Tag Archive for: Radharani

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Radharani’s Manjaris: Tattva & Lilas 052 “Forgotten Waistbells”

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: Forgotten Waistbells

While dancing, Radha notices Her waistbells are missing having slipped off during kunja lilas with Shyam. With Her eyes Radha orders Tulasi Manjari to go get them. The waistbells are silent out of pride and feel offended for being abandoned.

Tulasi Manjari soothes the bells’ anger by saying, “O kinkini mala! You are mine! Radha forgot you due to Her intense erotic battle! You are very dear to Radha, so don’t think Radha abandoned you on purpose?”

Tulasi affectionately holds the waistbells to Her chest and kisses them to soothe their anger and make them jingle sweetly again. Radha needs the waistbells to increase Shyam’s bliss while dancing and expand Shyam’s erotic madness while romancing. That’s why these sweet waistbells are so dear to Radha.

While Sri Radha dances, Her veil falls off, so the manjari straightens Radha’s veil and ties the waistbells around Her waist in an unseen way. Now Sundari’s sweet dancing is once more mixed with Radha’s jingling waistbells! Seeing Radha smiling, Tulasi Manjari feels boundless bliss knowing her service is successful.

Tattva: Remembering Radha

Srimad Bhagavatam (3.29.11-12), says Krishna bhakti means constant remembrance of Krishna. The desire of the nitya-siddhas to please Krishna will appear in the minds of sadhakas by Krishna’s mercy. Sadhakas should remember the seva expertise of the nitya siddha kinkaris like Tulasi Manjari. The best way to attain prema and constant remembrance of Radharani is to read, hear, and remember books like Vilapa Kusumanjali and Radha Rasa Sudha Nidhi.

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

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Radharani’s Manjaris: Tattva & Lilas 053 “Rebuking & Forgiving Manjaris”

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: Rebuking & Forgiving Manjaris

When Tulasi Manjari brings back Radha’s waistbells from the kunja Lalita notices it and asks her with a wink, “Where have You come from?” Tulasi winks back, “I’ll tell you later! Only Lalita sees Tulasi Manjari put the bells on Radha’s waist.

Radha then angrily rebukes Tulasi Manjari, “Why did you have to show the whole situation to Lalita? Now she’s making fun of Me! Go Tulasi! Get out of My kunja!”

Tulasi pitifully cries, “Swamini! What have I done wrong? I have no one but You! You may punish or protect me, but where will I go?”

Tulasi Manjari goes outside the kunja, sits with her back against the wall and cries, flooding her chest with tears. When Lalita approaches her, Tulasi covers her face with a veil and keeps crying.

Lalita asks, “What happened?” Speechless Tulasi only cries when being questioned. Like Radharani the sakhis show much affection to the kinkaris. Lalita lovingly holds Tulasi’s hand, reenters the kunja and says, “Radhe, why are You angry with Tulasi? I saw this belt-affair myself, it’s not Tulasi’s fault! It’s my fault.

Being pleased with her, Radha casts a merciful glance at Tulasi. What a fortunate manjari who gets Radha’s mercy even amidst chastisement. Tulasi thinks, “This maidservant is Yours! You may be angry with her or pleased, but in all circumstances this Tulasi is Yours!” This is full surrender.

Tattva: Mercy & Eagerness

A sadhaka should experience a little of Radha’s form and qualities during smarana. If one does it’s a sign of receiving a drop of mercy from Karunamayi Sri Radha. Radharani is the form of compassion so Radha’s manjaris are continually being blessed by Radha in so many ways.

Success in remembrance depends solely on Krishna’s mercy which will come if one patiently and steadily endeavors in bhajan. But eagerness and humility are absolutely necessary. Sri Vallabhacarya said in his tika (SB 10.32.1): “Hari is not satisfied with a mere abundance or quantity of sadhana. Hari is only pleased with the humility of a devotee.”

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

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Radharani’s Manjaris: Tattva & Lilas 039 “Radha-Krishna Dice Game”

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-Krishna Dice Game

Swamini mercifully calls Tulasi Manjari, “Tulasi, come!” Radha-Krishna are playing a dice game in the green grove of Sudevi-sakhi. Sukumari Radha cannot beat powerful Krishna in jala-keli, madhupan lila or jhulan-lila, so now the sakhis find a means to defeat Nagara Krishna.

Radha-Krishna sit on either side of the playing board, surrounded by all Their dear loving sakhis. Krishna’s flute and Radha’s vina are the first wager. Vrnda and Nandimukhi are the witnesses and Kundalata moves the pawns. Lalita sits on Radha’s side advising and Madhumangala on Krishna’s side.

Swamini says: “Sundara! You throw first!” When Radha throws, She immediately scores a winning number. The sakhis exchange meaningful glances and say, “We knew Radha would win this game! O You gopa! Just run after Your cows with a stick in Your hand, saying ‘hai hai’ What do You know about dice?”

During the second throw Shyam makes some noise to distract Radha. But just at that moment Tulasi Manjari gives Radha a hint with her eyes and Swamini wins. Although he lost, Shyam refuses to give Radha His flute. Swamini says: “I’ve won! Why don’t You give Me Your flute? Your flute is very naughty, it spoils everything, I will throw it in the Yamuna!”

Shyam hides His flute behind Him, so Swamini pounces on Shyam with Her full weight and grabs the flute. Needless to say, Shyam is in maha-ecstasy! Radha’s thought before doing this was:. ‘First, I’ll give Shyam something He really wants, then I’ll snatch His flute! Swamini’s desire was to submerge Shyam in an ocean of bliss, which She did!

Secretly Srimati throws the flute to Tulasi Manjari who quickly hides it while proudly singing, “Jai Sri! Jai Sri!” The sakhis and manjaris lean against each other, laughing and laughing.

Tattva: Radha’s Gift to Krishna & Devotees

Sri Radha embodies the quintessence of hladini-shakti, Krishna’s internal bliss love potency. This potency gives Krishna the relish of lila, and when it enters devotees’ hearts it gives them the bliss of Krishna’s seva, sevananda. Radhika is the essence of hladini-shakti and thus Radha delights both Krishna and the devotees.

Within Shyam, Radha appears as hladin svarupini and within devotees Radha appears as bhakti-rupini. Just as no other gopi but Sri Radha can relieve Krishna’s pain of separation from Radha, similarly no one else but Radharani can soothe the devotees suffering in separation from Radha.

A sincere sadhaka always thinks, “How merciful Gurudeva was to introduce me to the nitya-seva of Radharani! Why don’t I realize this and fully surrender to the lotus feet of Radharani!

Tattva: Doing Bhajan for My Happiness or Krishna’s

The Vraja gopis are the greatest devotees because they never consider their own happiness and distress. Their pure love makes them give up everything and act only for Krishna’s pleasure. (Cc. 1.4.174-175)

 Radhika cannot be compared with anyone else because Radha delights all of Krishna’s senses and completely fulfills His every desire with Her beauty, sweetness, charm, and unlimited artistic qualities. Because they have taken shelter of Sri Radha’s lotus feet, this great love is also infused in Radha’s manjaris. The kinkaris don’t know anything else in this world but the happiness of Radha Govinda Yugal.

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

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Radharani’s Manjaris: Tattva & Lilas 038 “Radha Madhava Love Songs”

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 Madhava Sing Love Songs

Svamini and Nagara Shyam approach Tulasi Manjari while singing sweet songs on the bank of Radha Kunda. Yugal Kishor enjoy the beauty of the forest bordering Radha Kunda which is full of trees and vines of blooming flowers surrounded by bees thirsty for honey; playful deer and rabbits; and sweetly singing cranes, cuckoos, and parrots. The air is filled with the fragrance of blooming lotus and champaka flowers.

Rai places Her lovely arm on Kanu’s shoulder and embraces Krishna. Srimati’s arm is elegant because of Her maha-bhava, not just because of beauty. Then Swamini puts Her right arm around Shyam’s belly. Shyam hangs His left arm on Radha’s left shoulder, and extends His left hand down to Radha’s breast. How many hundreds of desires arise in Shyam’s heart from Radha’s touch.

In great joy, Swamini taps the rhythm on Shyam’s belly as She sings, “I will tear open My chest and put You in My heart.” Shyam taps the rhythm on Sriji’s bosom. Imagine how sweet are Their voices! Sometimes Radha keeps Her head Shyam’s chest and sings, “O Shyam Bandhu! You are My life! I cannot forget that blessed day I met You! O Kanu! You are My very life! Be kind to Me and give Me the shade of Your lotus feet! I cannot live without You!”

How beautiful is Radhika’s face when She sings this sweet love song! How wonderful are Her gestures! That’s why Tulasi Manjari calls Radha Subhaga-mukhi.

Shyam sings in response, “O Sundari! Remembering Your love again and again, My mind is always agitated. I wander everywhere in Vraja just looking for You! I don’t think of anyone but You! We are two bodies with one soul!” Enchanted by Shyam’s song Radha rewards Shyam with a kiss. There are no sakhis at this time.

Tattva: Tasting Shyam’s Sweetness

Words cannot really express the experience of Shyam’s sweetness. Great saints like Bilvamangala, Jayadeva, Vidyapati, Chandidas, Sri Rupa Goswami, Sri Raghunatha Das Goswami, Kavi Karnapur and Krishnadas Kaviraja personally experienced Sri Krishna’s sweetness and tried to express it in their books.

But ultimately relishing madhura rasa is an individual experience, the fruit successful bhajan. Reading rasika books will give some drops of honey, but the direct experience of Krishna’s madhurya sweet name, form, qualities and lilas will submerge one in an ocean of bliss, anandam buddhi vardhanam!

Tattva: Prayer of a Kundavasi Manjari

Tulasi Manjari tastes boundless bliss seeing Priya-Priyatam and hearing Their love songs of at Radha Kunda. When this vision disappears, however she cries and prays: “Please come once more and look at me! I am all alone here! I will be so happy to see Your blissful pastimes here again! You left me behind here on the bank of the kunda! O Swamini!

“Where shall I go if You reject me? My life is dedicated to Your seva! May the effulgence of Your toenails shine in my heart and soothe it. This is my only desire! How can I like anything else after seeing Your intimate lilas in Radha Kunda?”

By their example the Six Goswamis taught sadhakas how to experience all this. The sweetness of Radha Govinda can be fully relished in the consciousness of a maidservant. By the mercy of Sri Rupa and Sri Raghunath sincere ragamayi sadhakas will someday be blessed with such divine sweet visions, sphurtis!

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

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Radharani’s Manjaris: Tattva & Lilas 037 “Radha Rebukes Ramanbihari”

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 Rebukes Ramanbihari

Shyam sits behind Swamini trying to nicely arrange Her hair. How wonderful is Krishna’s expertise in decorating hair! The embodiment of erotic transcendental rasa engages Himself in the service of maha bhava. Swamini is most satisfied with Shyam’s expert arrangements and says: “How beautifully You have done My hair!” Radha wonders: “How can I properly reward Krishna?”

Then Radha gives Krishna a sweet kiss. When Krishna is kissed, He makes a mistake and forgets everything. Sriji beats Shyam Him with her play lotus. Rasamaya Krishna cannot even ascertain the value of this rasika beating! Who can guess how much pleasure Radha’s rebukes give Krishna!

Tulasi Manjari giggles upon seeing Swamini tap Shyam with Her lila-kamala. She covers her mouth with her veil, and her accompanying manjaris laugh with her. Tulasi Manjari means to say: “When Krishna sees me giggling, He will understand where He has failed.”

Tattva: Becoming Fixed in Manjari Seva

When the worship of the all-sweet, all-ecstatic, all-loving and all-beautiful Radha Govinda Yugal becomes established within the heart, one will relish complete bliss and thus become blessed. This is the great truth preached by the experienced loving devotees. When, by Krishna’s grace a devotee advances, desires for personal happiness will subside and one will consider happiness, distress, good, bad, heaven, hell and liberation as useless.

The heart will be filled with bhakti-rasa as one yearns for the affectionate seva of Radha Govinda. One’s long-standing painful identification with the material body will vanish, and one will identify oneself, think, feel and act like a humble dedicated dasi of Devi Radha fully engaged in the nitya seva of Radha Madhava. One’s heart will be saturated with the right attitude, pure seva bhava (daso aham vasudevasya, abhimanenapi siddhir bhavatity. (Bhakti Sandarbha 304), and then one will become fixed in Vraja-bhajan.

The whole scene of the material world will vanish from the eyes and one will perceive the eternally charming, sweet and beautiful loving land of Vraja. Then one will float and sink in the ocean of the supremely sweet and all-attractive forms, qualities and pastimes of Radha Govinda both in meeting and separation. This is the highest attainment of the manjari bhava upasaka.

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the embodiment of blissful lilas, prema, and rasa asvadana preached this kind of sweet worship of Radharani to the world.

Radha’s kinkaris are the embodiments of pure seva. They don’t perform any other activity than seva. They live, breathe, eat, sleep and dream only seva. Sadhakas will become qualified to serve rasamaya Shyam and rasamayi Swamini by following in Their footsteps.

Gauranga’s dear most associates Sri Rupa Raghunatha gave us the perfect example ragamayi bhajan in gopi-bhava. Thus, all sadhakas will greatly benefit by reading, hearing and chanting about their worship and their love.

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

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Radharani’s Manjaris: Tattva & Lilas 036 “Krishna Decorates Radha’s Hair”

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: Krishna Decorates Radha’s Hair

Nagara Shyam is dressing Swamini, and Tulasi Manjari admires how Hari is beautifying Swamini’s hair with flowers, gunja-beads, peacock feathers and other items. Radha’s divine form is studded with thrill bumps from Shyam’s loving touch. Swamini’s curly locks resemble big dark cloud as Hari sits behind Radha slowly arranging Her hair. Each hair is dearer to Krishna than millions of lives! There is no limit to Shyam’s ecstasy He feels from attaining the seva of His beloved Radha.

Shyam’s hands tremble and flush with thrill bumps as He braids Hrimati’s hair. Swamini’s body is also studded with thrill bumps from touching Radha. Shyam looks at Priyaji’s face from behind, over Her shoulders, afraid that She may feel pain. But Swamini consoles Shyam with a blossoming smile, saying: “Why are you so worried? It doesn’t hurt!”

When Nagara-raja hears that He smiles. After Krishna ties Radhika’s braid, He makes Swamini’s crown with slightly blooming flowers. Tulasi Manjari is absorbed in bliss when she sees Shyam dressing Swamini’s hair. When the vision vanishes he prays: “Alas! How many more days will pass before my eyes will fill with in ecstasy seeing Srimati’s hair being braided in this astonishing way?”

Tattva: Radha-Krishna Pranaya Prema

The acharyas describe pranaya prema as a stage wherein the Radha Govinda are no longer aware that They are separate beings. The very lifeforce of this pranaya is vishrambha which means that the lover Krishna and His beloved Radha feel themselves to be nondifferent from each other. Awe and reverence disappear, and one considers the life, mind, intelligence and dress of the beloved to be one with one’s own.

Vishrambha is the stage of intimacy in which one feels no hesitation when the hand of the beloved goes over one’s body. It is the same feeling of trust and intimacy as if one would move one’s own hand over one’s body. In the same way, pranayini Radha considers each of Shyam’s limbs that She touches to be Her own.

Tattva: Absorption in Bhajan

The sadhaka who is fixed in smarana must also dive into this rasa. The yearning for Radharani’s seva will arise within the heart of one who becomes completely absorbed in lila smarana and manasi seva. One should feel to some extent the same mood as Sri Raghunatha Das Goswami who prays: “O Radharani! I am Yours! I am Yours! I cannot live without You!” Sadhakas must also experience some of this absorption. The prayers and teachings of the acharyas will give spiritual strength to keep practicing manjari bhava sadhana with enthusiasm.

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

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Radharani’s Manjaris: Tattva & Lilas 035 “Krishna Dresses Radha”

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.

Tattva: What Makes Manjaris Happy?

Krishna Dasa Kaviraja describes the happiness of the gopis thus (Cc.1.4.186-190): “When the gopis go to see Krishna they don’t desire happiness, and this increases their happiness millions of times. They feel a million times more happiness than Krishna feels when He sees them. They are not looking for their own happiness, and that exactly increases their happiness.

“There is only one explanation for this paradox: The joy of the gopis lies in Krishna’s happiness. The gopis think: ‘Krishna obtains so much pleasure by seeing me!” This thought makes their bodies and faces blossom.’”

In short, when Krishna is happy Radharani is happy, and when Radha-Krishna are both happy the sakhis are happy. But when Radharani comes out the best, the kinkaris are happy!

Lila: Krishna Dresses Radha

After sporting in Radha Kunda, Swamini and Shyam, accompanied by Their maidservants, enter a sweet dressing-kunja full of blooming flowers surrounded by humming bees.

While admiring Shyam’s face, Swamini asks: “Who will dress Me today?” Shyam says: “Today I will do it, just order Me!” Swamini’s eyebrows consent indicating, “All right, You do it.” By giving Herself away Radhika offers an incomparable service to Her beloved!

Krishna seats Priyaji on a jewelled throne and decorates Radha with hand-made floral ornaments. The kinkaris pick different flowers for Krishna who imbues them with rasa through His rasika touch as He fashions floral earrings, crowns, chokers and bracelets and puts them on Swamini’s limbs. Tulasi Manjari floats in an ocean of rasa observing Nagara’s seva expertise.

With an eyeblink Swamini asks, “Tulasi! Aren’t you doing anything?” Tulasi Manjari’s eyes reply, “You found a good dresser now, so do we still have to serve You? Let us just float in oceans of bliss seeing You being served by Your Priyatama!”

Shyam stands between Radha’s thighs but His touch enlivens Her so Radha feels a little scared. Radha tries to press Her thighs together and thus breaks another the flower garland. Shyam restrings it and hangs it on Radha again. Tulasi Manjari carefully watches, so that she can learn this seva and remind Swamini of it later when she is separated from Shyama to immerse Radha in an ocean of bliss.

Shyam restrings the broken garlands and, keeping His face next to Swamini’s, looks over Her left shoulder to see if the strings are properly tied. Seeing this, Tulasi Manjari feels the ocean of her spiritual bliss expanding. Shyam becomes blissful from the touch of Radhika’s beautiful thighs.

Sensing Shyam’s joy in her own heart, Tulasi Manjari smiles slightly and calls Radha: “Varoru!” [nice thighs] Hearing this, Swamini both chastises and praises Tulasi with Her glances. Needless to say, no sakhis are present. Only Rupa, Tulasi and the other manjaris are there. Blessed is the service of Sri Radha!

The spiritual bliss of all the attending kinkaris increases unlimitedly. What more can be attained for the manjari bhava sadhakas in this world? Gopi-bhava and the intimate nitya-seva of Srimati Radharani are the great gifts of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu for the suffering people of Kali-Yuga.

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

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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!

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Radharani’s Manjaris: Tattva & Lilas 033 “Manjari Stays Beside Radha”

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.

Manjaris Stay Beside Radha

Tulasi Manjari says, “O Madhura-mukhi Radha! When the wind carries Your excellent bodily fragrance to Candravali’s handmade play bed, where Mukunda enjoys with her, Krishna uses a clever excuse to meet You on the shore of Radha Kunda, like a bumblebee leaving an inferior flower. When will I proudly witness this?” (VK 74)

Premamayi Radha is so much in ecstasy that She leans on Tulasi Manjari’s shoulder as they run to Radha Kunda to meet Shyam. How wonderfully beautiful this is!

Bumblebees fly above Radha’s fragrant lotus feet greedy to drink the honey therein. The maddened bees kiss the ground beautified with Radha’s footprints. How sweetly Sriji’s waistbells and anklebells jingle as She walks.

Shyam has not yet arrived in the kunja. Srimati waits patiently for Her Nagara in the bhava of a vasaka sajjika. In Ujjvala Nilamani, Sri Rupa Goswamipada says a vasaka sajjika lover waits in the kunja for her beloved, and meanwhile decorates herself and the grove. She mentally plans erotic games with her hero, and eagerly looks out for him to come. She discusses blissful topics with her sakhis and constantly looks out for the sakhi messenger to come with news.

Shyam is too late for His appointment so Tulasi Manjari looks out for Him again and again. Svamini feels very upset. Radharani becomes anxious out of separation and enters the bhava of an utkanthita nayika.

Ujjvala Nilamani says such a lover experiences a burning heart, shivers, cries, speculates about why Krishna has not yet come, and laments about her predicament.

Radha says to Tulasi Manjari, “I made the bed for Shyam and strung a flower mala for Him. I prepared betel leaves and lit the lamps. I made the kunja very beautiful. But sakhi, all this will turn out differently if I don’t meet My Nagara!

“I decorated My beautiful youthful body to meet My lover. I’m looking down the road for Shyam to come, telling My mind that this Rasa Shiromani Shyam will surely come now.”

Manjari Controls Madhava

Tulasi Manjari stands at the gate of the kunja. When Krishna finally arrives, He says, “Tulasi, I have come! Arrange My meeting with Radha!”

Tulasi admonishes Shyam, “Where have you come from? Where have you been all this time? Svamini is very upset and is crying because of You! Tell me the truth, otherwise I will not let You meet Radha!”

Krishna honestly explains why He is late. When Tulasi hears that Krishna came from Candravali’s kunja, she becomes very upset and says, “Oh! That’s why you’re so late! Go! Go back where you came from! You cannot meet Radha! I will sing all about Your glories to Svamini!”

Folding His hands, Krishna then offers hundreds of prayers to Tulasi Manjari until she finally allows Him to come in and see Radhika. How completely the manjaris control Krishna! Tulasi Manjari’s heart fills with pride knowing that simply the love-fragrance of Radha pulled Krishna right out of Candravali’s kunja. The thought that “Krishna is ours” fills Tulasi’s heart with pride.

Manjari Bhava Sadhaka Meditation

Radharani often plays hide-and-seek with Her surrendered sadhakas doing lila smarana. Radha-Krishna regularly appear and disappear in Sri Raghunatha Das Goswami’s meditations. One minute he floats in an ocean of blissful union, and then he gets trapped in whirlpool of separation.

A raganuga sadhaka should meditate on oneself assisting Radharani in this way, always staying by Her side like Tulasi Manjari. One should float along on the waves of Radha’s happiness and distress. These divine feelings can only be experienced by being completely absorbed in one’s beautiful manjari svarupa.

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

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Radharani’s Manjaris: Tattva & Lilas 032 “Loving Feet”

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.

Rati (Tulasi) Manjari says, “O Kanaka Gauri Radha! May I carefully and happily massage Your lotus feet while Sri Rupa Manjari massages the lotus feet of Goshtendranandana on whose arm You are resting Your head?” (VK 72)

Allegiance in Manjari Sadhana

One starts manjari bhava sadhana by eagerly reading, hearing, and meditating on the expert sevas of the nitya siddha kinkaris like Sri Rupa Manjari and Rati (Tulasi) Manjari. (Cc. 2.8.220).

Manjari bhava sadhana is performed in allegiance (anugamya) to these leading manjaris. One who cannot clearly visualize one’s siddha-deha or who has difficulty doing smarana, should first read about the glories of gopi-bhava and manjari seva by reading and remembering verses from Utkalika Vallari, Vilapa Kusumanjali, Prema Bhakti Candrika, Prarthana, and Vrindavan Mahimamrita.

By living in Vrindavan, mentally or physically, and always lovingly remembering Sri Rupa, Sri Sanatana Goswami, Sri Raghunatha Das, and Sri Jiva Goswami one will get the mercy to become absorbed in one’s siddha-deha and free from material consciousness.

Manjari’s Seva Intimacy

In the kunja, there is flower bed and flower pillow under Shyam’s head.  Svamini’s pillow is Shyam’s left arm. Sri Rupa lovingly gives Tulasi the seva of massaging Radhika’s lotus feet, while she massages Shyam’s lotus feet. After love dalliance Radhe-Shyam lie facing each other sweetly smiling, gazing at each other, and whispering romantic words to each ther.

They are oblivious to the manjaris serving them. Rupa and Tulasi softly massage Radhe-Shyam’s feet while listening to Their sweet words and looking at Their sweet forms. After Yugala Kishora fall asleep Tulasi thinks: “What if I get up and stop massaging? Radhe-Shyam may wake up.” Tulasi caresses the lotus feet of Svamini on her lap and massages them with her hair because it is softer than her hands.

Unlike the sakhis, the manjaris can do such intimate services without embarrassing Radha. There is some hesitation before her sakhis, but the manjaris are nondifferent in feelings from Radhe-Shyam, so Lila Yugala don’t feel any hesitation. Radha trusts her maidservants completely.

The manjaris are totally absorbed in relishing the sweetness of Radhe-Shyam.

Suddenly the vision vanishes and Sri Raghunatha Das cries out, “Ha Kanaka Gauri! Where are your lotus feet now, and when I can softly massage them in topmost bliss?”

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