Partha Sarathy Varnana ( Paean to Partha Sarathy) Translation from Malayalam

Parthasarathy Varnana (In praise of Partha Sarathy)

Part of Mahabharatam Kilipattu (in the tone of a parrot reciting the story) by Ezhuthachan in Malayalam (part of our studies, our daily prayers)

A blind Dhritrashtra asks Sanjaya to describe Krishna as Arjun’s charioteer. Sanjaya watches with his gifted inner eye, and then  ecstatically bursts forth thus, describing Krishna as ParthaSarathy:

“The  beautiful peacock feathers tucked daintily,
And gathered together into a knot by the side,
The black cloud of the heavy tresses
The lovely crown, embedded with sparkling gems

The exquisite curls  falling on the forehead
Moist with the  scattering of fine dust,
The tilak wet with divine sweat drops,
As the twin eyebrows dance- so beautifully-
Creating , balancing and destroying the universe

Full of compassion for those of us devoted to thee
Full of wrath at the wrong doers-
With increasing passion for the sweet tongued lasses

Full of mockery at the unstable flippity fools-
Full of bubbling laughter at the stupid fights around
Full of fury at the foraying opponents-

Like these, nine rasas displayed ,in the enchanting eyes
The sun like earrings that reflect brightly on
The gorgeous cheeks, and the lotus face
The sharp perfect nose where a sweat drop is rising
The sweetest smile, the radiance of the lips

Tulsi and lotus flowers, and tender blossoms

Worn as garlands, those entwined

With many  pearl necklaces

And the divine Kaustubha

On the majestic chest,

That is decorated with kumkum;

The reins of the chariot held  firmly in those hands,

The shining resplendence of the yellow garbs

The gorgeous twin flower feet,

As if residing in my very heart,

Even as I am getting  Ecstatic,

I see clearly,  inside that glorious chariot- The Jewel Coloured Lord!”

***

Note: In the original lilting melody, there are rhymes, play of words, second letter repetition( dwitiyaksharaprasam), multiple meanings of similar sounding words( Maniradha, Manivarna), all emerging in one ecstatic outpouring of adulation of the Lord:no full stops,  till the whole description of the Divine Charioteer is completed, as the Param Atman rests finally  within Sanjaya’s own heart.

Recitation : (With gratitude to Sister Vimala and Shastri Sir for those wonderful classes)