Rādhā's viraha - mood of separation

Chapter 5 - Govinda Līlāmṛta

In Krishna-bhavanamrita, Srila Chakravartipada follows Rādhā's manjaris as they search for Krishna:
Sri Rupa Manjari is sent by Lalita, and after she contacts Him, an interesting conversation ensues.
That narration begins as follows:

When arriving at Govardhan, Krishna's forest garland's fragrance arouses the manjaris' excitement! And from a distance, they watch as Krishna sports with the sakhas and brings his cow to drink at a reservoir. Then Krishna sits down with the sakhas to enjoy the lunch that Mother Yashoda sent. But after bhojan, he goes to a secluded place with Madhumangal. Seeing the opportunity, the manjaris approach. 

Krishna is delighted to see them, and he questions: "Tell me the news about my Taruni-mani (young jewel) Vrishabhanu-nandini?"
Then Rupa answers, "Hey Nagarendra! When Vrishabhanu Raja's daughter heard that the forest path has become marked by your lotus feet, she rolls in its dust to decorate herself! Oh Hari! The forest became shyama colored by your bodily effulgence! But, unfortunately, the Creator stole Rādhā's effulgence when she was attacked by sattvic emotions! Otherwise, she could have easily painted the forest gold! 

Oh Vrajajivana (Life of Vraja)! When the forest inhabitants see your face covered by the dust raised by the cows' hooves, they cry incessantly! But today Srimati couldn't attain their equal status-for as she rolls in your footprints, only her sakhis are crying!"

Sri Rupa continues: "Hey Krishna! Radhika Devi has committed an offense. Just listen: Everyone knows that the lotus is born from the water, but Radhika's lotus eyes gave birth to the water (a reservoir of tears)! And although her hair, garlands and dress are comparable to a sadhu's, now they've become loose and unrestrained. For example, when a country's ruler isn't watchful, even the sadhus develop loose character. Similarly, Srimati's sadhu-like hair, dress and ornaments have all become astrewn in your absence!" 

Rupa Manjari continues: "Oh Shyamasundar: As Radhika contemplates that your soft lotus feet incur pain while walking in the forest, she becomes afflicted! Thus to solace her, we say:
"Oh priya sakhi! The lotus of Krishna's feet enjoy Vrindavan's nikunjas. After all, the lotus is the forest's offspring. So why are you needlessly crying?" But as we repeatedly assure Srimati, she fails to believe us, and her heavy breathing continues! Then to give solace, a sakhi says, "Oh Shyama-priye! Thorns and sharp stones don't exist in our madhura Vrindavana.' Srimati, unfortunately, only hears 'thorns and sharp pebbles' and falls to the ground unconscious! Next, we tell a lie: 

'Hey Radhe! Your Priya-Madhava has come, just look! And then we place your forest garland beside Srimati's nostrils, causing her to bashfully sit up! But after regaining cognizance and not seeing you, Rādhā is surprised, and addressed Lalita: 'Oh sakhi! Where is that Natabara, Who makes my eyes dart like a hummingbird?"
Lalita answers, 'Ayi Radhe! He must be hiding nearby!'
Rādhā replies, 'Sakhi Lalite! Why are you teasing me?'
Lalita cleverly retorts: 'Oh Rai Kishori! I wouldn't tease you; doesn't Krishna's anga-gandha (bodily fragrance) confirm my statement?'

As Radhika Devi smelled your concealed flowers mala, she became contented surmising that you were nearby! But before happiness set in, suddenly all at once Cupid's five flower arrows pierced her heart!"
Rupa continues: "Oh hey Vrajajivana! With Kandarpa Raja's onslaught, Radhika fell to the ground in remorse, her body shivered and tears drenched her apparel! But hay! Upon entering the house, she failed to sooth her chakora eyes with moon face's amrita-darshan!

So when Radhika Devi went inside without finding you there, she addressed her mind: 'Oh-re mana! Why have you mistaken the sakhi's assurances for amrita? Now your suffering has doubled!" Thus Radhika fell to the ground and cried: 'Oh wretched life, you're cursing me!' Repeating these words again and again, Rādhā denounced her existence! Yet, it's amazing, Rādhā's body didn't become lighter. Rather, the heavy weight of her suffering only increased! So hey Krishna! Except for your darshan nothing will relieve her intense pain!"

Sri Rupa concludes: "Oh Rādhā Kanta! Our Rai Kishori's delicate body has reached a turning point, what to speak of our chamara fanning- even her own life airs have become intolerable!"

Hearing about Priya-mani Rādhā's condition, Madhusudan becomes dizzy grief stricken, choked up, and filled with tears! Thus in a lovesick gesture, he tells Madhumangal: "I'm unable to speak; please answer for me!"
Understanding Krishna's mind, Madhumangal replies, "Hey Rupa! Quickly bring your Kanaka-kamalini. Without the vana (forest), she'll dry up and wither! So, don't delay! Just remember, if you don't bring her, I may fail to keep Krishna's life intact, for without his Svarana-padmini, Krishna has no other means to exist!"

Then Madhava removes his campak garland and gives it to Rupa Manjari saying: "Hey dasi! Let this mala adorn Pyariji's chest!" The inner meaning is: "Let Priyasi-Rādhā adorn my chest like a campak-mala!" (In other words, "Hey Rupa! Take this campak-mala and place it around Rādhā's chest, then quickly return with campak-barani Rādhā so that I can embrace her to my chest!")

Translators Note:
The manjaris play a very important role in Rādhā Krishna's daily pasttimes, for without them, they wouldn't happen. Caitanya-caritāmṛta further reveals:

rādhā-kṛṣṇera līlā ei ati gūḍhatara
dāsya-vātsalyādi-bhāve nā haya gocarasabe eka sakhī-gaṇera ihāń adhikāra
sakhī haite haya ei līlāra vistārasakhī vinā ei līlā puṣṭa nāhi haya
sakhī līlā vistāriyā, sakhī āsvādayasakhī vinā ei līlāya anyera nāhi gati
sakhī-bhāve ye tāńre kare anugatirādhā-kṛṣṇa-kuñjasevā-sādhya sei pāya
sei sādhya pāite āra nāhika upāya(CC 2.8.201-205)

These lilas of Rādhā and Krishna are most confidential. They are unfathomable to those bhaktas situated in dasya, sakhya, or vatsalya rasa, what to speak of others. Only the sakhis have access to these pastimes, for they arise from the sakhis. Without them, these pastimes cannot grow or expand. The sakhis play this important role in the lila and themselves relish its rasa. Other than the sakhis, no one has a place in this lila. Therefore, without following in their footsteps through gopi bhava, it is impossible to become eligible for Rādhā Krishna's nikunja seva.

 
Ujjvala-nilamani (Sakhi-prakaran) lists 17 types of seva that they perform:1) describing Rādhā's love to Krishna
2) describing Krishna's love to Rādhā
3) relating Rādhā's virtues to Krishna
4) increasing Rādhā's attachment for Krishna
5) increasing Krishna's attachment for Rādhā
6) bringing Krishna to meet Rādhā
7) escorting Rādhā for meeting Krishna
8 ) handing over Rādhā to Krishna
9) laughter and joking
10) giving assurance
11) dressing the Divine Couple
12) expertise in revealing the Divine Couple's inner desires
13) singing
14) concealing the Divine Couple's faults
15) cheating Rādhā's husband and guardians
16) advice giving
17) performing services like fanning and foot massaging