Radharani’s Manjaris: Tattva & Lilas 056 “Visakha Unites Radha Govinda”

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

These posts present the facts (tattva) regarding the identity, moods (gopi-bhava), intimacy and sevas of Srimati Radharani’s talented handmaidens known as manjaris, kinkaris, or dasis. Many wonderful lilas are given to highlight the manjaris’ intimate sevas to Srimati Radhika and Her beloved Krishna.

The information here comes from the commentaries of Advaitavamsa Acharya 108 Sri Ananda Gopala Goswami and 108 Sri Ananta Dasa Babaji Maharaja on “Vilapa Kusumanjali” and “Radha Rasa Sudhanidhi” translated by Sri Advaita Dasji.

Lila: Visakha Unites Radha Govinda

One day, Radhika says, “O Visakhe! I have great faith in you! You are very clever and eloquent! So today you must make Krishna so attached to Me that My prestige is not even slightly diminished! On the pretext of picking flowers stand near Krishna, but pretend not to see Him. Speak about Me casually with your sakhis describing the supremacy of My form, qualities and love for Krishna.” 

Radharani then teaches the following back and forth dialogue to Visakha-sakhi: Overhearing this, Krishna will ask you, “Sakhi! Whose wonderful sweetness are you glorifying?” You will anxiously and carefully bite your tongue and say, “No, no one at all!” 

Krishna: “Sakhi, why are you afraid? There’s no harm in telling Me! All right, then don’t tell, but I’m already acquainted with Her anyway!” 

Then you will have to say, “Krishna! What’s the use of knowing Her?” 

Krishna: “Sakhi, I have a very confidential relationship with Radha!” 

Visakha: “Get out of here, Madhava! There’s too much difference between the Two of You! There can’t be any intimacy between You!” 

Krishna: “Sakhi! What difference is there between Our natures?” 

Visakha: “You are a debauchee and Radha’s devoted to Her husband. You are whimsical and Radha is steady. You are impious and Radha is devoted to the devas. You are dirty and Radha takes three baths a day and dresses in clean clothes!” 

Krishna: “Visakha, the Gopala Tapani Upanisad says I am a brahmacari! And how can you call Me whimsical? I held up Govardhana Hill for seven days with a steady hand! You all saw that! And how am I impious? On the order of My parents, I received Vishnu-mantra from Bhaguri Muni!

Visakha: “But Madhava! Still, You are a man and Radha is a married so She will never look at You!”

Krishna: “Even if Radha does not look at Me, I will be blessed by looking at this virtuous girl even from afar!”

Visakha: “Madhava, how will You accomplish that?” 

Krishna: “Today I will install a deity of Suryanarayana in a cave of Govardhana Hill, and hide just outside the entrance. You should bring Radha there. When Radha does puja, I will be satisfied just by looking at Her from the back. And if you are kind, you will allow Me to touch Radha’s feet!”

Visakha: “Madhava! What reward will You give me?” 

Krishna: “Sakhi! I will sell My very soul to you!” 

Visakha: “Just wait Madhava! I will fulfill all Your desires!” 

Radha concludes Her teaching saying, “Visakhe, then you come back and take Me to Krishna!” 

Lila: Darshan of Visakha-sakhi 

Sri Raghunatha Das Goswami is about to die out of separation from Sri Radha. Suddenly he hears the sweet jingling of anklebells that seem to be saying, “Tulasi! Why are you crying?”

Startled he opens his eyes widely and sees Visakha-sakhi standing before him. Falling at her feet, he says, “O beautiful Visakhe! You are just like Radha in age, form, qualities, and nature. You are the object of Radha’s confidence! My Swamini doesn’t leave your company for even a second!

Tattva: Beg Visakha for Radha Seva

Sri Raghunatha Das eagerly desires that Sri Visakha will cast a merciful glance on him and engage him in Srimati’s seva. He constantly prays:

O Visakhe! When You joke with Radha you must tell Radha about my miserable condition. Please bring me to Radha and show me to Her. I cannot stay alive another moment without seeing Swamini!”

Radharani’s manjaris ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!