Love Poems

I, the kingly poet Jayadeva,
am going to write Gita Govinda,
the romance of Radha and Krishna,
in the following way.
Like the murals on the house walls,
Saraswati, the deity of speech,
is now coloring my soul with stories.
I’ve become the king of poets
worshipping at goddess-Lakshmi’s feet
and loving my wife, Padamavati
who put rhythms to my lyrics
by dancing on her feet.

O people of grace!
if you hearts are
seeking Krishna’s love
and you desire to know
how women flirt with men,
then listen to Jayadeva’s song
singing praises of Krishna
in most pleasing words.