“The Love of Rādhā”: A Translation of the Caurāsī Pad of Śrī Hit Harivaṁśa with Commentary
Keywords:
Radha, Krishna, Caurasi Pad, Hit Harivamsa, Braj Bhasa, Hindi Poetry, Sringara Bhakti, Rasa, Alamkara, Indian LiteratureAbstract
The article "THE LOVE OF RADHA, A TRANSLATION INTO ENGLISH OF THE CAURASI PAD OF URI HIT HARIVAMSA WITH COMMENTARY" by Charles S. J. White, explores the Caurasi Pad, also known as The Eighty-four Stanzas, which describes the timeless love between Radha and Krishna, manifestations of Vishnu. The poem, set in a rural North Indian landscape, uses lyrical language to convey the idea that love is the foundation of reality and the ultimate human experience. The article analyzes the poetic style of the Caurasi Pad, highlighting Harivamsa's mastery of Braj Bhasa and his use of Sanskritized vocabulary. It examines the pad form, with its free-flowing rhythm intended for song, and discusses the various ragas associated with different sections of the poem. The article also delves into the use of alliteration, rhyme, and figures of speech (alamkara) such as simile, metaphor, and contradiction, to create vivid imagery and evoke emotion. Finally, it explores how the poem conveys meaning through language conventions, figures of speech, and the interplay of rasa, bhava, and anubhava in the context of Sringara bhakti.