Tag Archive for: Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

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Radharani’s Manjaris: Tattva & Lilas 015

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

This series of posts will present facts (tattva) regarding the identity, moods (gopi-bhava), intimacy and sevas of Srimati Radharani’s beautiful and talented handmaidens known as manjaris, kinkaris, or dasis.

Also we will present many astonishing and wonderful lilas to highlight the manjaris most personal and confidential sevas to Srimati Radhika and Her dearest Priyatama Shyamasundara.

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

Manjari Tattva: Radha One in a Billion    

Sri Ramananda Raya told Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu:

shata -koti -gopite -nahe –kama -nirvapana
-ihatei -anumana –sri -radhara -guna

“Not even a billion gopis can extinguish the blazing fire of Krishna’s lusty desires. Only Radha is qualified to do this.” (Caitanya Caritamrita 2.8.116)

From this one can understand Sri Radha’s uniquely magnificent glories!

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

Manjari Tattva: Meeting Minds

While doing bhajan the sadhaka’s mind must meet the minds of the acharyas. Devotional service cannot be rendered while the mind remains in material consciousness. We must be able to exchange thoughts with each other. How pure the mind must be for that!

The sadhaka thinks, “Won’t I become the way Radhika, to whom I have given my life, wants me to be? O Swamini! Then You will not keep any secrets from me anymore!”

To attain Radharani’s seva, a devotee must give one’s whole mind to Radha, giving up everything else! Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami’s mind is in the kingdom of transcendental pastimes. So we forever pray to him for his mercy to accept us into that kingdom too.

Manjari Lila: Seva and Rasodgara

Rasodgara means amorous recollection. For example, while dressing Swamini in Varsana in the morning, the sakhis and manjaris will remind Radha about Her previous intimate amorous pastimes with Shyam, and thereby increase Radha’s prema for Her Priyatam.

While Tulasi-manjari hangs the garland around Swamini’s neck, she reminds Radha of Her past sports with Shyam: “If Shyam was now embracing You, there would be no need and no chance for me to put this garland on You!”

After adorning Srimati with the flower garland, Tulasi-manjari places a big jeweled mirror before Kishori and says: “Hey Shyamaju! Just see now how I decorated You!”

Swamini is enchanted when She sees Her sweet reflection in the mirror, and proudly says: “Tulasi! You really know how to make Krishna enjoy! Even when He sees Me without make-up Krishna becomes enchanted, so I cannot imagine how Krishna will feel when He sees this extraordinary beauty! Everything will be wasted if My hero cannot enjoy all this!”

In this way, Swamini speaks out Her heart to Tulasi in so many beautiful and intimate ways. Suddenly the vision (sphurti) ends so Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami laments and prays for another lila sphurti.

Blessed is this maidservant! How much rasa she makes Swamini relish while serving Radha and engaging Her in rasodgara! This cannot be experienced without allegiance to Sri Rupa Goswamipada and Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami. We must be very very eager to follow them as Sri Narottama Dasa Thakura prays:

rupa-raghunatha-pade -ha-ibe -akuti
kabe -hama -bujhaba -se -yugala-piriti

“When I shall be eager to follow Rupa and Raghunatha, only then I shall be able to divine love affairs of Lila Yugala Radha Govinda.”

Manjari Lila: Radha’s Rasodgara Showing Her Supremacy

One day in Varsana, Sri Radha engaged on rasodgara with Her confidante Visakha-sakhi.

Swamini said, “O Visakhe! I know My beloved Shyam loves Me! From whatever I see and hear I understand that Krishna has given His heart fully to Me! Shyam wears yellow cloth because Bihari loves My bodily luster so much!

“When I go out to bathe at the ghata, Giridhari bathes in the next ghata; and when Shyam is splashed by the water from My body, Hari comes running towards it with wide open arms. Just to touch at least My clothes, Krishna gives His clothes to the same washerman.

“When Hari hears even half a syllable of My name, Krishna becomes very happy. Just to touch My shadow Murari makes so many turns. Wherever My bodily breeze blows Krishna keeps His face in that direction.

“Wherever Shyam smells My bodily fragrance carried by the wind, Shyam stretches out His arms, turns His face, and runs in that direction like a madman. Krishna can’t find ways to express His mind’s eagerness!”

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

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Dance Your Way To Radha’s Heart

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Since many devotees enjoy dancing (nrtya-seva) to please Sri Sri Radha and Krishna, we thought to share some treasures from Sri Rupa Goswamipada’s Bhakti-rasamrita Sindhu chapter describing bhava bhakti and attaining it by practicing raganuga bhakti.

Sri Rupa Goswamipada says that bhava bhakti appearing from sadhan-abhinivesh, which means intense practice of raganuga sadhana, is illustrated in the Padma Purana:

ittham -manoratham –bala -kurvati -nrtya -utsuka
hari-pritya- ca –tam- sarvam- ratrim –evat yavahayat

Translation:

“A young girl named Chintamaini, having great joy in her heart and being very enthusiastic to dance (nrtya utsuka), spent the whole night dancing in order to please Bhagavan Sri Krishna.”

Second translation by Sri Pandit Baba:

“Thus determined in her mind that Damsel Chandrakanti being eager to dance with Krishna spent the whole night in dancing before a murti of Sri Hari for His pleasure.”

Sri Jiva Goswamipada tika:

The word manoratham (with joy in the heart) indicates raganuga sadhana. By the influence of the murti of Sri Krishna, Chintamani developed raga similar to that of Krishna’s dear associates like Radharani.

While dancing the night away, Chintamani was thinking:

bahvishv- anyasu -narishu -mayy -evadhika-pritiman
nrtyaty -asau -maya -sardham kanthashleshadi-bhava-krt

Translation: Chintamani thought, “Among many women [gopis], Sri Krishna has the greatest affection for me. Krishna is dancing the Ras with me while embracing my neck.” (Bhakti-rasamrita Sindhu 1.3.14)

Radha decided to make that girl Chintamani Her sakhi when the girl reached the final stage [of prem]. By Her own mercy, Radha considered that the girl, having achieved all perfection by that sadhana [of enthusiastic dancing], was non-different from Herself.

For this reason, the Padma Purana says that the young girl Chintamani thought herself as the only lover of Krishna by identifying herself as Radha.

Sri Pandit Baba translation of Sri Jiva Goswamipada tika on this verse of Bhakti-rasamrita Sindhu 1.3.14:

“Sri Jiva Gosvami comments in this shloka that in the instance of Chandrakanti, the very fact of her mental determination for dancing before Krishna for His pleasures is itself raganuga bhakti.

Because at that time, the form of Krishna before her mind aroused in her heart the longing for the way of the eternal damsels of Braja, who were engaged in the Dance-sport with Sri Krishna. Thus she attained similar feelings in her mind.

Chandrakanti herself said: ‘Beloved Krishna is more attached for me than any other damsels, because Krishna is expressing His fondness for me and is dancing with me by embracing my neck!’

“Sri Radha Herself was graciously pleased with Sri Chandrakanti both during Her stages of spiritual practices as well as in Her state of final attainment of Sri Krishna.

“Thus Sri Radha accepted Damsel Chandrakanti as Her own friend Sakhi and made all Chandrakanti’s feelings towards Krishna identical with Her own feelings or Bhava toward Krishna. It is for this reason that in some places of the scriptures Chandrakanti has been identified with Sri Radha.”

We hope this inspires all devotees to keep on dancing before Radha and Krishna while blissfully chanting

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare!!!

Nrtya seva ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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Radharani’s Manjaris: Tattva & Lilas 014

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

This series of posts will present facts (tattva) regarding the identity, moods (gopi-bhava), intimacy and sevas of Srimati Radharani’s beautiful and talented handmaidens known as manjaris, kinkaris, or dasis.

Also we will present many astonishing and wonderful lilas to highlight the manjaris most personal and confidential sevas to Srimati Radhika and Her dearest Priyatama Shyamasundara.

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

Manjari Tattva: Thirst in Bhajan

The raganuga sadhaka should always think: “Is Radhika accepting the service that I offer to Her or not?”

It should not be that one is only doing bhajana for one’s personal happiness. “I have my prasadam, I’m healthy, everything’s OK! How many worldly things, like profit, adoration, distinction, money and fame, a person like me misses, but I never miss Radharani at all!” 

If you think like this, your bhajana will be lifeless and mechanical. All these ulterior motives make the mind very coarse, deceive us in different ways, and prevent us from tasting the clear, spotless flavors of Vraja.

This is not the natural beauty of bhajan. Bhajan is beautiful when you feel some want, some void. The great devotees’ thirst for bhajan can never be quenched, just as the thirst for water of someone who suffers from cholera can never be quenched.

Sri Narottama Dasa Thakura prays: parama -nagara -Krishna, ta-he –hao -ati -trishna, -bhajo –ta -re –vraja -bhava –loiya, “Krishna’s the greatest amorous hero, and one should be very thirsty for Krishna and worship Krishna in Vraja bhava.” Expertise in bhajan does not depend on anything else but thirst.

Manjari Lila: Astonishing Glances of Radhika

Krishna is controlled by His devotees according to the amount of love they have for Krishna. Sri Radhika has the greatest love for Krishna, therefore Radha controls Krishna to the utmost.

When Krishna returns to Nandagram in the afternoon, Swamini stands in Her moontower to discretely admire Krishna’s beauty from a distance.

Nagara Shyam does not look up, however, so Swamini, Her heart flooding with tremendous anguish of love-in-separation, stares fully at Krishna, drinking the boundless nectar of Krishna’s form with the cups of Her eyes. How many hundreds of emotions Radha reveals!

During manasi seva, manjaris bhava upasakas should try to see and feel Radha’s emotions during this exciting time.

Then Shyam looks up at Radhika, and both the Lovers become shy. Sri Radhika pulls Her veil straight and goes away. Then Radha stops and turns around again, thinking: ‘Before I go I have to see Shyam once more’, and casts a slight glance at Govinda.

It is a restless, momentary glance because Radha is very shy. Radha slightly smiles in a nervous way because Radha is so happy to see Krishna. Radha’s beautiful glance is anointed with bashfulness and humility.

Shyam thirsts for that glance of Swamini. How many things is Radha telling Shyam through Her love drenched glances! Radha’s glance is the great medicine that saves the life of Shyam, who also suffers of separation from Srimati. This is the treasure of Krishna’s meditation, so He keeps the sweetness of Radha’s glance carved on the slab of His heart.

Although Krishna controls everything and everyone in creation, these momentary glances of Radha even control Him! Although innumerable gopis are eager for His sweet glance, Krishna eagerly covets Radhika’s slightest beautiful glance!

Tulasi-manjari serves Swamini by carefully anointing Her beautiful eyes with eyeliner while making Radha relish the flavors of remembering these pastimes as well. How wonderful is the beauty of Radha’s kajal-anointed eyes.

Tulasi-manjari jokingly says, “O Radhe! This is not actually kajal (eyeliner), but garal (poison), setting Krishna’s heart on fire! When Krishna sees this kajal He will kiss Your eyes, so that the kajal will stick on Krishna lips! In this way my worship of Your attractive eyes will be complete!”

Manjari bhava sadhakas should meditate on serving Srimati as intimately Tulasi-manjari does, while simultaneously reminding Radhika of Her blissful pastimes with Shyamsundar. Indeed, this the perfection of Vraja bhajan.

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

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Radharani’s Manjaris: Tattva & Lilas 013

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

This series of posts will present facts (tattva) regarding the identity, moods (gopi-bhava), intimacy and sevas of Srimati Radharani’s beautiful and talented handmaidens known as manjaris, kinkaris, or dasis.

Also we will present many astonishing and wonderful lilas to highlight the manjaris most personal and confidential sevas to Srimati Radhika and Her dearest Priyatama Shyamasundara.

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

Manjari Lila: Earrings to Spin Shyamsundara

In a vivid vision Tulasi-manjari places hoop-earrings above Srimati’s ears. The kinkaris are very proud of the sweet form of their Ishvari, and they say: “O Radhe! Although it is just an insignificant ornament, these disc earrings will still cause Krishna to spin around after I them put on You! That is my intention! I want to agitate Krishna and make Him spin around like this, searching and searching for You until He meets You!”

Krishna is very dear to the manjaris when He becomes anxious to meet their Sri Radhika. The heart of the kinkari is filled with pride when she sees the sweet form of Radha. How many hundreds of experiences of Krishna Tulasi-manjari gives to Swamini in this way!

The manjari prays to Radharani, “Although I am not qualified to serve You, Radha are so merciful that You have accepted this maidservant!”

Manjari Lila: Radhika’s Musk Dot

Holding a cup with fragrant musk in her left hand and a brush in her right, Tulasi-manjari stands before Swamini. She holds it close to Swamini’s nose so that Radha will remember Krishna’s bodily fragrance. While Radha’s eyes, that extend to Her ears, move around restlessly, Radha asks Tulasi:

“Where is this fragrance coming from? I understand that My Priyatama is coming!

O sakhi! The fragrance of Krishna’s body defeats the smell a blue lotus flower anointed with musk and it maddens the world! It enters women’s noses and always remains sitting there, holding them and taking them to Krishna. It steals the bodies and minds of women and then they become like madwomen.”

Srimati Radha is agitated by smelling the musk and thus shows many sweet emotions through the expressions of Her face and eyes. Understanding that Radha is feeling separation from Krishna, Tulasi-manjari says: “You know what this chin of Yours is? It is the temple of Mukunda’s bliss! This musk drop looks like a baby bee drinking honey from a golden lotus flower!”

Tulasi-manjari prattles on, “Krishna is black so He will become jealous of this drop. The owner of this temple will come and wipe off that drop by kissing Your chin! And that’s exactly what I want!”

In this way, the expert manjari serves Sri Radha by lovingly making so many luscious jokes while putting the musk-drop on Swamini’s chin. This drop makes the natural beauty of Sri Radha’s face even more brilliant! Tulasi-manjari brings strong emotions into Swamini’s heart that is suffering separation. How many memories of different pastimes Tulasi awaken in Swamini’s heart. Blessed is her expertise in service!

Being fully surrendered to Radhika, the maidservants know exactly what is on Swamini’s maha-bhava filled mind, and they serve Radha accordingly. By Swamini’s grace the manjaris know exactly what Radha needs!

Manjari Tattva: Unlimited Mercy

Those who want to make their bhajan a success must depend on the words of the great teachers of manjari bhava sadhana like Sri Rupa Goswamipada and Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami (Tulasi-manjari). Each syllable of these compassionate rasika acaryas crystallizes one-pointed loyalty to Sri Radha’s lotus feet.

Sri Krishna bestows his mercy after due consideration, but Swamini Radha is endlessly merciful personality because Radha bestows Her mercy without any consideration! Radharani’s compassion will certainly descend when She hears a devotee anxiously praying: “O Radhe! My heart is blinded by illusion! Please purify me and give me shelter at Your sweet lotus feet.”

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

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Beautiful Truths of Bhagavata 009 “Beauty & Compassion”

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Srimad Bhagavatam is called the “king of all spiritual books” (Grantha Raja) for good reason. Within this triguna-free, transcendental treatise, the amala-purana, which showcases the absolutely selfless, divine love of Srimati Radharani, one can find all the sweet, majestic and beautiful truths about the sadhana and sadhya (daily practice and perfection) of Gaudiya Vaisnavism.

In his most compassionate and wonderful shastra, Sri Chaitanya Caritamrita, Sri Krishna Dasa Kaviraja summarizes the teachings of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and the six Goswamis of Vrindavana by mentioning the same Bhagavatam verses that they used to substantiate their sublime instructions.

To emphasize the importance of these particular verses for all Gaudiya Vaisnavas, the same Bhagavatam verse is often mentioned two, three or more times in the Sri Chaitanya Caritamrta.

This series of posts presents these verses, along with selected tikas of our acharyas and the compiler. We will cover the beautiful truths, tattvas, of Krishna, Radha, Vaisnavas, Sri Guru, Bhakti Sadhana, Nama, Prema and more.

This post will present two Bhagavatam verses which best display Bhagavan Sri Krishna’s unique transcendental qualities of unexcelled beauty and unfathomable compassion. Acaryas tell that Vyasadeva directed his students to recite these two verses to Sri Shukadev who had run away into the forest to escape the bondage of samsara.

Upon hearing these astonishing verses, Shukadev become so overwhelmingly attracted and amazed that he abandoned his absorption in impersonal Brahman. He returned to his father’s ashram and heard the Srimad Bhagavatam from Vyasadeva. As a result, Shukadeva became great devotee of Radha and Krishna.

When Sri Nityananda Prabhu heard the venu-gita verse describing Sri Krishna’s gorgeous, beautiful divine form, He uttered “Ha Krishna!” and fainted, manifesting the eight ecstatic symptoms in His body. (Chaitanya Bhagavata 2.4.9)

Sri Pandit Baba said the following verse spoken by the gopis, whose matchless love for Krishna gives them the greatest perception, is the best verse describing Sri Krishna’s exquisite natural beauty. We humbly suggest that all devotees should learn these two most important verses for constant remembrance.

Krishna: Reality the Beautiful

barhapidam -nata-vara-vapuh, -karnayoh –karnikaram
bibhrad -vasah -kanaka-kapisham, -vaijayantim -ca -malam
randhran -venor -adhara-sudhaya, -purayan -gopa-vrndair
vrndaranyam -sva-pada –ramanam, pravishad -gita-kirtih

“Shyamasundara is entering the forest of Vrndavana accompanied by His cowherd boyfriends. In Krishna’s turban there is a peacock feather; over Krishna’s ears, a yellow karnikara flower; on Krishna’s body, a yellow dhoti glitters like gold; and around Krishna’s neck, extending down to Krishna’s knees, is a heart-stealing garland strung with five kinds of fragrant forest flowers.

Krishna’s beautiful dress is like that of an expert dancer on a stage, and the nectar of Krishna’s lips flows through the holes of Krishna’s flute. Singing Krishna’s glories, the cowherd boys follow from behind. In this way, this Vrndavana, which is more charming than Vaikuntha, has become even more beautiful by the impressions of Sri Krishna’s lotus feet, which are marked with the conch, disc and other symbols.” (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.21.5)

Sri Sanatana Goswami tika

The Vraja gopis are the best analysts of the glories of Krishna’s flute, which they frequently praise for its captivating power. More than anything else, the sound of Krishna’s flute most fully expresses the essence of Krishna’s sweetness (madhurya). This form of Krishna with attractive forest dress is the one which disturbed the gopis’ minds. Venugopal played the flute with a special bhava, which enchanted Him as well as the gopis.

Sri Jiva Goswamipada tika

Sri Krishna’s pearl necklace and gold armbands are not mentioned because of the overwhelming attractiveness of Krishna’s forest ornaments. The phrase “filled the holes of the flute with the nectar of His lips” indicates that the deep sound of Krishna’s flute would be as attractive, pleasing and satisfying as the nectar of Krishna’s lips. Vrindadevi cleaned and decorated the forest specially with the intention of stimulating Krishna for intimate pastimes with the Vraja gopis.

Sri Visvanatha Cakravartipada tika

Sometimes Krishna wore one karnikara flower on the left ear and sometimes on the right ear to express the intoxication of His youth. Krishna purposefully dressed in an artful way to display His youthful charms in order to incite romantic desires within the gopis. Krishna’s flute song fully exhibits its powers by conquering the Vraja-gopis with Cupid.

The Limit of Compassion

“Krishna is so merciful that He gave Putana rakshasi the position of mother. You will never find in any country, at any time, in any grantha, any shastra, such a merciful Lord as Krishna. This is the message of Srimad Bhagavatam.” (Sri Gaur Govinda Swami)

“Upon hearing the following verse, Pundarika Vidyanidhi, an eternal associate of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, became very serious. He began to throw his hands and feet left and right. He began to roll on his bed, tearing off his silk clothing and the silk sheets. He was pulling out his beautifully curled and decorated hair.

He began to cry, ‘Of whom should I take shelter but that most magnanimous Sri Krishna? Where should I take refuge, without such a great master.’ With this upon his lips, he was rolling on the floor in ecstasy.” (Sri Swami B.R. Sridhar)

aho -baki –yam,- stana-kala-kutam
jigham –sayapaya, -yad -apy -asadhvi
lebhe -gatim dhatry, -ucitam tato ’nyam
kam -va -dayalum, saranam -vrajema

Lamenting in separation from Sri Krishna, Uddhava sighed, “Aho, how wonderful it is! Although the Putana-witch came to kill Krishna with her poison-smeared breasts, Krishna granted her the position of a nurse in Goloka Vrndavana! To whom else but this merciful Krishna, who grants a good destination even to someone who simply dresses like a devotee, should I take shelter?” (Srimad Bhagavatam 3.2.23)

Sri Visvanatha Cakravartipada

Even though Putana, who feigned the sentiments of a mother, gave Krishna poison to kill Him, she attained a position in Goloka similar to the nurses of Krishna named Ambika and Kalimba. Though Putana only had the dress of a devotee, she attained love suitable to a devotee. Though she hated Krishna, Krishna made her a special example. This incident shows Krishna’s quality of giving liberation and bhakti to even those who hate him.

Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada tika

Here is an example of the extreme mercy of Bhagavan, even to His enemy. Krishna may assume the form of a baby or a shape other than that of a human being, but it doesn’t make the slightest difference; Krishna is always the same Supreme Godhead. This lila shows that Krishna accepts the least qualification of a living entity and awards one the highest reward. Therefore, who but Sri Krishna can be the ultimate shelter?”

Sri Ananta Dasa Babaji tika

“Whose heart will not be filled with hope after hearing how merciful Govinda redeems the fallen by kindly rewarding a witch who came to kill Him? Then what can we say of the destination of spontaneous and sincere devotees.”

Srimad Bhagavatam ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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Radharani’s Manjaris: Tattva & Lilas 012

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

This series of posts will present facts (tattva) regarding the identity, moods (gopi-bhava), intimacy and sevas of Srimati Radharani’s beautiful and talented handmaidens known as manjaris, kinkaris, or dasis.

Also we will present many astonishing and wonderful lilas to highlight the manjaris most personal and confidential sevas to Srimati Radhika and Her dearest Priyatama Shyamasundara.

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

Manjari Tattva:  Mentally Meeting Sri Krishna

Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami personally relished the sweet rasa of manasi-seva and taught it in his books like Vilapa Kusumanjali. Mental service is the very life-force of the externally rendered devotional service. Srimati Radharani accepts all service rendered within the mind by a raganuga sadhaka.

Regarding Sri Krishna’s acceptance of manasi-seva, Sri Rupa Goswamipada says (Bhakti-rasa-amrita 1.2.182)

manasen -opacarena
paricarya -harim -sada
pare -van -manasa -gamyam
tam -sakshat -pratipedire

“One who always serves Bhagavan Sri Hari with items produced in the mind, will directly meet Sri Hari, who is otherwise not perceivable with material words or mind.”

Manjari Lila: Bihari the Barber Girl

The service of Sri Radha is so attractive that Sri Hari sometimes dresses like a barber-girl, dhari -napitani –vesh, to enter mother Jatila’s house. Holding a mirror and nail polish in His hand, Krishna goes to the place where Radha is sitting.

Then that humorous, amorous “barber girl” sits down, opens her golden box and fills a clean jug with scented water. She makes Radhika’s nails as beautiful as the moon with Her wonderful nail polish.

Then she rubs Radha’s feet with footlac while constantly seeing whether it looks good. Holding Kishori’s feet to her chest, the barber girl writes her name on Radha’s footsoles in a wonderful way.

The barber-girl says: “O fortunate girl! Look at Your feet and consider if my work is good or bad.”

Looking carefully, Suvadani Radha says, “Ohe! What name have you written there? Introduce yourself to Me!”

“O fortunate girl! My name is Shyamaa and I live in Your town.”

However, the barber girl accidentally wrote her name Shyamaa as Shyam which means Krishna.

Radha says, “Why did you write THAT name?”

The barber girls apologizes saying, “I am sorry, I cannot spell so well.”

Seeing through Krishna’s hoax, Radhika Rai says, “Rogue! It’s YOU (Krishna).”

The service of Premamayi Radha is the greatest wealth of Rasika Raja Sri Krishna. The manjaris witnessing Krishna’s spoof feel very proud of their Swamini Radha, whose seva is most desirable even for atmaramata –svayam Bhagavan Sri Krishna.

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

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Radharani’s Manjaris: Tattva & Lilas 011

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

This series of posts will present facts (tattva) regarding the identity, moods (gopi-bhava), intimacy and sevas of Srimati Radharani’s beautiful and talented handmaidens known as manjaris, kinkaris, or dasis.

Also we will present many astonishing and wonderful lilas to highlight the manjaris most personal and confidential sevas to Srimati Radhika and Her dearest Priyatama Shyamasundara.

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

Manjari Tattva: Chaitanya Mahaprabhu as s Manjari

How glorious are the kinkaris, who are dedicated to the service of the full madana -mahabhava personified, Srimati Radhika! Krishna became Gaura to taste the prema that Radhika feels for Him. And after Mahaprabhu experienced that, Sri Chaitanya also wanted to taste the nectar of the kinkari’s service.

While Mahaprabhu relished the mood of Radha’s manjaris, sometimes Gauranga’s hands, legs and head would all enter within His body, just like the withdrawn limbs of a tortoise, kurma-chaitanya (Chaitanya Charitamrta 2.2.13). Or sometimes Mahaprabhu’s limbs would loosen and stretch out.

Chaitanya Charitamrta (Antya 14.105-110) describes Mahaprabhu’s mad words after He came out of His kurmakrti (turtle-form). Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu said:

“Today I went to Govardhana Hill to see if Krishna was tending His cows there. Climbing on Govardhana Hill, Krishna played His flute, surrounded by the cows. Hearing the flute song, Srimati Radha came there. O sakhi, I cannot describe Her form and mood! Krishna took Radha by the hand and entered a cave with Her, while the sakhis told Me to pick some flowers.”

Here it is clear that Mahaprabhu, in the pinnacle of His ecstatic absorption, is relishing the mood of Radha’s manjaris. For the service of Radha-Madhava the sakhis have asked the kinkaris to pick flowers and Mahaprabhu is amongst them.

Another example of Mahaprabhu’s manjari bhava is the time He almost drowned in the ocean due to divine rapture (Chaitanya Charitamrta 3. 80-105). All His joints became disconnected out of ecstasy, and Mahaprabhu told His devotees in half-external consciousness:

“Seeing the Yamuna-river I went to Vrndavana, where I saw Vrajendranandan playing in the water with Sri Radhika and the gopis, having great fun. I stayed on the shore with the other sakhis, while one sakhi showed this pastime to the others.”

Here Mahaprabhu explains that He did not play an active role in Krishna’s pastimes, but that He was relishing a service-position like that of a manjari witnessing these sweet pastimes. Besides tasting and experiencing manjari bhava, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu taught it to the devotees through Sri Rupa Goswamipada and Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami.

Manjari Tattva: Manjaris’ Responsibility

To taste the sweetness of the love in Vraja, one must give up the attitude of awe and reverence towards Bhagavan Sri Krishna. Vraja is the kingdom of sweetness and the upasana (method of worship and meditation) of Vraja rasa is a sweet upasana. The love of Vraja is as pure as molten gold, and there’s not even a whiff of personal happiness in the hearts of Krishna’s Vrajavasi devotees.

Srimati Radharani sings (Chaitanya Charitamrta 3.20.58):

“Krishna is My life and soul. Krishna is the treasure of My life. Indeed, Krishna is the very life of My life. I therefore keep Krishna always on My heart and I make Krishna happy with My service. I always meditate on this.”

And Radha’s maidservants always meditate on the pleasure of Yugala Kishora. Radha and Krishna have given Themselves to Each other and left all responsibilities for the arrangements of Their loving affairs to the sakhis and the manjaris. The playful Sri Yugala have taken shelter of them. Sometimes Radha and Krishna become helpless and find no other means to meet without taking shelter of the manjaris.

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

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Radharani’s Manjaris: Tattva & Lilas 010

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

This series of posts will present facts (tattva) regarding the identity, moods (gopi-bhava), intimacy and sevas of Srimati Radharani’s beautiful and talented handmaidens known as manjaris, kinkaris, or dasis.

Also we will present many astonishing and wonderful lilas to highlight the manjaris most personal and confidential sevas to Srimati Radhika and Her dearest Priyatama Shyamasundara.

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

Manjari Tattva: My Radha is Raseshvari

Why is Srimati Radharani called “Raseshvari”, the Queen of the rasa-lila? The extraordinary fortune of Sri Radha is established in the Maha Rasa wherein Sri Krishna left millions of gopis to be alone with Srimati Radharani.

Sri Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami says:

radhe -saha –krida -rasa -vrddhira karana
ara -sab -gopigana -rasopakarana
radha -vinu -sukha -hetu –nahe -gopigana

“All the other gopis help increase the joy of Krishna’s pastimes with Radha. The gopis act as the instruments of Radha-Madhava’s mutual enjoyment.  Without Radha, however the gopis cannot make Krishna happy” (Caitanya Caritmarita 1.4.217-218).

Although the Vraja-gopis have different forms, flavors and natures, they are all Radha’s expansions. The gopis are Krishna’s shaktis and mahabhava -svarupini Sri Radha is their fountainhead, hence Radha alone is called Raseshvari. Without Radhika, Krishna gets no taste in the Rasa-lila. Radharani’s extraordinary madanakhya -maha -bhava is not present (to the full extent) in any of the other billions of gopikas, hence all them cannot fulfill Krishna’s desire.

Although millions of gopis are dancing along, Krishna’s mind falls only on Radha. Radha Govinda are both totally absorbed in tasting each other’s love. For Shyamsundar the greatest and most desirable rasa of Vraja is maha bhava, and Sri Radha has the parama rasa called madana –maha -bhava, hence Radha is called Raseshvari.

Sensitive devotees will directly experience this pastime by hearing about it. Their purified hearts are like clear mirrors that will directly reflect Radha-Krishna’s lila-rasa, which will spontaneously manifest in them.

Sri Jiva Goswamipada writes (Bhakti Sandarbha 304): tad -drshatv –abhimanen -api -siddhir –bhavatiti, “Simply by considering oneself to belong to Radharani one attains perfection.” In other words, a manjari bhava upasaka always thinks, “Radharani is mine and I belong to Radharani. I really feel that I’m actually with Radha!” Nothing but this will please the heart of a raganugiya sadhaka.

Manjari Tattva: Vivid Smarana

When one reads Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami’s descriptions of Radha-Madhava’s different pastimes like rasa-lila, it seems as if Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami is standing directly in the Rasa-sthali. That’s how vivid his visions are! When the devotee becomes advanced in smarana one will no longer think: “I’m doing smarana.”

One will feel as if one is directly experiencing the lilas in transcendental revelations. Through constant meditation the heart becomes ripe, and then the transcendental revelations come to enhance and nourish the sadhaka’s lives. Engagement in the material world will lessen and attachments to sense-objects will vanish. Gradually the visions will become deeper and deeper. There is nothing sweeter than this in the world.

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

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Radharani’s Manjaris: Tattva & Lilas 009

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

This series of posts will present facts (tattva) regarding the identity, moods (gopi-bhava), intimacy and sevas of Srimati Radharani’s beautiful and talented handmaidens known as manjaris, kinkaris, or dasis.

Also we will present many astonishing and wonderful lilas to highlight the manjaris most personal and confidential sevas to Srimati Radhika and Her dearest Priyatama Shyamasundara.

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

Manjari Tattva: Reflect Radha’s Feelings

Manjari bhava means to have your mind completely reflect the picture of Srimati’s moods and feelings (bhava –citra). This is not easy because Srimati Radhika is the embodiment of the full madanakhya -maha-bhava. Besides that, Radharani is completely mad with attraction to Sri Krishna’s form, qualities and pastimes. However, with the association and blessings of like-minded more advanced saints these feelings and flavors will gradually be experienced in a purified heart.

Manjari Tattva: Meditation on Siddha Deha

Sri Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami, in his “Saranga Rangada” tika on verse 2 of Krishna Karnamrita, says, “On the path of raganuga bhakti, even before one attains bhava (anutpanna -rati), one should meditate on one’s mentally conceived (manasi –parikalpya) siddha deha, and serve Sri Krishna in that body (bhagavat –sevadhikam –kriyate). When bhava appears that siddha deha will be directly seen (jata –ratinam –svayam –tad –deha –sphurteh).

The sadhaka should try to see and feel one’s real and eternal spiritual self as having a special form and feelings like the nitya siddha manjaris Sri Rupa and Sri Rati. The stronger and clearer one’s meditation on the siddha deha becomes, the faster the raganuga sadhaka will advance to the stage of bhava.

A time will come when one will forget the sadhaka deha due to intense absorption in one’s beautiful, playful siddha deha.

Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami lost all appetite for sense gratification because he was always absorbed in remembering Sri Radha’s lotus feet with feelings of separation from Radha. The sweetness of Srimati Radharani’s gorgeous form, matchless qualities, and blissful pastimes completely stole his mind and made it totally fully absorbed in Radha.

Our mahajanas say, “When you think in the way that the great devotees do like Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami and Sri Rupa Goswamipada, then you will forget everything else. The external and the internal world will then take one single form, and in the mood of the great saints you will be able to relish rasa.”

Manjari Lila: Radha’s Reward

One day in Varsana, Visakha-sakhi was teaching Tulasi-manjari how to sing love songs. Swamini suddenly passed by and said, “O how sweet! Won’t you let Me hear it?”

Tulasi then sang so expertly and sweetly that the subject of the song took shape before Swamini. To reward Tulasi, Radhika gave her one of Her necklaces. Blessed is this fortunate manjari!

Manjari Lila: Radha’s Resolutions

Sri Krishna is Radhika’s Hari because with His own sweetness He takes away (harana) all Radha’s shyness, opposition and other obstacles to Their meeting. And Krishna is catura shiromani, the crownjewel of clever pranksters. By cleverly attracting Sri Radhika with the sweetness of His form, qualities, pastimes and flute-playing Krishna makes Radha forget everything!

One day, Sri Radha is angry with Krishna and makes three resolutions. Radha’s first resolution is: “I will not look at Krishna anymore!” But Krishna speaks in such a sweet way and stands before Radha as if He begs Her: “Look at Me just once!”

Seeing the sweetness of Krishna’s form the sakhis tell each other: “Aha! How sweetly Shyam stands here in His threefold bending form! The life of that lady-love who does not see this sweetness is wasted!” Hearing these words of Her friends, Srimati becomes eager to see Krishna and looks at Krishna once. Thus Radha’s first resolution is broken!

Radha’s second resolution is: “I won’t speak with Krishna!” Hearing how nicely Krishna is speaking to the sakhis, however, Swamini can’t stay silent anymore and tells Krishna: “Go to that gopi that You love, why are You standing here, speaking such clever words?” Thus Radha’s second vow is gone!

Radha’s third vow is: “I won’t touch Krishna!” Krishna gradually brings His foot forward and touches the tips of Srimati toes. This makes Radha unsteady, so She angrily takes Krishna by the hand and pushes Him out of the kunja.

Srimati thinks: “Just see, now I’ve also touched Krishna! If I could not keep any vow, then how can I keep Krishna away?” So Radhika holds Shyam by the neck and brings Him back into the kunja. Thus Hari steals Swamini’s heart in so many ways.

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

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Radharani’s Manjaris: Tattva & Lilas 008

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

This series of posts will present facts (tattva) regarding the identity, moods (gopi-bhava), intimacy and sevas of Srimati Radharani’s beautiful and talented handmaidens known as manjaris, kinkaris, or dasis.

Also we will present many astonishing and wonderful lilas to highlight the manjaris most personal and confidential sevas to Srimati Radhika and Her dearest Priyatama Shyamasundara.

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

Manjari Lila: Making Shyama Ju’s Tilak

Tulasi-manjari sits close to Srimati while lovingly holding Shrimati’s chin with her left hand and a brush in her right hand. She starts by drawing a black circle of aguru mixed with musk in the center of Srimati’s golden forehead. Inside that black circle she draws a beautiful red lotus with lines of sindura. In the middle of this red lotus, Tulasi-manjari paints a dot with sandalwood paste mixed with camphor.

This dazzling tilaka shimmering on Swamini’s sweet forehead is known as the Kama-yantra, which controls and gladdens Shyamsundara. And its black color and musk fragrance reminds Swamini of Shyam. Raganuga sadhakas should remember pastimes like this, and think they are sitting next to Tulasi-manjari observing how expertly she applies Radha’s tilaka. 

Sri Narottama Dasa Thakura says, “The prana of man (mind) is smarana, which is the abode of all sweetness, and the essence of smarana, remembrance, is Radha Govinda lila.”

Manjari Tattva: Radha Manjari Oneness

There is no comparison to the manjaris’ love, which is marked by an abundance of feelings of mine-ness toward Sri Radha. Radharani trusts Her maidservants even more than She trusts Herself! Radha’s dasis understand things before Swamini  Herself understands them.

There is a kind of feeling of non-difference of heart between Sri Radha and Her maidservants. All of Radharani’s heart’s experiences also awaken within the hearts of Her maidservants. The maidservants feel the same pain of separation from Krishna that Radharani feels and the same bliss of meeting with Krishna that Radharani feels. Radha’s kinkaris ki jai!

Manjari Lila: Radha-Krishna’s First Touch 

Once upon a beautiful time when Radhika first fell in love with Shyam (purva raga) She heard Shyam’s enchanting flute song. Then Swamini fell into an ecstatic swoon for six hours and the sakhis could do nothing to wake Her up.

One manjari went to inform Vraja’s yogini named Paurnamasi, the embodiment Yogamaya, who arranges all of Radha-Madhava’s lilas. Paurnamasi in turn sent Madhumangala to tell Krishna that Sri Radha had fainted because of His flute playing and bring Krishna to see Radha.

When Krishna finally arrived Vrindadevi forcibly placed Krishna’s lotus foot, that resembles the reviving Sanjivani plant, on Radhika’s heart, making Radha wake up instantly. When Sriji opened Her eyes and saw Shyam She softly wept.

Krishna became shy and walked away. Which poet could possibly describe even a drop of the transcendental bliss that Sri Sri Radha-Madhava experienced when Krishna’s lotusfoot touched Radhika’s heart?

Radharani manjaris ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!