Hare Krishna, today article: Asta-Kalia-Lila is from Bhaktivinoda Thakura
From Jaiva-dharma by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura:
“The daily lila of the Supreme Lord is classified into eight periods as follows:
- Nisanta-lila, the last part of the night;
- Prata-lila, morning pastimes;
- Purvahna-lila, forenoon pastimes;
- Madhyana-lila, noon pastimes;
- Aparahna-lila, afternoon pastimes;
- Sayam-lila, twilight pastimes;
- Pradosha-lila, evening pastimes; and
- Naisha or Madhyaratri-lila, night pastimes.
“The Madhyana-lila and Naisha-lila take place for six muhurtas (48 x 6 = 288 minutes or 4 hours 48 minutes); the other lilas run only for three muhurtas (2 hours 24 minutes) each. In the Sanatkumara Samhita, Sri Sadashiva has narrated about this Asta-kalia-lila of Sri Krsna, the Supreme Lord par excellence. Through that narration we may realize this exalted subject matter.” (reference?)
The following description of the Asta-kalia-lila is adapted from Jaiva Dharma by
Bhaktivinoda Thakura:
“Nisanta-lila, the last part of the night: Radha and Krsna are lying united in full warm and hearty embrace in a secret bower in the heart of Nikunja Grove, the place of the previous night’s conjugal pastimes. Even though the birds begin to chirp, They are unable to bear the inevitable separation as daybreak approaches, as They do not want to end Their supreme enjoyment of unalloyed conjugal bliss.
Therefore on the instruction of Vrnda -devi the Shuka and Sarika birds (male and female parrots) begin to glorify Their pastimes in choice poetry. As the Divine Couple awaken and sit up on Their jeweled bed, the Sakhis gradually approach Them and render various services. Finally out of fear of discovery, Radha and Krsna tear Themselves apart and leave for Their respective houses with a surmounting thought of how to be united again. They slip into Their beds just before Their respective family members awaken.
“Prata-lila, morning pastimes: At the call of Mother Yashoda, Krsna awakens and performs His morning duties. Then along with Baladeva He goes to the cowshed for the morning milking. At the same time, Radha arises and is bathed and dressed by Her attending Sakhis. After this, She goes to Krsna’s house to cook for His breakfast. When Krsna returns from the cowshed He is bathed and dressed by His attendants. Then Krsna, along with His family members and friends, goes to the dining hall and takes His morning meal.
“Purvahna-lila, forenoon pastimes: Krsna and the other cowherd boys go to the pasture lands leading the cows. All the inhabitants of Vrndavana follow Him to the outskirts of town out of ecstatic love and affection. After entering the forests, He sports delightfully with His companions. Then, creating a spiritual illusion, goes with two or three of His companions to join Radharani at the Sanketa Grove.
“Madhyana-lila, noon pastimes: Radharani and Her confidential friends enter the Sanketa Grove in a mood of giving pleasure to Krsna. She deceives Her elders by saying that She is going to collect flowers for the Surya-puja.
Radha and Krsna engage in a variety of delightful pastimes, bringing a high tide of bliss to the gopis’ hearts. When They feel tired, They sit under a tree and enjoy a drink of intoxicating nectar. Fully intoxicated, They speak to each other in broken words of ecstasy, then enter hand-in-hand into a divinely beautiful grove for enjoyment of conjugal pastimes to Their hearts’ desire.
The Sakhis too, having partaken of the intoxicating nectar, lie about in blissful states of drowsiness. Krsna expands Himself into many forms to enjoy with them as well. After such divine lila, Radha-Krsna and the gopis enter into Radha-kunda for further sports in the water. Then Radha offers Krsna a selection of nectarean fruits collected by Vrnda-devi from the forests of Vrndavana. They then take rest, being served by Their respective attendants, but still absorbed in the thought of Their intimate union.
Then Radha leaves to perform the Surya-puja, and Krsna ostensibly leaves to rejoin the cowherd boys. But instead, He disguises Himself as a brahmana and goes to the Surya mandir to play the role of priest. In this way He gives such unlimited pleasure to Radharani and the gopis that they forget their own identities. Finally the gopis return home and Krsna goes to herd the cows.
“Aparahna-lila, afternoon pastimes: Krsna brings all the cows together and returns home, playing His mysterious all-attracting flute. All the residents of Vraja go to meet Him at the outskirts of the village to get a glance of their Beloved. In the meantime, Radha goes home, finishes Her bath and dressing, and prepares varieties of wonderful dishes for Her lover. Krsna, arriving home, takes His bath and enjoys delicious refreshments. Afterwards He goes to the cowshed for the evening milking.
“Sayam-lila, twilight pastimes: Krsna Himself milks some of the cows, and then returns to His house with His father and hundreds of Vrajabasis carrying milkpots. Next along with Baladeva He accepts His dinner served by His mothers Yashoda and Rohinidevi.
“Pradosha-lila, evening pastimes: When Krsna takes His meal, He can understand that many of the dishes are cooked by Radha, so He makes many witty comments about their savory tastiness. Then He goes with His father to the assembly hall, where the bards sing sweet songs to enchant their ears.
Meanwhile, the Sakhis carry the prasadam of Krsna’s meal to Radha, who affectionately distributes it among them and most delightedly honors it. Next She is invited by Krsna through Her Sakhis to accompany them to the assigned meeting place for Her intimate pastimes with Krsna.
“Naisha-lila, night pastimes: Radha dresses Herself according to the phase of the moon (dark or light) and comes secretly to the Nikunja Grove. Meanwhile Krsna, after hearing the melodious songs of the bards and rewarding them accordingly, goes with Mother Yashoda to the bedroom. When she thinks Krsna is asleep, she leaves the room and also retires. Now Krsna secretly leaves His bedroom to join Radha at the Nikunja Grove.
Hand-in-hand with the Sakhis, They perform blissful rasa-lila up to 1:30 in the morning, after which They retire in the most secluded part of the grove. But due to Krsna’s supernatural potency, none of the Sakhis can understand where They have gone. Only the Manjaris are able to enter the secret bower to serve the Divine Couple in Their most intimate pastimes.” [Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Jaiva Dharma, Ch. 38, pp. 549-557]
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