Srimati Radharani’s maidservants
Her maidservants Sugandha and Nalini are daughters of a barber, and Manjishtha and Rangaraga are a washerman’s daughters.
The maidservant who dresses and decorates Radharani is called Palindri and the one who decorates Her is Citrini. The two maidservants who keep Her informed about destined future events[1] are Mantriki and Tantriki.
Katyayani and other female messengers are older than Radharani. The two maidservants Bhagyavati and Punjapunya are daughters of a sweeper.
Bhringi, Malli and Matalli are young Pulinda girls. Some of them are considered to be in Krishna’s party (krishna-paksha) and some in Radha’s (radha-paksha).
Gargi and other prominent brahmanis; Bhringarika and other maidservants; Subala, Ujjvala, Gandharva, Madhumangala, Raktaka and other servants; Vijaya and others; Rasala and others; Payoda and others; and the group of vitas and others are Radharani’s servants and maidservants.
The maidservants Tungi, Pisangi, Kalakandala, Manjula, Bindula, Sandha and Mridula always remain by Radha’s side and carry Her possessions.
Radharani’s cows are Sunada, Yamuna, Bahula and others. They have offspring every year and give birth only to male calves. Her dear female calf Tungi is quite strong and well nourished, and Her old female monkey’s name is Kakkhati. Her doe’s name is Rangini and Her female cakori bird is called Caru-candrika.
Her female swan is called Tundikeri. She sports in Radharani’s own pond called Radha-kunda.
Her peahen is called Tundika and Her two female parrots are named Sukshmadhi[2] and Subha[3].
These two female parrots recite the charming songs that Lalita-devi composes about the pastimes of her Mistress and Master, Radha and Krishna. The parrots utter the wonderful poetry of the songs with exceedingly sweet voices and thus awaken an astonishing rasa in the minds of the sakhis.
[1] Scripture of astrology
[2] This name means “refined intelligence”
[3] Auspicious, charming
This is a section of the book “Sri Sri Radha Krishna Ganoddesa Dipika”.
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