81-85 Decorating Rādhā II Decorations for Rādhā’s ears Verse 81 Rangadevi fastens a gold taranka (earring) to each of Rādhā’s ears. It is shaped like a palm leaf joined by a lotus bud. In front is small flower design made of blue sapphire. Hence the taranka looks like a bumble bee resting above a golden…
107-109 Meanwhile, Rādhā sees Krishna and becomes wonder-struck! But because she previously mistook a tamal for Krishna (and became embarrassed when the sakhis teased her) Rādhā still can’t believe her eyes! Rādhā and Krishna are both inebriated as limitless emotions surface from their mutual darshan ananda! They begin fantasizing: Krishna: “Aha! Is this beauty herself…
47 When Kṛṣṇa fondles Raṅgadevī she exclaims, “Hey Rāhu! Because you enjoy the Virgo, why don’t you attack Campakalatā, she’s a Pisces!” Ṭīkā: Intoxicated by Gopījana-vallabha’s embrace, Raṅgadevī says, “Oh hey wanton Rāhu, enjoyer of the Virgo (virgin-kumaris)! When you enjoyed the Virgo (Citrā) why didn’t you enjoy the pisces (Campakalatā) who was staring you…
95 After hearing Kṛṣṇa’s challenge, Viśākhā pulls Lalitā back, and stands before Kṛṣṇa to gently offer a suggestion: 96 “Hey Kṛṣṇa! If someone loses a dear object, it is best that they approach someone whose job it is to find lost things, like a detective. Then surely, you’ll succeed. But you won’t achieve your objective…
Verses 77-80 Decorating Rādhā I Painting Rādhā’s forehead Verse 76 karpūrāguru-kāśmī ra-paṅka-miśrita-candanaiḥ | samālipya viśākhā’syāḥ pṛṣṭ haṁbāhu-kucāv uraḥ ||76|| Vishakha prepares a body powder of camphor, aguru, kunkum and chandana; then she anoints Rādhā’s arms, chest, breasts and back with this fragrant mixture. Verse 77 kastūrī -patra-vallī -samudaya-khacitaṁpārśvayor ākapolaṁ bhāle śrī khaṇòa-bindūtkara-vṛ tam abhitaḥ kāma-yantrābhidhānam…
71-76 Rādha’s śriṅgara Verse 71 Then Radhika-sundari moves to the sringara vedi (seat where Rādhā is dressed and decorated) and sits down. When a girl becomes a nava-kishori, (a woman in the fresh flower of youth – 13-15 years old) Cupid takes advantage to dress her with erotic desires and gestures. Similarly, the skillful sakhis…
Verse 59-70 Rādha’s Nitya-kritya & bath As Rupavati (a woman with a nice figure) Rai rises. One dasi comfortably seats her on a gorgeous asana studded with gems. Verse 59 Then Lalita affectionately removes Rādhā’s ornaments and jewelry; it appears that she is picking leaves and flowers from a kanaka lata, a golden creeper! Verse…
Radhika’s Pratah-snana and Vesha-karana Verse 58 Before Srimati awakens, the manjaris arrange the necessary items for her bath and stand ready near the snana vedi (bathing seat). Rasa-tarangini Tika: Let’s return to Krishna-bhavanamrita to see how Srila Vishwanath Chakravarti describes the manjaris: After Sri Radhika returns home and falls asleep in her bed, all of…
Verse 57 Rasodgāra līlā रसोद्गार लीला (Remembering the previous night’s pastimes) Verse 57 “Meanwhile, still weary from the precious night and staggering in their gait, Lalita and the other sakhis come one by one to assemble beside Rādhā.Rasa-tarangini Tika: Nearly every day at this time, Rādhā joins her sakhis to relish over again the rasa…
Mukhara reprehending Rādhā Verse 53-56 Finally, from everyone’s coaxing, Srimati rises from her luxurious bed. The bright yellow cloth covering Radhika’s body, however, arouses Mukhara’s suspicions! So, she speaks in a heart-piercing tone: “Ayi, Vishakhe! Yesterday evening the bright yellow chador that I saw Krishna wearing now covers my natni! Hay, hay! What a disgrace!…