Translation

 

Forget being lucky enough to get darshan of that lotus-eyed Sri Krishna with both my eyes, I shall consider myself blessed if I can get His darshan with the corner of one eye. 43.

 

 

 

rila Krishnadâs Kavirâj Goswâmi says, Sri Râdhâ has entered a state of ‘tânav’. Sri Lilâshuk is echoing Her feelings in these three verses.

 

What is ‘tânav’ ?

 

The following poem describes this state aptly –

 

“I will never see His moon-face again. My body is reducing day by day and I will not survive any longer. How much more shall I cry and sing His glory? My life is in peril since I cannot see my beloved. I have no strength to either sit or stand. How many nights shall I spend awake? Where did my Treasure disappear and along with Him all my joy? Who stole my Life away?

 

Never shall I go on the banks of the Yamunâ, never shall I behold Shyâm beneath the Kadamba. My life is so shameless, it refuses to leave, poet Gyâna dâs says – my heart is shattered on seeing Sri Râdhâ’s plight.”

 

Sri Râdhâ is also experiencing ‘glâni’. This state is explained with the following example –

(Lalitâ imagined a swan to be a messenger and said) – “My dear good bird! Please go and tell Sri Krishna in Mathurâ that Sri Râdhâ, Whose eyes are like the blue lotus, is greatly suffering from the pangs of love and is now lying on the death-bed. The sakhis have stopped all remedies since they are convinced that She will not live any more. But still She cannot give up Your hope. It is this hope that is forcefully keeping Her alive. Hence please do not delay and go quickly to meet Her in Vrindâvan.”

– [Hamsadoot]

 

Due to ‘tânav’ (when one becomes extremely thin) and ‘glâni’ (a near death situation), Sri Râdhâ has entered a state ‘vishâd’ (depression) and ‘dainya’ (humility). This verse indicates that Srimati has fallen on the earth.

 

What is ‘vishâd’ ?

 

“When we are unable to obtain a desired object, or are unsuccessful in executing a plan, or face obstacles or have committed an offence, we feel a kind of repentance. This is called ‘vishâd’.” – [B.R.S 2.4.14]

 

Here is an example of ‘vishâd’ due to the inability to obtain the object of desire –

 

(Sri Râdhâ told Vishâkhâ during the state of purva-râg) – “Sakhi! Today I could neither drink Sri Hari’s nectarine speech nor gaze at His face properly. Alas! After an eternity I had got this beautiful chance! But bad luck came in the form of this old woman (Jatilâ) and stopped me.” – [Vidagdha-Mâdhav quoted in U.N.]

 

What is ‘dainya’?

 

“’Dainya’ is humbleness arising out of sorrow, trouble or offence.”

– [B.R.S. 2.4.21]

 

 

U.N. explains ‘dainya’ further by quoting Sri Bilvamangal Thâkur –

 

“My darling murali! (flute!) You are the connoisseur of the ras that blows out from the sweet mouth of Mukunda (Krishna). Hence I pay obeisance unto you and pray – when you get the rosy lips of Nanda-nandan, please whisper into His ears about my condition.”

– [U.N. 13.12]

 

This is Sri Râdhâ’s prayer in great humbleness. Now She is fallen on the earth in depression and humility. Her eyes are shut. The sakhis are consoling Her – “Dearest Râdhe! Have patience! Sri Krishna will come just now; You will embrace Him.” Sri Râdhâ is replying in disappointment. The poet has echoed Her feeling in this verse.

 

Sri Râdhâ is replying, “Now even if Sri Krishna comes near me, I have no strength to embrace Him. He is the Chief of the Adolescent and my Fortune-incarnate. Yet, leave aside embracing; I won’t even be able to see Him, with my eyes.”

 

‘Hanta’ indicates depression. What is the reason for depression? I will not be able to see That lotus-eyed Kishor with both my eyes. I would consider myself blessed if I could see Him with the corner of one eye. You may say, Sri Krishna will come just now, take His darshan, why do You grieve? But sakhi! I am trying hard to open my eyes, but I can’t. If Sri Krishna comes, what does it matter? I am not fortunate enough to see Him.

 

In Srimad-Bhâgavatam, the Gopis are telling in Venu-geet –

 

“It is worthwhile to have eyes if one can behold Sri Krishna”.

– [S. B. 10.21.7]

 

“The eyes have no purpose other than beholding Krishna. He alone is fortunate who can see Krishna.”

– [Sri Chaitanya-Charitâmrita. Âdi.4.133.]

 

The eyes are worthless if they cannot get Sri Krishna’s darshan –

 

“Krishna’s face is the abode of the nectarine song of the flute; it is the fountainhead of nectarine lâvanya. One who does not see that Moon-face, his eyes are useless. May he be struck down with a thunderbolt! Why should his eyes survive?”

– [Sri Chaitanya-Charitâmrita.2.26]

(to be contd…)