04 Shri Chamatkaara Chandrikaa

The Meeting of Sri Krishna Disguised as a Female Singer

radha kadacid atimanavati babhuva
tam na prasadayitum aishta harih prashahya
samadibhir bahu-vidhair vitatair upayaih
kaundya sahatha kim api pratatana mantram

One day, Sri Radha was in deep mana (sulky mood). Although Sri Krishna brought Her gifts, praised Her and tried to pacify Her in every way possible, nothing He did had any effect. At last He went to see Kundalata, to consult with her privately about what to do.

bhushambaradi paridhaya vidhaya narivesam
vikasvara pika-svara-manju-kanthah
sarddham taya mridu-ranan-mani-nupurabhyam
padbhyam jagama jatila-nilayam niliya

After discussing the situation with Kundalata, He disguised Himself as a beautiful young girl. He donned young girl’s clothing and jewellery, and assumed a voice so sweet and enchanting that it put the melodious song of the cuckoo bird to shame. In this way, He went with Kundalata to the house of Jatila, His jewelled ankle-bells tinkling softly as He walked.

arad vilokya sahasa sahasa sahalih
saundarya-vismita-mana avadan mrigakshi
ehy ehi kundalatike! vada vrittam asu
kim hetukam gamanam etad abhud akasmat

Sri Radha was in the company of Her sakhis. The moment Sri Radha set Her doe-like eyes upon this extraordinarily attractive young woman approaching in the distance with Kundalata, Her mind became completely enchanted. Smiling, She addressed Kundalata: “Come, come Kundalata and tell us right now why you are paying us a surprise visit today".

keyam kutah kim abhidhanavatiti prishta
sri-radhayavadad imam prati kundavalli
namna kalavalir iyam mathura-pradesad
atragata sruta-bhavad-guna-nama-kirttih

ganair giram gurum api prabhaved vijetum
kim vacyam etad avagacchata gapayitva
kasmad asikshad iyatim ayi! gana-vidyam
sakshat purandara-guroh kva nu tat-prasangah

“And who is this beautiful young woman with you? Where does She come from, and what is Her name?”

“Radha,” replied Kundalata, “Her name is Kalavali. Having heard of Your name, fame and qualities, She has come from Mathura to meet You. Her expertise in singing surpasses that of even Indra’s guru, Brihaspati. What more can I say? You will only understand what I mean if You hear Her sing.”

“My friend, Kundalata,” Sri Radha then asked, “from whom has Kalavali learned such skill?”

“From Brihaspati himself,” replied Kundalata.

“And how did She get the chance to meet him?”

satram yad angirasam atra varangi! vrishnipuryam
vyatanyata nu mathura vipra-varyaih
tarhy eva so ’mara-purat sahasaitya masam
vasam vidhaya paramadrita anananda

“Beautiful-limbed Radha,” replied Kundalata, “once, when the brahmanas of Mathura were performing a great angirasa sacrifice, Brihaspati came there from the abode of the demigods and stayed in Mathura for one month. He received great honour at that place, and this pleased him immensely.

madhye satam sa hi kadacid agayad evam
gitam yad etad adadhad iyam ali! sadyah
medhavati tad aparedyu raho jagau tat
tena svarena bata tair api tala-tanaih

“Sakhi Radha, one day in that respected assembly, Brihaspati performed a recital of a celestial song. This song is extremely difficult to sing, but Kalavali is so astute that amazingly She immediately memorised it, and the next day She sang it with precisely the same complex rhythm and subtle melody as he did".

srutva brihaspatir aho mama gitam arat
ka gayatiti bahu-vismayavan avadit
martyo ’py asikshad ayi mat-sakrid-uktito yad
durgam dyu-ganam api vipra! tad-anayaitam

“When Brihaspati heard Her sing, he was filled with amazement and inquired from one of the Mathura brahmanas, ‘Who is this young woman who is singing my intricate celestial song? I am astonished! She is a mere resident of this mortal world, and yet She has learnt this song after hearing it only once. Please bring Her to me.’

vipradesam avapya gishpati-puro yatam imam so ’bravit
tvam dyapayita ’smi dhimati! param gandharva-vidyam aham
medha te ’nupama pikali-vijayi kantho yada drisyate
naivadrin manu-jeshu labdha-janusham no kinnarinam api

“On Brihaspati’s order, the brahmana brought Kalavali before him. ‘Most intelligent of young girls,’ said Brihaspati, ‘Your genius is matchless and Your voice defeats the cooing of cuckoos. How wonderful! I will therefore instruct You in the topmost knowledge of the Gandharvas. Such a fine intelligence and sweet voice cannot be found in the realm of human beings, or even Kinnaras.’

adhapya masam iha varsham api svayam svarnitam
apathayad imam iyam asvinante
prapyavanim madhu-purim agamad vraje hyah
sayam tathadya tu tavagratah agata ’bhut

“Brihaspati instructed this girl for the duration of his month’s stay in Mathura. Then he took Her with him when he returned to the heavenly planets and taught Her there for yet another year. She returned to the Earth planet at the end of the month of Asvina, and came to Mathura only yesterday. Now, today at dusk, She has come before You here in Vraja.”

tad giyatam kim api bhavini kam nu ragam
gayani malava-hima-pranaya-pradoshe
kam va svaram su-mukhi! shad-jam atha srutim va
kam tasya vacmi catasrishv iti cadisa tvam

Upon hearing Kundalata’s story, Sri Radha said, “O Bhavini (beautiful lady), sing something for Me.”

“Vrindavanesvari,” replied Kalavali, “which raga would You like to hear Me sing?”
Sri Radha replied, “It is twilight, so You may sing a malava raga.”
“Sumukhi (beautiful-faced one), in which melody should I sing?”
“Please sing in shadaja,” replied Sri Radha.
Kalavali then asked, “Radha, in which of the four different srutis of that melody will I sing?”

kanthe srutir na tava vata-kaphadidosha
suddha bhavishyati kadapi vinaiva vinam
tad-raga-tala-gamaka-svara-jati-tanagrama-
sriya madhuram atanu gitam ekam

“O beautiful one,” replied Sri Radha, “if one has a bodily disorder in which the kapha or vata in the throat is out of balance, it is not possible to sing purely. In the same way, it is not possible to sing pure notes without the backing of a vina. Nonetheless, I would like to hear You sing a sweet song f u ll of the various attributes of music such as scale (raga), rhythmic cycles (tala), musical notes (svara), ornaments (gamaka), the particular class of raga (jati), improvised variations (tana) and the Vedic system of melody (grama).”

radhe! vinaiva bhavatim iha gana-vidyam
jananti kah kalayata ’militah srutis tah
procyettham atanuta keky-ali-vrinda-ninditana-
nana-tanana-riti suriti-ganam

“Radha,” said Kalavali, “who in this universe is as expert in music and song as You are? I can only sing simple melodies. Please listen.” Saying this, Kalavali began to sing, “Ta na na na ta na na ri,” in such a beautiful voice that She put to shame both the peacocks and the bumblebees.

adau priyali-vitater nayanasru-nadyah
sasrus tatah sthagitatam yayur eva madhye
antya-kshane tu kara-kopalatam avapya
petush thanat-thanad iti kshiti-prishtha eva

When Sri Radha’s dear sakhis heard Kalavali’s sweet singing, rivers of tears flowed from their eyes. As the song progressed, their rapture and enchantment became such that their tears even stopped flowing.  Then, at the song’s completion, those tears pattered to the ground like a shower of small stones.

tasyah kathoratara-manajushas tu cittahiropalam
dravam avapa yadaiva sadyah
sascaryam akhad ayi hanta! kalavale tvadganam
sudham sura-purasya tiraskaroti

Sri Radha’s heart had become as hard as a diamond because of Her mana, but now it was melting, and this surprised Her. “Devi, Kalavali,” She said, “Your song is so sweet it far surpasses the sweetness of the nectar of the demigods.

tvadrig jano yadi mamastika eva tishthed
bhagyaj janus tad akhilam saphali-karomi
nandatmajo yadi punah srinuyad gunan te
kanthad bahir na hi karoti tada kadapi

“If only someone with Your skills would always stay with Me. Oh, then I would be so fortunate! Only then would My entire life become successful. But listen, Devi, if the son of Nanda Maharaja hears of Your singing, He will certainly always wear You as an ornament around His neck.”

abruta kundalatika na vadaitad etam
sadhvim tvam eva nija-kantha-tatim nayainam
naivanyatha kuru tatas tu pararddha-nishkam
ditsuh sukhena parirabdhum iyesha radha

karne lalaga lalita ’tha vimrisya subhru
ruce bravishi vara-varnini satyam etat
sammananam samucitam na hi nishka-danat
syat tena sarva-vasanabharanani dasye

“Radha,” Kundalata said, “among women, Kalavali is the very epitome of virtue, so do not speak to Her like this. You should personally embrace Her; don’t do anything else.” Sri Radha then stepped forward to embrace Kalavali and to present Her with a precious necklace, but Lalita whispered in Sri Radha’s ear, “Radha, who is this person You are about to embrace? It is none other than that wicked and deceitful lover of Yours in the guise of a lovely woman.”

“My dear friend Lalita,” Sri Radha replied out loud, “you give supremely valuable advice. Indeed, after careful consideration you are speaking the truth. I was going to express My appreciation by simply presenting Her with a necklace, but that would not show Her proper respect. I shall therefore present Her with all sorts of jeweled ornaments and fine garments.”

tad rupa-man jari! mad-agrata eva yuyam
citrambarani paridhapayata prayatnaih
udghatya samprati-puratana-kancukam dran
navyam samarpayata tunga-kuca-dvaye ’syah

Sri Radha then turned to Rupa-manjari and said, “O Rupa-manjari, carefully dress Kalavali right before Me in a bright new outfit of many colours. Take off Her old bodice, and quickly cover Her raised breasts with a new one.”

kaundy abravit sumukhi! nodghatayangam asyah
sankocam apsyati param bhavad agra esha
tad dehi yad yad ayi ditsasi sarvam eta
gatva sva-dhama paridhasyati na tv ihaiva

Kundalata promptly spoke up. “Beautiful-faced Radha,” she said, “please do not take off this beautiful young girl’s clothes, for She will feel shy and embarrassed in front of You. Just present Her with whatever You want to give Her, and let Her take it home to try on there.”

na stri-sadasy api bhiyam kurute hriyan ca
striti prasiddhir adhika sakhi! sarvadese
ananda-vartmani katham na yiyasasi tvam
sankoca-kantakam iharpayasi svayam kim

“Sakhi Kalavali,” said Sri Radha, “everyone knows that women never feel bashful or fearful when there are only other women around. Tell Me, are You not creating the thorny obstacle of shyness on this very happy occasion?”

radhe! na malya-vasanabharanadi kincid
angi-karomi kim u gayaka kanyakaham?
tvan cet prasidasi sakrit parirambham ekam
dehy ehi mam na dhana-gridhnu mavehi mugdhe

“Oh, Radha,” Kalavali said, “I will not accept any garlands, clothes or ornaments. Naive girl, I am not the daughter of a singer! If You are pleased with Me, then only once give Me the wealth of Your embrace.  Do not think I am greedy for any other treasure.”

vamyam kim atra kurushe paridhehi sadhu
no ced balad api vayam paridhapayamah
eka tvam atra sataso vayam ity atas te
svatantryam astu katham ity avadhehi mugdhe

“Oh, sakhi,” Sri Radhika then replied, “why are You so contrary?  Why do You refuse My offer? Please put on these fine garments and jewelled ornaments. If You do not comply willingly, I will dress You Myself by force. Look, You are alone, and I have hundreds of sakhis with Me. Silly girl, I warn You not to act so independently before Me.  I am telling You, just be careful!”

dve skandhayor dadhatur ancalam agrato ’syah
prishthe vyamocayata kancuka-bandham eka
vakshah-sthalad apatatam subrihat-kadambapushpe
tada sapadi karttita-kincid amso

Having said this, Sri Radha ordered the sakhis to dress Kalavali in the new bodice. Two sakhis in front of Kalavali firmly seized the veil on Her shoulders, while another sakhi went behind Her to unfasten Her bodice. As the bodice loosened, two very big kadamba flowers, each somewhat flattened on one side, slipped out and fell to the ground.

kim hanta kim patitam etad ayiti prishta
dasyo ’khila jahasur eva sa-hasta-talam
labdhavagunthana-pati yadi jihrati sma
prishthi-cakara tam atho vrishabhanuputri

“Aha!” cried Sri Radha. “What has fallen out of Her bodice?!” Rupamanjari and all the other maidservants clapped their hands with glee, and then shyly covered their laughing moon-like faces with their veils. Vrishabhanu-nandini Sri Radha turned Her back on Sri Krishna and sat down.

ali-kulasya s uduravara eva vaktre
vastravrito ’py ajani sa-svana eva hasah
radhapy adhan nibhritam asvanam eva hasyam
krishnas ca kundalatika ca jahasa pascat

When the sakhis saw what Sri Krishna had done, they tried to suppress their mirth by holding their veils over their mouths. Unable to control themselves, however, they burst into loud peals of laughter.  Without uttering a word, Sri Radha also joined in, and at last, so did Sri Krishna and Kundalata.

murtto hasya-raso muhurttam abhavat svadyas tatah procire
sakhyo hanta! brihat-kadamba-kusume dhanye yuvam bhu-tale
dhurtte prapita-kaitave api punar nishkaitave antato
bhutva hasya-rasamritabdhim anu ye sarva nidhattah sma nah

Then, the personified form of the transcendental mellow of laughter (hasya-rasa) manifested for a moment in their midst, for everyone’s supreme enjoyment. The sakhis began to address the two kadamba flowers, saying, “O great big kadamba flowers, of everyone on the face of this Earth, it is you who are truly blessed. You are not usually duplicitous, but you have become so by your association with this cunning person. As flowers of a tree, you know no cunning.  But now that you are in the hands of this cheater, you are showing such shamelessness that you have assumed the form of a young girl’s breasts. We are all drowning in an ocean of the nectar of laughter because of you.”

bho bhoh kundalate! kva te sahacari lajja na sa drisyate
patalasya tale mamajja salile sa kundavallya saha
tucchayaiva bhavami hanta vigata-cchayatra vah kim bruve
tad yushmad-vadaneshu nrityatu giram devi yatheshtam muhuh

The sakhis asked Kundalata, “Oh, Kundalata, where has your companion Bashfulness gone now?”

“She and Kundalata have both drowned in the depths of the water of Patala-loka,” said Kundalata. “You cannot see her now.”
“If Kundalata and her sakhi named Bashfulness have drowned and passed away, then who are you?” they asked.
“Oh, I am only her shadow.”
“But if Kundalata has departed, how can we see her shadow?” the sakhis persisted.
“I have nothing to say,” said Kundalata. “May the goddess of speech dance upon your tongue.”

prema gishpati-sishyaya saha sada sat-sanga ajanmato
mithya-van na hi jihvaya paricita sadhvih sva-dharmam muhuh
adhyapyatanu karma karayasi te khyatir vraje bhuyasi
nadya ’bhut tava vanchitam yadiyati kapi vyatha sahyatam

Lalita then spoke. “Kundalata, your love for Brihaspati’s disciple and your good association with Her has been increasing steadily since your childhood. There is no trace of a false statement on your tongue. Your glories are heard again and again throughout Vraja, and it is proclaimed that you instruct chaste girls in their own righteous activities. Thus you perform great deeds on behalf of Kamadeva.  Unfortunately, your desire was not fulfilled today, and consequently you have to tolerate great pain.”

anita vividha-prayatna-racita vidya ’tidurad guror
vikretum sudhiya tvaya ’dya rabhasad ali-sadasyapane
vikrita na hi sabhavat punar aho hasyaspadi-bhutatam
prapta drag asu bhakshanah sa hi yadayatam bhavadbhyam iha

“Sakhi Kundalata, how supremely intelligent you are. Today you proudly came to our assembly from far away and have with great endeavour tried to sell this knowledge you received from your ‘guru’.  But alas, you have not been able to sell your knowledge, and instead you have quickly become a laughing stock. Maybe you came at an inauspicious time.”

atrapane drutam imam lalite ’dya vidyam
vikriya vanchitam aham yadi sadhayishye
tat kancukim vitarasiha na ced dadami
tubhyam sva-kancukam aham kriyatam pano ’yam

Sri Krishna responded, “ Lalita, I can easily sell this knowledge in the market place of the sakhis and fulfil My desires. Now give Me that bodice, or I will dress you up in it.”

sushkam prasunamayi korakatam na gacchet
prane gate na khalu ceshtata eva dehah
dambhi katham vidita-tattva upaiti pujam
svamin! mrisha pratibhaya na malam prayahi

When Lalita heard this, she said, “O king of rogues! Can a driedup flower become a fresh bud? Can a body function after its life-airs have left it? Who will continue to worship a proud and deceitful person once his deceit has been revealed? Oh, Swami, do not take part in this disgraceful event by exercising Your talents in lying.”

krishnah sva-vakshasi puna kusuma-dvayam tad
dhritva jagama jatila-griham eva sadyah
soccaih svaram bhuvi nipatya tatha ruroda
yenakulaiva jatila muhur apa khedam

Sri Krishna picked up the two kadamba flowers. Putting them back on His chest as false breasts, He went to Jatila’s quarters. There He fell to the ground, wailing loudly. This distressed Jatila and she repeatedly expressed her concern.

ka tvam, rodishi kim kuto ’si, kim abhut te vipriyam putri tat
sarvam bruhi vimrijya locana-jala-klinnam mukhambhoruham
ha ha hanta bhavami bhagya-rahita dhin me janur dhik tanum
dhin mam dhig dhig iti pravriddha-davathuh prace ’rddham arddham vacah

“Who are You, my daughter? Where have You come from? Why are You crying? Has someone harmed You? Wipe the tears from Your lotus-face and tell me everything.”
Trembling, Kalavali told Her sad story in a faltering voice. “O noble lady. Alas, alas, how unfortunate I am! Fie upon My body. Fie upon My very birth. Hundreds upon hundreds of curses have fallen upon My head.

vaso me vrishabhanu-bhupa-nagare sri-kirttidayah svasuh
kanyaham saha radhaya sama sada sampritir abalyatah
ayata ’smi cirad aham nija-grihat tam drashtum utkanthaya
sa mam naiva vilokate na vadati premna na calingati

“I reside in King Vrishabhanu’s town, and I am the daughter of Kirtida’s sister. I have had a close, loving relationship with Radha since My childhood. I came from My home, eagerly looking forward to meeting Her again after a long time. Alas! Radha will not so much as glance My way, what to speak of embrace Me with love and affection.

mam drishtva smayate na naiva kusala-prasnam karoty adarat
tat pranair mama kim prayojanam imams tyakshyamy aham tvat-purah
arye! tvam vimrisavadharaya kada ko me ’paradho ’bhavat
tam tvam priccha muhuh pradaya sapatham sa me katham kupyati

“When She saw Me, She would not smile sweetly at Me, not even once. Nor was She attentive to even once inquiring about My wellbeing.  What is the use of My staying alive? I shall give up My life right now before you. Noble lady, please try to recall whether you know of any offence I have committed against Sri Radha. And please ask Her again and again why She is angry with Me.”

vatse! samasvasihi ko ’pi na te ’paradho
gacchami sarvam adhunaiva samadadhami
tam snehayami bhavatim parirambhayami
samlapayami rajanim saha sayayami

Upon hearing Kalavali’s pitiful speech, Jatila said, “O daughter, calm down and do not be afraid. You have not committed any offence. I am going to settle this right now. I will arrange that Radha soon gives You all Her love and affection. I will see to it that She embraces You and talks to You. And what is more, this very night You will both rest together on the same bed.”

ity uktva sahasa snu sh alayam agad drishtvalipalih purah
pravocal lalite! kim idrig abhavad vadhvah sva-bhavo ’dhuna
tasyas tata-purad iyam sva-bhaginim tam drashtum utkanthayaiv
agat sa katham atra sa-pranayam asvenam na sambhashate

With these words, Jatila burst into her daughter-in-law’s quarters.  Seeing the sakhis there, she turned to Lalita and said, “Lalita, why is my daughter-in-law in such a contrary mood today? Her own cousin-sister has come from Her father’s town, eager to see Her, but She is neglecting Her. Why will She not speak kindly to Her?”

pasyaisha nayanasru-sikta-sicaya khinna ’smad antarmaha
karunyam janayaty atah su-carite! sad-gunya-purne snushe
enam sadhu parishvajasva kusalam priccha priyam kincana
bruhyasya hridaya-vyathapasaratu prinihi mam prinaya

Jatila then addressed Sri Radha, “O Sucarita (girl of good conduct), O my daughter, You are full of good qualities. My dear daughter-in-law, just look. This unhappy girl’s clothes are wet from Her tears. My heart is filled with deep compassion for Her. Remove the pain from Her heart: embrace Her properly, ask Her about Her well-being, and speak to Her affectionately. Make Her happy as She was before, and then I will also be satisfied.”

arye! yahi griham yatha ’’disasi tat kurve sukhenadhuna
seshvai tavati balika-jana-vritha-vade svayam mapata
balalyah sadriso ’lpa-buddhi-vayaso ’bhiksha-prasakrudhas
tasu tvadrig apara-buddhir atula pramaniki kim patet

“Mother-in-law,” replied Sri Radha, “I shall certainly follow your instructions, so please return to your quarters and rest happily. It does not befit you to become involved in the petty quarrels of young girls. All young sakhis are the same; their age is small and so is their intelligence. They swing between quarrel and mutual affection from one moment to the next. Your intelligence, on the other hand, is unsurpassed, and you are highly authoritative. Is it appropriate for you to become involved in these childish quarrels?”

uttishtha ma vada param mama murdhna eva
datto maya sapatha smasru-gale grihana
atma-svasaram anaya saha bhunkshva seshva
ma bhindhi me guru-janasya nidesam etat

“O daughter-in-law, say nothing more,” Jatila said. “Stand up and immediately embrace Your sister. Have Your meal together and then take rest together. I am Your senior and elder, so do not disobey my order.”

arye! sa-praudhi mam adisasi yadi tato vacmi satyam yad esha
pravocat kundavallim katutaram adhikam duhsaham tena kopat
nasyah vaktram viloke yadi punar adhuna seyam asyam prasidet
tarhy evaham prasanna disasi yad akhilam tat karomy eva badham

“O mother-in-law,” replied Sri Radha, “you have instructed Me with firmness and seriousness; but before I obey your order, please hear one thing. This girl has spoken harshly to Kundalata, and that is why I feel so indignant that I do not even want to look at Her. If She makes up with Kundalata, then I will also be satisfied; and I will certainly do as you have told Me.”

arye! vakti mrisha snusha tava na mam esha katu-vyaharan
napy asyai kupita ’smi tam prati tatah provaca radha sphutam
kim mithya vadasiha kupyasi na ced asyai prasidasy alam
kantha-graham iyam tvayadya rabhasad alingyatam agratah

“O noble lady,” Kundalata said, “your daughter-in-law is lying. Kalavali has not spoken harshly to me, and I do not feel angry towards Her at all.”

Sri Radha boldly said to Kundalata, “How can you lie in front of My mother-in-law? If you are not angry with Kalavali, and if you are really happy with Her, then embrace Her now for us all to see.”

tushnim sthitam sapadi kundalatam vilokya
praha sma sapratibham eva tada mrigakshi
arye! paramris a ciram katarabravin nau
mithyeti tam paribhavasya vidhehi patrim

Upon hearing Sri Radha’s words, Kundalata fell silent. When doeeyed Sri Radha saw this, She immediately spoke the following clever words: “Mother-in-law, you please decide which of us is lying, and then reproach that one.

etam yad atra na parishvajate sa-harsham
tat kopa-lingam iha kah khalu samsayah syat
vriddha ’vadan mama vadhur iha vakti satyam
antah prasidati na kundalata yad asyam!

“Surely, if Kundalata is not delighted to embrace this pretty young girl, there must be something wrong. She must be angry with Her. Who could doubt that?”

“My daughter-in-law is speaking the truth,” the old woman said.

“Kundalata, why don’t you forgive Kalavali and be pleased with Her?

yena prasidasi tad eva karomi kaundi
manya ’smi te ’dya racita ’njali rasmi tubhyam
vikshyaiva man-mukham imam parirabdhum esi
natah param vada ha ha sapatho mamatra

“Oh, Kundalata, I will do whatever it takes to make you happy with Kalavali. Now listen to me. I am your worshipable superior, but I am begging you with folded hands to embrace this girl before my eyes. Do not say another word. Aah! For this end I take an oath upon my head!”

arya dadati sapatham na vibheshyato ’pi
ka dhir iyam tava tad ehi parishvajasva
ity alayas ca jatila-kutile ca dhritvaiv
alingayan bata mitho hari-kundavalyau

When Kundalata made no move to embrace Kalavali, the sakhis called out, “O Kundalata, are you not afraid of this good woman’s oath? Just see! What kind of intelligence do you have? Just embrace Kalavali right now.” Saying this, Jatila, Kutila and all the sakhis caught Kundalata and forced Her to embrace Sri Hari in His disguise as Kalavali.

vriddha tada kila na bheda-bhavishyad arad
ali-tater hasa-raso na viramam aishyat
tas cela-ruddha-vadanas tad api prahasam
nihsabdam eva vidadhus ca dadhus ca modam

If old Jatila had not been present, the sakhis would not have been able at all to stop themselves from plunging into hasya-rasa. As it was, they just covered their faces with their veils and drowned in silent blissful laughter.

vriddha vadhum atha jagada nija-svasaram
bruhi priyam parirabhasva ca nirvivadam
ity atmapani-vidhritau drutam eva radhakrishnau
mitho ’tiparirambham avapayat tau

Thereafter, the old woman told Sri Radha, “Daughter-in-law, now You should speak lovingly with Your sister and warmly embrace Her.” Jatila suddenly caught Sri Krishna with one hand and Sri Radha with the other, and drew Them together in the snare of a tight embrace.

harshasru-bindu-nikaram nudatam pratisvacelena
bhoh sukhayatan ca mitho bhaginyau
sambhujya kincana sukhena kritaika-talpasvape
dridha-pranayato nayatam tri-yamam

“O sisters,” she told Radha and Krishna, “I see that You are crying from the bliss of Your embrace. Now share Your mutual happiness by using Your cloth to wipe away each others’ tears. After that, go and happily enjoy a meal together, and then very affectionately spend the night with each other.”

vriddha jagam a sayitum nija-geham arat
krishnah pragalbhataratam dadhad akhyad alih
vidyam vigitata-matam gamitam api drag
vikriya vanchitam avindam ato jitah stha

Having said this, the old woman left to take rest in her chambers some distance away. Sri Krishna then spoke to the sakhis even more boldly and arrogantly than before: “Look, sakhis, you thought that this knowledge of Mine was contemptible, but I have quickly sold it and thus attained the result I desired: victory over you all.”

bhratar vadhur yad iha bhoh samabhoji tasmad
adyaiva vanchitam alambhi jayas ca bhuyan
setur yadi trutita eva tad-arddha-bhukta
naivastv iyam bhavatu purna-manorathaiva

“O king of all gallants,” Lalita said, “You have indeed achieved Your desired result by enjoying Kundalata, who is your own sister-inlaw, and thus You have gained the greatest victory. Now that the rules of social conduct are broken, why keep Kundalata only half-enjoyed?  Why not fulfil all her inner desires?”

bhratrapi suddha-manasa bhagini sutapi
pitra ’tra kim na parirabhyata eva loke
yushmakam anakha-sikham smara-bhava eva
tivras tad-atma-samam eva jagac ca vettha

Kundalata said, “Lalita, cannot a brother embrace his sister with a pure heart, or a father his daughter? Your whole body is burning from head to toe with intense amorous desire, so you think that everyone else in the world burns with that same desire.”

ity uktavaty atirusheva nivedya kundavalli
bahir-bhavanam eva yadadhyatishthat
tasyah prasadana-krite niragus ca sakhyas
tatraika eva kusumesur apad yuvanau

Saying this, Kundalata left the room, as if full of anger. All the sakhis followed her to try to pacify her. The only one left inside was the flower-archer Cupid, who engaged in protecting the youthful Couple, Sri Radha-Krishna.

subhru-vibhanga-kutilasya-saroja-sidhumadyan
madhu-vrata-vilasa-susaurabhani
samprapya jala-vivareshu jughurnur eva
preshthalayah pratipadam pramadormi-punjaih

From outside, Sri Radha’s dear sakhis peeped in through the patterned, latticed windows and inhaled the beautiful fragrance of the amorous pastimes of Madhusudana Sri Krishna. He Himself was intoxicated by drinking the honey of Sri Radha’s frowning lotus face, which was decorated with arched eyebrows. The sakhis felt themselves falling deeper and deeper into the waves of an ocean of bliss.

iti srila-visvanatha-cakravarti-pada-viracitah
sri-sri-camatkara-candrikah sampurnah

Thus ends the bhavanuvada of the Sri Camatkara-candrika of Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura.

 

Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krishna!

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