31-72 Sri Lalitanandada-kunja

Chapter 7 - Govinda Līlāmṛta

Verse 31-34
North of Radha Kund is Lalita Sakhi's immense kunja made up eight sub-kunjas that resemble an eigh-tlotus stemed lotus. In the nucleus of this lotus is the astonishing courtyard named Anangambuja, itself shaped like a thousand-lotus stemed lotus with a golden cottage in the center. 

Surrounding the courtyard is a patch of banana trees. The courtyard is amazing because it can expand or contract in size, according to the demands of the lila. This area is carefully maintained by Lalita's disciple, Kalavati. 

Here, the pleasurable opulence of the six seasons always manifest to assist Radha Govinda's various keli-vinoda. Lalita's kunja is the largest in comparison with the others.

Verse 35-36
From the sky, the Anangambuja courtyard appears like a huge thousand-lotus whose filaments are made of jewels with a nucleus of pure gold. Each petal appears to be made from a different-colored gem. Around the nucleus, the petals are equal in size and shape, but with each successive sphere, they increase in size and number.

The thousand-lotus stemsed lotus formation begins outside of the golden nucleus. The first circle has eight petals, the next sixteen, and so on up to the seventh circle, which has 512 petals. Added together, there are a total of 1, 016 petals.

Verse 37-39
In the center of the nucleus is a svarna-padma mandir; its cooling radiance soothes all of the senses. Outside are five successive circle of golden mandaps that are wonderful to behold.
The first sphere are plain gold. The second sphere are studded with cat-eyed gems, the third blue sapphire,
the fourth crystal, and the last sphere of mandaps are studded with rubies.
In the dome above these mandaps are jewel pictures meant to arouse erotic feelings. They depict mating deer, birds, humans and devatas.

Verse 40
The central padma mandir is surrounded by desire trees having green, yellow, white, red leaves and flowers; the branches form a canopy overhead. Within the mandir's dome is a thousand lotus stemsed lotus formation, and the jeweled mandap below is knee-height. Encircling it are eight more sub-kunjas that attach to this central hub like eight petals of lotus. Their descriptions will now begin:

Verse 41-43
In Lalitanandada Kunja's northeast sector is a sub-kunja named 'Vasanta-sukhada.' This beautiful bower is divided into eight sections resembling a smaller, eightlotus stemsled lotus. Ashok trees with intertwining branches cover the entire area and their clusters of white, yellow, green, crimson and flowers are very beautiful. The kokilas and bees enliven the atmosphere with their chirping and humming vibrations.

Verse 44-46
In Lalitanandada Kunja's southwest sector is a padma mandir having windows and entrances on all four sides. It is crafted from uncontable varieties of rare gems. Lalita Devi has hung jeweled paintings of Krishna's Purva rasa, Rasa and Nikunja keli pastimes on the inner walls; on the outside hang paintings of Krishna killing demons such as Putana, Aristasura and others.

  Vere 47-51
  The padma mandir's jeweled inner whorl produces a dazzling effulgence.
It adjoins with sixteen outer rooms shaped like lotus petals.
Inside the rooms are sixteen more sub-chambers, and the second floor's design matches the ground floor.
The third floor is an open air room with coral pillars, topped by a great jeweled dome. The pillars' bases are crystal. Above the dome are jugs, flags and chakras. From this high vantage point, Radha and Krishna enjoy viewing Radha Kund's beautiful panorama.

Verse 52-54
On the ground floor are numerous, enchanting pictures crafted from gems.
Between the rooms and sub-rooms are gem-studded stair cases, and each flight of steps is neck height. Beside the stairways are trees overloaded with fruits and flowers.
This padma mandir is the keli abode of Radha and Krishna's many pastimes.

Verse 55-58
In the southeastern sector of Lalitanandada kunja is a huge, jeweled hindolin shaped like a lotus. This swing is supported by two old bakula trees forming an overhead umbrella. It is tied with four sturdy, silken ropes to hang waist high. There are eight seats made of rubies with lotus-shaped, coral back-rests, eighteen inches high.Verse 59-65
The nucleus of this swing has two circles eight lotus petals each. Below the seats are footrests that are shaped like lotus petals also. There are eight doors on the inside and two on the outside for entering and for stepping down. In the lotus's center, two jeweled pillars form Radha Krishna's backrest. There are cotton mattresses covered with costly silken bedspreads, round pillars and bolsters. A beautiful canopy is fixed above Radha and Krishna's heads with tapestries hanging from it. 

There are also gold, silken tassels and pearl tassels that appear like a row of moons. As Vrinda Devi swings Radha Madhava, the Ashta-sakhis are seated around in a circle. The festival is accompanied by the sakhis singing. This hindolin is named Madanandolan. Although each sakhi sits facing Radha Krishna from a different direction, it appears that the Divine-Couple are directly smiling at each of them. 

In the northeast sector of Latita's kunja is a madhavi bower named Madhavananda. This area also forms an eight-lotus stemsed lotus with its sub-kunjas. Here the large network of madhavi vines stand erect like a crane. 

Tika: Sri Yadunandana adds that the eight sub-kunjas expand from a central madhavi kunja that is the best of all; here Radha Govinda's roho keli takes place.

Verse 66-67
In the north of Lalita's kunja is the bower named Sitambuja that is filled with blooming naga-keshora and overhanging mallika vines. The central lotus kunja is golden and studded with moonstone in the middle. The lotus filaments are made of gems. Sita means white; hence this entire area with its eight sub-kunjas is predominately white with mallika flowers and moonstone mandaps, vedis, and pathways.

Verse 68-72
In Lalitanandada kunja's east is the dark blue lotus bower named Asitambuja filled with tamala trees. Their overhanging branches entwine with golden creepers. Blue-sapphire stones decorate the entire area. There are eight sub-kunjas each appearing like a blue lotus that join with a golden inner whorl. 

In Lalitanandada kunja's southern sector is Arunambuja kunja that is filled with rubies and blooming red lavanga flowers.
On the western side is the Hemabuja forest bower. It is studded with gold and overladen by golden champak trees, having champak-latas climbing their branches. 

Thus Lalita's kunja on Radha Kund's northern shores is the most dear to Radha Krishna, for it continues to astonish them with ever-expanding delight! 

Tika: Amongst Radha's sakhis, Lalitaji is the foremost because she has the most sakhis and manjaris serving under her. Generally, when Gaudiya Vaishnavas attain siddhi, they receive an eternal residence at Radha Kund. Thus person desiring to be trained under Lalita receive their own personal kunja within Lalita's immense bower.

 For example, Sri Bhaktivinoda's eternal residence, Svananda-Kunja is situated here. This tattva is further explained in Gopala-guru and Dhyanachandra Goswami's Arcana-paddhatis:
Radha Kund's wonder ever increases because Radha Krishna's midday pastimes are sheltered here. Although each lila takes place in a different kunja, there are still far more kunja than there are lila. Moreover, each kunja is unique with its own design, color, landscaping, size and features. Hence, Radha Krishna are always surprised to see what will happen next-for everything is ever-fresh!