14.38-48 Horī-Līlā – Holi, the throwing of dye II

14.38)      Aho!  The stream from Kṛṣṇa’s pichkārī is amazing! While transversing the sky it becomes a hundred, a thousand — and falling, through the air a hundred-thousand — and finally a million streams drench the gopī’s bofies!

14.39)    Kṛṣṇa and the gopīs throw fragrant powder — but because they are already wet from the pichkārī rasa — it sticks to their bodies! And when the lac-bombs hit the ground they burst as their fragrant powder colors everyone!

14.40)    The kuṅkuma that Kṛṣṇa tosses on the gopīs turns into droplets that resembles red flowers on a golden vine. Thus the gopīs’ kasturī decorations can be mistaken for a swarm of sleeping bees.

14.41)    As Rādhikā’s pichkārīs release fragrant kuṅkuma rasa, it splurts over Kṛṣṇa’s body like hundreds of moon-reflections upon a deep-blue sky!

14.42)    When the kuṅkuma bombs carrying camphor, sindūra, and flower pollen burst over wet gopīs, their bodies and clothes become multi-colored!

14.43)    Aho! As the colored powder and pichkārī rasa continue to shower — the entire area becomes enveloped by a colorful canopy!

14.44)    When Kṛṣṇa tries to touch Rādhā, her kuṭṭamita-bhāva awakens, and She splots Him with fragrent powder! But as Kṛṣṇa quarrels with Śrīmatī, a restless-eyed gopa-kiśorī sneaks from behind to pour a loṭā of colored water over His shoulders!

Rasa Taraṅginī tīkā —
Rasa-rāja suddenly penetrates into the sakhīs’ phalanx and places His hand upom Rādhārani’s breast! Thus although She is elated, Ṣrīmatī shower anger and pretend not to be hurt! Then She retaliates by tossing a handful of fragrant powder! But as Kṛṣṇa invokes an argument, a raṅginī ramanī (a playful damsel) pours a flask of colored water over His shoulders; then she holds her palms over His eyes to blind Him! Thus the sakhī laugh!

14.45)    Then the gopīs come from all sides to toss fragrant powder — but Kṛṣṇa seizes the opportunity to embrace them from his chest! Then He tosses powder into their faces and kisses their lips!

Rasa Taraṅginī tīkā —
When that sneaky ramaṇī poured colored water over Kṛṣṇa, His apparel clung to His glossy Kāliya Śyāma body. Thus the restless-eyed gopīs came closer to view Kṛṣṇa’s aṅga mādhurī. But owing to His superior strength, Kṛṣṇa excels the gopīs in close combat, and takes advantage to enjoy them!

14.46)        As Rādhā repeatedly comes close to throw powder, Kṛṣṇa clasps Her to His chest! And to watch. the sakhīs surround Śrī Yugala Kiśora like a protective curtain. Then Kṛṣṇa satietes all of His desires!

Rasa Taraṅginī tīkā —
As the sakhīs attack in unison, Anaṅga Raṅginī Rāi uses their cover to move in closer. But the clever sakhīs abandon their support to Rādhārānī and allow Kṛṣṇa the chance to capture Her! Henceforth, the sakhīs support to favour Kṛṣṇa — they form a protective curtain to block the view of the other gopīs. Meanwhile, inside, as Rādhā Nāgara-Nāgarī’s Anaṅga Keli begins, the sakhīs‘ lotus-eyes and faces light up as they witness everything!

14.47)    Then these privileged Vraja-kiśorīs tease and frolic as their amorous eyes shoot Kāma-arrows into Kṛṣṇa’s heart to innoculate Him! But as Kṛṣṇa regains some composure, His gentle smile aligns with His restless eyes to shoot His flower-glances! And they strike the gopīs’ hearts, leaving them deeply affected! Yet Kṛṣṇa is still reeling too!

Rasa Taraṅginī tīkā —
The sakhīs know all of the secret mantras and tantras to blitz Kṛṣṇa with madana rasa (Cupid’s pleasure moods). So after the Yugala Vilāsa keli, they make Śyāmasundara’s erotic fascination escalate!

14.48)    Rarely does a cloud descend on the earth. And if it assumes a human form that is unusual. Yet it is more amazing if the lightning showers it with rasa! But when a fragrant colored water — this is the most amazing spectable of all! Hence, the Cāṭaka’s eyes always drink the cloud’s pure nectar!