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Post by madanmohandas on Feb 14, 2020 2:19:49 GMT -6
You, O my friend Sri Rupa manjari, Here in this town are known for chastity, And never bend your glance upon the face Of other men, yet in another place, Your husband stays, and thus I wonder much Who durst your lips to bruise, or e'en to touch? Was it that best of parrots that did so, Taking your lips for bimba berry's glow? 1
O Lotus dear that on the dry land grows, Your blooming smile your lofty merit shows, Your flower cluster smiles do well befit, And fragrance of your conscious pride emit; Since quite disdaining all the other vines, The black bee of the wood this way inclines, Forsaking lesser vines to search his way, Toward the place where you abide today. 2
(Rupa retorts) O my companion, Rati manjari, Your merit is of much greater degree, Midst all the throng of cowherd dames who dwell In the cowherd chieftains realm you excel All others in the favours you receive; Since you were sent by our queen to retrieve Her favorite zone, which she had quite forgot Absorbed in love -play in a shady grott; And for you are her serving maid and friend, 'Twas you alone she deemed it best to send. 3
Even my master Yadunandana, Most dear unto the Yadu's joy Krishna, And vested with that Lord's almighty power, Upon me did his matchless mercy shower; I bow in salutation and entreat For refuge at my teacher's holy feet. 4
The moon-like Shri Chaitanya I adore, Mercy's vast ocean and love's boundless store, Who with the sturdy rope of his high grace, Rescued me from that dire and dismal place, From which it is not easy to get free, The pride of wealth, immense prosperity, Filled with calamity and fraught with strife, Which is the dried up well of household life; And drew me to his feet's proximity, Disdaining lotus blossoms in beauty, Then handed me into the loving care, Of his most dear companion Damodar. 5
With my dear master holy Sanatan, I take refuge and seek his benison; Tho' I was most reluctant in my mind To quaff sweet nectar since my eyes were blind, Yet he, the natural ocean of grace, Devotion's nectar with which he did lace The potent admixture of dispassion, Impelled by disinterested compassion, That he with anxious care sought to induce, And had me drink that delectable juice; His only grief is that others should grieve, And would by his kind heartedness relieve. 6
My queen! the heart of this maidservant yearns For mercy, and in separation burns; And here, awhile, most fervently I pray, And unto you my tears of love convey; Shall my heart's anguish unto you disclose, And lamentation in sweet verse compose. 7
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Post by madanmohandas on May 30, 2020 18:29:02 GMT -6
Sri Raghunatha Dasa prays to Radhika for the privilege of early morning service in the ensuing stanzas from Sri Vilapa Kusumanjali (VK) 19-27
praatah sudhaamsu militaam mrdamatra yatnaad aahrtya vaasita payasca grhaantare ca/ paadaambuje tava kadaa jaladhaarayaa te praksaalya bhaavini kacairiha maarjayaami//
Oh fair damsel whose heart with love is filled! Oh, when will I, in such sweet service skilled, At dawn to your room carefully convey Sweet water and some camphor mixed with clay, And while you sit down in a place that's meet, I shall, attentive, lave your lotus-feet. Then with a singular and loving care, Tenderly rub them dry with my soft hair.
praksaalya paadakamalam krta dantakaasthaam snaanaarthamanya sadane bhavatim nivistham/ abhyajya gandhitatarairiha tailapuraih prodvartayisyati kadaa kimu kinkariyam//
O Radhe! having washed your tender feet, With which, in beauty, lotus blooms compete, And having brushed your teeth like pearls which glow, We shall into your bathing chamber go; And when will this maidservant gently tiol, To rub your lovely limbs with fragrant oil?
ayi vimalajalaanaam gandhakarpurapuspair jitavidhumukhapadme vaasitaanaam ghataughaih/ pranayalalitasakhyaa diyamaanaih purastaat- tava varamabhisekham haa kadaaham karisye//
Oh you whose lotus face does shine more bright And triumphs o'er the moon's soft balmy light; Then one of your dear friends, having conveyed Large pots of water, in due order laid, Mixed with fresh camphor and the sweet odours By adding petals from fresh fragrant flowers; Oh when shall I, your servant who doth crave, Your fair limbs ceremoniously lave?
paaniyam ceenavastraih sasimukhi ramyamrdvangayastair yatnaadutsarya modaaddisidisi-vicalan-netra-minaancalaaayaah/ sronau raktam dukulam tadaparamatulam caaruneelam siro'graat sarvaangesu pramodaat pulakitavapusaa kimmayaa te prayojyam// 22//
Oh you with the bright shining face that dims The moon! when having bathed your tender limbs, Your restless glances dart from side to side, Like flashing fishes, in your beauty's pride; Oh moon-faced damsel Radhe! when will I, Dexterously with a soft tow'l your limbs dry? Then place around your loins a raiment red, And a blue veil descending from your head; Which, flowing down conceals your body fair. Oh when shall I, with joy and bristling hair, Adorn you in your famed garments with care?
*Famed garments- red skirt and blue veil.
praksaalya paadakamalam tadanukramena gosthendrasunu dayite tava kesa paasam/ haa narmadaagrathita sundara suksmamaalyair- veneem karisyati kadaa pranayairjano'yam//23//
Thus having rinced your feet in order due, The service that I fain would render you, Oh darling of the cowherd chief's dear son; As when your dear friend Narmada had come, In great delight to you, and she had brought A fragrant wreath of budding jasmine wrought, And will I then that fine garland entwine, Within the braid of your soft hair divine?
subhagamrgamadenaakhandasubhraamsuvatte tilakamiha lalaate devi modaadvidhaaya/ masrna ghusrna carcamarpayitvaa ca gaatre stanayugamapi gandhaiscitram kim karisye//24//
Oh Goddess! when will I paint o'er your brow A musk design which shines with full moon glow? And when will I your fair limbs beautify By smearing them with scented Kumkum dye? And with odorous paste will I be blest, To draw designs and pictures on your breast?
sindurarekhaa seemante devi ratnasalaakayaa/ mayaa yaa kalpitaa kim te saalakam sobhayisyati//25//
Goddess! with a jew'l pensil, when will I With fine red powder your head beautify, And shall thereby your tresses decorate, The parting of your hair to separate?
hanta devi tilakasya samantaad bindavo'runa sugandhirasena/ krsnamaadaka mahausadhi mukhyaa dheerahastamiha kim parikalpyaa//26//
Oh Goddess! shall I, round your tilak sign, With steady hand, paint dots in fair design? Which acts as the best potent simple herb, The mind of playful Krishna to disturb.
gosthendraputramadacittakarindraraaja- bandhaaya puspadhanusah kila bandharajjoh/ kim karnayostavavaroru varaavatamsa- yugmena bhusanamaham sukhitaa karisye// 27//
You earrings are the Flower archer's ropes That bind the tusker with amorous hopes; And thus the cowherd chief's son firmly ties. Oh when will I, Oh you of sturdy thighs, Fasten upon your ears with joy and care, Your pendant ornaments to dangle there?
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Post by madanmohandas on May 31, 2020 6:42:50 GMT -6
yaa te kanculiratra sundari mayaa vaksojayorarpitaa syaamaacchaadanakaamyayaa kila na saa satyeti vijnaayatam/ kintu svaamini krisna eva sahasaa tattaam avaapya svayam praanebhyo'pyadhikam svakam nidhiyugam sangopayetyeva hi// 28
Oh mistress mine of exquisite beauty, I do not wish that Syama should not see Your ample bosoms, hidden by your dress, While I enclose them in this fine bodice; Nay, but that Krishna might himself remove The lid to gain the jewels of his love, And with his own bosom the blouse replace, And hold you firmly in his warm embrace.
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Post by madanmohandas on May 31, 2020 9:20:30 GMT -6
naanaamani-prakara-gumphita-caaru-pustyaa muktaasrajastava suvaksasi hemagauri/ sraantyabhrtaalasa-mukunda-sutulikaayaam kim kalpayisyatitaram tava daasikeyam//29//
Oh fair and golden beauty, will I place Upon your chest a gem studded necklace, With big round pearls, that Mukunda may rest When tired of play on your pillow like breast?
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Post by madanmohandas on May 31, 2020 11:28:04 GMT -6
Continuing the theme of Radha's early morning toilette, VK. 30
manicaya-khacitaabhir neela-cudaavalibhir haridayita-kalaavid-dvandvam-indeevaraaksi/ api bata tava divyair-angulir-anguliyaih kvacidapi kila kaale bhusayisyaami kim nu//30//
Oh you with eyes dark as the lotus blue, Will I sometime ever decorate you, With glistening armlets on your graceful arms, Dear to Hari for all their lovely charms, And may I place on your fingers with care, Gem studded rings that shine with lustre rare?
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Post by madanmohandas on May 31, 2020 12:09:57 GMT -6
VK. 18. Omitted earlier.
pranaalim keelair bahubhir-abhi sanksalya madhurair, mudaa sammarjya svair vivrta-kaca-vrndaih priyatayaa/ kadaa baahyaagaaram vara-parimalai-dhupa-nivahair vidhaasye te devi pratidinam aho vaasitam-aham//18//
Oh, Goddess! having with sweet water flushed Your drain, and with my own hair dried and brushed, For, anything of yours is dear to me, Even to clean your outdoor lavat'ry; Oh when will you such service delegate, That I each day your latrine fumigate With pleasant odours rising from the smoke Of incense, your love and grace to invoke? 18
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Post by Nitaidas on May 31, 2020 13:11:29 GMT -6
VK. 18. Omitted earlier. pranaalim keelair bahubhir-abhi sanksalya madhurair, mudaa sammarjya svair vivrta-kaca-vrndaih priyatayaa/ kadaa baahyaagaaram vara-parimalai-dhupa-nivahair vidhaasye te devi pratidinam aho vaasitam-aham//18// Oh, Goddess! having with sweet water flushed Your drain, and with my own hair dried and brushed, For, anything of yours is dear to me, Even to clean your private lavat'ry; Oh when will you such service delegate, That I each day your latrine fumigate With pleasant odours rising from the smoke Of incense, your love and grace to invoke. 18 Beautiful, madanmohandasji, as are the others. My only complaint, and perhaps it seems nitpicking, is with the use of the word Goddess. It smacks of aisvarya which is not the mood of the tradition following Mahaprabhu. Unfortunately, it is hard to get away from the remnants of aisvarya in our approach to these texts and ideas. I wince every time I hear the word Srimati Radharani. Can one ooze more aisvarya sap than that? Devi could be "lady" or "luminous" or simply "dear one." Its use in Indian parlance has all of these registers. If nothing else is true about Mahaprabhu's presentation of Krsna-bhakti, it is distinctively true that we are being offered a chance to love Krsna and Radhika as their equals without the crippling and chilling effects knowing Krsna as God have on our feelings for him. They are like superstars on stage at a cosmic music festival who have come down off the stage to mix with us, their fans, to hug us, touch us, to share themselves us us. When Krsna holds out his hand to us are we, even in our profound smallness, stupidity, and unworthiness, not going to take it? Are we going to fall down at his feet and grovel around, making a big display of our worthlessness? He knows all that better than we do. Still, he wants to be with us as equals and lovers. He wants us to be a-theistic in our relationship with him. This I see as our biggest challenge -- to unlearn theism, to deprogram ourselves. In other words, we have to learn to love ourselves, because in his eyes and in Radhika's eyes we are lovable.
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Post by JD33 on May 31, 2020 16:11:55 GMT -6
It smacks of aisvarya which is not the mood of the tradition following Mahaprabhu. Unfortunately, it is hard to get away from the remnants of aisvarya in our approach to these texts and ideas. I wince every time I hear the word Srimati Radharani. Can one ooze more aisvarya sap than that? Devi could be "lady" or "luminous" or simply "dear one." Its use in Indian parlance has all of these registers. If nothing else is true about Mahaprabhu's presentation of Krsna-bhakti, it is distinctively true that we are being offered a chance to love Krsna and Radhika as their equals without the crippling and chilling effects knowing Krsna as God have on our feelings for him. They are like superstars on stage at a cosmic music festival who have come down off the stage to mix with us, their fans, to hug us, touch us, to share themselves us us. When Krsna holds out his hand to us are we, even in our profound smallness, stupidity, and unworthiness, not going to take it? Are we going to fall down at his feet and grovel around, making a big display of our worthlessness? He knows all that better than we do. Still, he wants to be with us as equals and lovers. He wants us to be a-theistic in our relationship with him. This I see as our biggest challenge -- to unlearn theism, to deprogram ourselves. In other words, we have to learn to love ourselves, because in his eyes and in Radhika's eyes we are lovable.
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Post by JD33 on May 31, 2020 16:14:13 GMT -6
It smacks of aisvarya which is not the mood of the tradition following Mahaprabhu. Unfortunately, it is hard to get away from the remnants of aisvarya in our approach to these texts and ideas. I wince every time I hear the word Srimati Radharani. Can one ooze more aisvarya sap than that? Devi could be "lady" or "luminous" or simply "dear one." Its use in Indian parlance has all of these registers. If nothing else is true about Mahaprabhu's presentation of Krsna-bhakti, it is distinctively true that we are being offered a chance to love Krsna and Radhika as their equals without the crippling and chilling effects knowing Krsna as God have on our feelings for him. They are like superstars on stage at a cosmic music festival who have come down off the stage to mix with us, their fans, to hug us, touch us, to share themselves us us. When Krsna holds out his hand to us are we, even in our profound smallness, stupidity, and unworthiness, not going to take it? Are we going to fall down at his feet and grovel around, making a big display of our worthlessness? He knows all that better than we do. Still, he wants to be with us as equals and lovers. He wants us to be a-theistic in our relationship with him. This I see as our biggest challenge -- to unlearn theism, to deprogram ourselves. In other words, we have to learn to love ourselves, because in his eyes and in Radhika's eyes we are lovable. I love this reply Nitai Dassji. This is the direct reality of Radha-Govinda. Genuine actual Joy-filled Loving inter-action with the bhakta(s). Adbhut !
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 1, 2020 4:00:36 GMT -6
Thanks Nitai for your good words. I think we can have the rural goddess or the queen of curds and cream, and we often like to say, Ishvari. My idea is that in the context of vraja rasa the allusions to grandeur have a sort of mild irony. As with fond fathers who call and think their daughters are princesses. Come to think of it Princess is good; seems to me these terms adapt themselves to the general context. But I am listening to advice. Sure, I take your general point above and agree. The endless honorific titles I thought just a bit of oriental hyperbole that become a sort protocol that if you don't adhere to you are somehow dishonouring the whoever it may refer to. Well, as for that, let me see if the whole text can be done as it seems a good thing to do. Meanwhile I'm burning out the ventricles of my brain with the audiobook of Summa Theologica. Hahahaha
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 1, 2020 6:00:32 GMT -6
Continuing VK, which treats of prayers to attain the service of Sri Radha during her morning toilette; the theme proceeds upto verse 44/
paadaambhoje manimayatulakoti-yugmena yatnaad abhyarce taddalakulamapi presthapaadaanguliyaih/ kaancidaamnaa katitatamidam premapeetham sunetre kamsaaraateratulam-aciraad-arcayisyaami kim te//31//
O beautiful-eyed damsel, I entreat, To worship with anklets your lotus-feet; And as a vot'ress her worship bestows, I shall with rings adore your petal toes; And shall I soon on your loins place a zone, The enemy of Kamsa's own love throne? 31
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 2, 2020 13:24:37 GMT -6
Continuing with VK, text 32
lalitatara-mrnaalee kalpa-baahu-dvayam te, murajayi-matihamsee dhairya vidvamsa daksam/ manikula racitabhyaam-angadaabhyaam purastaat pramada-bhara vinamra kalpayisyaami kim vaa//32//
Oh when will I with joy adorn your arms, Which have of lotus stems the tender charms, With fine gem studded armlets, which to view, Destroys the calm of he who Mura slew? And say what else that you would have me do. 32
raasotsave ya iha gokulacandra baahu sparsena saubhagabharam nitaram avaapa/ graiveyakena kimu tam tava kantha desam sampujayisyati punah subhage jano'yam// 33//
When in the Rasa festival he placed His arm around your neck, firmly embraced, The moon of Gokul, while he tightly pressed, Your neck was by his fragrant contact blest. Oh blessed one, when will this vot'ress deck With a Graiveya ornament your neck? 33
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 3, 2020 15:32:09 GMT -6
Well that's handy, just discovered that I had already done VK 34 some while ago, and here is 35 as well.
datta pralamba-ripunodbhata-sankhacuda- naasaat pratosi-hrdayam madhumangalasya/ hastena yah sumukhi kaustubha-mitram etam kim re syamantaka-manim taralam karisye//34//
When Sankhacura was of life bereaved, And Pralamba's foe his crest gem received, To Madhumangal, with a joyful mind, That rare and costly jewel was consigned; And he to you, Oh Fair faced one, conveyed That gem, and thus as gift to you was made; And will I ever hang upon your neck That glistering gem, and your bosom deck, So when this Syamantaka gem depends, It may with the bright Kaustubha make friends. 34
praantadvaye pariviraajita guccha yugma vibhraajitena nava kaancana dorakena/ kseenam trutatyatha krsodari ced iteeva badhnaami bhostava kadaati bhayena madhyam//35
Oh slender waisted tender damsel fair! In fear your waist may break I take all care; And will I with a belt your loins enfold, With tassels on each end and strings of gold? 35
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 4, 2020 7:02:00 GMT -6
Continuing VK. 36
kanakagunitamuccair mauktikam matkaraat te tilakusumaa-vijetree naasikaa saa suvrttam/ madhumathana mahaali ksobhakam hemagauri prakatatara maranda praayamaadaasyate kim//36//
Oh bright fair golden beauty! when may I Adorn your nose, which Tila blooms defy, With a big pendant pearl, set there to swing, Attached with a delicate golden ring? The monarch bee then, who fierce Madhu slew, Will eager come to quaff that drop of dew. 36
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 5, 2020 7:49:59 GMT -6
So far upto 36 in Sri Vilapa Kusumanjali, now retracing some verses that were passed over, 8-17. Sorry about the repetition of Goddess.
Oh my Goddess! I flounder in the sea Of helplessness and abject misery; This wretched one can hardly stay afloat, Unless you rescue in the wondrous boat Of the great compassion you always bear, And to that blest abode my soul can steer; Where all my longings shall be made complete, Gaining the lotus flowers of your feet. 8
Oh Goddess! in your absence the black snake To bite this creature did occasion take, And in the scorching of severance fried, In anguish and in pain this wretch has died; With the red dye on your lotus-feet, deign To anoint me and bring back life again. 9
Oh Goddess! in the raging forest fire, The lapping flames of severance conspire To burn the vine-like body in the heat Of this poor servant of your lotus-feet; Thus languishing, I fervently entreat, The nectar of your gracious glances pour Upon me, and my wretched life restore. 10
Oh you with the propitious smiling face! Ah, when will I receive especial grace? That even in the dreaming state I may The foot dust of your lotus-feet convey Upon my head, and justify the claim That calls the head the 'topmost limb' by name. 11
Oh most auspicious of sweet damosels! The charming tinkling of your ankle bells, Is as a flowing stream of nectar pure, Alas! when will that sound my deafness cure? 12
Oh Goddess! when the moon is shining bright, Your startled glances dart from left to right; And as you on the lonesome path persist In hopes to meet your lover at the tryst, Wherever in the wood your glances rove, The place transforms to a blue lotus grove; Oh when will this one, as I follow you, Remain in the range of your direct view? 13
Oh empress of Vrindavan's bosky grove! What time some maidservant, endued with love, Called by the name of Rupa manjari, Infused my eyes with the power to see, The blest realm of the cowherd settlement, Since then indeed my hope and my intent, Is to behold with my own very eyes, Your lotus-feet anointed with red dyes. 14
The buzzing bees around your lake resound, Which does with lily and lotus abound, Filled with fragrant and glist'ning water bright, Which takes the heart and mind with vast delight; Oh you whose face does like a lotus shine, When first I saw your lake, e'en from that time, I longed to gain that high beatitude; The joy derived from your sweet servitude. 15
I never do at any time entreat For boons, but for best service of your feet; Oh Goddess, if your friendship I attain, I would not with you equal status claim; Nay, friendship I repeatedly salute, But hear my vow, in which I'm resolute, To gain your servitude is my desire; To always taste your service I aspire. 16
Oh you whose golden lustre far excels A Turmeric bulb pierced by fingernails, Ah, when will you, most highly pleased with me, Print on my arm, that all may plainly see, The signs of fortune that your foot-soles show, Still wet with the red dye with which they glow? When will I such high grace from you receive, And service of your lotus-feet achieve? 17
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