Wednesday, March 18, 2009

'Rang (Rangini) Jara Suno'

A sakhi of the nitya parikar (eternal attendants) manifested close to dedicated Usha Bahenji for the purpose of extensively acquainting us with the nitya (constant) and prakat (evident) divine play of Shri Radha-Krishna and the Braj cowherdesses. We present a lila 'Ranga (Rangini) Jara Suno' from the vast collection bestowed by her. Bhagwan Shri Nimbarka is said to be an incarnation of Rangini Sakhi, one of the eight primary sakhis of Krishna.


'Rang (Rangini) Jara Suno'


The icy wind transformed the cool autumn into a glorious season. The radiance of the sun seemed joyous. A varied array of flowers bloomed in forest groves. The water of lakes and Shri Yamuna's gushing blue waves turned very cool. The days of water sports were over but could not put any restriction on the spirited antics of mischievous Krishna.


He would venture to the sandy banks of the flowing river before the sun rose. Teasing the maidens come to bathe, he created an uproar; sprinkling water on them and getting wet in the process. His winsome manners melted away any vexation caused by his pranks, with no change in his daily regime.


Putting the dark lustre of the evening to shame, the impassioned supreme lover reveled in various playful dalliances. Returning from the forest at the hour of cowdust, he would figure out some clever stratagem centered in Braj's lanes, at wells and various paths. Kunjas-nikunjas glowed with the dark-hued lustre of his body in the wee hours of the night. He celebrated auspicious festivals with the younger gopis and quelled his passion in nights of rapturous lovemaking.


That particular day the supreme lover was sitting alone in a grove located on the banks of the Yamuna, early in the afternoon. The ardent longing of his eyes clearly revealed his impassioned state. The quintessential romantic hero leaning against the root of a tree, with his tender feet sprawled, amidst the hide and seek of the sun, seemed irresistibly attractive, with an attractiveness as mysterious as it was compelling.


The sound of tinkling anklets startled him, but Krishna hid. Peeking from a small opening of dense leaves he saw Shri Bhadraji coming along with two-three sakhis, laughing merrily. Having reached the sandy banks of the Yamuna she looked around once and sat down.


She asked a sakhi to sing a pada (a verse of devotional poetry specially intended to be sung.) When the sakhi asked which one, Bhadraji gave a lacklustre smile and gravely replied,' Can you possibly sing what I want? You recite your favourite and I will listen...' The sakhis were dazed but quiet.


Silence prevailed for some moments. Conscious soon after, Bhadraji entreated,' Rangini, sing on. Do not delay.' The mellifluous sound of Rangini's tender voice, resonated in the Yamuna banks. Bhadraji was sure that her intense desire gushed forth in this composition. Krishna hiding in the cluster of trees was also stupefied.


All of a sudden Rangini smiled and teased,' Bhadra tell the truth. Didn't the song embody the state of your mind? The ardent longing veiled in your peals of laughter burst forth in my rendition.'


Madhura barged in,' In case the elusive and insistent paramour is hiding nearby and listening to the melody...' Now Bhadraji voiced her thoughts. A charming smile invaded her face, and she exulted,' Let him...He very well recognizes her voice and adores it.'


Rangini laughed,' And what about your heart? I did not sing but your pathos of longing was expressed in this enthused exultation ...'


The discussion was left at that. Krishna, the supreme lover, stepped out of the cluster and headed towards them to complete the episode. The maidens were enraptured to see the shapely eyes of the romantic hero exuding sensuality. An ardent longing apparent on his face left them spellbound. Most sensible Bhadraji soon regained her composure. She mocked,' Whom are you seeking?'


Krishna the colour of the condensed sky, smiled and retorted,' Do you want to see who I am looking for?'


Bhadraji replied,' Sighting her is a different matter, I will search and get her.'


The lover was about to comment but didn't and smiled instead. Unable to control the welling ardour, Bhadraji got up all of a sudden. Seeing her, the rest followed suit. She began walking without a word with the other sakhis in tow. Impassioned Krishna did not intervene. Bhadraji looked behind, reluctant to move ahead but she went on.


She made a gesture to Rangini, who looked back and precisely then Krishna whispered,' Rang! Jara Suno (Rang! Just listen).' All the others left with exquisite desires tugging their hearts while Rangini returned to the supreme lover. Both of them went and sat on the banks of the Yamuna. Krishna tickled Shri Yamuna with his feet submerged, watching the surging waves. Holding Shri Rangini's lotus hand in his own, Krishna fondled her with the other.


Soon after he raved,'Is it a small feat to merge your heart with another and express her romantic yearning in your own voice?'


With lowered eyes, Rangini explained softly,' But this was Bhadra's heart exhibiting its sweet romance.'


Priyatam asked,' Whose voice was it anyway?'


Shri Rangini did not respond. Holding her hand, the romantic hero Krishna came to the forest grove. Soon enough the two dallied romantically.


On the other hand, Bhadraji headed straight for her bhavan (abode); quiet, steeped in some irrepressible emotion. The darkness of the evening merged with the silent blackness of the night. Once Bhadraji peeped out of the window and sighing went and lay on her bed again.


A moment later Shri Rangini entered the chamber. Hope flashed in Bhadraji's eyes and coming out of her reverie she teased,' Rangini I was correct, isn't it? Do not make a futile attempt to hide the ecstasy apparent on your face.'


Shri Rangini chirped,'But listen to what I have to say!' Shri Bhadra's laughter vanished and she raised her eager eyes. Well-versed in the secrets of love-play, Rangini did not give any message of Krishna's but insisted on taking her for a stroll. 'Why stay at home? Bhadra let us go for a walk to the grove nearby and delight in the luminescence of the moon dallying in the forest.'


Bhadraji made excuses initially but went along soon enough.Stepping into the moonlit night she was thrilled...the whispering fragrant cool breeze aroused her sensually. The serious demeanour of the constantly chattering and merry Bhadra, seemed strange.


The supreme lover saw her coming slowly and strode ahead swiftly. He extended his hands, as if the moon had lifted a female partridge with its hands...The handsome god and his beloved had no inkling when Rangini left. Snuggling Bhadra to his heart, wrapping his arms around her,Krishna entered the dense shrine-like nikunja (bower).


The terrifying rush of love fused in a serious stratagem...delighting them in a different manner, Priyatam confirmed,' Priya, I can sing your favourite song. Shall I right now?' Bhadra smiled. Her lips quivered to reveal her state but couldn't. Embodying a throbbing longing, someone's heart entreated her for a favour. The silent private dialogue continued for some time.


Then the supreme lover tickled her and enthused,' What punishment should be meted out to the person resonancing somebody's yearning, by adorning her voice.' Bhadra kept quiet for some time and spoke,' Why don't you explain?'


Krishna laughed and affirmed,' I will certainly!'


Soon after their bodies, minds and souls were fused and focused in a single expression of love. Heart with heart...lips with lips, eyes with eyes met, arms enfolded arms, limbs were intertwined; caressing each other with loving tenderness as they spent a night of rapturous love-making.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Pratah Stava: 9th Shloka


Sanchintneyamnumrigyambheesht dohan,

Sansartaapshamanan charanan maharham.

Nandatmajasya satatan mansa gira cha,

Sansevyami vapusha pranyen ramyam.


'I lovingly worship the roaming holy pair of feet of the pampered son of Nanda with my mind, words and body...who are solely worth meditating upon and revering. Fulfilling desires, granting all wishes plus the destroyers of worldly sorrows are these feet.'


Irresistibly attractive, the lotus feet of the dark-hued handsome god, are the love of our lives. May they constantly flourish in the elusive fields, forests and streams of our hearts! And soon enough the mundane world, its grief and earthly objects become immaterial. The domain of their spirited antics, is overwhelming.


Adorned with romantic dalliances, the ardent realm...absorbed in the loving tenderness of Krishna's terrifying love...has no entry of pangs of pain or even its thought. They invade the human heart spreading joy and delight with thrusts of Krishna's secret and sudden love.The perennial quest of mankind for ultimate reality; seeking a divine and transcendental love...is reflected in this search!


Come let us venture to watch...the playful dalliance of those feet...their amorous frolic, as they roam and wander! Inhale the immense fragrance exuding in the narrow lanes, sight footprints ornamenting the golden sandy banks of the Yamuna. Sakhis...let us proceed to the shrine-like nikunja (bower)...its creepers throbbing longingly...the scent laden intoxicating breeze...the environs...the ground enraptured in the guise of these shrubs.


Certainly our romantic hero Krishna...Pranvallabha is engrossed in charming escapades with his beloved Radha, and he has probably noticed our arrival...Listen, can you hear? The sweet sound of anklets adorning his holy feet...And guess what...the flute in the hands of Krishna, perched on his lips... draws us, as he breathes life into it. A call to eternity is the mellifluous sound of the flute, the breath of love! And listen to the melody of two voices singing in unison...Radha along with her supreme lover,Krishna.


Priya follows those footprints, attracted by the bodily fragrance...revering them...let us accompany her to that kunja...the same sandy river-bank...the market place...the mountain passes...the fields and forests, the very same bhavan... and verdant Vrindavan which resonates with the lively feet absorbed in spirited antics.


Snuggled in the bosom of irresistibly attractive Radha...covered by her veil...is this blued-hued handsome picture...the splendour...the majesty...yes! They are certainly the dark god's pair of feet..Krishna resides in the sap that animates the birds and the bees, the trees and the creepers of Vrindavan; for to express joy is to realize Krishna.


The repository of madhurya or sweet love are the pair of feet...granting desired wishes, their search and pursuit. The enraptured Braj beauties passionately drawn by the footprints have no spare time to dwell upon worldly grief.Treasuring the lotus feet in their heart, steeped in love, the cowherdesses are constantly absorbed in new amorous frolics and romantic dalliances.


I worship the divine Yugal's (Shri Radha-Krishna) feet with my mind, voice and body. With energy and joyfulness and love, I make obeisance to the supremely favoured deity...bestowing fruition of exquisite desires...fulfilling all longings...the protective canopy...the essence of my being...my very life...soul...the tangible form of my love...My quest seeks a divine and transcendental love... the ultimate reality. Ethereal are these feet.

Concluding the stotra or hymn of praise, Nimbarkacharyaji says,


Pratah stavmiman punyan pratrutthay yah pathet

Sarv kalan kriyastsya safalasyuh sada dhruvah.


Whosoever recites the Pratah Stava early in the morning, everyday...all his actions will certainly be rewarded.


Construing the essence of this hymn of praise,we concurrently pray to Nimbarkacharyaji that he may attach us...with focused concentration on these feet. So that we attain their constant closeness...not just emotionally... while in contemplation, meditation or smarana...but visibly relish their proximity or union with the divine.

Whatever may be our shortcomings...drawbacks...wrongdoings...are soon enough rectified by Shri Radha-Krishna. The Yugal deliver us ultimately with their generosity and loving tenderness.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Pratah Stava: 8th Shloka


Pratarnmami Vrashbhanusutapdabjan,

Netralibhih parinutan Brajsundarinaam.

Prematurenh harina suvisharden,

ShrimadBrajesh-tanyen sadabhivandhyam.


In this shloka revered Shri Acharyaji makes obeisance to Shri Shri Radha's lotus feet early in the morning with the sakhi bhava. Served by the capricious eyes of Braj beauties, the feet are adoringly adulated by the impassioned supreme lover, Krishna.


The daughter of Vrashbhanu, Shri Radhika is the deity, life and soul of the sakhis. Their entire focus is Radha, all the time; their love for Radha stands supreme but the sakhis are not contented.


Loved to the same extent as dark-hued Krishna...but surprisingly Radha is even more lovable for some sakhis.Particularly desirous to assist in the loving affairs of Radha...understanding all her bhavas and facial expressions, they attend to her needs. Shri Radha their svamini or devotional ideal, is also very fond of them. Large-hearted, Shri Radhika fulfills their desire for a loving relationship with Krishna in a variety of ways. It is said that she controls Krishna with her love and that perfect spiritual life is unattainable without her grace.


Netralibhih parinutan Brajsundarinaam.


Acharya Shri raved that the lotus feet of Kishoriji are attended to by the capricious eyes of Braj beauties. It means imbibing the bhava of loving the holy feet and taking on the form of the greedy black bee, eager to savour nectar of the lotus feet. The Braj maidens not only serve in the dasya bhava (servitude). As snehadhika, their love for Radha stands supreme, perceived in their peculiar desire to assist in the loving affairs of Radha and Krishna.


The same applies for the cowherdesses. Shri Radha is the foremost of the gopis, who are very dear to her...the recipients of her pampering. Radha exalts their service and they eagerly attend to her needs...watching her face in eager anticipation. The primary concern over and above their own self-interest is Radhika's pleasure. And to this end they comfort and even admonish her.


The sakhis are her kaya-vyuhas or replications. When Radha is offended and sulks, giving orders that Krishna should not be allowed to enter; they are desirous to send him in. As Radha and Krishna's sole purpose is to engage in a loving exchange, the gopis exist to assist them in this love. When arrogant Radhika warns them not to mention her name, they go to the handsome god on some pretext, narrate her love-lorn state...and fetch him.


Once love-struck Kishori was very furious initially...scraping the ground with her toe nail...though Priyatam repeatedly tried to appease her. And when the young god got up and left, she longed for him... Restless, she entreated, that the sakhis go and call him and why they let him leave in the first place. In separation, she lacked sight, was lifeless and devoid of a soul.


When she persisted relentlessly, the sakhis were moved but appeared harsh, 'We are not going under any circumstances. When he comes to pacify, you are haughty...flare up at the slightest provocation...do not even look at him...and now you request us to fetch him. We do not want the incidence to be repeated.' Scolding her, they made her reach the heights of elation and ecstasy of union. Spurring her to make several promises they brought Pranvallabha or beloved of the hearts,Krishna.


Their eyes akin to intoxicated black bees are forever restive to savour the sweetness of their beloved sakhi's lotus feet...hovering around...circling around them...serving the needs of Radha...they savour the seva rasa and are enchanted.


As love messengers the sakhis sometimes get young Radha adorned for a tryst with the supreme lover and at times fetch the handsome god to the ardently longing Kishori. Constantly in close proximity to these lotus feet, the sakhis hum like bees...chirp...roam around, and at times silent...stupefied they relish the rasa of Shri Radha-Krishna's amorous frolics. Blessed are these Braj beauties and greatly fortunate are the pair of lotus feet served by these maidens.


Come, let us also secretly enter the herd of Braj beauties and hiding behind some creeper thicket, have a look at how the handsome Krishna adoringly adulates Priyaji's lotus feet...what does he want...do...and ask for.


The quintessential romantic hero, Krishna is skilled and well-versed in the art of dalliances. With tenderness and teasing, mischief and spontaneity he knows exactly how to please Radha. Proud of her love-play, when Radhika rejects his sudden love...denies his advances...turns down his spontaneous moves; the lover praises her lavishly, charms with his humility and expresses his enraptured state. And if she refuses still feigning indignation, then the teasing Krishna stations his flute and peacock crown at her holy feet, flattering her.


Even so if not pleased, he rests his head on Radha's lotus feet. and when...her eyes are laden with a smile and a smile spreads across her lips, then the dark-hued god sets up her pair of lotus feet on his broad affectionate chest. Laughing he confirms that Shri Radha-Krishna's union is due to the feet's blessings and enthrones them. (Krishna is often construed as the ardent but faithless lover of the love-struck soul, Radha.)


The impassioned lover was about to say something when Kishori kept her lotus hand on his lips. Gathering intense passion, he rested the hand on his chest and enthused,' You have seen the fruition of praying to the feet!' And soon after caressing the tender pair of lotus feet, was desirous for an amorous frolic.


Revered Shri Sakhaji had once narrated a divine play woven around the jasmine thicket. Tightly binding her in a terrifying rush of love, the supreme lover was engaged in an impassioned love exchange. Soon after, he got up and sat facing her. Positioning her lotus feet in his lap, he fondled them.


Embarrassed Priyaji pulled her legs and complained,' Every action of yours is strangely controversial.' The lover forcibly held her lotus feet and lowering his handsome face showered sudden love. The young Radha had no option, except resting her forehead against his. She coaxed,'It is enough now!' And then he snuggled her head on his chest. Giving in to freedom, spontaneity and intense passion, the supreme lover adoringly adulates Radha's feet in this fashion.


When she sulks the scenario is completely different. Offended, she is not appeased in any fashion and he has a tough time pleasing her. Her arrogance gives way and Krishna's longing for dalliances gushes forth and rolling in those feet, gains access to her beautiful body. The chest enflamed with the pathos of longing, nestling these cool lotus feet, bestows coolness.


Soon the handsome god entreats for new amorous frolics...and then praying to these lotus feet, unfurls the flag of intense passion. Defeated concurrently, he triumphs...and appeasing these lotus feet is rapturous.


May we also be sheltered by these lotus feet...our salvation lies in focusing on them. I make obeisance to these exalted feet over and over again. There is a humble entreaty...an exquisite desire...that these pair of all-knowing holy feet are pleased...and grant the boon of fulfilling our longings.


Once a shrewd sakhi saw Radha walking affectedly in the darkness of daybreak and construed the entire scenario. She saw the staggering gait and red spots...sort of sprinkled on the feet. She queried,'Kishori what are these red spots on your tender feet and these stains of lampblack?' Priyaji smiled and gave a gentle slap on her cheek. Embarassed, she just uttered the word,' Crazy...'and was quiet.


Look, the respectful obeisance led to this romantic dalliance. Stepping out of the thicket, the handsome god came close and casting a passionate glance on Priyaji...laughingly assured the sakhi,' I will reveal the mystery.' We never know what he said and unveiled. Expressions of those love-signs were marked on her body...and...


We awaken to a world transformed by remarkable obeisance; rare dedicated devotion of the holy feet and unique result, leading to amazing fruition...Reaching the deeper ecstasies of devotion...the heights of elation.


Let us share the vision of Acharyaji and respectfully bow before the pair of red feet, to develop an all-consuming intimacy with Shri Radha.