Introduction :
Shri Lalitladaiti Ji comes in the tradition of those Saints, who have enriched the method of Raasleela by writing various pastimes. His 'Dampativilas' book is such text from the point of view of the literature of pastimes, in which many sweet pastimes are mentioned. At the end of this book, Lalitladaiti Ji has bowed down to the tradition of the same writers by showing special reverence to Shri Narayan swami, whose literature-inspired Shri Lalitladaiti Ji to create his new text of pastimes "Shri Dampativilas".
Birth :
Swami Shri Lalitladaiti Ji was born in 1847, in a Vaishnav family of Nangya caste in the city of Deragaji Khan in Punjab. According to Shri Prabhudayal Mittal, Lalitladaiti Ji was the son of Munshi Tikkanlal, a resident of Deragaji Khan and his name was Indrabhanu.
Spiritual Life:
After education, Shri Lalitladaiti Ji took initiation of Krishna-mantra from Shri Balmukundji Goswami in the tradition of Shri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. After doing a government job for a few days, He got attracted to the service of the Lord, and being a householder, He was completely detached from the material world, and further recognized in the form of a great saint. Shri Lalitladaiti Ji must be only 10-12 years old when He came to Vrindavan. He got the association of many Gaudiya saints like Shri Narayan Swami etc. Seeing the imitation of pastimes of the ancient Raas congregations of Vraj, the quality of the wonderful poetry of Vraj language arose in him. Simultaneously, He became immersed in the pastime-remembrance method of the Chaitanya tradition. Day and night, He remained engrossed in the divine pastimes and the pastimes of Vraj started manifesting in his heart.
Shri Lalitladaiti Ji's love towards Shri Vrindavan :
Shri Lalit Ladaiti Ji prays in His bhavas written as such: "O Kishori Shri Radha Ju, don't delay now, give me the abode and your own palace Shri Vrindavan. Let me observe the divine play of yours [Shyama Shyam]. Shri Lalit Ladaiti Ji says, O Swamini, fulfill the hope of my heart. This is only possible when you do not pay attention to my sins, and look at the qualities of your own nature. [the qualities of softness, kindness, etc.].
Ha Ha Der Karo Na Kishori.
Shri Vrindavan Vaas Deejiye Tahal Mahal Nav Kunjan Khori. [1]
Banshivat Tat Karat Keli Nit Avalokahun Sundar Var Jori.
Lalit Ladaiti Aas Puraavo Chook Maaph Kari Lakhi Nij Ori. [2]
- Shri Lalit Ladaiti, Shri Kishori Kripa Kataksh, Vinay (7)
Shri Lalitladaiti Ji prays to Kishori Shri Radharani: O Kunj Viharini, O Gaurangi Shri Vrishabhanu Dulari, I have come to your Lotus Feet, I wish to see your moonlike
Lotus Face. Oh dear, there is no time to delay anymore, please listen to my request. Grant me the abode of Braj, O Queen of Barsana, please fulfill this desire of my heart.
(Raag Khammaach)
Padat Haun Paiyaan Kunj Viharini Gaurangi Vrishbhanu Dulaari.
Karuna Svaanti Boond Hon Chaatak Mukh Chhabi Chand Chakori Pyari.
Ausar Nahin Avaser Karan Ko Sun Leejai Darakhaast Hamaari.
Lalit Ladaiti Dehu Baas Vraj Purivau Aas Bhaanupur Vaari.
- Shri Lalit Ladaiti, Shri Kishori Kripa Kataksh, Pashchataap (26)
Text Composition :
Shri Lalitladaiti Ji composed the book "Shri Kishori Karuna Kataksha" at the age of 10-11 years. After this, He composed "Shri Dampati Vilas".
Shri Lalitladaiti Ji composed "Shri Raspanchadhyayi", "Shri Sanatan Dharma Raksha Vyakhyan Mala" and "Shri Advaitamritvarshini", and published them and distributed them free of cost to many devotees.
By observing "Shri Kishori Karuna Kataksh", we get an introduction to the extraordinary devotional personality of Shri Swamiji, and we get a glimpse of the sweet pastimes of Shri Krishna's childhood, adolescence, and youth. Shri Lalitladaiti Ji has mentioned very lively depictions of pastimes of various Nikunjas which have become the soul of Rasik devotees.
In remembrance of Ashtyam-Leela (eightfold pastimes), the gems of remembrance of eternal and casual pastimes have been threaded in a series of year-long festivals in his text. By naming each verse in Raag, Shri Swamiji in a form of a musical maestro has flowered the path of singers of Shri Krishn's pastimes in the Raas congregations. This is a unique gem for the seekers of the nectar of Vraj, especially in the spirit of Gopi form.
The "Dampativilas" of Shri Lalitladaiti Ji, built on the basis of the sentiments of ancient texts of Rasik devotees, is divided into five parts. Vinaya (request), Siddhanta (law), and Braj pastimes are described in the first part. The second part is related to seasonal pastimes like Holi, Vasant, Hindol, Sanjhi, and Raas. The third part contains the pastimes of Shri Radha Krishn and the fourth part is a set of their night pastimes. In the fifth part of the book, the words of warning have been included. The beautiful explanations in Braj language are also very visible in the book, which probably seems to have been done keeping in view the stage requirement of the pastimes.
A prose description is excerpted from Shri Lalitladaiti Ji's Saanwari-Chhadma-Jhulanleela -
Jab paing kachhu taral bhaye, Shriji ne Shrilaalji son kahi - "hai Pyare. itani ramak na badhaavau, nek sambhaar ke jhoka deo." Yah suni aap dheere-dheere jhulaayave lage. kachhu der peechhe phir peng badh gaye, tab Shriji ne ek sang ris hai kain bhrikuti chadhaay laeen. Laalji tau darpe aur lata ki ot te hai kain nikasi doori chale gaye. Sakhijan Shriji kon manaay kain jhulaayave lageen. Itanen mein Shrilaalji hu navnaagari kau bhesh dhaari puni vaahi thaur chale aaye.
Shri Krishn is swinging Shri Radha. When the swing slowed, Shri Radha said to Krishn "O Pyare, don't swing fast, push the swing slowly." Hearing this Shri Krishn started swinging slowly but after a few moments, again He started swinging fast, then Shri Radha raised Her eyebrows in anger. Shri Krishn got scared and left from there and went away through the guise of the creeper. The Sakhis persuaded Shri Radha and started swinging Her. Then Shri Kirshn in a guise of a Sakhi came there again.
In one of the pastimes, the Sakhis want to go to Yashoda in Nand-Palace to reveal their devotion towards Krishn, but they are skeptical as to how Yashoda will believe their story. For this, the Sakhis sends Shri Radha as the culprit in the disguise of Krishna-
Syam Roop Dhari Leenon Pyari.
Mor-Mukut Kati Sohai Kaachhini, Peetaambar Ko Damakan Nyari.
Nakh-Sikh Kiyau Singaar Manohar, Jaahi Dekhi Hulasat Hiy Bhaari.
Lalitladaiti Vaahi Bhesh Son, Sang Sakhi Nand-Bhavan Sidhaari.