“O Devi, leave aside your doubts and bring happiness to your heart. Have faith in these words: Rama will string the bow.” (Janaki Mangala, 76) The foundation of the Ramayana is the idea of investing full faith and confidence in… Read More ›
krishna’s mercy
What Are Friends For
“Now in confusion, no words are coming to the queen. Seeing her worried and in thought, her friends are trying to make her understand.” (Janaki Mangala, 75) You’re too invested in the outcome to think straight. Desire strengthens to the… Read More ›
Two Worlds Colliding
“The queen lovingly said to her friends in amazement, ‘How heavy is Shiva’s bow and how soft and gentle is the form of this prince.’” (Janaki Mangala, 73) A youth is not expected to be strong. When the child first… Read More ›
Shining Like Lightning
“From their window perch, the wives of the royal court are peeking out. While talking, their shiny teeth look like lightning.” (Janaki Mangala, 72) lāgi jharokhanha jhānkahiṃ bhūpati bhāmini | kahata bacana rada lasahiṃ damaka janu dāmini || In this… Read More ›
The Best Fortune
“He who reads this beautiful ashtakam of the sweet pastimes of Kunja-vihari receives the best fortune of attachment to the worship of the lotus feet of the Lord.” (Shrila Rupa Gosvami, Shri Kunja-vihary-astakam, 9) aṣṭakaḿ madhura-kuñja-vihāri krīḍayā paṭhati yaḥ kila… Read More ›
Beautifully Decorated Eyebrows
“All glories to Kunja-vihari, whose forehead is decorated with a splendorous tilaka made of mineral pigments, whose garland made of champaka flowers moves during His play, and who meets with the girls of beautifully decorated eyebrows in the mountain caves.”… Read More ›
Precious Minerals
“All glories to Kunja-vihari, whose forehead is decorated with a splendorous tilaka made of mineral pigments, whose garland made of champaka flowers moves during His play, and who meets with the girls of beautifully decorated eyebrows in the mountain caves.”… Read More ›
Abandoning Pious and Impious
“All glories to Kunja-vihari, who has fragrant sandal paste smeared on His body, whose hips are adorned with a beautiful golden belt, and who is like an elephant tied by the ropes of the raised breasts of Shri Radhika.” (Shrila… Read More ›
Beautifully Scented
“All glories to Kunja-vihari, who has fragrant sandal paste smeared on His body, whose hips are adorned with a beautiful golden belt, and who is like an elephant tied by the ropes of the raised breasts of Shri Radhika.” (Shrila… Read More ›
The Guru’s Influence
“This lady knows the resolve of Rama and the intelligent Lakshmana, so she is not very agitated, like Mother Ganga at the onset of the rainy season.” (Hanuman, Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 16.4) rāmasya vyavasāyajñā lakṣmaṇasya ca dhīmataḥ | na… Read More ›