Jayadeva Kavi's Ashtapadi---in this Spring Season

[Guest guest]

Hari OM!

Dear Narayanas in Masks!

JayaDevan's Ashtapadi.. gives a nostalgic feel during this spring season.. the pain of a deserted Lover.

I would like to welcome this joyous season of Spring with these wonderful verses from Sri Jayadevan's ashtapadi !When spring came, tender-limbed Radha wanderedLike a flowering creeper in the forest wilderness,Seeking Krishna in his many haunts.The god of love increased her ordeal,Tormenting her with fevered thoughts,And her friend sang to heighten the mood.*** The Third Song, sung in Raga "Vasanta" ***Soft sandal mountain winds caress quivering vines of clove,Forest huts hum with droning bees and crying cuckoos.When spring's mood is rich, Hari roams hereTo dance with young women, friend-A cruel time for deserted lovers.Lonely wives of travelers whine in love's mad fantasies.Bees swarm over flowers clustered to fill mimosa branches.When spring's mood is rich, Hari roams hereTo dance with young women, friend-A cruel time for deserted lovers.Tamala trees' fresh leaves absorb strong scents of deer musk.Flame-tree petals, shining nails of Love, tear at young hearts.When spring's mood is rich, Hari roams hereTo dance with young women, friend-A cruel time for deserted lovers.Gleaming saffron flower pistils are golden scepters of Love.Trumpet flowers like wanton bees are arrows in Love's quiver.When spring's mood is rich, Hari roams hereTo dance with young women, friend-A cruel time for deserted lovers.Tender buds bloom into laughter as creatures abandon modesty.Cactus spikes pierce the sky to wound deserted lovers.When spring's mood is rich, Hari roams hereTo dance with young women, friend-A cruel time for deserted lovers.Scents of twining creepers mingle with perfumes of fresh

garlands.Intimate bonds with young things bewilder even hermit hearts.When spring's mood is rich, Hari roams hereTo dance with young women, friend-A cruel time for deserted lovers.Budding mango trees tremble from the embrace of rising vines.Brindaban forest is washed by meandering Jumna river waters.When spring's mood is rich, Hari roams hereTo dance with young women, friend-A cruel time for deserted lovers.Jayadeva's song evokes the potent memory of Hari's feet,Coloring the forest, in springtime mood heightened by Love'spresence.When spring's mood is rich, Hari roams hereTo dance with young women, friend-A cruel time for deserted lovers.Wind perfumes the forests with fine pollenShaken loose from newly blossomed jasmineAs it blows Love's cactus-fragrant breathTo torture every heart it touches here.Crying sounds of cuckoos, mating on mango shootsShaken as bees seek honey scents of opening buds,Raise fever in the ears of lonely travelers -Somehow they survive these daysBy tasting the mood of lovers' unionIn climaxing moments of meditation.enjoy the rasa-madhuri of Radha-Krishna premam!

With Love & OM!

Krishna Prasad