The daylight is darkness; Shubha-sharika's Recital
Verses 72-78
The daylight only darkens the pure hearts of the Vraja sundaris
Verse 72
Seeing Radha Krishna sinking deeper into their lilamrita sindhu, and seeing the
sakhis and manjaris intoxicated and blind due to prema, Vrinda becomes
apprehensive!
Verse 73
Thus she turns to her trained shari named Shubha, who is expert in averting the
shame from her superiors, the fear of her husband, or the ridicule that could
come from the people in general if they should be found out, and signals for
her to try to alert them to the danger.
Rasa-tarangini Tika:
In Krishna-bhavanamrita, Srila Chakravartipada elaborates on Vrinda's dilemma
as she thinks, "Radha Govinda's prema keli has lit up the Vraja kishoris' moon
faces, but they will turn pale as soon as the moon sets.
Although the Vedas
compare light with knowledge and darkness with ignorance, the opposite effect
is happening in our madhura Vrindavan. For here, as the daylight approaches, it
only darkens the pure hearts of the Vraja sundaris with deep anxiety. Hence,
even the Vedas can be naive about Sri Krishna's unique Vrindavan pastimes!"
Shubha-sharika's Recital
Verse 74
Subha exclaims, "Hey lotus-eyed sakhi! You had better hurry up because Jatila
will soon enter your bedroom saying: 'O Radhe! Abhimanyu and his servants are
coming. They're bringing the milk-pails from the goshala. Before he arrives,
quickly go and perform your morning duties!"
Rasa-tarangini Tika:
Abhimanyu was born a eunuch. In order to keep this matter
secret from Radha, he spends his nights sleeping at the goshala, pretending he
loves the cows so much.
Verse 75
Subha continues: "Just see, oh Innocent one! The stars are disappearing having
enjoyed a romantic night with their husband, the moon. Similarly, you should
also swiftly depart from this kunja!"
Rasa-tarangini Tika:
The stars represent the wives of the moon. As they are devis who remain in the
sky, no one criticizes their loving affairs. Nevertheless, by disappearing at
the opportune moment, they display the proper etiquette for married women.
With
this example, Subha hints that a woman spending the evening with a paramour
should terminate such fascination upon the night's conclusion; otherwise disgrace
surely awaits!
Verse 76
O virtuous Radhe! The mural of the sky is painted orange by the sun's rays.
People are coming onto the main roads. So put aside your amusement and proceed
homeward taking the hidden forest path.
Verse 77
Subha then turns to Krishna and says: "Hey Shyama! Are you unaware that Radha's
shashuri (mother in law) is covered with the mud of suspicion? Furthermore, her
bitter husband lives up to his name 'Abhimanyu' (always angry), and her
nanadini (Kutila) is a low-minded scandal monger. As Radhika's family members
are all nasty, how can you keep her at a time like this?"
Rasa-tarangini Tika:
This verse reveals Radharani's position. Just as a lotus resides within the mud
but displays its blooming splendor above the water, our padmini Radha lives in
fear of her cruel inlaws, yet flourishes outside of their mud-like association.
Verse 78
The shari's foreboding words churn Radha's heart as the Mandar Mountain
was churned within the ocean of milk! Thus, as Krishna's separation draws near,
Radha's minnow-like eyes dart this way and that; in this condition she leaves
the bed!
Rasa-tarangini Tika:
Premamayi Radha feels Sri Krishna's discomfort a million
times more than her own, and reasons: "Let my family members and superiors
criticize or torture me as they like-I shall tolerate everything. But if my Praneshwar
Sri Krishna's name be abused-that's intolerable!"
Thus thinking, Radha's mind and eyes whirl. When the devatas abd asuras churned the milk ocean with the Mandara Mountain, the fish were tormented. Similarly, upon hearing Subha's words, Shyama gauravini (Radha whose pride rests in Krishna's dignity) Radha's eyes toss in waves of anxiety as she deliberates: "If I am caught today, my in-laws may deliver such a severe punishment that my Krishna seva will be impaired for life!"