Radharani’s Manjaris: Tattva & Lilas 039 “Radha-Krishna Dice Game”

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

This series of posts presents the facts (tattva) regarding the identity, moods (gopi-bhava), intimacy and sevas of Srimati Radharani’s beautiful, talented handmaidens known as manjaris, kinkaris, or dasis. Many wonderful lilas are also presented to highlight the manjaris intimate sevas to Srimati Radhika and Her beloved Krishna.

The information here comes from the commentaries of Advaitavamsa Acharya 108 Sri Ananda Gopala Goswami and 108 Sri Ananta Dasa Babaji Maharaja on “Vilapa Kusumanjali” and “Radha Rasa Sudhanidhi” translated by Sri Advaita Dasji.

Lila: Radha-Krishna Dice Game

Swamini mercifully calls Tulasi Manjari, “Tulasi, come!” Radha-Krishna are playing a dice game in the green grove of Sudevi-sakhi. Sukumari Radha cannot beat powerful Krishna in jala-keli, madhupan lila or jhulan-lila, so now the sakhis find a means to defeat Nagara Krishna.

Radha-Krishna sit on either side of the playing board, surrounded by all Their dear loving sakhis. Krishna’s flute and Radha’s vina are the first wager. Vrnda and Nandimukhi are the witnesses and Kundalata moves the pawns. Lalita sits on Radha’s side advising and Madhumangala on Krishna’s side.

Swamini says: “Sundara! You throw first!” When Radha throws, She immediately scores a winning number. The sakhis exchange meaningful glances and say, “We knew Radha would win this game! O You gopa! Just run after Your cows with a stick in Your hand, saying ‘hai hai’ What do You know about dice?”

During the second throw Shyam makes some noise to distract Radha. But just at that moment Tulasi Manjari gives Radha a hint with her eyes and Swamini wins. Although he lost, Shyam refuses to give Radha His flute. Swamini says: “I’ve won! Why don’t You give Me Your flute? Your flute is very naughty, it spoils everything, I will throw it in the Yamuna!”

Shyam hides His flute behind Him, so Swamini pounces on Shyam with Her full weight and grabs the flute. Needless to say, Shyam is in maha-ecstasy! Radha’s thought before doing this was:. ‘First, I’ll give Shyam something He really wants, then I’ll snatch His flute! Swamini’s desire was to submerge Shyam in an ocean of bliss, which She did!

Secretly Srimati throws the flute to Tulasi Manjari who quickly hides it while proudly singing, “Jai Sri! Jai Sri!” The sakhis and manjaris lean against each other, laughing and laughing.

Tattva: Radha’s Gift to Krishna & Devotees

Sri Radha embodies the quintessence of hladini-shakti, Krishna’s internal bliss love potency. This potency gives Krishna the relish of lila, and when it enters devotees’ hearts it gives them the bliss of Krishna’s seva, sevananda. Radhika is the essence of hladini-shakti and thus Radha delights both Krishna and the devotees.

Within Shyam, Radha appears as hladin svarupini and within devotees Radha appears as bhakti-rupini. Just as no other gopi but Sri Radha can relieve Krishna’s pain of separation from Radha, similarly no one else but Radharani can soothe the devotees suffering in separation from Radha.

A sincere sadhaka always thinks, “How merciful Gurudeva was to introduce me to the nitya-seva of Radharani! Why don’t I realize this and fully surrender to the lotus feet of Radharani!

Tattva: Doing Bhajan for My Happiness or Krishna’s

The Vraja gopis are the greatest devotees because they never consider their own happiness and distress. Their pure love makes them give up everything and act only for Krishna’s pleasure. (Cc. 1.4.174-175)

 Radhika cannot be compared with anyone else because Radha delights all of Krishna’s senses and completely fulfills His every desire with Her beauty, sweetness, charm, and unlimited artistic qualities. Because they have taken shelter of Sri Radha’s lotus feet, this great love is also infused in Radha’s manjaris. The kinkaris don’t know anything else in this world but the happiness of Radha Govinda Yugal.

Radharani’s manjaris ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!