Love

Even the moon's cool rays are scorching-hot

by Vidyapati c. 1352-1448

Translated by Ananda Coomaraswamy and Arun Sen (1915) · From Bangiya Padabali (trans. 1915)

Love

Rādhā:
Even the moon's cool rays are scorching-hot,
The Spring is comen in:
Even from a crow's mouth not a word of Kānta!
What makes this cruel Madan?

I know, my dear, my evil day is come:
At what a time has Fate opposed me,
Denying me to see him more!

So many days, I kept my body carefully
And now I know my end is near:
My last faint hope is but a legend now,--
How long my wicked heart endures!

Evil is Madan's mood, says Vidyāpati:
To whom may you confide your care?
Fiercer than flames of a sea of fire
This bitter severance from your darling!

✦ ✦ ✦

Reproaches, Lack and Longing, CIV

MLA

Vidyapati. “Even the moon's cool rays are scorching-hot.” Translated by Ananda Coomaraswamy and Arun Sen. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/vidyapati/103/.

Chicago

Vidyapati. “Even the moon's cool rays are scorching-hot.” Translated by Ananda Coomaraswamy and Arun Sen. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/vidyapati/103/.

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