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!