Various Levels of Spiritual Love
In ujjvala-rasa (the topmost pinnacle of all devotional mellows), the permanent mellow is madhurya-rati (loving attachment for Krsna expressed in the mood of a lover). This madhurya-rati is of three kinds: (1) sadharani [attachment wherein one’s own personal enjoyment is present], (2) samanjasa [attachment wherein both one’s personal enjoyment and the desire to please Sri Krsna are equally present], and (3) samartha [attachment wherein only the desire to please Krsna is present]. The sadharani-madhurya-rati found in Kubja is like an ordinary gemstone. The royal queens of Dvaraka, beginning with Rukmini, are possessed of samanjasa-madhurya-rati. This is compared to cintamani or touchstone. The gopis of Vraja are possessed of samartha-madhurya-rati, and this is compared to the Kaustubha jewel.
That attachment which has of its design and intent one’s own personal enjoyment is called sadharani. That attachment, which has as its purpose the enjoyment that accr
Radha (4)
Radha Krishna
Asta-kaliya-nitya-lila
Radha Krishna's eternal eightfold daily pastimes
The version of asta-kaliya-nitya-lila which is most bona fide for Gaudiya Vaisnavas was revealed by Srila Krsnadas Kaviraja Goswami. It is essential, basic knowledge for any Rupanuga devotees. The following eight slokas are excerpts from Srila Kaviraja Goswami classic, 'Govinda-Lilamrta,' and are named:
"Sri Radha-Krsnayoh Asta-kaliya-lila Smarana-mangala Storam"
A sacred song of remembering the sports performed by Sri Radha and Krsna during the eight periods of the day.
1. pratham-yama-kirttanam: Chanting during the first period: (3:22 a.m. to 5:46 a.m.)
ratryante trastavrnderita bahuviravaibedhitau kirasari-
paghairrhrdhyairapi sukhasayana dunthitau tau sakhibhih/
drstau hrstau tadatvoditarati-lalitau kakkhatigih sasamkau
radhakrsnau satrsnavapi nija-nijadhamnyapta talpau smarami//
ratryante --at the close of night; trasta --afraid; vrnda --vrndadevi; irita urged; bahuviravai --with many chirping t
Radha Kund is the bathing place of Radharani and Her most elevated assistants, the gopis or cowherd girls. Radha Kund is located on the northern end of Govardhan Hill in the area of Greater Vrajamandala, not far from Vrindavana or Mathura. Sri Rupa Gosvami explains in verses 9 and 10 of his Sri Upadesamrita that out of all the places in Vraja, Radha Kund is superior to them all because it is flooded with the ambrosial nectar of Krishna prema, ecstatic love of God. Therefore, those who live here are the most fortunate in the universe. The Padma Purana also explains that just as Radharani is most dear to Krishna, Her bathing place of Radha Kund is also dear to Him.
Across from Radha Kund is Shyama Kund, Krishna’s bathing place. Krishna dug Shyama Kund when Radharani insisted that He purify Himself by bathing in all the holy rivers after He had killed the Aristasura demon who was in the form of a bull. So rather than going to all the sacred rivers, He simply dug His heel into the
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