The Morning of Decoration
In the quiet chambers of Yāvat, Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī sat before Her golden mirror, surrounded by Her intimate sakhīs — Lalitā, Viśākhā, and the mañjarīs. The morning rays of the sun filtered through the lattice windows, scattering jewels of light across the walls.
On a small table lay sandalwood paste, flower garlands, and baskets of pearls. Rādhā was preparing to meet Śrī Kṛṣṇa at Nandīśvara, and every touch of decoration was a meditation of love.
As Viśākhā applied tilaka on Her delicate forehead, Lalitā teased, “Your beauty today will surely make Śyāmasundara forget even His flute. Perhaps the cows will wander lost in the forest, searching for His melody.”
Rādhā smiled shyly. “If My beauty distracts Him from His duties, then I am the offender. He must care for His cows and friends — not My face.”
Lalitā laughed. “O innocent one! The whole creation exists only to serve Your beauty. Even the sun waits for Your permission to rise.”
The Hidden Onlooker
Meanwhile, outside the window, Śrī Kṛṣṇa had arrived secretly with the help of Subala. Wearing a disguise and holding His breath, He peered through the half-open window. He saw Rādhā sitting before the mirror, Her reflection shining like molten gold.
He whispered softly, “Even the mirror is fortunate — it receives Her gaze without interruption. If only I could be that mirror!”
To fulfill His playful desire, Yogamāyā arranged a divine trick. As Rādhā adjusted Her ornaments, the mirror’s reflection changed. Instead of Her own face, She suddenly saw Kṛṣṇa’s.
Startled, She gasped, “Oh! What illusion is this?”
Lalitā, alarmed, asked, “What happened?”
Rādhā pointed to the mirror. “Look! I saw Him — Śyāmasundara — in the mirror! Surely this must be some trick of Māyā.”
The sakhīs laughed. “Rādhe! When one’s heart is filled with Kṛṣṇa, He appears everywhere — even in mirrors!”
The Playful Revelation
Just then, the curtain behind Her moved slightly. From the shadows stepped Kṛṣṇa Himself, His eyes glistening with mischief.
“Why blame the mirror,” He said gently, “when it has only shown you the truth — that Kṛṣṇa resides in your heart and follows your every glance?”
Rādhā’s eyes widened in surprise, then narrowed in mock anger. “How dare You enter my room uninvited! Jaṭilā could appear at any moment!”
Kṛṣṇa smiled. “Then I must hide again — perhaps inside the mirror, where You cannot escape Me.”
The sakhīs giggled, covering their mouths. Lalitā said, “Śyāmasundara, You risk much for this meeting. What if Kuṭilā sees You?”
Kṛṣṇa replied, “If Kuṭilā sees Me, she will only see her own reflection. For the mirror of the heart reveals only what it holds.”
Rādhā could no longer suppress Her smile. “You always twist words to suit Your mischief. But tell Me, why have You come?”
Kṛṣṇa bowed humbly. “To see My reflection — which is You. Without You, I do not exist.”
The Fragrant Blessing
Hearing these words, Rādhārāṇī’s heart melted. She picked up a flower garland and placed it around His neck. “Then, My mischievous Lord,” She said softly, “if You wish to dwell in My heart, at least behave there — for even a heart needs peace.”
Kṛṣṇa laughed. “Peace? My home is wherever You are, and where You are, love dances. In love, there is no peace, only sweetness.”
At that moment, a soft fragrance of lotus filled the room — a sign that Yogamāyā had blessed Their playful exchange.
The Hidden Meaning
The mirror in this pastime represents the pure heart of the devotee. When it is polished by remembrance and selfless service, it reflects the form of Kṛṣṇa within.
Rādhā’s surprise upon seeing Him in the mirror symbolizes the moment when the devotee realizes that the Lord was never far away — He was always within, waiting to be seen through the mirror of love.
Lessons to Be Learned
- Kṛṣṇa reveals Himself in a heart purified by devotion. Like a polished mirror, such a heart reflects divine beauty naturally.
- Every act of remembrance is an invitation to the Lord. When the heart turns toward Him, He manifests immediately.
- Love transforms even mischief into meditation. In Vṛndāvana, every playful act is a form of worship.
- Self-realization is seeing Kṛṣṇa within oneself, not apart from Him.
Reflections
In the material world, the mirror shows only the body — changing, aging, and passing away. But when the heart becomes a spiritual mirror through chanting and service, it reveals the soul’s eternal companion — Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
We polish that mirror by humility, honesty, and remembrance. The more we serve with love, the clearer the reflection becomes. Then, like Rādhā, we see not ourselves, but Him — the Beloved who has always lived within our hearts.
Prayer
O Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, mirror of divine beauty, who reflects the love of all souls toward Śrī Kṛṣṇa, please cleanse my heart of dust and illusion.
Let my thoughts, words, and deeds become the cloth that polishes that inner mirror.
O Śyāmasundara, who hides even in a mirror to bless His beloved, please reveal Yourself within me — not as pride or knowledge, but as humble devotion.
May I see You in every reflection, in every being, in every breath — until there is no “I” left, only “You.”
Origin of the Story
Adapted from “Vraja-līlā – Part 2” by Deena Bandhu dāsa (Yāvat Part One), rooted in the traditional narrations of Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura’s Camatkāra-candrikā and Gopāla-campū by Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī.
