Englishing the Gīta Govinda: Some Issues in Contemporary Translation Practice

Abstract

The article Englishing the Gīta Govinda by C. J. Holcombe discusses the complex interpretive choices made in translating Jayadeva’s work into English. Holcombe outlines his methods for rendering Sanskrit meter, sensual imagery, and layered allusions, and reflects on the tension between musicality, accuracy, and devotional resonance. The article provides insight into how these decisions affect both modern readership and the devotional context of the text.