Tag Archive for: Prema

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The Truth of Manjari Sadhana part six

Mahanidhi Swami

 

Vrnda-devi’s asta-kaliya-lila narration to Lord Shiva continued.

Note: The following entries are unedited, presented as it is, downloaded from Net.

Pradosh Lila 8:36-10:48 p.m.

Vrinda said, “O Muniji! There with his father, paternal uncles, their sons, and Baladeva, Krishna eats various kinds of foods like those that are chewed, those that are sucked etc. Even before Krishna entertains a desire, Radhika, through her friends, would send dressed foods to his house.

Hari, praising them, and eating them with his father etc. would, with the bards, go to the assembly hall. The friends (of Radha), that had come there having brought with them many foods, take (from his house) many kinds (of food) given by Yasoda there and also whatever is left over by Krishna.

Having brought all that, they inform Radhika of it. Radha too, along with her group of friends, having eaten it in order and being decorated by her friends, would be (ready) to meet by appointment (her lover i.e. Krishna).

‘From here on there some friend is sent away by me’. Met by her, Radhika, surrounded by her friends, and having put on a dress proper for white (i.e. bright) or black (i.e. dark) night goes to the chamber having divine jewels, near Yamuna.

Krishna also, seeing their curious things, then having heard delightful music from Katyayani, and having properly pleased them with (gifts of) wealth and grains, and propitiated by people, goes with his mother to His sleeping quarters.

Nisha Lila 10:48 p.m. to 3:36 a.m.

When Krishna’s mother departs, Krishna, having eaten, comes here—to the rendezvous—unnoticed and with his beloved. Both Radha-Madhava meet here and play in the groves of trees, with many sports, with Krishna’s dance with the cowherdess, accom-panied with singing and instrumental music and laughter.

Thus having spent two watches and a half of the night in sporting, the two desiring to sleep, enter, unnoticed by female birds, the bower. There, in the solitary place, the two sleep on a charming bed made of flowers and for sport, and are served by their female friends. Thus I have told you the full daily life of Hari. O Narada, even sinners who hear this narration are immediately liberated .” (Padma Purana, patalakhanda cp. 83.91-105) Radha Govinda Yugala’s blissful lilas ki jai! Vrnda-Narada manjari sadhana shiksha ki jai! Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!

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The Truth of Manjari Sadhana part five

Mahanidhi Swami

 

Vrnda-devi’s asta-kaliya-lila narration to Lord Shiva continued.

Note: The following entries are unedited, presented as it is, downloaded from Net.

Aparahna Lila 3:36-6 p.m.

Vrinda-devi said, “O Naradaji! Then having heard the mutual wordy fight among the särikäs and the parrots, Radha-Madhava, desiring to go home, move out from that place. Having allowed his beloved (to go), Krishna would go to the cows.

Radha, accompanied by the circle of gopis goes to the Sun’s abode (temple). Having gone a little away from there, Hari, again, returning, after having put on the dress of a Brähmaëa, goes to the Sun’s abode. Requested by her friends, Sri Krishna would worship the Sun there, with Vedas (hymns), containing jokes and composed then only. Then the clever ones, having recognised their lover who makes himself known, merge in the ocean of joy, and do not know themselves or other (persons).

Sayana Lila 6-8:36 p.m.

Having thus passed two watches and a half in various sports, Radhe-Shyama go home, and Krishna would go (to the place) of the cows. O sage, Krishna, joining his friends, and taking the cows from all sides, comes playing upon the flute joyfully to Vraja.

Then, all like Nanda and others, so also women and children, hearing the sound of Hari’s flute, and also seeing the sky full of dust (raised) by the cows, give up all their jobs, and being eager to see Krishna go towards him.

Krishna also, joining all the residents of Vraja, on the royal path, at Vraja-gate—wherever they are—(honours all) as before in due order— by means of seeing them, touching them, speaking to them, looking them with a smile, saluting with words and physically the old cowherds, and saluting his parents and Rohini also (in such a way that) the eight parts (of the body touch the ground).

O Narada, so also Krishna’s beloved Radhaji with a modest side glance. Thus very much and properly respected by the residents of Vraja, having sent the cows to the cowstall, Govinda goes, after being request-ed by his parents to his abode with his brother.

Having bathed there, having drunk (milk), having eaten a little, and being allowed by his mother, Krishna, with a desire to milk the cows, again goes to the cowstall. Having milked them, and got them milked, having made some of them drink (water), be, being followed by hundreds of venerable men, Krishna goes home with his father. (Padma Purana, patalakhanda cp. 83.76-90) More part six. Sri Krishna asta-kaliya-lila ki jai! Radha Govinda Yugala ki jai! Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!

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The Truth of Manjari Sadhana part four

Mahanidhi Swami

 

Vrnda-devi’s asta-kaliya-lila narration to Lord Shiva continued. Note: The following entries are unedited, presented as it is, downloaded from Net.

Madhyahna Lila 10:48 a.m. to 3:36 p.m.

Vrinda-devi said, “O Narada, please hear attentively. Having entered the forest and having played there with his friends for a while, Sri Krishna then gladly sports there, in the forest by means of various pastimes. Then, having deceived all, and surrounded by two or three friends, Sri Krishna, being eager to see his beloved, would gladly go to the rendezvous.

Radha too, who had come home, on seeing Krishna , goes, after deceiving her elders, under the pretext of Sun-worship etc. or for collecting flowers, to the forest with a desire to meet her lover. Thus Radha-Govinda, having, after many efforts, met in the forest, gladly sport there for the (whole) day with various pastimes.

Sometimes Radha-Govinda get upon a swing and are rocked to and fro by their friends. Sometimes, Hari, deceived by the bevies of his beloveds, is seen, searching his flute dropped from his hand, and hidden by his beloved. Sri Krishna, made to laugh by them by means of merriment, remains there.

At times Radha Govinda Yugala the forest endowed with vernal breezes, and sprinkle each other with water (mixed with) sandal, or with water (mixed with) saffron etc., released from syringes, or smear each other with mud. In the same way, the friends also sprinkle them (with water etc.) and Radha-Govinda also sprinkle them.

Then Radha-Govinda, O Narada, being tired due to many pastimes proper for the time in the groves endowed with vernal breezes on all sides, resort, with their attendants, to the root of a tree, and sitting on a divine seat, drink liquor.

O best sage. Then Radha-Govinda, intoxicated due to the liquor, with their eyes closed due to sleep, holding each other’s hands, being under the influence of Cupid’s arrows, and desiring to sport, enter, with their words and mind stumbling on the path. There Radha-Madhava sport like a female elephant and (the male elephant,) the lord of the herd.

All the friends also, intoxicated by wine, and with their eyes troubled by sleep (i.e. drowsy) sleep all around in the charming bowers. Again and again incited by his beloved, Krishna , the lord, would go near all, with a separate body (for each) and simultaneously.

Having satisfied all of them as a lord of elephants satisfies the female elephants, Sri Krishna would, along with his beloved Radharani and with them, go to the lake to sport.

Then Radha-Govinda, with their attendants, sport bet-ween themselves by sprinkling water (on each other). They are adorned with garments, garlands, sandal (-pastes), and also with divine ornaments. O sage, I have there, in a chamber full of divine gems, on the bank of the lake, already arranged fruits and roots.

Hari, having eaten first, and being clasped by his beloved, and being served by two or three (maids) would go to a bed made of flowers. There, being served (by them) with tämbulas, fans and shampooing of his feet, Sri Krishna laughing with them, and remembering his beloved rejoices.

Radhika too, when Hari is asleep, extremely delighted along with her attendants,. having put her heart into him, eats what is left over (by him). Having but eaten a little there, Radha would go to the bed-chamber to see her lover’s face as the female cakora bird sees the moon. The maids there have told (her) about his having chewed the tämbula. Kishori also chews tämbulas and distributes them among her dear friends.

Krishna too, desiring to hear their free mutual talk, though sleepless, covers himself with a piece of cloth,. appearing as if he is asleep. Those too, looking at one another in jest, and getting the hint from somewhere, biting their ton-gues with their teeth, look at one another’s face.

Merged as it were into the ocean of bashfulness, the sakhis do not say anything for a moment. Just after a moment, having removed the piece of cloth from his body, and saying ‘You were really asleep’ they laugh and make Krishna laugh too.

Thus sporting with the sakhis by means (of jokes etc. causing) laughter, and having, for a moment, experienced the pleasure of sleep, Shyama sits upon the seat gladly spread by the manjaris, and Radha-Govinda having mutually staked necklaces, kisses, embraces and garments, play with dice preceded by jocular talk.

Though defeated by his beloved Krishna, saying, ‘I have won’, pro-ceeds to seize Radha’s necklace etc. and is beaten by her. Thus beaten by Radha on his lotus-like face with her hand Krishna, being dejected in his mind, thinks of going. “If, O honourable lady, I am defeated, then accept what is staked (viz.) kisses etc. offered by me.”

On his saying so Kishori would act like that to see the crookedness of his eyebrows and to hear his words of reproach. (Padma Purana, patalakhanda cp. 83.44-75) More part five. Radha-kunda nitya-lila ki jai! Radha Govinda Yugala seva ki jai! Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!

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The Truth of Manjari Sadhana part three

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

 

This is part of our Padma Purana raganuga sadhana article series. The ancient Vedic pramana titled Padma Purana tells how Narada once came to Vrindavana, and asked Vrinda-devi to tell him about Lord Hari’s daily eight-fold pastimes in Vrindavana, the asta-kaliya-lila.

Since this is a long discussion, we will present it in parts. By reading this, one learns that the Padma Purana is the source book for famous asta-kaliya-lila granthas written by various Gaudiya Vaisnava acharyas in the 15th and 16th century. The famous Krishnaika Kaumudi, Govinda Lilamrta, and Krishna Bhavanamrta base their material on this Puranic authority.

Note: The following entries are unedited, presented as it is downloaded from Net.

Srimati Vrinda-devi said, “O Naradaji, now I will describe Radha-Krishna’s asta-kaliya-lila beginning with nishanta-lila.

Nishanta Lila 3:36-6 am.

O Narada, I shall also tell you the secret since you are a devotee of Krishna. In Vrindavana which is charming and adorned with fifty bowers, in a chamber with divine gems, in an arbour of the desire-yielding tree, Radha Govinda Yugala embracing each other remain (in a) sleeping (position), though later Radha-Govinda are awakened by birds obeying my orders.

Radha-Govinda have obtained great joy due to a close embrace and are afraid of its being disturbed. Radha-Govinda do not at all desire to get up from the bed. Then Radha-Govinda have to get up from their bed when awakened with various notes made on all sides and repeatedly by groups of sarikas and parrots etc.

Seeing Radha-Madhava seated gladly on the bed, the friends enter (the bower) and offer Lila Yugala services appropriate for that time. Then Radha-Madhava, having got up from the bed by the notes of sarikas, overcome with eagerness go to their respective houses.

Pratah Lila 6-8:36 a.m.

In the morning, Krishna, awakened by his mother, quickly gets up, and having with Baladeva brushed his teeth and being allowed by his mother, goes, being surrounded by his friends, to the cowstall.

O brahmana, Radha too, awakened by her friends, gets up from her bed, and having brushed her teeth would then smear her body with unctuous substances. Then Radharani goes to the quandrangular for bath. There Kishori is bathed by her friends.

(Then) Radha goes to the chamber for decoration, and there her friends decorate her with ornaments and various divine fragrant flowers and unguents. Then when, with effort, her friends request her mother-in-law and then Radhika is invited along with her friends by Yasoda to cook good food.

Narada said, “O Vrnda, how is it, O goddess, that Radha is invited by Yasoda to cook food, when there are foremost cooks like Rohini mata?”

Vrnda replied, “I have formerly heard from the mouth of Katyayani that in olden days she was granted a boon by Durvasa. And O great sage the boon was: ‘O respectable lady (Sri Radha), the food which is cooked by you, would be, as a result of my favour, sweet and vying with nectar, and would in the same way promote long life of the eater (of it).’

“Thus Narada, Yasoda, loving her son, every-day calls Radha to her home to cook Krishna’s breakfast. Yashoda is thinking, ‘my son, due to longing for sweet (food), would, (after eating it) live a long life.’

Allowed by her mother-in-law Jatila, Radha, being delighted, would go to the house of Nanda. Going there with the multitude of her friends she cooks there also. Krishna also, having milked the cows and having some others got milked by (other) men, comes home surrounded by his friends at the words (i.e. order) of his father.

Having smear-ed his body with unctuous substances and having had shampoo-ing and after being gladly bathed by servants, Shyama puts on washed garments, a garland, and has his body smeared with sandal.

With his neck and forehead shining due to the hair on his head separated and tied at two places, with the hair redden-ed by the dot on the forehead resembling the moon, and shining, with his hands delightfully glittering with jewelled bracelets, armlets, and bracelets worn on the upper arm, with his chest shining due to a pearl necklace, having put on ear-rings resembl-ing crocodiles.

Sri Krishna, holding the hand of his friend, and being followed by Baladeva, would enter the dining hall, after being again and again called by his mother. Then, surrounded by his friends and brother, making them laugh by means of (anecdotes etc. causing) laughter, and himself laughing with them, Gopala eats various kinds of food.

Having thus eaten (food), having sipped (water), having rested on a cot for a while, and distributing and chewing the tämbüla given by the servants.

Purvahna Lila 8:36-10:48 a.m.

Krishna, having put on the dress of a cowherd, with the flock of cows going ahead of him, followed on the path by all the residents of Vraja with love, having saluted his father and mother, and having sent back properly the host (following him) with a glance, would go to the forest. (Padma Purana, patalakhanda cp. 83.18-44) more in part four. Radha-Krishna asta-kaliya-lila ki jai! Sri Vrnda-devi ki jai! Narada Muni ki jai! Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!

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The Truth of Manjari Sadhana part two

Mahanidhi Swami

 

Lord Shivaji said, “O Narada, to perform raganuga bhakti sadhana one must meditate as follows:

“The sadhaka should meditate upon his eternal spiritual body as being a charming, beautiful young woman. This sakhi (manjari) knows many crafts and arts. Although the manjari is fit for Shyama’s enjoyment, she will refuse if solicited by Krishna.

 

“The manjari is a follower of Radhika, and she is completely devoted to serving Sri Radha. The manjari loves Radhika even more than Krishna. Throughout the day, the manjari serves to unite the Divine Couple, Radha Govinda. The manjari tastes the topmost bliss in serving Radha and Krishna.

“Thus meditating upon one’s eternal identity in this way, the raganuga sadhaka should meditate and serve Radha-Krishna from the earliest part of the day til late night. “ (Padma Purana, patalakhanda cp. 83.1-11) Manjari svarupa dhyana ki jai! Tasting bliss in serving Radha ki jai! Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!

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The Truth of Manjari Sadhana part one

Mahanidhi Swami

 

It is a most ancient and scripturally authorized sadhana practice. Manjari svarupa meditation and asta-kaliya-lila smarana are not “concoctions” “newly invented practices” or the kalpana of some Radha-kunda babajis.

 

Unfortunately, although it is the rare gift from the preaching treasurehouse of Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, some think that manjari bhava upasana, or the meditation upon one’s siddha deha and seva in Radha Govinda Yugala’s daily Vraja pastimes i.e. asta-kaliya lila, is just imagination without basis.

 

The truth is that for qualified bhaktas, the daily meditation upon one’s desired spiritual body i.e. siddha-deha or siddha svarupa is a most powerful and beneficial daily practice of sadhana originating in the ancient Puranas, and stressed in the Gaudiya Vaisnava granthas of the Goswamis like Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu, Chaitanya Caritamrita, Raga Varma Candrika and Stavavali by  Sripad Dasa Goswamipada.

 

The Padma Purana, one of India’s oldest and most authentic scriptures, contains 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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Aparadha Free Zone

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

 

The prabhava of Kali Maharaja is awesome and all-pervasive.

In the temple, outside, in the Holy Dhama, in Delhi, Mumbai, Moscow, New York, Beijing, Tokyo and Peru, in the kutira and in the home—everywhere some devotee is speaking negatively about someone or something. STOP!!!

 

Srila Prabhupada established a spiritual mission to propagate pure bhakti, love for Krishna and love for all, be they big or small. In Hindi, the name of his society is KRISHNA BHAVA AMRITA SANGA!!!

 

In English, this means a society or intimate group (sanga) that gathers together to relish the sweet nectar of Krishna’s love (Krishna bhava amrita) by performing Harinama Sankirtana, worshiping Thakuraji and the Vaisnavas, and hearing and serving Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam.

 

Bhakti means love, gratitude, appreciation, cooperation, encouragement and hope combined in a softened, humble heart offered in service to Sri Hari, Sri Guru and Sri Vaisnavas.

 

Love Radha, Love Krishna, Love Vrindavana, Love ALLLLLLLLL Devotees, and most importantly SWEETLY SERVE THEM.

 

A devotee should be so busy in culturing pure devotion that he/she has NO TIME FOR MAYA—no time for offending devotees or speaking useless criticism.

 

We humbly beg all our friends to make your individual life an “Aparadha Free Zone” by following Sri Krishna’s wonderful description on WHAT IS A DEVOTEE??

 

Please study, imbibe and live from now according to Sri Krishna’s advice given in the following Gita verse (10.9) and the acharya’s tikas:

 

Sri Krishna said, “With their minds absorbed in Me, completely dependent on Me, mutually informing each other about Me and speaking about Me, My devotees continuously experience satisfaction and enjoyment, mac chitta mad gata prana, bodhayantau parasparam, kathayantach ca mam nityam tusyanti ca ramanti ca.”

Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti tika:

Sri Krishna said, ‘The minds of My devotees are greedy for My form, name, qualities pastimes and the taste of My sweetness (mac-cittah).

 

‘Without Me, they cannot maintain their lives (mad-gata-prana), just as one cannot live without food. In a friendly mood, devotees tell each other about bhakti and Me—describing the great ocean of My very sweet form, qualities and pastimes (kathayantah).’

 

Since smarana/remembering (mac-cittah), shravana/hearing (bodhayantah) and kirtana/speaking/chanting (kathayantah) are the best forms of bhakti, Sri Krishna specifically mentions them here.

 

Sri Baladeva Vidyabhushana tika:

Sri Krishna said, “Devotees speak about Me, who am an ocean of affection for them. And they discuss My amazingly variegated pastimes. By worshiping Me in this way i.e. sravana, kirtanam, smarana, My devotees feel very satisfied, as if they were imbimbing pure nectar.” (tikas courtesy Sri Advaita Dasji)

Aparadha free zone ki jai! Krishna bhava sanga ki jai! Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!

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Radha Defines LOVE

Mahanidhi Swami

The transcendental amorous affairs of Radha Govinda Yugala are the epitome of divine love, bliss and sweetness. We all know of love. And we have all heard, read, thought and experienced so much about this feeling called LOVE.

But who really knows what love is? One can easily see by comparison that the one and only pair of pure, unmotivated selfless lovers in this world are the transcendental Divine Couple known as Sri Sri Radha-Krishna—the playful teenage lovers of Vraja, sweetly addressed as “Priya-Priyatama”.

Now let’s hear what Srimati Radharani Herself says about the definition, nature and experience of true love.

One sweet day in Vrindavana, a beautiful heavenly damsel suddenly showed up in the courtyard of Radha’s palace in Yavata-grama. It was Krishna disguised as a lady. Sitting down, she shyly covered her head with her crimson veil.

Noticing her, Lalita inquired, “O Tanvi, who are you?” Where have you come from and what do you want?” But that lady (Krishna) gave no reply

Radha asked, “Your luster enchants My mind. You are so beautiful, are you a celestial being?” Krishna kept quiet.

Radha continued, “O Bhavini! Please introduce yourself. Why should you be shy or afraid here with us?” Krishna just sighed deeply while partly uncovering his face.

Radha: “O Sundari! You must be heart broken and that’s why you’re so quiet and disturbed. If you reveal your mind, I’ll try to remove your distress. Are you sad due to separation from your lover? Have you offended him in some way, or is some antagonist gossiping about you to your lover? Or perhaps you are disgusted with him and attracted to another man. Why are you so sad?

“O Vidhumukhi! You are so beautiful, even more enchanting than the Mohini avatara. If Sri Hari should cast His glance at you, He would become immediately captivated.”

Meanwhile, Krishna (as lady) was becoming so ecstatic from drinking Radha’s wonderful kathamrta that thrill bumps of joy arose on His body.

Noticing this Radhika said, “Are you suffering from some pain in your body?”

Turning to Visakha, Radha said, “O sakhi! Give me that healing oil, and I will massage this girl with My own hand to remove all the pain in her body and then bathe make her feel happy. Then she will surely start speaking with us.”

At this point, Krishna, perfectly imitating the voice of a woman, said, “I’m a heavenly damsel and I have come here thinking that only you can help me.”

Radha: “I can clearly see that you are not an ordinary mortal since you have an incomparable radiance and beautiful face like an autumn lotus. But why are you so sad and forlorn? Just consider me to be yours and reveal your mind.”

Krishna (disguised as lady): “Although I’m a celestial, I simply desire to be your maidservant after observing your amazingly wonderful form, qualities and affection. It’s very difficult to remove, but You must remove my heartache.

“Let me confide in you Radha. Do You know that Krishna’s flute song is so powerful that it even resounds in heaven, and destroys the chastity of all the damsels there. Intensely desiring to know the origin of this bewitching sound, I descended to earth and have been staying at Vamshivata. And often I have observed your incomparible pastimes there with Sri Hari.

“Thus I have concluded that even Lakshmi and Parvati are nothing in comparison with You. There is definitely no lady in creation with as much love as You. As to the cause of my heartache, it is Krishna whom I have fallen deeply in love with.” Then Krishna (as lady) fell silent.

Radha: “Why do you create so much misery for yourself by falling in love with Krishna? Indeed, Krishna is certainly a most handsome, talented, heroic and famous person, but He has one fault. He is very lusty and does not respect another’s love. He will lavish you with love, and then just leave you in kunja to lament and piteously cry in his separation as He runs off with some other girl.”

Krishna (as lady) “Indeed sakhi, I have verily witnessed your agony and distress while I was staying at Vamsivata. Being a celestial, I have personally never experienced any heartaches. But now, after observing Your piteous wailing and lamentations in separation from Krishna, I too have become very pained in heart.”

Radha: “O my beautiful girlfriend! I like you very much, and want you to always stay here with me in Vraja and not return to heaven. Then I will open the jewel box of my love and show you all my gems!”

Krishna: “Yes, just order me. I only want to please you; for you are my only shelter!”

Satisfied, Radha began to describe and define the nature of genuine “TRUE LOVE” i.e. Her own pristine prema for her Priyatama Shyama.

Radha: “The absolute purity of one’s love is shown by one’s actions, which are all dedicated only to the happiness of the beloved. But other than in Krishna, in all the three worlds where can such prema be found? It is the prema of the Vraja gopis only that gives Krishna unlimited bliss. Sometimes the gopis’ love may even appear like lust, but you should not think that it is lust. Because the Vraja-gopis are only interested in Krishna’s happiness and never their own.

“Our Sri Krishna is an ocean of sweet love, full of all jewel-like transcendental qualities, and most attractive to all women. Yet even lacs and lacs of pretty girls cannot satisfy Krishna’s desires. It is the Vraja-gopis alone, with their pure selfless love, who have conquered Krishna’s heart.

Radha continued, “Let me explain. Sometimes Krishna does not show up in the trysting place where I am waiting. Even though his mind is completely fixed on me, he may feel obliged sometimes to enjoy another gopi after being accosted by her on his way to me. Krishna, however, will not feel satisfied with her, because he will be thinking about how sad I must be feeling in his absence.

“And that makes me doubly sad along with the fact that my beautiful dress, ornaments and loving expertise are all for naught because they could not be enjoyed by Krishna. Then when Krishna humbly comes to me at daybreak, I angrily tell him, ‘Go back and enjoy with that other girl!’ But this is also said all for Krishna’s pleasure. Such is the way of love in Vraja!”

After hearing Radha’s ambrosial talk on the subject of prema, Krishna (as lady) summarized it saying, “O Priyasakhi! In essence, true love is such that it turns the lover’s faults into virtues, and the misery he gives into nectar bliss. A true beloved cannot tolerate even the slightest misery to the lover. Prema makes the lover appear to be grand and glorious, even though he may not be glorious at all! It very clear to me now that you, Radha, are the only shelter of that prema.”

Radhika then replied, “Listen sakhi, I immediately know exactly what is on My lover’s mind.”

Krishna: (as lady) said, “Hey Gandharvike! I don’t doubt that you know Krishna’s mind, but the question is does Krishna know Your mind?”

Radha: “Sakhi, people think that Krishna and I know each other’s minds, and that We eternally dwell within each other. This is not quite correct, because in reality Krishna and I are one soul in two bodies. And We forever destroy the darkness of each other’s separation and delight Our sakhis.”

Krishna: “How can I believe that You and Krishna are one soul without testing You? I will fully believe You if You can show Me that You are both thinking of the same thing at the same time. If You close Your eyes and just think, ‘Krishna should come here right now’ and He does, then I will believe that You and Krishna are one soul. And this will make Me very happy.”

Vrshabhanunandini Radha then closed Her beautiful eyes and deeply meditated upon Her beloved Shyamasundara, thinking, “O Suryadeva (Radha’s ishtadeva)! O fulfiller of all My desires! O merciful one! If Gandharvika and Giridhari are indeed one soul, then bring Giridhari before Me right now to please My friends!”

While Radharani was rapt in meditation, Hari abandoned His female disguise. Winking at the sakhis nearby, Shyama (now in His dashing handsome form) began to kiss and embrace Sri Radhika again and again. As Radhika was seeing Shyama within Her meditation and experiencing Him outside as well, She became immersed in ecstasy.

After sometime, Radhika came to external consciousness. Seeing Shyama before Her, Lajjeshvari Radha shyly covered Her face with Her veil.

Observing this amazing turn of events, Lalita said, “O gallant hero! It is most most amazing that You came here into the private inner chambers of Radha’s home without being seen by any of Radha’s superiors.”

Krishna: “Actually Lalita, I am very surprised Myself how it happened. I was playing near the goshalla when suddenly I remembered Radhika and then this celestial damsel brought Me here.”

Radha: “Hey Lalite! What happened to that celestial damsel anyway, and where is she now? By seeing that Shyama has come here just by My calling Him in meditation, she should now believe that Krishna and I are one soul.”

Krishna: “Radha, was that damsel some kind of siddha yogini who gave You a mantra to fully control Me? I also want that mantra, so then I can fulfill all My desires!”

Lalita: “I am sorry Shyama for it seems that that yogini has suddenly disappeared. I will go outside and try to find her.”

Turning to Radha, Lalita-sakhi said, “O sakhi, I think You can make Your beloved happy by giving Him this mantra Yourself!” Then Lalita and all the sakhis scurried out of the bedroom, leaving Radha-Madhava all alone to adorn each other with the many play jewels from the jewel box of Their mutual love. (Prema Samputa, Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti, adapted)

Radharani’s shuddha nirmala madhurya prema ki jai!

Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!

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How Much Krishna Loves Radha

Mahanidhi Swami

No one other than Srimati Radharani can describe the extent of Sri Krishna’s love and attachment to Her. The Gaudiya Vaisnava mahajana poets have directly perceived this, along with the experiencing the endless beauty and sweetness of Radha and Krishna together.

Afterwards, these parama bhakta poets have written delightfully tasty (rasika) descriptions of what they have personally seen and realized in their meditations. Their poems are masterpieces of language, music and bhava. They are also perfect compositions of Gaudiya siddhanta and rasa tattva, the truth and taste of prema.

The following quotes of renowned Gaudiya padakartas, poets, wonderfully shows how much Sri Krishna loves His beautiful sweetheart Radhika. Read them and relish the nectar from the land of lila.

One day, Radha sat with Her girlfriends in a secluded kunja in the middle of a forest bower. They were relishing Hari-katha together, when suddenly Radharani started speaking very candidly about Krishna.

Sri Radha said, “O sakhis! I know My beloved Shyama really loves Me! From everything that I have seen and heard, it is very clear that Shyama has given His full heart to Me!

“For example, when I bathe at one bathing ghata, Shyama bathes in the next one. And when by chance some water splashes from My body onto Shyama’s, He comes running towards Me with wide-open arms. Just to touch at least My clothes, Krishna gives His clothes to the same washer man.

“When Hari hears even half a syllable of My name “RA” He becomes very happy. Just to touch My shadow, Shyama runs this way and that along the ground. And wherever the breeze from My body blows, Bihariji turns His face in that direction. O sakhis! That Madana Gopala just can’t find enough ways to express His eager mind!”

But this Raya Shekhara (padakarta), a servant at Shyama’s feet, knows something of it.

At another time, Radha said, “Shyama doesn’t even dream about Himself anymore. My dearest doesn’t listen to anything else! He just stares at My face without blinking!” (padakarta Jnana das)

“It was once asked, ‘Why does rasika Madana Mohana wear the Kaustubha jewel around His neck?’ Krishna does this so He can embrace Sri Radha’s reflection in the jewel!” (Dr. Haripada Shila)

Now Krishna will personally reveal how much He dearly loves Srimati Radhika. One day Govinda confided to a gopa friend, “O sakha! This girl steals My heart! And now My eyes are restlessly looking down the road, hoping to catch a glimpse of Her! And after She stole My eyes and My mind, My heart has become empty!” (padakarta Govinda das)

Sri Krishna continued, “O sakha! Can you tell me which Creator has brought this nectar-ocean named Radhika to earth? When I hear Radha’s voice, I become overwhelmed and I fall in a swoon. What more can I say?

“When these two syllables “RA” & “DHA” enter My ears, My heart starts burning. O My dear gopa friend! I can’t understand what’s happening. I don’t know what to do. What should I do? My whole body is shivering, and I can’t keep My composure anymore! (padakarta Chandi das)

Hladini Shakti Madanakhya Mahabhavati Radharani ki jai!

Rasika Shekara Vrindavana Nagar Shiromani Shyamasundara ki jai!

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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The Day Govinda Became Ananta – Ananta Caturdasi Vrata

 Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Once upon a time Sri Krishna was playing with Radhika and the gopis in an area near Yavata-grama and Kokilavana. Somehow the ancient pastime of Anantashayi Vishnu (aka Ananta Padmanabha came up in Their conversation. Suddenly Radhika wanted to see the lila of Ananta Vishnu resting on the thousand-hooded divine serpent. To satisfy His precious Priyaji, Shyama absorbed Himself in the bhaava of Anantashayi and laid down on a 1,000 petalled lotus in the middle of lake, which turned into Kshirasagara. Much to the amazement of the gopis, Jaya Sri Radha adopted the mood of Lakshmi and massaged Ananta Vishnu’s lotus feet.

When Chaitanya Mahaprabhu took darshana of this place, He swooned in ecstatic love remembering this beautiful pastime. We can glorify this pastime by reciting a prayer from (Vraja Vilasa-stava 91) by Srila Raghunatha dasa Goswamipada:

sri gosthe prathayatu sada, sheshashayi sthitam nah “I sincerely pray that Sheshashayi Sri Krishna may kindly bestow upon me eternal residence in His beautiful and enchanting pasture lands of Vrindavan.”

Today this lila-sthali is called Sheshashai, and one can see a wonderful Shyama black Deity of Bhagavan Ananta reclining on His bed with Lakshmi massaging His lotus feet.

Ananta Sheshayshayi Bhagavan Sri Krishna ki jai!

Ananda Khanda Bhagavan Sri Krishna ki jai!

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!