Tell Dear Krishna, But Scold Him Not
Krishna grew up in Gokul town with foster parents. He was not only the darling of his parents who pampered him, but the whole township, caught in his charms, loved him. He won the hearts of men and women alike during the childhood he spent in Gokul. But then it was time for him to leave and go to Mathura to fulfil his life’s mission. Gopis, the milkmaids especially missed him despite his many a mischief. Krishna sent Uddhav to Gokul to pacify people, but to no avail. When it was time for him to return, a lovelorn Gopi sends her message through him. This beautiful theme is captured in many folksy tunes whose flavour is hard to capture in English. Yet, here is an attempt. It is no translation, but tries to come closer to a piece in Gujarati by Pranav Pandya. I have tried to reveal the state of her mind, anger and immense love using only two rhymes in all.
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Tell dear Krishna, but scold him not,
Tell this tale of ours in love caught,
But your wisdom, no, give him not.
No pledges by him given are—
That from Gokul he’ll not go far,
No such traps any love should mar.
With lingering doubts distort not,
With peacock’s feather fudge it not,
Tell dear Krishna, but scold him not.
He that whole world in his mouth bear,
Tell him not what’s unfair, what’s fair,
He, who’s gone, still has gone nowhere.
Any harsh words pray tell him not,
State of our hearts, pray give him not,
Tell dear Krishna, but scold him not.
Taught he’s how to live, love and bear,
He knows for sure fair from unfair,
Tell dear Krishna, but scold him not.
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Mythology |13.02.2022|
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