Rāhu’s Amusing Pastime 2

Embracing Raṅgadevī, Campakalatā, Sudevī, Kāñchana Latā

47 When Kṛṣṇa fondles Raṅgadevī she exclaims, "Hey Rāhu! Because you enjoy the Virgo, why don't you attack Campakalatā, she's a Pisces!"

Ṭīkā: Intoxicated by Gopījana-vallabha's embrace, Raṅgadevī says, "Oh hey wanton Rāhu, enjoyer of the Virgo (virgin-kumaris)! When you enjoyed the Virgo (Citrā) why didn't you enjoy the pisces (Campakalatā) who was staring you in the face? Aha, you've messed up your Rāhu dharma again!"

On the circle of twelve Astrological signs, Virgo is the sixth house, and Pisces the twelfth; they are opposite. Thus, Citrā and Campakalatā stand face to face.

48 As Kṛṣṇa embraces Campakalatā, she exclaims, "Hey swindler! Why don't you go to the Aquarius (Sudevī)! Your fight is taking a crooked course!"

49 When Kṛṣṇa caresses Sudevī, she says, "He Madhusudan! This lively Kāñchana Latā will fulfill all of your desires!"Ṭīkā: She notices that the Sakhī named Kāñchana Latā is smiling. Thus, to revenge her, she suggests: "Hey Madhusūdan! The rasika Sakhīs described you as Rāhu, but actually you resemble a thirsty bee, so only the flowering latas can satisfy your fancy. Why don't you sample the pollen of this Kāñchana Latā?"

50 But when Kṛṣṇa fondles Kāñchana Latā, she exclaims, "Hey Kṛṣṇa cakora! Why did you come to me? If you want to attain śānti don't waste your time with the others-just directly approach Candra-mukh Rāi.Ṭīkā: Kāñchana Latā answers with a smile. "Hey Kṛṣṇa! Sudevī is mistaken. You're not a rasika bhramara (thirsty bee); rather, you're a chakora bird. So, I won't be able to satisfy you either. As only the full moon quenches the cakora's thirst, you'd better approach Candra-mukhi Rāi-she can satisfy all of your desires."

In Vṛndāvan Cakravartī's Govinda-līlāmrita commentary he now raises the argument: "The Vedas, Purāṇas, Bhāgavata and Gītā all affirm that Bhagavān Śrī Kṛṣṇa is sac-cid-ānanda, param iśvara and the Cause of all causes; why is he dancing like a puppet in the hands of the Vraja sundaris?"

Vṛndāvan Cakravartī answers, "As Kṛṣṇa is sac-cid-ānanda, so are his gopīs. Therefore, when they address him: "He Dhṛṣṭa (oh impudent one)! Hey Kāmuka (Oh lusty one)!" Such words bring joy to the rasa abhijña bhaktas (understanding transcendental mellows devotees); but persons uninformed about the divinity of these affairs fail to relish this rasa.

Furthermore, such people may also doubt: "We've never heard of such love affairs in Rāma līlā or in the pastimes of other Avatāras?" But here Śrī Kṛṣṇa's śṛṅgāra rasa is superior to all other forms of material or spiritual conjugal love. Therefore, only Kṛṣṇa's direct associates, or the fortunate devotees receiving their mercy, are eligible to understand and relish it."

Chapter 9 and 10 vividly reveal Kṛṣṇa's dhīra lalita personality, where he is completely subjugated by those having no trace of reverence or regard for his opulences. For these proud gopīs consider themselves more than Kṛṣṇa's equal matches; and hence, they don't even slightly hesitate to shriek when he steps out of line!

Kṛṣṇa loves this behavior. In fact, it enslaves him! Because the gopīs play hard to get, it forces Kṛṣṇa to become a premera bihārī (courting romantic). He must take a subordinate position if he desires to succeed. Hence, the gopī's challenging spirit evokes Kṛṣṇa's vidagdha nature-his clever, shrewd and witty disposition. The gopīs themselves are parama vidagdha* and therefore, love's sporting contest becomes a supreme match of wits. This is rasa.

51 So before she notices, Kṛṣṇa rushes to grab Rādhā; he is bent on kissing her! But Rādhā turns her head and exclaims, "He you cheat! If you want to kiss someone, leave other people's wives alone and kiss your priya vamśī instead!"

52 Hearing Rai, Krishna stops to consider: "Hay! My flute has fallen from my hand, where did it go?" Thus, Krishna becomes bewildered and looks towards Kundalata.

53 Kundalata's roaming eyes indicate that Radha has taken it. But understanding the hint, Radha slips the flute to Tulasi.