T oday is the appearance day of Tungavidya Sakhi. Lalita, Visakha, Citra, Campakalata, Tungavidya, Indulekha, Rangadevi and Sudevi are the parama-prestha-sakhis. These eight gopis are chief amongst all the gopis. The exalted qualities of Tungavidya are described in Sri Sri Radha-Krishna Ganoddesa Dipika, and the Gaura Govindarcana Smarana Paddhati.
Sri Sri Radha-Krishna Ganoddesa Dipika States that, Tungavidya is the fifth of the varistha gopis. Her complexion is the color of kunkuma and the fragrance of her body is like sandalwood mixed with camphor. She is fifteen days younger than Srimati Radharani. Tungavidya is hot-tempered and expert at dissimulation. She wears white garments. Her parents are Puskara and Medha-devi and her husband is Balisa. Tungavidya is one of the leaders of the gopis. She is learned in the eighteen branches of knowledge. She has full faith in Krsna. She is very expert at arranging the meeting of the divine couple. She is learned in rasa-sastra (transcendental mellows), niti-sastra (morality), dancing, drama, literature and all other arts and sciences. She is a celebrated music teacher expert at playing the vina and singing in the style known as marga. Eight gopi messengers headed by Manjumedha-devi are especially expect at arranging political alliances (sandhi) the first of diplomatic maneuvers in the art of politics between Radha and Krsna. These gopis are the best of dancers. They are musician’s expert at playing the mrdanga and singing in recital halls. These gopis are especially engaged in fetching water from the streams in Vrndavana. Tungavidya is the leader of these gopis.
Mother – Medha
Father – Puskara
Husband – Balisa
Complexion – Red kunkuma powder tinged with white camphor
Cloth – White
Grove – Tungavidyanandada – reddish
Service – Singing and dancing; also playing musical instruments
Favourite instrument – Vina as well as all instruments
Maidservant – Lavanga-manjari
Identity in Gaura Lila – Vakresvara Pandit
Special talents –
• Learned in 18 branches of knowledge
• Acarya of many sciences – drama, music and rasa
• Very dear to everyone
• Her nature is submissive yet hot-tempered
• Very trusted by Krishna
• Expert in singing and in playing the vina
• Leader of the singers, musicians, dancers and mridanga
players for the rasa dance
• Leader of arranging political alliances with rivals
• Leader of those who get water from different places in Vrindavan
candradyhair api candanaih sulalitam sri-kunkumabha-dyutim
sad-ratnanvita-bhusanancita-tanum sonambarollasitam
sad-gitavali-samyutam bahu-gunam damphasya sabdena vai
nrtyantim purato hare rasavatim sri-tungavidyam bhaje
I worship the very rasika , Sri Tungavidya, who is adorned with sandalwood paste mixed with camphor. Her beautiful saffron-colored body is decorated with many fine jeweled ornaments, she delights in wearing a lovely red dress, and she has many wonderful qualities. She knows many transcendental songs, and she dances before¸ Sri Hari to the beat of a dampha drum.
Recent Comments