Devotional Service in Conjugal Love 361

one sees the face of Radharani, he immediately hates the beauty of
the moon. Her bodily complexion defeats the beauty of gold. Thus,
let us all look upon the transcendental beauty of Srimati Radharani.”
Krsna’s attraction for Radharani is described by Krsna Himself thus:
“When I create some joking phrases in order to enjoy the beauty of
Radharani, Radharani hears these joking words with great attention;
but by Her bodily features and counter words She neglects Me. And
I even possess unlimited pleasure by Her neglect of Me, for She be-
comes so beautiful that She increases My pleasure one hundred
times.” A similar statement can be found in Gita-govinda, wherein it
is said that when the enemy of Kamsa, Sri Krsna, embraces Srimati
Radharani, He immediately becomes entangled in a loving condition
and gives up the company of all other gopis.

In the Padyavali of Riipa Gosvami it is stated that when the gopis
hear the sound of Krgna’s flute, they immediately forget all rebukes
offered by the elderly members of their families, their defamation
and the harsh behavior of their husbands. Their only thought is to go
out in search of Krsna. When the gopis meet Krsna, the display of
their exchanging glances as well as their joking and laughing behavior
is called anubhava, or sub-ecstasy in conjugal love.

In the Lalita-madhava, Riipa Gosvami explains that the movements
of Krsna’s eyebrows are just like the Yamuna, and the smiling of
Radharani is just like the moonshine. When the Yamuna and the
moonshine come in contact on the bank of the river, the water tastes
just like nectar, and drinking it gives great satisfaction. It is as cooling
as piles of snow. Similarly, in the Padyavali, one constant companion
of Radharani says, ““My dear moon-faced Radharani, Your whole
body appears to be very content, yet there are signs of tears in Your
eyes. Your speech is faltering, and Your chest is also heaving. By all
these signs I can understand that You must have heard the blowing of
Krsna’s flute, and, as a result of this, Your heart is now melting.”

In the same Padyavali there is the following description, which is
taken as a sign of frustration in conjugal love. S:imatt Radharant said,
“Dear Mr. Cupid, please do not excite Me by throwing your arrows
at My body. Dear Mr. Air, please do not arouse Me with the fragrance
of flowers. I am now bereft of Krsna’s loving attitude, so under the
