by Krishnaa Kinkari
The Vasant – Holi – season is well underway. The familiar beats of the dhamar and the rasiya ring out! Many poets, especially the ashta-chaap, the famous eulogists most logged within the literature of Sri Vallabhacharyaji’s Path of Grace, have joined to celebrate these wonderful times in verse. Here are presented just a few, transliterated and translated into English.
Wednesday 16th March – Holikāṣtakārambha [beginning of the 8 days of intense play]
Saturday 19the March – Kuṅja Ekādaśī
Tuesday 22nd March – Holī Holikā Pradīpan
Wednesday 23rd March – Dolotsava and Dhulivandana
Thursday 24th March – Dvitiya Paṭotsava
Poet – Rshikesh
Horī khelani āṁīho |
Barabasa dhāya jāya jamunātaṭa
Ghere kuṁvara kanhāī ||1||Ati jhīnī kesari raṁga bhīnī
Sārī suraṁga suhāī|
Kaṁcana barana kaṁcukī upara
Jhalakata jovana jhāṁī ||2||
Kesari kasturī malayāgara
Bhājana bhari bhari lāī|
Abīra gulāla pheṁṭa bhari bhāminī
Karana kanika picakāī ||3||
Khelata khelata rasika siromani
Rādhāju nikaṭa bulāī|
Ṛṣikesa prabhu rījhi syāmaghana
Banamālāpaharāī ||4||
A bevy of youthful Ladies has stepped out from Varsana with the intent to play Holi.
Fully absorbed in the mood of the game, they run to the banks of the Sri Yamunaji River and surround the Lad Krishna. ||1||
They are all wearing saris of fine and delicate cloth which is soaked in saffron water and thus beautifully colourful. The youthful nature of their golden bodies is apparent through their bodices. ||2||
They carry pots of water full of saffron, musk and sandalwood. They also have pouches filled with white and red powders. The stunningly lovely Radha has filled her water spray gun with that fragrant water ||3||
As they play ever more heartily, Sri Radhaji calls Sri Krishna, Supreme Connoisseur of Loving Mood, to Her side. The poet Rishikesh tells how the Lord is overjoyed,and adorns Her with a garland of Forest flowers. ||4||
Dhamar ko Pada – Rāga Vilāvala
Poet – Surdasji
Tuma begi kyauṁ na āvauṁ
Ho horī khelai rasabhari |
Sāṁji samai saba gāya gopa lai
Badana-kamala darasāvauṁ ||1||
Madhurībainu bajāī gāī kaiṁ
Jubatī-janani bulāvauṁ||
Duṁdubhi ḍhapha aura mṛdaṁga sunāī kai
Sravanana sukha upajāvauṁ ||2||
Covā abīra gulāla aragajā
Syāma-aṁga chirakāvau |
Sūradāsa prabhu rasika siromani
Raṁgamaṁge naina dikhāvauṁ ||3||
“O, why do You not come here as soon as You can? I am going to play Holi in a most loving mood. It is now the evening and I have gathered all the cows and cowherd boys around Me,so,please show us all Your Lotus-Face. ||1||
Let Me call all Your lovely Vraja Maiden friends here with the very sweet sounds of My flute. Let Me give You all the pleasure of the rhythmic sounds of the Dundhubi, Dapha and Mridanga drums. ||2||
Let them then anoint My dark body with sandalpaste, white and pink powders and fragrant oils. The Poet Suradasa now says, “My Lord is the Supreme Connoisseur of Divine Loving mood! May my eyes have the sight of Him thus smothered in colours.” ||3||
Rasiya – Rāga Rasiya
Poet – Purushottamji
Neṁka āge ā śyām topai raṁga ḍāruṁ |
Raṁga ḍāruṁ mukha maravaṭa māḍhuṁ
Gālana pai gulacā mārūṁ ||1||
Aiḍī ṭeḍī pagiyā bāṁdhūṁ
Pagiypai phularī pāruṁ |
Puruṣottama prabhu kī chavi nirakheṁ
Tana mana dhana jovana vāruṁ ||2||
Step forward, O dusky Sri Krishna, and let me cover You in colour! I will paint Your face with colourful designs and then gently pat Your cheeks.||1||
Let me dress You up in a dandy turban and tie posies of flowers into it. When I then look at Your incredible beauty I will surrender my body, heart, wealth and life to You. ||2||
Translations and compilation by Krishnaakinkari from Vraja Kishori Publications and the Pushtimargi Sri Krishna Lila Sansthan, Madhava Nikunja, Parikrama Marga, Vrindavan. All enquiries to kinkaridasi@hotmail.com or in India, phone Pandit Ghanshyamdas on 9412280802.
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