
93-100 Aṅga Sevā
93 The sevā-parā Sakhīs, i.e., the Mañjarīs, anoint Kṛṣṇa and his priyā Kāntas with scented oils and powders while bathing them in premānanda. Then everyone comes out of the water.
Ṭīkā: Kṛṣṇahnika-kaumudi describes that some of these dasis sported in the water before performing this sevā. That narration runs as follows:Before the jala keli's conclusion, some of the Sakhīs and Mañjarīs bathe, leave the water and get dressed. But while proceeding to the Nikuñjas, they soon forget all about Rādhā Kṛṣṇa's loving assaults upon them. Thus, they return to assist in the jala keli Yajña's avabhṛtha snāna (the ritual bath that follows the performance of a sacrifice or any other ritual and marks its conclusion). The jala keli here is being likened to such an auspicious ritual). (Kṛṣṇahnika-kaumudi 4.196)
94 The water dripping from the gaurangi kiśorīs' wet clothes looks like the sprinkling of white autumn clouds from a golden mountain peak.
Ṭīkā: The white snāna Vastras resemble autumn clouds, and the Gopīs' breasts are like golden mountain peaks. Kṛṣṇahnika-kaumudi says,Fearing that the Vraja Sundarīs will discard them, the thin snāna vastras meekly shed tears in the form of water droplets. The Gopīs' pale bodies and eyes reddened from the prolonged stay in the water create an enchanting sight that pleases Kṛṣṇa's eyes. (Kṛṣṇahnika-kaumudi 4.197)
95 The droplets falling from the Gopīs' loosened hair resemble strands of pearls. Hence, they shine within Kṛṣṇa's heart like his pearl ekavālī necklace.
Ṭīkā: According to Yadunandana Ṭhākur, the droplets fall from Kṛṣṇa's hair onto his chest appearing like a pearl necklace. Ekāvalī means it only has one strand of pearls. This verse is relishable with either interpretation.
96-98 The fortunate, doe-eyed Vraja Sundarīs ponder: "Aha! Kṛṣṇa's Darśana is rarely attainable, even in dreams. Yet today we're enjoying it unimpaired." Thus, the Gopīs' thirst to see him doubles-this is amazing!
It isn't so amazing that Mother Yaśodā's ropes failed to bind Kṛṣṇa during his childhood, but as Kṛṣṇa enjoys the rare Darśana of the Gopīs' bodies through their wet clothes, he becomes totally bound to them! Thus, his bliss during early youth reaches incomparāble heights. This is even more amazing!
Ṭīkā: As the Gopīs deem themselves very fortunate to have Kṛṣṇa's Darśana, Kṛṣṇa
also considers: "Aha, what ānanda! Although the Gopīs' Darśana is mahā sudurlabha
(very rare), today all my desires to enjoy with them have succeeded! This is my
greatest fortune; hence my life is glorious!"
Still, Kṛṣṇa's pleasure waves swell to newer heights while he views the Gopīs'
shapely beauty through their wet clothes.
99 The Mañjarīs dry Kṛṣṇa and the Sakhīs' wet hair and bodies with fine towels, and dress them with upper and lower garments. Then everyone proceeds to the padma mandir in the Kuṇḍa's south-western corner.
Ṭīkā: The Padma mandir is in Raṅgadevis' Kuñja. Kṛṣṇahnika-kaumudi 4.203-206 provides
an illustration of another behaviour. There it says that Śrimatī Rādhā,
Madhumati, Indumati and
others use a soft cloth to dry Keśava's hair.
His body is dried by Mādhurī, Mādhurīka and Maṇimālā. Then Mādhavī, Maṇimati
and Śhaśilekha put on Kṛṣṇa's garments. Śrimatī Bhanu Kiśorī (Rādhā) is dressed
by Śyāmalā, Lalītā, Viśākhā, Kaumudī, Kumudinī and Maṇḍalekha.
100 Rādhikā Sundarī and her Sakhīs lovingly seat Priyā Keśava upon the śriṅgāra vedi on the padma mandir's southern side. Then they decorate him with a large assortment of flowers.
Kṛṣṇahnika-kaumudi describes that Rādhā suddenly embraces Kṛṣṇa in the padma mandir's doorway just before she begins to perform his śriṅgāra! (4.207)
