Astapadi Pratham Sarga

Astapadi Pratham Sarga

॥ प्रथमः सर्गः ॥

॥ सामोददामोदरः ॥

मेघैर्मेदुरमम्बरं वनभुवः श्यामास्तमालद्रुमै-

र्नक्तं भीरुरयं त्वमेव तदिमं राधे गृहं प्रापय ।

इत्थं नन्दनिदेशितश्चलितयोः प्रत्यध्वकुञ्जद्रुमं

राधामाधवयोर्जयन्ति यमुनाकूले रहःकेलयः ॥ १॥

Meghairmeduramambaraṁ vanabhvaḥ śyāmāstamāladrumaiḥ

naktaṁ bhīrurayaṁ tvameva tadimaṁ rādhe gṛhaṁ prāpaya.

Itthaṁ nandanideshitaśchalitayoḥ pratyadhvakuñjadrumaṁ

rādhāmādhavayorjayanti yamunākūle rahaḥkelayaḥ (1)

"O Radhe, you alone are the dark Tamala tree of the forest, sweetly scented with the fragrance of the clouds. You are the night, and Krishna is the moon. Please bring me to your house. In this way, the intimate trysting place of Radha and Krishna, the grove by the Yamuna's shore, becomes victorious and delightful." (Verse 1)

This verse describes the longing of the poet (Jayadeva) for Radha, comparing her to a Tamala tree and expressing a desire to be brought to her abode, which is the sacred grove where Radha and Krishna meet and engage in their divine pastimes by the banks of the Yamuna river.

वाग्देवताचरितचित्रितचित्तसद्मा

पद्मावतीचरणचारणचक्रवर्ती ।

श्रीवासुदेवरतिकेलिकथासमेत-

मेतं करोति जयदेवकविः प्रबन्धम् ॥ २॥

Vāgdevatācharitachitritachittasadmā

padmāvatīcharaṇachāraṇachakravartī.

Śrīvāsudevaratikelikathāsametaṁ

etam karoti jayadevakaviḥ prabandham (2)

"Jayadeva, the poet, composes this work, which portrays the divine pastimes of Lord Krishna, who is the supreme ruler of the lotus-like feet of the goddess Padmavati. This work serves as the abode of the mind, which is engrossed in contemplating the charming and enchanting activities of Lord Vasudeva." (Verse 2)

This verse highlights that Jayadeva, the poet, is dedicating his work (Gita Govinda) to Lord Krishna, who is the ultimate authority and the object of devotion. Krishna is described as the ruler of the lotus feet of the goddess Padmavati, emphasizing his divine status. The verse indicates that this composition serves as a means for the poet's mind to immerse itself in the captivating and delightful pastimes of Lord Vasudeva (Krishna).

वाचः पल्लवयत्युमापतिधरः सन्दर्भशुद्धिं गिरां

जानीते जयदेव एव शरणः श्लाघ्यो दुरूहद्रुते ।

श‍ृङ्गारोत्तरसत्प्रमेयरचनैराचार्यगोवर्धन-

स्पर्धी कोऽपि न विश्रुतः श्रुतिधरो धोयी कविक्ष्मापतिः ॥ ३॥

Vāchaḥ pallavayatyumāpatidharaḥ sandarbhashuddhiṁ girāṁ

jānīte jayadeva eva śaraṇaḥ ślāghyo durūhadrutē.

Shṛṅgārottarasatprameyarachanairāchāryagovardhana-

Spardhī ko'pi na vishrutaḥ śrutidharo dhoyī kavikṣmāpatiḥ (3)

"Jayadeva, who holds the umbrella of his verses, fully understands the purity of eloquent words. He alone is worthy of praise and is an unfathomable refuge for those who are difficult to please. Even among the poets engaged in composing sublime works of divine love, he, as the master of poetic skill, is unmatched and not known to be surpassed by anyone." (Verse 3)

In this verse, Jayadeva is praised for his exceptional poetic abilities. He is depicted as someone who possesses deep knowledge and understanding of the power of words and their purity. He is considered praiseworthy and a reliable refuge for those who are hard to impress. The verse further emphasizes that even among the poets who excel in composing sublime works on divine love, Jayadeva stands out as the supreme poet, unmatched and unrivaled in his mastery of poetic skills.

यदि हरिस्मरणे सरसं मनो

यदि विलासकलासु कुतूहलम् ।

मधुरकोमलकान्तपदावलीं

श‍ृणु तदा जयदेवसरस्वतीम् ॥ ४॥

Yadi harismaraṇe sarasaṁ mano

yadi vilāsakalāsu kutūhalam.

Madhurakomalakāntapadāvalīṁ

śṛṇu tadā jayadevasarasvatīm (4)

"If, by remembering Hari (Lord Krishna), your mind becomes filled with joy, and if your curiosity is aroused by His playful pastimes, then listen to the sweet and tender words of Jayadeva Sarasvati." (Verse 4)

In this verse, the poet urges the reader or listener to pay attention and listen to the sweet and melodious words composed by Jayadeva Sarasvati. The verse suggests that if the remembrance of Lord Hari (Krishna) brings joy to one's heart and if their curiosity is sparked by His divine pastimes, then they should immerse themselves in the enchanting verses written by Jayadeva, who is celebrated as a Sarasvati, the goddess of learning and arts. It highlights the captivating and devotional nature of Jayadeva's poetry, inviting the audience to experience the blissful essence of Lord Krishna's divine love through his words.