In2-MeC

Oslo, Norway
7 September 2003

Concerning Some of the Dearmost Servants of Sri Radha

(continued from 4 September)

Sri Visakha-sakhi

Of the asta-sakhis, Visakha is foremost along with Lalita. Her mother is Sudaksina, her father is Pavana, and her husband is Vahika. Her complexion is vidyut, like lightning. She wears taravali cloth, which is patterned like clusters of stars. Her grove is situated to the northeast of Sri Radha Kunda. It is megha or raincloud-like. All things therein are colored red, green, yellow and black. This grove is named Visakhananda. The service Visakha-devi renders is vastralankara or arranging for the clothing and ornamentation of the Divine Couple. She is exactly the same age as Srimati Radharani. Her mood is called svadhina bhartrka, which means like a heroine who dominates her beloved, taming him according to her own whims. Her temperament is adhika-madhya, moderately exalted. She loves to play the mrdanga. Her favorite tune is raga saranga. Her maidservant is Vilasa-manjari. Her eight girlfriends are Madhavi, Malati, Candra-rekha, Kunjari, Harini, Capala, Surabhi, Subhana.

Visakha-devi's father is a scholar, thus "like father, like daughter"-- she is very learned. She is a wise counselor and a diplomat in loving affairs. She is expert at joking. She arranges for the Divine Couple to meet in different ways so that They may taste different mellows. Visakha skillfully paints flower and leaf designs on Their bodies, and makes crowns for Them out of flower garlands, and embroiders Their cloth. She is the most expert messenger among the asta-sakhis. Visakha supervises the sakhis and dasis who produce and care for clothing; plus she directs the maidservants of Vrndadevi in their care of the flowers, vines and trees of Vrndavana.

Although it appears that Visakha is second in importance to Lalita, she is truly Srimati Radharani's dearmost girlfriend. She and Radharani are so alike they are almost twins. Visakha's other form is the Yamuna River. Whenever Lord Krsna sees Visakha He immediately thinks of Sri Radha; whenever Sri Radha sees the syama (dark blue) waters of the Yamuna River She immediately thinks of Krsna.

Sri Visakha-sakhi appears as Sri Ramananda Raya in Gaura-lila. It is said of her, sri radhike tava carita-gunanurupam, that her qualities and characteristics are very similar to Srimati Radharani's.

Sri Lalita-sakhi

Her mother is Saradi, her father is Visoka, and her husband is Bhairava. She has the complexion of garocana, a type of yellow pigment. She wears cloth that is sikhi-piccha, like peacock feathers. Her kunja (grove) is called Lalitananda and is to the north of Radha Kunda. It is radid, colored like lightning. Its features are studded with rubies. Her special seva is tambula, supplying betel nuts to the Divine Couple. She is eternally 14 years, 8 months and 27 days old--which means that Lalita is 27 days older than Srimati Radharani. Her birthday is celebrated on Sravana Sukla Ekadasi. Her mood is khandita, like that of a jealous heroine who chastises her beloved. Her temperament is vama-prakhara, contrary and hot. Lalita loves playing vina and her favorite tune is raga bhairava-kalingada. Her chief assistant is Rupa-manjari. Lalita's eight closest girlfriends are Ratna-prabha, Rati-kala, Subhadra, Bhadra-rekhika, Sumukhi, Dhanistha, Kala-hamsi and Kalapini.

Lalita is the leader of the asta-sakhis. Like her father, she is extremely magnanimous. She instigates the pastimes of the Divine Couple. As clever and mischievous as Krsna may be in His approach to Srimati Radharani, Lalita is more clever and obliges Him to behave nicely to Sri Radha. What Lord Krsna suggests, Lalita opposes. She frequently becomes furious with Him and speaks outrageously insolent retorts. She affectionately teaches Srimati Radharani the ways of jealous anger, considering Her too docile for Her own good. Lalita is brilliant in composing and understanding riddles. She fashions amazing creations with flowers--awnings, dancing arenas, umbrellas, couches and bowers. Lalita is a conjuror, expert in magic tricks and juggling. In Gaura-lila she is Svarupa Damodara Gosvami. About Lalita it is said radhe tava priya-sakhim ca gurum sakhinam, "Oh Radhe! Your dear companion Lalita is the guru of all the gopis. "

About Srimati Radharani Herself

Srimati Radharani is eternally 14 years, 2 months and 15 days old. Her complexion is like molten gold. She dresses in raincloud-blue cloth for Herself plus ruby-red cloth that Lord Krsna likes. Her father is King Vrsabhanu, Her mother is Kirtida. Her older brother is Sridhama, a great friend of Lord Krsna. Her younger sister is Ananga-manjari. Radharani's so-called husband is Abhimanyu. Her father-in-law is Vrka-gopa, Her mother-in-law is Jatila, Her sister-in-law is Kutila, and Her brother-in-law is Durmada.

She has five kinds of girlfriends: sakhis (general girlfriends), nitya-sakhis (eternal girlfriends), prana-sakhis (dear-as-life girlfriends), priya-sakhis (very dear girlfriends), and parama-prestha-sakhis (supremely beloved girlfriends--these are the asta-sakhis). There are also gopis who are Her suhrd (well-wishers) and dasis (personal servants); She has girlfriends from among the Pulinda forest tribe as well as a most respected brahmani friend, Gargi. Srimati Radharani's younger maidservants are called manjaris; they are lead by Her sister Ananga-manjari and include the manjaris Rupa and Rati. Radha's rivals for Sri Krsna's attention are called prati-paksa-varga gopis; Candravali is their leader.

Radharani's favorite pets are the cows Sunaca, Yamuna, Sahcia and many others; the calf Tungi; the monkey Kakkhati; the doe Rangini; the cakori bird Caru-candrika; the swan Tundikeri; the peahen Tundika; the parrots Suksma-dhi and Subha.

The singlemost worshipable thing in Srimati Radharani's life (besides Lord Krsna, of course) is Surya, the sun. She worships the sun-god every day that he may grant Her Lord Krsna's association.

Her private lake is Radha Kund. There is a large kadamba tree on the bank; the platform at the base of this tree is the site of Her confidential talks. Her private garden is Kandarpa-kuhai (betel-leaf of Cupid). She plays a vina called Madhu-mati. She loves the dances known as calikya and rudra-vallaki.

Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti's

Sri Radhika-dhyanamrta
The Nectar of Meditation on Sri Radhika
(For the sake of confidentiality, not all of Srila Cakravartipada's stanzas are revealed here)

tadic-campaka-svarna-kasmira-bhasah
sva-kantya bhrsam dandayitrya vilasah
sva-rupasya tasyas tu kasyas tu varnyah
subodha-dravo nama-varno 'pi karnyah

Her bodily splendor, which chastises lightning, campaka flowers, gold, and kunkuma, should be described. The nectar of Her name should be heard.

praphullali-puspa-prabha-dyotitanam
lasac-candrika-prota-meghopamanam
kacanam sa-caturya-bandheyam eni-
drsah sac-camary-agrima bhati veni

Expertly tied, with a beautiful flower blossom at its end, and the glory of its ali flowers making it seem like a dark monsoon cloud embroidered with glittering moonlight, doe-eyed Radha's braided hair shines with great splendor.

mahanargha-cudamanih kama-lekha-
pluta rajate caru-simanta-rekha
udu-dyoti-muktaika-panktim vahanti
kim asyendu-saudhaika-dharocchalanti

She wears a priceless crest-jewel. She bears the mark of Kamadeva. A line gracefully marks the part in Her hair. Her pearl necklace is splendid as a line of stars. Is this a flood of nectar flowing from the moon of Her face?

navendupame patrapasya-prabhale
su-lilalalakali-vrte caru-bhale
madenantara citritam citrakam tat
vibhaty acyutatrpta-netraika-sampat

Her beautiful forehead is like a crescent moon and is decorated with graceful curly locks of hair, colorful designs, and wonderful pictures drawn in musk. The wealth of Her eyes leaves Krsna always unsatiated.

ati-syamala vijya-kandarpa-capa-
prabha-jisnutam bhru-dvayi kucitapa
mukhambhoja-madhvika-panad abhistad
acestali-panktih kim esa nivista

She is very beautiful. Her curved eyebrows defeat Kamadeva's unstringed bow. Is this a line of bumblebees motionless from having drunk the nectar they desired from these lotus eyes?

sapharyau iva prestha-lavanya-vanye-
psite rajatas te drsau hanta dhanye
lasat-kajjalakte tayoh syama-pakse
kvacid vindate kanta-tambula-laksma

Her beautiful, glistening, mascara-anointed eyes are like two saphari fishes shining with the desire to sport in the ocean of Her beloved's handsomeness. She finds the betel-mark of Her beloved.

tadit-kandali murdhni naksatra-yukta
sthiradhah sudha-budbuda-dvandva-sakta
yadi syat sarojantare tam ca bhasa
mrgaksyas tiraskurvati bhati nasa

If a stationary flash of lightning were decorated with stars, two bubbles of nectar placed beneath it, and the whole thing placed within a lotus flower, it would be defeated by doe-eyed Radha's splendid nose.

kapolaksi-bimbadhara-sri-visaktam
bhaven mauktikam pina-nilati-raktam
smitodyat-putodirna-madhurya-vrstir
lasaty acyuta-svanta-tarsaika-srstih

Her cheeks, eyes, and bimba-fruit lips are beautiful. She wears a pearl beautiful with a large sapphire. The rain of sweetness from Her smile makes Krsna's heart thirst.

lasat-kundale kundali-bhuya manye
sthite kama-pasayudhe hanta dhanye
sruti ratna-cakri-salakacitagre
drsau karsatah sri-harer ye samagre

I think Her glistening jewel hoop-earrings are Kamadeva's nooses to catch Krsna's eyes.

ati-svaccham antahstha-tambula-raga-
cchatodgari-sobhambudhau kim lalaga
kapola-dvayam lola-tatanka-ratna-
dyumac-cumbitam preyaso yatra yatnah

Did Her beloved touch the ocean of beauty flowing from a red betelnut spot on Her glorious cheeks kissed by the splendor of Her swinging jewel earrings?

sphutad-bandhujiva-prabha-hari-danta-
cchadad-dvandvam abhati tasya yad-antah
smita-jyotsnaya ksalitam ya sa-trsnam
cakori-karoty anv-aham hanta krsnam

Her splendid lips eclipse the glory of the blossoming bandhujiva flowers. With the moonlight of Her smile day by day She transforms thirsty Krsna into a cakora bird.

na sa vindate pakim arunya-bhaji-
cchavir yat-tulam dadimi-bija-rajih
katham varnyatam yatu iyam danta-panktir
mukundadhare paurusam ya vyanakti

How can the teeth that show their power on Mukunda's lips be described? The splendid red pomegranate seeds are certainly not their equal.

mukhambhoja-madhurya-dhara vahanti
yad-antah kiyan nimnatam prapayanti
kim esapi kasturika-bindu-bhrt tam
harim kim dadhanam vibhaty asya-vrttam

How deep is the ocean of sweetness at Her lotus face? Is She decorated with dots of musk? What does Her face do in Krsna's presence?

sa kanthas tadit-kambu-saubhagya-hari
tri-rekhah pika-stavya-sausvarya-dhari
srajam malikam malikam mauktikanam
dadhaty eva yah preyasa gumphitanam

Her neck marked with three lines eclipses the beauty of lightning and the conchshell. The music it sings is praised by the cuckoos. It wears necklaces of pearls and garlands of jasminme flowers strung by Her beloved.

mradimna sirisasya saubhagya-saram
ksipantya vahantya bhujabhoga-bharam
tula-sunya-saundarya-simam dadhatya
nija-preyase 'jasra-saukhyam dadatyah

Moving Her graceful arms soft as a sirisa flower and situated in the unparalleled pinnacle of beauty, She gives eternal happiness to Her beloved.

sritayah sva-kanta-svatam kamra-gatryah
sriyah sri-vilasan bhrsam kharvayantyah
gatamsa-dvayi saubhagaikantakantam
yada paninotkramayet salakantam

As She rests Her beautiful limbs on Her beloved, She dwarfs the beautiful pastimes of the goddess of fortune. When with Her hand She pushes back Her hair, Her shoulders attain the pinnacle of beauty.

tadid-vama-bhrt-kankananaddha-sima
ghana-dyota-cudavali sastra-sima
cakasti prakostha-dvaye ya svananti
smarajau sukhabdhau sakhih plavayanti

Tinkling on Her wrists kankana bracelets with the unlimited splendor of lightning and cuda bracelets with the unlimited power of a host of weapons and splendid as monsoon clouds, She plunges Her gopi friends in the amorous-gesture ocean of happiness.

tad bhati raktotpala-dvandva-socis-
tiraskari pani-dvayam yatra rocih
subhankavaleh saubhagam yad vyanakti
priyantar hrdi sthapane yasya saktih

Her hands, the splendor of which eclipses the glory of two red lotuses, and which are beautiful with auspicious marks, have the power to rest on Her beloved's chest.

nakha-jyotisa bhanti tah pani-sakhah
karoty urmikalankrta ya visakha
samasajya krsnangulibhir vilasas
tadasam yada rajate hanta rasah

When the rasa-dance pastime is gloriously manifest, Her beautiful fingers, shining with the splendor of Her fingernails and decorated with urmika rings, join with the fingers of Krsna.

Her silk sari is like a cottage that houses Her amorous pastimes with Her beloved. Over Her colorful sari She places a very beautiful shawl splendid as a blue lotus.

jayaty anghri-pankeruha-dvandvam istam
dalagre nakhendu-vrajenapi hrstam
kvanan-nupuram hamsakarava-bhaktam
harim rajayaty eva laksa-rasaktam

All glories to Her worshipable lotus feet splendid with a host of toenail moons. Decorated with tinkling nupura and hamsaka anklets, and anointed with red lacquer, they delight Lord Hari.

darambhoja-tatanka-valli-rathadyair
maha-laksanair bhavya-vrndabhivadyaih
yutam tat talam mardavarunya-sali
smrtam yad bhaved acyutabhista-pali

The soles of Her feet bear the auspicious marks of conchshell, lotus, earring, vine, and chariot. They are soft and red, they are worshiped with eloquent prayers, and they fulfill the desires of Lord Krsna. One should meditate on them in this way.

sa jagarti tasyah parivara-cetas-
tate 'nuksanam ramya-lila-sametah
athapy asta-yamikya-musyah saparya
yatha-kalam acaryate tena varya

He who keeps a vigil for eight nights, remaining awake and at every moment meditating on the divine couple's transcendental pastimes, at the proper time will attain the object of his worship.

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