The third chapter of Geet Govind appears as one long song; the seventh one, in Miller’s translation of Jayadeva’s epic [1]. In other translations this chapter is broken down to a number of songs. This chapter describes the mood of Krishna when he realizes that he has hurt Radha because of his antics with the other maidens of Vrindavan. There are two distinct moods described in the song. One is his desperation to make amends. The other is a feeling of frustration at being ensnared by love but unable to express it.
Krishna Seeks Forgiveness
Krishna acknowledges that he has wronged his love Radha. He realizes that she is justified at going away in a huff. However he had expected to find her somewhere close by in the Madhuban. He is bewildered. Miller translates:
Frail Radha, I know jealousy
Wastes your heart.
But I can’t beg your forgiveness
When I don’t know where you are.
Krishna promises not to repeat this mistake, but it is known that the repetition of this mistake is the essence of the relationship between Krishna and Radha.
A Plea To Kama Deva
The second part of this song is an emotional plea to Kama Deva, the equivalent of Cupid in Hindu mythology. Krishna tells Kama Deva not to torment him with his love arrows. He is already riddled by the arrows released from Radha’s hurt eyes. Also it is pointless to fill him with love when Radha is not around for him to express that love.
Perhaps Kama Deva mistakes him for Shiva. Krishna points out to Kama Deva the differences between him and Shiva. Krishna is wearing a garland of lotus flowers whereas Shiva wears a garland of snakes. Krishna’s throat appears blue because of the lily petals that adorn it. Shiva’s neck is blue from the poison that he had swallowed. Krishna’s body is smeared with sandalwood paste whereas Shiva’s body is smeared with ashes.
Shiva and Kama Deva
It is customary in Hindu epics to refer to tales of other gods and heroes. And this is exactly what is done with the reference to Shiva and Kama Deva. Shiva was desolate after his consort Sati immolated herself at Kankhal. He resolved not to marry again.
Sati was reborn as Parvati. There was a Demon named Taraka. He had received a boon that only a son of Shiva and Parvati could kill him. Therefore all the demi Gods, who were being harassed by Taraka, wanted Shiva to marry Parvati, but he refused. It was then that Kama Deva was sent to infuse love into Shiva. Through Krishna, Jayadeva is alluding to this tale.
Krishna and Radha
Hindus and non-Hindus alike ask the question that arises from this chapter of the Geet Govind. If Radha is Krishna’s divine consort, then is Krishna’s romantic dalliance with the other maidens justified?
This question does not and cannot have a simple answer. There are several issues involved. At the core is the belief that Krishna and Radha are simply two aspects of the same entity. The apparent duality is a means of performing the play acting that is referred to as Lila in Hinduism. The union and separation of Krishna and Radha is a show put on by Divinity for the consumption of the devotees.
God is for everyone. His favors cannot be restricted to a few on any basis whatsoever. Therefore he must cater to the whims of the maidens of Vrindavan as well as to those of his eternal love Radha. To further add complexity to the issue, the desire of the maidens of Vrindavan is seen to be symbolic of a devotees desire to merge with God. It is not easy to understand the holistic nature of these diverse and apparently unrelated views. But the attempt to do so can provide satisfaction in itself.
Sources:
- [1] Barbara Stoller Miller; The Geet Govind of Jayadeva - Love Song of the Dark Lord (pp. 82-5); Published by Motilal Banarsidass, India, 1984.
