Radharani’s Manjaris: Tattva & Lilas 057 “Radha Darshan or Death”

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 is 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.

Tattva: Radha Darshan or Death

No one in the world can compare to the supremely sweet Srimati Radha in transcendental beauty, charm and elegance. Sri Radha is the madhurya murti and Lakshmi is the aishvarya murti of Bhagavan’s hladini-shakti.

Sri Raghunatha says, “Why should someone belonging to the most qualified, sweet and beautiful Ishvari suffer so much? O Radhika! If You don’t show me Your form and pastimes, then what is the use of my life?”

Sri Prabodhananda Sarasvati prays “Radhike! If you don’t show Yourself to me because I’m not qualified, then why should I remain alive?” (RRS 85)

Tattva: Hope Life & Radha Loyalty

Swamini reveals Herself to Sri Raghunatha Das Goswami and says, “Tulasi! You have introduced yourself as My maidservant! Surely you will get to see Me!” Radha’s words illuminate Sri Raghunatha dasa’s heart with the light of hope. But when Radha disappears again, he suffers intolerable transcendental agony.

Hope is the only support for the sincere sadhakas. The maidservants’ tie of hope is indescribable! They can never give up this hope. The nectarean aspiration for Sri Radha’s sweet service is permanently fixed in their hearts. 

Tulasi Manjari prays, “O merciful Swamini! I can’t tolerate anymore! If you will not give me Your mercy, then what is the use of my life, my living in Vraja and even Krishna to me? So much time has passed, but I did not receive Your mercy. I don’t need anything if You are not merciful to me. I don’t have anyone else but You!”

This is the astonishing conclusion of Gaudiya Vaishnava worship: “I want Radhika! Without Radha I don’t care about Krishna!”

Sri Raghunatha Das Goswamipada says in Sva Niyama Dashakam (6), “Not for a moment will I go near someone who worships Govinda alone without worshiping Radharani! This is my solemn vow!”

In Sva Niyama Dashakam (3-4), Sri Raghunatha Das Goswamipada says, “Even if Krishna personally invites me to come see Him in Dvaraka, I will never leave Vraja even for a moment! But if I hear that Radha has gone to Dvaraka, I will immediately fly there faster than Garuda!”

By reading and remembering Das Goswami’s extraordinary loyalty to Sri Radha a raganuga sadhaka will become fixed in loyalty to Radharani.

Tattva: Humility & Radha’s Compassion

At every moment ever-increasing eagerness to see Radharani floods the heart of Sri Raghunatha Das. He can’t tolerate the pain of separation from Sri Radha anymore. Das Goswami imagines Radha saying, “Tulasi! I am very close to you! Why are you lamenting like this?” 

With great humility Sri Raghunatha replies, “Ha Karunamayi Radha! You are the embodiment of compassion, and I am just a suffering girl! Therefore, show me Your compassion and give me Your seva!”

Tattva: Radha is Love Personified

Tulasi Manjari prays, “O Radha! You can give me Your mercy or not. I know that You are Premamayi, the abode of pure love: love for Krishna, love for Your sakhis, love for Your maidservants! You always bring to You those who love You. So, it’s not that I need You so much, but You will also need me many times!” 

Thus, Radha’s loving maidservants keep the firm hope in their hearts that Premamayi Radha will give Her nitya-seva.

Tulasi Manjari prays, “Radhika! Although this maidservant is unworthy, she cannot give up hoping! I want to be Your maidservant. I want to know Your heart and lovingly serve Your every wish and whim!

“I don’t want to be any ordinary maidservant, but one who can freely enter the solitary kunja to perform the most intimate sevas! At that time, You and Shyam will consider me to be the embodiment of Your amorous ecstasy! O Premamayi! Your heart melts of endless compassion, so please fulfill my desires!”

These emotions will also arise in the heart of anyone who surrenders to Tulasi Manjari’s lotus feet and remembers these pangs of separation. One will slowly but surely perceive Radha’s ecstasy of love-in-separation from Shyam.

Lila: Attaining Radha Darshan & Nitya Seva

As a result of living in and serving Sri Radha Kunda, Raghunatha Das finally attains the seva of Srimati Radhika. 

One beautiful day, all ten directions suddenly fill with the sweet bodily fragrance of Radha Madhava. Radha has come along with Her Prana Vallabha. Sri Raghunatha Das smells Radha-Krishna’s sweet bodily fragrance, and sees Their brilliant golden and bluish forms illuminating the bank of Radha Kunda.

Radhe-Shyam stand right before him as streams of merciful tears trickle from Their beautiful eyes! By smelling Radha Madhava’s honey-sweet bodies, Sri Raghunatha comes back to life.

Radha says, “Tulasi! Look, I have come!” 

How sweet is Vallabhi’s voice! Tulasi’s heart’s desires are fulfilled! Radha mercifully holds Tulasi’s hand and tightly embraces her, accepting her as Her maidservant. Sri Raghunatha Das is showered by the stream of Radha-Krishna’s blissful meeting in the keli-kunja!

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