Bilhan

Courtesy;Sri.Arvind,Sunder

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This is similar to the story of चौरपञ्चाशिका of बिल्हण, the 11th
century poet from KashmIr. बिल्हण was appointed the tutor of the
King's daughter. They became lovers. When the King came to know of
this illicit romance, he ordered execution of the tutor. While being
led to the वधस्तम्भ, the tutor, who was also an accomplished poet,
recited 50 verses of his composition, reminiscing about the time he
spent with his beloved. The verses touched the King's heart. He not
only released the poet but gave his daughter in marriage to him. Each
of these 50 verses start with अद्यापि ताम्. As an example, the first
verse is:
 
अद्यापि तां कनकचम्पकदामगौरीं फुल्लारविन्दवदनां तनुरोमराजीम्।
सुप्तोत्थितां मदनविह्वललालसाङ्गीं विद्यां प्रमादगलितामिव चिन्तयामि॥
 
Though the verses are in the first person singular, and tradition says
that बिल्हण himself was the tutor, I would be somewhat sceptical about
it. The story appears too romantic to have really happened in the
11th century.
The story is also a favorite theme of old Indian paintings and
miniatures.

 

knr

--
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.

  Every moment, thank God