Two Songs from Chandidasa

(Rendered from Bengali by Samir Kanta Gupta)

I

“Listen, my dear playmate,
How shall I live without seeing Kanu?
My anxious Rights weigh heavy with my tears of woe.
Look, friend, and turn not away
Till drinking his beauty your eyes satiate and droop,
As he stands with his charming flute in hand;
And his smile rains a shower a of nectar, of pearl and cora1.
O, this treasure, if I could keep hidden close to my bosom!
For who knows, my playmate,
If somebody will not rob me of it?

I do not feel secure
To keep this wealth anywhere else.
In my heart of heart,
Where the soul breathes,
There have I placed his throne;
There shall I lodge him in secrecy,
Lest, while I fall asleep,
Someone burgle in and steal away.”

Chandidasa says:
Such a treasure
You will most certainly keep hidden.
Who knows how many thieves are out to burgle and steal?

II

Radha says, “My sweet playmate!
Extreme is the sorrow
And I can hardly breathe.
I will remain an eternal friend to whosoever will bring my Shyama to me.
If I do not get him,
I will give up this life,
I will plunge into the waters of the Yamuna.

As these words fell from Radha’s lips
Her companions stood thunder-struck;
And after a thoughtful pause
One amongst them spoke with deliberation:
“Listen, dear Radha, and quieten thyself;
Be not anxious:
We will bring thy Shyama to thee.”
They consoled her
And wiped her tears of grief
With the hand of tender care.

Chandidasa says: “Speed with the wind
And bring Murari, to whom Love opened all the doors.”