6. Kapitel
Krishna's Activities with the Sakhas,
His Departure in Search for Rādhā,
Rādhāmaya Śyāmasundar,
Krishna's Meeting with Dhanishtha, then Tulasi and then Shaibya
12-25 Śri Krishna's Venu Mādhuri
Verse 12-13
Krishna is like a raincloud, because when he places his mohana-vamsi to his
lips, its sweet vibration showers amrita! Thus the forest comes back to life
after having fainted in the scorching heat of his separation!
Sprinkled by
Krishna's venu-amrita fanned by the cool breezes that carry his anga-gandha,
and already by Vrinda- Vrindavan comes into full bloom!
In Krishna-bhavanamrita 8.42-44, Rādhārani remarks: "Oh Sakhi! The venu is the most learned pandit of the Sangita-shastra (the scriptures related to music)! Now the clever kokilas are silent, and their behavior is befitting. Thus we learn from the kokilas that when a superior vocalist performs, less talented artists should listen with rapt attention!"
Verse 14-15
Upon hearing the ambrosial flute song, every living being is startled-nonmoving
objects shiver, mobile creatures become stunned, stones melt, birds are
speechless, vines erupt in horripilation, and the flowers lose their color
while crying tears of hone! Thus Sri Vrindavan displays eight sattvic
transformation of esctasy!
Tika: In Krishnahnika-kaumudi 3.37, Sri Kavi Karnapur adds: "When Krishna plays his
mohana vamsi in the fifth scale, voiceless objects become talkative, talking
creatures are speechless, the Yamuna's current flows backwards, while immobile
objects melt, and hard objects such as rocks soften!
Thus, everyone is anxious for Sri Murlidhara's darshan! From Brahmā to the animals
and forest creepers, all possess maha-anuraga! And every woman from Lakshmi to
the Shabaris are overtaken by an uncontrollable anuraga for Sri Krishna!"
Radha's captivation for the flute is described in Krishna-bhavanamrita 8.46:
"Hey Sakhi! As Krishna's venu calls: 'Hey go-gana, agaman koro!' ('Oh cows,
come to me!'), they all assemble. But the word go has many meanings. Hence, all
throughout the world, many creatures are overjoyed thinking that Krishna is
personally calling them!"
When Radhika Devi sees a Krishna-sar after hearing Govinda's melodious flute,
she exclaims, "Hey priya sakhis! The name of the doe's husband (krishna-sār) is
now successful. In other words, those whose sāra (essence) is Krishna, they're
the true krishna-sars. And this doe also accepts Krishna as her life and soul!
Thus when her husband runs towards Shyamasundar, she doesn't become envious,
rather she also follows his path!" (Krishna-bhavanamrita 8.51)
Verse 16-19
With the arrival of Krishna, and the spring, Vrindavan's forest becomes
jubilant. To great Madhava, she manifests her splendor like the appearance of
Lakshmi! The forest is enlivened with the madhura sounds of birds and bees, the
rasa of ripe mangoes and other fruits are dripping on the ground, lotus bloom
in the reservoirs, and the cooling breezes teach the latas how to gently sway
like female dancers. Thus this beautiful environment pleases all of Krishna's
senses!
Just as a wealthy man receives a dignified guest, the trees welcome Krishna
with smiling flowers, singing bees, dancing leaves, a drink of their oozing
honey and a meal of ripened fruits! The forest latas* behave like dasis. They
generally dance for Krishna with soft, leafy dresses, and smile with flower
faces as the singing bee minstrels kiss them.
A dasi's sadhana is to please her master. When the latas see Madhusudan, they lose their patience and ecstatically begin dancing. This allures the humble bees who kiss their flowers faces. But feeling shy, the latas hide their faces within their leavy dress. This arouses Krishna's memory of a similar pastime with Radha.
Verse 20-25
Meanwhile, as the deer graze with the stag, the venu's call draws them to
Shyamasundar. But their enchanting eyes only remind Krishna of Radha's
beautiful eyes and pierce his heart!
As the peacocks and peahens come near, they begin their enmaddening dance for Krishna's pleasure. But aho! Their opened tail feathers only remind Krishna of Radha's loosened, curling hair during rati keli!
When Krishna glances towards a reservoir,
the chatak birds'
maudlin cry reminds him of Radha's bangles,
the quacking swans of Radha's waist
bells,
and the cranes' call of Radha's ankle bells.
Staring at a fragrant,
blooming golden lotus that attract the bumble bees, Krishna's fantasy increases
as Radha's lotus face and restless eyes appear to him!
Wandering from one kunja
to another, the ripe pomegranates, oranges, naranga and bael fruits
awaken
Krishna's fascination for Radha's beautiful, raised breasts.
Thus mesmerized,
he sees Radha's body everywhere!
In whichever direction Krishna glances, the various limbs of Radha's body vividly appear in a direct vision! This shouldn't appear extraordinary, for the Vrindavan forest becomes merged in Radha consciousness simply to increase Krishna's joy!
Krishna's life is Radha, Krishna's worshipable Devi is Radha and Radha nama
is Krishna's japa-mantra!
Hence, those who remind Krishna of Radha are the dearest to him.
Vrindavan's forest residents all know this secret. In the present day Vrindavan
also, the Vrajavasis still follow suit, for they chant Radhe! Radhe! Radhe!