Heart of a Manjari

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

#ManjariBhava #GopiBhava #RaganugaBhakti #RadharanisSeva #RadhaKrishnaPrema #Vrindavana

A raganuga sadhaka pursuing the madhurya bhakti of the Vraja ragatmika gopis of Sri Krishna will concentrate on the sevas and feelings of a few manjari dasis of Sri Radhika.

The goal of a manjari bhava sadhaka is the seva and pleasure of Srimati Radharani. The sadhaka will read and meditate upon all the sevas performed by different manjari’s i.e. Sri Rupa Manjari and Rati/Tulasi.

The manjari bhava sadhaka will think, “I am assisting and serving side by side with Radhika’s nitya-siddha manjaris, and my individual guru sakhi and parama guru sakhi in various ways for Srimati’s satisfaction as described in Vilapa Kusumanjali, Govinda-lilamrta, Sankalpa Kalpadrum etc. One should also think that sometimes I am alone with Radha to personally perform all these sevas for Radha’s pleasure throughout the day and night.

When reading about the sevas, sentiments, and interactions of Sri Rupa-manjari, Tulasi-manjari and others, I try to visualize and relish their exchanges with Radhika, with Krishna, and with each another. I try my best to identify with their feelings of oneness with Srimati Radharani.

As Srimati Radhika’s kinkari or loving maidservant, I have tad bhava icchatmika bhava or devotion. This means that I only desire to identify with, nourish and experience the sentiments and feelings (madhurya-bhava) within the heart of Sri Radhika, who is the sole Mistress of my life.

“O Srimati, my life is sharing Your sentiments, not enjoying Your Shyama.”

I am totally made of seva. I exist only to please and satisfy Radha in every possible way throughout the day. Radha’s joy is my joy and Radha’s distress is my distress.

“O Swamini Sri Radha! I’m also trying my best to become bhava tadatmya, which means that I am exactly one in feeling with You—one heart, one mind and one life: YOURS. O Sriji! You never have to tell me what You need or what to do. I know it already because You are in my heart and I’m in Yours—ETERNALLY!”

Whatever Radha needs or feels immediately produces a thought within the manjari to offer that exact seva at that moment. Because of her oneness in heart with Radharani, the Radha bhava tadatmya manjari directly experiences the bliss and ecstasy that Rasa-vilasini Radha relishes with Rasabihari Shyama.

But at all times, the focus of the manjari is Radha’s pleasure, and not relishing the paramount euphoria of sharing the quality but never the quantity of Radhika’s mahabhava. Removing Radha’s anxieties and rendering expert, pleasing sevas to Radha is the only activity of a manjari. It’s her life and soul. This angle of vision coupled with a humble seva bhava automatically fills the manjari with supreme bliss. For the sadhaka and the siddha—Seva Is bliss!” 

“O Radha, please feel my heart crying in the loneliness of Your separation! I am Yours! For even a second, I cannot live without Your most trusted, intimate seva. O Priyaji, please just once look my way and take this fallen wretch to Your sweet lotus feet.”

Sri Radha’s nitya Vraja kunja seva ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!  Sri Vraja Dhama ki jai!

History of Popular Sayings

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

#SrilaPrabhupadaSaid #BooksAreTheBasis #TruthsOfSrilaPrabhupada #PopularMisconceptions #HistoryOfPopularSayings #PopulaSayings

For forty years we repeatedly heard the following popular sayings. We were told that Srila Prabhupada personally spoke or wrote these sayings in his books. Being curious we recently searched the BBT Folio complete collection of all of Srila Prabhupada’s actual “AS IT IS” original words and writings.

The truths revealed by our research are most surprising and eye-opening. We herein share these truths with you for your reflection and consideration.

In one handbooks and references publication on the BBT Folio titled “Leadership Excellence Newletters” we found the following title and list:

Srila Prabhupada’s Principles

1. “Work now samadhi later.”

2. “Preaching is the essence; books are the basis; utility is the principle; purity is the force.”

3. “Do the needful.”

4. “First deserve than desire.”

RESEARCH CONCLUSION

Although very popular in some places, the following sayings were

NEVER EVER SPOKEN OR WRITTEN EVEN ONCE by Srila Prabhupada:

1. “Work now samadhi later.”

This phrase is found only 20 times in the entire BBT Folio archive collection. And most surprisingly, it is only mentioned by devotees in their personal publications or Vyasa-puja offerings to Srila Prabhupada. Here’s a sample of devotee quotes:

-- ”He [Srila Prabhupada] had always urged us on, saying, “work now, samadhi later.”

-- “Srila Prabhupada coined the phrase, ‘work now, samadhi later.’”

-- “Srila Prabhupada, you always stressed “work now, samadhi later.’”

-- “By teaching us ‘work now, samadhi later’ you [Srila Prabhupada].”

-- “Srila Prabhupada instructed us, ‘Work now, samadhi later.’”

-- “You [Srila Prabhupada] said, ‘Work now, samadhi later.’”

TRUTH NUMBER ONE:

SRILA PRABHUPADA HIMSELF NEVER PERSONALLY WROTE OR SPOKE THIS popular saying, “Work now, samadhi later”, which has so deeply molded the minds, and influenced the entire lives of legions of sincere bhaktas! Indeed, this is most amazing.

2. “Books are the basis, preaching is the essence, utility is the principle and purity is the force.”

According to the BBT Folio, this popular saying originates with an unnamed person called “Devotee” who said: “Prabhupada, this is a Chinese character scroll. It says, “Books are the basis, preaching is the essence, utility is the principle and purity is the force.” It was translated poorly by myself, and the characters were written by... (BBT Folio 770225ED.MAY)

Although the saying does contain some valuable and relevant truths, the fact is that it was NEVER EVER SPOKEN OR WRITTEN BY SRILA PRABHUPADA. What Srila Prabhupada did write but never spoke on this subject is this:

** “Practically, books are the basis of our Movement.” (Letters 72-01-20 Mandali Bhadra; 76-01-09 Tusta Krishna)

Only the following two of the four popular sayings listed above in the Folio collection were actually used by Srila Prabhupada.

3. “Do the needful.”

The BBT Folio contains 813 entries of this saying (470: Srila Prabhupada; 343: devotees).

This popular saying which was actually used hundreds of times by Srila Prabhupada is a very clear and practical universal principle followed by most everyone in the world.

4. “First deserve, then desire.”

For many different purposes, this phrase is being used and has been said thousands of times by various devotees. However, during his entire preaching campaign, Srila Prabhupada spoke it only 8 times! And he used it only in very specific circumstances. It is not meant to be a universal axiom to guide everyone’s spiritual lives.

Conclusion

The conclusion of our BBT Folio Archival collection of all of Srila Prabhupada’s actual words and writings is that Srila Prabhupada NEVER even once spoke or wrote two of the four popular sayings.

Of the balance, Srila Prabhupada hundreds of times used “Do the needful”. As for the saying “First deserve, then desire”, Srila Prabhupada used it a mere 8 times, which clearly indicates that it is not very significant. And nor is it a universal principle to be used in the many ways it is used today.

We hope these truths will bring you the comfort, confidence and hope that the light of knowledge brings to sincere seekers of “reality distinguished from illusion” (SB 1.1.2). As one poet rightly said, “May the truth set you free!”

Srila Prabhupada said ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!    

Kali Bhairavaat RadhaKunda

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

#KaliAtRadhaKunda #KrishnaKaliDarsana #DurgaKrishna #VrajaLila #KrishnaBecomesKali #KaliBhairava #DeviKali

Vrajavasi’s tell this exciting Krishna lila, which, being eternal like all of Krishna’s lilas, will be told in present tense. One afternoon, Radha-Govindaare meeting secretlyand enjoying in an old Durga Mandira near Yavata. Somehow Radharani’s “so-called pati”, Abhimanyu, hears about it, and in mad frenzy comes running there whirling a big lathi (stick) over his head.

Vrnda-devi’s superfast parrot alights in the mandiraand alerts Sri Lila Yugala of the imminent danger. Radha is very anxious and afraid, so Krishna comforts Sriji saying, “Relax Radha and watch the fun We have now.”

Immediately Krishnaj stands in front of the Durgamurti and assumes the full form of Kali Bhairava, complete with chopper, dagger, sword, trisula, and a big red tongue protruding from His/Her beautiful lotus mouth.

Boom! Bang! Temple doors fly open in the tempest called Abhimanyu who bellows out, “Hey, what’s going on here! What are you doing here Devi?”

Coming to his senses, angry mean Abhimanyu sees Radha humbly and serenely worshiping Goddess Kali. Falling at Kali (Krishna’s) feet, Abhimanyu begs forgiveness from Maa Kali and Radha. Then he abruptly departs dragging his lathi along the ground.

Krishna Kali Bhairavalilaki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

I. Kali Darsana

In Radha-kunda, every year on the first day of Bhadra Masa our Mandira Thakuraji sportray various sweet lilas of Radha-Madhava. Tonight on the parikramamarga, the Sri Sri Radha Braja Bihari Mandira celebrate the above Krishna Kali lila. Sri Krishna, dressed exactly like Kali Bhairava, red tongue and all, stands alone in the middle of the altar, and Radha stands nearby offering lotus flowers and puja to Kali. Indeed, a most beautiful, rasika lila smaranadarsana!

II. Nauka Lila (Boatman)

In the Radha-kundaRadha-Gopinatha Mandira, Krishna is standing in a rickety,  hole-filled boat. Standing in the stern, Navika Nagara pushes the boat slowly along the gentle waves of Yamunaji. His most worshipable passenger, Sri Radha, sits on a royal asana in the middle of the boat while AnangaManjari fans Her elder sister. Gopinatha Nauka Bihari ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

III. Kanai BalaiDarsana

In the Radha-kundaRadha-Govindaji Mandira, Srimati Radharani dresses as Krishna’s barobhai, Balai Baladeva. Together they run away into the forest of Vraja to freely sport and play all day long amidst the gopas and surabhi cows of Vraja.

In Karttika, Govindaji’s Radhaji becomes Subala Sakha, and shows Syama (and all the thirsty-eyed Kundavasis), Her incredibly sweeter than sweet lotus feet. 

III. Vamsi Siksa Darsana

In the Radha-kunda Radha-Damodara Mandira near Lalita-kunda, Damodara stands on Radhika’s left side holding the tip of His vamsi on Sundari’s soft and radiant lotus lips. Radha stands proudly, front and center, looking much much bigger than Her flute teacher.

We all know that Srimati is Kalavati, the supreme master knower of all arts, music and dance. Yet for fun Radha “takes music lessons” from Kalanidhi Krishna in this wonderful VamsiSiksalila. Jai Damodara!

Jai Radha-Damodara Vamsi Siksa lila ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

IV. Nadiya Nagari Bhava Darsana

In the Radha-kunda Mahaprabhu Mandira at the Sangam, Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai dress as two of the most beautiful and enchanting ramanis of Nadiya, Navadvipa. Indeed, a very intimate and esoteric lila, which all-merciful Gaura-Nitai will reveal in the heart of the qualified. Nadiya Nagaridarsana ki jai! SrimanMahaprabhuki jai! Sri SriGaura-Nitaiki jai!

V. Mayura Kunja Darsana

In the Radha-kundaRadha-Krishna Mandira on the gully from the parikramamarga to the Teen Kori Baba Temple, Thakuraji stands alone in the middle of a most tasteful, hariyali green kunja surrounded by loads of peacock feathers. From the side just outside Mayura Kunja, Radha is quickly approaching, and just about to enter the kunja for an ecstatic Madhava Milana.  

Sri Sri Radha-Krishna Mayura Kunjadarsana ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe! Sri Radha-kunda Dhama ki jai!

Please one and all… mark your calendar and be here next year. You absolutely must feast your eyes on the most beautiful sweet, divine transcendental forms Radha-Krishna in their most amazing and captivating liladarsanas at Radha-kunda. Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

Krishna Bhakti Includes Eating, Sleeping, Working and More

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

ArrayrishnaBhakti ArrayorkingForKrishna ArrayatingforKrishna ArrayourKindsOfBhakti

In Sri Gita, Sri Krishna describes devotees who are not yet niskincana pure devotees fully engaged in hearing and chanting about Sri Krishna. They are one class of bhaktas who can also please Sri Krishna by practicing bhakti in another form by offering to Sri Krishna WHATEVER they do, eat etc. 

Sri Krishna says, “Just offer to Me WHATEVER you do, eat, sacrifice, give away, or WHATEVER penance you perform.”

yat –karoṣi- yad- aśnāsi- yaj -juhoṣi –dadāsi, yat

yat-tapasyasi -kaunteya -tat -kuruṣva mad-arpaṇam (Bg.9.27)

Sri Baladeva Vidyabhusana comments: “In essence Sri Krishna is saying: ‘WHATEVER material activities you do to live and support your family; WHATEVER food you eat to live; WHATEVER money, food or other items you give to qualified persons, and WHATEVER Vedic sacrifices and vratas you perform to counteract sins; do them all as an offering to please Me and to instruct others and I will bless you fully!’

“The actions of this devotee class [the parinisthita bhakta] are offered to Sri Krishna without any personal motivation then to please Sri Krishna. Mind you however, that this type of action is not considered uttama bhakti, the topmost, transcendental form of pure bhakti.”

Sridhara Swami comments: “Ananya bhakti means that one’s actions are first offered to Bhagavan rather than acting first and offering afterwards. Thus, the verse above (Bg. 9.27) is not included in kevala bhakti, since the acts are first performed and then offered.

While immersed in bhakti samadhi, Sri Visvanatha Cakravarti experienced the following sweet dialogue between Bhagavan Sri Krishna and Arjuna in the Bhagavad-gita verse 9.27:

Arjuna says, “O Prabhu! Among the four types of bhakti You have previously described beginning with the devotion of the miserable, the wealth seeker, the curious and the wise one (Bg. 7.16)—which bhakti should I perform?”

Sri Krishna replies (Bg. 9.27):

“O Arjuna, because in your present state you cannot reject karma, jnana and other processes; and you are not qualified for kevala bhakti, the supreme bhakti; and nor should you descend to the inferior type of sakama-bhakti (selfish motivated devotion), you should perform bhakti combined with action and knowledge, (karma-jnana-misra- pradhānī- bhūtā -bhakti) which still qualifies as niṣkāma, non-selfish devotion but it does not culminate in kevala bhakti.

“Whatever you do be it following Vedic rules or performing worldly action; whatever you eat or drink in ordinary life; and whatever austerities you perform, do it as an offering to Me. My pure devotees however offer Me all the actions of their mind, pranas and senses.”

Sri Visvanatha Cakravarti comments:

The Srimad Bhagavatam says, “The method of bhakti is in accordance with one’s individual svabhava (particular nature acquired in conditioned life). Whatever one does with his/her words, mind, senses, intelligence or purified consciousness should be offered to the Me while thinking, ‘This is for the pleasure of Bhagavan Sri Narayana.’” (SB 11.2.36)

kāyena- vācā -manasendriyair -vā,

buddh-yātmanā- vānusṛta-svabhāvāt

karoti- yad -yat –sakalaṁ- parasmai,

nārāyaṇ-āyeti- sam-arpayet -tam

“This verse means that just as a materialist wakes up and performs actions such as urinating, evacuating, washing mouth, brushing teeth, bathing, seeing, hearing and speaking for material happiness and performs rituals for worship of devatas and ancestors, a Krishna bhakta also does all these activities as seva to Sri Krishna. Thus these acts are also limbs of bhakti.”

Now back to the Gita dialogue:

Arjuna: “O Krishnaji! When You say I should offer as sacrifice, that sacrifice is related to arcana which is a limb of bhakti aiming at Vishnu’s pleasure. And when You prescribe austerities, it means vows like fasting on Ekādaśī. These are all ananya bhakti. So how can You say that it is not?”

Sri Krishna: “True, but ananya bhakti does not mean that you first perform an action and then offer it to Bhagavan. Rather in ananya bhakti first you offer the action to Bhagavan and then you perform it as described by Prahlada in Srimad Bhagavatam (7.5.24).”

Thus ends the dialogue and comments on Bg. (9.27)

In Sandarbhas, Sri Jiva Goswamipada describes four types of bhakti: transcendental, sāttvika, rājasik and tāmasik wherein the same activities are performed. For example, all four devotees do puja but one does it for Krishna's pleasure (transcendental devotee), one for purification (sattvika devotee), one for fame, followers and money (rajasik devotee), and one does bhakti just to destroy somebody (tamasik devotee). It is the intention, purpose and attitude that counts and determines the type of bhakti.

For further elaboration on bhakti in different the modes of nature, please read Kapila Muni Siksa in Srimad Bhagavatam (3.29.7-12) and Bhagavad-gita (9.22)

Thus we can see that eating, sleeping, working, sacrifice and vratas are all limbs of bhakti. And most amazingly, the all-inclusive mercy of Krishna bhakti also includes basic bodily functions.

The ancient sastra Vishnu Rahasya says, “The mind is kept in a healthy state by the proper excretion of urine and stool. Thus the anus and urinary organ, which are karma-indriya, working senses, are also engaged in Krishna’s seva.”

utsargān mala-mūtrādeś, citta-svāsthyaṁ yato bhavet

ataḥ pāyur upasthaś ca, tad-ārādhana-sādhanam

Dr. Satyanarayan Dasa Ji Maharaja comments, “If I don't pass stool I will suffer and that will hamper my devotional service. The genitals can be used to make Vaiṣṇava children. Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita (7.11), ‘I am desire in those who do not contradict virtue, dharm āviruddha bhūteṣu kāmo smi.’”

Indeed, everyone can now appreciate how liberal, kind and merciful Krishna bhakti is in that it includes practically everything a devotee does consciously and unconsciously throughout the day and night. Thus single, married, fully or semi-engaged bhaktas can all be inspired and encouraged that they are progressing steadily and positively toward the sweet lotus feet of Radha-Govinda Yugala and Their blissful, eternal service in madhurya Goloka Vrndavana. 

(Sastra courtesy Madan Gopal Blog of Sri Advaita dasji)

Sri Krishna bhakti bhajana ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

Manjari Beautiful Meditation

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

#ManjariBhava #GopiBhava #ManjariMeditation #VrajaGopis #Radha-Krishna #ManjariSadhana #SiddhaDeha #LilaSmarana #AstaKaliyaLila #Manjaris

In the following beautiful manjari meditation, Sri Prabodhananda Sarasvati gives very a clear and detailed picture of the feelings, form and actions of one of Srimat iRadharani’s divinely youthful (12-13 years old) serving girls i.e. dasi, kinkari or manjari.

This is an ideal daily meditation for anyone who has or desires to attain a spiritual body i.e. siddha deha/svarupa as a manjari/gopi to eternally and lovingly serve Sri Radha and Her beloved Syama in Sri VrajaDhama.

Such transcendental meditations are very helpful in deepening and culturing the persona (abhimana) of a maidservant of Srimati Radharani. Sri Thakura Mahasaya, “O Sri Radha, You are my Pranesvari! And I always think of myself as Yourdasi manjari, kohetumipranesvari,mora hoy dasiabhimana.” (Pr. Bk. Candrika 88)

By doing this meditation, you will taste drops of the beauty, excitement and joy you will experience upon attaining  Radha-Govindaprema and your nitya-seva in Sri Krishna’s Vrajalila.

Now forget everything—the world, everyone in it, and your assumed self too.

Just think deeply, visualize and realize:

By the mercy of Sri Hari and Sri Guru, I have received a spiritual form, siddha svarupa/dehain order to affectionately and intimately serve Sri SriRadha-Govinda Yugala in the eternally blissful realm of Vrndavana.

To permanently fix my eternal and REAL spiritual identity, I will deeply concentrate, meditate upon and internally visualize my true self as follows:

I have a beautiful, young, fresh and eternal transcendental, sac-cid-ananda siddha svarupa, divine spiritual body.I am a lovely kinkari maidservant of Isvari Radha. I have a glistening, pleasing golden complexion, and I am adorned with jeweled necklaces and a multicolored blouse. Being a fresh maiden,I abound in honey sweetness.

My beautiful lotus-stem shaped arms are glorified with bracelets and jeweled armlets. My shiny,bouncy, black hair braid hangs down to my captivating buttocks like a dangling vine. Its playful swinging movements further enhance my beauty.

As Radhika’s kinkari (manjari), I have an enchantingly thin waist. An electric blue-green divine silk garment with artistic folds hangs down to my ankles. A fine cloth embroidered with flowers and leaves covers my hair and the sides of my face. A sweet shy smile plays upon my reddish lips.

My glances are light and playful, and my movements are extremely attractive. My pure tender heart is always excited with the amazing amorous affairs of Radha-Madhava. 

Humility and sweet behavior are foremost among my unlimited good qualities. Radharani personally taught me, so now I am expert in all the arts of pleasing Radha and Krishna.

After receiving them directly from Their loving hands, I wear Priya-Priyatama’s beautiful clothes, ornaments and flower malas. And this make me especially attractive. I regularly relish Radha and Krishna’s astonishingly tasty prasada pan and betel nut. Being an expert manjari, I immediately know what Radha’s needs just by Her glance or thought. Always Radhe-Syama and all Their dearest sakhisare very affectionate to me.

I carry whatever is needed for seva i.e. scents, water, garlands, kunkum, pan, cosmetics etc. for Radhe-Syama’s nightly meetings. As a Radhikakinkari, I constantly taste the sweet madhura rasa arising from Sri Radha’s beautiful form, qualities and pastimes. I remain forever thrilled by remembering Radhika’s intimate affairs with Syama.

My intense loving affection for Radharani continually submerges me an ocean of happiness. Whether awake, dreaming or deeply sleeping, I desire nothing but Radha’s seva. And I know absolutely nothing but Sri Radha’s sweet lotus feet.

I immediately run,like a river rushing to sea, toward anything even remotely connected with Radha. If even a moment passes without Radha, I practically die. Like a shadow following an object, I am always beside Sri Radha throughout the day and night. My deep attachment to Radha immerses me in a boundless ocean of ecstatic love for Radha.

And most astonishingly, sometimes when Kunjesvari enjoys with Priyatama in a keli-kunja, Radha pulls me into the bed and under the covers with Her and Syama!Ah ha! Just see the intimacy that Srimati showers upon me, Her most fortunate maidservant!

Tasting the bliss of serving Kisori Jeu, I thrill and tremble in ecstasy. Everyone is enchanted by my brilliant bodily luster and loveliness as I run here and there in anxiety to perfectly please my Priya Sundari.

My soothing bodily effulgence beautifies and enriches all ten directions. When I hear Priya-Priyatama’s secret love talks, I tremble in joy, bloom with happiness and surge with satisfaction. The soothing, nectar-sweet words cascading from the lovely lotus mouth of Srimati Radhika continually dance in waves of joy in My heart. (Vrindavana Mahimamrta 8.17-42) 

Jai Jai Sri Radhe! Sri Guru ki jai! Radha-Govinda Yugala ki jai!

Manjariabhimansvarupa meditation ki jai!

Need 6 to Live in Vrndavana

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

ArrayowToLiveInVrndavana ArrayivingInVrndavana ArrayisitingVrndavana ArrayadhaKrishna ArrayrndavanaLife ArrayowToSeeVrndavana ArrayremaDhama

The great Gaudiya rasika acarya, Sri Prabodhananda Sarasvati, lived many years in Vrndavana worshiping Sri Sri Radha-Govinda. His many deep realizations and intimate nitya-lila visions appear in his wonderful books i.e. Sri Radha Rasa Sudhanidhi.

Speaking as a realized Vraja bhajananandi saint, Sarasvatipada reveals SIX ATTRIBUTES ONE NEEDS to live in Vrndavana and attain perfection in Radha-Krishna bhakti bhajana.

If you are living in Vrndavana already, or considering it, then please study these six. Sincerely and repeatedly try to think, feel and see the reality of Vraja vasa through these sublime truths. 

1. “To live in Vrndavana (śrī-vṛndāvanam-āvaset), you must feel that Radha-Muralidhara’s lotus feet are the one and only object of your love, rādhā-muralīdhar-āṅghri-kamala-premaika-mātrīyate.

2. You must think that other’s wives are your mothers, mātrī-yaty-aparāṅganāṁ.

3. You must think that one who severely rebukes you is your own family member, gotrīyat-yati-tarjan-ādiṣu.

4. You must think that all moving and nonmoving living entities in Vrndavana are your own good children, sthira-caraṁ-sattvaṁ-su-putrīyate.

5. You must see your envious haters as great friends, mahā-mitrīyate-dveṣiṣu.

6. And you must see your own body as a stranger to you, the eternal soul within, yaḥ-svāṅge-anya-gātrīyate.” (Vrndavana-mahimamrta 8.81)

Sridhama Vrndavana ki jai! Nitya vrajavasa ki jai!

Radha-Govinda Yugala nitya kunjavilasa seva ki jai!

Jai Jai Sri Radhe! 

Radha: Five Favorite Sweets

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

#RadhaSweets #RadhasCooking #KrishnaFavoriteFoods #BestSweetsForKrishna #GopalaFavoriteSweets #Krishna

In Govinda Lilamrta (19), Sri Krishna Dasa Kaviraja describes Uttamasloka Sri Krishna’s Uttara Gostaaparahna-lila(336-6pm), returning to Nandagrama with His boyfriends and His loving, lowing cows.

Meanwhile, in Varsana or Yavata at this time, Srimati Radharanii sbusy cooking five prema sweets for Her dearest Rasika Sekhara Syama.

Sri Krishna Dasa Kaviraja says, “After painfully separating from Syamaat Surya Mandira, Radhika and Her dearest sakhis arrive home. To comfort and please anguished Srimati, the manjaris render just the right, loving-caresevas i.e. tenderly laying Isvari on a cooling sandalwood bed covered with heaps of cooling, fragrant flower petals.

“After a brief rest, Bhanunandini rises and responds to Rani Yasoda’s request to sweets cook for her Lala. Fully refreshed and enlivened by this sevaajna, Radha rises happily and rushes into the kitchen to cook for Krishna.

“PriyaThakurani Sri Radhathen fabulously prepares Syamasundara’s five favorite sweets. Three sweets—amrtakeli, karpurakeli, piyusapalika, favorites of all Vrajavasis,Syamasavorsat dinner with family.

“But two special delicacies, ananga-gutikaandsidhuvilasa, Damodara devours alone with Sundari Radha in a kunja after His rapturous rasa dancing during Nisa-lila (11 p.m. to 3.36 a.m.). Acting as appetizers, these transcendental tasties stimulate Syama’s senses to more thoroughly enjoy drinking honey nectar with Radhika.

What follows are the basic sweet recipes from Govinda-lilamrta. If anyone knows the exact “how to prepare” recipes for Radha’s fives sweets, then please message the detailed recipes to mahanidhi swami official. Adding them to the post, we will again upload for the benefit of all the Radha-Krishna cooks worldwide. Thank you very much.

Radha Sweets—Krishna’s Five Favorites

1. AMRTA KELI:

Radhika makes amrta-keli and other sweets that will delight Kåñëa’s senses. Amrta-keli is a tart prepared by mixing condensed milk, banana flowers (bananas), urad dal powder as the dough, ground coconut, cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom and black pepper. Then it is fried in ghee adding a pinch of camphor, and finally dipped in boiling sugar water.

2. KARPURA KELI

Radhika prepares Kåñëa’s favorite karpurakeli. First yogurt is added to boiling milk to make curd. This curd is placed in a large bowl along with sal rice powder, yogurt, sugar, ground coconut, ripe bananas, nutmeg, cloves and cardamom.

The mixture is kneaded with the fingers until bubbles form. Then it is rolled into a ball that is covered by mung dal powder and fried in ghee. Afterwards, the balls are dropped into a sweet sauce made from condensed milk and honey with a pinch of camphor.

3. PIYUSA GRANTHI PALIKA

Using the same ingredients, Radhika makes piyusagranthipalika. But this time they are made in the shape of a jalebi, then fried in ghee and dumped in pancamrta.

4. ANANGA GUTIKA:

Radhika makes ananga-gutika by mixing sugar with cream, plus rice, coconut, nutmeg, cloves, pepper, and a pinch of camphor. Then the ingredients are ground together with bananas and cardamom, molded into bite-sized balls and fried in ghee.

5. SIDHU VILASA

Radhika prepares tarts called sidhuvilasa. White flour is first stirred and mixed evenly with milk. Then smashed ripe bananas are added with black pepper and nutmeg and fried in thick sugar water. Afterwards, fresh honey and camphor are poured over them.

Sweet Conclusion

Sri Krishna’s five favorite sweets are amrta-keli, karpura-keli, piyusa-grantipalika, ananga-gutika and sidhu-vilasa. The external meaning of the sweet names are nectarplay, amrta-keli; knot of nectar, piyusa-granthi, and a play of camphor, karpura-keli, etc. But for Vrajarasika’s, the names of these sweets i.e. especially ananga-gutika & sidhu-vilasa awaken wonderful visions of Radha-Syama’s srngara-rasa. 

Radha’s five divine sweets completely conquer the nectar-sweet, enervating taste of ambrosia. And thus, Radha’s Priyatama Rasabihari affectionately relishes Her sweets with the utmost bliss and transcendental satisfaction. Jai Jai Sri Radhe Syama ki jai! Krishna’s pancapriyamithai ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!