Wednesday, February 3, 2010

The Kunjas of Sudevi & Ananga Manjari

harid-vallI-vRkSa-citro harit-pakSy-ali-saMyutaH |
harin-maNi-citAbhyantar-bAhya-kuTTima-catvaraH ||
vAyavyAM sarva-harito rAdhA-kRSNAkSa-keli-bhUH |
sudevI-sukhadAbhikhyo harit-kuJjo virAjate ||

“On the northwestern side lies Harit Kunja, which gives great joy to Sri Sudevi and is the site of Radha-Krishna’s games of dice. Everything in this bower is green in color, such as green creepers and green trees, green birds and green bees, with terraces and courtyards all inlaid with green gems.” (Govinda-LIlAmRtam 7.98-99)

upari lahari-tulyAkAra-citraiH sphuradbhir
marakata-caya-garbhaiH padmarAgendu-kAntaiH |
ghaTitam itara-loke toyavad-bhAsamAnaM
maNimaya-kumudAmbhojAli-haMsAdi-yuktam ||
dhanapati-dizi tAdRk setubandhAnuSaktaM
SaD-adhika-daza-patrAmbhojavat sannivezam |
salila-kamala-sadmAnaGga-yuG-maJjarI-zaM-
pradam atula-sulAvaNyollasal lAlasIti ||

“Sitting above the waters of Sri Radha-Kunda in the shape of a sixteen-petalled lotus is the kunja house known as Salila-Kamala. This cottage, connected by a bridge to the northern side of the lake, is incomparably beautiful and delights its resident, Sri Ananga Manjari. Adorned with glistening wavelike ornaments of emerald, ruby and moonstone, as well as lilies, lotuses and swans made of jewels, it appears just like water to those who see it.” (Govinda-LIlAmRtam 7.100-101)

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