The Glories of Srimati Radharani

09-05-2000, 10:58 AM

>From Radha-Krsna Gannodesa Dipika by Srila Rupa Goswami:

TEXT 135

Srimati Radharani

Among all the beautiful gopis Srimati Radharani is the best. Radharani is the
queen of Vrndavana. She has many famous friends, headed by Lalita and Visakha.

TEXT 136 - 139

Srimati Radharani's rival is Candravali. Among Candravali's friends are Padma,
Syama, Saibya, Bhadra, Vicitra, Gopali, Palika, Candrasalika, Mangala, Vimala,
Lila, Taralaksi, Manorama, Kandarpa-manjari, Manjubhasini, Khanjaneksana,
Kumuda, Kairavi, Sari, Saradaksi, Visarada, Sankari, Kunkuma, Krsna, Sarangi,
Indravali, Siva, Taravali, Gunavati, Sumukhi, Keli-manjari, Haravali,
Cakoraksi, Bharati and Kamala.

TEXT 140

The beautiful gopis may be considered in hundreds of groups, each group
containing hundreds of thousands of gopis.

TEXT 141

Among all these gopis the most important are Srimati Radharani, Candravali,
Bhadra, Syama and Palika. These gopis are full of all transcendental good
qualities.

TEXT 142

Of these gopis Srimati Radharani and Candravali are the best. Each of them has
millions of doe-eyed gopi followers.

TEXT 143

Because She possesses all charm and sweetness, Srimati Radharani is the better
of the two. She is supremely famous. In the Sruti-sastra She is known by the
name Gandharva-devi.

TEXT 144

Sri Krsna, the cowherd prince whose charming sweetness has no equal or
superior, is very dear to Srimati Radharani. She considers Him millions and
millions of times more dear than Her own life's breath.

TEXT 145

Now the beauty of Srimati Radharani's trancendental form will be described.
Srimati Radharani is expert in all the fine arts and Her transcendental form is
like an ocean of nectar.

TEXT 146

Her splendid bodily luster is like the yellow pigment gorocana, molten gold, or
stationary lightning.

TEXT 147

She wears wonderfully beautiful blue garments and She is decorated with various
pearls and flowers.

TEXT 148

She is very beautiful and She has long nicely braided hair. She is decorated
with a garland of flowers and a beautiful pearl necklace.

TEXT 149

Her splendid forehead is decorated with the red pigment sindura and with
beautiful locks of curling hair.

TEXT 150

Decorated with blue bangles, Her arms have defeated Cupid's staff with their
beauty.

TEXT 151

Decorated with black mascara and reaching back almost to Her ears, Srimati
Radharani's lotus eyes are the most beautiful in all the three planetary
systems.

TEXT 152

Her nose is as beautiful as a sesame flower and it is nicely decorated with a
pearl. She is anointed with various perfumes. She is splendidly beautiful.

TEXT 153

Her ears are decorated with wonderful earrings and Her nectarean lips defeat
the red lotus flowers.

TEXT 154

Her teeth are like a row of pearls and Her tongue is very beautiful. Decorated
with a nectarean smile of pure love for Krsna, Her beautiful face is a splendid
as millions of moons.

TEXT 155

The beauty of Her chin has defeated and bewildered the demigod Cupid.
Decorated with a drop of musk, Her chin appears like a golden lotus flower with
a bumblebee.

TEXT 156

Bearing all the marks of wonderful beauty, Her neck is decorated with a string
of pearls. Her neck, back and sides are enchantingly beautiful.

TEXT 157

Her beautiful breasts are like two splendid waterpots covered with a bodice and
decorated with a necklace of pearls.

TEXT 158

Her beautiful enchanting arms are decorated with jeweled armlets.

TEXT 159
Her arms are also decorated with jeweled bracelets and other kinds of jeweled
ornaments. Her hands are like two red lotus flowers illuminated by the series
of moons that are Her fingernails

TEXT 160

Auspicious Markings on Srimati Radharani's Hands

Srimati Radharani's hands are decorated with many auspicious markings such as
the signs of the bumblebee, lotus, crescent moon, earring, parasol, sacrificial
post, conchshell, tree, flower, camara and svastika.

TEXT 161

These auspicious marks are manifest in various ways on Srimati Radharani's
lotus hands. Her splendidly beautiful fingers are also decorated with jeweled
rings.

TEXT 162

Charming, full of sweet nectar and decorated with a deep navel, Srimati
Radharani's beautiful waist enchants the three worlds.

TEXT 163

Her sloping hips lead to Her charmingly beautiful slender waist, which is bound
by a creeper of three beautiful folds of skin and decorated with a sash of
tinkling bells.

TEXT 164

As beautiful as two exquisite plantain trees, Her thighs enchant the mind of
Cupid. Her beautiful knees are like two reservoirs filled with the nectar of
various transcendental pastimes.

TEXT 165

Her beautiful lotus feet are decorated with jeweled ankle-bells and Her toes
with toe rings as beautiful as the treasure of Varuna.

TEXT 166
The Auspicious Markings on Srimati Radharani's Lotus Feet

The auspicious markings on Srimati Radharani's lotus feet include the signs of
the conchshell, moon, elephant, barleycorn, rod for controlling elephants,
chariot flag, small drum, svastika and fish.

TEXT 167

Srimati Radharani is fifteen years old and full of the luster of youth.

TEXT 168

Yasoda-devi, the queen of the cowherds, is more affectionate to Radharani than
millions of mothers can be. Radharani's father is King Vrsabhanu, who is as
splendid as the sun.

TEXT 169

Srimati Radharani's mother is Kirtida-devi, who is also known in this world as
Ratnagarbha-devi. Radharani's paternal grandfather is Mahibhanu and Her
maternal grandfather is Indu.

TEXT 170

Her maternal grandmother is Mukhara-devi and Her paternal grandmother is
Sukhada-devi. Her father's brothers (Her uncles) are Ratnabhanu, Subhanu and
Bhanu.

TEXT 171

Bhadrakirti, Mahakirti and Kirticandra are Radharani's materal uncles.
Menaka-devi, Sasthi-devi, Gauri-devi, Dhatri-devi and Dhataki-devi are
Radharani's materal aunts.

TEXT 172

Radharani's mother's sister is Kirtimati-devi, whose husband is Kasa.
Radharani's father's sister is Bhanumudra-devi, whose husband is Kusa.

TEXT 173

Radharani's elder brother is Sridama and Her younger sister is Ananga-manjari.
Radharani's father-in-law is Vrkagopa and Her brother-in-law is Durmada.

TEXT 174

Jatila-devi is Radharani's mother-in-law and Abhimanyu is Radharani's so-called
husband. Kutila-devi, who is always eager to find fault, is Radharani's
sister-in-law.

TEXT 175
Lalita, Visakha, Sucitra, Campakalata, Ranga-devi, Sudevi, Tungavidya and
Indulekha are the eight dearest friends of Srimati Radharani. These gopis are
considered the leaders of all the others.

TEXT 176

Kurangaksi, Mandali, Mankiundala, Matali, Candralalita, Madhavi, Madanalasa,
Manjumedha, Sasikala, Sumadhya, Madhureksana, Kamala, Kamalatika, Gunacuda,
Varangada, Madhuri, Candrika, Prema-manjari, Tanumadhyama, Kandarpa-sundari and
Manjukesi are among the millions of dear friends (priya-sakhi) of Srimati
Radharani.

TEXT 177

Lasika, Kelikandali, Kadambari, Sasimukhi, Candrarekha, Priyamvada, Madonmada,
Madhumati, Vasanti, Kalabhasini, Ratnavali, Manimati and Karpuralatika are
among those friends (jivita-sakhi) for whom Srimati Radharani is as dear as
life.

TEXT 178

Kasturi, Manojna, Manimanjari, Sindura, Candanavati, Kaumudi and Madira are
among Sriamti Radharani's eternal friends (nitya-sakhi).

TEXT 179- 181

Srimati Radharani's Manjari Friends.

Ananga-manjari, Rupa-manjari, Rati-manjari, Lavanga-manjari, Raga-manjari,
Rasa-manjari, Vilasa-manjari, Prema-manjari, Mani-manjari, Suvarna-manjari,
Kama-manjari, Ratna-manjari, Kasturi-manjari, Gandha-manjari, Netra-manjari,
Sripadma-manjari, Lila-manjari and Hema-manjari are among Srimati Radharani's
manjari friends. Prema-manjari and Rati-manjari are both also known by the
name Bhanumati-devi.

TEXT 182

The Objects of Srimati Radharani's Worship

Srimati Radharani's worshipable deity is the sun-god, who enlivens the lotus
flowers and acts as an eye for the entire world. Srimati Radharani's
maha-mantra is the name of Lord Krsna. Srimati Radharani's benefactor, who
brings Her all good fortune, is Bhagavati Paurnamasi.

TEXT 183

Specific Description of Various Gopis

Lalita-devi and the other eight principal gopis, the other gopis and the
manjari have forms that are for the most part like the transcendental form of
Srimati Radharani, the queen of Vrndavana.

TEXT 184

Vrnda-devi, Kundalat-devi and their followaers assist the divine couple in
Their pastimes in the various forests of Vrndavana. Dhanistha-devi,
Gunamala-devi and their followers remain in the home of Nanda Maharaja,the
cowherd king and assist the Lord's pastimes from there.

TEXT 185

Kamada-devi is the daughter of Srimati Radharani's nurse. Kamada is an
especially close friend of Radharani. Ragalekha-devi, Kalakeli-devi and
Manjula-devi are some of Radharani's maidservants.

TEXT 186

Nandimukhi-devi and Bindumati-devi are the leaders of those gopis who arrange
the rendezvous of Radha and Krsna. Syamala-devi and Mangala-devi are the
leaders of those gopis who act as well-wishers of Srimati Radharani.

TEXT 187

Candravali-devi is the leader of those gopis who are Srimati Radharani's
rivals.

TEXT 188

The talented musicians Rasollasa-devi, Gunatunga-devi,Kalakanthi-devi,
Sukhanti-devi, and Pikakanti-devi delight Lord Hari by singing Visakha's
musical compositions.
TEXT 189

Maniki-devi, Narmada-devi, and Kusumapesala-devi serve the divine couple by
playing drums, cymbals, string instruments like the vina, and wind instruments
like the flute.

TEXT 190

In this way we have described some of the sakhis (gopi friends), nitya-sakhis
(eternal gopi friends), prana-sakhis (gopi friends who are as dear as life),
priya-sakhis (dear gopi friends) and parama-prestha-sakhis (dearest gopi
friends)

TEXT 191

Srimati Radharani's Maidservants

Ragalekha-devi, Kalakeli-devi and Bhurida-devi are the leaders fo those gopis
who are Srimati Radharani's maidservants. Among these maidservants are
Sugandha-devi and Nalini-devi (the two daughters of Divakirti-devi) and
Manjistha-devi and Rangaraga-devi (the two daughters of Nanda Maharaja's
laundry washers).

TEXT 192

Palindri-devi serves Srimati Radharani by dressing and decorating Her. Citrini
decorates Radharani with various cosmetics. Mantriki-devi and Tantriki-devi
are astrologers who reveal the future to Srimati Radharani.

TEXT 193

Katyayani-devi is the leader of those gopi messengers who are older than
Srimati Radharani. Bhagyavati-devi and Punyapunja-devi, the two daughters of
Maharaja Nanda's sweeper, are also the maidservants of Srimati Radharani.

TEXT 194

Tunga-devi, Malli-devi and Matalli-devi are the leaders of those girls
descended from the uncivilized mountain tribe known as the Pulindas. In
Vrndavana some of the Pulinda girls act as the friends of Srimati Radharani and
some are the friends of Sri Krsna.

TEXT 195
Also included among Srimati Radharani's servants are Gargi-devi and other very
respectable brahmana girls, Bhrngarika-devi and other girls from the ceti
community, Vijaya-devi, Rasala-devi, Payoda-devi and other girls from the vita
community, as well as the boys Subala, Ujjvala, Gandharva, Madhumangala and
Raktaka.
TEXT 196

Tunga-devi, Pisangi-devi and Kalakandala-devi always remain near Srimati
Radharani to serve Her. Manjual-devi, Bindula-devi, Sandha-devi, Mrdula-devi
and others, although very young still engage in Radharani's service.

TEXT 197

Sunada, Yamuna and Bahula are the most important of Srimati Radharani's pet
surabhi cows. Tungi is Her chubby pet calf, Kakkhati is Her old pet monkey,
Rangini is Her pet doe and Carucnadrika is Her pet cakori bird.

TEXT 198

Tundikeri is the name of Radharani's pet swan, who is fond of swimming in
Radha-kunda. Madhuri is Radharani's pet elephant and Suksmadhi and Subha are
Her two pet parrots.

TEXT 199

The two parrots perfectly imitate Lalita-devi's playful jokes spoken to her
master and mistress (Sri Sri Radha-Krsna). By this wonderful repetition the
parrots astonish the gopis.

TEXT 200

Srimati Radharani's Ornaments

Srimati Radharani's tilaka marking is named Smarayantra. Her jeweled necklace
is named Harimohana, Her jeweled earrings are named Rocana and the pearl
decorating Her nose is named Prabhakari.

TEXT 201

Her locket which contains a picture of Lord Krsna, is named Madana. Her
Syamantaka jewel is also known as Sankhacuda-siromani 9Sankhacuda's
crest-jewel).

TEXT 202

The auspicious jewel She wears around Her neck is called Puspavan because it
eclipses the simultaneous rising of the sun and moon (puspavan0 with its
splendor. Her anklets are called Catakarava because their tinkling sounds
resemble the warbling of cataka birds. Her bracelets are called Manikarvura.

TEXT 203

Srimati Radharani's signet ring is named Vipaksamardini. Her sash is named
Kancanacitrangi and Her ankle-bells, which stun Lord Krsna with their tinkling
sounds, are named Ratnagopura.

TEXT 204

Srimati Radharani's garments are named Meghambara. Her upper garment is red
like a ruby and it is the favorite of Lord Hari. Radharani's lower garment is
the color of a blue cloud and it is Her own favorite.

TEXT 205

Srimati Radhrani's jeweled mirror is named Sudhamsudarpaharana, which means
"that which removes (harana) the moon's (sudhamsu) pride (darpa)."

TEXT 206

Her golden stick for applying mascara is named Narmada, Her jeweled comb is
named Svastida and Her private flower garden is named Kandarpakuhali.

TEXT 207

In Radharani's garden is a vine of golden jasmine flowers that She has named
Tadidvalli ("the vine of lightning"). Her private lake bears Her own name
(Radha-kunda) and on the shore of that lake is a kadamba tree that is the site
of very confidential talks between Her and Lord Krsna.

TEXT 208

Her favorite ragas are mallara and dhanasri and Her favorite dances are
chalikya and rudravallaki.

TEXT 209

Srimati Radharani's glorious birth occured on the eighth day of the bright moon
in the month of Bhadra. Although generally not full on that day, the moon
appeared full to celebrate Radharani's appearance in this world.

>From the Rk-parisistha:

"Srimati Radharani is always to be found with Sri Krsna, and Madhava is always
to be seen with Radhika. One is never without the other's company."

>From the Gopalottara-tapani:

"She is the embodiment of maha-bhava, or the highest transcendental ecstasy,
and none of the other gopis, or cowherd damsels of Vrndavana, possesses Her
excellent qualities. Radharani is therefore known as the most famous
Gandharva."

In the Padma Purana Narada Muni describes Srimati Radharani:

"As much as Srimati Radhika is dear to Lord Krsna, Her pond Radha-kunda is as
beloved to Him. Among all the gopis Srimati Radharani is most dear to Krsna.

>From the Ujjvala-nilamani of Srila Rupa Goswami

"The principal characteristics of Srimati Radharani, the Queen of Vrndavan, are
that She is charming, ever-youthful, has roving eyes, and ever-sparkling smile,
a body marked with all auspicious lines, Her fragrance drives Krsna mad with
desire. She is an exponent of fine music, has sharp intelligence, is dextrous,
shy, respectable, patient, grave, playful, eager to display the highest ecstasy
of maha-bhava, that She is the primary source of supreme spiritual love, the
most famous, the object of attraction for Her elders, that She is controlled by
the love of Her girlfriends, the principal of Krsna's many loves, and She has
Him always under Her control."

Rupa Goswami prays to Srimati Radharani in his Catu-puspanjalih [Stavamala] as
follows:

"O Queen of Vrndavana, Sri Radha, I worship You. Your fair complexion is more
resplendent than molten gold, the color of Your sari the hue of a blue lotus
flower. Your beautiful braided hair is long and raven-black, its coiffure
studded with many brilliant gems, like the shining black hood of a cobra.

"Even the beautiful lotus in full bloom or the rising full moon offers no
comparison to Your breathtaking face, for it is much more exquisite. Your
shining forehead is marked by a tidy saffron tilaka.

"The arches of Your elegant eyebrows put to shame Cupid's bow. Your cascading
black tresses sway, and the dark mascara on Your roving eyes makes them look
like restless black partridges.

"Your fine nose is decorated by a ring studded with the noblest pearl, and Your
lips are more charming than bright red tulips. Your sparkling, even teeth are
like rows of spotlessly white jasmine buds.

"The golden earrings that dangle gracefully from Your ears like a pair of
Laburnum flowers are inlaid with many precious gems. The gentle cleft of Your
delicate chin is decorated with a dot of musk, and an intricately bejewelled
necklace sparkles on You with regal splendor.

"Your nicely formed arms are like lotus stems, adorned with fine and precious
gems, and the two armlets inlaid with blue sapphires softly jingle with Your
slightest movements, pleasing all ears with their sweet music.

"Your hands are beautiful and soft, like the lotus, and Your fingers are
decorated with rings mounted with precious jewels. Your breasts are adorned
with a large necklace finely set with stones and gems.

""The central jewel of Your regal necklace sits atop a line of dark gems that
grow gradually larger in size. One could mistake it for a black snake carrying
a gem on its hood. You are slender around the waist, and Your belly is concave
because it must carry the burdon of Your full breasts. It is marked by three
lines like entwining creepers.

"A tinkling girdle of gold inset with precious stones adorns Your broad flaring
hips, and Your shapely thighs put to shame the pride of the golden trunks of
banana trees.

"Your kneecaps are so delicate and well-formed that they are far more
attractive than round golden caskets studded with gems. The ankle-bells on Your
finely formed feet sing an eternal melody, and the pink lotuses that blossom in
autumn bow their heads in ardent worship to the beauty of Your lotus feet.

"The brilliance of millions upon millions of full moons pales before the
opalescent nails of Your lotus feet. Innumerable ecstatic symptoms are Your
natural embellishments, and You become stunned and perspire freely when Your
yearning sidelong looks from afar intimately traverse Krsna's body.
Uncontrollable erotic waves overcome You, and when You meet with Your beloved
Krsna You are swept away in a surge of sublime ecstacy. O Queen of Vrndavan,
You are the reservoir of all divine qualities, and I therefore worship Your
lotus feet.

"O Srimati Radharani, all the symptoms of the very highest ecstasy, maha-bhava,
become simultaneously manifest in You, and Your heart is benumbed. You are the
ocean of unlimited transcendental emotions found only in perfect heroines, and
everyone is amazed when You exhibit these ecstatic emotions.

"All the charming and captivating traits which make a heroine perfect are
offering their obeisances to Your lotus feet in silent praise. The great beauty
Laksmi-devi, the goddess of fortune, is humbly praying to attain residence on
the toenails of Your lotus feet.

"You are the crest jewel of the damsels of Vraja, an eternal resident of
Gokula, the most beloved object of the gopis. Your gentle smile acts as the
life sustaining salve for Lalita and other sakhis.

"When Your roving eyes glance on Krsna with a sidelong look, it acts on Him
like a drop of ambrosia, maddening and inciting Him with love. You are the
apple of Your father king Vrisabhanu's eyes, and the sooting rays of Your
moonlike activities exhilarate him.

"Your heart is like an ocean which is overflooding with waves of compassion.
Therefore, O Radhika! shower Your mercy, and be pleased with this person who is
begging to become Your maidservant.

"O Radha my mistress! When will I be fortunate to see that after a lover's
quarrel, when Krsna tries to pacify You, His indignant lady-love, with sweet
cajoling words, in which He is truly expert, and begs You for a lovers' tryst,
You are really pleased within but nonetheless turn Your face away and look at
Krsna from the corner of Your eyes.

"O Divine Lady! Will that day ever come? When Lord Krsna, who is adept at
everything, strings a charming garland of myrtle blossoms and slips it over
Your head and His electric touch sends waves of ecstasy pulsating through You,
and You begin to perspire profusely, when will I be fortunate enough to gently
fan You with a palm leaf fan?

"O divine Lady! O beautiful Queen! When after Your hours of pleasure with Krsna
Your intricately made-up hair becomes dishevelled and You need someone to set
it properly again, when will You instruct this maidservant to do this service?

"O Divine beauty with cherry lips! Will I be able to see the wonderful
dalliances between You and Krsna? When I place betel-nut pan into Your lotus
mouth, Krsna tries to take it out of Your mouth and chew the same pan.

"O Srimati Radha! Among all the beloved gopis of Krsna You are His most
cherished jewel. Therefore kindly be pleased with me and quickly shower Your
mercy by including me amongst Your family members.

"O Queen of Vraja! I beg repeatedly at Your lotus feet for Your compassionate
grace. Please allow me to become Your maid-in-attendance (sakhi) and
confidante, so that when You become indignant after a lover's quarrel Krsna
will approach me, knowing that I am Your sakhi, and flatter me to take Him to
You; then I will take His hand and guide Him to You.

"Anyone who reads this prayer, named Catuspuspanjali, dedicated to Radharani,
the Queen of Vrndavana, with faith and devotion, will very soon receive Her
mercy directly."

In his Sri Prarthana-paddhati [Stavamala],, Srila Rupa goswami prays:

"O Queen of Vrndavana, O Radharani, Your complexion is like molton gold, Your
doe-like eyes are captivatingly restless, a million full and brilliant moons
wane before Your lustrous countenance, and a blue sari, having stolen the hue
of a fresh rain-laden cloud, has enwrapped Your exquisite form. O Radha, You
are the crest-jewel of all the dallying damsels of Vrndavana, fragrant and
pristine like a budding jasmine flower. Your sublime form is adorned with
priceless jewelry , and you are the best of all the charming and intelligent
gopis. You are decorated with all wonderful excellences and surrounded by eight
dedicated and beloved cowherd girls known as the asta-sakhis.

"The ambrosia of Your beautiful lips, red as the bimba fruit, is life-giving
syrup to Krsna. O Radha, I am rolling on the banks of the Yamuna, my poor heart
filled with anticipation, praying to You with all humility. I am guilty of
being an offender, a rascal, a useless wretch-yet I beg You to kindly engage me
in even the smallest service to Your lotus feet. O most merciful Lady, it will
not become You to ignore this most distressed soul, for Your heart is always
overflowing with compassion and love."

Raghunatha dasa Goswami writes in the Vilap-kusum-anjali

"O Supreme Ladyship, Queen of my heart, Radha! Laksmi-devi the goddess of
fortune does not possess even a drop of the beauty that exudes from Your
exquisite toenails, therefore if You do not grant me the proper vision to
perceive Your transcendental pastimes, then what use do I have for this life,
which is burning in the fire of excruciating sorrow?
"O merciful Lady! Indeed, lately I am floating in a nectarean ocean of hope,
and passing time in hardship and pain, but if You do not shower mercy upon me
then this life, living in Vrndavana, and even Lord Krsna are all meaningless to
me." 101-102

"The Queen of Vraja is my mistress. O Lady mistress, O Radha, I am Your
maidservant, but the flames of intense separation are incinerating my heart and
I grow feeble from profuse crying. Finding no other means, I am therefore
sitting somewhere in Govardhana and composing these verses in deep lamentation.

"O dallying damsel of Vraja, Sri Radhika, I am sucked into an ocean of grief
and my condition is so miserable! Kindly send me Your mercy in the form of an
infallible boat and save me from this whirlpool. Please give me sanctuary at
Your lotus feet."

"O Radha-kunda, pond of sublime joy, my mistress Srimati Radhika is always
absorbed in divine amorous pastimes with her beloved paramour Sri Krsna on your
banks, and you have endeared yourself to this Divine Couple more than anything
else They cherish. Please, therefore, be merciful upon me and allow me but a
moments vision of the object of my greatest adoration, Srimati Radharani.

Brahma-Samhita

"I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, who resides in His own realm, Goloka,
with Radha, who resembles His own spiritual figure and who embodies the
ecstatic potency [hladini]. Their companions are Her confidantes, who embody
extensions of Her bodily form and who are imbued and permeated with
ever-blissful spiritual rasa." B.S. 5.37

Sri Caitanya Caritamrita of Krsnadasa Kaviraja Goswami
C.C. Adi 1.6
Desiring to understand the glory of Radharani's love, the wonderful qualities
in Him that She alone relishes through Her love, and the happiness She feels
when She relishes the sweetness of His love, the Supreme Lord Hari, richly
endowed with Her emotions, appears from the wonb of Srimati Sacideve, as the
moon appears from the ocean.

The essence of the hladini potency is love of God, the essence of love of God
is emotion [bhava], and the ultimate developement of emotion is mahabhava.
Sri Radha Thakurani is the embodiment of mahabhava. She is the repository of
all good qualities and the crest jewel among all the lovely consorts of Lord
Krsna.
Of these two gopis [Radharani and Candravali], Srimati Radharani is superior in
all respects. She is the embodiment of mahabhava, and She surpasses all in good
qualities. (Ujjvala-nilamani 2)
Her mind, senses and body are steeped in love for Krsna. She is Krsna's own
energy, and She helps Him in His pastimes.[Adi 4.68-71]
Lord Krsna made Srimati Radharani close Her eyes in shame before Her friends
by His words relating Their amorous activities on the previous night. Then He
showed the highest limit of cleverness in drawing pictures of dolphins in
various playful sports on Her breasts. In this way Lord Hari made His youth
successful by performing pastimes in the bushes with Sri Radha and Her friends.
[B.r.s. 2.1.231] (CC Adi 4.117)

Adi 4.214-221
Among the gopis, Srimati Radhika is the foremost. She surpasses all in beauty,
in good qualities, in good fortune, and above all, in love.
Just as Radha is dear to Lord Krsna, so Her bathing placed [Radha-kunda] is
dear to Him. She alone is His most beloved of all gopis. (Padma Purana)
O Partha, in all the three planetary systems, this earth is especially
fortunate, for on earth is the town of Vrndavana. And there the gopis are
especially glorious because among them is My Srimati Radharani. (Adi
Purana-Krsna to Arjuna)
All the other gopis help increase the joy of Krsna's pastimes with Radharani.
The gopis act as instruments of Their mutual enjoyment.
Radha is the beloved consort of Krsna, and She is the wealth of His life.
Without Her, the gopis cannot give Him pleasure.
Lord Krsna, the enemy of Kamsa, left aside the other gopis during the rasa
dance and took Srimati Radharani to His heart, for She is the helper of the
Lord in realizing the essence of His desires. (Gita-Govinda 3.1 - Krsna
leaves rasa lila to search for Radha)
Lord Caitanya appeared with the sentiment of Radha. He preached the dharma of
this age-the chanting of the holy name and pure love of God.
In the mood of Srimati Radharani, He also fulfilled His own desires. This is
the principal reason for His appearance.

C.C. Adi 4.238-272
Once Lord Krsna considered with His heart: "Everyone says that I am complete
bliss, full of all rasas. All the world derives pleasure from Me. Is there
anyone who can give Me pleasure? One who has a hundred times more qualities
than Me could give pleasure to My mind. One more qualified than Me is
impossible to find in the world. But in Radha alone I feel the presence of one
who can give Me pleasure. Although My beauty defeats the beauty of ten million
cupids, although it is unequalled and unsurpassed and although it gives
pleasure to the three worlds, seeing Radharani gives pleasure to My eyes. The
vibration of My transcendental flute attracts the three worlds, but My ears are
enchanted by the worlds of Srimati Radharani. Although My body lends fragrance
to the entire creation, the scent of Radharani's limbs captivates My mind and
heart. Although the entire creation is full of differnt tastes because of Me, I
am charmed by the nectarean taste of the lips of Srimati Radharani. And
although My touch is cooler than ten million moons, I am refreshed by the touch
of Srimati Radhika. Thus although, I am the source of happiness for the entire
world, the beauty and attributes of Sri Radhika are My life and soul. In this
way My affectionate feelings for Srimati Radharani may be understood, but on
analysis I find them contradictory. My eyes are fully satisfied when I look
upon Srimati Radharani but by looking upon Me, She becomes even more advanced
in satisfaction. The flutelike murmur of the bamboos rubbing against one
another steals Radharani's consciousness, for She thinks it to be the sound of
My flute. And She embraces a tamala tree, mistaking it for Me. 'I have gotten
the embrace of Sri Krsna,' She thinks, 'so now My life is fulfilled.; Thus She
remains immersed in pleasing Krsna, taking the tree in Her arms. When a
favorable breeze carries to Her the fragrance of My body, She is blinded by
love and tries to fly into that breeze. When She tastes the betel chewed by Me,
She merges in an ocean of joy and forgets everything else. Even with hundreds
of mouths I could not express the transcendental pleasure She derives from My
association. Seeing the luster of Her complexion after Our pastimes together, I
forget My own identity in happiness. The sage Bharata has said that the mellows
of lover and beloved are equal. But he does not know the mellows of My
Vrndavana. The happiness I feel when meeting Radharani is a hundred times
greater than the happiness I get from meeting others

My dear auspicious Radharani, Your body is the source of all beauty. Your red
lips are softer than the sense of immortal sweetness, Your face bears the aroma
of a lotus flower, Your sweet words defeat the vibrations of the cuckoo, and
Your limbs are cooler than the pulp of sandalwood. All My transcendental senses
are overwhelmed in ecstatic pleasure by tasting You, who are completely
decorated by beautiful qualities. (spoken by Lord Krsna to Radha,
Lalita-Madhava 9.9 by Rupa Goswami)

Her eyes are enchanted by the beauty of Lord Krsna, the enemy of Kamsa. Her
body thrills in pleasure at His touch. Her ears are always attracted to His
sweet voice, Her nostrils are enchanted by His fragrance, and Her tongue
hankers for the nectar of His soft lips. She hangs down her lotuslike face,
exercising self-control only by pretense, but She cannot help showing the
external signs of Her spontaneous love for Lord Krsna. (Rupa Goswami thus
describes the countenance of Srimati Radharani)

Considering this, I can understand that some unknown mellow in Me controls the
entire existence of My captivator, Srimati Radharani. I am always eager to
taste the joy that Radharani derives from Me. In spite of various efforts, I
have not been able to taste it. But My desire to relish that pleasure increases
as I smell its sweetness. I have appeared in the world to taste mellows. I
shall taste the mellows of pure love in various ways. I shall teach devotional
service, which springs from the spontaneous love of the devotees, by
demonstrating it Myself with My pastimes. But these three desires have not been
satisfied, for one cannot enjoy them in a contrary postition. Unless I accept
the luster of the ecstatic love of Sri Radhika, these three desires cannot be
fulfilled. Therefore, assuming Radharani's sentiments and bodily complexion, I
shall descend to fulfill these three desires. In this way Lord Krsna came to a
decision. Simultaneously, the time came for the incarnation of the age. At that
time Sri Advaita was earnestly worshiping Him. Advaita attracted Him with His
loud calls. First Lord Krsna made His parents and elders appear. Then Krsna
Himself, with the sentiments and complexion of Radhika, appeared in Navadvipa,
like the full moon, from the womb of mother Saci, which is like an ocean of
pure milk.

Lord Krsna desired to taste the limitless nectarean mellows of the love of one
of His multitude of loving damsels [Sri Radha], and so He assumed the form of
Lord Caitanya. He has tasted that love while hiding His own dark complexion
with Her effulgent yellow color. May that Lord Caitanya confer upon us His
grace. (Caitanyastaka 2.3 of Rupa Goswami) C.C. Adi 4.275

Sri Svapna-vilasamrtastaka
Eight Prayers Describing Nectar Pastimes in a Dream
by Srila Visvanatha Chakravarti Thakura

1 priya svapne drsta saridina-sutevatra pulinam
yatha vrndaranye natana-patavas tatra bahavah
mrdangadyam vadyam vividham iha kascid dvija-manih
sa vidyud-gaurangah ksipati jagatim prema-jaladhau

Srimati Radharani said: Beloved, in a dream I saw a river shore like the Yamuna
here. There were many expert dancers as in Vrndavana. There were mrdangas and
other instruments. There was a brahmana jewel as splendid as lightning who was
tossing the universe into an ocean of pure love.

2 kadacit krsneti pralapati rudan karhicid asau
kva radhe ha heti svasiti patati projjhati dhrtim
nataty ullasena kvacid api ganaih svaih pranayibhis
trnadi-brahmantam jagad atitaram rodayati sah

Sometimes He calls out: "O Krsna!" and sometimes He sighs: "O Radha, where are
You?" Sometimes He falls to the ground, sometimes He acts wildly, losing all
composure, and sometimes He dances ecstatically with His loving associates. He
has made all the residents of this world, from the blades of grass up to Lord
Brahma, loudly call out the name of Krsna.

3 tato buddhir bhranta mama samajani preksya kim aho
bhavet so 'yam kantah kim ayam aham evasmi na parah
aham cet kva preyan mama sa kila cet kvaham iti me
bhramo bhuyo bhuyan abhavad atha nidram gatavati

As I gazed at Him, My intelligence became bewildered. If He is my lover, where
am I? If He is I, where is My lover? If He is My lover, where am I? As I
slept, I became more and more bewildered.

4 priye drstva tas tah kutukini maya darsita-cari
ramesadya murtir na khalu bhavati vismayam agat
katham vipro vismapayitum asakat tvam tava katham
tatha bhrantim dhatte sa hi bhavati ko hanta kim idam

Sri Krsna said: O inquisitive girl, when I showed You Narayana and My other
forms You were not surprised. Why does this brahmana surprise You? Why does
He bewilder You so You say "Who is He?"

5 iti procya prestham ksanam atha paramrsya ramano
hasann akuta jnam vyanudad atha tam kaustubha-manim
tatha diptim tene sapadi sa yatha drstim iti tad
vilasanam laksmam sthira-cara-ganaih sarvam abhavat

After speaking these words to His beloved, the smiling lover, Krsna, touched
His Kaustubha jewel. The jewel, understanding the Lord's intent, glowed and
then showed all the same pastimes and all the moving and non moving entities
She saw in her dream.

6 vibhavyatha proce priyatama maya jnatam akhilam
tavakutam yat tvam smitam atanuthas tattvam asi mam
sphutam yan navadir yad abhimatir atrapy aham iti
sphuranti me tasmad aham api sa evety anumime

Srimati Radharani reflected for a moment and said: Beloved, I know what is in
Your heart now that makes You smile. You are He. What You have said and
thought is now clear to Me, and therefore I think I am also He.

7 yad apy asmakinam rati-padam idam kaustubha-manim
pradipyatraivadidrsad akhila-jivan api bhavan
sva-saktyavirbhuya svam akhila-vilasam pratijanam
nigadya premabdhau punar api tadahasyasi jagat

Making this Kaustubha jewel, which is so delightful to Us, shine in this way,
You have revealed Yourself to all living entities. By Your own transcendental
potency You will appear, display Your pastimes, teach everyone, and again
plunge the world into the ocean of pure love.

8 yad uktam gargena vraja-pati-samaksam sruti-vida
bhavet pito varnah kvacid api tavaitan na hi mrsa
atah svapnah satyo mama ca na tada bhrantir abhavat
tvam evasau saksad iha yad anubhuto 'si tad-rtam

In the king of Vraja's presence, the learned Vedic scholar Gargacarya said that
You will appear with a yellow complexion. He did not lie. This dream of Mine
is true. It is not an illusion. In this dream I have directly seen You.

9 pibed yasya svapnamrtam idam aho citta-madhupah
sa sandeha-svapnat tvaritam iha jagarti su-matih
avaptas caitanyam pranaya-jaladhau khelati yato
bhrsam dhatte tasminn atula-karunam kunja-nrpatau

If the bumble-bee of the reader's mind drinks the nectar of this
Svapna-vilasamrta, then that intelligent reader will quickly awaken from the
dream of materialistic doubt. Such a reader will attain Lord Caitanya
Mahaprabhu. He will sport in the ocean of pure love. He will attain the
peerless mercy of the king of Vrndavana.