4.217
radha-saha krida rasa-vrddhira karana
ara saba gopi-gana rasopakarana
SYNONYMS
radha-saha—with Srimati Radharani; krida—pastimes; rasa—of mellow; vrddhira—of the increase; karana—the cause; ara—the other; saba—all; gopi-gana—gopis; rasa-upakarana—accessories of mellow.
All the other gopis help increase the joy of Krsna’s pastimes with Radharani.
The gopis act as the instruments of Their mutual enjoyment.
PURPORT
It is said that the gopis are divided into five groups, namely the sakhis, nitya-sakhis, prana-sakhis, priya-sakhis and parama-prestha-sakhis.
All these fair-complexioned associates of Srimati Radharani, the Queen of Vrndavana-dhama, are expert artists in evoking erotic sentiments in Krsna.
The parama-prestha-sakhis are eight in number, and in the ecstatic dealings of Krsna and Radha they side sometimes with Krsna and at other times with Radharani, just to create a situation in which it appears that they favor one against the other.
That makes the exchange of mellows more palatable.