Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das
#Manjaris #RaganugaBhakti #Gopis #Radharani
#RadhasSeva #VrajaPrema
This series of posts will present facts (tattva)
regarding the identity, moods (gopi-bhava), intimacy and sevas of Srimati
Radharani’s beautiful and talented handmaidens known as manjaris, kinkaris, or
dasis.
Also we will present many astonishing and wonderful
lilas to highlight the manjaris most personal and confidential sevas to Srimati
Radhika and Her dearest Priyatama Shyamasundara.
The information here is based on the commentaries of
Advaitavamsa Acharya 108 Sri Ananda Gopala Goswami and 108 Sri Ananta Dasa
Babaji Maharaja taken from “Vilapa Kusumanjali” and “Radha Rasa Sudhanidhi”
translated by Sri Advaita Dasji.
Manjari
Tattva: Forms of Seva
Just as Radhika is
the personification of the topmost maha bhava, Radha’s maidservants are the
personifications of seva rasa
(the divine mellow of service). Their very forms are made of seva rasa. No one
understands Radha-Krishna’s desires as well as Radha’s manjaris. The
maidservants are like the Cintamani-stones that fulfil the desires of both
Radha and Krishna.
Sometimes Krishna
pitifully prays to the manjaris for Radharani’s mercy. In the same way, when Radhika desires to meet
Krishna, She also takes shelter of the kinkaris, who are one with Radha’s heart.
Within Their minds Radha Shyamsundara praise the wonderful seva expertise the
manjaris.
All the activities of Radhika’s maidservants are meant
for the pleasure of Radha-Madhava. Indeed, they lose themselves in the ecstasy
of serving Yugala Kishora, and are thus blessed with the
sweet savour of Their love. The experience of the sweetness and beauty of
serving Shyama Ju as Her kinkari is incomparable.
The manjaris can understand what Swamini needs during
Her pastimes with Krishna and they know what pastimes will be played. So they
go ahead of Lila Yugala and decorate the kunja accordingly before Radha and
Krishna get there.
They make a bed with one pillow for only one person to
lie on. They know by experience what pastime will be performed! Kishori Rai’s
sakhis know that the kinkaris have entrance into the intimate pastimes, so they
engage them accordingly.
Manjari Lila: Kick Krishna Out of the Kunja
One day Swamini is angry with Shyam, so Krishna comes
to Her kunja dressed as a girl trying to please Her. But Swamini gives a hint
to Tulasi manjari to kick Krishna out of the kunja, saying, “I will not look at
this cheater anymore! I will keep the wealth of My honour! Subala’s friend has
entered My kunja disguised as a girl! Stop Him!”
Tulasi then tells Krishna: “O rogue! There are no
demons here that You can delude in Your enchanting dress like Mohini! We are Radha’s
kinkaris, we understand all Your tricks! Realize Your own deceitfulness and get
out of this kunja!”
Manjari Tattva: Eagerness for Swamini’s Seva
When one becomes absorbed in one’s spiritual
identification (siddha deha) one can give up the false identification with the
material body. When the devotee experiences the taste, smell, form, sound and
touch of sweet Radha, one starts yearning greatly to attain the Radharani and always
prays: “Your surrendered devotees experience the pinnacle of bliss. But I am so
unfortunate that I don’t feel anything!
“O Vrndavana! Where is that Divine Couple, tell me! In
which kunja must I search? I’m calling, but They don’t respond! How can I be
satisfied?"
In this way, the practicing devotee will slowly attain
the stage of divine madness. If Swamini appears sometimes like a lightning
flash, only then there will be consolation!
Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami was always very eager to
attain Radha and Krishna, and always lamenting without a moments peace. The
service of Sri Radha is only understood with the proper feelings, which one
will attain by the mercy of the great devotees like Sri Rupa Goswamipada and
Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami.
Dasa Goswamis prays: ‘Ha Swamini! You are playing in
the forest around Radha-kunda, which is Your favorite place in Vraja! There’s
no more beautiful place for You and Your Priyatama to play than this one! But I’m
so unfortunate that I cannot see You, although I’m living in this forest around
Your kunda!’
Radharani’s Manjaris ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!
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