
29-30 Wagers for dice play
29 For the first throw, Kṛṣṇa's stag Suraṅga and Rādhā's doe Raṅginī are wagered. As Kṛṣṇa wins, Madhumaṅgala joyfully binds Raṅginī and brings her into Kṛṣṇa's camp.
Ṭīkā: As Madhu clasps onto Raṅginī, his pride overtakes him. Thus, with a broad smile he dances back to Kṛṣṇa's party in a funny step meant to jeer Rādhā's team members!
Kṛṣṇa-Bhāvanāmṛta focuses on Rādhikā's dice throwing technique as follows:
As the red lotuses of Rādhā's palms toss the dice (which resembles dancing
boys) her jingling bracelets and bangles form a musical ensemble. Thus, Rādhā's
arms and breasts gently jiggle with her hand movements as her indescribably sweet
Darśana rolls like a wave to cascade over Kṛṣṇa! And Kṛṣṇa's eyes submerge
within this netrotsava (festival for the eyes)! But somehow, through great effort,
Kṛṣṇa's Pāśā-Khelā skill draws his mind back to remain equipoised.
30 For the second throw, Kṛṣṇa's Muralī and Rādhā's Pāvikā (a small flute) are at stake. But Rādhā wins, so as Kṛṣṇa tries to hide his Muralī under his Chāddor, Lalitā snatches it by force!
Ṭīkā: In Kṛṣṇahnika-Kaumudī, the betting slightly varies. There, Kṛṣṇa says,
"If we first set the wager, the game will be more fun. So, for the opening
match let's place up my Kaustubha and Rādhā's golden necklace, And for the
second bet I'll offer my Muralī and Rādhā can offer Lalitā. Look, Pyāri-jī.! If
you can defeat me, I'll gladly hand over my Muralī, but if I win, I'll take Lalitā!"
Rādhā answers, "I can't accept your second proposal because the values of the
two objects (set for the wager) are unequal. Is a mere bamboo-slick comparable
to a golden arrow?"
Then a Sakhī named Kalāvatī asks,
"All right Rādhe! What will you place for the third bet!"
You're
my bet!" Rādhā replies jokingly: "And his necklace is the other."
"For the fourth bet, let me make a suggestion," Kalavati says. "Thus, after
winning or losing, you'll both enter a sukha Sāgara and consider your bodies
fortunate."
"What's that?" Kṛṣṇa inquires.
Kalavati
replies, "Oh Sumukhī* Rādhe! Your wager is a kiss and your Priyātama shall
offer a hundred embraces!"
Hearing this statement, Rādhā becomes fumed, and raises her eyebrows to scoff:
"Hey Kalāvalī! Why don't you accept these wagers and shamelessly play with this
wanton Ramaṇa?"
"Oh rey!" Kalāvatī retorts. "I've given the best advice, why are you becoming
flustered over the betting? Just think for a moment your wager is light, but
your Prāṇa-Vallabha's wager is heavy. If you lose, you'll only have to give a
little, whereas if you win, you can smilingly gain a lot. Therefore, just rest
assured, good fortune awaits both parties. So, hey Sumukhī Rādhe! Sit up straight.
Let's see your skill in Līlā Vilāsa as you contest your Priyā Nāgara!" (Thus,
Kalāvatī smiles and pulls Rādhā's hand)
