Thursday, May 13, 2010

Chapter 39: Emotions Escalated in Shri Radha-Krishna's Madhuri (Sweetness)

Lyrical Yamuna Flows in Ethereal Vrindavan

The lyrical Yamuna flows in ethereal Vrindavan which abounds with bucolic groves. Radha-Krishna dally here and are adored by Braj beauties.Steeping everyone in their terrifying rush of love, the Yugal invaded Bobo's heart.


Individual Soul Unites with Krishna, the Super Soul

Relishing their amorous frolics Bobo revealed, “But if His beloveds, representing souls in search of salvation, were hungry for the fulfillment of love, the dark-hued Krishna was hungry too because the very foundation of a religion of union is that the individual, partial and manifest self be joined with the universal, whole and unmanifest Self. Gopis' love is regarded as transcendental love of the highest order and being selfless is inherent in these milkmaids."


Cows Are Drawn by Krishna's Flute Play

At this end Bobo saw the dark-skinned Cowherd leaning against the trunk of a coral tree.The son of Nanda had posited the bamboo flute on His tender red lips.Its mellifluous sound resounded in the whole forest and cowherds were drawn by its melody.What is our lovable Kanhaiya singing, they wondered? Herds of cows heard the song and headed here. And as for these dishevelled Braj beauties, casting off their chores they moved in a delicious anguish to Krishna's side.Some with closed eyes and others without batting an eyelid relished His winsome manners.

Overwhelmed with these bhavas revered Bobo kept residing in Vrindavan.Today she had just sat down after doing shringar of Thakurji when she disclosed,“The dallying couple's beauty bloomed with a unique passion as of today.They looked fixedly with a yearning for greater ardour. Somehow during that sequence, the Yugal's tied hair broke free and tresses danced on their forehead as well as cheeks with joyous abandon. As is often the case, their strings of pearls broke in this amorous frolic.Beads of perspiration broke out on their smooth foreheads and seemed enchanting. Words can not express how their passion was calmed after reaching such heights of elation and ecstasy.

Revered Bobo was absorbed in relishing the sweet love of Radha-Krishna. Once she says,


Shri Radha-Krishna Dally Beneath a Cloudy Sky

“ It is not raining at this time but gathered clouds have overcast the sky. The condensed clouds are delightful being cool, smooth and water laden. The swaying and clinging foliage, and lightning' inflames Shri Radha-Krishna further, absorbing them in some new romantic dalliance. Hiding and appearing, the herd of sakhis are savouring this scene with their eyes,.

Immersing herself in this rush of love, a sakhi was spellbound. One fine day a sakhi saw her enraptured Kishori quietly stepping out of the nikunja. 

Smiling she held her hand and cleverly requested, “


The Impassioned State of Shri Radha-Krishna

I wish to see you in some secluded nikunja when Krishna has caught hold of your aanchal in spite of your repeatedly stopping Him. A moving glance soon invades Your large beautiful eyes which makes the Supreme Lover stoop to more mischief.When can I sight you in such an impassioned state?”

Priyaji knew that their mysterious love play had been watched by her.Revered Bobo was also steeped in this blissful experience.

The thought of some new maiden's alarmed mindset urged by loving sentiments, followed by her warm welcome to Vrindavan, where the god forever dwells, struck Bobo.

It was but natural for everyone, the community of sakhis, the herd of sakhas and the denizens to ask, “Who is this new arrival?” A milkmaid usually forays into the Supreme Lover's realm, to seek refuge in His passionate shade... appease their ardent longing. It is not an astonishing matter yet everyone asks, “Tell us who are you? From where have you come? What do you want and what is this dress up? Why are you roaming around here in a crazy dishevelled state?”


Enchanted by Supreme Lover Krishna, A New Sakhi Arrives in Vrindavan

These Braj beauties saw the dark-skinned cowherd, Krishna, adulating this enraptured maiden as He hid in some creeper thicket. They ran and accosted this enchanted maiden.She saw these scurrying milkmaids and raised her innocently longing eyes to behold dark Krishna, the colour of the condensed sky. Who is He whose name is prancing in her mind and soul-He is the very same Rasiya Kishore.It is certainly Him! How lovingly tender is His gaze, and a pleasant smile plays on His lips.Above all, His glance is fixed on me.

She stood spellbound. The sakhis came to nab Krishna and pointing towards her asked, “Who is this new addition? Why are you standing innocently like a simpleton and whom are you sporting with now? Whom have you forced to cast off household chores and worldly constraints during the fun filled, spontaneous and intensely passionate days of Holi and nights of autumnal passion?” 

Well when she heard the dark-hued lover's laughter the maiden blushed. 

The sakhis who are the zenith of spiritual awareness, left saying that they would come back to ask again, “And you better listen beer (term of address) you can't remain mum and must tell us about the escapade.” 

The embarassment of that thrilled beauty and the teasing paramour's elusive smile were winsome.

These cowherdesses with whom the handsome Rasika sported in His youth,are steeped in fresh rushes of Krishna's mysterious love and He gathers more rasa from them. This terrifying rush of love is ancient but ever new-it is here that there is constant basant (spring) with fresh whiffs of spring breeze and fragrance of lotus pollen everyday. Therefore absorbed in a pathos of longing, everyone asks such insane questions. And their Supreme Lover, appearing ignorant on purpose, dupes His sakhas to enjoy himself while dallying.


Shyama-Shyam Share an Eternal Bond

The bond of Shyama-Shyam is constant and eternal.We are a part of that sole Purusha, handsome Krishna.We have relished the delight of that undivided whole and related to Him since ages, being a part of His divine play.We are separated from our experienced Supreme Lover only because of difference in perception and worldly constraints. We have to move our mind from this whole land displaying Krishna's presence and power and focus it on the dark-hued god . The cycle of new and old is constantly in motion.

It was always tough to figure out the mindset of Bobo.Her innate humility was apparent as she greatly respected associates of all ages. In reality her perceptions were hidden to such an extent that her simply unaffected nature and the rush of love which gushed from every fiber of her being, the manifestation of assurances received from Priya-Priyata-remained the primary source of attraction towards her.

Revered Bobo(right) with Manohar Bhaiya

Great luminaries, saints and bhaktas were overwhelmed by her and drawn towards her sensitive perceptions, relishing the intimacy innate in her nature.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Chapter 38: Return to Vrindavan, Relishable Perceptions

 Shri Radha-Krishna Enjoy Themselves in the Forests of Vrindavan

 Protected by Vrinda Devi is Vrindavan.It is here that Radha-Krishna enjoy themselves in the wilds without the restraints of divinity.Aware of their wishes, Vrinda Devi is expert at creating the perfect pastoral setting and seasons for their romantic dalliance to unfold.

Well revered Bobo resided for a week in Giriraj and returned to Vrindavan. Relishing their rasa, she describes the impassioned state of Priya-Priyatam,“ What should the enraptured young couple do-they are not able to bear the garland of flowers. Both of them did not wear a necklace of jewels or diamonds today but of radiant laughter- and the joyous abandon could not be contained.Intoxicated by sighs of yearning, Kishoriji walks coquettishly.The sweetness of their fragrant limbs is a matter related to sight. Delighting the eyes... this is not an episode related to voice...or writing.


Beloved Radha's Eyes are Smitten by Krishna's Face

The imagined pleasures of an impassioned man and enraptured woman made both Shri Radha-Krishna desirous to relish the consummation of their love...And behold, finding Her shy longing incapable of stepping out of its embarrassed state...Priyaji raised Her eyes...which like a capricious bee focused on the face of Priyatam.Soon after Kishoriji, lowered them to know about Her Supreme Lover...And the passionate escapade was repeated as the Yugal moved into the mazes and mysteries of love.

The biting wind of the cold season blew freely, but its blast had no accessibility to nikunjas set on banks of the Yamuna. Amidst cold whiffs in such a delightful shrine, the handsome Yugal were immersed in their amorous frolic. The new moon could be seen smiling in a creeper thicket at one end. Seeing the irresistibly attractive form of Priyaji in that dim light, the passionate Supreme Lover was further aroused.

A little later He shook Radha out of Her reverie and She adulated Him with Her half shut eyes. Instantly moonbeams Bathed her body with their lustre. Who has the competence to understand Bobo's state of mind steeped in relishing the rasa of Radha-Krishna.

Revered Bobo was residing in Banke Bihari Colony in those days and it was her fortieth birthday.

Shaligram

In the evening Sarlaji and Santoshji fondly put bangles on her hand and made her wear the flower garland of their Shri Shaligramji.Bobo had abandoned the practice of wearing bangles right from childhood but insisting that other bahens wear this sign of wifehood,. Having great respect for Santosh Bahenji it was impossible to oppose her affectionate entreaty and she accepted it lovingly.

At night she kept the garland near her pillow, as she went off to sleep. Soon after,Bobo saw Shri Thakurji holding her left wrist and adorning it with His personal golden bracelet studded with various gems.Wide in the centre and narrowing down at both ends-it was was slightly big. Consequently Priyaji took Her slightly broader bracelet with a zone of small bells strung at both sides and made her wear it. Bobo was delighted.

The sweetness of the handsome Shyam's feet instinctively drew her and Bobo was absorbed in their charming tale:-

Lotus Thickets Offer Their Floral Fragrance  at Krishna's Feet
“His pair of lotus feet...Oh! How tender, beautiful and fragrant are they? All sorts of land and water lotuses competed with them and were defeated. But sakhi, the lotus thicket offered its entire Shri (splendid beauty) at Krishna's lotus feet, soon after.The lotus fragrance merging with the scent of His lotus feet is roaming delightedly in the whole of Vrindavan. 


Kamla Devi Resides in Krishna's Lotus Feet 

Kamla Devi (a title of goddess Lakshmi) Herself abandoned the padmalaya (lotus thicket) and began residing in these lotus feet.

Revered Bobo then saw the glowing red of Krishna's lotus hands, which made her heart pound. And her sentiments resounded in that impassioned state.

Krishna is the repository of madhurya and every limb of His is acclaimed as the paragon of sweetness. Have a look at His pair lotus hands which caress His bamboo flute's dried up frame with fondness and affectionate play, and make it the breath of love.


His Flute Drinks the Nectar of Krishna's Lips

What great act of merit hath this flute performed in consequence of which it is drinking the nectar from the lips of Krishna. Which art arranges for the play of an amorous frolic as these teasing pair of hands come up with a new stratagem every other day when Krishna places His tender fingers on the flute and raises them at times.

The charm of Krishna's lotus hands aroused His pair of arms, which turned into an ardent longing.

Braj beauties have bathed them with love and in turn those arms immerse these Braj maidens with their gush of affection and passion. Enflamed by some delicious anguish when this pair of arms embrace the desirable beauties, flood and ebb tides of love invade them.Sometimes an enraptured maiden steeps these arms with the love of her ardently longing heart. A terrifying rush of love gushes forth from both sides breaking through the embankments of romantic dalliances. 


 Krishna's Ineffable Beauty

Soon enough, on looking up a Braj maiden saw Krishna's ineffable beauty.The glory of Krishna's dark hued face, the colour of the condensed sky, was gathering and looting the spirited Shri. Violating all the norms of eloquence is the beauty...of Krishna's face which is irresistibly attractive with an attractiveness as mysterious as it is compelling.

Who is pouring His madhurima or sweetness on my heart, pointing at some spirited dalliance with His mischievous feet...putting the lotus thicket to shame, the refuge site of Padma (title of goddess Laxmi)... tickling the flute with His lotus hands, the fabricator of an amorous frolic...with arms which are recipient of the Braj beauties' pampering... inflaming the heart with His face's madhuri or sweetness...who is this ineffably beautiful Kishor? Is He jolting me...making me helpless...? Oh my inner core is swooning with His addictive beauty...what should I do? Where should I go...?Ask whom...?

Reaching the heights of elation and ecstasy, Bobo was escalating the glory of Vrindavan.At times her rapture would transform into a particular meditation and her delight was shadowed by a certain mudra.

Bobo Lost in a Trance

All these would certainly indicate a kind of silence and make her lost in a reverie.At times her inkling to remain quiet would make her extremely serious and she would take a vow of silence.

She got an indication from Priya-Priyatam beforehand and became serene. At times she would not feel like talking to anyone. Many a time she would do shringar of the Yugal (Radha-Krishna) and long to sit in the proximity of Shri Yamunaji.The presence of her own people whom she gave full respect did not seem joyous to her and she was not keen to talk to them at times. Due to God' s stimuli she would go into a concentrated internal practice of imaginative recollection to remain in the closeness of Shyama-Shyam.She would only talk of their countless legends, thoughts, a yearning for the joy of Radha-Krishna's proximity would tug at her heart strings.