After bhojan
After bhojan
After eating, Radha sits down on a bed and Tulasi approaches to wash her hands
and mouth. Then all of the sakhis surround Radha to begin laughter and joking.
Tulasi returns holding the tambul-bitika that she just made; inside is rose
powder, cardamom, cloves, camphor, betal nuts, lime, jayaphala, and jayatri
spices. Radharani is absorbed in Krishna kathamrita. But to capture her
attention, Tulasi addresses her: "Oh Madhura-angi!" (Lovely-formed One).
When
is Radha 'Madhura-angi? -when she enjoys Shyamasundar's company. Thus, there is
a mystery here: The Tambul-bitika that Tulasi brought is special-Sri Krishna's
prasadi-pan is wrapped inside!
As Tulasi stands beside Radha holding the pan, Śrīmatī's nose perceives the aroma of Krishna's mouth. Then she raises her own mouth to snatch the pan! As Swamini relishes the Tambul-bitika, she perceives Shyamasundar seated beside her and leaning against her cheek! What madhura Seva! Tulasi merges in Radha's pleasure-hence, her hairs stand erect in ecstasy!
Verse 70-71
After dining, Yashoda asks Dhanishtha to bring the chest of jeweled ornaments
that she wants to present to Krishna's bride (on his future marriage date). This
chest is also filled with tambul, chandan, vermilion and expensive clothes that
Yashoda affectionately presents to Radha (as her heart yearns to unite Radha
and Krishna in marriage).
Rasa-tarangini Tika:
Yaśoda's wish is long standing. In the following two Kirtan Padas, the Vaishnava
Mahajana, Jñana Das, presents a tender picture of Mother Yashoda fantasy to
have Radha as her bau-ma:
prāṇa-nandini,
radha binodini, kotha giyacila tumi
ei gopa-nagare, proti ghare ghare, khujiyā byakula ami
bihan hoite, kahara batite, kotha giyachila bolo
ei khira modaka, cini kadalak, ke tora acare dilo
agora candana, kasturi kuìkum, ke rocila tora bhäle
ke badhilo heno, binoda lotan, nava mallikar male
alaka tilak, lalat phalake, ke dilo champak dam
jïäna däsa kahe, sabavibaran, kaha jananir thāma
Mother Kirtida addresses Radharani (in her childhood): "
Oh Rai-binodini, you
are my Prana-nandini! Where did you go today? I have anxiously searched our
gopa community from house to house! Who did you visit? Who has bound your apron
with khira, sweets, bananas and sugar candy? Who has strung a mallika garland
and placed it around your neck? And who has painted alaka-tilak on your
forehead and crowned you with a campak flower mala?" The poet Jñana Das says,
"Oh Prana-binodini Rai! Please answer your mother's inquiries."
mago genu khelabara tore
pathe lāgi peye, eka goyalini, loye gelo more ghare
goparājarani, nandera grihini. Jashoda tāhāra nāma
tāhār betāra, rūper cotay, jurailo more prāNa
ki heno akute, tar bama bhite, loye bosaile more
eka ditne rohi, tāhāra-amara, rūpa nirikhana kore
bijuri ujora, mora aṅgakanti,
seha nava jaladhara
sumela dekhiyā, dibakora thai, ki hetu magalo bora
tabe more gora, gakhani majiya, lasa besha banaiya
harashita more, pathaila dekha, ei sab achare diya
jhier kahini, śuni goyalini, mucaki mucaki hase
koto sudhārasa, hiyāya bariṣe, kahe
kavi jñāna dāse
Radha answers, "Oh Ma!* I went to play, but suddenly a gopa's wife picked me up and carried me to her home! She was a Raja-rani, the wife of Nanda, named Yashoda. But when I saw her Son's bright complexion, my heart became soothed! Then she eagerly sat me on his left and began staring at us! My bodily luster resembles lightning, and his, a newly formed rain-cloud. As she continued to gaze, I couldn't understand what sort of benediction she was praying to the Sun god for.
Then she cleaned me and dressed me in new clothes. She was so pleased. Just see what she wrapped in my apron!" Hearing Radha's story, Kirtidarani tenderly smiles. The poet Jñāna Das says, A nectar shower satiates the mind of Radhika's mother!'
Verse 72
Meanwhile, after Yashoda departs, Vishakha secretly returns Krishna's Pitambara
silken garment to Dhanishtha, and she gives it to Subal. Then Subal returns
Radhika's nilambari garment to Dhanishtha, and she gives it to Vishakha.
Rasa-tarangini Tika:
We can remember that in the Nishanta Lila, Radha and Krishna's garments were
exchanged when they hastily fled from the Kunja. In the Second Chapter, Mother
Yashoda removed Radha's nilambari cloth from Krishna's body and gave it to
Dhanishtha. Then when Mukhara saw Krishna'a pitambara on Radha's body, Vishakha
quickly removed and hid it. And now Radha and Krishna's clothes are duly
returned.