Practise of devotional service in ‘MAÑJARĪ BHĀVA’, that is, in the mode of single – minded servitude to Śrī Rādhā, the chief consort of Kṛṣṇa, is the special hitherto unoffered, generous contribution of Śrī Mahāprabhu in this dark age of Kali.

We have said that in Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, there is a large description of the moods of the beloved. This does not mean that there is no description of the love of a female friend (sakhi – Prem) at all.

In the purport to verses such as “apyeṇa patnyupagataḥ” (Bhāg. 10.30.11), Jīva Gosvāmī has written –

“atrākhaṇḍasya vākyasya nikhila padānām apyanumodana vyañjaka evārtha pratipadyate. Tataḥ sakhyam evāsāṁ tan mithunam anulakṣyate tad-darśanotkaṇṭha ca tatra vākyārthaḥ”

Meaning – “All the words of this verse are suggestive of approval. We should understand that Śrī Rādhā’s friends are anxious to see both Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa. Hence they are inquiring about them from the does”.

Kāma-rūpā Bhakti is of two types –

(1) sambhogecchāmayī

(2) tad-bhāvecchātmikā

“Keli-tātparyavatyeva sambhogecchāmayī bhavet, tad-bhāvecchātmikā tāsāṁ bhava-mādhurya kāmitā”.
– [B.R.S. 1.2.299]

Meaning – “Sambhogecchāmayī is the mood of a beloved while tadbhāvecchātmikā is the mood of a sakhi.”

Sakhi is of five types, mañjarī being one of them. They are always ready to serve. Service is their soul.

Srila Ananta das Babaji (taken from Rasa – Darshan)