The happiness of seeing Krishna is described in the Jagannatha-vallabha-nataka. The gopis here express their contentment at having met Krishna after suffering from His separation.
yada yato daivan madhu-ripur asau locana-patham
tadasmakam ceto madana-hatakenahrtam abhut
punar yasminn esa ksanam api drsor eti padavim
vidhasyamas tasminn akhila-ghatika ratna-khacitah
If by chance the transcendental form of Krishna appeared before my eyes, my heart, wounded by the beating, would be kidnapped by Cupid, who is the personification of happiness. Since I have not been able to see Krishna, until my heart is completely satisfied when I see Him again, I will decorate the passage of time with many jewels.
An introduction to ratri-lila (the nocturnal pastime) is given in Govinda-lilamrta:
tav utkau labdha-sangau bahu-paricaranair vrndayaradhyamanau
presthalibhir lasantau vipina-viharanair gana-rasadilasyaih
nana-lila-nitantau pranaya-sahacari vrnda-samsevyamanau
radha-Krishnau nisayam sukusuma-sayane prapta-nidrau smarami
I remember Radha and Krishna, who long for each other’s company at night. After meeting, while wandering through the forest, Vrndadevi serves them in various ways. Radha and Krishna look very charming with Their sakhis when They sing and dance in the pastimes of rasa. Fatiguing with Their playful activities, They are served by numerous caring friends (the manjari). At the end of the night, They lie down on the flower bed where They will sleep. By observing these pastimes, the sakhis drown in an ocean of ecstasy.
O my mind remembers, worships and wishes to participate in this pastime, when Radha and Krishna are asleep.
Gradually perfection is achieved by always remembering the treasure of these pastimes that follow each other in the eight parts of the day while engaged in devotional service. That sadhaka who reaches the level of svarupa-siddhi by practicing gopi-bhava enjoys the asta-kala pastimes, living in the manifested Vraja in the material world. After obtaining Krishna’s mercy, when he leaves the material body, he obtains the service of Radha and Krishna in Vraja in the spirit world as Their companion.
In that stage, the material bodies, subtle or gross, are not perceived. By chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, ecstatic love is easily achieved in this state of eternal liberation.
O brother, the holy name never loses its potency whether in the state of practice or in the state of perfection. So, chant the holy name and see it as your only purpose. Do not consider any other means of sadhana.
Thus ends the Astama-yama sadhana of Sri Bhajana-rahasya.
This is a section of the book “Bhajana Rahasya”, by Bhaktivinode Thakura.
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