Tag Archive for: manjaris

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Shivaji Tells Manjari Sadhana part one

Mahanidhi Swami

 

The daily meditation upon one’s desired spiritual body i.e. siddha-deha or siddha svarupa is an ancient practice of sadhana originating in the Puranas.

 

Manjari svarupa meditation and asta-kaliya-lila smarana are not “concoctions” “newly invented practices” or the kalpana of some Radha-kunda babajis.

 

These two sadhanas are described in the Padma Purana, one of India’s oldest and most authentic scriptures. What follows is Lord Shiva’s answer to Narada Muni’s inquiry about how to practice raganuga sadhana bhakti.

“Shivaji said, ‘O Naradaji, once I met Sri Krishna in Vrindavana and Bhagavan taught me about Radha and how to attain Her eternal seva. At that time, Sri Krishna said, “’O Rudra, one who takes shelter of us (Radha-Krishna) or only My beloved Radhika and serves Radharani with unswerving devotion, he/she WILL COME TO ME!”’

Then Krishnaji said, “O Shiva, you should clearly know that My beloved Radhika is a great ista-devata, surrounded by hundreds and thousands of Her dearest girlfriends, the sakhis. My cows, gopas, gopis and this Vrindavana exist eternally. My Vrindavana is the place of unlimited bliss, so it is called “Ananda-kanda”. If one merely enters Vrajabhumi, they will never take rebirth again. Like Me,  Shivaji, you should always live in My Vraja!”

Narada replied, “O glorious Mahadeva, I am glad to hear this. Now please tell me how to practice raganuga sadhana.” (Padma Purana, patalakhanda cp. 82.73-88) More in part two.  Ananda kanda Bhagavan Sri Krishna ki jai! Ananda Vrindavana ki jai! Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!

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A New Manjari Meets Swamini

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Once an anxiety-ridden young cowherd maiden, who desired nothing but the direct vision and service of Radha Govinda, fell down at the feet of her own guru-sakhi and Sri Radha’s dearmost sakhis.

That tender-hearted manjari cried out, “O my dear sakhis! I can no longer hold my peace. Please tell me where I can find the divine transcendental lovers Radha-Krishna enjoying their pastimes!”

Seeing the depths of this new maiden’s emotion (sadhana siddha manjari), the sakhis’ hearts melted with affection. Then they took that nava manjari to see Krishnachandra and His pleasure giving sweetheart Radha.

While showing the Divine Couple to the manjari, the sakhis sang:

“O sakhi just gaze upon Gandharvika’s gorgeous form with Her hairbraids entwined with a delicate garland of sweet jasmines. Radha’s  amorous affairs with Shyama fill the universe with waves of unlimited delight. O new maiden! Just see how Kishora is flooded by  waves of nectar from touching Srimati. And Radha in turn is dizzy from the loving sensations twirling Her delicate heart. Just see how Radha’s every limb is thrilled in bliss.”

As the young gopi admired Priyaji, she thought, ‘What am I seeing? Is Radha the very life force of Cupid personified? Is Radha the source of all lovliness in the universe? Or perhaps Radha is the life and soul of Sri Madhusudana?’ Gazing at the Divine Youthful Couple, the new manjari immersed in an ocean of prema.

Upon regaining her composure, Nava-dasi, her eyes welling with tears of joy began praying to Kishori-mani.  “O Radhe! Please make me Your padadasi. Please teach me the deep feelings and artistic gestures that accompany Your self-composed songs. Then I will expertly sing them to please You and Your Priyatama.” (Sangita Madhava, Sri Prabodhananda Sarasvati) Singing for Radha ki jai! First darshana of Lila Yugala ki jai! Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!

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The Parrots Rebuke Rasika Mohana

By: Mahanidhi Swami

Late one night during the monsoon season Madhuri Radha along with Lalita, Vishakha and other intimate sakhis run into the forest to meet Madhava in a keli-nikunja. Sri Rupa-manjari and some manjaris tag along behind carrying various service paraphernalia.

To arrive at the trysting bower, Thakurani Radha overcomes lots of obstacles like dense darkness, rain showers, slippery footpaths, and poisonous vipers hiding along the path.

Meanwhile, Madhava sets out from Nandagrama to meet Kanjanakshi Radha in the same kunja. On the way however, Shyama is intercepted by Padma and Shaibya and whisked off to Chandravali’s private play grove.

Radhika arrives before Shyama, so She and Her girlfriends decorate the kunja beautifully for Shyama’s pleasure. Then Radha sits down eagerly waiting for Krishna. When the appointed time expires, however, Srimati becomes anxious and begins crying profusely.

Pouring out Her tender love-filled heart to Lalita, Sarvanga-sundari whimpers, “O sakhi! How can My lover come in this frightening night thundering with rain clouds? I am just sitting on this flower bed I made, looking down the path which Priyatama will tread.

“O sakhi! Tell Me, what should I do? I overcame so many obstacles due to My blossoming love-thirst for Shyama! How can I possibly pass this night without seeing My Priya Bandhu? Now all My desires are frustrated and My heart is breaking! The rumbling clouds and lightning flashes are all striking My heart.”

Lalita consoles, “O Sundari! Definitely, You WILL MEET Your Priya Bandhu!”

Alas! Although the damsels of Vraja try their best to comfort Kishori, it is to no avail. Can anyone pacify a heart slashed by feelings of love’s separation? Somehow Radha drags through the whole night agonized in separation from Shyama.

Lo and behold! Just as the sun tints the sky with the pink of passion, Pyare-mohana arrives at the gate of Radha’s kunja. Noticing His body covered with the obvious signs of Chandravali’s love sports, Ramani Radha sarcastically remarks, “O My friend! It is very auspicious that You have arrived here at sunrise. Just by seeing Your face I can understand that I will have a wonderful day today!

“But My friend! Can You explain to Me why Your face appears so dry and distraught? Who has made You look like this? I feel very unhappy to see You like this!”

Radha continued, “Alas! Alas! How beautiful Your face looks with that eyeliner (kajal)! And that spot of sindura on Your forehead enchants even the minds of the munis! Your body is scratched by sharp nails. Your chest looks especially nice with that impression of a bangle and that red foot lac! Indeed, You have spent the whole night enjoying with a woman!”

Shyama looks nervously here and there while wiping the marks off His face with His scarf. Observing all this, Lalita starts burning with anger toward Krishna, because she knows that her dearest princess Radhika passed the entire night burning in loneliness, apart from Her beloved. Seeing Lalita’s furious eyes, Shyama wonders, “I can’t imagine how much Lalita will chastise Me now.”

Then some of Sukumari’s pet parrots, chirping in the kunja, start rebuking Shyama: “You made Radha miserable by calling Her to this kunja for nothing! The whole night Swamini pined for You lamenting in separation. Your harsh treatment has even made Vrindavana’s birds, trees and creepers cry! And now You audaciously appear before Radha with the clear signs of delighting amorously with another, just to throw salt in Her open wounds. Clearly Your mind is contaminated, and You have no intelligence whatsoever.”

After listening to the parrot’s scolding, Bihari Shyama flutters His eyes ever more restlessly, fearing further admonishments from Radha’s girlfriends.

Radhika’s maidservants love to relish the special sweetness that Shyama shows when He if afraid of Radhika and the sakhis. During these anxious moments Madhava looks most beautiful to them. Then Radha’s manjaris cleverly pacify Lalita, so that they can arrange the sweet meeting of the Playful Pair.

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!