Sri Vilap-Kusumanjali

A Bouquet of
Woeful Entreaties
r Vilpa-kusumjali
rla Raghuntha dsa Gosvms
A Bouquet of Woeful Entreaties
First printing: 1,000 copies, Gaura Purim, 2013
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OfferedtoourDivineMaster
rrmadBhaktivedntaNryaaGosvmMahrja
A Bouquet of
Woeful Entreaties
r Vilpa-kusumjali
rla Raghuntha dsa Gosvms
v
Contents
Preface....................................................................................... xv
Introduction............................................................................. xvii
AGlimpseofGurusGloryandMercy............................................... 1
FireandAsh................................................................................... 17
MoonlitAnklebells.......................................................................... 27
CleansingtheSpirit......................................................................... 35
LovingServiceofLoveDivine......................................................... 43
AHolyAttempt.............................................................................. 49
TheGoldGuard............................................................................. 57
AStudentofAnurga..................................................................... 61
MercifulRemnants.......................................................................... 69
Adharmta..................................................................................... 77
CulinaryPerfection.......................................................................... 83
CaraaSev..................................................................................... 89
TheLakeandHerMercy............................................................... 101
AulkaDsik................................................................................107
QuiteContrary.............................................................................. 119
IamYours.................................................................................... 127
vii
nitya-ll-pravia o viupda
r rmad bhaktivednta nryan
.
a Gosvm mahrja
viii
r rmad bhaktivednta Vmana Gosvm mahrja
ix
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r rmad bhaktivednta Svm mahrja
x
r rmad bhakti prajna Keava Gosvm mahrja
xi
nitya-ll-pravia o viupda jagad-guru
r rmad Bhaktisiddhnta Sarasvat Prabhupda
xii
rla Gaurakiora Dsa Bbj Mahrja
xiii
nitya-ll-pravia o viupda saccidnanda
rla Bhaktivinoda T
.
hkura
xiv
rla Raghuntha Dsa Gosvm
xv
Preface
L
ord Caitanya Mahprabhu offered Raghuntha dsa Gosvm to
Svarpa Dmodara. Under the shelter and guidance of Svarpa
Dmodara, Dsa Gosvm followed the process of service in Vraja.
CaitanyaMahprabhuinstructedDsaGosvm
amn mnada ha ka-nma sad labe
vraje rdh-ka-sev mnase karibe
r Caitanya-caritmta, Madhya-ll 6.237
Donotexpecthonor,butofferallrespecttoothers.Alwayschantthe
holynameofLordKa,andwithinyourmindrenderservicetoRdh
andKainVndvana.
Bysincerelychantingtheholynames,whilerespectingallaccordingto
theirposition,andnotbeingeagerforrespectfromothers,thetendencyto
serve Rdh-Ka in Vraja shall arise. As a result of pure chanting, the
Lordsformshallappearintheheart,followedbyHisqualitiesandpastimes.
At that stage, absorption of the mind in Rdh-Kas pastimes will be
natural,notartificial.KaandHisnamesarenon-different.Whenone
purely chants these, He will come in the heart and perform His loving
pastimeswithallHisassociates.Hisll-akti,pastimepotency,isalways
withHim.ShegivesthetendencyandqualificationtoserveKa.
WhengreedcomestoserveKainoneseternalspiritualform,in
time,thatgreedshallrevealoneseternallovingmoodtowardsKa.Then
onebeginstoserveKaundertheguidanceofHisassociates.Thislove
maturessequentiallythroughhigherandhigherdegreesuptomahbhva.
Nourished by transcendental nectar, or rasa, the soul develops its
spiritualformandnatureandbecomesrelatedtoGod.
Bhakti with a feeling of loving intimacy is dear to Ka. That is the
only kind of worship present in Vraja. Caitanya Mahprabhu manifested
thisprocessintheheartofRaghunthadsaGosvm,andthroughhim,
xvi
distributedittotheworld.DsaGosvmshowedbyhisownexamplehow
toprayfortheattainmentofthatintimatelovingmood.
ThisVilpa-kusumjaliisacollectionoftheprayersofDsaGosvm
offeredlikeflowerstothelotusfeetoftheDivinePotencyofKa,rmat
Rdhrn. By offering the heart to any mundane person, one becomes
devoid of all potency and goodness. However, surrendering to Her, one
attainsallknowledgeofKasserviceandbecomesrelatedtoHimand
Hisassociateswithoutanyextraneouseffort.
The masses emphasize more on Dsa Gosvms intense renunciation
than his intimate loving mood. Indeed, evidence of the validity of
MahprabhushighestconceptionwasshowninthelifeofDsaGosvm
asheengagedinmnas-sevinVraja.TotakeRaghunthadsaGosvms
guidance,takingshelterofhiswritingsisessential.Thenonecanexperience
thetranscendentalnectarthatflowsthroughourline.Ifonetakesshelter
of this book, he will become firmly fixed in the conception and line of
Mahprabhu.Thisisourguru-vargasinstructionandconception.
15February2013
VasantaPacam,AppearanceDayof
rlaRaghunthadsaGosvm
xvii
Introduction
T
here are two types of anurgadakia-bhva and vmya-bhva,
right-sidedandleft-sided.Ontheleftsideareourguru-varga,the
followersofrmatRdhrn.Buthowcanwecollectthisanurga
and continuously be present with it? Therefore very strong sdhana is
necessary.Ifthereisnosdhana,thenitwillnotbepossibletokeepand
preserve in your heart anything you try to catch. It will come and go;
nothingwillbesweetandpresentnearyouforlong.
chapnna daa rtri dine
jne n rdh-govinda bine
tra para cri daa suti thke
Gaura Kiora dsa Bbj
HeknowsnothingbutRdh-Govindathroughoutthedayandnight
(56 daas: 1 daa is 24 minutes). He takes rest for only 4 daas
(1 hr. 36 min.). At that time in his dreams he receives darana of
Rdh-Govinda.
Theguru-vargaareservingalldaylong.Withinthedaytheyonlytake
restforoneortwohours,andevenastheyresttheyareservinginka-ll.
Toattainsuchastateofspiritualrapture,wemustfollowtheGosvms
example.Thisisdescribedintheprayer:
sakh-prvaka-nma-gna-natibhi klvasn-ktau
nidrhra-vihrakdi-vijitau ctyanta-dnau ca yau
rdh-ka-gua-smter madhurimnandena sammohitau
vande rpa-santanau raghu-yugau r-jva-goplakau
a-gosvmyaakam 6
IworshiptheSixGosvms,whopassedalltheirtimeinchantingthe
holy names, singing songs, and offering daavat-prama, thereby
humblyfulfillingtheirvowtocompleteafixednumberdaily.Inthis
xviii
way they utilized their valuable lives and conquered over eating and
sleeping. Always seeing themselves as completely worthless, they
becameenchantedindivinerapturebyrememberingrRdh-Kas
sweetqualities.
Theydonthavetasteorrelationwiththebodyandsenses.Onebyone
theyfollowtheprocessforattainingthatanurga.Also,iftheyarelatefor
oneminuteinanyservice,thentheysuffersomuchandrepent,Whyhave
Ilostoneminute?
They are always ready to help us attain Kas mercy and the Vraja-
devsassociation.
Raghuntha dsa Gosvm resided in Jaganntha Pur under the
guidance of Svarpa Dmodara, by the order of Caitanya Mahprabhu.
WhatdidhetakefromSvarpaDmodara?Hedailycollectedtheprocess
of unnata-ujjvala-rasa. To practice this, he followed Svarpa Dmodaras
footstepsateverymoment.
HememorizedandpracticedwhathecollectedfromMahprabhu,and
chantedharinmawithintenseanurga.
AfterMahprabhuandSvarpaDmodaradisappeared,DsaGosvm
wenttoVraja.
HestayedinVndvanaandmovedaboutthereforsometime,butlater
hepermanentlyresidedatRdh-kua.Frommorningtoeveninghewas
engaged in chanting harinma, while internally praying for the mercy of
the Vraja-devs and rmat Rdhrn. This book is his offerings of
pupjali to rmat Rdhrn. Pupjali is an offering of flowers, but
this book is kusumjal, meaning, offering ones desires like heartfelt
flowers.Heofferedhisdesireslikethiseverydayandateverymoment.He
wasneverdisturbed,nordidhethinklikemanyothers,Isthislinetrue?
orWillRdh-Kaacceptmyprayersornot?
His dk-guru is Yadunandana crya, Balarma crya is his priest,
andhisik-guruisSvarpaDmodaraPrabhu.
YadunandanacryalovedRaghunthamorethanhisownheart.He
gave him dk-mantra. Haridsa hkura, Advaita crya, Nitynanda
PrabhueveryonewaspleasedwithRaghuntha.Byeveryonesgreatmercy
he followed the rules and regulations of strong vairgya. His mind was
neverdisturbed.Heneverfollowedhissensesanddidnotgivethemeven
alittlebitoftime,alwaysbeingbusyforserviceofHari,GuruandVaiavas.
In Jaganntha Pur, Raghuntha dsa Gosvm was bestowed with a
specialgiftbyCaitanyaMahprabhu.RaghunthadsaGosvmsaid,Iam
averyfallensouldevoidofgoodness.Nevertheless,CaitanyaMahprabhu
xix
andNitynandaPrabhuwereverykindandmercifuluponme.Theyoffered
me at the lotus feet of Svarpa Dmodara. And Caitanya Mahprabhu
Himself gave me a govardhana-il and guj-ml. Guj-ml is
Rdhrnssvarpa,andrGovardhanaisKassvarpa.
Raghuntha dsa Gosvm is vairgya mrti, a personification of
renunciation. It was told about him, raghunthera niyama yena pera
rekhRaghuntha dsa Gosvms vairgya was as firm and resolute as
lines etched in stone. It was not like one day following bhaktis rules,
forsakinganyenjoyment,andthenextdaythinking,Iamagreatcrya;
taking everything is not bad for me. Raghuntha dsa Gosvm did not
thinklikethis.Tohislastdayinthisworld,hefollowedbhaktistrongly.
rCaitanyaMahprabhuhassaid
vairg ha kare jihvra llasa
paramrtha yya, ra haya rasera vaa
vairgra ktyasad nma-sakrtana
ka-patra-phala-mle udara-bharaa
jihvra llase yei iti-uti dhya
inodara-paryaa ka nhi pya
r Caitanya-caritmta, Antya-ll 6.225227
If a renunciate is eager for his tongue to taste different foods, his
spirituallifewillbelost,andhewillbesubservienttothetastesofhis
tongue.Thedutyofapersonintherenouncedorderistochantthe
Hare Ka mantra always. He should satisfy his belly with whatever
vegetables,leaves,fruitsandrootsareavailable.Onewhoissubservient
tothetongueandwhothusgoeshereandthere,devotedtothegenitals
andthebelly,cannotattainKa.
One should fill his belly with whatever is easily available. By offering
Kafoodsinthemodeofgoodnessandhonoringthemasprasda,the
tongueissatisfiedandservicetoKaiscultivated.Ifpalatableprasdais
easilyavailable,thenthetonguesgreedwillgraduallybecontrolledrather
than increased. Vairgs continuously chant harinma and maintain their
bodywithanythingsimple.
RaghunthadsaGosvmneverwenthereandthere,wastinghistime.
Heneverthought,Howdoessalt,lemon,pickleandchilitaste?Hehad
deepfaithandattachment.Thereforeotherthingscouldnevercomeand
disturb him. His teachings and his practice were very strong. He had
bhajana-nihandvairgya.Thereforehewasalwaysveryclosetotheguru-
varga.
xx
Peoplethink,Ihavenofault,buttheguru-vargadontgivememercy
orshelter.Buttheydontlookattheirownfaults.HowwasRaghuntha
dsa Gosvm? He stayed with Svarpa Dmodara for sixteen years
continuously,andneverthought,Iwillgoaway.Why?Hisvairgyaand
bhajana-nihwerealwaysaliveinhim.Thenhowcouldhebeanydistance
tobhajanaandtheguru-varga?Otherdesireswillcallmeandthrowmeout
iftheycome,butDsaGosvmwasnotlikethat.
He could not stay in Jaganntha Pur after Gaurahari and others
disappeareditwasdrythere.Whilethere,heprayed,worshipedgovardhana-
ilandguj-ml.Hethought,IshallclimbontopofGovardhanaand
jumpdown,givingupmybody.Myseparationwillbefinishedandmyheart
willcool.HewascryingandweepingtoJaganntha.JagannthagaveHis
prasd-mlandorderedhim,Raghuntha,youareMynearestanddearest.
GotoVndvana.GotoRpaandSantanaandstaythere.
ThenhewenttoVndvanaandwrotemanyprayers,instructionstothe
mind,inManah-ik.Inthethirdverseofthisbook,heprays
yadccher vsa vraja-bhuvi sa-rga prati-janur
yuva-dvandva tac cet paricaritum rd abhilae
svarpa r-rpa sa-gaam iha tasygrajam api
sphua prem nitya smara nama tad tva u mana
OMind,justlistentome!IfyoudesiretoresideinVrajabirthafterbirth,
andifyoudesiretodirectlyservetheeternallyyouthfulDivineCouplethere
with great attraction, then with intense love always remember and bow
down to rla Svarpa Dmodara; to rla Rpa Gosvm and his elder
brother,rlaSantanaGosvm;andtoalltheirassociatesandfollowers.
Heinstructed,IfyoudesireresidenceinVrajaandtheserviceofr
Rdh-Ka,thencontinuouslyrememberandstayundertheguidanceof
SvarpaDmodara,RpaGosvmandSantanaGosvm.Theyhavethis
anurga. Follow the footsteps of their anurga and stay in Vraja-dhma.
Then Govardhana, Rdh-kuaeveryone will accept you because you
followedthefootstepsoftheanurgdevotees.Vndvana-dhmawillgive
youallfacilityandchance.
HewroteSva-niyamaDaakam,andtherehealsowrote:
gurau mantre nmni prabhuvara-acgarbhaja-pade
svarpe r-rpe gaa-yuji tadya-prathamaje
girndre gndharv-sarasi madhu-pury vraja-vane
vraje bhakte gothlayiu param st mama rati
xxi
Maymyanurga bealwayswithmyspiritualmaster,thegyatr-mantra,
theholynameofLordKa,LordCaitanyaMahprabhusfeet,rla
Svarpa Dmodara Gosvm, rla Rpa Gosvm, his associates, his
elderbrother(rlaSantanaGosvm),GovardhanaHill,Rdh-kua,
MathurCity,VndvanaForest,thelandofVraja,thedevoteesofr
Ka,andtheresidentsofVraja.
Wecomeforbhajana,butgraduallymanyotherpersonscomenearby
and we make a relationship, talk sweetly, give something and take
something.TheystealmyheartandtakemeawayfromVraja-maala
andtheVrajavss.ThereforeDsaGosvmmadeastrongpromisewith
thedevotees,Iwillnotmeet,talk,accept,look,prayorwatchanything
or anyone else. This was his very strong vairgya, naturally springing
forth from his anurga. He was the personification of vairgya and
anurga.
Firstcontrolyourownsenses,yourmind,andthenyoursoul.Carefully
useeverythingforyourGurudeva;otherwise,ifyougivealittleshareto
others,theywillstealyouaway.Firsttheywantyoutobetheirfriend,and
thentheirslave.Thenyouwillgoveryfarawayfromtranscendentalll;
mundanellandnaturewillcome,andyouwillrunformundanetastes.
ThereforeDsaGosvmcontinuouslyfollowedthefootstepsofRpa
GosvmandSantanaGosvm.Hedidnotgoanydistancefromthemfor
one minute. Earlier, he knew nothing but Svarpa Dmodara and
Mahprabhu.Herespectedall,anddidnottalk,walk,look,watchorgoto
anyone.TheninVraja-maala,onthebankofRdh-kua,hefollowed
Rpa and Santana Gosvm. He paid obeisance to other Vaiavas and
beggedthem,HowcanImakesweetandstrongfaithfulrelationshipwith
myik-gurus,SantanaGosvmandRpaGosvm.
May no doubt come. Deep faith and respect for the Vaiavas is the
backbone.IfthereisnofaithforVaiavas,thenaftersometimefaithin
GuruandGodwillgoawayandeverythingwillbelost.
RaghunthadsaGosvmpracticedthisinhislife.Hisheartmelted
andtearsfell,alwaysshoweringhisbody.Why?Hewasnotnearmundane
persons;otherwisetheheartwillbecomedrylikearock.Ifotherpeople
stealtheheart,theneverythingwillbelost.Thennoflowoflovewillcome.
Dsa Gosvm always chanted harinma and cried, H Gauranga, h
Nitynanda,hSvarpaDamodara.
HewroteacinandanaAakam,Gaurga Stotra,SvanyamaDaakam,
Vilpa-kusumjali, Girirja Govardhana Aakam, Rdh-kua Aakam,
xxii
yma-kuaAakamandotherprayerswhichspontaneouslyappearedin
hisheart.
Hewouldonlysleepforfourdaas,aroundoneandahalfhours.He
usedallhisresourcescontinuouslyforservice.
He would chant harinma while remembering gaura-ll. He would
remember Navadvpa-dhma, and from there he started his mnas-sev.
WhenKavirjaGosvmwrote,healwaysofferedrespecttoDsaGosvm
as his ik-guru. He also stayed in Rdh-kua and there he saw that
Raghuntha dsa Gosvm would think of Mahprabhus ll and be
engaged in mnas-sev there. Raghuntha dsa Gosvm remembered
Mahprabhusfollowersandhowtheyallperformedkrtana together.He
rememberedtheirgloriesandrespectfullyofferedthemobeisances.Then
herememberedhowthedevoteesperformedbhajana.Heprayedtothem
andofferedprama.
HewrotebookslikeStavvaliandMukt-carita.InDna-keli-cintmai,
hewrotehowKatakestaxfromtheVraja-devs,andwhatisthemeaning
ofthattax.HewroteinMukt-caritahowtheVraja-devsmadeKas
dresswithpearlsandthepastimesthatfollowed.
Outofhismanybooks,thisVilpa-kusumjaliisespeciallyimportant.
Everydayheprayedlikethis,offeringflowerstoRdhrnslotusfeet.He
wrote:
devi dukha kula-sgarodare
dyamna mati durgata jana
tvat kp pravala naukaydbhuta
prpaya svapada-paka-jlayam
Vilpa-kusumjali 17
OGoddess,pleaserescuethisunfortunatepersondrowningintheocean
ofunhappiness.PlacemeinthestrongboatofYourmercyandcarryme
totheshoreofYourlotusfeet.
Hewrotetheseverses,internallyfeelingasifhewasburninginaheat
stronger than millions of fires. Why does he cry and weep so? This is
prema-vilpa.Whenloveistoodeep,theseparationalsobecomesverydeep.
Whatisthislanguageandmood?Noonecanunderstand.
Inhisperfectedcondition,DsaGosvmisaplya-ds.Hefollowed
thefootstepsofLalit-devandVndvana-vilsinrmatRdhrn.
HewroteVraja-vilsa-stavawhenhewasadvancedinage.Heprayed,
Oh!NowIamoldandmybodyisnothelpfulforYourservice.Thesnake
oftimehasbittenme,sappingallmyenergy.Nowheistryingtostealme
xxiii
andkeepmeawayfromYou.No,no,no,Iamnotold;Iamyoung;Iam
thefollowerofYourbeloved.HeSvmin,withoutYourdaranaandservice
I cant feel well for a moment. Therefore continuously give me Your
servicethisismyonlydesire.MayIcontinuouslyserveYouinmykior
ageinthisVndvana-dhma.HeRpaMajar,yourservicetendencyand
moodrunsonincessantly.Iwilllearnthatprocessandwillcontinuously
followit.Thereforegivemeeyes.MayInotwatchotherthings.Iwilllearn
onlythisline,rulesandregulations.
DsaGosvmforgothisownbodyandmemory,andprayedonlyfor
Rdhrnsdsyam:
tavaivsmi tavaivsmi na jvmi tvay vin
iti vijya devi tva naya m carantike
He DevrRdhike!IamYours!IamYours!IcannotlivewithoutYou.
Knowingthis,pleasegivemeaplaceatYourlotusfeet.
Whileinstructinghisownmind,Healsoprayed
yath duatva me davayati ahasypi kpay
yath mahya premmtam api dadty ujjvalam asau
yath r gndharv-bhajana-vidhaye prerayati m
tath gohe kkv giridharam iha tva bhaja mana
Mana-ik 8
Omind,withutterhumilityandgrief-strickenwords,justworshipr
Giridhr-Ka in Vraja in such a way that He will become pleased
withme.ByHiscauselessmercyHewillremovemywickedness,bestow
the nectar of His supremely radiant love, and confer upon me the
inspirationtoworshiprmatRdhik.
Heprayed,Omydearmind.Youareverynaughtyandstupid.Youtake
mefarawayfromGirirjaGovardhana.OGirirjaGovardhana,Ipraytoyou.
Defeatmymind,kickawayanyonewhocomesnearme,andprotectme.I
willnottrytogoonesecondfromRdhrnsservice.Idonotwanttogo
awayfromtheguidanceofRpaMajar.Iwillserveundertheguidanceof
RpaMajarandGuaMajar.Whenwillthatrati,love,cometome?
HeprayedtothelotusfeetofRdhrnforHerservice
pdbjayos tava vin vara dsyam eva
nnyat kadpi samaye kila devi yce
skhyya te mama namo stu namo stu nitya
dsyya te mama raso stu raso stu satyam
xxiv
O DevRdhike!Ineverdesireanythingbutthebestlovingserviceunto
Yourlotusfeet.IfYouwanttogivemethepositionofasakh,thenI
offermyobeisancesagainandagaintothatpositionfromadistance,but
I do not actually want it. Taking a vow, I am begging only to have
steadfastanurga inYourservice.
Heprayed,HeDev,thereisnoneedforyourfriendship,onlyfordsya.
IpromisethatIdontlikethepositionofafriend;onlyservitorshipisgood
forme.
InSvanyama-daakam(Verse6)heprayed:
andtyodgtm api muni-gaair vaiika-mukhai
prav gndharvm api ca nigamais tat-priyatamm
ya eka govinda bhajati kapa dmbhikatay
tad-abhyare re kaam api na ymi vratam idam
NotforamomentshallIgonearahypocritewhoworshipsonlyLord
Govinda and does not worship exalted rmat Rdhr, who is
glorifiedbytheVedasandthegreatsagesheadedbyNrada,andwhois
mostdeartorKa.Thisismyvow.
rlaBhaktivinodahkurasings:
nrada muni, bjya v,
rdhik-ramana -nme
nma amani, udita hoya,
bhakata-gta-sme
When the great soul Nrada Muni plays his stringed v, the holy
nameofRdhik-ramaadescendsandimmediatelyappearsamidstthe
krtana oftheLordsdevotees.
r-ka-nma, rasane sphuri,
prlo mra a
r-rpa-pade, ycaye ih,
bhakativinoda-dsa
The holy name of r Ka has fulfilled all my desires by thus
manifestingoneveryonestongue.Bhaktivinoda,thehumbleservantof
the Lord, therefore prays at the feet of r Rpa Gosvm that the
chantingofharinmamayalwayscontinueinthisway.
NradaisingstheholynamesofGovindawithnicetoneandmelody,
andcannotforgetHisnamesbyRdhrnsmercy.Withoutthemercyof
rmatRdhrnitisnotpossibleforanyonetochant,sing,prayandbe
xxv
presentinVrajaneartheVrajavss.Otherwisehegetsthemercyofmy
He will explain and remember mys qualities; he will serve her. The
mercyofsvarpa-aktiisnecessary.
Inside this Vilpa-kusumjali, he prays for rdh-nih. He taught
everyonevairgyaandbhajana,andtheprocesstoachievevraja-sevandthe
blessingsofsvarpa-aktiandtheVraja-devs.
Gurudevabringsaflowofrasalikeariver.Hearrangesandkeepsthis.
If anyone showers in it, then they are lucky. This is a river, not a lake,
meaning,thisrasaiscontinuouslyflowing.InVilpa-kusumjali,Stavvali
andotherbooks,DsaGosvmbroughtthisflow.Ifanyonebathesinor
drinksthis,hewillbeattractedtosvarpa-aktiandcomeclosetoHer.He
will never wander away from Her. This is the best process as told by
RaghunthadsaGosvm.Afterlearningthisprocess,wewillattainsome
greedforsdhana.
tva rpa-majari sakhi! prathit pure smin
pusa parasya vadana na hi payasti
bimbdhare katam angata-bhartky
yat te vyadhyi kim u tac chuka-pugavena
Mydearsakh RpaMajar,youarewellknowninVrajafornoteven
lookingatthefaceofanymanotherthanyourhusband.Thereforeitis
surprisingthatyourlips,redlikebimba fruits,havebeenbitten,even
thoughyourhusbandisnotathome.Hasthisbeendonebythebestof
parrots?
RaghunthadsaGosvmstartsthisbookadvisingustofollowrga-
mrga.Thisprayerishelpfulforeveryone.Ifonedoesntwanttocrossover
thismaterialoceanthenheshouldntreadthisbook.Ifanyonelikesthis
process of rgnuga-bhakti he will make this book his necklace by
continuouslyprayingtheseversesandfollowingthisprocess.
1
A Glimpse of Guru
s
Glory and Mercy
H
ow can we come close to the Gosvms? How can we make a
relationshipwiththemandfollowtheirfootstepsifwehaveno
knowledge of the process of rgnuga-bhakti? Ones own
imagination and speculation is not bhakti. To follow the rules and
regulations of rgnuga-bhakti, following Raghuntha dsa Gosvms
footstepsisnecessary.InCaitanyaMahprabhustimehewaswithSvarpa
Dmodara, and in his eternal form he is engaged in his eternally perfect
service,undertheguidanceofrlaRpaGosvm.Hewrote,prayedfor,
andreservedthisprocessofrgnugaandrpnuga-bhaktiforusall.Thisis
very helpful for all sdhakas, especially those in Mahprabhus line. In
Mahprabhusline,vaidh-bhaktidoesnothavesomuchvalue.Thesdhana
process of rgnuga-bhakti is necessary to learn and follow. If you dont
understanditorfeelyouhavenoadhikra,noproblem.Everyonesheart
hasanurga,love;whenthisismisused,onesuffers.Byvaidh-bhaktione
cantbringthisloveback;therewillbeonlysomecontrol,andonecannot
gainentranceandpositioninVraja-maala.Byfollowingtheprocessof
anurgamay-bhakti,byslowlyusingthisanurgaundertheguidanceofthe
Gosvms, and following the Vraja-devs footsteps, this anurga comes
back,andthenthereisnomoreproblem.
Therefore,withoutadhikra,ifanyoneinsults,tauntsorsaysanything
againstthis,thenitistheirownideaandspeculation.stradoesnttell
likethis.stratellsthatbabiesdontknowetiquette;evenwithouttaste
theygotoschool,sentbytheirparents,andgradually,alittletastecomes
andthentheyfolloweverythingbythemselves.Similarly,ifwedontfollow
theGosvmsfootsteps,thenwhowillwefollow?Willwegotoordinary
conditionedsouls?Willwethenprogressinlifeandgetpurificationand
clearance?
2
Whowillhelpusforcetodarpaamrjanam,cleansingthemirrorofthe
heart? People place a ban on conditioned souls, Dont go forward and
cross vaidh-mrga; dont try to enter rgnuga-mrga, as you have no
adhikra.
Howcanadhikracome?Ithinkthesepeopleareverycruel,hardcheaters.
Theyalwayspunishthejvas,Dontgo,dontfollow,anddontlook.Then
whoishelpful?IfwedontfollowourGosvmsandguru-vargasfootsteps,
adviceandorders,thenhowcanwecrossmy?Thereforewechant,read
and move here and there for a long time, following the wrong footsteps,
untilwefinallygiveupandrun,jumpingintothelapofmy,unableto
crossmy.Whyisthis?Onlybecausewedontfollowourguru-vargaand
Gosvms. Therefore, dont doubt this process of rgnuga-bhakti. This
bhaktiisverysweet,easy,favorable,helpfulandnatural!Thejvasnaturally
have love for God, but due to bad association they misuse this. In this
worldpeopleteachsomanythings,suchas,Controllingyourloveisgood.
Renounceeverything.Thisworldisillusory.Butafterthat,whatwillthey
do?Howcanoneusethislovepermanentlyforitsproperobject?
Those who teach mere negation have no idea of the positive truth.
Thereforeweofferrespectandpupjalitovaidh-bhaktimarga,andleaving
itononeside,wefollowtheGosvmsfootsteps.
ei chaya gosi jabe vraje kail vsa
rdh-ka-nitya-ll karil praka
rlaNarottamadsahkura
When the Six Gosvms lived in Vraja they revealed the pastimes of
RdhandKa.
These Gosvms discovered the eternal pastimes of Rdh-Ka in
Vndvanaandgavethemtotheconditionedsouls.
ei chaya gosi kori caraa vandana
jh hoite vighna-na abha-praa
BythecauselessmercyoftheSixGosvmstheobstaclestodevotion
canberemovedandmyabha rYugalaservicecanbeattained,that
is,allmydesirescanbefulfilled.
ByfollowingtheGosvmsfootsteps,alldisturbancesandobstacleswill
bedestroyed.ThenwhydontIfollowtheGosvms?Byforcepeoplepress
others, hiding themselves in the darkness. They say to others, Oh, stay
withmeinthisdarkanddeepwell;dontcomeout;dontlooktowardsthe
3
light.Theytrytomakeyoulazy,crazyandintoxicated,givingyouwine
andbeertomakeyouparalyzeddayandnightinaroom,asifyouareina
coma.Thisisnothumanlife!
This is not the process to awaken the soul. How can we awaken the
soulsloveandaffectionfortheSupremeSoul?TheGosvmsteachthisby
theirexample.Ifwedontfollowthisthenwewilldostupidandnonsense
business.
Weshouldpray,HowcanIattainmyowntrueservice?HowcanIlearn
and go close to the Gosvms, guru-varga and Vraja-devs? This process
mustbefollowedverystrictlythenIamasdhaka;thenIamintheguru-
vargaslineandtheirfollower.InthefirstlokaRaghunthadsaGosvm
offers magalcaraa. The rule is to first offer magalcaraa for some
auspiciousnessandprayer.Buttowhom?ToGuru.IfGuruispleased,then
everythingisgood.EverythingisforGurussatisfaction.
How do you offer prama in our rpnuga-marga? In vaidhi-mrga
worshipisdonewithpdya,camana,pupjali,arghya,sana,madhuparka,
this,this,this,this,andthat,thatthat,butrgnuga-bhaktiisnotlikethis.
NowRaghunthadsaGosvmoffersprama
tva rpa-majari sakhi! prathit pure smin
pusa parasya vadana na hi payasti
bimbdhare katam angata-bhartky
yat te vyadhyi kim u tac chuka-pugavena
Vilpa-kusumjali 1
Mydearsakh RpaMajar,youarewellknowninVrajafornot
even looking at the face of any man other than your husband.
Thereforeitissurprisingthatyourlips,redlikebimba fruits,have
been bitten, even though your husband is not at home. Has this
beendonebythebestofparrots?
Raghuntha dsa Gosvm offers prama to Rpa Gosvm. How?
Not by touching the feet, taking caramta and doing parikram ten
times. What does Dsa Gosvm Prabhu say? While praying, Dsa
GosvmPrabhuremembershisowninternalserviceandperceivesavision
ofVrajaspastimes.Helooks,RpaMajarispresentinVraja-maala?
Sheisveryhonestandchaste;sheneverwatchesanygentleman.Sheis
always with rmat Rdhrn. She is rmat Rdhrns nearest and
dearestRpaMajar.
DsaGosvmlookedatRpaMajarsface.Hedidntlookatherfeet;
helookedtoherfaceandsawthatitwasasifsomethinghadcomeand
4
bitten her lips, injuring her and leaving a red mark. Observing this, he
thought, What is the matter? Who came? And from where and how?
Whattypeofparrothascome,and,asifattractedbythefragranceofaripe
fruit,bitintothefruitandtakensomejuice?RpaMajaristheverynear
and dear of Rdhrn, and is full of the flow of rasa coming from Her.
WiththissheservesRdhrn.Butwhocameandtastedher,andmadeher
contaminatedandthenranaway?
HereDsaGosvmtellshowoneoffersproperpramatoGuru-pda-
padma. Guru-stuti and guru-pj are necessary. Who gives Rdhrns
mantra? Who gives advice to chant and remember this? This is given by
rlaGurudeva.
DsaGosvmPrabhuthenpraystoRpaGosvmPrabhuinhissiddha-
avasth, perfected state. Dsa Gosvm understood that Rdhrn sent
Ka in the early morning,Go to Rpa Majar. Day and night she is
continuously serving, pleasing and helping Me. She is honest and never
meetsorspeakswithanyoneelse;shedoesntevenlookatanyother;she
doesntknowanythingexceptMyservice.Gotoher.
Ifthedisciplehasadeeprelationwithhisguru,thenhecanunderstand
howmuchlovehisguruhasforKa,andhowmuchloveKahasforhis
guru.OnecanthenunderstandhowmuchKalikesRpaMajar,how
nearanddearsheistoHim,andhowrmatRdhrnispleasedwithher.
Therefore She sends Ka, Ka! Dont you know this Rpa Majar?
Whydontyougoandgivehersomeofyourloveandaffection?
Everythingisready,butifKadoesntacceptit,itisnotcalledprasda,
itisuseless.AnythingthatKaacceptsbecomesHisprasda,andthenit
ishelpfulforeveryone.
The sdhaka must pray and remember his Guru-pda-padma. Guru-
pda-padma is a siddha, eternally perfected mah-bhgavata. From his
heart,blessingswillcome,andthenthesdhakawillseehisownsiddha-
svarpa, Guru-pda-padmas siddha-svarpa, and Guru-pda-padmas
serviceandspecialties.Hewillunderstandthisandbecomegreedy.This
greed is important. If there is no greed, then bhakti will never, never
increase.
So with this first loka, Raghuntha dsa Gosvm offers prama to
Rpa Gosvm in his eternal form as Rpa Majar, remembering the
blessingsofKaforher.
ItisnotpossiblethatwithoutRdhrnsinstructionKawouldgo
and kiss and bite the lips of Rpa Majar. This is not possible. Why?
KaisnotindependentofRdhrn.
5
RpaMajaralsoisntwaitingforthislovefromKa.Butrmat
RdhrnknowshowtodistributeKasloveandblessingstoeveryone.
ThereforeHerarrangementisgood.
Inthenextverseitissaid
sthala-kamalini yukta garvit knane smin
praayasi vara-hsya pupa-guccha-cchalena
api nikhila-lats t saurabhkta sa mucan
mgayati tava mrga ka-bhgo yad adya
Vilpa-kusumjali 2
Olotustree,onthepretextofthisbunchofnewblossomsyouarenow
broadlysmilinginthisforest.Youhaveeveryrighttobeproud.After
all,theblackKa-beehasleftallthefragrantflower-vinesandHeis
nowsearchingforthepathwaytoyou.
Alotusgenerallyblossomsinthewater,inanyriverorlake,buthereit
is told that there is a garden in which a wonderful lotus has blossomed
without the need of any water body. This sacred place is Vnd-devs
garden. Who is this lotus? Rpa Majar. She is more wonderful than
millions of lotuses. Her fragrance, color, beauty, natureeverything is
millionsoftimesgreaterthanlotuses.
The special qualities of Guru-pda-padma appear in the heart of his
perfectedfollowers.Otherwisedisciplesprayandofferpramawithmundane
ideasandwordswithoutunderstandingtheirGurudevasactualposition.
HereRaghunthadsaGosvmsays,Inthisgardenthereisonelotus
whoisveryproudofhergoodfortune.Therearemanyotherflowersinthe
garden,yettodaythefamousblackbumblebeeofVrajahasleftallothers
andcometorelishthislotus.
Thereweremanyotherflowersthere,likeothermajarsandsakhs,but
rmatRdhrnexclaimed,Oh!Howisthisflower!Rdhrnlaughed
and went to this lotus, but not aloneShe was followed by one black
bumblebee.Kaisverygreedy.Heislikeabumblebeethatgoestodrink
honeyfromthelotusesinlakes.ButtodayHesawthatthereisalotusin
thegardenfromwhichaverysweetaromawaswafting.Thisfragrancewas
very attractive and strong. He ran, maddened by this fragrance, looking,
Wheredidthislotuscomefrom?Thisisveryattractive,sweetandbeautiful,
withsuchnicecolor.NowKawasagitated,buthowcouldHetouch
andtakethelotus?Hehasthisdesire.Hehidamongstthesakhsandwent
nearbyrmatRdhrn.ThenRdhrncalledforthRpaMajarwho
wascloseby.
6
RpaMajarcameforward,herbeautifulfacesmiling,alittleproudof
herfortune.
Justlookhowwonderfulthisfloweris!RdhrnindicatedtoKa.
Smellandlookatthisflower.Youhaveneverseensuchalotusblossomed
inthisgardenbefore!Lookatthislotusandsmellthefragrance,butdont
pickortakethelotusandrunawaywithher!ThenRdhrndepartedto
anotherkuja.
By trick and force, Ka hovered from this side to that side like a
bumblebee, and then suddenly caught Rpa Majar and kissed her lips.
Astonished, Rpa Majar ran away very quickly, not staying there a
momentlonger.Sheisveryhonestandchaste.Shethought,Howcould
Kacome,touchandcontaminateme!Shethenrantoanotherkuja.
Katriedtofollowher,butsheranveryfasttoRdhrnandhidunder
Hercdara.ThenKacouldnolongercomenearher.ItwaslikeHehad
lost something very valuable. He lamented, Why did I go to touch and
disturbher?Thisisnotgood.NoweveryonewillrejectMe.Noonewill
giveMeentranceagain.TheywillneverspeaktoMeortakeMynameagain.
NowIhavebeenrejected!
Hewentfarawayandsatunderakadambatree,castingHisflutetoone
side.Hesatandthought,WhatcanIdo?Iseenosolution.Iamverygreedy,
alampaa.Idontknowwhatprocesstofollow.RdhonlytoldMetolook
attheflower,smellitandcomeback,butIwenttotryandpicktheflower
byforceandrunwithit.Ididthisthiefbusinessandamthereforesuffering.
ThisisthepositionofGuru.WhenthesdhakameetswithGuruinhis
siddha-svarpa,thenherealizesthepositionofGuru-pda-padmahowhe
isserving,howheisthenearanddearofrmatRdhrn,andhowKa
isgreedytohavesomesweetinteractionwithhim.
NowKawaitedandthought,WhenwillInextgetthegoodfortune
toonceask,talkoraddressher?Ifshetellsmesomething,andIhearone
ortwowordsfromher,thisisgoodforme.
ButRpaMajarnevergoesoutanddoesanythingindependentlyof
rmatRdhrn.Why?RpaGosvminstructed,
anybhilit-nya jna-karmdy-anvtam
nuklyena knu-lana bhaktir uttam
Bhakti-rasmta-sindhu 1.1.11
Thecultivationofactivitiesthataremeantexclusivelyforthepleasure
ofrKa,orinotherwordstheuninterruptedflowofservicetor
Ka,performedthroughallendeavorsofthebody,mindandspeech,
7
and through the expression of various spiritual sentiments (bhvas),
which is not covered by jna (knowledge aimed at impersonal
liberation)andkarma(reward-seekingactivity),andwhichisdevoidof
alldesiresotherthantheaspirationtobringhappinesstorKa,is
calledpuredevotionalservice.
The word knulanam may either be read as k-anulanam or
ka-anulanam.KmeansRdhandanuilanammeanstofollow.What
is properk-anulanam or ka-anulanam, following Rdhrn or
Ka?Ifthereiska-anulanamundertheguidanceofRdhrn,then
that is perfect. Otherwise if one tries to please Ka without Rdhrns
permissionandguidance,anythinghedoeswouldnotbeperfectandproper.
Rpa Majar doesnt independently go near Ka, meet with Him,
serveHimordoanything;sheissolelysurrenderedtoRdhrn.Thisis
calledguru-anugatya.
Manypeoplecameandtookdkandharinma,andGurudevatoldthem
toserveGodsDeities.ThentheyruntoserveGodsDeitiesbutdonothing
forGuru-pda-padma;theydontservehimandhavenorelationwithhim.
EverythingmustfirstbeofferedtorlaGurudeva.Itisthedisciplesdutyto
offer everything to rla Gurudeva. Guru checks whether the disciples
offering is right or wrong, perfect or not. If everything is sweet, perfect,
favorableandtasteful,thenwhatIofferwillbegivenbyrlaGurudevatohis
senior,meaning,fromguruitwillbeofferedtoparama-guru,topartpara-
guru,andallthewayuptoRpaMajartoLalit,VikhandRdhrn,
andthenafterbeingcheckedbyRdhrnthisgoestoKa.
Nowalljumpandrun,saying,Gurudevatoldmetodothis.Iamnow
agreatdevotee.IwilltrytopleaseKaandRdhrnwithmyownbig
ideaandunderstanding.Thisisnothing,thisiszero!Aftersometimeone
willhavenotasteandwillrunawayfromservice;hewillnotserveRdh-
GovindaandRdh-Ka,rathermundaneladies,gents,babies,thisand
that.Thisismundanenature.Whydotheyrunaway?Becausetheyarenot
attachedtorlaGurudeva.
ButhowisRpaMajar?KalefteveryoneandsearchedforRpa
Majar.Why?BecausesheisthenearestanddearestofRdhrn.
If Rdhrn has affection for anyone, She will not be fully pleased
unlessHerbeloved,Ka,hasshownaffectionforthatperson.Forexample:
ifIhaveaffectionforyou,andGurudevashowsyouaffection,thenitwill
please me very much. Like this, Rdhrn desired that Ka shows
affection to Rpa Majar. By this She is very pleased. Ka went near
RpaMajarforthehappinessofRdhrn.
8
Rpa Majar ran away because she did not want to independently
accept any affection from Ka. This is the nature of her love. Rpa
Majar is extremely close to rmat Rdhrn, like Her own beloved
expansion.HerveryformissosimilartoRdhrnsthatKasometimes
cannotdistinguishbetweenthetwo.
KaisinRdhrnsheart,andRdhrnisinRpaMajarsheart.
When Ka went forward to Rpa Majar, He saw, Only Rdhrn is
presenthere.DidKamakeamistake,orwasHisperceptionthetruth?
He became perplexed, Who is this? From top to bottom, inside and
without,RpaMajaristheembodimentofRdhrn.Shehasplacefor
noother.SoKadidnotmakeamistake.
Ka could not understand clearly, Who is this? Is it Rpa or
Rdhrn?WhenKalookedatRpa,HeonlysawRdhrn.Itsays
inCaitanya-caritmta (Madhya-ll8.274):
sthvara-jagama dekhe, n dekhe tra mrti
sarvatra haya nija ia-deva-sphrti
The mah-bhgavata certainly sees everything animate and inanimate,
buthedoesnotexactlyseetheirforms.Rather,everywherehelooks,he
immediatelyseesthemanifestformofhisworshipableLord.
KacomestoRdh-kuaandinallthecreepers,plants,treesand
objects around Rdh-kua, He sees only the manifold svarpas of
Rdhrn.WhateverpictureofRdhrnthesebeingskeepintheirheart,
those dancing images of Rdhrn come as a reflection in Kas eyes.
Seeingthis,Kabecomesastonishedandbeginstodanceinjoy.
Vnd-devcomestoKaandasksHim,WhyareYoudancing?
Iamlearningtheartofdance.
WhoisYourteacher?
Myguru.
WhoisYourguru?
Rdhrn.
rdhikra prema-guru, mi iya naa
sad m nn ntye ncya udbhaa
r Caitanya-caritmta, di-ll 4.124
rKasays,TheloveofRdhikisMyteacher,andIamHerdancing
pupil.Herprema makesMedancevariousnoveldances.
Likethis,KawenttoRpaMajarand,becomingbewildered,He
kissedher,thinkingshewasRdhrn.Kasawthatwithinandwithout,
9
RpaMajarwastheembodimentofRdhrn.Hebecamenonplussed,
andthought,Whoisthis?IsitRdhrn?Thereisnoothersoabsorbed
inRdhrnthatshehasbecomelikeRdhrnsveryembodiment.
Rdhrn had desire for Ka to give affection to Rpa Majar,
thereforeKawentnearRpa,butHebecameconfusedseeingher,not
understanding if it was Rdhrn or Rpa Majar. Raghuntha dsa
GosvmsawthatKawenttoRpa.Why?Hearonething.Kaalways
kissesRdhrn,notmerelyonce.Butthenwhatisthespecialtyherefor
Rpa Majar? This prayer by Raghuntha dsa Gosvm describes Rpa
Majarsspecialty.
KaisalwayswithRdhrnandenjoyspastimeswithHer,butwhen
HegoestoRpaMajaritshowsRpasspecialty.
IntheArcana-dpik,itistold:
rdh-sammukha-sasakti
sakh-saga-nivsinm
tvm aha satata vande
mdhavraya-vigrahm
OGurudeva,Icontinuallyoffermyobeisancesuntoyou,whoarealways
in the presence of Srmat Rdhr and very much devoted to Her.
YoualwaysresideintheassociationofHerconfidantes,thegops,and
youaretheabodeoflovingdevotiontorMdhava.
This is guru-vandan and stuti. How many things are indicated here?
You dont know this. One day rla Gurudeva pulled me after rati, and
sending out all others, asked me in his room, Hey, do you know the
meaningofkrsnnandya-dhmahi?
WhatdoIknow?Ireplied.
KnandameansthatrGurugivesnandatoKa,rlaGurudeva
said.ItalsoreferstoRdhrn,whoisknownasK.
HowdoesGurudevagivenandatoRdh-Ka?Howdoesheserve?
Hownearishe?
nikuja-yno rati-keli-siddhyai
y ylibhir yuktir apekany
tatrti-dkyd ati-vallabhasya
vande guro r cararavindam
r Gurvakam 6
rGurudevaisalwayspresentwiththesakhs,planningthearrangements
fortheperfectionofyugala-kioras amorouspastimes(rati-keli)within
10
thekujas ofVndvana.Becauseheissoexpertinmakingthesetasteful
arrangementsforTheirpleasure,heisverydeartorRdhandKa.
IofferprayersuntothelotusfeetofrGurudeva.
Therpnugaguruismostexpertatservingintheconfidentialpastimes
ofRdh-Ka.Howdoeshedoservice?Ka-nandameanssev-nanda.
Bydoingservice,Kaispleased.HowcanKabepleased?Howisthat
service? When you go near Guru in reality, then you will be able to
understandthesetopics.Themajarsonlyhavedesire,HowcanIarrange
RdhrnsmeetingwithKa.Noneofthemajarshaveanyseparate
desiretomeetwithKa.
vrajendra-vasati-sthale vividha-ballav-sakule
tvam eva rati-majari pracura-puya-pujoday
vilsa-bhara-vismta-praayi-mekhal-mrgae
yad adya nija-nthay vrajasi nthit kandaram
Vilpa-kusumjali 3
ORatiMajar,inthekingofVrajascity,wheremanygops live,you
are the most pious of all. That is why you are now going to a cave,
requested by your queen, to search for the favorite sash of bells She
forgotinthemidstofmanypastimes.
Aho!Now,inthekuja-kura,KacametosearchforRpaMajar
butHecouldntfindher.Why?ShehadgoneandhiddenunderRdhrns
shawl.Kachantedandrememberedhername,searchingforherinthe
kuja.ThenHesawthatRpaMajarwasnotinsidethekuja.Therewas
anotherone.
Whoisshe?Hewondered.
Herheadwascoveredwithapeacock-feathercoloredshawl.Karan
forwardandliftedupthisshawlalittlebitandlookedintoherface.
Whoisthisnewonewhohascomeinthekuja?Hethought.
HernameisRatiMajar.
At the time of bhajana, one goes to Vraja-maala in ones eternal
siddha-svarpa, with a desire for service. Rdhrn gives some blessing,
whichcomesthroughRpaMajar,toRatiMajar,throughthemajars
toGurudevaandthentotheperfecteddisciples.Iwillstickclosetorla
Gurudevas footsteps. He gave harinma and dk. I will chant these in
brhma-muhrtaandbewithhim.Thenautomaticallyhisheartwillmelt
andaflowofmercyandinspirationwillcomeinmyheart.
NowKasawthatRatiMajarhadcome.
11
BringMyshawl,RdhrnhadtoldRatiMajar.Shewalkedthrough
theinnerkujaandcameoutside,whereKamether.
DoyouknowRpaMajar?Heasked.Whereisshe?HowcanImeet
withher?Hewasverygreedy.Pleasehelpmejustonce.Iwanttoprayfor
forgiveness. What I did was improper. She is very honest and chaste. I
promisenottodisturbheranymore.MayshebepleasedwithMe.
Rati Majar went inside a cave without answering. Without the
permissionofrmatRdhrn,shedidnttalk,lookorcheckanything,
shesimplyignoredKa.
RatiMajarisRaghunthadsaGosvm.SomesaythatRaghuntha
dsaGosvmisRasaMajarorTulasMajar.Accordingtoonesown
position they see like this. But here, Raghuntha dsa Gosvm, as Rati
Majar,ispresentinhissiddha-svarpa,servingtheDivineCouple.
Ifanyonelikesrgamay-sev,thenKaHimselfwillcomethousands
andmillionsoftimes.Therewillbenoneedtotakeshelterofanyother
processtopleaseHim,Hewillautomaticallybeverypleased.
DsaGosvmprays
prabhur api yadunandano ya ea
priya-yadunandana unnata-prabhava
svayam atula-kpmtbhieka
mama ktavas tam aha guru prapadye
Vilpa-kusumjali 4
Let me surrender to my spiritual master, Yadunandana crya. A
powerfulanddeardevoteeoftheSupremeLord,hesprinkledthenectar
ofhismercyuponme.
OneYadunandanaisKa,butHisnearestanddearest,mybelovedGuru-
pda-padma, is also named Yadunandana. He is the embodiment of Kas
mercy,thereforeheismyguru.Itookshelterofhimandhealsoacceptedme.
HeofferedmetothelotusfeetofMahprabhu,mademyrelationwithSvarpa
Dmodara,andgavemeserviceunderguidanceofRpaGosvm.
Ka-mantraisgivenbydk-guru,andik-guruteachesvraja-bhakti
orrgnuga-bhakti.Sometimesdk-gurualsoacceptsthepositionofik-
guru. With respect to dk-guru, the disciple has a mood of awe and
reverence,butik-guruislikeonesdearfriend,withhimeverythingcan
be openly discussed. If one disrespects dk-guru, that is a problem, but
ik-guruisalwayshelpingandwillneverbedisturbed.
A mother always takes care of her babies. If babies are angry and
sometimes break or destroy things, their mother is never angry, rather
12
alwayshelpful.Thisisamundaneexample.ik-guru,however,ismillion
timesmorekindthanamother.
Raghuntha dsa Gosvm now glorifies his dk-guru, Yadunandana
crya, My Guru Mahrja took me out of my; he gave me power to
renounceallmaterialthings.IfmyGuru-pda-padmadidnotacceptme,I
couldnthavegivenupanything.Mybodyiswithmesincemillionsoflives
andIamveryattachedtoit.BecauseofmyGuru-pda-padmasmercyand
power,Ihadnotasteorattachmenttomybeautifulyoungwife,wealthand
everything.Afterthat,somuchrespectfollowedmebutGurudevaprotected
me;healwaysgaveastrongboundarysothatnothingcouldcomeinside
and disturb me. If Guru-pda-padma doesnt protect me, then I cant
understandanything.
Inthefifthverse,RaghunthadsaGosvmtells
yo m dustara-geha-nirjala-mah-kpd apra-klamt
sadya sndra-daymbudhi praktita svair kp-rajjubhi
uddhtytma-saroja-nindi-caraa-prnta prapadya svaya
r-dmodara-sac-cakra tam aha caitanyacandra bhaje
IworshipLordCaitanya-candra,thesupremelyindependentocean
ofgreatmercy,whowithHisropesofmercyquicklyliftedmefrom
the endlessly troublesome great dry well of household life, from
whichescapeisverydifficult,whogavemetheshelterofHisfeet
which rebuke the beauty of lotuses, and who gave me to Svarpa
DmodaraGosvm.
Who understands the glories of rla Gurudeva? If someone sends a
poorhelplesspersontoschool,maintainshimineveryway,andtakescare
ofhimattentively,thenwhenhebecomesapostgraduate,andthereaftera
minister,hethinks,Thispersonwassokindtome.Iwasapoororphan
withnohelper;Iwassufferingonthestreetandnoonegavemeonedrop
ofwaterorfood,butthatpersonalwayshelpedme.
Similarly, if anyone crosses my, he will be somewhat able to
understand the glories of Guru-pda-padma and guru-mantra. At the
time of svarpa-siddhi he will understand Gurudevas position. rla
Gurudevawillalsoarrangeik-guruforhisdisciplestohelparrangethis
svarpa-siddhi. If Guru-pda-padma doesntarrangethis,thenIwillgo
runningthewrongway,mymoodwillgothewrongway.Thereisabig
problemthen.
IfthereisnoattachmentwithGurudeva,thenIwillonlyhavearelation
with my and her family. My father will tell me, This is your mother,
13
aunt,uncle,grandfather,brother,sisterandgrandmother.ButGurudeva
givestheidentityofthesoulandthesoulsfamily.
Oh! Where are you going? Gurudeva exclaims, Go to Vndvana,
JagannthaPurandNavadvpa-dhma.StaywiththeVaiavas;theywill
protect you. Chant harinma there, pray in the morning, hear harikath
and take mah-prasda. This is Gurudevas arrangement and protection.
He teaches and helps us, giving us the disposition to gradually progress.
This is his causeless mercy! If anyone forgets that Guru-pda-padma, he
willloseeverything!Ifanyone,however,alwaysoffershisobeisancestohim,
thenhewillcrossmyandenterVraja.
RaghunthadsaGosvmsays,Aho!Thesesensesandfamilyareso
attractive.Youngage!Wealth!Anopulentkingdom!Ihadeverything.This
ismah-andhakpa,agreatblindwell.HowcanIescapefromthis?Thisis
impossibleforme.OGurudeva!Youaresokind.Youareanoceanofmercy.
HeGurudeva!Ononesidenaturepullsme,Come,come,thereisanice
bed,wifeandallenjoyment!Youngage,wealth,everythingisthere.Onthe
othersideyouthrowyourropeofmercyintothiswelloffamilylifeandpull
meup,saying,Hey!Dontlookatthisside.YousentHaridsahkura,
Balarmacrya,AdvaitacryaandtheGosvms.
Haridsahkuraneverwentnearanyking.Thisisnotthenatureof
sdhus.Itisimpossible!Hewouldnotgoforanywealthortobeg.
WhenIcametoMathur,rlaGurudevataughtme,Nevergoandbeg,
Ohbbj,givemeonepaisa,onerupee.OnlybegforthemercyofGuru
andVaiavas,thepowerfultranscendentalpersonalitiesinVraja-maala,
andtheGosvms.Praytothem.Dontbegreedyforanythingmundane.
In this world, if Guru and Vaiavas dont help us, then the illusory
energyoftheLorddefeatseveryone;itsmashesusandmakesusintohalav
andchutney.Thenpeoplelick,eatanddestroyus,passingusoutlikestool.
If Guru and Vaiavas protect us, our backbone will be strong, and our
healthandwealthwillbeGodsproperty,dedicatedonlyforHisservice.
RaghunthadsaGosvmprays,Howisyourmercy?Aho!Youtook
me out of this deep well, and offered me at the lotus feet of Caitanya
MahprabhuandSvarpaDmodara.Icouldnotunderstandthisatthat
time. You are not cruel to me, but very kind. Caitanya-candra is the
independentLord.Butyouprayedformysake;Hethenacceptedmeand
until my last day took care of me. He offered me to Svarpa Dmodara,
whothentaughtmeeverything.
Dsa Gosvm first offered obeisances to Guru, then ik-guru and
Caitanya-candra.Thisistheproperprocess.Hesays,Withoutwater,afish
14
suffersandwillleaveitsbodyinaminute.Thesoulisinsidethebodyand
isalwayssufferingwithoutloveandaffection.Aftersometimeitleavesthe
body,butyouwatered,wateredandwateredmewithbhakti-rasa,savingmy
life,savingmysoul.Andyoutookmeoutofthesmallwellandbroughtme
to the great ocean of Caitanya Mahprabhus unlimited mercy. And He
offeredmetoSvarpaDmodara.Nowthereisnoshortnessofanything.
Howmuchwaterispresentinasmallwell?Onedaythiswillbedryand
short.ButthegreatoceanofCaitanya-candrasmercywillneverbefinished.
Only Guru-pda-padma who is rgnug can give this anurga to his
disciples.Heisperfectlyabletoprotectandsavethem.
Ordinarygurushavenopower.Aftersometimethedisciplesleavetheir
guru,andguruleaveshisdisciples,andeveryonerunshereandthere.Why?
Theyhavenolink,thereisnoonewateringthem,thereforetheyhaveno
rasa.Thustheyaredryandsuffer.
OurbelovedrlaGurudevaisnotlikethis.Hebestowsbhakti-rasaand
givesuslifeandnourishmentsothatwecangrowandonedayattainour
svarpa-siddhi.Hearrangessothatwecanobtainthisrasa.Thisiscalled
the nature of a pure guru. Mundane gurus give initiation, take some
donation, fill their pockets and then run away, not thinking about the
progressoftheirdisciplessoul.Ourguru-vargaisnotlikethis.Therefore
thislineisrunningon.
Babiesdontunderstandthehelpandstrengthofmothersbreastmilk.
Anything the guru-varga gives to the conditioned souls is like pure
nourishingmilk, but the ignorant souls have no knowledge of this great
mercy.However,whentheymeetwithik-guru,hecanteachandmake
themqualified;thentheycanunderstandGuru.
IfwedonthearthisVilpa-kusumjali,howcanweunderstandGuru
and bhakti? And those who say, Dont read, you have no qualification,
actuallythink,Oh!Youarehidingandsufferingindeepanddarkwells,
rottingthereinthesewerplantsofmateriallife.Thisisgoodforyou.
Isthiscalledspiritualinstruction?No.Ifanyoneisnotgreedyforthis,
thenhowhashecometoGuru?Ifyouhavenodesiretocrossmyand
entertheeternalworld,thenwhyhaveyoucometothisline?Whyhave
you come here? The guru-varga very strongly teaches us. Therefore this
book is present, Dsa Gosvm is present, his advice is present, his
philosophy, example, rules and regulations are present. Following this,
spiritual energy and power will come; love, faith and respect will come.
Thenyouwillneverloseanything.Thenyouwontthink,Ihavelostmy
Gurudeva.MyGurudevahasdeparted.Whatisthemeaningofdeparture?
15
Gurudevaiseternal,Godiseternal,andrelationwiththemiseternal.How
doesthisquestioncometoyou?IsGurudevaashorsmoke?Ishedustor
anything mundane? No. To understand our Gurudevas glories we must
come near the Gosvms, who will teach us the nature of Gurudeva and
howrlaGurudevaispresentevennow,bestowinghismercy.
Sasra-phukra kne n paibe: we will then not hear the talks of
ordinarypeople.Gurudevawillprotectus.Hemakesaprotectedareafor
hissinceredisciplessothatmundanepeopledontcomeandtorturethem
with their mundane desires. They will not come and say, Come, come
withme,makerelationwithme.Iwillbeyourlover.Youaremyfriend.
Letsgototheparkandthemovies.
Bydrinkingthisbhakti-rasa,youwillhavenomoredesireorthirstfor
materiallifeandshallfollowbhaktiveryseriously.
PrayeverydaywiththisVilpa-kusumjali.Forthosewhopray,entering
eternal life is not hard, but if we dont follow this line, we would lose
millionmoreliveswanderinginmy.
16
17
Fire and Ash
T
hesixthversesays
vairgya-yug-bhakti-rasa prayatnair
apyayan mm anabhpsum andham
kpmbudhir ya para-dukha-dukh
santanas ta prabhum raymi
I was unwilling to drink the nectar of devotional service possessed of
renunciation,butSantanaGosvm,outofhiscauselessmercymademe
drink,eventhoughIwasotherwiseunabletodoso.Thereforeheisan
oceanofmercy.Heisverymuchcompassionatetofallensoulslikeme,
andthusitismydutytooffermyrespectfulobeisancesuntohislotusfeet.
Vairgya isvieaanurga,aspecialformofanurga.Ifyouhaveanydesire
forthisveryspeciallovethenyoumusttakeshelterofspecialpeopleandpray
tothem.Ifyougotoanymah-bhgavataorVaiava,mundanepeoplewont
be able to tolerate this and will say, Hey! Why are you going to a mah-
bhgavata?Youareunqualified.Youwillnotunderstandhimandwillmake
anoffense.Dontgo.Peoplecheatlikethis.
Ihadnodesireforthat,RaghunthadsaGosvmsaid,butSantana
Gosvm is para-dukha-dukh, sad to see the suffering of others. The
conditionedsoulshaveforgottentheirownservice,misplacedtheirlove,
andgonethewrongway.Thereforetheyaresuffering.SantanaGosvm
helps them. If one doesnt collect this bhakti-rasa, he will always suffer
andnotbeabletounderstandwhathisrealserviceis.Thereforewhatdid
SantanaGosvmdo?Bytrick,hegraduallygavemethisbhakti-rasa,and
ordered,Thisdrinkisgoodandhelpfulforyou,itwillmakeyouhealthy.
Fordevelopingyoursoulbodythisisveryhelpful.Takeanddrinkthis.
Santana Gosvm is the eternal nearest and dearest of the Supreme
Lord. He has anurga with Caitanya Mahprabhu and His followers. He
taughtbyexamplehowtofollowbhakti.
18
bhakti parenubhavo viraktir
anyatra caia trika eka-kla
prapadyamnasya yathnata syus
tui pui kud-apyo nu-ghsam
rmad-Bhgavatam 11.2.42
Witheachmouthfuloffoodthatahungrypersontakes,threeeffectsare
simultaneously accomplished:he obtains satisfaction, he is nourished
andhishungerceases.Similarly,surrenderedsoulswhoareengagedin
theperformanceofbhajana simultaneouslyexperiencethreeeffects:the
awakening of bhakti which ultimately develops into prema, direct
manifestation of Bhagavns beloved form, and detachment from
materialobjects.
Ononeside,ifthereisbhakti,thenautomaticallyvairgya,detachment,
comes.Ifonefollowsbhaktibutvairgyadoesnotcome,thenyoushould
knowthatyouarenotfollowingbhakti.Vairgyaistheprotectionprocess,
theprocesstoprotectthesoul.Thisvairgyaisnecessary.Ifonecomesin
contactwithtoomanymundanethings,onewillloseallgooddesire.IfI
wanttohaveanurgaforbhakti,thenitisnecessarytohaveagoodguardian.
Whoishe?RaghunthadsaGosvmtellsthisisSantanaGosvm.He
says,Withoutmydesire,byforcehegavethis.Heistheoceanofmercy
andthought,Thispersonhasnoknowledge;hedrinksdrainwater.He
toldme,Oh!Pleasedrinkonedropofthis,thentastewillcome.Afterthat,
whenyouarehealthy,youwillunderstandthis.Hecarefullydistributed
thisbhakti-rasatomedaily.
Inthisworldpeoplehavebhaktiformother,father,country,andsociety.
Manypeoplehaveadesireforhelpinfurtheringtheirinterests,andthey
thinkthatthehelpersforthisaregreat.Somesay,InthislifeIdidnothing
wrong.WhyamIsuffering?Buthedoesnot knowthatanythinghedoes
iswrong.Independently,withhisownchoice,hedoeseverything,butthis
isnothelpfulforhimselfandforGodspleasure.Godgivesallfacilityand
chance,buthetakesandmisuseseverything.Hethinksitisright,butin
truthitiscompletelywrongandforthishesuffers.
Dsa Gosvm continues, O Caitanya-candra! Caitanya-candra!
Caitanya-candra! How kind is He? If anyone remembers Him, then His
followerstakehimintheirlapandstrokewithlove,Oh,youlikeCaitanya-
candra?YouaretryingtofollowCaitanya-candraandHismovement?Okay,
Iwillhelpyou.
19
yathea re bhrta! kuru hari-hari-dhvnam ania
tato va sasrmbudhi-taraa-dyo mayi laget
ida bhu-sphoair aati raayan ya pratigha
bhaje nitynanda bhajana-taru-kanda niravadhi
Nitynandakam 5
I perpetually worship r Nitynanda Prabhu, the root of the ka-
bhakti tree, who approached every doorstep, and with upraised arms
exclaimed, O Brothers! Without inhibition, all of you together
continuouslychantharinma.Ifyoudoso,Iwilltaketheresponsibility
todeliveryoufromtheoceanofmaterialexistence.
NitynandaPrabhusays,Ifyouchantharinmaevenonce,thenIwill
runtoyou!Iwillmaintainyouineveryway,Iwilltakecareofeverything.
Youwillbefreeofallworry.
Raghuntha dsa Gosvm says, I only heard Caitanya Mahprabhus
namefrommyGurudeva.IheardandrememberedHim.IwenttoHim
andSvarpaDmodaraalwaystookcareofme;alltheVaiavastookcare
ofme.Withoutanycondition,SantanaGosvmcametomeandtookcare
ofme.Hetaughtmetheprocessofbhaktiandmademedrinkthisbhakti-
rasa.Hehelpedmesomuch,heistheoceanofmercy!
If the Vaiavas dont take care of me, I will move here and there
followingmysenses.
aty-utkatena nitar virahnalena
dandahyamna-hday kila kpi ds
h svmini kaam iha praayena gham
krandhanena vidhur vilapmi padyai
Vilpa-kusumjali 7
ODev,acertainmaidservant,overwhelmedwithloveandherheartalways
burninginthegreatfireofseparation,lamentsinthefollowingverses.
IfanyonesnearestanddearestisrlaGurudeva,thenrlaGurudeva
maintains and takes care of him with his love. What are the symptoms?
AsidefromrlaGurudeva,hedoesntknowanythingelse.Hisheartalways
burnsinrlaGurudevasseparation.Dayandnightheonlycriesandweeps.
Hehasnodesireforanythingelse.
WithdeephumilityDsaGosvmPrabhupraysforhiseternalservice.
Hesays,Iamyourinsignificantds,maidservant.Iamverysmallandlow.
OnthebankofGovardhanaIsitinonecorner,andcryandpraytoYou.
Otherwisebyforce,ifItakesomething,thisisnotpossibleforme.Ihave
20
no good qualities so that You would accept me. I dont follow any good
processtoenterVraja-maala.Idontknowanything.AsidefromYour
causelessmercyIhavenohope.
Nowmyheartisburninginthefireofseparation.Mylifeisfinished,I
have lost everything. I am unable to serve You. Now I have come to the
bankofGirirjaGovardhana,Yournearestanddearest.IfIpraytohim,he
maygivemegoodinspiration.Pleaseacceptthisprayerandgivemesome
adhikraforYoureternalservice.
devi dukha-kula-sgarodare
dyamnam ati-durgata janam
tva kp-prabala-naukaydbhuta
prpaya sva-pada-pakajlayam
Vilpa-kusumjali 8
ODev,pleaserescuethisunfortunatepersondrowninginanocean
ofpain.PlacehimonthestrongboatofYourmercyandcarryhim
tothewonderfulrealmofYourlotusfeet.
Hesays,ORdhe!Iamnotmerelysad,Ihavefallenintheoceanof
distresswhereinIburninseparation.Idontknowhowtocomeout.Be
mercifuluponme,sendaboattohelpandcarrymeacrossthisoceanto
Yourlotusfeet.Theyaremyallandall.PleasebringmeclosetoYourlotus
feet.Otherwise,formillionsoflivesItakeshelterofordinarypeople,but
theydontacceptme.Theyonlykickme.ORdhike,Youaremyeverything.
Please give me shelter. This will be my permanent post and service.
Otherwise,Ihavenopower.
Rdhrnmaysay,Oh,whyareyousad?Whyareyoudisturbed?Why
areyoucrying?
ODev!Before,Ihadnoknowledgethatthisworldisaprison.Many
cruelanimalsarepresentwhoarealwayscheatingme,stealingmylife.They
appearlikefriendsbuttheyonlystealmylife,timeandenergy.Theymake
meperformbadkarma,sendingmeawayfrombhaktiandGod.
BythemercyofCaitanyaMahprabhuandGuru-pda-padma,Ihave
realizedthisandcomehere.WithoutYourmercyitisnotpossibletocross
overthismundaneworld.Icannotcomebeyondthisattachment.IfIhave
noprotectionandshelter,thenIwouldbeforcedtogoback.IfYoudont
givetasteandrelation,thenIwouldbeforcedtogotoothersandwork
constantlyfortheirpleasure.
Ihavenoshelter.WithoutYouIamverysmall.Yourlotusfeetarevery
wonderful.Manymillionsandmillionsofsiddhasevakasarepresentthere.
21
Pleasegivemeasmallplaceaswell.IwillsitbyYourlotusfeetandYour
sevakaswillteachandguideme.
Intheninthverseheprays
tvad-alokana-kalhi-daair eva mta janam
tvat-padbja-milal-laka-bheajair devi jvaya
ODev,withthemedicineoftheredlacfromYourlotusfeet,please
bringbacktolifethispersonnowdeadfromthebitesoftheblacksnake
ofnotseeingYou.
ODev,IcantseeYou.Iseetheserpentoftimestealingmylife.He
bitesandinjectsmewithpoison.Inthemorning,itisverysweetandquiet,
and he gives me greed, Are you hungry for sleep? Come to me. He
welcomesmeatnight,Pleasecometobed.Intheafternoonhewaitsafter
lunch,Pleasecome.Manyservantsoftimewait,Pleasecome.Theserpent
of time always bites me and I cant protect myself. By this poison I am
suffering,rottingandfeelingsomuchpain.ODev!Tat padbjam,Your
lotusfeetarelikemedicine.Thismedicineislife-giving.Givethistome,
givemelife,sothatImayreturn.NowIamwounded,asifdead.HeDev,
I cant see You or be near You. Mah-kla always attacks me. He sends
many serpents of time to me. One small snake comes, then another and
another. Poisonous snakes always come and bite me. Babies go to their
motherandfather,whotakethemintheirlap,andkissandplaywiththem.
Thebabyhasnoknowledge.Hisparentsgivefoodandputhimtosleep.
Withalltypesofloveandaffectiontheypoisonme;theystealmeandkeep
meawayfrommysoulandtheSupremeSoul.Thesefamilymembersare
greatsnakesthatbitemeasthesoldiersoftime.NowIamasifdead.My
sensesalsogiveinstructionswiththeirpoison,Helpme,serveme.TodayI
am tired, sick, hungry, thirsty and lusty. Please help me. Why? They
themselves are injured and defeated by this poison. Then they make me
their slave. Now my knowledge has returned. Caitanya-candra gave me
consciousness.GirirjaGovardhanagavemetheshelteroftheVrajavss.
HeDev,Yourlotusfeethavethisred-coloredkukum.Pleasegiveme
alittlebitofthis.Thisisthemedicinethatwillcolormewithanurga.
CaitanyaMahprabhucoveredHimselfwiththisanurga.InAnurga
vallari, Vivantha Cakravart hkura wrote that in the early morning
rmatRdhrnwatchedmanypulina-kanysgoingtocollectdrywood
andcowdung.TheysawKasfoostepsandkukumonthegrass.Where
didthiscomefrom?TheVraja-devsputKasfeetontheirbreastsand
thatkukumisimprintedontopofthegrass.Fromtheretheysmeared
22
thisontheirhead,bodyeverywhere.rmatsaid,Howmuchlovethey
haveforthiskukum!
Caitanya-candracoloredHisclothwiththiscolorofanurga.Hetook
sannysatofollowthefootstepsoftheVrajagops.Withthisanurgacolor
hecoloredhimselfandsaid,TheVraja-devsfootdustiswithMe.This
footdustistheiranurga.
Thisanurgacolorgivesagoodtreatment,afterwhichothercolorsand
poison will never disturb me. I will never be sick. I will never be weak.
NeverwillIgobackforotherloves.Iwillnotcryandweepforotherslove,
andIwillnotwritelovelettersforothers.Iwillnotpraytoothersforlove.
Iwillbecomestrongandmysicknesswillgo.
Howcanhd-roga,lust,go?DsaGosvmPrabhusays,Ifyoutakea
littlebitofthisfootdustandsmearitonyourbodyandpraytothat,then
yourhd-rogawillgoaway.Theserpentoftimewillnotbiteyou.Evenif
Herfeetcantcomeintheheart,thennoproblem.Ifalittleofthiskukum
comesinyourheart,itwillbeenoughtomaintainyourlife.
Somepeoplesay,Ihavenotime,whencanIchant?Iwillchantlater.
Iwillservelater.Thisiskla-sarpa,theserpentoftime.Itisalwayscausing
amentaldisease.ThenIwillbeweakandgoinsidemyroom,insidemy
bed,andlookatthelaptop.Holdingmylaptop,Iampresentthere.Why?
Kla-sarpagivesthispoisonousinjection.ThenIcantcross.Oh,ifyoulike,
takethefootdustofrmatRdhrn.
vande nanda-vraja-str
pda-reum abhkaa
ys hari-kathodgra
punti bhuvana-trayam
I constantly glorify the dust of the feet of the women of Nandas
cowherdpastures.TheirchantingoftheactivitiesofrKapurifies
theentireuniverse.
BrahmandUddhavapraylikethis.DsaGosvmPrabhuissayingthat
thisdustispresenteverywhere.Whydontyoutake?Youdonthavethe
desire. How can desire come? For that desire you must worship rmat
Rdhrnslotusfeet.
rlaNarottamadsahkurasings
rdhik-caraa-renu, bhaa koriy tanu
anyse pbe giridhr
23
rdhik-cararaya, je kore se mahaya
tre moi jo bolihr
OrnamentyourbodywiththedustofrmatRdhikslotusfeetand
you will easily attain Giridhr. I congratulate such a great soul who
takesshelterofrmatRdhrslotusfeet.
jaya jaya rdh-nma bndbana jra dhma
ka-sukha vilsera nidhi
heno rdh gua gna, na sunilo mora kna
vacito korilo more bidhi
Allglories,allgloriestoShewhosenameisRdh,whosedivineabodeis
Vndvana,andwhoisatreasuryofpastimesthatbringjoytoKa.Alas!
IfmyearshavenotheardRdhsglories,thendestinyhascheatedme.
Everythingwesing,wesingwithoutdesiretoaccept.Wesing,prayand
pass our time, and then run another way. Why? We have no desire to
acceptthis.
DsaGosvmPrabhutells,Coloryourselffromtoptobottomwith
thiskukum.Thennothingelsecantouchordisturbyou.
IfwedontreadtheGosvmsbooks,likethisVilpa-kusumjali,how
can we understand what process our Gosvms left for us? How can we
cross?Howcanbhakti-rasacome?Thenourlifegoesbyuselessly.
Ifweonlycryandweepaboutthenegative,nothingforthepositive,what
benefitwillcome?Dayandnightweonlycryaboutthenegative.Weonly
thinkaboutcleaningdayandnight,butweacceptnothingpositive.Wewill
beweakifwetakenofoodandhavenorasa;wewillbecomedry.Ononeside
cleaningisnecessary,andontheotherside,positivityisalsonecessary.
Vaidh-mrga is not useless, but who can actually follow all stringent
rules and regulations continuously? Only anurg followers can do this.
They will come everyday to magala-rat to serve in ninta-ll. There
will be no need to bang on their door and shout, Wake up! They will
follow everything with anurga. Vaidh-mrga followers do everything by
force;sometimestheydoandsometimestheydont.Ifsometimestheyare
sick,thenhowcantheyfollow?Ifoneisstrong,thenautomaticallyhewill
followeverything.Thisanurgaistheonlythingnecessaryforstrengthin
bhajana.Thisanurgabestowspositivity.
Thetenthversesays
devi te caraa-padma-dsik
viprayoga-bhara-dva-pvakai
24
dahyamnatara-kya-ballav
jvaya kaa-nirkamtai
ODev,withthenectarofamomentsglance,pleaserestorethelifeof
this gop maidservant of Your lotus feet, who now burns in the great
forest-fireofseparationfromYou.
HeDev!WhatisthemeaningofDev?Inthetranscendentalrealmof
Vndvana-dhma, You control r Ka with Your over-world-power-
love,andkeepHimalwaysnearYou.
I am burning. My body, mind and senseseverything is burning.
Everywherethereisfire,drynessandashesnothingishappening.
Thereforeivahkurasitsinacrematoriumandsmearshisbodywith
ashes,saying,Inthisworldthereisonlyfireandash,nothingsweet.
DsaGosvmPrabhusays,Thisdvnala,forest-fire,isburningme
allthetime.Mybodyislikeaburningcreeper.Iamaverysmalldsat
Your lotus feet. With Your nectarful eyes, kp kaka bhjanam, just
look at me once. If You dont look at me and take care of me, then
everyonewillcomewithfireandattackme,saying,Hey,dontdothis,
do what I am telling, follow me. Government, ministers, educators,
parents, friends, and the so-called gurus and cryaseveryone in this
worldsmashesusandsqueezesoutourlife.Theyliketotakeallourtime
and life. But they dont say, Follow this line of the Gosvms; this is
goodforyou.
Whenagoatorpigisyoung,allarereadyandcheck,Howmuchweight
isthere?Iwilltakethisandeathim.Thisfireattacksandburnsus.People
arealwaysreadytoattackanddigestus.Thereforewepray.
DsaGosvmsays,Kaistranscendental.Heisinmyheart,butI
cant meet with Him because I am surrounded by fire. How can I cross
thesefiresandgotomeetwithKa?Itisnotpossible.Iamburningin
my desire-fire, thirst-fire, lust-fire, anger-fire and so many other fires. I
collectfirefromallothers;theygivemethisbyforce.Also,Iamsentimental
andsensitivethisisonefire.Evenworseisthefireofpratih,greedfor
nameandfame.HeDev,ifthesefiresarentvanquished,Iwillnotbeable
to go and cross beyond this fearsome world to You. I am only burning,
burningandburningformillionsoflives.NowIhaveonlyalittletimeleft.
Icanttolerateanymore;Ihavenomorepowerandcantwaitamoment
longer.Iwillbeburnttoashesandfinished.
Pleaselookatme,kpkakabhjanam.OtherwiseIcantcrossthis
fearsomeworld.
25
Yourgift,thisbody,wantsmanythingsandtriestomakemehisslave.
It wants me to feed him three times, sleep three times, massage it and
alwayshelpit.Iamalwaysburninginthisfire.Butthisbodyistheproperty
forYourservice.
ItdisturbsmethatIcannotuseeverythingforYou.Iliketousetwenty-
fourhoursforYou,butallthesefiresstrangleme.
Inaforesttherearemanybigtrees.Sometimes,whenwindrubsthem
againsteachother,fireisgenerated.Thisfireburnsthewholeforestdown.
Similarly,mundanepeoplehavefire.Wewillbeinfectediftheycomenear
us.Firsttheysay,Oh,Iwillchantharinmaanddobhajana.Thenslowly,
bymeeting,meeting,meeting,talking,talking,talking,theystealusaway
frombhaktiandbhajana.Thisislikeaforest-fire.HowcanIprotectmyself
fromthefiresofthisworld?Idontknow.Pleasehelpme.
Your darana is not possible for me. I cant see you but You see me.
Pleaselookatme,otherwiseitisimpossibleformetocrossoverthisworld
andgotoYou.
Nowtheeleventhversesays
svapne pi ki sumukhi te carambujta-
rjat-parga-paavsa-vibhaena
obh parm atitarm ahahottama
bibhrad bhaviyati kad mama srtha-nma
Obeautiful-facedone,when,eveninadream,willI,bydecoratingmy
headwiththesplendidperfumedpowderofYourlotusfeet,attainthe
goalofmylife?
HeSumukhi,beautiful-facedone,Youarealwayspleased.Youarenever
disturbedevenifItrytodisturbYou.Youknowthepositionofthefallen
souls.Youknowmysituation.WhenwillItakethekukumfromYour
lotus feet upon my head and smear it there? Is this possible even in a
dream? Everyday the sakhs and majars place this reddish flower pollen
andkukumonYourlotusfeet.Takingthisandsmearingitonmyhead,
my head will be cool, and good intelligence will come. I will be able to
understandYouradvice,andgoodinspirationwillcome.
Likeparents,theguru-vargateachandtakecareoftheiryoungchildren,
but their children forget and lose everything. After class, people forget
everything.Theyhavenobrainorpowertocatch.Isthebraindamaged?
No.Isthereabrainhaemorrhage?No.Thereissomuchgarbageinside;
theyalwayscollectgarbageandputitintotheirbrain.Thereisnoroomfor
anything to come inside. I like other science and art. I like biology,
26
philosophy,economics,civics,mathematicsandIaminterestedinhowfast
myinternetconnectionis.Ihaveknowledgeofmanymaterialthings,like
satellitesandsuch,butforrealizingRdhrnsqualitiesandglories,Ihave
no brain. But if a little of this kukum comes in my brain, then it is
possibleforintelligencetocome.
rmat Rdhrn is supremely blissful. If anyone goes near Her and
alwaysremembersHer,thenhewillalsobeblissful.Itisnotadream;this
is the truth. From Her lotus feet this rga comes. This is special dust.
When I smear and decorate my head with this, then I will be successful.
Thiswillbemybeauty,myornament.
Thetwelfthversesays
amtbdhi-rasa-pryais tava npura-sijitai
h kad mama kalyi bdhiryam apaneyate
O beautiful one, when will the sound of Your anklebells, sprinkling
dropsfromanoceanofnectar,curemydeafness?
Idontknowwhatisgoodformyownwelfare.IknowthattomorrowI
mayleavetheworld,dieinanaccident,orbecomelameandblind,yetIam
veryproud,likeananimal.Why?Falsepridehasdefeatedme.HeKalyi,
virtuousone,Youknowwhatisgoodformywelfare.
I dont know what this nectarful bhakti-rasa is. I am dumb and deaf.
Youcomeandgiveadvice,somenicesongs,poetryandprose.Harikathof
Your glories is going on, but my I am deaf and dumbI cant hear or
acceptanything.WhenwillthatdaycomethatIwillhearYourfootsteps
as You walk. Your feet have anklebells, swinging and ringing as You go.
Hearingthem,IwillunderstandthatYouareapproaching.
This may be likened to the incident concerning ymnanda Prabhu.
He was instructed by rla Jva Gosvm to sweep the pathways of Vraja.
One day he found the anklebell of rmat Rdhrn. Then She came
walking,andnotonlydidShegrantHerdarana,notonlydidSheputHer
handonhishead,SheputHerfeetonhishead.
MaywehavedesirefornothingotherthanhearingthesoundofHer
anklebells,announcingHerarrivaltobestowHergraceuponus.
27
Moonlit Anklebells
F
orthisrgnuga-bhakti,itisrequiredtocomeclosetorlaGurudeva
andtherpnugaVaiavas,tomakerelationwiththemandtobe
theirpermanentfollower.ukadevaGosvmandtheguru-parampar
distributeandgivethisflowofbhakti.Ifanyoneisconnectedtothisbhakti-
rasa,hewillneverbecomedry.Hewillnevergoawayandbehopelessand
restless.Ifyoudontlikebhakti,ifyouliketoenjoy,thenyouwillrunaway.
Youwillbeafraidofthisrgnuga-bhakti.
rmat Rdhrn walks with Her anklebells, which ring as if saying,
Comewithme.Iwillhelpyou.ItouchandservermatRdhrnsfeet.
Ishallgiveyouservicetendency.
Sometimesthereisagoodmood,andoneservessomewhat,butafter
sometime one becomes lazy and leaves his service. Why is this not
permanent?Theanklebellssay,Youaredumbanddeaf,cantyouhearmy
call?Comeandfollowme.FollowrmatRdhrnsfootsteps,andthen
allhelpwillcometoyou.
Theearsareveryrestlessandalwaystrytohearothersounds,butifthis
soundofrmatRdhrnsanklebellsenterthem,therewillbenodesire
tohearanymundanesound.Thissoundbestowssupremeauspiciousness.
Thethirteenthversesays
aakabhd-abhisre netra-bhcalbhy
dii vidii bhayenodghritbhy vanni
kuvalaya-dala-kony eva klptni ybhy
kim u kila kalanyo devi tbhy jano yam
ODev,withthetwobumblebeesofthecornersofYoureyes,whichin
themoonlitrendezvousanxiouslywanderovereachdirectionasifthe
forestwereajungleofbluelotuses,willYouglanceuponthisperson?
HeDev,thereiswonderfullightinalldirectionsatthetimeofthefull
moon,thereisnodarkness.
28
Whatistheproblemwiththefullmoon?Rdhrnissoeffulgentthat
Herbrillianceincreasesthelightofthefullmoon,makingitdifficultto
movesecretlythroughtheforest.
YouhaveadesiretomeetwithKa,buthowcanYougo?Darkmoon
nightsareverygoodandhelpful;noonecanwatchwhereYouaregoing.
Rdhrnseyesmoverestlessly,searching,Whereisthatbluelotus?Is
He close or far away? Where is He? In which kuja is He? Maybe He is
hidingsomewhereclose.
RaghunthadsaGosvmsays,IshallwatchwhereHeishiding,and
IwillgiveanindicationtormatRdhrn.
Will that blue lotus attack Me on the way? Rdhrn is a little
apprehensive.
DsaGosvmsays,Iwillsendamessage,Dontworry,weareguarding
thepathway.Heisfaraway,waitinganxiouslyforYourarrival,listeningfor
anysoundofYourapproach.HeisthinkingaboutYouandchantingYour
mantra.
InthedarkmoonrmatRdhrnsdaranaisveryhardtoachieve.
She dresses fully in black and goes in a hidden way through the forest,
stayingclosetodarkTamlatreesandotherplantsandcreepersonHerway
tothekuja-kura.
Dsa Gosvm continues, My eyes are greedy for Your darana; I am
waitingforYourmercy.IamYourverysmallmaidservant.IsYourdarana
possibleformewiththeseeyes?
Sdhakastrytodobhajana.TheygotoGuru-pda-padmawithadesire
forharikathandguru-sev,buttherearemanycheatersanddacoitswaiting
topounceonthem
asad-vrt-vey visja mati-sarvasva-hara
kath mukti-vyghry na u kila sarvtma-gilan
api tyaktv lakm-pati-ratim ito vyoma-nayanm
vraje rdh-kau sva-rati-mai-dau tva bhaja mana
Mana-ik 4
Omydearbrothermind,pleaseabandonaltogethertheprostituteof
contemptiblemundanetalk,whichplunderstheentiretreasureofpure
wisdom.Youmustunequivocallygiveuphearingalltalkofimpersonal
liberation which, like a tigress, devours your very soul. Furthermore,
pleaseabandoneventheattachmenttoLakmpatirNryaa,which
leadstoVaikuha.YoushouldliveinVrajaandworshiprrRdh-
Ka,whobestowupondevoteesthepreciousjewelofloveforThem.
29
asac-ce-kaa-prada-vikaa-plibhir iha
prakma kmdi-prakaa-pathapti-vyatikarai
gale baddhv hanye ham iti bakabhid vartmapa-gae
kuru tva phutkrn avati sa yath tv mana ita
Manah-ik 6
Lust,angerandsoonareabandofdacoitswhoassailonesuddenlyon
theopenroadofmateriallife.Theyhaveboundmynecklicentiously
withthetorturous,dreadfulropesofwickeddeedsandarethuskilling
me.Omind,speakinginthisway,youmustgrievouslycryouttothe
powerfulandmercifuldevoteeswhoaretheprotectorsofthepathof
devotion leading to r Ka, the killer of Baksura. Hearing your
piteouscry,theywillsurelyprotectyoufromsuchacondition.
Therearemanycheatersonbothsides,waiting,notwantingtogiveyou
chanceforharikathandservice.IfwegodirectlytoRdhrn,thenKa
willsay,Dontworry,Iwillhelp.WithMylightIwillshowyoutheway
soyoucanmeetwithrmatRdhrn.Iwillarrangeeverything.Without
themercyofsvarpa-aktiandHershelter,onecantunderstandKa.
ka-nma gne bhai, rdhik-caraa pi
rdh-nma gne kacandra
sakepe kahinu kath, ghuco manera byath
dukhamaya anya kath dvandva
O brother, by chanting Kas name you will attain Rdh, and by
chantingRdhsnameyouwillattainKa-candra.NowIhavebriefly
toldyouhowtofindrelieffromallthesufferingsinyourheart.Whatever
contradictsthesewordswillbringonlypainandconflict.
BychantingtheholynameofRdhrn,Kawillarrangeallgood
programsandhelpforyou.Allarrangementswillbeveryhelpful.
DsaGosvmsays,Thisismyhope.
Vndvanevar, rmat Rdhrn, is the var of Vndvana. For a
longtimeIhavebeenwaiting,nowIunderstandthatRpaMajaropened
atrainingcenterforallserviceandteachinginVndvana.Before,Ihadno
guardian.Ihadnotofferedmyself,thenwhowouldteachmeandmakeme
qualified? Who would help me? I did not know, but now I understand.
Your lotus feet have nice kukum. Rpa Majar will help me with this
reddishkukum.Ihavenostrongdesireforservice,butshewillgivethis
greed,strengthandanurga.
30
Therearetwotypesofservicebydutyandbylove.Anythingyoudo
byloveisacceptedandhelpful.Doinganythingoutofasenseofdutyhas
nolove.Sometimesyoudoit,butcarelessly,withamoodofneglect.That
dutyisnottasteful.
One house has many servants. The servants come and perform their
dutyandthereafterrunaway.Theymaytrytodoaverynicejob,butthey
havenolove.
Therearemanytutorsreadytoteachandmanyguardianstotrainus,
buttheyhavenolove.Thereforethestudentsneverlearnanything.Why?
Itisonlypossiblewithlove.Thenitisveryeasytoteach.
Here,nearGurudeva,neartheVaiavas,peoplearecomingforwhich
purpose? Only to learn this process of loving service. Which service? In
Sev-kuja,oneseternalserviceunderguidanceoftheVraja-devs.
DsaGosvmprays,HeVndvanevar,Ihadnoideabeforeaboutmy
guardianwhowouldacceptme,whowouldnotonlytellmemyfaults,but
who would help change my faulty nature and bring me back from the
wrongpath,whowouldbekindandverysweettome,whoishelpfulfor
me.Otherwiseallcomplain,Youarewrong,youarearascal,andyouare
stupidandnonsense.Yes,thisistrue.Inthisworldeveryoneisnonsense,
nooneisqualified.Butwhogivesthesequalities?Howcantheycomenear
me?Whoisverykind,softandsweetforme?Whodoesntneglect,kick,
tortureandthrowmeout?Whowillnotsmashandputmeinaprison?A
prisoner cant change. Love is very powerful to change anyone. But the
process of love is crookedhelping sometimes by neglect, sometimes by
acceptance,andsometimesindirectly.
rla Gurudeva has disappeared, but from a distance he is watching,
Whoaretherealfollowersofmyprinciples,rulesandregulations?Arethey
followingornot?Godiseternal,Gurudevaiseternal.Hearrangesprograms
and Vaiavas to help his followers. If they go the wrong way, then he
bringsthemback.Buttheydontrealizehiskindnessandmercy.Hegives
shelterandstrokesthem;hetakesthemonhislapandhelpsinallways.
Anything you watch with mundane eyes will cheat you. For example,
one person is chanting harinama, and is internally serving Girirja
Govardhana.Hiseyesareopenandheissittinginoneplace,butheisdoing
parikram of Girirja Govardhana within. He is praying, singing, doing
abhieka,cooking,offeringbhoga,decoratingwithflowersanddistributing
prasda.Butordinarypeoplethinkthatheisonlysitting,doingnothing.
Theytellhim,Heyrascal,godosomework.Theytellittohimtwenty
timesbuthedoesntanswer;hecantevenhearthis.
31
Ifyoureyescantcrossmy,thenhowcanyouunderstandthenature
ofthattranscendentalrealm?
InthisSev-kuja,youmustnotthinkthatthereareonlymonkeysand
itsadirtyplacewheresomethorntreesandbonesarepresent.No!Ifyou
haverealknowledge,youwillprayandwaitforserviceintheeternalSev-
kuja.YouwillapproachthetutorsofSev-kuja.ThereisRpaMajar,
Vilsa Majar, Rati Majar, Rasa Majar, Vinoda Majar, Ramaa
Majar,andmany others astutors.Theyarehelpers,likenurses,knowing
howtofirmlygivetreatmentandmakeyoustrongandhealthy.Gradually,
they will give these teachings, helping one learn something. Then one
wontlooktowardsmyandwatchotherthings.
Howisthispossible?ByattachmenttoRdhrnslotusfeet.Atthose
lotusfeet,theVraja-devsofferpollen,reddishkukum,andaltaeveryday.
Theheartfeltloveoftheirheartisthereddishcolorofanurga.
yadavadhi mama kacin majar rpa-prv
vraja-bhuvi bata netra-dvandva-dpti cakra
tadavadhi bata vndraya-rji prakma
caraa-kamala-lak-sandidk mambht
Vilpa-kusumjali 14
OqueenofVndvana,sinceRpaMajarfilledmyeyeswithlightinthe
landofVraja,IhaveyearnedtoseetheredlacdecoratingYourlotusfeet.
Ifonedropofthatkukumtouchesmybody,orifIhaveadesiretosee
that and pray for that, then it is possible to attain Her mercy, and to
understand who is favorable and helpful. Then one will make a relation
withthatgroupandgroupleaders.RayswillcomefromHerlotusfeet,and
withthatloveIwillbeabletounderstand.Otherwisemanycheaterscome,
tryingtomakerelationwithus.Manyboysandgirlscomeasthievesand
cheaterstostealourblood,butdontlookatthem,dontstockthis.You
can stop this by becoming one-pointed to Rdhrns lotus feet and
prayingtoHer.Shehaspower.
anayrdhito nna
bhagavn harir vara
yan no vihya govinda
prto ym anayad raha
Most certainly She is r Kas worshipper. Therefore, being pleased
withHer,ymasundarahasleftusandtakenHerawaytoasolitaryplace.
32
rmatRdhikhaspowertoattracteventheall-attractiveKa,who
worshipsHer,chantingHermantra,onlytoobtainalittleofHermercyand
blessings.
Thefifteenthversesays
yad tava sarovara sarasa-bhga-saghollasat-
saroruha-kulojjvala madhura-vri-sampritam
sphuat-sarasijki he nayana-yugma-skd-babhau
tadaiva mama llasjani tavaiva dsye rase
O Dev, whose eyes are as beautiful as two blossoming lotus flowers,
when Your lake, filled with sweet water, and splendid with many
blossominglotusflowersandbuzzingbees,appearedbeforemyeyes,I
atoncebegantoyearnforthenectarofdirectservicetoYou.
Whenthesunrises,thelotusgraduallyblossoms.Similarly,myheart
andsoulisinadarkanddirtyplace;bythelightofrlaGurudevaandthe
mercyoftheVaiavasandtheholydhama,myspiritualeyeswillbeopened.
Dsa Gosvm says, In the early morning, a bumblebee or honeybee
goesnearflowersandsings.Similarly,thebumblebeeKacomesinthe
earlymorningandsingsnicely.
HowdoesKasing?LikeRmnandaRyasings
kalayati nayana dii dii valitam
pakajam iva mdu-mruta-calitam
Rdhseyesmoveinalldirectionslikealotusmovinginagentlebreeze.
KaHimselfsingslikethis.Heisabumblebee.HelikesHerglories;
thisisHisonlynectarfuldrink.WithoutsingingHergloriesHecantbe
happy.
Whatdoestheguru-vargadistribute?Rice,dahl,medicine,clothortea?
No! This is not permanent; only temporary relief. But the soul is not
temporary.Withoutthattranscendentalrasa,thesoulcanneverattainits
ownposition.Itgetsoneuniformafteranother,likethatofanelephant,
horse, camel or human. Moving in this cycle, the soul cannot attain its
permanent svarpa without the help of sdhus. To distribute that
transcendentalrasa,rlaGurudeva,theVaiavasandKaHimselfsing
thegloriesofrmatRdhrn.
DsaGosvmPrabhupraysforthis.
InthisVraja-maala,RpaGosvmPrabhuisalwaysverybusy.People
think he is a sdhu with no room and work. What does he do day and
night?
33
LikemyGuruMahrja,nitya-ll-pravia o viupda atottara-ata
rrmadBhaktidevntaVmanaGosvmMahrja.Inhislasttwoyears,
hepracticallystoppedtalking,eatingandsleeping.Hissevakaasked,Take
some prasda, Guru Mahrja, but he wouldnt accept. When they
requestedhimagainandagain,hesaid,Iamverybusy,Ihavenotimeto
talkwithyou.
ButGuruMahrja,whatareyoudoingthatkeepsyousobusy?
On one side hkurn is giving me many instructions, and on the
othersidemyGurudevaisgivingmeinstructionsforservice.Ihavenotime
tospare.WhatshouldIdo?Ihavenotimetoeat,talkordoanythingin
thisworld.
Howcanpeopleunderstandtheactivityandpositionofthesdhus?
Therefore Dsa Gosvm Prabhu is telling, I came to Vraja-maala
andmetwithRpaGosvmPrabhu,andsawthatheisverybusy,dayand
night,distributingthenectarofVraja-maalaandtheVrajavss.Howcan
Iacceptthat?Pleaseteachandhelpme.Givemepowertoacceptthis;take
awayalldesiretoacceptanythingelse.MayIhaveonlygreedtocollectthis
unnata-ujjvala-rasa. Coming to Vraja-maala, I forgot everything else.
Before, I used to write daily, pray, chant, offer prama and perform
parikram.Noweverythingisahodgepodgeanduncontrolled.Idontknow
whattodo.StayingonthebankofRdh-kua,thatflowcomesinmy
heartandmakesmeverygreedy.HeRdh-kua,givemeblessingsand
darana.YouareinfrontofmebutIcantseeyou.
35
Cleansing the Spirit
T
o attain an eternal relation with the rpnuga guru-varga and
rgtmikaVrajavss,wemustfollowinthefootstepsofRaghuntha
dsaGosvm.Bythistherewillbesomehopethatonedaywemay
attainthatrelationship.
Likeonepersonwhocametotheoceanbutisunabletocrossit.Heis
clueless. He waits and contemplates how to cross. You dont know the
process. If you dont take shelter of the guru-varga, then this ocean of
material existence is very dangerous. If you take shelter of any rpnuga
crya,thenhewillcomewithaboatandhelpyoueasilycross.
Thesixteenthversesays
pdbjayos tava vin vara-dsyam eva
nnyat kadpi samaye kila devi yce
skhyya te mama namo stu namo stu nitya
dsyya te mama raso stu raso stu satyam
ODev,IshallneveraskYouforanythingotherthandirectserviceto
Yourlotusfeet.IoffermyrespectfulobeisancestoYourfriendship.Ioffer
myrespectfulobeisancestoYourfriendshipagainandagain.MayIfind
Yourserviceassweetasnectar.MayIfindYourserviceassweetasnectar.
Dsa Gosvm prays with a simple mood, He Dev! I am praying for
Yourservice.Youhavemanyfollowersandservants.Maytheyacceptme
andhelpmebecomeYourservant.Givemethisboon.Otherwise,without
Yourdesireandinstructions,noonewillcarefororacceptme.ThenIwill
beafailureanduseless.IpraytoYoutodayfordsya,servitorship.Dont
thinkthatIwillprayforYourfriendship.No!Never,never,neverinmylife
doIwanttobedirectlyYoursakh,orclosefriend.Ionlywanttobeyour
servant.IwillstaywithYourservantsandserveYoucontinuously.Ipromise
thatmydesireisonlyforthis.IrequestYouagainandagainonlyforthis
postasasmallservantofYourlotusfeet.
36
Caitanya-candraofferedmetothelotusfeetofGirirjaGovardhanaand
toYourlotusfeetasguj-ml.FromthatdayIwasverygreedytoattain
Yourservice.Pleaseacceptme.Caitanya-candraofferedmeandsaid,You
aretheservantofrmatRdhrn.Then,foralongtimeIstudiedthis
processandhavenowcometoYourlotusfeet.NowIamonlyprayingto
Youfordsya.Pleasebestowthisboonuponme.MayIneverhavedesire
fortheserviceofanyoneelse.
Inthisworld,manypeoplecomenearGuru,Vaiavas,Godandholy
dhmas, butthey dont pray fordsya. They pray for something material.
Andthentheygoandmakearelationwithordinarypeopleandfollowtheir
footsteps. Now they are servants of mundane people; they are slaves of
companies,theirwives,children,parents,husbandsandsoforth.Theyhave
a deep desire to serve others. But they dont pray, How will I be Your
permanentservant?Thisprayerisnecessary.
maj-janmana phalam ida madhu-kaiabhre
mat prrthanya mad-anugraha ea eva
tvad bhtya-bhtya-paricraka-bhtya-bhtya
bhtyasya-bhtyam iti m smara lokantha
Mukunda-ml-stotra 25
O Supreme Lord of all, slayer of the demons Madhu and Kaitabha!
PleasebemercifultomeandgrantmyprayerthatYoumayremember
measaservantofYourservantsservant,aservantofsuchaservantof
Yourservantsservant,aservantofaservantofYourservantsservant,
andaservantofYourservantsservantsservant.
ayi nanda-tanuja kikara
patita m viame bhavmbudhau
kpay tava pda-pakaja-
sthita-dhli-sada vicintaya
ikaka 5
ONanda-nandana,asaresultofmyfruitiveactivities,Ihavefalleninto
thisfearfuloceanofmaterialexistence.PleasebestowYourmercyupon
thiseternalservantofYours.Considermetobejustlikeaspeckofdust
atYourlotusfeetandalwaysacceptmeasYourpurchasedservant.
DsaGosvmpraystoRdhrn,Idontdesireanythingelse,onlythe
postasYourservant.Thisismyprayer.Pleaseacceptme.
Hermat!IcametothebankofyourRdh-kua,pleasegiveme
Yourdsya,nothingelse.IfIbecomeYoursakh,Iwouldbeveryproudand
37
thinkthatIamgreat.ThenIwouldgothewrongway.Givemethissmall
postasYourservant,meaning,pleasegivemeinstructionsanytime.Iwill
doeverythingbyYourorder.Givemeanorderlike,GotoNanda-bhavana
andcleanpots.YesIamreadytodothat.Ororderme,Cleanthedrains
ofNanda-bhavana.Yes,Iwillcleanthedrainsanddrythem.
WhenYouarecomingfromYvaawithYoursakhs,Ishalldecorate
thepathwaywithflowers.Iwillbereadyforthisservice.Pleaseacceptme.
Pleasegivemeanyorder.
rmatRdhrngivesthisactivemoodanyhow,anywhereYousend
me,Iamreadyforservice.Iwilldoanythingyousay.
Now,weheartheseventeenthverse
ati-su-lalita-laklia-saubhgya-mudr-
tatibhir adhika-tuy cihnit-ktya bh
nakha-dalita-haridra-garva-gaur priy me
caraa-kamala-sev h kad dsyasi tvam
Omymistress,whosefaircomplexionscratcheswithitsnailsthepride
of yellow turmeric, when, happily marking my arms with auspicious
markings embraced by charming red lac, will You give me the dear
serviceofYourlotusfeet?
HeGaur,Youaregolden-limbed.Notonlythis,Yourbodyisthedeity
ofKasheartfeltlove.HowcanIgotoYourlotusfeet?
WhenwillthatdaycomethatYouwillgivemesomeorderlike,Oh,
smearflowerpollenonMyfeet.Whenwillthatdaycome?Iwilldecorate
nicebarley,sesameandsmalldesignsonYourlotusfeet.Kaslovefuleyes
will look and be very happy. He will wonder, Oh, who has decorated
Rdhrnslotusfeettoday?Thisisaverybeautifuldecoration.
rmat Rdhrn is the color of molten gold. This is a mundane
example.GoldishardbutRdhrnisverysoftandsweet.AllKaslove
ispresentwithHer,andfromthereitspreadseverywhereinthisworldto
alllivingentities.
Dsa Gosvm prays, Please give me some chance for the service of
decoratingYourfeet.Takingkukumandsaffronpollenfullofanurga,I
willdecorateYourfeet.
Thenhefeels,IserveHerfeetforsometime,butamnotpresentthere
continuously.
Hethenprays,HowcanIbeoneparticleofkukum,andcontinuously
be close to Your lotus feet serving You, not going any other way. I will
remaincontinuouslyatYourfeet.ORdhike,whenwillthatdaycomethat,
38
intheearlymorning,IwillwashYourfeetandthensmearamixtureof
sandalwoodpaste, saffron,mehindiandgorocan onthem?
As you walk from Yvaa to Nandagon to cook in the kitchen for
Ka,IwillarrangeforYourcookingbycleaning,andbringingpotsand
utensils.WhenwillthatdaycomethatYougivemethischanceandorder
forservice?
Actually,intheearlymorning,withhissoulssvarpa,heisinYvaa
with rmat Rdhrn. From there he comes to Nandagrma and
continuouslyserves.Heprayslikethistogiveindicationforthesdhakasto
showthemhowtoattainthis.
pral kllair bahubhir abhi sakalya madhurair
mud sammarjya svair vivta-kaca-vndai priyatay
kad bhygra vara-parimalair dhpa-nivahair
vidhsye te devi pratidinam aho vsitam aham
Vilpa-kusumjali 18
O Dev, when, with great love and happiness, will I daily rinse the
drainsofYourhousewithpurewater,drythemwithmyownhair,and
thenscentYourgardenpavilionwithanabundanceofsweetlyfragrant
incense?
Dsa Gosvm prays, Everyday, with clean water, I will wash all the
drainsnearbyNanda-bhavana.
Manybadthingsareinmyheart.Theguru-vargacarefullydothisceto-
darpaa-mrjanam; theycleanmyheart,whichisnowlikeafilthydrain.
Theguru-varga cleanouranarthas.TheVaiavastakeabroomandbrush
to wash our hearts. They do this very carefully and softly, not roughly.
Theysqueezeandsmash,butverypolitelyandwithasoftbrushandcloth.
DsaGosvmprays,Thedrainismygoodfriend.Iwilldailycleanthe
drainsinNandagrma,VarsnandYvaa.ThenIwillplaceniceperfumes,
scents and incense inside to make that area fragrant. When will that
gloriousdaycome?Heiscryingandhistearsareflowing.
Thereistheprocessofprayer.FirstDsaGosvmpraysfortheservice
ofHerlotusfeet.Thenhesays,Thisisnotenoughforme.Myrmat
Rdhrnwalksonthispath.IfIdontcleanit,thenhowcanIfeelwell?
AtempledoesntmeanonlythepjrsroomortheDeitysroom.The
templeareaincludesthegarden,drain,kitchen,brahmacrsroomsandso
forth.Ifeverythingisdirty,thenthatisnotGodsplace;thenitisnota
temple,itisatmasika darkplace.Shoulditberjasikaorstvika?No!A
templemustbenirguaandalwaysclean.
39
WhereverrmatRdhrngoes,everythingisfragrant.Ifyoucando
this,thenyouareasevaka.Onlycleaningyourownbodyandwearinganice
cleandressisnoteverything.
Narottamadsahkura,ymnandaandrnivsaandmanyothers
cametorlaJvaGosvmtolearnfromhim.OnedayymnandaPrabhu
asked, You have taught all the Gosvms books, but how can practical
realizationcome?
Practically follow what you have been taught by serving, rla Jva
Gosvmsaid.GoandsweepthepathwaysofVndvana.
Butnowweonlytalk,andifwehavetotakeabroomandsweep,after
afewminuteswesay,Iwillfeelbackpain.Iamahighclassperson,how
canIdosuchademeaningservice?
PrabhodnandaSarasvatprayed:
yat-kikaru bahua khalu kku-v,
nitya parasya puruasya ikhaa-maule
tasy kad rasa-nidhe vabhnu-jys
tat-keli-kuja-bhavangana-mrjan sym
Rdh-rasa-sudh-nidhi 8
O daughter of Vabhnu Mahrja, ocean of rasa, that beautiful boy
whowearsagracefullytiltingpeacockfeatherinHishairisactuallythe
originalPersonalityofGodhead.Still,Heisalwaysfallingatthefeetof
Yourmaidservantsandpitifullybeggingthemwithmanyhumblewords
togainentranceintoYourkuja,wherethetwoofYouengageinYour
playfullovingpastimes.MylifewouldbesuccessfulifIcouldevenbe
onestickinthebroomYourmaidservantsusetocleanYourdelightful
kuja.
Ourguru-vargapraylikethis.
ButnowwestayinVndvanaanddontserveVndvanaatall,thinking,
Thisiscowdung,Icanttouchit!Itsmellssobad!OrHowwillIclean
thekitchen?Mybodywillgetdirty.
Becauseyouhavedirtwithin,youseeonlydirtwithout.Yousay,But
IamQueenElizabeth,howcanIclean?Iamagreatfamoussportsman.
OrIamahi-fiHawaiian.Icantdoanything.Why?Myheartisagarbage
dump.Evenadogcleanshisplacewithhistailbeforehesleeps.
DsaGosvmsaid,Withmyhair,Iwillcleanthedrainsanddecorate
the pathways of Vraja very nicely. When rmat Rdhrn walks along
withthesakhsandmajars,everyonewillseethatthisareaisveryniceand
clean.
40
If you have desire for eternal service, then svarpa-akti will give all
typesofpower,potency,tasteeverything.Otherwisetheheartbecomes
drylikeadesert,youbecomerestlessandwillsuffereverywhere.Anywhere
yougo,youwillburn,becauseyouhavenodesireforservice.Onlytheory
andthesisisnoteverything.Thisisknowledge,buthowwillknowledgebe
active? Only if you practically do something! Our Dsa Gosvm and our
guru-vargaalwaysfolloweverythingasitis,showingusbytheirexample.
ItmaybesaidthatDsaGosvmhasnohairinsdhakabody;heisold.
Wheredidthishaircomefrom?
sev sdhaka-rpea siddha-rpea ctra hi
tad-bhva-lipsun kry vraja-loknusrata
Bhakti-rasmta-sindhu 1.2.294
Hewhohasdevelopedgreedforrgtmik-bhakti shouldcloselyfollow
in the footsteps of the particular associates in Vraja whose moods he
aspiresfor.Undertheirguidance,heshouldengageinservicebothin
hisexternalformasa sdhaka,andinternallywithhisperfectedspiritual
body.
Inthesdhakabodyyoumustserveverystrongly,withastrongmood
and deep vairgya. Externally the bona fide sdhaka follows all rules and
regulations,whilewithinhemeditatesonhisserviceinhissiddha-svarpa.
Thenineteenthversesays
prta sudhu-milit mdam atra yatnd
htya vsita-paya ca ghntare ca
pdmbuje bata kad jala-dhray te
praklya bhvini kacair iha mrjaymi
When,atYourhouseearlyinthemorning,willIcarefullywashYour
twolotusfeetwithcamphor-scentedwater,andthendrythemwithmy
hair?
DsaGosvmsays,WhenYouwakeandcomeoutofYourroom,Iwill
washYourfeetanddrythemwithmyhair.
Ifyouplacewaterinaclaypotandputacottonclothontopofit,and
thenputsomecamphorandflowersdownandalsocoverthem,thenthe
next morning you will see that this water has a very nice fragrance. The
smellofcamphor,rosesandlotusesgoesinside.Whenyoulookintheearly
morning, the flowers are still very fresh, and a good smell is inside the
water.
41
DsaGosvmsays,Manyis,maharisandothersarewaitingtodrink
thiscaramta, butwithoutYourpermissionIwillnotgiveonedropto
anyone.
WhenCaitanyaMahprabhuwenttoJagannthastempleinPur,He
wouldfirstwashHisfeet.ButHehadGovindaPrabhuwaitwithSvarpa
Dmodaratopreventanyonefromtouchingordrinkingthiswater.
Butnowallaremah-bhgavatas.Theyputtheirfeetforwardandsay,
Washmyfeetandtakecaramta,thenyourlifewillbesuccessful.
Thisisnotourparampar.rmatRdhrnisverystrong,Shewill
notgiveadropofHerfootwatertoanyoneunqualified.
CaitanyaMahprabhuonlygavetooneperson,Jhahkura.
IhaveheardthatsomesayonFacebookthattherearenorealVaiavas
inoursaga.Howdotheyhavethisidea?
If Jha hkura heard that anywhere, anyone was doing nma-
sakrtana,hewouldgoandgivehimagiftandanyhowtakehisremnants.
JhahkurawouldeattheremnantsofVaiavasandthusmadehis
bodysanctified.
He came to Jaganntha Pur in his old age and he took a handful of
MahprabhusfootbathwaterasMahprabhuenteredthetemple,andall
the people present there were very surprised, thinking, How did
Mahprabhuallowthis?
Mahprabhusaid,Iknowyou.Youfaithfullytakethemah-prasdaof
allVaiavas.
IfyoudontthinkthereareanyVaiavas,itmeansyoudonttakethe
mah-prasda remnants of any Vaiavas. You eat contaminated my
prasda;bythis,yourintelligencehasbeendefeated.Youarenowblindand
cantseeanyVaiavas.WithoutVaiavas,howcanbhaktirunoninthis
world?HowcanGodbepleasedandhappy?Thisworldwillbedestroyed
withoutanyVaiavas.
Thetwentiethversesays
praklya pda-kamala kta-danta-k
snnrtham anya-sadane bhavat nivim
abhyjya-gandhitatarair iha taila-prai
prodvartayiyati kad kim u kikaryam
WhenwillthismaidservantbrushYourteethwithatwig,washYour
lotus feet, and, when You have entered another room, massage You
withscentedoil?
42
O Rdhe, when will that day come that I will wash your feet, smear
arbaa,kukum,mehendiandcandanaonthem,andoffersomeflowersat
Yourfeet.ThenIwillarrangeforYourbath.FirstIwillmassageYourbody
withoil,andthenIwillarrangewaterforYourbath.
Afterwashingthefeet,onegivesanicetoothbrushnotaplasticone,
butoneofatreebranch.
DsaGosvmprays,IwillgiveYouatoothbrushandthenarrangenice
oilsofmanykinds.Then,IwillalsomassageYouwitharbaa.
Arbaa isamixtureofpastedneem,rawturmericandmustardseeds.
IfyougototemplesoftheLordinIndia,youwillseethatintheearly
morning, after magala-rat, the pujrs smear nice oils on the Deities,
likesesameoilorcoconutoilmixedwithcamphor,andthenusearbata,
candanaandkukumontheDeities.TheythenbaththeDeitiesandmake
designsonThemwithalta.
Thenarelationcomes.Butitisnotpossibleforall.Oneortwopujrs
are in a temple doing puja, but how can all the other devotees do this?
Thereforetheyshoulddomnasi-pjaeveryday.Howcandevoteesestablish
relationship?Thereforeduringguru-mantra,theyshouldworshipandserve
Gurudeva. At the time of gaura-mantra, Gaurahari should be internally
worshiped,andduringka-mantra,Kashouldbeworshiped.Thisis
called really chanting; not just quickly chanting mindlessly and running
away.ThenonewontmakearelationwithGodandHisassociates.Mantra
meansmanah tryate itimantra.Whilechantingmantra, oneshouldthrow
outalldirtfromthemindandengagethemindinserviceofthepresiding
deityofthemantra. Thisistheprocessofchantingamantra.Thenthe
mantraliberatesthemind.Practicethis,andthenyouwillbeabletocross
myandgetarelationwiththeeternalworldandtheVrajavss.
43
Loving Service of Love Divine
I
nthetwenty-firstverse,DsaGosvmpraystoRdhrnasfollows:
ayi vimala-jaln gandha-karpra-pupair
jita-vidhu-mukha-padme vsitn ghaaughai
praaya-lalita-sakhy dyamnai purastt
tava varam abhieka h kadha kariye
ODev,whoselotusfacedefeatsthemoon,when,withjarsofwater,
scented with flowers and camphor, and brought by one of Your
charmingandaffectionatefriends,willIcarefullybatheYou?
ThesakhsmakemanyarrangementsfortheserviceofrmatRdhrn.
Theirheartsarelikepurecamphor,theessenceoffragrantflowersandnice
clean water. They arrange everything with their affection. First they
massagermatRdhrnsbody,andthentheybatheHer.
TheyshowerrmatRdhrnwiththeirloveintheformofabath.
Whenthefullmoonrises,itsrayscoolallbeings.Buttheloveofthe
sakhs and majars is millions of times more nectarful and sweet than
moonrays.WiththatlovetheyperformabhiekaofrmatRdhrn.Each
sakhandmajarsloveisunique.Yamun,Gag,Kverithewatersof
alltheholyrivershavedifferenttastes,colorsandqualities.Inthesameway,
atthetimeofabhieka,themajarsandsakhseachcomeforthwiththeir
personalheartfeltloveandbathermatRdhrnwithrasa.
Dsa Gosvm prays, When will that day come when I will offer my
heartforRdhrnsservice?
Thetwenty-secondversesays:
pnya cna-vastrai ai-mukhi anakai ramya-mdv-aga-yaair
yatnd utsrya modd dii dii vicalan-netra-mncaly
roau rakta dukla tad aparam atula cru-nla iro grt
sarvgeu pramodt pulakita-vapu ki may te prayojyam
44
Omoon-facedone,withasilkentowelwillIbeallowedtoslowlyand
carefullydrythewaterfromYourbeautiful,delicatelimbs,asthetwo
fishes of Your eyes happily and restlessly swim from one direction to
another?Thehairsofmybodystandingupinbliss,willIbeallowedto
cover Your hips with a matchless red silk cloth, and all Your limbs,
fromYourheaddown,withabeautifulbluesari?
Manyflowersbloomatnightandtherearemanymedicinalherbsthat
receivenectarfromthemoon.Themoonisadistributerofnectar.Atthe
timeofrmatRdhrnsabhieka,manysakhsandmajarsbatheHer
withtheireyesandperformHerrati.ThenrmatRdhrnnourishes
allthesakhsandmajars withHermercifulglance.
rmatRdhrnsbodyisverysoft,andSheiswearingathinsilken
cloth.ThesakhsandmajarsremovethisclothandbatheHer,andthen
dressHerwithanewsilkencloth.DsaGosvmprays,Whenwillthatday
comewhenItooarrangeforHerbath?AfterHerabhieka,IwilldryHer
DivineFormwithasoft,scentedtowelandthendecorateHerwithmyown
hands.
O Rdhike,thewateronYourbodydoesnotwanttoleaveYou.Itcame
to serve Youto cool You and wash Your body. Many drops remain on
Yourbodylikepearls,notwillingtoeverleaveYou.IwishtodryYourbody
andthewaterwishestostaythereforever.IwilldryYourformverycarefully.
Then,IwillcoverYourheadwithablueclothanddecorateYouwithtilaka
and alaka.
Please give me instructionsat that time of Yourservice. I willfollow
thoseinstructionsverycarefully.
praklya pda-kamala tad-anukramea
gohendra-snu-dayite tava kea-pam
h narmad-grathita-sundara-skma-mlyair
ve kariyati kad praayair jano yam
Vilpa-kusumjali 23
ObelovedoftheprinceofVraja,when,afterwashingYourlotusfeet,
will this person, with the many beautiful small garlands, artistically
fashionedbyNarmad-dev,lovinglybraidYourhair?
HeRdhe,YouarenearestanddearesttothesonofNandaMahrja.I
amwaitingforYourservice.WhenwillIsavethewaterthatbathesYour
lotusfeetinmyheart?Iwillsavethis,likeYoursvarpa,nearme.Asthe
waterservedYou,itwillalwaysgivemedesireandinspirationandwillmake
myheartmelt.
45
Likewise, Brahm collected the footwash water of the Lord in his
kamaalupot.Hekeptthatwithhimandoffereditprama.Heusedto
drinkitandwasverypleased.Inthissameway,thecaramtaofRdhrn
isnotordinary.
RaghunthadsaGosvmsays,IwillcombYourhairanddecorateit
with flowers. O beloved of Nanda-nandana Ka! Having bathed and
dressed You in fresh cloth, I will wash Your feet. I will apply candana,
aguruandkastr onYourlotusfeet,anddecoratethemwithalaka.
Iwillplaceverysmall,sweetsmelling,lightflowersinYourhair.Thus
sweetbouquetsandgarlandswillcontinuouslyserveYou.
HowwillIwashYourfeet?ThewashingofYourfeetisnotlikethatof
worldlypeople.Justwaterisnotenough.Tocleanthemproperly,Iwill
first use water mixed with camphor, dry Your feet, and then use water
mixed with flowers, kukum and aguru. Then I will cover those most
beautifulfeetwithsandalwoodpaste.Next,Iwillwashitoffwithkastr
andgorocana.
After this I will wash Your feet with pacmtacow milk, yogurt,
honey,gheeandsugar.Thereafter,IwillwashYourfeetwithpurewater
andsmearflowerpollenonthem.ThenIwillcombYourhairandapply
pollenonYourhead.Thispollenhasthequalityofcoolingtheheadand
dryingthehair.
subhaga-mgamadenkhaa-ubhru-vat te
tilakam iha lale devi modd vidhya
masa-ghusa-carcm arpayitv ca gtre
stana-yugam api gandhai citrita ki kariye
Vilpa-kusumjali 24
O Dev, when will I happily place on Your forehead beautiful musk
tilaka assplendidasthefullmoon,onYourlimbsglisteningkukum,
andonYourchestwonderfulpicturesinfragrantcolors?
Heprays,IwillgiveYouveryfine tilaka,madewithkastr.
Ifkastr isontheforehead,itcoolsthebrain.Inthesamewaythat
Gag water and Gag air purify the atmosphere for two kilometers on
bothbanks,ifonekeepskastronhisforeheadoranywhereonthebody,
hewillbeprotectedfromallkindsofbadenergy.
Dsa Gosvm desires, I will mix kukum, candana and guru, and
smearthisonYourhandsandchest.WiththispasteIwilldecorateYour
cheeks in pleasing designs. Only tilaka is not enough. Ka has many
beautifulposesandstances.IshallpaintthesefiguresonYourdivineform.
46
sindra-rekh smntedevi ratna-alkay
may y kalpit ki teslaka obhayiyati
Vilpa-kusumjali 25
O Dev, will I, drawing a line of red sindra with a jeweled alk,
decoratethepartinYourhair?
HeRdhe,IwillplaceredsindrainthepartofYourhairwithagolden
stick.Later,byHerorder,IwilltakethisandsmearitonKasfeet.Iwill
alwaysbereadyforthisservice.
hanta devi tilakasya samastd
bindavo rua-su-gandhi-rasena
ka-mdaka-mahauadhi-mukhy
dhia-hastam iha ki para-kalpy
ODev,when,withasteadyhand,willIartisticallydecorateYouwith
thearomaticredtilaka dotsthatarethemostpowerfulaphrodisiacto
maddenKa?
DsaGosvmprays,HeDev.WithflowerjuiceIshallmake dotson
Your face. This is like a medicine of the highest potency. By seeing this,
Kasburningheartwillbecooled.
Thegopscollectthejuiceofmanyflowerswiththeirheartfeltlove.This
loveshowsineachandeverydropofalaka,decoratingrmatRdhrns
face.Thecolorislikethereddishcoloroftherisingandsettingsun.This
isthecolorofanurga,foundontheheadofrmatRdhrn.Likethe
Sunwhoridesachariotdrawnbymanybrillianthorses,rmatRdhrns
bodyisadornedwithalaka.
Attimes,whenrmatRdhrnisanguishedbyseparationfromKa,
ifbychanceShelooksatHerownfaceinamirrororinwater,theimageof
Ka,performingpastimeswhereverHemaybeatthatmoment,reflectsin
Heralaka.Thistakesplace,nomatterhowfarawayKamaybe.Itisnota
messageoracode;itisdirectlyHisreflection.
WhenRdhrnissad,thesakhsshowHerHerownfaceinamirror
and say, Look at Ka. He is also thinking of You. He will come very
soon.
Thisistheverygoodmedicine.WhenKalooksatRdhrnsalaka,
He can understand Her moods. These are like buttons, present on the
forehead.
gohendra-putra-mada-citta-karndra-rja-
bandhya pupa-dhanua kila bandha-rajjo
47
ki karayos tava varoru varvatasa-
yugmena bhaam aha sukhit kariye
Vilpa-kusumjali 27
Obeautifulone,whenwillIhappilydecorateYourearswithbeautiful
earrings,whicharethecupidstworopesforbindingtheheartofthe
regalmadelephant,thePrinceofVraja?
Obeautiful-thighedone,Youhavethegreateststrengthandpowerto
serve Ka. You know how to please Him. Like an elephant cub who
movesaroundinagardenfearlessly,Nanda-nandanaisveryproud.Noone
cancatchorcontrolHim.Greatisandmaharishavenopowertocatch
Him.EvenYaodMttriedagainandagain,butcouldonlybindHimto
thegrindingmortarbyHisownmercy.
To bind Ka and keep Him closeno one has this power. Only
Rdhrnhasthisability.Shehasthestrength.
OnthetipsofKasearshangbeautifulearrings.rmatRdhrn
hasaverysweetrelationshipwiththoseearrings.AnythingShespeaks,the
earringshear.ThentheyswingandtellKa,Thesewordsjustcameto
us.Nowhearthem.
As the earrings sway to and fro, they touch Kas cheeks and say,
Wait. Stop running. We will peacefully tell You all the news sent by
Rdhrn.
Dsa Gosvm says, I will also give earrings to Rdhrn. Like dear
friends,theywillreceiveanddelivertormatRdhrnthemessagessent
byKa.
Intheheavenlyplanets,Indraistheking.ButinVraja-maala,Ka
isnotmerelytheking.Hehasfullsovereigntyovereveryonesheart.Hehas
wontheheartsofalltheVrajavss.ThereforeHeisGohendra.Nooneis
disturbed with Him. They never take Him from their heart. Everyone
desiresthatHeforeverremainsintheirheartandneverleavesforevena
moment.
However,thereisacontrollerofthatKa.ItisrmatRdhrn.She
arranges many special ornaments for Kasometimes earrings out of
flowers,andothertimesjewelsandpearls.Hersakhsandmajarsgivenew
earringstoKaeveryday.The majarsalsogivermatRdhrnnew
earringseveryday.Someearringsaremadeofjewelsandsomearemadeof
flowers.
TocontroltheelephantcubKa,theseearringsarerequired.These
earringsaretheremedyforHisprideandarrogance.
49
A Holy Attempt
I
n the early morning, the Vraja-devs pick flowers with heartfelt love.
Theypicktheflowersthataresoft,aromatic,fullofhoneyandnewly
blossomed.Theytaketheflowersandputtheirloveandaffectioninside
each one. Dear flowers, they say, I cannot go to where you are going.
YouaregoingtoKascharmingneck.YouwillrestonHischestandwill
embraceandkissHim.Allthisisnotpossibleforus.Youarenotmerely
flowers,youareourrepresentatives.
WhentheVraja-devschooseflowerstobeofferedtoKaslotusfeet,
theyworry,WillKaacceptthesefromusornot?Therefore,theyfirst
offerthemtoRdhrn.Theflowerstransfertheloveofthegopstormat
RdhrnandthentoKa.
WhentheyaretouchedbyrmatRdhrn,theflowersareinfused
withmoreenergy.Thentheybecomepowerfulenoughtobindandarrest
Ka.SometimestheyareusedinHisgarland,sometimestheytouchHis
feet, and sometimes their aromatic pollen is used for His abhieka. They
kissHimagainandagain,anddeliverHimthemessageofthegops.
y te kaculir atra sundari may vakojayor arpit
ymcchdana-kmyay kila na s tathyeti vijyatm
kintu svmini ka eva sahas tat tm avpya svaya
prnebhyo py adhika svaka nidhi-yuga sagopayaty eva hi
Vilpa-kusumjali 28
O beautiful Dev, although I carefully placed this garment over Your
chest to cover them from Kas gaze, He has not understood my
intention.TightlyembracingYou,HehasHimselfbecomethegarment
coveringyourchest,dearerthanHisownlife.
DsaGosvmsays,Oembodimentofbeauty,sometimesYouweara
bluedress,sometimesablackdressorarose-coloreddress,hidingYourself
fromyma.YoucoverYourfaceandbodywiththeseclothes.Kahides
50
here and there, trying to come close and embrace You. He loves You so
much.Youhideinasecretplace,notwantingtogiveHimdarana,butHe
isverygreedytoseeYouandisnotsatisfiedwithanythingelse.Heasks
Yournearestanddearestmajars,WhereisyourSvmin?HowcanIsee
Her?IamverythirstyforHerdarana.ImusthaveHerdarana.
rmatRdhrnisveryclose,butHerfaceandbodyarecoveredby
cloththatmatchesthesceneryaroundHer,andthusKacannotseeHer.
The color of Her cloth has enabled Her to blend into the kujas trees,
leavesandflowers.Sheissittingwiththemajars. KaisunawareofHer
presence,butismaddenedbyHerfragrance.rmatwatchesinamusement
asKapleadswiththemajars forHerdarana.
Dsa Gosvm continues, At the time of dressing You, I will adorn
Yourlimbswithawonderfulcloth.Iwillverycarefullyplacethatclothon
Yousothatymacannotremoveit,butHeiswaitingforYourdarana,
andsometimesHeforcesHiswayin.
DsaGosvmisinthebodyofamaninhissdhakaform.Howcanhe
havethismoodofdressingRdhrn?HowcanhebatheHerormassage
Her Divine Form? How can he give Her tilaka, alaka dots and all other
decorations?Thisishisvilpa-kusumjali.Heispresentthere,eternally
engagedinthissweetintimateservice.Hehasbestowedtheseprayerson
aspirantstobuildtheirgreedforentranceintotheeternalrealm.Heisvery
greedyforthisservice.Byrememberingthepastimesofthatsac-cid-nanda-
vigraha,themind,heartanddesireswillautomaticallybepurified.
nanda-cinmaya-rasa-pratibhvitbhis
tbhir ya eva nija-rpatay kalbhi
goloka eva nivasaty akhiltma-bhto
govindam di-purua tam aha bhajmi
Brahma-sahit 5.37
Govinda, who is all-pervading and who exists within the hearts of all,
residesinHisGoloka-dhmaalongwithRdhik,whoistheembodiment
ofHispleasurepotencyandthecounterpartofHisownspiritualform.
Sheistheepitomeoftranscendentalrasa,andisexpertinsixty-fourarts.
Theyarealsoaccompaniedbythesakhs,whoareexpansionsofRdhiks
owntranscendentalbody,andwhoareinfusedwithblissful,spiritualrasa.
Iworshipthatoriginalpersonality,rGovinda.
Thistranscendentalrasawillcomeandmakeyouqualified.Also,there
willbeverystrongvairgya,norelationorattachmentwithanything.One
willrenounceeverythingofthemundaneworld.Thisiscalledrealsannysa.
51
SuchasannyscanenterVraja-maalafortheeternalserviceofRdhand
Ka.Ifyouhasnottakenthiskindofsannysa,youcantenterthatworld.
nn-mai-prakara-gumphita-cru-puy
mukt-srajas tava su-vakasi hema-gauri
rnty-abhtlasa-mukunda-su-tliky
ki kalpayiyatitara tava dsikeyam
Vilpa-kusumjali 29
Ogolden-complexionedone,willthismaidservantplacelovelynecklaces
ofpearlsandjewelsonYourchest,therestingplaceofMukunda?
DsaGosvmprays,ORdhe!OYou,whosecomplexionisthecolor
ofmoltengold.Iamyourverysmallds.WhenwillIdecorateYourchest,
therestingplaceofMukunda,withjewelednecklaces?
TheornamentsmadebytheservantsofrmatRdhrnhavespecial
powers.Theystealawayfatiguefromtheirwearerandgivenewstrength.
rmatRdhrnsbodyislikegold.Shealreadyhaseverything.She
Herselfissvarpa-akti, theDivinePotency.Sheisnevertired,weakorlazy.
What help can She be given? But She accepts these loveful gifts of Her
maidservants.Thentheseornamentsbecomeevenmorepowerful.When
theyarenextofferedtoKa,Heisoverwhelmedwithbliss.
rmatRdhrngivesadhikraforthisservice.
mai-caya-khacitbhir nla-cvalbhir
hari-dayita-kalvid-dvandvam indvarki
api bata tava divyair agulr agulyai
kvacid api kila kle bhayiymi ki nu
Vilpa-kusumjali 30
Olotus-eyedone,whenwillIadornYourfingerswithglitteringrings,
and Your two graceful arms, which are so dear to Hari, with blue
armletsstuddedwithjewels?
DsaGosvmprays,WhenwillIplacejewel-studdedringsonYour
fingersandbluearmletsonYourarms?
On Kas hands there are wonderful rings. The sakhs and majars
remove these rings from His fingers and clean them. Why do they take
them?Everyday,withHisownhand,Kaapplieskukumandalakaon
thelotusfeetandbodyofrmatRdhrn.
SometimesHemakesabeautifulcrownandoffersittormatRdhrn.
Sometimes He wears the rings of Rdhrn and gives His cmai and
kaustubhamaitoHer.ButbeforeHeleavestogohome,thesakhsexchange
52
theornamentsagain.Why?WhenKagoesbacktoNanda-bhavana, all
wouldinsultHim.Thereforethesakhsareveryclever.TheytakeKas
ornaments from Rdhrns hands and come running to Ka to give
themback.
Kaseyesaretingedwithredonthesides.ThesakhswatchHiseyes
and make a crown. Their hands have bangles. With these bangles they
make a crown. When Ka touches His crown, He understands which
pieceisfromwhichsakhandmajar.
ThesakhsandmajarsgiveKasomeringsthatareverydeartothem.
Kawearstheseringsforsometimeandthengivesthemback.Sometimes
thegops giveKabanglestowear.Notjustplaingoldbangles,butbangles
with designs made of many other minerals. When the sakhs see Ka,
theyaresurprisedandsay,WhyareYouwearingbanglestoday?
Iamjustasmallboynow,Kareplies.SoonIwillbeayoungman
andmuchbiggerandhealthier.Nowthislookslikeabangle,butwhenI
growupitwillbeMyring.Myhandisverysmallnow.SoIwearthisasa
bangleonlyfornow,butwhenIgrowup,itwillbeMyring.Kajokes
andfightswiththesakhs inwayslikethis.Thegops watchwithrmat
Rdhrnfromadistanceandlaughinmirth.
pdmbhoje maimaya-tul-koi-yugmena yatnd
abhyarcyaitad-dala-kulam api preha-pdgulyai
kc-dmn kai-taam ida prema-pha su-netre
kasrter atulam acird arcayiymi ki te
Vilpa-kusumjali 31
O beautiful-eyed one, will I soon worship Your two lotus feet with
jeweledankletsandthepetalsofYourlotusfeetwithtoe-rings?Witha
splendid belt, will I soon worship Your hips, the sacred pilgrimage
placeofKasr?
DsaGosvmprays,WhenwillIplaceankletsandtoe-ringsonYour
lotusfeet?ThenIwilltakeasoftcottonbrushandpaintdesignsonthose
shiningornaments,usinginkmadefromdifferentcoloredflowers.Iwill
make five different colors and decorate Youl anklebells using my brush.
Sometimes I will paint lotus petals, sometimes roses, jasmines or other
flowers.EverydayIwillarrangenewerandnewerkindsofanklebells.They
will not merely be bedecked with jewels and minerals but with small
fragrantflowersalso.
Ka attracts everyone, but Raghuntha dsa Gosvm knows who
attracts Him. He says, After fastening upon them flower anklebells and
53
anklets,withfinestrandsofcottonIwillmakeartisticdecorationsonthose
twofeetofwhichKablissfullyhasdarana.
Kawillcomefromadistanceandsay,WhoisthisGoddess?Hewill
thencomeforwardandofferpupjali, flowers,atYourlotusfeet.Thisis
mydesire.Thesefeetarerespectedalloverthethreeworlds.Theyarethe
storehouse of limitless blessings and mercy. O Rdhike, I will first do
arcanaofYourfeetinthisway.
RaghunthadsaGosvmnextprays:
lalitatara-mli-kalpa-bhu-dvaya te
murajayi-mati-has-dhairya-vidhvasa-dakam
mai-kula-racitbhym agadbhy purastt
pramada-bhara-vinamr kalpayiymi ki v
Vilpa-kusumjali 32
Boweddownwithintensebliss,withtwojeweledarmletswillIdecorate
Yourtwogracefullotusarms,whichexpertlydestroythepeacefulnessof
theswanofKasheart?
He Rdhike! Murris brain is uncontrolled. He has no patience or
tolerance. He is always greedy for Your darana and embrace. After
decoratingYourbodyinvariousways,IwillplaceYouonaregalseatso
that Ka may have darana of You from afar. Ka is very greedy. He
cannot control Himself. Rather, He runs toward You for an embrace,
thinking,Oh!DaranaofthisGoddessisnotenough.Imustgonearby
HertocollectHerblessings.ThenHeprayswithmanyverses,onebyone.
TheseversesspringfromKasheartlikelotusstems,risingupfrom
belowthesurfaceofanautumnlake.Thelotuscomesupandshows,Ihave
suchsweetnectar,fragranceandcolor.
KakilledthedemonnamedMura,thereforeHeiscalledMurri.He
isverystrongandpowerful.ButinfrontofRdhik,Hehasnotolerance
orself-control.HetriestoflytoRdhrnlikeaswan,eagertoeatalotus
stem.HewantstoembraceHer,butthemajarsgiveHimnosuchchance.
AfterHerabhiekaanddecoration,ShesitsandplayswithHersakhs ina
secludedgrove,guardedbythemajars.
rsotsave ya iha gokulacandra-bhu-
sparea saubhaga-bhara nitarm avpa
graiveyakena kim u ta tava kaha-dea
sampjayiyati puna subhage jano yam
Vilpa-kusumjali 33
54
O beautiful one, will this person some day worship with a valuable
necklace Your neck, which attained all good fortune when it was
touchedbythearmofGokulacandrainthefestivalofthersa dance?
ORdhike!Averybigfeastdistributingrasa isstartinginVndvana.
Everyoneinvolvedhasheartfeltlove.Rasafromtheheartmeltsandflows
outtobeofferedtoYou.GokulacandraKacomesandofferedYoumany
presentations.WeworshipYouwiththesegiftsofHis.Pleaseacceptthem.
But rmat says, No! If I take these things, I will be giving Him a
chancetocomenearby.IwillnottouchthemandIwillnotletHimnear
me.
Her sakhs are perplexed, and Ka is very sad, She wont accept
anything from Me? Lalit and other sakhs bring Her a flower garland.
Rdhrnlooksatitandsays,Theseflowershavenoscentorsignofany
sakhormajars.Theyhavenotpickedtheseflowersormadethisgarland.
Thisisnotfromthem.Itisveryharsh,coldandcruel.Iwonttouchit.If
Itouchthis,thenIwillbecomedisturbed.JustthesmellalreadypainsMe.
Takethisgarlandawayfromhere!DontbringitnearMe.Putitfaraway
onatree.Ifthetreebecomeshappyandhoneydropsfromit,thenIwill
trustit.
Butwhenthesakhsputtheflowergarlandonthetree,allitsleavesfell
andthetreebecamedry.Itwassad,asifinseparation.
rmatRdhrnsaid,IcannottouchthisgarlandorIwillbecome
likethattree.
What is the secret of this garland? This garland had come from the
partyofCandrvali,opposedtoRdhrnsgroup.Candrvalisgirlfriends
hadsentthis,thereforeRdhrnwouldnotacceptit.Andwhenitwas
placedonthetreefavorabletoRdhrnsgroup,thetreealsobecamevery
disturbed.ThereforermatRdhrndidnottouchthegarland.
datta pralamba-ripuodbhaa-akhaca-
nt pratoi-hdaya madhumagalasya
hastena ya sumukhi kaustubha-mitram eta
ki te syamantaka-mai tarala kariye
Vilpa-kusumjali 34
Obeautiful-facedone,willImakethesyamantakajewel,which,after
the death of proud akhaca was given by Balarma to cheerful-
heartedMadhumagala,whointurngaveittoYou,andwhichsince
hasbecomethefriendofthekaustubhajewel,thecentraljewelinYour
necklace?
55
Onceakhacacameandattackedthegops.Kakilledakhaca
andremovedthejewelonhishead,givingittoBalarma,whopassediton
toMadhumagala.MadhumagalathengavethistormatRdhrn.
Thesakhspleaded,Pleaseacceptthis,thennoenemywillbeableto
touch,lookat,orattackYou.KahassentthisjeweltoprotectYou.
Kadidnotsendthis,Rdhikreplied,HehascomehereHimself
in the form of this jewel. If I touch this, I will become restless and lose
everything.Icanttouchit.
Kawhoiswatchingfromadistancefeelsgreatpain,Oh!Shewill
notacceptanythingfromMe.
Today,KawasrefusedinHisattemptforabhisra.
57
The Gold Guard
A
tthetimeofchanting,weholdeachtulas beadinourml like
catchingthefeetoftheVraja-devsandprayingtothemasweserve
internally. Rdh-Ka and all the Vraja-devs are present there
whilewechantHareKa.IfweonlychantRdheKa,Rdhemeans
onlyrmatRdhrn,butHareincludesallthesakhsandmajars.All
theVraja-devsareservingRdh-Kaintheeternalworld.Soweprayto
them,onebyone,aswechantonourml,Pleasegivemeyourtendency
toserve,blessmewithyourmoods,andteachmetheprocessbywhichyou
servetheDivineCouple.Pleaseguidemeandchecktoseeifmyactionsare
wrongorright.
Thenextversesays:
prnta-dvaye parivirjita-guccha-yugma-
vibhrjitena nava-kacana-orakena
ka krudhaty atha kodari ced itva
badhnmi bhos tava kadbhibhayena madhyam
Vilpa-kusumjali 35
O slender-waisted one, when, fearing that Your very slender waist
mightbreak,willIverycarefullytieitwithanewgoldenbelt,splendid
withflower-clustertasselsateachend?
Dsa Gosvm says, You have long hair and Your head is decorated
withbraids,goldandjewels.Yourbodycarriesalotofweight,buthowcan
Youcarrythis?HeKior!Youhaveaverythinwaist;ifthisbreaks,then
what will I do? Therefore I will carefully bind Your waist with a golden
belt.
WhydoesDsaGosvmpraytouseagoldbelt?Goldisbeautiful,light
andbright,andofasimilarcolortoRdhrn.Goldisnotselfish;itislike
ahelpfulservant.Thisgoldispureforservice;itisnotselfishanddoesnt
take anything from anyone. It doesnt leave his post as a servant. If you
58
makeagoldenornament,itlastsforaverylongtime.Evenifitbreaks,still
itcanberepaired.
Manysevakas serveforoneortwodays,givingcloth,food,water,lodging
andsoforth,butthenextdaytheyturnintoafirefly.Thenwhenoneasks,
Where is he? The answer comes, Oh, he flew to Hawaii. Why?
Becauseheisahi-fiHawaiian.Thisisnotcalledasevaka.Arealsevakais
like goldsteady and permanent. A sevaka will not be like silver, which
mayoxidizeandloseitspotency.Golddoesntloseitsvalue.Otherthings
may come and mix with gold, but then it can be heated and all other
mineralsandmetalswillburntotheskyandflytoplaceslikeHawaii.
kanaka-guitam uccair mauktika mat-kart te
tila-kusuma-vijetr nsik s su-vtta
madhumathana-mahli-kobhaka hema-gauri
prakaatara-maranda-pryam dsyate kim
Vilpa-kusumjali 36
Ogoldenone,whenwillYournose,whichdefeatsthesesameflower,
receivefrommyhandabeautiful,golden,honey-pearlthatagitatesthe
greatbumblebeeKa?
ORdhike!Yourcolorismorebeautifulandbrilliantthangold.When
a flower blossoms, the bumblebees rush towards it. Your nose is more
attractivethanasesameflower.BumblebeeKacomeshoveringside-to-
side,watching,HowcanItouch,smellandgonearHer?Toprotectyou,
Iwillplaceanose-ringsoKacantcomeinside.WhenKaseesYour
nose-ring,Hewillhaveadeepdesire,HowcanItakethehoneyfromthis
enchantingflower?
agadena tava vma-do-sthale
svara-gauri nava-ratna-mlikm
paa-guccha-pariobhitam imam
jay pariaymi te kad
Vilpa-kusumjali 37
O golden one, when, by Your order, will I place on Your left arm a
silkenband,tiedwithjewelsandflowers?
In his perfected body, Dsa Gosvm starts his service from the early
morning. As Rati Majar, she combs Rdhrns hair and decorates it
with flowers, jewels and pearls. She also places a cmai, nose ring,
bangles,anklebells,ankletsandotherornamentsonrmatj.
59
karayor upari cakra-alke
cacalki nihite mayak te
kobhaka nikhila-gopa-vadhn
cakravad bhramayat mura-atrum
Vilpa-kusumjali 38
O restless-eyed one, when willIplaceringsonYourears that would
makeKa,whoagitatesallthegops,aimlesslywanderinacircle?
RatiMajarthenplacesgoldenwheel-shapedearringsonRdhrns
ears.Why?ThiscakraisHerprotector.Ifanybadsoundcomesclose,the
cakrawillprotectRdhrsears,tellingthesound,Getout,youarenot
welcomehere.Thisisnotyourplace.
Kasaoncegavetrainingtohissoldiers,WhenKaplaystheflute,
allthecows,calves,sakhs andVraja-devsruntoHim.Thisflutehassome
mysticpower.Learnhowtoplaythisfluteandthenwewillattractallthe
Vrajavass out of Vraja to Mathur, and then Ka will be powerless.
Kasa thus opened a flute training center in Mathur. When properly
trained, Kasas minions went and played flutes in the forests of Vraja,
pretendingtobeKa.Hearingthis,thecowslookedupandthought,Is
Ka calling? The cows listened intently for a moment. They are very
clever.Theirearswenttothissideandthat,drinkingthesoundoftheflute.
ButtheyknowthemelodyofKasfluteandwerenotfooledbyKasas
attemptedtrick.Theyignoredtheflutesoundandcontinuedtoeatgrass
without a care. Kasas minions saw, Oh, Kas cows are very clever,
theyarenotlistening.
Then they went and played the flute on the bank of the Yamun,
thinking,Thegopscomeheretocollectwater.Whentheycome,wewill
mesmerize them with our attractive flute playing and bring them to
Mathur.
Butthegopsearshavethesecakras, protectingthemfromantagonistic
sounds.Theirearringarelikeguards,standingatthecheckpostoftheir
ears.ThereforethegopswearMurricakrasintheirearsandhairsothat
onlythesoundofKascallcancomeintheirears.
Many people send news and many other sounds come, but first-class
sevakasfirstcheck,Isthisgoodandhelpfulornot?asSvarpaDmodara
Gosvm would first peruse any material for faulty conclusions before he
showedittoMahprabhu.
kad te mgavki cibuke mganbhin
bindum ullsayiymi mukundmoda-mandire
60
Vilpa-kusumjali 39
O fawn-eyed one, when will I place a dot of splendid musk on Your
chin,thetempleofMukundashappiness?
DsaGosvmprays,ORdhike!Youreyesarerestlessasdeerwhofear
theattackofanydangerousanimalorhunter,waitinginahiddenplaceto
shoot.IwilldecorateYourchinwithaspotofmusk.
This musk gives power, enthusiasm and happiness. This spot is dark,
likethepupilsofKaseyes.Seeingthis,Kaisoverjoyed,Oh!Shehas
awardedMyrepresentativesomeplaceonHerface!
61
A Student of Anura
-
ga
utkhdirea nava-candra-virjitena
rgea te vara-sudhdhara-bimba-yugme
ggeya-gtri mayak parirajite smin
daa vidhsyati haht kim u ka-kra
Vilpa-kusumjali 41
O golden-limbed one, when will the Ka-parrot bite the nectarful
bimba fruitsofYourlips,splendidwithredkhadira andcamphor,placed
byme?
I
n Vraja-maala there are so many parrots that sport many beautiful
shadesofgreenandblue,andtheirbeaksarered,yelloworbrown.Their
neckshaveanenchantingreddishring,lookingliketheyarewearinga
nice necklace. With their restless eyes, the parrots are always searching,
Wherearetheripefruits?Theyseekthebiggestandsweetestfruitshidden
amongtheclustersofleaves.Theyflyveryquickly,bitethefruit,drinkits
juice,andcomeback.Theydonoteatthewholefruit,onlyasmallpart,and
theynevertouchafruitthathasalreadybeentasted.InVraja-maalathere
is one parrot in particular that is famous, but He does not fly. If anyone
invitesHim,remembersHimorcallsouttoHim,Hefirstconsiders,Isthis
sweet for Me or not? At that time, there is one guardian without whose
orderHewillnottouchorlookatafruit.IsHehungryorthirsty?No!Heis
neverhungryorthirsty,Healreadyhaseverything.
ThebodyofGag-devisHerwater.Itisverycleanandclear.When
thesunrisesintheearlymorning,thesunshineturnsthewatercrimson.
The sunshine is very strong. At this time, the fish in the water become
bewilderedandthinkthatjuicyfruitshaveappearedinthewater,seeing
thereddishlightsparklingintheriver.Thenthefishdrinkalotofwater,
thinkingitverysweet.Why?Itisred,saffron.Intheevening,whenthesun
sets,thiscolorisalsothere.
62
Ifanyonesheartiscoloredwithanurga,hewillappeartobelitupby
thecrimsontingeofthesunrise.Thentheywillbeattractivetoallliving
beings.IfanyonethinksofKa,bringsKaintheirheartandplayswith
Himthere,KaknowsthispersonisreadyforHimtocomeandtastehis
love,likeafruitripewithanurga.
Anotherexampleisgiven:Youngunripefruitaregreenincolor.When
thesungivesheat,theygrowandbecomebigandripe.Theyturncrimson
andawonderfulfragrancecomesfromthem.Thesunislikeaparentand
guardianwhohelpsthefruitgrow,andwhentheyaremature,hecallsthe
parrottocomeandmeetwiththem,givinganindication,Thisfruitisnow
ripe,goandtasteit.
TheVraja-devsheartsarepure,liketheglisteningwaterofGag-dev
litcrimsonbythesun.Theyhavemillionsofgoodqualities.Thosewho
batheinthewatersofGag-devarepurifiedandrefreshed.Butthelimbs
oftheVraja-devsaremillionsoftimespurerthanevenGag-dev.
Kaukaalwaysmovesaboutinsearchofnectar.ThenHeseesthat
the Vraja-devs lips and cheeks have a crimson hue, and His target is
apparent. They are in kior age, fresh youth, and a wonderful aroma
exuding from their bodies attracts the parrot Ka, who appears to fly
there.Hekissesthemandthenrunsoff.
KaukawandersthroughoutVraja-maala,examiningeveryone.If
anyonelikesHim,Hewillgotohim.HewillgotothosewhocarryHim
in their heart. He checks, Have they really offered themselves to Me or
not?Hethengoesandkissesthem,makingthemevensweeter,justlike
whenaparrotincreasesthesweetnessofafruitbybitingitwithitsbeak.
yat-prnta-dea-lava-lea-vighritena
baddha kad bhavati ka-karndra uccai
tat-khajarta-jayi-netra-yuga kadya
sampjayiyati janas tava kajjalena
Vilpa-kusumjali 42
Whenwillthispersonworshipwithblackkjala Yourtwoeyes,which
defeatthekhajana birds,andwhich,withtheslightestmovementfrom
theircorners,inamomenttightlybindtheregalelephantKa?
TheeyesofrmatRdhrnandtheVraja-devsarelongandhavea
reddishtinge.Theyareafflictedbyrestlessness.Wishingtocoolrmat
Rdhrnseyes,DsaGosvmsays,IwilldecorateYoureyeswithkjala.
Why?HereyesarealwayslookingoutforKa.Ifthisblackointmentis
there,thenShewillfeelpacifiedandthinkthatKaisclosetoHereyes.
63
Ka is like an elephant. An elephant has a big body but small eyes.
Likewise,Kasvisionisone-pointed.Hedoesnotseeothersfaults.He
onlylooksforlove.WholovesMe?HesaystoHimself,asHesearchesfor
asign.Helooksforthosewhowearadarksari orputskjalaontheireyes,
indicating,IaminvitingYou.ComestayinMyeyes.Receivingasignlike
this,Kaukawillcometomeetsuchaperson.Hewillnotgowithout
someinvitation.
DsaGosvmisays,KnowingthatKawillnotcomewithoutasign,
Iwillarrangethewholeprocess.IwilllovinglyanointYoureyeswithkjala,
asasignalforKa.Kawillthenunderstandthatwearewelcoming
Him.
yasyka-rajita-iras tava-mna-bhage
gohendra-snur adhika suamam upaiti
lak-rasa sa ca kad padayor adhas te
nyasto maypy atitar chavim psyatha
Vilpa-kusumjali 43
HisheadreddenedbythemarksofYourfeetasHetriestosootheYour
jealousanger,Kahasbecomeextremelyhandsome.When,decorated
withredlacbyme,willYournectarfulfeetbecomeverysplendid?
SometimesrmatfeelsmnawhenSheseesthatKaisjokingand
talkingwithsomeothersakhs,teachingthemhowtoserveHer.Although
Hemeanswell,HehascomeandtaughtthemwithoutHerpermission.
Then the sakhs and majars come to Rdhrn with the knowledge
theyhavereceivedfromKa.
When a sakh comes and tries to decorate Her with the teachings of
Ka, rmat Rdhrn asks, Who has taught you this? How did you
learntodothiskindofdecoration?
Oh,IlearntthisatSakhGiri,thesakhsays,Oneteachercamethere
and taught me how to make these kinds of designs on the hands. The
stonestherearequiteamazing.Wepracticedonthestones,andthenthe
markswouldnotwashoff.
Oh,showmethisatSakhGiri,Rdhrnsays.Theygothereandsee
manydesignsimprintedonthestones.Rdhrnunderstandswhomade
thesedesignsandsays,Youhavelearnedfromabogusteacher.Iwillnot
takeanyofyoursev.LearnfromMe.Iwillteachyou.ThenShebegins
instructingthem.
They then go to another stone at Sakh Giri. rmtj decorates Her
hand, and with color on Her hand She touches the stone. The stone
64
becomesverysoftatthetouchofRdhrn.ItbringstheprintofHerhand
initsheartandkeepsitthereasitstreasure.
The sakhs and majars then decorate rmts feet with alta and
kukum.TheynoticethatwheneverHerfeettouchastone,thedesignson
Herfeetstaythereonitssurface.Evenafterwashingit,thestonedoesnot
giveupthesign.Howisthisstonesosoftandsweet?Thishill,calledSakh
Giri,carriessignsoftheVraja-devsandKa.rmatpersonallyteaches
thesakhsnotonlytheartofdecoratingfeetandhands,butalsohowtoplay
musicalinstruments.Therearemanystonestherethatmakemusicalnotes
when hit together in different ways. Rdhrn plays music on these
speciallyempoweredstones.
ButfirstShehadmna,Whoisthisso-calledguruinVraja?Iwillnot
acceptanythingfromonewhotakestrainingfromHim.Fromthatday
therewasonlyoneguruamongthegops.Who?Vikh-devwasinstructed
byRdhrntoteachtheVraja-devs.
Then Nanda-nandana Ka Himself applied for studying at Sakh
GiriunderthetutorshipofVikh-dev.AtHisrequestforenrollment,
thesakhssaidtoHim,WewilladmitYouononecondition.Youmust
wearasari.WewillcombanddecorateYourhairwithflowersandplace
bangles and ornaments on Your body, only then can You become our
student.
KaagreedandtheVraja-devsdressedanddecoratedHim,andthen
drewdesignsonHishands.Whentheyweredone,Hesaid,Imustnow
take My examination. I will touch one of these stones. If it accepts My
handprint,IwillunderstandthatIhavebeentrainedwell.
ThenKawenttotouchastone,anditdidnotacceptHistouch.
Thisisnotagood,Hesaid.Youallareuseless.Ineedagoodteacher.
Dsa Gosvm says, I will call and bring Ka to rmat Rdhrn.
ShewilltellHim,Firstbatheinthisdehkuaandthencomeback.
Ka went and bathed there, becoming completely clean. When He
returned, He submitted Himself before Rdhrn and begged for Her
mercy.
smara-garala-khaana mama irasi maana
dehi pada-pallavam-udra
r Gta-govinda 10.8
O My beloved, Cupids powerful poison is devastating Me. Please be
merciful and place upon My head the cooling, tender petals of Your
lotusfeet.
65
Then She placed Her feet on His head, blessing His head with the
reddishmarksonHerlotusfeet.ShethenacceptedHimasastudentof
anurga.
Ifapupilisnotsurrenderedtohisteacher,hecannotlearnanything.
DisciplescometoGurudeva,buthecanonlyteachthemiftheyactually
desiretolearn.Ifaso-calledstudenthasnorelation,connectionoraffection
forhisguruandwhatheisoffering,thenreceivingknowledgeisimpossible.
Althoughitseemshemaybestudyingandlearning,nothingwillstaywith
him.Ifthereisagoodrelationshipbetweenguruanddisciple,tutorand
student,thenallthemastersteachingsareabletocomewithintheheart
ofthelearnerandremainthereforever.
Ifyouareaso-calleddisciplewhocomesandsitsinclass,whilehaving
norelationwiththecrya,thenhisteachingwillgotoyou,bounceoff,
andgotoanother.Youcannotacceptit,becauseyouarenothisfollower,
youarenotonline,thushisteachingsgooutofmarket,outofmind.
VikhandLalitadministeronelastexamination.TheytellKa
towalkonthestones,andasHedoesso,thestonesmanifestHisimprint
on their smooth surfaces. The stones confirm that Ka is now
surrendered.
Today,rmatRdhrnsmnawaspacifiedwhenShesawthatKa
wascompletelysurrenderedtoHer.KathendecoratedRdhrnsfeet
withaltaandkukum.SakhGirigivesthisevidence.ThisSakhGirihill
isthereforeveryspecialandhelpful.
kalvati natsayo pracura-kma-pujojjvalat-
kalnidhi-muradvia prakaa-rsa-sambhvayo
bhrama-bhramara-jhaktair madhura-malli-ml mud
kad tava tayo samarpayati devi ds-jana
Vilpa-kusumjali 44
O graceful artist, O Dev, when will this maidservant happily place a
sweet jasmine garland, filled with the humming of bees, on Your
gracefully sloping shoulders, touched in the rsa dance by Muradvia,
whohasbecomeamoonshiningwithamorouspassion?
DsaGosvmnextprays,ODev,Youareexpertinthesixty-fourarts.
Kaalsoknowsallarts.Therefore,atthetimeofrsa-ll,Hesings,dances,
movesandfliesabout,attractingallandmeetingwitheachofthem.With
sixty-fourqualitiesIwillmakeagarland,andwillofferthistoYou.You
will then offer it to Ka at the time of rsa-ll. When this garland
66
touches Ka, He will think, This garland is so sweet, made with the
choicestflowers,andfullofallgoodqualities.
Atthetimeofmakingtheflowergarland,abumblebeecameandsang,
Thisgarlandisverybright,lightandattractive.IfyouofferthistoKa,
Hewillbeverypleased.
Astrongflowofwatercomesdownfromthesourceofanygreatriver.
Whenastrongflowofairmeetswiththewatersflow,theirmeetingcauses
whirlpoolstospinaboutintheriver.Thesewhirlpoolssendupafinemist
which hangs suspended onboth sides of the river and coolsall residents
nearby,makingthemfeelverywell.
Dsa Gosvm says, I am a very small servant, but I will collect the
mercyandqualitiesofthesakhsandmajarsonbothsides,andwillgive
theminsidethegarlandIoffertoYou.OneachflowerandgemIwillwrite
theholynamesofthesakhsandmajars.Iwillplacesandalpaste,aguru
andkastronthegarland.YouwillgivethisgarlandtoKa.
Themajars donotmakedryandplaingarlands.Agarlandisnotmade
ofpaperorartificialflowers.Thegops doeverythingwiththegreatestcare
andlove.
sryya sryamai-nirmita-vedi-madhye
mugdhgi bhvata ihli-kulair vty
argha samarpayitum utka-dhiyas tavrt
sajjni ki sumukhi dsyati dsikeyam
Vilpa-kusumjali 45
O charming-limbed one, O lovely faced beauty, will this maidservant
nearby hand You the articles of worship when, surrounded by Your
friends,Youareeagerathearttodevotedlyofferargha totheSun-god,
onanaltarofsryamai jewels?
Dsa Gosvm says, Jewels like the sryamai give off light and are
powerful,buthavenosweetscent.ThekaustubhamaimeetswithKa
and is His dear friend, but this garland I make is endowed with the
specialtiesofthesixty-fourarts.Itisinfusedwiththequalities,fragrance
andheartfeltloveofallthesakhs.Iwillarrangethatgarlandandgiveitto
You.Thenatthetimeofrsa-ll,YouwillgivethistoKa.Bythis,both
ofYouwilltransferYourheartfeltlove.
Here,sumukhimeanssevonmukhi. Apersonsfaceissweetifheisalways
inclined to serve. If someone has no service tendency, if his heart is dry,
thenanywherehegoes,hewillonlysuffer.Why?Youhavenodesireto
accept anything. When willdesire for service come? If I have a desire to
67
accept something, then the residents of Vraja will give a spark of their
servicetendency,desireandmood.
NowIcantprayforanything.Isay,Manas-sevisspeculation;thisis
allbogus.Ihavenohope.Ifyouarenotgreedyforpurelove,andhaveno
hope,thenhowcanthatpurelovecomeandblessyou?Nothingwillcome!
DsaGosvmsays,ORdhe,Youaresumukhi,Yourfaceissoattractive.
Youaretheembodimentofallloveandservicetendency.IamYoursmall
maidservant,butmydesiresareverybig.IamYoursevonmukhi das.
Likewhenpeopleareyoung,theydreamofwhattheywillbewhenthey
growup.Theyhavehighexpectations,andthink,Iwillbeabigbarrister.
I will be a famous architect. I will be a lawyer in the Supreme Court.
Theyhavebighopesfromtheirchildhood.Asordinarypeoplehavegreed
forordinaryachievements,wemusthavegreedforspiritualachievements.
Ifyouhavenogreedanddesireforspiritualthings,noranyhopetoachieve
your aspirations, your life is only like an empty shell. You are not really
human;youareimpotentandakintoastoneorinertobject.
Whoandwhatareyou?Idontknowwhypeoplecheatothers,saying
mnas-sevisspeculationandwarningothersnottotrythis.Whenababy
isborn,aftersometimeitbecomesnaturalforthebabytoaskquestions.
They soak up information. Even before a baby goes to school, he starts
inquiringfromhisparentsaboutallkindsofthings,saying,Mama,what
isthis?Papa,whatisthat?
Ifwedontgoandpraytotheguru-varga forspiritualinstruction,ifwe
havenoscentofgreed,howcanwebecalledstudentsofthespiritualscience?
Arewehumans?Arewetrunksofwoodorchunksofstone?Whoarewe?
ThesoulisthepartandparceloftheSupremeSoul.Ithasconsciousness,but
in its perverted state, this consciousness is now absorbed in dead matter.
When a ray of mercy touches the soul by earnest prayer, greed arises for
attainingthepurestateofconsciousnessinlovewiththeSupreme.
DsaGosvmisRatiMajarinthespiritualworld.Sheissevonmukhi,
alwayseagertoservetheDivineCouple.Thistendencyisbornenaturally
outofherlove.
He prays, He rmat Rdhike, I am Your small maidservant. I will
make a nice seat for You in this forest of Vndvana. You will sit there
happily.Whenthesunrises,Youwillworshipthesun.Youwillofferargha
and all paraphernalia for the suns worship. You are sumukhi, sevonmukhi,
Youalwaysserveandteachotherstheprocessofservice.
IwillfirstmakeanicejeweledseatforYou.IfYouhaveaniceseat,then
YouwillbeabletogiveaniceseatandparaphernaliaforSryadeva. Then
68
YouwillworshipHimwiththesakhs.Thesuniscoming!Herisesearlyin
themorning.ButHewilltakesometimetoreachhere,thereforewemust
prepare for His arrival. O sumukhi, sevonmukhi! Be pleased with this ds
andgiveherinspirationandinstructionsforservice.ThisdsofYourswill
arrangeeverythingfortheserviceoftheSun-god.Whenthesun-likeKa
arisesandcomeshereandacceptsYourpresentations,thenthearrangement
made by Your sakhs will be successful. I will prepare all things for that
worship.Ihavenogoodintelligence;Idontknowwhatisneededtoperfect
thisworship.WithYourinspiration,Iwillgotothesakhsandmajars
andtheywillguidemeinthisservice.
vraja-pura-pati-rjy jay miam anna
bahu-vidham ati-yatnt svena pakva varoru
sapadi nija-sakhn mad-vidhn ca hastair
madhumathana-nimitta ki tvay sannidhpyam
Vilpa-kusumjali 46
Olovely-thighedone,when,employingthehandsofYourfriendssuch
as myself, will You place before the killer of the Madhu demon the
many delicious foods You very carefully cooked by the order of the
queenofVraja?
O Rdhike!OntherequestofYaodMt,Youarrangeandcookmany
sweets,suchashalav,lau, kra sgaraandkri.IamYourRatiMajar.
Withmyhands,IwilltakesomethingforKaandgivethistoYaod
Mt, saying, O mother Yaod, please give this to Ka. rmatj has
madethiswithHerownhand.Itisverytastyandsweet.Itisveryhelpful
forKa.IwillrequestYaodMtlikethis.
YaodMtgivesthegopschancetoserveKa.Rdhrncookswith
Lalitandallthesakhsandmajars inthekitchenofNandagrma.She
giveswhatShecookstoRatiMajar,saying,Gogivethiswithyourown
handstoYaodMt.
Why does rmat Rdhrn entrust this offering to Rati Majars
hands?BecauseanythingRatiMajargivesiscompletelyfilledwithlove.
SheisnoneotherthanthepersonifiedformofrmatRdhrnsaffection
for Ka. Rati Majar knows the process of offering the preparations.
Thereforethisserviceisgiventoher.
69
Merciful Remnants
ntnna-mad-vidha-lala-tae lal
prty pradya mudit vraja-rja-rj
prem prasr iva bhavat-kualasya pcch
bhvye vidhsyati kad mayi tvakatvt
Vilpa-kusumjali 47
Obeautifulone,when,lovinglytouchingherforeheadtomine,willthe
jubilantqueenofVraja,YaodMt,likealovingmotheraskmeabout
Yourwelfare,becauseIamYourmaidservant?
D
saGosvmprays,ORdhe,Youarethesourceandoriginalform
ofallauspiciousness.IlongforthatdaywhenthequeenofVraja,
Yaod,receivesthepreparationsIcarrytoherwithmyownhands.
Becomingverypleasedwithme,shewillcatchmyhandandsay,Oh,youare
Rdhrns nearest and dearest! With the love of a mother for her own
daughter, she will kiss my forehead and stroke me. You are very dear to
Rdhrn,shewilllovinglysay.Yourloveisverysweet.Kaissopleased
withanythingyoubringfromHerandHeeatsitwithgreatrelish.
rmatRdhrnscookingismagala-svarpa,theabodeofauspiciousness.
Itisunfathomablytastefulandfamousthroughoutthethreeworlds.
YaodMtissopleasedwithrmatRdhrnssakhsandmajars,
butshehasspecialaffectionforRatiMajar.
RatiMajarknowshowtokeeprmatRdhrnscookingfresh,hot
andunseenbyotherseyesbeforeitreachesYaodMtandKa.Her
desireispureandselfless.Thisprti,love,isseenbyYaodMt.
ka-vaktrmbujocchia prasda param dart
datta dhanihay devi kim neymi te grata
Vilpa-kusumjali 48
70
ODev,whenwillIplacebeforeYoutheprasda remnants,tastedby
KaslotusmouthandrespectfullybroughtbyDhanih-gop?
WhenKaeats,Heleavessomeremnants.YaodMttellsDhanih,
Kas plate has some leftover pieces of sweets and other foodstuffs. Go
collect His remnants. Dhanish, who is expert in all kinds of tricky
maneuvers,somehowslipsKasremnantstoRatiMajar.RatiMajar
thengivesittoRpaMajar,whogivesittoLalit-dev,whogivesitto
rmat Rdhrn. After She has tasted His remnants, all the sakhs and
majars get their turn. Only they can understand how sweet that mah-
prasda is.
nn-vidhair amta-sra-rasyanais tai
ka-prasda-militair iha bhojya-peyai
h kukumgi lalitdi-sakh-vt tva
yatnn may kim u tarm upabhojany
Vilpa-kusumjali 49
Owhoselimbsareanointedwithkukum,whenwillIcarefullyfeed
You, Lalit and Your other friends many kinds of food and nectar
drinks,mixedwiththeremnantsofwhatwasdirectlytastedbyLord
Ka?
DsaGosvmsays,WhenwillIfeedYouprasdaremnantsofKa,
mixedwithotherverynectarfulfoods?
Once, in his meditation, he cooked sweet rice with almonds, ghee,
honeyandsaffron.InhiseternalformasRatiMajar,heofferedthissweet
rice to Rpa Majar, who gave to rmat Rdhrn, who offered it to
Ka.Aftereatingit,Kaleftsomething,asHealwaysdoes.Thiscame
backtoRatiMajar.Thereupon,theDivineCoupleforcedhertoeatin
excess.
IntheeveningRaghunthadsaGosvmsstomachbecamefloppyand
fullofgas.Thequestioncomes:Aftertakingka-prasda,howcananyone
sufferanydisturbance?
IntheBhagavad-gt (2.65) itstates,
prasde sarva-dukhn hnir asyopajyate
prasanna-cetaso hy u buddhi paryavatihate
Whenonereceivesprasda, allhismiseriesaredispelled.Theintelligence
becomescontentandfullofbliss.
71
rlaVivanthaCakravarthkurasings:
yasya prasdd bhagavat-prasdo
yasyprasdn na gati kutopi
dhyya stuvas tasya yaas tri-sandhya
vande guro r caranravindam
Gurvakam 8
Prasdadestroysallsadnessandsuffering,andcausesitsreceivertofeel
greatjoy.
ThenwhydidDsaGosvmsstomachbecomefullofgasbytakingthis
sweetricemah-prasda?Itwascookedwithalmonds,puregheeandmilk,
and tasted by Ka, rmat Rdhrn, and the sakhs and majars. To
teachthatmnas-sev isnotmerespeculation,Kaarrangedthispastime
to happen. Therefore Dsa Gosvms stomach became upset after being
given this mah-prasda in his internal service. But mundane people
construedifferentmeaningsoutofit.
AdoctorwascalledandcheckedDsaGosvmscondition.
TheBbhaseatenalmondsweetrice,heconcluded.
Thelocalpeopledidnotbelievehim.
Whatareyousaying?Heonlytakesonecupofbuttermilkaday,theysaid.
But some began to doub. Maybe he puts on an external show of
renunciation,butisactuallyeatingopulentlyinsecret,thosepeoplethought.
When Rmacandra Kavirja went to Mahprabhus residence in the
Gambhr,hesawalineofantsenteringMahprabhusroom.Hethought,
Clearlyheeatsmanysweets,andtheantshavesmeltthem.
ThenheinsultedMahprabhu.
Thesedays,ifsannysshaveevenasmallfault,itisannouncedallover
the world in a flash. This is some peoples bhajanaonly spreading the
faultsofothers.Theycomplain,Heisfallen!Whyshouldhebeasannys?
HeandIhavethesamequalities,thenwhyshouldhehavethehighpostof
asannys?Heshouldbelikeme.
Whydotheydothis?Theyareenviousandfearthatanotherwillsurpass
theminglory.Thereforetheyannounceanyfaultaswidelyastheycan.
People also criticized Lord Rmacandra and Ka. This complaining
businessisverysweetforcriticalpeople.
Butthisisalsogood.Bythis,onecaneasilydiscernwhohascomeonly
forselfishpurposes,andwhohasdedicationandwillnotbeswayedinhis
devotionalservicebyanyslightdisturbances.Aselfishpersonwillblame
72
anotherpersonandendeavortotarnishhisreputation.Agreeingwithhim,
critical people will run around saying, Yes! He is very bad. He is not a
sdhu; he is bogus! These kinds of people only come for their own
enjoyment.Thosewhoarerealsdhuswillbecalmandthinkwhatreally
happenedbeforetheyjoinarantingcrowedoffault-finders.
Selfishpeople,whoarelikedacoitsandcheaters,comeandcheck,Is
everything favorable here for my enjoyment? If so, then they consider,
Thisplaceisverygood.Ifpeoplethensay,Youarestayingwithabogus
person,thentheyrunoffastheyareselfish,andthisplacebecomesclean.
Kaarrangesthistoclean.Sometimesthishappensintheholydhmas.
Materialistsfillupthedhma withbuildings,meantforsensegratification.
Then Ka arranges some demonic forces to come and destroy all the
buildings, making all enjoyers run away, so the sdhakas can peacefully
performbhajana inHisabode.Thisisgood.Otherwiseenjoyerscomeand
dontgiveanyroomandchanceforbbjs.Andanybbjstheycanfind
arekilledorthrownout,andtheystealtheirpossessionsandmakehotels
fortheirownsensegratification.Therefore,alwaysseeanymisfortuneas
Godswill.
RdhrnhasverydeeploveforRatiMajar.SheoffersHerlove,or
rati, to Ka. Whenever Ka takes prasdam, He leaves something for
Rdhrn.
After Caitanya Mahprabhu accepted Raghuntha dsa Gosvm in
Jaganntha Pur and offered him to Svarpa Dmodara, Dsa Gosvm
wouldregularlyinviteMahprabhuandallthedevoteestocomeforafeast.
Mahprabhu and His associates would come and take prada on Dsa
Gosvmsrequest.Thisranonfortwoorthreeyears,andthensuddenly
RaghunthadsaGosvmstoppedhisinvitations.
Mahprabhu inquired, What is the problem? Why has Raghuntha
stoppedtheprogram?
SvarpaDmodarasaid,RaghunthasaysthatYougothereandtake
pradam on his request, but internally You are not pleased. He does
everythingforYourpleasure.KnowingYouwerenothappywithin,hehas
stoppedthisprogram.
Mahprabhu said, Yes, Raghuntha has understood My mind and
heart.
viayra anna khile malina haya mana
malina mana haile, nahe kera smaraa
73
Whenoneeatsfood,offeredbysensuousorworldlypeople,themind
becomescontaminated,andinthatstateonecannotrememberKa.
Ifonetakesthefoodstuffsofenjoyers,whichislikepoisonforspiritual
life,themindwillbedisturbedandunabletorememberGod.
WhywasMahprabhudisturbed?Thesefeastswerearrangedwiththe
moneyfromGovardhanaMajmadra,thewealthyfatherofRaghuntha
dsaGosvm,andthereforefellunderthecategoryofeatablesmentioned
intheaboveverse.
Some days later, Mahprabhu asked Svarpa Dmodara, How does
Raghunthamaintainhislife?
Svarpa Dmodara said, He waits outside the gate of Jagannthas
temple to be given some alms. Some people give him some food and he
maintainshislifebytakingthat.
Sometimelater,Mahprabhusaid,IhavenotseenRaghunthabythe
gateofthetempleformanydays.Nowhowdoeshesustainhislife?
SvarpaDmodarareplied,Raghunthasaysthatthekindofbegging
that he was doing was pertaining to the nature of a prostitute. In this
position,onewaitsandlooksexpectantly,hopingthatapersonwillgive
something.Inthemindhewonders,Willhegive?Willhegive?Willhe
give?asthepeoplepassbyoneaftertheother.Hesayshewillnolonger
dothis.Nowhesimplygoestoacharitycenterandacceptsjustenoughto
maintainhislife.
AfterawhileMahprabhuasked,WhatisRaghunthadoingnow?
Svarpa Dmodara said, He is no longer going to the charity center,
declaring that the food there is provided by enjoyers, that it has been
boughtanddistributedbyworldlypeople.
Howdoeshesustainhislifethen?Mahprabhuinquired.
Svarpa Dmodara replied, He eats from the leftover mah-prada
fromthedrainareaoftheJagannthaTemple.Raghunthacollectsleftover
mah-prasdawhichhasbeenrejectedbythecowsandotheranimals.He
washesitandeatsasmallamountassustenance.
OnthefoursidesoftheJagannthatemple,therearelargeareaswhere
leftovermah-prasdaisplacedandiseatenbymanycows,dogsandpigs.
Oneday,CaitanyaMahprabhuwenttheretoseethisexaltedloveof
Raghuntha.HewatchedfromahiddenplaceasRaghunthawashedthe
mah-prasdaandpreparedtotakesome.
Suddenly,Mahprabhuranforwardandsaid,Youareveryselfish.You
aretakingthissupremelytastefulmah-prasdawithoutgivingMeany?
74
Mahprabhutookahandfulandateit.WhenHewenttotakeasecond
SvarpaDmodaracaughtHishandandstoppedHimfromeatingit.
Mahprabhusaid,Raghunthasrenunciationislikelinesetchedona
stone.ItisbreakingMyheart.Icannottoleratethis.
Mahprabhu addressed Govinda, From now on, after I take prasda,
dividetheremainingamountintothreeparts,oneforyou,oneforHaridsa,
andoneforRaghuntha.
HowmuchlovehadMahprabhuforRaghuntha!Later,Mahprabhu
gave Raghuntha dsa Gosvm a govardhana-il and a guj-ml to
worship.
Mahprabhualsogavehimaveryspecialinstruction,
grmya-kath n unibe, grmya-vrt n kahibe
bhla n khibe ra bhla n paribe
amn mnada ha ka-nma sad labe
vraje rdh-ka-sev mnase karibe
Donottalklikepeopleingeneralorhearwhattheysay.Donoteatvery
palatablefood,nordressverynicely.Donotexpecthonor,butofferall
respect to others. Always chant the holy name of Ka, and within
yourmindrenderservicetoRdhandKainVndvana.
Mahprabhu ordered him to begin mnas-sev. Raghuntha dsa
Gosvmfollowedthisinstructionverydiligently.
pnya vari madhura nava-ptaldi-
karpra-vsitatara taralki dattv
kle kad tava maycamanya-danta-
kadika praayata param arpayam
Vilpa-kusumjali 50
Orestless-eyedone,whenwillIlovinglygiveYousweetdrinkingwater,
scented with fresh ptala flowers and camphor, water to rinse Your
mouth,atoothbrush-twig,andotherthings?
Dsa Gosvm next prays to offer a fragrant mouthwash for rmat
Rdhrn,alongwithotherparaphernaliaforHerservice,likeatwigfor
brushingHerteeth.
Thesakhs andmajarsalsopreparethisforKaundertheguidance
ofrmatRdhrn.Theyputwaterinaclaypotanditbecomesverycool.
Ontopofthepottheyplaceacloth,andputrosesorjasmineandother
flowersandaromaticsonthecloth,andthenbindanothercloth.Thenext
75
morning,thatwaterwillhaveaverynicesmell,andwillbepureandfresh.
ThentheygivethatwatertocleanKasteethandtouseforcamana.
TheyalsogiveasoftcottonclothtodryHishandsandmouth.
bhojanasya samaye tava yatnd
devi dhpa-nivahn vara-gandhn
vjandyam api tat-kaa-yogya
h kad praayata praaymi
Vilpa-kusumjali 51
O Dev, when, with great love, will I carefully light an abundance of
aromaticincense,fanYou,andperformothersuitableservicesasYou
takeYourmeal?
DsaGosvmthenprays,AtthetimeofYourprasda,Iwillarrange
incense and perfume to make the area aromatic. I will decorate the area
withflowersandwillfanYouasYoueat.
If there is no nice smell, then one will have no desire to eat. Dsa
GosvmalsopraystobeabletofanKaasHeeats,saying,Yougaveme
instructionforthisserviceandYoudirectlytaughtmehowtofannicely.
Then, due to the fragrance and flowing air, Ka will peacefully take
prasda.Otherwise,ifoneisdisturbedandsweatingduringprasda,then
onewillhavenotasteforfood.
77
Adhara
-
mr
.
ta
karpra-pra-pariprita-nga-valli-
pardi-pga-parikalpita-vika te
vaktrmbuje madhura-gtri mud kadha
protphulla-roma-nikarai param arpaymi
Vilpa-kusumjali 52
Osweet-limbedone,when,thehairsofmybodystandinguprightin
ecstasy, will I place a betel-leaf, filled with betel-nuts and camphor,
intothelotusflowerofYourmouth?
D
sa Gosvm here prays to offer tmbla with betel nuts, clove,
camphorandmanyspicestothemouthofrmatRdhrn.
Vnd-Devs garden has many nice creepers and plants. All
different kinds of spices grow in Vndvana; there is no need to collect
themfromoutside.ThetmblainVndvana-dhmaisofaspecialnature.
Itgrowsinshadyplaces,anddoesntliketomeetwiththesun.Thetmbla
creepers are very shy. They are only born for service of Rdh-Ka.
Thereforetheydontliketoremainexposedforanyonetopicktheminthe
open.Ifanythingcomesandmeetswiththesecreepers,itisasifthecreepers
wiltanddie.
In its favorable environment, the tmbla grows large, thick leaves,
whichareverytasteful.Theyarenottoosweet,bitterorhot.Theseleaves
arereservedforKaandrmatRdhrnbytheVraja-devs.Theywrap
betel nuts, cloves, saffron and other spices with these leaves. Then Rati
MajargivesthemtormatRdhrn,andSheoffersthemtoKa.
BecauseRatiMajarhasboundlessloveforKaandRdhrn,all
thesakhshavedeepaffectionforherandgivehermanyopportunitiesfor
service.
Tmblaaidsdigestion,andcolorsKaslipsandtonguereddish.By
chewingtmbla,thevoicebecomesverysweet.ItmakesKastoneand
78
melodyverynice,sothatHecanplaytheflutewithextraexcellenceandcan
singevenmorebeautifully.
Before the tmbla was very shy, but now it has gone inside Kas
mouthandhasbecomeverypowerful.
rtrikea bhavat kim u devi devi
nirmachayiyatitar lalit pramodt
anylaya ca nava-magala-gna-pupai
prnrbudair api kacair api dsikeyam
Vilpa-kusumjali 53
ODev,ObelovedofKa,atthetimewhenLalitworshipsYouwith
anrati lamp,asYourotherfriendsworshipYouwithauspiciousnew
songsandflowers,willthismaidservant,thinkingYoumillionsoftimes
moredearthanherownlifesbreath,worshipYouwithherhair?
Lalit-dev arranges the rati of Rdh and Ka. The main ratis
happenthreetimesadayinthemorning,afternoonandevening.There
areanadditionaltworatisviz.gra-ratiandayana-rat.Atthetime
ofratimanynicesongsofKasqualitiesaresung.
TheVraja-devsoffermanyflowerstoRdhandKa.Theseflowers
are all conscious souls eager to be engaged in the service of the Divine
Couple.
LalitDevoffersalamp,incense,waterandflowers.gra-rasa,or
madhura-rasa, has five kinds of relationssakh, nitya-sakh, pra-sakh,
priya-sakh and priyanarma-sakh. Thefivegroupsofsakhsoffertheirloving
moodsintheformofdifferentarticlessuchasincense,gheelamp,water,
flowers,tulas,candanaandafan. Thesakhsandmajarsoffertheirlovein
theformofrati.Kaacceptstheirloveandreturnsit.
Thesakhs singmagala-ga,auspicioussongs.Whiledoingthis,they
offer each article. This is more pleasing than any ornament that can be
offered.KadrinksthenectaroftheirsingingwithHisearsandkeepsit
inHisheart.Heisverygreedytohearthegops singingandwillnotgetup
untilmagala-ratisarranged.Hewaitstohearthissingingand,receiving
thisnectar,Heisenergizedandverypleased.
Thegops hairisverysweetandlovely.Thereisaspecialbeautyintheir
hair.DsaGosvmsaysthathewillofferratiwiththis.
l-kulena lalit-pramukhena srdham
tanvat tva iha nirbhara-narma-gohm
79
mat-pi-kalpita-manohara-keli-talpam
bhayiyasi kad svapanena devi
Vilpa-kusumjali 54
O Dev, under the guidance of Your sakhs, headed by Lalit, I will
makeabeautifulplaybedforYouwithmyownhands.WhenwillYou
adornthatbedbydreamingonit?
DsaGosvmprays,HeDev,whenwillIarrangeforthevilsa ofYou
andYourbelovedinthepleasuregrovesofVraja?Inonesuchvilsakuja,
IwillmakeanicebedforYoutoreston.
Whatkindofbeddothesakhsand majars arrange?Notoneofcotton
cloth, but of flowersflowers that are fresh and, like the hearts of their
collectors, completely pure. The gops place freshly blossomed flowers,
whicharejustliketheirhearts,onthebed.ThisincreasesKasgreedto
resttherewithHisbeloved.
Lalit and the other sakhs make an intricate flower decoration above
thisenchantinglysoftbed.
Ka thinks, I will go and rest there, but He cant find the right
pathway,howcanIsitorlaythere?Ontopthereisanicecover,athin
layerofflowers.Butbeneaththecover,onefootortwofeetdown,thereis
a nice kuja-kura hidden below. On four sides the gops make flower
decorations,andinthemiddlethereisacoveringofflowers.
How to go inside? Is there a door? Where is it? Ka becomes
perplexed.Thesakhsandmajarsmakenewerandnewerkindsofkuja-
kuraseveryday.
Ka is surprised, How do they arrange this? Who gave them such
intelligence?
Sometimestheydesignthekuja-kurawithahiddenroomontop,in
whichtheyarrangethebed.Sometimesthesittingplacesareinthemiddle
orhiddenontheside.
Kacantunderstandwhattodo.Hegoesinsidethekuja,butcant
find where to go. rmat Rdhrn is hiding there, waiting to see how
cleverKais.
Theheartofthelovefuldeities,thesakhs and majars,donotdisclose
thesecretsoftheirdesignandotherservice.Nooneknowshowtoserve
likethis.Theykeepeverythingverysecretandhidden,thereforetheyare
calledgops.Theirheartsareverydeepandfulloflove,andtheirintelligence
isalsoverygreat.
80
samvhayiyati padau tava kikarya
h rpa-majarir asau ca karmbuje dve
yasmin manoja-hdaye sadaye nayo ki
rmn bhaviyatitar ubha-vsara sa
Vilpa-kusumjali 55
Omercifulone,Oonewithabeautifulheart,willtheauspicioustime
come when this maidservant massages Your feet and Rpa Majar
massagesYourtwolotushands?

Rpa Majar is very expert in massaging and is famous for this
throughoutVraja-maala.Manydssandmajarsareallpresent,but
whowillgetthechancetodirectlyserveRdhandKa?
DsaGosvmprays,IwillpetitionRpaMajartobestowthisservice
uponme.Maysheacceptmeandsay,Okikar,comewithme.Iwillnow
giveyouagoodchancetoserveRdhrn.
Ifwedontlearnserviceinanugatya,everythingwedowouldbewrong.
Oureveryactionmustbeunderproperguidanceforittobecorrect.
tavodgra bhojya sumukhi kila kallola-salila
tath pdmbhojmtam iha may bhakti-latay
ayi prem srdha praayi-jana-vargair bahu-vidhai
raho labdhavya ki pracuratara-bhgyodaya-balai
Vilpa-kusumjali 56
Olovely-facedone,onthestrengthofsomegreatgoodfortunewillI,
as a vine of devotion here, in a secret place with Your affectionate
friends,attaintheremnantsYouhadspitoutandthewavesofnectarful
waterthatwashedYourlotusfeet?
DsaGosvmnextprays,WhenwillmygoodfortuneariseandIwill
taste the remnants Ka has first chewed and then given to Rdhrn?
AfterRdhrnsabhieka,IwillcollectHercaramtaandhonorit.
Thisisthemostpotentnectarforthebhakti-lat,creeperofdevotion.
RpaMajarisalwayshelpfulandsharesthenectarshecollectswith
all the other majars. This is called friendship between the Vaiavas.
TheyalwaysshareintheserviceofGod.
When taking the sweet smelling tmbla from the mouth of rmat
Rdhrn,andbathinginHerfootbathwater,themajarscolor,bodies
andsoulsbecomecompletelyinfusedwithanurga.
bhojanvasare devi
snehena sva-mukhmbujt
81
mahya tvad-gata-cittyai
ki sudhs tva pradsyasi
Vilpa-kusumjali 57
ODev,duringYourmeal,willYoutakesomenectarfromYourown
lotusmouthandlovinglygiveitme,whosehearthasgonetoYou?
DsaGosvmsays,HeDevRdhike,atthetimeofeating,whenwill
You,withgreataffection,giveYournectarfulremnantstothismaidservant?
83
Culinary Perfection
D
saGosvmpraysinthefifty-eightverseofVilpa-kusumjali
api bata rasavaty siddhaye mdhavasya
vraja-pati-puram udyad-roma-rom vrajant
skhalita-gatir udacat-svnta-saukhyena ki me
kvacid api nayanbhy lpsyase svmini tvam
ODev,whileYouareonYourwaytothehomeofthekingofVraja,to
cookforMdhava,everyhaironYourbodystandserectinjoyandYour
gaitfalters.Willmyeyeseverattainthisvision?
rmatRdhrn,themostexcellentandfamouscookinallexistence,
dailygoestocookforKaatNanda-bhavanaontheearnestentreatyof
YaodMt.
Once,DurvsicametothepalaceinVarsnandsaid,Vabhnu
Mahrja,Iamveryhungry.
Iwillquicklyarrangewhateveryoulike,VabhnuMahrjasaid.
I dontdesire yourcookingorthe cookingof yourwife. Youare not
pure.Youshareyourlifewitheveryone.
ThenwhatshouldIdo?
Doyouhaveadaughter?
Yes.
Yourdaughterwillcook.
Sheisonlyababy,howcanShecook?
You are trying to cheat me. She cooks for everyone, wont She then
cookforme?CallHer.
Vabhnu Mahrja took Rdhrn in his arms and brought Her to
Durvsi.
O Ll, He asked, I know You are very expert in cooking. All the
demigodsincludingBrahmknowofYourspecialabilitiesandglorifyYour
super-excellence.WontYoucooksomethingforme?
84
Yes,Shereplied.
Pleasecooksomethingquickly.Ihavenoteatenforages.
Whatdoyoudesiretoeat?
Iespeciallylikesweetrice,Durvsireplied,butonlyfrommilk,
freshlybroughtfromacow.Also,cooksomemlpu.
Rdhrn went and cooked sweet rice and mlpu. She didnt make
onlyoneortwopieces.Durvsidoesnteatoneortwograms,ahundred
grams,orevenahundredkilos.Hisappetiteisimmeasurable.rmatknew
this.Shecookedsomuchsweetrice,itwaslikealake,andShemadeso
manymlpus,theybecamelikethehillofGirirjaGovardhana.Howdid
Shecook?AllthesakhsandmajarsareasifHerexpansions,theyallknow
Her desire. They all helped arrange everything. If Rdhrn looks and
touchesanything,thisisenough.Somanythingsarearranged.
Durvs sat down at eleven or twelve oclock in the night and began
eating.Frommidnightuntilearlymorningheatenonstop,saying,Bring
more,bringmore.Hehadmoreandmoredesireforthismah-prasda.
Heate,yawned,andthenatemore,withouttakinganyrest.Bymorning
everythingwasfinished.Thenhesaid,NowIamhappy.NowIamsatisfied.
HisnameisDurvs.Hechecksifonehasgoodorbaddesires.Ifyour
desireisgood,hewillgiveyouapassingcertificate,otherwiseifyouhave
baddesiresandmoods,hewilldestroyyou.
After eating, Durvs i gave a boon, This daughter of Vabhnu
Mahrja is siddha, perfect. Anything She touches becomes supremely
auspiciousandnectarful.IfanyonetakesHercooking,ormerelyremembers
Her,offersanythingtoHerandthentakesit,orhearsHergloriesandoffers
Herobeisances,hewillachieveloveforGodandbhakti-rasa.Byoncetasting
thatrasa,hewillhavenodesireforotherrasas.Andifanyoneisinimicalto
her,hewillbedestroyed.
Inthisverse,DsaGosvmpraystoaccompanyrmatjonHerwayto
Nanda-bhavana.Allthe sakhsandmajarswalkwithrmatRdhrn
fromVarsntoNandagrma.Manysakhsandmajarscomefromdifferent
placesinVrajatomeetwithrmatRdhrnatPrema-sarovara,before
proceedingtoNandagrma.Noneofthegops comeempty-handed.They
bringmanyitems,arrangedattheirhomesforserviceinRdhrnscooking.
prva-dvaye lalitaytha vikhay ca
tv sarvata parijanai ca parai partm
pacn may vibhta-bhagura-madhya-bhga
ki rpa-majarir iya pathi neyatha
Vilpa-kusumjali 59
85
WhenwillRpaMajarleadYouonthepathwithLalitandVikh
atYourtwosides,Yourfriendsallaround,andmeholdingYourdelicate
waistfrombehind?
On the way to Nandagrma, Lalit and Vikh walk alongside
Rdhrn. Here, Dsa Gosvm prays to walk behind holding rmatjs
waist.
Rpa Majar walks in front carrying many things. Absorbed in his
internalformasRatiMajar,DsaGosvmseesRpawithaheavyload
andthinks,IwillgoforwardandrequestRpaMajar,Pleasegiveme
somethingtocarry.RatiMajardoesntwantRpaMajartofeelthe
slightestdisturbance.
Kaunderstandseverything.HeisstillrestinginNanda-bhavana,but
by His desire, many bulls, camels and elephants come to help bring
paraphernalia from Varsn to Nanda-bhavana. They offer prama to
rmatRdhrn,bendingdownontheirknees.Theelephantscleanthe
pathway with their tusks and sprinkle the road with flowers. Then the
animalscarrytheitemsforcooking.TheanimalsofVrajaalsohaveservice
tendency,anddontmerelyeat,sleepandwanderabout,enjoyingthelove
andaffectionofKa.Theyhavepureknowledgeandservicetendency.
hamvrair iha gavm api ballavn
kolhalair vividha-vandi-kalvat tai
samrjate priyatay vraja-rja-snor
govardhand api gurur vraja-vanditd ya
prpt nija-praayin-prakarai part
nandvara vraja-mahendra-mahlaya ta
dre nirkya mudit tvarita dhanih
tvm nayiyati kad praayair mamgre
Vilpa-kusumjali 6061
SurroundedbyYouraffectionategop friends,YouarriveatNandivara,
which is filled with the mowing of the cows, the shouts of the
cowherdersandthedifferentsongsofminstrels,andwhichisdearerto
the prince of Vraja than even Govardhana. When will I then see
Dhanih, who has seen you coming from afar, quickly and lovingly
takeYouinside,asIfollowbehindYou?
NandivaraHillisverynearanddeartoNanda-nandana.TheVrajavss
prayandofferrespecttoGirirjaGovardhana,butanevensweeterandmore
important place is Nandivara Hill. Ka dearly loves Nandivara and
86
always resides there. Ka sometimes go to Govardhana and performs
pastimes there, accepting the service of Girirja, but Nandivara is
continuouslyabletoserveKaandHisassociates.
DsaGosvmprays,WhenwillIgotoNandivaraandpraytohimfor
service.Butonlyserviceisnotenough.IfIhavenopositionthere,mymind
willbedisturbedbyasat-sga.
Sat-sagadoesntonlymeantostaywithsdhusforsometimeandthen
gosomeplaceelse.Onemustcontinuouslystaywithsdhus,withlovefor
them,notbyhookorcrook.IfIhavealovingrelationwiththesdhus,they
willgivemeaplacetostay.
DsaGosvmprays,Iwillnotstayforselfishpurposes,norwillItry
toacquireandpossessanyplace.AnyplaceIampresent,Iwillkeepitonly
forrmatjandthesakhsandwillendeavortoservethemthere.
DhanishisverynearanddeartormatRdhrn.Sheisherbeloved
sakh. Mother Yaod gives her great respect. Dhanih serves in Nanda-
bhavana,dividingallresponsibilitiessothateverythingcanbeaccomplished
verynicely.
Dsa Gosvm prays, When will Dhanih take me to Vrajevar
Yaod,andsay,ThisLlhassomuchloveforservice.
OnonesideLalitispresent,andVikhisontheotherside,butthis
Rati is waiting behind. Whenever Dhanih calls her forth, she does
everythingonherinstruction.
Atthetimeofsmaraa-da,internallymeditatingononesperfected
state and form, and going near ones worshipable Ka, all Kas
associatesarepresentthere.Theywillinstructyou,Thisisyourservice.
Thisisyourplace.Therewillbenoneedforanysubtlehintorindication.
Onewillunderstandwhichdirectiontogoandhowtoserve.Thepathwill
beclear,withoutanyobstacles.Dontthinkthisisspeculationorifyougo
thereyouwontknowwhattodo,orhowtoengageyourtime.Itisnotlike
this.Theflowofinspirationandmercyisverypowerful.Itwillsweepyou
up.
Likewise,manypeopleareinRussia,America,Africa,Australia,Europe
orIndia.WhentheymeetGurudevaandjoinhismission,theydontknow
whattodoorwhattheirservicewillbe.Butautomatically,byGurudevas
inspiration, they take their own places and responsibilities and perform
their specific service very seriously. Gradually their taste for service will
increasemoreandmoreandtherewillbenoneedforanypermit,permission,
advice, instruction or company officer to give one duty and sign one in,
checkingifoneisperformingonesserviceproperlyanddoingtheproper
87
amountofhours.Thisisonlyasanexample.Intheeternalworld,thereis
averypowerfulforce,inspiringonetoserve.
praklya pda-kamale kuale pravi
natv vrajea-mahi-prabhtr gurs tai
h kurvat rasavat rasa-bhk kad tva
sammajayiyatitar sukha-sgare mm
Vilpa-kusumjali 62
Oauspiciousone,Youareanexpertcook.AfterIwashYourlotusfeet,
YouenterthekitchenandofferYourobeisancestothequeenofVraja
andtheothereldergops. WhenwillYouplungemeintoanoceanof
blissbydoingthis?
DsaGosvmprays,WhenwillIwashthefeetofrmatjandthose
ofmyseniors,likeNandaMahrja,YaodMtandothers.Iwilloffer
themprama,accepttheirblessingsandthengotocookinthekitchen.
BytheirstrengthandmercyIwillbeaperfectassistanttorimtj.
YaodMtandRohiMtalsoknowtheartofcooking.Theyare
perfectcooks.DurvsialsocametoYaodMtandgaveheraboon
andthenameYaod,saying,Youryaa,fame,willbespreadalloverthe
world.Everyonewillfollowyourorderandadvice.Ifanyoneneglectsyou,
hewilllosehisstrengthandlife.
Therefore Yaod Mt is very famous. She knows how to cook and
arrangeeverythingveryexpertly.
Howdoesthisflowcome?Howdoesthisnectarcome?
Thesdhakasfirstdutyistogotohiseldersandseniorsthosewho
are perfect in their service. One should go to ones guru-varga and offer
themprama,washtheirfeet,offerflowersandsandalpasteattheirlotus
feet,andpray,HowcanIbetrainedforrenderingperfectservice?Please
blessmewithyourloveandpotency.
Therearethousandsoffirepitsinthekitchen.Asrmatjcooksina
whitedress,pearlsofsweatformonHergoldenlimbs.RatiMajarstands
nearby with soft pieces of cotton, with which she dabs rmats skin,
removingthemoisturesoitdoesntfallinthecooking.
mdhavya nata-vaktram dt
bhojya-peya-rasa-sacaya kramt
tanvat tvam iha rohi-kare
devi phulla-vadana kadekyase
Vilpa-kusumjali 63
88
ODev,whencanIseeYou,withYourheadloweredandYourblushing
facelookingaffectionatelyatMdhava,asYoucollectalltheambrosial
foodsanddrinksandplacetheminRohi-devshands?
InNanda-bhavana,RohiDevisseniorandperfectatallthings.She
knows how to make very nice drinks to attract Mdhavas mind. He
sometimes goes outside to play with His friends and will not return,
becoming so absorbed in playing. Rohi Mt makes a wonderful drink
andtakesthisoutside,saying,Ka,come,come.
ButHewouldnotcome.WhenshewenttocatchHim,Heranaway
andwouldnotcometoher.
AnyhowshecatchesKaandgivesHimthedrink.Takingit,Ka
becomesveryhungry!ThenHesays,Yes,yes,Iwillcomewithyou.
Rohi Mt perfectly knows how to cook and distribute. It is not
enoughsimplytocooknicelytheprocessofdistributionmustbelearnt
as well. The preparations must be served in the correct order. In some
places,peoplegoandgiverasagullas,halavaandmlpufirst,andthengive
sweet drinks, then all your hunger fire is stopped and you cant digest
anything. When distributing prasda, you should first give something
bitter, like bitter melon. If you eat a small amount of something bitter,
thentheappetiteincreases.Thenyoucangivesomedahl,fritters,thena
drysubji andpaneer subji,andthenchutneyandpapadams.Afterthisyou
giveyogurt,rasagullasandsweetrice.Thenyougivesomethingsaltyand
sweet. At the end, you give a lemon drink mixed with cumin powder.
Otherwise,yougivebuttermilkwithcuminseedsandblackpepper,then
themealwillbeeasilydigested.
There is a proper process to do everything. But if you dont know
anything,howcanyouserveinVraja-maala?If,whenhungry,yourun
likeananimaltoanysourceoffoodandgobbleitup,itwillonlycauseyou
suffering.
In Nanda-bhavana, all the elders, like Nanda Mahrja, his brothers,
father,motherandotherrelatives,sitdowninline.KasitswithNanda
Bb.HowcananythingspecialbegivenjusttoKa?Itisnotpossible
there.ThenKasexpressionisexaminedfromadistancetoseewhatHe
desires.Whounderstandsthis?Everythingreflectsintothekitchenroom,
whereRdhrnispresent.Shethensendstheproperpreparations.But
She doesnt come Herself. She sends Rati-manjari or any other majar.
Sheinstructs,GoandgivethistoYaodMt.ShewillgiveittoKa.
89
Caran
.
a Seva
-

bhojane guru-sabhsu kathacin
mdhavena nata-di-madotkam
vkyamnam iha te mukha-padma
modayiyasi kad madhure mm
Vilpa-kusumjali 64
Osweetone,whenwillIseeYourjoyfulandeagerlotusface,asYour
passionate sidelong glances are seen by Mdhava, as He feasts in the
companyofHiselders?
D
sa Gosvm now prays to see the lotus face of rmat as She
cooksandcastessidelongglancesatKa.DsaGosvm,inhis
eternal form as Rati Majari, assists rmat Rdhrn in
cooking.Sheplacesallparaphernaliaclosetormatwithgreatcare.She
doesnt serve out of duty or on any condition. All she does is out of
heartfelt love. As she serves, her body sweats and undergoes ecstatic
symptoms. rmat Rdhrn, Ka, Vraja-pati Nanda Mahrja and
YaodMtareverypleasedwithher.
Ka follows proper etiquette while taking prasda. He shows by
examplehowjuniorsshouldlovinglyserveandshowrespecttotheirelders.
First they distribute the prada to all the elders. Then on the elders
request,thejuniorsalsotake.
Whileeating,beadsofperspirationappearonKasbody.Themajars
immediatelybegintofanHim.NandaMahrjaispresentthere.Hesays,
Oh,youverysmallkiors willbecomeexhausted.Dontexertyourselvesso
much.YetRpaMajarandRatiMajarcontinuetofan,asNandaBb
feedsprasdatoKaandBaladeva,withoneoneachsideofhim.Rati
MajarwatchesKasexpressionwhileHeeatsandreportsHisreactions
tothedifferentitems.ThemajarsservesecondhelpingsofwhateverHe
likes.Itisnotthattheygiveeverythingatonce;rather,theybringfresh,
90
hotchapattisandprs, oneatatime,alongwithotherpreparations,and
thenwatchhowKareacts.
TherearemanymotherswhoserveKawithvtsalya-rasa,notonly
Yaod. The mothers request the majars to help serving out prasdam.
Lalitandtheothersakhsareveryshythere.TheydonotgonearKa
whileHeeats.AndKadoesntsaywhatHelikes.Heissilentandtakes
whatever comes. Even if He desires more of something in particular, He
doesntmentionittoanyone.
ThenYaodMtsays,ORati,goandgiveKathis.RatiMajar
isonlythreeorfouryearsold,likeasmallchild.SometimesYaodMt
saystoher,AskKawhatHelikes.GositclosetoHimandaskHim
whatHelikesmost,andHewilltellyou.Otherwise,justobservewhatHe
iseatingwithextraenthusiasm,thencometellmeandIwillsendmoreof
that.
Thesakhswanttodothis,buttheyaretooshytogoforwardinfront
ofNandaBbandalltheeldersofVraja.
YaodMtisnottheonlymotherwithdeeploveforKa.Thewives
ofNandaMahrjasbrothers,KasauntsandallthemothersofVraja
thinkaboutKaandloveHimdearly.
YaodMtstrokesRatiandtellsher,GoandcheckwhatHelikes.
AlsoaskBaladeva,Sudma,rdma,Stoka-ka,MahrjaParjanyaand
theothersinlinewhattheydesire.
Otherwisesomedoubtmaycome,WhydoesRatiMajargiveKa
particularattention?
Rati Majar goes and asks Sudma and rdma, What would you
like?Doyouwantanotherpapadamorsomechutney?
rdmasays,Yes,bringchutney!
ThenRatibringssomechutneyandpakodas.
The sakhs are also very clever. They dont express their own desire.
They sit beside Ka and can tell what He would like more of. They
indicateinasecretwayorwhisperveryquietly,Oh,bringthispreparation
quickly.Thatoneisverynice.
RatibringsitandcomestogivesometoSudma,buthesays,No,I
dontlikethis.PutitonKasplate.
ThesakhsunderstandKasdesireandgiveindicationstothemajars.
Now,inthenextverse,DsaGosvmprays
ayi vipinam aanta saurabhey-kuln
vraja-npati-kumra rakae dkita tam
91
vikala-mati-janany llyamna kad tva
smita-madhura-kapola vkyase vkyamn
Vilpa-kusumjali 65
When will I see You gazing upon the prince of Vraja, His cheeks
sweetenedwithasmile,asHismotheranxiouslyfondlesHim,asHe
departs for wandering in the forest, fulfilling His vow to protect the
surabhi cows?
Dsa Gosvm now prays to be near Rdhrn as She watches Ka
passingbyintheforestasHegoesforgrazingthecows,asHeisembraced
byMotherYaod,whoisconcernedoverHiswelfare.
For the service and protection of the noble members of the surabhi
dynastyofcows,KadailyenterstheforestsofVraja,wanderingfromone
garden to another. He does not go to the same place every day, in
considerationofthearea,notwantingtooverburdenitwithallthecows.
Kahastakenavowtoalwaysservethecows.
Mother Yaod is very disturbed and worries about Ka, thinking,
Gopla is only a small three-year old boy, but He daily goes out into the
summerheat,orthewinterchill.Hegoeseveryday,despiterainoranyother
harshweather.Henevertakesrest.ThesunisverystrongandburnsHim.
HowcanIhelpandprotectHim?IwillalsogointheforestwithKato
protectHim.Thisisheraffectionateconcernabouthersonswelfare.
Kas earrings always kiss His cheeks. Sometimes Ka smiles, and
sometimes He looks here and there. Yaod Mt watches His every
movement.Sheisalwaysthinking,WhatishelpfulforKa?andsheis
readytoarrangeanythingatonce.Kahasdeeprelationwithanyonewho
residesinGokulaandpromisestoprotectandserveallwhocomeandstay
inVraja.ThisisoutofHisspontaneouslove,notanyformofduty.This
relation is not any ordinary or temporary thing. Ka does not have
friendshipwithanyoneforaday.
KaistheprinceofVraja,butHedoesntthinkHimselftoberoyalty
or superior to others. He does not feel that He is a highly respectable
authority.ThisisnotHisnature.
Vndvanahasmanyforests.WhenKatakesthecowstograze,Heis
notonlytakingcareofthecows,butHeistakingcareoftheforestsand
gardens as well. The cows graze freely, but who will clean the forest? In
thoseplaces,thecreepers,plantsandtreeswillbecomedryiftheyarenot
taken care of. The cows trim the grass and keep it clean and healthy.
Otherwise,thegrasswillbecomeovergrown.
92
Farmerscleanandtilltheirfieldstokeepthemfertileandhealthy.The
cowsarelikethegardenersofVraja,keepingeverythingfreshandpureby
fertilizingtheforestsandaeratingtheland.Also,thecowdungandcow
urinemakethoseareashealthyandvibrant.Thisishealthyfoodforthe
plantsandtrees.Ifthecowsdonotcome,thenthegreenerywillnotget
thisextranourishment.Intheforest,therearemanyvarietiesofplantsand
medicinal herbs. By eating this, the cows udders become filled with
wholesome milk full of protein. In this way, everyone benefits by Ka
taking the cows out to graze. Therefore Ka takes this vow, I will
eternallytakecareofthecows,theVrajavssandtheforestsofVraja.
As Ka goes through the forests, He accepts the trees and plants
heartfeltgiftsoffruitsandflowersanddistributesthemtothesakhs.
YaodMtisalwaysconcernedforHiswelfarewhenHeisoutwith
His friends and the cows. For her pacification, Rati Majar tells her in
confidence,ONandarn,dontworry.Iwillgototheforestandtakecare
of Ka. I will change my appearance and will help arrange for Kas
servicewhileHeisgrazingthecows.rmatRdhrnwillbenearbyina
forestshrine.ShewillcooksomethingandarrangerefreshmentsforKa.
Iwillhelparrangeallthis.ThemajarsandIarereadytoseethatKais
caredforwhileHeisoutsideNanda-bhavana.
YaodMtbecomesverypleasedandsays,Oh!Youwilltakecareof
myKanhaiy?Hecaresforeveryone,butIalwaysworryaboutwhowilltake
careofHim.YaodMtisveryhappytohearthatthesakhsandmajars
are there to help Ka in the forest and she gives her blessings to Rati
Majar.
DsaGosvmnextprays
goheaytha kutukc chapathdi-prva
su-snigdhay sumukhi mt-parrdhato pi
h hr-mati priya-gaai saha bhojyamn
ki tv nirkya hdaye mudam adya lpsye
Vilpa-kusumjali 66
Obashfulatheart,Ofair-facedone!Whenwillmyheartfeelgreatjoy
to see the queen of Vraja, who is more affectionate than billions of
mothers,takinganoathtomakeYousitdowntoeatwithYourfriends?
DsaGosvminhisinternalformasRatiMajarpraystoRdhrn,O
rmat,Youhaveaverypleasingface.SeeingYou,peoplebecomefilledwith
joy, and in the absence of Your darana all become distressed. In Nanda-
bhavana,whileeating,withoutYourdaranathefoodhasnotastetoKa.
93
After Ka finishes His meal, Yaoda Mt affectionately touches
rmatandrequestsHertotakeprasda.Rdhrnbecomesveryshy.She
sits down with Lalit, Vikh and the other sakhs and eats something.
Seeingthis,RatiMajarsheartfeelsgreatblissobservingrmatjasShe
tastesHercooking.AsKaate,rmatwatchedfromahiddenplace,and
KawouldcausallylookupnowandagainandTheyexchangedsidelong
glances.WhenRdhrnsitstoeatontherequestofYaodMt,Ka
comes and peeks through the window to watch His beloved. Receiving
daranaofrmatisKasfavoritefood.
While Ka eats, rmat watches from a hidden place and waits for
Him to finish. When Ka gets up and leaves, as the elders and other
guestsinNanda-bhavanaareotherwisepreoccupied,Heandrmatlook
forachancetomomentarilymeet.rmatwantstomeetwithKaand
beginswalkingawayfromthekitchen,butthenYaodMtcallsoutto
Her,OLl,comeeatsomething.
Rdhrn returns unwillingly and sits down to eat. In the meantime,
Ka waits at the secret meeting place for rmat. When She doesnt
arrive,KacomestowhereSheiseatingwithYaodandHersakhs.On
the pretense of asking Yaod something, He glances lovingly at rmat
fromthecornerofHiseyes.RdhrnblushesshylyandcoversHerface
withacloth,asShetakesprasdawiththesakhsandYaod.Seeingthisin
hismeditation,DsaGosvmbecomesverypleased.
liganena irasa paricumbanena
snehvalokana-bharea ca khajanki
goheay nava-vadhm iva llyamn
tv prekya ki hdi mahotsavam taniye
Vilpa-kusumjali 67
O whose eyes are restless as khajana birds, when will I feel a great
festival of joy to see You being fondled by the Queen of Vraja, who
embracesYou,kissesYourheadandgazesuponyoulovinglyasifYou
wereHernewlymarrieddaughter-in-law?
Like a newly married girl who comes to serve at the house of her
husbandaftermarriage,rmatRdhrncomesintheearlymorningto
NandagrmawithHersakhsandmajarstocookforKa.
WhileRdhrnisstillonthepathwaytoNandagrma,YaodMt
comesdowntomeetHer.SherunsandembracesrmatRdhrn.She
smellsHerhead,kissesHer,liftsHerintoherarmsandcarriesHerupthe
hill to her own room. There she gives rmat Rdhrn new earrings,
94
necklaces,sarisandmanyothergifts.ShegivesHersomanynewthings
everyday.Sheembracesandkisseseachoftheyounggirlsandgiveseachof
themmanygifts.
WhydoesYaodMthavethisheartfeltloveforthemall?Ifanyone
hasdesiretoserveKa,thenYaodisverypleasedandhassomuchlove
forthatperson.Sheserves,looksafterandthinksofthewelfareofall.With
a polite and humble mood, she helps all the sakhs and majars assist
rmatRdhrninHerservicetoKa.
DsaGosvmprays,WhenwillIbepresentthere,andunderguidance
ofYaodMtIwillbeatthecallofrmatRdhrnateveryminute
andsecond.YaodMtwillbeveryhappywithme.Loveandaffection
willflowfromherheartandshewillsay,ServeKawithlove.Ifyoucook
andarrangeanythingwithadryheart,itwillbebitterandtasteless.
Anythingdonewithlovewillhavethegreatestsweetness.Kalongs
forthatlove.
rmat Rdhrns hldin-akti spreads out to the hearts of all the
Vrajavss,likeatranscendentalsunoflove,shiningintheheartsofthose
inthemoodsofvtsalya-rasa,dsya-rasa,sakhya-rasa andmdhurya-rasa.
h rpa-majari sakhi praayena devi
tvad-bhu-datta-bhuja-vallarim yatkm
pacd aha kalita-kma-taraga-rag
neymi ki hari-vibhita-keli-kujam
Vilpa-kusumjali 68
OfriendRpaMajar,willI,followingbehind,leadourDev,nowa
dancingarenaforwavesofamorouspassion,Herlargeeyeswide-open,
andYourarmaffectionatelyplacedaboutthevineofHerwaist,tothe
pastimeforestgrove,decoratedbythepresenceofrHari?
DsaGosvmpraystoaccompanyrmat,asSheentersthekujas of
Vraja. In his internal form as Rati Majar, Dsa Gosvm is there,
watchingKasplayfulpastimes.RatiMajarispresentbehindRpa
Majaratalltimes.RpaMajardecoratesthekuja,makingabrilliant
throne of flowers. rmat Rdhrn sits on that throne in the kuja,
eagerly awaiting Kas arrival. Rpa Majar and Rati Majar serve
thereasShewaits.
Ifthereisnorelation,thennoonewillfollowbehindanother.Ordinarily,
peoplefollowothersfortheirownselfishness,butthistemporaryrelationship
iscontemptible,whereasthesweetrelationbetweentheVrajavssismost
glorious.
95
Rati Majar thinks, When will I carry Kas loveful presentations
andgivethemtoRpaMajar?
Rpa Majar will not accept anything independently. Anything that
comestoher,sheofferstormatRdhrn.Kasendsanecklaceora
beautifulgarlandtoRpaMajarthroughthehandofRatiMajar.Rati
Majar shows this gift to rmat Rdhrn, then Rdhrn gives it to
RpaMajar,andsays,No,no.Thisisgoodforyou,youshouldaccept
it.
Thisgarlandisntonlymadeofflowers.Kasheartfeltloveiscontained
within.Aftermuchopposition,RpaMajarwearsthismlbyRdhrns
insistance;shebecomesveryshyandlooksdown,experiencingKaslove
presentinthisgift.
ska tvay sakhi nikuja-ghe sarasy
svasys tae kusuma-bhvita-bhuaena
grita vidadhat priyam var s
h h bhaviyati mad-kaa-gocara kim
Vilpa-kusumjali 69
MydearfriendRpaMajar,whenwillIbeabletoseeyouwithmy
mistress decorating Her beloved with flower ornaments in a kuja-
kura bythebankofHerlake?
rmatRdhikisinanisolatedlovegroveonthebankofRdh-kua.
Rpa is nearby, feeling that although the kuja-kura is decorated with
beautiful flowers, it is lacking perfect beauty because Ka is not there.
RpaMajarfindssomemeanstoinviteKa,whocomesandsitsona
seatofflowers.ThesakhsbegintofanHim.Theflowerssmellverysweet,
butKaisrestless.TheflowersandfansdonotcoolHim.Heisunsatisfied.
Why?
Ka says, He Rpa Majar, when will your adhvari rmat
RdhrngiveMedarana?IcamehereonlyforHerdarana.
RpaMajarreplies,MySvminisrestinginsideakujanearby.
IcameonlyforHerdarana.Karepeats.
ThenRpaMajargivesanindicationtoRatiMajar,whogoesand
tells Rdhrn what is happening. Hearing Kas message, rmat
Rdhrn hides deeper in the kuja-kura, not wanting to give Him
darana soeasily.WhenRatireturns,KabeginstosearchforRdhik.
rutv vicakaa-mukhd vraja-rja-sno
astbhisra-samaya subhage tra h
96
skmmbarai kusuma-saskta-kara-pra-
hrdibhi ca bhavat kim alakariye
Vilpa-kusumjali 70
Obeautifulone,hearingfromtheparrotVicakaathattheprinceof
VrajahasalreadyleftforHisrendezvouswithYou,canIjoyfullydecorate
Youwithfinegarments,flowerearringsandnecklaces?
InVraja,thereisaverycleverparrotwhowitnessesRdh-Kassweet
lovingpastimesandrepeatsthemtothegops.Sometimesthisparrotbrings
messagesbackandforthbetweenRdhrnscampandKascamp.
Once,Kasentthisparrotonanerrand,saying,Goandsearchout
where there are nice flowers. Collect them and give them to Me. I will
make flower earrings and will decorate a dress and make many flower
ornamentsforRdhrn.ThenIwilltaketheseandpresentthemtoHer.
ThisparrotreturnssometimelaterandsaystoNanda-nandana,Iwent
tosearchforflowersandfoundtheVraja-devs,makinganicedressforYou,
embroideredwithflowers.IfYoulike,theywillgiveYouflowerearrings,
ornamentsandflowers.
Kareplies,No,Iwilldecorateandservethem.
IfYoufirstaccepttheirlovefulpresentations,theparrotreplies,then
Youwillrealizehowtheywillbepleased.
RdhrnsheartreflectsallofKasdesiresandShegivesinstruction
toHermajarsforthefulfillmentofthosedesires.Theythenmakenice
newdresseswithsilk,pearls,flowersandjewels.WhenKawearsthese,
He feels that rmat Rdhrn is directly present with Him. rmat
Rdhrnsloveandtheloveofthesakhsandmajarsisallpresentinthis
clothing.
nn-pupai kvanita-madhupair devi sambhvitbhir
mlbhis tad-ghusa-vilasat-kma-citrlibhi ca
rjad-dvre sapadi madannandadbhikhya-gehe
malli-jlai ai-mukhi kad talpam kalpaymi
Vilpa-kusumjali 71
Omoon-facedone,whenwillIarrangeabedofjasmineflowersforYou
inMadannandada-kuja,whichhasabeautifulgateandwhichishung
withwonderfulpicturesofCupid,drawninkukum,andgarlandsof
manyflowers,surroundedbybuzzingbees.
The glories of this Madannanda-kuja are explained herein. It is
located near Pvana-sarovara, not far from Nanda-bhavana. Ka goes
97
alonetothatkujaafterwakinginthemorning,andrestsforawhileinthe
armsofrmatandtheVraja-devs.
DsaGosvmprays,ODev,sweetlysingingbumblebeesmoveflower
toflower,collectinghoney.Hearingtheirsinging,Youopenthedoorof
the kuja and look out expectantly, hoping for Ka to appear at any
moment.Iwilldecoratethedoorwayofthatkuja withdrapingstrandsof
flowersandwillarrangeabedinthatforestgroveforYourpleasure.
In the morning, the sakhs and majars come with honey, drinks,
flowers and many offerings to cook with Rdhrn at Nanda-bhavana.
Fromadistance,Citr-dev,whoismostexpertatmakingpaintings,shows
rmatRdhrnwithherenchantingartwhereKaisandwhatHeis
doing.ThenrmatRdhrnarrangesforHisservice.
Kagetsupinthemorning,havingstayedawakethewholenight
andthereforeneedingmorerest.Thereisaspecialkuja-kuraarranged
for Him to hide in and continue resting after He formally wakes in
Nanda-bhavana.
Hecomestherebyanyhiddenpath.Hedisappearsfromthecowshed
whereHewasmilkingthecowsandentersthiskuja. Rdhrnandthe
Vraja-devstakeHimintheirlapsandstrokeHimlovingly.Theymassage
HimandfanHim,andHeinteractswitheachofthempersonally,resting
Hisheadonthekneeofone,holdinghandswithanother,andplacingHis
armaroundtheshouldersofanother.TheheartsandbodiesoftheVraja-
devsaremoresoft,delicate,beautifulandlovelythananyflowers.Eachone
makesherlaplikeabedforKatoreston.Karestsinthiskujain
themorning.
r-rpa-majari-karrcita-pda-padma-
gohendra-nandana-bhujrpita-mastaky
h modata kanaka-gauri padravinda-
samvhanni anakais tava ki kariye
Vilpa-kusumjali 72
Ogoldenone,willIhappilyandgentlymassageYourlotusfeet,along
withRpaMajar,asYourestYourheadinthelapoftheprinceof
Vraja,andHemassagesYourhead?
rmat Rdhrn comes from Varsn and rests with Ka in
Madannanda-kuja.Sheliesdown,andRpaMajarmassagesHerfeet
andsoothesthemwithcoolkukuma andmehindi.AsRpaMajarserves
thefeetofrmatRdhrn,shesignalstoRatiMajartocomeforward
andmassageaswell.
98
Sometimes,ifHehaspermission,KasitswithrmatRdhrnin
HislapandasSherestsonHisknee,HestrokesHerhead.RpaMajar
massagesthefeetoftheDivineCouplewithhersoftpleasinghandsand
callsRatiMajarforwardtoassisther.
DsaGosvmprays,WhenwillRpaMajarcallmeforwardforthe
serviceofRdh-Ka?
ThenameRpaMajarmeansthatwithherbeauty,sheconquersand
controlstheheartsofall.Thereisnodarknessinherheart.Sheisalways
bright,lightandofagoldencolor.
Dsa Gosvm prays, When will that day come when, after serving
rmat Rdhrn and r Ka, I will be able to serve Rpa Majar
herself?Whenwillshegivemepermissionforthis?HowelsewillIreceive
propertraining?
govardhandri-nikae mukuena narma-
ll-vidagdha-iras madhusdanena
dna-cchalena bhavatm avarudhyamn
drakymi ki bhru-kui-darpita-netra-yugmm
Vilpa-kusumjali 73
WillIseeYou,YoureyebrowsknittedandYoureyesburningwithpride,
asMadhusdana,thecrownontheheadsofexpertjesters,stopsYou
nearGovardhanaHillonthepretextofcollectingatoll?
KacomeswithHissakhstothefootofGovardhanaandtakestax
fromtheVraja-devs.Heactsverystrictly,demanding,GiveMetax!
ThenHesays,Actually,Iamnotataxcollector.Idonttakeanything
by force. That is not right. It is not sweet for Me. Please give Me some
charity.
ThenabitlaterHesays,No,no,charityisalsonotgood.Iamnotapoor
person or a beggar. Please give Me dna, donation. By giving dna, you
yourselveswillbebenefitedandbecomehappy.Ifyougiveanythinghappily,
thebenefitwillmultiplytentimes.Therefore,giveMedna.Ifyoudontgive
Medna,youwillbecomeapoordirtynarrow-mindedbeggar.Iamgreat.
Everyone knows this. Therefore if you give Me a donation, then My own
greatnesswillcometoyou,andyourheartswillbeclean.Youwillbecome
veryfair,freshandfullofgoodness.Iamaqualifiedperson.Ifyougivedna
tobadpeople,theywillmakeyoudirtyandcontaminated.Youwillsufferlife
afterlife.Butbygivingadonationtothosewhoarequalified,itisverygood
for you. The best thing to offer is yourself, so if you offer yourself as a
donationtoapersonwithallgoodqualities,itisbest.
99
Ka is very clever. With these words He tries to capture rmat
Rdhrn.
Hesays,GiveeverythingtoMe.ThenIwillacceptandhelpyou.Ifyou
dontgiveyourselvestoMe,thenyouwillbeforcedtogiveyourselvesto
cheaters. They dont have any strength to help you. Anything you have
shouldbegiventoMe.Iamaqualifiedandverypowerfulperson.
Withsuchsweet,cleverwords,Hetakeseverythingthegopspossessas
dna.Heisnotsointerestedinanythingsmallandgivenbyhand,likea
foodpreparation.WithHiscrookedeyes,Hescansforanyparticleoflove,
andisnothappyuntilHereceiveseverylastdrop.
Dsa Gosvm prays, I long to watch Kas sweet playful pastimes
withtheVraja-devs.
AnyhowKatooktheirveryselves,theirheartandsoul.
DemigodsandtheincarnationsofGoddonottakethejvas anarthasaway.
Theytakerespectandworshipfromthelivingentities,buttheydonottake
everything. Ka, on the other hand, takes everything from the living
entities.HepurifiestheirheartsandintheplaceofwhatHehasstolen,He
plantsthetendencytolovinglyserveHimforever.
Girirja Govardhana is very clever. He serves Rdh-Kas sweet
intimatepastimesandalso,byKasdesire,heservesalltheVrajavssand
givesthemthechancetoserveKa.
GirirjaGovardhanahasnoindependentdesire,nodesireforanythanks
from the Vrajavss or Ka, nor any aspiration for name and fame. He
doesntexpectotherstocomeandextolhisgloriesandqualities.
Thisisaproblemforsevakas.Ifoneisabletodoguru-sevandGods
service,thenitistobeknownthatthisisthegreatestchanceavailablein
oneslife.GodandrGurusacceptanceofourserviceistheirgreatmercy
uponus.Theyaresokindtogiveusthisopportunity.Buttherearethose
whoaftersuchservicebecomeveryproud.Wheredoesthisfalseegocome
from?Avictimofitsattackthinks,Withoutme,thisservicecouldnotbe
done.WhatwouldrGurudowithoutme?
Performing parikram of Girirja is the way to make friendship with
him.Asincerepersonwillcometohim,offerpjandbhogaandperform
parikram.Tosuchaperson,GirirjaGovardhanateacheseverythingabout
Kas love and love for Ka. He gives this gift to those who make
friendship with him, and he makes them strong and faithful. Then they
willnevergofarawayfromVraja-maala,anddesirewillnevercometo
serveanyoneotherthanKaandtheVrajavss.
101
The Lake and Her Mercy
tava tanu-vara-gandhsagi-vtena candr-
vali-kara-kta-mall-keli-talpc cchalena
madhura-mukhi mukunda kunda-tre milanta
madhupam iva kadha vkya darpa kariye
Vilpa-kusumjali 74
Osweet-facedone,whenthebreezecarriesYourexcellentbodilyfragrance
towhereMukundaenjoyswithCandrvalonthejasminepastime-bed,
thatshefashionedwithherownhand,Hefindsacleverexcusetosuddenly
leave,andlikeabumblebeeleavinganinferiorflower,meetwithYouon
theshoreofYourlake.WhenwillIproudlywitnessthis?
G
irirjaGovardhanahaswonderfullakes,kuas,kuja-kuras,gardens,
waterfalls, fruits and flowers. The gops bathe in the lakes around
Govardhana,andcollectfruitsandflowersfromplacessuchasKusuma-
sarovara,Mnasi-gag,Govinda-kua,Rsa-sthalandKadamba-kandi.
Ifonegoestotheseplaces,simplybygoingandsittingthere,onewill
be profoundly affected. rmat Rdhrn and Ka are performing
transcendentallovingpastimesnearby,andtheairtakesonTheirscentand
distributes that supremely potent nectar. If anyone breathes in that air,
then his nature will completely change. He will become intoxicated,
maddenedwithlove,andwillforgetwherehecamefromandwhoheis.He
loses his former nature, and he will take complete shelter of Girirja
Govardhana.Hewillbecomerestlessandgreedyformoreandmoreka-
sevateverymoment.
Whenagreedybeesmellsthescentofhoney,hebeginstoflyaround,in
search of its source. He hunts the flower from which this sweet smell is
emanating.Similarly,ontheslopeofGirirjaGovardhana,rmatRdhrn
ispresent.IfHerfragrancecomes,thenDsaGosvmsays,Thesdhakaslife
102
then changes. They become very greedy for Mukundas darana. A deep
eagernesscomesintheirheart,Whereisrasika-ekharaKapresent?
KaplaysHisfluteeverywherearoundGirirjaGovardhana,andmeets
withtheVraja-devsinGovardhanaskujas.SometimesHegoestoCandra-
sarovara, to the kuja of Candrval. There she offers Him a garland of
mallikflowers.
Later,KacomestoRdh-kua,stillwearingthatgarland.ButHe
seesthatnoonetalkswithHim,meetswithHim,orevenlooksatHim.
Hethenfeelsverydryanddespondent.
Oh,thisgarlandisverywicked,Hesaysindisgustandcastsasidethegift
from Candrval. He then bathes in yma-kua and Rdh-kua, and
feelsalittlebetter.Hethencomesbeforethegopsandpraysattheirfeetfor
mercyanddarana ofRdhrn.FeelingabreezethathastouchedRdhrn
andcometoHim,HeexperiencesgreatblissandHisheartiscooled.
rlaPrabhodnandaSarasvatglorifiesrmatRdhrnasfollows
yasyah kadapi vasanancala-khelanottha-
dhanyati-dhanya-pavanena krtartha-mani
yogindra-durgama-gatir madhusudano pi
tasya namo stu vrsabhanu-bhuvo dise pi
Rdh-rasa-sudh-nidhi 2
ObeisancestothedirectionthatfacesrVabhnusdaughter.When
thebreeze,comingfromthatdirection,playfullymovestheedgeofHer
garment,Madhusdana,whocannotbeattainedbyeventhekingsof
theyogs,thinksthatHislifehasnowbecomeagreatsuccess.
Bysomeslyprocess,CandrvalsfollowersbroughtKatotheirkuja.
TheretheyofferedKamanynicethingsanddecoratedHim.Hethought,
IfIgowiththesenicethingstoRdh-kuaeveryonewillbeverypleased
withMe.ButwhenHereachedRdh-kuaHefoundthatnoonewas
pleasedatall.EvenGirirjaGovardhanagaveHimthecoldshoulder.Why?
He is also on Rdhrns side. Girirja is rmat Rdhrns follower.
Therefore he also ignored Ka. Every kua and kuja-kura at
GovardhanaiscoldtoKaandKacannotfindanyonethere,noteven
anyanimals.
He looked around and thought, I must have done something quite
wrong.
He looked down at His outfit and is saddened. Because of this they
havebecomeangeredandhiddenfromMe?Wherehavetheygone?Then
Hepraysdeeply.
103
Suddenly,fromthenorthsideofRdh-kua,wherermatRdhrn
issittingwiththesakhs,abreezetouchesrmatRdhrnslotusfeetand
takestheirfragrantmessagetothesouthsideofRdh-kua,whereKa
ispresent.WhenKasmellsthis,Hecomestohissenses.
This attire is not good for Me, He thinks, and He takes off all His
clothes and ornaments. He purifies Himself by bathing in yma-kua
andRdh-kua.Yes,Hesays,nowImfeelingbetter.
ThenHeseessomemajarshavecomeclose.Yourbodyhasaverybad
smell, they say. Clearly You have gone to the abode of many buffaloes.
PerhapsYoudidntherdcowstodayandplayedwithbuffaloesinstead.Has
Brahm come and stolen Your cows again? Has Vivmta given You
buffaloestoherdintheirplace?Buffaloesareverydirty;theyliketosleep
indrainsandbatheinfoulwater.Butcowsarealwaysneatandclean.You
havedefinitelybeenwithbuffaloes,forYourbodyhassuchafoulscent.
The majars bring candana, sugandhi, arbaa and other fragrant
substancesandaskKa,ShallwecleanYou?
Thiswillnotdo,Kasays,OnlythedustofVrajawillsuffice.
Yes,RdhrnsfootdustwillpurifyYou,theVraja-devsrespond.
Youshouldbebewareoftheotherside.Yourdesirewillchangeifyou
gototheotherside.Badassociationtakesapersonveryfaraway.Ifone
leaves Rdhrns side to see the queens of Dvrak or to interact with
Candrvalsparty,thenonewillgoveryfarawayfromtheVrajavssand
followersofRdhrn,nevertofeelwellagain.
KawasnothappywithCandrval,thereforeHecametodrinksome
sweet honey of Rdhrns affection. He left Candrval and came to
Rdh-kua,whereHecleansedHimselfinpurenectar.
samastd unmatta-bhramara-kula-jhakra-nikarair
lasat-padma-stomair api vihaga-rvair api param
sakh-vndai svyai sarasi madhure pra-patin
kad drakymas te ai-mukhi nava keli-nivaham
Vilpa-kusumjali 75
Osweet,moon-facedone,whenwillIwitnessYourever-freshwater-
sportswiththeLordofYourheartandYourfriends,alltogether,in
Your sweet lake, which is filled with a host of splendid lotuses and
surroundedbychirpingbirdsandhummingbees?
O Rdhike, You are present at Rdh-kua, where atop splendid
lotuses, there are many honeybees who hum sweetly and feast on nectar.
104
Therearealsomanybirdsinallfourdirectionswhosingveryhappily.Why
aretheysohappy?ReceivingYourdarana,theheartsofthesakhs,majars,
birdsandbeastsarefilledwithhappiness.
Ka has left Candrvals kuja and rmat Rdhrns victory is
celebratedinbliss.Thesakhssing,danceandjokewithKa.Everyone
waits for that darana. How is that rasa? Like when the full moon rises,
everyone becomes joyful. The lord of the Vraja-devs heart, Ka, has
comeandnowtheystartafreshcelebrationandprogram.Allareeagerto
seewhatwillhappennext.
Thereisagreatassemblyofbirdssinging.Beesaredrinkingnectarin
theswirlsofsweetsmellinglotusesandtheirbuzzingaddstothemusical
performanceofthebirds.
DsaGosvmpraystobepresentinthatprogramalso,waitingtosee
what happens next. He is ready, What orders will come to me? I will
arrange everything needed. When inspiration comes, I will very quickly
performmyserviceforRdhrn.
This wonderful program on the bank of Rdh-kua starts in the
morning.Therearemanytypesofflowersinthekuja-kurassurrounding
Rdh-kua,andanoceanofblisspervadesthewholeatmosphere.The
sakhsandmajarsareverybusythere,decoratingthekujas.
WhenwillthatRdh-kuagiveusRdhiksdaranaandadmission
into eternal service? Dsa Gosvm says, Without the mercy of Rdh-
kua one will not be able enter the camp of Rdhrn and follow Her
footsteps,norwilloneunderstandthesecretsofKasservice.
Rdh-kuaistheplaceinVraja-maalawhereallfavorablethings
arepresentforrmatRdhrnsservice.
sarovara-lasat-tae madhupa-guji-kujntare
sphuat-kusuma-sakule vividha-pupa-saghair mud
aria-jayin kad tava varoru bh-vidhr
vidhsyata iha priya mama sukhbdhim tanvat
Vilpa-kusumjali 76
Obeautiful-thighedone,whenwilltheoceanofmyblissexpandtosee
Ka,thevictoroverArisura,happilydecorateYouwithmanykinds
offlowersinakuja,filledwithblossomingflowersandhummingbees,
onthesplendidbankofYourlake?
In Rdh-kua, if anything contrary enters, Ka destroys it. Like
when Arisura came, Ka destroyed him. What does this mean? If a
person comes to Rdh-kua and sits on Her bank, at the lotus feet of
105
Rdhrn,thenanyaria,enemy-likemundanedesirewillnotbeableto
come and cheat that sdhaka, pulling him away from service to rmat.
Kaispresenttherewithastrongmood,readytodestroyanyopposition.
Any anarthas or other bad things will be unable to disturb. Then the
sdhaka will have no further troubles. Ka will give him a very sweet
natureandgooddesires.
AtRdh-kua,thesakhsareverybusyservingRdhrn.Someare
paintingdesignsonHerhandsandfeet,andsomearecombingHerhair,
whichtheydecoratewithsmallflowers.
Themajarssay,Collectpeacockfeathershere.Kalikesthemso
much. Then they collect peacock feathers and make nice crowns with
them and give these to the sakhs. Then they make dresses. After Ka
bathes,theywilldecorateanddressHim.Thesakhsandmajarsareready
toperformthisservice.
Ontheotherside,thesdhakasseethatallareverybusilyengagedin
serving rmat Rdhrn. Ka has come Himself and is waiting for a
chance to go and serve Rdhrn. He prays to the sakhs and majars,
WhenwillyougiveMechancetocombRdhrnshair?Iwillseparate
Herhairsandgentlybraidthem.HowwillImakeasweetrelationwithHer
hair?IwillmassageoilintoHerhair,madefragrantwithkastr,andthen
IwillplaceflowersandpolleninHercharminglocks.
Ka prays to the gops and waits with trembling hands. He cannot
controlHimself.ItisasifallHisstrengthhasleftandHeisfilledwithfear,
feelingwithin,WhatwillhappenifIdosomethingwrong?
KaseesrmatRdhrnsforminthewaterofRdh-kua.He
sitsonthebankofRdh-kuaandwatchesHerpastimesandinteraction
withthesakhsandmajarsinthewatersreflection.
How can I serve Her? How can I get permission? Ka prays to the
sakhsandmajars inachokedvoice,withhairsstandingonend,astears
gentlyfallfromHischeeks,meetingwiththewaterofRdh-kua.
ThesakhscomefromanothersideandofferHimpeacockfeathersand
guj-ml.Kahadfallenintoaninternalstateofmeditation.Atthe
soundofthegopswords,HisexternalsensereturnsandHefeels,Iam
veryluckytoday.CertainlytheywillgiveMepermissiontoserveandthey
willteachMetheproperprocess.
In this Rdh-kua, all special training, power and taste is given to
serveRdhrn.
107
\As
ulka\Da
-
sika
-
mdhava madana-keli-vibhrame
mattay sarasijena bhavaty
tita sumukhi vkya kintv iya
gha-hsya-vadan bhaviyati
Vilpa-kusumjali 78
Ofair-facedone,whenwillIsecretlysmile,whenIseeYouproudlyand
excitedlybeatingMdhavawithYourplaylotus,intheflurryofYour
amorousplay?
S
ometimes,whileplaying,Kabecomesperplexedandcantunderstand
whoiswho.ThesakhsappearverysimilartoRdhrn,andKais
bewildered,WhoisrmatRdhrn,whoisRpa,Ratiandtheothers?
Kasometimesgoesandaddressesoneofthem,asifsheisRdhrn,
and then she becomes displeased. Then Ka understands, Oh, I was
mistaken.IhavebeendefeatedbytheVraja-devsbeauty.
Mdhava is now defeated. He is not smiling. His face is dark and
downcast. Seeing this, the sakhs are also sad. They think, How can we
makeKahappy?
TheyknowthatifKaisnothappy,Rdhrnwillneverbehappy,
andthesakhswantthatrmatRdhrnshouldalwaysbehappy.
ThesakhsandmajarsthenstartaniceplayingprogramsothatKa
canunderstandwhoisrmat.
su-lalita-nija-bhv-lia-gohendra-sno
su-valgutatara-bhv-lea-divyan-nats
madhura-madana-gna tanvat tena srdha
subhaga-mukhi muda me h kad dsyasi tvam
Vilpa-kusumjali 79
Obeautiful-facedone,whenwillYougivemegreatjoy,singingsweet
lovesongswiththeprinceofVraja,whileYouembraceHimwithYour
108
very graceful arms, and He places His strong arm on Your graceful
shoulder?
KaplayswithHisfriendsatthefootofGovardhana.SuddenlyHe
hears some singing from a distant forest garden. Where? In the area of
Ratna-ved,Ratna-sihsanaandGvla-pokhar,nearbyKusuma-sarovara.
Kabecomesattracted.Hethinks,ThissingingisstealingMyheart.
Thetoneisveryfineandstrong.IttouchesMyheartandbeckonsMethere.
IthasastrongpullthatIcannotresist.
Stayhereforawhile,Katellsthesakhs,playandrest,oreatasyou
like.Iamcomingbackinamoment.
Kahidesandgoes.Manysoundsarecomingfrominside,buthowto
goin?Katriesagainandagain,butcantfindtheway.Theforestisvery
deep, like a dark and thick jungle, but from within, Ka sees many
sparkling lights and smells the sweet fragrance of many perfumes and
flowers.Theairisflowinggently,carryingthearomaandsound.Itisasif
afestivalisgoingoninside.Hetriestoreachthatsound,butcantfindthe
path.
IwishIhadwings,Kathinks.ThenIcouldflyinfromabove.
Henoticesthatpeacocksandparrotsareflyingthroughtheairandthat
manydeerhavealsobeenattractedbythesinging.
WhatcanIdo?Kawonders.Hethenwritesamessageonapieceof
paper.FromwheredoesHegetpaper?Thereisatreethere,thathassheets
ofpaper-likebark.Heusesoneofthesesheetsaspaper,andwithafreshred
mineralpigmentfromastonenearGovardhana,HewritesHismessageand
givesittoapeacocktocarrytothekuja-kura.
Thepeacockthinks,IfIdeliveramessagetotheseparticularrecipients
fromasenderofwhomtheydonotapprove,theywillblacklistmefrom
theirgrove.Theywillneverallowmetocomebackanddance,playandsing.
Theywontgivemeanymorechances.
Thepeacockisinadilemma.
Icannottakethismessage,heconsiders,butthispersonisalsonot
ordinary.IhaveseenHimmanytimes.Heisspecial.Everyday,Hetakes
careofthecowsandtheforestsofVraja.
Thepoorpeacockcloseshiseyesandcontemplateswhattodo.Heprays
tothegops,butnoanswercomes.
Iwillgooutsideforsometime,hedecides.IfIstaynearthisperson
withoutsendingHismessage,Hewillbeangry,andifIgoinsidetothe
Vraja-devs,theywillbeangry.WhatshouldIdo?
109
Thepeacock,whoseeyesarestillclosed,thinkstoflyawayfromKa,
buthefindshehasnostrengthto.
HegazesatKa,asifasking,Doyouhavesomemysticpower?Why
cantIleaveYou?
He begins to play and dance there with Ka, and meditates on the
pastimesgoingonwithintheconfidentialkuja.
Iwasalone,Kathinks,butatleastnowthereisafriendlypeacock
withMe.Iwillstaywithhim.
Thenalittlelater,manyotherpeacocksandbirdscometoKa.Inside
thekuja-kurathereisawonderfulfestivalgoingon,andnowmanydeer,
parrots, cuckoos, peacocks, squirrels and other animals start another
programoutsidewithKa.
ThentheentrancetothekujaopensandtheVraja-devscomeoutgive
daranatoKa.
Thisprogramofourshasnoboundaryandnoguard,Kaasks,but
whyareyouallsosecretive?Ourprogramisopen.Thereisnofee.Thereis
onlyoneconditionifanyonecomeshereandwatchesthisprogram,then
whenyounextstartaprogram,youmustallowanyoneentrance.Okay?
The majars check with their empress and the answer comes back,
No! No entrance. Your program is useless. We are not interested in any
males or animals. Our program is private. It is a special program for the
gops,notforanygopa.
Katriestoformsomecleverresponse,buttheydonotlisten.
This is not such an easy matter, they say. Not everyone can enter
Ratna-ved,Ratna-sihsanaandyma-talaiy.
Whatcanonedotoqualifyforentranceandhavedaranaoftheempress
andtowitnessthefestivalhere?Kainquires.
Onlygopsareallowedhere.Andofthegops,noanti-partiesareallowed!
IfanyonecomesfromCandrvalsparty,theyarenotallowedentrance.
Givemealittlechance.Iamreadytopayanycost!
ThenLalitandVikhsay,Alright,weshalltellyoutheway.Anyone
whocomesinsidethiskujamustcontinuouslyservehereandfollowany
ordersheisgiven.Thatpersonmusthavetakenbirthfromthewombofa
gop,andhaveagopbody.Entryhereispermittedontheseconditions.
Thenextday,Kaplayswithhissakhsnearthatsameareaatthefoot
ofGovardhana,whereHeagainhearsthewonderfulsingingcomingfrom
withintheforestandfollowsittothatsamesecretkuja.
Kathinks,TodayIwillgetinside.Heismorepreparedtodaythan
yesterday.Hehasseenthesecretentrancewhenthegopscameouttotease
110
Him.ButHedoesntknowhowtounlockthegate.Hediscusseshowto
proceedwiththepeacocksanddeerwhoareHisclosefriends,andtoHis
greatdelight,theysomehowfigureouthowtoopenthegate.
Ka,theysay,thisgateonlyopensifyouwearthedressofagop.
You must know the names of Lalit, Vikh and the other senior gops.
Youmustpray,evokingthosenames.Thisgateisveryintelligent.Youmust
haveadeepdesiretoservewithinandmustprayforthemercyofthegops.
Ka now puts on the dress of a gop. He takes many fragrant oils,
kjala, combs, hairpins, ribbons, flower garlands, and many nice things,
puts everything in a big basket and carries it on His head. He wears old
tatteredclothes,andHissvarpaisnowthatofaforestdoctor.
Heslowlyapproachestheentrancetothekuja.HeclosesHiseyesin
deepprayer,anduponopeningthem,seesthatthegateisopen.Hegoes
insideandbecomessurprised.
Howisthiskuja-kura!Heexclaims,Ihaveneverseenanythingso
amazing!
ThisplaceisintheheartofGirirjaGovardhana.ItissaidtobeGirirjas
heart. On four sides, the slopes of Govardhana are seen, enclosing this
secretkuja.
Kacontinuesforward.
WilltheyacceptMeornot?Heworriesandpraysmore.
Seeingsomegops, Hesays,Ifanyoneisalittletired,Iwillmassagethem.
Iamaforestdoctor.Iknowtheartofusingherbstoremoveallexhaustion
andmakeonestrong.Iknowhowtocombanddecoratethehairverynicely.
Itooktrainingforalongtime.NowIhearthattheVraja-devsareinneedof
a servant like Me. Therefore, I have come as an aulka-dsik, unpaid
maidservant.Ineednopay.ButIhaveonlyonerequest,thatifMyserviceis
pleasing,thenpleaseacceptMyhelpnotonlyonce,butdaily.
Rati Majar takes this message to Rpa Majar, and Rpa Majar
tellsLalit-dev,whosays,Verywell.LetHerfirstserveamajar,andif
thatmajarapprovesofthequalityofherservice,thenShecangradually
gainentranceintoservingthesakhs, andfinallyourrmatj.
Themajarsbecameafraid,No!Wedontneedanyservice.Thisds
shouldgoandserveRdhrndirectly.
Rdhrnissittingonaraisedseat,intheheartofthebeautifulprogram
beingheldinHerenchantingkuja.Shehasbeendancingandsingingfor
sometimeandHerhairisslightlydisheveledandHerornamentsmisplaced.
With permission, this new ds goes forward and begins to delicately
massagermatRdhrnwithaherbalointment.Rdhrnimmediately
111
feelspleased.Thenthedsgivesadropofsomeothermedicineinthenose
ofrmatRdhrn,whofindsthesmelloftheherbsverysoothing.Then
this new ds arranges a bed, combs Her hair and massages Her feet.
Rdhrnbecomesveryhappy.
ThisgirlisMydearfriend,Shesays.ShehasservedMesonicely.Her
bodilyshine,natureandbehaviorisgoodeverythingaboutHerisgood,
butHerdressisverydirtyandtattered.
rmat Rdhrn orders the majars, I have many new dresses. Go
fetch something and I will give our new friend a nice dress. Go bring
somethingquicklyandwewilldecorateHernicely.
No,no,no,thenewdssays,thisisnotagoodidea.Thisisnota
businessIhavebegunhere.Iamservingwithoutanyselfishmotive.This
olddressisgoodforMe.IfIwearanewfancydress,noonewillgiveMe
anyservice.Iamapoorhumblebeggar.ThisisgoodforMe.IfIbecome
popular,famous,rich,healthyandwealthy,thennoonewillgiveMeany
business.ThereforeIlikethisdressthatIhave.
No!Rdhrnsays.CatchHerandgiveHeranicebathinthesweet
watersofyma-talaiy.Afterthis,batheHeroncemoreinKusuma-sarovara,
andthenbringHerbackheretobegivenfreshclothesandnewjewelry.
WhatcanIdo?IhavenevertakenreciprocationforserviceinMylife.
HowthendoYousustainYourlife?
TheVrajavssloveandaffectionisMyfoodandmorethansufficient
forMymaintenance.ItakenothingelseforMyservice.Igofromhouseto
house,servingtheVrajavss,andtheymercifullygiveMesomebuttermilk.
ThisItaketosustainMyself.
Hearingthis,theVraja-devssmile.Trulywehavemetaveryhonest
girl.Suchaniceaulka-dsik.Thisisadsofthehighestclass.
Theyareallverypleasedwiththisnewgirl.
From today, they say, You will be Rdhrns permanent servant.
YoushouldcomedailytoserveHer.
KainHisdisguisebecomesveryhappyandbeginstodanceinecstasy.
But,Rdhrnsays,ifyouwanttocomeeveryday,youmustbelike
theothersakhsandmajars.Youcantwearthisfouldressaroundus!You
must bathe and wear a nice cloth. We will give You Kas prasda for
Yoursustenance.Drinkingonlybuttermilkwillnotdo.
rmatRdhrnturnstoHersakhs,EatingKaspradawillmake
Herveryhealthyandapropermemberofourcompany,dontyouthink?
ThesakhsandmajarexchangewordslikethesewithrmatRdhrn,
andthensuddenlygrabthenewdasandforciblytakeHertoyma-talaiya
112
for a bath. They began removing Her garments, when suddenly Ka
escapes,jumpsinthelakeandswimsawayasfastasHecan.Heemerges,
surfacesontheothersideanddisappearsintotheforest.
jitv pka-khelym cchidya mural hare
kipt mayi tvay devi gopayiymi t kad
Vilpa-kusumjali 80
ODev,whenwillYoudefeatHariinadicegame,snatchawayHisflute
andtossittomesothatIcanhideitsomewhere?
The sakhs are amused, What a strange girl! She had very wide
shouldersandastrongbody,butHerhandswereverysoftandShespoke
verysweetly.
Thisnewgirlremainedinthethoughtsofthesakhsandmajars.
Ifthisdscomesagain,itwouldbenice,theysay.
WhichvillagedidShecomefrom?theyaskeachother.Wheredoes
Shelive?WhydidntyouaskHer?
Alittlelater,thesakhscomeoutoftheirsecretgroveandseeabigparty
ofsakhsplayingwithKanearGvla-pokhar.Thegopslook,andsee
thatKasmural,flute, istuckedinHiswaistbelt.Onemajardashes
forwardandsnatchesKasmural,runsoffandgivesittormat.rmat
firsthidesthemuralinHerlonghair,andthendecidestohideitinHer
bodicesothatKacannotfindit.
Ka becomes distressed at the loss of His mural. The majars go
forwardandaskHim,OKa,asYouwereplayingherewithYourfriends,
mightYouhaveseenanewgirlrunby?Shecametoservermatinour
groveandthenabruptlyleft.DidYouseeHerandperhapsknowwhereShe
came from? She was a very good servant. We want Her to know that
Rdhrn was very pleased with Her service. If you can tell us of Her
whereabouts,wewillreturnYourmural.
IknowofHer,Kareplies.Shehasonerequest.Shedesirestoserve
Rdhrndaily,butwithoutanypay.IfyouagreenottogiveHeranynew
clothorornaments,thenShewillcomeandserve.TheonlypaymentShe
wantsistohavethefeetofRdhrnplacedonHerhead.
Afterapause,Kaasks,WillyoupleasegiveMebackMymural?
No!Youmustcallthatdsherenow.rmatisanxioustoknowwhere
Sheis.InviteHertocome.
Kawonderswhattodo.Okay,Hesays.Letusarrangeamatch.
Thelosingpartywillfollowthewishesofthewinningparty.
113
TheVraja-devsacceptKaschallengeandprepareforthegame.In
the meantime, Ka disappears behind a tree and dons a worn out old
dressHehadfoundandcomesforthastheaulka-dsik.
WhentheyseeHer,theVraja-devsexclaim,Oh,itisHer!
Theyconferamongstthemselves,Wewillcatch,bindandarrestHer,
soShecanneverleaveourcompany.
ThenRdh-KaarecalledRdh-Dmodara.
Atthistime,theVraja-devsgiveKapermissiontoservermatinall
manners.Then,whenHetriestoleave,theysay,Itisnotpossible.Ifanyone
comesoncetoservermat,myRdhrngivesHerpermanentshelter.She
cannotleavethen.HowwillYoureturntoYourpastlifeandways?
Katriestoleave,butthegopsrefuseHim.
ayi sumukhi kadha mlat-keli-talpe
madhura-madhura-goh bibhrat vallabhena
manasija-sukhade smin mandire smera-gaa
sa-pulaka-tanu-ve tvm kad vjaymi
Vilpa-kusumjali 81
Ofair-facedone,when,withmybodyripplinginecstasy,willIfanYou,
asYoulieonaplaybedofmlat flowersinthetempleoftheblissof
amorouslove,smilingandconversingverysweetlywithYourbeloved?
DsaGosvmsays,O fair-facedone,thesplendidtempleofCupidis
decorated with flowers. The new sevik is there with a cmara, fanning
rmatandsometimesmassagingHerfeet.HowwillIlearnthere,andwait
theretopleaseRdhrn?
Rdhrn says again and again to Her sakhs and majars, Give this
newdssomepresentation.Sheisdoingeverythingforthehappinessof
Myheart.ShewillsoonbeveryexpertandIwillofferHerintheserviceof
Ka.IwillinviteKahereandthisnewsakhwillgotoserveHim.She
knows how to decorate with flowers and make them into garlands. She
knowshowtodressandmassageandhowtospeakhumblyandsweetly.
KaoffersHimselfintheserviceofRdhrn.KaHimselfteaches
thisserviceofrmatRdhrn.IfHedoesntteachthisservice,howcan
anyonelearntoservermatj?
Rdhrn will not say, Follow me. Serve Me like this. But Ka
Himselfcomesintheformofamajarandteachesthisservice.
Kabestowsthisunnata-ujjvala-rasa.IfCaitanya-candrateachesthis,
it is possible. rmat doesnt order the sakhs and majars to serve Her.
114
Theyknowtodothis.Anythingtheydoisperfect.ButifKaperforms
thisserviceandteachesitHimself,thenitismoresweetandattractive.
After service, Ka fans Rdhrn and then disappears. When He
disappears,rmatfeelsgreatseparation.Thisseparationcannotbetolerated
orfathomed.
Therefore, Bhaktivinoda hkura says, I cannot tolerate rmat
RdhrnfeelingseparationfromKaforonemoment.
r ka-virahe, rdhikra da, mi to sahite nri
yugala-milana, sukhera kraa, jvana chite pri
IamabsolutelyunabletotoleraterRdhikspitiableconditionwhen
SheissufferinginseparationfromrKa,butIamfullypreparedto
immediatelygiveupmylifeforthesakeofTheirhappyreunion.
TheVraja-devssay,WhenKacomes,alsoserveHim.No,the
newdssays,IhavetakenavowonlytoservermatRdhrn.Without
Herservice,Iwillnotserveanyother.Ineverlookatthefaceofanyman.
Iwillnotlook,talkormeetwithanyman.ThisisnotMybusinessand
nature.IwillnotshareMylovewithanyother.IonlylikermatRdhrn.
IamonlywaitingforHerfootdustandadropofHerlove.Idontlikeany
otherthing.
ytodyat-kamala-vadane hanta llbhisrd
gaty-opai rama-vilulita devi pdbja-yugmam
sneht samvhayitum api hr-puja-mrte py alajja
nma-grha nija-janam ima h kad notsyasi tvam
Vilpa-kusumjali 82
ODev,Owhosefaceisablossominglotusflower,Opersonificationof
shyness, when, Your two lotus feet exhausted from walking to the
rendezvous,willYouaffectionatelycallmebynameandengagemein
massagingthem?
Olotusfacedone,sometimes,duringll-abhisra,Youcomewalking
gracefully,andYourfeetbecomealittletired.WhenwillYoumercifully
callme,Rati,pleasecome.Ihavecomefromalongdistance.Massagemy
feet.IamverynearanddeartoHer,thereforeShespeakslikethiswithme.
Iwillthink,TodayIamveryfortunate.rmathasgivenmepermissionto
serve.
Rdhrn is very shy. She never tells anyone to serve Her. She only
rememberska-nmaandservesKa.Buttoday,Sheaffectionatelytells
me,RatiMajar,pleasemassageMyfeet.
115
Iwillapplyointmentonrmatssoftlotusfeet.rmatwillaskme,
ORati,wheredidyoulearnthis?Atthetimeofabhisra,youmustcome
withMeandwaituponMe.ODev,IwillwashYourlotusfeetwithnectar
fromlotusflowers.IwillperformabhiekaofYourfeetwithmilk,yogurt,
gheeandotherpuresubstances.ThiswillbeverysoothingtoYourtiredfeet.
h naptri rdhe tava srya-bhakte
kla samutpanna ita kuto si
itva ron mukhar lapant
sudheva ki m sukhayiyatha
Vilpa-kusumjali 83
O grand-daughter Rdhe, the time for You to worship the sun has
come!WhereareYou?WilltheseangrywordsofMukhar-devsound
likenectartomeanddelightme?
Mukhar,thegrandmotherofrmat,says,ORdhe,dontYouknow
itistimetoworshipthesun?WherehaveYoubeen?WhyareYousitting
aimlessly? What are You thinking of? Go quickly. The time is passing.
Worshipthesun.Itisalmostmid-day.Hurry!
Ka is coming on the side of Govardhana; He is midway. rmat
Rdhrn goes there to arrange everything, and rasika-ekhara Ka is
comingtomeetwithHer.
devi bhita-pya smitakarpra vsitam
rotrbhy nayanbhy te ki nu seviyate may
Vilpa-kusumjali 84
ODev,canIserveYournectarfulwordswithmyearsandYourcamphor-
scentedsmilewithmyeyes?
Dsa Gosvm says, O Dev, hearing this sweet nectarful instruction
fromMukhar,Youbecomesurprisedandsay,Oh,Ididnotrealizeitwas
solate.Ihavenotarrangedanythingyet.
ThenrmatRdhrnnoticesthatthesakhsandmajarshavealready
preparedeverythingforthepj.ShehascomebackfromNandagrmaand
is waiting in Varsn, remembering the mornings pastimes. Her father,
motherandeveryoneknowthatitistimeforHertogoandworshipthesun
atSrya-kua.
Vabhnu Mahrja wishes to arrange a horse or bullock cart. Her
unclesagreeandsaytoHer,Wewillarrangeacartforyoutorideon.
No,never.
Apalanquinthen.
116
No.
ThenMukharsays,Oh,itisonlyafewminutesfromhere.Whydont
Youjustgowalking?WalkingwillmakeYoustrong.Beingcarriedaround
everywhereisnotgood.
Thehiddenmeaningofherwordsare,IfRdhrnisinapalanquin,
ShewillbehiddenandallthoseunabletohaveHerdaranawillbeupset.
IfShegoesbyfoot,thentheVrajavssheartswillbeveryhappy.Theyare
allwaitingforRdhrnsdarana.Thisdaranaisveryhelpfulforeveryone.
kusuma-cayana-khel kurvat tva part
rasa-kuila-sakhbhi pra-nthena srdham
kapaa-kalaha-kely kvpi roea bhinn
mama mudam ati-vel dhsyase su-vrate kim
Vilpa-kusumjali 85
O pious one, when, picking flowers with Your sweet and crooked
friends,YouangrilyquarrelwiththeLordofYourLife,willYoufillme
withboundlesshappiness?
DsaGosvmsays,ORdhik,Yourvowisverystrong,Yourprogram
isverystrong.AsYouwalk,manygopscomefromdifferentvillagesand
follow Your footsteps. How can You meet with Ka? For this purpose,
You go in the garden to pick flowers and quarrel with Ka there and
becomeveryangry.
Hey!Dontpicktheseflowers,Kaspartysays.
Whynot?thegopssay.
Thisismygarden.
No!ThisisnotYourgarden.
My father is the king of Vraja. That makes Me the prince and this
gardenisthereforemine.
No! This garden is Vnd-Devs. We will pick flowers here whether
Youlikeitornot.
IwontletYoudisturbasingleflower.
YouandYourfriendsarelikeelephantcubs,comingeverydaytosmash
and disturb Vrajas gardens. You are not worried about the flowers well-
being.Wetakecareofallthis.Butwhenwepickafewflowers,Youcome
toquarrelwithus.
KaandtheVraja-devshavethesekindsofquarrelsoverflowers.
You are thieves! Ka says. You are stealing My flowers. You are
breakingthecreepersandbranchesofthetrees,anddestroyingthisgarden.
IwillhavetoarrestyouallandputyouinMyjail.
117
HowbigisthisjailofYours?
IhavebigchainsandIshallbindyouwiththem,Kasays.Another
meaningofthesewordsis,IwilltakeyouinMyarms,embraceyou,and
placeyouinMyheartforever.NoonewillbeabletorescueyoufromMy
heart.
Ka continues, Okay, this person who is now fighting is certainly
Candrval,thegoddessofanger.ThisisnotmyworshipableRdh!She
hasnoangerlikethis.Ifanyonehasthisfire,sheisdefinitelyCandrval!
KateasesRdhrnlikethis,andthesakhsallbegintolaughand
clap.Thenthegopsbecomeveryangryandrunawayfromtheflowergarden.
119
O
uite Contrary
nn-vidhai pthula-kku-bharair ashyai
samprrthita priyatay bata mdhavena
tvan-mna-bhaga-vidhaye sa-daye jano ya
vygra patiyati kad lalit-padnte
Vilpa-kusumjali 86
Omercifulone,when,sweetlybeggedbyMdhavawithmanyunbearable
appeals,willthisagitatedpersonfalldownbeforeLalitsfeettoplead
onHisbehalfandbreakYourjealousanger?
K
abegsrmatRdhrnagainandagaintoforgiveHim,saying,
Okind-heartedRdhike,IhavecomehereforYourdaranaandto
hearsomesweetwordsfromYou.ButYouareangrywithMe.O
mercifulRdhe,pleaseforgiveMe.IamthesmallservantofYourservants.
WhenwillYoubepleasedwithMe?
But rmat Rdhrn remains determined not to show Him favor.
Then He goes to Lalit-dev. He offers prama and requests her, O
Lalit-dev,youareverymercifulandgreat.PleasepraytormatRdhrn
forMysake.MayShebepleasedwithMeandacceptMeasHerown.Please
dosomething.
Withamoodofdeeprepentance,MdhavathengoestoRatiMajar
andsaysingreatsadness,ORati,Inowtakeshelterofyou.Ipromisethat
Inevermadeanyoffense.IneverinsultedYourSvmin.WhyisSheangry
with Me? Alas! What can I do now? She is so generally so affectionate,
lovingandkind,butwhyisShesohardonMetoday?Sheistryingtobreak
the soft heart of another. This is great cruelty. I cant tolerate this any
longer.
Alas!Alas!Yamarja,thebrotherofYamun-dev,iscomingswiftlyto
take Me away, for I can no longer live in this separation from rmat
Rdhrn.
120
Hearing this, Rati Majar cannot tolerate Kas distress. rmat
Rdhrn has been listening to everything, and She now speaks to Her
sakhsandmajars,Whoisthisperson?WhyisHecryingandweeping
here?WherehasHecomefrom?Before,thiskuja-kurawasveryclean
andpeaceful,butnowthispersonslamentinghasmadethisplaceimpure
andfullofdistress.Onlysinginganddancingcanliftthisdarkweightfrom
our kuja. Otherwise this place will become even darker and a cosmic
devastationwilloccur.Therefore,startaniceprogram.
ThentheVraja-devsbegintosinganddance.
prty magala-gta-ntya-vilasad-vdi-vdyotsavai
uddhn payas ghaair bahu-vidhai samvsitn bham
vndraya-mahdhipatya-vidhaye ya pauramsy svaya
dhre samvihita sa ki tava mahotseko may drakyate
Vilpa-kusumjali 87
Ocalm,graveone,whenwillIwitnessYourgreatceremonialbathing,
asYouarebeingcrownedasthequeenofVndvanabyPaurams?
Your coronation will be celebrated with a great festival of love, with
auspicious singing, dancing and the playing of vs and other
instruments,whileYouarebeingbathedwithmanypitchersofpure,
scentedwater?
Paurams-devbeginsafestivalofauspicioussongsforthepleasureof
Vrajas empress. The gops begin to dance and sing, while playing many
musicalinstrumentslikethesitar.
TheythenarrangedrinksinbigclaypotsandbeginrmatRdhrns
mah-abhieka. At the time of Her abhieka, they sing, while playing on
manyinstrumentsontheorderofPaurams-dev.
KathenbathesHimselfwiththecaramtaofrmatRdhrn
andallHisblacknessandimpurityiswashedaway.Allhardness,blackness
andsadnessiscleansedandwashedoutofthekujaandVraja-maala.
ThereforeMahprabhusays,ceto darpanan marjanama.Howcanyou
cleanyourheart?Thisisonlypossibleby
bhakta-pada-dhli ra bhakta-pada-jala
bhakta-bhukta-avaea ei tina mahbala
Thefoot-dustofadevotee,thewaterthathaswashedhisfeetandthe
remnantsoffoodleftbyhimarethreeverypowerfulitems.
121
Theonlywaytheheartcanbecleansed,isbytakingthecaramtaof
rmatRdhrnorHerbelovedfollowers.Theirfootdustisvraja-raja,
this is what makes Vraja so special. Vraja is known as va-raja. Va means
specialandrajameansdust.Vrajaisthatplacewherethereisveryspecial
dust.
KaalwaysrollsinthisdustandsmearsitonHisbody.Hetakesthe
Vraja-devscaramtaandremnants,anddistributesthem.Bythisprocess,
theheartiseasilypurifiedandilluminated.
Helpful,loveful,hopeful,merciful,blessful,andverypowerfulrmat
Rdhrnhastoleranceandpatience,andSheknowseverything.Shedoes
notrejectanyone.WhenKaisnearbyHer,Heisveryhappy,andwhen
HeisalittledisconnectedwithHer,thenHebecomesdry,Brahma.
akti aktimator abheda. These two are inseparable. Therefore Ka
neverwantstogoaninchawayfromsvarpa-akti,rmatRdhrn.She
isverysweetandhumbleandmaintainsalllivingentitieswithHerpotency.
Paurams-dev gives everyone in the kuja-kura a chance to serve
Rdhrn during Her mah-abhieka. Some serve by singing, some by
dancing, some by playing instruments and some by bathing Her directly.
Theyusecamphor, aguru,kastr,andarrangemanyfullpotsofwaterwith
thesefragrancesinsidetostartRdhrnsmah-abhieka.
After this abhieka, everything in Vraja-maala becomes joyful and
surchargedbythepotencyofHercaramta.Drinkingthisnectar,Pthv-
devblossomsinjoy.
Dsa Gosvm prays to be there, assisting in the mah-abhieka of
rmatRdhrn,andreceivingHercaramta.
bhrtr go-yutam atra maju-vadane snehena dattvlaya
rdmn kpa pratoya jail rakkhya-rk-kae
ntyh sukha-oka-rodana-bharais te sndravanty para
vtsalyj janakau vidhsyata ita ki llana me grata
Vilpa-kusumjali 88
O fair-faced one, when on Rak Prim, the full-moon day in the
month of ravaa, Your brother rdm comes to Yvaa, with ten
thousandcowstosatisfythegreedyJail,heaffectionatelytakesYou
alongtoVarsn,whereYourparentslovinglyfondleYouinfrontof
me,asYoumeltwithweepingfrombothhappinessandsorrow?
Jailisverygreedyforwealth.Sheisabigmiser.OnBaladevasbirthday,
Rkhi Prim, she tries to stop Rdhrn from going to Her fathers
house in Varsn. Why? She knows that if Rdhrn stays at her house,
122
then Vabhnu Mahrja will send many gifts for his beloved daughter.
Not only Her father, but Lalit, Vikh and everyone in Vraja-maala
willsendHermanypresentations,likesweets,clothandornaments.
GreedyJailthinks,IfRdhrngoestoHerfathershouse,nothing
willcomeforme.WhenRdhrnispresent,mycowsgivealotofmilk,
andsomuchwealthautomaticallycomes.ButwhenSheleaves,everything
becomesdry.
rdmaapproachesJailandsays,Listen,Iwillgiveyouthousandsof
cowsincharity.PleaseallowmysistertocometoVarsn.Ihavecometo
askthisofyou.
Hearingthisnews,rmatRdhrnbecomesoverjoyed.Sheisanxious,
When will I go and meet with My parents? When will I meet with
grandmother?HerheartisverysoftandShebeginstoweepinseparation
fromHerparents.
RatiMajarsays,Iwillgothereandrequestthegreedymother-in-law
ofmySvmin,OJail,howmanycowsdoyouwant?IwilltellVabhnu
Mahrjaandhisbrothers,andtheywillgiveyou100,000cows.Justplease
givepermissionforRdhrntogotoHerfathershouse.TodayisRak-
bandhana. Rdhrn will go and bind a bracelet on Her brothers wrist,
andhewillgiveHercloth,ornamentsandmanynewthings.Pleasegive
permission.
Jaildoesnotagree.
Iwillaskmyson,shesays.Ifheagrees,thenIwillconsidergiving
permission.Iwillalsoaskmydaughter,Kuil.ThenIwillgivepermission.
AbhimanyuhasgreatreverenceforrmatRdhikandalwayskeepsa
respectfuldistancefromHer.WhenBrahmstolethecalvesandboysand
put them in a cave, Ka Himself took on their forms for a year. He
becameAbhimanyuandallthesakhs,andintheirforms,marriedallthe
gops.WhentherealAbhimanyureturnedafterayear,heaskedhismother,
HowhasRdhrncometoourhouse?WhyisShehere?
Whatdoyoumean?Jailsaid,Sheisyourwife.
No,no!Sheishighlyrespectable,Abhimanyusaid.Sheisthedaughter
ofVabhnuMahrja,thekingofVarsn.
Abhimanyuwasinthecaveforoneyearanddidnotknowhewasmeant
tohavebeenmarriedtoRdhrn.Hecamebackandofferedpramato
rmatRdhrn,andhearingtheyweremarried,hesaid,No,thiscant
betrue.
Thenextdayheagainasked,HowdidRdhrncometomyhouse?
WhyisShethere?
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He heard, When you were in the mouth of Aghsura, you became
affected by the monsters poison and fell lifeless. Then Ka requested
Rdhrn to go help you and remove all the poisonous effect. She then
cameandgaveyounewlife.
Hearing this, Abhimanyu respected Her even more, saying, Oh, She
gavemenewlife?Sheisaworshipablegoddess.
Fromthattime,Abhimanyustayedoutsideinasmallhutanddidnot
resideinthehouse.Everyday,aftermilkingthecows,hebringsmanygifts
andputsthematthedoorofRdhrnsroom.Heofferspramathere,
andreturnstohishut.
Wontyoustayinthehouse?JailandKuilaskhim.
No,thishouseisnotmine.ItisRdhrnshouse.SheisVabhnu-
rja-nandin, and is highly respected. She is worshiped by everyone in
Vraja-maala.
Abhimanyustaysoutsideasaguardandgatekeeper.EvenBrahmcomes
to worship rmat Rdhrn. Abhimanyu has knowledge of Her glories,
therefore Rdhrn was safe there. In Varsn, there could be some
difficulty meeting Ka, with Her parents and family all there. But in
Yvaa, Rdhrn is alone with Her sakhs and majars. She is safe and
protected,asothershavenoadhikratoenterthere.
SometimesKacomestoYvaainthedressofAbhimanyu.Jailand
KuilarethenoverjoyedtoseeHimenteringrmatsroom.
Thisisverygood,saysJail.IamhappythatfinallyAbhimanyuis
spendingtimewithRdhrn.
OnRkhiPrim,rdmaaskedpermissionforRdhrntocome
withhimtothehouseofHerfather.ForalongtimeShehasnotmetwith
VabhnuandHermotherKrtid-dev.
WhenJailsgreedissatisfied,sheallowsRdhrntoreturnhomefor
sometime.Rdhrngoeshomewithrdma.There,Hermothertakes
HerinherarmsandsmellsHerhead.ThenHerfatherasksHer,DoYou
likeYvaaorVarsn?IfYoulikeVarsn,IwillneverleaveYou.Youwill
stayhere.Omydeardaughter,Youarethepupilofoureyes.WithoutYou,
wehavenolight.
SheisveryhappytoseeHerfamilyaftersolong,butSheisalsoupset.
YoudidntsendMeanynews,Shesays.YoudidntcometoseeMe.
Becauseofthis,ShecrieswhilemeetingwithHerfatherandmother.
lajjayli-purata parato m
ghvara giri-pater bata ntv
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divya-gnam api tat-svara-bheda
ikayiyasi kad sa-daye tvam
Vilpa-kusumjali 89
Omercifulone,when,becauseIfeelshybeforeYourfriends,willYou
takemetoacaveatGovardhanaandtutormeintheartofmelodious
singing?
Dsa Gosvm says, O Rdhike, please take me inside the caves of
GirirjaGovardhanaandteachmedivya-gana(nicesongs),teachmehow
toplaythevandguitar.Icannotlearnfromanyoneelse.Pleasetakeme
aloneinsideacaveofGirirjaGovardhanaandthereteachmehowtosing
andplaybeautifulmelodies.
Songsareofmanykinds.Onekindisforthehappinessofothers,and
anotherkindisforliftingthespiritsofapersonwhoissadorcrazy.Another
typeofsingingissuchthatitshearerwillbecomeveryhungryandeagerto
eat.Anothertypeofsongwillmakeyouwanttoplaysportssuchascricket
orfootball.Itcanbeseenthatsportsplayersliketohearthiskindofmusic
astheyplay.Andinthemilitary,whilepreparingtofight,soldiersliketo
hearmusicthatisdangerousandferocious,likelionsroaring.
Sometimes, when there is no rain although the longexpected clouds
traveloverhead,theappropriatesongmustbesung,andthenitbeginsto
rain.SuchprayersarefoundintheSma Veda.
WhenKasleeps,thereisonetypeofsongtosing.WhenHewakes,
thereisanothertypeofsong,andwhileHeeatsagainanother.WhenHe
sets out with the cows, His sakhs make happy music behind Him. The
cows and calves bound around blissfully, the birds fly very fast, and all
creaturesarethusinvolvedinagrandmusicalfestivalintheforest.Eventhe
treesbegintodance,hearingthejoyousmusicalcelebrationasKapasses
them.Itseemsasifthetreeswilljumpoutofthegroundandrunalong
withHim.
ycit lalitay kila devy
lajjay nata-mukh gaato mm
devi divya-rasa-kvya-kadamba
phayisyasi kad praayena
Vilpa-kusumjali 90
ODev,when,requestedbyLalit-dev,willYouaffectionatelyaskme,
myheadbowedwithshynessintheassembly,torecitemanysplendid
andsweetpoems?
125
Dsa Gosvm prays, O Rdhike, when will You accept me into the
group of Your near and dear sakhs, and ask me to sing poetry for Your
pleasure?HowcanIlearnthisartofsweetservice?Pleaseteachme.Iwill
gotoYourclass.IwilllearnfromYou,whichpoemtosingatwhichtime,
withwhichmelody.Iwilltelleverything,onebyone.
nija-kua-tai-kuje
gujad-bhramara-sakule
devi tva kacchap-ik
kad m krayiyasi
Vilpa-kusumjali 91
ODev,whenwillYouteachmetoplaythekacchap,inagrove,filled
withhummingbees,ontheshoreofYourlake?
AtRdh-kua,therearemanyhoneybeesthatdrinksomuchnectar
fromthelotusflowers,thattheyareunabletoreturntotheirhive.They
sleep in the lotus flowers, having become intoxicated by drinking their
nectar.Thissignifiesthat,ifanyonecomestoRdh-kuaandjustonce
getsachancetoserveRdhrn,thentheycannotgoback.EvenParabrahma
cameanddoesntwanttoeverleave.
Manykuja-kurasarepresentatthisRdh-kua.WhenwillYou
callmeinsideoneofthesekuja-kurasandinstructmetoplaythekacchap.
Atsuchatime,Kawillcomefromadistancetohearitplay.
vihrais truita hra
gumphita dayita kad
sakhn lajjay devi
sajay m nidekyasi
Vilpa-kusumjali 92
ODev,whenwillYou,beingshybeforeYoursakhs,hintthatIshould
re-stringthefavoritenecklace,brokeninYourpastimes?
RaghunthadsaGosvmnowprays,ODevRdhike,Youarenow
playing kandarpa-ll with Ka. Your necklace breaks in the course of
thisgame,andthisIwillfix.Youareveryshyandwillnottellanyone.But
Yougivemeahint,andIstepforwardtocarefullyfixYournecklace.
AtRdh-kua,onekuja-kuraisforwrestlingmatchesbetweenthe
DivineCouple.Inoneoftheirmatches,rmatsnecklacebreaks.Pearls
andjewelsscatterhereandthere.Itisdifficulttofixthenecklace.Ifone
pearl is misplaced, the color pattern changes and the beauty gets lost.
Therefore, before the wrestling match, I will observe carefully how Your
126
necklacewasset.Iwillstorethispictureinmymemory,andIwillknow
theexactpatternofthemanyjewelsandpearls.OnYourindication,Iwill
goandfixYournecklaceverycarefully.
sva-mukhn man-mukhe devi
kad tmbla-carvitam
sneht sarva-dio vkya
samaye tva pradsyasi
Vilpa-kusumjali 93
ODev,when,afterlookinginalldirections,willYoutakethechewed
betelnutsfromYourmouthandaffectionatelyplacetheminmymouth?
Dsa Gosvm now prays, O Rdhike, You are very kind. Please
mercifullygivemetheremnantsoftmblathatYouchew.
Therearemanymajars,likeLavagaMajar,GuaMajar,Bhnu
Majar,RatiMajar,RpaMajar,andsoforth.RatiMajarstayswith
thatgroup.Anythingshegets,shedistributesandthentakesherself.She
doesnottakeindependently.
Agoodguru-sevakadoesnotindependentlyacceptordigestthethings
thatcometohim.ThisistheprocessofVaiavism.Ifonereceivesanything,
itshouldbesharedappropriately.
127
I am Yours
K
aisParabrahma,Paramtm,Paramevara,theSupremeLord.If
GodHimselfsuffersandcannotbepeacefulforasecondwithoutthe
graceofrmatRdhrnwhenSheisangrywithHim,whatwill
bethepositionofthelivingentitiesiftheyaredividedanddistantfromHer?
Thus, if any conditioned soul chants the holy names of rmat
Rdhrn, remembers Her, prays for Her blessings and cries for Her
compassion,thencertainly,withoutadoubt,suchapersonwillexperience
eternalbliss.Hehimselfwillbeblissful,andwillfillanyonewhocomesin
contactwithhiminbliss.
kenpi doa-lava-mtra-lavena devi
santyamna iha dhra-mate tvayoccai
roea tal lalitay kila nyamna
sandrakyate kim u mank sa-daya jano yam
Vilpa-kusumjali 95
Ograveandsoberone,Youonceseverelyrebukedmeandsentmeaway
for committing just the tiniest mistake. When will you mercifully
glanceuponthispitifulpersonafterLalitbringsherbacktoYou?
DsaGosvmprays,ORdhike,pleasedonotbeangrywithme.You
aretheepitomeofpatienceandtolerance.Inthisworld,millionsofpeople
dontfolloworrespectYou.Still,Youcontinuouslyhelpalllivingentities,
buttheydonotthinkofYou.Youdontrejectthemorstopnourishing
themforevenasecond.IfYoudidso,allthematerialandspiritualcreation
would be destroyed in an instant. You have unlimited patience and give
everything to the living entities. I am full of faults. Please dont look at
them.
Please send Lalit-dev. May she be kind to me and bring me before
You,andthenaskYoutoforgivemeandbestowsomeservicetothissmall
Rati.Idonotunderstandwhatiswrongandwhatisright.IfYousay,Get
128
out, never come near Me. You have no brain, then what will be my
position?IdontknowtheprocessofYourservice,butIamverygreedyfor
this.
Absorbed in his eternal form as Rati Majar, Dsa Gosvm prays to
rmatRdhrn,ORdhike,ImadeasmallmistakeandthereforeYou
havekickedmeoutofYourkuja.Kacameandspoketome,questioning
andenticingmetoreply.Itriedveryhardtoremainsilent,butafterwards
IcouldnotconstrainmyselfandIindependentlygaveananswertoHim.
SeeingmespeakingwithKaoutsidethekuja,Youbecameangry.When
Ireenteredthekuja,Yousaid,Getout!Dontcomenearme.Lalit-dev
sawmecryinginacornerandbroughtmebacktoYou.ORdhe,when
You sent me away angrily my heart was broken. I cannot express the
magnitude of my sorrow, nor tolerate its affect. I cannot find peace
anywhere.IhavenooneinthisworldbutYou.IcannotleaveYouandgo
tothesideofanyother.ORdhe,IhadnodesiretospeakwithKa,but
whatcouldIdo
rla Gurudeva gave an example here. Once, Vallabhcrya instructed
hisdeardisciple,Whenhkurajisgivenrestafterthemiddayoffering
and rati, go inside the temple sanctorum and fan the Lord with eyes
closed.Ifyouhearsomeonesayinganything,dontgiveanyansweroropen
youreyes.
The disciple followed his Gurudevas instruction. A short while after
beginningtofantheLord,thediscipleheardsomeonesaying,Hey!Why
areyoufanningforsolongwithclosedeyes?Openyoureyesandsee!
When the disciple didnt open his eyes or speak anything, the voice
continued,Speaksomething!YouwillfanMe,butwonttalktoMe,or
lookatMe?IfyouhavesomuchdaringtofanMeasIrest,thenwhywont
youspeaktoMe?
But the disciple remained firm to the order of his Gurudeva and
remainedfanning,whiletheLordendeavoredtomakehimspeak.Outside,
Gurudevawaswaitingtoseewhathappened.
When the temple sanctorum was opened at four in the afternoon,
Vallabhcryaaskedhisdisciple,Whowastalkingtoyou?
The disciple answered, Gurudeva, I followed your instruction and
didntsee.Butsomeonewassayingagainandagain,Openyoureyesand
talktoMe.
ThenGurudevasaid,Youdidwell.
rla Gurudeva gave this example when commenting on this verse of
Vilpa-kusumjali.Then,rlaGurudevawouldfurtherexplain:
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Ka could not tolerate seeing Rdhrns one-pointed beloved
maidservant. She was so close to Rdhrn, such an expert maidservant,
andsobeautiful,thatKacameandtriedtoconversewithRatiMajar,
teasingherfrombehind,infrontandside-to-side.RatiMajarremained
firm and ignored Ka, and then He began teasing her, O Svmins
beloved! O Svmins nearest and dearest! There is no one dearer to Her
than you. You know Her better than any other. You are so chaste! You
dontspeakwithanyoneelseorlookatanyone.Oh!Youaresoproud.If
anyonecomestoyou,youshowthemcontemptandrejectthem.
Ka began teasing her like this more and more, until finally Rati
MajarsresolvewasbrokenandsherespondedtoKasantics.
Thisiscalledvaco-vegam.
RdhrnhadtoldRatiMajar,YouaresoclosetoMe;dontallow
any distance to come between us. Dont speak or make relation with
anyone.
Rdhrn knew what had transpired. When Rati Majar fearfully
came to Rdhrn, She reprimanded her, Why did you give Him a
momentofyourtime?WhydidyoushowHimanyaffectionbyspeaking
withHim?Go!NevercomenearMe.Leavehereatonce!
RatiMajarleftinastateofdevastation.Ononeside,shefelldownin
acorneroutsidethekujaindespair,andwithin,Rdhrnalsolamented.
When Rdhrn could no longer tolerate being separated, Lalit-dev
broughtRatibacktoRdhrn.ThenLalitsaidtormat,WillYou
forgiveherandlookjustonceinherdirection?
DsaGosvmsays,Youhavepatienceandtolerance,pleaseforgiveme.
What was my fault? Amidst a thousand things Ka said, I only gave a
momentaryreplyandlookedatHimforamomentfromthecornerofmy
eyes.
Thosemajarsandsakhswhoarein Rdhrnsgrouphavethisdifficulty.
RdhrnisnotpleasediftheyhaverelationtoanyotherthanHer.
In the first verse of Vilpa-kusumjali, Rdhrn gave indication for
KatogotoRpa,andRdhrnwatched,WhatwillRpado?Likeif
Itoldyou,Dothiswork.ThenIwillwatchwhatyoudo,andifyoudo
any error, I will correct you. What did Rpa Majar do? She ran away
whenKacametoher.However,RatiMajarspokewithKa,therefore
Rdhrnbecameupset.IfshehadnotspokenwithKa,thenRdhrn
wouldhavebeenhappytenortwentytimesmore,andKaaswell.
KaalsowouldbehappierifRatihadcompletelyignoredHim,and
Hewouldhaveteasedherevenmore,embracingherfrombehind,kissing
130
herneckandthensaying,WontyouspeaktoMe?KawouldfoldHis
handstoherathousandstimesifshecompletelyignoredHim.
Thismoodisessential.Therefore,fromanexternalperspective,Rpa
Gosvminstructed,vaco-vegamforsdhakas,andforthoseinthehighest
position,thisisappliedtoamuchgreaterextent.
Once,apolicemancameandspokewithmeasIwascuttingvegetables
inMathur,nearthekitcheninKeavajGauyaMaha.rlaGurudeva
wassittinginachairontheothersideofthetemplesgrate.Afterwatching
mespeaktothepolicemanforsometime,hebeganshouting,Whyareyou
talkingsomuch?Whatistheneed?Whydoyouhavesomuchaffection
forthisoutsideman?
Thepolicemanbecameastonished,gotupandleft.
Thereisaverystrongbondbetweentheservantandserved.Ifoneis
someonessvapaka,anyslightdeviationwillnotbetolerated,evenifitis
ofnogreatsignificance.
tavaivsmi tavaivsmi
na jvmi tvay vin
iti vijya devi tva
naya m carantikam
Vilpa-kusumjali 96
I am Yours! I am Yours! I cannot live without You! O Dev, please
understandthisandbringmetoYourlotusfeet.
ORdhike,Youaremyheart,mysoul.EverythingIpossessisYours.
You have complete adhikra over me. I am Yours, I am Yours! Without
You,Icannotstayonemomentinthisworld.Thisisnotpossibleforme.
Please, please, give me shelter at Your lotus feet. I desire nothing other
thanYourlotusfeet.
Tavaivsmi tavaivsmi means,IoffermyselftoYou,IamYours.Idont
knowanythingwithoutYou.IamYours,IamYours,Icannotlivewithout
You.Whyisthisrepeated?Isoncenotenough?FirstIamYoursmeans,
ManymajarsareclosetoYou.Maytheyacceptme,givemeshelteranda
chancetoserveYou.Iampoor,fallenandfulloffaults,butpleaseaccept
me.SecondIamYoursmeans,IamprayingtoYourseniorauthorities,
thesakhs.Maytheyacceptandteachme,notrejectme.Maytheycallme
forwardandgivemeadropoftheirlove,otherwiseIamdry.HowcanI
staywithYouwithoutanyloveandaffection?
Ifthereisnoloveandaffection,thenonebrahmacrordevoteecannot
remain following bhakti. They will be dry and suffering in my. If one
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devotee helps another, then devotion can grow in such a favorable
environment. If a senior devotee nourishes junior devotees with his love
and affection, the juniors devotion will become strong, and they will
gradually become senior in bhakti, and will bestow love and affection to
others,helpingthemgrowaswell.Thisflowwillthenrunoncontinuously.
Inthisverse,RatiMajarlaments,Aho!Dev,Ihavenootherbesides
You!IamonlyYours!IamonlyYours!IcannotlivewithoutYoufora
singlemoment!BestowtheshelterofYourlotusfeet.Icannotgotoany
other,lookatanyother,norhaveanydealingorconnectionwithanyother.
IamYoursalone,Yoursalone,Yoursalone!
Whatistheneedtopromisesomanytimes?rmatasks.
IfIspokewithanyone,Ratireplies,itwasntformyownhappiness.
IfanyoneasksaboutYou,thenIfeeltheneedtospeakforYoursake.And
ifIdontanswer,thenHeteasesme,Ostubbornone!Oexaltedarrogant
maidservantofYourproudmistress.Youaresoexaltedthatyoucantspare
meevenamomenttospeak.Then,whenIsaidafewwords,Youbecame
angered.ItellYousincerelythatIamYours,IamYours,IamYours!I
cannot live another minute without You. Please give me shelter at Your
feet.YouarethereasonIamliving.NotseeingYourlotusfeet,Icannot
survive for one moment. Give me place at Your feet and dont make me
separatefromYouforamoment.
Lalit-devisverydeartoYou,IamnotsodeartoYouassheis.Imade
amistake,butLalitisveryclosetoYou.AtleastlistentoHerrequest,and
acceptmebackinYourgoodgraces.DontkeepmeawayfromYou.
NowRatiMajarpraystoLalit-dev,Please,byanymeans,remove
Svminsmna.Ifyoucantdothisgreattask,whowillIgotoforshelter?
AndonlyhavingHerspeaktomeagainisnotenough;mayShegrantme
Her intimate service. Otherwise, if She gives an insouciant shrug, saying,
Okay,Iforgaveher,noproblem,butdoesntgivemeserviceagain,keeping
me at a distance, what will be my position? Please petition Her on my
behalf.IfShedoesntgivemeHerintimateservice,Iwilldie.
DsaGosvmwasinthehigheststateofseparationinhissdhaka form.
Eveninmnas-sev,onecannotbedeviatedinserviceanddedicationto
onesworshipablebeloved.
Once,onethirstymancametothecottageofLokanthadsaGosvm
andaskedforwater.Receivingnoanswer,Henextwenttothekuraof
Narottama dsa hkura and begged for water. When Narottama dsa
hkuragavewatertothisthirstyman,LokanthadsaGosvmbecame
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upsetandsaid,Leavethisplace!Ifyouwanttoserveothers,thenthereis
noneedtostayhere.Youhavenodesireforbhajana.Goandserveothers.
It was Ka who had come. There were many homes nearby in the
village, why would anyone come to a Bbjs kura for water? Anyone
couldgodrinkwaterfromawell.Whywouldonecomeandbegforaglass
of water from Bbjs? Ka came to cheat Narottama and test him,
knowing,HeisonRdhrnsside.Letmeseewhathedoes.
WhenLokanthadsaGosvmsawthatNarottamadsahkurahad
somesoftnesstowardsKa,thathehadbecomealittlefavorabletoKa,
hesaid,GoserveHimandHisfollowers.
Thesituationisverydifficultanddangerousforthosesolelydedicated
toRdhrn.Iftheygoalittletoonesideoranother,thenShehasgreat
mna.Breakingthatmnaisnoteasy.
sva-kua tava lolki
sa-priyy sad aspadam
atraiva mama samvsa
ihaiva mama sasthiti
Vilpa-kusumjali 97
Orestless-eyedone,Yourlakeistheeternaldwelling-placeofYouand
Yourbeloved.HereonlywillIresideandherealonewillIstay.
Dsa Gosvm says, Rdh-kua is Your very near and dear. Inside
thiskuathereisnotonlywater,ratherthemellowsofallYourloveare
presenthere.Allthesakhsandmajarsloveispresenthereaswell.Istay
onthebankofYourRdh-kuawithoutanyqualification,butmyeyes
searchinalldirectionstoseefromwhichwayYouarecoming.Themajars
and sakhs will call me and show me the pathway to Your lotus feet in a
secludedgrove.Theywillgivemepermissiontoresidehereeternally.
rmatmaythensay,Whyareyoudistressed?Youarealreadyliving
hereatRdh-kua,performingbhajana.Whatproblemdoyouhave?
No,no,no,Ihavethisbodynow.GaurahariofferedmetoHisnearand
dearSvarpaDmodara,whosentmeheretoRdh-kua.Butnowthis
bodyisveryold.Soonitwillleaveme.
Areyousadbecauseofthis?
No,no,no,Iamnotsadorafraidofleavingmybody,butIwantto
permanently serve You in the form of a majar. Please give this to me.
Dontgivemeabigrichpostormakemewealthyandhealthyandsendme
faraway.
133
DsaGosvmprays,MayIhaveeternalresidencehereinRdh-kua.
Whatisthemeaning?Thismeans,IwillserveYou,whileYouengagein
intimatelovingpastimeswithKa,readytodoanythingneeded.Iwillfan
You,ormassageYourlotusfeet,ormakeYourbed.Iwillstayhereforall
services,notgoinganywhere.
DsaGosvmnextprays,Iamstayinghere,butIamunqualified.Yet,
Youaresearchingforme,WhereisRati?Wheredidshego?ThenIsay,I
amhere,withYou.Dontworry.WhyareYoulookingatmewithrestless
eyes? Wherever Ka is present, I will bring Him to Your kuja by any
ploy.IknowhowtocatchHim.ButifIspeakwithKatobringHim
back,willYoubeangered?IwillteachHimhowtobreakYourmna,but
forthis,pleasedontbecomeupsetwithme.
YouengageinlovingpastimeswithKaatRdh-kua.MayIreside
hereeternally.IfIamalwayspresent,IcanassistHiminpleasingYou.Ido
notwanttoleavethisserviceforanyotherengagement.
he r-sarovara sad tvayi s mad-
prehena srdham iha khelati kma-ragai
tva cet priyt priyam atva tayor itma
h daraydya kpay mama jvita tam
Vilpa-kusumjali 98
O Beautiful Lake, my mistress eternally enjoys pastimes with Her
belovedonyourshore.IfyouaredearertoThemthanthedearest,then
pleasemercifullyshowmenowmymistress,whoismylifeandsoul.
DsaGosvmsays,ORdh-kua,mymistress,Rdhrn,staysina
kuja-kura on your bank. She gives darana there and plays openly,
withoutrestriction.KaalsocomesfreelyforHerdarana.Youarevery
near and dear to Them. I pray to you to please grant me darana of my
mistress.Inyourbeautifulwaters,Kadallieswithrmatinvarietiesof
love-play.SometimesHeembracesHerbeneaththewaterofRdh-kua,
kissingHerneck,cheekandlips,andcaressingHerbosomandotherlimbs.
ThisRdh-kuaisthemostdeartoRdh-Ka.Why?Thislakeis
completelyfilledwithrasa.Whichrasa?Mdhurya-rasa.Inthisplacethat
energy is present, which is the most exalted and strongest current of
mamat,possessivelove.Thiscurrentdoesnotexisttosuchanextremein
any other location. By coming to Rdh-kua, a powerful urge and
enthusiasmcomesfromtheflowofmdhurya there,anddesirecomesto
express ones love. In other places, one may become tired, apathetic or
remaindistant.Butherethereisnoseparation,thereiscompletecloseness.
134
kaam api tava saga na tyajed eva devi
tvam asi samavayastvn narma-bhmir yad asy
iti sumukhi vikhe darayitv mad-
mama viraha-haty pra-rak kuruva
Vilpa-kusumjali 99
Ofair-facedVikhe,Mymistresswillnotleaveyourcompanyforeven
amoment.BecauseYouareboththesameage,youaretherealmofHer
playful joking pastimes. Please save my life from the affliction of
separationandshowmemySvmin.
DsaGosvmprays,OVikhe,youaremyguru.Youteachhowto
servemymistress,Rdhik.YouneverleaveHerevenforamoment.Ipray
toyou,topleasebringmetomySvmin.Youareofthesameageasmy
Svmin,andsimilarinnaturetoHer.Idontwanttoleaveyourassociation.
Youbestowdarana ofmymistress.Iamweepinginseparation.Pleasesave
mylife.
Whydoeshepraylikethis?rmatRdhrndoesntliketogiveup
Vikhscompanyforamoment.rmatalwayskeepsVikhnear.They
are very close friends. When Ka comes forcefully to kiss rmat, She
sometimes places Vikh before Him. Ka then jokes and plays with
Vikh,butVikhmovesasideandpushesHimtowardsRdhik.Why?
RdhiksfollowersarenotdesirousofindependentlymeetingwithKa.
WhenVikhsendsKatoRdhrn,shedoesntleavethekuja.Why?
So that Ka doesnt harass Her too much. When He tries to, Vikh
reprimands,Move!Nomore.Kaisnotsatisfied.Hehasdesiretomeet,
butVikhtakesHimawaytoincreaseHiseagernessevenmore.
Shesays,WhyareYousohardwithmyKior?Herskinisscratched
from Your attacks! Vikh takes Rdhrn into a private quarter and
appliesacoolingsandalpaste,whilesaying,IshouldnthaveallowedKa
to come. Now He has bruised and scratched You. Rdhrn desired to
meetmorewithKa,butVikhtookHerawaytoincreaseHereagerness
evenmore.ThenKacreptupfrombehindandsuddenlykissedrmat,
causingHerbeautifulfacetoflushred.
Thisisnotappropriate!Vikhexclaimed,HowmanytimeshaveI
toldYoutoconstrainYourself!
Justthen,Lalitcomesinwiththemajarsandsays,SendKaout
andbarthedoorofthekuja.
Kaissentforciblyoutofthekuja.Within,LalitandVikhbegin
toserveanddecoratermat.Kasearchesforapathwayin,oraholeto
135
peekinside.Bytheseplayfulactionsofthesakhs,Hishappinessisincreased
andmdhurya-rasaswells.
DsaGosvmprays,OworshipableVikh,Rdhrndoesntliketo
leaveyouforevenamoment.YouarealwaysjoyfulinHercompany.Please
bestowdaranaofmymistress,savingmylife.Byyourindication,Iwillalso
enterinthekujaandapplysandalonthecutmarksonRdhrnscheek
andchest.Byyourmercy,IwillgoandintimatelyserveSvmin.
KacomesandpleadstoRatiMajaratthekujaentrance,Letme
gointothekuja justonce.Iwillnotdisturbrmatanymore.Iwillonly
goandsitashortdistancefromHer,andwontteaseortauntHer.Iswear
thatIwonttouchHer.ButHecannotlivewithoutrmat.Hepraysto
Rati,MylifeisdepartinginseparationfromHer,pleasesaveMylife.
He tries to convince Rati Majar by stroking her cheek, but Rati
neglects Him and moves away, knowing Rdhrn would become angry
withherifsheallowedKatoaffectionatelycaressher.
Kas separation from Rdhrn is so intense, it is impossible for
Himtotolerate.
h ntha gokula-sudhkara su-prasanna-
vaktrravinda madhura-smita he kprdra
yatra tvay viharate praayai priyrt
tatraiva mm api naya priya-sevanya
Vilpa-kusumjali 100
O Lord, O nectar moonof Gokula, O You whose cheerful lotus face
smilessweetly,OYouwhomeltswithcompassion!WhereverYougo
toenjoylovingpastimeswithYourbeloved,pleasetakemetheresothat
IcanaffectionatelyserveYou.
GokulaMahvana,theplaceofthegopas,gopsandcows,isnourished
byKa,knownasGokulacandra,themoonofGokula.Heisalwaysvery
pleasedandsmiling.Why?HisheartisRdhrnsdwellingplace;Sheis
Hisnearestanddearest.
Kaissweetandsmiling,withaverysoftheart.Ifanyonecomesto
Him,HedesirestosendthemtotheVraja-devs.ThisisHisdeepdesire.
KaneverkeepsonenearbyHimself.Helooks,WhohascometoMe?
What is their desire? He looks at their desire and then sends some to
Mathur,sometoDvrak,sometoearth,sometoheavenlyplanets,andso
forth.However,ifanyonehasalittlebitofrespectandfaithfortheVraja
gops,KawillcertainlysendhimtoVraja-dhma.Hewillbestowdeep
136
affectionandlovesoastonourishonesservice.Thisaffectionisnotsmall;
itisunlimitedandcontinuouslyflowing.
Dsa Gosvm prays, O Gokulacandra, You distribute nectar to the
heartsofall.WhenYouarepleased,Youmakeeveryonepleased.Omerciful
one,RdhrnisverydeartoYou.PleasesendmetoHercenter,andthere
Iwilllearntheprocessoflove.
O Gokula-sudhkara, the embodiment of nectar, when You speak, a
showerofnectardrenchesme.WhenIseeYou,itisasifnectarisraining
uponme.PleasetakemetothatplacewhereYouengageinlovingpastimes
withrmatRdhik.AsYoudallywithrmatinlove-play,Iwillbeclose
athandtoserveYouwhenYoubecomeweary,givingaglassofcooljuice,
waterorhoney-drink.
Obeautifulone,whenYouglanceatanylivingbeingswithYourlotus
eyes,YouacquiretheirheartsandcausethemtofallmadlyinlovewithYou.
DallyingintheheartsofYourbeloveds,externalmeetingisnotrequiredto
feeltheblissofunion.MerelyseeingYouwithrmat,myheartoverflows
withjoy.
Hearing this prayer, Ka smiles and says, This is not a request
generallyheardof.Anyhow,Igrantyourwish.Allpeopledonotreceive
thisqualification.ButyouareverydeartoRdhik.Knowingthis,Ifulfill
yourprayer.
lakmr yad-aghri-kamalasya nakhcalasya
saundarya-bindum api nrhati labdhum e
s tva vidhsyasi na cen mama netra-dna
km jvitena mama dukha-davgnidena
Vilpa-kusumjali 101
O my Goddess, Your beauty is such that Lakm, the Goddess of
Fortune,Herselfisunabletoattainevenadropofthebeautyofthetips
ofYourlotustoenails.IfYoudonotgiveYourdaranaincharitytomy
eyes,thenwhatistheuseofmylife,ablazewithagreatforestfireof
sufferings?
Lakm-dev always serves Lord Nryaa, massaging His feet and
sometimes placing them on her chest or head. She is so dear to Lord
NryaathatHekeepsherintheformofagoldenlineonHischest.Yet,
shedoesnthavetheabilitytoenterinVrajaandwitnessthepastimesof
KawithrmatRdhrn.
Knowingthisbenedictionisnotevengrantedtothegoddessoffortune
Lakm-dev, Dsa Gosvm prays, Please grant me Your favor, allowing
137
metoserveinYourintimatepastimes.IfYoubestowtranscendentalvision,
IwillbeabletoseeYourpastimes,andmytendencytoservewillincrease.
IfYoudontshowmemercy,thereisnovaluetomylifeandIshallgiveit
upatonce.GivemethefortuneofwitnessingYourpastimes.
Whatisthemeaningofdarana?Ismerelywitnessingpastimesenough?
DsaGosvmprays,IwillfavorablyserveinYourpastimes.
Onethingisordinary,orexternal,darana,butahigherdaranaisthat
whichisinfusedwithtranscendentalvisionandknowledge.
Dsa Gosvm entreats rmat, If You do not bestow the gift of
transcendentalvisiontome,thenIwillbeconsumedinthisforestfireof
miseryburningme.
Whatisthisfireofsuffering?IamnotdeartoYou.Howisthis?If
You do not bestow qualification to serve in Your pastimes, having not
attainedmyaspiration,Iwillsoongiveupmylife.
In this world, Lakms influence is all-pervasive; she commands
everyonesrespectandalldesiretoattainher.Everyonehankersafterrespect,
healthandwealth.Lakm-devdistributesthesethings.Then,goingnear
thesethings,thejvasbecomeblind.Whyisthis?DoesLakmnotgive
lighttotheeyes?BycollectingmundanethingsfromLakmandstaying
nearthem,theeyesarefixedthereandcannotseeanythingelse.Thenhow
canonetranscendthisworldandmy,andcometormatRdhrnin
Vndvana-dhma?Thisisnotpossible.
Manytimes,rlaGurudevatoldthestoryofawifeandhusbandwho
were devotees of Viu, named Raka and Baka. Daily, they went to the
forestandcollecteddrywood,thattheybroughtandsoldinthemarketto
maintainthemselves.Seeingtheircondition,Nradaibecamedisturbed
andsaidtoLordNryaa,Yourdevoteesareworkingveryhard,tolerating
sun,rainandsnow.Theyareverypoor.WhydontYousendLakmto
helpthem?
TheydonotlikeLakm,theLordreplied.IfIsendher,theywillnot
accepther.
No,pleasesendher,myLord.
LordNryaagavehimsomegoldandjewelsandsaid,Taketheseto
thosedevotees.
Okay,Iamgoing,Nradaisaid.
Iamcomingaswell,LordNryaasaid.
Nrada i came with Lord Nryaa, and went to the forest where
RakaandBakawereontheirwaytocollectwood.Nradaiplacedthe
goldandjewelsonthepathwayandhidbehindatreetowatchwhatRaka
138
andBakawoulddo.Thehusbandwasinfrontandthewifewasbehindhim.
Asthehusbandcameforward,hesawthatsomanygoldcoinswereonthe
path.Heusedthesandonthepathwaytoquicklycoverthecoinsbeforehis
wifesawthem.Shecameforwardandsaid,Whatareyoudoing?Whyare
youwastingyourtime,coveringdirtwithotherdirt?
Ithoughtyouwouldbeattractedtothisgoldandwanttotakeithome.
WhywouldIwastetimewiththis?Iamveryhappyasweare.Letsgo.
ThenRakaandBakacontinuedontheirway,withoutlookingbackat
thegoldorevenoncethinkingtotakeit.
Lord Nryaa then said to Nrada, Just see, My devotees have no
desireforwealth.Theydontwanttodividetheirheart.
LakmcomesandtriestoservetheVrajavss,buttheydonotaccept
whatsheoffers.Byacceptingopulence,theheartwillleaveVrajafarinthe
distance.
ThereforeDsaGosvmprays,Please,givemeeyessothatIwillwatch
only You, Your majars, sakhs and group; not Lakm. Otherwise, if I
thinkofLakm,shewillcomeandcheatandgivebribe,tryingtotakeme
intohercompany.
Thisislikejumpinginsideaforestfireofsuffering,fromwhichonecan
neverescape.
nityrtidena vittena
durlabhentma-mtyun
ghpatypta-paubhi
k prti sdhitai calai
Wealthisaperpetualsourceofdistress,itismostdifficulttoacquire,
anditisvirtualdeathforthesoul.Whatsatisfactiondoesoneactually
gainfromhiswealth?Similarly,howcanonegainultimateorpermanent
happinessfromonesso-calledhome,children,relativesanddomestic
animals,whichareallmaintainedbyoneshard-earnedmoney?
If anyone takes opulence, then they suffer in their present life, suffer
whentheyleavetheirpresentbody,andsufferinthelivestocome.
-bharair amta-sindhu-mayai kathacit
klo mayti-gamita kila smprata hi
tva cet kp mayi vidhsyasi naiva ki me
prair vrajena ca varoru bakripi
Vilpa-kusumjali 102
139
Obeautiful-thighedone,Ihavespentallmytimehere,aspiringafter
oceansofnectar.Now,ifYouarenotkindtome,thenwhatistheuse
ofmylife,mylivinginVrajaandevenKa,theenemyofBaka?
DsaGosvmprays,ORdhike,myhopeisthatYouwillgivemeone
dropfromtheoceanofYourcompassion.IfYoudonotgivemeanymercy,
IdonotwanttoresideinRdh-kua,haveanyconnectionwithKa,
Vrajaoranythingelse.
Kaistheoceanofnectar.DrowningintheoceanofHisbeauty,all
beings become maddened. But You control Him and keep Him near to
Youatalltimes.WiththewishtoattainYourservice,Ipassmylifeingreat
distress.IfYoudontbestowmercyuponme,Iwillgiveupmylife.
Ihaveonlyoneaspiration.Ifanyhypocrisyorulteriordesireislurking
withinme,andbecauseofthatYouarenotacceptingme,pleaseslaysuch
adesireornature.DontdeprivemeofYourmercy.Removeallobstacles
andbringmetoYourlotusfeet.Ateverymoment,ineverycircumstance,
enable me to remain close to You. This is my hope. I maintain my life
simplyonthishope.Iwantnothingelsebuttoone-pointedlyserveYou
andYourbelovedinasecludedgrove.IfYouweretosay,WouldYounot
feelanyshynessorshame?Ireply,IamnotagainstYouorseparatefrom
You;IamYoursalone.IfYouweretosay,Ifsomeoneelseispresent,some
obstaclewouldcomeinMymeetingswithKa,Ireply,Iamnotseparate
fromYou.ThusIcannotbecomeanobstacleinYourmeetings.
What is the mood of the majars? rla Bhaktivinoda hkura
demonstratesthisinhisprayer
r ka-virahe, rdhikra da,
mi to sahite nri
yugala-milana, sukhera kraa,
jvana chite pri
IamabsolutelyunabletotoleraterRdhikspitiableconditionwhen
SheissufferinginseparationfromrKa,butIamfullypreparedto
immediatelygiveupmylifeforthesakeofTheirhappyreunion.
Dsa Gosvm prays, There is no question of disturbance from my
service,eithertomeorYou.Andeveniftheremaybe,pleasecleanseme
andacceptmeasYourown,keepingmenearYoualways.Iamonlyasmall
majar;Iamnotskilledandmybodyisnotstrong.Pleaseblessme,that
Ibecomebeautifulandexpertinallmannersofservice,sothatImaybe
abletopleaseYouandYourbeloved.
140
tva cet kpmayi kp mayi dukhity
naivtanor atitar kim iha pralpai
tvat-kua-madhyam api tad-bahu-klam eva
sasevyamnam api ki nu kariyatha
Vilpa-kusumjali 103
Omercifulone,ifYouwillnotgiveYourgreatmercytothissuffering
one,thenwhatwastheuseofalltheselamentationsandallmylong
servicetoYourlake?
DsaGosvmprays,IfYoudontgivemeYourblessings,then,bitterly
weeping,IwillbeseechYou,IhavewaitedforsolongtoserveYou.IfYou
dontgiveanymercy,Iwillsoongiveupmylife.Iamverysad.SeehowI
amsufferingandprayingeveryday.Donottarry.Pleasecomeandaccept
me,andgivemetheserviceofRdh-kua.Iwillcontinuouslyservehere.
ayi praaya-lini praaya-pua-dsyptaye
prakmam api rodanai pracura-dukha-dagdhtman
vilpa-kusumjalir hdi nidhya pdmbuje
may bata samarpitas tava tanotu tui mank
Vilpa-kusumjali 104
Oaffectionateone,loudlyweepingandyearningforYourlovefulservice,
IclaspYourlotusfeettomyburningheartandplacetheselamentsat
Your lotus feet as a bouquet of flowers. May they give You a little
pleasure.
DsaGosvmprays,ORdhike,IwillbeYourservant.IyearnforYour
servitorship.IamcryingtoYouandofferingthisVilpa-kusumjali.Please
bepleasedwithmeandbestowYourcompleteservice.MayYourlotusfeet
bealwaysinmyheart.Thisismyprayer.IfYoudontacceptme,Iwillburn
inthefireofYourseparation.IrequestYoutoplease,pleaseacceptme.
With this verse, Dsa Gosvm concludes his Vilpa-kusumjali. He
dailyoffersthisaspupjalitormatRdhrn.
Afterthis,hewrotemanyotherprayersandpoems,suchasSva-nyama-
daakam, Mukt-caritra and Dna-keli-kaumudi. Any book that Rpa
GosvmPrabhuwrote,DsaGosvmcollectedandread.Manytimes,in
great separation, he read the books of Rpa Gosvm and washed them
withhistears.
One day, Rpa Gosvm remarked, I write very carefully with great
endeavor,andyoucryandcatchthesebookstoyourheartandwashaway
allmywriting.
141
Bythis,DsaGosvmreplied,Iamwashingyourfeetwithmytears.
You are very kind. You have given me the glories of rmat Rdhrn.
WhenIreadthese,myheartmelts.Nowmytearsgotoyou.Pleaseaccept
meandoffermeallyourbooks,one-by-one,asyouwrite.Iwillreadthem,
andoneday,IshallbetrainedandcapabletoservermatRdhrn.
IhavelamentedtoYouinsomanyways.IfanyonelovesYouandwants
toserveYou,Yourheartistoosofttorejectthatperson;Youacceptthat
soul as Your own. If the soul is unqualified, then You send her to the
companyofRpaMajarfortraining.RpaMajarthengraduallyteaches
hertheperfectmannersofservice,andoncesheisfavorablytaught,Rpa
thenbringshertoYouandgivesherachanceforservice.Pleasenourishme
with Your love and help me attain the highest state of perfection. I am
being consumed in the fire of sorrow. Therefore, I am weeping to You,
offeringmyheartatYourlotusfeet,andprayingtoYouagainandagain.
PleaseacceptmywoefulentreatiesatYourlotusfeet.Thisismyofferingof
lovetoYou.IamcallingouttoYouformercy.Iamcryingandinviting
You, to come accept me and take me to Your service in transcendental
Vraja.Mymindisnotabletoseekanyotherthing.Iwillnotbeswayedby
theinvitationofKaorbythebribeofanygroupopposingYou.Iam
Yours,onlyYours.

Sri Vilap-Kusumanjali

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