poet: chhoifa banu
language: bengali
painting: syamarani dasi
Shubawl, jaa re Brindabon!
Subal [Uddhav in other traditions], go to Vrindavan!
Dekhe aasho ge Raadha-raani aachhe re kaymon.
Return having seen how [my] queen Radha is doing.
Mothura-te aachhi aami paagol aamaar mon,
I am in Mathura, I am losing my mind,
Raadha-r jonno praan aamaar shawda uchaatawn.
Thinking of Radha, my mind is always distracted.
Raadha-r pawde dhore Shubawl korish nibedawn,
Holding Radha's feet, Subal, pray unto her this,
Dibaa-nishi Raadha pyaari aachhe re shawron.
Day and night [my] beloved Radha is in my thoughts.
Raadha-r prem-e aachhi baandha jawnm-ero moton,
I am bound to Radha's love for this entire life,
Sheeghro giye dekhbo aami oi raanga chawron.
Soon I shall go and gaze at those reddish-hued feet [of hers].
Mothura-te aachhi aami hoiya raajon,
I am in Mathura, [stuck] being a king,
Raadha-r khed-e tyajyo korbo raaj-singhashon.
Grief-stricken by Radha's absence, I shall [surely] give up this regal throne.
Chhoifa-e bole shuno bhubawn-o-mohon,
Chhoifa says, listen o enchanter of the universe,
Kubjaa-r ku-budhhi-ye tumi hoyechho bawndhon.
Kubja with her evil designs has bound you to her.














