In the woods of Brindavan

Did you see a black bull,

Roaming free with Balarama

Gambolling in sheer joy

somewhere roundabout?

We saw one who checked and grazed

His favourite cows with loving care,

Made them drink and played with them

In the woods of Brindavan.

Did you see that young bull

Stinking of Butter Govardhan

Who left me desolate and has his fill

Of joy in the cowherds hamlet?

We saw one with a garland

A dark cloud laced with lightning,

making merry with a gang

In the woods of Brindavan.

Did you see that youngster hereabouts

A very plague personified

Born to torment all women

With his unacceptable lies?

We saw one under Garuda's wing

Spread like a canopy overhead

To guard him from the sun's fierce rays

In the woods of Brindavan.

Did you see the god who caught

with his lotus eye in the rain cloud

me poor fish, to play and twirl

And drag me along wherever he went?

We saw one like an elephant calf

His gleaming body covered with sweat

As if with pears, and play with others

In the woods of Brindavan.

Did you see that god who has gone,

escaped like a pig from its poke,

Madhava my selfish jewel

who wont give anyone anything?

We saw one in a yellow cloth

Like a great big raincloud calf

Who when he walks can fill a street

In the woods of Brindavan.

Did you see that mischievous wretch

who does not know propriety

Brows lovely bent like his own bow,

his nature never consistent?

We saw one, black hue red eyes,

beautiful like the sun's rays

coming up the eastern hill,

In the woods of Brindavan.

Did you see that thick dark cloud,

His nature wholly consistent,

His heart as black as his body

Whom none can trust, inscrutable?

We saw one coming along

Surrounded by a huge host

Like the stars which fill the sky

In the woods of Brindavan.

Did you see that gracious lord

With his discus in one hand

And a white conch in another

Clothed in a yellow garment?

We saw one bright spirited

His strong shoulders overspread

with fragrant locks, with wine drunk bees

In the woods of Brindavan.

Did you see that spotless one

Who gave to Brahma and the rest

His lotus navel for their home

to make regions for his sport?

We saw one who went to the woods

Hunted there and also slew

Dhenuka, the elephant and the bird

In the woods of Brindavan.

those who would treasure as a balm

These words of Vishnuchittan's Kodai,

Of the great Lord of heaven

rescuer of the elephant-

Describing what was seen on earth

In the woods of Brindavan,

Will reach the sacred feet of the Lord

Never to be parted from them!