Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Shri Venu Geet: Seventeenth Shloka

A Bhil Woman


purnah pulindya urugaya-padabja-raga
sri-kunkumena dayita-stana-manditena |
tad-darsana-smara-rujas trna-rusitena
limpantya anana-kucesu jahus tad-adhim
(SB 10.21.17)

Lovable Krishna

Meaning: “O Sakhi! Why is it that we consider these *Bhilnis to be truly blessed and thoroughly contented? When they behold our lovable Krishna, an intense longing to meet Him arises in their hearts gushing with great love.

A Gopi of Vraja

Since their hearts are afflicted with love, you must listen to the recourse they take at that point of time. The saffron-musky spots which gopis, beloveds of the Supreme Lover, apply on their breasts, is affixed to the lotus feet of Krishna. And when He walks on the grass and leaves of Vrindavan, it rubs off on them as well. These fortunate Bhil women scrape the paste from the blades of grass and smear it on their breasts and faces. And thus pacify their lovelorn hearts, with this act.

Krishna Grazing Cows in Vrindavan

Commentary by Shri Manohar Baba: The commentator says that when the kumkum powder which adorns the bosom of His beloveds is transferred to Lord Krishna's feet, the beauty of His red feet is further enhanced. Early in the morning, when the dark god takes the cows for grazing, the same saffron is transferred onto the pastures of Vrindavan. Seeing that sight, these Bhilnis aroused by *smarana can not touch Krishna because of being low caste. But by taking the kumkum impressed onto the grass as well as boulders and smearing it on their faces and bosom, they appease the anguish of separation. That is why these Bhil women are supremely blessed.

Gopis Searching for Lord Krishna

Whereas we can not meet dark-hued Krishna and alleviate our pain even on being the rightful enjoyers.

*Bhilnis: women belonging to the Bhils, a tribe of central India

smarana: a concentrated practice of meditating upon God

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