August meditations 2004 - RRSN 2

yasyAh kadApi vasanAncalakhelanottha
dhanyAtidhanyapavanena krtArthamAnI/
yogIndradurgamagati madhusUdano'pi
tasyAnamostu vrsabhAnubhuvo dise'pi//

"Even Madhusudan, whose course is utterly inconcievable
to yogis of the highest order, feels gratified with a touch
of the most blessed breeze that is sometimes wafted by
the flutter of the border of the garment of
Vrsabhanu's daughter. I bow in salutation even to that
direction graced by her presence."
(RRSN 2)
In Govinda Lilamrta, in the preamble to the meeting of Radha and Govinda at midday, Govinda is in deep conferance with Vrnda, Dhanistha and others when Tulsi arrives on the scene. Hari's heart is pleased to see Tulsi and he eagerly inquires from her about Radha's well-being and her present location, to which Tulsi jests that Radha will not come out today.

Meanwhile, Sumukhi Rai stays hid in a shady covert near by, when the breeze, in order to hasten the joy of union, causes her garment to flutter, and surcharged with the sweet fragrance of her limbs, carries it to Syamsundar, who apprihending the ravishing odour, anxiously glances about to assertain the direction whence it comes, and anticipates the immanent fulfilment of his strong desire; dise'pi namostu.

Jaya Sri Radhey!

"Without breath how can a body live, can a fish breathe without water? How could there be a romantic night of love-sports without the silvery moon? Could life be sustained without food? Ah! So how could there be a shower of
Krsna's rapturous amorous love-sports hightened by transports of love-ecstacy
without Radha?"

O Mukunda, giver of liberation!
Who in the world is there with the courage
to pray for the gift of sacred love,
of which the slightest manifestation,
when brushing against the minds of the great sages,
makes them forget the happiness of liberation?

My prayer therefore to you is this:
that I should simply desire for such prema,
and that this desire should increase forever,
in this world, birth after birth.
(Rüpa Gosvämé, Astadasa-cchanda, Vastra-harana, 2)

I offer obeisances to him who is the desire tree of all welfare for the pious, who wields the flower arrows which pierce the hearts of all the beautiful young maidens, who is the most expert in protecting those who have taken shelter of him, and who is the scorching sun drying up the lilies of the impious.
(Rupa Goswami's Hari-kusuma-stava)

karmANyanIhasya bhavo 'bhavasya te
durgAzrayo 'thAribhayAt palAyanam |
kAlAtmano yat pramadAyutAzrayaH
svAtman rate khidyati dhIr vidAm iha ||

SBh.P 3.4.16

"O Lord! You're actionless but perform pastimes,
and You're birthless, still You've appearance.
Though You manifest in the form of death itself,
You flee from enemies into the fortress out of fear,
and though You're ever delighted in Your blissful Self,
You take shelter of many pleasing youthful women.
All these actions of Yours torment even
the wisdom of the enlightened ones!"

Jaya Sri Radhey!

aho bakI yam stanakAlakUtam
jighamsayApAyadapyasAdhvI /
lebhe gatim dhAtryucitam tato'nyam
kam vA dayAlum saranam vrajema //

Sri Uddhav Mahasoy says;

"How passing wondrous that Baki (Putana), who came with nipples besmeared with virulent poison, and with infanticidal intent toward the divine child, whom she suckled at her breast; that even she should attain the status of perfection as his nurse-maid. Ah me! Such a merciful lord, to whom else should we go seeking refuge?

(Bhag. 3.2.23)

You're all no doubt familiar with Devakinandan das' Vaisnava vandana, so I crave your indulgence with my English "version"?

First, to the Vaisnavas who reside in Vrndavan, I bow in salutation at the feet of one and all; then to the followers of Mahaprabhu, in Nilacal residing, falling at their feet, I bow to one and all. I bow with utmost attachment at the feet of all Mahaprabhu's voteries who dwell in Navadvipa. I bow in salutation at the feet of all the lord's followers who abide in Gauda desh; raising my arms in joy, I then bow at the feet of all the followers of Gauranga in whatever province they abide. To all the servants of the lord and all who shall as such hereafter be, taking a clump of grass between my teeth, I bow at the feet of them all.

Each and every one of them has the power to deliver the entire world from bondage, thus the glory of their noble virtues are heard sung throughout the Vedas and Puranas. The followers of Mahaprabhu are all saviours of the fallen, and hence this base sinner seeks refuge with them.

What right or power even do I have to make salutation to them? My sooty mind, various vices; 'tis merely another display of my false pride. Nevertheless, the fool is fortunate, for my heart rejoices in the thought that they, forgiving my transgressions, might make me their own humble servant. Then all desires are fulfilled, Yama's bonds are sundered, and one plunders the rarest of treasures in this world,PREMA!
Devakinandan das eagerly declares; all hearts's cherished hopes are accomplished without delay!