thakurji-mathura2

Sri Sri Radha-Vinodabihariji are the presiding Deities in Sri Kesavaji Gaudiya Matha. When They were installed, some Vaisnavas were curious to know why both the Deities have the same colour, and they respectfully asked Srila acarya Kesari, "In our Gaudiya Sampradaya and elsewhere, Srimati Radhika's vigraha is made of white marble and Sri Krsna's vigraha is made of black marble. How is it that both the vigrahas which you have manifested are of white marble?" Srila acaryadeva answered this question in a beautiful and unprecedented way by composing Sri Sri Radha-Vinodabihari-tattvastakam. In the pitcher of this tattvastakam, Paramaradhya Srila Gurudeva has wonderfully manifested the fathomless ocean of Sri Radha tattva, Sri Krsna tattva, prema-tattva, rasa-tattva and the topmost rupanuga current of thought. We will try to reveal something of his bhavas (moods) in the following explanation, using sakha-candra nyaya, the logic of the branch and the moon.

Sri Sri Radha-Vinodabihari Tattvastakam

Verse 1
radha-cinta-nivesena yasya kantir vilopita
sri krsna caranam vande radhalingita-vigraham
"We pray at the lotus feet of that form of Radhalingita-Radhacihnita Sri Krsna, who is embraced and marked by Sri Radhika. When Srimati Radhika, the personification of mahabhava, displayed mana (Her mood of jealous anger), and He became thoroughly immersed in separation from Her, His own dark complexion vanished and He assumed Her bright, golden luster."
Or, "We pray at the lotus feet of Sri Krsna who is beautified by Srimati Radhika's golden luster when She embraces Him, after Her mana has broken."

Tattva prakasika-vrtti (The commentary which illuminates the philosophical principles) In this verse the word 'Radhalingita' has two meanings. The first is 'Radha-lingita': 'marked by Sri Radha.' The second meaning is 'radhaya-alingita': 'embraced by Srimati Radhika.' When Srimati Radhika exhibits mana, and dhira-lalita nayaka Sri Krsna becomes completely absorbed in feelings of separation from Her, His natural, bluish radiant luster disappears and He helplessly accepts Srimati Radhika's golden luster. In other words, His own luster becomes golden. He does not have to perform even the slightest endeavor for this; it happens automatically. It is like the strong bhrngi insect forcefully arresting the weak telacatta insect and confining it in its cave. When the weak insect hears the strange sound made by the bhrngi, it becomes afraid. Contemplating the form of the bhrngi, out of fear it assumes a bodily form exactly like that of the bhrngi insect. . . ." [From The Disappearance Day of Sri Srimad Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Maharaja, a lecture by Tridandisvami Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja]

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