nibhrita nikunja | निभृत निकुंज
Nibhrita Nikunja (Devanagari: निभृत निकुंज; ISO 15919: nibhr̥ta nikuṁja) refers to the Secluded Grove of Divine Intimacy.
The Setting In the dense forests of Braj, flowering creepers entangle to form natural, room-like enclosures known as Nikunjas. Nibhrita Nikunja refers specifically to the most private, solitary, and hidden of these bowers.
Spiritual Exclusivity It is the space where Shri Radha and Shri Krishna perform the most intimate and blissful pastimes (Lilas) born of Adhirudha Mahabhava (the highest summit of divine love).
- The Restriction: The Rasa (bliss) of these pastimes is so exquisite and confidential that even the Ashta Mahasakhis (the eight leading Gopis) are not eligible to relish it directly.
Further Reading and Reference
- Alternate Spelling: nibhrit nikunj
- Related Concepts: Bliss
- Reference: Bhakti Shatak - Hundred Gems of Devotion - an in-depth analysis