Sri Vilāpa Kusumāñjali of Raghunātha Dāsa Gosvāmī - Volume Three
Title: Sri Vilāpa Kusumāñjali of Raghunātha Dāsa Gosvāmī - Volume Three
Author: Sivarama Swami
Publisher: Lal Publishing
Publication Date: 2024
Language: English
Format: Hardback, Gilt Edges
Pages: 682
Śrī Vilāpa-kusumāñjali refers to “a handful of flower-like offerings of piteous cries.” The 104 verses are like an outpouring of the deepest longings of the author for attainment of the eternal service of Śrī Rādhā. This third volume carries Raghunātha Dāsa Gosvāmī’s meditations further into the morning adornment of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, covering verses 32–44. Her ornaments and cosmetics are offered one by one—headpieces, jewels, pearls, musk, kajjala, and other delicate embellishments—until She is fully prepared for the day’s pastimes.
Through each adornment and decoration, Raghunātha Dāsa Gosvāmī highlights the qualities of sevā: patience, humility, attention to detail, the sweetness of remaining unseen while indispensable, and above all, being completely in tune with one’s iṣṭa-deva.
For the thoughtful reader, this series provides rich material for remembrance and meditation on these unique services, nourishing the creeper of natural devotion. In this way, Vilāpa-kusumāñjali Volume Three not only completes the adornment, but deepens the reader’s sense of what it means to serve with heart and soul.
Vilāpa-kusumāñjali, meaning "a handful of flower-like offerings of piteous cries," represents the author's heartfelt expressions of longing for eternal service to Śrī Rādhā. Volume Three seamlessly continues the narrative from Volume Two, immersing the reader once again into the inner sanctum of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī's chambers, where Raghunātha Dāsa Gosvāmī meditates fervently on his desire to serve his beloved mistress. The twelve piteous cries (verses 33-44) presented in this volume epitomize his ecstatic expressions, unveiling a profound spiritual realm to the reader and shedding light on the true significance of the journey back to Godhead.
Śrī Raghunātha Dāsa Gosvāmī aptly named his text Vilāpa-kusumāñjali, likening it to a handful of flowers. Traditionally, commentaries are given specific names, but out of his inherent humility, the author refrained from naming his own commentary. Consequently, in this volume, Hari Pārṣada Dāsa has likened the Commentary to "words inscribed upon a petal" of those flowers, thus naming the commentary: Patrāṅkitā.
This Patrāṅkitā Commentary on Vilāpa-kusumāñjali is part of the esteemed Kṛṣṇa in Vṛndāvana Series, comprising Volume 8. It is envisaged that this unique offering to the treasury of Gauḍīya literature will span a total of eight volumes and extend over 5,000 pages.
Presented with exquisite craftsmanship, including high-quality, four-color paper, gilt edges, and original artwork, this book represents a fusion of literary and visual artistry—a distinctive and beautiful creation that accompanies the reader on a magnificent journey alongside Raghunātha Dāsa Gosvāmī and Rati-mañjarī into the cherished and longed-for realm of service to the lotus feet of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī.
