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Enchanted by Rasakhan (1534? - 1619?) Timeline English version by Shyamdas Original Language Hindi Yoga / Hindu : Vaishnava (Krishna/Rama) Muslim / Sufi 16th Century I put my fingers in my ears      to block the sound           whenever Krishna gently plays His flute! Declares Raskhan,      "It happens when enchanter Mohan           climbs to the rooftop                to call His cows. "I issue a warning to all the people of Braja.      Tomorrow, I will not be able to console them. "O, friend! Having glimpsed His smile,      I cannot...           I cannot...                I will not                     control my love."     -- from Treasure House of Love: Poems of Rasakhan, Translated by Shyamdas Amazon.com   / Photo by . Guechal /	Themes   Flute   Lover and Beloved   Smile   Sound   Recommended Books Treasure House of Love: Poems of Rasakhan, Translated by Shyamdas
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Commentary by Ivan M. Granger

Krishna is often depicted standing in a relaxed posture holding a flute to his lips. Think of Krishna as the pied piper of India, but it is lost souls he calls to himself.

I put my fingers in my ears
     to block the sound
          whenever Krishna gently plays His flute!

When you think about it, this opening line can be read in two different ways. On the surface, Rasakhan (speaking as Radha, the cowherd girl who loves Krishna) seems to be petulantly blocking out the music of Krishna's flute, not wanting to come when called. Of course, even this implies that the Lord's music is so enchanting that the only way not to be drawn by it is to try to block it out. This hints that we are already hooked by the call of God, that union is inevitable, and we can only temporarily put it off.

But there is another, esoteric way to read this, as well. The flute of Krishna is the quiet tone heard deep within the base of the skull when we sit in silent, devoted meditation and prayer. It is this whisper in the inner ear that draws us to deepest union with the Eternal. So, understood this way, Rasakhan could actually be describing a yogic technique of blocking out sound and quieting the external senses in order to better hear Krishna's call within.

Declares Raskhan,
     "It happens when enchanter Mohan
          climbs to the rooftop
               to call His cows.

We hear the flute when Mohan, another name for Krishna, climbs to the rooftop. Again, in the language of yoga, this can be understood as a reference to the skull in general or, more specifically, the crown chakra.

"O, friend! Having glimpsed His smile,
     I cannot...
          I cannot...
               I will not
                    control my love."

I love those lines! That's the passion felt by a true lover of God! "I cannot... I cannot... I will not control my love."

Ivan M. Granger's original poetry, stories and commentaries are Copyright © 2002 - 2011 by Ivan M. Granger.
All other material is copyrighted by the respective authors, translators and/or publishers.