Radharani’s Manjaris: Tattva & Lilas 047 “Radha Teaches Manjaris Singing”

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: Radha Teaches Singing to Her Manjaris

Tulasi Manjari muses to herself, “Without me even wanting it Radha accepts me as one of Her own. I understand from this that Radha loves me. Swamini shyly takes me far away from Her sakhis to a cave in Govardhana Hill to teach me singing. Radha can’t teach me in front of the sakhis because these are personal songs about Her intimate affairs with Shyam. If the sakhis hear them they will make fun of Radha.”

Such confidential songs should not be heard by anyone else but Radha’s most intimate maidservants. Tulasi Manjari will sing them when Shyam faints out of amorous ecstasy.

Swamini holds a vina and sings an endlessly sweet song. This amazing song attracts Shyam to come hide behind some bushes at the cave’s entrance. Shyam gazes at Srimati’s exquisite form. Radha’s head is not covered by Her veil. Radha’s fingers pluck the strings of the vina and also pull the strings of Shyam’s excited heart!

Radha’s luscious beauty and sweetness gushes out of Her limbs! Thoroughly enchanted by Radha’s lovely nectarean voice, Shyam slowly enters the cave as if He’s in trance. Seeing Shyam, Sriji immediately stops singing, puts down the vina and quickly covers Her head with Her veil.

Gravely Srimati says, “Shyam! Why are You here?” Shyam says, “Radha, I want to hear the songs Tulasi Manjari is learning from You.”

Tulasi Manjari plays the vina and sings a wonderful song. She learned the song after a single hearing. Shyama-Shyam are sitting together listening. Tulasi Manjari, asks, “Did I pass the examination?” Radha Madhava praise Tulasi, “Very good Tulasi! Well learnt!”

Lila: Manjari Breaks Shyam’s Swoon

One day, Radhe-Shyam are playing in a kunja when Shyam suddenly faints out of ecstasy. No matter what Radharani does, Radha can’t revive Shyam. Swamini becomes desperate to find someone who can wake up Shyam.

Sitting on the veranda outside the kunja, Tulasi Manjari starts singing a beautiful song about Sundari’s sweetness. Hearing this, Shyam slowly becomes conscious and continues His love play with Priyaji.

Only a manjari is fit to do this intimate and crucial seva. Of all maidservants, Tulasi Manjari is the most dear to Sri Radha. So, Radhika takes her into a cave of Govardhana Hill to teach her intimate love songs. Blessed are Radha’s manjaris and blessed are their confidential sevas!

Tattva: Mahaprabhu’s Greatest Gift

The personal seva of Srimati Radharani in the kunjas of Vraja is the limit of human perfection. This is the special gift of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in Kali-yuga. Shastras say that without attaining bhava for Krishna one cannot taste rasa. Without rasa there is no expansion of bhava. If there is no bhava and no rasa one will not experience bliss, ananda.

The bliss of manjari bhava is the mercy of Mahaprabhu distributed by the Six Goswami’s of Vrindavan. And it is available to anyone who takes shelter of their lotus feet.

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