Verses 37-47 Cooking for Krishna I Verse 37 Arriving before Mother Yashoda, Rādhārani offers pranams by placing her head at Yashoda’s feet like a tender Bhakti-lata. Mukunda’s mother is unable to control her affection. She joyfully picks up Rādhā in her arms and warmly embraces her to her chest. Yashomati smells Rādhā’s head and then…
Rādhā comes to the window Verse 60-62 Meanwhile, Radhika removes her orana (upper garment), rings and bangles, placing them in Tulasi’s hands. Then using he water provided by Dhanishtha, she washes her hands and feet and proceeds into the kitchen. Seeing Balaram’s mother, Radhika offers pranams placing her head at her feet. Then Rohini Devi…
48-59 Cooking for Krishna II Verse 48 “Hey Shashimukhi! You can carefully make sweet dadhi-bataka. Hey Sumukhi! You prepare sharkarapatti. Oh Manimati! You prepare a variety of pishtaka. Rasa-tarangini Tika: Dadhi-bataka are sweet balls floating in yogurt. Sharkarapatti is sweet-rice made with date molasses. Pishtaka are rice-cakes cooked in ghee adding various kinds of flour…
27-36 Rādhā moving towards Nandagram Verse 27 When Rādhā leaves Jatila’s mandir with Kundalata, Lalita and the other sakhis follow taking their freshly prepared laddus and other sweets for Krishna’s morning bhojan. Rasa-tarangini Tika: As Rādhā walks along the narrow passages of Javat village, the effulgence of her anga kanti lights up the surrounding area…
Kundalata`s talk with Jatila and Rādhā Verse 18-26 Kundalata knows about Jatila’s crooked nature, thus she intelligently presents Mother Yashoda’s request. And upon hearing it, Jatila becomes perplexed as she remembers Krishna’s restless proclivities; but when Paurnamasi’s instruction come to mind, she affectionately answers, “Oh child Kundalate! My bauma (daughter in law) is chaste, blessed…
Kundalata`s talk with Rādhā Verse 15-17 Yashoda continues: “Although Krishna hardly eats anything, the delicious flavor of Rādhā’s cooking increases his appetite with vigor. Therefore, O Kundalata, on my behalf, please go to Rādhārani’s shashuri (mother in law) and request that she allow Rādhā and her sakhis to come here.” Although Kundalata brings Rādhā daily…
Preparations to cook for Krishna The scene opens at Nanda bhavan: Verses 1-14 When Sri Gokulananda leaves for the goshala, Goshtheshwari Yashoda become anxious to prepare his morning meal. Thus she calls her servants, maidservants and the other household members together. Although she knows that everyone in Yashoda’s house works with deep love for Krishna,…
Rādhās beauty Verse 103 Vishakha Devi smilingly offers the finishing touch – Sri Radhika-sundari’s lila kamala. This wonderful lotus flower was brought by the garlandmaker’s daughter, Narmada. Rasa-tarangini Tika: Rādhā’s lila kamala is an indivara, the blue species of lotus, which is synonymous with Krishna’s body. Thus, Srimati likes to fondle it, kiss it, and…
100-102 Decorating Rādhā’s feet Verse 100 Around Rādhā’s ankles, Vishakha places jeweled bangles that tinkle like the sound of chatak birds. They steal the patience of Krishna’s swan-like mind and ears! Rasa-tarangini Tika: Srila Gopala Guru Goswami’s Arcana-paddhati lists Vishakha Devi’s seva as vastra-alankara, decorating with jewels. The previous verses provide plenty of evidence for…
Verses 86-99 Necklaces that decorate Rādhā Decorating Rādhā’s hands Necklaces that decorate Rādhā Verse 86 Padma-lochana (lotus eyed) Rādhā’s neck is contoured like a conchshell. And Krishna’s hand is marked with a symbol of a conchshell. Anticipating that Krishna might grab Rādhā’s neck (because its beauty defeats his hand symbol), Vishakha covers it with a…