++++
201

Kaveri-devi and the other friends of Sudevi are expert at constructing leaf-spitoons, playing music on bells and decorating couches in various ways.

202 - 203

Sudevi's friends are also entrusted with the decoration of the divine couple's sitting place. Sudevi's friends act as clever spies, disguising themselves in various ways and moving among Radharani's rivals (Candravali and her friends) to discover their secrets. Sudevi's friends are the deities of Vrndavana forest and they are charged with the protection of the forest birds and bees. Sudevi is the leader of these gopis.

204

Description of the Various Gopis

The wonderful arts, crafts and other duties that comprise the activities of the gopis will now be described.

205 - 206

Pindaka-devi, Nirvitandika-devi, Pundarika-devi, Sitakhandi-devi, Carucandi-devi, Sudantika-devi, Akunthita-devi, Kalakanthi-devi, Ramaci-devi and Mecika-devi are among the gopis who are very strong and stubborn when there is an argument or conflict. Among them Pindaka-devi is the leader. She dresses in red garments. She is very beautiful. When Lord Krsna comes she embarrasses Him by attacking Him with many ferocious witty puns.

207

Haridrabha-devi, Hariccela-devi and Harimitra-devi speak many illogical and frivolous objections as they lead Lord Krsna to the place where Srimati Radharani waits for Him.

208

Pundarika-devi's garments and complexion are both the color of a white lotus flower. She ferociously mocks lotus-eyed Lord Krsna.

209

Gauri-devi always wears white garments. Her complexion is the color of a peacock. Because her sweet and charming words are often laced with acid sarcasms, Lord Krsna jokingly calls her Sitakhandi (always sweet).

210

Gauri-devi's sister is known as Carucandi because her words are sometimes mild and pleasant (caru) and sometimes harsh and violent (candi). Carucandi's complexion is the color of a black bee and her garments are the color of lightning.

211

Sudantika-devi wears garments the color of a kurunthaka flower. Her complexion is the color of a sirisa flower. She is expert at inflaming the amorous sentiments of ujjvala-rasa.

212

Akunthita-devi's complexion is the color of a lotus stem. She wears white garments the color of the fibers within a lotus stem. She likes to insult Krsna for the amusement of her gopi friends.

213

Kalakanthi-devi's complexion is the color of a kuli flower and her garments are the color of milk. She speaks to Lord Krnsa, describing Radharani's jealous anger and advising Him to beg forgiveness from Her.

214

Ramaci-devi's is the daughter of Lalita-devi's nurse. Ramaci's complexion is golden and her garments are the color of a parrot. She takes pleasure in jokingly insulting Krsna and laughing at Him.

215

Ramaci-devi always wears white garments. Her complexion is the color of a pinda flower. She is expert at insulting Lord Krnsa.

216 - 217

Petari-devi, Varuda-devi, Cari-devi, Kotari-devi, Kalatippani-devi, Marunda-devi, Morata-devi, Cuda-devi, Cundari-devi and Gondika-devi are the leaders of those gopi messengers who are past the prime of youth. These older gopis can argue with great stubbornness and they can also nicely sing as the divine couple take their meal. These gopis are always engaged in making arrangements for the forest pastimes of the divine couple.

218

Petari-devi is an elderly Gujarati lady whose hair is the color of fibers within a lotus stem. Varudi-devi is a native of Garuda-desa and her braided hair is like the current of a river.

219

Cari-devi, who is Kucari-devi's siste, is also known by the name Tapahkatyayani, because she performed severe austerities (tapah) and took shelter of goddess Katyayani (Durga). Kotari-devi was born in the abhira caste. Her hair is a mixture of black and white resembling rice mixed with toasted sesame seeds.

220

Kalatippani-devi is an elderly washerwoman with white hair. Marunda-devi has white eyebrows and a shaved head.

221

Agile Morata-devi has hair the color of a kasa flower. Cuda-devi has a wrinkled face and a forehead decorated with many grey hairs.

222

The brahmani Cundari-devi is not as old as the others. Lotus-eyed Lord Krsna glorifies her and treats her with great respect. Gondika-devi shaves the splendid white hairs on her head. Her cheeks are wrinkled with age.

223 - 224

Gopi Messengers who Arrange the Meeting of the Divine Couple

Sivada-devi, Saumyadarsana-devi, Suprasada-devi, Sadasanta-devi, Santida-devi and Kantida-devi are the leaders of the gopi messengers who expertly arrange the meeting of Radha and Krsna. These gopis consider Lalita-devi to be their dearmost life and soul. They are counted among the intimate associates of Lord Krsna.

225

At a certain time Srimati Radharani quarrels with Lord Krsna and refuses to see Him. Understanding the hints of Lalita-devi, these gopis then approach Lord Krsna.

226 - 227

These gopis appease Lord Krsna and please Him in different ways. With great effort they convince Him that His actual desire is to meet Radha again. When These gopis bring to Her the gift that Lord Krsna gave them as a peace offering, Srimati Radharani becomes very pleased with them and grants them Her mercy.

228 - 229

Sivada-devi was born in the Ragyhu dynasty, Saumyadarsana-devi in the dynasty of the moon-god, Suprasada-devi in the Puru dynasty, Sadasanta-devi in a family of ascetics and Santida and Kantida in brahmana families. By the mercy of Narada Muni they were all able to reside in Vraja.

230

The Second Gruop of Gopis

After this first group of gopis there is a second group of gopis, whose love for the divine couple is a little less than that of the first group. This second group of gopis may again be divided into two groups: sama-prema and asama-prema. These gopis will be described in the following verses.

231

The sama-prema gopis may be divided into two groups - those who are eternally perfect and those who have attained perfection by engaging in devotional service.

232

Out of one hundred million gopis, eight hundred thousand are eternally perfect.

233 - 234

The direct followers of the eight principal gopis are counted in different ways. Some say they number five thousand, others say they number four or five thousand, still others say they number three or four thousand and still others say they number one thousand.

235

Some say the followers of the eight principal gopis are divided into many groups and others say they are not divided into groups at all. Some say they are divided into sixteen groups according to the nature of their love for the divine couple.

236

Some say these gopis are divided into twenty groups, some say there are twenty-five groups, some say there are thirty, some say there are sixty and some say there are sixty-four groups of gopis.

237

Some say this group of gopis is in turn divided into two subgroups. Others say it is divided into two or three subgroups and others say it is divided into three or four subgroups.

238

The entire gopi community may be divided in different ways. Some say there are forty groups of gopis and others that there are five hundred groups.

239 - 246

Aside from the eight varistha-gopas and the eight vara-gopis, sixty four gopis are considered most important. Their names are: 1. Ratnaprabha, 2. Ratikala, 3. Subhadra, 4. Ratika,

5. Sumukhi, 6. Dhanistha, 7. Kalahamsi, 8. Kalapini, 9. Madhavi, 10. Malati, 11. Candrarekha, 12. Kunjari, 13. Harini,

14. Capala, 15. Damni, 16. Surabhi, 17. Subhanana, 18. Kurangaksi, 19. Sucarita, 20. Mandali, 21. Manikundala, 22. Candrika, 23. Candralatika, 24. Pankajaksi, 25. Sumandira,

26. Rasalika, 27. Tilakini, 28. Sauraseni, 29. Sugandhika,

30. Ramani, 31. Kamanagari, 32. Nagari, 33. Nagavenika,

34. Manjumedha, 35. Sumadhura, 36. Sumadhya, 37. Madhureksana,

38. Tanumadhya, 39. Madhuspanda, 40. Gunacuda, 41. Varangada,

42. Tungabhadra, 43. Rasottunga, 44. Rangavati, 45. Susangata,

46. Citrarekha, 47. Vicitrangi, 48. Modini, 49. Madanalasa, 50. Kalakanthi, 51. Sasikala, 52. Kamala, 53. Madhurendira,

54. Kandarpa-sundari, 55. Kamalatika, 56. Prema-manjari,

57. Kaveri, 58. Carukavara, 59. Sukesi, 60. Manjukesi,

61. Harahira, 62. Mahahira, 63. Harakanthi, 64. Manohara.

247

The Sammohana-tantra's Description of Srimati Radharani's Eight Principal Friends

A different list of Srimati Radharani's eight principal gopi friends is found in the following statement of Sammohana-tantra: " Lilavati, Sadhika, Candrika, Madhavi, Lalita, Vijaya, Gauri and Nandi are the eight principal gopi friends of Srimati Radharani."

248

Another Description of the Eight Principal Gopis

Another quotation from Vedic literature gives the following description: " Kalavati, Srimati, Sudhamukhi, Visakha, Kaumudi, Madhvi and Sarada are the eight prinicpal gopis.

249 - 250

The numbers presented in this description of the gopis has no actual relevance to the number of eternally liberated gopis in the spiritual world. There the associates of the king and queen of Vrndavana are unlimited in number. No one can count them. We have simply given some hints so the reader may understand the vast number of the associates of the divine couple.

251

Preparing the divine couple's couch, food, drink and betel nuts, swinging Them on a swing and decorating Them with tilaka are among the many services performed by the gopis. The learned devotees may research this and enumerate all these services.

252

Rupa Goswami prays that the effulgent Krsna-sun may remove the blindness from his eyes and enable him to properly see and understand the various rasa-sastras that describe Sri Sri Radha-Krsna and Their associates.

253

In the year 1472 of the Saka era (1550 A.D.) on Sunday, the sixth day of the month of Sravana, at Nandagrama, the home of the king of Vraja, this book, the Radha-Krsna-ganoddesa-dipika was completed.

PART TWO

1

Sri Krsna's Transcendental Form and Attributes

Sri Krsna's form glistens with the black mascara of the sweetness of His nectarean handsomeness. His complexion is the color of a blue lotus flower or a sapphire.

2

His complexion is as enchanting as an emerald, a tamala tree, or a group of beautiful dark clouds. He is an ocean of nectarean handsomeness.

3

He wears yellow garments and a garland of forest flowers. He is decorated with various jewels and He is a great reservoir of the nectar of many transcendental pastimes.

4

He has long, curling hair and He is anointed with many fragrant scents. His handsome crown is decorated with many different flowers.

5

His handsome forehead is splendidly decorated with tilaka markings and curling locks of hair. The playful movements of His raised, dark eyebrows enchant the hearts of the gopis.

6

His rolling eyes are as splendid as red and blue lotus flowers. The tip of His nose is as handsome as the beak of Garuda, the king of birds.

7

His charming ears and cheeks are decorated with earrings made of various jewels.

8

His handsome lotus face is as splendid as millions of moons. He speaks many charming jokes and His chin is exquisitely handsome.

9

His handsome, smooth and charming neck bends in three places. Decorated with a necklace of pearls, the beauty of His neck enchants the residents of the three planetary systems.

10

Decorated with a necklace of pearls and with the Kaustubha gem, which shines like lightning, Krsna's handsome chest longs to enjoy the company of the beautiful gopis.

11

Decorated with bracelets and armlets, Krsna's arms hang down to His knees. His reddish lotus hands are decorated with various auspicious signs.

12

Krsna's hands are beautifully decorated with the auspicious signs of a club, conchshell, barleycorn, parasol, half-moon, rod for controlling elephants, flag, lotus flower, sacrificial post, plow, pitcher and fish.

13

Krsna's charming abdomen is the pastime abode of handsomeness. His nectarean back seems to long for the playful touch of the beautiful gopis.

14

The nectarean lotus flower that is Lord Krsna's hips bewilders the demigod Cupid. Krsna's thighs are like two beautiful plantain trees that charm the hearts of all women.

15

Krsna's knees are very splendid, charming and handsome. His charming lotus feet are decorated with jeweled ankle-bells.

16 - 17

Krsna's feet have the luster of roses, and they are decorated with various auspicious markings, such as the markings of the disc, half-moon, octagon, triangle, barleycorn, sky, parasol, waterpot, conchshell, cow's hoofprint, svastika, rod for controlling elephants, lotus flower, bow and jambu fruit.

18

Krsna's handsome lotus feet are like two oceans filled with the happiness of pure love. His reddish toes are decorated with the row fo full moons that are His toenails.

19

Although we have sometimes compared Krsna's handsomeness to various things, nothing can actually be equal to it. In this place we have given a small indication of Krsna's handsomeness to arouse the attraction of the reader.

TEXY 20

Krsna's Friends

Now Lord Krsna's friends will be described. The most important of Krsna's friends is His elder brother, Balarama.

21

Different Kinds of Friends

Krsna's friends are divided into four groups: 1. well-wishing friends (suhrt), 2. ordinary friends (sakha), 3. more confidential friends (priya-sakha), and 4. initmate friends

(priya-narma-sakha)

22

Well-wishing Friends (suhrt)

The well-wishing friends include Krsna's cousins:

Subhadra, Kundala, Dandi and Mandala. Sunandana, Nandi, Anandi and others who accompany Krsna as He herds the cows and calves in Vrndavana forest are also well-wishing friends.

23 - 24

Also included among the well-wishing friends are Subhadra, Mandalibhadra, Bhadravardhana, Gobhata, Yaksendra, Bhata, Bhadranga, Virabhadra, Mahaguna, Kulavira, Mahabhima, Divyasakti, Suraprabha, Ranasthira and others. These well-wishing friends are older than Krsna and they try to protect Him from any danger.

25

Krsna's parents love their son very dearly. They consider Him many millions of times more important than their own life's breath. Very frightened that the demon Kamsa would harm their son, they engaged these well-wishing friends (suhrt) to protect Him. The leader of these well-wishing friends is a boy named Vijayaksa, whose mother, Ambika-devi, was Krsna's nurse. Ambika-devi worshiped goddess Parvati and performed great austerities to get a powerful son who could protect Krsna.

26

Subhadra

Subhadra has a splendid dark complexion. He wears yellow garments and various ornaments.

27

Subhadra's father is Upananda, and his mother the chaste and faithful Tula-devi. Kundalata-devi will become his wife. Subhadra is full of the glory of youth.

28 - 29

Krsna's Ordinary Friends (sakha)

Visala, Vrsabha, Ojasvi, Devaprastha, Varuthapa, Mandara, Kusumapida, Manibandhakara, Mandara, Candana, Kunda, Kalindi, Kulika and many others are included in the group of Krsna's ordinary friends (sakha). These friends are younger than Krsna and are always eager to serve Him.

30 - 31

Krsna's confidential friends (priya-sakha)

Krsna's confidential friends are Sridama, Sudama, Dama, Vasudama, Kinkini, Bhadrasena, Amsu, Stokakrsna, Vilasi, Pundarika, Vitankaksa, Kalavinka and Priyaskara. These friends are the smae age of Krsna. Their leader is Sridama, who is also known as Pithamardaka.

32

Bhadrasena is the general who leads Krsna's childhood friends in military pastimes. Stokakrsna is very appropriately named, for he is just like a small (stoka) Krsna.

33

These confidential friends (priya-sakha) delights Lord Krsna with their enthusiastic and jubliant wrestling, stick-fighting and other sports.

34

These confidential friends are all very peaceful by nature. Each of them considers Lord Krsna equal to his own life's breath.

35

Krsna's Intimate Friends (priya-narma-sakha)

Subala, Arjuna, Gandharva, Vasanta, Ujjvala, Kokila, Sanandana and Vidagdha are the msot important of Krsna's intimate friends.

36

Krsna keeps no secrets from these intimate friends. Among them Madhumangala, Puspanka and Hasanka are the leaders of those fond of joking. Handsome Sanandana is very pleased by his close friendship with Krsna and splendid Ujjvala appears like the personified ruler of all transcendental mellows. Lord Krsna, the crest jewel of playful boys, is submissive to His dear friend Ujjvala.

37

Sridama has a handsome dark complexion. He wears yellow garments and a necklace of jewels.

38

He is a splendid youth sixteen years old. He is a great resevoir of the nectar of innumerable transcendental pastimes. He is Lord Krsna's dearest friend.

39

His father is Maharaj Vrsabhanu and His mother is the chaste Kirtida-devi. Srimati Radharani and Ananga-manjari are his two younger sisters.

40

Sudama

Sudama's handsome complexion is somewhat fair. He is decorated with jeweled ornaments and wears blue garments.

41

His father's name is Matuka and His mother is Rocana-devi. He is very young and fond of playing many kinds of games.

42

Subala

Subala has a fair complexion. He wears handsome blue garments and he is decorated wtih many kinds of jewels and flowers.

43

He is twelve-and-a-half years old and He glows with youthful luster. Although he is Krsna's friend, he is immersed in serving Krsna in many different ways.

44

He is expert at arranging the meeting of the divine couple. He is charming and full of transcendental love for Them. He is cheerful and full of good qualities. He is very dear to Krsna.

45

Arjuna

Arjuna's glistening complexion is the color of a red lotus flower. His garments are the color of moonlight and He is decorated with many kinds of jewels.

46

His father is Sudaksina, his mother Bhadra-devi, and his elder brother Vasudama. He is always plunged in transcendental love for the divine couple.

47

He is fourteen-and-a half and full of the luster of youth. He wears a garland of forest flowers and many other kinds of flower-ornaments.

48

Gandharva

Handsome Gandharva has a complexion the color of moonlight. He wears red garments and many different ornaments.

49

He is twelve years old and full of youthful luster. He is decorated with many kinds of flowers.

50

His mother is the saintly Mitra-devi and his father the great soul Vinoka. He is very playful and very dear to Sri Krsna.