Rajashekhara Dasa
From the book “Chaurasi-kosa Vraja Mandala Parikrama”:
Lalita-kunda is situated next to the temple of Lalita-bihari, where one can see the Deities of Krishna and Lalita standing together on the simhasana. Lalita-kunda is the personal kunda of Radharani’s closest friend Lalita-sakhi. The natural spring beneath Radha-kunda also flows into Shyama-kunda and then flows into Lalita-kunda through a narrow waterway. Each of the eight girlfriends of Radharani known as the ashta-sakhis also have their own kundas situated around Shyama-kunda, and previously the water from Lalita-kunda would also flow into the kundas of the other sakhis. Unfortunately today, except for Lalita-kunda and Mohana-kunda, the kundas of the sakhis are only clearly visible during the monsoon season. The Skanda Purana says, “I offer my obeisances to Sri Lalita Kunda which is most beautiful with sparkling water, which grants liberation to the bather, which is most auspicious manifestation of Lalita Devi’s love for Sri Krishna and which destroys all the obstacles on the path of pure devotional service.”
Lalita-sakhi is the most important amongst Radharani’s girlfriends and is Her most confidential adviser, especially in matters of love. Similarly, Rupa Manjari is the most confidential maidservant to Lalita-sakhi. Therefore it is said that before one can approach Radharani, one must first seek the permission and blessings of Lalita, similarly before one can approach Lalita, one must first get the blessings of Rupa-manjari. Consequently, when Lalita-sakhi took part in Lord Chaitanya’s pastimes, she appeared as Swarupa Damodara Goswami, Lord Chaitanya’s personal secretary, and no one could approach Lord Chaitanya without first getting the permission of Swarupa Damodara. Similarly, when Rupa-manjari appeared in Lord Chaitanya’s pastimes, she appeared as Shrila Rupa Goswami, and it is said that those who wish to serve Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, must take shelter of Shrila Rupa Goswami, who is the foremost authority and undisputed leader amongst Lord Chaitanya’s followers. Therefore, unless one accepts the teachings of pure devotional service as revealed by Shrila Rupa Goswami, that unfortunate person can never achieve a direct relationship with Lord Chaitanya. It has also stated in the Vaishnava scriptures that unless one takes shelter of Lord Chaitanya, it is not possible to be recognized by Radha and Krishna. This is because when Radha and Krishna appear on earth in the Kali-yuga, They do so in the combined form of Lord Chaitanya, therefore if somebody is not a follower of Lord Chaitanya, how can they claim to be a follower of Radha and Krishna.
