A Rainy Day in Vṛṣabhānu-pura
One day in Vṛṣabhānu Mahārāja’s palace in Varṣāṇā, the monsoon clouds wept upon the land, drenching the forest groves and winding footpaths of Vraja. Due to social customs and the heavy rain, Śrīmatī Rādhikā was confined to Her home. Yet Her heart, which constantly beat only for Śrī Kṛṣṇa, burned in the fire of separation. Deprived of darśana of Her beloved, She fainted, overcome by divine viraha.
Lalitā’s Swift and Loving Concern
Suddenly, Lalitā Sakhī entered the room. Seeing her dearest friend unconscious, her heart surged with concern. Though she tried to revive Śrī Rādhā with scented garlands, cooling herbs, and gentle words, all her efforts bore no result. Her eyes flooded with tears.
Lalitā, known as “she whose mind races swifter than the seven horses of the sun god,” became absorbed in deep contemplation. How to revive Śrī Rādhā? How to bring back Her smile, Her laughter, Her divine luster?
The Ingenious Plan
By the grace of Paurṇamāsī Yogamāyā, Lalitā possessed control over the elements. A brilliant inspiration arose in her heart. She began placing mirrors all throughout the room—on walls, ceilings, and floors—transforming the entire chamber into a kaleidoscope of reflections.
Then, invoking her mystical power, she caused the dark rainclouds in the sky to take on beautiful, ever-shifting forms of Śrī Kṛṣṇa—some playing the flute, others smiling, some holding a lotus flower, and others dancing.
Cloud Kṛṣṇas Reflected in Divine Mirrors
With a playful and divine orchestration, Lalitā directed these cloud-formed images of Kṛṣṇa to enter the windows of Rādhā’s palace. As they passed through the latticed openings, they became reflected in the countless mirrors arranged within the room.
Then, taking up a flute of her own, Lalitā played a mystical melody—one taught to her by Śrī Kṛṣṇa Himself and infused with the potency to awaken souls lost in the pain of separation. The sound, sweet and soul-piercing, entered the delicate ears of Śrī Rādhikā and melted Her heart.
Rādhā Awakens to Ecstatic Illusion
Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī slowly opened Her eyes. And what did She see? Kṛṣṇa! Dancing, playing, smiling—in every mirror, in every direction! Her heart surged with waves of ecstasy. Standing up with sudden joy, She began to spin, running to every corner of the room, trying to catch hold of Her beloved.
Laughing, crying, spinning—She believed She was dancing with Kṛṣṇa Himself. The intensity of Her separation was replaced with the joy of divine illusion, and once again Her beauty blossomed.
Lalitā’s Loving Service
In this way, Lalitā-devī, who always keeps the comfort of Śrī Rādhā above everything, used her divine intelligence and mystic power to relieve Her dear friend’s agony of separation. Her service was filled with affection, cleverness, and unwavering devotion.
Lesson to Be Learned:
When the devotee feels separation from Kṛṣṇa, the service of a pure devotee becomes the bridge between despair and union. Lalitā Sakhī teaches us that the highest love expresses itself not only in enjoying Kṛṣṇa’s presence, but in reviving others by ingenious and selfless service. Just as she created a mirror-world to awaken Śrī Rādhā’s joy, a sincere devotee can reflect Kṛṣṇa’s presence into the lives of others—even in moments of storm and sorrow.
LILA ORIGINALY NARATED BY Indradyumna Swami
