Verse Text
sāmyena vacane, yathā –
viśrānta-ṣoḍaśa-kalā nirvikalpā nirāvṛtiḥ |
sukhātmā bhavatī rādhe brahma-vidyeva rājate ||68||
Translation
Conflicting rasas used in comparisons: O Rādhā! You appear to have realized brahman, for you have given up the subtle body. You are devoid of seeing difference, devoid of the coverings of material nature, and full of joy. OR: You repose with the sixteen varieties of conjugal love; you are confirmed by direct perception, since you are not concealed by the creepers; and you are the personification of bliss.
Purport (Jiva Goswami)
This verse has two meanings. Viśrānta means “attaining a relaxed state.” Ṣoḍaśa-kalā means “accomplishments in the arts of love.” Thus Rādhā is described as being accomplished in the arts of love in a relaxed way. The other meaning of viśrānta is “not making efforts.” Śoḍaśa-kalā means “the subtle body made of sixteen parts.” Thus, the phrase means “giving up the subtle body.” Nirvikalpā (without doubt) means “discerned very well by perception.” It also means “being without duality.” The reason Rādhā is discerned well is that she is not hidden by creepers or other objects (nirāvṛtiḥ). It also means “devoid of the material guṇas.” Brahma-vidyā means realization of brahman. A description such as this, filled with a joking mood, is conducive for rasa (even though śānta-rasa and madhura-rasa are enemies). Thus it is used as an example. Instead of brahma-vidyeva sometimes mukti-śrīr eva (wealth of liberation) is seen, but that version is rejected.
Purport (Nectar of Devotion)
Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī was once told that although She had stopped all activities, She was still the supreme source of inspiration for all kinds of devotional service. The statement says, “My dear Rādhārāṇī, in separation from Kṛṣṇa You are now as still as the most beautiful tree, whose gracefulness is not blocked by any covering of leaves. Your tranquil mood makes You appear to be completely merged in Brahman realization!” In this example there is a mixture of conjugal love and neutral love, but the conjugal love has surpassed everything. Actually, Brahman realization is only a stunted existence.