Bhamini-vilasah-5

भामिनीविलासः-५

एकस्त्वं गहनेऽस्मिन् कोकिल न कलं कदाचिदपि कुर्याः ।

साजात्यशङ्कयामी न त्वां निघ्नन्तु निर्दयाः काकाः ॥ २५ ॥

अन्वयः: कोकिल, अस्मिन् गहने त्वम् एकः कदाचित् अपि कलं न कुर्याः ।

अमी निर्दया काकाः साजात्यशङ्कया त्वां न निघ्नन्तु ।

Cuckoo, do not ever coo alone in this forest, lest these merciless crows attack you thinking you to be one of their type. [It is safer for a good person not to open his mouth among a group of bad persons.]

तरुकुलसुखमपहरां जनयन्तीं जगति जीवजातार्तिम् ।

केन गुणेन भवानीतात हिमानीमिमां वहसि ॥ २६ ॥

अन्वयः : भवानीतात! तरुकुलसुखम् अपहरां जगति जीवजातार्तिं जनयन्तीम् इमां हिमानीं केन गुणेन वहसि?

O, father of Parvati (Himalaya), for the sake of what quality do you carry this snow which robs the happiness of trees and which creates discomfort for all living beings ? [The poet looks at snow as a destroyer of happiness and does not understand why the father of Parvati, the Himalaya, carries it.]

कलभ तवान्तिकमागतमलिमेनं मा कदाप्यवज्ञासीः ।

अपि दानसुन्दराणां द्विपधुर्याणामयं शिरोधार्यः ॥ २७ ॥

अन्वयः: कलभ, तव अन्तिकम् आगतम् एनम् अलिं कदा अपि मा अवज्ञासीः । अयं दानसुन्दराणां द्विपधुर्याणां शिरोधार्यः ।

Young Elephant! Do not ever neglect this bee which has come near you. It is carried on the head by great elephants, which are elegant with their ichor. [It is repetition of the sentiment expressed in verse 6]

अमरतरुकुसुमसौरभसेवनसंपूर्णसकलकामस्य ।

पुष्पान्तरसेवेयं भ्रमरस्य विडम्बना महती ॥ २८ ॥

अन्वयः: अमरतरु-कुसुम-सौरभ-सेवन-संपूर्ण-सकल-कामस्य भ्रमरस्य इयं पुष्पान्तरसेवा महती विडम्बना ।

It is matter of great ridicule that the bee which has had all its desires fulfilled in entirety by the flowers of the divine tree, goes to serve another flower. [ A person who has been in the company of the high and mighty should maintain his dignity by not mingling with the lowly.]

पृष्टाः खलु परपुष्टाः परितो दृष्टाश्च विटपिनः सर्वे ।

माकन्द न प्रपेदे मधुपेन तवोपमा जगति ॥ २९ ॥

अन्वयः : माकन्द! मधुपेन परपुष्टाः पृष्टाः खलु, सर्वे विटपिनः दृष्टाश्च । तवोपमा जगति न प्रपेदे ।

Mango tree! The cuckoos were asked, all round all trees were searched by the bee. It could not find any like you. [ Apparently in praise of some dignitary.]

तोयैरल्पैरपि करुणया भीमभानौ निदाघे

मालाकार व्यरचि भवता या तरोरस्य पुष्टिः ।

किञ्चिन्मात्रं जनयितुमिह प्रावृषेण्यॆन वाराम्

धारासारानपि विकिरता विश्वतो वारिदेन ॥ ३० ॥

अन्वयः : मालाकार! भीमभानौ निदाघे अल्पैः अपि तोयैः भवता अस्य तरोः या पुष्टिः व्यरचि, वारां धारासारान् अपि विकिरता प्रावृषेण्येन वारिदेन (तस्याः पुष्ट्याः) किञ्चिन्मात्रं अपि जनयितुं (अलम्) ।

Gardener! what, Only a small part of nurture you provided by small amounts of watering to this tree in summer when the sun was fierce, can be provided by the clouds during the rainy season pouring water in torrents. [ A small amount of help when needed is more meaningful than a lot of it in times of abundance.]  

आरामाधिपतिर्विवेकविकलो नूनं रसा नीरसा

वात्याभिः परुषीकृता दश दिशः चण्डातपो दुस्सहः ।

एवं धन्वनि चम्पकस्य सकले संहारहेतावपि

त्वं सिञ्चन्नमृतेन तोयद कुतोऽप्याविष्कृतो वेधसा ॥ ३१ ॥

अन्वयः: तोयद! आरामाधिपतिः विवेकविकलः, रसा नूनं नीरसा, दश दिशः वात्याभिः परुषीकृताः,चण्डातपः दुस्सहः, धन्वनि एवं चम्पकस्य सकले संहारहेतौ अपि (सति), वेधसा कुतः अपि आविष्कृतः त्वं अमृतेन सिञ्चन् (असि) ।

O cloud! The chief of the gardens is devoid of power of reasoning; the earth is indeed absolutely dry; storms are raging in all directions; the sun is fierce; thus in the desert when everything is causing your destruction, you, who has been created from somewhere by the creator, pour ambrosia. [When everything seems to be lost someone, as if sent by God comes and helps.] 

न यत्र स्थेमानं दधुरतिभयभ्रान्तनयनाः

गलद्दानोद्रेकभ्रमदलिकदम्बाः करटिनः ।

लुठन् मुक्ताभारे भवति परलोकं गतवतो

हरेरद्य द्वारे शिव शिव शिवानां कलकलः ॥ ३२ ॥

अन्वयः : यत्र अतिभय-भ्रान्त-नयनाः गलत्-दानोद्रेक-भ्रमत्-अलि-कदम्बाः करटिनः स्थेमानं न दधुः, अद्य लुठन्-मुक्ता-भारे परलोकं गतवतः हरेः द्वारे शिवानां कलकलः भवति । शिव! शिव!

Where elephants which had swarms of bees running around due to the excessive flow of ichor did not dare to stay, there, at the door of the dead lion where pearls (from the heads of killed elephants) are strewn, is now the uproar of jackals! What a pity! [When a valourous person of whom everyone was afraid departs, it often happens that all and sundry usurp his place.]

- - - - 

Bhamini-vilasah-4

भामिनीविलासः-४

आपेदिरेऽम्बरपथं परितः पतङ्गा

भृङ्गा रसालमुकुलानि समाश्रयन्ते ।

सङ्कोचमञ्चति सरस्त्वयि दीनदीनो

मीनो नु हन्त कतमां गतिमभ्युपैतु ॥ १७ ॥

अन्वयः : सरः, त्वयि सङ्कोचम् अञ्चति पतङ्गाः परितः अम्बरपथम् आपेदिरे । भृङ्गाः रसालमुकुलानि समाश्रयन्ते । हन्त दीनदीनः मीनः कतमां गतिम् अभ्युपैतु ?

O lake! While you shrink away, birds fly around towards the sky and the bees take refuge in mango buds. Alas, where can the poor fish go? [ When a generous person loses his wealth some of his dependants manage to survive by moving away but what happens to those who are totally dependant on him?]

मधुप इव मारुतेऽस्मिन् मा सौरभलोभमम्बुज मंस्थाः ।

लोकानामेव मुदे महितोऽप्यात्मामुनार्थितां नीता ॥ १८ ॥

अन्वयः : अम्बुज, सौरभलोभं मधुपे इव अस्मिन् मारुते मा मंस्थाः । अमुना आत्मा महितः अपि लोकानामेव मुदे अर्थितां नीता ।

O lotus, do not exhibit the miserliness of fragrance that you show to bees with this wind. Although he is well-placed he has brought himself to being a suppliant for the sake of the general public. [The poet addresses the lotus to generously allow its fragrance to be carried away by the wind as it propagates the fragrance all over unlike bees which carry the fragrance for themselves. Poets who are well looked after by a king spread the fame of the king all over.]

गुञ्जति मञ्जु मिलिन्दे मा मालति मानमौनमुपयासीः ।

शिरसा वदान्यगुरवः सादरमेनं वहन्ति सुरतरवः ॥ १९ ॥

अन्वयः : मालति, मिलिन्दे मञ्जु गुञ्जति मानमौनं मा उपयासीः । वदान्यगरवः सुरतरवः एनं सादरं शिरसा वहन्ति ।

O Jasmine flower, do not become taciturn because of anger while the bumble bee hums pleasantly. The divine trees which are foremost among the munificent carry them in their heads with respect. [It seems to be applicable to a lady who is not responding to the advances of a suitor, who is well respected among the elite.]

यैस्त्वं गुणगणवानपि सतां द्विजिह्वैरसेव्यतां नीतः ।

तानपि वहसि पटीरज किं कथयामस्त्वदीयमौन्नत्यम् ॥ २० ॥

अन्वयः : पटीरज, त्वं गुणगणवान् अपि यैः द्विजिह्वैः असेव्यतां नीतः तान् अपि वहसि । त्वदीयम् औन्नत्यं किं कथयामः ।

O Sandal tree, although you have very good qualities the good do not come near you because of the snakes. You carry even such snakes. What shall we say of your greatness! [ Use of word द्विजिह्वा suggests that the poet refers to a very good person whom other virtuous persons do not approach because of his double-tongued dependants.]

गाहितमखिलं गहनं परितो दृष्टाश्च विटपिनः सर्वे ।

सहकार न प्रपेदे मधुपेन भवत्समं जगति ॥ २१ ॥

अन्वयः : सहकार! मधुपेन अखिलं गहनं गाहितम्, सर्वे विटपिनः दृष्टाः च । भवत्समं जगति न प्रपेदे ।

O Mango tree, all the woods were explored and all the trees were seen by the bee. It could not obtain anyone like you. [It is suggestive of a poet praising a king in his presence.]

अपनीतपरिमलान्तरकथे पदं न्यस्य देवतरुकुसुमे ।

पुष्पान्तररेऽपि गन्तुं वाञ्छसि चेद्भ्रमर धन्योऽसि ॥ २२ ॥

अन्वयः : भ्रमर! अपनीतपरिमलान्तरकथे देवतरुकुसुमे पदं न्यस्य पुष्पान्तरे अपि गन्तुं वाञ्छसि चेत् धन्यः असि ।

O bee, having set foot on the flower of the divine tree which surpasses in fragrance any other flower, if you want to go to some other flower, you are indeed blessed! [This is a sarcastic remark against a person who having spent time in the presence of the great wants to be in company of the lowly.]

तटिनि चिराय विचारय विन्ध्यभुवस्तव पवित्रायाः ।

शुष्यन्त्या अपि युक्तं किं खलु रथ्योदकादानम् ॥ २३ ॥

अन्वयः : तटिनि! तव पवित्रायाः विन्ध्यभुवः शुष्यन्त्या अपि रथ्योदकादानं युक्तं खलु किम्? चिराय विचारय ।

O river, while your holy Vindhya mountain (from which you originated) goes dry, is it right that you should receive street waters? Think over for long. [A river gets water from even a drain while its originating place may be dry. The poet seems to connect it with a person’s attitude by which he manages to get on in life by mingling with the sundry, although  his own parents and family of exalted status are suffering.]

पत्रफलपुष्पलक्ष्म्या कदाप्यदृष्टं वृतं च खलु शूकैः ।

उपसर्पेम भवन्तं बर्बुर वद कस्य लोभेन ॥ २४ ॥

अन्वयः : बर्बुर! पत्रफलपुष्पलक्ष्म्या कदा अपि अदृष्टं शुकैः वृतं च भवन्तं कस्य लोभेन उपसर्पेम खलु ? वद ।

O Barbura ( thorny tree)! You have never been seen with the luster of leaves, fruits or flowers. You are covered by thorns. For what purpose shall we come near you? Tell. [ How can some one who is always surrounded by scoundrels and who is never seen to be associated with the virtuous expect that good people should come to him?]

- - - - 

Bhamini-vilasah-3

भामिनीविलासः-३

अयि मलयज महिमायं कस्य गिरामस्तु विषयस्ते ।

उद्गिरतो यद्गरलं फणिनः पुष्णासि परिमलोद्गारे ॥ ११ ॥

अन्वयः: अयि मलयज, अयं ते महिमा कस्य गिरां विषयः अस्तु, यत् गरलम् उद्गिरतः फणिनः परिमलोद्गारैः पुष्णासि?

O, Sandal wood tree! You nurture poison-emitting snakes by the spread of your fragrance. Who can describe this greatness of yours?  [The verse is addressed to a great person whose benevolence extends even to the vicious people. It is believed that snakes live on sandal wood trees.]

पाटीर तव पटीयान् कः परिपाटीमिमाम् उरीकर्तुम् ।

यत्पिषतामपि नृणां पिष्टोऽपि तनोषि परिमलैः पुष्टिम्? ॥ १२ ॥

अन्वयः: पाटीर, तव इमां परिपाटीम् उरीकर्तुं कः पटीयान्, यत् पिष्टोऽपि परिमलैः पिषतामपि नृणां पुष्टिं तनोषि?

Sandal wood! Who is capable of accepting this method of yours, by which, you while being powdered, nurture people who powder you? [The verse addresses a great man who does good to those who harm him.]

नीरक्षीरविवेके हंसालस्यं त्वमेव तनुषे चेत् ।

विश्वस्मिन् अधुनान्यः कुलव्रतं पालयिष्यति कः ॥ १३ ॥

अन्वयः: हंस, नीरक्षीरविवेके आलस्यं त्वमेव तनुषे चेत्, अधुना विश्वस्मिन् अन्यः कः कुलव्रतं पालयिष्यति?

O swan, if you yourself show lethargy in discriminating between milk and water, who in this world now will follow the family customs? [The word हंस suggests that it is addressed to a recognized saint, who has not been able to discriminate between good and bad. Swans are supposed to filter milk from a mixture of water and milk. It is one of the many beliefs that recur in Sanskrit literature.]  

उपरि करवालधाराकाराः क्रूरा भुजङ्गमपुङ्गवाः ।

अन्तः साक्षात् द्राक्षादीक्षागुरवः जयन्ति केऽपि जनाः ॥ १४ ॥

अन्वयः : केऽपि जनाः, उपरि करवालधाराकाराः क्रूराः भुजङ्गमपुङ्गवाः, अन्तः साक्षात् द्राक्षादीक्षा गुरवः जयन्ति ।

There are some persons who flourish who, while being outwardly cruel like a serpent and sharp like a sword are inwardly dedicated

to being as soft and tender as grapes.

स्वच्छन्दं दलदरविन्द ते मरन्दम्

विन्दन्तो विदधतु गुञ्जितं मिलिन्दाः ।

आमोदानथ हरिदन्तराणि नेतुम्

नैवान्यो जगति समीरणात् प्रवीणः ॥ १५ ॥

अन्वयः : दलदरविन्द, मिलिन्दाः ते मरन्दं स्वच्छन्दं विन्दन्तः गुञ्जितं विदधतु । अथ आमोदान् हरिदन्तराणि नेतुं जगति समीरणात् प्रवीणः न अन्यः एव ।

Blossoming lotus! Let the bees obtain your nectar freely and hum. There is no one in this world other than the wind which could take your fragrance to other greeneries. [There are a set of people who get benefits from a good person and enjoy themselves. There are only a few who spread the good word.]

याते मय्यचिरान्निदाघमिहिरज्वालाशनैः शुष्कताम्

गन्ता कं प्रति पान्थसन्ततिरसौ सन्तापमालाकुला ।

एवं यस्य निरन्तराधिपटलैः नित्यं वपुः क्षीयते

धन्यं जीवनमस्य मार्गसरसो धिग्वारिधीनां जनुः ॥ १६ ॥

अन्वयः: “मयि अचिरात् निदाघ-मिहिर-ज्वाला-अशनैः शुष्कतां याते, असौ सन्ताप-माला-आकुला पान्थ-सन्ततिः कं प्रति गन्ता”-एवं निरन्तर-आधि-पटलैः यस्य वपुः क्षीयते, अस्य मार्गसरसः जीवनं धन्यम् । वारिधीनां जनुः धिक् ।

“When I get dried up soon being eaten up by the flames of summer sun, to whom will these groups of travelers, who are agitated by a series of sufferings, go?” The life of the road-side pond whose body gets dissipated by such continuous anxieties is worthwhile. Fie be to the life of oceans. [ Oceans are of no avail to a weary traveler in summer. It is only a small road-side pond which comes to his rescue by slaking his thirst. Similarly it is the ordinary people who help a person in distress not the mighty.]

- - - - 

Bhamini-vilasah-2

भामिनीविलासः-२

पुरा सरसि मानसे विकचसारसालिस्खलत्-

-परागसुरभीकृते पयसि यस्य यातं वयः ।

स पल्वलजलेऽधुना मिलदनेकभेकाकुले

मरालकुलनायकः कथय रे कथं वर्तताम् ॥ ३ ॥

Tell me how the chief of a swan-flock, who earlier spent its life in the waters of Manasa lake, which was made fragrant by the pollens fallen off rows of lotuses, could now live in the waters of a pond, full of many jostling frogs? [A person who had seen better days is in a pitiable plight in his old age.]

तृष्णालोलविलोचने कलयति प्राचीं चकोरीगणे

मौनं मुञ्चति किंच कैरवकुले कामे धनुर्धुन्वति ।

माने मानवतीजनस्य सपदि प्रस्थानकामेऽधुना

धातः किन्नु विधौ विधातुमुचितो धाराधराडम्बरः ॥ ४ ॥

When the flock of chakori birds groups in the East with their eyes trembling with eagerness (for the moon-beams), when the white lotuses are no more silent, when the God of love is twanging his bow, when the modesty of bashful women is intending to make a hasty departure, o creator, is it right that the rumbling rain-bearing clouds cover the moon?  [1.Chakori is the female of a type of partridge which is supposed to feed on moon beams. This is one of the many myths often encountered in Sanskrit literature. 2. The poet’s expression “ मौनं मुञ्चति किंच कैरवकुले” may either refer to the humming of the bees around the lotuses or to the fluttering of the full blown lotuses due to a breeze. 3. The poet indirectly refers to a state of helplessness felt at a last minute obstacle to an otherwise smooth flowing chain of events.]

अयि दलदरविन्द स्यन्दमानं मरन्दम्

तव किमपि लिहन्तो मञ्जु गुञ्जन्तु भृङ्गाः ।

दिशि दिशि निरपेक्षः तावकीनं विवृण्वन्

परिमलमयमन्यो बान्धवो गन्धवाहः ॥ ५ ॥

O blooming lotus, after tasting a bit of your oozing nectar let the bumble bees hum pleasantly. Here is wind, another relative of yours who spreads your fragrance in all directions without any expectations. [ The contrast between the bumble bee which makes a lot of sound after sucking the nectar of lotus and the wind which carries the fragrance, without any expectations is beautifully brought out.]

समुपागतवति दैवात् अवहेलां कुटज मधुकरे मा गाः ।

मकरन्दतुन्दिलानाम् अरविन्दानाम् अयं महामान्यः ॥ ६ ॥

O Kutaja (A flower bearing plant), do not neglect the bee which has fortunately come near you. It is highly respected by lotuses which are brimming with nectar. [ A related human situation can be easily imagined.]

- - - -