Mukhara comes early in the morning in Javat
Verse 42
Meanwhile, after rising early, Radharani's grandmother, Mukhara, eagerly comes
to Javat village. As she nears Radha's bedroom, it appears that nectar is
pouring from a cloud of vatsalya affection!
Tika:
Mukhara is Kirtida's mother. Radha is dearer to her than a million lives and so
she comes from her home every morning to see her at Javat. Radharani spent part
of her childhood living at Mukhara's house and reached puberty there. Still
today the place exists within Vraja Mandal and is called Mukharai.
Verse 43-46
Jatila is harsh and ill-tempered, yet she is always anxious to see her son's
fortune and opulence increase. Thus, seeing Mukhara approaching, Jatila
cordially welcomes her:
"Oh learned one! After my Bauma (an affectionate address to one's
daughter-in-law. (Sanskrit = vadhū)) bathes and dresses, please engage her in
Surya puja so that my son's progeny, lifespan and wealth may flourish to
include millions of cows!
Once I asked Paurnamasi Devi about how to increase my son's wealth. She
replied, 'Oh Jatila, never disregard the request of Vrajeshwari Yashoda; but on
the other hand, don't listen to the gossip of the ignorant people.' Therefore, oh
saintly Mukhara, please bless my Bauma so that my son will become rich and
prosperous!"
Tika:
Desiring Radha Krishna's happiness, Paurnamasi instructs Jatila in a roundabout
way so that she will not restrict Radha's cooking at Mother Yashoda's house.
47
Jatila
next calls Radhika: "Oh Bauma! Quickly rise and perform the Vastu puja, take
your bath and get ready for Surya puja!"
Tika:
Vastu puja is the brief household worship performed upon rising. Then after
taking a purifying morning bath, Radha prepares for the main puja that she will
offer to the Surya Devata at Surya Kund. This murti is famous amongst the
Vrajavasis as jāgarūka (awake) and as a vara-dātā, bestower of benedictions.
For this reason, Jatila daily sends Radha to Surya Kund for Abhimanyu's
welfare. On the way, however, Radha bathes at Shyama Kund and meets Krishna at
her own kund to enjoy numerous midday pastimes.
Verse 48-49
As Mukhara enters Radha's bedroom, she begins jibbering, "How astonishing! Although
morning has come, my natni ("granddaughter" (Sanskrit = naptrī)) is still sleeping!"
Then she affectionately calls Radharani: "Oh child! Get up, get up! Hey
Innocent one! Today's Sunday, have you forgotten? Quickly take your bath and
collect all of your puja paraphernalia."
Tika:
Sunday, being the day of the Sun, is the best time for Surya puja, when
Surya Deva is especially merciful. A noteworthy point about Mukhara's
statement, "Today is Sunday," is that Govinda-lilamrita simply focuses on what
happens on this particular Sunday. What takes place on Monday, Tuesday, or any
other day is not mentioned. Bearing this in mind, one can begin to appreciate that
Sri Govinda's Ashta-kala lilas are limitless.
50
Hearing Mukhara's voice, Vishakha immediately awakens. Though still tired
herself, she nervously rises and calls Srimati, "Oh sakhi, get up, get up!"
Rasa-tarangini Tika:
After the Nishanta lila, the sakhis return to their homes. Yet someone always
stays to protect Srimati in case of difficulty. Today Vishakha was selected. As
she sat outside of Radha's door, she had been dozing, however.
Verse 51
Innocent Radha sleeps like a swan resting upon the ripples in lake. Although
hearing Mukhara, Jatila and Vishakha-Srimati repeatedly tries to rise, but due
to the fatigue of rati keli, she again falls back into slumber!
Tika:
Just as a swan bobs up and down while resting upon the ripples in a lake, Kanaka-hamsini
(golden swan) Rai gracefully moves her tired body upon hearing the wave-like
voices of Mukhara, Jatila and Vishakha.
Verse 52
Seeing this opportunity, Rati Manjari comes forward and clasps Sri Radhika's
two lotus feet!
Tika:
Sri Rati is affectionately called Tulasi by Srimati Radharani, yet sometimes
she is also called Bhanumati Manjari. Her age is thirteen years, two months.
She wears a star-clustered dress, golden stars upon a deep blue background; and
her bodily complexion resembles lightning. In Gaura lila, she appears as Sri
Raghunath das Bābāji.