Word Meaning
| Line | Word | Meaning | अर्थ |
| Stanza 1 | |||
| 1 | curds | Thickened milk | दही |
| 1 | fair | skit | मेला |
| 2 | heifers | Young female cows | बछिया |
| 2 | lowing | Making a deep, mournful sound | रंभाना |
| 3 | cry | mourn | रोना |
| 3 | buy | purchase | खरीदना |
| 4 | clouds | Visible masses of condensed water vapor in the atmosphere | बादल |
| 4 | sky | sky | आकाश |
| 5 | breezes | Soft, gentle winds | पंख |
| 5 | shrawan | A month in the Hindu calendar, corresponding to July-August | श्रावण |
| 5 | blowing | To blow | बहना |
| 6 | Beloved | A person loved | प्रिय |
| 7 | cried | Shed tears | शांत |
| 10 | softly | With ease | धीरे से |
| 10 | flowing | Moving steadily and smoothly in a continuous stream | बहना |
| Stanza 2 | |||
| 1 | pots | Containers made of clay or other materials used for storing or cooking food | बर्तन |
| 1 | tide | The regular rise and fall of the sea’s level | ज्वार |
| 2 | gaily | Cheerfully and happily | खुशी से |
| 2 | rowers | People who row | नाविक |
| 3 | comrades | friends | साथी |
| 4 | saffron | A spice made from the dried crocus stigmas, used as a coloring and flavoring agent | केसरिया |
| 4 | spring | A season | वसंत |
| 5 | pluck | break | तोड़ना |
| 5 | buds | Small, undeveloped flowers | कलियाँ |
| 5 | blowing | To blow | बहना |
| 6 | beloved | A person loved | प्रिय |
| 7 | mocked | Made fun of | मजाक उड़ाया |
| 10 | gaily | Cheerfully and happily | खुशी से |
| Stanza 3 | |||
| 1 | shrine | temple | मंदिर |
| 2 | torches | Sticks or other devices that are burned to give lig | मशाल |
| 2 | glowing | Shining brightly | चमकना |
| 3 | folded | plicate | मुड़ा हुआ |
| 3 | altars | Raised platforms used for religious ceremonies | वेदियां |
| 4 | shining | Radiant or gleaming beings | प्रकाशवान |
| 4 | guard | safe | रक्षक |
| 5 | Conch shells | Large spiral-shaped shells used as musical instruments or trumpets | शंख |
| 6 | worship | Reverent devotion or homage paid to a god or gods | पूजा |
| 7 | wroth | Filled with anger or fury | क्रोधित |
| 10 | brightly | With lot of light | चमकते हुए |
Song of Radha the Milkmaid Summary
“Song of Radha, the Milkmaid” is a poem written by Sarojini Naidu, an Indian independence activist and poet. The poem is a lyrical expression of the devotion and love of Radha, a character from Hindu mythology, for her beloved Lord Krishna. Radha is often portrayed as the symbol of divine and passionate love for Krishna.
In the poem, Radha describes her experiences while attending the Mathura fair and offering her curds, pots, and gifts to the deity. However, her heart is so consumed by her love for Krishna that she finds herself crying out “Govinda! Govinda!” without realizing it, much to the amusement and confusion of those around her.
The poem beautifully captures the intensity of Radha’s love and devotion, portraying her as deeply lost in the divine presence of Krishna, to the point that she becomes oblivious to her surroundings. The poem also uses vivid imagery to describe the scenes at the fair and along the river in Mathura.
Sarojini Naidu’s poetry often celebrated Indian culture, spirituality, and the emotions of its people, and “Song of Radha, the Milkmaid” is a prime example of her evocative and emotive style.
Key Points
Author The poem “Song of Radha, the Milkmaid” is written by Sarojini Naidu, a renowned Indian poet and freedom fighter. She was known as the “Nightingale of India” for her melodious rhythmic poems.
Form The poem is a lyrical ballad, divided into three main stanzas having 10 lines each.
Speaker The speaker of the poem is Radha, a milkmaid deeply in love with Krishna.
Setting The setting of the poem is in Mathura, a holy city in India, where Radha is taking curd to sell at the fair.
Theme The central theme of the poem is the deep and passionate love of Radha for Krishna. Despite her mundane tasks, Radha’s mind is filled with thoughts of Krishna.
Plot In the poem, Radha is journeying to Mathura fair to sell curd. However, her heart is so full of Krishna’s beauty and music that she cries out his name, “Govinda”, repeatedly. This behaviour makes others around her laugh and mock her, but she remains undeterred.
Tone The tone of the poem is one of deep longing and love. Radha’s repeated cries of “Govinda” reflect her intense yearning for her beloved.
Style Sarojini Naidu’s style in this poem is characterized by the use of vivid imagery and emotive language. She beautifully captures Radha’s love for Krishna and her immersion in thoughts of him.
Message The message of the poem is the power of love and devotion. Despite the mockery of others, Radha remains steadfast in her love for Krishna, demonstrating the depth of her devotion
Sarojini Naidu
Birth and Early Life: Sarojini Naidu was born on February 13, 1879, in Hyderabad, India.
Family: She was born into a well-respected Bengali family. Her father, Aghorenath Chattopadhyay, was a linguist and the principal of Nizam College.
Education: Naidu passed her matriculation examination to qualify for university study, earning the highest rank, in 1891, when she was twelve.
Works: Naidu is known for her volumes of poetry in English, including “The Golden Threshold” and “In the Bazaars of Hyderabad”. Her oeuvre includes both children’s poems and others written on more serious themes including patriotism and tragedy.
Political Career: Naidu played an important role in the Indian independence movement against the British Raj. She was the first woman to be president of the Indian National Congress and to be appointed as governor of a state.
Contributions: Naidu’s literary work as a poet earned her the nickname the “Nightingale of India” by Mahatma Gandhi because of the colour, imagery and lyrical quality of her poetry.
Death: Sarojini Naidu passed away on March 2, 1949.
