OS PASSATEMPOS DE SRI SRI RADHA KRSNA RELACIONADOS A ADORAÇÃO À DEIDADE
During the ritualistic day of the sadhaka, the day begins with mangal arati, one and a half hours before sunrise. This time corresponds with nisanta lila, the end of night and the waking of Radha and Krsna in the bowers of Vrindavana. While the beginning sadhaka views the arati as the end of the long night of his material slumber, and the dawning of his day of service to sri guru, the siddha envisions his soul's participation in the lila, assisting those waking Radha-Krsna and helping the divine couple to reach their homes before the sunrise speaks of their secret love to all. As ordinary souls dread the end of night and slumber on in ignorance, the sadhaka rises early to conquer the ignorance of sleep. Yet the ultimate soul, Radha-Krsna, dreads the sunrise in the lila of love, for it brings to a close the union of Radha and Krsna and gives rise the pangs of their daytime separation, in which their secret paramour love must remain hidden. Thus it is stated in Sri Gita:
ya nisa sarva-bhutanam tasyam jagarti samyami
yasyam jagrati bhutani sa nisa pasyato muneh
"What is night for all beings is the time of awakening for the self-controlled, and the time of awakening for all beings is night for the introspective sage." (Bg. 2.69)
It is said in the Vedas that proportionate to the removal of darkness, the light of knowledge awakens in one's heart, and to that extent kama, the heart's longing, is destroyed. Yet it appears that in Vrindavana this is just the opposite. When the darkness of night comes to an end, the light of daybreak only increases the desire of Radha and Krsna to be united again. The customs of Vraja are beyond the reach of even the Vedas ! What is day for the sadhaka is night for those not treading the spiritual path. Yet what is day for the sadhaka is at the same time night for the siddha who lives in the lila of Radha-Krsna. The sadhaka takes joy in rising early to the new day, while the siddha laments in transcendental ecstasy over the separation of Radha-Krsna that the rising of the sun mandates. This transcendental lamentation is most desireable, and awakening to this ideal is mangal arati, the most auspicious arati of all.
Nisanta-Lila: Pastimes At The End Of Night
The brahma-muhurta, beginning an hour and a half before sunrise is the most spiritually auspicious time of day. The first and foremost arati of the day, mangala-arati, is performed during this time period, sometimes as early as 4 a.m. Any devotional activities performed during this time are greatly enhanced in terms of their spiritual potency and acquired benefits. Thus attendees are recipients of a heightened spiritual upliftment especially manifest during the brahma-muhurta. It is the pujaris good fortune to awaken the Deities by the melodious recitation of auspicious verses while gently massaging the Deities lotus feet.
Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura has written in his Gurvastaka, a popular song revealing the exalted position of the spiritual master, that one who meticulously sings this song daily during the brahma-muhurta achieves spiritual perfection. Mangala-arati corresponds with the awakening of Sri Sri Radha and Krsna in their forest nikunja (grove) slightly before the rising of the sun. As their loving pastimes close for the night they hurry to their respective homes. Sadhakas meditate deeply at this auspicious time of day on this important pastime and the strong feelings of separation of Radha and Krsna as they part company. Sincere devotees who are eager to increase their devotional dedication, faithfully attend mangala-arati without fail.
Prata-Lila: Morning Pastimes
After returning home and being awakened by Mother Yasoda, Krsna bathes and milks the cows, sometimes meeting Radha for pastimes at the Yamuna River. Here they may enjoy an early morning light meal, like sweets (Bala bhoga ). Srimati Radhika leaves for Nandagram to cook for Krsna in Mother Yasoda's kitchen. Similarly, after mangala-arati, sadhakas bathe the Deities, dress Them and feed Them various nicely prepared sweets and other preparations. Deity seva includes many opportunities for service of the highest order. Cooking many varieties of tasty foodstuffs to offer the Deities is a most important service, for this is reserved for Krsna's best servitors, Srimati Radharani, Mother Yasoda and their most qualified associates. Cleaning is another very important service--for cleanliness is next to Godliness. In the advanced stage of devotional service, one continuously remembers these eternal daily pastimes of the Lord and His associates, while engaging in their various Deity sevas.
Purvahna-Lila: Forenoon Pastimes
Returning home once again, Krsna bathes and dresses for the forest, simply and elegantly with many flowers and other natural things such as peacock feathers, valuable jewels and gunja-bead malas. He wears a vaijayanti garland composed of at least five different colored flowers, which is always long enough to touch his knees or feet. Krsna decorates other parts of his body such as his head, neck and chest extensively with flower garlands. He then appears for his morning meal cooked by Sri Radha, after which he goes to the forest of Vrndavana with his cows and cowherd boy friends. Srimati Radharani also goes to the forest on the pretense of performing surya-puja, worship of the sun, but in actuality Her sole purpose is to meet Krsna at Radha-kunda. Sadhaka's meditate on these pastimes as they dress the Deities of Radha and Krsna in a mood of preparation for a day of forest sporting and perform the morning dhupa arati. Enthusiastic devotees eagerly await the darsana of the Deities in Their nicely dressed state with multicolored silken dresses adorned with beautiful jewelry and aromatic garlands of flowers.
Madhyahna-Lila: Midday Pastimes
The noon raja-bhoga offering of a full meal to the Deities is their main offering of the day and corresponds to Krsna's lunch-often a forest feast send by Mother Yasoda. This happens amidst many wonderful and enchanting amorous pastimes with Sri Radha and her charming associate gopis in the many wonderful groves of Radha-kunda. At the time of the offering of these foodstuffs to the Deities, devotees traditionally sing the Bhaja Bhakata-vatsala, Bhoga-arati song of Bhaktivinoda Thakura for the pleasure of the Deities--a heartfelt expression of Krsna's enjoyment of the innumerable tasty preparations offered.
Aparahna-Lila: Afternoon Pastimes:
Awakening from a midday rest (Utthapana ), Krsna joins the Surya puja disguised as a pujari and then returns home to bathe and dress for the evening. Similarly the Deities are awakened from Their afternoon rest, offered a light snack and arati.
Sayam-Lila: Dusk Pastimes
The Sandhya-arati takes place at twilight, the sandhi or joining of day and night, just after the evening offering of foodstuffs. It is the time when Krsna takes his evening meal and after milking the cows takes rest. This is perhaps the most festive arati of the day with many enthusiastic visitors in attendance. This arati is also called the Gaura-arati by Gaudiya Vaisnavas, for they absorb themselves in thoughts of the arati of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu singing the Kiba Jaya jaya gauracander song, vividly describing this arati.
Pradosa-Lila: Evening Pastimes
The last darsana of the evening is called aulai darsana, arising from the Hindi word meaning to call or holler "last darsana." Krsna will no longer be available publicly--retiring to his inner chambers for the night, only to leave for his nightly rendevous with Sri Radha and close associates.
Nakta-Lila: Midnight Pastimes
Lord Krsna's most confidential pastimes take place at night in the bowers of Vrndavana. Here He engages in many wonderful lilas with His beloved gopis such as rasa-lila, water sports, amorous pastimes and sleeping. Devotees, realizing the inherent sweetness of this service, are happy to dress the Deities in nightclothes and after offering a light refreshment and short arati, invite the Deities to take rest. A perfect way to end the day.