{"id":36863,"date":"2022-11-04T02:48:38","date_gmt":"2022-11-04T06:48:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/?p=36863"},"modified":"2022-11-04T22:01:29","modified_gmt":"2022-11-05T02:01:29","slug":"the-meeting-of-krishna-disguised-as-a-female-singer-from-the-camatkara-candrika-of-visvanatha-cakravarti","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/the-meeting-of-krishna-disguised-as-a-female-singer-from-the-camatkara-candrika-of-visvanatha-cakravarti\/","title":{"rendered":"The Meeting of Krishna Disguised as a Female Singer"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fourth Prank – The Meeting of Krishna Disguised as a Female Singer<\/span><\/p>\n

from the Camatkara Candrika of Visvanatha Cakravarti<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Kundalata continued:<\/span><\/p>\n

“On Brihaspati\u2019s order, the brahmana brought Kalavali before him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Brihaspati said:<\/span><\/p>\n

“Most intelligent of young girls, your genius is matchless and Your voice defeats the cooing of cuckoos.<\/span><\/p>\n

How wonderful!<\/span><\/p>\n

I will therefore instruct You in the topmost knowledge of the Gandharvas.<\/span><\/p>\n

Such a fine intelligence and sweet voice cannot be found in the realm of human beings, or even Kinnaras[1]<\/a>.”<\/span><\/p>\n

So Brihaspati instructed this girl for the duration of his month\u2019s stay in Mathura.<\/span><\/p>\n

Then he took Her with him when he returned to the heavenly planets and taught Her there for yet another year.<\/span><\/p>\n

She returned to the Earth planet at the end of the month of Asvina[2]<\/a>, and came to Mathura only yesterday.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Now, today at dusk, She has come before You here in Vraja.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Radha:<\/span><\/p>\n

“My dear Kalavali! Please sing a song for Me!”<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Kalavali:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cO Vrindavanesvari[3]<\/a>, which raga would You like to hear Me sing?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Radha:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c”Malava raga[4]<\/a> is proper to be sung at this time of the evening.”<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Kalavali:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSumukhi[5]<\/a>, in which melody should I sing?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Radha:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPlease sing in sadaja[6]<\/a>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Kalavali:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn which of the four different srutis[7]<\/a> of that melody will I sing?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Radha:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cO beautiful one, if one has a bodily disorder in which the kapha[8]<\/a> or vata[9]<\/a> in the throat is out of balance, it is not possible to sing purely.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the same way, it is not possible to sing pure notes without the backing of a vina[10]<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nonetheless, I would like to hear You sing a sweet song full of the various attributes of music such as raga[11]<\/a>, tala[12]<\/a>, svara[13]<\/a>, gamaka[14]<\/a>, jati[15]<\/a>, tana[16]<\/a> and grama[17]<\/a>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Kalavali:<\/span><\/p>\n

“Radha, who in this universe is as expert in music and song as You are?<\/span><\/p>\n

I can only sing simple melodies.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please listen.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Saying this, Kalavali began to sing:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTa na na na ta na na ri,\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

in such a beautiful voice that She put to shame both the peacocks and the bumblebees.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When Radha\u2019s dear sakhis heard Kalavali\u2019s sweet singing, rivers of tears flowed from their eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As the song progressed, their rapture and enchantment became such that their tears even stopped flowing.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Then, at the song\u2019s completion, those tears pattered to the ground like a shower of small stones.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Radha\u2019s heart had become as hard as a diamond because of Her mana, but now it was melting, and this surprised Her.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Radha, enchanted by the music, said:<\/span><\/p>\n

“Oh Kalavali!<\/span><\/p>\n

Your fascinating song simply belittles the nectar\u2028of the gods!<\/span><\/p>\n

Oh Kalavali!<\/span><\/p>\n

I have become completely enchanted by your unique qualities!<\/span><\/p>\n

I now cherish a great desire within My mind: I fancy that a girl as talented as you should always\u2028live by My side!<\/span><\/p>\n

By that, then only will My birth become successful!<\/span><\/p>\n

Oh most qualified Kalavali!<\/span><\/p>\n

Only Sri Nanda-nandana is capable of understanding the glories of your talent.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dear girlfriend!<\/span><\/p>\n

If He were to hear your singing, then He would indeed wear you around His neck, accepting you to be a permanent necklace!”<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Kundalata:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRadha, among women, Kalavali is the very epitome of virtue, so do not speak to Her like this.<\/span><\/p>\n

You should personally embrace Her; don\u2019t do anything else.\u201d[18]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Radha then stepped forward to embrace Kalavali and to present Her with a precious necklace, but Lalita whispered in Sri Radha\u2019s ear:<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

“Radhe! Who are You just about to embrace?<\/span><\/p>\n

This must be Your wicked lover, that rogue has come in the disguise of a woman!”[19]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Radha replied outloud:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy dear friend Lalita, you give supremely valuable advices.<\/span><\/p>\n

Indeed, after careful consideration you are speaking the truth.<\/span><\/p>\n

I was going to express My appreciation by simply presenting Her with a necklace, but that would not show Her proper respect.<\/span><\/p>\n

I shall therefore present Her with all sorts of jewelled ornaments and fine garments.\u201d[20]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Radha then turned to Rupa-manjari and said:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cO Rupa-manjari, carefully dress Kalavali right before Me in a bright new outfit of many colours.<\/span><\/p>\n

Take off Her old bodice, and quickly cover Her raised breasts with a new one.\u201d[21]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Kundalata promptly spoke up:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBeautiful-faced Radha, please do not take off this beautiful young girl\u2019s clothes, for She will feel shy and embarrassed in front of You.<\/span><\/p>\n

Just present Her with whatever You want to give Her, and let Her take it home to try on there.\u201d[22]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Radha:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSakhi Kalavali, everyone knows that women never feel bashful or fearful when there are only other women around.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tell Me, are You not creating the thorny obstacle of shyness on this very happy occasion?\u201d[23]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Kalavali:<\/span><\/p>\n

“Oh Radhe!<\/span><\/p>\n

I will not accept a single necklace, cloth or ornament from You.<\/span><\/p>\n

Oh simple, innocent girl!<\/span><\/p>\n

Am I not the daughter of a well-to-do singer?<\/span><\/p>\n

If You really are pleased with me, then just step close and give me a warm hug, and I will be satisfied with that.<\/span><\/p>\n

I tell You truly that other than a loving embrace, I have no hankering at all for any type of riches.”[24]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Radha:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, sakhi, why are You so contrary?<\/span><\/p>\n

Why do You refuse My offer?<\/span><\/p>\n

Please put on these fine garments and jewelled ornaments. If You do not comply willingly, I will dress You Myself by force. Look, You are alone, and I have hundreds of sakhis with Me.<\/span><\/p>\n

Silly girl, I warn You not to act so independently before Me.<\/span><\/p>\n

I am telling You, just be careful!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Having said this, Radha ordered the sakhis to change Kalavali’s dress.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hearing this order, two Sakhis immediately stepped forward and untied the back and shoulder-knots that held on the bodice worn by the Kalavali-disguised Krishna.<\/span><\/p>\n

The very second it was loosened, two very large kadamba flowers suddenly popped out and fell from Krishna’s chest onto the floor.[25]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Radha:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAha! What has fallen out of Her bodice?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Rupa-manjari and all the other maidservants clapped their hands with glee, and then shyly covered their laughing moon-like faces with their veils.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Vrishabhanu-nandini Sri Radha turned Her back on Krishna and sat down.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When the sakhis saw what Krishna had done, they tried to suppress their mirth by holding their veils over their mouths.<\/span><\/p>\n

Unable to control themselves, however, they burst into loud peals of laughter.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Without uttering a word, Radha also joined in, and at last, so did Krishna and Kundalata.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Thus, within that very room, the hasya-rasa[26]<\/a> became obviously present in personified form, and verily attained the post as the most luscious object of taste for what seems like hours and hours.<\/span><\/p>\n

The sakhis began to address the two kadamba flowers, saying:<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cO great big kadamba flowers, of everyone on the face of this Earth it is you who are truly blessed.<\/span><\/p>\n

You are not usually duplicitous, but you have become so by your association with this cunning person.<\/span><\/p>\n

As flowers of a tree, you know no cunning. But now that you are in the hands of this cheater, you are showing such shamelessness that you have assumed the form of a young girl\u2019s breasts.<\/span><\/p>\n

We are all drowning in an ocean of the nectar of laughter because of you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The sakhis asked Kundalata:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Kundalata, where has your companion Bashfulness gone now?\u201d[27]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Kundalata:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBashfulness and Kundalata have both drowned in the depths of the water of Patala-loka[28]<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

You cannot see them now.\u201d[29]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lalita:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cIf Kundalata and her sakhi named Bashfulness have drowned and passed away, then who are you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Kundalata:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I am only her shadow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lalita:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you have departed, then how is it that I am now seeing your shadow?”<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Kundalata:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have nothing to say,<\/span><\/p>\n

May the goddess of speech dance upon your tongue.\u201d[30]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lalita:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cKundalata, your love for Brihaspati\u2019s disciple and your good association with Her has been increasing steadily since your childhood.<\/span><\/p>\n

There is no trace of a false statement on your tongue.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your glories are heard again and again throughout Vraja, and it is proclaimed that you instruct chaste girls in their own righteous activities.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thus you perform great deeds on behalf of Kamadeva.<\/span><\/p>\n

Unfortunately, your desire was not fulfilled today, and consequently you have to tolerate great pain.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sakhi Kundalata, how supremely intelligent you are.<\/span><\/p>\n

Today you proudly came to our assembly from far away and have with great endeavour tried to sell this knowledge you received from your guru.<\/span><\/p>\n

But alas, you have not been able to sell your knowledge, and instead you have quickly become a laughing stock.<\/span><\/p>\n

Maybe you came at an inauspicious time.\u201d[31]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Krishna:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLalita, I can easily sell this knowledge in the market place of the sakhis and fulfil My desires.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now give Me that bodice, or I will dress you up in it.\u201d[32]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When Lalita heard this, she said:<\/span><\/p>\n

“Can dried-up flowers ever bud into fresh sprouts?<\/span><\/p>\n

When the life has left someones’s body, can any endeavor on the part of others bring it back again?<\/span><\/p>\n

Will anyone continue to worship a proud and arrogant person even after the real truth about his nature is exposed?<\/span><\/p>\n

Dear Lord!<\/span><\/p>\n

There’s absolutely no necessity of you displaying any more of your mischievous tricks of mind-boggling ingenuity; now you are free to go.”[33]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

At this, Sri Krishna picked up the two kadamba flowers from the floor and left.<\/span><\/p>\n

Replacing the flowers in his bodice as false breasts again, he then went boldly into Jatila’s quarters[34]<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Coming before Jatila, he begun rolling on the ground and cried out loudly, lamenting piteously in a very mournful voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Seeing all this, Jatila became very touched with sorrow. Coming forward, she asked:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho are You, my daughter?<\/span><\/p>\n

Where have You come from?<\/span><\/p>\n

Why are You crying?<\/span><\/p>\n

Has someone harmed You?<\/span><\/p>\n

Wipe the tears from Your lotus-face and tell me everything.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Trembling, Kalavali told Her sad story in a faltering voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cO noble lady.<\/span><\/p>\n

Alas, alas, how unfortunate I am!<\/span><\/p>\n

Fie upon My body.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fie upon My very birth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hundreds upon hundreds of curses have fallen upon My head.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Exclaiming all this, Kalavali then simply lied there on the ground before old Jatila and begun to shiver and tremble.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Then, with half-broken syllables she spoke faintly:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI reside in King Vrishabhanu\u2019s town, and I am the daughter of Kirtida\u2019s sister[35]<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

I have had a close, loving relationship with Radha since My childhood.<\/span><\/p>\n

I came from My home, eagerly looking forward to meeting Her again after a long time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Alas!<\/span><\/p>\n

Radha will not so much as glance My way, what to speak of embrace Me with love and affection.<\/span><\/p>\n

When She saw Me, She would not smile sweetly at Me, not even once.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nor was She attentive to even once inquiring about My well-being.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is the use of My staying alive?<\/span><\/p>\n

I shall give up My life right now before you.<\/span><\/p>\n

Noble lady, please try to recall whether you know of any offence I have committed against Radha.<\/span><\/p>\n

And please ask Her again and again why She is angry with Me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jatila’s heart immediately became softened and melted just to hear such pitiful exclamations and sorrowful lamentations of Kalavali.<\/span><\/p>\n

The old woman felt very sad and spoke sweetly:<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cO daughter, calm down and do not be afraid.<\/span><\/p>\n

You have not committed any offence. I am going to settle this right now.<\/span><\/p>\n

I will arrange that Radha soon gives You all Her love and affection. I will see to it that She embraces You and talks to You.<\/span><\/p>\n

And what is more, this very night You will both rest together on the same bed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Saying this, Jatila took Kalavali along and quickly went to the palatial quarters of her daughter-in-law Radhika.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Seeing all the girls present before her, Jatila begun to admonish them in a slightly raised voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She said to Lalita:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLalita, why is my daughter-in-law in such a contrary mood today?<\/span><\/p>\n

Her own cousin-sister has come from Her father\u2019s town, eager to see Her, but She is neglecting Her.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why will She not speak kindly to Her?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jatila then addressed Radha:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cO Sucarita[36]<\/a>, O my daughter, You are full of good qualities.<\/span><\/p>\n

My dear daughter-in-law, just look.<\/span><\/p>\n

This unhappy girl\u2019s clothes are wet from Her tears.<\/span><\/p>\n

My heart is filled with deep compassion for Her.<\/span><\/p>\n

Remove the pain from Her heart: embrace Her properly, ask Her about Her well-being, and speak to Her affectionately.<\/span><\/p>\n

Make Her happy as She was before, and then I will also be satisfied.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[1]<\/a> A celestial musician half man and half horse.<\/span><\/p>\n

[2]<\/a> September \/ October<\/span><\/p>\n

[3]<\/a> Queen of Vrindavana.<\/span><\/p>\n

[4]<\/a> Generally representing a king in love.<\/span><\/p>\n

[5]<\/a> Beautiful-faced one<\/span><\/p>\n

[6]<\/a> The “sa” note.<\/span><\/p>\n

[7]<\/a> Lyrics, the smallest\u00a0interval<\/a>\u00a0of\u00a0pitch<\/a>\u00a0that the\u00a0human ear<\/a>\u00a0can detect and a singer or musical instrument can produce.<\/span><\/p>\n

[8]<\/a> The qualities of Kapha are unctuous, cool, heavy, slow, smooth, soft and static.<\/span><\/p>\n

[9]<\/a> The qualities of Vata are dry, light, cool, rough, subtle, and mobile.<\/span><\/p>\n

[10]<\/a> A nice musical instrument used even by Demigods.<\/span><\/p>\n

[11]<\/a> A scale<\/span><\/p>\n

[12]<\/a> Rhythmic cycles<\/span><\/p>\n

[13]<\/a> Musical notes<\/span><\/p>\n

[14]<\/a> Ornaments<\/span><\/p>\n

[15]<\/a> The particular class of raga<\/span><\/p>\n

[16]<\/a> Improvised variations<\/span><\/p>\n

[17]<\/a> The Vedic system of melody<\/span><\/p>\n

[18]<\/a> Kundalata intervened because she knew that Krishna did not want any jewelry but only Radha’s embraces.<\/span><\/p>\n

[19]<\/a> Lalita had unerstood to have been cheated and wanted Radharani to be warned.<\/span><\/p>\n

[20]<\/a> Srimati Radharani had by now understood the blunder and quickly made a plan.<\/span><\/p>\n

[21]<\/a> By undressing Kalavali, Krishna’s trick would have been revealed and also He would have been humiliated.<\/span><\/p>\n

[22]<\/a> Kundalata tried to avert the disaster.<\/span><\/p>\n

[23]<\/a> Radha is saying, if you are a girl, what is the problem in getting undressed in front of all of us, who are girls like you?<\/span><\/p>\n

[24]<\/a> Krishna is afraid of being discovered and he says, I don’t want anything. Just embrace Me.<\/span><\/p>\n

[25]<\/a> Krishna had put two large kadamba flower to fake a breast.<\/span><\/p>\n

[26]<\/a> The transcendental mellow of the most comical joking mood<\/span><\/p>\n

[27]<\/a> The sakhis are questioning Kundalata, are you not ashamed to have helped Krishna in this deceit?<\/span><\/p>\n

[28]<\/a> The lowest planetary system.<\/span><\/p>\n

[29]<\/a> Kundalata is now feigning shame.<\/span><\/p>\n

[30]<\/a> It appears here that Kundalata did not know how to continue the playful dialogue.<\/span><\/p>\n

[31]<\/a> She wanted to help Krishna but the final result is that she became the object of laughing stock.<\/span><\/p>\n

[32]<\/a> Krishna could have all the sakhis He wanted but His real desire was to have Radharani’s embrace.<\/span><\/p>\n

[33]<\/a> Lalita: Your trick has been exposed and there is no way to revive it.<\/span><\/p>\n

[34]<\/a> Not easy to be defeated, Krishna conceived another plan.<\/span><\/p>\n

[35]<\/a> Kirtida had a sister called Kirtimati.<\/span><\/p>\n

[36]<\/a> Girl of good conduct<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

This is a section of the book \u201cCamatkara Candrika\u201d, in English.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

To buy the complete book,<\/span> click above<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Fourth Prank – The Meeting of Krishna Disguised as a Female Singer from the Camatkara Candrika of Visvanatha Cakravarti     Kundalata continued: “On Brihaspati\u2019s order, the brahmana brought Kalavali before him. Brihaspati said: “Most intelligent … Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":81,"featured_media":36813,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,156],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-36863","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-english","category-db"],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-03 20:48:40","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36863","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/81"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=36863"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36863\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/36813"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36863"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=36863"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=36863"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}