Shri Madhava Mahotsava

Shri Jiva Gosvamipada . 1555 a.d

By Mahanidhi Swami, All Rights Reserved.
Please buy this book to support the Author.

Dedication

This English translation of Shri Madhava Mahotsava by Shri Jiva Gosvamipada is dedicated to my spiritual
master, ISKCON Founder-acarya Shrila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

Shrila Prabhupada performed bhajana for six years in the historic Radha-Damodara temple in Seva Kunja,
Vmdavana, which was founded by Shri Jiva Gosvamipada. By the tremendous spiritual blessings and potency
received from Shri-Shri Radha-Damodara Jeu and Shri Jiva Gosvamipada, Shrila Prabhupada translated the
works of the Six Gosvamis into English and spread the science of Krishna consciousness all over the world.
We hope, therefore, Shrila Prabhupada will be pleased to see that one of Shri Jiva Gosvamipada's classic books
has now been printed in the English language.

Mangalacarana

om ajnana-timirandhasya, jnananjana-salakaya
caksur unmilitam yena, tasmai shri-gurave namah

0 Gurudeva! You are so merciful. I respectfully bow down to you and beg you to open my eyes, which have
been blinded by the darkness of ignorance, with the torchlight of divine knowledge.

vancha-kalpatarubhyas ca, krpa-sindhubhya eva ca

patitanam pavanebhyo, vaisnavebhyo namo namah

I offer my respectful obeisances unto all the Vaishnavas who are just like desire trees. They are oceans of
mercy who purify the conditioned souls.

namo maha-vadanyaya, krishna-prema-pradaya te

krishnaya krishna-chaitanya, namne gaura-tvise namah

I offer respects to Shri Krishna Chaitanya, who is Krishna Himself. Taking the golden color of Shrimati
Radharani, He is magnanimously giving the rare gift of Krishna prema.

tavaivasmi tavaivasmi, najivami tvaya vina,

iti vijnaya devi tvam, naya mam caranatikam

I am Yours! I am Yours! I cannot live without You. O Radhe, please under¬stand this and bring me to Your
lotus feet.

Preface

tapta-kancana-gaurangi, radhe Vrindavanaesvari

vrsabhanu-sute devi, pranamami hari-priye

"I offer my respects to Radharani, whose bodily complexion is like molten gold and who is the Queen of

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Vrindavana. You are the daughter of King Vrsabhanu, and You are very dear to Lord Krishna."

In this prayer and in many others, Shrimati Radharani is referred to as "Vrindavanesvari," the Queen of
Vrindavana. While living in Vrindavana dur ing the last twelve years A e often wondered how Shrimati Radhika
received the name "Vrindavanesvari." What exciting pastime lies behind this wonder¬ful name?

Shri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, has an unlimited variety of sweet names describing His
various transcendental pastimes. The name Govinda, for example, was awarded to Krishna by the King of
heaven Indra after Krishna vanquished his pride by lifting Govardhana HOI. Indra and Surabhi bathed Lord
Shri Krishna in a grand abhiseka and crowned Krishna as Govinda, "the Lord of the cows, the land of
Vrindavana, and thegopas andgopis." Similarly, Shrimati Radharani received the name "Vrindavanesvari" after
all the Vrajagopw and demigoddesses performed an elaborate royal abhiseka ceremony to officially install Her
as the Queen of Vrindavana. Shrimati Radharani's royal abhiseka is mentioned in the Puranas and the writings
of the Gosvamis headed by Shri Rupa Gosvami's Dana-keli-kaumudi texts 78-84.

Shrila Krishna dasa Kaviraja refers to Shri Radha's abhiseka in Govinda Lilamrta, Madhyahna-lila 9.52:
"Shrimati Radhika said, 'Because my sakhi Vrinda-devi maintains this forest, it is famous as Vrindavana. But
after My raja abhiseka (royal bathing ceremony) wherein I was coronated the Queen of Vrindavana
(Vrindavanesvari), Vrinda-devi gave her kingdom to Me.'" In Vraja-vilasa-stava, text 61, Shri Raghunatha dasa
Gosvami also mentions the coronation ceremony of Shrimati Radharani. "Ordered by Brahma, who spoke from
the sky, Paurnamasi and other joyful demigoddesses like Savitri sprinkled waters of the Manasa Ganga and
other sacred rivers upon Radha's head to crown Her "Vrindavanesvari," the queen of the beautiful forest of
Vrindavana."

Some acarvas state that Radhika's abhiseka occurred in Umrao (Umraya), which is not far from Varsana, on
Magh Purnima (the full moon day Jan-Feb). Shri Rupa Gosvami and Shri Jiva Gosvamipada call the place of
Shri Radha's abhiseka, "Unmada Radha," the exalted place where Radha be¬came intoxicated in loving bliss.
The fifth wave of Bhakti-ratnakara says, "At Chatravan (Chata) Nandanandana became king, and a few days
later Paurnamasi crowned Radharani the Queen of Vrindavana. Who can possibly describe the pastime of
Radharani's abhiseka as the Queen of Vrindavana that was performed here at Radha Sthali?"

Shrila Prabhupada often glorified Shri Jiva Gosvamipada in his books with such statements as, "Shrila Jiva
GosvamI was the most authoritative dcdrya of our sampraddya." {Teachings of Lord Chaitanya, Chap.31)
"Nobody can com¬pete with Jiva Gosvami's scholarship in Sanskrit and philosophy. That is the verdict of all
learned scholars. The world's best philosopher and Sanskrit scholar was Shrila Jiva Gosvami. His books are
still adored by all spiritual sections." (Shrila Prabhupada Lecture 28june 71) All of Shri Jiva Gosvamipada's
writings are extremely essential and valu¬able works full of devotional sentiments and siddhanta. They are
known as bhaktigranthas, "scriptures full of pure devotion to Krishna." Shri Krishna dasa Kaviraja Gosvami
describes Shri Jiva Gosvamipada thus:

tanra bhratus-putra nama shri-jiva-gosani

yata bhakti-grantha kaila, tara anta nai

"Shri Rupa Gosvami's nephew, Shrila Jiva Gosvami, has compiled so many books on devotional service that
there is no counting them. (Cc. Madhya 1.42) In his purport to the Chaitanya-charitamrita,Adi 10.85, Shrila
Prabhupada praises Shri Jiva Gosvamipada's books as "very celebrated" and presents a list of his major works,
wherein Shri Madhava Mahotsava appears as number seven.In the first chapter of Shri Madhava Mahotsava,
Shri Jiva Gosvamipada explains the form of his work: "My goal is to elaborate upon what has been suggested
in the Kartika Mahatmya of the Padma Purana, confirmed in the Brhad Gautamiya Tantra and Matsya Purana,
and described in Shri Rupa Gosvami's works such as Dana-keli-kaumudi." Six years after Shri Rupa Gosvami
wrote Dana-keli-kaumudi, he ordered Shri Jiva Gosvami to compile a book describing the royal abhiseka of Shri

2
Radha and Her coronation as the Queen of Vrindavana. Surrendering to Shri Rupa's request, Shri Jiva
composed this prayer in the mangalacarana to Shri Madhava Mahotsava: "A great wealth of courage to fulfil
the order of Shri Rupa Gosvami has made this insignificant creature begin this poetic work with excessive
boldness. By the mercy of Shri Rupa Gosvami, may the great devotees experienced in bhakti rasa derive
satisfaction from this work.

Shri Madhava Mahotsava beautifully depicts Shrimati Radhika's raja abhiseka Lila wherein She was crowned
the Queen of Vrindavana, "Vrindavanesvari." One may ask w hy the book is entitled Shri Madhava Mahotsava
since it is all about Radha's mahotsava (festival)? In order to avoid Shrimati Radhika's embarrassment due to
Her naturally shy nature, Shri Krishna instructed Vrinda-devi, "O Vrinda! Make all arrangements such that
when the elder women come, they will be happy and Radha and I will not be embarrassed. Arrange all things
properly for the event. To avoid Radha's embarrassment, externally the festival will bear My name (Madhava
Mahotsava), though Her name will be understood." {Shri Madhava Mahotsava Ch. 4) In nine chapters Shri
Radha's maha aisvarya is pompously exhibited as Shri Paurnamasi-devi bathes Radharani in the most
spectacular abhiseka ever performed in Vrindavana. In attendance are all the Vrajavasis, and the resi¬dents
of heaven who give Radha numerous special gifts. This book is excit¬ing, filled with rasa, and herein the
reader finds Shri Jiva Gosvami at his best.We extend our heartfelt thanks to Bhanu Swami Maharaja for
expertlv translating Shri Madhava Mahotsava. We also thank Shriman Kusakratah Prabhu who kindly provided
the Sanskrit edition of this rare gem of devo¬tional nectar.

We humbly pray that Vrindavanesvari shrimati Radhika anu sn Jiva Gosvamipada will be pleased with this
English edition of Shri Madhava Mahotsava. It is our sincere hope that the Vaishnava devotees will drink
deeply from this ambrosial river flowing into the eternally expanding ocean of Radha-Syamasundara's ecstatic
transcendental pastimes. In closing, we quote Shri Jiva Gosvamipada, "Ears, lips, and tongue! May these
words describing the abhiseka to install Radha as the Queen of Vrindavana protect you birth after birth, and
give you devotion to Radha and Krishna. O nostrils! May the fra¬grance of the abhiseka protect You! Eyes
and hands! May the beauty and the happiness of the service nourish you!" {Shri Madhava Mahotsava Ch. 7)

Mahanidhi Swami. Krishna Balaram Mandir. Vrindavana

Magh Purnima 19 February 2000

List of Characters

Krishna
Radha
lalita, Vishakha, vrinda devi, Kundalata, Dhanistha-girlfriends of Radhika
Syamala and Mangala-tatastha sakhis bathing Radha
Malati-Radhika's friend
Nandimukhi-Radhrka's triend, the brahmani sister of Madhumangala-Kirtida-mother of Radharani
Mukhara-grandmother of Radharani
Abhimanyu-"so called husband" of Shrimati Radharani
Jatila-mother of Abhimanyu, mother in-law of Radha
Kutila-daughter of Jatila
Sarasvati, Savitri, Indrani, Svaha, Uma, Chaya, Sanjna-demigoddesses
bathing Radha
Candravali-chief rival sakhi of Radha
Padma, Saibya-Candravali's dear assistants
Subala-Krishna's bosom friend
Vidagdha, Kinkini-Krishna's friends
Paurnamasi-mother of Sandipani Muni, helps Radha-Krishna meet and enjoy pastimes.

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Krishna Sanga
Realizing a hint of the news about the ocean of concentrated nectar known as Govinda, and becoming weak in
determination, Radha and the gopis could not maintain their composure. After hearing the news from
Nandimukhi, they became extremely anxious for Krishna's association and overwhelmed with unsteadiness.

Glories of Vrindavana

The Yamuna River, where innumerable fish play, near whose banks stand firm rows of trees, entered a cave
when Shiva, burning with the arrows of Cupid, jumped in her waters. Inner meaning: (With the object of
enjoying with Krishna, Radha, being pierced by Cupid's arrow, entered into the forest of Vrindavana decorated
with rows of trees, which are as firm as thunderbolts. They entered the forest of Vrindavana brilliant with trees
and creepers, blos¬soming like diamond ornaments on the chest.) On attaining the wealth of the honeyed
flowers of Vrindavana, no other aspiration remains. It is famous as the forest of desire trees. Vrindavana is
such a place that a low person living with low objects is not at all satisfied with it and gives it no praise. What
a misfortune! Vrindavana is such a place where even Brahma and Vishnu, though tasting it constantly, cannot
be satis¬fied. Considering this fact, some intelligent people live a long time in Vrindavana without praising
themselves, because there they have no lack of satisfaction and humility. Knowing that Vrindavana is the
essence of all dhamas within the universe, a living entity has no desire to give it up. How wondrous! I believe
that a person attains residence in Vraja Dhaam because of an accumulation otpunyas coming from this desire
which cannot be given up. He attains Vrindavana, lives in Vrindavana and loves Vrindavana.

The Six Seasons

Though each of the seasons is the best and different from the others, in Vrindavana there is no loss in
manifesting their glories simultaneously. Con¬trary elements live together in harmony. Can all living entities
not learn this lesson from the seasons of Vrindavana?

In a place on the river cooled by the breeze' the kiki and haritaka birds call out (birds of the Hemanta and
winter seasons), and in places bright as if shining with jewels, crickets chirp (summer insects). Cataka birds
warble near water falls cascading from mountains (monsoon birds). When the clouds disperse, swans float in
spotless water (autumn), and the cuckoos call out in flower-filled groves (spring). Vrindavana, giving birth to
all seasons at once, is a place to be discussed by logicians. Out of envy all the lakes in Vrindavana steal the
sweet water dropping from Murari's mouth as He drinks. The rivers, swelling due to the invisible, sweet sound
of Krishna's joyous flute, meander here and there in Vrindavana out of extreme greed to attain the mood of
love of Vraja. With its low intonation, the flute calls the herds of milk-laden cows in Vrindavana to the new
succu¬lent leaves of the rows of trees and invites them to eat them. The wind from the Malaya hills journeys
here in its program to perfume the whole earth. Bu! overcome with the natural, incomparable fragrance of
Vrindavana, it dances in ecstasy with the quivering creepers.

Here stands one youtntui, praisewortny desire tree, dark as a mmaia tree, which delights the whole world by
fulfilling their desires with inconceivable loving exchanges. Here the cowherd women, endowed with qualities
attrac¬tive to millions of Laksmis, pick flowers. Their master Syamasundara taxes them or holds their hands
and satisfies them with loving pastimes. In Vrindavana, the bees gather in attractive groves, which contain
jeweled plat¬forms in the middle. There are brilliant flowerbeds and many items brought by the sakhis for the
pleasure of Krishna. In Vrindavana, dense with flowers, the effulgence of the moon-faced, playful gopis shines
like lightning in the lap of the rain clouds.

Conversation of the Sakhis

4
"As the sweet winds of Vrindavana bathe Shri Radha, we think of Her up¬coming abhiseka and become
blissful. O sakhil When will we bathe trem¬bling Radha in front of Krishna with water from jeweled pots, and
bathe our own bodies in the streams of Her dilated glances? When will we, on Radha's advice, feign neglect
and prevent the gentle smiling King of Vraja, who plucks the Vrindavana flowers, from approaching Her?

"When will we reveal to Krishna the truth about deceitful, punishable Padma, who carelessly stole flowers after
rejecting the sweet, consoling words of Radha, the queen of the forests belonging to the killer of Putana? O
sakhis! Do not be pained, for the festival is fast approaching. If not, then why is my left eye continually
twitching?" In this way the sakhis talked to each other in a distant place and became stunned. Then the
effulgence of Radha, who was nearby, attracted their atten¬tion.

Radha's Thoughts of Meeting Krishna

Radha, floating in the river oiprema towards the ocean of Her beloved, and understanding that the river
oiprema could sometimes follow a crooked course, became more attracted to the qualities of the ocean of Her
beloved. "Now I have gone one quarter along the path, now I have gone halfway, and now at I have
completed My journey!" Measuring the path in this way, Radha moved towards the meeting place with
Krishna. Radhika anticipated meeting Her beloved Krishna while contemplating, "Krishna is lying on a bed of
flowers in a grove in Vrindavana. He will become completely satisfied in My pres¬ence. Due to His weak
discrimination, whenever He sees a woman He thinks she will be pleasurable."

Radha stood for a long time, like the sky, while spontaneousiv within Her arose the image of Syamasundara,
who has the complexion of a cloud, a face like the moon, cloth like the rising sun, and eyes like restless stars.
Remem¬bering the pastimes of Krsns Radha directly enjoyed with Him "Go and see Are the leaves rustling
because of the birds or because of Krishna's coming? What was that?" With Her power of vision diminished
due to the tears pro¬duced at the time of meeting, Radha suffered like this every second. "Krishna is hiding to
deceive the other gopis, and now He is revealing His beauty to Me. By trickery I get to see Him." Saying this
and turning Her head, Radhika praised the tamala trees near the sakhis. "How does this lover of Vraja women
desire to capture Me in front of the other gopis?" Being fearful, Radha hid Herself in the laps of the gopis.

Seeing the soft smile of the sakhis made Radha fearful that they would discover Her desires. With a lover's
envy, knitted brows, and red eyes, Radhika moved away from the sakhis. Taking them as a burden, She shed
Her oint¬ments and sandalwood paste. Feeling Her breasts too heavy, Radha placed Her hands on the sakhis'
shoulders. In this way, the tender limbed Radha went to meet Hari. Radha became stunned and fatigued
under the influence of prema.

The Forest as Uddipana

"O helpless ones! Do you see how the upper portions of the forest are covered with troops of cuckoos, and the
horizon is spread with bees in the form of arrows. The earth is invaded with foot soldiers holding flags bearing
the insignia of a makara (Cupid's carrier) signifying love and spring?" Seeing the latticed forests meant for the
upcoming astounding pastimes, the sakhis, skillful at conversation, accompanied Radha towards the meeting
place

Radha and the Sakhis Converse

The sakhis said, "O Radha, let us not speak about the various pleasures You will have in the forests. The
splendor of Vrindavana is stunning Your heart." Radha said, "I desire that You control this deep dark forest,
ornamented with perfect gunja creepers and flowers. Inner meaning: (I want You to control black Krishna,

5
who has flower arrows of love and ornaments of gunja malas.)"
Sakhis: "O Radha! This forest, with smiling flowers, erupting ecstatically with tender buds, buzzing with bees
and cooled by the breeze, is offering its head to Your feet!"
Radha: "O sakhisl Today Vrindavana, blooming with flowers, is revealing Krishna to Me. But not only that,
more astonishing is the fact that in revealing all things black like Krishna, it turns My lieaiiicu with attraction."
Sakhis: "O madhavi creeper! Who does not praise the month of Madhava, endowed with Radha (Vishakha
naksatra) and the full moon, along with swarms of bees moving here and there9 Inner meaning: CWho will
not oraise Madhava, the beloved of Radha, brilliant as the full moon, with tied up hair, filled with heavenly
pleasures, desiring dark, flower-filled forests to inspire Him.)"
Radha: "Look sakhisl This part of the forest, blooming with flowers, carry¬ing the beauty of love-inducing
spring, is embracing the female bees. One should have no affection for entities with black bodies. Inner
meaning: (Krishna, endowed with the treasure of Radha, is now embracing inferior women. Do not have faith
in that black complexioned person.)"
Sakhis: "O Radha! This Madhusudana (bee, Krishna), drinking a few drops of honey from the creepers, has
become attracted to the qualities of the padma creeper blossoming in the sun. Inner meaning: (Being
attracted to Her fragrance, Krishna is running towards the daughter of Vrsabhanu after attempting to enjoy
inferior women.)"
Radha: "Now the bees are tasting the honey of the flowers and have be¬come satisfied along with the women
of Vraja. (Krishna, taking on various qualities of a hero, has become happy by tasting the nectar of sweet
pastimes with the girls of Vraja.) Is not the air of this forest carrying the sound of the flute for the pleasure of
the young girls? (Did the sandal-scented breezes not indicate the presence of Krishna for the young girls of
Vraja?)"
Sakhis: "You should smell the fragrance of Krishna. I think that because of this the bees have now recovered
their sanity. The air is famous for giving life to the universe, but it is sustaining the very life of Vraja. By not
carrying the aroma of Krishna's body, the air makes the women of Vraja suffer."
Radha: "See, why have the cuckoos now abandoned the lord of Vrindavana to sing here? He must have giyen
them some order to bewilder us, and cause us pain in separation wherever we are."
Sakhis: "O friend! The swarms of bees, humming and spitting honey drops after being fully satisfied, are like
clouds dispersing rain. Seeing those dark rain clouds in the spring month of Madhu (Caitra) the peacocks are
dancing in joy. (But we cannot dance joyfully without seeing Syama.)"
Radha: "O sakhisl Just see, are the constantly humming bees, the messen¬gers of Krishna, whispering with
the flowers, like ministers, slightly opening their petals (smiling), in the assembly hall of Cupid (the forest)?"
Sakhis: "O friend, what did that sensual black bee say indistinctly in Your ear? O fickle-eyed girl! Hearing that
message Your eyebrows have lowered and Your head is spinning."
Radha: "O sakhis, you have maddened that most excellent bee with the honey of your lotus faces, and now
you are causing Me anxiety in separation. Are you happy seeing Me like this? Is it proper for you to do so?"
Sakhis: "O friend, do You know that bowef over there made of madhavi
creepers? Did not the bees see a Krishna-sarade" ^nnthrhpHtn Krishna)
go into the place?"
Radha: "O sakhis, in that place there are many thorny vetasa trees. It is not a place ror pastimes. I fled to that
grove out of fear of the black bee. You were supposed to protect Me, but that black person forcibly plundered
your jew¬eled bodices with the shovels of His rough fingernails."
Sakhis: "O moon faced girl, here there is no fragrance of the Lord. But there is Your fragrarfce which serves
His fragrance. O Devi, You know that black effulgence as the effulgence of Your eyes."
In this way, Radha and the gopis, while mutually discussing their love of Krishna, arrived at the appointed
place in the forest.

Radha Responds to Stolen Flowers

Radha spoke in a playful tone, "Who has stolen the attractive flowers and buds in this forest today? I think
that it cannot be the work of anyone except the stealer of the gopis' clothes. Vishakha! If Hari attacks you, are

6
you capable of defending yourself? O Lalita, if He attracts you, will all the gopis not be able to stop Him? With
our help that stealer of women cannot touch you. And if we all go somewhere else, then these groves will
protect you. "O sakhi, if that rascal, made for pleasure, touches you while you are hiding in the grove, then
show courage by throwing a lotus at Him (meant as a club). And if many other girls come, then keeping them
somewhere else, run to Him. With an independent mind in a solitary place take off your gold ornaments, and
taste the pleasure of conjugal pastimes. Oprana sakhil Why don't you take the association of lotus-eyed Hari?
Sakhil Are you prevented by the fickle rules of chastity like us? "O sakhisl You keep searching for Krishna who
can fulfil all desires. I am also going on the path fragrant with flowers (mounting the vehicle of love) to find
that flower thief."

Searching for Krishna

"This is not a tamala tree, spreading out splendor while being embraced by a goldenyuthika tree. I know for
certain that it is Krishna covered in yellow cloth hidden by the creepers. O Hari! You have become intoxicated
from drinking the nectar from the mouths of women. Now, it is clearly under¬standable that You are enjoying
with stolen flowers in the company ofyuthika blossoms. (Surrounded with prostitutes, You are enjoying.) "O
sakhisl How will you find the flower thief in this way? He has influ¬enced all directions by spreading an
illusion. Beautiful-eyed women! We have looked for Him in every place, every grove, under every tree, and
under every leaf. It appears that Syamasundara has not come here. Can I speak about the compassion of
twilight? We have spent akalpa looking for Him. How much can I speak of His cruelty? Even now He remains
invisible to us."Hearing the words from afflicted Radha, the sakhis remained silent. Sud¬denly they saw one
associate of Vrinda called Malati.

Arrival of Malati

The women, burning in the fire of anxiety without smoke, inquired the reason for her coming. Being endowed
with the highest concepts of dharma and bathed in perspiration, Malati spoke, "O Radhe! The kingdom of
Vrindavana worships the radiance of Your form with its desire creepers. I will tell You what I saw with my own
eyes. As soon as I heard from Nandimukhi about the upcoming festival, I made a bed of flowers. Then Padma,
the friend of Candravali, came speaking crooked words. I hid in a grove and overheard the conversation of
Padma and her friends. O woman with eyes extending to the ears! Listen to those terrible proud words that
are as hard as thunder¬bolts."

Conversation of Padma and Saibya (vipaksa gopis)

Saibya: "O Padma, if that deceiver of women, Syamasundara, wandering whimsically around Vrindavana,
comes to this place and sees someone has been picking the flowers in His forest, then He will certainly come
looking for you." Padma: "O Saibya! Syama has met with Candravali. Thepadma creeper, dear to the moon,
was despondent upon hearing of the appointment of the Vishakha naksatra (constellation), but with the rising
of the moon, she be¬came happy. (Hearing about the appointment of Radha with Krishna, I be¬came
completely disappointed. So I made an arrangement for a meeting of Krishna with Candravali.) Therefore,
there is no possibility of Krishna coming here." Saibya: "Lotus-eyed Padma! Shame! Why do we pick so few
flowers in order to make Candravali the ruler of Vraja?"
Padma: "O Saibya! After we take Krishna's permission and perform the abhiseka to install Candravali, then you
can plunder the flower gardens of Radha and Her friends."
Saibya: "O Padma! If we steal the flowers from the garden of Radha, bad tempered Lalita will object."
Padma: "Oweakwoman! Fie on you! Why are you afraid of the objections of Lalita? Just pick the flowers! When
those gopis are separated from Krishna, Sarasvati herself will be stunned. They will not be able to speak!"

Malati's Reply & Padma's Cruel Words

7
Malati continued speaking to Radhika, "Hearing this conversation be¬tween Padma and Saibya, I came out of
my hiding place and walked over to Padma. While showing my loyalty to You, I looked at Padma and made a
counter attacK. Those who nave Yout mercy are the best among all beings.
"I said, 'O foolish girl, do not try to steal any flowers from Radha's forest! You will be in big trouble if Lalita
and the others hear of this. Who, among all the gopis, filled with such pride, would dare to take even a spot of
pollen from the flowers desired even a little by Radha? As the full moon hides its spots with sixteen phases, so
Radha with Her sixty-four arts spreads out over Vrindavana and controls it. Is there any other woman who can
control Vrindavana?

'Followers of Candravali! The coronation of the daughter of Vrsabhanu as the Queen of Vrindavana has almost
arrived. When Radha arrives at the edge of the Udaya (rising or eastern) Mountain and mounts the abhiseka
plat¬form, the composure of all thieves and opponents will be lost.' "Considering my decisive words, Padma,
laughing to herself and extremely angry, spoke as follows: Ah! Just see! Though Candravali has the most
sooth¬ing mood and character, this Malati cannot see that Vrindavana is illumi¬nated by the sun of her
majesty. O friend of Vrinda! Have you not heard the news of the blissful abhiseka of Govinda? Do you not
know that Candravali will be the queen sitting next to Him on the throne?'

"Then Padma, having studied the chapter on matsya nyaya (the strong eat the weak), proceeded to pluck
flowers in an angry mood with hundreds of strong attendants. By myself what could I do? Therefore, I came
immedi¬ately to You. Though I heard about the abhiseka of Candravali previously, I did not believe it. But her
direct words have made me believe it."

Radha's Anger and Going to Vraja

As the red sky and the fading of the lotus blossoms of twilight foretell the coming of night, with the arrival of
that news, the lotuses of Radha's eyes became red and then faded, indicating the arrival of Her night-like
jealous anger. Since Radha has all the qualities of Laksmi, She is calledpadmalaya (having lotus feet, lotus
eyes, lotus breasts, lotus navel and a lotus face). But pained by the words of Padma, the lotus-eyed Radha,
with fear and trembling body, dropped the toy lotus from Her lotus-bud hand. "Bathing Your toenails will be
our abhiseka for Candravali!" When the gopis consoled Radha with such words, Radha's black eyes turned red
and shed tears. (Out of great love of Krishna, Radha shed tears, which appeared to console the bee-like eyes,
the spies of Krishna.) Then Radha's painful anger, springing from Her fiery love of Had, made Her hairs stand
on end and perspiration flow. Radha appeared like a creeper covered with bees devour¬ing drops of honey.
The daughter of Vrsabhanu did not taste the betel nuts offered to Her by ilic sakhis. The covering dropped
from Radha's head, and Her flowe'-land wilted due to Her deep sighs. Though the principal sakhis observed all
these reactions, they simply stood by like painted dolls. Thinking that Her hplnvpH b*r\ uPPr) captivated by
the arts of the friend of Padma (Candravali), who had tried to steal the flowers meant for Her offer¬ing to
Krishna, Radha, rubbing Her pink eyes, spoke in a choked voice: "O friends! This flower thief does not give Me
pain. Nor does her preventing Krishna from coming here cause Me suffering. But the way she speaks about us
breaks My heart. Now Krishna is going to make Candravali the queen of Vrindavana. Does she not feel any
shame in attempting that which cannot even be thought of?"

Lalita's Promise

While saying this Radha spit out some tambula and returned to Vraja. Noticing this, all the sakhis turned their
eyes upon Lalita, who said softly: "Let Candravali become the queen of Krishna's forest! Maybe it has been
done or maybe it will be done. Anyway, I promise that here in Vrindavana we will make Radha the queen. Do
you see any loss when the lotus is closed? The sweetness is still present fully within. The thirsty bee is circling
about, not getting any peace! (Though Krishna may reject the lotus like group of Radha, there is no cause of
lamentation because they still possess irresistible sweet¬ness. Though the dhrsta (bold) hero associates with

8
lower class women, He cannot get satisfaction, and soon will come to beg from us!)" Her mind filled with
gravity and anger and Her body split with pain, Radha, surrounded by Her friends, proceeded towards Her
house.

The State of Vrindavana

Burning the hearts of all the moving and non-moving entities of the Vrindavana forest with Her anger, and
depriving them of the jewel of their vision, Radha moved towards Vraja. The groves rained honey as tears
upon seeing the great anger of the gopis. The tender leaves shaking in the breeze wiped the tears from the
eyes of the animals. They took no joy in the previous joking exchanges. Though filled with longing, they did
not ask questions. Under the sway of anger they entered the house. Deprived of their friend Syama, the faces
of the sakhis were colorless, and they all remained silent for a long time. They were like tree lotuses deprived
of humming bees at the setting of the sun.

Radha Enters Her House The Gopis Stay Up All Night

Her head bent down absorbed in thought and Her beautiful eyes rolling, Radha suddenly got up and entered
the interior of the house on the pretext of sleep. The lotuses wilted in separation from the sun and the bees
left the center of the lotuses . the whole universe lamented, offering its soul to the darkness. Radha's/7/rya
sakhis sat on the earth near the front door. Bound by love to Radha, they passed the night periodically
standing up and gazing upon Radha without being seen, their anxiety increasing at every moment.

Conclusion of the Chapter

May the sun of Radha's anger, a pastime in the affairs of love, which reveals rare desirable objects from far off
and spreads its influence constantly against all contrary objects, protect you. I eternally serve beautiful Krishna
who has brought this low person to His lotus feet in order to mingle with the softhearted devotees and kept
me en¬gaged in His worship. I eternally serve the worshipable Shri Rupa Gosvami, who always worships
Krishna.

Vrinda and Paurnamasi

At dawn the forest was burning red with vasanta tilaka flowers like the rising sun on Udaya Mountain. At that
time, in great longing, Krishna sent Vrinda to the sakhis. Knowing the anger of the countless sakhis, Vrinda
ar¬rived there alone. Though they were angry, the sakhis immediately softened and greeted Vrinda with
affection. The sakhis remained silent. Thinking that Vrinda had come to see the condition of Radha, Lalita
waited some time and then asked Vrinda, with trembling lips and a soft voice, "O Vrinda-devi! Have you come
to see us when we are devastated by misfortune?"

Though Vrinda's heart was pierced by Lalita's words, she answered with a gentle smile, "Has Krishna
committed some offense?"
Lalita, whose complexion had changed color, replied, "O sakliil When our dear friend Radha was the foremost
lover of Krishna, were we not fit to talk to you? Now in times of misfortune, with ashen faces, can we converse
with you? Since you already know all about His character, why are you asking us? If you talk about Him, our
hearts will burst. So, what should we do?
"O sakhil We have carefully planted a sandalwood tree on the mountain range in the southern regions. (We, of
good family, have offered ourselves to our beloved, thinking He had a generous nature.) Having smelled the

9
fra¬grance, a group of snakes have fixed themselves there, surrounding the effulgent sandalwood tree. (After
associating with us and enjoying our pure bodies, that beloved, beaming brightly, has covered us in illusion
and de¬stroyed our reputation.)"

Vrinda's Consoling Words Krishna's Innocence

Hearing the words of deeply afflicted Lalita, the skillful Vrinda, with gentle, comforting behavior, consoled the
sakhis. Seeing Vishakha surrounded by a group of sakhis, Vrinda spoke in a choked voice, "Assembled ladies!
Krishna is your very soul, so why have you become angry over a false accusation? If my words do not pacify
your hearts, then you should consider me a liar. Madhava does not see any woman as equal to Radha. If the
devas drink the ghee offered in a sacrifice does that mean that they have given up thinking of nectar?

"Hearing from Nandimukhi of the proposed meeting with Radha, Syama was eager to proceed to the jasmine
forest. By great misfortune He met Candravali on the way. From a distance Krishna mistook Her for Radha and
began speaking with reverence. Krishna said to Candravali, 'If being eager to drink the light of the full moon,
the cakora, going ahead filled with hope, suddenly meets the moon light face to face, how can he begin to
praise the qualities of the Creator, who is like a desire tree?'

"Thinking these were words of love for herself, Candravali, slightly smil¬ing, bowed her head. But on hearing
more statements containing Radha's name, her complexion faded and she headed towards her house. Upon
seeing Candravali heading home in anger, the moon of Mukunda realized it was Candravali. Stunned in
astonishment, Krishna thought, As Candravali is the most respected among lovers, I should appease her.
Though My heart is strongly committed to Radha, there is no tault if 1 act like this.' "Though Syamasundara
made conciliatory gestures, Candravali ignored them and continued walking home. Seeing her on the way,
Padma was struck with surprise. Inquiring from Candravali, she learned what had happened With the intention
of making her own proud words come true, Padma spoke with a soft smile: 'O friend, just see! As the ocean is
the shelter of all the rivers, you alone are the friend of all the people of Gokula. Though the ocean rises and
falls, should we consider that? (If we lose family reputation because of attraction to Hari, is there any loss?')

"In this way the crafty Padma cleverly interrupted Candravali's return home and called out to Krishna, who
was not far away absorbed in thinking of Radha. Padma said, 'O brave, black cakora! Why are You in illusion
when viewing the waves of moonlight? (Why do You go elsewhere on seeing the joking of Candravali as she
pretends to leave You?') "Candravali and Padma approached Krishna, the destroyer of sorrow. Krishna quickly
satisfied Candravali with skillful words and gravity, though His heart was absorbed in the beauty of Radha.
Then on the excuse of having to herd the cows, He left that place with soft steps."

Vrinda Meets Malati

"Hearing all this from the mouth of Krishna's friend Madhumangala, I quickly proceeded towards the jasmine
grove. On the way I met Malati, who spoke as follows, with tears falling from her eyes and washing her
breast. Malati said, 'O sakhil Just see, as a result of Padma's evil words, Radha, in agony, has gone home.
Hearing that news from my mouth, Krishna will become pained. I will not be able to describe His condition! O
Devi! For you and all the living entities here who desire to see Radha installed as Queen of Vrindavana is it not
painful just to hear about other women desiring to usurp that position from Radha? When Lalita saw that
Padma had stolen the flowers, and heard that she had announced Candravali's abhiseka, she became angry
and took a vow. I do not know what will happen if Krishna hears that vow. If Radha does not become the
Queen and cannot play in this forest of Vrindavana, will not Vrindavana be like the sun at the final devastation,
simply burning the eyes?'

10
Seeing the latticed forests meant for the upcoming astounding pastimes, the sakhis, skillful at conversation,
accompanied Radha toward the meeting place and talked with Her.
The sakhis said, "O Radha! Let us not speak about the various pleasures You will have in the forests. The
splendor of Vrindavana is stunning Your heart."
Radha said, "I desire that you control this deep dark forest, ornamented with perfectgunja creepers and
flowers. Inner meaning: (I want you to con¬trol that black Krishna, who has flower arrows of love and
ornaments of perfect gunja malas)
Vrinda said, "Now, Hari has sent me with a message for thegopis headed by Vishakha. How will they
understand His affectionate words? Even when they get an opportunity to meet Krishna, they do not glance at
me."
"Malati said, O Vrinda-devi! When Krishna hears this news from me, I will not be able to describe His emotions
and actions, which are indescribable.'
"Hearing Malati's lament, I was heart-broken. I became blind, deaf and dumb. After a long time Malati brought
me back to consciousness. Then, I deliberated with great discrimination.

"Why should I worry so much on hearing the disrespect for Radha shown by the competing group? Krishna is
controlled by the wonderful qualities of Radha. Now the time is approaching when Radha will become the
Queen of Vrindavana! "Now I will relieve them of the pain of separation by arranging a direct meeting with
Syamasundara. In order to stop Radha's futile suffering, I will quickly meet Her and tell Her everything. While
moving with Malati, I came upon Syamasundara. Please listen patiently to what I saw and heard unseen by
Him.

Krishna's Pain of Separation

"Krishna's body was shaking, pale in color, profusely perspiring, and His mind was in trance. He was weeping
and His ornaments had fallen off. Gaz¬ing blankly into space, He lamented for your friend Radha. The trees
dried up and the waterfalls stopped flowing from the mountains. The earth split open! Oh! All composure
disappeared. Will not any living creature faint on hearing the lamentation of Hari?

"I overheard Krishna speaking thus to Himself, 'Where will I go? Radhika is staying over there! O sakhi, do not
disappear again. O Cupid! Is My love genuine? Do not disturb My worried mind even a moment more! O
patience! Being steady, give Me a moment's glimpse of Radha. If You do not fulfil M> wish, then you should
be called a killer of the self, having given up hope, which is the very essence of patience. Who will make any
more requests to you?'
"Seeing Krishna's condition, I became pained. Approaching Him, I called out but Krishna did not hear a thing!
Then in great sorrow He spoke to me. 'Is that you Vrinda? Why have you come here? Have you seen that
friend of Lalita, Radha, whose red eyes, like sharp weapons of love, have cut My heart in a hundred pieces?
Osakhil Radha's face is like the sun, not the moon. If it were the moon, would it burn My body like this? Why
is that Radha, who gave Me so much pleasure upon meeting Her, now giving Me pain? Her face has an
indescribable quality that gives both pleasure and pain. The Creator has been so cruel that simply
remembering Radha anguishes Me. How much austerity the Creator must have undergone to make even the
moon give pain to Me'

"Talking in this way and staring with fixed eyes, Krishna became completely absorbed in Radha and fainted.
Suddenly I took on the same state and fainted as well. Malati-sakhi revived me. Taking a madhavi garland
made by Radha that by coincidence was hanging on a tamala tree, she waved it in front of Madhusudana's
nose. "When Krishna smelled the fragrance of the madhavi flowers scented by Radha's own hands, His body
became covered in goose bumps. He regained consciousness, opened His lotus eyes, and spoke to me for a
short time."

Krishna Offers His ornaments

11
"Krishna said to me, 'O Vrinda! Go there! Go to the sakhis and plead My case with chosen words. Take a jewel
as prasada from Radha, by which My grief will be relieved. In sympathy with the nature of Radha, this
inconsiderate Cupid has inflicted unlimited pain by obstructing Our meeting. O friend! Please inform Radha and
give peace to My afflicted heart.' "Hearing this from Krishna, I took permission and came here, while Malati
remained there with the malati garland. But before 1 had gone very far, Krishna called me back. Coming close,
He spoke with eyes full of tears.

"Krishna said, 'O Vrinda! Oh vanadevil What use are these ornaments, as they simply burn My flesh? What is
the use of this distressing flute? Go quickly and give these things to the followers of Radha.'
"Osakhisl Hearing the repeated entreaties of Murari filled me with dis¬tress. With great difficulty I touched His
trembling hands and feet and put the garland around His neck. Within seconds, however, His long expirations
dried out the garland.
"O sakhi Lalita! Seeing and hearing all this, I began my journey. While going along the forest path and
remembering your vow, I looked here and there for the creepers grown to perfection by Radha, but did not
see them. Here I have found cause for lamentation—only crushed creepers.

The State of Vrindavana

"Oh! Today when Radha left Vrindavana, the bees gave up their honey fragrance. Turning here and there, the
creepers and even the trees have be-come devoid of honey. The placid animals have now become violent.
(What about us, who have such attachment?) "You cannot say that there can be no pain wherever Hari
resides. I cannot describe the transformations that take place when the air that touched Her body touches
another person. I have held such pain in My chest. Now it is not necessary to talk more about it. With tears in
my eyes I have come to You, with the shining ornaments of Hari, and His words expressing His desires. I pray
that You do without delay what Your hearts say is proper."

Vishakha Consoles Krishna

On hearing Vrinda's words and seeing Krishna's cloth and ornaments, the gopis tried to suppress their
emotions. The melting of their hearts produced a vapor.that rose to their throats and then approached their
eyes. But with determination they closed their eyes to prevent tears from falling. The as¬sembled gopis
remained silent for a long time. Then, helpless with emotion and love, Vishakha, held by the trembling hands
of Lalita, spoke with affec¬tionate words. Vishakha said, "O chief sakhi Lalita! First Krishna injures us by
disrespecting our friend Radha, and again He distresses us with His rejected cloth and ornaments. My heart
has become unsteady upon hearing His words. There¬fore, I beg your permission to chastise Him in
response." Turning their faces and eyes to Lalita, all the gopis said, "What will we do? The proud sakhi will
certainly be angry. Krishna destroys us in two ways: first He does not show Himself here; second, we cannot
go to Him with our present mood."

Vishakha Goes with Vrinda

Hearing all this, Lalita said to Vrinda, "If this weak sakhi Vishakha goes to Krishna, you should boldly tell Him
what we say: 'If You are eager to try to brighten the dark forest and its impenetrable groves with the moon
light (Candravali), why do You waste time shedding tears? Do You cry for the reflected light from the sun
(Candravali)? Do You cry for the effulgence from the cloth of Vrsabhanu's daughter? If You are in love with
Candravali, why do You lament for Radha?'"

Then Vrinda took permission from the sakhis and led Vishakha to Krishna's place. Thinking of His order, and
wanting to consult with Paurnamasi, who was worried about Candravali's coronation, Vrinda left Vishakha

12
there and disappeared. While gazing at the path that Vrinda was traversing Krishna suddenly saw Vishakha.
Vishakha then addressed Malati, "Osakhil Where is the garland of Radha?" Murari, ascertaining that it was
really Vishakha, erupted in goose bumps. Filled with happiness and stumbling as He went forward, Krishna
said to Vishakha, "O dear sakhil You are concerned about a garland, which had only a moment's association
with Radha. Will you not ask about the condition of He who enjoyed intimately with Radha for a long time?"

Feigning anger, Vishakha covered her lotus face. Glancing towards Krishna, who presented a sorry sight with
the constant weeping and rubbing of His eyes, Vishakha said, "O Lord! You have inflicted so much pain on the
gopis that they have almost given up their bodies. When You apply fire to cloth it nurns completely leaving
only a few threads. Similarly, the gopis are almost dead, living on a few threads. How will You search for
them? O husband of Candravali! You have destroyed our friend Radha. Do not the friends of Padma rejoice
deeply on hearing this news9 But we continue to maintain our lives, thinking ourselves eligible candidates for
Your love. Oh how unfortu¬nate we are! "My friend, who constantly thinks of You, is still alive. But She does
not speak, hear or look anywhere. The sharp praise You sent with Vrinda gener¬ated only anger. What a lie!
It is a revelation of Your cheating. Radha is afraid of such crooked ways. From Your childhood You have been
killing women like Putana. So we know that You are very cruel. And You have no hesitation in doing so!"

Krishna's Transformations and Vishakha's Consolations

Krishna lowered His head and drenched His garland with His tears. Softly caressing the garland with His
forefinger and thumb, Krishna replied to Vishakha in an anguished voice, "Radha is My very life! You know
that this Krishna is controlled by Her. O Vishakha! You are our life-giving friend. But how unfor¬tunate! How
have we come to this state? Can We only call it fate?"

Vishakha's heart trembled upon seeing Krishna's agony and hearing His gentle words. She could not keep her
poise. Her mind melted into tears that begged to pour forth. Neglecting the sharp pain, Vishakha managed to
speak. "Previ¬ously, with the heat of the sun (of separation) You burned My friend, who has twenty three and
a half moon-like features, to ashes. Now today, why are You crushing that miserable woman again by
sprinkling more ghee (distress) on the fire?"

Then thinking that Radha's anger would soon subside and that Krishna was suffering too much, Vishakha
decided to appease Krishna by saying, "As You know, the sakhis have various temperaments. Lalita is very
bold, whereas my nature is very soft. Now, how can we arrange a meeting with Radha? Mukunda! Somehow,
the other sakhis can be appeased, but who will approach the crooked-eyed Radha, who is burning with
anger?"

Mukunda said, "O woman with the effulgence of Laksmi! You seem to be saying that you are free of fault by
not informing them of My condition and letting them show mercy as they please. But still they will criticize
because you have spoken to Me. That much I fear."

Malati said, "O Kesava, most cruel one! Why are You speaking such com¬promising words? Radha, the nectar
that You desire, is surrounded by Her assistants. You have committed sin. Now, without performing some
vratas or prayascittas (penances) do You expect to attain that nectar so quickly?"
Vishakha said, "O Malati! Seeing the face of Krishna, you are speaking most unsuitably. He has given Himself
completely to other women! Now how all of a sudden can lie jusi give Himself io our friend Radha?::

While standing with folded hands Krishna said, "O sakhil The whole forest belongs to Radha. These
pleasurable activities are Radha's. My soul belongs to your friend Radha. Everything that exists on earth
belongs to Her." Taking a hint from Vishakha's face, Malati said, "O Madhava! All these women are very
stubborn. Even if their desires get to the point of expression, again they will suppress them. Hear from me
about their desires. When Gandharvika, filled with anger over being stood up, was returning home from the

13
kunja, Vishakha spoke to me with a tearful face. Using contrary words, she requested You as follows. 'O Lord!
Desiring the coronation, we hastily came to You today with Radha. (We came desiring Your love, which gives
pain to the mind.) Who can glorify Your qualities? (Your bad qualities) You have already made arrangements
for the festival beforehand. (You have created great anguish in our hearts.)'"

Krishna's Bliss Upon Hearing Radha's Desire

On hearing this, Krishna became like a full rain cloud and Vishakha became the lightning on His chest. The
devas showered flowers and created joy throughout the fourteen worlds. Everyone became happy when
Krishna em¬braced Vishakha. As the great ocean is the resting place of Narayana, the abhiseka of Radha is
the ocean of love of Krishna. As Ananta's hoods shelter Narayana, the abhiseka displays Krishna's unlimited
excellence in pleasures. As Laksmi embraces the limbs of Narayana, ecstatic symptoms cover the body of
Krishna. As Narayana teaches the Vedas to Brahma who takes birth from His navel, Syama satisfies Cupid by
breathing deeply and filling the ears of young women with His nectarean words.

Krishna said to Vishakha, "O sakhil You have requested the coronation of Radha as the queen of Vrindavana
as the price for pleasing Radha. My mind has become unsteady thinking of this great ceremony that will win
Radha. Today You have revealed My long cherished desire. As the devatas attained the auspicious moon as a
permanent asset by churning the ocean, similarly, the abhiseka of Radha will give Me the greatest bliss. O
dear sakhil I am not satisfied, even by giving Her My heart. I am truly ashamed that all I am giving Radha is
jurisdiction over the forests.

"As Shiva is most auspicious, and the crescent moon sitting on his forehead gives both him and the world
bliss, Vrindavana, which is filled bliss, is My auspicious abode. Radha decorates it with qualities that far
surpass those of anyone else. When will I see Her as the queen of Vrindavana? Do not delay! Quickly let
Radha, Lalita, and the other sakhis hear My words of submis¬sion."
As Murari prayed to her in this way, Vishakha saw Vrinda approaching.

Vrinda's Arrival

With a gentle smile Vishakha said "O Vrinda-devi' Ynu are certainly "ot a thief. Your great affection cannot be
a fault. But why did You suddenly disap¬pear to some secret place after placing Radha's garland on Krishna?"

Vrinda could understand that in Krishna's presence these words of Vishakha were but a pretense, and that her
desires had been fulfilled. Deriving great bliss from the clever, joking words of Vishakha, Vrinda remained
stunned for a few seconds.Then Vrinda spoke to Vishakha, "This garland is constantly speaking only of
bringing peace to Govinda." Vishakha replied, "My friend Radha can never wear this used garland. Put it on
Krishna's neck again." Smiling, Vrinda held Vishakha's hand and said, "You alone must console Him." Vrinda
then made Vishakha decorate Krishna with garlands and orna¬ments. At this time Syama informed Vrinda of
the coming abhiseka of Radha. When Krishna heard from Vrinda of Lalita's vow, He said to Vishakha, "You are
all very cruel indeed!"

Paurnamasi and Vishakha Meet Radha

Just as medicinal trees eagerly yield their herbs when the purnima tithi (full moon day) approaches and the
moon becomes spotless in the cloudless sky, the gopis welcomed Paurnamasi, whose austerities were now
bearing fruit, and Vishakha, whose happy, gently smiling face resembled the moon. Embracing them,
Paurnamasi asked questions, wiped away their tears, and blessed them hundreds of times. Folding her hands
she said, "I have one simple request. The water of Radha's abhiseka, which will satisfy all of Vrindavana, will

14
nourish this desire tree. The tree will produce flowers and fruits. This is the object of all my austerities. You
must take those fruits and taste them."

Thegopis spoke, "O Paurnamasi! We will hold this ornament qualified by your garland of orders on our heads,
if the proud sakhi Radha considers it and does not become upset. O sakhisl Go to that secluded place. We will
see what Radha is doing, displaying such pride." Saying this, the sakhi? went with Paurnamasi to Radha's
house. Holding Lalita's hand, Paurnamasi slowly entered the dark inner quarters of the house and remained
unnoticed. The other sakhis standing with Vishakha could hear the sobbing words of Radha.

Radha's Repentance

Radha said, "Oh! After the universal fires destroy ail the entities at the time of pralaya (destruction of the
universe), a hundred years of rain brings peace. So now My tears are extinguishing the fire of My pride which
is burn¬ing up the five elements of My body. Who can I tell this to? To whom can I speak? I remain here in an
angry mood. No one knows how much My heart is overcome by pride. O earth! Quickly give shelter to Me. O
Madhava! Spread Your illusion in the four directions. On seeing the face of His messengers, why do I become
agitated and speak such sharp words? Even if I churn harmless milk, terrible fire appears.

"Today I had a dream that Krishna had sent His ornaments as a consolation through Vrinda. Overtaken by
pride, I did not even look at those ornaments. Why didn't the Creator blind Me on the spot? Hearing about My
innate, intense, cruel anger, Mukunda even approached My bed. Trembling, He praised Me but I ignored Him.
My intelligence is like a fish that has fallen in the desert. I have lost all power of discrimination. Even by
performing hun¬dreds of lifetimes of severe austerity I cannot attain His service. Yet He has come here,
embracing Me tightly and gently caressing Me. But I maintained My anger and pride. How cursed I am!"

Paurnamasi Reveals Krishna's plan

Hearing the continuous lamentation of Radha, the sakhis became petri¬fied like dolls and perspired profusely.
Then Vishakha asked Radha, "Now, please tell us what do You want to do?" Radha exhaled and burst into
tears upon hearing this. Then She embraced Vishakha, and they bathed each other in their tears.When the
Vishakha constellation appears along with Anuradha in the evening at the time of the full moon, and makes
the moon rise over Udaya Mountain, the lotuses become blissful. Taking permission from Paurnamasi,
Vishakha and Lalita went to the house where Radha was exhibiting Her pride. The whole world rejoiced when
they brought Radha out of the house.While Radha was angry, Her grief was like the hot summer sun that
burned the Yamuna eyes of the sakhis. But when the sun is ornamented with clouds it gives relief with
showers of rain. When their eyes fell upon Radha, flowing with the nectar of fresh youth and blossoming
beauty, the sakhis shed both hot tears of pain and cold tears of bliss.

One sakhi picked up the cloth that Radha had thrown on the ground. One sakhi waved the edge of her cloth to
keep the bees away. Another sakhi held Radha by the waist with her two lotus hands. By such dedicated
services a person attains the jewel oipranaya (affection). They made Radha sit in that place. After Paurnamasi
was seated and wor¬shiped, Radha paid Her respects. Then Paurnamasi wiped Radha's tear soaked eyes,
raised her eyebrows and spoke to Her with tear filled eyes. She said, "Being pure in heart. You have offered
Your mind to Hari life after life. Your beloved is also pure and deeply attached to You. The sakhis are eager to
arrange Your meeting with Syama. Where has this afflicting anger come from? If You desire to keep this anger
as an ordinary habit, why did You not tirst ask Your old companion? Or did You simply want to show off Your
childish nature?

"He who fulfills the desires of the Vrajavasis is Your lover. The forests of Krishna, yielding all treasures, are
Your groves of pleasure. Being the expander of the joy in the ocean olprema, I, thepurnima, have come to

15
give life to Your moon-like face. What cause is there for lamentation?"

Radha remained with Her head lowered and eyes closed. Repeating her words, Paurnamasi consoled Radha,
"O Radha! Do You know the character of the moon? As the lotus is covered by darkness when the moon
withdraws its light, has not the moon been called the enemy of the lotus? Inner mean¬ing: (Do You know the
character of Krishna? Unknown to You, He has rejected Padma's proposal.)

"Thinking that Krishna was dependent on her, Padma one day said to Krishna, 'See! There is some heat in my
heart. Remove it with Your abundant beauty, like a cloud filled with moonlight. For many days I endured the
Katyayani Vrata with the desire that You make Candravali the queen of Vrindavana. O lord of Vrindavana! I
pray that You make Candravali, whose mercy and asso¬ciation You always crave, the queen of Vrindavana.'
"But just listen Radha! Many days ago when I spoke to Krishna, He told me that He wanted You to become
the Queen of Vrindavana. Therefore, upon hearing the request from Padma, Krishna started trembling and
asked Padma, 'What did You say?'

"Padma answered, 'May she whose name starts with "Candra" and who is stated in the Vedas to be the
consort of Madhava, and who gives the best conjugal love, become the queen of Krishna'
"Radha, long ago You partially accepted the form of the Gandharva named Candrakanti. The Rk Parisista
speaks of Radha and Madhava. That Radha mentioned is Your partial form, Candrakanti. In anticipation ol
Your coro¬nation, Krishna remembered this, let out a long sigh and said, 'Let it be so.' "On the full moon night
the moon sprinkles drops of nectar in the lonely forest. The cakora birds relish that nectar while the cataka
birds cannot find it."

In this way, Paurnamasi secretly revealed Krishna's clever trick to the ears of the sakhis. It came to the ears of
the sakhis, but surprisingly Padma and the other rivals knew nothing of it! This was only proper. Lalita and the
gopis thus attained the blessings of Katyayani. May the moon face of Radha, which pleases the summer sun
with its beauty (satisfies the desire of Krishna), which makes the emaciated lotuses bloom (makes the forlorn
gopis happy), which makes the trees grow by its shower of nectar (makes the hair stand on end with showers
of perspiration), and which reduces the glory of all the stars (loosens the belts of the gopis) protect you all. I
eternally serve the lotus feet of Shrila Rupa Gosvami and beautiful Krishna who always rain a shower of mercy
on this fallen soul, even though I am the lowest of the low, knowingly addicted to offenses, completely
impure, and have no taste for devotion.

Arrangements for Bathing

The moment that Radha's abhiseka arrived, all auspicious omens appeared. The Vrajavasis felt as blissful as
they did on the appearance day of Krishna. Overwhelmed with joy, Govinda, desiring to see Radha decorated
with the auspicious items of the abhiseka and seated on best throne in the topmost forest of Vrindavana,
ordered Vrinda:

"OVrinda! Radha will not come till the time ot the abhiseka. Utilizing My potency, you must fulfil Lalita's
promise quickly and skillfully. Make all arrangements such that when the elder women come, they will be
happy and Radha and I will not be embarrassed. Arrange all things properly for the event. (To avoid Radha's
embarrassment, externally the festival will bear My name "Madhava-mahotsava," though Her name will be
understood.)" Suddenly Vrinda forgot all her bodily activities and fainted in bliss. After a short time she
recovered and immediately set to work after bidding Krishna farewell. Meanwhile, desiring to see the activities
of His dear cowherd friends in preparation for the abhiseka, Krishna went to herd the cows. Murari had a great
yearning to see Radha's abhiseka in the forest, and Radha hankered to see Krishna's ecstatic symptoms on
the occasion of Her abhiseka. Eagerly desiring to see the beauty of the Divine Couple, the sakhis were unable
to bear the time till the abhiseka. Paurnamasi, anxious to see that everyone was happy, wandered about

16
per¬forming various services. Vrinda stood in an elevated place, and sounding like an akash vani (celestial
voice) gave sweet instructions to gladden the splendorous desire creepers of the love-laden women of Vraja.

"O Paurnamasi, greatest of yoginisl Quickly arrange to bathe the Laksmi-moon, born of the ocean of
incomparable qualities, on a golden throne em¬bedded with jewels in the land of Vrindavana, which is
worshiped by the whole universe. The light rays of Radha's abhiseka, the jewel of light of the rising moon, will
spread incomparable glory to Vrindavana, Gokula, and the whole earth. When glory is given to deserving
candidates, the universe be¬comes joyful. "Radha, surrounded by Her dear friends, is endowed with the glory
of Vraja's forests. Today, by observing this festival Krishna is attempting to bathe Radha in unequalled glorious
prema. Thinking that she cannot repay the debt of prema that the people of Vraja have shown towards her,
Vana-devi (Vrinda) is shy lo appear before you.

"O Paurnamasi! In order to perform the adhivasa ceremony (auspicious function before abhiseka) take Yasoda
and other elders of the town and bring Radha to Vrindavana to meet Her friends. Then collect the friends of
the Gandharva named Candrakanti (Radha's expansion) and perform the adnivasa ceremony. You will now
realize the astounding sweetness of the Vrindavana forest, Radha's beauty and the union of Radha and
Krishna. There is no necessity of describing these things.

"O Paurnamasi! You must bathe Radha on the full moon tithi in the up¬coming month of Madhu. Today, I
want the adhivasa of Radha completed using sweet scents."
"O Radha! Do not be hesitant, thinking You are shameless. For this cer¬emony will destroy all sorrow. li is
commonly seen that women appear pub¬licly without shame in accepting someone as their husband."

As the friends of Radha drank the honey of these sweet words with the wine cups of their ears, they embraced
each other. For a moment they did not seem to be separate entities. Then they heard the hubbub of the
inhabitants of Vraja and the sounds of various musical instruments, which defeated the chanting of the Vedas.
Nothing else could be heard. It was like the tumultu¬ous sound of the ocean at the time of churning for
nectar.

Vrinda Arrives

When Paurnamasi sat down her body erupted in goose bumps. Vrinda, holding garlands prepared by the
sakhis, approached and spoke some chosen words in a choked voice.
Vrinda said, "All wealth that gives rise to anger and sorrow will be used to enact this blissful festival. Giving up
the dark moon tithi, which destroys love, the full moon is delighting the eyes of the world. According to the
divine instructions, perform the adhivasa ceremony of Radha, who is deco¬rated with garlands touched by Her
beloved Syama, for lordship over the realm of Vrindavana."
Hearing Vrinda's sweet words, the women and Paurnamasi lost their senses for a moment in a flood of bliss
that temporarily stole their power of dis¬crimination. From all directions, lotus-eyed women, with love similar
to Radha's assembled in that place. The sky and the earth resounded with the sound of their ornaments. Their
gait surpassed the grace of swans. As cakora birds assemble to see the beauty of the full moon, the blissful
Kundalata, Dhanistha, and Nandimukhi came, filled with unsurpassed/?rema and bliss¬ful with rasa.

Kundalata's Speech

Kundalata, Nandimukhi, and Dhanistha paid respects to Paurnamasi, and with tears in their eyes met with the
sakhis. Kundalata, the wife of Subhadra, then sprinkled the universe with showers of honey as she spoke.
Kundalata said, "On the occasion of this great festival of Radha's abhiseka, the bliss of friends cannot be
contained nor measured. The bliss has filled the land of Vraja, conquered the four directions and flooded the
universe. The cowherd friends of Krishna are gossiping in groups, laughing with goose bumps, and some are

17
laughing while getting dressed. Some are wandering about spreading beauty in all directions. Nanda
Maharaja's servants, who call out for others to help build agoshalla, have become stunned while doing their
work. Previously when no one volunteered, they would use any means to get the job done.

"O Nanda! While you are overwhelmed with love do not foigel this state¬ment, 'Radha-Krishna are the crest
jewel of the universe.' All day Nanda Maha¬raja wanders around with wide opened eyes thinking, 'Can this
soundless message that arises again and again be true?'

"As the bright sun of Jyestha month, desiring the beauty of its daughter Yamuna, sprinkles rain, and then in
the monsoon season blissfully pours showers of rain, so Vrsabhanu, desiring the good fortune of His daughter
Radha, distributes the wealth of the whole universe on the occasion of the abhiseka. The elders are constantly
speaking, 'We are reaping the effects of all the pious acts we have done since childhood in seeing Radha's
beauty at the abhiseka ceremony.' "Crazy Mukhara, (Radha's grandmother) with withered body, sang while
dancing very expertly before the assembled gopis in such a way that a great roar of laughter arose. Kirtida
thinks, 'I am going to perform the abhiseka for Radha's coronation.' As her desire ripens at every step, milk
falls from her breasts.

"When Kirtida informed Yasoda about the abhiseka, Yasoda embraced her. Then all the assembled persons,
with tears in their eyes, said, 'You two should protect us constantly by holding more and more such festivals
for your children.'"Yasoda said, 'With great effort I have been praying for the protection of Them both (Radha
and Krishna). We have full agreement about our children. Kirtida, you protect my life by sending your
daughter Radha. But it is not necessary to say this again.' After saying this, Yasoda consulted with the
intelligent gopis. Seeing Dhanistha, Nandimukhi, and me, Yasoda sent this message with affection to the feet
of Paurnamasi.

Message for Paurnamasi

"Yasoda said, 'Paurnamasi! I am always looking on the path for your ar¬rival. Hearing that you are now at
Radha's house, these servants, paying obeisances at your lotus feet, are requesting your presence here. The
forest of Vrindavana, which surpasses everything seen and heard, is the life of Vraja. And Radha is the good
fortune of Vrindavana. Her good qualities and nature are manifest in Vrindavana. O Paurnamasi! You are the
presiding deity, the Laksmi in thepurna kumbha, and the shelter of all happiness in Vraja. Radha always
performs Her vratas here for fulfilling Her desires. We pray to you with devotion to perform the abhiseka of
Radha on a jeweled stage in Vrindavana. Quickly make the adhivasa day appear. We are eager for this. This
festival is capable of attracting all eyes, but who can say what will hap¬pen when Maha-Laksmi (Radha)
appears at that time? Today decorate Radha with all the jeweled necklaces and attractive pearls that I
previously kept for Her, being enchanted by Her qualities.' "Taking this garland of orders from Yasoda with a
glad heart, we quickly came here. Overwhelmed in bliss and slightly bewildered, wc do not kuuw where we
are."

Krishna's Bliss

"As the lightning lays in the lap of the pervading clouds and the dark clouds move over the mountain tops, the
cowherd friends, desiring the festi¬val, came to Govinda and danced in blissful abandon. Krishna, illuminating
the birthplace of Radha with His own light, walked back and forth holding thehandofSubala.

Candravali's Pain

" What lover of Krishna in Vraja would not be glad to attend the coronation? What women would not praise
Radha's attaining lordship? Such sentiment is suitable in Vraja, which is full of bliss and free from all

18
designations. Today, the joy of the festival covers the universe, but severely afflicts the poor heart of
Candravali. What more can I say? Is she hiding her affliction, gener¬ated from pride, with her streams of
tears out of shame before the public or her gopi friends?

"The padma is not a suitable friend for the moonlight. Is this why the affliction made Padma wilt at the sight
of Candravali? (As the moon and its associates fade with the coming of the sun, similarly, at the sight of
Radha, Candravali and Padma fill with sorrow.) Though her name, Padma, indi¬cates that she should be the
friend of the sun (Vrsabhanunandini), astound-ingly she has taken the side of moon (Candravali).

The Gopis' Ecstasy

"The tatastha (neutral) gopis like Bhadra supported the fun with a friendly mood. The friendly {suhrt) gopis
like Syamala acted as Radha's assistants in the affairs. The assistantgopis (sahacari) like Lalita became
stunned in joy, incapable of doing anything else. "The group of beautiful gopis with elongated eyes are now
arriving in Radha's house. As rivers assist the ocean of the great festival by channeling all bodies of water
towards it, they assist by coming with tears in their eyes to drench our melted hearts even more."

Paurnamasi's Preparations

Hearing all this from the mouth of Kundalata, Paurnamasi became enliv¬ened and ordered the sakhis to
prepare for the abhiseka. Her order came like a shower of flowers that seemed to take on a personal form. Did
the sakhis begin preparing for the festival, or did the festival engage the sakhis in ser¬vice? Though everyone
could see, no one could determine which was cor¬rect. The chief sakhis mutually embraced each other with
their creeper-like arms, and sang in harmony while twirling around and around in ecstasy. Their hearts melted
with emotion and became one.

The Arrangements

The craftsmen were busy painting, and the writers were busy recording the events, which were astonishing to
the whole world. Using their hands and creative minds, the sakhis produced the best of ornaments. Over the
jewel-embedded marble floors rose a canopy shining like the eastern mountain crested with the full moon of
autumn. As the gold-limbed cowherd women placed broad golden pots on sapphire altars, it seemed that the
smiling sakhis were offering their breasts in great attachment to the chest of Syamasundara. Everyone became
blissful with the incense spreading everywhere like clouds. To enhance the abhiseka, they hung garlands of
kadamba flowers, which appeared like rows of swinging lamps. The auspicious sound of the gopis' voices
spread in all directions. Mount¬ing the chariot of their hearts, driven by the black swans of their eyes, Radha
sat on the royal throne. The sakhis increased the brilliance of Radha's body by rubbing Her according to the
orders of Paurnamasi. Their eyes danced with joy as their lotus hands bathed Radha in delight.

They dried Radha's body with a soft cloth and then dressed Her in fresh silk. The people assembled for this
preliminary ceremony waved ghee lamps around Radha's beautiful form. Though they felt thrill in their hearts,
they were simultaneously totally bewildered. Radha placed Her lotus feet on the finest silk asana, and they
worshiped Her with a decorated pot, lamps and other auspicious items. The effulgence generated there
seemed to invoke the presence of the devata of light. Then the sakhis decorated Radha's limbs with musk,
sandalwood and other precious unguents, and braided Her hair. They welcomed Radha's beauty with the
brilliance of their mirror-like eyes, and worshiped Her with the lamps of their effulgences and the jingling of
their ornaments, which sounded like bells and conches. While performing the adhivasa activities, the sakhis
felt that it would be auspicious if Yasoda and her friends were present. It is not surprising that as soon as the
sakhis sowed the seed of that desire tree, it immediately bore fruit. Just at that moment, Yasoda and other
elderly women came to take part in the auspicious adhivasa of Radha.Embracing the submissive body of

19
Radha, they became auspicious with the scents of Her body. When Yasoda, her eyes brimming with tears,
em¬braced Radha. it confirmed that Radha had attained lordship over the forests of Vraja, even before the
formal abhiseka. In reality Yasoda had natural spontaneous love for Radha, which certainly could not be
expressed prop¬erly in a formal ceremony.

When Rohini smeiied Radha's head, her whole body erupted in goose bumps. Dyed by attachment and
perspiration, her body turned reddish in color as she flushed with joy. "I regain my life by looking upon the
beauty of your daughter Radha!" said Mukhara while repeatedly kissing the lips of Radha. Who could not help
but smile upon witnessing this?

Fearing that Radha's complexion would be spoiled by the milk flowing from her breasts, Kirtida embraced Her
gently and said, "O daughter, do not cover Your face. These women have come as my guests to see You on
the occasion of Your festival." The elder women said, "Mother, we understand your words about Her
hesitation. Radha, our eyes are thirsty to see the beauty of Your face. Satisfy us by showing us Your beauty."

The Adhivasa Ceremony

The women begged each other for duties in performing the adhivasa. Though one usually ignores others in
attaining one's own goals, those aspir¬ing ioiprema accept dependence on others with similar goals and
tastes. Thus, cooperating with each other, they worked together keeping in mind the goal of prema. The
presence of Radha at the adhivasa manifested so much auspicious-ness that when Paurnamasi recited the
santipatha (prayers of invocation), the eyes of the assembled devotees became more and more dissatisfied.
Indra ordered the Maruts to shower flowers in such a way that the ghee lamps would not be disturbed. They
enhanced the auspiciousness by dropping heav¬enly flowers like parijata and mandara.

As the clamor of a variety of excellent drums widened everyone's eyes with anticipation, Vrinda-devi offered
the coronation garlands to Radha, who gra¬ciously accepted Her lordship over the forests. The cakora birds of
the sakhis' eyes gave up the moon to gaze upon the moon-like face of Radha. And the pupils of their eyes, like
jewel lamps, danced here and there.In order to remove all obstacles in the path of Radha, Paurnamasi
continu¬ously chanted vedic and tantric mantras. Due to extreme joy, however, she became bewildered and
could not perform the remedial measures for coun¬teracting faults in the ceremony. Paurnamasi then offered
arghya to worship Radha, whose beauty causes trembling in the body. This solidified the auspi¬cious nature
of the festival. "As the white moon, which worships Your toe¬nails, cannot stand in the same place as Your
face, then let this black musk from the navel of the deer mark Your forehead instead." Thinking in this way,
Paurnamasi anointed Radha's forehead with musk.

Then the elders decorated the fragrant body of Radha with many aromatic substances and auspicious herbs as
a protective kavaca (talisman). Singing in high voices, they performed raksa bandhana (tying a thread around
Radha's wrist) using turmeric and oiled tips of durva grass tied in cloth.Vrindavana, famous everywhere as the
kingdom of Krishna, the sacred place of Radha and Krishna's conjugal love, and the most beautiful place in the
universe, was shining with fruit-laden trees bearing fragrant flowers, and filled with the sweet twittering of
colorful birds. Like the beauty of Vrindavana, today Radha has attained lordship of Vrindavana by Krishna's
will, and thereby achieved greater beauty than Uma, Laksmi or any other woman. The most exquisite scents,
flowers, the eight herbs oimahansadhi, and the mantras of the brahmanas were employed in the purification
rites of Shri Radha.

Radha's fingers, shining at the end of Her hands, became even more beau¬tiful when the threads were tied
on Her wrist. It seemed as if Cupid had combined all five of his arrows in one to quickly conquer Murari.
Radha's beauty spread in all directions as She sat on the adhivasa platform, holding a mirror, kusa grass, and
other auspicious items in Her lotus hands that charmed the eyes of everyone in the universe.Following the

20
local custom, the women, enlivened by the adhivasa festi¬val, gleefully sprinkled each other with butter,
yogurt and other substances. But because of their ecstasy they could not do more than this. Some playful
gopis threw ghee, yogurt, and fragrant substances soaked in turmeric water in all directions. Some gopis
threw these substances in the eyes of others and then ran away. The happiness they experienced at that time
is not astonishing for the occasion.Jatila let out a terrifying scream after some bold sakhis cleverly lured her
and doused her with ghee and yogurt. Seeing that Kutila (Her sister in-law) was present, Radha bent Her head
and smiled slightly in response to the laughter of Her sakhis.With Paurnamasi's permission and unseen by
others, Radha took some remnants of the sacrifice. Observing the proper rules, the gopis placed Radha in
front and went to worship the abhiseka arena.

Going to the Arena

Elders like Mother Yasoda lead the way, as they accompanied Radha to the abhiseka mandapa. Surrounded by
Her dear sakhis, Radha bowed Her head in shyness while moving along the path previously forbidden for men
to walk on. The women of Vraja sang sweet songs for Radha's pleasure while drink¬ing the nectar of Her
beauty. In this way, the happy women surrounding Radha playfully acted while proceeding on the path.Gazing
at the personified beauty of Her abhiseka (the abhiseka Laksmi), Radha's eyes were like dancers competing
with its beauty. The shower of multi-colored, divine flowers was Laksmi's dress. The various pleasing
draw¬ings were the sandalwood patterns on Her body. Her golden ornaments were the lines of lamps. The
rows of golden kumbhas (water pots) were Her necklaces. She was singing through the music and shouts of
the participants. The coming and going of the women was Her dancing. The flapping of the participants'
clothes was the waving of the flag. The rows of banana trees were Her horripilations. The beauty of the
decorated gates was Her pearl necklace.

Looking at Each Other's Beauty

It appeared that the sakhis were attempting to worship the effulgent god¬dess of the festival. They seemed
to accept the forms of Laksmis who could fulfil desires, being the accumulation of pious actions for all eyes.
Radha sprinkled them with the shower of Her own beauty. By that, the creepers of their bodies bloomed.
Radha appeared like a swan with Her movements and the jingling of Her ornaments. With their eyes, they
stole the beauty of the lotuses of Her two feet. With full hips and breasts, She appeared golden in all Her
limbs. Seeing this, the sakhis became paralyzed, and their complexion turned reddish. They took shelter of
Radha's feet. Some sakhis held the lotus hands of others.

Their faces became bright with smiles, as if they had washed and wiped their faces by exchanging joking
words with Radha. As Radha's shoulders slightly shook, Her earrings glittered. That beauty conquered the
movement of the creepers and their flowers. The clatter of their jeweled ornaments was like the buzzing of
bees around the flower buds of Radha's words. Covered with the constantly falling pollen from the flowers and
the incessant flow of perspiration, they appeared like rows of kadamba flowers as goose bumps of ecstasy
appeared. After inquiring about family affairs to those bringing gifts in their hands, Radha satisfied everyone
with Her cheerful loved-laced words. Radha's form, luster, aroma, graceful movements, and the sound of Her
words and ornaments fully blossomed. The sakhis felt that having darsana of Radha was the good result of
hundreds of sukrtis (pious deeds). They devel-oped such greed for seeing Radha that they desired the eyes of
everyone in the arena in order to gaze upon Radha's wonderful form.

At the four sides of the bathing arena, the women and children stared at Radha with wide-open eyes and
great longing. The sakhis saw that the bodies of the beholders were transformed withprema, and their faces
were deco¬rated with Radha's sweet pastimes. They watched Radha enter the eastern courtyard, which was
skillfully decorated with pictures, flowers, canopies and full kumbhas at the junction of the four paths. Then
they entered them¬selves.

21
Radha's Eagerness To Meet Krishna

Holding the imprints of Hari's lotus feet to her chest, the arena personified made everyone mad with ecstasy.
Those feet were drowned in the tears from the women, but the arena personified again dried up the water
with the heat of her desire. Radha murmured to Herself, "This festival will bring heaps of auspicious-ness to
Me. I see that people have come from all directions to meet in this auspicious place. But that playful Krishna
now sports elsewhere, so it seems that My eyes will be fortunate much later.

"If the all-pervading aroma of the mind-stealing Hari appears, why should it disturb the assembled people as it
does Me? If they smell His fragrance will they not fix their gaze on His arrival? Is Madhava now playing close
by? Why am I looking for Him in all directions? "Meeting place of four roads! Crafty place! All of your limbs
have kissed the lotus feet of Madhava. You are worshipable by Me. Give Me mercy by your compassionate
glance, so that I can eternally attain Syama in Vrindavana. Do I see that jewel among men under the
bigkadamba tree in the distance, surrounded by His friends? Absorbed in the beauty of His limbs, My eyes
cannot move elsewhere." Radha found perfection by mumbling like this to Herself while longing for Krishna.

In the heart of one dedicated only to Krishna and absorbed in Hari's various pastimes, both meeting and
separation, and favorable and unfavorable con¬ditions mix in the free flow of rasa. Within meeting there is
separation and within separation there is meeting. Just as waters of contrary name and form mix in the Milk
Ocean, the resting place of Vishnu, but attain one rasa with all contradictions removed, so the mixture of
various contrary emotions in Radha create no obstacle to perfection. The arena marked by Hari's feet, in which
Radha performed worship with various items on the occasion of the festival, also worshiped Radha, using its
fruits and flowers as auspicious items and the assembled people as the flow¬ers. Here, Radha blissfully
offered various excellent items with Her own hands. Thinking, "Now the desire creeper is enjoying Herself,"
the people, imbued with rasa, gazed at Radha with raised heads.

Blessings of Paurnamasi and Yasoda

After Yasoda, Paurnamasi, and the other elderly women satisfied Radha by blessing Her again and again with
body, mind and words, they desired to send Her home.

Chapter Conclusion

Radha followed Her elders home. Along the way the devatas bathed Radha in a shower of celestial flowers.
Having completed the adhivasa, the heroine of all eyes, filled with tears of bliss, returned home with the
village women.All glories to Radha! She is glorious like the shining sun, who makes the kumudas bloom in the
daytime from the eastern direction (gives happiness to the eyes), and who wakes thepadmas (keeps people
awake) everywhere at night, and who radiates astounding beauty in the dawn. (Normally the kumuda flowers
blossom at night and the padma lotuses blossom in the day.)I eternally offer respects to beautiful Krishna,
who is like the moon pouring forth nectar to increase the bliss of the ocean. I offer my respects to Shrila Rupa
Gosvami, the eternal servant of Krishna, who revealed to me the nectarean form of Krishna in Vrindavana, and
who forever expands the limits of bliss within the ocean of the devotees' hearts.

Demigoddesses Worship
"The moon of the family of Nanda gave bliss to His friends by playing on His flute.'' Hearing this news, anxious
Radha manifested various sattxika bhavas. Meanwhile, the sakhis prepared for the abhiseka in great

22
excite¬ment. The mothers and relatives of Radha and Krishna brought all auspicious items. Concealing a
desire deep in hei hcai i, Paurnamasi chanted;'a/?a to invoke peace and good fortune. The intelligent cowherd
men headed by Nanda Maharaja forgot everything else and talked only of the festival. Being praised by the
poets and general public, they distributed immense wealth. In this way the preliminary auspicious ceremonies
were completed, the night ended, and the brahma muhurta arrived. The sleeping children woke up with
exuberance at the end of night, and found that their hairs were standing on end. On this occasion, the
cowherds gave an order not to milk the cows. The cows, however, as if disobeying the order, turned the earth
into the Milk Ocean with their free flow of milk. After quickly completing her morning duties, Paurnamasi met
thegopis and blessed them. Then she sat on an asana to accept their worship.

Padma's Opposition Paurnamasi's Counter Attack

Seeing auspicious omens in every direction, Paurnamasi was astonished to see the dejected faces of Radha's
sakhis and asked the reason. Lalita said, "Please hear why I sent Vrinda to bring you here. The light of moon
always gives protection to the kumuda (water lily shaped like a lotus), by giving its own juice. That is why the
real padmas have wilted. Inner meaning: (Candravali is scheming with Padma. That is why we are dejected.)
"Padma is acting according to her nature, but not for fulfilling Krishna's pleasure. As the clouds drift off due to
strong winds and fail to give life-sustaining rain to the crops, Padma by scheming with others has decided to
create dissension. She has sent some mad women to old Jatila, so that Jatila will prevent Krishna from coming
and thus abort the abhiseka.

"These women told Jatila, 'We have come to you for your help. Today by good fortune your daughter in-law
will be installed with an abhiseka. But protect Her from the eyes of Mukunda. If He happens to see Radha, we
cannot be responsible tor the consequences. Krishna, who is fond of flirting, is very attracted to women who
strictly follow the codes of dharma. Suddenly such women just give up their respect for their elders and run to
Him. We have heard from an akash vani (celestial voice) that Krishna will come to see Radha. Therefore you
must prevent His coming, and thus protect your daugh¬ter from fear, illusion and obstacles.'

"O Paurnamasi, Now hear what the old woman (Jatila) said on hearing the plan of opposition presented by the
representatives of Padma-sakhi. One should not hesitate to destroy another's life to preserve his own. Jatila
said, 'Let the abhiseka reject Radha and go to Rasatala (hellish planet)! Inner meaning: (I will prevent Her
from going.) Fie on the moon (Krishna) who distributes his light to all, so that He cannot give pleasure t"
women ' "The scheming Jatila, with the help of the terrible gopi Bharunda, intends to bring along Bharunda's
son Govardhana Malla (Candravali's husband) to the abhiseka. What can I say about the character of
Govardhana Malla? He is a follower of Kamsa, and possesses all the rajasic and tamasic qualities of anasura." ,

Like the sky with its twinkling stars losing its glory when the cloud covers the moon, the sakhis succumbed to
anguish on hearing this news. Though Gokula was superbly decorated for the festival, it gave no pleasure to
the sakhis. As the full moon swells the fish-filled ocean with bliss, and then, spreading bliss to the nearby
people, raises up the cintamani jewel, Paurnamasi revived the hearts of thegopis with closed eyes, and give
bliss to the surround¬ing people as a brilliant thought arose in Her mind. Paurnamasi said, "O my children!
Give up your lamentation! The two obstacles, like Sunda and Upasunda, will mutually destroy each other.
Those envious of the righteous destroy themselves."

Paurnamasi encouraged the sakhis again to prepare for the abhiseka, but at that time Jatila arrived. After
advising them, she informed Jatila of all that had taken place. All actions of pious people are accomplished
simultaneously (the success of Radha's abhiseka and the thwarting of Jatila's plan.) With a happy heart,
Paurnamasi told Jatila the ancient story of resisting the demons. First she directly scolded old Jatila, then she
consoled her with sweet words, and advised her in various ways.

23
Paurnamasi said, "O Jatila! Vraja is famous as a place that destroys sins. Thus the people live here peacefully
without the presence of demons. In Vraja, therefore, what anxiety can there be for the abhiseka of your
daughter in-law in the presence of a peaceful soul like me?" Catching Paurnamasi's feet, Jatila said with tears
in her eyes and a choked voice, "O Devi! Know my daughter to be like a sacrificial altar who must be offered
to qualified people. Please protect Her." Inner meaning: ("Know that Radha is to be offered to Krishna, the
very form of the knowledge of love So do everything to make Her qualified.") In front of everyone, dependable
Paurnamasi appeased old Jatila and con¬fidently embraced Radha. Ordering the musicians to play, she then
danced and danced. Paurnamasi offered Radha back to the sakhis. Receiving Radha, they felt as if they had
regained their own souls. When one's life is dependent on another, when one is brought back to life by
another, or when one attains the goal of one's life, one feels immense gratitude.

Blissful Singing and Dancing

It seemed as if the land of Vraja had given birth to a variety of instruments with the mixture of melodious
music, singing and dancing. The peacocks danced and cried in bliss when the instrumental music and singing
reached a crescendo resembling the rumbling of clouds. Svargaloka and Martyaloka, assuming the form of
umbrellas, returned the sound of each note echoing throughout the universe.

Going to the Bathing Platform

As the form of the moon faded away, the prominent constellations hid their faces in shame. The sun threw its
rays upon the lotus creepers, the sitting place of Laksmi. Seeing the rays of dawn, everyone understood that
the auspicious moment of Radha's installation had arrived. Taking Kirtida's permission, Paurnamasi, who
knows the Vedas and is steady in intelligence, eagerly escorted Radha to the abhiseka mandapa (bathing
arena) which was filled with auspicious items. The earth revealed its affection through the ghee. It cried tears
of bliss through the honey. It laughed through the yogurt. It offered gifts through the many glittering jewels.
It horripilated through the sowed sprouts. It laughed and showed its teeth at attaining such good results
through the stalks of the banana trees. It showed its possession of all wealth through the calves and cows
being milked by Prthu. Desiring to bathe Radha herself, the earth held a multitude of water pots on her head,
and offered an asana for Her on the platform in the jeweled pavilion.

Radha walked on a beautiful path into the arena, which had an asana for an attractive bodice, lines of flowers
for garlands, whose chest was the earthen altar decorated with jeweled caskets for breasts. Upon entering the
pavilion, which was topped with a shining white canopy, Radha sat on the white silk cushions. She looked like
Laksmi sitting on a lotus in the Milk Ocean, giving blessings to the whole universe. Radha's ear ornaments
were like flowers blooming on a creeper. Her eyes were dancing hummingbirds in the lotus of Her face. Her
braid was a pea¬cock and Her smile was a white swan. Radha was the embodiment of all the auspicious items
one might see before starting a journey (lotuses, swans, peacocks, hummingbirds, and flowering creepers).
Offering Her feet to the lotuses drawn on the earth, and bowing down as if to arrogant opponents, Radha
moved forward to mount the platform. Her left arm, thigh and eye twitched, and the assembled persons
developed pro¬fuse goose bumps.

Order of the Entrance

The talented musicians leading the procession were followed by a lot of noisy women carrying flowers, puffed
rice, and other ingredients in their hands. Then came Paurnamasi, the wives of the brahmanas, and other
re¬spectable women eager to see the festival. Dancing women, women playing vinas and flutes, and others
carrying ingredients for the festival followed them. At last camp young girls bringing various festival
paraphernalia. Vrinda and others waiting expectantly at the mandapa thought, "When will Radha come?" Just
at that moment a fragrant, cool breeze arose to touch their limbs and relieve their anxiety. As Radha and Her
sakhis walked on the flowered footpaths of Vrindavana to the mandapa, a profuse shower of flowers fell from

24
the sky to form a canopy overhead. Radha and Her friends proceeded on the flower-covered path lit by rows
of brilliant ghee lamps. It seemed that the moon was moving through the Milky Way along with the planets. As
Radha walked, She glanced at the places where Krishna had performed different pastimes. At that time, Radha
revealed a most astonishing appearance that the gopis had never seen before. While speaking, the Vrajagopw
seemed to be singing, "Come, go, bring, receive." Elsewhere, the heavenly damsels muttered, "She is
fortunate, She is truly fortunate, She is most fortunate."

The Demigoddesses Appreciate Radha's Beauty

On seeing the superb beauty of Radha some heavenly women became completely ashamed of their own
beauty. Others, however, became enchanted and followed Radha. While walking next to the sakJiis, they
described Radha's splendor. The demigoddesses said, "Just see! The long rays of Radha's beauty color Her
followers internally as well as externally. And from far off, they attract us so much that they are ordering us to
follow Her footsteps. Though Laksmi performed extreme austerities, she could not get the association of
Krishna. But Krishna is completely satisfied with Radha, who has a beautiful bodily luster and also desires Him.
When will we have the good fortune to continu¬ally relish the fragrance of Radha's lotus feet?

"Though the Creator has given the gopis eyelids to impede their vision, they still ceaselessly serve the
sweetness of Radha's lotus face. We have no eyelids, but must remain far away. On two counts the Creator is
foolish! See! See! If we could not distinguish Radha from other women of equal beauty, we would be able to
understand because all eyes, like bees, would naturally gravitate towards Her."

Radha's Sweetness

"O friend! Radha is not the crescent moon in the twilight, nor can She be a creeper tinged with pollen. How
can we know Her? Radha is dressed in the red cloth of the essence of all beauty and affection. If various
flowers fall at the lotus feet of Radha, they become infused with the pink hue of the lac dye on Her feet. It
seems that out of shame the flowers offer their softness to Radha's lotus feet. Though the path is full of
flowers, the sw ai m ul bees is falling at Radha's feet. I think that the bees mistake Her feet for two moving
lotuses because of their honey sweet fragrance. As Radha moves along the path, She anoints the sakhis with
the kunkiima of Her glance. She ornaments them with Her touch and feeds them the nectar of Her words. In
this way Radha creates a shower of happiness."

The Sakhis' Engagements

"See friend! Lalita holds a peacock fan and stands on the right side of her swamini. Radha is casting a
distressful crooked glance at Lalita. Vishakha, who in another form is known as Yamuna, walks on Radha's left
side. She holds a picture of Hari in her hand. Noticing it, Radha touches the picture. This makes Her hair stand
on end and Her body tremble. Campakalata walks behind Vishakha carrying a tiny jeweled casket for Krishna.
Seeing it, Radha thinks of it as Her own heart. When Radha's tilaka fades from the perspiration due to
remembering Krishna, Citra is there to restore it. Not only does she draw pictures (citra) or tilaka on Radha's
limbs, but Citra astounds (vicitrata) the hearts of all in the universe.

"Friend! Tungavidya walks behind Radha reciting the glories of Krishna. Her eloquent speech reveals her
identity as the incarnation of Sarasvati. In the front to the right (south) is Indulekha, who offers Radha
tambula during intimate pastimes and listens to confidential topics. Radha is attracted to her face and heart.
Ranga-devi, the incarnation of music, brings the lifeless vina to life with her songs of Hari as she walks on
Radha's left side. "Sudevi walks behind Radha. Filled with love of Hari, her body is non-different from Radha's
and she is knowledgeable of emotions and the mind. Leading the way, Kundalata praises Radha with
humorous words. It seems that the gentle smiling and the movement of the sakhis' eyebrows are drawing

25
Radha forward.Kundalata said, "Look, Radha's loyal and enthusiastic sakhis move be¬hind, in front, and on
the sides of Her. Knowing that love always attracts, the Creator has made this arrangement. Headed by
Bhanumati, the hundreds of gopis gazing at Radha's face seem to be spilling nectar from their eyes, as if the
goddess of nectar consumption is criticizing them for their indulgence.

"As the constellations such as Krttika moving in the sky meet the moon which gives bliss to the cakora bird, so
many beautiful girls bearing auspi¬cious items in their hands leave their houses and gather before Radha.
Look friend! It seems that the sakhis, just by their gentle laughing and glancing at the beauty of the gateways,
have made a hundred moon rays (Candravali) rise from the edge of the village.
"O friends of Radha! Do not envy the moon. Cover the rays of the sun from the moon light by the eastern
mountains. (With your breasts protect the beauty of Radha from the hands of Candravali.) As the pink dawn,
brighter than a million flashes of lightning, withers the moon before the sunrise, the sakhis preceding Radha
on the path eclipse the beauty of Candravali with their gorgeous pink garments.
"With their heads raised skyward and their joyful words, the sakhis seem to respond to our blissful words,
saying, 'What to speak of the beauty of the lady of our life, our faces defeat the beauty of the moon light
(Candravali)-. As female swans sweetly chortle at the edge of the Milk Ocean and Jambudvipa, and move
through the edge of the forest and within Vraj a, a place white with milk and yogurt, Radha astonishes the
heart with the indistinct jingling sounds from the Her waist bells.'

Fear of Krishna

"Seeing the moon of Hari with the star clusters of His friends near the kadamba tree of Udaya Mountain, the
sakhis, in great fear of having their honey stolen, surrounded lotus-eyed Radha to protect Her from the attack
of the bees (Krishna).

Yasoda Offers Radha to Paurnamasi

"See here! Kirtida and the other elders along with Yasoda, thinking of leaving that place, approach Radha and
offer Her hand to Paurnamasi, bath¬ing themselves in tears. In pleading voices they say, 'We have always
offered Krishna and Radha to your hands, but today we are especially offering Them to you. You are the only
one who can protect this life-giving herb nourished with the beauty of vana laksmi (forest goddess) and the
upcoming festival.' "At the time of farewell, they embraced Radha and departed with great difficulty. While
repeatedly wiping away their tears, they desired to remain for some time to associate with the beauty of
Radha. Then, filled with the nectar of festival topics, Yasoda and the others returned home."

The Demigoddesses Descend as Gopis

"We will not be able to see the gopis from the spaces between the tree branches. But we will see them by
descending to earth and taking up roles as gopis." Saying this, the heavenly women arrived quickly from all
directions to see Radha and the gopis. With great longing to see Radha to their full satisfaction, they entered
flower-filled Vrindavana, and constantly showered flowers while following the gopis.

The Sakhis Glorify Radha

As they entered Vrindavana while performing many activities and encour¬aging each other, the chief sakhis
said to Radha, who walked as stately as an elephant. "Hey Radhe! Though Vrindavana has Madhusudana, it
has wilted in separation from You. Now Vrindavana is worshiping You with songs as mantras while paying
respects with blossoming trees. O lotus-faced one! Do not be sad! This tamala tree (Krishna) in front is eager
to receive You. Embrac¬ing it, You will emanate Your own bliss and thereby give bliss to Vrindavana. "Look
sakhi\ In this dark forest the campaka creepers, swaying in the breeze like hundreds of hands, are offering

26
arati to You with their flower buds as flames. Look there! The madhavi creeper, dropping petals from its
bunches of loose flowers, appears to be sprinkling puffed rice all around You as an auspicious ritual. Radhe!
The lotus trees, having seated You on an incomparable asana sprinkled with piles of pollen, are bathing You
with streams of nectar flowing from pots in the form of the flower buds."As the cuckoos sing the enchanting
fifth note and the Malayan winds play the leaves as instruments, the creepers dance in honor of Your
abhiseka. All the trees are nodding their heads like connoisseurs. On the occasion of the festival the gentle
breezes sprinkle yellow pollen saturated with honey here and there, as if throwing oil-soaked turmeric on each
other in bliss.

"Beautiful moon face! By the influence of Your festival the white water lilies are blooming in the water, even in
the daytime. They appear to be arguing with the lotuses through the sound of the buzzing bees. Instead of
flying away, the parrots remain to sing Your glories during the festival. Upon hearing Your sweet voice,
however, they have become stunned to silence. In anticipation of the streams of water from Your abhiseka,
the peacocks are dancing with indescribable abandon. Their tails are shaking and they make our eyes dance
as well. "Giving up their fawns, the does are following You to offer You the grass in their mouths as arghya.
But they have become wonder-struck at the beauty of Your eyes. O friend, look there! The Pulinda woman are
gathering the gunja seeds and gaurika powder that have fallen from Your breast and the feet of Krishna onto
the grass and smearing it on their bodies.

"The followers of Vrinda and the protectors of Krishna's forests have gath¬ered together to observe Your
festival. But bewildered by Your beauty they are repentant for not doing their duty (forbidding entrance to the
forests). Now we have almost come to the place of the abhiseka, for all the people have stopped moving. The
instrumental music has increased in intensity to expand the bliss. From this area, Vmda and more of Your
sakhis are coming to meet You. Their eyes are drenched in the nectarean streams of Your beauty.

"Before us Vrindavana looks very beautiful with its many groves. It seems to be laughing in its brightness, and
devouring the beauty of Svarga with its tongues in the form of fluttering flags. O friend, look! Just ahead of
us, Paurnamasi, worshipable as the best of yoginis, stands blissfully by the gate. With motherly affection she is
singing an invocation. Paurnamasi and her friends are looking towards the path with great anxiety."In this
way, the sakhis finished their description of Radha and the heavenly women met Her. Giving bliss to all with
Her beauty, the finest in all creation, Radha entered the gate.

Arrival and Chapter Conclusion

The moon light of Radha's face rose in the abhiseka mandapa. The eyes of all onlookers, like rows of cakora
birds, were anxious to drink the nectar stream of Radha's beauty. But touching just a drop of that beauty, they
be¬came intoxicated and stunned. All glories to the full moon Laksmi of Vrindavana as She rose in the best of
groves, bringing the trees and creepers of that gathering into blossom with Her moonlight smile, and watering
them with the tears from their own eyes.I eternally serve the beautiful Krishna, and Shri Rupa Gosvami, the
servant of Krishna, who bestowed the light of their toenails to this suffering soul, who completely cleansed the
mirror of my heart through the bestowal of invin¬cible bhakti, and who gave me a cintamani gem, though I
desired other things.

Lord Krishna Arrives

Vrinda Welcomes Radha

The travelers to the festival moved fast and slow, some in front and some at the back. When Radha reached
the entrance of Her own grove Vrinda wor¬shiped Her with fine scents and other opulent items while chanting

27
"Jaya! Jaya!" Radha accepted the grove, constructed as if by divine architects, as Her own home.

The Arrival of Krishna's Scent

No sooner had Radha entered Her own grove than She smelled the aroma of Krishna's body. Though agitated,
Radha managed to control Herself and spoke privately to Vrinda. "O Devi! Do I see Hari or have I been
mistaken because His fragrance has spread here? Tell Me if Hari is here somewhere and then I can be
relieved." Wiping the tears from Radha's lotus eyes, Vrinda spoke some sweet, com¬forting words. Vrinda
said, "O sakhi\ Jatila has come here with her son Abhimanyu with the intention of discovering the love affair
between You and Krishna. Therefore, rather reluctantly Madhava has entered the madhavika grove with His
friends. Now hear the cunning words Saibya told old Jatila, because one cannot reduce one's pain without
revealing one's anguish to a close friend.

"Saibya said, 'Old lady Jatila! Please keep Krishna away from Radha so that He cannot mix intimately with Her.
Inner meaning: (You have done well to put your daughter in the care Hari.) Now go there with your son and
tell Krishna this advice meant to instill sense control in a gentleman, "O Krishna! You and I will stay behind
Radha at some distance during this festival.'" Vrinda-devi continues, "So Radha, when I saw that old blind
Jatila and Abhimanyu coming with the intention of implementing Saibya's advice, I called Jatila's son over to
me with a motion of my hand. I said, Abhimanyu! See! The devas are laughing in the sky because you have
come to see the abhiseka of your own wife. How shameful!'

"On hearing this, the son of Jatila fled to Kamyavan. Then I went to Jatila and said, 'Old lady! Your son is
afflicted with rheumatism. Muttering some¬thing again and again, he ran to the Yamuna.' After removing
Abhimanyu from the scene and sending Malati to console Hari, I have come to You. Hey Radhe! Do not lament
at all." Filled with the elixir of Vrada's words, Radha entered Her remarkable grove alone, with hopes of
meeting Krishna, Though internally obsessed with desire, externally Radha seemed calm. "Though I have not
examined this grove completely, it seems that it is not very suitable for service. I feel that in this grove our
amorous pastimes cannot manifest." Holding the tender hand of Vrinda and crying profusely, Radha said this
as She went from grove to grove, Her body covered in goose bumps.

Description of the Grove

Responding to Radha's complaints, Vrinda said, "O Radhe! This house of creepers is splendid with its flowers,
new shoots and swarms of bees. It has many trees, gardens and jeweled floors. It has many types of
courtyards and arches over the entrances. O Swamini! There is one large chamber and six high surrounding
rooms. On the four sides are four huge doors.Long before, I made this kunjagrha (forest cottage) just for You.
Without a doubt even if four-headed Brahma tried for a long time to describe this structure, he would quickly
become speechless. These creeper bowers, with the network of ascending light rays, surpass even houses
made of jewels. Has Brahma ever seen the remarkable sweetness of the flowers, bees and cuckoos here?

The First Chamber

"O woman with a gorgeous face! This creeper house is equipped with jewel pots with lights and is laden with
fruit. For Your festival it has become effulgent, happy in body and is yawning like a woman in love. (The
woman in love wears ornaments, her breasts become prominent, and she bends under their weight. To show
her desire she yawns.) "O Radha! This satapatrika tree standing among many tall trees is the best of
ornaments, not only for its flowers, but because it is reaching to the sky to make friends with the stars. Oh
Swamini! The peacocks have come here to constantly admire the beauty of You and Syama. In absence of
You, they worship the dark rain clouds decorated with lightning.
"O sakhi If You perform amorous pastimes in these bower houses, the eyes of the deer will be satisfied and
the Creator's efforts will bear fruit. The eyelids of the wives of the devatas that do not blink are now fluttering

28
in joy, as if an auspicious time had arrived.

The Second Room

"This second room has a temple spread with bakula and kimsuka flowers (red). Has the fragrance taken a
form or has the color become personified? How to understand that? The kimsuka flowers have taken up the
fragrance of the bakula and the bakula flowers have taken up the red color of the kimsuka. Thus the bees,
going to the kimsuka flower and then to the bakula flower, think,'What is this?'

The Third Room

"O Radha! Come into the third chamber. It is filled withpatala and mallika blossoms. The mind will become
unsteady, thinking of the moon gladdened hv stars in thf» pink glow nf evening This room is like a mnnnstnno
being flooded with the juice of the mallika flowers like a waterfall of moonbeams. As the moonstone solidifies
the moonlight, the grove catches the fragrance of the mallika flowers. But it also appears like a sun stone,
catching the red fire of the sun's rays.

The Fourth Chamber

"O sakhil Here is the fourth chamber of creepers, which is golden with karnika flowers. When You enter this
room with Your effulgence, You will turn even the bees golden, what to speak of other items. The Vidyadharas
fly to this kamika tree thinking it is Sumeru Mountain, but seeing Your unprec¬edented beauty, which acts like
a watchman to the palace, they become stunned in bliss.

The Fifth Chamber

"The fifth chamber is enhanced with lavanga creepers and saturated with bees. When You manifest Your
pastimes, love will blossom in this room. The fragrance of the lavanga creepers spreads through this grove. At
this place people mistake the bees wandering here and there to be smoke from aro¬matic incense.

The Sixth Chamber

"Radha, now enter the sixth chamber which is splendid with campaka creepers embracing tamala trees.
Thinking that it has the complexions of both of You (Radha and Krishna), this creeper house is drenched in
tears, which seem to increase at every moment. One who compares this campaka embraced by the tamala
tree with a gold house studded with sapphires has not seen the beauty of Your two forms.

The Seventh Chamber

"Osakhi\ Enter the seventh chamber covered with various creepers. Just now it has become filled with illusion
and thus You should call it "Mohana." This bower, with its variety of colored flowers, is spreading a profound
beauty suitable for Your love. The cooing birds imitate the soft words of lovers.

The King's Throne and Abhisheka Ingredients

"In the middle of this grove in the eastern direction is a famous house. At this place, stained red with the
wives of the directions, the sun manifests as the royal throne. O sakhil After the abhiseka You will sit on this
golden throne. At that time the embodied treasure of Vmdavana (Krishna) will come to You. Now first enter
the northern chamber. This yard, filled with the abhiseka ingredients, spreads glory in all directions, like the
sky filled with stars. Like the rising moon, You should stay here.

29
"Look there! Paurnamasi with the assistance of some brahmacaris is ex¬pertly performing a sacrifice for Your
prosperity. The streams of ghee are the Ganga River, and Shiva's gray matted locks can be seen in the
smoke." As Radha became attracted to Her groves by the words of Vrinda, the goddess of the forests, She
tinted Vrinda's complexion with Her own emo¬tions. They mutually increased each other's bliss. Radha
entered the north¬ern chamber, resplendent with flower gates, attractive lamps, rows of shining pots, and
heaps of auspicious ingredients. There Radha saw a place called the Sarvabhauma Grha, a square made of
flowers, measuring twenty hands, with flags around it.

There was a flower house surrounded by rows of the best trees, with a jeweled floor, like the moon rising
amidst the mountains of the eight direc¬tions. In that grove a pot made of sapphires and a row of lamps,
substitutes for Murari and the sakhis, mutually added splendor to each other. As the moon lights up the ocean,
the exquisite chamber made of white flowers lit up the sapphire altar.Then Radha, surrounded by Her
associates and under the attentive protec¬tion of Paurnamasi, sat in the southern courtyard near the throne,
which was covered by a splendid canopy.

Paurnamasi's Mantras, Omens, and Meditation

Paurnamasi, wearing white cloth, sat on an asana uttering santi mantras as part of her vrata. She saw
auspicious omens upon offering the ghee into the sacrificial fire. She heard the deep rumble of chariots, and
saw the tongues of fire turn to the right. At that moment, the audience let out a thunderous roar, and
circumambulated the fire to the right. The damsels of heaven showered flowers and the singers recited
praises. It seemed that in jest they were mim¬icking the showers of flowers. Suddenly from all directions a
sound arose: "O worshipable Paurnamasi! Quickly perform all the proper rites." Then Paurnamasi, meditating
on the heavenly women, made them appear in person.

Demigoddesses Arrive and Paurnamasi's Call

Uma, Yamuna, Manasa Ganga, and the wives of the sun, Chaya and Sanjna, appeared. They
sprinkled/?arc;ata flowers on Radha's head and blessed Her after gazing at Her for a long time. Paying
respects to Paurnamasi and the sakhis, they stood motionless with tears and goose bumps manifesting on
their bodies.As the demigoddesses gazed upon Radha's beauty and the love of Her associates, they appeared
to be golden creepers bathed by their own drops of honey. Though they were bewildered out of thirst from
drinking that beauty, Paurnamasi brought them back to normal by speaking as follows. Paurnamasi said, "O
heavenly women! Now that you have come to Vraja, you must perform Radha's abhiseka, so that the whole
world will be as¬tounded."

Doubts Removed

On hearing this, Chaya, the mother of Saturn, spoke to Paurnamasi to instruct her, but the answer became a
major instruction for her own follow¬ers. Chaya asked, "O Devi! We hold your inviolable order on our heads
like heavenly flowers. But in our doubtful hearts we find no bliss. We have heard from the mouths of the
personified Vedas that Laksmi cannot compare with Radha. The cause for our sorrow is that Radha will only be
ruling over the fweyojanas of Vmdavana. We would be satisfied if Radha becomes the ruler of the whole
universe!"Paurnamasi responded to these words of the mother of Saturn with an astonishing laugh, and then
looked towards the face of Uma.

Uma said, "Please listen my friend! There are many powers gained through the secret knowledge found in the
Vedas such as fulfilling desires by auster¬ity, gaining material things throughyajnas, preventing suffering by
mantra, enjoying all powers through worshiping the devas, attaining happiness through yoga siddhis,

30
achieving purity through visiting holy places, attaining yoga powers through the mahajanas, and gaining sense
enjoyment by entering Svarga. But all the things necessary for a person to cross the ocean of material
existence and to attain Krishna prema that are found in the Vedas, are easily found in the area of Mathura.
"The Lord's sandhini sakti resides there. It is the Lord's internal energy, svarupa wkti, which is the very image
of the Lord Himself; for the energy and the possessor of energy are not different. Therefore the holy dhama of
Mathura is etern ally associated with the cit sakti of the Lord. As the sun and its light are inseparably co-
existing, so the Lord and His dhama are also non-different.

"Whatever wonderful qualities are found in Mathura, the birth place or eternal residence of Krishna, are also
found in Vraja's forests in a more concen¬trated form with no obstructions. It is well known that Vrindavana
measures only fweyojanas (forty miles), but it is not like other places. Thus in ancient times, Lord Brahma
himself saw all the countless brahmandas (universes) situated within Vrindavana. "The Lord infuses His own
sakti into places that are not His eternal dhamas in order to enjoy pastimes. Then what can we say about
Vrindavana, where all His energies are eternally present? O friend! Please understand that all in¬conceivable
powers and spiritual love aic eternally present in Vrindavana. And in that place Radhika is completely qualified
to receive the abhiseka. Such honor is certainly befitting Her." In that assembly, which resembled a lake, the
lotus faces blossomed with smiles of satisfaction at Uma's words, which were like the autumn season.

Radha's Longing and Paurnamasi's Arrangement

Feeling anxious, Radhika lowered Her head and thought, "Will I be fortu¬nate enough to see Syama and His
indescribable pastimes on the occasion of My abhiseka0! Now, even a speck of His aroma is absent. Having
been offered the lordship of His forests, and having seen these heavenly women, I wonder why I am still
eager to see His face. Where are You playing now? There are too many people near Me now. Is Paurnamasi
remembering Me in this situ¬ation? O Krishna! How will I be able to see You?"

Reading Radha's thoughts by seeing the emotions on Her face, Paurnamasi said to Vrinda, "Quickly bring me
the sapphire gem of Vraja!" Lalita and the other sakhis were also thinking about this, so when they heard
Paurnamasi's words they became blissful. Then Radha said to Herself, "O fickle heart, be comforted."

Appearance of Sarasvati and Offerings

When the sky became full of flowers, the presiding deity of the beauty of flowers appeared as Sarasvati.
Seeing this, Yamuna informed Paurnamasi. With Paurnamasi's permission, Sarasvati entered holding a brilliant
casket. Opening the casket, Sarasvati said, "Savitra is offering this lotus garland. Indrani is offering this gold
asana. The wife of Kubera is offering jeweled ornaments; the wife of Varuna is offering a golden danda; the
wife of Vayu is offering two white camaras; Svaha, the wife of Agni, is offering two pieces of cloth; and the
wife of Yamaraja is offering a jeweled mirror through my hands.

"Previously the demons had stolen these treasures worthy of Vrindavana. The devas conquered the demons
and retrieved these items. Now, they have given them all to us. But the brilliance of these treasures destroys
the radi- ance in our effulgent families. Without enjoying these items, we have brought them here. Let them
attain newer and newer attachment to the beauty of Radhika."When the effulgence of these items mingled in
a friendly way with the effulgence of Radha, the sakhis worshiped the words that Narada had previ¬ously
spoken. In ecstasy, Paurnamasi handed the items to Lalita and said to the heavenly women, "You must
personally perform the auspicious rites."

The Rivers and Lakes Arrive

Thereafter, huge drums and other instruments resounded. Astounding the universe, the waters of the Ganga,

31
Yamuna and Sarasvati appeared simulta¬neously from their right hands. All the best tirthas of the world, the
tirthas of Vrindavana, and the perspiration of Paurnamasi, gathered to form a huge lake not far away. Lotuses
began blooming as the jeweled area became covered with their waters. The bodies of water and the
assembled persons became filled with bliss upon hearing the happy chirping of various birds.

Bringing the Waters

As the auspicious moment arrived, the musicians played all the notes. Spurred on by the singing and dancing,
the public became more joyful. Di¬viding themselves into three groups, the musicians increased their
enthusi¬asm by playing different tunes and mixing with the rivers and the followers of Radha inprema. Then
by the permission of Paurnamasi, Vrinda and the asta-sakhis, sur¬rounded by the heavenly women, carefully
carried the nine pots. Bringing the pots, which were inlaid with nine jewels, under the shade of the canopy,
they worshiped them with flowers, shoots, scents and fruit, and then put the pots on their heads. They were
surrounded by music, lamps, winnowing baskets, and groups of young women with smiling faces.Then the
sakhis filled the pots with that water, which had been worshiped according to the rules, while the four types of
instruments (string, wind, percussion, and brass,) resounded. It seemed that they were filling up their minds
with condensed rasa. Holding the jeweled pots on their heads like crowns, the sakhis increased in brilliance as
they stood on the riverbank, while beautiful women showered flowers and the attractive thoughts in their
minds.

The beautiful thighs of the sakhis challenged the trunks of elephants, and their movements defeated the
movement of the elephants. Did not their breasts steal the forehead bumps of elephants?
Each of the nine pots used in the nine abhisekas was made of a different jewel: (padma-coral, mahapadma-
ruby, sankha-pearl, makara-diamond, kacchapa-cat's eye, mukunda-emerald, kunda-yeMcw sapphire, n//a-
blue sapphire and varcca or kharba (gomeda) These jewels are the nova ratna, representing the nine planets.
Appearing like devas as they moved effort¬lessly from the pond, the sakhis increased the splendor of the
gopis' proces¬sion. Then some of the beautiful women, who had gathered at the flower pavil¬ion along with
the pots, performed arati to Lalita and the others using the best of gems, while facing the golden throne.

Kalasa Sthapana (Establishing the Pots)

Circling the interior starting from the eastern direction, and covering all directions, they placed the nine pots
on unhusked rice in front of the golden throne. While purifying the pots with mantras they placed kunkuma,
red cloth, garlands, many scents, and mahausadhi water on the pots. On the mouths of the pots they put
sandalwood paste and nine leaves. The peoples' eyes widened with joy upon seeing the presiding deities of
the pots headed by Durga appear in person.

News of Krishna's Arrival

From that place, Paurnamasi sent a sakhi to inform Radha that Krishna had come alone. The bliss that that
news generated filled all the auspicious items with more bliss. But before the sakhi sent by Paurnamasi could
inform Radha of Krishna's coming, Radha could understand the news about Krishna, by seeing the symptoms
on the pure-hearted sakhi.

Krishna's Joy

While holding auspicious items in their hands all the gopis were wor¬shiped by the young girls, the personified
jewels of the earth. Desiring to bring Radha to the abhiseka mandapa, they cheered, "Now may You be
victorious." To the accompaniment of dancing, singing and music that com¬peted to conquer the universe,
Radha walked with increasing splendor to attain lordship over the forests of Hari. When lotus-eyed Syama saw

32
Radha from a hidden place in the forest His voice became choked up, His body changed color and horripilated.
He trembled, perspired, wept, became stunned, and fell unconscious.With Subala's assistance Syama regained
consciousness. Then, His body covered with goose bumps, Krishna blissfully spoke to Subala in a soft voice,
"Radha is the perfection of all My accumulated pious activities. She alone can give Me bliss. Without Radha,
My mind and intelligence cannot func¬tion. The kunkuma of Radha's effulgence defeats the sun, the creeper
of Her body harasses the lightning, and the lotus of Her face conquers the moon. In the sky of My heart all
three of these lights are simultaneously shining.
"Radha's toenails are suitable for Candraloka. Her skill in love astonishes Rati, the wife of Cupid. With the
appearance of Radha's moon like qualities, even the night-blooming lotus shrivels. Tell Me Subala, is there
anyone who can equal Her? No one can equal Radha!

"Radha, the friend of Lalita, who proceeds to My groves with dancing eyes, crooked glances, and the gait of a
drunken elephant, has completely con¬quered Me with Her playful actions. As the glories of the devatas
become eclipsed beside the glories of Radha, so all the piles of flowers showered by the heavenly women
cannot compare with the smiling beauty of Vrsabhanunandini. O best of friends, Subala! Lalita is whispering in
Radha's ear. From this it seems that I will have good fortune only after a long time! "Subala, Lalita is saying,
'O Radha! Accept the Sarvabhauma Grha with courtyards and all opulences. But avoid dealing with Krishna,
who likes to steal one's mind and life. Give up consideration of disrespect. Do not feel shy about expressing
Your anger. Inner meaning: (Go and enjoy with Krishna in His royal house called "Vinoda" and fulfil Your
desires by going to His grove. Enjoy love by special embrace. When You are satisfied with the love pastimes of
Hari in the forests that scent Your limbs with musk and aguru, You should give up consideration of all pride.)

'If Krishna comes out of His arbor and appears before You, glancing with desire, He will make Your eyes swim
with desire for pastimes. You will lose all thought of respect. When Syama cuts You to pieces with His glances,
You should pierce Him with the arrow of Your counter glances. I know that is Your desire. There should be no
hesitation in doing this. If there is, I will solve the problem.' "Subala, is Lalita giving this type of teaching to My
beloved, who desires to see My grove? I understand that Cupid has appeared, for I feel pressure in all My
limbs. O friend! Look! Rising gracefully above the spotless flower house, served by the cakora birds of the eyes
of its inhabitants, is the Punarvasu Naksatra (Radha) in its own house (Cancer) shining like the moon. Look!
Chaya, the wife of the sun, is using the best jeweled lamps to perform continu¬ous arati to Radha, who is
sitting on a golden throne, surrounded by Paurnamasi, the sakhis, friends and the heavenly maidens. The
assembled persons have begun singing auspicious songs in choked voices, breaking out in goose bumps and
shedding tears. When the jewels of the lamps come near Radha, My heart goes berserk.

"Hey sakha! The sakhis have placed auspicious pots on either side of Radha's throne. Have those two pots
attained a place on Her chest as breasts? Radha, whose glory cannot be disputed by the learned, has placed
rice, barley shoots and fruits on a gold plate. By that, the lotus-faced Laksmi has blessed the festival with all
success. "Subala! Look! By the permission of Paurnamasi, Radha, praised by all the people, has ascended the
gold throne and is increasing its splendor. Sit¬ting on the throne on the platform in the kunja mandira, Radha,
desired by even Cupid, is constantly radiating Her effulgence and completely over¬whelming Me. As Radha
sits on the gem-studded, incomparably crafted throne, She forcibly attracts My mind with Her golden lotus
face, golden scepter and other royal attire.

"Of friend! Has some sorceress of men, unseen before, appeared here?
seeing Radha,s all atractive form,the sakhis are drowning in an ocean of bliss. They are so overwhelmed with
joy that they cannot see, act, or even speak. Oh My friend Subala, that is My Radhika! "Giving up Her anger
towards Me, She has now made Her appearance. Radha will now be bathed and assume royal status like Me.
What more could I desire?".
While Murari conversed in this way with His friend Subala, Radha had become extremely anxious to see Him.
Paurnamasi heard this news from Vishakha.

33
Paurnamasi Brings Krishna

Understanding everything, Paurnamasi asked Parvati, "O Bhavani, is this the proper moment for my desires to
come true?"
Bhavani replied, "In this world, Vraja is the only suitable place for the jivas. Here, Krishna can bestow
blessings on those aspiring for love."
Smiling, Paurnamasi said, "See my mystic powers!" Saying this she pulled Hari, His head bowed and slightly
smiling, from His hiding place and brought Him to the abhiseka mandapa.

The Glory of Krishna

As a black flickering cloud embraced by lightning, in proximity to the moon, becomes bright and lights up the
water, dark Murari, wearing yellow cloth, exhibited great unsteadiness in front of Radha and diffused
condensed rasa. As the peacock shows great attachment upon seeing the clouds and spreads its tail to
assume a dark color, Krishna, with His peacock feather ornament, giinja beads, and His hair bound in a
topknot, became eager for the rain of Radha's abhiseka. As Cupid is smiling, equipped with flower arrows,
gives enjoyment to his wife Rati, has the insignia of the makara, and disturbs the hearts of mankind, similarly,
Krishna, with His makara earrings and with the flower arrow of His smile, which excites even Rati, melts the
hearts of all attending the abhiseka. The expansive sky with all its stars welcomes the full moon with the
Vishakha Naksatra on the Purnima Tithi. Similarly, Krishna's chest, with its beautiful jewel necklaces, tries to
unite with the body of Radha, decorated with twenty three and a half moons, during the festival arranged by
Paurnamasi, in order to create even greater beauty.

The intoxicated elephant had arrived to bathe the lotus women with show¬ers of nectarean sounds from His
flute, which He held in His trunk-like hand. Where can we see such events? Nourished by the auspiciousness
of the abhiseka, shining nicely like banana trunks reflecting the lamplight, and wrapped in cloth decorated with
a jeweled belt, Krishna's thighs took on an extraordinary beauty.He whose luster conquers the moon, whose
youthfulness agitates Cupid, whose excellent qualities make Him the acaryu, who holds deep love within, and
who expresses more affection for His beloved than Himself, became controlled by Radha. The birthplace of
sweet nectar, whose youthfulness is the origin of the luster of bright jewels, the ocean of rasa, Syamasundara,
along with His dear friends endowed with similar taste, bathed Radha in an ocean of rasa.

Beauty of the Limbs

Knowing well in advance that at the public place there would be no oppor¬tunity of uniting their two bodies,
did the two beautiful bodies now quickly unite? The shining musk ointment of Syamasundara enhanced the
flashing beauty of Radha, and Her radiance enhanced His black form. The mixing of Their colors produced a
natural perfection. On the testing stone of Krishna's body, Radha's golden lines were revealed. Is Cupid testing
this golden woman overcome with love?

Nowhere can be found such effulgent blackness. And nowhere can be found such golden effulgence. Can one
executing austerities for a long time attain this ocean of beauty of the young couple? It is not astonishing that
the beautiful effulgence of the Divine Couple, excited by the festival, made the lotus eyes of the heavenly
women blossom, and infinitely increased the ocean of bliss of the sakhis. Though Hari was eager for Radha,
He became embarrassed seeing elders in all directions. Thus doe-eyed Radha's eyes moved here and there in
a crooked manner. The public was full of bliss and the sakhis were ready to burst. With profusegoose bumps
they remembered the prediction. "Murari will have the heavenly women bathe Radha and make Her the ruler
of Vrindavana." O eyes! Your enjoyment of sweet love has now arrived!

Krishna's Glance and the Chapter Conclusion

34
Desiring to see the abhiseka of Radha, who is endowed with all good qualities, Hari murmured to Himself,
"Radha must look towards Me at least once." Then Radha threw a side-long glance in His direction. Spreading
a smiling countenance at Her own festival, humbling the most worshipable women, offering various emotions
like a river to Hari, and over¬flowing with beauty generated from a whirlpool of pride, may the remark¬able
eyes of Radha, the intimate friend of Lalita, be forever glorified.I eternally serve beautiful Krishna and my guru
who drowned me in an ocean of mercy, who gave their lotus feet to this childish fool who was almost dead,
and seeing my whimsical nature, protected me with their affectionate glances.

Bathing Ceremony
Abhisheka Arrangements

Seeing the smiling eyes of Paurnamasi as she prepared for the abhiseka brought happiness to everyone
present. Had good fortune herself bestowed nn PqnrnMmasi the garland of permission to begin the festival?
As the moon on the Purnima tithi automatically destroys all darkness and makes the roar¬ing ocean overstep
its shoreline, the moon of Gokula (Krishna) with the ex¬press permission and blessings of blissful Paurnamasi,
sounded His flute to destroy all obstacles (such as Padma) and inaugurate a grand festival filled with music.
Murari playfully made a competition between the flute and the festival. With the flute He bewildered all living
entities, and with the joy and grandeur of the festival He quickly revived them. Of all the extraordinary events
in the festival, the most remarkable was that everyone became a musical performer. Individuals in each group
took up dancing and singing according to their style, and then exchanged styles with other groups.

At this abhiseka, the celestial music was the rumbling clouds, the dancing of the apsaras was flashes of
lightning, showering of flowers was sheets of white hail stones, and the Gandharvas' singing was the streams
of sweet nectar. The flowers that the devatas showered were mango buds with pollen (one of Cupid's love
arrows). When five colored powders (turmeric, rice, kusumba, burned tusa and bilva leaves) fell on Radha,
who was full of desire for Krishna, She appeared to change color. Singing the fifth note, the singers conversed
with the cuckoos, the vina players accompanied the humming bees, and the dancers kept step with the
peacocks. How is it that the winged creatures united with the human species?

When all the auspicious elements joined in this way, Uma, taking permis¬sion from her followers, Chaya and
Sanjna, began the glorious worship of Radhika. Could any other coronation compare to this? Everyone's eyes
seemed to burst in joy as the worship before the abhiseka began. Did they swell up in order to more fully
taste the beauty of the event by some yogic power, or did they fill with the increasing beauty of the worship?
All the rituals that Uma performed with beautiful flowers, durva grass, puffed rice, and white mustard purified
by mantras pleased Radha and the assembly. Uma placed the auspicious arghya (water, mixed with durva
grass, flowers, candana and rice) on Radhika's head. In the eyes of the assembly the arghya seemed to be a
most valuable item, whose beauty defeated that of the gates and archways. While offeringpadyam, Uma said,
"O Radha! We are approaching You now and will also come in the future with a desire to par-ticipate in Your
pastimes on the banks of the Yamuna. So You need not pay any respects to us."

The drops of the acamaniyam water that Uma offered to Radha contained the reflection of Hari's lotus face.
With trembling lips, Radha uttered cries of ecstasy as She touched the various parts of Her body (last part
oiacamana). It is a fact that when a person has great desire for an object, anything related to it gives joy.
Thus when Uma offered madhuparka, Radha felt completely satisfied, thinking that it contained a little of the
remnants of Hari's lips.After all the articles were offered, Radha received acamaniyam again. At this time,
Radha appeared like the sun in Jyestha month (summer) destroy¬ing the darkness in all directions with Her
brilliance. Uma then offered various scents {aguru, candanu, kasturi, hunkuma) and flowers. The loud buzzing
of the bees seemed to make Krishna's heart dance.While Uma offered aguru incense to the limbs of Radha,

35
Krishna's heart became scented with many desires. The ghee lamps Uma waved before Radha kindled many
loving feelings in Krishna's heart. As changes in the environ¬ment immediately affect those within it, similarly,
everything affecting Radha also affected Krishna. Uma then performed arati with a jeweled bowl contain¬ing
fresh barley, durva grass, asvattha branches and flower buds. At that time it seemed that the eyes of whole
assembly were performing arati to Radha as well.

The quick execution of all the preliminary worship left Paurnamasi stand¬ing speechless in ecstasy. But the
tears in her eyes gave permission to the young girls waiting to perform their duties. To destroy obstacles to
the abhiseka she performed the vasudhara rites (drawing five or seven lines of ghee on a well to satisfy
Cediraja.) This act satisfied the hearts of pious people, but not the heart of Paurnamasi (because Radha and
Krishna were not yet united.)

Arrival of the Gandharvas

The Gandharva girls, who were expert singers and friends of Candrakanti, arrived at the festival. Paurnamasi
ordered them to sing about the pastimes of Radha and Krishna and depict them with clever expressions.
Seeing Candrakanti in Radha's body, the Gandharva girls became happy. Compos¬ing new songs, they sang
high and low notes for the pleasure of Radha and the assembly. They sang, "She is the source of our dear
friend Candrakanti. He is the master of Candrakanti, who attained Him by austerities. He is performing Her
abhiseka. O tears! Do not suddenly cover our eyes and choke our throats. The two are one in sweetness with
their smiles and glances, good qualities, continuous pastimes in Vrindavana, and with Radha's lordship over
Krishna. All are present here. Though waves arise in the ocean by the raging wind, the turbulence in the ocean
of rasa in Radha's heart can neither be calmed or aggravated by the instructions of the sakhis."

Having full knowledge of all the scriptures, Paurnamasi acted as the acarya. Chaya and the daughters of Garga
were chosen to perform the activities at the correct moment. The Devas, the lords of the planets who serve
Krishna by bringing every moment into existence, now began living for every moment to witness the
sweetness of Radha's abhiseka. Seeing the beauty of Radha's limbs spreading in all directions, everyone
embraced in joy. The sakhis performed their particular duties as if they were their life and soul. Though the
inhabitants of Gokula ignored the beauty of thousand-eyed Indra. they all desired to have Indra's thousand
eyes to witness the joyful abhiseka more and more. Today are Krishna's goose bumps showing the mys¬tic art
of entering another's body? Just see how first they appear on Syamasundara's body, and then enter Radha's
body with great force.I'he forests of V raj a flow with rasa. Even Laksmi Herself intensely desires to live in
these creeper-filled groves. Everything in the forest of Vrindavana emits the radiance of Radha's body, for She
has kindly bestowed Her luster to all things here.

Earth Bath by the Sakhis

First the sakhis bathed Radha with water, and then they bathed Her with eight types of earth (from a
riverbank, dug by a wild pig's tusk, dug by a bull's horn, from a doorway, from an anthill, from the ocean,
from a temple and from the Ganga). The water and earth were permeated with the fragrance of the lotus feet
of Hari, who wanders everywhere. That sweet fragrance spread in every direction. By thepancagavya bath
(cow urine, dung, milk, ghee, yogurt) Radha, full of desire, stole the five knowledge-gathering senses of the
sakliis. Did Radha also release five arrows of love in the heart of Murari? Starting from the east and ending in
the north, the sakhis held pots made of gold, silver, and sixteen types of earth (the previous eight types plus
earth from a king's door, from the juncture of four roads, dug by an elephant's tusk, from both banks of a
river, from a cow pen, from the meeting of three pathways, and from a town). After filling them with water,
flowers, ghee, milk and yogurt they bathed Radha.

A Rg Veda brahmacari and a Sama Veda brahmacari bathed Radha in honey and kusa water respectively.

36
When the santi mantras were chanted to remove all obstacles, Hari became more eager to meet Radha
without any restrictions. O Gandharva friend! Look, while the brahmacaris are chanting mantras, Paurnamasi is
holding a pot high in the air. Will Radha now be¬come the ruler with the chanting of the rajasuya mantra?

After sprinkling fragrant kunkuma powders on Radha, they use a golden sahasra dhara (pot with thousand
holes to create rain shower effect) to bathe Her one after the other with herbs, scents, seeds, flowers, fruits
and jewels, accompanied by mantras from the Yajur Veda. The streams of glistening water falling from the
sahasra dhara cannot be compared with anything in the fourteen worlds. While the brahmacaris chanted Rg
Veda mantras, Paurnamasi put on a kusa grass ring, soaked her hands mgorocana (yellow pigment derived
from cows) and, though blinded with tears of joy, touched the head and throat of Radha.

After completing the preliminary rites, Paurnamasi desired to bathe Radha in pots made of the nine jewels
(coral, ruby, pearl, diamond, cat's eye, emer¬ald, yellow sapphire, blue sapphire and gomeda). To make the
job easier Paurnamasi divided each of the nine large pots into five smaller pots. People situated at various
places held an umbrella, camaras, fans, a jeweled scepter, a mace and other royal insignia in preparation for
the first abhiseka.As the conches, kettledrums, and singing roared in the background, the crowds moved back
and forth in the hall while restlessly waiting for the abhiseka.

First Abhisheka

"O daughter! You are the chief among all the cowherd women. Therefore You should be bathed with the first
water (adi rasa, srngara rasa)." Saying this, Paurnamasi gave blessings and Radha lowered Her head in
acceptance. The brahmacaris chanted Vedic mantras while Radha, the joy of all eyes, was bathed with pots of
water. The effulgence from Radha's incomparably beau¬tiful body appeared to bathe the assembly in showers
of nectar.Paurnamasi poured water from the big jeweled pots into smaller pots. When the water fell upon
Radha's limbs it seemed that streams of elixir from the full moon were falling on a golden creeper in a forest
on Udaya Moun¬tain. As the jeweled pots made the sound "jhamjham" over Radha's head, did not the moon,
praising Her face, bathe Her in streams of heavenly nec¬tar? Paurnamasi bathed Radha in water taken from
the middle of the mahapadma (ruby) pot. We all feel the topmost bliss to see the mahapadma of Radha's face.

Radha appears most glorious being bathed by water from the ruby studded pot. It seems that the waxing
moon has assumed the role of the thousand-rayed sun, as she emanates light at every second. Radha holds
the reflected image of Krishna on Her limbs washed by the abhiseka water, and Krishna holds Radha's image
reflected in the abhiseka water to His body. Was this abhiseka of Radha and Krishna in the forest of Vraja
twice as spectacular as that of Sita and Rama?

Murari thinks, "Though Radha is purified internally of pride by the streams of My good qualities, She cannot
give up the impurities of pride externally." Is Murari thus having Paurnamasi and the others bathe Radha to
remove those external impurities? Though there are two expert cultivators called prema who water their crops
of goose bumps with their tears, I praise the prema in Radha because when Her cultivator is made splendid by
the abhiseka, She makes the cultivator water the goose bump fields of Hari as well. (Radha'sprema is special
because its beauty causes Kisna'sprema to increase.)

Then Stoka Krishna spoke to Krishna in a joking mood, "O dear friend! You should not feel any reservation in
looking at the abhiseka, because no one can detect Your emotional changes. Everyone is overcome by the
beauty of Vrsabhanunandini." In response, Krishna, aiming at Radha's bow like eyebrow, threw the arrow of
His glance towards Radha, seated amidst the crowd of sakhis. At that moment, Radha-Krishna and the sakhis
simultaneously experienced astound¬ing love in their hearts. Look! All the assembled people, who have
different individual emotions, taste their own rasa in seeing the beautiful pastimes of Radha and Krishna. How
can they return to a normal state once having entered the ocean of sweet love, the sustenance of their lives?

37
The eyes of the sakhis, absorbed in admiring the beauty of Radha's limbs adorned with strings of pearls in the
form of water drops, imitate Her by decorating themselves with pearl strings of tears. One sakhi says, "O
Radha! Do not look upon Hari even by mistake, because a strong show of pride is the only way to invoke
love." Receiving this unwelcome advice, Radha squinted Her eyes and threw a cakra of anger at
Syamasundara.

Second Abhisheka

The corners of the eyes of the crowd were filled with tears, but their eyes were not yet full of rasa from the
festival. To accomplish this task, Paurnamasi made Uma fill a pot with rasa (water) and pour out streams of
rasa on Radha. Soaked by the cloud of Vrindavana, Radha became the field of love for Krishna's pastimes.
Nourished by the beauty of Krishna, Radha's beauty produces fruits and sprouts that madden the bees (of our
eyes). Before bathing Radha a second time, Uma and her associates first bathed their own bodies with their
tears. The scriptures say that one who is as purified as a deva is qualified to worship a deva. "I am bathing
You a second time to make You the unequalled beloved of Krishna, who is one without a second, in the forest
of Bakari (the enemy of Baka)." With this blessing, like the second phase of the moon, Radha ema¬nated
matchless splendor.

Uma took pure water from a large coral pot and filled some smaller coral pots. Look! As she pours the water
on Radha, Radha's beauty and the beauty of the pot combine to create a new beauty. O friend! The pot above
is shining like the sun, and the streams of water falling out of it are the sun's rays. Below that are the dark
clouds of Radha's hair. Below that is the moon of Her face. Below that is the creeper of Radha's limbs. The
king of pots called padma (coral) is bathing Radha. Radha, who trembles in fear at the name of Padma
(Candravali's friend), gives us happiness as She assumes the role of the queen of the earth. The bodily
effulgence of Radha, which spreads throughout the universe, revealed ever-fresh beauty on the occasion of
this festival and turned every¬thing in the mandapa yellow. The streams of falling water shine like the Ganga
on Mt. Sumeru, and appear like showers of personified punya.Devi! Seeing this abhiseka, you must give up all
pride, thinking yourself so complite and generous. these pots are not ordinary because they continuously pour
water. Will the pots and the tears fill up this assembly hall?

Smiling Hari, with the arrow of His glance, broke the lotus-like, soft bod¬ice of Radha. which had become
loose from the constant onslaught of water. Then Radha, bold in rasa, arched Her bow-like eyebrow and
quickly devas¬tated Krshria. Krishna secretly caught the corner of Radha's eye. Their eyes met but Radha
quickly withdrew Her eyes. Krishna withdrew His eyes too, but then Radha glanced at Him. The Divine Couple
engaged in a game, withdrawing and attacking in the battle of glances. "O Mukunda! When You are with Your
friends why do You secretly glance at the lotus face of Radha? Don't be shy! When the bee of Your attractive
glance meets the lotus of Radha's face everyone becomes bewildered."

When Krishna's friend Vasanta uttered this privately in a joking manner, Krishna increased His absorption in
Radha's face. Krishna's left eye collided with His right eye, indicating some internal conflict: the desire to see
Radha versus His hesitation because of the presence of the elders. Look friend! Previously the sakhis' eyes
were like bees and Radha-Krishna's love was a lotus. Now look! The lotus is opening and the bees are flying
quickly toward the lotus in bliss. "Radha! In this world You are the queen of all women. This is well known.
Even for Your own pleasure do not make the slightest advances toward Krishna." Hearing this, Radha became
stunned due to Her intense desires.

Third Abhisheka

38
Look friend! Chaya and Sanjna are taking water from the jeweled pot and filling the small pots. Why do tears
well up, preventing us from seeing the beauty of th is festival? In the forest of Krishna, which cannot be
compared with the assembly hall of the devatas, Radha is being bathed on a jeweled throne in a house of
creepers, blissful in the rays of the moon of Gokula. A desire creeper with flowers of playful eyes and laughter
is showering us with nectar. By pouring water the pots from the different directions protected by their
respective demigods (Indra, Agni etc.) are bestowing happiness. They seem to have stolen the posts of the
wives of the dik devatas (lords of the direc¬tions), assuming the role themselves.

"O Radha! You are the life of the forests of Vraja. Murari is the sustainer of Your life. In bathing You to make
You the queen of Vrindavana, this water makes its name successful, as the third giver of life." Saying this and
blessing Radha with long life, the wives of the dikpalas (protectors of the directions) broadcast Radha's glory.
Then Sanjna, knowledgeable of the rules of abhiseka, along with her younger co-wife Chaya, overcome by
affection for Radha, bathed Radha in water from the pearl pot amidst the tumult of blaring conch shells. Look
friend! How splendid is Radha's body bathed by pure water from the pots made of pearls. Radha is the limit of
the ocean of luster, youth and beauty. The water streams are like rivers of beauty joining the ocean of beauty.
Look! The fresh, cool tears from the eyes of *he spectators, imitating the abhiseka water pots, are bathing
Radha in all directions.With a sweet voice, Ujjvala said to Krishna, "Friend! Radha's sakhis are laughing,
saying, 'Seeing Radha become the ruler of the forests, Krishna has become frightened.' My friend, please give
up Your fear."

The small, gentle streams of water gradually increased until they chal¬lenged the ocean. Surpassing the
power of eyesight, the abhiseka reached incredible heights, increasing the beauty of Radha, Krishna and all its
elements at every moment. Just see how this festival, like the ocean, is making the moon-like faces of all the
people rise. As fish cannot live without water, so the eyes of the assembly, like fish, cannot live without the
condensed rasa, life-sustaining nectar, and thus they move about in this ocean. It is not at all astonishing. "O
sakhi Radha! You are showing anger against me. But Hari, who steals the heart, seems to be very timid now.
What shall I say to You?" When a sakfii said this, Radha embraced Krishna with the corner of Her roving eye.

Fourth Abhisheka

Though the assembly hall filled up with water from the abhiseka, it was no problem for the fish-like eyes of
the satisfied spectators. Accepting the form of a fish (Matsya), Hari was thrown into the river by Vaivasvata
Manu to give Him more room. Did Paurnamasi arrange for a repeat of this pastime when she ordered the
assembled rivers like Yamuna to begin bathing Radha, to give more joy to the unsatisfied eyes (fish) of the
spectators? All the best rivers headed by Yamuna, with a thirst forprema, without shame, changed their own
bodies to holy tirthas by bathing them in their own tears, and then, with happy hearts, filled all the gold pots
with water. "Bathe Radha very gently! She is becoming red from the friction!" Paurnamasi uttered this with
tears in her eyes. Whose heart would not melt on seeing Radha in that state?

"O friend! Taste the rasa of pastimes with Your beloved by this bath in Krishna's forest, accompanied by music
and the fourth method, danda." (danda is one of four methods of diplomacy including soma, dana, and
bheda). Hearing this advice in the form of a blessing, Radha half-closed Her lotus eyes to signify that She had
brought Padma, the friend of Candravali, under control. All the rivers took shelter of Radha and bathed Her
with water from the diamond pot. As the creepers grow and smile with flowers when the rain falls at the end
of Vaisakha month, breaking the intense summer heat, Radha spread Her glory in the form of smiles, being
satisfied with the fourth abhiseka water. The diamond -Studded pot took black and white colors as its rays and
offered them as Yamuna and Manasa Ganga to their lord Radha.

O Radha! Rasaraja, the king of rasa, serves you. The treasure of all trea¬sures, Madhava is obedient to You.
You, therefore, are the onlv goal of the pot endowed with treasures and water showers, and of Krishna, the

39
treasure who showers rasa:' Saying this, the waters praised Radha with "that" sounds. Look, the long creeper-
like rivers have given up uselessness and with white flowers as glistening teeth carry the twin fruits of Radha's
breasts. Krishna desires to glance at Radha to increase the bliss, and Radha is eager to look at Him. i do not
know what rasa is preventing Them. "Dear friend! Your flute breaks the hearts of everyone in the universe.
Your glance has similar properties. Even Radha is bewildered by Your fragrance. Make sure that today these
three do not combine."

When a Gandharva whispered this in Krishna's ear in a joking way, Krishna doubled the attractiveness of His
flute, glance and fragrance. Thus the ocean of Radha s love swelled, but could not pass the shoreline of Her
shyness. It is not astonishing that the streams of water suddenly blossomed with the blue totuses of the eyes
of the rivers, for Candrakanti had assumed the form of Radha, and the moonlight had become sunlight. The
moon of the sakhis' love, generated from the ocean of beauty during the abhiseka, is astounding milhons of
people and driving the cakora eyes of the sakhis mad.

O Radha! Having gazed fully upon Your beloved at this festival, do not close Your eyes. We will become angry
if You do not act as we advise." Inner meaning: (Today give up Your anger and admire Him with a smiling
face and crooked glances. In the future we will show anger to Him.) After hearing this advice, Radha opened
Her eyes and saw Krishna directly before Her.

Fifth Abhisheka

Look! Even Syamala and Mangala, tatastha sakhis, taking up a friendly mood (suhrd), have come to bathe
Radha. This is not unsuitable for them, as they think Radha is equal to Krishna in nature and beauty, and thus
take the rites as their own, just like the public does. The regal power of the throne, camara an d umbrella
show great attach¬ment to Radha. Now Syamala proudly shows hier great friendship with Radha. But Radha's
real friends, Her most intimate servants satisfied with fullprema and constantly shining in Her ever-fresh
beauty, are eternally one with Radha in body and mind. But today because of the abhiseka they cannot keep
their eyes focussed on Her at all times.

"O Radha! May You be bathed with the fifth water (the fifth rasa, conjugal rasa). In this bath, please accept
the fifth mysticsiddhi,prakamya (fulfilling all Your desires) as asvadhina bhartrika (lover who controls and
commands the beloved)." When Syamala spoke this blessing, indicating a deep thirst for prema, Radha smiled
with Her eyes and accepted this siddhi and rasa which was offered in benediction. Radha appeared glorious
when She was bathed in the water of the pot made of cat's eye jewels. Did Radha's body, sprinkling nectar
from heaven or the moon, take on the form of a nectar pot?

Above, the pot made oivaidutya took on a dark blue tint, and below it took on the golden complexion of
Radha. The streams of water looked as if they had stolen the black and gold bodies of Krishna and Radha from
the minds of the sakhis. By touching Radha's hair, which is black like Krishna's forest, the water became the
black Yamuna. When the water came to the central city of Radha's lips, it became red like the Sarasvati. And
when it came to the space between Radha's breasts, adorned with a white pearl necklace, it became the
Manasa Ganga. In this way, the bathing performed by Syamala and other neutral gopis increased Radha's
bodily effulgence even more. Did Radha's eyes, becoming cakora birds like those of Hari, then meet with His?
As the four eyes mutu¬ally drank up the nectar of the other's moonlike faces, they clearly prayed for union.
The moon of Radha had finally reached perfection in the shore less ocean of nectar of Krishna, and the cakora
eyes of everyone became fixed upon Radha. Could they fix their eyes anywhere else?

"Krishna, why are You looking at Radha, if it causes You to constantly tremble?" Vidagdha jokingly whispered
this in Krishna's ear to pacify Him. But instead Krishna's senses became more disturbed, like a river agitated by
a strong wind. "O Radha! Look towards Krishna once as a trick. May His mean behavior not cause pain to me

40
as it has done to You!" In response to this advice from a sincere sakhi, Radha feigned anger, bent Her head
and secretly gazed at Hari's reflection on the jeweled floor.

Sixth Abhisheka

Vrinda and her friends made preparations to bathe Radha. Vrinda's forest rained honey and flowers as
perspiration and hair standing on end. For a long time, Vrinda had carefully worked these forests. She was
crowning Radha the lord of the forests to make Radha's position known to the three worlds. "Protect these
forests, endowed with six seasons, using the six qualities of the ruler. For this purpose we bathe Your six
limbs (two feet, two hands, head and waist) in the sixth abhiseka." With these words did the Mandakini
her¬self enter the water and bathe Radha? The pot made of emeralds, worshiped with flowers and containing
the object of all desires, smiled with white kunda flowers for bathing Radha. The sakliis bathed Radha after
pouring this pure water into smaller pots. As the water flowed, people thought that Vrada was whispering
some news of Krishna in Radha's ear.Look! When the water approaches Radha's hair it becomes yellow-black
like honey. When it comes to Radha's moon face, it turns white like nectar, and when it comes to Her breasts,
it becomes a waterfall and takes the hue of Her beloved Syama. It seems that the wife of thousand-eyed Indra
is bathing Radha in jewels. But this is not true! With the reflection of thousands of eyes on Her limbs, Radha
seems to have assumed a thousand eyes to see Krishna better.

"Krishna, to hide Your emotional reactions, I, Kinkini, have been making loud noises, while Your kinkini (waist-
bells) have become silent. Now be¬cause of Your uncontrollable trembling, should I and Your bells reverse
roles?" Hearing this from His boyfriend named Kinkini, Krishna tried to sup¬press His emotions but He became
stunned. If the weaker tries to conquer the stronger, does he not quickly get defeated?

As the Ganga stops momentarily at a hole, and then resumes its path to the ocean, for a short time, due to
shyness before Her friends, Radha's eyes restrained themselves, but on this occasion they wandered around
with great force, going towards the ocean of rasa, Krishna. At that time, the sakhis' eyes stopped blinking due
to drinking the sweetness of Radha's lotus face. Fearing competition from others, their faces contorted as if to
drink the nectar even more. One of Radha's companions said, "Look Gandharva friends! You and I are in
agreement. You should look at Hari with a frown, for He is very involved with other women." Then with Her
blue lotus-like glance, Radha pierced the heart of fickle-eyed Krishna. The appearance of the cloud of intense
affection of the sakhis was the prime instigator at the abhiseka ceremony. Paurnamasi, who was arranging the
union of Radha and Krishna, caused the dancing of Their peacock eyes and increased Their bliss. Look! At this
abhiseka the merciful sakhi group leaders put the youngest of their group in the front, according to age, like
the progressive phases of the waxing moon beginning from the second day.

Seventh Abhisheka

Kundalata, Dhanistha and othergopis blissfully performed the next abhiseka. Radha's moon face shone
brilliantly. A special attractiveness manifests when there is union with a person of similar qualities. "O friend!
Protect this new kingdom with the seventh abhiseka, which makes gopis like Candravali pale in fear, and
makes the women of the seven upper planets white in comparison with Your glories. May Vrindavana
broad¬cast Your glories by blossoming with flowers." O friend! Look! With Her smiling face and all pervasive
bodily effulgence Radha is making this bless¬ing come true. Uniting Herself with the water, Radha has made
the universe become liquid as well.

Kundalata and other gopis bathed Radha with fast flowing, attractive water from the yellow sapphiie pot. What
living entity would not become blissful on seeing this? Look friend! As the pot pours its scented water on
Radha it appears that the moon is bathing a desire creeper in streams of nectar. Look! Dhanistha and other

41
gopis are bathing Radha, the object Yasoda's affection, who makes the lotus heart of Krishna blossom and
melts the moon-like hearts of the sakhis. At the abhiseka in Krishna's forest, Radha is bathing the fourteen
worlds in showers of nectar with Her face decorated with smiling, half-open bee-like eyes moving playfully
about. "O Murari! The streams of water are hiding the shivering of Radha's body due to love. But what can
hide Your trembling?" Hearing Madhumangala's frank words, Krishna then displayed His full face with sweet
lotus eyes. As instructed by Her friend, Radha secretly cast a frown at Krishna. What can compare with the
meeting of Her eyes and those of the gallant Krishna? A good reason for the crooked glance!

Eighth Abhisheka

Kasturi and other gopis who did austerities to relieve themselves of the desire for Krishna's embrace, whose
only desire was the happiness of Radha, made their austerities successful today by bathing Radha.
"O friend! Please accept this eighth abhiseka, containing the love of the eight sakhis (Lalita, Vishakha, Citra,
Campakalata, Tungavidya, Indulekha, Rangadevi and Sudevi) by the eight elements (svami, amatya, suhrt,
kosa, rastra, durga, bala and pauravarga), so that You will be endowed with the eight sattvika bhavas."

With munificence the sakhis are bathing Radha, and at every second She is mounting the chariot of their
swelling hearts, surpassing the universe and conquering the spiritual sky with Her beauty. The brightly shining,
blue sapphire pot bestows on Radha control of all types of wealth and insures Her lordship over conjugal rasa.
Radha trembled upon thinking that the blue sapphire pot was none other than Krishna. Look friend! Because
of shyness in the assembly, Radha's eyes move rest¬lessly, unable to meet Her beloved in front of Her. But
those eyes are em¬bracing their friends the ears, which are full of honey coming from the flute of lotus faced
Krishna. (Her eyes swelled to the ears out of great desire.) Though Radha was covered by thick cloth, Her
effulgence appeared through it. To remove Radha's embarrassment, it seems Krishna covered Her with the
thick glances of His eyes and thus performed another abhiseka. The lotus eyes of the sakhis blossomed in the
abhiseka waters, and the bee-like eyes of Hari played joyfully in the sunlight of the festival.

"During the festival, do not cover Your perspiring body in tears, for these tears nourish Your bodily hairs
standing on end like thorns." While embrac¬ing Krishna, Subala whispered this in His ear. Radha's eyes
jumped like fish in the waters of the abhiseka because the cloud with lightning (Krishna with yellow cloth) had
appeared. O friend! Look, it is not only because of the bold instructions (vamya bhava) given bv Her friends
that Radha is now frowning. Thinking of Her own benefit Radha is listening to that mantra, and now, because
of that, She is frowning at Krishna. Like the moon, Radhika illuminates Her own and other groups of sakhis,
constantly nourishes the ocean of Krishna, and showers bliss¬ful light upon the forests of Vrindavana.

Ninth Abhisheka

Beautiful faced one! An auspicious act performed by well-qualified people spreads auspiciousness everywhere.
The abhiseka of Radha spreads good fortune throughout the universe. See! The sakhis headed by Madhurika
(a priya sakhi) are bathing Radha, and bathing themselves and the universe in their tears. It is astonishing
that though Lalita and others are stunned by the symptoms of prema, they are still able to carry out their
duties. But the cool rays of the moon are expert at opening the kumuda flowers.

"O sakhi, the ever-fresh forest of nine parts (the joy of monsoon, the plea¬sure of autumn, the satisfaction of
winter, the happiness of dewy season, the brilliance of spring, the auspiciousness of summer, the satisfaction
of au¬tumn-winter, the brilliance of dewy-spring, and the joy of summer-monsoon) has assumed all beauty by
this pot of nine jewels, which contains the sweetest love of thegopis, to receive this ninth abhiseka."

Everyone forgets their normal actions, being inundated in the shower of sweetness as Radha is bathed with
the chanting of mantras. Taking on the qualities of Asadha month (conjugal rasa), the Madhava month
(Krishna) bestows incredible beauty to the whole world. Radha attained a magnificent splendor with the

42
abhiseka from the jeweled pot made from the treasure of ten thousand million gomeda gems, by which one
attains mystic siddhis. While receiving those waters, Radha brought Krishna under Her control with Her playful
glances. As the earth (go) is pleased (meda) by the fragrances from the trees on the occasion of the abhiseka,
this gomeda gem pot is bathing Radha and giving pleasure to the earth. Today on the occasion of the
abhiseka, Radha is beautified by the affection of Her beloved and tinted by Her own attraction to Him. Radha
is stunned by the touch of the water and Her hair and cloth are Her ornaments. When the moon, distributing
its radiance for the satisfaction of the populace, appears in the east over the forests of Udaya Mountain, the
moonstone drowns itself in its own water (it melts). When the moon face of Radha, bathed in Vrindavana, the
fulfiller of desires, meets Krishna, I drown myself in blissful rasa. As the moon rising over Udaya Mountain
spreads its rays to elevated places, golden complexioned Radha, sitting on the throne, spreads water iinLcu
wii.liLunkumu On Hci uppei body."Friend! You have been constantly looking at Radha with playful glances. By
that Radha has assumed greater brilliance! Can the kumuda woman ever blossom without the moonlight?"
When priya sakha Arjuna whispered this in Krishna's ear, Krishna was not even aware of it. Krishna's eyes,
fearing a slacken¬ing of Radha's attraction, became restless and roamed about trying to receive Her glances.

O friend! The ocean of bliss of the sakhis is increasing all at once at this festival and bathing Radha. Their
eyes, like clouds, having drunk the ocean of bliss, are now beginning to flash and shed water."Some friends
are advising You against Hari and others are advising com¬pliance. I do not agree. Somehow or other Your
abhiseka must be com¬pleted." As this advice followed Radha's own line of thinking, the advice brought the
thoughts into the open. To swim swiftly in the Ganga, one must move the hands. Similarly, to accomplish the
goal all means must be used.
Look! Facing the heavenly women, Lalita and Vishakha are holding golden pots filled with waters from all the
pots. The pots contain sarvagandha and sarvausadhi with fruits on top and red marks on the midsection. They
are covered in white cloth, wound with thread, and crowned with leaves of ban¬yan, pippala, udumbara,
plaksa and parisa. They satisfied the universe by bathing Radha with these pots.

As the moon light breaks through the white clouds and reflects on the lotuses floating in the Yamuna, the
brilliant face of Radha, covered by water from the pots, reflected in the eyes of Krishna which had multiplied
into a phalanx of eyes to receive that beauty. Externally Radha was bathed by the arrangements of Her
beloved, but internally She was bathed by tears of love. The most confidential prema is manifest externally
through various won¬drous arrangements. During the abhiseka, Radha's hair loosened, the designs on Her
skin washed off, Her body covered in perspiration, and Her garlands fell apart. Seeing Herself like this, Radha
bowed Her head, as if Krishna was playing some mischief in Her heart Radha illuminated the hearts of the
people and the forest with the ever-increasing brilliance of the abhiseka. Radhika was like a special herb,
which had sprung up in the monsoon season to give life to the universe.

Seeing the external symptoms oibhava experienced by Lalita and Vishakha on tasting the beauty of Radha
during this festival intoxicated the bee-like eyes of the crowd. Who knows what they felt internally? When
Radha's abhiseka was complete, the shining ocean swelled and crossed the shoreline of modesty. The bhava
of Radha and Krishna, like two wonderful fish jumping in bliss, displayed various external symptoms and
distributed nectar to all the people, who became intoxicated with love. Ears, lips and tongue! May these words
describing the abhiseka to install Radha as the Queen of Vrindavana protect you birth after birth, and give you
devotion to Radha and Krishna. O nostrils! May the fragrance of the abhiseka protect You! Eyes and hands!
May the beauty and the happiness of the service nourish you!

Prayers and Conclusion

In this way, the sakhis bathed Radha, and the Gandharva girls sprinkled them with showers of sweet poetry.
When such service awakens in the heart, it suddenly yields the fruit of all labor. May Radha, whom the
heavenly women bathed on this occasion without consideration of difference, whose beauty surpasses that of
all the young women in the fourteen worlds, protect your service in the mood of the sakhis.Being lazy and

43
ignorant, I eternally serve Krishna and His eternal servant, Shrila Rupa Gosvami, who are the destroyers of
laziness and sin, being the personifications of knowledge.

Dressing of Radha
Dressing Radha

Asgayatri is supreme among the meters, Radha appeared supreme among the sakhis. Though the bee-like
eyes of the sakhis were roving about intoxi¬cated with the sweet rasa, they desired to taste Radha's beauty
even more. The damp clothing seemed to wilt before Radha's beauty. Her beauty itself was Her clothing! The
sakhis were waiting for the order from Paurnamasi to begin drying Radha's body. Surrounding Radha on all
sides, they looked like a ring around the moon. When Radha and Krishna meet, even the blinking of Their eyes
becomes a kalpa. Thus the screen produced by the gopis became an obstacle as formidable as Lokaloka
mountain range, which eternally blocks out the sun's rays from the edges of Bhu Mandala. Prema itself acts in
the same way however, for it separates lovers but then again makes them visible to each other.

To satisfy their cakora bird eyes, the sakhis illuminated Radha with their own effulgences within the screened
area. Separated from the elders by the screen, Radha gave blessings to the sakhis with Her glances. The
sakhis gave Radha fresh dry cloth, and She accepted it with eyes like blossoming lotuses. With the water drops
clinging on Radha's body, it appeared that the cloth was breaking out in perspiration in fear of being shed
quickly by Radha. The sakhis tied jasmine flowers in Radha's hair after drying it with a fresh towel. By
removing Radha's ornaments the sakhis could see Her beauty more freely. When Radha put on fresh cloth
with swan designs on it, the swans seemed to come alive with the cooing sound made by the bells on Her
belt. Radha put on a delicate black bodice tinted with musk and scented with perfumes. It was tinged with a
red color as if Krishna had made an appointment within Her heart. Decorated with flowers so that She would
not be without ornaments, Radha appeared to be the goddess of the forest giving radiance to the flowers and
satisfying Krishna's desires.

Though hidden from view by the surrounding gopis, Radha satisfied the onlookers with Her effulgence, which
radiated beyond the circle of sakhis. When the screen was finally withdrawn, Radha appeared like an excellent
performing artist attracting all with Her beauty. It is not surprising that Radha and Krishna gazed at each other
in wonder at that time.The heavenly women praising Radha were like the performers oisandhya vandana,
praising the sun in the early morning. They performed arati to Radha, not using the moon, which became
devoid of qualities, but using their own cintamani jewels, circling Her with countless gems and their eyes as
well. Radha left the bathing throne and proceeded to another throne, lit by the jewels of Her toenails. While
Radha looked at Her face in a bowl of fresh ghee, it seemed Her face was submerged in the affectionate
glances of Her followers.

Bestowal of Gifts

In Her in status as the newly enthroned Queen of Vrindavana, Radha wanted to distribute gifts to nil Radha
stole the hearts of the citizens with Her mercy, just as the moon wanting to distribute its nectar, shines
everywhere and melts the moonstone. First Radha gave Paurnamasi a small box made of buds, engraved with
Her name and filled with flowers. The jewel of Her affection was enough to satisfy the brahmacaris, but Radha
gave them a multitude of real jewels. Though giving one jewel to each would have been sufficient, Radha
gave each one as many as he could carry. While distributing the jewels, Radha's effulgence expanded and
seemed to follow after each brahmacari. The brahmacaris were more satisfied with Radha's wealth of humility
than the gifts given by generous sponsors. While giving gifts to the brahmacaris, Radha glanced at Krishna,
indicating that She was offering Him as well. In this way, They achieved the highest realization.

44
Madhumangala, Krishna's comic friend, took a jeweled ball and began throw¬ing it around in a drunken
stupor. When agopi called out to him, "Madhu" he replied by offering her some honey on her tongue. Radha
made Her sakhis say, "O brahmana, please ask for your desired treasure,"

Folding his hands respectfully, Madhumangala said, "Please give me your most dear treasure." The sakhis
laughed at Madhu's response, but Radha, bound by the request, frowned in such a way that Krishna became
bewildered and had to take the support of Madhumangala. Taking a garland Radha said, "O Madhumangala,
ffike your gift." Madhumangala said, "Svasti, so be it!" and took Krishna. While embracing Krishna by the neck
he danced in such a way that Krishna also seemed to be dancing. Pulling the cloth from their heads and
looking sideways at Krishna's boyfriends, the sakhis laughed.Restraining his laugher, Ujjvala said to Krishna,
who now had composed Himself, "Friend! You have become thin by standing so long. Please sit down." In this
way Krishna's friends spoke clever words to joke with the sakhis.

Blessings to Radha

"Radha, please enjoy this kingdom of Vrindavana which is served by Paurnamasi." Directed by Paurnamasi, the
chief elders gave their blessings to Radha. While giving blessings, their own prosperity increased. After the
abhiseka, Radha gave the order, "Let all prisoners (bound creatures) be liberated!" When Radha said this, an
astounding event occurred: Krishna be¬came bound up. Upon hearing this blessing of liberation for all
creatures, the sakhis, bound by love to Radha, shook in fear. As there were no bound up creatures, the birds
and beasts assisting in the pastimes were liberated, but even they could not give up their internal bondage
oiprema.Radha's bathing pacified the world and removed all disturbances. Thus there was no one to be
punished. When Radha thought of satisfying the worthy candidates for charity, the rivers began to flow with
various types of juice (rasa), and the mountains yielded gems. When Radha gave the order to relieve
creatures of their burden, the opposite happened. The trees increased their burden by giving honey and
flowers. In this kingdom the milk-less cows gave milk and the crops spontaneously grew. Previously
Vrindavana had be¬come beautiful when Krishna was bathed, but with Radha's bath Vrindavana displayed a
most astonishing beauty.

Proceeding to the Spring Forest Cottage

When Radha, following Paurnamasi, entered the grove to receive Her clothing and ornaments, it appeared that
the moon had risen on the eastern mountain to decorate the stars. Putting Krishna and the heavenly women
first, the all worshipable Paurnamasi made her way to the grove, which was show¬ered with flowers and
praised by the sakhis. Radha, surrounded by the sakhis, followed behind Krishna. She looked like the moon,
surrounded by the stars, being approached by a dark cloud. The sakhis surrounding Radha brought Her to the
central chamber of the spring forest cottage in the madhavi grove on the path indicated by Vrinda.Radha, like
spring personified, illuminated the room and worshiped Vishnu according to the rules. The heavenly women
laughed and Krishna smiled in embarrassment. Sitting Radha on a cushion upon an ivory seat, they seated
themselves around Her.

The Puja

Paurnamasi offered madhuparka, for the astrological texts say that the moon is satisfied by offerings of milk
with ghee. Then Radha worshiped Her guru, Paurnamasi, and Chaya and Sanjna, the gurus for those
knowledgeable of the planets.

The Beauty of Radha

In fear of Radha's beauty, infamy fled here and there, and finally took shelter of the moon to become its

45
spots. Desiring to hear Radha's glories, Rati did not die along with Her husband Cupid when he was burned by
Shiva's glance. In his man's body Cupid felt himself unfit for Radha's service, so he made Shiva get angry and
burn up his male body. Just as the ocean increases when the moon appears, the beauty of Krishna increases
upon seeing the in¬comparable beauty of Shri Radha.The beauty of Radha's limbs turns base metals into gold,
and Her kunkuma transforms into silver and pearls when smeared on the bodies of the Pulinda women. Seeing
their reflection, Radha's limbs said, "What is the use of orna¬ments, we are the ornaments!" Radha:s limbs
make Krishnas own limbs begin to sweat, for in the presence of person with qualities, a person of similar
qualities will develop affection.

The munis continually praise the beauty of Radha, which steals even the heart of Hari. Radha's beauty is such
that the creepers of spring and the spring season combine to manifest many eyes in the form of flowers. As
Radha sat in the kunja, Her golden beauty combined with Her fragrance to bewilder the bees, and seemed to
spread everywhere as the Yamuna and Manasa Ganga waved camaras. The beauty of Radha was dignified by
the raised umbrella, which even when lowered, defeated the moon's beauty. Admiring the matchless beauty of
Radha, the thirsty sakhis, praised even by the heavenly women (whose eyes never blink), desired to have
unblinking eyes. Overwhelmed by Radha's splendid beauty, everyone present including Krishna and the
cowherd boys, who stood to Radha's left, Paurnamasi and the elder women, who stood in front, and the
heavenly women, who stood on the right, sank in an ocean of tears. Radha's beauty was such that the sakhis
waiting to dress and decorate Her became similarly decorated with Her beauty.

Heavenly Women Dress Radha

When the dressing began, Krishna's beautiful face was also reflected, for that beauty is the clothing for
Radha's limbs. Seeing that the heavenly women were eager to decorate Radha, the sakhis said, "Please bless
Radha with your touch."

Sanjna, the daughter of Visvakarma, dressed Radha's hair, and by doing this her inherent qualities as the
daughter of Visvakarma doubled. The sakhis again created privacy by creating a wall around Radha. Though
Radha became invisible to Hari's eyes, She was visible in His mind. Radha's unbound hair extended down to
Her hips in a wide array. The place became attractive with the items collected for dressing Her hair.The cloud
of black hair seemed to shower flowers. Conquering the effulgence of a black cloud, it spread out haphazardly
like conflicting waves in the Yamuna. When that hair spread its fragrance, the sparrows of Krishna's
inhalations fluttered. Radha's hair was soft even without oil, and though uncombed it was radiant. Combing,
cleaning, and dressing were unneces¬sary. Sanjna rubbed Radha's hair with a fine cloth and separated the
strands using the edge of a jeweled comb. The combination of hair and comb was like long lasting lightning
flashing in storm clouds. Using her hands, Sanjna made a part, which produced the height of beauty. She then
braided Radha's hair, by which Mukunda's mind became bound. Decorated with gems and flowers, the braid
was like a creeper, over which die bee-like eyes of the sakhis hov¬ered. When she placed a peacock feather
at the base of Radha's braid, she sealed Krishna's heart with love. Radha's flowered hair braid was as
attractive as the quiver of Cupid (which holds flower arrows of love). By this, Radha acquired a new weapon to
conquer Ajita, the unconquerable Hari.

Whatever bliss Sanjna attained by her service was also attained by Chaya, her co-wife, since they were one in
heart. Smelling Radha's head, Sanjna withdrew and Chaya continued the work. Chaya finished combing
Radha's hair, applied scented oil, garlands, and jewels, which glittered like stars in the night sky. When Chaya
applied sindhura on top of Radha's head, it appeared that Cupid's arrow had pierced Krishna's heart and
stained it red.When Chaya offered a great jewel to Radha's hair part, it lit up Krishna's lotus eyes. She then
placed a crown atop Radha's hair, which possessed the light of the sun and moon. As the stars and moon
appear in the red tinged evening sky, from the edge of Radha's red cloth the crest jewel glittered like stars
and Her face shone like the moon. Chaya-devi then said, "Later I will apply tilaka."

46
Sakhis dress Radha

The sakhis made preparations for ornamenting Radha's body as an expres¬sion of their deep friendship.
Trembling and stunned from ecstasy, the sakhis brought in other sakhis, who had choked voices, changed
color and goose bumps, for dressing Radha. Below Radha's hairline they drew creeper pat¬terns using musk
and bud patterns with gorocana. Between the patterns and Her eyebrows, Radha's forehead appeared like a
golden lotus petal kissed by two lines of bees.The black kajjala on Radha's eyes highlighted Her thirst for
Krishna, as if embraced by Krishna's black effulgence. When the kajjala was applied, Cupid seemed to have
supplied Radha with two new sharpened weapons. The Cre¬ator, seeing Radha's fickle eyes, seemed to have
made Her eyes extend to the ears, but this could not stop their restless movement. Would Radha's eye¬lashes
become bees around two kumudasl With the appearance of the moon of Syama, Radha's lotus eyes opened
wide, and Her bee-like eyelashes be¬came soaked with the honey of tears. Radha's bow-shaped eyebrows
were linked to Her nose, which was an arrow of sesame flowers. Seeing the pearl at the tip of Radha's nose,
Krishna's determination, though unshakable, was instantly shattered. Radha's ears, like creepers kissed by the
edges of Her rolling bee-like eyes, blossomed with earrings. The pollen of the lodhra flower was useless for
Radha's pink cheeks, which were like two moons in the evening sky reflecting Her golden earrings. Were the
patterns on Radha's cheeks the spots on the moon? Radha's two rows of teeth were the moon bringing the
two red lotuses of Her lips into Radha's bloom. Though Radha's lips were naturally red when-She smiled, they
turned pink, putting the tambula color to shame. The black spot of kasturi on Radha's chin resembled a bee
tasting a ripe mango. As the moon of Radha's forehead, teeth and cheeks serve Her face, so does the spot on
Her chin. Radha's neck was as exquisite as the Pancajanya conch shell touched by Krishna's hand, and the
three lines there indicated Radha, Krishna and their love. On Radha's neck was a choker engraved with
Krishna's name, radiating Her internal chanting of His name constantly. Radha's shoulders were slightly
lowered, as if holding the weight of Krishna's sapphire arms, or carrying the weight of a garland. Radha's
whole body was a lake for the pleasure of Krishna, starting with the lotus stems of Her arms, and the lotus
flowers of Her navel, feet, hands, breasts, face and eyes. All the rings on Radha's fingers caused turbulence in
Krishna's heart. The rings, together with Her ruby fingernails, appeared like Radha surrounded by Her sakhis.
Radha's arms, like desire creepers holding the flower cluster of Her breasts, attached themselves to Krishna's
shoulders. Studded with gems and pearl necklaces, the black bodice covering Radha's breasts was like a
stormy sky with rainbows and lines of flying white cranes.Radha's breasts, decorated with gunja necklaces,
were called manohara because they attracted the mind of Hari. Not only do Radha's breasts steal Krishna's
heart, but they also steal the reflections of Krishna in His chief jewels. Radha's navel was a honeycomb with
bees crawling towards the nectar of Her two lotus breasts. The folds of skin on Radha's belly were the
fulfillment of all desires, causing Krishna to eternally act as the doorkeeper, as Vamana did for Bali.

Hari saw Radha decked in garlands of lotus, asoka, mango, blue lotus and jasmine, which were the sharpened
heads of Cupids' love arrows. Radha's thin waist between Her broad hips and breasts cannot be described, any
more than a thin man can be noticed in an assembly of fat men. Surrounding the cloth covering Radha's waist
was a belt of bells, which produced a sweet indistinct sound that attracted the mind of Hari. Radha's ankle
bells were like swans making noises amongst the lotus eyes of the crowd, or like the chirping of the wagtail
bird, which excited Krishna's desire. Radha's gem stone toe rings were like stars surrounding the moon of Her
toenails. The Creator made Radha's feet all attractive with the signs of conch, crescent moon and ankusa.
Radha's feet would turn red just on touch¬ing, which made the application of lac unnecessary.In the kingdom
of Radha's effulgent beauty, all Her gold ornaments were like indragopa insects next to golden Sumeru. All the
ornaments attained glory in association with Radha's beauty, just as rivers gain greatness as they near the
ocean.

Exchanging Garlands

47
When the screen oigopis dispersed, Sarasvati desired to present Radha with a blue lotus garland from Savitri,
her mother. Parvati took the garland from her hand, and laughing placed it on Krishna's neck, as if by mistake.
Then Yamuna asked her, "Why have you offered this garland to your brother? Can there be love between you
two?"

Laughing, Parvati replied to Yamuna, "I am always making mistakes." She then took the garland from
Krishna's neck along with a necklace and put them both on Radha, saying, "Please accept Your garland."
Radha's lotus face, floating above the heavenly garland of blue lotuses, was like a king pressed by crowds of
followers on both sides. Wearing all Her ornaments, Radha gave life to the ornaments. If the ornaments were
re¬moved, Hari would still be attracted to Radha. "What is the use of a necklace touched by another man?"
Saying this, Yamuna removed the necklace from Radha and put it on Hari. "Greedy Yamuna, showing her
boldness, is exchanging Radha's garland with Hari's necklace." Saying this, Parvati took some musk from
Krishna's chest and placed it on Radha's forehead as tilaka. The joking of these two caused the whole
assembly to laugh. Unseen to all, showers of flowers fell from the sky.

Completion of the Dressing

All of Radha's limbs were scented with incense, which awakened Krishna's desire. The bliss in Radha's face
upon seeing Krishna reflected back on Krishna, making His face even more blissful. The sakhis offered Radha a
jeweled mirror, in which Her image was reflected. Krishna's form also appeared in that mirror as a special gift
at this festival. Receiving Krishna's association through the reflection in the mirror, Radha, intoxicated with
love, extended Her arms to the sakhis who had offered the mirror. The public revelation of the union of Radha
and Krishna was like meditation on the mirror-like sun of the kama gayatri, which produces a vision of Radha
and Krishna in conjugal love.

Praises and Gifts

Radha offered ornaments to the sakhis and Her other friends who had assembled there. The poets recited the
following verses: "O Queen of Govinda's kingdom! You give glory to the moon (Krishna). You are the crest
jewel of the earth. You mercifully wear these jewels, just so that we can glorify Your beauty. Your hair is dyed
with red sindhura, Your eyes are tinged with black kajjala and Your chest is multicolored with neck¬laces. Bv
Your beautv everything in the world has become pure. Have all the good qualities been called to some higher
planet? Parvati desires Your quali¬ties and Laksmi pays respects to Your toenails. "Did the crown, Your
earrings, the pearl on Your nose, the various neck¬laces on Your breasts, the belt around \our waist and trie
bracelets Dound to Your body, all achieve liberation, or are they bound to our hearts? Is Radha not a desire
tree, with hands and lips like tender shoots, ornaments as flow¬ers, effulgence like pollen, a smile like a
shower of honey, and eyes like bees?
"Generous people satisfy poets by offering them shining ornaments, but Your effulgence turns all our
ornaments to trash. O Radha! The moon is Your umbrella, its light is the two camaras on Your sides, the
planets are Your ornaments, and all eyes are cakora birds. Why do You hide Yourself in shyness, covered by a
garland decorated with bees, like a prisoner bound by ropes?

"In combining the beauty of Your form, Your tasteful dress, Youryouthful-ness, Your wealth of qualities which
flourish in the presence of Hari, Your sweet pastimes, and the jewel of Your beloved the Creator has made our
hearts unsteady." Queen Radha pleased the poets by giving them hundreds of ornaments as the assembled
persons exhibited ecstatic symptoms. Krishna Himself gave everything up to His Kaustubha jewel, but the
poets did not accept, desiring the treasure oiprema.

Chapter Summary

48
Being bathed by water and rasa and attaining lordship over Vraja, Radha gave bliss to the cloud called Hari,
satisfied the cakora eyes of Her friends, and produced rivers of tears in all the assembled people. May Radha,
whose beauty increased from the abhiseka and attainment of lordship of Vrindavana, who sits in an attractive
grove in the forest, who became dazzling by the heaps of jewels, the beauty of the moon of Hari's face, and
the consequent expressions of ecstasy, bestow protection on all. I eternally serve beautiful Krishna and Shri
Rupa Gosvami, Krishna's eternal servant, who preventy'/vas from attaining impersonal liberation by the ropes
of their infinite qualities, who bind them up in the net of gentle love, and who deliver souls like me wandering
on the wrong path.

Radha Krishna Union

Approaching the Throne

On the occasion of installing Radha on the throne, the words of Paurnamasi and others, which defeated all
obstacles and established their aim, and their blissful expectations were the favorable breeze. As these two
pleased the assembled persons, they were praised. As the full moon rises in the east and shines on Udaya
Mountain, Radha, to fulfil Hari's desire, proceeded to the throne and spread Her radiance every¬where.
Looking at the assembly, Radha slowly entered the arena. Step by step Radha revealed Her auspicious
qualities while being praised by the musical instruments headed by Krishna's flute. Carrying the parasol and
other royal paraphernalia, Lalita, Vishakha and other loyal sakhis followed Radha. Though almost stunned in
ecstasy, they remained conscious by their attraction to Radha's qualities. When the devas showered flowers,
the heavenly bees in those flowers swarmed to Radha's lotus feet to taste the nectar. All eyes were enchanted
by the shower, which appeared to be five colored fragrant powders mixed with pollen, or puffed rice mixed
with flowers.

The earthly and heavenly women engaged in praising Radha were aston¬ished as they gazed at Her with
unblinking eyes. They offered respects to the beauty of each of Radha's limbs. To see Radha, other heavenly
women had arrived in chariots that jammed a far off section of the forest sky. Accompa¬nied by Her sakhis,
Radha passed through three chambers and then arrived at the Sarvabhauma Grha, like the moon accompanied
by the planets sur¬passing Udaya Mountain and rising in the sky.

Description of the Room

Blooming campaka trees embraced by jasmine creepers welcomed Radha. The moon and stars shining
through the jasmine latticework conquered the beauty of the city gates. From all directions swarms of bees
flew to the thick vegetation, covered with a variety of colorful flowers. The bees thought that the
Sarvabhauma Grha was a jeweled plateau, wherein the floors were tiled with gems, caressed by Malaya
breezes loaded with colorful pollen, which spread over the floor like its dust. Inside there was a flowered place
with ajeweled area and a tall tree beanng fruits and flowers, which was the king of trees, endowed with all
wondrous qualities appearing like Krishna decorated with ornaments standing on top of Govardhana Hill. This
tree defeated the kalpa vrksa with is fruits and flowers. It is not surprising that Krishna can never give up this
tree, which was wedded to a sandal wood creeper scented like the Malaya mountains, giving constant flowers,
and filled with birds constantly conversing about love. Be¬neath this tree all the seasons, though
contradictory, mixed harmoniously and its golden boughs resemble a throne. Like an immovable lotus, this
tree spread its branches in all directions, under which there were many jeweled pots filled with thick rasa. The
leaves of this tree, like trembling lips, seemed to sing as the bees buzzed within, next to a tall lamp with a
long flame, marked with black soot, like a golden lotus surrounded by bees. In this auspicious place the
jeweled floor, the throne, the trees and treasure house all accepted the best of qualities.

49
The throne in the Sarvabhauma Grha, served by all other thrones, was the king of thrones and also the throne
of kings. It was equipped with a small footstool appearing like a small servant boy. The footstool, which was
cov¬ered with a tiger skin, held a cushion, appearing like moon rays reflected on the mineral stains of Mount
Sumeru. Various paraphernalia including queen perfume flasks, flower caskets, toy lotuses and balls were
situated in that marvelous place. Even Radha and Krishna were surprised with its beauty.Manifesting all
perfect qualities, this place gave the utmost pleasure to Radha and Krishna. Seeing the assembly hall,
decorated with the beauty of the throne, which would bring the appearance of Govinda, Radha, taking
sup¬port from Vishakha, manifested ecstatic symptoms for a long time. All Radha's associates followed Her
example.

Arati on the Throne

The heavenly women near the kalpa vrksas desired to drink the beauty of Radha and Krishna with their eyes,
but could find no shore to that ocean of beauty. To satisfy the eyes of all, Radha and Krishna entered the hall.
Radha arrived at the throne, and though worshiped hundreds of times by the eyes of the gathering, Vrinda
Devi performed arati with the best of gems and purest devotion. Repetition here was no fault, as it was filled
with love.Flawless music, which doubled in intensity with each shout of "Jaya! Jaya!" caused all people,
animals and plants to shed tears, while showers of flowers fell and Syama's mind reeled in astonishment. As
all eyes worshiped Her, Radha ascended the throne. Holding Lalita's hand, Radha placed Her foot on the
footstool. While each sakhi desired in her heart to support Her, Radha ascended the throne in deep bliss.

If the sun were to become gold, and if lightning bolts were to become immobile on a jeweled mountain in the
east, it could not compare to one particle of the beauty of Radha's body as She ascended the throne. While
the brahmacaris chanted "dhruva dyau" and other Vedic mantras, Paurnamasi performed arati to Radha sitting
on the throne. There was a white parasol overhead, a canopy of flowers above that, and a pair of shimmering
white camaras on either side. Seated on the gold throne, Radha appeared like the devata of Mount Meru
seated on its pinnacle, sprinkled with drops of water from two streams of the heavenly Ganga, bathed in
moonlight, and decorated with a multitude of stars. At the time of offering the ghee lamps, the flames of the
lamp doubled and tripled their brightness, nourished by Radha's radiance. By association with a great person,
what wealth of qualities can an object not attain? The forest goddesses headed by Vrinda uffeicd obeisances
to their mistress Radha, and She acknowledged their services. They however could not accept themselves as
the controllers of the forests. At that moment, the spirits of the trees, herbs, lakes, rivers, creepers, mountains
and tirthas arrived at the royal assembly hall with celestial bodies endowed with good qualities.

Krishna Seated by Paurnamasi

The new Queen Radha gave permission to seat all the worshipable person¬alities. Paurnamasi was thinking of
three deep considerations about the seat¬ing arrangement for Krishna. Is it beneficial to seat Hari at some
other place, not on His own throne visible to His beloved? When the moon from the east colors Udaya
Moun¬tain, can even one particle remain neutral? (Wherever Krishna is seated She will be affected.) Since
Vrsabhanunandini has obtained lordship of the kingdom, it is not proper to place Krishna on the same seat.
But from the effulgence of Radha's limbs Krishna could experience Her beauty, as the moon becomes joyful,
bask¬ing in the rays of the sun. When the moon is in the presence of the sun, out of shame, it hides its face,
and the kumuda, being offended keeps its petals closed. But when the moon comes near, then both the moon
and the kumuda reveal themselves to the bees. (Being shy before the public, Krishna does not show His
slyness and skill, and thus Radha keeps the signs of anger on Her face. But when Krishna can come closer, the
beauty of both increases while the sakhis observe with appreciation.)

The Beauty Described

50
Considering these facts, Paurnamasi offered Hari a jeweled seat so daz¬zling that it seemed like a royal
throne. Though the Divine Couple were seated separately, They were quite close together and visible to the
people. Radha and Krishna Themselves and all others believed that They were sitting on the same throne.
Seeing Them both seated and smiling, the public assem¬bly thought, "There are two Udaya Mountains before
us, with two moons, but how can these give rise to unlimited moons?"
Others thought, "On the jeweled asana, Krishna is a tamala desire tree and Radha is a heavenly golden
creeper. But with the desire to embrace, They are both growing shoots of beauty towards each other."

Radha's Royal Emblems

With respectable women sitting all around Her, Radha looked like the pot of nectar surrounded by the devatas
after churning the Milk Orean Whilp flowers fell from the sky; while Krishna smiled sweetly; while beautiful
women danced and the assembly followed suit; while the poets offered praise; while everyone shed tears of
joy like strings of pearls; and while young girls imi¬tated the actions ot the Gandharva women the sakhis,
their breasts heaving like Mandara Mountain and their faces like the ocean of nectar, seemed to give birth to
Laksmi in the form of Radha, seated on the throne, accompa¬nied by the insignia of good qualities. Look! All
the ornaments such as the golden scepter, which are supposed to give beauty to Radha, are taking shelter of
Radha's beauty. Radha makes them more beautiful. Everyone sees this with blissful eyes. Paurnamasi said to
Krishna, "Oh, Lord of the hearts of the inhabitants of Vraja! Here, Radha is shy before the elders. Therefore
You should assign posts to the sakhis and make Radha happy."

The Sakhis' Appointments

Then Hari, taking Radha's side-long glance as a garland of permission, gave excellent ornaments to each sakhi
and assigned her duties, while Paurnamasi complimented everything with her humorous words. Paurnamasi,
with a smile like sandalwood arising from seeing Hari's face covered by the radiance from Radha's face, spoke
some camphor-like words. Who would not be soothed by them?
Krishna said, "O Lalita! You are the princess of Radha and your name is Anuradha. You two are situated
together inprema, as the constellation Vishakha (Radha) and Anuradha (Lalita) are next to each other in the
sky. In this kingdom, you first offer all objects to your leader for Her enjoyment. "O Vishakha! You are the
councilor of Radha. You two have the same mind and name. (Vishakha is another name of Radha.) By the
power of your expert counseling, the Laksmi of Vrindavana bestows upon you ever-increasing opulence."Thus
engaging all the sakhis, Krishna also engaged others as their represen¬tatives. Respecting Vrinda by giving
her the best ornaments, Krishna appointed her protector of the forests. In this way, Krishna gave suitable gifts
to all the living entities of Vrindavana. Paurnamasi, whose face had changed color, then addressed the moving
and non-moving creatures in a choked voice.

Paurnamasi's Consolations and Worship of Radha

Paurnamasi said, "O trees! Being satisfied along with your wives the creep¬ers, bestow all desirable objects. O
best of birds! Keep singing along with the bees. O beasts! Continue to be happy with confidence. For Radha,
served by Her leading sakhis, has now become the Queen of Vrindavana! Radha has assumed control of
Krishna and Vrinda. Now the forest of Vrindavana is suitable for smgara rasa, having gained an excellent
leader." Radha worshiped Paurnamasi, the wives of the sun, and the three brahmacaris. Then the singers,
musical artists, and Puranic reciters enter¬tained the assembly. Although the attention of the crowd was
moving here and there, the performers telt that everyone was looking only at them.

Performances

51
Portraying the qualities of Radha, the dancers swayed in bliss and some¬times became frenzied while
performing the tandava nrtya introduced by Lord Shiva. Radha listened to the poets, whose praises of Radha
defeated all those proud of their good qualities. The poets glorified Radha saying, "Oh Queen of Vrindavana!
By Your moon-like beauty now the lotus is without the bee (Padma-sakhi is devoid of Krishna.) It is
astonishing that Your glories, spreading throughout the uni¬verse, have made the moon become spotless.
(Radha has deprived Candravali of Krishna's love sports.) Sometimes the sun scorches the earth and
sometimes it floods the desert with water. But Radha, Your intense love simultaneously sprinkles Your beloved
with nectar and withers the opposing parties.

"O Queen of Vrindavana! By the spotless nature of Your glories the oceans have suddenly taken on the nature
of the Milk Ocean, night has taken the qualities of moonlight, and the dark parts of the earth have become
Svetadvipa. But most astonishing is the fact that the black effulgence of Hari simply increases its blackness!
"O ruler of Vrindavana, Shri Radha! Your brilliance conquers all. Having defeated Candravali, it went searching
in all directions. It could not even glance at Indra's wife, it found Brahma's wife devoid of excellence, and it
annihilated the splendor of Parvati. Your radiance made Laksmi become Your amsa (part) to experience Your
pastimes and good fortune.
"Oh Vrsabhanunandini! Your kingdom is the playground of Krishna. Your friends are dearest to Krishna and He
is Your beloved. You are the ruler of the earth. Your powers overwhelm my mind, so how can I sing about
Your un¬limited qualities?"
Thus astonishing everyone with their recitation, the female singers at¬tained the glance of the Divine Couple,
and received countless cintamani gems from Them.

Radha Hankers for Krishna

The hall was scented with the sweet perfume of Krishna's limbs. By the influence of that aroma Radha became
dizzy and lowered Her eyes out of anxiousness. Radha mused within Herself, "O disobedient desire!
Remember that it is only by good fortune that a qualified person sees Krishna. Do not long for more loving
exchanges with Him. Today, on the occasion of this festival, in this temple of pleasure, I somehow out of great
longing obtained Ilari. If the rarely obtained Hari goes off with the elders, how will the sakhis' words, like
tongues of flame, help Me to tolerate the situation?

"O Creator! You protected Me from the fire of anger and pride, and You made Syama install Me on the throne.
But will You not protect Me from the forest fire of pain arising from the desire to get His embrace?"
Lalita and Vishakha, who are unequalled in detecting Radha's emotions and in giving advice, out of love for
Radha and Madhava thought, "For Them to stay here alone would be sweet." They wanted to get rid of all the
people. Just at that time, Paurnamasi, knowing their intentions, blissfully told the heavenly women, "You have
wonderfully bathed Radha in the assembly hall, and Radha has bathed You in streams of beauty and nectar.
May shy Radha now attain the utmost pleasure. Having rendered excellent services, you can now return to
Svargaloka." Holding white rice in their trembling hands, and drinking the nectar of Radha's beauty with thirsty
eyes, the demigoddesses gave blessings to Radha in choked voices. They said, "O Radha! Overcome with love,
now attain all good fortune beside Your beloved in this forest. No other person can enter this cottage of
creepers. Therefore it is called "Unmada Radhika," the exalted place where Radha becomes intoxicated with
love." After being properly respected in front of Paurnamasi, the celestial ladies and their assistants departed
for their separate realms while gazing at Krishna and embracing Radha's every limb. It was difficult to
ascertain how and where they went. Paurnamasi sent the other ladies to Yasoda's house with the message:
"Radha's abhiseka has been accomplished. Under our supervision Radha will spend the night in the forest."

Then Paurnamasi said, "O Hari! I am now going for some time to do some personal business. Until I return,
You must protect Radha. After pleasing Mother Kirtida I will come back. Then Radha will spend the night here
under my supervision." Saying this, Paurnamasi suddenly disappeared. Krishna said, "I will go herd the cows."

52
But seeing that Paurnamasi had disappeared, Krishna glanced around once and then quickly approached
Radha's throne. As Krishna did this, an astonishing even occurred: the bril¬liance of entangled clouds and
lightning flashed in all directions.

The Union

Seeing this, the heavenly women showered flowers while shouting "Jaya! Jaya!" The flower shower appeared
like the laughing of the wives of the dik devatas (directional demigods). When the Divine Couple radiated Their
brilliance, the beauty of the sapphires on Udaya Mountain and the moon god himself were suddenly
annihilated. Cupid lost control and displayed his full powers. While drowning each other in the livei of
nectarean beauty, tasting the fragrance of each other's moon face, entering the house of Krishna's conjugal
rasa, bathing in the assembly, and fulfilling all Their desires Radha and Krishna, sitting on the royal throne,
appeared like a king and queen after a Rajasuya sacrifice. Krishna, the royal authority over Vrindavana,
pierced Radha with the arrow of His fickle glance. Though pierced, Radha, being enthroned by the abhiseka,
drew the bow of Her eyebrow. A strong warrior never shows weakness.

The sakhis said, "Cunning man! Why did You ascend the throne of Your dear friend?"
Krishna replied, "O foolish girls of Vraja! Radha has been coronated as My Queen!"

In this way a quarrel ensued, which increased the prema, but cannot be understood by mortal man. Showing
false anger, the sakhis wanted to com¬plain to Paurnamasi, saying, "Such quarreling is not suitable for this
festive occasion. In the future she will judge all affairs." Vrinda Devi, laughing and holding their hands, pulled
back the sakhis with cleverness nourished by humble gestures. Seeing the condition of the gopis thirsty for the
pastimes of Radha and Krishna, and hearing their quarreling exchanges, Vrinda Devi made them laugh by
saying emphatically, "It is not necessary to shout any longer. By Her own actions our Queen Radha will now
subdue the forest lord Krishna and also us." Taking the word swami "lord" to mean "husband," the sakhis
laughed. Radha, seeing they had taken a bold mood (vamya bhava), and glancing at Vrinda from the corner of
Her eye, gazed at Her beloved with an exquisite expression and then resumed Her delicate features.

Appreciating the supreme beauty of Radha's face at this time, Mukunda said, "O beloved! Why spoil this most
happy moment?" Saying this, Krishna boldly pulled Radha to His chest. As Radha wept and smiled
simultaneously, Krishna tightly embraced Her with both arms. Encircling Radha with His left arm, Krishna
wiped the tears from Her eyes with His right hand, for He feared Her whole body would become soaked in
tears. Krishna could not recognize Her as the same Radha who had just been installed at the abhiseka. There
is no fault in poets if they can find no expression to describe Radha sitting on Krishna's lap on a magnificent
throne on a jeweled asana in a forest of desire trees in Vrindavana, and worshiped by all royal paraphernalia.
One should only blame the Creator for making that combination. The Divine Couple took on a beauty suitable
for conjugal rasa, blackish in hue, but turning red with attraction.As Their limbs broke out with various bhava
alankaras (extraordinary symptoms oibhava), Radha and Krishna's bodies glowed with the remarkable color of
blackish molten gold. By Their mutual glances, They showered nectar in all directions. In this way, a
combination of wondrous forms and flavors (rasas) emanated trom the throne. As Radha sat on Krishna's lap
Her hair stood on end and Her body covered in goose bumps. This gave deep pleasure to Krishna's eyes.
Krishna's body resembled a bee tasting the sweet honey from the kadamba flower of Radha's body.

The flood of tears and perspiration pouring from the Divine Couple ap¬peared to nourish the crop of goose
bumps sprouting all over Their limbs. Their bodies were simultaneously paralyzed and trembling. Their voices
choked up as They approached the point of fainting. But clashing together like clouds and lightning, Radha
and Krishna again tasted Their blissful union as They drenched everyone in a shower of nectar. The Divine
Couple Radha-Madhava, the personifications of beauty, the temple of youthfulness, the kingdom of good
qualities, the treasure house of all types of bliss, the essence of all sixty four arts, a heavenly flower scented
by Cupid's own fragrance, and the shelter of Their devotees accepted lordship over Vrindavana. Seeing the

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enchantingly attractive forms and activities of the Divine Couple, the sakhis became astonished and just stood
like sticks. Being revived by the intensity of their inner bliss, they watched Radha-Madhava enter a state of
extreme ecstasy due to Their meeting. Then the sakhis quickly brought Radha-Madhava back to external
consciousness by using different techniques.

While His own body erupted in tiny bumps of joy, Krishna tenderly showed His love for Radha sitting on His
thigh. Offering Her tambula, Krishna soothed Radha in many ways. As the heavenly women showered flowers,
the earth brimmed with bliss. Standing on either side of the throne, the sakhis served the Divine Couple in a
royal manner. But they thought, "Our friend Radha has overcome oceans of suffering to come to Krishna's
forest of Vrindavana. Revealing Her sweet love during the abhiseka ceremony, Radha has quickly and
forcefully brought Krishna and the forest of Vrindavana under Her control. O heart, my friend! Do you have
any other desire to be fulfilled?"

The Concluding Request

This work, ordered by my guru, Shri Rupa Gosvami, and partially described in his work entitled "Dana-keli-
kaumudi"(1549 a.d.) has now been completed. With all my intelligence I have not even been able to vaguely
describe this blissful pastime. Far from presenting the details, I cannot even present a general description. The
form of the moon is only manifest in the full moon. Though given the order, I have not been able to carry it
out completely. If the rasika bhaktas in some way taste even a portion of this work written by me, then my
efforts will have borne fruit. Just to be seen by the devotees of Krishna, the slayer of Agha, makes one's whole
life successful. May Shri Radha, who is endowed with the most intense bliss, who experi¬ences continuous
haooiness whose bodv is covered with bumps of ioy and who tastes the sweetness of various emotions
inspired by Her beloved while sitting on His lap on the royal throne in the forest of Vraja bestow supreme
beauty to everyone. I eternally serve beautiful Krishna and His servant, Shri Rupa Gosvami, who have made
my present and future life auspicious, whose precious lotus feet are most worthy of service, and who, as
personifications of magnanimity, have bestowed their ownprema bhakti on me in a shower of mercy. In 1555
a.d. one jiva living in Vrindavana completed this new poetic work by his own desire.

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