Radharani’s Manjaris: Tattva & Lilas 040 “Amorous Fanning Lila”

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!