Tag Archive for: #Gopi

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’s Betel Nut Prasada

After enjoying amorous delights with Krishna, Radha thinks how to reward Tulasi Manjari for her loving seva. Fearing the teasing of Lalita or other sakhis, Radha in an unseen way pushes the chewed betelnuts from Her mouth into Tulasi’s mouth while Tulasi hangs a necklace on Her neck. Because this is Krishna’s prasadi pan, Radha knows Tulasi Manjari will cherish it immensely.

Pandit Sri Ananta Dasji Maharaja says, “Radha gives Tulasi Manjari betel nut by embracing, kissing her and transferring Krishna’s prasadi pan from Her mouth into Tulasi’s mouth.” (VK 93)

Manjaris are partial to Srimati so they will not accept anything which is not first tasted by Ishvari. Tulasi Manjari feels supremely blessed with this reward. When this transcendental revelation suddenly disappears, Sri Raghunatha Das Goswamipada cries with tear-filled eyes:

“O Devi Radha! When will You affectionately give me Your betel nut prasada from Your mouth into mine?”

Tattva: Desire in Bhajan

The heart of Raghunatha Das Goswami is always filled with desires to lovingly serve Radhika. Sadhakas should do bhajan with the same aspiration. Constantly meditating upon different ways to serve and please Sri Radha will form permanent samskaras in the unconscious mind (chitta).

Sri Jiva Goswamipada says, “Only by having the right desires and mentality, abhiman, one can attain spiritual perfection, kevala abhiman siddhir bhavatity.” (BS 304) Sri Sanatana Goswami says, “Devotees desire only to become servants of Sri Radha, radha-dasya icchavah param.” (BB 2.1.21)

In other words, one who simply thinks, “I am Radha’s maidservant, ami radha dasi,” and considers this to be the highest spiritual perfection will automatically attain it.

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

Tattva: Love & Sweetness

Acharyas say that Krishna prema, immaculate divine love, is needed to taste the sweetness of Krishna’s voice and vamshi, and His touch and taste.

Visvanatha Cakravartipada says in his tika (Cc.1.4.143): “Prema enables one to relish Shyam’s sweetness. Greater the prema, greater the sweetness! One’s amount of Krishna prema can be known by how much one savors Shyam’s sweetness. Radha has unlimited love for Krishna so Radha relishes Krishna’s sweetness to the utmost.”

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

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: Amorous Fanning Lila

Radha Govinda relax on a malati flower bed within Madana Sukhada-kunja at Radha Kunda. Lila Yugal are enjoying love talks. Shyam cannot sufficiently drink the nectar of Radha’s sweet love prattles. Submissively Shyam again and again asks Swamini to repeat what She said. Swamini sweetly smiles while saying, “There is nothing that I will not give You!”

Tulasi Manjari calls Radha “Sumukhi” upon seeing this smile while thinking, “Radha, You are the Sumukhi of He who relishes the beauty of Your face!”

 In this way Radha’s manjaris talk and joke intimately with their Ishvari Radha.

Swamini says with a faltering voice: “O Prananatha! You are so beautiful and You are really My lover! O dearest one! I cannot live without You! When My eyes don’t see You, they fill with tears and when My mind remembers You, I faint! I cannot forget You for even half a moment and when I sleep, I dream about You! When I wake up, I cry out Your name.”

Like a bumblebee Shyam relishes the honey from Radha’s lotus mouth. How many ages pass during Their conversation!

Radha then pulls Shyam on Her lap, whispers sweet words into Shyam’s ears and tightly embraces Him. Shyam asks, “Shall I tell Lalita what You just did?” Radha stutters, so Shyam consoles Her by saying, “No, no! I won’t say anything!”

Seeing Radhe-Shyam perspiring, Tulasi Manjari thinks: “I will make Radha Madhava float in oceans of bliss!” Then she fans Them with a whisk made of vine-buds so that the naturally sweet fragrance of Radha’s divine body enters Shyam’s nose to enliven Him. Shyam becomes intoxicated by the fragrance and Tulasi Manjari, seeing her service is successful, gets thrill bumps of ecstasy on her body.

When this vision disappears, Sri Raghunatha prays: “O Radhe! When will I see Your confidential lilas with Krishna? When will tears of love stream from my eyes as I sing the glories of You and Shyam as I blissfully fan You with a camara fan?”

Tattva: Seva Success

The sadhaka should also become ecstatic like Tulasi Manjari when one’s seva is successful. It is said, “Seva is bliss!” How wonderful is the expertise of this service! The manjaris in the kunja are the gurus of the seva of Radha Govinda Yugal. Sadhakas must learn expertise in kunja seva from the eternally perfect kinkaris like Tulasi Manjari, Sri Raghunatha Das Goswamipada.

Serving Radha-Krishna, Sri Guru and Vaishnavas expands the heart, enthuses the mind, and helps one forget one’s selfish interests. If a sadhaka experiences this one will understand one’s seva is pleasing and successful. Seva done with a smile brings a smile to the one being served!

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

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 Abhisara

While relaxing after dinner in Yavat, Radharani hears Shyam’s murali calling Her to the kunja. Sri Radha says, “O Visakhe! The form of Shyam appears in My heart day and night and when I dream!” Becoming maddened by love, Radha runs out to meet Krishna in the forest.

Radharani goes out alone, not bothering about the different dangers She encounters on the path. Although Vrindavan is enveloped in darkness Radha’s finds Her way Her with the fire light of Her Cupidity. Radha’s abhisara is powerful and passionate; nothing can stop its course! It’s inconceivable that Radharani who is softer than a flower can move so swiftly. The cause of all this power is Her strong attraction to Krishna’s form.

Sweat drops adorn Radha’s anxious face. Radha thinks all Her gold and jewel ornaments are a heavy burden. So, Radha casts off Her bangles and jewelled anklebells.

Because of running Swamini gets pain in Her tender lotus feet. Seeing this, Tulasi Manjari thinks, “Although Radha is very shy, I hope that because of Her love for me Radha will call me by name and ask me to massage Her painful lotus feet!”

Swamini lifts Her feet on Tulasi Manjari’s chest and Tulasi starts serving them. Tulasi Manjari washes Radha’s lotus feet with her tears of love and kisses them in an unseen way, thinking: “By caressing Radha’s feet I have everything!”

Tulasi Manjari’s massage fully relieves Swamini’s fatigue. Radha continues running and soon arrives in the kunja. Radhe-Shyam become eager to make love, so Tulasi Manjari discretely exits the kunja. After sometime Tulasi Manjari hears Radha’s anklebell sweetly jingling ‘tu’. Tulasi understands it’s time for seva and renters the kunja. Tulasi Manjari then disentangles Swamini’s hair from Krishna’s earrings and quietly leaves the kunja so that Lila Yugal can resume Their love play.

Tattva: Kinkaris’ Life Is Radha Seva

How can the kinkaris, the embodiments of seva, live without serving Radharani? Radha kinkari bhava cannot be attained without being totally absorbed in Radha’s seva. Chanting harinama, diksha mantras, reading shastras and Thakurji puja should create an intense desire to serve and please Radharani.

If this is not happening one does not understand the secrets of bhakti bhajan. Sri Krishna wants to see this seva vasana, pure desire for service, appear in one’s heart before He blesses one with His intimate seva. This is Krishna’s special mercy.

Tatttva: Intimacy Radha & Manjaris

As much as Radharani trusts Her maidservants that much Radha loves them. Radha thinks, “I can make this manjari serve Me just the way I want.” Radha cannot count on everyone like that.

During the Rasa dance Radha sees that Shyam’s feet are paining Him, so She tells Her loving kinkari: “Massage Shyam’s feet!” How much affection Swamini shows Her maidservant!

To attain this great fortune a ragamayi sadhaka prays, “O Radhika! Will I ever get a drop of Your mercy, either in dreams, visions or smarana?”

The sincere sadhaka must cry to receive Radha’s karuna. By fully surrendering to Swamini’s sweet lotus feet one will attain this matchless fortune. A real Radha bhakta will think, feel and act like Sri Raghunatha Das Goswamipada who cried out one day at Radha Kunda:

 “I worship lotus-eyed Radha, I remember Radha’s sweetly smiling face, and I speak only of Radha, who melts of compassion. I have absolutely no other shelter than Radha!”

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

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.

Devi Radha Bhashita Lila

After entering Radha’s quarters, grandmother Mukharaji says: “O Radhe! It’s so late, aren’t You doing Surya-puja today?” Srimati smiles slightly and says, “I thought of sending someone else out to do it today!”

Mukharaji jokingly replies: “Your sakhis may do Your Surya-puja, but will You let them do Your Mitra-puja?” [Mitra means sun and friend, Krishna] Hearing these joking words of Her maternal grandmother, Radharani smiles bashfully.

One day Tulasi Manjari takes Swamini to meet Krishna in a kunja. Although Radha is unwilling and tells Krishna, “Don’t touch Me!” She smiles at the same time.

Seeing this, Tulasi Manjari thinks, ‘Madhuri’s mouth says, “Don’t touch Me!”, but Radha’s heart says, “Touch Me!” and this is visible in Radha’s excited eyes. Radha’s ‘Yes’ has swallowed Her ‘no’.

Understanding Radha’s desire, Tulasi Manjari hints to Shyam to embrace Kishori. Radha’s speech is like nectar, bhashita piyusham, mixed with the camphor of Her soothing smile! (VK 84)

The language of Hrimati’s heart is revealed through Her smile. Tulasi Manjari eagerly desires to see this smile and hear such rasika talks, and so do we. Tulasi Manjari and all manjari bhava sadhakas feel blessed to hear these humorous nectarean words.

Tattva: Experiencing Transcendental Bliss

Whether Radha Govinda are meeting or separated, Sri Raghunatha always relishes the sweetness of Radha Madhava manifesting as divine euphoria or agonizing pain. The constant flow of nitya-lila in Vraja Gokula can always be experienced in the hearts of the fortunate.

To encourage all raganuga bhaktas steadily and faithfully practicing Radha-Krishna asta-kaliya-lila smarana, Sripad Pandit Sri Ananta Dasji Maharaja says:

“Sometimes visions of nitya-lila may appear like a lightning flash in the hearts of ordinary devotees. Sadhana is meant to make this blissful experience stay in the heart. When the practice of lila-smaran ripens, the bird of the heart will fly up to the realm of bliss. An inexhaustible fountain of beauty and sweetness will then appear before the eyes!”

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

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 SriAnanta Dasa Babaji Maharaja on “Vilapa Kusumanjali” and “Radha Rasa Sudhanidhi” translated by Sri Advaita Dasji.

Lila: Quarrelling Over Flowers

In the morning, Radharani feels morose and doesn’t feel like performing Her household duties. Radha’s mind is restless, intensely desirous of Shyam, so Radha goes into the forest on the pretext of getting water for puja.

Srimati walks very far, until She catches Krishna’s fragrance, and then Radha flies towards Krishna like a thirsty bee. When Sundari sees Shyam, She starts picking flowers just to catch His attention. Noticing Radha, Shyam says, “Who is this girl destroying the beauty of the forest by picking all the flowers? Oh, how beautiful You are!”

Sri Radha frowns her eyebrows and conceals Her limbs with Her cloth. Radha then slips away and hides behind some flowering bushes. As if He is bewitched by some mantra, Shyam says, “You come here regularly, cruelly break all the tender sprouts and then hide Yourself! Who are You?”

With a smirky smile and feigned anger, Vinodini Radha says, “O Kala Krishna!  Your behavior gives us great pain. Our minds are devoted to worshiping Suryadeva. We always come here to pick flowers, and we have never seen you before. So why are You speaking such harsh words today?”

Rasaraja Krishna says, “Aren’t You married girls afraid and ashamed to come to this forest every day to steal flowers? Now that I’ve caught You, I won’t let You go!”

Feigning anger, Radhika says, “I know You are a rogue! Don’t you have any manners? Until now no one has ever forbidden us from coming here!”

Krishna replies, “King Cupid, who owns this forest, has entrusted it to Me!”

Swamini says, “There is no King Cupid here! Who in Vraja does not know Your pranks?”

Shyam feels boundless bliss from the sweetness of this quarrel. Thus, Swamini becomes known as Suvrata, which means unflinchingly dedicated to Krishna’s pleasure. Finally, Radha enters a kunja with Her Prananatha to enjoy sweet pastimes.

Tattva: Radha’s Sweetness

Sri Raghunatha Das Goswami prays to Radha’s feet that he may relish the sweet nectarean rasa of Her intimate pastimes with Krishna. Manjari bhava sadhakas should also pray like this.

One cannot estimate how much Dasa Goswami tastes Radha’s sweetness within His heart. Sri Krishna appears on earth as Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to taste the amazing sweetness of Radhika’s prema, asvadyah adbhuta madhurima. (Cc. 1.1.6)

Tattva: Actions of Mahabhava

Radharani is dedicated to the vow of delighting Krishna. The manjari prays when will Radha delight me by engaging in such false and crooked quarrels with Her beloved Shyamasundara? Prema means thinking: “How can I make Krishna happy?”

The Vraja-gopis are the highest class of Krishna’s lovers endowed with mahabhava which is the quintessence of Krishna prema. Their minds and senses are saturated with mahabhava and have no separate existence from mahabhava. All the activities of their senses are dedicated to and dominated by Krishna.

Only Radha however, is called mahabhava svarupini which means Radha consists of nothing but mahabhava inside and out. Sri Krishna is completely delighted and controlled by every action of Radharani!

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

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 Varsana Yatra

One day before Rakhi Purnima, Sridama, Radha’s elder brother, comes to Yavata. By satisfying Jatila with a donation of ten-thousand cows, he obtains her permission to take Radha to Varsana to celebrate Rakhi. In Varsana, Radharani is freer and can easily go out to meet Krishna.

Radha’s mother Kirtida, anxiously looking down the road for her beloved daughter, pitifully cries out, “O Bhagavan! Why have you kept me be separated from my daughter for so long?” Kirtida firmly embraces Radhika and sprinkles Her with tears of motherly love upon meeting Her.

Radha cries in a choked voice, “Ma! Just forget about Me, don’t worry about Me.” Radha cries of happiness and sorrow. Happiness because of being home and sorrow for being away so long.

Kirtida weeps while replying, “How can I ever forget You, my beautiful girl?” Radha’s mother and father float in oceans of bliss as they take Radha into their home.

Tattva: Bhava Transfer

Das Goswami’s mind is immersed in the ocean of Radha Madhava’s beauty and sweetness. The gopi-bhava of a sensitive devotee like Sri Raghunatha reveals itself within his love-soaked words in Vilapa Kusmanjali.

The power of his bhava is infused in his words. Words have power to influence, illuminate, elevate and transform. Thus, the best way to attain gopi-bhava is to read and reflect upon the ecstatic words of nitya-siddhas like Sri Raghunatha Das Goswamipada, Tulasi Manjari.

Tattva: Manjari’s Stay Near Radha

In this lila, Tulasi Manjari relishes the parental love that Kirtida and Vrishabhanu feel for Radharani. Pada-sevikas like Tulasi Manjari follow Radha like Radha’s shadow. Radha’s kinkaris accompany Her wherever She goes and are thus blessed with all these different kinds of loving ecstasies.

Radhika’s feelings are reflected in the mirrors of the manjari’s hearts. In Alankara Kaustubha (3.59), Kavi Karnapura describes this phenomenon:

Sri Krishna says: “O Radhika! In absence of Your girlfriends a mirror can tell whether You are happy or sad. Mirrors are useless however, in the presence of Your girlfriends who personally mirror Your every emotion.

Radha, when You, they cry. When thrill bumps cover Your body, they also cover them. When You laugh, they laugh, and when You’re sad they’re sad too!” This situation is most visible in Radha’s manjaris. The manjaris experience all of Radha’s joy and sorrows.

Directly or indirectly, everyone in Vrindavan assists Radha Govinda’s enjoyment of srngara-rati, divine erotic rasa! The prema-seva of Radharani is the most astonishing goal of life.

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

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 Teaches Singing to Her Manjaris

Tulasi Manjari muses to herself, “Without me even wanting it Radha accepts me as one of Her own. I understand from this that Radha loves me. Swamini shyly takes me far away from Her sakhis to a cave in Govardhana Hill to teach me singing. Radha can’t teach me in front of the sakhis because these are personal songs about Her intimate affairs with Shyam. If the sakhis hear them they will make fun of Radha.”

Such confidential songs should not be heard by anyone else but Radha’s most intimate maidservants. Tulasi Manjari will sing them when Shyam faints out of amorous ecstasy.

Swamini holds a vina and sings an endlessly sweet song. This amazing song attracts Shyam to come hide behind some bushes at the cave’s entrance. Shyam gazes at Srimati’s exquisite form. Radha’s head is not covered by Her veil. Radha’s fingers pluck the strings of the vina and also pull the strings of Shyam’s excited heart!

Radha’s luscious beauty and sweetness gushes out of Her limbs! Thoroughly enchanted by Radha’s lovely nectarean voice, Shyam slowly enters the cave as if He’s in trance. Seeing Shyam, Sriji immediately stops singing, puts down the vina and quickly covers Her head with Her veil.

Gravely Srimati says, “Shyam! Why are You here?” Shyam says, “Radha, I want to hear the songs Tulasi Manjari is learning from You.”

Tulasi Manjari plays the vina and sings a wonderful song. She learned the song after a single hearing. Shyama-Shyam are sitting together listening. Tulasi Manjari, asks, “Did I pass the examination?” Radha Madhava praise Tulasi, “Very good Tulasi! Well learnt!”

Lila: Manjari Breaks Shyam’s Swoon

One day, Radhe-Shyam are playing in a kunja when Shyam suddenly faints out of ecstasy. No matter what Radharani does, Radha can’t revive Shyam. Swamini becomes desperate to find someone who can wake up Shyam.

Sitting on the veranda outside the kunja, Tulasi Manjari starts singing a beautiful song about Sundari’s sweetness. Hearing this, Shyam slowly becomes conscious and continues His love play with Priyaji.

Only a manjari is fit to do this intimate and crucial seva. Of all maidservants, Tulasi Manjari is the most dear to Sri Radha. So, Radhika takes her into a cave of Govardhana Hill to teach her intimate love songs. Blessed are Radha’s manjaris and blessed are their confidential sevas!

Tattva: Mahaprabhu’s Greatest Gift

The personal seva of Srimati Radharani in the kunjas of Vraja is the limit of human perfection. This is the special gift of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in Kali-yuga. Shastras say that without attaining bhava for Krishna one cannot taste rasa. Without rasa there is no expansion of bhava. If there is no bhava and no rasa one will not experience bliss, ananda.

The bliss of manjari bhava is the mercy of Mahaprabhu distributed by the Six Goswami’s of Vrindavan. And it is available to anyone who takes shelter of their lotus feet.

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

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 Teaches Poetry to Manjaris

One day, Lalita-devi, says, “Radhe! Read some Your rasika poetry to Tulasi Manjari, and train her just as You like!” Radha then teaches Tulasi some poetry that later at a proper moment, she will expertly recite to Krishna for His pleasure.

Radharani has personally written these poems about Herself. Poetry is recited in many different settings. For example, when Radha Govinda ramble in the forest Tulasi Manjari will immerse Them bliss by singing poems to glorify Radhika. The kinkaris understand the hearts of Radha Govinda so they skilfully recite suitable poems to enhance Their amorous moods.

Tulasi Manjari becomes shy and lowers her head when Radha affectionately calls, “Tulasi! From now on you should come daily to learn poetry from Me!

Tattva: Manjaris Bonding with Radha

Sri Radha personally teaches Her manjaris innumerable arts. Because manjaris are Radha’s closest confidantes, Sriji will not hide anything from them. Rather Radha will happily reveal Her secrets to Her maidservants. How beautiful it is to learn poetry from Radharani while thinking, “O Radha! I am Your dasi and You will train me any way You want.”

By being well-educated in the 64 arts, Radha’s manjaris become expert in all types of rasika sevas. The various sevas that lead to the blissful meeting of Radha-Krishna are the very life of the manjaris. In these sevas poetry is required.

Lila: Uniting Radhe-Shyam

Radharani is suffering in separation from Shyam so Tulasi Manjari goes out to find Him. Upon meeting Krishna in the forest, Tulasi Manjari poetically describes Radha’s sorrow to urge Krishna to meet Her.

Tulasi Manjari says, “O Shyam! Cupid’s arrows are assailing Radha. Cool breezes, sandalwood paste and moonbeams appear as hot as snake-poison to Srimati! Radha is suffering so much being separated from You!”

Returning to Radhika, Tulasi Manjari encourages Her to go meet Shyam by reciting the following poem:

“O Nitambini Radha! Don’t delay Your rendezvous with Your Prananatha! Wear Your most enchanting dress, which is the essence of erotic joy! Vanamali waits in the forest on the bank of the Yamuna where a gentle breeze blows! There He will massage You with His restless hands!”

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

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 Teaches Vina

One day in Madana Sukhada Kunja, Radha sits down, picks up a vina, and shows Tulasi Manjari how to play it. Tulasi attentively watches Swamini while sitting at Her feet.

Meanwhile a parrot tells Shyamasundara, “Sriji is in Madana Sukhada kunja teaching kacchapi-vina to Tulasi Manjari!”

Shyam immediately goes there and becomes enchanted to see Swamini absorbed in twanging the strings of the vina, while bees are sweetly buzzing around. Radha suddenly sees Shyam and stops playing. Shyam says, “Can’t I watch how You teach Tulasi to play the vina?”

Srimati is thrilled to see Shyam so She orders Tulasi Manjari to play. While playing the vina Tulasi also sings a wonderful love song. Radhika becomes happy when She pleases Shyam through Her maidservants.

Hearing this song, Shyam and Swamini become inspired to make love. Tulasi discretely leaves and peeks through the vines to relish Lila Yugal’s sweet erotic pastimes in Madana Sukhada-kunja. Fortunate Tulasi fills up her heart with this sweet vision. Blessed are the manjaris who can make Radhe-Shyam float in a nectar ocean of rasa!

Tattva: Kinkaris’ Expertise in Seva

After learning rasika poetry and vina, Tulasi Manjari thinks, “I want to become expert in anything connected with serving Radha Govinda Yugal!” It is also Radharani’s desire: “May My manjari become expert in My service!” An aspiring manjari prays, “O Devi Radha! When will You teach me how to play the vina in a kunja in Radha Kunda?”

Tattva: Sri Chaitanya’s Way of Bhajan

Sri Chaitanya showed the way of bhajan full of taste, constant attraction, divine love, possessiveness and bliss. The natural experience of bhakti rasa has been mercifully given by Mahaprabhu.

Sri Chaitanya taught the worship of Radha-Krishna in the mood of the manjaris, maidservants who have taken shelter of the lotus feet of Sri Radha. All rasa and bhava is available to the fullest extent in the bhajan introduced by Mahaprabhu.

A ragamayi sadhaka thinks, “My Gurudeva has offered me to the lotus feet of such a merciful Queen. He has shown me that the greatest thing in life is Radhika’s seva as a manjari.

“But I am wasting my life by being indifferent towards Radharani, who personally teaches Her maidservants how to serve Her! Even now I don’t think of myself as Radha’s dasi.

“I remain immersed in bodily consciousness and mundane activities. A genuine sadhaka becomes ashamed when comparing one’s own condition with the bhajan lives of our great acharyas like Sri Raghunatha Das Goswamipada.”

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

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: Restringing Radha’s Necklace

After Radha Govinda conclude Their amorous pastimes, They are leaning against each other in the kunja. Their clothes are disheveled, Radha’s braid is half opened and Priyaji’s pearl necklace is broken.

Radha gives a hint to Tulasi Manjari to quickly restring Her broken necklace.

Radha shyly says. “Lalita and Visakha-sakhi will come soon, so quickly restring the necklace before they have another reason to mock Me!”

The maidservant’s heart is filled with Radhika’s love and affection as she sits at Radha’s feet and quickly restrings the necklace. Satisfied with her seva, Radha says, “Well done! How did you do it so quickly?”

Tulasi Manjari feels boundless bliss knowing that Radha is pleased with her. Now she knows that her service is a success!

Tattva: Manjari’s Nourish Radha-Krishna’s Pastimes

The sakhis and manjaris fully expand and nourish the love, the lilas and the bliss of Radha Madhava. But only the manjaris are eligible to freely serve Radha-Krishna without hesitation! During very intimate lilas Radha Madhava will feel shy before the sakhis. At these tender times, the sakhis will order the manjaris to perform the more confidential sevas.

It is Radharani’s nature to make Krishna happy, and it is the manjaris’ nature to make both Radhe-Shyam happy with their sweet sevas. While serving, the manjari also relishes the sweetness of Radha Govinda’s intimate lilas in the keli-nikunjas of Vraja.

The greatest form of smarana is to remember Radha-Krishna’s unique beauty, sweetness and mutual loving lilas. Day and night, sadhakas should remember the asta-kaliya-lilas of Sri Sri Radha Govinda!

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