even Love, beholding her<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nIn his own bonds her captive were.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nNay but the lord of all desire<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nHer heart’s precincts raising higher<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nHas set for passion’s sacred duty<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nAltars of surpassing beauty.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nLove’s speech her listening heart doth stop<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nAs the hunter’s song the antelope.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nTwo powers dispute this beauteous prize.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nNought one deems gained while aught there is<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nTo gain, nor the other failure owns<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nWhile yet he holds to his golden thrones.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nStill with sweet violence she clings<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nTo her loved childhood’s parting wings.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

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\n

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\n

\n
\n
\n8<\/font><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\nChildhood is fled and youth in its seat;<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nNot light as of old her wandering feet,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nYet are Love’s glorious envoys two<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nSeeing her eyes her errands do.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nIn secret dawns each lovely smile<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nAnd laughter low with maiden guile.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nHer hand each moment plucks her dress<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nIts fluttering treasons to repress.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nAnd all the low speech of her lips<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nFrom a modest head and drooping slips.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nHer heavy hips have now replaced<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nThe old lost pride of her rounded waist.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\nThus I decide her doubtful state,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nConclusion sweet of sweet debate.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nThine is this fair decision’s fruit<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nJudgment to give and execute.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nI, Bidyapati, love’s lights bring<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nTo lady Lochima and the King.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n

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\n

\n
\n
\n9<\/font><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\nAs the swan sails, so moved she<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nThen when her face was lost to me.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nAs she went, O she turned, she looked, she smiled.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nAh arrows made of Love’s own flower,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nO sweet magician! faery power!<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nNo mortal maid but an enchantress wild.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\nHer arms, those sweet twin lovelinesses,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nClasped, bent in languorous self-caresses,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nEnhaloed had the lustres of her face.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nHer fingers slim for champaks taking,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nLove to delicious worship waking<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nA moon of autumn with such flowers did bless.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\nHer careless breasts, (O happy lover!)<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nTheir rich defence but half did cover<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nBecause of haste when the light robe was worn.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nAs tho’ by winds that overpower<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nClouds in the season of storm and shower,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nThe hills of heaven thro’ a dim veil made morn.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\nVision delightful! shall again<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nI ease with you my life’s deep pain?<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nAh! shall again division’s boundaries break?<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nThe henna that her feet enrosed<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nWas fire wherein my heart enclosed<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nDid burn and all my limbs to burn did make.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\nO lovely maiden, hear the speech<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nThese numbers murmur each to each.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nMy soul since then no ease, no quiet knows.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nAh! shall I ever, fortune, meet her,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nThe woman than all women sweeter,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nThe jewel of all beauties that earth owes?<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

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\n

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\n

\n
\n
\n10<\/font><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\nI have seen a girl no words can measure,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nOn golden tendrils proudly borne a face,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nA spotless moon, a snowy treasure.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nHer eyes two lotuses with unguent shaded,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nWere play-grounds of sweet loving thought,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nOr fluttering, captive birds in a net embedded<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nOf that dark unguent solely wrought.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nHer heavy hills of milk a necklace richer<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nOf elephant pearls did touch and gleam —<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nLove sprinkling from her throat, that brimful pitcher,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nOn golden images heaven’s stream.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nFortunate were he who by Proyaga’s waters<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nLong sacrificing might avail<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nAt last to win her. Lover of Gocool’s daughters!<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nDarling of Gocool! true thy tale.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n

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\n

\n
\n
\n11<\/font><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\nWhen the hour of twilight its period kept<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nThe damsel out from her dwelling stepped.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nLike flashes in a new-born cloud that battling crept,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nGolden, a beauty dire.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\nA highborn maiden, a little child,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nWoven of flowers and fragrance she smiled.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nHow with a little sight should hope be reconciled?<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nLove but increased his fire.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\nHer small sweet body of pale gold made<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nThat shining gold thro’ her robe displayed,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nThe forest lion yields to her slender middle; swayed<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nGlances much love must earn.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\nA soft smile burned on her lips and she<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nWith a smile and a look did murder me.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nLord of the five Bengals, may longer life with thee<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nStar-like eternal burn.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n

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\n

\n
\n
\n12<\/font><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\nA shining grace the damsel’s face to her laughter and speech doth lend,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nAs tho’ the sweet full moon of autumn heaven’s nectar rained.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nA jewel of women with beauty more than human,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nI saw her gait of lion state ungraced nought nor common.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nHer middle than the lion’s slender is,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nHer body soft as lotuses;<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nIt seemed a branch with weight breaking of her breasts pomegranate.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nYea and her lovely eyes being with blackness dressed<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nWere unstained lotuses enamoured bees invest.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nThe lover beautiful seeing sweet Radha’s grace<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nBreaketh his longing heart with passionate distress.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n

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\n

\n
\n
\n13<\/font><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\nThe moon-white maiden from her bath<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nPassing I saw from a woodland path.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nFrom all sweet things she stolen had<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nBeauty in one fair girl arrayed.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nHer tresses that her small hands wrung<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nA shower of faery water flung<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nAs tho’ a fan of beauty whirled<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nCarcanets with gems impearled.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nHer wet curls wearing wondrous grace<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nLike bees besieged her lotus face<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nFor all that honey wild with lust.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nThe water from her sweet eyes thrust<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nYet left them reddened, as in the ooze<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nPetals of lotus with ceruse.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nHeavy with water her thin robe<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nDefined each bright and milky globe;<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nLike golden apples gleamed her breasts<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nOn which the happy hoarfrost rests.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nSo the robe clung as if it said<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\n“Soon will she leave me and love be dead,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nNor ever once shall I attain<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nSuch exquisite delight again.”<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nSo the robe thought, as well appears,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nAnd therefore sorrowed, showering tears.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n

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Page \u2013 406<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n
\n
\n14<\/font><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nBeauty stood bathing in the river<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nWhen I beheld her — Love’s whole quiver<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nPierced my heart with fivefold fire.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nHer curls flung back from the face of my desire<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nRained great tears as tho’ the night<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nStood by and wept in fear of the moon’s light.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nTo every limb her wet robe kissed and clung.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nHad even the sage been there<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nHis heart had burned, even his grown young<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nSeeing through her dress her marvellous limbs made bare.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nHer fair twin breasts were river-birds<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nWhose language is three amorous words.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nIt seemed that pitying heaven had to one shore<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nBrought the sweet lovers thence to part no more.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nYet she I deem in such alarm<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nHeld them fast bound within one golden arm,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nAs if some noise should startle the sweet pair<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nAnd they take flight from her.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nO amorous boy, be not afraid —<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nFor youth like thine heaven gave this wondrous maid.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n

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\n

\n
\n
\n15<\/font><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\nO happy day that to mine eyes betrayed<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nBathing the beautiful maid!<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nDrops like a carcanet of pearls<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nFell from her cloud of showering curls.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nHer lifted hands did harshly press<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nThe lingering water from her face<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nThat wore new luminousness<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nAs tho’ a golden mirror were made clean.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nTherewith her robe fell to her lovely feet<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nAnd naked breasts revealed their beauties twin,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nLike golden cups that seemed reversely set.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nThe lapse her robe’s one bond undid<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nAnd naked made what yet lay hid.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nO Mithil lyre,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nThis is the apex of desire.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n

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Page \u2013 408<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n
\n16<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nBeautiful Rai, the flower-like maid<\/span><\/p>\n

\nRisen from the river where she played<\/span><\/p>\n

\nSaw under down-cast lids and shy<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe lovely boy, dark Krishna named.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nA highborn child with face afraid<\/span><\/p>\n

\nBefore her elders and eyes ashamed<\/span><\/p>\n

\nShe might not gaze as she went by.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nO subtle is that beautiful girl!<\/span><\/p>\n

\nShe left the gracious troop behind;<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWith half-turned face and half-declined<\/span><\/p>\n

\nFrom far in front full sweet her call.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nShe broke her carcanet of pearl<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd let the precious seedlings fall.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n“O friends, my broken carcanet.”<\/span><\/p>\n

\nEach girl her lovely hand did set<\/span><\/p>\n

\nStooping to find the scattered grain.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nMeanwhile the damsel’s eyes full fain,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nLike birds that on white moonbeams feed,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOf Krishna’s shape took amorous heed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nDivine the nectar that she drained,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nO Krishna, from thy cheeks of light.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nYea, each of each had honied sight.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThus gazing girl and boy extend<\/span><\/p>\n

\nLove’s boundaries seen by none but me<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe poet, sweet Bidyapati.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n

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\n

\n

<\/p>\n

17<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

\nAh how shall I her lovely body express?<\/span><\/p>\n

\nFair things how many Nature in her blended,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nMine own eyes saw ere my lips praise.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nHer twin fair feet were lordly leaves of summer,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHer gait vied with the forest’s best.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nUpon two golden trees a lion slender,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThereover the hills of heaven placed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nAnd on the hills two lotuses were budding<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThat stemless kept their gracious hours.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nIn shape of pearl-drops strung heaven’s stream descended,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nTherefore not withered those sweet flowers.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nHer teeth pomegranate-seeds on lips of ruby,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe sun and moon on either side,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHer hair eclipse, but coming never nearer<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHid not at all their golden pride.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nThe cuckoo’s speech, the antelope’s eyes has Radha,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd Love has in her
\nglances thrones \u2014<\/span><\/p>\n

\nUpon two lotuses two bees that hover<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd sip their honey: these she owns<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nThe spring’s five children. O delicious maiden,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nNot the wide worlds her second know,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nTo Sheva Singha Ruupnaraian my music<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd lady Lochima doth show.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Page \u2013 410<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n
\n18<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nWhen the young warm Love her heart doth fill<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhere is the let stays woman’s will?<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAlone to set forth lightly she dares,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nPath or pathless not Radha who cares. <\/span><\/p>\n

\nShe has left her pearled carcanet<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHer breast’s high towers that hampered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe bracelets fair on her wrists that shone<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAll by the path has the young girl thrown.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnklets gemmed on her feet did glow,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nShe has thrown them far the lighter to go.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe gloom is thick and heavy the night,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nBut Love to her eyes makes darkness light.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHer every step new perils doth prove,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nShe has pierced thro’ all with the sword of Love.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHer passionate heart the poet knows.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnother like her not the wide world shows.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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\n

\n

<\/p>\n

19<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

\n“‘Tis night and very timid my little love.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHow long ere I see her hither swanlike move!<\/span><\/p>\n

\nDread serpents fill with fear the way;<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhat perils those soft beloved feet waylay.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nProvidence, I lay her at thy feet;<\/span><\/p>\n

\nScatheless keep she the tryst, my own, my sweet.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe sky is thick and mired the earth,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nPerils wide-strewn: ah me, what fears have birth.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThick darkness are the quarters ten.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe feet stumble, nought clear the eyes may gain.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nShe comes! With timid backward glances<\/span><\/p>\n

\nEvery creature’s heart how she entrances!<\/span><\/p>\n

\nA girl she is of human grace,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nYet wears all heaven stolen in her face.”<\/span><\/p>\n

\nFor high-born women to be o’erborne<\/span><\/p>\n

\nBy love endure; all other check they scorn. <\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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\n

\n
\n20<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nThe best of the year has come, the Spring,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOf the six seasons one season king;<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd now with all his tribes the bee<\/span><\/p>\n

\nRuns to the creeper spring-honey.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe sun’s rays come of boyish age,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe day-describing sun, his page,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nA sceptre of gold the saffron-bloom<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd the young leaves a crowning-room.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nGold-flowers of champak o’er him stand,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe umbrellaed symbol of command;<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe cary-buds a crown do set<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd before him sings a court-poet,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe Indian cuckoo to whom is given<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe sweetest note of all the seven.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nPeacocks dance and for instrument<\/span><\/p>\n

\nMurmur of bees, while sacrament<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOf blessing and all priestly words<\/span><\/p>\n

\nBrahmins recite, the twice-born birds.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nPollen, the flying dust of flowers,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHis canopy above him towers,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHis favourite the southern breeze,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nJasmine of youth and Tuscan-trees<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHis battle-flag. The season of dew,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nSeeing sweet blossoms-of-bliss renew,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nSeven-leaf and boughs that fragrance loves<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd kings-hook and the climbing cloves,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nSeven things of bloom together, flees<\/span><\/p>\n

\nNor waits the perfumed shock of these.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nSpring’s army too the chill estate<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOf the dew-season annihilate \u2014<\/span><\/p>\n

\nInvading honey-bees \u2014 and make<\/span><\/p>\n

\nSecure the lilies of the lake.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd these being saved yield them a home<\/span><\/p>\n

\nIn their own soft, new-petalled bloom.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nIn Brindabun anew is mirth<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

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\n

\nFor the restored bloom of earth.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThese are the season’s sweets and these<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe essence of the Spring’s increase.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\n21<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nIn the spring moonlight the lord of love<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThro’ the amorous revel’s maze doth move;<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe crown of love love’s raptures proves,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nFor Radha his amorous darling moves,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nRadha, the ruby of ravishing girls<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWith him bathed in love’s moonlight whirls.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd all the merry maidens with rapture<\/span><\/p>\n

\nDancing together the light winds capture,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd the bracelets speak with a ravishing cry,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd the murmur of waist-bells rises high \u2014<\/span><\/p>\n

\nMeanwhile rapture-waking string<\/span><\/p>\n

\nRipest of strains the sonata of Spring,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThat lover and lord of love-languid notes<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWith tired delight in throbbing throats.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd rumours of violin and bow<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd the mighty Queen’s-harp mingle and flow,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd Radha’s ravisher makes sweet measure<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWith the flute, that musical voice of pleasure.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nBidyapati’s genius richly wove<\/span><\/p>\n

\nFor King Ruupnaraian this rhythm of love.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Page \u2013 414<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n
\n22<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nHark how round goes the instruments’ sound!<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWith the sweet love wild<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOf Gocool’s child<\/span><\/p>\n

\nShe danceth mistress of the fair arts sixty-four.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd her hands rhyme keeping time,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHer smitten hands that still the fall restore.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd the tabors keep melody deep<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd the heavy thrum<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOf the measured drum<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd anklets’ running cry their own slim music loving.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe waist bells sprinkle their silver tinkle<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd bracelets gold that gems do hold;<\/span><\/p>\n

\nLoud is the instruments’ din to madness moving.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd harps begin and the violin<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd the five vessels<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhere melody swells<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThro’ all the gamut move and various moods express.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd over and under the twydrum’s thunder,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWith whose noise the vessels five mix and embrace.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nFrom loosened tresses that toil undresses<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd floating whirls<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOn the shoulders of girls<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe jasmine garlands’ buds sprinkle the vernal night.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAh revels of Spring! with powerless wing<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThese verses grieve not reaching your delight.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Page \u2013 415<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  Twenty-two Poems of Bidyapati   1   Childhood and youth each other are nearing; Her two eyes their office yield to the hearing. Her…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[48],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2318","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-05-translations","wpcat-48-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2318","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2318"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2318\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2318"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2318"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2318"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}