PLATE NINE

In the supreme spiritual abode of Goloka Vrndavana, Lord Krsna al-
ways revels in pastimes of love with His dearest devotees, the gopis. And
of all the gopis, Srimati Radharani is the dearmost, for she is the com-
plete tenderhearted feminine counterpart of the Lord. ‘“‘My dear
auspicious Radharani,” said Krsna once upon Their meeting, “Your body
is the source of all beauty. Your red lips are sweeter than nectar, Your
face bears the aroma of a lotus flower, Your words defeat the melodious
vibrations of the cuckoo, and Your limbs are cooler than the pulp of san-
dalwood. All My transcendental senses are overwhelmed in ecstatic
pleasure by tasting You, who are completely decorated with beautiful
qualities.” (p. 1 73)
