Nectar Radha
by RasakhanEnglish version by Shyamdas
Original Language Hindi
When Radha's eyes bashfully meet Hari's,
their delightful gestures
entice His heart.
Her enchanting banter swindles His mind.
Her words divulge an exquisite disposition.
She puts Her lips to His,
filling that Abode of elixir
with the nectar of Her very soul.
Although Krishna is an expert in all of love's spells,
Radha captivates God
with a few soft syllables.
 | -- from Treasure House of Love: Poems of Rasakhan, Translated by Shyamdas |
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/ Image by Vishnu108 /
As with many bhakti poems, this is, on the surface, a poem of lovers, Radha and Krishna (also referred to as Hari). But these, like the Song of Songs in the Bible, are usually understood to reflect deeper spiritual truths. Radha is the soul, the spiritual seeker. Krishna is the one the soul seeks, the eternal Beloved, God. Radha's yearning and seeking is the spiritual journey. Their love play is spiritual union.
Most bhakti poems dwell on how Krishna's enchanting beauty draws Radha (the soul) to him. God/Krishna is, after all, "an expert in all of love's spells," for all sincere seekers are in love with the Divine One. In truth, every soul, no matter how closed off, has a deep-seated hunger for something, and that yearning, whether recognized or not, is ultimately for the eternal Beloved. Every single being is caught up in Krisnha's love spell.
But these lines by Rasakhan point out that there is a reciprocal attraction, as well. The soul doesn't just reach out to the Divine. Turning one's attention eagerly toward the Beloved magnetically draws the Divine to the individual soul, as well. When done with total sincerity and with one's full, unedited being, a response from the Beloved becomes unavoidable.
In this way, "Radha captivates God / with a few soft syllables." We can be more specific and understand Radha's "enchanting banter" and "few soft syllables" as being her use of mantra. The repetition of mantra helps the mind, the heart, all of our energies to be enlivened with a focused attention on the Divine. It awakens awareness of the inner mantra, the inner vibration. One's whole being becomes a love song directed toward God. How can the Beloved not be lured by this enticing melody?
The soul and God draw each other, the two becoming enfolded within their mutual love.
Have a beautiful Valentine's Day with your beloved / Beloved.
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| Treasure House of Love: Poems of Rasakhan | ||||
