Eternal Love Songs
by Shekhar Shastri

“When there is union in the hearts, there is no distance to cover.” [Bhartrhari SringaraS.65]

The journey to the heart is most mysterious; fraught with anticipation, suspense, dejection, obsession, and supreme delight. Romance remains the perennial target of all living beings. The object of romance may differ, yet in the face of love, all other priorities evaporate.

In the ancient Sanskrit text, NatyaSastra, it is said, “Full of joy and bliss, all must bow down to the power of love.”[Bharata, NS. VI.46]. Even an emperor cannot conquer love, he must earn it humbly. Thus, it is the stories of love that we seek in all texts, drama, movies, and songs. The litmus test of any art is in its effectiveness in generating romance in our hearts, for it is the warmth of love alone that is sustained in our memory till our last breath.

Sanskrit scholars delved deep into the subject of love, ‘Sringara’ – the shining golden horns that cannot be missed, always held at the crown of our heads. Sringara generates the highest form of delight among all emotions! [Anandavardhan, Dhvanyaloka, II.7]

“Whatever is pure, bright and beautiful in the world, is often compared with sringara”. [NS]. When you see something special that catches your eye favorably, what do you say? “Lovely!”

Love is the ultimate benchmark of an experience, a person, or any other object. To this ‘Love’, we offer ourselves and embark on a journey through the medium of ancient Sanskrit texts that never fail to bring a smile to a reader’s lips and warmth to their hearts.

He plays your name to call you on his sweet flute.
He cherishes breeze-blown pollen that touched your fragile body.
In woods on the wind-swept Yamuna bank,
Krishna waits in wildflower gardens. [Jayadeva, Geeta-Govinda 11-1]

When a bird feather falls or a leaf stirs, he imagines your coming.
He makes the bed of love; he eyes your pathway anxiously.
In woods on the wind-swept Yamuna bank,
Krishna waits in wildflower gardens. [Jayadeva, Geeta-Govinda 11-3]

This is from ‘Geeta Govinda’, a 12th century Sanskrit lyrical poetry by Jayadeva. It celebrates the love between Krishna and the gopi Radha. 

I have been teaching Sanskrit Love Poetry at MIT for the past few years and am surprised how each time it how powerfully impacts people from all over the world, most of whom know little or nothing about Sanskrit, or India. Love is an ever-present theme for all humans and Sanskrit poets speak a universal language with deep understanding of the human nature and the rhythm of life.

The ocean of Sanskrit Love poetry has no limits, yet we shall be taking tours of these fountains of nectars from time to time, hope you continue to tune in. For more on this topic, click here.

Shekhar Shastri is a poet, musician, and a filmmaker. He gives lectures on Sanskrit poetry at MIT, and is the producer of Raaga-Rang, a confluence of Indian classical music and popular melodies. For more on the upcoming, Raaga-Rang show on Sunday, April 6, please click here.

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