39-53 Rādhā on the way to meet Krishna sees him everywhere
Just
then Kundalata arrives. She is eager to leave for Surya Puja. So Radha holds
her hand, and while twirling a lotus in her right hand, she departs.
Dhanishtha and Tulasi precede Radha
who is flanked by Lalita and Vishakha
and
surrounded by all of the other Sakhis.
Following behind, Rupa Manjari carries the Puja articles for worshiping Radha Krishna's charana padma and leads the other Dasis who carry the Surya puja paraphernalia.
The poet Raya Shekhara describes this scene in the following kirtan pada:
tulasi vacana, saba sakhigane, deva pujibara tore
vidhi agocara, nana upahara, pujana bhajan bhore
cini pheni kala, makhana rasala, rabari, kadamba tila
puri puwa khaja, peda sora bhaja, rādhikā koriyachila
amṛta kelika, adi se laddukasaghrita mudga jhuri
devata pujane, koriyā yatane, budi rosakora khiri
agora candana, bhorilo bhajan, sugandhi phulera mala
atula amula, karpura tambul, sajala sakala dala
saṅgini raṅgini, rūpa taraṅgini, bosiyā mandir majhe
madana mohana, mohite yatana, korila raiko saje
sabare satvara, korila zekhara, dekhiyā uchara bela
jatila caraṇakoriyā vandana colila sakala bala
Receiving Tulasi's news Rai prepares for Surya puja. She collects all sorts of incredible naivedya: sugar, pheni, bananas, butter, rasala, rabari, puris, sesame candy, amrita keli, laddus, peda, cream, fried cream, khira, budi and mung dal strips fried in ghee. Then the puja articles such as aguru, chandan, fragrant malas and first class camphorized pan are carefully arranged in baskets.
Rai Rangini (frolicsome) is surrounded by her Sanginis who have carefully dressed her lavanya-tarangini-rupa to enchant Madana-mohana. As noon approaches, Ray Shekhara (himself as a Sakhi) quickly joins with Radhika's Sakhis. Then everyone offers pranams to Jatila's lotus feet and departs .
While leaving the village Radha observes numerous auspicious omens:
a chaste
wife is carrying a yogurt pot and on the right are Nilakantha-birds,
brahmins,
deer cows with their calves and a bull.
Coming to reservior, Rai sees a swarm of bumblebees darting over a blue lotus patch where two hummingbirds swiftly soar about. This induces her meditation of Krishna's lotus-face, his swiftly moving eyes and the elegant curling hairs that dangle over his forehead!
The auspicious omens make Rai's heart swell with pride and elation!
Thus she
enters the forest with a pace that mocks the pride of an intoxicated elephant.
Her priya sanginis playfully taunt with laughter and jest!
Padma-locana Radha appears to the forest as Vasanta Lakshmi (the spring
goddess). Her voice defeats a cooing kokila and her ruffling clothes sound more
captivating than the humming bees and the call of a chataka.
Radha sees the forest just like Krishna: as he is dark, the forest is densely
shaded
Krishna wears tilak on his forehead, yet the forest is filled with
Tilaka flowers
Krishna is surrounded by Arjuna, Vishala and many sakhas and the
forest has many Arjuna and Keli kadamba trees;
Krishna wears a peacock
feathered crown, and the forest is filled with sporting peacocks;
Krishna wears
a garland of punnaga, Amala and champak flowers, yet the forest is filled with
these flowers;
Krishna wears gold and coral ornaments, and the forest has
desire trees of gold and coral;
Krishna has a bright tamal shyama effulgence
and the forest is filled with tamal trees.
Radha observes: The forest is filled with gunja-berries and Krishna wears a
gunja-necklace;
the forest is sheltered with large, shady kadamba trees and
Krishna takes shelter of the kadamba to relieve his fatigue;
the forest echoes
with the rustling sound of the bamboo and Krishna plays a bamboo flute;
the
forest is overloaded with red Amra-fruits and Krishna's body is smeared with red
vermilion;
the forest's Madana trees increase its beauty, yet Krishna's
charming, youthful personally resembles Madana's.
Thus the forest reminds Radha
of her Priya-kanta.
Wherever Radhika glances she sees something directly related to Krishna.
Thus
Cupid's arrows pierce her heart with an overwhelming sting!
Yet observing Radha's enrapture, the sakhis compare the forest with her:
"Just
as Radha is encircled by us, the forest is bordered with Jjinti trees;
Radha
wears a mallika garland that attracts the bumblebees, yet the forest has
mallika flowers and bees everywhere;
Radha has a sakhi named Vishakha, and the
forest had many shakhas (branches);
Radhika is inflicted by Madana, yet the
forest has numerous blooming Madana, or Dhu tura flowers."
The sakhis continue: "Just as Radhika is manohara, the forest has Manohara flower
latas;
Radhika has a lovely form, and the forest has numerous shapely tree
trunks;
Radha has swelling kucha (breasts), and the forest has many Lakucha
trees;
Radha satisfies Krishna's 'go' (senses), and the forest has fresh grass
to satisfy the 'go' (cows)."
The sakhis: "Just as our Radha is a youthful kishori, the beautiful chirping
birds keep the forest youthful;
and as Jatila, Kutila and others make Radhika
fearful with their 'nivarana', (hindering), the forest is pervaded with
Nivarana, or Nisouda trees."
While admiring the forest's beauty, Radha thinks, "Certainly there are many
highly qualified Yutheshwaris roaming nearby with their sakhis. So why wouldn't
they find Krishna? And if Krishna sees them, how could he resist them?"
Then Radha notices a stag sporting among a flock of deer in the kunjas to her
right: on her left she sees a peacock mixing with many peahens. These sights
vividly awaken her memory of Krishna's flirting proclivities!