Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami
From the book “Sri Vraja-maṇḍala-parikramā”:
This is the birthplace of Lalitājī. The son of Karahālā Gopī, Govardhana Malla, would sometimes stay here with his wife Candrāvalī, and sometimes they would also stay in Sakhītharā (Sakhī-sthalī) near Govardhana. Candrāvalī’s father is Candrabhānu Gopa and her mother is Indūmatī Gopī. Candrāvalī is the cousin of Śrīmatī Rādhikā and they are considered sisters. Vṛṣabhānu Mahārāja had four brothers – Candrabhānu, Ratnabhānu, Subhānu and Śrībhānu. Vṛṣabhānu was the eldest. Padmā and other yūtheśvarīs (leaders of groups of gopīs) stayed at this place, and would try to arrange meetings between Candrāvalī and Kṛṣṇa. Kaṅkaṇa-kuṇḍa, a kadamba grove, a swing, and the sitting-places (baiṭhakas) of Śrī Vallabhācārya, Śrī Viṭṭhaleśa and Śrī Gokulanātha are located here. This place is situated one mile north of Kāmaī. On Bhādra-pūrṇimā, rāsa-līlā is staged here in the dramatic tradition of būḍhī-līlā.
Rajashekhara Dasa
From the book “Chaurasi-kosa Vraja Mandala Parikrama”:
The Bhakti-ratnakara says. “Here at Karala-grama, Chandravali stays with her husband Govardhana, a resident of Karala. Her father is Chandrabhanu, her mother is Indumati and her elder cousin is Radharani. The father of Candravali is one of five brothers. The eldest of the five is King Vrishabhanu (Radha’s father). There is also Candrabhanu, Ratnabhanu, Subhanu and Shribhanu. Their bodily effulgence is equal to the sun. Along with Govardhana Malla, Candravali sometimes stays at Sakhisthali and sometimes at Karala. The yutheshvaris headed by Padma stay at this place. There is no end to their enjoyment as they meet Krishna.” Chandravali, the cousin of Radharani, was born at Rithore near Sanket, but she also has a residence at Karala, which is the village of her husband Govardhana Malla’s mother Karala Devi, after whom the village is named. Chandravali also has a residence at Sakhisthali near Govardhana Hill. Although the village of Unchagrama has become famous as the birthplace of Lalita-shakhi, the Bhakti-ratnakara says that she was born here in this village when it says, “Karala is Lalita’s town.” According to the Gaura-ganoddesha-dipika, Lalita-sakhi appeared in Chaitanya-lila as Swarupa Damodara.
