Lalita Shashti

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Prayers to Lalita Devi - Foremost of Radha's Ashta Maha Sakhis

 

 

Lalita Shasti (appearance day) is being celebrated by some Vaishnava groups today.

Let us join them offering our prayers on this auspicious occasion.

 

PRAYERS TO LALITA-SAKHI

 

Srila Rupa Goswami writes,

 

"O Lalita devi! Sri Radha and Krishna are performing

Their amourous pastimes in different groves of Vrindavana;

but actually They are ENJOYING these exploits under YOUR SHELTER.

 

Since these TWO Transcendental Lovers are under YOUR PROTECTION

and shelter NOTHING is IMPOSSIBLE for you to accomplish!

 

Knowing YOUR position, I don't REQUIRE

permission from ANYONE ELSE.

If you SHOWER your MERCY upon me, by YOUR GRACE

I can ENTER these BLISFUL PASTIMES."

 

"If anyone in Sri Vraja Mandala has

EVEN the slightest DESIRE to SERVE

the lotus feet of Srimati Radharani,

then Lalita devi immediately FULFILLS

the desire and takes this BLESSED soul

DIRECTLY under her PROTECTION,

giving them her FULL shelter." (SVMP)

 

"Flooded with the NECTAR of INTENSE Love for her TWO Friends,

Sri Rada-Krishna, Who are MORE DEAR to her than her OWN LIFE,

affectinately ARROGANT in Their presence, and daily

ARRANGING Their RENDEZVOUS, Lalita devi expertly TEACHES

her Friend Radhaji the ART of JEALOUS ANGER.

 

I PRAY Lalita devi will one day

ACCEPT me as one of HER ASSOCIATES."(VVS)

 

"I offer my obeisances to Srimati Lalita devi,

whose beautiful face puts to shame

the brilliance of the full moon,

whose doe-like eyes are ever RESTLESS, and

who has acquired the RARE distinction of

being EXPERT in DRESSING Radhaji.

 

She is ALWAYS engaged in SERVING

the Divine Couple, Sri Radha-Mukunda.

 

Lalitaji dries up the PERSPIRATION

that dampens Their lotus feet.

She is INTOXICATED with the highest

INTIMATE mellows, and she is the enchanting

repository of qualities like exquisite GRACE,

silent gravity, and smart FRANKNESS of speech.

 

Srimati Lalita devi is the PRECEPTOR for

ALL the GIRLFRIENDS of Radharani,

teaching them all about AFFECTION.

 

Her LIFE and SOUL is KRISHNA,

the younger Brother of Balarama, and

Lalita is junior also to Srimati Radhika.

 

May Lalita devi GIVE me the

OPPORTUNITY to WORSHIP her."

 

(Rupa Gowami/MS)

 

(adapted from- 'Appreciating Sri Vrindavana Dhama' by Sri Mahanidhi

Swami)

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"I offer my obeisances unto Sri Lalita devi,

the charming tresure-house of all good qualities,

who instructs Srimati Radhika in this way:

 

"Kalankini (Unchaste woman)! Radhe!

Listen to my GOOD instructions,

which are favorable for you!

 

Vrajendra-Nandana (Krishna) is very CRAFTY.

Don't DISPLAY Your MOOD of GENTLE SUBMISSION

(dakshinaa bhaava) to Him; instead,

in all circumstances be CONTRARY (vaama bhaava)!"

 

"I offer my Pranams unto the abode of

all wonderful qualities,

the supremely charming Sri Lalita devi,

who upon hearing Sri Krishna speak

EVEN a few SLY words to Radhaji,

immediately BECOMES FURIOUS and

INSULTS Krishna with her biting,

SARCASTIC remarks,

" You are SO truthful

and SIMPLE-Hearted,

and such a CHASTE LOVER!!!"

 

(Sri Lalitashtakam verse. 4, 5 by Sri Roopa Goswami)

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Radha to Lalita...

 

<font color="red">"O Lalita I will never go to Yamuna again

The naughty son of Yasodha there will remain

Shyamsundar will not only give my heart pain

Will break my jar of water, what shall I gain ?

O Lalita tell that Nanda's darling not to come

I am not only ashamed to show my face at home

I cannot ever again the streets of Braja roam

Just tell him to stay at home today if I come !

 

But Lalita what shall I do you please have pity

When I don't see him a second seems like eternity

They can call me the fallen one I care no more

Please bring back to me dear Lalita Shyamsundar!"</font color>

 

<font color="blue">O Lalita without you appearing on earth today

Where would Radha be, to whom would She say

My heart is bursting without Kahn do hurry now

Please give Him My message Lalita to come somehow!</font color>

 

Bows at the lotus feet of Lalita and Radharani

 

- Ashoka Harichandan

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<center><font color="red">dhArA vASpamayI na yAti viratiM lokasya

nirmitsataH premAsmin niti

nandanandanarataM lobhAn mano mA kRthAH

itthaM bhUri nivAri topi tarale madvAci

sAcI kRta bhrUdvandvA nahi

gauravaM tvamakaroH kiM nAdya rodiSyasi? </font color>

 

(Sri Roopa goswami, Vidagdha Madhavam 5.169)

 

Srimati Lalita Sakhi says to her Mistress, Radha Rani:

 

<font color="blue">"O my sweet, beautiful Lady! I have warned You earlier

that whoever falls in the Love trap of the Son of Nanda Maharaj,

there will not be an end to the flow of her tears for ever!

Due to Your greedy Love for Him, You haven't heed my advice,

though I have tried many times to stop Your infatuation.

 

O tender-hearted naive Radhike!

You have doubted my good counsel

and never paid respect nor listened

to my wise words.

 

Now what else will You do other than

sobbing bitterly and crying loudly!"</font color>

 

***

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<table cellpadding="8" cellspacing="4" border="2" bgcolor=white><tr><td align=center></td><td align=center></td><td align=center></td><td align=center></td></tr><tr><td colspan="4">Name: Lalita Sakhi

Age: 14 years, 8 months, 27 days

Nature: vama-prakhara

Mood: khandita

Complexion: gorocana (bright yellow)

Dress: mayura-pincha (color of peacock feathers)

Service: camphor and tambula

Father: Visokaka

Mother: Sarada

Husband: Bhairava Gopa

Residence: Yavata

Kunja: Lalitanandada-kunja (on the northern petal of Ananga-sukhada-kunja),

lightning coloured, covered with various kinds of flowers and trees.

Gaura-lila: Svarupa Damodara

Chief sakhis in her group: Ratnarekha (Ratnaprabha), Rati-kala, Subhadra,

Candrarekhika (Bhadrarekhika), Sumukhi, Dhanistha, Kalahamsi, Kalapini</td></tr></table>

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<font color=darkcyan>

<center><big>SRI LALITASTAKAM</big>

 

by Srila Rupa Gosvami</center>

<center>rAdhA-mukunda pada-sambhava-gharma-bindu-

nirmaJchanopakaraNI-kRta deha-lakSAm |

uttuGga-sauhRda-vizeSa-vazAt pragalbhAM

devIM guNaiH sulalitAM lalitAM namAmi || 1 ||</center>

I offer pranama unto the haughty Sri Lalita-devi who is charmingly endowed with many beautiful, sweet qualities (sulalita). She has natural expertise in all arts (lalita), thus her seva self-manifests. She wipes away the glittering drops of perspiration which appear upon the lotus feet of Sri Radha and Madhava when They meet; and she is perpetually immersed in the most elevated mellow of sauhrda-rasa, or undivided absorption in fulfilling the heart’s desire of her intimate friend Srimati Radhika.

 

<center>rAkA-sudhA-kiraNa-maNDala-kAnti-daNDi

vaktra-zriyaM cakita-cArU camUru-netrAm |

rAdhA-prasAdhana-vidhAna-kalA-prasiddhAM

devIM guNaiH sulalitAM lalitAM namAmi || 2 || </center>

I offer pranama unto Sri Lalita-devi whose beautiful face mocks the brilliance of the full moon, whose eyes are ever-restless like those of a startled doe, who is famous for her extraordinary expertise in the art of dressing Srimati Radhika, and who is the treasure-house of unlimited feminine qualities.

 

<center>lAsyollasad-bhujaga-zatru-patatra-citra

paTTAMzukAbharaNa-kaJculikAJcitAGgIm |

gorocanA-ruci-vigarhaNa gaurimANaM

devIM guNaiH sulalitAM lalitAM namAmi || 3 || </center>

I offer pranama unto Sri Lalita-devi whose body is adorned with a splendid sari as brilliant as the multi-coloured tail-feathers of an ecstatically dancing peacock, whose upper body is covered with an exceedingly attractive blouse (kanculi), whose hair part is decorated with shimmering red vermilion, and who wears various necklaces and other jeweled ornaments. Her golden complexion defeats that of even gorocana [bright golden pigment that comes when rain-water from svatinaksatra hits the hoof of a qualified cow] and she possesses innumerable good qualities.

 

<center>dhUrte vrajendra-tanaye tanu suSThu-vAmyaM

mA dakSiNA bhAva kalaGkini lAghavAya |

rAdhe giraM zRNu hitAm iti zikSayantIM

devIM guNaiH sulalitAM lalitAM namAmi || 4 || </center>

I offer pranama unto Sri Lalita-devi, the charming treasure-house of all good qualities, who instructs Srimati Radhika in this way: “O Kalankini (unchaste one)! Radhe! Listen to my good instructions which are favorable for you! Vrajendra-nandana is very crafty (dhurta). Don’t display Your mood of gentle submission (daksina bhava) to Him; instead, in all circumstances be contrary.”

 

<center>rAdhAm abhi-vraja-pateH kRtam Atmajena

kUTaM manAg api vilokya vilohitAkSIm |

vAg-bhaGgibhis tam acireNa vilajjayantIM

devIM guNaiH sulalitAM lalitAM namAmi || 5 || </center>

I offer pranama unto the abode of all good qualities, the supremely charming Sri Lalita-devi, who, upon hearing Sri Krishna speak even a few sly words to Srimati Radhika, immediately becomes furious and shames Krishna with her biting, sarcastic remarks, “You are so truthful and simple-hearted, and such a chaste lover!”

 

<center>vAtsalya-vRnda-vasatiM pazupAla-rAjJyAH

sakhyAnuzikSaNa-kalAsu guruM sakhInAm |

rAdhA-balAvaraja jIvita-nirvizeSAM

devIM guNaiH sulalitAM lalitAM namAmi || 6 || </center>

I offer pranama unto the supremely charming Sri Lalita-devi, who possesses all divine qualities; who is also the recipient of Yasoda-devi’s parental affection; the guru of all the sakhis, instructing them in friendship; and the very life of both Srimati Radhika and the younger brother of Baladeva.

 

<center>yAM kAm api vraja-kule vRSabhAnujAyAH

prekSya sva-pakSa-padavIm anuruddhyamAnAm |

sadyas tad iSTa-ghaTanena kRtArthayantIM

devIM guNaiH sulalitAM lalitAM namAmi || 7 || </center>

I offer pranama unto the supremely charming Sri Lalita-devi, the treasurehouse of all good qualities. Upon seeing any young maiden anywhere in Vraja and discerning that she is inclined towards her priya-sakhi Srimati Radhika, Lalita immediately tells Radha that She must accept this person in Her own party (sva-paksa). Radha obeys Lalita, who thus fulfills that maiden’s desires.

 

<center>rAdhA-vrajendra-suta-saGgama-raGga-caryAM

varyAM vinizcitavatIm akhilotsavebhyaH |

tAM gokula-priya-sakhI-nikuramba-mukhyAM

devIM guNaiH sulalitAM lalitAM namAmi || 8 || </center>

I offer pranama unto Sri Lalita-devi, the embodiment of all divine virtues and the foremost of all the favorite sakhis of Gokula. Her primary task is providing pleasure for Sri Radha-Govinda by arranging Their meetings – this delightful seva surpasses the enjoyment of all the best festivals combined together.

 

<center>nandan amUni lalitA-guNa-lAlitAni

padyAni yaH paThati nirmala-dRSTir aSTau |

prItyA vikarSati janaM nija-vRnda-madhye

taM kIrtidA-pati-kulojjvala-kalpa-vallI || 9 || </center>

If a person with a cheerful and pure heart recites this astaka in praise of Lalita-devi, he will be affectionately brought into Srimati Radhika’s own group of sakhis. Lalita-devi is superbly ornamented with beauty, grace and charm, and, along with Srimati Radhika, is the effulgent wish-fulfilling creeper (kalpa-valli) of Vrsbhanu Maharaja’s family that winds around the kalpa vrksa of Krishna. </font>

 

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<center>

 

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<center>

 

Namaste.

Here is a 'pada' in Vraja bhasha from 'Maha Sakhi Madhuri' of 'Prema Rasa Madira' by Sri Kripaluji Maharaj glorifying Lalita devi.

 

Devotees lovingly sing this 'Kirtana' in melodious tune meditating upon the intimate associate of the Divine Couple.

 

<big>sakhina mahan lalitA parama pradhAn

 

<font color="red">Of the most intimate playmates of Radharani, Lalita sakhi is the foremost and supremely important.</font color>

 

gorocana sama tanu-duti damakati, rati-rasa-catur sujAn,

 

<font color="blue">Her bodily complexion is of glowing yellow like the 'gorocana' and

she is a great expert in the mellows of amourous pastimes.</font color>

 

pahire paTa paridhAn manohar, mora puccha unmAn,

 

<font color="red">She is robed in elegantly flowing fine silk garments resembling the

enchanting plumes of the peacock.</font color>

 

borI rucira banAya khavAvati, zyAmA-zyamahin pAn,

 

<font color="blue">Lalita sakhi tastefully prepares the delicious 'paan', the 'tambula' using delicate spices, crushed nuts and tender betel leaves for the chewing pleasure

of her dearest Couple, and feeds Shyamaa-Shyam with great joy and affection.</font color>

 

pyArI pI ke hIke nIke, saMketahin pahicAn,

 

<font color="red">She stays in close association with both, Pyari (Beloved Radha) and Piya (Darling Krishna), understanding Them fully well, being quite familiar with Their messages made through mere bodily signs and emotional expressions.

Thus this intimate friend cleverly recognizes the Divine Couple's needs, moods and innermost desires without being told in words.</font color>

 

jehi vidhi baDhe 'kRpAlu' duhumn rati, timi Acarati na An

 

<font color="blue">In the concluding verse, the saint-poet confirms that Lalita sakhi is

always actively engaged in the blissful confidential service by which the ecstatic Divine Love of Radha-Govind is continuously multiplied in the blessed forest of sacred Vrindavana.</font color>

 

All glories to Priya Mahasakhi Lalita devi.

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