Yashoda was enraptured
To see his face
Blooming as a lotus that captures
The rising sun’s first rays
Taking off the coverlet
She said, awake, darling boy, awake,
Your loveliness makes me swoon
Your bewitching face is like the full moon
Seen through the sea’s foam
When it was churned for nectar.
He for whom the shrutis say ‘not this not this’
Whose name is chanted by Brahma, Shesha and Shiva
That formless Brahma has taken birth
In Brij, in human form, so it is heard.
Surdas
Explanation:
This beautiful verse by the poet Surdas captures the tender
moment of motherly love and admiration as Yashoda wakes Krishna. Let's break it
down:
Krishna awoke: The verse starts with the awakening of
Krishna, the divine figure of Hindu mythology and a central character in many
religious texts and stories.
Yashoda was enraptured: Yashoda, Krishna's foster mother, is
filled with overwhelming joy and captivation upon seeing Krishna waking up.
To see his face Blooming as a lotus that captures The rising
sun’s first rays: Yashoda is struck by the beauty of Krishna's face, which is
compared to a lotus flower blooming in the morning sunlight, signifying purity
and radiance.
Taking off the coverlet She said, awake, darling boy, awake:
Yashoda gently wakes Krishna, expressing her affectionate feelings towards him.
Your loveliness makes me swoon Your bewitching face is like
the full moon Seen through the sea’s foam When it was churned for nectar:
Yashoda describes Krishna's beauty, comparing it to the enchanting sight of the
full moon shining through the sea foam during the churning of the ocean of milk
in Hindu mythology. This imagery conveys Krishna's divine and captivating
presence.
He for whom the shrutis say ‘not this not this’ Whose name
is chanted by Brahma, Shesha, and Shiva That formless Brahma has taken birth In
Brij, in human form, so it is heard: The verse concludes by highlighting the
divine nature of Krishna, stating that even though the scriptures describe the
divine as "not this, not this," Krishna, who is worshipped by the
gods Brahma, Shesha, and Shiva, has taken human form in Brij, a region
associated with his earthly exploits.
Overall, this verse captures the deep love and reverence for
Krishna, portraying him as both divine and human, and emphasizing the profound
bond between Krishna and his mother Yashoda.