Krishna? Who's Krishna?

(I am going to get lynched for this one.)

As a matter of principle, I try to avoid the 'pooja' circus that keeps shifting from one distant relative to 'family friend's' place on a weekly basis. Then there are the occasions when I am dragged to one against my will. Its on such occasions, my gloves come off. Its all I can to do to fume inwardly(as if the nauseating cloud of smoke from the sacrificial altar around me was't enough), but there is always a lot of things to keep myself in good wry humour.

Take for instance the chatter of women sitting around a young girl, traditionally one who is trained in the nuances of Carnatic music, sitting on the floor in their Friday best (this usually happens on Fridays) singing Krishna hymns/songs/bhajans while their adoring husbands stand leaning against the walls nearby, some with their eyes closed (either to keep from the stinging smoke or probably just asleep) in meditation. Soon, other women join in too. What's amusing is the choice of the song.

"Alaypayuthey kannaaaaa......"
(chorus - repeat 3 times )

The full euphemistic translation of the song can be found here. As if that wasn't convincing enough, there are very suggestive nuances that have been left out of that translation. For example, the line about the moon shining bright goes like:

"Oh, how the wet moon burns like the morning sun!"

Honestly speaking I think its beautiful poetry with just a tinge of passionate eroticism. Yet, in this context, its hilarious.

"They are thinking about their husbands, dammit! They put their husbands in place of Krishna, and worship him," an outraged 'uncle' patronizes.

Yeah, sure, just like the 20 something maiden, with her masterful rendering of,
"Come! take me to a lonely grove and fill me with the emotions of ecstatic union!"

I don't know about him, but I doubt if I'd be able to bring myself to look kindly on my wife making overtures to other men, even if they be amorous smurf gods ( especially if they are amorous.)

Call me a philistine if you want, but I am perfectly capable of enjoying the beautiful poetry for what it is. The fun begins when the real philistines start imagining more to it than there actually is.