Unfathomable!

The poet Rasakhan was a gay, Muslim born Krishna bhakta who lived in the 16th century. I guess you could say he was radical! Shyamdas, like the rest of India, is very fond of his works, and in 2007 he translated a collection entitled The Poems of Rasakhan: Treasure House of Love, which includes this poem, “Unfathomable.” It is without a doubt one of the most widely recognized poems throughout North India. At Shyamdas’s kirtan events, you will notice any Indians in the audience singing along to this one — at least the last line. Next time you can too!

shesha, ganesha, mahesha, dinesha, suresha hu jahi nirantara gavain
jahi anadi ananta akhanda acheda abheda su veda batavain
narada se suka vyasa rahain paci hare tau puni para na pavain
tahi ahira ki chohariyan chachiya bhari chacha pai naca nacavain

The gods Shesh, Ganesh, Mahesh, Suresh and Dinesh constantly sing of Him Who is beginningless, endless, unlimited, indestructible, void of differences, and revealed in the Vedas. Narada, Sukha, and Vyasa are exhausted from searching for Him — they can never fathom His limits. Yet, the dairymaids of Vrindavan can make Him dance – for a sip of buttermilk from the palm of their hands!

And yes, I selected this poem because Shyamdas also sang it for you on his CD, Sweet Radhe! (track 3 “Rasakhan I”). Click on the play button below to listen

 

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