I found this section at Karunamayi das's Madrasi Baba website in the 'teachings' section:
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Regarding the gopi manjari`s sthayi bhava (eternal constant devotional mood with consequent behaviour) aimed at and to be followed in manjari bhava raganuga bhakti sadhana, Baba was very clear in teaching us that in no case a gopi-manjari has rati-vilasa with Krishna as it is this unique trait which distinguishes them from the other sakhi. Such staunch loyalty to Shrimati Radharani, devoid of rivalry, enables them to render the most confidential services to Shri Shri Radha-Krishna, get unique favours from their mistress Shrimati Radharani and taste the highest transcendental bliss, things that are inaccessible to any other sakhi.
Why do Gaudiya Vaishnavas see manjari-bhava as higher than sakhi-bhava? Are their any sakhi-bhava paramparas in Gaudiya line?
How is it that other sakhis also have conjugal rights with Krishna?
What exactly is meant by "unique favours" ?
What exactly is accessible to the manjari and not to the sakhi?
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Why do Gaudiya Vaishnavas see manjari-bhava as higher than sakhi-bhava? Are their any sakhi-bhava paramparas in Gaudiya line?
The two divisions of sringara-rasa are sambhogecchatmika and tat-bhavecchatmika. The first of the two refers to the gopis who personally enjoy with Krishna, and the second refers to the gopis who desire to vicariously experience the feelings of Radha through serving Her.
It is well known that Sri Radha is the embodiment of madanakhya-mahabhava, the pinnacle of prema, and there is no higher love than this. While the loving capacity of the sambhogecchatmika-gopis is limited to their own individual bhava, the manjaris vicariously share the emotions of Sri Radha on account of their bhava-tadatmya, unity of mood, with Her, arising out of their immense dedication for Her. Hence we regard manjari-bhava superior.
The expression "sakhi-bhava" is in fact not a very precise definition for the sambhogecchatmika. Radha-prakaranam of Ujjvala-nilamani enlists five kinds of sakhis, all girlfriends of Sri Radha, among whom two groups, nitya-sakhis and prana-sakhis are tad-bhavecchatmika, immersed in the mood of a manjari. On the other hand, there are groups of gopis who are tatastha or vipaksa (neutral or belonging to an opposing group) who can also be classified under the heading of sambhogecchatmika. Hence, nayika-bhava is a much more precise equivalent for sambhogecchatmika.
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How is it that other sakhis also have conjugal rights with Krishna?
All the gopis of Vraja are Sri Radha's kaya-vyuha rupa, a phalanx of expansions of Her own self, each embodying a partial aspect of Herself. They, Candravali included, are but aspects of Her loving service to Sri Krishna. Bahu kanta vina nahi rasera ullasa (CC) - Without many consorts, there is no rejoice of rasa.
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What exactly is meant by "unique favours" ?
I believe it should be "flavours". Anyhow, if it indeed is favours, it is a fact that Sri Radha also has an unparalleled vatsalya-bhava for Her dasis. This is the very meaning of a palya-dasi, a maintained maidservant. Since their birth they have always been with Her, and they know no other shelter than Her.
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What exactly is accessible to the manjari and not to the sakhi?
An absorption and experience of Sri Radha's very own feelings. In fact, the manjaris are so much absorbed in an unity of feelings with Her, that even if She is in a solitary kunja enjoying with Her priyatama, the goosebumps of ecstacy which appear on Her skin instantly reflect on the bodies of the manjaris, who may be far away from Her! Such experiences are not accessible for anyone else.
Ahh, thank you. Now I am enlightened.
