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Sakhi Persuades Radha to Meet Krishna, from a Gita Govinda (Song of the Cowherd) of Jayadeva
Purkhu (Indian, 1750-1860)c. 1820–25
The Cleveland Museum of Art
Cleveland, United States
While all the cowherd girls were in love with Krishna, he had a favorite according to texts of the 1200s and later. Her name was Radha, and she and Krishna would meet for secret trysts in the forest, facilitated by her <em>sakhi</em>, or confidante.
Krishna is shown twice in this painting. At the right he is in the process of making a bed of leaves for their upcoming encounter, and in the middle, he spies on Radha, wearing orange and gold. The sakhi is encouraging Radha to go and meet Krishna, since he is pining for her.
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Details
- Title: Sakhi Persuades Radha to Meet Krishna, from a Gita Govinda (Song of the Cowherd) of Jayadeva
- Creator: Purkhu (Indian, 1750-1860)
- Date Created: c. 1820–25
- Physical 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.)
- Provenance: Raja of Lambagraon, (Mr. B. R. Sharma, New Delhi, India, sold to Severance and Greta Millikin), Severance A. [1895–1985] and Greta [Marguerite Steckerl] Millikin [1903–1989], Cleveland, OH, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art, The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
- Type: Painting
- Rights: CC0
- External Link: https://clevelandart.org/art/1989.334
- Medium: gum tempera and gold on paper
- Inscriptions: 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.", 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), 19
- Fun Fact: According to the text, Krishna softly plays his flute and weaves his beloved Radha's name into the melody.
- Department: Indian and Southeast Asian Art
- Culture: Northern India, Himachal Pradesh, Pahari Kingdom of Kangra
- Credit Line: Bequest of Mrs. Severance A. Millikin
- Collection: Indian Art
- Accession Number: 1989.334
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