Chapter 22: Shriji Watches Enactment of the Maharasa

 

Vanshi Vata, Vrindavan

One day there was an enactment of the 'Maharasa' at Shri Vanshi Vat in the evening. Shriji, a couple of devotees and I went there to see an enactment of the 'Rasa Lila' in the evening. 

Supreme Lover Krishna & Beloved Radha 

The Supreme Lover Krishna and His Beloved Shri Radha were resplendently seated on a throne of the Rasa Mandala.[1] After arti[2]by the inner circle of sakhi-associates, attendant musicians started singing the following pada:

' bhagvanapi ta ratri sharodotfullmallikah

vikshya rantu manashchakre yogmayamupashritah ||1|| '

(Shrimad Bhagavata Purana)

 

Krishna Showers His Grace on Shri Radha & the Gopis

'The autumnal fragrant flowers were in full bloom and the nights referred to previously by the Lord, as merged into one, blossomed in joy. To please His devotees the Lord had assumed a heart through His yogic powers.'

(With the support of Yogmaya, Lord Krishna showered His grace and love on the gopis and Shree Radha Rani on the night of Sharad Poornima.)

Lord Krishna Plays the Flute

 Lord Krishna took out the flute from His flank and put it on His lips. A sweet melodious sound emanated from that enchanting flute. On hearing it endless maidens of Braj rushing instantly from here and there and appeared near Lord Krishna, in half a moment. 

 

The Autumnal Full Moon

At this end the autumnal full moon was greedily rising higher and higher in the sky to witness the thrill of the Rasa, the round dance of Krishna with the herdgirls of Braj. The moon too had to relish the bliss of the Maharasa of this six month long night. An unprecedented intoxication pervaded the entire forest realm.

Moonbeams of the full moon were lighting up the kunjas and nikunjas[3] of Vrindavan. The beautiful majesty of Shri Dham Vrindavan was unique. Drunk with the nectar of His lips, the flute had begun churning the hearts of the maidens of Braj with its chirpily repeated notes.  

 

Beloveds of Krishna Are Drawn to Him

Then, how could those beloveds of Lord Krishna possibly stop themselves? This insane flute had tugged their hearts with a delicious anguish and now the flute was besotted with pride of its own powerful effect. It was being rewarded by Lord Krishna for forcibly drawing the beloveds.

Today the Supreme Lover was :

'shringarah sakhi! murtimanmiv madhao mughdho hari: kridati |'

'O sakhi! Today, beloved Hari is frolicking like the incarnate sentiment of love as if intoxicated with strong drink.'

sAkshAt manmatha manmatha  |

( Shrimad Bhagavatam,10.32.2)

  Charming Supreme Lover Krishna

He was so charming that Sree Sukah describes Krishna saying that He bewildered the mind of Cupid (who bewilders the mind of ordinary people) Himself. 

Gopis Are Possessed by Mukunda

Lord Krishna was standing in front to get His madhuri looted. Making them forget home, friends, kinsmen and social constraints, the flute had flown off with these crazed housewives, possessed by Mukunda, 

 

 Dried Leaves Blown Away by Whirlwind

 in such a way as the whirlwind flies off with a dried leaf which has fallen from a tree.

vanshi dhvani chakravat, udaya liyo shusak paat  |

The Braj gopis passed the test of their hearts posed by the Supreme Lover with flying colours. Being pleased Lord Krishna became indebted to them for ever and the Maharasa began.

Shri Maharajji was viewing the Rasa with concentration and unblinking eyes. The ends of his eyes were tearful. At times his eyes would be shut and tears flowing from both the eyes would stream down his cheeks and drench his chest. Mustering courage, he was trying to see the Rasa.

Krishna Assumes Many Forms To Dance With Each Gopi

Assuming countless forms, the darling son of Braj was doing Rasa with  innumerable gopis. So far Shriji had somehow managed to restrain himself but now it was getting beyond his control. Suddenly he went into bhava avesha and entered the trance like state of religious rapture. Forgetting himself, Shriji stood up. I tried to be of help to him but Shriji fell down in a swoon. There was uproar among the spectators. Somehow or the other I pacified them by making some excuse.

Taking Shriji's head on my lap, I kept on sitting. After about half an hour he gradually came back to his natural state but he was still semi-conscious. His eyes were loaded with intoxication and red-hued.

Gently I whispered and asked, “ Will you make a move?”

Shri Balkrishna Das ji Maharaj

Shriji signaled his acceptance. Carefully I caught him and made him stand up. Walking slowly with Shriji in his semi-conscious state, we reached Ganga Mandir. He kept lying down without any movement for a while and regained normal consciousness, thereafter.

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[1]     Mandala: stage

[2]     Arti: a dish holding a lamp, burning ghi, incense and other articles is moved in a series of circles in front of the dish

[3]     Kunjas and nikunjas: big and small groves