Mathura-mandala Parikrama, Part 30
BY: SUN STAFF
Apr 03, 2021 — CANADA (SUN) — By Srila Narahari Chakravarti Thakur.
Lord Nityananda's Pastimes at Shringara-vata, Part Four
Amongst innumerable gopis, Shri Radhika is the topmost. She alone can fulfill all of Lord Krishna's desires. Who can describe the beauty of Her decorations? The beauty of the other gopis, headed by Lalita, is similarly incomparable. There is no end to the associates of Shri Radhika and similarly the associates of Lalita and the associates of Vishakha are also countless.
Surrounded by millions of gopis, Lord Krishna enjoys placing His hands on the shoulder of Radha. The beauty of the rasa-lila expands and fills the entire world as everyone became fully absorbed in the musical vibrations. What can I say about that enchanting music which steals the hearts of all?
All the various musical instruments were greatly fortunate to be engaged in the rasa dance. O Shrinivasa, what a wonderful arrangement! Various musical instruments were played in the rasa-lila which attract all living entities beginning with Lord Brahma.
Always surrounded by loving associates, the son of Maharaja Nanda attracts millions of Cupids. He is the most expert in playing all kinds of musical instruments. In the three worlds there is no comparison to the enchanting way in which He plays the flute. Hearing the sound of Krishna's flute, Lord Shiva becomes overwhelmed.
The personification of transcendental mellows, the enchanter of Govinda, Shri Radhika perfectly plays the instrument known as alavani [similar to the tambura]. She vibrates both vocally and instrumentally the three meters; sadja, madhyama, and gandhara [see Bhag. 1.6.32].
Shri Lalita very expertly plays the brahma vina, beginning with the sounds of the shrutis [22 different tones]. The beautiful Vishakha plays the kacchapi vina in various sweet ways. The rudra vina is played by the beautiful Sucitra, who is expert in manifesting the difference in svara, jati, and prabheda [varieties of melodies]. Campakalata plays the vipani [a type of vina] in different murchanas and talas [modulations and rhythms]. Rangadevi plays the vilasa [also a vina] manifesting different gamaka [vibrating notes]. Beautiful Sudevi plays the sarangi in different ragas. Tungavidya playing the kinnari vina showers nectar on the rasa-mandala. Indulekha plays the svara-mandala [similar to the santoor] and easily manifests the different svaras.
The sakhis of Radhika and their followers engage in this way playing various musical instruments. Someone plays mardala [a type of drum] and someone the mridanga, which produces wonderful talas [rhythms] not heard in this world. Someone plays the muraja [resembling a large flute] and someone the upanga [percussion instrument], hearing which one loses his composure. Someone expertly plays the damaru, which is very dear to Lord Shiva. Others play various instruments beginning with karatalas and in this way the rasa-mandala is filled with the sounds of various musical instruments. Who can properly describe the exquisite sounds of the musical instruments played by Shri Radhika and Her sakhis?
The sounds of the various musical instruments blend together and appear to shower nectar within the rasa-mandala. Vrindadevi introduces wonderful musical instruments unknown to the shastras. Radha and Krishna, being completely absorbed in the mellows produced by the music, joyfully begin dancing. Similarly, the sakhis headed by Lalita, feeling great jubilation also join in the dance.
O Shrinivasa, Radharani with Her associates, enters the forest cottage by this path. There is no end to the followers of Shrimati Radharani. Amongst Her associates, headed by Lalita, Radha looks wonderfully beautiful. Lalita-sakhi is filled with all transcendental qualities. She is surrounded by eight intimate followers headed by Ratnaprabha. They are described along with the followers of the other sakhis in the Brihat-krishna-ganoddesha-dipika as follows: "Ratnaprabha, Ratikala, Subhadra, Bhadrarekhika, Sumukhi, Dhanishtha, Kalahamsi, and Kalapini are the eight followers of Lalita."
There is no comparison to the beauty of Vishakha, surrounded by her eight intimate followers headed by Madhavi. "Madhavi, Malati, Candrarekhika, Kunjari, Harini, Capala, Surabhi, and Subhanana are the eight followers of Vishakha."
Sucitra is very expert in all respects. She has good character and is surrounded by eight intimate followers. "Kurangakshi, Sucarita, Mandali, Manikundala, Candrika, Candralatika, Kundakakshi, and Sumandira are the eight followers of Sucitra."
The loving affairs of Campakalata are wonderful. She is surrounded by eight followers: "Rasalika, Tilakini, Sauraseni, Sugandhika, Ramini, Kamanagari, Nagari, and Nagarenika are the eight followers of Campakalata."
Who can remain patient seeing the beautiful form of Rangadevi? Her eight followers headed by Manjumedha steal the hearts of all. "Manjumedha, Sumadhura, Sumadhya, Madhurekshana, Tanumadhya, Madhusandra, Gunacuda, and Varangada are the eight followers of Rangadevi."
Sudevi is always joyful due to her love for Radhika. Her eight followers are well known. "Tungabhadra, Rasottunga, Rangavati, Susangata, Citralekha, Vicitrangi, Medini, and Madanalasa are the eight followers of Sudevi."
Tungavidya is most beautiful. Her eight followers are headed by Kalakanthi. "Kalakanthi, Shashikala, Kamala, Madhura, Indira, Kandarpa Sundari, Kamalatika, and Prema-manjari are the eight followers of Tungavidya."
Indulekha expertly attracts the hearts of all. Her eight followers are headed by Kaveri. "Kaveri, Carukavara, Sukeshi, Manjukeshika, Harahira, Mahahira, Harakanthi, and Manohara are the eight followers of Indulekha."
O Shrinivasa, as Lalita-sakhi along with the other sakhis and their associates watch the meeting of the divine couple in this kunja, their happiness increases at every moment. The activities of the sakhis headed by Lalita are most wonderful.
The activities performed by the sakhis for the service of Radha-Krishna are described in the Ujjvala-nilamani as follows: "(1) Glorify the transcendental love and qualities of the Hero to the Heroine and vice versa. (2) Increase the attachment of one for the other. (3) Arranging the meeting at the previously appointed time [at some distant place]. (4) Engage the other sakhis in service. (5) Joke or ridicule (6) Solace one lover or the other. (7) Dressing the Heroine and Hero. (8) Expertly helping fulfill Their inner desires. (9) Hiding the Heroine's dosha [offense, crime, flaw]. (10) Cheating the husbands in order to meet Krishna. (11) Give instructions. (12) Bring Them together at the proper time [when They are willing]. (13) Offer service with camara etc. (14/15) Chastise Hero or Heroine according to time and situation. (16) Relay messages. (17) Protect the life of the Heroine. These are the seventeen different services performed by the sakhis."
O Shrinivasa, I find no means to possibly describe the flower house made here for the pleasure of Lord Krishna. See how very attractive this forest is! Here is situated Gopishvara Mahadeva, who is transcendental to the modes of nature. By worshiping Lord Sadashiva, who maintains all the residents of Vrindavana, one becomes successful in all his activities. All the gopis always worship him with various articles to obtain the association of Krishna. I cannot describe the unlimited glories of Gopishvara. He is worshiped by the gopis, therefore he is known as Gopishvara. He is always offered prayers by the demigods, headed by Indra, for by his mercy one's love for Krishna in Vrindavana is increased.
I worship Gopishvara Mahadeva, who is most merciful. He takes away everyone's miseries and awards attachment to Krishna.
