By:Mahanidhi Swami

During the 40 days that Holi is celebrated in Vraja (Vasant Pancami-Gaura Purnima), Nanda Maharaja gives Krsna and Balarama leave from cowherding to play Holi. Thus they can throw color dyes and water at each other and the other Vrajavasis. In the morning of Vasant Pancami, Srimati Radharani and Her sakhis are attacked with colored powderby Krsna and the gopas while they are on the way to Nandisvara to cook Krsna’s breakfast. In the haze of red powder (abira and gulala), that cloudies the sky during this attack of colors, Sri Krsna secretly embraces and kisses Radhika as proud Lalita safely brings Her to Nandisvara to peacefully cook Krsna’s daily breakfast.
Some days later, Paurnamasi announces, “Tomorrow is Maghi Purnima and the gopi of any husband who on this day worships Vasanta Madana(the spring god of love-Krsna) at the base of an Asoka tree will gain lots of wealth and cows!.” Hearing this, the elderly gopis allow their daughters-in-law to do that puja. On that purnima day, Sri Radha dressed in a crimson sari, enters the forest to meet Krsna on the pretext of doing Vasanta Madana Puja. At that time, Vrnda Devi said, “O Radha! A kinnari named Matanga has come to play veena for your pleasure along with her ensemble Radhika listens to the performance, suddenly Krsna appears on the scene holding His flute in His left hand and a flower bow stuffed with vermilion powder in His right hand. Syama was surrounded by Subala and other dear friends, who were loudly singing Holi bhajanas. Syama’s eyes were rolling in intoxication and two friends on either sides served Him tambula which colored His playful lips with a pleasing reddish hue. The red powder flying here and there in the sky gradually settled down on Syama, beautifully coloring and scenting His hair, tilaka and eyebrows.

Jay Jay Sri Radhe