Krishna is Enchanted by Radha-Kunda (Updated 2-20)

zrI-rAdheva hares tadIya-sarasI preSThAdbhutaiH svair guNair

yasyAM zrI-yuta-mAdhavendur anizaM premNA tayA krIDati |

premAsmin bata rAdhikeva labhate yasyAM sakRt snAna-kRt

tat tasyA mahimA tathA madhurimA kenAstu varNyaH kSitau ||

“Just as Sri Radha is most dear to Hari, her kunda is also most dear. Enchanted by its wonderful qualities, Madhavendu (moonlike Madhava) always lovingly sports there with her. Ah! Whoever bathes just once in this lake gets love for Krishna just like Radhika’s. Therefore, who on earth can describe its glory and sweetness?” (Govinda-LIlAmRtam 7.102)

priyA-kuNDaM dRSTvA mudita-hRdayo’py asya vividhair

guNais tais tair uddIpita-viraha-bhAvaH smara-vazaH |

priyA-prApty-utkaNThA-kavalita-manA nAgara-gurur

bhramAn nAnotprekSAM baka-ripur amuSmin sa vidadhe ||

khelac-cakra-yugorojaM phena-muktA-srag-ujjvalam |

rasormy-ucchalitaM mene priyA-vakSaH-samaM saraH ||

madhura-rasa-taraGgA bibhratI paGkajAsyaM

bhramaraka-parivItaM prollasat-khaJjanAkSam |

pramudita-hariNoccair haMsakArAva-ramyA

priyatama-sarasI sA preyasIva vyaloki ||

“Though Krishna felt joyful upon seeing Radha’s beloved lake, his feelings of separation from her were inflamed by its many wonderful qualities, and his desire for her grew strong. His mind overwhelmed with longing for her, Krishna, the enemy of Baka and guru of all playboys, began to ecstatically imagine his lover’s lake to be Radha herself. The waters were like Radha’s chest, with a pair of ruddy geese playing about as her breasts, its foam as glistening strings of pearls, and its waves as the rise and fall of her sweet loving sentiments. The lotuses surrounded by black bees appeared as her charming face circled by lovely curls, the dancing wagtails her glittering eyes, and the cries of the swans the delightful tinkling of her ankle-bells.” (Govinda-LIlAmRtam 7.103-105)

sva-preSThAriSTa-kuNDormi-calad-bAhUpagUhitA |

sva-kokanada-pANibhyAM kSipta-tac-cala-tat-karA ||

“With her own red-lotus hands, Sri Radha-Kunda pushed away the restless red-lotus hands of her beloved Arista-Kunda (Shyama-Kunda) as he tried to embrace her with his rippling, arm-like waves.” (Govinda-LIlAmRtam 7.106)

samIra-caJcad-ambhoja-calAsyena balAd iva |

cumbitAli-kaTAkSeSat-tiryag-ambuja-sammukhI ||

“Just as when Krishna by force kisses Sri Radha’s lotus face, she glances at him and leans slightly away, the lotuses of Radha-Kunda, while being kissed by the bees, leaned slightly, moved by the force of the breeze.” (Govinda-LIlAmRtam 7.107)


bhRGgI-jhaGkAra-zItkArA vi-kala-svara-gadgadA |

prodyat-kuTTamitA tena rAdhikeva vyaloki sA ||

“He imagined the buzzing of the bees and the chirping of the birds to be Radhika’s breathy and stammering voice as she repels his amorous advances.” (Govinda-LIlAmRtam 7.108)

samudbhrAmyal-lIlAmbujam anila-jAtormi-valitaM

saro-yugmaM vIkSyAnata-zirasi govardhana-gireH |

nija-premodghUrNA-skhalita-vapuSas tasya sa harir

bhramat-tAraM bASpocchalitam iva mene’kSi-yugalam ||

“When Krishna saw the two lakes, with their whirling lotuses and wind-blown waves, he imagined them to be two tear-filled restless eyes on the bowed head of Govardhana Hill, whose body had fallen to the ground, overcome by love.” (Govinda-LIlAmRtam 7.109)

itthaM priyAyAH sa saraH samIkSya tat-pratyaGga-saMsmArakam Atmano guNaiH |

vindaMs tad-Anandam amandam apy abhUt tad-Agamautsukya-vibhinna-dhairyakaH ||

“Thus seeing Sri Radha’s lake and being reminded of her loveliness by its wonderful qualities, Sri Krishna was filled with joy as he waited impatiently for her arrival.” (Govinda-LIlAmRtam 7.110)

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)

The Kunjas of Rangadevi & Tungavidya

tamAlaiH zyAma-vallIbhiH zliSTa-zAkhair vRtAntaraH |

indranIla-citAbhyantar bhUmi-kuTTima-catvaraH ||

rAdhayA yugalI-bhAvaM gato’pi mukharAdibhiH |

nekSyete harir ekaiva rAdhikA yatra dRzyate ||

rAjate dizi nairRtyAM raGgadevI-sukha-pradaH |

sarva-zreSThaH zyAma-kuJjo rAdhikA-rati-vardhanaH ||

“On the southwestern side of Sri Radha-Kunda lies a most wonderful dark-blue bower named Shyama Kunja, which gives much happiness to Sri Rangadevi and increases Sri Radhika’s enjoyment. It is covered with tamala trees whose branches bear dark-blue creepers, and its ground, terraces and courtyards are inlaid with sapphires. When Mukhara or other elders happen to come there, they can only see Sri Radhika, though Krishna is by her side.” (Govinda-LIlAmRtam 7.93-95)

rakta-vallI-vRto rakta-puSpa-patrair drumair vRtaH |

zoNa-ratna-citAbhyantaH kuTTimAGgana-maNDapaH ||

rakta-hindolikA-yuktaH kRSNeSTaH sarva-lohitaH |

tuGgavidyAnandado’sti pascime’ruNa-kuJjakaH ||

“On the western side of Sri Radha-Kunda lies Aruna Kunja, which is much cherished by Sri Krishna and gives great joy to Sri Tungavidya. Everything there is of the color red, including red trees covered with red flowers, leaves and creepers; red swings; and terraces, courtyards and pavilions inlaid with red gemstones.” (Govinda-LIlAmRtam 7.96-97)

Campakalata's Kunja

hema-vallI-vRtair hema-puSpakaiz chAdito’bhitaH |

hema-padmAvalI-citro hema-prAGgaNa-kuTTimaH ||

hema-maNDapikAyukto hema-hindolikAnvitaH |

hemAbhAli-khagair yukto hema-lIlA-paricchadaH ||

lIlayA pIta-vasanA pItAlepa-vibhUSaNA |

yatra praviSTA zrI-rAdhA kRSNenApi na lakSyate ||

gaurAGgI-veza-dhRk kRSNaH svapreyasyA sahAlIbhiH |

zRNoti prema-saMlApaM yatraitAbhir alakSitaH ||

kadAcit padmayA yatra preritA jaTilAgatA |

dadarza kRSNaM no rAdhAM tenaikAsana-gAm api ||

svavarNa-kRt-svasthitAnAM bhAti kAJcana-bhUr iva |

dakSiNe campakalatAnandado hema-kuJjakaH ||

“On the southern side of Sri Radha-Kunda lies a golden bower known as Hema Kunja, which gives great joy to Sri Campakalata. It is covered with golden creepers, flowers and lotuses, and has golden courtyards, terraces, pavilions and swings, as well as golden bees and birds. Indeed, all the paraphernalia for Radha-Krishna’s lila there is golden, as though everything has assumed the color of the golden earth. When, to suit the lila, Sri Radha enters the kunja dressed in golden clothing and anointed with golden ointment, even Krishna cannot see her. And when Krishna, similarly dressed in gold, secretly listens to Radha talk with her sakhis about her love sports, they also cannot see him! Once, when Jatila arrived there, sent by Padma, she was unable to see Radha and Krishna, though they were sitting together before her on a seat.” (Govinda-LIlAmRtam 7.85-90)

yatra campakavallyAH sA nikuJja-pAka-zAlikA |

Aste tad-Izayoz citra-jagdhi-vedikayAnvitA ||

yasyAM pAka-kriyAcAryA savRndA sA nijezayoH |

sampAdayati saMmodAt kadAcit kuJja-bhojanam ||

“Campakalata’s cooking house there is accompanied by a colorful covered platform where Radha and Krishna sometimes take their meals, expertly prepared with great pleasure by Campakalata and Vrinda.” (Govinda-LIlAmRtam 7.91-92)

Indulekha’s Kunja

sphaTikair indu-kAntaiz ca cita-kuTTima-catvaraH |

citritaH puNDarIkaiz ca kairavair mallikAdibhiH ||

zubhra-puSpa-dalair vRkSair vallIbhiz ca samanvitaH |

zubhrAli-pika-kIrAdyaiH zabda-jJeyair ninAditaH ||

zubhra-vezau tu rAkAyAM rAdhA-kRSNau sahAlIbhiH |

krIDantAv api nekSyete kaizcid yatrAgatair api ||

pUrNendu-nAmA kuJjo’yam indulekhA-sukha-pradaH |

suzubhra-keli-talpAdir AgneyAM dizi rAjate ||

“On the southeastern side lies a bower known as Purnendu Kunja, which gives great joy to Sri Indulekha. The terraces and courtyards there are inlaid with crystals and moonstones, and growing everywhere are two kinds of white lotuses, jasmines and white-leaved trees and creepers. The kunja resonates with the sounds of white bees, white cuckoos and white parrots who can only be differentiated by the songs that they sing, and a beautiful white bed stands ready for Radha-Krishna’s romantic pastimes. When, on the full-moon night, the divine couple sports here with their sakhis, they are dressed completely in white so if some outsider should happen to come by, they will not be seen.” (Govinda-LIlAmRtam 7.81-84)

Citra’s Kunja

vicitra-vRkSa-vallIbhiz citra-ratnaiz citAntaraH |

citra-varNaiH khagair bhRGgaiH kuTTimaiH prAGgaNair vRtaH ||

citra-maNDapa-saMyuktaz citra-hindolikAnvitaH |

prAcyAM citrAnandadAkhyaz citra-kuJjo virAjate ||

“On the eastern side of Sri Radha-Kunda lies an amazing bower known as Citranandada Kunja. It is filled with colorful trees and creepers and covered with colorful jewels. There are colorful birds, bees, terraces and courtyards, as well as colorful pavilions and swings.” (Govinda-LIlAmRtam 7.79-80)

Visakha’s Kunja

pratividizam udaJcac-campakAnAM caturNAm

aruNa-harita-pIta-zyAma-puSpoccayAnAm |

vara-parimala-dhArA-kSipta-gandhAntarANAM

pratidizam adhirohan-mAdhavI-veSTitAnAm ||

vyati-sumilita-tiryaG-nirgataiH kaizcid anyair

upari-ghaTita-saGgaiH snigdha-zAkhA-samUhaiH |

zuka-pika-madhupAnAM nIla-pItAruNAnAM

madhura-ninada-ramyaiz chAditaH saudha-tulyaH ||

sthala-jala-jani-puSpaiH pallavaiH kLpta-nAnA-

bharaNa-vasana-zayyA-sad-vitAnAdi-pUrNaH |

aruNa-vizada-pIta-zyAma-padmotpalAdyair

dizi vidizi sanAlaiH kalpitAneka-citraH ||

jaThara-zara-zalAkaiH pallavaiz citra-puSpair

ghaTita-mRduka-vATI-prAvRta-dvAz-catuSkaH |

mada-kala-cala-bhRGgAnIkinI-dvAra-pAlo

maNi-caya-cita-bhUmi-dvyaSTa-patrAbja-madhyaH ||

bahir api tata-zAkhAc chAditAbhiH samantAc

catasRbhir atibhAbhir veSTito dehalIbhiH |

anizam iha vizAkhA-ziSyayA maJjumukhyA

racana-nipuNamatyA saMskRto’dhyakSayAsya ||

ziva-hariti taTastho’py eSa rAdhA-bakArer

viharaNa-rasa-vanyA-plAvitAtmA samantAt |

madana-sukhada-nAmA locanAnanda-dhAmA

vilasati sa vizAkhAnandadaH kuJja-rAjaH || (SaDbhiH kulakam)

“In the northeast corner of Sri Radha-Kunda lies a wonderful kunja known as Madana-Sukhada, which gives much happiness to Sri Visakha, is a joy to behold and is soaked in the rasa of Sri Radha-Krishna’s pastimes. Four types of blossoming campaka trees, adorned with madhavi creepers and flowers of red, green, yellow and blue, perfume the entire area with their delightful fragrances. The smooth branches of each tree arch and touch the others, covering the area like a great palace filled with the sweet songs of blue, yellow and red parrots, cuckoos and bees. The kunja is replete with beautiful ornaments, clothes, beds and canopies made with land-flowers, water-flowers and leaves, and decorated all about with stemmed red, white, yellow and blue lotuses and water lilies. In the center of the bower stands a small hut, covered with thatch, leaves and multicolored flowers. Its four doors are guarded by an army of restless, drunken bees, and its floor is inlaid with jewels in the shape of a sixteen-petalled lotus. The hut is surrounded by four lustrous terraces shaded by a canopy of branches and the entire bower is always kept in good order by Sri Visakha’s expert follower Manjumukhi.” (Govinda-LIlAmRtam 7.73-78)

The Remaining Bowers in Lalita's Kunja (Updated 12-26)

namra-zAkhA-bhujAzliSTa-phulla-hema-latA-cayaiH |

tamAlaiH kalpitaM jiSNu-nIla-ratnAvali-citam ||

nIla-padma-dalAkArair upakuJjASTakair vRtam |

suvarNa-karNikaM prAcyAM bhAti kuJjAsitAmbujam ||

 “On the eastern petal lies Asitambuja Kunja. Its golden pericarp is surrounded by eight bowers in the shape of blue-lotus petals inlaid with sapphires and covered with tamala trees whose branches bend with the weight of golden creepers in bloom.” (Govinda-LIlAmRtam 7.68-69)

avAcyAM padmarAgAdi-citAntar-bAhya-maNDalam |

lavaGgaiz chAditaM phullair bhAti kuJjAruNAmbujam ||

kuJjaM hemAmbujaM bhAti pratIcyAM phulla-campakaiH |

vallIbhiz chAditaM hema-cita-bAhyAntarAlakam ||

 “On the southern petal lies Arunambuja Kunja, inlaid inside and out with rubies and other jewels and covered with blooming clove trees. In the west lies Hemambuja Kunja, covered with blossoming campaka trees and creepers and studded all about with gold.” (Govinda-LIlAmRtam 7.70-71)

evam uttarAdi-kuJjA bhAnti rAdhA-hari-priyAH |

nAnA-varNAkAra-bhedAd dRzAM vismaya-kArinaH ||

 “Thus, all these various kunjas, which are very dear to Radha-Krishna, are amazing to see because of their distinctive colors and shapes.” (Govinda-LIlAmRtam 7.72)

The Northeast Petal (Updated 12-22)

aizAnyAM bhAty aSTa-patraM mAdhavI-kuJja-sArasam |

mAdhavAnandadaM nAma nAnA-lIlopahAra-yuk ||

“On the northeast petal lies a madhavi bower known as Madhavanandada Kunja. It is shaped like an eight-petaled lotus and provides the necessary materials for various pastimes.” (Govinda-LIlAmRtam 7.65)

Madhavi Flower

phulla-malllIbhir AzliSTa-namra-zAkhA-bhuja-vrajaiH |

chAditaM phulla-punnAgaiz candrakAnta-citAntaram ||

padma-patrAkAra-kuJjair veSTitaM svarNa-karNikam |

udIcyAM maNi-kiJjalkaM bhAti kuJjaM sitAmbujam ||

“On the northern petal lies Sitambuja Kunja, a beautiful lotus-shaped bower with a golden pericarp surrounded by filaments of jewels and leaflike bowers covered with moonstones and blooming nagakeshara trees, their branches bent low with blossoming jasmine vines.” (Govinda-LIlAmRtam 7.66-67)

Nagakeshara

The Southeast Petal (Updated 12-13)

AgneyAM bhAti padmAbha-ratna-hindola-kuTTimam |

pUrvApara-dig-utpanna-pravINa-bakulAgayoH ||

sAci kiJcid vinirgatya gatyA vakrordhvayopari |

militAbhyAM suzAkhAbhyAM chAditaM maNDapAkRti ||

“On the southeast petal lies a lotus-shaped, jeweled swing terrace with two old bakula trees, one on the western side and one on the east. Two of their beautiful branches have grown in a somewhat upward twist and joined above in the shape of a pavilion.” (Govinda-LIlAmRtam 7.55-56)

tac-chAkhA-mUla-saMnaddhaiH paTTa-rajju-catuSTayaiH |

dRDhair baddha-catuSkoNaM nAbhimAtrocca-saMsthiti ||

“Four strong silken ropes are bound to the bases of those two branches and then tied to the four corners of a swing, which hangs at the height of one’s navel.” (Govinda-LIlAmRtam 7.57)

padmarAgASTa-paTTibhiH pravAlaja-padASTakaiH |

ghaTitaM hasta-mAtrocca-paTTi-veSTana-kezaram ||

dvyaSTa-patrAmbujAkAra-ratnAli-citra-karNikam |

dvi-dvi-pAdAnvitAmbhoja-dalAbhASTa-dalair vRtam ||

ratna-paTTi-kezarAntar dvArASTaka-susaMyutam |

dakSiNe dala-pArzva-sthAroha-dvAra-dvayAnvitam ||

laghu-stambha-dvayAsakta-paTTi-pRSThAvalambakam |

paTTa-tUlI-lasan-madhyaM pArzva-pRSThopadhAnakam ||

nAnA-citrAMzukaiz channaM svarNa-sUtrAmbarair api |

lasac-candrAvalI-muktA-dAma-guccha-vitAnakam ||

yatrASTa-dala-gAlInAM madhya-gau rAdhikAcyutau |

gAyad-anya-vayasyAbhir vRndA dolayatIzvarau ||

svArUDha-rAdhAcyutayoH sarvAbhimukhatAkaram |

hindolAmbujam AbhAti madanAndolanAbhidham || (aSTabhiH kulakam)

“That beautiful lotus-shaped swing, known as MadanAndolana, has a sixteen-petaled, jeweled lotus throne as its pericarp, surrounded by eight hand-high footstools inlaid with coral as its filaments and eight seats inlaid with rubies as its outer petals. The seats all have silken cushions, side pillows and back-bolsters supported by two small posts. Two doors on the right-hand side allow the swing to be mounted, while eight more doorways join the main seat with the outer ones. Above the swing hangs a canopy covered with colorful cloth interwoven with golden threads and adorned with shining moons, strings of pearls and clusters of flowers. With Their Lordships Radhika and Acyuta sitting in the center as the cynosure of everyone’s eyes, and their eight sakhis on the petals, Vrindadevi pushes the swing along with several other singing gopis.” (Govinda-LIlAmRtam 7.58-64) (This is a first draft, so some of this may change.)