Love

Frenzied tresses encircling her radiant face

by Vidyapati c. 1352-1448

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

Love

Kavi:
Frenzied tresses encircling her radiant face--
It is Rāhu desiring the orb of the moon:
Flowers of her hair with her necklace entwined,
As the Jamunā joins with the waters of Gangā.

The twain beyond speech are out of all reason,
The loveling disports with most ardent passion:
Eagerly fair-face kisses love-face,
The bending moon drinks up the lotus.

Her face is adorned with a bead of sweat--
Madan has offered a pearl to the moon:
Long is the necklace that hangs on her breasts--
It is pouring its milk into golden jars.

The chains on her hips are loudly jingling--
Madan is sounding pæans of conquest.
Vidyāpati says: O amorous lady,
Your skill in love's lore surpasses my speech!

✦ ✦ ✦

Reunion and the Flow of Nectar, CXXXVIII

MLA

Vidyapati. “Frenzied tresses encircling her radiant face.” Translated by Ananda Coomaraswamy and Arun Sen. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/vidyapati/137/.

Chicago

Vidyapati. “Frenzied tresses encircling her radiant face.” Translated by Ananda Coomaraswamy and Arun Sen. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/vidyapati/137/.

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