Garga Bhagavatham : Vrindavan Khanda - Chapter 17

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 Sri Krishna takes the form of GopDevi and enters the household of Sri Vrishabhanu  to meet Sri Radha

King Bahulashwa says:- Sage! Listening to the history of Sri Radha Krishna, my heart is never satiated, exactly like the bee is never satisfied by drinking the honey of the fully bloomed lotus in Sharad Ritu. Brahman! Storehouse of the riches of penance! Please tell me what happened after the completion of the vows by the wife of Sri Krishna, Queen of Raas.

 

Sri Narada said:- King! learning about the completion of the worship of Tulsi by Sri Radhika, to test her love one day Bhagawan Sri Krishna went to Vrishabhanupur. At that time, He took the form of a wonderful Gopika girl. While walking her anklets were jingling very sweetly. The melodious sounds of the bells attached to her waistband were also heard. The rings on her fingers had a special shine. The bangles on her wrist studded with precious gems, the bracelets on her arms, and the necklaces on her neck and chest which were full of precious gems that were adding to her beauty. Bright like the early morning sun, shining with sheesh flowers, her hairstyle was looking especially artful. Her nose rings made with pearls were swinging. The divine silvery glossy luster of her complexion was dark. Taking such a form Sri Hari looked at the mansion of Vrishbhanu. With a moat and fortified walls that mansion of Vrishabhanu was beautified with four entrances and at each entrance majestic elephants, which were as black as the color of black eyeliners, were moving around by which the beauty of the palace was enhanced. That canopy's block was further beautified by different colored horses which were faster than winds and one's mind.

   King of Kings! The flock of calves, cows, and the flock of well-behaved bulls were also beautifying the mansion. Many cowherds were moving around there, carrying canes and flutes and they were singing. Shyamasundar, in the form of a glamorous girl, entered the place in the palace, where only girls were allowed, and many entrances and pillars were shining as bright as a crore Suns. The courtyard, which was decorated with precious gems, was full of many beautiful girls who were also shining like gems. Veena and other percussion instruments were being played by attractive lovely Gopikas, who were singing in praise of Sri Radhika. That place, which was meant for only the girls, was looking like a small forest. There, pomegranate, mandaar, lime, and many other tall trees were swaying. Creepers of ketaki, malathi, and madhavi flowers were beautifying the place. There was the thicket belonging to Sri Radha, where flowers of the kalpavriksh (wish full filling tree) blooming and spreading their scent, which was filling the place. King! In that small thicket bees intoxicated by drinking honey had fallen down. Mild and scented breeze was blowing which was strewing petals of lotus flowers. On top of the trees in the thicket, male and female cuckoo birds, peacocks, cranes, and other birds were cooing in very sweet voices. That place had thousands of flowerbeds and thousands of lakes. There were temples, with many water fountains. Wearing ear studs as shiny as the early morning sun and wearing multi-colored dresses crores of pretty girls were showing their skills in serving Sri Radha. Amidst them, Queen Radhika was sauntering around. That place was decorated with very delicate saffron-colored fabric. The flooring was covered with mountain flowers, water flowers, and land flowers, to such an extent that by stepping in them one's feet would be covered till their ankles. In such a courtyard Sri Radha, who was s bright as crores of Moons, with a body which was very soft and slim was moving around with her tender feet. Daughter of Vrishbhanu, Sri Radha saw the beautiful Gopika girl who had come there newly. By her brightness, the other girls looked dull just as the stars lose their luster in the moonlight. Admiring her sublimity, Sri Radha welcomed her and embraced her tightly with both her hands and made her sit on a divine throne. Then as per custom, Radha offered her water, and other treats and started to attend to her with great respect.

 

Sri Radha said:- Beautiful Sakhi! You are welcome. Quickly tell me your name. You have come here by yourself, this is very fortunate for me. Divine beauty like yours can not be seen in this world. Radiant One! The place where such beauty resides is surely fortunate. Devi! please tell me in detail the reason for coming here. Please tell me what I can do for you, that is within my capacity. Your sight, lovely brightness, sweet voice, attractive smile, movements, and your features are looking similar to those of Sripati to me. Good One! Please come here every day to meet me. If that is not possible, tell me where your house is situated. In whichever method we can meet each other, you have to use it always. I love the shape of your body very much because it is similar to the body of my lover, the son of the king of Vraj who has stolen my heart. Hence, please be near me. I will respect you in the same way as one would respect their sister in law.

 

Sri Narada says:- King! Listening to this, Sri Krishna who was in the form of a girl by His Maya, told the lotus-eyed Radha thus

 

Sri Bhagawan said:- Rambhoru! In Nandnagar Gokul my house is to the north of Nandbhavan. My name is 'Gopdevi' I have heard from Lalita about your beauty and your sweet nature hence, hey playful eyed beauty! I have come to see you at your house. Lotus eyed one! I have seen with my own eyes the divine city which is filled with the sweet smell of creepers of cloves, where the sweet sounds of humming bees are heard, in the thickets where wild piper flowers are blooming. Even Amaravati, the city of the King of Devas will not be as attractive as this place.

 

Sri Narada says:- King of Mithila! In this way, the lovers met. Praising each other, they were glowing in the garden. They were playing with spheres made out of flowers, while laughing, and singing. Looking at the trees in the forest they were moving around here and there. King! Addressing lotus-eyed Radha, who was full of artful exposition, Gopdevi told in a soft voice thus

 

Gopadevi said:- Queen of Vraj! Nandnagar is far from here and it is already evening, so I have to go. Early tomorrow morning, I will come to you undoubtedly.

 

Sri Narada said:- King! Hearing Gopadevi's words tears flowed down Sri Radha's eyes. With anxiety and sadness, she fell like a cut banana tree. The girls who saw this were shocked and came running and began fanning her. The juice of Chandan flowers was sprinkled on her dress. Then Gopadevi told Sri Radha thus

 

Gopadevi said:- Radhike! I will certainly come in the morning, you do not worry. I promise upon my cows, milk, and my brother.

 

Sri Narada says :- King of Kings! Telling this, Sri Hari who was in the form of a girl, reassured Radha and went back to SriNandagokul.

 

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