In Praise of Krishna: Songs from the Bengali [Paperback]

Edward C. Dimock Jr. (Translator), Denise Levertov (Translator)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0226152316 | ISBN-13: 978-0226152318 | Publication Date: August 15, 1981 | Edition: Phoenix ed

Arising out of a devotional and enthusiastic religious movement that swept across most of northern and eastern India in the period from the fourteenth through the seventeenth centuries, the powerful and moving lyrics collected and elegantly translated here depict the love of Radha for the god Krishna—a love whose intensity and range of emotions trace the course of all true love between man and woman and between man and God. Intermingling physical and metaphysical imagery, the spiritual yearning for the divine is articulated in the passionate language of intense sensual desire for an irresistible but ultimately unpossessable lover, thus touching a resonant chord in our humanity.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, Bengali (translation)

Product Details

• Paperback: 118 pages
• Publisher: University Of Chicago Press; Phoenix ed edition (August 15, 1981)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0226152316
• ISBN-13: 978-0226152318
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #670,165 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb!, November 24, 2007

By 

James S. (Michigan City, IN United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: In Praise of Krishna: Songs from the Bengali (Paperback)

Another reviewer referred to the author as "Edward Dimock, the consummate scholar of Bengali studies". Nothing could be more true. I bought this book 35 years ago when I was a student at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. It was stolen from me back in '73, but I never forgot it. I am so glad that I was able to get it again from Amazon while it is still in print. This book gives the essence of Jayadeva, Vidyapati, Chandidas, Mirabai, et al. If you think that a small paperback lacks intellectual depth, then you are mistaken: this is truly a wonderful book.

The first two paragraphs of the introduction to this book, alone, succinctly summarizes the essence of the theologically-rich devotional cult of Krishna in Bengal.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful!, March 4, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: In Praise of Krishna: Songs from the Bengali (Paperback)

The reviews say it all. This is a very fortuitous partnership of scholar and poet! The songs come alive in their hands. Makes me want to sing them.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gem of erotic poetry conveying the flavor (rasa) of love., June 26, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: In Praise of Krishna: Songs from the Bengali (Paperback)

That Edward Dimock, the consummate scholar of Bengali studies, and Denise Levertov, the consummate modern poet, would collaborate together is a match made in heaven. The book is a gem. Give it to someone you love, yet better still, read it to him or her.

Or savor it alone in quiet still moments so delicious that only spiritual erotic love poems, perfectly and sensually rendered, could dare express their rare flavor. That flavor, rasa, is the taste of love, served up authentically and exquisitely, but alas, in far too small a portion.

Nonetheless don't hesitate. Bite