Phad Gita Govinda, Part 8

BY: SUN STAFF - 19.1 2024
 

Jayadeva glorifying a sakhi

A series on Gita-Govinda.

The Gita-Govinda is replete with text and pictorial descriptions of Radha and Krsna expressing a range of transcendental emotions: sadness, anger, bewilderment, dejection, anxiety, elation, pensiveness, etc. We see these expressions in illustrations depicting the two alone, each with one or more of the sakhis, and the two together.

Throughout Gita-Govinda, the sakhis play a central role as associates, paramours, confidants, and messengers. Both Radha and Krsna can be found sharing their agitated feelings with the gopis, inquiring of them as to the whereabouts of the other, passing messages and pleadings, and strategizing on how to accomplish their loving pastimes.

In today's series, we look at a group of images involving the sakhis, without whom the loving pastimes of the divine couple would not be complete.

Krsna waiting helplessly on the bank of the Yamuna, where the sakhi arrives to speak to Him

Sakhi tells Krsna of Radha's emotions

Sakhi describes the condition of Radha as being like the necter of the moon escaping from the teeth of Radha

Sakhi persuades Krsna to meet Radha

Sakhi persuades Radha to meet Krsna

Sakhi instructs Radha to move as a swan and follow Krishna

Sakhi takes Radha to her beloved Krsna