
Lalita and Vishakha’s Debate
Lalita and Vishakha’s Debate
In
Krishnaa-bhavanamrita, Lalita and the other sakhis arrive to join the manjaris
who have been relishing Radha Shyamasundar's shayana sobha (beauty at rest).
While peeking through the window of the nikunja mandir, Vishakha exclaims,
"Oh sakhi Lalite! Our Radha Govinda's bodies are never bereft of superb dress
and ornaments! Just see! Although they are unclothed, they are still covered
with a radiant effulgence. Although lacking a mani-hara (jeweled
necklace), they're manohara (stealing to the mind) with a necklace of
nail-marks!
Although their angada (arm bracelets) are missing-they're anangada (bestowing love)! And, even though they are niranjana-nayana (without any mascara on the eyes), they're nirantara-ranjana (always pleasing) to one another! Observing these auspicious symptoms on Radha Madhava, and on the flower bed also, I conclude that an unbounded festival of prema has taken place here!"
Lalita remarks: "Radha and Krishna's hair is strewn all over, yet it appears
lovely. Their lips are bruised, yet fascinating! Their chests are covered with
nailmarks, but they resemble uncountable moonbeams! Seeing the Divine Couple
equally assaulted, however, my mind has become puzzled: During Kandarpa's
battle last night, who emerged victorious?"
Vishakha answers with a grin:
"Neither has won! Just observe, the kunkum from sakhi Radha's breasts now
appears on Sri Krishna's lotus feet, and the red alta from the bottom of Sri
Radha's charana padma can clearly be seen on Krishna's forehead. Therefore, I
declare-prema has scored the victory!" (Krishnaa-bhavanamrita, 2.2-5)
