Sanket
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The village of Sanket is situated four km north of Barsana. Here the first meeting of Radha and Krishna took place, through the endeavours of Sri Subala (for Sri Krishna) and Sri Lalita sakhi (for Srimati Radharani). Because the meeting of Radha and Krishna was established here through hints this place is called Sanket, the word ‘Sanket’ means ‘to give a hint’.
On the day of Kaliya-damana, when the Vrajavasis heard that Krsna had been attacked by Kaliya, everybody went to the Yamuna. While Krsna was dancing on the hood of Kaliya-naga, He saw Radharani surrounded by Her sakhis. By seeing Radharani, Sri Krsna felt so much bliss and was eager to meet with Her, but He could not reveal His inner desire to anyone.
Later, His friend Subala asked, “Sakhe! Please tell me, what is the real cause of your worry? You look very worried about something. If You tell me then I will immediately try to fix it.”
Sir Krsna said, “Sakha! I will tell you whatever is in My mind. Please listen. That day I went to kill Kaliya-naga, I saw many beautiful ladies there. But among them there was a most beautiful lady who is incomparable in beauty and good qualities. Her smiling face and sidelong glances have stolen My heart and awakened My lust, which was in a dormant state. I am not able to control Myself. I must meet Her.”
Subala said, “Do not be worried. I will definitely arrange for You to meet with that most beautiful lady who has stolen Your mind.”
At the same time, Radharani heard Krsna’s name from Purnamasi and immediately became very eager to meet Him. She also became very agitated by hearing the flute of Sri Krsna. On top of this, She also saw in her dream the Syamasundara form of Krsna on the banks of Yamuna in the forest of kadamba trees. She heard the sound of the flute; then she saw the beautiful form of Syamasundara in Her dreams. She understood these to be three different persons, and She developed love for all three of them. She reached an unimaginable platform of anxiety and could not find any peace in Her mind. She could not sleep, even for a moment. Due to the strong desire to see that person her body had become stunned, and so She was unable to respond when Her sakhis were speaking with Her. She was not able to express the pain of separation from Her lover, which was deeper than the depth of millions of oceans. She was crying loudly, and in between sobs. She was gasping in deep breaths. Sometimes She was fainting and falling on the ground. Sometime She was talking like a mad person.
Seeing this condition of Radharani, Her sakhis asked Her affectionately, “Radhe! Why do you have this condition? Our hearts are breaking to see Your face.”
Sri Radharani said, “Sakhis! Please listen to My words. I am a helpless housewife. My mind has been attracted by three different persons. One mind is running in three different directions. Please tell Me, what should I do now? What is use of My life? It is best to die now!”
Lalita said, “Which three persons? How did they steal Your heart?”
Radharani replied, “There is one person by the name of Krsna. By the sound of His name He has entered into My heart and I am not able to take Him out in any way. Then, I have heard the flute of another person. I have become very much attached to that flute vibration and My mind has become mad after its owner. Then, I saw in a dream one person whose bodily color is syama, defeating newly-formed rainclouds. He was wearing yellow cloth, and a sweet smile played on His pinkish lips. That person on the bank of Yamuna came to embrace Me, extending His arms. Even denying Him again and again, still by force He kissed my lips. The taste of the nectar of His lips has stolen My heart.”
After hearing everything from Radharani, the most clever Lalita said, “Sakhi! They are not three different persons. He is the same person. That person whose name You have heard as Krsna, and from whom You have heard the flute, and whom You saw in Your dream, are the same person. Do not be worried unnecessarily. Be patient.”
Sri Radharani said, “O Lalite! My life is useless without darsana of that Nagara. Now please tell me how can I meet with Him!”
In the meantime Subala reached there. Lalita took him aside and told him the situation. Subala was very happy internally to hear from Lalita. But externally with cunning words he said, “Lalite! What you are saying is a sign of great danger. It is impossible for these two personalities to meet with each other. Because She is daughter of a king, and He is son of a king. Raja-nandini will never go out of the palace and Raja-nandana will never come here. Another problem is that Krsna never goes anywhere with out His sakhas. Among His friends there is Sridama, the elder brother of Radharani, who always accompanies Krsna. Whenever he sees fickle behaviour immediately he prohibits Krsna as he would his own brother. Krsna is always controlled by His sakhas. He is never independent. That’s why this meeting is completely impossible.”
In answer to this Lalita told Subala, “If you can follow my words then this meeting will be possible. There is a very secluded place most suitable for There meeting. It is a place called Sanket, situated north of Varsana and south of Nandagrama. If you can somehow or other bring Krsna there then I will bring Radharani.”
Subala was very happy to hear this from Lalita. He said, “Devi! Carrying your order on my head I will go right now to Krsna and inform Him. I am His most dear friend. He will never reject my request. I will definitely take Him there.”
Then Subala left for Nandagrama and met with Krsna. He told Krsna, “Sakhe! I have found this one who has stolen Your heart. She is daughter of king Vrsabhanu. Her name is Sri Radhika. Among Her sakhis the best and most wise is Lalita. After much discussion with her, she told me there is a most beautiful and very solitary place north of Varsana. You must go there in the evening time without fail.”
By the instruction of Subala, Krsna went to Sanket and was very happy to see the beauty of the forest.
On the other side Lalita told Radharani, “Radhe! Your Nagara, for whom you are so eager, is here inside this grove. Go and meet with Him.”
Radharani and Her sakhis went inside the kunja and met with Sri Krsna. There both Radha and Krsna enjoyed each other’s association.