Rasa Purnima at the lotusfeet of Gandarvika Giridhari

[Paramananda das]

PAMHO AGTSP

This year I spend my Rasa Purnima taking darshan of Gandharvika Giridhari, in Sweden.They where dressed in moonlight color that befits the occasion of Radha Krsnas Rasa lila.

  They where installed in  the summer of 1980,the day before my initiation and I was the first devotee to get initiated in front of them.The day before,I went into a small lake and picked some neck roses,that very much look like lotusflowers.I asked they be placed at Their lotusfeet the next day when they where installed.

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Prabhupada   created his head quarters in Mayapure, and the printing press was in front of Gandharvika Giridhari,still to this day you can see this press though no longer in use.At the house of Chandrasekhara, now Caitanya Sarasvat Math. http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=5347248 http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=4557641

Gandharvika is a name of Radha, as She dances as a transcendental Gandharva ,Radha sahasra nama also mentiones this as one of the names of Sri Radha.Plus Lord Siva has stated there that Sri Radha in a partial expansion once appeared on Gandharva loka.

There is a wonderful book by Srila Visvanath Chakravati Thakura called Krsna Bhavanamrta,Srila Prabhupada has written about this book in his Krsna book:

Shri Krishna Bhavanamrita Mahakavya

Written in 1685 A.D. by Shrila Shrila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura

"Shrila Visvanatha Chakravarti Thakura has given us a transcendental literature entitled Krishna Bhavanamrita, which is full with Krishna's pastimes. Devotees can remain absorbed in Krishna-thought by reading such books."

(Shrila Prabhupada KB "Uddhava Visits Vrndavana")

   In  Krsna Bhavanamrta, in the evening  pastimes known as Pradosalila  , pradosa-lila, evening pastimes (8:24 pm- 10:48 pm) we find this:

Lalita devi addresses Radha: One, if You fear the bites of the people's eyes, cover Yourself with a white cape, wear a garland of jamine flowers (also white), a pearl necklace and smear Your body with camphor and white sandalwood paste. If You are afraid Your ornaments will betray You, then take off Your ankle bells. The slightest rays of Your moon-like nails can adorn the whole world! The Creator, seeing that the cosmic moon is impure compared to them, and simply repeats their luster, cuts it with a line of ink (a half moon)."

Being thus incited by Maha Bhava through the words of Her girlfriends, Shri Radhika, who is an ocean of Matchless qualities, went out of Her home, not considering the obstacles caused by Her superiors, entering the forest like the stream of a river of great loving sweetness. Wearing an enchanted dress, She waited for Her expert and clever maidservants, who were checking out Her superiors before running behind Her into the forest. If someone asks what would happen if any of Radhika's superiors were to find out and angrily go out in search of Her, then the answer is that Yogamaya, Krishna's mystic power of illusion, being entrusted with this duty, will arrange for some solution.

As She entered the forest, passionate Radhika thought that every sound She heard was Krishna's flute, every kadamba tree She saw was Krishna, any sweet fragrance She smelled was Krishna's fragrance and whatever She saw was Krishna's form. Feeling Her braid sometimes touching Her shoulders, Radhika shivered, fixed the bow of Her restless eyebrows and asked Lalita, "Lalita, did you see that peculiar thing? Your snake-like lover placed His arm around My shoulder and forcibly embraced Me around the neck."

Lalita replied, "My dear friend, Madhava is in great need and You have become most magnanimous by giving Your heart to Him. How can I stop You, despite being a knower of right and wrong in smritibhava ('moral Vedic principles' or 'eros')? O spotless faced One, You became the greatest donor! There is one great donor on earth named Karna (indebted his life to Duryodhana in Mahabarata; also, literally 'ear'), but You lend two ears to Krishna, and although one generally donates onebali (sacrificial offering) You give Krishna three balis (the three lines on Radha's belly) during a festival of one hundred Cupids. Radha, You gave Your eyes in charity to Krishna and You thrust Your nose into the ocean of His fragrance. Now, Hari has bound Your braided hair around His neck as if it were His arm, knowing it to be His only.

  This book is not for regular devotees as this subject is very high,but I am sharing a glimpse as this is to counteract the poison of having to hear about a person that ordered the killing of a vaisnava yesterday,and still placed in a samadhi by ignorant persons.May Radha Krsna bless Sulocana Prabhu that weas killed for exposing a bogus Guru.....

Srila Bilvamangala Thakura has written Krsna karnamarta,that is full of beautiful prayers to counteract the effects of material existence,such exalted books counteracts the poison of deviations from pure bhakti.

I offer this to the lotusfeet of my Gurudeva Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja, Srila Prabhupada and all true vaisnavas that like bumblebees hover around the lotusfeet of Radha Krsna,by the grace of Lord Caitanya.

This month of december is dedicadet to the service of Gandarvika Giridhari in distributing Srila Prabhupadas books,Srila Bhaktisiddhanta PRabhupada has stated in his Upadesavali that real service to Mayapure is in printing and distributing Bhakti sastras.

May Gandharvika Giridhari forever bless those who read this small offering at Their divine lotusfeet.

Your insignificant servant

Paramananda das

"Sri Radha-Krsnayoh Asta-kaliya-lila Smarana-mangala Storam" A sacred song of remembering the sports performed by Sri Radha and Krsna during the eight periods of the day.

by Krsna das Kaviraja Goswami

1. pratham-yama-kirttanam: Chanting during the first period: (3:22 a.m. to 5:46 a.m.)

ratryante trastavrnderita bahuviravaibedhitau kirasari- paghairrhrdhyairapi sukhasayana dunthitau tau sakhibhih/ drstau hrstau tadatvoditarati-lalitau kakkhatigih sasamkau radhakrsnau satrsnavapi nija-nijadhamnyapta talpau smarami//

ratryante --at the close of night; trasta --afraid; vrnda --vrndadevi; irita urged; bahuviravai --with many chirping tunes; bodhitau --awakened; kira saripaghai--by poems of parrots and mynas; api --also; sukhasayanat --from happy sleep; utthitau--got up; tau --they both; sakhibhih --by female friends; drstau--seen; hrstau --happy; tadatva --of that time; udita-rati-lilatau --attractive on account of profound love; kakkhati-gih-sasamkau --suspicious about the voice pronounced by a she-monkey; radha-krsna--Radha and Krsna; api --also; satrsnau --having desire; nija-nija-dhamni --in Their respective residences; apta-talpau --occupying the beds; smarami --I remember.

"I remember Radha and Krsna at the close of night. Vrnda, who was attending Them, was not happy at that moment, knowing that before dawn the Divine Couple would separate Themselves. However, she did her duty. She prompted the parrot and the myna to sing many pleasing songs. These songs awakened Radha and Krsna, who rose from Their bed of bliss. Their female friends observed Them looking very charming because of the deep love and affection They shared at that time. Both were suspicious about the voice of a she-monkey, and although They desired to continue Their mutual association They left that place for Their own residences, where They occupied Their own beds."

2. dvitiya-yama-kirttanam: Chanting during the second period: (5:46 a.m. to 8:10 a.m.)

radham snata-vibhusitam vrajapayahutam sakhibhih prage tadgehe vihitannapanasvatam krsnavasesasanam/ krsnam buddhamavaptadhenusadanam nivyuda-go dohanam susnatam krtabhojanam sahacaraistam catha tam casrye//

radham --Radha; snata-vibhusitam --who had taken her bath and adorned Her person; vrajapaya ahutam --called by Yasoda; sakhibhih --through female friends; prage --in the morning; tad-gehe --in Her house; vihitannapanasvanam --having prepared food and drink; krsnavasesasanam --who ate what was left by Krsna; krsnam --Krsna; buddham --who was awake; avaptadhenusadamnam --one who had reached the cowshed; nivyuda-go-dohanam --who had finished milking the cows; susnatam --who had taken a bath; krtabhojanam --who had taken His meals; sahacaraih --along with His friends; tam --Him; ca --and; atha --then; tam --Her; ca --and; ca --and; asraye -- I remember.

"I worship Radha and Krsna. Radharani had finished Her ablutions and ornamenting Her body when She was called for by Mother Yasoda early in the morning through Her friends, and there in her house She prepared food and drink. Upon awakening, Krsna went first to the cowshed and milked the cows, and then came home and took His bath, eating His meal in the company of His playmates Radha then took Her meal."

3. tritiya-yama-kirttanam: Chanting during the third period: (8:10 a.m. to 10:34 a.m.)

purvahne dhenuamatrairvipina manusrtam gosthalokanuyatam krsnam radhapti lolam tadabhisrtikrte prapta-tankunda-tiram/ radham colokya krsnam krtagrhagamanamaryaya 'rkarcanayai distam krsnapravrtyai prahitanijasakhivartmanetram smarami//

purvahne --in the forenoon; dhenuamatraih --by cows and friends; vipinam --towards the forest; anusrtam --followed; gostha-loka-'anuyatam --followed by cowherd people(i.e., Nanda and others); krsnam--Krsna; radhaptelolam --anxious to find Radha; tadabhisrtikrte --for the purpose of secretly approaching Her; prapta-tankunda-tiram --who had gone to her pond (Radha-kunda); radham --Radha; ca --and; alokya --having seen; krsnam --Krsna; krtagrha-gamanam --who had gone home; aryaya--by the mother-in-law; arkarcanayai --for worshipng the sun god; distam --ordered; krsnapravrtyai -- to get news about Krsna's whereabouts; prahitanijasakhivartmanetram --who was casting her eyes toward the path by which Her friends would return; smarami --I remember.

"I remember Sri Krsna in the forenoon. He was going toward the forest, followed by cows and cowherd friends. Others like Nanda Maharaja also followed Him. Because He was anxious to be with Radharani, Krsna went to search Her out on the banks of Sri Radha-kunda.
I also remember Sri Radha, who having caught a glimpse of Krsna, went home, where She was ordered by Her mother-in-law (Jatila) to worship the sun god. Radharani had sent Her girlfriends to discover Krsna's whereabouts, and thus She casting her eyes down the pathway by which they were likely to return."

4. caturtha-yama-kirttanam: Chanting during the fourth period: (10:34 a.m. to 3:22 p.m.)

madhyahne 'nyonya samgodita vividhavikaradibhusapramugdhau vamyotkanthatilolau smaramakha lalita dyalinarmaptasatau/ dolaranyambuvamsihrti-rati-madhupanarka-pujadi-lilau radhakrsnau satrsnau parijanaghataya sevyamanau smarami//

madhyahne--at noon; anyoanya sanga udita vividha vikara-adi bhusa pramugdhau--mutual, association, grown, manifold, changes like horripilation, ornaments, happy; vamya utkantha ati lolau--lovely wiles-desire-much-unsteady; smara-makha lalita adi ali narma apta satau--cupid, ritual, lalita, etc. friend, jokes got pleasure; dola aranya ambu vamsihrti rati madhupana arkapuja adi-lilau--see-saw play, roaming in the forest, water sports, hiding the flute, lovemaking, licking honey, worship of the Sun-god; etc., sports; radha-krsnau--Radha and Krsna; satrsnau--having deep affection for each other; parijanaghataya--by the retinue; sevyamanau--being attended upon; smarami--I remember.

"I remember Radha and Krsna during the midday period. Both were happy in each other's company, exhibiting goosebumps and other such symptoms as Their bodily ornaments. They both felt unsteady because of Their very keen desires for amorous play. They were engrossed in various sports, such as playing see-saw, roaming in the forest, sporting in the water, hiding Krsna' flute, love-play, drink honey, and worshiping the Sun god. Each had a great longing for the other, and both were attended by large retinues of friends."

5. pancama-yama-kirttanam: Chanting during the fifth period: (3:22 p.m. to 5:46 p.m.)
sriradham praptageham nijaramanakrte klrpta nanopaharam susnatam ramyavesam priyamukhakamalalokapurnapramadam/ krsnam caivaparahne vrajamanucalitam lanuvrndairvayasyai sriradhalokatrptam pitrmukhamilitam matrmrstam smarami//

sriradham --Sri Radha; praptageham --who had arrived at her home; nijoramanakrte --for His beloved; klrptanana-upaharam --who had arranged many presents; susnatam --who had take ablution; ramyavesam --who was joyous to get a glimpse of the lotus face of Her beloved; krsnam --Krsna; ca eva --and; aparahne --in the afternoon; vrajam --towards Vraja; anucalitam --followed by; dhenuvrndaih --by a myriad of cows; vayasyaih --by friends; sriadhalokatrptam --who was satisfied with the idea of having a view of Radha; pitr-mukhamilitam --received by the father and others; matrmrstam --made tidy by the mother; smarami --I remember.

"I remember Sri Radha, who arranged many presents for Krsna after She arrived at Her home. By that time She had taken Her ablution had dressed in beautiful clothes. She was full of joy to see the lotus-like face of Her beloved Sri Krsna.

I also remember Sri Krsna in the afternoon. He was a walking toward Vraja, followed by a myriad of cows and cowherd boyfriends. At home He was received by Nanda Maharaj and other elderly people, and then He was bathed and groomed by Mother Yasoda."

6. sastha-yama-kirttanam: Chanting during the sixth period: (5:46 p.m. to 8:10 p.m.)

sayam radham svasaravya nija ramanakrte presitanekabhojyam sakhyanitesasesasan-mudita-hrdam tam ca tam ca vrajendram/ susnatam ramyavesam grhamanu janani lalitam prapta gostham nivyudosralidoham svagrhamanu punarbhuktavantam smarami//

sayam--in the evening; radham--Radha; svasaravya-nijaramanakrte--for Her beloved companion; presitanekabhojnam--who had dispatched many exquisite dishes; sakhi-anita-isa-sesa-asana-mudita-hrdam--whose heart was joyous to have taken the remnants of Krsna's food, brought to Her by Her girlfriend; tam--Her; ca--and; tam--Him; ca--and; vrajendra--Krsna, the master of Vraja; susnatam--who had taken bath; ramyavesam--well dressed; grhamanu--at His residence; janani-lalitam--fondled by His mother; praptagostham--who had come to the cowshed; nivyuda-usra-ali-doham--who had finished milking the cow; syagrhamanu--in His own home; punah--again; bhuktavantam--who had taken His meals; smarami--I remember

"I remember Sri Radha in the evening. She had sent many exquisite preparations for beloved Krsna with Her friend, who brought back the remainder of the food tasted by Him. Radharani became very happy to partake of it.

I also remember Vrajendra Krsna, who had taken His bath at home and was very well dressed. Mother Yasoda fondled Him. He came to the cowshed and milked several cows, and after finishing this chore He again returned home and took His meals."

7. satam-yama-kirttanam: Chanting during the seventh period: (8:10 p.m. to 10:34 p.m.)

radham saliganam tamasita-sita-nisayogyavesam pradose dutya vrndopadesadabhisrta yamunatira-kalyana-kunjam/ krsnam gopaih sabhayam vihitagunikalalokanam snigdhamatram yatnadaniya samsayitamatha nibhrtam praptakunjam smarami//

radham--Radha; sa-all-ganam--along with a retinue of girl friends; tam--Her; asita-sita-nisa-yogya-vesam--who dons clothes suitable to the dark and light fortnights; pradose --after sunset (early in the evening); dutya --through a lady messenger; vrndopadesat--on a piece advice received from Vrnda; abhisrta-yamuna-tira-kalyana-kunja--who had gone to a bower of bliss situated on the Yamuna River; krsnam--Krsna; gopaih--in the company of cowherders; sabhayam--in the assembly; vihita-guni-kala-alokanam--who had witnessed the feats of acrobats, etc.; snigdha-matra--by loving Mother Yasoda; yatnata--with an effort; aniya--having brought; samsayitam--made to sleep; atha--then; nibhrtam--quietly; praptakunjam--who had gone to the bower; smarami--I remember

"I remember Sri Radha early in the evening in the company of Her playmates. She had dressed Herself in clothes suitable for the dark and light fortnight, and pursuing Vrnda's advice She repaired to a bower of peace and bliss on the banks of the Yamuna, accompanied by a messenger.

I also remember Sri Krsna sitting in an assembly of cowherders and watching various acrobatic feats. Yasoda, His affectionate mother, then brought Him home and attempted to put Him to sleep. Afterwards, the Lord quietly left His bed for the bower of bliss."

8. astam-yama-kirttanam: "Chanting during the eighth period" (10:34 p.m. to 3:22 a.m.)

tavunkau labdhasangau bahuparicaranervrndaya radhyamanau presthalibhi-lasantau vipinavaharanairgana rasadi-lasyaih/ nana-lila-nitantau pranayi sahacarivrnda-samsevyamanau radha-krsnau nisayam sukusumasayane praptanidrau smarami//

tau--they both; unkau--auspicious or very keen; labdhasamgau--who have got the company; bahuparicaraneh--by various services; vrndaya--Vrnda; aradhyamanau--being worshiped; presthalibhih--with beloved friends; lasantau--looking charming; vipinaviharanaih--by roaming in forest; gana-rasadi-lasyaih--by singing and enjoying rasa-dance; nana-lila-nitantau--feeling tired after sports of many kinds; pranayi sahacari-vrnda-samsevyamanau--being attended upon by a myriad of loving female friends and companions; radha-krsnau--Radha and Krsna; nisayam--at night; sukusumasayane--on a flowery bed; praptanidrau--sleeping; smarami--I remember

"I remember both Radha and Krsna, who were anxious for each others company. When They are together, Vrnda attends the loving couple in various ways. They both look very charming, along with Their loving friends, while They roam in the forests and are engrossed in singing and dancing in the style of rasa. They feel tired after so many sportive activities. They are then looked after by many loving friends. At night They repose on a bed of flowers, and then They sleep."

Nectar of Instruction, Text 10 purport

... The gopis are exalted above all the advanced devotees because they are always totally dependent upon Sri Krsna, the transcendental cowherd boy. Among the gopis, Srimati Radharani is the most dear to Krsna. Her kunda [lake] is as profoundly dear to Lord Krsna as this most beloved of the gopis. Who, then, will not reside at Radha-kunda and, in a spiritual body surcharged with ecstatic devotional feelings [aprakrtabhava], render loving service to the divine couple Sri Sri Radha-Govinda, who perform Their astakaliya-lila, Their eternal eightfold daily pastimes. Indeed, those who execute devotional service on the banks of Radha-kunda are the most fortunate people in the universe.