Go Rakha Jagai Singa Dhvani

Go Rakha Jagai Singa Dhvani

Govinda Das Kaviraj has written this song “Go Rakha Jagai Singa Dhvani”. This song is taken from the book Padavali. In this song, Govinda Das Kaviraj depicts the divine pastime when Lord Krishna went to beg alms at Srimati Radharani’s house. He refused to accept the alms from Jatila and insisted that Srimati Radharani herself gives it to him.
 
(1)
go-rakha jagai singa-dhvani suna-ite
jatila bhikha ani dela
mauni yogesvara matha hilayata
bujhala bhikha nahi nela
 
(2)
jatila kahata taba kaha tuhu magata
yogi kahata bujhai
tere vadhu hata bhikha hama leyaba
turitahi deha patha
 
(3)
parivarata vinu bhikha leu yaba
yogi barata hoye nasa
takara vacana sunite tanu pulakita
dhai kahe vadhu-pasa
 
(4)
dvare yogi-vara parama manohara
jnani bujhala anumane
bahuta yatana kari ratana-thali bhari
bhikha deha tachu thame
 
(5)
suni dhani rai ai kari uthala
yogi-niyade hama yaba
jatila kahata yogi naha ana mata
darasane hoyaba labha
 
(6)
godhuma-curna purna thali para
kanaka-kathora bhari ghiu
kara-yode rai leha kari phukara-i
tahe heri tharahari jiu
 
(7)
yogi kahata hama bhikha nahi leyaba
tuya mukha-vacana eka cai
nanda-nandana para yo abhimana so
mapha karaha yai
 
(8)
suni dhani rai cire mukha jhampala
bhekha-dhari nata-raja
govinda-dasa kaha nata-bara-sekhara
sadhi calata mana kaja
 
(1) Hearing the sound of a buffalo-horn, the cowherd people awakened. Bringing some alms, Jatila, the mother of Abhimanyu, Radharani’s so-called husband, offered them to the beggar. Disguised as a beggar-yogi, Lord Krishna, the master of all yoga, was silent. He tilted His head. He would not accept the alms.
 
(2) Jatila said: “What do You want, then?” The yogi said, “Your daughter-in-law should offer the alms with Her own hand. Only then will I accept them. Send for Her at once.”
 
(3) “If I accept alms from you [and not from Srimati Radharani], then My yogi’s vow will perish.” Hearing these words, and the hairs of her body now standing erect, Jatila ran to the side of her daughter-in-law.
 
(4) Jatila thought the supremely charming yogi at her door must be a great sage. With great effort she gathered up some offerings.
 
(5) Hearing the commotion, beautiful Radha came. “I will go to the yogi,” she said. Jatila affirmed, “This yogi is not an ordinary man. Simply by seeing Him, one attains a great spiritual treasure.”
 
(6) On the tray was an offering of whole-wheat flour and a golden cup with some ghee in it. Taking the tray in Her hands, sighing with love and Her life’s breath trembling, Radha brought the offering to the yogi Krishna.
 
(7) The yogi Krishna said, “I will not accept this offering yet. First I wish to hear a single word from Your mouth. I am Nanda’s arrogant son. Say that You forgive Me, and then I will depart.”
 
(8) Hearing these words, beautiful Radha covered Her face with Her cloth. Then Krishna, the king of dancers, took the alms. Govinda Das says: His heart’s mission accomplished, Lord Krishna, the crown jewel of all dancers, took His leave.