Pali Dhanya And Carukesi

This document is an excerpt from "Z_Aspect_of_Jainology_Part_2_Pundit_Bechardas_Doshi_012016.pdf" by H.C. Bhayani, focusing on the early literary mentions of three of Krishna's sweethearts: Pali, Dhanya, and Carukesi. These women are presented as rivals to Radha in Krishna's affections. The author aims to trace the origin of naming Radha's companions who sometimes shared Krishna's attention in erotic and religious poetry, with sources dating back to the 9th-10th century AD.

Here's a summary of each woman discussed:

1. Pali (also known as Pāli, Pālikā/Pālitā, Pālitaka):

• Earliest Mentions: Pali is identified as the earliest milkmaid in poetic tradition to be depicted as Radha's rival for Krishna's love. Several poetic works in Apabhramsa, Prakrit, and Sanskrit, from roughly the 8th to 10th century AD, contain episodes involving Krishna, Radha, and Pali.
• Sources:
  • Govinda's Apabhramsa poem on Krishna-carita (not later than the latter half of the 9th century AD): Cited by Svayambhu, a verse describes Pali in distress, placing a lotus leaf on her breasts, suggesting a context of separation from Hari (Krishna). The author argues that "Pāli" here is a personal name, not a general term for a milkmaid.
  • Bhejjala's Radha-vipralambha (prior to the 11th century AD): This dramatic work, known to Sanskrit dramaturgists like Bhoja and Abhinavagupta, featured Palitaka (closely related to Pali) as one of Krishna's paramours and Radha's rival. An episode describes Krishna favoring Palitaka on a moonlit night, causing Radha distress.
  • Jayavallabha's anthology of Prakrit subhāṣitas (Vajjallaga): A verse from this anthology, concerning Krishna, is interpreted by the author to refer to Pālikā (Pali) as an interlocutor of Krishna, rather than an unspecified gopi, with "Pāli" being the original reading corrupted to "bāliyāi".
  • Bhoja's Sarasvatikanthābharaṇa (SK): Bhoja cites a verse illustrating a figure of speech where "Pāri" is mentioned as an interlocutor of Krishna. The author suggests "Pāri" is a corruption of "Pāli" or "Pālikā", further supporting Pali's presence as a rival.
  • Bhoja's Śrngāraprakāśa (first half of the 11th century AD): A verse here explicitly shows the rivalry between Radha and Pali, with Krishna speaking in sleep about embracing Pali, causing distress to Kamalā (another name for Radha).

2. Dhanya (also known as Dhaniḱā):

• Early Mentions: Dhanya is presented as another of Krishna's sweethearts.
• Sources:
  • Vajjālagga (Kaṇha-vajjā): A verse from this anthology, while discussing Visakha, uses the word "dhanna" (meaning "blessed" or "fortunate") in a context that suggests it's also a personal name, referring to a gopi who enjoyed Krishna's favor. The author suggests "dhanna" here, like Visakha, is a specific gopi's name, not a general description.
  • Bhoja's Śrngāraprakāśa:
    • A verse is cited twice, highlighting how Dhanyā was "indeed dhanyā (blessed)" because Krishna looked at her lingeringly even while holding up the Govardhan mountain. This implies Dhanya was favored during a significant event.
    • Another verse mentions "Dhanikā" (closely related to Dhanya) and other companions leaving Krishna, suggesting Dhanika was among Krishna's group of consorts.

3. Cārukēśī:

• Early Mentions: Cārukēśī is the third gopi discussed.
• Sources:
  • Bhoja's Śrngāraprakāśa: A verse illustrates a type of hero where Krishna is confronted by a gopi (likely Radha) about a tooth-mark left by Cārukēśī. Krishna attempts to save himself by playing on words. This dialogue structure is compared to similar exchanges in other works like Kṛṣṇakarṇāmṛta, further establishing Cārukēśī's role as a rival to Radha.

In essence, the paper meticulously examines early literary evidence to establish the existence and literary depiction of Pāli, Dhanyā, and Cārukēśī as significant figures in the developing tradition of Krishna's romantic affairs, particularly as rivals to the more prominent Radha. The author's analysis relies on cross-referencing various poetic and dramatic works from the 9th to 11th centuries AD to reconstruct these early literary portrayals.