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BY: SUN STAFF
Gopas Glorifying Nityananda
Feb 13, 2011 — CANADA (SUN) — A serial presentation of Sri Krsna's transcendental Vrindavan associates. Compared to Sri Krsna's gopa friend, Subala, relatively little mention is found in Vaisnava literature about Ujjvala sakha, although he is one of Krsna's topmost confidential friends in Vraja. Likewise, we do not find mention of Ujjvala's identity during Chaitanya lila, and he is not mentioned in the Ananta-samhita, wherein the Lord predicts His coming Appearance in Navadvipa: "In Kali-Yuga, I will descend to the earth with My associates. In Navadvipa, which is surrounded by the Ganges, I will take birth in Saci-devi 's womb. [ ] My dear male and female associates, headed by Sridama and Subala, who came to this world at the time of My advent as Lord Krsna, will come again during the Kali-Yuga. The Gopas will become the sixty-four mahantas and the twelve gopalas. To establish the truth of religion, I will enjoy many pastimes with them.
Ujjvala is mentioned in the Sri Vraja-riti-cintamani by Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti: "Krsna's contemporary friends are His equals in all respects, and they are all eternally young boys, just like the four Kumaras. What is impossible for they who have dedicated their hearts to Krsna? (51) Some friends are considered very confidential and some fortunate friends perform confidential services. Subala, Ujjvala and some splendid others, who are as good as the gopis, are rich with the sight of Krsna's splendid conjugal pastimes." (52)
Sri Visvanatha Cakravarti also composed this verse about Ujjvala-sakha:
"May Krishna, his eyebrows dancing with delight after hearing the amusing words of Ujjvala, deliver you." In the Sri Sri Radha-Krsna-Ganoddesa-Dipika we find a number of passages describing Ujjvala. One describes his extended family member, Gola, who is the brother of Patala devi and the husband of Jatila-devi, or Radha's father-in-law: "Gola is the brother of Patala-devi, Krsna's maternal grandmother. His garments are the color of smoke. His brother-in-law, Sumukha, used to make fun of him and laugh and because of this Gola was very angry with him. Because he had worshiped Durvasa Muni in his previous birth, Gola was allowed to take birth in Vrajabhumi in the family of Ujjvala." (Part 1, Text 44-45) Ujjvala is also mentioned by Srila Rupa Goswami as being among Krsna's most confidential friends: Krsna's Intimate Friends (priya-narma-sakha) Subala, Arjuna, Gandharva, Vasanta, Ujjvala, Kokila, Sanandana and Vidagdha are the most important of Krsna's intimate friends. "Krsna keeps no secrets from these intimate friends. Among them Madhumangala, Puspanka and Hasanka are the leaders of those fond of joking. Handsome Sanandana is very pleased by his close friendship with Krsna and splendid Ujjvala appears like the personified ruler of all transcendental mellows. Lord Krsna, the crest jewel of playful boys, is submissive to His dear friend Ujjvala." (Part 2, Text 35-36)
Ujjvala sakha was also a participant in Krsna's toll pastime, which is described in Sri Dana-keli-cintamani: "Sound the flutes and buffalo-horn bugles! Stop these girls! With My own arms I will personally stop Radha, the leader of these crooked-hearted girls! (34) O Subala, O leader of thousands of toll-collectors, you forcibly stop Visakha! O Ujjvala, O protector of the toll-booth, O My friend, you stop Citra-devi! O Vasanta, O leader of the assembly, you stop Campakalata and Tungavidya! O Kokila, O most expert leader of thousands of guides, you stop Lalita." (35)
Later in the text, Ujjvala is described as being supremely intelligent, and a great favorite in Kamadeva's court? And this concludes our presentation on the dear friend of Krsna, the gopa named Ujjvala.
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Bhaktivedanta Book Trust