Garga Bhagavatham : Maadhurya khanda - Chapter 12
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Description of the divine and ordinary Gopis of the Earth; Gopis along with Sri Radha celebrate the festival of Holi with Sri Krishna
Sri Narada says:- Lord of Mithila! I have described to you the auspicious history of Gopikas! Now listen to the narration about other Gopis. Veetihotr, Agnibhuk, Saambu, Sreekar, Gopati, Shruth, Vrajesh, Paavan and Shanth, these are the names of nine 'Upanands' who appeared in Vraj. They were all very rich, good looking, had children, knew many shastras, were virtuous and very generous. In their houses, according to the order of Devatas, some of the girls born were angelic, some were ordinary and some had three qualities. All of them were born as gopis on this earth according to the result of their deeds in their previous births. All of them lived as companions of Sri Radhika. One day, on the occasion of 'Holi', all the girls of Vraj went to the respected Sri Radha and spoke thus.
Gopis said:- Rambheru! Chandravadane! Madhumaanini! Lalane! Sri Radhe! Listen to our beautiful words. That Ornament of Vraj, Son of Nand is coming to your garden in Barsana town to celebrate the Holi festival. Intoxicated by the shining youthfulness, His playful eyes are roaming. His blue colored curly locks are kissing His shoulders and cheeks. On His body, the yellow-colored silk cloth is shimmering with beauty. He is attracting everyone with the melodious tingling sound of the anklets on His feet. The crown on His head is shining like the early morning Sun. He is wearing bright bracelets on His arms, a garland on His chest, His ear drops in the shape of Capricorn is making the lightning seem dull in comparison. The yellow cloth with its yellow brightness on His dark complexion is shining just like a rainbow shines amid the dark clouds. His body is smeared with the juice of rose and saffron. He is holding a new pichkaari (Syringe like instrument filled with Holi colors) in His hand, friend Radhe. He is waiting near-by and is expecting you to come out quickly and play the Raas of spraying colors. You also give up your shyness and come to play Holi. Surely the festival of Holi has to be glorified, in your mansion today. Let us quickly prepare colored water along with a mixture of a paste of sandal, and the juice of scented flowers. Most intelligent dear Sakhi! Get up quickly and along with a host of your companions, go to that place, where that Shyamasundar is present. Such an opportunity will never come again. The saying that "you have to wash your hands in running water", is known everywhere and befitting to this situation.
Sri Narada says:- King! Then, the shy Radha gave up her shyness, got up, and surrounded by a host of her companions went out to celebrate Holi. With pails filled with liquids prepared by mixing sandal paste, scents, musk, turmeric, and saffron, many girls of Vraj joined together and went. Those Gopi girls were looking beautiful with colored red hands, wearing colorful dresses, tingling anklets, ringing bangles, and shining waistbands. They were singing humorous songs of Holi scolding each other. They were taking powder mixed with scents and other colors in their fists and throwing it here and there. The gopis were making the earth, sky, and one another's dresses red by throwing colored powder everywhere. Scented and colored powder was being sprayed by crores of hands.
At the same time, gopis of Vraj
surrounded Sri Krishna on all four sides just like the clouds are surrounded by
rainbows on the evening of saavan(monsoon). Firstly they applied scents and
colors on His face, then poured scented color liquid on Him and according to
custom bathed Him with pails of water mixed with saffron.
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