From Garga Saṁhitā, as narrated in Indradyumna Swami’s Spring Pastimes Series, Part 5
The Noble Upanandas and Their Daughters
Now, it’s hard to know where to begin in recounting Radha and Krishna’s Holi pastimes. Some are well known and some are, well, lesser known.
There’s one pastime I was reading the other night in Garga Saṁhitā, Canto 4, Chapter 12. Therein it mentions nine cowherd men. They’re called the Upanandas. Their names are very beautiful. They were all said to be well-off, good-looking, learned, noble, virtuous, charitable, and fathers to many children.
A Festive Opportunity Approaches
Each of them had a daughter. And one time, these nine Braja gopīs were sitting and talking together when they saw Krishna was preparing to leave His home to play Holi. And they wanted to join in.
Garga Saṁhitā describes that most of these girls had previously been demigoddesses in their previous lives. And they had performed austerities and pious activities to become gopīs in Braj—more specifically, family members of Krishna, and even more specifically, friends of Śrī Rādhā.
Śrī Rādhā in Her Mood of Māna
Being attached to Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, they hurried to Her home, hoping to take Her with them. But when they came, they found out that Śrī Rādhā was in a mood of māna—She was in a mood of divine sulking or jealousy. It is not mentioned exactly why, but perhaps Krishna had said something to Her or done something that made Her angry, so She had become upset and was staying at home.
The Gopīs’ Heartfelt Appeals
Hoping to dispel Her anger, each of Her friends appealed to Her personally.
One gopī said:
“O moon-faced, honey-sweet Rādhā, listen!
The ornament of Braj is leaving to celebrate Holi!
The distress You feel now will become but a grain of sand
In the vast desert of misery.
We will all be forced to wander aimlessly
If we miss this chance to paint Braj and its prince
With the colors of love!”
Another gopī said:
“Devī, You should have seen Krishna’s eyes
Rolling under the intoxicating influence of youth,
His black locks resting on His cheeks,
And His yellow shawl draped over His shoulders.”
Yet another gopī added:
“Śrī Rādhā, as Krishna walked,
The anklets on His feet and the bangles on His wrists
Tinkled like cooing doves.
His earrings illuminated His cheeks,
And His crown glistened just like the rising sun!”
A Divine Whisper and Gentle Persuasion
Then Garga Saṁhitā says, a third gopī whispered:
“Śrī Rādhā, while walking along the road,
His body smeared with kumkum, syringe in hand,
Friends surrounding Him,
Handsome Krishna repeatedly looked around—
To see if You were coming.”
Then, pulling on Her hands and pushing Her shoulders, it’s described that the girls cheered Rādhārāṇī on. They said all together:
“Our dear Queen, Queen of Vṛndāvana,
Please give up Your anger—celebrate Holi!
Look—Your maids are already bringing
Water mixed with dye, paste, and flower pollen!”
Rādhā’s Change of Heart
Finally, Śrī Rādhā relented. She gave up Her māna, and leaping to Her feet, She quickly dressed for the occasion and went with Her friends to celebrate spring.
Lesson to be Learned
Even in divine relationships, love is ornamented by the sweet mood of māna, or transcendental sulking. But that māna is never bitterness—it is an intensification of affection. When sincere friends offer loving words and selfless service, even the hardest of hearts melt, and joy returns. Let us be like those gopīs—encouraging, faithful, and always focused on uniting the beloveds of the Lord.
