Dhani Dhani Aparupa Rasa Bihari

dhani dhani aparupa rasa-bihara thira bijura sane cancala jaladhara rasa barakhiye anibara

Blessed, blessed is this wondrous sporting of the rasa dance -- a steady flash of lightning beside a restless raincloud, ceaselessly showering down the rain of rasa.

kancana mani-gana janu nirama-ola ramani-mandala saja majhahi majha maha-marakata sama syama nata-bara raja

As if a golden garland set with gems, the circle of lovely women forms an array; in their very midst, like a great emerald, dark Krishna, the king of dancers, shines.

kata kata canda timira para bilasa-i timirahi kata kata cande kanaka-lataye tamalaha kata kata duhu duhu tanu tanu bandhe

How many moons sport amid the darkness, and how many darknesses amid the moons! How many golden creepers entwine the tamala trees, body after body bound to body!

kata kata padumini pancama ga-ota madhukara dharu sruti-bhasa madhukara mili kata padumini ga-ota mugadhala gobinda-dasa

How many lotus-women sing in the fifth note, their voices like the drone of bees! How many lotus-women, joined with their bees, go on singing -- Govinda Dasa remains utterly enchanted.