आमुक्तमाल्यदा (विजयनगर सम्राट् श्रीकृष्णदेवराय - गोदा देवी आण्डाल भक्ति एवं साम्राज्य-नीति)

60 Goda's Garland of Devotion
II
Goda's years of childhood and girlhood
were one long tune of bliss-consciousness.
Hers was a home where Father's rhapsodies
envisioned Krishna's childhood and boyhood,
and she too learned to sing, dance, praise,
weave exquisite flower-garlands,
and presently lisp in numbers
and re-live radiant Krishna's feats.
When Vishnuchitta sees maiden Goda
beautify herself with Krishna's garlands,
He has a father's joy of fulfilment:
"How well they suit her ..
but this is truly a flame-born bride!"
He tells her admonishingly: "But child,
you shouldn't wear the garland first."
"Why not?" the words leap out of her lips:
"Isn't Krishna mine, mine?"
"True, my child, yet there's custom, law..."
"Change them, then !"
Krishna smiles and abides by her wish:
"Let Goda wear the garlands first,
then offer them to me!"
Amazed Vishnuchitta bows in his dream
before the blinding Glory.
Strange the rites of self-consecration:
seeking Krishna, who had accepted
the champak-jasmine-bakul ensembles
that carried the scent of her tresses,
Vishnuchitta's beloved daughter
is certain of her destiny: