Rasa! Rasa! Rasa! (part 3)

Relish Rasa by Talking About the Romantic Dalliance of Shri Radha-Krishna

The state of our original mind is such that it is naturally drawn by rasa. If we say that it existed in the past it shows that this state of ours is not eternal. The word 'past' should be detached from rasa. Rasa is there in the present, instinctively and naturally. One imagines that it belongs to the past when we deviate from our original svarupa. It is possible to relish rasa and easily attain rasa by talking about the lila or playful dalliances of Radha-Krishna.

A Lotus Pond

Oblivious of her surroundings, a sakhi is lying on the lowest step of a lotus pond, holding a lotus in her hand amidst lotus clusters. The nearest flock of parrots are chirping sweetly, at times near her cheeks and sometimes next to her ears. Besides, they are gently tugging at her clothes to bring her back to her senses.

Our Mind is Drawn to Shri Radha-Krishna

The incarnate, perceptible scene of the Supreme Lover waiting eagerly for His Beloved can be enacted before our eyes only when our mind is drawn to Shri Radha-Krishna.

Talking about their dalliances is the reason for Shri Radha-Krishna pervading our mind. On entering our ears, the Divine Couple are instantly perceptible by our eyes. Is our mind focused[1] on them is the point deserving attention.

If the mind does not concentrate on them then we are thinking of something else which belongs to the material world. By focusing on something else neither is our mind satisfied nor do we become one with Krishna or our thirst is quenched.

If we think of someone else as being our own then there are certain limitations. Is it because that person is at a distance? However, even on being near he does not fully take over our mind. What does not belong to the mind how can it be fully contained in the mind? How can that which keeps us dissatisfied, keeps our life and mind incomplete, belong to the mind.

Keeping all the blissful joy of Radha-Krishna's realm on one side, where did we give space to the entire mundane world to be contained in our mind? Meaning it could not be contained in our mind. A feeling that something is lacking exists or a feeling that the mind is empty persists.

An Ardent Longing for Shri Radha-Krishna Persists

Emptiness of the mind is not possible because we are passionately drawn by Shri Radha-Krishna who belong to the mind. An ardent longing for them prevails.

The constant passionate longing of our mind can be pacified by remembering the Supreme Lover and His Beloved, the objects of our longing, who are perceptible and reside in our real mind.

Indeed, rasa is recollection, is audible, is taste and is said t Radha-o fully embrace us. Which means it manifests as recollection, dalliance, selection and a stealer of our hearts.

Tasting the Love of Shri Radha-Krishna

Not a topic to be talked about, explained or interpreted, the mind is known as the relisher which makes us undergo the experience of fully tasting the love of Shri Radha-Krishna.

Is what is dear to us, posited by our side, is fresh and new, manifests every day,  escalates every second,  known as rasa or the mind?

Rasa is certainly not transient, incomplete or tasteless. The mind does not have any connection with these words and has not so much as dreamt of them. Until we do not have our own original experiences, knowledge and a right understanding, the mind remains deprived of seeing the incarnate form of Shri Radha-Krishna, the treasure troves of our being.

Sacrifice, renunciation, and other such feelings of detachment have no meaning for a person who is not in harmony with his mind.The savorous, lovable and beauteous form of rasa has existed since ages.

It has no beginning or end, has no connection with means and methods, and is unrestrained and independent.

Shri Radha is the Prema Svarupa of Krishna

Radha is the prema[2] svarupa of Krishna, this can be easily experienced by recollecting and rightly understanding the original essence of rasa.

 

Rasa Means Tasting Krishna by Assuming the Radhabhava

Rasa means the complete experience of tasting Krishna by Radha. Talking about the lila [3]or playfull dalliance of Shri Radha-Krishna proves this statement and makes rasa easily attainable.

Yes rasa, entered our eyes and smiled, became the nectar which gained entry into our ears, became the fragrance which enraptured our nose, turned into the   intoxicating sentence spoken by our tongue. Above all, residing and dallying,it enraptured our mind.

The Interpersonal Romantic Exchange of Shri Radha-Krishna 

Rasa engages Shri Radha-Krishna in interpersonal romantic exchanges, makes them roam together, establishes itself, transforms into a smile on their faces, becomes a word, is apparent on their faces and  pervades them from head to toe.

Rasa established itself, transformed into circumstances, was said to prevail since ages but it never made us feel that we exist separately from Krishna.

Even on Becoming One with Krishna We Long for Him

However, on becoming one with Krishna, we certainly  feel dissatisfied which is a peculiar trait of love. It makes us feel that we have not met, have not become one with Him, a feeling of separation from Krishna prevails. We (Radha[4]),  ) and Krishna are in union with each other but an ardent longing  for the Supreme Lover persists.

Therefore it is said that His beauteous form resides in our eyes, turns into nectarine words of which our ears are recipients, and we are magnetically drawn by the blue-hued body of Krishna, is this true we wonder.

'tum nikat main nikat tam ye achraj ki baat nahin[5] | which means ' 'You are near but I am nearer, is not something to be astonished about.'

Shri Radha-Krishna Reflected in a Lotus Pond

Once, a blooming lotus pond and its jewelled steps had the inexpressible good fortune to be beautified by the reflection of Shri Radha-Krishna.

The beautiful blooming lotus came into view, at some distance, on the opposite side of the charming pond.

Shri-Radha-Krishna decided to see who would pluck the lotus first. Looking at each other, the two of them descended speedily to swim and reach that spot. The pond's waves kept rippling on the surface.

The Supreme Lover and His Beloved were in the midst of water in the pond, looking up at times. He stretched out his hand to pluck the multi-layered lotus and simultaneously His Beloved Shri Radha extended her hand for the same purpose.

Lotus Hands of Shri Radha-Krishna

The lotus remained where it was but their lotus hands ended up holding each other.

Both of them were enraptured and got lost in each other.

The Bumblebee Hovering Over a Lotus

They were looking extremely beautiful in the water of the lotus pond, smiling sweetly. Soon after, Krishna could be seen hovering over Her lotus face like a bumblebee over lotuses in a pond.

The sakhis who had gathered around the jewelled steps were delighted to see this ethereal scene.

That which has not been described, can’t be expressed in one word, that which has no boundary, is not restricted to one place or time period, is what is being addressed as ' You and I.'

 'You and I', Shri Radha-Krishna Roam in Vrinda Forest

'You and I,' these sweet, incomparable, uniquely addressed words adorn the rows of lotus clusters in ponds, the buzzing of honeybees,  jewelled steps, the chirping of birds, kunjas-nikunjas, forests and groves,  nature and sky, and the whole of Vrinda forest. Both 'You and I' emanate from the auspicious mouth of Krishna and forever complement each other.

'Tum nikat main nikat tam ' which means 'You are near but I am even nearer,'  a bhava which is felt by both of them, does not strike us with wonderment. 

Shri Radha-Krishna, Each Equally Important for the Existence of the Other

They both coexist, each equally important for the existence of the other. The word 'rasa' is special, unusual, transcendental and incomparable and it is not the usual prakriti [6] .

Shri Radha-Krishna Enchanted by Each Other's Lotus Faces

Both of them manifest as two distinct individuals. Shri Radha-Krishna are mutually enchanted by each other's lotus face. Sometimes the moon and chakori, and at times the chakori and moon are infatuated by each other.

By looking at the lila episodes it is not possible to say who is 'nikat ' or near and who is 'nikat tam ' or nearer.

Supreme Lover Krishna Embracing Beloved
 Radha

The underlying message at this juncture is that Radha's kanchuki [7] is fortunate enough to be smeared by the sandalwood paste anointing Krishna's chest.

Clinging to Krishna's blue-hued body, Radha is intoxicated and says 'main shringar, murtiman shringar hoon' which means 'I am the personification of shringara,' or selfless and sweet feelings of love for Krishna.

This extraordinary bhava is touching, and remaining secretive, it manifests.

'tum nikat, main nikat tam yeh achraj ki baat nahin,' this inexpressible, incomparable bhava, arising from experience, is what adorns our heart.

Therefore 'achraj ki baat nahin ' or 'It is not something to be astonished about,' this bhava is expressed.

Shri Radha is Krishna's Own Svarupa

"Main ' that is ' I'. By gazing right from the effulgent[8] nails on the toes of His lotus feet to the peacock feather adorning His moonlike face, the indication is  towards Krishna's own svarupa.

Dark-hued Krishna's Red Lips

Immersed and drowned in the nectar of His red lips 'Tum ' that is 'You[9],'  emanated to taste His own svarupa, and was addressed as 'Tum.'

Addressing Radha, the eloquent nectar of His blissful energy, as 'Tum ' or 'You,' the Supreme Lover made this rasa amrita enter His ears, and made it surge forth from His mouth.

Shri Radha-Krishna Taste Each Other

The auspicious face of Krishna and the emanating word 'Tum,' were magnetically drawn and tasted each other. His svarupa which relishes the nectar of love is Radha who manifests from His own intrinsic form. Radha is the personification of pure and selfless love.

Krishna, the treasure trove of nectars, can be relished by His own nectarean form which is Radha, who is contained in Him from head to toe and who resides in every fibre of His being. This is the wonderful and beautiful conclusion we come to.

But the word 'conclusion' can’t be used, reason being that the ineffably beautiful youthful Krishna is seen in entirety. 

Shri Radha is Krishna's Hladini Shakti 

He is being seen in His own svarupa because His inherent hladini shakti, His blissful energy, manifests externally in a concrete form as Radha. Krishna is seen as ardently longing to attain the inexpressible joy of being engaged in a loving relationship with Radha, so that He can taste Himself.

His own svarupa or transcendent form is self-existent[10] and not dependent on anything,(aprakrit[11], transcendental and inexpressible). 

Krishna Longs for Radha to Taste His own Rasa

His own svarupa is enraptured and longs for union with Radha so that He can taste himself fully.

Herein the very thought of prakrit[12] and the eligibility of one desh or region and kaal or time does not exist.

Eternal Vrindavan

The unimaginable, ethereal  and savorous lila sthali of 'prakriti ' or the material world  where we see Shri Radhi-Krishna  dally romantically[13]  in the earthly streams and fields, represents a temporal reflection of eternal Vrindavan where Shri Radha Krishna are forever engaged in their most intimate transcendental exchanges.

Wanting to be experienced over and over again is the svarupa of lilas  or the playful dalliance of Radha-Krishna. The svarupa and nature of lilas is the svarupa and nature of our mind. The lila or divine play which is taking place at present manifests from one’s svabhava[14].

Lila means our own svarupa svabhava.[15]

Our Own Svarupa Has Been Seeing Shri Radha-Krishna Since Eternity

Our own means Shri Radha-Krishna[16] whom we can instantly see or rather whom we have been seeing since eternity.

Shri Radha-Krishna Coexist 

Shri Radha-Krishna are seen as dallying playfully at every step, infinitely and innumerable times. We can not say whether Radha's[17] svarupa is greater or Krishna's [18]. Nor do we know since when both of them have been coexisting, each equally important for the existence of the other!

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[1]     focused: When the mind is controlled by concentration and one comes to see the self as the Self, one experiences infinite bliss. To purify the intellect is to transcend the senses, and to transcend the senses is to remain in bliss consciousness permanently. (The Bhagavad Gita)

[2]     prema:The two, rasa and prema, are essentially one. Krishna is rasa and Radha is prema.One has little meaning without the other. Rasa is the highest taste and prema is the means of tasting it. Krishna desires to be one with Radha, for as much as love requires two, it is all about two becoming one.  Krishna must do this to preserve His original purpose of fully tasting himself. He must become one with Radha while preserving both of their identities.

[3]     lila:  to savour the shringara rasa of Radha the devotee is required to live through the countless legends of the playfull dalliance of Radha and Krishna by imaginative collection

[4]     Radha: represents the individual soul, she above all the other souls of the world ultimately emerges as the supreme object of Krishna's love

[5]     tum nikat: if Radha, representing the individual soul, is hungry for the fulfilment of love, Krishna the blue-hued cowherd is hungry too to fully taste himself and to do this he must become one with Radha.

[6]     prakriti: the force or principle from which the material world evolves

[7]     kanchuki: bodice

[8]     effulgent:The beautiful nails on Lord Krishna's feet resemble valuable jewels. The effulgence emanating from these nails resembles cooling moonshine, for it instantly relieves the suffering within the heart of the pure devotee, just as the appearance of the moon's cooling light relieves the burning heat of the sun. -

[9]     You: means Radha. Krishna is full in Himself, yet he is full of love, and love is never satisfied with itself. To taste Himself more fully He manifests as two—Radha and Krishna. That which resides within Krishna as His inherent hladini-sakti manifests externally in a concrete form as Radha.

[10]    self-existent: Krishna is full in Himself, yet He is full of love and love is never satisfied with itself. To taste Himself more fully  He manifests as Radha

[11]    aprakrit: a form which is spiritual

[12]    prakrit:  universe and its work and kal or time are believed to be without awareness or achit (not alive, insentient and observable)

[13]    romantically: there is no greater symbol to denote the longing of the individual soul for union with god than the nayika pining for her lover,

[14]    svabhava: As we are engaged in the Search for Krishna, He is also engaged in  a loving search for His hungering devotees.

[15]    own svarupa swabhava: If we forget the oneness aspect of everything we might end up feeling totally disconnected to Krsna and our own nature as sat-cit-ananda beings.

      But if we forget about the difference aspect, we might end up feeling lonely, because if we feel totally one with everything, then there is no one to exchange loving sentiments with.

      And that is how Krsna probably feels, if He would be constantly aware of His oneness with Radha, forgetting His separation. There would be no taste, no rasa, no meeting and  no love.

      Therefore Krsna eternally takes birth in human surroundings in the so called material world, where He has the opportunity to grow up, hearing about sweet Radha, meeting and falling in love with Her again and again. And we have the opportunity to participate in His lila or playful dalliance and embellish it even further.

[16]    Shri Radha-Krishna: Metaphorically  Radha exemplifies every individual soul's desire to become one with the Divine that is Krishna. There is no greater symbol to denote the longing of the soul in its quest for the divine than the longing of the nayika for her beloved.

[17]    Radha: symbolizes the individual soul

[18]    Krishna's:Know that prakriti, the power of earth, and purusha the power of heaven are the same. We have two bodies but the soul is identical... I created you for the sake of joy,” Krishna tells Radha.