Verse 46

 

 

Translation

 

 

Whose thick hair is tied in a chudâ, Whose hair is adorned with peacock-feathers, Whose eyes are full of mischief, Whose fine lips are rosy like the ripened ‘bimba’, Whose smile is soft and sweet, Whose sportive dalliance is as magnanimous as the Mount Mandâr, my eyes are searching for That enchanting Murâri. 46.

 

 

rila Kavirâj Goswâmi says, once again Sri Râdhâ has fainted. The sakhis are trying to console Her by saying – ‘Oyi Râdhe! Get up! Get up! Look there, Sri Krishna has arrived.’ Srimati sat up, opened Her eyes and looked around, but She could not see Sri Krishna anywhere. Then She spoke to Her sakhis in delirium. Sri Lilâshuk is echoing Her feelings in this verse.

 

Sri Râdhâ told Her sakhis. “O sakhis! My eyes are searching everywhere for the supremely beautiful Murâri Who has such an enchanting appearance.”

 

Sri Bhagavân is called ‘Murâri’ because He killed a demon by the name ‘Moor’. But this explanation is not according to the sweet mood. Hence Srila Kavirâj Goswâmipâd has presented a beautiful explanation for the name ‘Murâri’. He says, ‘Mura’ means ‘ugly’ and ‘ari’ means ‘opposite’, so Murâri means ‘One Who is not ugly’ or ‘Supremely Beautiful’!

 

Srimati said sakhis! Please enable me to behold Murâri immediately. How is that Murâri? ‘bahula-chikura-bharam’ – Whose soft and thick hair is tied into a chudâ and it is decorated with peacock-feathers – an object of temptation for the Gopis.

 

“Who tied His hair high into a chudâ and adorned it with peacock-feathers? It is a good temptation for the fair sex! Who brought the rainbow down from the sky to adorn the fresh cloud^[1]? Who put well-knit Mallikâ and Mâlati garlands around the chudâ? It looks like the River Gangâ flowing around the peak of the Nilgiri Mountain.” – (Mahâjan-poem)

 

Kavirâj Goswâmi explains – ‘chapala-chapala-netram’ means ‘chapalan-meenâdapi-chapale netre yasmin’.

 

Meaning – “His eyes are more restless than fishes”.

 

‘Chapal’ also means ‘fish’.

 

“chapale parede meene iti vishwaat.”

 

Meaning – “Vishwakosh dictionary states that ‘chapal’ means mercury, fish etc.”

 

‘charu–bimba-adhara-oshtham’ and ‘madhur-mridula-haram’ means ‘His beautiful face is resplendent with soft and sweet smile playing on His rosy lips.’ Everything is sweet – everything is unique –thus captivating the Gopis. Poet Gyâna dâs has described Sri Krishna’s extremely lovely beauty –

 

“His hair is adorned with peacock feathers, fresh Mâlati and Mallikâ flowers, and swarms of honey-bees. How many different varieties of blossoms and buds neatly adorn His hair! Sweetheart, He is the beautiful Shyâm Kishor. The soft gaze in His rose-tipped eyes soothed my heart.

 

His forehead is decorated with a chandan crescent that is a delight for a damsel’s eyes. He blows softly into His flute with perked up lips that brings forth sweet notes.

 

Gem-studded ear rings adorn His ears that scatter attractive brilliance all around. Each part of His body is decked with gem-ornaments. Poet Gyâna dâs says – My heart throbs when I see Him in the ‘tribhanga’ pose.”

 

 “How enchanting is Nandakishor! His beauty enthrals the heart and fills it with passion. His body scatters waves abound like dark clouds showering ras around. He smilingly plays on the flute like intoxicating nectar oozing from moon-rays. His ivory necklace charms young maidens and He sports arms resembling the trunk of an elephant. Unable to touch Him, women of honour become restless and have no succour. Poet Gyâna dâs begs to hear His nectarine speech.”

                                                                 

Sri Krishna’s appearance is agitating. It is ‘mandâra-udara-lilâm’, meaning, “Whose Divine pastimes are as magnanimous as the Mandâr Mountain. The Mandâr Mountain was used to churn the Ocean of Milk that threw up many gemstones. Similarly He is churning our hearts and is obliterating our gem-like (precious) self-control. Hence His pastimes are very agitating.

 

During purva rag, the ambassadress is petitioning to Shyâmsundar about Sri Râdhâ’s impatience –

 

“She has lost all laughter and joy; She only wants to lie on the earth. She behaves thus O Hari, ever since She has seen You. She sits alone and glorifies You, and sheds tears with eyes so pretty. Then if any dear sakhi arrives, She draws lines with Her feet. If she enquires lovingly she cries loudly in stead of giving a reply. Poet Ghana Shyâm dâs wants to know what She desires, what ails Her so.”

 

 

“Srimati Râdhârâni has said (the ambassadress quotes): My eyes and heart went haywire beholding Your wondrous beauty. My heart is set afire for Your touch, how do I live, O tell me. 

 

Mâdhav! Please do hear! Ignorant Love has engulfed Her like the fire swallows an insect. She tries to speak, but cannot, She is so full of distress. Neither can She rest in peace, for She is burning in the fire of Your viraha and She is always lying on the earth. The mention of Kâlindi and Kadamba makes Her shed tears. Say, Mâdhav, how will She live?’ Govinda dâs inquires.”

                                          

In the siddha-deha Sri Lilâshuk is asking – when will I see Sri Krishna dressed enchantingly while meeting Sri Râdhâ?

 

Sri Bhatta Goswâmipâd explains that Sri Lilâshuk is expressing his desire to behold Sri Krishna. ‘My eyes are searching for Murâri’s enchanting appearance’.

 

He has explained ‘Murâri’ in the following manner –

 

‘Mur’ means the ‘one that binds’, while ‘ari’ means enemy. The Vrajabâlâs are obstacles in Sri Krishna’s darshan”. But when the Gopis see Him or hear His flute even once, they are freed from all bondage. So He is ‘Murâri’. Sripâd Lilâshuk is a devotee in Gopi-bhâv. The Gopis have an extraordinary attraction for Sri Krishna’s rup-mâdhuri and venu-mâdhuri. They even decide to give up their lives for the sake of these two objects. Srila Gyâna dâs quotes Sri Râdhâ’s lamentation in deep love –

 

“How would I know His beauty would affect me so, How can a weak girl bear so much pain and despair?

 

His flute sets fire to the heart that rages twice over and it spits venom like a high breed snake. That sister-in-law is so vile. She does not let me meet Him and troubles me always. I am so scared of her that I shiver like a doe caught up in a hunter’s net.

 

My heart always beats for Shyâm with a love so deep that whoever tells me to let go of Him, surely wants to murder me and he is my enemy. Poet Gyâna dâs says – She is ready to do whatever you say, to procure Krishna. For Shyâm She’ll give up Her life as well.”

 

That Murâri has an enchanting appearance as well! Srimad-Bhâgavatam says –

 

“bhushana-bhushana-angam.”

 

Meaning – “Each and every part of Sri Krishna’s body beautifies the ornament worn by that part.” -[Srimad Bhâgavatam 3.2.12]

 

(to be contd…….)