The argument on embracing

गोविद लीलामृत - 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝐋ī𝐥ā𝐦ṛ𝐭𝐚

मध्यह्न लीला 𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐡𝐲ā𝐡𝐧𝐚 𝐋ī𝐥ā (10:48-15:36 ) 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 10

20 Although Kṛṣṇa's strong embraces and his touching her breast dunks Rādhika in a wave of pleasure-she admonishes him and implore,

21 "Hey shameless Lalite! After joining with Kṛṣṇa's sly messenger, Kundalata, have you petitioned that deceptive kala-guru with the whisk of your eye? Hay! You're simply a callous spectator of his nefarious dancing performance!"

Ṭīkā: "Aha! Now everything is clear-Kundalata is Kṛṣṇa's immodest messenger who can get away with anything! And Lalita has sided with her in a plot to destroy my sati-dharma! Thus they've brought me from home under the guise of performing Surya Pūjā. Then they've tractfully arranged that I bathe in Shyama Kund and pick flowers where that audacious Nagara stands ready to ambush me! Ayi! Lalite! A look at your indifference and cunning eye-gestures reveals everything!"

22 "I see Lalite! Although you're prakhara (tough) you were melted by Kṛṣṇa's soft embrace! Hence you've become gentle-but now He's become tough like you were!"

Ṭīkā: Rādhā: "Lalite! You were never so mṛdvi (soft-natured), and Kṛṣṇa was never so forceful. Certainly, Kṛṣṇa succeeded during his dik-pala-pūjā, because when he embraced you, he squeezed out your toughness."

23 Although Lalita enjoys watching Kṛṣṇa touch Rādhā, she angrily reproaches Rādhā's assertion. Thus, pridefully smiling, she tackles Kṛṣṇa with strong rebuke: "Hey you unabashed lascivious destroying monarch of women's chastity! What's going on?"

Ṭīkā: As Rādhā's resisting barrier weakens-Lalita springs to the defence! Armed with her dangling earrings, lancing eye-brows and smiling rasamaya joking, Lalita assaults Kṛṣṇa with a pretentious loud uproar: "Kṛṣṇa, you're not a Yuvaraj-you're the Nirlajja Raja (king of immodesty)! Having thrown your pride, shame, respectability and dharma to the wind, you want to equally scandalize us! You'd better watch out! We're seeing your lack of experience! So, we'll teach you about the power of a chaste woman's wrath!"

24 Kṛṣṇa declares: "Hey Lalite! Why don't you ask your priya Sakhī Rādhā what's happening; for it was 'she' who forcefully clasped me to her chest!"

Ṭīkā: Kṛṣṇa pleads innocent, then it was Rādhā who embraced him first when she became frightened by the bees! Hence the word atma-sat, meaning "embracing with one's soul" is significant. Rādhā's affection for Kṛṣṇa is called madhu-sneha. In her possessive loving mood, Rādhā thinks, "Kṛṣṇa is mine!" Hence it is natural that she embraces Kṛṣṇa to her heart for, after all, he belongs to her.

25 Lalita answers, "Hey Kṛṣṇa! Our Rādhā is like a blooming madhavi lata, and you're the Purusha Shreshtha likened to a punnaga tree. Hence, it's natural that the madhavi embrace the punnaga; but remember-the punnaga never embraces the madhavi. Thus, we find no fault in our priya Sakhī's behavior; she has only performed her duty."

Ṭīkā: Lalita's rasamaya statement (hinting that it was Rādhā's desire to embrace Kṛṣṇa) embarrasses Rādhā.

26 Kṛṣṇa says, "Oh Lalite! I've donated my body to Rādhā, and she embraced me. So, if you reply, "What's the harm in this?" I will answer: The shastras say that a gift must never be neglected, otherwise a serious offense arises. Therefore, I'm unable to reclaim my body!"

Ṭīkā: Krishna didn't embrace Rādhā under the pretext of being a punnaga tree. Rather, he assumed his auspicious Śiva dharma. When he generously gave his body to his priyatama, she enthusiastically accepted. This generosity should never be ignored! A donor never has the right to reclaim his gift. So he may incur the sin of a miser.

27 Kṛṣṇa's logic arouses Lalita's rage; thus, she points to her chest and shrieks: "Kṛṣṇa! My name is Lalita! I'm angry, fierce and powerful! So hey lampat! If you don't give up your debauchery and immediately let this reputed chaste lady go, I'll cut you to pieces! Hey Madhusudan! You're nothing more than a lusty bee! So if you want to display your benevolence as a great donor, let your cousin Kundavalli stand as your beneficiary."

28 Lalita continues: "Kṛṣṇa! Even the wind can't touch my priya Sakhī when I'm here! So step aside, or else brace yourself for my attack!"

29 When Lalita blisters with fiery rage, the other Sakhīs support her as she stands ready for the offensive! Lalita's valor incites Kṛṣṇa's ecstasy, and thus trembling, horripilation, tears and other sattvika emotions overtake him!

Ṭīkā: Such indomitable characters as Lalita add chivalry to Rādhā Kṛṣṇa's līlā rasa. If Lalita should decide that Madhava won't be allowed to enjoy Śrīmati- Kṛṣṇa becomes helpless. He must first somehow secure her blessings, then Rādhā will be approachable, otherwise not.
The wind's strong force subdues everyone. Yet Lalita boldly declares: "Even the wind is afraid to show its might before me; rather, out of fear, it gently blows to serve my priya Sakhī!" 

Seeing Kṛṣṇa's neglectful grin, rasa prakhara Lalita gathers the other Sakhīs together and stands like a stout wrestler ready for a bout! She removes her orana, tightens her sash, and with rolling eyes and jingling bracelets, shouts her challenge: "Come on!" Lalita's robust charm reminds Kṛṣṇa of a pragalbha nāyikā who powerfully conquers him in Kandarpa keli. Hence, out of sheer ecstasy, Kṛṣṇa loses his composure!

30 Kṛṣṇa's hand shakes in his zeal for Rādhā's soft touch-thus as his murali falls to the ground, he doesn't notice. But after escaping Kṛṣṇa's embrace, Rādhā quickly retrieves the flute! Thus the Sakhīs consider: "Oh, Kṛṣṇa has dropped his flute and abandoned Rādhā in fear of Lalita!"

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