PRANAMS

Suka-Sarira Dvandva

The quarrel of a male and female parrot in Vrndavan

vrndavana-vilasini rai amadera
rai amadera, rai amadera,
amara raiyera, rai amadera

Rai the darling of Vrndavan is ours. Rai is ours. Rai is ours. We are Rai’s, and Rai is ours.

suka bale, amara krsna madana-mohana
sari bale, amara radha bame yata-ksana
naile sudhui madana

Suka says, “My Krishna is the enchanter of Cupid.”

Sari says, “So long as My Radha is on His left. Were it not, He would only be Cupid.”

suka bale, amara krsna giri dharechhila
sari bale, amara radha sakti sancharila
naile parbe kena

Suka says, “My Krishna lifted Govardhan Hill.”

Sari says, “My Radha empowered Him. Were it not, how would He be able?”

suka bale, amara krsnera mathaya mayura-pakha
sari bale, amara radhara namati tate lekha
ai ye yaya go dekha

Suka says, “My Krishna wears a peacock feather on His head.”

Sari says, “My Radha’s Name is written on it. Go and see for yourself.”

suka bale, amara krsnera chuda bame hele
sari bale, amara radhara charana pabe bale
chuda tai ta hele

Suka says, “My Krishna’s crown slants to the left.”

Sari says, “To touch my Radha’s feet His crown is slanted so.”

suka bale, amara krsna yasodara jivana
sari bale, amara radha jivanera jivana
naile sunya jivana

Suka says, “My Krishna is the life of Yasoda.”

Sari says, “My Radha is the life of her life. Were it not, she would be lifeless.”

suka bale, amara krsna jagat-chintamani
sari bale, amara radha prema-pradayini
se tomara krsna jane

Suka says, “My Krishna is the wish-fulfilling jewel of this world.”

Sari says, “My Radha is the giver of divine love (the greatest of all attainments), and your Krishna knows it.”

suka bale, amara krsnera vasi kare gana
sari bale, satya vate, bale radhara nama
naile michhai gana

Suka says, “My Krishna plays the flute.”

Sari says, “That is true: He sings my Radha’s Name. Were it not, His songs would be meaningless.”

suka bale, amara krsna jagatera guru
sari bale, amara radha vanchha-kalpa-taru
naile ki kara guru

Suka says, “My Krishna is the guru of the world.”

Sari says, “My Radha is the wish-fulfilling tree. Were it not, would He be anyone’s guru?”

suka bale, amara krsna premera bhikari
sari bale, amara radha premera lahari
premera dheu kisori

Suka says, “My Krishna is a beggar of love.”

Sari says, “My youthful Radha has waves and waves of love. She is a flood of love.

suka bale, amara krsnera kadama-talaya thana
sari bale, amara radha kare anagona
naile yata na jana

Suka says, “My Krishna’s favourite spot is under the Kadamba tree.”

Sari says, “My Radha comes and goes from there. Were it not, this spot would not be known.”

suka bale, amara krsna jagatera kalo
sari bale, amara radhara rupe jagata-alo
naile adhara kalo

Suka says, “My Krishna is the night of the world.”

Sari says, “The light of the world comes from my Radha’s body. Were it not, the world would be dark.”

suka bale, amara krsnera sri-radhika-dasi
sari bale, satya vate, saksi achhe vasi
naile hata kasi-vasi

Suka says, “Sri Radhika is a maidservant of my Krishna.”

Sari says, “That is true. The flute is the witness of this. Were it not, He would live in Kasi.”

suka bale, amara krsna kare varisana
sari bale, amara radha sthapita pavana
se ye sthira pavana

Suka says, “My Krishna showers rain.”

Sari says, “My Radha provides the wind. She is the steady wind.”

suka bale, amara krsna jagatera prana
sari bale, amara radha jivana kare dana
thake ki apana prana

Suka says, “My Krishna is the life of the world.”

Sari says, “My Radha gives Him life. Were it not, would He have life Himself?”

suka sari du’janara dvandva ghuche gela
radha-krsnera prite eka-bara hari hari bolo
sri-vrndavana chala

Suka and Sari’s quarrel was thus resolved. Out of love for Radha and Krishna, let us now chant “Hari! Hari!” and go to Sri Vrndavan.

suka-sarira dvandva samapta

The parrots’ quarrel is concluded.

References

Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj has discussed this quarrel of the parrots in Vrndavan as follows:

“There is a talk, an apparent quarrel, between Suka and Sari. Suka is a parrot, and Sari is his wife. She is partial to Radhika, and he is partial to Krishna.

suka bale, amara krsna madana-mohana
sari bale, amara radha bame yata-ksana

“Suka, the male parrot says, ‘My Krishna is Madan Mohan’, and sari, his wife, answers, ‘So long as My Radhika is at His left side. Otherwise not: He is only Madan, not Mohan.’ In this way, they engage in a very sweet mock fight. Suka sings in favour of Krishna, and Sari, his wife, in favour of Radharani. She says, ‘Without Radhika, what value does your Krishna have? None at all.’ Feeling for the relative position of Radharani is seen here.”

This Bengali poem known as Suka-Sarira Dvandva was recited for the satisfaction of Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj on 10 October 1982.

In chapter 17 of the Madhya-lila of Sri Chaitanya-charitamrta, Srila Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami describes a similar quarrel between parrots witnessed by Sriman Mahaprabhu during His visit to Vrndavan.

vrksa-dale suka-sari dila darasana
taha dekhi’ prabhura kichhu sunite haila mana [208]

A male and female parrot appeared on the branch of a tree. Seeing them, the Lord desired to hear something from them.

suka-sarika prabhura hate udi’ pade
prabhuke sunana krsnera guna-sloka pade [209]

The parrots flew over to the Lord’s hand and began to recite verses describing Krishna’s qualities for the Lord to hear.

Govinda-lilamrta (13.29):
saundaryam lalanali-dhairya-dalanam lila rama-stambhini
viryam kandukitadri-varyam amalah pare-parardham gunah
silam sarva-jananuranjanam aho yasyayam asmat-prabhur
visvam visva-janina-kirtir avatat krsno jagan-mohanah [210][The male parrot said:] “His beauty destroys the composure of women. His play stuns Laksmi Devi. His strength turns Govardhan Hill into a toy. His conduct delights everyone. He possesses innumerable flawless qualities. Oh! May our Lord Sri Krishna, the enchanter of the world whose glory is uplifting for the entire world, protect the world.”

suka-mukhe suni’ tabe krsnera varnana
sarika padaye tabe radhika-varnana [211]

Having heard this description of Krishna from the mouth of the male parrot, the female parrot recited a description of Sri Radhika.

Govinda-lilamrta (13.30):
sri-radhikayah priyata surupata
susilata nartana-gana-chaturi
gunali-sampat kavita cha rajate
jagan-mano-mohana-chitta-mohini [212]

“Sri Radhika’s love, beauty, kindness, expertise in dancing and singing, poetic ability, and wealth of other qualities shine as She enchants the heart of He who enchants the minds of the world.”

punah suka kahe, “krsna ‘madana-mohana’”
tabe ara sloka suka karila pathana [213]

The male parrot replied, “Krishna is the enchanter of Cupid”, and then recited another verse:

Govinda-lilamrta (13.31):
vamsi-dhari jagan-nari-chitta-hari sa sarike
vihari gopa-naribhir jiyan madana-mohanah [214]

“O Sari, may the flute player who steals the hearts of women throughout the world, enjoys with the wives of the cowherd men, and enchants even Cupid be victorious!”

punah sari kahe suke kari’ parihasa
taha suni’ prabhura haila vismaya-premollasa [215]

The female parrot replied to the male parrot jokingly. Hearing this, the Lord was filled with surprise, love, and delight.

Govinda-lilamrta (13.32):
radha-sange yada bhati tada ‘madana-mohanah’
anyatha visva-moho ‘pi svayam ‘madana-mohitah’ [216]

“When Krishna shines beside Radha, then He is the enchanter of Cupid, but otherwise, although He is the enchanter of the world, He Himself becomes enchanted by Cupid.”

suka-sari udi’ punah gela vrksa-dale
mayurera nrtya prabhu dekhe kutuhale [217]

The male and female parrots flew back onto a tree branch, and the Lord happily watched a peacock dance.