In2-MeC

New Brahmakund, Stockholm, Sweden
3 September 2003

The Nectar of Srimati Radharani's Holy Name

radhety evam ca samsiddha ra-karo dana-vacaka
dha nirvanam ca tad-datri tena radha prakirtita

The holy name of Radha is fully accomplished in perfection as follows. 'Ra' indicates dana, bestowal of a gift, and the syllable 'dha' indicates nirvana, liberation. Thus She mercifully bestows liberation into the eternal kingdom of painlessness called 'Radha. '

'ra' sabdoccaranad eva sphito bhavati madhavah
'dha' sabdoccarata pascad dhavatyeva sa-sambhramah

Simply by vibrating the sound 'ra', Sri Krsna's ecstatic jubilation fully blooms; simply by hearing the sound 'dha' He chases after the vibrator with great awe and reverance.

ra sabdam kurvatas trasto dadami bhaktim uttamam
'dha' sabdam kurvatah pascat yami sravana lobhatah

Sri Krsna proclaims: "The moment I hear the sound 'ra' from anyone's lips I grant My supreme prema-bhakti. But the next moment when I hear the sound 'dha' I completely lose Myself and become intoxicated in Radha-nama. Because of My great longing to hear the name of My Beloved, I run after the devotees who chant Radha-nama.

Concerning Some of the Dearmost Servants of Sri Radha

The gopis who are called parama-prestha sakhis are the foremost, dearest and most beloved friends of Sri Radha. They are the asta-sakhis (eight main gopis): Lalita, Visakha, Citra, Campakalata, Tungavidya, Indulekha, Rangadevi and Sudevi.

Sudevi

Sudevi's father is Rangasara Gopa and her mother is Karuna Gopi. Her husband's name is Bhairava. She has a padma-kinjalka complexion, which means her features are the color of a lotus-filament, light yellowish-red. She wears bright red cloth the color of java-kusuma (the hibiscus flower). Sudevi's kunja or grove is to the northwest of Sri Radha-kunda. It is called Vasanta-sukhada. Its color is bright green. Her main service to the Divine Couple is to serve water (jala-seva). Sudevi is seven days younger than Srimati Radharani. Her mood is called kalantarita, like that of a heroine who suffers after sending away her beloved because of a quarrel. Her temperament is vama-prakhara, contrary and hot. Sudevi's maidservant is Manjulali-manjari. She has eight girlfriends. Their names are Kaveri, Caru-kabari, Sukesi, Manju-kesika, Hara-hira, Hara-kanthi, Hara-valli, and Manohara.

Sudevi's twin sister is Rangadevi, thus these two of the asta-sakhis are often mistaken for one another. Of the twins, Sudevi is a half-day younger. She usually remains by Srimati Radharani's side to tie Her braids, paint Her eyes, and massage Her body. Sudevi is a swift runner. She is expert in training pairs of male and female parrots to talk and do tricks. She also trains roosters to do tricks. She knows how to navigate rivers in boats. Of all the asta-sakhis Sudevi is very expert in explaining omens. She has vast knowledge of birdcalls. She knows which lotuses bloom at midnight. She is expert in starting and maintaining nice fires. She knows everything about precious oils and how to use them in massage. She leads the host of gopis in making leaf spittoons for the Divine Couple. She is expert in playing music on bells. She directs the decoration of couches and sitting places for the Divine Couple. The network of clever gopi spies who move among rival gopis to learn their secrets is coordinated by Sudevi. She leads the other gopis in their worship of the vana-devis (forest goddesses). The bumblebees and various exotic birds of the forest are under Sudevi's protection.

In Gaura-lila, gopi Sudevi appears as Ananta Acarya, though somesay as Vasudeva Ghosa. She is described as sarvanu-jivana-gunojjvala-bhakti-daksam, "one who is expert in performing splendrous devotional service with all her life and soul. "

(to be continued. . . )

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