Sakhi Persuades Radha to Meet Krishna, from a Gita Govinda (Song of the Cowherd) of Jayadeva

c. 1820–25

Purkhu

Purkhu (Indian, 1750–1860)

Indian and Southeast Asian Art

Sakhi Persuades Radha to Meet Krishna, from a Gita Govinda (Song of the Cowherd) of Jayadeva, c. 1820–25. Attributed to Purkhu (Indian, 1750–1860). Gum tempera and gold on paper; overall: 24.1 x 32.1 cm (9 1/2 x 12 5/8 in.); with borders: 25.4 x 30.3 cm (10 x 11 15/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Bequest of Mrs. Severance A. Millikin 1989.334 According to the text, Krishna softly plays his flute and weaves his beloved Radha's name into the melody.

Original Source

Maker/Artist: Purkhu
Classification: Painting
Formatted Medium: gum tempera and gold on paper
Medium: gum, tempera, gold, paper
Dimensions: Overall: 24.1 x 32.1 cm (9 1/2 x 12 5/8 in.); with borders: 25.4 x 30.3 cm (10 x 11 15/16 in.)
Inscribed: Inscription: translation: "Yea Lady! in the self-same spot he waits Where with thy kiss thou taught'st him utmost love, And drew him, as none else draws, with thy look; And all day long, and all night long, his cry Is 'Radha, Radha' like a spell said o'er And in his heart there lives no wish nor hope Save only this, to slake his spirit's thirst For Radha's love with Radha's lips; and find Peace on the immortal beauty of thy breast. (What follows is the Music Gurjjari and the Mode Ekatali.) Mistress, sweet and bright and holy! Meet him in that place; Change his cheerless melancholy Into joy and grace; If thou hast forgiven, vex not: If thou lovest, go, Watching ever by the river, Krishna listens low: Listens low, and on his reed there Softly sounds thy name, Making even mute things plead there For his hope: 'tis shame That, while winds are welcome to him, If from thee they blow, Mournful ever by the river Krishna waits thee so! When a bird's wing stirs the roses, When a leaf falls dead, Twenty times he recomposes The flower-seat he has spread: Twenty-times, with anxious glances Seeking thee in vain, Sighing ever by the river, Krishna droops again. Loosen from thy foot the bangle, Lest its golden bell, With a tiny tattling jangle, Any false tale tell: If though fearest the moonlight Will thy glad face know, Draw those dark braids lower, Lady! But to Krishna go. Swift and still as lightning's splendour Let thy beauty come. Sudden, gracious, dazzling, tender, To his arms---its home. Swift as Indra's yellow lightning, Shining through the night, Glide to Krishna's lonely bosom, Take him love and light. Grant, at last, love's utmost measure, Giving the whole: Keep back nothing of the treasure Of thy priceless soul: Hold with both hands out unto him Thy chalice, let him drain The nectar of its dearest draught, Till not a wish remain. Only go---the stars are setting, And thy Krishna grieves; Doubt and anger quite forgetting, Hasten through the leaves: Wherefore didst thou lead him heav'nward But for this thing's sake? Comfort him with pity, Radha! Or his heart must break. But while Jayadeva writes This rare tale of deep delights--- Jayadev, whose heart is given Unto Jari, Lord in Heaven--- See that ye too, as ye read, With a glad and humble heed, Bend your brows before His face, That he may have bliss and grace." Inscription: poorva yatra sama tvaya rati patera sadita siddhayas tasminneva nikunja manmatha mahatirthe punar madhava. dhyayas tvam nisha japanna pita vaivalapa mantra vali. bhuyas tvat kucha kumbha nirbhara parirambhamta vanchati(1). gurjari rage. rati sukha sare gatambhisare madana manohara venam. na kuru nitambini gamana vilambanam anusara ta hridayesham (1). dhira samire yamuna tire vasati vane vanamali. gopi pina payodhara mardana chanchal kara yuga sali. nam sametam krita sanketam vadaya tem duveyum. bahumanu te tanu te tanu sangata pavana chalitamapi re end (2). patati patatre vicalati patre shankita-bhavad-upayanam rachayati shayanam sachakita-nayanam pashyati tava panthanam (3). mukharam adhira tyaja manjiram ripum iva keli sulolam chala sakhi kunja satimira-punja shilaya nila nicholam (4). urasi murarer upahita-hare ghana iva tarala balake taòid iva péte rati viparete rajasi sukata-vipake (5). vigalita-vasanam parihata-rasana ghauaya jaghanam apidhanam kisalaya-shayane pankaja-nayane nidhim iva harna-nidhanam (6). harir abhimane rajanir idanem iyam api yati viramam kuru mama vachana satvara-racana puraya madhuripu-kamam (7). shri-jayadeve kata-hari-seve bhaati paramaramaeyam pramuditahadaya harim atisadaya namata sukata kamaneyam (8) Translation: Sakhi to Radha – “In Cupid’s private love garden, the most sacred place, where Madhava perfected his love-making skills with you, he contemplates you constantly, murmuring the mantras of his previous romantic conversations with you, yearning to again taste the nectar of liberation that flows in the tight embrace of your ample breasts. O handsome-hipped girl! The beloved of your heart, also known as the god of love, awaits you in the meeting place, perfect for savouring amour. Do not delay. Go at once and meet him. Whose hands are always restless to press the breasts of Gopis is waiting in a forest grove on the bank of the Yamuna where the gentle Malayan breeze wafts. He is softly playing His flute, weaving your name into the melody. When the specks of dust that have touched Your body are carried to Him on the breeze, He prizes his good fortune. Hearing the slightest sound – a bird landing on a tree, a fluttering leaf – he imagines you are coming. He joyfully prepares the flower bed, and anxiously watches the path for your arrival. Sakhi! Remove your ankle-bells, those enemies that betray your amorous play with their loud chatter. Don this dark cloak and hasten to that dense, dark grove. Soon you will reap Your reward from pious deeds. You will dominate in the play of love as your pearl necklace, looking like a beautiful flock of cranes flitting across the cloudy sky, falls on Murari’s dark chest. You will shine like a streak of lightning upon the dark raincloud of His torso. O blue lotus-eyed one, shed Your silken cloth and untie Your waist-bells . Place the treasured jewel of Your thighs on the bed of fresh, tender leaves. This will give Him great delight. Hari is being stubborn. The night is just about to end, so accept my advice. Go at once without further delay, and fulfil the desires of the enemy of Madhu. O gentle saints, reciting this enchanting poetry penned by Sri Hari’s servant Jayadeva, bow down to Him who is most charming, merciful and blissful-hearted.” Remark: Devanagari script Inscription: 19 Remark: Number 19 is mentioned on the top of the verso, suggesting that the painting is Folio no. 19 from the Lambagraon set.
Departments: Indian and Southeast Asian Art
Accession Number: 1989.334
Credit Line: Bequest of Mrs. Severance A. Millikin
Exhibitions: The Severance and Greta Millikin Collection, Life and Exploits of Krishna in Indian Paintings (Indian art rotation), Indian Miniature Rotation (Gallery 115). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (August 13, 2003-February 18, 2004)., Indian Miniature Rotation (Gallery 115). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (August 18, 2004-May 23, 2005)., ArtLens Exhibition. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (June 5-November 30, 2018).
Rights Statement: CC0