Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

This series of posts will present facts (tattva) regarding the identity, moods (gopi-bhava), intimacy and sevas of Srimati Radharani’s beautiful and talented handmaidens known as manjaris, kinkaris, or dasis.

Also we will present many astonishing and wonderful lilas to highlight the manjaris most personal and confidential sevas to Srimati Radhika and Her dearest Priyatama Shyamasundara.

The information here is based on the commentaries of Advaitavamsa Acharya 108 Sri Ananda Gopala Goswami and 108 Sri Ananta Dasa Babaji Maharaja taken from “Vilapa Kusumanjali” and “Radha Rasa Sudhanidhi” translated by Sri Advaita Dasji.

Manjari Tattva: Experience in Smaran

Upasana means to hold on to a certain subject of meditation with such one-pointedness that no other subject matter can enter. In Bhakti-rasamrita Sindhu, Sri Rupa Goswamipada cites the following example from Puranas to prove the power of smarana. A brahmin from Pratishthanapura burned his finger after touching an offering of hot sweet rice (kheer) which he had just cooked in his meditation.

In Srimad Bhagavatam (7.1.28), Narada Muni gives the example of the absorption of the grassworm: “The grassworm, who gets trapped in a hole by a hostile bee, becomes a bee also by always thinking of that bee out of fear and enmity.”

If one can go through such a change of body just by meditation, then certainly one can attain a manjari svarupa through intense transcendental meditation. Smarana means: mental association. When a devotee is fully absorbed in Radha-Krishna asta-kaliya lila smarana it is as if one directly serves the Lila Yugala. By simply continuing to meditate on these things the revelations will come.

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu confirms this saying;

bhavite -bhavite –Krishna -sphuraye antare
Krishna -krpaya -ajna -paya -rasa -sindhu -pare

“Through constant meditation Krishna will appear in the heart, and by Krishna’s grace even an ignorant soul will cross over the ocean of rasa.” (Caitanya Caritamrita 2.19.236)

Manjari Lila: Reminding Radha of Shyam

One day while bathing Srimati Radharani, Tulasi-manjari reminds Swamini of the sweet history of a painting of Shyamsundar that hangs in Her home.
“O Swamini! I remember you once wrote a letter to Krishna, saying: ‘You are living in My house as a picture and wherever I flee, there You are standing to stop Me with stretched-out arms!’

In this way Tulasi-manjari helps Swamini relish the sweetness of Her previous pastimes and simultaneously brushes Radha’s pretty teeth. Blessed is this maidservant who has nothing in this world except her connection with Sri Radha!

Radha’s kinkaris know exactly how to serve according to time, place and circumstances, bringing all these relishable memories to Bhavamayi’s heart and making Radha swim in waves of rasa!

This is the internal beauty of Radha-dasya that by identifying with the Guru-given siddha svarupa one serves Swaminiji’s ujjvala murti. The raganuga sadhaka identifying with Tulasi-manjari (Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami) should feel as if Swamini is taking one by the hand.

The practicing devotee should learn Radha’s various services like tooth brushing by meditating on how the eternally perfect maidservants like Sri Rupa Manjari and Tulasi perform them. These nitya-siddha manjaris are the gurus of the Yugala-seva, who have descended from the Vraja-nikunja along with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to take the neophyte devotees out of this material world, and into Vraja’s nikunjas by teaching them manjari bhava sadhana.

The devotee who is fixed in smarana should be completely free from external consciousness and should identify himself only with his siddha svarupa. The form, sound, touch, taste, and fragrance of Svamini Radha is the only means of survival for such a devotee. A raganuga sadhaka has closed eyes for the material world, and all other thoughts but Radhika’s seva have become insignificant.

When the sadhaka is immersed in remembrance of Sri Radha (smarana- nishtha) it feels as if one is directly serving Radha floating in an ocean of sweet bliss. But when that remembrance recedes and worldly thoughts return, one feels that one has fallen into a desert. Hope for experiences in smarana keeps the sadhaka alive. The hope for attainment takes a seat in the heart of the smarana –anga –sadhaka.

Manjari Lila: Reminding Radha of Rasika Mohan

Madhuri loves Madhava, and the manjaris love Madhuri. One day in Yavata, while Tulasi-manjari is brushing Radha’s beautiful black tresses, she serves Swamini by awakening the remembrance of one of Her sweet sports with Krishna.

Tulasi says: “At the end of Your pastimes in the kunja, Shyam is making Your braid with His own hands, and You are putting on Krishna’s crown. Or sometimes, out of deep love, You may reverse roles. So then Shyam puts His crown on You, and You tie Bihari’s beautiful locks in a veni.

“O Swamini! When can I, Your poor unqualified maidservant, also once serve You as expertly and lovingly as Shyam does? Be merciful and please give me that service! That is my desire!”

While listening to Tulasi-manjari’s harikatha, Radharani becomes overwhelmed and thinks that it is Shyam making Her braid instead of Tulasi. Radhika keeps Her eyes half closed while relishing that thought and feeling.

Raganuga sadhakas should try to remember these sweet pastimes every day. If one continually remembers one’s siddha deha, maya will have no chance to contaminate the devotee’s mind. All of maya’s disturbances are caused by bodily consciousness.

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

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

This series of posts will present facts (tattva) regarding the identity, moods (gopi-bhava), intimacy and sevas of Srimati Radharani’s beautiful and talented handmaidens known as manjaris, kinkaris, or dasis.

Also we will present many astonishing and wonderful lilas to highlight the manjaris most personal and confidential sevas to Srimati Radhika and Her dearest Priyatama Shyamasundara.

The information here is based on the commentaries of Advaitavamsa Acharya 108 Sri Ananda Gopala Goswami and 108 Sri Ananta Dasa Babaji Maharaja taken from “Vilapa Kusumanjali” and “Radha Rasa Sudhanidhi” translated by Sri Advaita Dasji.

Manjari Tattva: Introduction Necessary

At every stage of bhakti bhajan from the beginning to perfection, a disciple is dependent on Sri Guru’s mercy, guidance and love. Radha-Krishna’s lila-bhumi of Vrndavana is an eternal realm filled with varieties of loving relationships. Every activity is personal, intimate and performed simply to please Sri Hari.

In his Prarthana Giti, Sri Narottama Dasa Thakura describes how a sadhaka of raganuga bhajan who attains perfection as Radharani’s maidservant, sadhana siddha kinkari, is first introduced to Radha-Krishna by Sri Rupa Manjari:

“When will my Guru-sakhi submit me to Sri Rupa Manjari’s lotus feet? When will that blessed moment come when Sri Rupa Manjari will look at me and order me: ‘O Nava-dasi! Come here! Quickly get the paraphernalia of your service!’

“My heart will fill with joy when she orders me like this, and I will do my service with a pure heart. I will fill a golden pitcher with scented water and quickly come before Radha Govinda.

“I will shyly stand behind Sri Rupa as Radha and Krishna repeatedly glance at me affectionately. Smilingly, They will say, ‘O Rupa! Where did you get this new maidservant?’

Hearing Their inquiry, Sri Rupa Manjari will reply, ‘Krpa-rati manjari has given me this maidservant to bring to You! Knowing her to be very humble I kept her here to serve You.’

“After telling this to Radha-Madhava, Sri Rupa Manjari will engage Nava-dasi in Radha-Madhava’s eternal seva.”

Manjari Tattva: Service not Friendship

Swamini Radha stands before Tulasi-manjari (Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami) and wants to offer her a friendly relationship like Radha’s other sakhis such as Lalita-sakhi and Visakha-sakhi.

Radhika says, “O Tulasi! Please accept My friendship! You can become equal to Lalita and the others and serve both Me and Shyamsundara!”

Tulasi replies, “O Devi! I don’t want anything else but the excellent service of Your lotus feet! I offer my obeisances to Your friendship! Let it stay on my head, but I only want to serve You!”

Why does Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami say the manjaris’ seva is vara-dasyam which means excellent? It is excellent because it most intimate and devoid of any hesitation, awe and reverence. A manjari is Radharani’s sakhi and dasi at the same time.

Nothing is done for personal happiness, everything is done for the pleasure of Navina Yugala! Although the manjaris are in the category of sakhis, they are dasis or kinkaris because of their complete dedication to Radharani’s service. The sakhis have a superior position in the social hierarchy and pastimes with Krishna.

But the fortune of service intimacy is greater for the manjaris! They know Sri Radhika’s innermost desires, and therefore they can perform their service without hesitation like no one else in the world.     

Radha’s dasis are called manjaris, which means flower bud, because the manjaris enhance the beauty of the flowers known as the gopis. But the flower buds are never separately enjoyable to the blackbee, Madhusudana. The special privileged position of being a manjari of Srimati Radhika is the unique mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Manjari bhava upasana ki jai!

Manjari Lila: Fixing the Sanket Kunja

A sanket kunja means a prearranged meeting place for Rasika Yugal Radha Shyam. Once, when Krishna takes His supper in Nandishvara, a kinkari fans Him. Without being seen by others Shyam keeps His left hand on that kinkari’s foot, as a means of asking her: “Will I meet My Dearest Radha or not?”

That maidservant then places one toe on Shyam’s hand to indicate that a meeting will be possible. Then the kinkari touches a particular finger of Krishna’s to indicate the specific sanket kunja where Shyam can meet His beloved Radhika. This code was previously agreed upon. The assembly of elders is absorbed in speaking with each other and thus does not notice this exchange.

This is vara dasya, the most excellent service of Radha’s manjaris!

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

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

This series of posts will present facts (tattva) regarding the identity, moods (gopi-bhava), intimacy and sevas of Srimati Radharani’s beautiful and talented handmaidens known as manjaris, kinkaris, or dasis.

Also we will present many astonishing and wonderful lilas to highlight the manjaris most personal and confidential sevas to Srimati Radhika and Her dearest Priyatama Shyamasundara.

The information here is based on the commentaries of Advaitavamsa Acharya 108 Sri Ananda Gopala Goswami and 108 Sri Ananta Dasa Babaji Maharaja taken from “Vilapa Kusumanjali” and “Radha Rasa Sudhanidhi” translated by Sri Advaita Dasji.

Manjari Tattva: Desiring the Unattainable

Although Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami understands that he desires something which is hard to attain, he cannot give up hoping. “O Radhika!  I see that I’m unworthy, yet my mind is still greedy for Your attributes.”

Although he sees that he’s completely unqualified, his mind is still illuminated by the hope for getting Radha-Madhava’s sweet mercy.

In Utkalika-vallari (34-35), Sri Rupa Goswamipada says, “O Radha-Krishna, King and Queen of Vrndavana! Although the greatest souls are not able to get Your darsan for even a moment, this fallen soul desires it, swallowing all fear and shame! But what is my fault in this? Who will not be intoxicated by the ever-fresh sweetness of Your qualities?”

Manjari Tattva: Radha’s Krishna

The acaryas teach: “We must see Shyamsundara from Radharani’s perspective and Radharani from Shyamsundara’s perspective.” Sri Krishna bestows welfare on the world and Kalyani Radha embodies Krishna’s welfare.

Once to inform Radharani about how intensely Krishna is hankering for Her, Visakha-sakhi said, “O Shyama Ju! When Subala gives Krishna a garland of golden Campaka-flowers, His mind trembles and tears of passionate love flow from Krishna’s eyes. O Sundari! Your form always awakens great love in Shyam’s heart!”

“Shyam can only pronounce the first syllable of Your name, ‘Ra’, but out of ecstasy Krishna cannot pronounce the other one, ‘Dha’. Krishna eyes cry streams of tears. That jewel of men rolls on the ground; who can describe Govinda’s distress?”

Sri Krishna bestows auspiciousness on the world, but Srimati Radhika bestows auspiciousness even on Krishna. Sri Govinda considers Himself blessed when He attains Radhika’s company. Krishna feels that His world is empty without Radha, and Radha feels the same towards Krishna.

Sarvanga-sundari is the Queen of the kunja, who excites eagerness in Shyam to enjoy. It’s as if Madhava is a beggar getting a meal in the royal palace.

Manjari Lila: Radha Kicks Her Manjari

In his spiritual identity of Tulasi-manjari, Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami brings Radha and Krishna together in a lonely kunja on the bank of Radha-kunda. How expertly Radha-Madhava sweetly play! Vrndavaneshvari fulfills desires that Krishna could never even dream of! Tulasi witnesses all of Radha-Madhava’s sweet pastimes through a hole in the kunja wall.

Afterwards, the enchanted Shyam sits at Swamini’s feet, staring at Kishori’s sweet face with unblinking eyes. Understanding that her time to serve has come, Tulasi enters the kunja. Krishna holds Srimati’s lotus feet to His chest and is stricken by symptoms of ecstatic love, and tears of love flow from Shyam’s eyes.

His chest is moistened with sweat drops, so that the fragrant powder on Krishna’s chest starts sticking on Swamini’s footsoles. Seeing this, Tulasi giggles, covering her mouth with her hand. Seeing her laughing, Swamini kicks the fortunate Tulasi with Her foot, so that the fragrant powder from Krishna’s chest adorns Tulasi-manjari’s head, making it worthy to be called her best and highest limb (uttam-anga).

Indeed, Tulasi is a most fortunate manjari. Just hearing this lila makes the sensitive sadhaka rejoice over the wonderful loving intimacy between Srimati Radhika and Her loyal dasis like Tulasi. O will I, even in my dreams, experience the tender touch of Sri Radha’s sweet feet sprinkled with the rasa-filled red vermillion from Shyam’s love anointed chest?

Radharani manjaris ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

This series of posts will present facts (tattva) regarding the identity, moods (gopi-bhava), intimacy and sevas of Srimati Radharani’s beautiful and talented handmaidens known as manjaris, kinkaris, or dasis.

Also we will present many astonishing and wonderful lilas to highlight the manjaris most personal and confidential sevas to Srimati Radhika and Her dearest Priyatama Shyamasundara.

The information here is based on the commentaries of Advaitavamsa Acharya 108 Sri Ananda Gopala Goswami and 108 Sri Ananta Dasa Babaji Maharaja taken from “Vilapa Kusumanjali” and “Radha Rasa Sudhanidhi” translated by Sri Advaita Dasji.

Manjari Tattva: Separation in Vraja Bhajan

When the mind is very agitated by feelings of separation from Radha and Krishna the loving devotee may feel helpless or unfortunate, unable to see an end to it. However, when accomplished devotees experience strong feelings of love-in-separation from Radharani, they sometimes get a vision, sphurti, of Srimati which helps them stay alive. Then there’s no end to the bliss one feels in being close to the beloved again!

This constant succession of meeting and separation from Srimati Radhika puts the devotee in an indescribable condition. The pain of separation becomes so severe that it wipes the remembrance of the just-experienced bliss of union out of the mind. In such a condition only another such vision can keep the devotee alive. This is the specialty of the love of Vraja and it is the great treasure of the Vraja-rasa-upasaka.

Manjari Tattva: Acquaintance with Radhika

Can the devotee continue if one does not even get slightly acquainted with Radharani? How can we advance towards someone we have never seen, who is beyond our purview?

Such a devotee laments, “I could not get acquainted with Swamini Radha who is everything to me! I never even think of the maidservice of Sri Radha, to whom my merciful Guru has introduced me! My bodily consciousness is so strong, everything is averse to the mood I desire! What a waste of life if I don’t even get slightly acquainted with Radhika who makes even the supreme master of all material and spiritual worlds faint just by casting a single sidelong glance at Him!

“Yet at the same time I am drawn towards Radharani’s lotus feet by a strong desire to reach them. O Swamini! If You just once stay in my thoughts or in my dreams, then I will be consoled! Please respond, O Swamini! Just tell me once “You are Mine!” I am sitting here at Radha-kunda just waiting for that and nothing else!”

When the devotee is so anxiously and exclusively waiting, everything else will become insignificant and one will slowly be drawn to Radharani’s lotus feet through one’s experiences. The soothing moonlight that emanates from Sri Radha’s beautiful toenails will illuminate the heart of any devotee who develops such intense devotion. Not only that, but Krishna Himself will come running to anyone who meditates on Sri Radhika’s lotus feet and who hears and chants about Radha. Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

Manjari Lila: Applying Radha’s Footlac

Radha-Madhava are enjoying in a kunja and Tulasi manjari, who is non-different from Swamini in heart and body, is fanning Them. Nagara Shyam then eagerly sits down at Swamini’s feet to decorate Her.

Praneshvari orders, “Smear footlac around My feet!” Shyam starts the job holding Radha’s feet to His chest, but then Krishna gets lost in their sweetness while looking at them. Impatiently Swamini says: “What are You doing? Quickly put that lac on! What will My sakhis say if they see Me like this?”

But Krishna sometimes holds Radha’s feet to His chest, sometimes kisses them, and sometimes also paints some lac on them with trembling hands. Noticing Krishna’s inability to get the job done, Srimati says, “O Sundara! It’s obvious You cannot do it! Tulasi, come, put on My footlac!”

This makes Shyam think to Himself: “Alas! How unqualified I am!” Getting Swamini’s order, Tulasi softly pushes Shyam aside while saying: “Move over!  Through You it will never be done, so I’ll do it!”

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