The Nikuñja as Sacred Space in the Poetry of the Rādhāvallabhī Tradition
Keywords:
Rupert Snell, Nikunja, Radhavallabha, Hita Harivamsha, Radha, Krishna, Caurasipada, Gitagovinda, Sacred Space, Vraj, Vrindavan, Poetry, Hindu TraditionAbstract
The article "The Nikuñja as Sacred Space in the Poetry of the Rādhāvallabhī Tradition" by Rupert Snell explores the development of the concept of the nikunja, the idealized arbour, within the Radhavallabha Sampradaya. It examines how this tradition, rooted in the teachings of Hita Harivamsha, uniquely emphasizes the nikunja as a central space for the divine love-sports of Radha and Krishna.
Snell analyzes the influence of earlier texts like the Bhagavata Purana and Gitagovinda on the depiction of the nikunja, noting the shift from broader, more general descriptions to the Radhavallabha's specific focus on the nikunja as a secluded, sacred space. The article also discusses how commentators on Hita Harivamsha's Caurasipada interpret and adapt verses to align with sectarian theology, often emphasizing the nikunja's divine and transcendent qualities.
Furthermore, the article explores the symbolic use of the nikunja, drawing parallels with tantric imagery such as lotus symbolism and mandalas. It highlights how the nikunja evolves from a simple pastoral setting to a complex, richly detailed space reflecting the divine majesty of Radha and Krishna's eternal union.
