राशब्दोच्चारणाद्भक्तो राति मुक्तिं सुदुर्लभाम् ।। 2.48.
By uttering the word 'rāsa', the devotee attains liberation, which is most difficult to obtain.
कृष्णवामांशसम्भूता राधा रासेश्वरी पुरा
Rādhā, the queen of the rāsa, was formerly born from the left side of Kṛṣṇa.
रा इत्यादानवचनो धा च निर्वाणवाचकः
'Rā' is the syllable of giving, and 'dhā' expresses liberation.
बभूव गोपीसंघश्च राधाया लोमकूपतः
From the pores of Rādhā's body arose the multitude of gopīs.
राधावामांशभागेन महालक्ष्मीर्बभूव सा
By a portion of Rādhā's left side, Mahālakṣmī came into being.
चतुर्भुजस्य सा पत्नी देवी वैकुण्ठवासिनी
She is the wife of the four-armed Lord, the goddess dwelling in Vaikuṇṭha.
तदंशा मर्त्यलक्ष्मीश्च गृहिणां च गृहे गृहे
Her portions are the mortal Lakṣmīs, in every house among householders.
स्वयं राधा कृष्णपत्नी कृष्णवक्षःस्थलस्थिता
Rādhā herself is Kṛṣṇa's wife, abiding upon Kṛṣṇa's chest.
आब्रह्मस्तम्बपर्यन्तं सर्वं मिथ्यैव पार्वति
From Brahmā down to a blade of grass, all is truly false, O Pārvatī.
परं प्रधानं परमं परमात्मानमीश्वरम्
The supreme principle, the highest, the supreme self, the Lord—
स्वेच्छामयं नित्यरूपं भक्तानुग्रहविग्रहम् 2.48.
—is of the nature of his own will, eternal in form, the embodiment of grace to devotees.
तस्य प्राणाधिका राधा बहुसौभाग्यसंयुता
Rādhā, endowed with great fortune, is dearer to him than life.
मानिनीं राधिकां सन्तः सेवन्ते नित्यशस्सदा
The virtuous always and forever serve proud Rādhikā.
स्वप्ने राधापदाम्भोजं नहि पश्यन्ति बल्लवाः
The cowherds do not see the lotus feet of Rādhā even in their dreams.
स च द्वादशगोपानां रायाणप्रवरः प्रिये
And he, the foremost among the twelve chief cowherds, O beloved,
सुदामशापात्सा देवी गोलोकादागता महीम्
By Sudama’s curse, that goddess descended from Goloka to the earth.
पार्वत्युवाच कथं शशाप भृत्यो हि स्वाभीष्टां देवकामिनीम्
Pārvatī said: How did a servant curse the goddess, who was devoted to her own desire?
श्रीभगवानुवाच गोप्यं सर्वपुराणेषु शुभदं भक्तिमुक्तिदम्
The Blessed Lord said: This is the most secret in all the Purāṇas, auspicious, and bestows devotion and liberation.
एकदा राधिकेशश्च गोलोके रासमण्डले
Once, Rādhikā’s Lord, in Goloka, within the circle of the rāsa dance,
गृहीत्वा विरजां गोपीं सुभाग्यां राधिकासमाम्
Taking Virajā, the fortunate cowherdess equal to Rādhikā,
रत्नप्रदीपसंयुक्ते रत्ननिर्माणमण्डले
In a pavilion fashioned of jewels, adorned with jeweled lamps,
कस्तूरीकुंकुमारक्ते सुचन्दनसुधूपिते
Smeared with musk and red with saffron, fragrant with excellent sandalwood,
सुरताद्विरतिर्नास्ति दम्पती रतिपण्डितौ
There was no interruption to their amorous play; the couple were skilled in love’s delights.
मन्वन्तराणां लक्षश्च कालः परिमितो गतः
A hundred thousand cycles of time passed, their duration measured and gone.
दूत्यश्चतस्रो ज्ञात्वाऽथ जगदुस्तां तु राधिकम्
Then, knowing this, four messengers went and informed Rādhikā.
प्रबोधिता च सखिभिः कोपरक्तास्यलोचना 2.49.
Awakened by her friends, her lips and eyes reddened with anger.
क्रीडापद्मं च सद्रत्नामूल्यदर्पणमुज्ज्वलम्
The play-lotus, adorned with splendid jewels and a shining mirror,
प्रक्षाल्य तोयाञ्जलिभिर्मुखरागमलक्तकम्
She washed her hands with water, removing the red dye and lac from her mouth.
शुक्लवस्त्रपरीधाना रूक्षा वेषादिवर्जिता
Clad in white garments, harsh, devoid of any ornaments or adornment.
आजुहाव सखीसंघं रोषविस्फुरिताधरा
With lips quivering in anger, she summoned her assembly of friends.