What does the poet mean by ‘nirvân’1?
In Lilâshuk’s verse, the word ‘nirvân’ describes the Gopis. ‘Nirvân’ means ‘one from whose heart the ‘vân’ or arrow has been removed’. The Gopis are so chaste that no one can pierce their heart. Such remarkable Vraja Gopis (who are absolutely free from every anartha) too become extremely agitated upon hearing the song of the flute. In the evening, the demi-goddesses pluck celestial flowers from the gardens of heaven. When they hear the sweet notes of the flute, they are startled. When they behold Sri Krishna, their hands tremble. The flowers slip through their hands and bathe His beautiful form.
Such is this extra ordinary Vastu and the poet has expressed it in the words ‘svas-taruni-karâgra-vigalat-kalpa-prasuna-âplutam.’ Overpowered with love, Lilâshuk has used the word ‘Kalpa’ instead of ‘Kalpa-taru’. Sometimes we use a part of a word to denote the whole word, for e.g. ‘Bhim’ refers to ‘Bhimsen’ only.
Srila Bhatta Goswâmipâd says that, in this verse, the poet has described Sri Krishna’s extreme beauty. He says the word ‘svah’ may refer to all the worlds above the third swarga2. Hence, ‘svah’ also includes the Vaikunthas. Hence, it also means that the flowers slipping off the hands of the Laxmis bathe Sri Krishna. The Laxmis of Vaikuntha are not so lucky as to touch Sri Krishna directly, since we cannot obtain Him in the mood of opulence. Yet the Laxmis are unable to control the desire to touch Sri Krishna. Therefore, if not directly, they wish to associate with Him indirectly by showering flowers on Him to worship Him. Nevertheless, the moment they behold His infinitely beautiful face, they are full of sâttvik-bhâv (raptures) and they forget to shower the flowers. Then the flowers just slip from their hands and fall on Sri Krishna. We are not supposed to use fallen flowers for worshipping. However, Sri Krishna is renowned as the ‘One Who fulfils all the desires of His devotees’. Hence, He accepts even the fallen flowers. Really, an explanation like this is as much ras-ful – as it is breathtaking!
(to be continued)