3.10

Jaya·deva comes from Kindu·bilva
as the moon comes from the ocean;
And in this song I render Krishna’s words
with loving deep devotion.
Oh me, oh my, I am bereft!
She’s mad at me, she’s up and left!

“Because I’m suffering so in separation from my beloved,
I wear a necklace of lotus stalks (it’s not a serpent),
And lotus petals on my neck (it’s not the stain of poison),
And sandal powder dusts my skin (it’s not ashes).
So don’t mistake me for Hara,* O God of Love,
no, please, don’t shoot me in revenge for what he did
to you!

Why are you Harassing me?”

“Don’t string your bow! Put down that flower-tipped arrow!
You’re the god of Love who conquers the world
just for the fun of it!
Is it bravery to strike a man when he’s down?
I’ve already been ravaged by a shower of arrows—
the darting glances of a doe-eyed girl;
and, now, I have no hope for recovery.”