Early History of the Vaishnava Faith and Movement in Bengal, from Sanskrit and Bengali Sources c11.s3.17

c11.s3.17

Of the three dramatic works of the Rūpa Gosvāmin, the Dāna-keli-kaumudī,¹ which calls itself a Bhaṇikā,² of the Uparūpaka class, is the shortest, being in one Act. The theme is slight, but the working out is elaborate. Vasudeva is performing a sacrifice. Rādhā, with the Gopīs, is carrying fresh Ghee in pitchers to the sacrificial ground near the Govinda-kuṇḍa; but Kṛṣṇa with his companions is up to his usual youthful pranks, obstructs the way and playfully demands his toll (Śulka), as he is the lord of the forest through which they pass. There is a dispute regarding the right of demand, amount and method of payment and offer of ransom, until the elderly go-between Paurṇamāsī intervenes and settles the lively dispute by the equally lively offer of Rādhā herself as the most handsome and appropriate Śulka to Kṛṣṇa. The advocates on Rādhā's side are her companions Lalitā and Viśākhā (to whom also Kṛṣṇa's audacities extend!).