20260216 Śrī Caitanya-śīksāmṛta 7.7. Conjugal Bhakti-rasa

Seventh Shower — Rasa vicāra (Analysis of the mellows)

Seventh Stream — Conjugal Bhakti-rasa

Auspicious lines

The auspicious signs and lines are described inVarāha-saṁhitā, Jyoti-śāstra, Kāśī-khaṇḍa, Matsya Purāṇa, and Garuda Purāṇa:

(1)  At the base of the large toe of the left foot is the mark of a java, barleycorn; (2) below that mark is a disc; (3) a lotus at the base of the middle toe; (4) flag below the lotus and (5) a banner (6) the urdhva-rekha line beginning right of the middle toe and extending up to the middle of the sole; and (7) an aṅkuśa, elephant goad, at the base of the little toe. Further, (1) a conch shell at the base of the big toe; (2) a fish upon the heel; (3) an altar throne at the base of the little toe; (4) a chariot above the fish, (5) a mountain; (6) circle (maṇḍala); (7) a mace, and (8) a śakti symbol like a spear. On the left hand, (1) line of longevity (paramāyu-rekhā) from the junction of the index and middle fingers to the base of the little finger; (2) another line beginning from the palm and passing through the middle of the index and thumb; line, starting below the life line extends from the middle of outer side of the palm below the little finger and travels up to between the index finger and thumb; and (3) another line rising from the wrist beneath the thumb, curving upward and joining the middle line between the index and thumb. Five spiral symbols resembling nandyāvarta at the middle of the fingertips. Totally eight lines. (9) an elephant below the ring-finger; (10) a horse below the life-line; (11) a bull below the middle-line; and (12) below the little finger, an elephant goad; plus (13) a fan; (14) a bilva Śrī Lakṣmī bel fruit tree; (15) a sacrificial post (yūpa); (16) an arrow; (17) a spear; and (18) a mālā (garland). On the right palm, there are three lines of longevity as on the left palm. Five conch shells on each finger-tips; (9) a yak-tail cāmara fan below the index finger; (10) an elephant-goad beneath the little finger; (11) a palace; (12) a dundubhi, kettle drum; (13) a thunderbolt; (14) a pair of carts; (15) a bow; (16) a sword; and (17) a water pot (bhṛṅgāra). On the left foot are seven. On the right foot are eight. On the left hand are eighteen. On the right hand are seventeen. Altogether there are fifty auspicious marks and lines.

These qualities exist in living entities in the form of minute drops. In goddesses and divine figures, they appear in somewhat greater measure. In Rādhikā, all are present in full form— all of her qualities are transcendental (aprakṛta). In Gaurī and others, the purity and fullness of these qualities are not there. In Śrī Rādhā alone is present the supreme pinnacle of wonder.

Jayapataka Swami: I mean, truly amazing that Rādhārāṇī has fifty signs! And other devīs, human beings they may have a drop of this! But actually Rādhārāṇī has these signs and auspicious lines, all fully manifest. So, this shows that She is completely spiritual, aprākṛta, and we should understand that.

Śrī Rādhā’s group alone is supreme.

Śrī Rādhā’s group alone is supreme. The maidens who belong to that group are adorned with all noble qualities. Their various playful pastimes constantly attract Mādhava. The five types of sakhīs of Śrī Rādhā are: — sakhī, nitya-sakhī, prāṇa-sakhī, priya-sakhī, and parama-preṣṭha-sakhī.

Jayapataka Swami: So different types of sakhis are  present. So those who are in Śrī Rādhā’s group are these five types. What to say! They are really transcendental! So Rādhārāṇī is surrounded by the devotees, gopīs, with special qualities. So, we want to serve Kṛṣṇa but serving Kṛṣṇa is not an easy thing. All these qualities are held by His intimate devotees. So we should try to adopt these qualities.

Note:

tāstu vṛndāvaneśvaryāḥ sakhyaḥ pañca-vidhā matāḥ
sakhyaś ca nitya-sakhyaś ca prāṇa-sakhyaś ca kāścana
priya-sakhyaś ca parama-preṣṭha-sakhyaś ca viśrutāḥ

Renowned are the five types of friendships of the queen of Vṛndāvana: sakhī, nitya-sakhī, prāṇa-sakhī, priya-sakhī, and parama-preṣṭha-sakhī—these are considered the fivefold division.

Śrī Rādhā’s circle of sakhīs:

Kusumikā, Vṛndā, and Dhaniṣṭhā are known as sakhīs. Kasturī, Maṇimañjarī and others are nitya-sakhīs. Śaśimukhī, Vāsantī, Lāsikā and others are prāṇa-sakhīs—these often attain the very nature (svarūpatā) of Vṛndāvaneśvarī. Kuraṅgākṣī, Sumadhyā, Madanalālasā, Kamalā, Mādhurī, Mañjakeśī, Kandarpa-sundarī, Mādhavī, Mālatī, Kāmalatā, and Śaśīkalā are counted among the priya-sakhīs. Lalitā, Viśākhā, Citrā, Campakalatā, Tuṅgavidyā, Indulekhā, Raṅgadevī, and Sudevī—these eight are the foremost among all sakhīs, and are referred to as parama-preṣṭha-sakhīs. They, being impelled by the supreme pinnacle of Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa’s love, sometimes express greater affection toward Kṛṣṇa, and at other times toward Rādhā. Within each yūtha (group), the subgroups are called gaṇa (sub-groups).

Jayapataka Swami: So, we all know that Rādhā-Mādhava and aṣṭa-sakhīs are parama-preṣṭha-sakhīs, they are very special. We have Lalitā, Citrā, Campakalatā… Viśākhā, Raṅgadevī, Sudevī. These are all parama-preṣṭha-sakhīs.

I had dialysis today, so am a bit tired.

Kṛṣṇe matir astu!