VMP

One day, the gopis arrived at Manasi Ganga with their milk products meant for sale in a local
market on the other side of the lake. There were no boats available other than one very old
boat, so the gopis enquired from the young boatman dressed in a cloak how much he would
charge. After some haggling, the boatman agreed to accept some milk products as his fee.
The gopis boarded the boat and the boatman began rowing to the opposite shore. All of a
sudden the boatman stopped rowing and lying back, informed the gopis that due to weakness,
he was unable to go any further unless he was immediately fed with some of the gopis milk
products. At first the gopis flatly refused to hand over any milk products until they reached
the other side, but realizing they had no other option, they were forced to feed a quantity of
theirmilk sweets to the hungry boatman. After being fed, the boatman continued rowing for
some time but again stopped, this time saying that after eating so many milk products, he felt
bloated and would have to rest for some time. The boatman suggested that it would help if
two gopis could massage his legs and another two could massage his arms. The gopis became
very angry with the boatman, saying they would certainly take hold of his arms and legs, but
instead throw him overboard into the lake. Seeing the angry mood of the gopis, the boatman
again started rowing but after some time, suddenly pointed to a hole in the boat’s hull through
which water was steadily leaking into the boat. The boatman informed the gopis that due to
the heavy weight of all their milk products, the boat would surely sink unless they threw all
their pots into the water. Fearing they may drown, the gopis immediately threw all their milk
products overboard. The boatman then said that there was still too much weight in the boat
and if they were to survive, the gopis would have to throw all their heavy jewelry overboard
also. The gopis then removed all their jewelry and threw that into the water as well. Suddenly
dark clouds enveloped the whole sky as strong winds began to blow causing large waves to
batter the boat. By this time the gopis were completely terrified, in order to assure them that
the boat was sturdy enough to withstand the stormy conditions, the boatman demonstrated the
strength of his boat by rocking it back and forth. As soon as the boatman started rocking the
boat, in great fear that She might fall overboard, Radharani suddenly leapt forward and thrust
Her arms around the boatman’s neck for safety. At that moment the storm subsided and the
wind stopped blowing. As soon as Radharani touched the boatman, She immediately
understood that the boatman was non-other than Her beloved Krishna. Seeing Radharani
embracing the boatman, the gopis were surprised and enquired what on earth was She doing.
Radharani then pulled the flute from under Krishna’s belt and held it up for all the gopis to
see. The gopis then started laughing and clapping their hands in great delight. Krishna then
took them on a boat-ride to see all the beautiful places around Manasi-ganga.
The Vrajavilasa- stava says, “The Manasa-ganga River flows so swiftly on the side of
Govardhana Hill that it’s waves push the splendid rocks lining it’s shores. I pray the
Manasa-ganga River, where Shri Shri Gandharvika-Muravimardana enjoy jubilant
boating pastimes, may give me shelter.”
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G.21 Gauri-kunda / Gauri-tirtha

The holy place near Govardhana Hill known as Gauri-tirtha was the playground of
Chandravali. The area around Chandra-sarovara which also included Gauri-tirtha was very
dear to Chandravali and was one of her favorite places. Chandravali is Radharani’s cousin
and also Her rival in achieving Krishna’s love and affection. There was a continual battle
going on between these two cousins as to who could please Krishna the most. At Gauri-tirtha,
Chandravali regularly performed puja at the Gauri Mandira and Krishna would go there on
some occasions to meet with Chandravali and enjoy her company.
One day, after hearing rumors that Radha was having a secret love-affair with Krishna,
Abhimanyu, who is Radha’s supposed husband, approached Paurnamasi for her blessings to
send Radha away to Mathura. Paurnamasi informed Abhimanyu that simply on the strength
of rumors, he should not resort to such a drastic action, saying that if he himself caught
Radha and Krishna together, then only could he contemplate sending Radha away. In order to
further pacify Abhimanyu, Paurnamasi informed him that from that very day, she would
initiate Radha into the worship of the Goddess Gauri, so that Abhimanyu could gain more
wealth and increase the number of his cows which was the primary source of wealth in
ancient Vedicsociety. Abhimanyu became very happy at the thought of such an increase in
his wealth, as he had heard that after Chandravalli began worshiping Gauri Devi, the wealth
of her husband Govardhana Malla had suddenly increased. After being instructed by
Purnamasi, Radharani went to Gauri-tirtha to perform Gauri-puja.
Krishna, wanting to enjoy some fun, also went there and just to tease Radharani, He
deliberately addressed Her as Chandravali, Radha’s cousin and rival. In an angry huff,
Radharani refused to talk to Krishna and immediately ran off to pick flowers for the Gauri-
puja. Krishna began thinking what He could do to pacify Radha’s angry pique and regain Her
association. At that moment, Krishna’s friend Madhumangala arrived there bringing all the
dresses, ornaments, sandal paste, and various cosmetics for the worship of goddess Gauri.
Krishna then decided to dress up in the Deities clothing and disguise Himself as a girl by
applying the various cosmetics like the sandal paste to His face, He could then secretly
approach Radharani and pacify Her anger. Krishna requested Vrinda Devi to support Him
and say that He was her fair complexioned sister whose name was Nikunjavidya. Vrinda
Devi agreed and Krishna entered the Gauri Mandira to decorate His face and dress-up as a
girl.
Very soon Radharani returned to Gauri Mandira accompanied by Lalita and Vishakha, and on
seeing Vrinda Devi, asked her where Krishna had gone. Vrinda replied that He was last seen
in the temple talking to her sister Nikunjavidya, but had now gone elsewhere. Radha and Her
friends immediately went to the temple to see for themselves and to meet Vrinda’s ‘sister’
Nikunjavidya. Immediately upon seeing Vrinda’s beautiful fair complexioned sister, Radha
informed Vrinda that just by seeing her sister Nikunjavidya smiling at Her, She
wasautomatically feeling intense love towards her. Being completely overcome with
affection, Radha placed Her arms around Nikunjavidya and embraced her.

Nikunjavidya in-turn embraced Radharani and began passionately kissing Radha’s beautiful
lotus-like face. At that moment Radha realized the true identity of Vrinda’s so-called ‘sister’.
However, Lalita and Vishakha were surprised and somewhat embarrassed to see Vrinda’s
sister so unabashedly embracing Radharani and kissing Her face, but within a few moments
they also realized Nikunjavidya’s true identity.
Having heard a rumor that Radha and Krishna were meeting secretly at Gauri-kunda, without
any warning, Jatila suddenly arrived there with Abhimanyu hoping to catch Radha and
Krishna red-handed. Shocked at hearing Abhimanyu’s voice as he entered the temple with his
mother, Radharani immediately fainted on the floor in front of ‘Nikunjavidya’. On entering
the temple, Jatila saw Radharani lying prostrate before Nikunjavidya and asked Abhimanyu,
who was the attractive and fair complexioned girl who illuminated the whole temple with
here dazzling and effulgent beauty. Abhimanyu replied that it must surely be the goddess
Gauri. Lalita and Vishakha quickly spoke up saying that while Radharani was engaged in
worshiping the goddess, out of her mercy, the goddess has stepped out of the Deity and was
now standing before them. Jatila then asked Lalita what Radharani was praying for. All of a
sudden the goddess began to speak in a very grave voice, saying, ‘the pure and faultless
Radha was praying to save Abhimanyu from a great calamity hanging over his head’. Vrinda
then immediately intervened saying that after two days, King Kamsa was planning to make a
human sacrifice to Lord Shiva and had decided that Abhimanyu was to be the sacrificial man-
animal, but due to Radha’s great love and devotion towards the goddess Gauri, the danger has
now been averted. Abhimanyu immediately bowed down and profusely thanked the goddess
for saving him, promising that he would never ever think of taking Radharani to Mathura, but
instead would insist that She came every singleday to Gauri-tirtha to worship and serve
goddess Gauri. Abhimanyu and his mother then left the temple thinking what great fortune
had been bestowed upon them by Radha’s great devotion to Gauri Devi.

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

BHAKTI RATNAKARA

“O Çréniväsa, this is the village of Yävaö where Kåñëa meets with Rädhäräëé to enjoy
amusement. Her sister-in-law, Kuöilä, and mother-in-law, Jaöilä, are not able to see Kåñëa,
who is extremely clever. There is no limit to the happiness of their pastimes! Those who are
greatly fortunate relish these pastimes in various ways.
“O Çréniväsa and Narottama, what can I say? The enchanting pastimes of Kåñëa are rare for
even Lord Brahmä. Kåñëa, the embodiment of rasa, who can speak in all languages very
expertly made the sound of the kokila bird as a signal to His beloved. But one day, by divine
arrangement, He was unable to meet Her.”
From the Padyävalé comes this description: “When Kåñëa arrived in Rädhä's courtyard for
Their rendezvous, His tinkling ornaments sounded as the cooing of cuckoos and other birds.
He suddenly heard the door open, and He also heard the continual jingling sounds of
conchshell bracelets. When He heard the arrogant Jaåélä call out, ‘Who's there? Who's there?'
He became pained at heart. He spent that entire night hiding in a tree in a corner of the
courtyard.”
“To the west of Yävaö is a forest where one may hear hundreds of thousands of kokilas sing.
One day Kåñëa entered this forest and happily made a sound just like the kokila birds. In
response all the birds began singing so loudly that the sound was heard in Yävaö. Hearing the
sound of the kokilas, Jaöilä told Viçäkhä that she had previously never heard such songs from
the kokilas. Viçäkhä replied that if Jaöilä would give permission they would go to see the
kokilas in the forest. Jaöilä told them to go and listen to the birds and thus Rädhäräëé with
Her sakhés entered the forest. In unlimited happiness they all came and thus Rädhä was able
to meet Kåñëa, who was engaged in making sounds of the kokila bird. For this reason this
forest is known as Kokilavana.
/////////////////////////////////////
Räghava Paëòita said, “This town is Narésemaré, previously known as Çyämaré-Kinnaré.
Seeing no way to break Rädhä's angry mood, Kåñëa took the form of a sakhé, Çyämäsakhé,
here. While playing véëä, Kåñëa as Çyämäsakhé arrived here before Rädhäräëé, who
exclaimed, ‘In every way she seems to be a Kinnaré.' Hearing the sound of the véëä, Rädhä
became overwhelmed and put Her jeweled necklace on the neck of Çyämäsakhé. The
Kinnaré said, ‘Give Me the jewel of Your anger and accept Me as Your own.'
“Hearing these words, Rädhä gave up Her angry mood and slowly smiled as She became
overwhelmed in delight. In this way the two towns are named. The influence of Devé at this
place is very intense.
//////////////////////////////////////
SRI PADYAVALI
One time Lord Kåñëa offended Rädhä, and They quarreled. Afterwards, Kåñëa disguised
Himself as a gopé, fell down at the feet of one of Rädhä’s gopé-friends, pacified Her, and by
her arrangement was able to enter Rädhä’s house. When Rädhä was alone on Her bed,
disguised Kåñëa approached Her bedside and began to massage Her body. The touch of His
hand reminded Her of Kåñëa. Still thinking Kåñëa to be a gopé, She said to Him: “Ah! You
must be very unhappy. Kåñëa must have forsaken You as He has Me.” She looked into
Kåñëa’s eyes. After that She slowly and very happily fell into His arms.
//////////////////////

“Who are You?”

“I am a gopé-messenger sent by Mädhava.”
“What is His message?”
“He says: ‘O beloved, please don’t be angry with Me.’”
“That rascal has given His heart to another girl!”
“O friend, He never stopped worshiping You for a moment.”
Rädhä was pleased by the nectar words of his girl. Disguised as a gopé, Kåñëa brought Her to
a cottage in the forest grove, and then revealed His real form. May smiling Lord Kåñëa
protect you all!
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
But sometimes amazingly enough He was not successful:
… “Utkalikä-vallaré” by Sri Rupa Manjari…
Verse 57
O my Master Çré Kåñëa, will the day ever be mine when You approach me with great
respect, begging me to appease the anger of Våñabhänu-nandiné Çré Rädhä and break
Her resolve not to see You?
Stava-mälä-vibhüñaëa-bhäñya
“O Master Çré Kåñëa, will such a day ever come when
with great honor You entreat this maidservant to break
the fierce mäna of Våñabhänu’s daughter, sulky Çré Rädhä?
‘He sundaré, O beautiful girl, you are so friendly and have
many other good qualities. Now you are my only refuge
and well-wisher. Because you are always engaged in Çré
Rädhä’s personal service, She is very much attached to
you, so She will surely listen to you.’ In this way You will
earnestly implore me.”
Verse 58
O Dämodara, becoming anxious that Çré Rädhikä is late, You will relate to me a
message for Her: “ ‘O Çré Rädhä, I was overjoyed to receive Your instruction from
Your female parrot and accordingly I am waiting for You at the bank of Rädhä-kuëòa.
O Çré Rädhä, why are You taking so long to reach here?’ Deliver this flower like
message to Çrédäma’s sister, Çré Rädhä.” Speaking to me thus, You will dispatch me to
Your beloved.
Stava-mälä-vibhüñaëa-bhäñya
“ ‘Take the flower of my message to Çrédäma’s sister,
Çré Rädhä.’ O Dämodara, with these words when will You
send this maidservant to Rädhäjé?” What sort of message
is it? The verse conveys the answer clearly.

Verse 59
O Çré Rädhikä, in a sulky mood You will say, “I never want to see the face of that
philanderer again! Subala’s friend Kåñëa is on His way to My kuïja disguised as a
woman. Keep Him out.” Understanding Your intention, when will I stop Çré Kåñëa, the
best of the gopas, and shrewdly and haughtily prevent Him from entering?
Stava-mälä-vibhüñaëa-bhäñya
“O Sväminé Çré Rädhikä, understanding Your intention
will I, with blossoming intelligence, be able to boisterously
outsmart and stop Çré Kåñëa, the crown jewel of the
gopas?” The question is, “What is Çré Rädhä saying?” The
reply is, “In the verse çaöho ’yaà. . . Çré Rädhä is saying,
58 Utkalikä-vallaré
‘Kåñëa is a scoundrel – to our faces He is affectionate and
speaks flattering words, but behind our backs He behaves
otherwise. My only wealth is My mäna. He is not worthy
of My even looking at Him. Just see, to meet with Me,
Subala’s friend is entering My retreat dressed as a girl.
Find some ploy to stop Him. It seems that Çré Kåñëa has
learned this art of dressing up as a woman from Subala,
whose habit it is to deceive our elders thus.’
“After entering the kuïja Çré Kåñëa will hear Your dry
words and, feeling rejected, will give up His deceptive
behavior. Not seeing any other way, He will repeatedly
petition me. Apprehending Your intentions, I will tell
Him, ‘Previously, You also dressed as a woman, Mohiné,
to bewilder the demons, but there is no demon here. So
why have You come? Besides, Your mother is calling for
You to quickly go home. The clever gopés who are seated
on either side of my Sväminé will also see right through
Your disguise and recognize You. You have no chance of
sneaking in. Sir, meditate on Your hypocritical nature and
return home.’ When will I proudly speak such cunning
words?”
Verse 63
O my Lord and my Lady, when You are both sulking in anger, You are very anxious to
meet, but each of Youobstinately maintains Your position, refusing to se each other. “O
Kåñëa, why are You repeatedly signaling me with Your eyes? Don’t do that, because
mäniné sväminé, my sulky Mistress Çré Rädhä, is not going to entertain Your plea.”
With this white lie, when will I make You both laugh?
Stava-mälä-vibhüñaëa-bhäñya
“ ‘O Master and Mistress, when will I make You both
laugh?’ One might ask how the two of You are feeling.
The reply is, ‘Both of You are sulking for no reason. You
are eager to see each other, but still You refuse to look at
each other because You are both clinging to Your pride.’
Another question might arise, ‘How will you make Us
laugh?’ The answer is, ‘O Mukunda, why are You trying
to beckon me with Your dancing eyes? This mäniné Çré
Rädhä is not going to hear Your petition. Hence, give
rest to Your endeavors.’ In this way, when will I make You
both laugh with these deceptive words?
“Each of Them will interpret my speech differently. Çré
Sväminé, relishing these words, will smile, thinking that
Çré Hari has given up His mäna. Otherwise why is Her
maidservant saying this? Concluding that Çré Hari has
surrendered His mäna first, She is smiling, knowing that
She is the victor. On the other hand, Çré Kåñëa believes,
‘She has sent Her sakhé to Me. This is a clear indication
that Çré Rädhä has given up Her mäna before Me.’ Çré
Svämé will see Himself as victorious, and thus His face
will blossom with a smile.”