Vidyapati (ca. 1352–1448 CE) was an important poet-saint-courtier in the Mathili region of what is now northern Bihar. He was a devotee of Shiva but he also wrote love songs like this one about Krishna and Radha. ‘Tambul’ is a preparation of betel leaves and spices served on special occasions. ‘Madhava’ is an epithet for Krishna meaning ‘sweet’ or ‘honey-like’.

As the mirror to my hand,
the flowers to my hair,
kohl to my eyes,
tambul to my mouth,
musk to my breast,
necklace to my throat,
ecstasy to my flesh,
heart to my home —

as wing to bird,
water to fish,
life to the living —
so you to me.
But tell me,
Madhava, beloved,
who are you?
Who are you really?

Vidyapati says, they are one another.

Translation by Edward C. Dimock, Jr. and Denise Levertov