Overview Nishnata lila
Nishanta lila Overview
Ashta-kala lila smaran is also sometimes called daṇḍa atmikā sevā, or devotional meditation in which each unit of time (a daṇḍa = 24 minutes) is assigned to a particular pastime. One can thus know at any given moment during the day what pastimes the Divine Couple are engaged in. There are six dandas within the Nishanta lila. The first chapter can thus be broken down as follows:
3:36-4:00 a.m. The manjaris awaken, begin their various seva, and arrive at the nikunja mandir for Yugala darshan.
4:00-4:24 a.m. By Vrinda’s order, numerous forest birds surround the keli mandir and begin chirping. The manjaris ecstatically view Rādhā Krishna’s shayana madhuri and describe its beauty to one another.
4:24-4:48 a.m. As the Divine Couple awaken and relish each other’s splendor, the sakhis and manjaris enter the vilasa mandir full of suggestive jokes and laughter.
4:48-5:12 a.m. Sri Lalita Devi performs arati as the Vraja sundaris join in the singing and dancing. Intoxicated by the beauty of the moment, everyone forgets the need of returning home.
5:12-5:36 a.m. On Vrinda’s signal, the shari named Shubha incites fear. Rādhā and Krishna leave the kunja and the manjaris follow, carrying the seva paraphernalia. Seeing a mixup in the Divine Couple’s dress, the sakhis smile and joke with one another. Krishna points out some interesting features of Vrindavan’s early morning panorama, using various poetic devices.
5:36-6:00 a.m. The female monkey named Kakkhati shrieks out a warning of Jatila’s arrival. Rādhā Krishna panic and flee homeward separately. Upon reaching their respective residences, they safely return to their own beds.