Bhoga-arati

Worship Sri Gaurahari, who is affectionate to His devotees. He is the same Lord who played in the pastures of Vraja and stole the hearts of Nanda and Yasoda. “It is late, Damodara, come now. Sit in the dining hall and take Your meal.” At Nanda's word the lifter of Govardhana Hill sits down; with Baladeva the cowherd friends take their places row upon row. Sukta and all kinds of greens, fried dishes, nalita and pumpkin, dal, vegetable stew, milk with gourd, yoghurt and banana flowers. Patties of mung and urad dal, flatbreads, rice with ghee, saskuli, pistaka, ksira, puli and rice pudding. Camphor-scented amrta-keli, bananas, thickened milk, sweet amrta-rasala and twelve kinds of sour dishes. Puris, sweet puris with cream, laddus and rasabali — Krishna eats it all with great delight. Glancing from the corner of His eye at Radhika and Her friends, Krishna eats to His satisfaction in Yasoda's house. After eating, Krishna drinks scented water, and everyone rinses their mouths in rows. Having washed their hands and faces, all the cowherd boys rest blissfully together with Baladeva. Jambula and Rasala bring spiced betel; having tasted it, Krishnacandra falls happily asleep. Visalaksa fans Him with a peacock-feather whisk, and Krishna sleeps sweetly on a wondrous bed. On Yasoda's order Dhanistha brings the remnants of Krishna's meal, and Radha lovingly partakes of them. Lalita and the other sakhis receive what is left and joyfully sing in their hearts the qualities of Radha and Krishna. Thakura Bhaktivinoda, for whom the pastimes of Hari are the only delight, sings this Bhoga-arati.