Tag Archive for: gopis

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Radharani’s Manjaris: Tattva & Lilas 038 “Radha Madhava Love Songs”

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 Madhava Sing Love Songs

Svamini and Nagara Shyam approach Tulasi Manjari while singing sweet songs on the bank of Radha Kunda. Yugal Kishor enjoy the beauty of the forest bordering Radha Kunda which is full of trees and vines of blooming flowers surrounded by bees thirsty for honey; playful deer and rabbits; and sweetly singing cranes, cuckoos, and parrots. The air is filled with the fragrance of blooming lotus and champaka flowers.

Rai places Her lovely arm on Kanu’s shoulder and embraces Krishna. Srimati’s arm is elegant because of Her maha-bhava, not just because of beauty. Then Swamini puts Her right arm around Shyam’s belly. Shyam hangs His left arm on Radha’s left shoulder, and extends His left hand down to Radha’s breast. How many hundreds of desires arise in Shyam’s heart from Radha’s touch.

In great joy, Swamini taps the rhythm on Shyam’s belly as She sings, “I will tear open My chest and put You in My heart.” Shyam taps the rhythm on Sriji’s bosom. Imagine how sweet are Their voices! Sometimes Radha keeps Her head Shyam’s chest and sings, “O Shyam Bandhu! You are My life! I cannot forget that blessed day I met You! O Kanu! You are My very life! Be kind to Me and give Me the shade of Your lotus feet! I cannot live without You!”

How beautiful is Radhika’s face when She sings this sweet love song! How wonderful are Her gestures! That’s why Tulasi Manjari calls Radha Subhaga-mukhi.

Shyam sings in response, “O Sundari! Remembering Your love again and again, My mind is always agitated. I wander everywhere in Vraja just looking for You! I don’t think of anyone but You! We are two bodies with one soul!” Enchanted by Shyam’s song Radha rewards Shyam with a kiss. There are no sakhis at this time.

Tattva: Tasting Shyam’s Sweetness

Words cannot really express the experience of Shyam’s sweetness. Great saints like Bilvamangala, Jayadeva, Vidyapati, Chandidas, Sri Rupa Goswami, Sri Raghunatha Das Goswami, Kavi Karnapur and Krishnadas Kaviraja personally experienced Sri Krishna’s sweetness and tried to express it in their books.

But ultimately relishing madhura rasa is an individual experience, the fruit successful bhajan. Reading rasika books will give some drops of honey, but the direct experience of Krishna’s madhurya sweet name, form, qualities and lilas will submerge one in an ocean of bliss, anandam buddhi vardhanam!

Tattva: Prayer of a Kundavasi Manjari

Tulasi Manjari tastes boundless bliss seeing Priya-Priyatam and hearing Their love songs of at Radha Kunda. When this vision disappears, however she cries and prays: “Please come once more and look at me! I am all alone here! I will be so happy to see Your blissful pastimes here again! You left me behind here on the bank of the kunda! O Swamini!

“Where shall I go if You reject me? My life is dedicated to Your seva! May the effulgence of Your toenails shine in my heart and soothe it. This is my only desire! How can I like anything else after seeing Your intimate lilas in Radha Kunda?”

By their example the Six Goswamis taught sadhakas how to experience all this. The sweetness of Radha Govinda can be fully relished in the consciousness of a maidservant. By the mercy of Sri Rupa and Sri Raghunath sincere ragamayi sadhakas will someday be blessed with such divine sweet visions, sphurtis!

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

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Radharani’s Manjaris: Tattva & Lilas 037 “Radha Rebukes Ramanbihari”

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 Rebukes Ramanbihari

Shyam sits behind Swamini trying to nicely arrange Her hair. How wonderful is Krishna’s expertise in decorating hair! The embodiment of erotic transcendental rasa engages Himself in the service of maha bhava. Swamini is most satisfied with Shyam’s expert arrangements and says: “How beautifully You have done My hair!” Radha wonders: “How can I properly reward Krishna?”

Then Radha gives Krishna a sweet kiss. When Krishna is kissed, He makes a mistake and forgets everything. Sriji beats Shyam Him with her play lotus. Rasamaya Krishna cannot even ascertain the value of this rasika beating! Who can guess how much pleasure Radha’s rebukes give Krishna!

Tulasi Manjari giggles upon seeing Swamini tap Shyam with Her lila-kamala. She covers her mouth with her veil, and her accompanying manjaris laugh with her. Tulasi Manjari means to say: “When Krishna sees me giggling, He will understand where He has failed.”

Tattva: Becoming Fixed in Manjari Seva

When the worship of the all-sweet, all-ecstatic, all-loving and all-beautiful Radha Govinda Yugal becomes established within the heart, one will relish complete bliss and thus become blessed. This is the great truth preached by the experienced loving devotees. When, by Krishna’s grace a devotee advances, desires for personal happiness will subside and one will consider happiness, distress, good, bad, heaven, hell and liberation as useless.

The heart will be filled with bhakti-rasa as one yearns for the affectionate seva of Radha Govinda. One’s long-standing painful identification with the material body will vanish, and one will identify oneself, think, feel and act like a humble dedicated dasi of Devi Radha fully engaged in the nitya seva of Radha Madhava. One’s heart will be saturated with the right attitude, pure seva bhava (daso aham vasudevasya, abhimanenapi siddhir bhavatity. (Bhakti Sandarbha 304), and then one will become fixed in Vraja-bhajan.

The whole scene of the material world will vanish from the eyes and one will perceive the eternally charming, sweet and beautiful loving land of Vraja. Then one will float and sink in the ocean of the supremely sweet and all-attractive forms, qualities and pastimes of Radha Govinda both in meeting and separation. This is the highest attainment of the manjari bhava upasaka.

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the embodiment of blissful lilas, prema, and rasa asvadana preached this kind of sweet worship of Radharani to the world.

Radha’s kinkaris are the embodiments of pure seva. They don’t perform any other activity than seva. They live, breathe, eat, sleep and dream only seva. Sadhakas will become qualified to serve rasamaya Shyam and rasamayi Swamini by following in Their footsteps.

Gauranga’s dear most associates Sri Rupa Raghunatha gave us the perfect example ragamayi bhajan in gopi-bhava. Thus, all sadhakas will greatly benefit by reading, hearing and chanting about their worship and their love.

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

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Radharani’s Manjaris: Tattva & Lilas 036 “Krishna Decorates Radha’s Hair”

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: Krishna Decorates Radha’s Hair

Nagara Shyam is dressing Swamini, and Tulasi Manjari admires how Hari is beautifying Swamini’s hair with flowers, gunja-beads, peacock feathers and other items. Radha’s divine form is studded with thrill bumps from Shyam’s loving touch. Swamini’s curly locks resemble big dark cloud as Hari sits behind Radha slowly arranging Her hair. Each hair is dearer to Krishna than millions of lives! There is no limit to Shyam’s ecstasy He feels from attaining the seva of His beloved Radha.

Shyam’s hands tremble and flush with thrill bumps as He braids Hrimati’s hair. Swamini’s body is also studded with thrill bumps from touching Radha. Shyam looks at Priyaji’s face from behind, over Her shoulders, afraid that She may feel pain. But Swamini consoles Shyam with a blossoming smile, saying: “Why are you so worried? It doesn’t hurt!”

When Nagara-raja hears that He smiles. After Krishna ties Radhika’s braid, He makes Swamini’s crown with slightly blooming flowers. Tulasi Manjari is absorbed in bliss when she sees Shyam dressing Swamini’s hair. When the vision vanishes he prays: “Alas! How many more days will pass before my eyes will fill with in ecstasy seeing Srimati’s hair being braided in this astonishing way?”

Tattva: Radha-Krishna Pranaya Prema

The acharyas describe pranaya prema as a stage wherein the Radha Govinda are no longer aware that They are separate beings. The very lifeforce of this pranaya is vishrambha which means that the lover Krishna and His beloved Radha feel themselves to be nondifferent from each other. Awe and reverence disappear, and one considers the life, mind, intelligence and dress of the beloved to be one with one’s own.

Vishrambha is the stage of intimacy in which one feels no hesitation when the hand of the beloved goes over one’s body. It is the same feeling of trust and intimacy as if one would move one’s own hand over one’s body. In the same way, pranayini Radha considers each of Shyam’s limbs that She touches to be Her own.

Tattva: Absorption in Bhajan

The sadhaka who is fixed in smarana must also dive into this rasa. The yearning for Radharani’s seva will arise within the heart of one who becomes completely absorbed in lila smarana and manasi seva. One should feel to some extent the same mood as Sri Raghunatha Das Goswami who prays: “O Radharani! I am Yours! I am Yours! I cannot live without You!” Sadhakas must also experience some of this absorption. The prayers and teachings of the acharyas will give spiritual strength to keep practicing manjari bhava sadhana with enthusiasm.

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

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Radharani’s Manjaris: Tattva & Lilas 035 “Krishna Dresses Radha”

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.

Tattva: What Makes Manjaris Happy?

Krishna Dasa Kaviraja describes the happiness of the gopis thus (Cc.1.4.186-190): “When the gopis go to see Krishna they don’t desire happiness, and this increases their happiness millions of times. They feel a million times more happiness than Krishna feels when He sees them. They are not looking for their own happiness, and that exactly increases their happiness.

“There is only one explanation for this paradox: The joy of the gopis lies in Krishna’s happiness. The gopis think: ‘Krishna obtains so much pleasure by seeing me!” This thought makes their bodies and faces blossom.’”

In short, when Krishna is happy Radharani is happy, and when Radha-Krishna are both happy the sakhis are happy. But when Radharani comes out the best, the kinkaris are happy!

Lila: Krishna Dresses Radha

After sporting in Radha Kunda, Swamini and Shyam, accompanied by Their maidservants, enter a sweet dressing-kunja full of blooming flowers surrounded by humming bees.

While admiring Shyam’s face, Swamini asks: “Who will dress Me today?” Shyam says: “Today I will do it, just order Me!” Swamini’s eyebrows consent indicating, “All right, You do it.” By giving Herself away Radhika offers an incomparable service to Her beloved!

Krishna seats Priyaji on a jewelled throne and decorates Radha with hand-made floral ornaments. The kinkaris pick different flowers for Krishna who imbues them with rasa through His rasika touch as He fashions floral earrings, crowns, chokers and bracelets and puts them on Swamini’s limbs. Tulasi Manjari floats in an ocean of rasa observing Nagara’s seva expertise.

With an eyeblink Swamini asks, “Tulasi! Aren’t you doing anything?” Tulasi Manjari’s eyes reply, “You found a good dresser now, so do we still have to serve You? Let us just float in oceans of bliss seeing You being served by Your Priyatama!”

Shyam stands between Radha’s thighs but His touch enlivens Her so Radha feels a little scared. Radha tries to press Her thighs together and thus breaks another the flower garland. Shyam restrings it and hangs it on Radha again. Tulasi Manjari carefully watches, so that she can learn this seva and remind Swamini of it later when she is separated from Shyama to immerse Radha in an ocean of bliss.

Shyam restrings the broken garlands and, keeping His face next to Swamini’s, looks over Her left shoulder to see if the strings are properly tied. Seeing this, Tulasi Manjari feels the ocean of her spiritual bliss expanding. Shyam becomes blissful from the touch of Radhika’s beautiful thighs.

Sensing Shyam’s joy in her own heart, Tulasi Manjari smiles slightly and calls Radha: “Varoru!” [nice thighs] Hearing this, Swamini both chastises and praises Tulasi with Her glances. Needless to say, no sakhis are present. Only Rupa, Tulasi and the other manjaris are there. Blessed is the service of Sri Radha!

The spiritual bliss of all the attending kinkaris increases unlimitedly. What more can be attained for the manjari bhava sadhakas in this world? Gopi-bhava and the intimate nitya-seva of Srimati Radharani are the great gifts of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu for the suffering people of Kali-Yuga.

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

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Radharani’s Manjaris: Tattva & Lilas 034 “Radha Kunda Jala Keli”

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.

Radha Kunda Jala Keli

“O Shashimukhi Radha! When will I witness Your ever-fresh water sports with Pranapati Shyam and Your sakhis in sweet Radha Kunda which is filled with lotus flowers, singing birds and buzzing bees?” (VK 75)

Sri Raghunatha Das Goswamipada has appeared in this world to take everyone into Radha Govinda’s vraja-lila as a Radha kinkari. So now all manjari bhava sadhakas should meditate on their siddha-dehas, and enter the upcoming lila to lovingly serve Radharani.

In lila smarana as Tulasi Manjari, Das Goswami sees Yugala Kishora enjoying a furious water fight in Radha Kunda with Kundalata as the referee. The manjaris dress Radhika Shyam and the sakhis in thin white bathing outfits. Kundalata sets the prize: The winner gets the nectar of the loser’s lips.

Other sakhis are witnesses. Radha Madhava’s water splashing makes their thin clothes stick to Their limbs to enable mutual relishing of each other’s wet bodies. Sri Rupa Manjari and Tulasi Manjari stand on the bank of Radha Kunda cheering for Ishvari and relishing the sweet darshan. What can Swamini do when Shyam splashes Her so violently but turn Her back on Him out of fear. All the sakhis and manjaris are silent; no one roots for Krishna’s victory.

Shyam says, “Pay the prize, otherwise I will not leave You! Would You have left Me alone if I had lost?” The sakhis say neither yes or no.

Suddenly, Shyam holds Swamini around the neck, saying, “Give Me My prize!” How wonderful is Swamini’s beauty at this time! Her half-closed eyes are reddish from water fighting and Her eyebrows move slightly, indicating disrespect towards the lover due to amorous feelings. Swamini’s face shows a smile and sweet laughter shining through Her weeping. Radha does not close Her eyes completely because She wants to see Her beautiful beloved.

Although Shyam insists, Srimati does not want to give the prize so easily. Radha shows different moods on Her face like opposition, hesitance, disrespect and disregard. Radha’s mouth says: “Don’t touch Me!”, but Her heart says: “Won’t you touch Me?”

How sweet Sriji looks as She turns Her face away from Shyam and shows Her glistening cheek. Seeing His own reflection there, Shyam becomes enchanted and says, “My reflection found a place there, can’t I also get a place?” Krishna then kisses Kishori’s cheek.

“Oh, what did You do?” Swamini says sweetly with Her glances. Enchanted by the sweetness of Radhika’s eyes Shyam kisses them to make Her kajal stick on His reddish lips. Swamini says, “Your lips have now become more beautiful!” and turns Her face away. When Krishna sees Radhika’s wonderful smile He kisses Radha’s right cheek and makes a black mark of kajal on that side too.

Then Radhika and all Her sakhis bombard Shyam with volleys of water. Krishna finally lowers His moon-like face and says, “Stop! No more! No more! I accept defeat!” Radharani stops splashing Shyam, and beams a sweetly enchanting and astonishing smile of victory. All the sakhis and manjaris on the banks of Radha Kunda shout in unison “Jai Jai Sri Radhe! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!”

Radharani’s manjaris ki jai!

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Radharani’s Manjaris: Tattva & Lilas 033 “Manjari Stays Beside Radha”

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.

Manjaris Stay Beside Radha

Tulasi Manjari says, “O Madhura-mukhi Radha! When the wind carries Your excellent bodily fragrance to Candravali’s handmade play bed, where Mukunda enjoys with her, Krishna uses a clever excuse to meet You on the shore of Radha Kunda, like a bumblebee leaving an inferior flower. When will I proudly witness this?” (VK 74)

Premamayi Radha is so much in ecstasy that She leans on Tulasi Manjari’s shoulder as they run to Radha Kunda to meet Shyam. How wonderfully beautiful this is!

Bumblebees fly above Radha’s fragrant lotus feet greedy to drink the honey therein. The maddened bees kiss the ground beautified with Radha’s footprints. How sweetly Sriji’s waistbells and anklebells jingle as She walks.

Shyam has not yet arrived in the kunja. Srimati waits patiently for Her Nagara in the bhava of a vasaka sajjika. In Ujjvala Nilamani, Sri Rupa Goswamipada says a vasaka sajjika lover waits in the kunja for her beloved, and meanwhile decorates herself and the grove. She mentally plans erotic games with her hero, and eagerly looks out for him to come. She discusses blissful topics with her sakhis and constantly looks out for the sakhi messenger to come with news.

Shyam is too late for His appointment so Tulasi Manjari looks out for Him again and again. Svamini feels very upset. Radharani becomes anxious out of separation and enters the bhava of an utkanthita nayika.

Ujjvala Nilamani says such a lover experiences a burning heart, shivers, cries, speculates about why Krishna has not yet come, and laments about her predicament.

Radha says to Tulasi Manjari, “I made the bed for Shyam and strung a flower mala for Him. I prepared betel leaves and lit the lamps. I made the kunja very beautiful. But sakhi, all this will turn out differently if I don’t meet My Nagara!

“I decorated My beautiful youthful body to meet My lover. I’m looking down the road for Shyam to come, telling My mind that this Rasa Shiromani Shyam will surely come now.”

Manjari Controls Madhava

Tulasi Manjari stands at the gate of the kunja. When Krishna finally arrives, He says, “Tulasi, I have come! Arrange My meeting with Radha!”

Tulasi admonishes Shyam, “Where have you come from? Where have you been all this time? Svamini is very upset and is crying because of You! Tell me the truth, otherwise I will not let You meet Radha!”

Krishna honestly explains why He is late. When Tulasi hears that Krishna came from Candravali’s kunja, she becomes very upset and says, “Oh! That’s why you’re so late! Go! Go back where you came from! You cannot meet Radha! I will sing all about Your glories to Svamini!”

Folding His hands, Krishna then offers hundreds of prayers to Tulasi Manjari until she finally allows Him to come in and see Radhika. How completely the manjaris control Krishna! Tulasi Manjari’s heart fills with pride knowing that simply the love-fragrance of Radha pulled Krishna right out of Candravali’s kunja. The thought that “Krishna is ours” fills Tulasi’s heart with pride.

Manjari Bhava Sadhaka Meditation

Radharani often plays hide-and-seek with Her surrendered sadhakas doing lila smarana. Radha-Krishna regularly appear and disappear in Sri Raghunatha Das Goswami’s meditations. One minute he floats in an ocean of blissful union, and then he gets trapped in whirlpool of separation.

A raganuga sadhaka should meditate on oneself assisting Radharani in this way, always staying by Her side like Tulasi Manjari. One should float along on the waves of Radha’s happiness and distress. These divine feelings can only be experienced by being completely absorbed in one’s beautiful manjari svarupa.

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

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Radharani’s Manjaris: Tattva & Lilas 032 “Loving Feet”

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.

Rati (Tulasi) Manjari says, “O Kanaka Gauri Radha! May I carefully and happily massage Your lotus feet while Sri Rupa Manjari massages the lotus feet of Goshtendranandana on whose arm You are resting Your head?” (VK 72)

Allegiance in Manjari Sadhana

One starts manjari bhava sadhana by eagerly reading, hearing, and meditating on the expert sevas of the nitya siddha kinkaris like Sri Rupa Manjari and Rati (Tulasi) Manjari. (Cc. 2.8.220).

Manjari bhava sadhana is performed in allegiance (anugamya) to these leading manjaris. One who cannot clearly visualize one’s siddha-deha or who has difficulty doing smarana, should first read about the glories of gopi-bhava and manjari seva by reading and remembering verses from Utkalika Vallari, Vilapa Kusumanjali, Prema Bhakti Candrika, Prarthana, and Vrindavan Mahimamrita.

By living in Vrindavan, mentally or physically, and always lovingly remembering Sri Rupa, Sri Sanatana Goswami, Sri Raghunatha Das, and Sri Jiva Goswami one will get the mercy to become absorbed in one’s siddha-deha and free from material consciousness.

Manjari’s Seva Intimacy

In the kunja, there is flower bed and flower pillow under Shyam’s head.  Svamini’s pillow is Shyam’s left arm. Sri Rupa lovingly gives Tulasi the seva of massaging Radhika’s lotus feet, while she massages Shyam’s lotus feet. After love dalliance Radhe-Shyam lie facing each other sweetly smiling, gazing at each other, and whispering romantic words to each ther.

They are oblivious to the manjaris serving them. Rupa and Tulasi softly massage Radhe-Shyam’s feet while listening to Their sweet words and looking at Their sweet forms. After Yugala Kishora fall asleep Tulasi thinks: “What if I get up and stop massaging? Radhe-Shyam may wake up.” Tulasi caresses the lotus feet of Svamini on her lap and massages them with her hair because it is softer than her hands.

Unlike the sakhis, the manjaris can do such intimate services without embarrassing Radha. There is some hesitation before her sakhis, but the manjaris are nondifferent in feelings from Radhe-Shyam, so Lila Yugala don’t feel any hesitation. Radha trusts her maidservants completely.

The manjaris are totally absorbed in relishing the sweetness of Radhe-Shyam.

Suddenly the vision vanishes and Sri Raghunatha Das cries out, “Ha Kanaka Gauri! Where are your lotus feet now, and when I can softly massage them in topmost bliss?”

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

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Radharani’s Manjaris: Tattva & Lilas 031 “Radhe-Shyam’s Single Pillow Bed”

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.

Manjaris Pray for Radha Seva

Sri Raghunatha Das Goswamipada’s heart is full of loyalty to Sri Radha. He is not satisfied just with smarana or visions of Radha, so even in external consciousness he prays to Radharani and laments. The waves of prayers carry his mind into the kingdom of Radha Govinda lila.

Manjari bhava sadhakas should pray to attain closeness to Radharani and the chance to render their eternal personal seva to Sri Radha. Such prayers are expressions of love and nourish one’s Radha bhakti. For sure Radha hears every prayer of Her manjari sadhakas.

Srimad Bhagavatam (10.28.3) says, “Not seeing Nanda Baba, the cowherd men loudly cried out, “O Krishna!” Bhagavan Sri Krishna heard their cries and understood that His father had been captured by Varuna so He immediately came there.”

Visvanatha Cakravartipada tika:
The Sanskrit word upa-shrutya in this verse means that Krishna heard the cries for help from close by even though Krishna was 30 kilometers away! So sadhakas should firmly believe that Radharani will hear and respond to our prayers for seva, mercy and darshan because Radha is always near Her manjaris, sthitam nityam parshve. (Radha Rasa Sudhanidhi 53)

Vishakha Sakhi Kunja

In Vilap Kusumanjali, Sri Raghunatha Das Goswamipada only mentions one kunja at Radha Kunda namely Visakha’s because he is in Sri Advaita Prabhu’s Parivar whose yutheshvari is Visakha-sakhi.

Tulasi manjari takes eager Srimati to meet Krishna in Madana Sukhada-kunja, the kunja that gives erotic joy to Radha-Krishna, on the bank of Radha Kunda. Unlike Lalita’s opulent kunja, Visakha’s simple, natural kunja is beautified with different flowers and buzzing bees.

On the inside walls of the kunja the manjaris have drawn erotic pictures to incite lusty feelings in Radha Madhava. This kunja is managed by Visakha-sakhi. On all four sides are Campaka trees that fill the kunja with the fragrance of their red, green, yellow, and blue flowers. Madhavi flower vines entwine the branches of these trees to create a palace like atmosphere! Blue, yellow, and green parrots, mynas and cuckoos sing sweet songs.

It has four gates made of bamboo stakes with various wonderful flowers strung on them. Thirsty humming bees serve as doorkeepers to keep away any intruders. Their excited humming is like the ringing of Cupid’s bells during Yugala Kishora’s love battles. The central courtyard of this kunja is studded with jewels forming a sixteen-petaled lotus flower design. Visakha’s shishya Manjumukhi oversees Madana Sukhada kunja, which is situated on the northeast bank of Radha Kunda. This beautiful kunja is the very form of prema-rasa and it always inundates Radhe-Shyam in a nectar flood of amorous pastimes.

Radhe-Shyam Darshan Bewilderment

Shyam anxiously waits for Swamini in Visakha-sakhi’s kunja. Sometimes Shyam steps outside eagerly looking for Radha coming on the pathway. Hari’s heart startles with joy when He hears the dry leaves falling from the trees, thinking His beloved Priyaji is coming. Suddenly Shyam sees a golden effulgent form approaching and He thinks to Himself:

“Is this the devata of youthful beauty or sweetness personified? A flood of natural beauty or a river of bliss? Or is it My beloved Sriji coming here to delight My senses?”

Love-excited Radhika muses in Her own bewilderment upon seeing Shyam in the distance:

“Is this Cupid? No, because Cupid has no body! Is it a nectar ocean of madhurya rasa? Is this a blossoming tree of love from heaven? No, because trees cannot walk. Is it then maybe My Priyatama, whom I am desiring for so long?”

Manjari Single Pillow Bed

Understanding Radhe-Shyam’s feelings Tulasi manjari has already prepared a flower bed in the kunja. Although it is summer, all the other five seasons stand by to serve whenever necessary. Time, sky, wind, sun and  moon all stand by to serve Radha-Krishna’s lila. In Vraja, everything and everyone serves Yugal’s sweet pastimes. Tulasi manjari has covered the flower bed with a thin satin sheet, so that it will not fall apart when Radha-Krishna enjoy there.

It is a single bed with a single pillow made of fresh flower petals. Why a single pillow? That will be understood when the Yugala Kishora lie down there. The picture of that pastime had appeared in the manjari’s mind beforehand. Manjari bhava sadhakas should meditate on the mystery of this one pillow bed, and see what beautiful lilas arise in their hearts purified and sweetened by Krishna nama bhajan!

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

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Radharani’s Manjaris: Tattva & Lilas 030 “Manjaris Pride in Radha”

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.

 

Manjaris Pride in Radha

Krishna is coveted by innumerable Vrajasundaris, yet He Himself yearns only for Sri Radhika! Day and night He murmurs: “Vrishabhanu Nandini!” without saying anything else. Although hundreds of thousands of gopis speak sweet words to Shyam, He does not listen to them even in dreams!

Krishna can only pronounce the first syllable of Radha’s name, “Ra”, but out of ecstasy Krishna cannot pronounce the other one, “Dha”. Krishna’s eyes carry streams of tears. That jewel of men rolls on the ground of Vraja. Who can describe Krishna’s distress?

Although Vrajendra-nandana is the very form of full bliss and the ocean of all rasa, even He is maddened by Radha’s sweetness. Krishna is the limit of ecstasy, yet even Krishna is mad to meet Srimati Radharani!

Shyam does not love anyone as much as Radha. Different gopis only serve to create variety in Krishna’s loving pastimes with Kishori, but Sri Krishna is totally subdued by Sri Radha alone. This is a very relishable situation for Radha’s maidservants. The manjaris are proud of Radharani’s pride in being Krishna’s topmost gopi.

 

Bhajan Gives New Life

Manjari bhava sadhakas should read, think, and talk about Sri Rupa and Tulasi Manjari’s expertise in Radha’s seva. By doing this one will lose all desires to do anything else.

By thinking of the forms, qualities, and feelings of Radha Govinda Yugal, and mentally serving in Their intimate pastimes the heart will become beautiful, pure, and blissful. Maya will disappear for such a dedicated sadhaka. Manjari svarupa bhajana makes a new life for a devotee. If one is not experiencing changes in the heart and mind, however, it means one’s bhajan is lifeless.

The full series of “Radharani’s manjaris tattva & lilas” can be found here.

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Radharani’s Manjaris: Tattva & Lilas 029 “Manjari’s Expert Fanning Seva”

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.

Manjari’s Expert Fanning Seva

After Radhe-Shyam’s sumptuous love dalliance, beautiful Shyam’s crown, pearl necklace, and flower garland have all broken and fallen off. So Swamini says, “Sundara! Just look at Your condition! Wait, let Me decorate You! I have spoiled Your looks so now I will make You look nice again! Just sit down for a while!” 

Then Radha says, “Rupa! Come here! We are going to pick some flowers!”

Swamini takes Rupa into the gardens and picks flowers of Her choice. Returning to the kunja, Radha and Sri Rupa Manjari start decorating Prananatha with ornaments made of flowers. Tulasi stands on one side of the kunja floating in oceans of bliss observing Ishvari’s expertise in service.

She thinks: “Swamini! Only through You such services are possible!” Meanwhile, because of Swamini’s touch Shyam’s body becomes adorned with ecstatic bodily symptoms such as sweatdrops, that obstruct Swamini’s service. Swamini gives a hint to Tulasi to stand by Shyam’s side and fan Him. Because of Tulasi’s fanning Nagara’s sweatdrops dry up.

Then Tulasi fans with such humorous expertise that the breeze causes Swamini’s clothes and blouse to loosen. Shyam becomes agitated from seeing Radhika’s beautiful, half-covered limbs. Then Krishna fondles Radha and obstructs Her seva  of dressing Krishna. Tulasi softly giggles but continues fanning.

Swamini rebukes Tulasi with a glance that says, “How naughty you are! How can I decorate My Nagara when you fan Him like that? Fan Shyam nicely, so that He will sit still!”

After receiving Swamini’s sublime chastisement Tulasi blissfully finds a new way to fan Krishna. Now she starts fanning in such a way that Radha’s bodily fragrance enters Shyam’s nose to destroy His patience once again. Blessed is this maidservant! Blessed is her service!

Manasi Seva Only in Svarupa

In material consciousness nobody can approach Radha-Krishna. To actually relish serving in Radha-Krishna’s madhurya-lilas one must visualize and enter into one’s individual siddha-deha (svarupavesha).  A sadhaka should always identify oneself thus: “I am Radha’s kinkari!”

No one can delight Radha-Shyam as much as a kinkari because she arranges Their meetings which fill Lila Yugal with bliss. Radha-Krishna are so pleased with the kinkari that they give even Themselves to her!

Narottama Dasa Thakur says: vrajapura vanitara, carana ashraya sara, koro mana ekanta koriya, “O mind! Take exclusive shelter of the gopis of Vraja. That is essential.”

Sri Jiva Goswamipada says (Krishna Sandarbha 501): “May the indescribable sweetness of the combined forms of Radha Govinda arise in my heart in such a way that I will not see anything else.” Accepting and embodying the great words of the acharyas leads to a steady wakefulness of one’s svarupa.

Prayer For Radha Seva

“O sakhi Sri Rupa Manjari! Without your grace Radha’s kunja-seva cannot be attained! Please always give me the shade of your lotus feet! In an enchanting cottage in a kunja on the beautiful bank of Radha Kunda you and my mistress Radha lovingly and diligently decorate Her heart’s lover Vrajendra Kumara with different floral ornaments to make Krishna look very beautiful. When will my life become fruitful by seeing this sweet, intimate pastime?” (Sri Rasika-Candra dasa)

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

The full series of “Radharani’s manjaris tattva & lilas” can be found here.