72-78 Rādhā makes a mala and bitika and send to Krishna
72-73 "As the lovely-formed Gopīs drink the madhu of Jatila's instruction, they become intoxicated. Thus they are unable to walk properly; yet, still, somehow, they regain their sobriety to carefully escort Radhika Devi inside!"
Here the word madhura-angi is noteworthy. The Gopīs' beauty takes on a special elegance when favorable situations arise for Rādhā Krishna's Milan. Now with Jatila's blessings, a major obstacle is overcome. Thus their forms become most sweet to behold! But owing to Jatila's presence, they conceal their anuraga which runs like an underground river.
We may remember from Krishna-bhavanāmrita that King Vrishabhanu built a separate Raja-bari (palace) for Radhika's private living quarters (north of Jatila's house); now Srimati enters this palace.
74
"After returning home, Rādhā lies on her bed, as her dasis wash, dry and
massage her lotus feet and perform other relative services."
This moment is relished by the manjaris. In his Viläpa-kusumāñjali, shloka 55,
Sri Raghunath Das Goswami prays in the mood of Sri Rati manjari as follows:
Hey Karunamayi Radhe! Is the auspicious day nearing when I can carefully
massage your lotus feet as Sri Rupa Manjari massages your lotus hands?"
Swaminiji rests on her bed of soft white sheets, like a golden swan resting on a milk ocean. Without hesitation, Sri Rupa and Sri Rati climb onto the bed. (their dasya rasa is mixed with sakhya-bhava.*) Although Rādhā's dasis, they share their prema as Rādhā's sakhis too. Radhika is covered by her deep blue orana, as though Shyamasundar were directly embracing her! Sri Rati addresses Rādhā as Manojñya, i.e., one who knows the minds of others. Understanding Rati's mind, Swaminiji awards Rati's cherished seva.
Manojñya also means sundari (beautiful). Thus Rādhā's beautiful anga-kanti (bodily effulgence) bathes Sri Rupa and Sri Rati in her Krishna svapnamrita (blissful dreams of Shyamasundar). But Rādhā is talking in her dreams as though she were awake! She is directly relishing sambhoga (union) with Krishna.
Rupa and Rati look agape! Srimati lifts her lotus feet, placing them on Rati's lap. Rati embraces these two carana kamala to her chest. Feeling Swamini's unlimited kripa, Rati address her as Karunamayi.
Verse 75
"Meanwhile, Rādhā's friend Narmada arrives from forest. She was sent by
Vrinda Devi to deliver a basket of blooming mallika, rangan, karnika, bakula,
patali, madhavi, nava-mallika, juti, champak, nagakeshora, lavanga and lotus
flowers that were kissed by honey bees."
It is important to mention that Rādhārani lives at Jatila's residence in Javat only
six months of the year; the remaining time she spends at Varshana with her
parents. Because Varshana's environment is less restrictive, Rādhā comes here
in the spring and the rainy seasons to fully enjoy Holi, Jhulana, Janmastami
and her own birthday.
Siddha Krishna Das Baba's Gutika describes the present lila in the Varshana
setting. So when Rādhārani returns home, Kundalata places her in Kirtida's care
and offers humble pranams. Then Rādhārani's grandmother, Mukhara,
affectionately requests her to rest a bit and then to leave with Kundalata to
perform Surya puja.
Verse 76
"Rādhā uses the flowers sent by Vrinda to make a vaijayanti mala* adding
scented Krishna-aguru and camphor. Employing artistic skill, her fingers string
the jaya-pataka for Krishna's beautiful mohana Rupa. This mala is comparable
only to the abode of Kandarpa."
Just as the flag sailing above a King's palace displays his victory, Rādhā's specially prepared vaijayanti-mala sways from Madana-mohanji's chest, boasting his prowess as Vrindavan's transcendental Cupid! Rādhārani's garland is spectacular. Thus Krishna considers: "Except for giving Myself, I'm unable to repay her debt!"
Verse 77
"Rādhā prepares Krishna's pan with cardamon, camphor, nutmeg, catecu and
other ingredients. This tambul-bitika enlivens Krishna's eyes color his moon
face and arouses his affection because it is mixed with Radhika's bodily
fragrance and her heart's passion."
Rādhā's tambul-bitika is rolled in a golden pan leaf, and called nagaballi. Its divine qualities completely subjugate Krishna.
Verse 78
"Lalita exclaims, "Oh Tulasi! Take this mala and bitika and present them
to Krishna. Then after meeting with Vrinda and Subala, quickly return and
inform us where today's sanket kunja (meeting bowry) will be." Thus Tulasi leaves with
Kasturi Manjari."
Tulasi and Rati are both names for Sri Raghunath Das Goswami. Kasturi is none other than Govinda-līlāmṛta's author, Sri Krishna Das Kaviraj. Both of them belong to Rādhā's intimate Ashta Manjari staff. As Krishna Das places himself within his own narration, we learn an important technique of bhajan:
ataeva gopī-bhāva kari ańgīkāra
rātri-dina cinte rādhā-kṛṣṇera vihāra
Meditate on your siddha deha and perform manasi seva therein.
Thus by following
the moods of the Vraja gopis, one attains Rādhā Krishna's charana seva. (CC
2.8.228)
Thus Srila Krishna Das instructs that simply to perform lila smaran isn't
sufficient;
one must place oneself in the picture also.