A Royal Game in the Forest of Vraja
One day, in a joyful and playful mood, Śrī Kṛṣṇa and His cowherd friends enacted a royal drama in the forests of Vraja. Kṛṣṇa took the role of the King of Braja, Madhu Maṅgala became His chief minister, Śrīdāmā played the part of the royal advisor, and the hefty cowherd boy Viśāla held the whisk-tail fan and royal umbrella. Their innocent game reflected the royal dignity of their transcendental pastimes.
The Trial of Stoka Kṛṣṇa
Amidst this play, Madhu Maṅgala brought forward Stoka Kṛṣṇa and, in mock accusation, declared, “My lord, this farmer has stolen the cows of Subala and disguised them as his own!” Kṛṣṇa, playing along, gave His verdict: “Then arrest him and return all the cows to Subala.” The joyful laughter of the boys echoed through the groves.
A Sudden Arrival: Śrī Rādhā and the Gopīs
Just at that moment, Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī arrived with a grand procession of gopīs. As their presence caused a stir, Kṛṣṇa, curious and delighted, asked, “What is the matter, dear minister Madhu Maṅgala?” Madhu replied, “O King, these impudent cowherd girls are challenging Your authority. They claim that Śrī Rādhā alone is the true Queen of Vraja!”
The Challenge: Deciding the Ruler of Braja
Kṛṣṇa, with a royal smile, said, “Then summon my wise minister Śrī Rāma. He will settle this matter.” Śrī Rāma appeared and proposed a resolution: “Let the rightful ruler be decided by a match of the ancient game Bhagbhagri.”
The Game of Tigers and Goats
Bhagbhagri is a traditional strategy game. One player takes the side of four tigers, the other of twenty goats. The tigers aim to devour the goats, while the goats try to block the tigers’ movement. The game concludes only when one side fully outmaneuvers the other.
Under the Blossoming Kadamba Tree
As the divine game commenced, everyone gathered under a flowering kadamba tree. Its golden blossoms had carpeted the forest floor, creating a soft, fragrant āsana, as gentle as a moving monsoon cloud. The poet likens it to a royal throne fit for the Divine Couple.
Divine Banter and Witty Exchanges
Madhu Maṅgala teased, “Can’t you see? There’s only one tiger—Kṛṣṇa—and you girls are all just helpless goats!” But Lalitā, full of spirit, shot back, “Don’t you know, Madhu, that here in Vraja even tigers hide in fear of clever foxes like me?”
The Battle of Wit and Strategy
The game began. Lalitā represented the gopīs on Śrī Rādhā’s side and used many clever strategies. But Śrī Rāma, skilled in such games, skillfully countered every move. The match went on in a playful competition of love, laughter, and teasing.
Śrī Rādhā Yields with Grace
Eventually, Śrī Rādhā’s hand became tired from moving the goat figurines. She gracefully conceded defeat. But in reality, we know that through Her matchless prema, She always conquers Śrī Kṛṣṇa. This apparent defeat was but an act of love—because in divine affection, true lovers joyfully accept defeat for the happiness of their beloved.
The Kadamba Tree: An Offering of Love
To commemorate the moment, Śrī Rādhā personally planted a kadamba tree seedling. She spoke with deep feeling: “Just as a servant holds an umbrella over their king, may this tree—planted by my hands—stand over You, my Lord, as the umbrella of my soul.” She then poured sacred water from the Yamunā with a golden pot upon it.
A Miracle in the Forest
Immediately, by the divine potency of Her love, that little seedling grew into a full, blossoming kadamba tree. Its fragrant golden flowers crowned the area in divine beauty. The gopīs and gopas then adorned the Divine Couple with crowns made of kadamba blossoms and seated Them beneath the tree.
Chanting “Yug-yug Rāja Karo!”
All the gopīs and gopas joyfully chanted, “Yug-yug Rāja Karo! May You rule age after age!” One boy asked, “But why do you say ‘You both’ shall rule, when Kṛṣṇa was the winner of the game?” A wise gopī replied, “In our hearts, Śrī Rādhā is never defeated. Her love rules over Kṛṣṇa. So may They rule together, side by side, forever and ever.”
The Poet Surdas’s Reflection
The poet Surdas, in his sublime Man-ke-pad, reflects on this līlā with a heart soaked in bhakti. He glorifies the kadamba tree as a symbol of divine shelter, blossoming by the love of Śrī Rādhā, and standing tall as a witness to the eternal reign of the Divine Couple.
Lesson to Be Learned
In the transcendental realm of Vraja, love is not measured by victory or defeat but by voluntary surrender. True lovers delight in yielding to one another. Śrī Rādhā, though outwardly defeated, planted the seed of eternal victory—prema-bhakti—symbolized by the blossoming kadamba tree. We too must cultivate such selfless love, offering the tree of our heart to serve the Lord with unwavering devotion.
LILA ORIGINALY NARATED BY Indradyumna Swami
