259 The Nectar of Devotion

versation. But then, remembering his position of servitude, Patri
bowed down before his master, and with great respect and control,
he stifled his smiling. This subdued smiling is an instance of con-
cealment caused by a respectful attitude.

Remembering

There are many symptoms of ecstatic love caused by remembering
Krsna. For example, one friend of Krsna informed Him, ‘“‘My dear
Mukunda, just after observing a bluish cloud in the sky, the lotus-
eyed Radharani immediately began to remember You. And simply
by observing this cloud She became lusty for Your association.” This
is an instance of remembering Krsna in ecstatic love because of seeing
something resembling Him. Krgna’s bodily complexion is very similar
to the bluish hue of a cloud, so simply by observing a bluish cloud,
Srimati Radharani remembered Him.

One devotee said that even when he was not very attentive he
would sometimes, seemingly out of madness, remember the lotus
feet of Krsna within his heart. This is an instance of remembrance re-
sulting from constant practice. In other words, devotees who are con-
stantly thinking of the lotus feet of Krsna, even if they are momen-
tarily inattentive, will see the figure of Lord Krsna appearing within
their hearts.

Argumentativeness

Madhumangala was an intimate friend of Krsna coming from the
brahmana community. Krsna’s friends were mostly cowherd boys be-
longing to the vaigya community, but there were others who belonged
to the brahmana community. Actually, in Vrndavana the vaisya
community and the brahmana community are considered prominent.
This Madhumangala one day addressed Krsna in this fashion: “My
dear friend, I can see that You are not aware of the peacock feathers
that are falling on the ground, and at the same time You are unmind-
ful of the flower garlands which are offered to You. I think I can
guess the reason for Your absent-mindedness when I see Your two
