Meditate thus, sitting next to Lord Gurudeva, and performing the arcana, offer sixteen objects while chanting the appropriate mantra. idam asanam aim gurudevaya namah idam padyam aim gurudevaya namah idam arghyam aim gurudevaya namah idam acamaniyam … Read More
Samksepa-arcana-paddhati The chanting of the holy names leads to total perfection, yet in one’s devotional life the various activities related to the arcana are very important. In the morning, after washing, the sadhaka should sit on … Read More
The happiness of seeing Krishna is described in the Jagannatha-vallabha-nataka. The gopis here express their contentment at having met Krishna after suffering from His separation. yada yato daivan madhu-ripur asau locana-patham tadasmakam ceto madana-hatakenahrtam abhut punar … Read More
Campakalata Campakalata is expert in supervising the messengers. She always conceals the intentions behind her actions and is most clever in logical speech. She reveals the inferiority of the opposing party and demonstrates the superiority … Read More
Visakha Sri Visakha is in her fresh blooming youth and is the personification of the highest auspiciousness. She is a priya-narma-sakhi and is proficient in all areas. She gives faultless and useful advice and is highly … Read More
Umbrella Umbrellas (chatram) are made by attaching strings of white flowers to thin wooden rods and decorating a wooden handle with golden juhi flowers. Bed A pillow is made by joining campaka and … Read More
In the Stavavali, Vraja-vilasa-sta (38) is written: tambularpana-pada-mardana-payo-danabhisaradibhir vrndaranya-mahesvarim priyataya yas tosayanti priyah prana-prestha-sakhi-kulad api kilasankocita bhumikah keli-bhumisu rupa-manjari-mukhas ta dasikah samsraye By offering Them betel nuts, massaging Their feet, bringing Them water, arranging Their secret … Read More
One is introduced to the deep love of the gopis for Krishna by listening to the great pain that the gopis in wandering through the forests of Vraja feel while thinking about Krishna. They express their … Read More
Hair band Hair-tying bands (bala-pasya) increase the beauty of the hair and tie the hair. They are made by stringing together like a garland various colourful flower buds. a. Tatankam Tatankas, which look like palm leaves, … Read More
Decoration for the forehead Lalatika is made of flowers of two different colours. It has two parts. One is of red colour. It is fastened at the top of the head and follows the parting of … Read More
The various pastimes performed during the meeting of Radha and Krishna are described in the Ujjvala-nilamani as follows: te tu sandarsanam jalpah sparsanam vartma rodhanam rasa-vrndavana-krida-yamunady-ambu-kelayah nau-khela-lilaya-cauryam-ghatta-kunjadi-linata madhu-panam vadhu-vesa-dhrtih kapata suptata dyuta-krida-patakrstis-cambaslesau-nakharpanam bimbadhara-sudhapanam-samprayogadayo matah When Radha … Read More
The outward behavior of a devotee – the symptoms and activities of one who is situated in the prema – is described in the Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.2.40): evam-vratah sva-priya-nama-kirtya jatanurago druta-citta uccaih hasaty atho roditi rauti gayati … Read More
Flower decorations made by Sri Lalita in her service There are numerous varieties of ornaments made of flowers: crowns (kiritas), hair bands (bala-pasyas), ear ornaments (karnapuras), forehead decorations (lalatikas), necklaces (graiveyakas), upper arm bracelets (angadas), waistbelts … Read More
b. The vara sakhis In addition to the aforementioned eight varistha sakhis there are eight other exalted sakhis, the vara sakhis. They are all twelve years old and have almost grown out of their childhood. They … Read More
Astama-yama Sadhana Night Pastimes The method of bhajana and the place of residence of one who has achieved the contemplation mentioned above are explained in the Upadesamrta (8): tan-nama-rupa-charitadi-sukirtananu- smrtyoh kramena rasana-manasi niyojya tistan vraje tad-anuragi-jananugami … Read More
1. Lalita-devi Sri Lalita-devi is the foremost amongst these eight varistha sakhis. She is twenty-seven days older than her dear friend Sri Radha. Sri Lalita is renowned by the name Anuradha. She is decorated by the … Read More
Experiencing intense feelings of separation, the moment they look at Krishna the gopis scold the creator for their eyelids. The following statement, taken from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.82.39), describes the state of the gopis as they meet Krishna … Read More
A large group consisting of two kinds of close associates is called a yutha. A yutha is divided into three groups: same age sakhis (vayasyas), maidservants (dasis) and messengers (dutis). Those who know the eternal fundamental … Read More
The desire to see the beloved Krishna is described in Krishna-karnamrta (40): he deva he dayta he bhuvanaika-bandho he krishna he capala he karunaika-sindho he natha he ramana he nayanabhirama ha ha kada nu bhavitasi padam … Read More
Patala’s brother (Gola) Grandmother Patala’s brother is called Gola. His clothes and complexion are of a greyish purple colour. When his brother-in-law Sumukha makes fun of him and laughs, he becomes mad with anger. He received … Read More
