Krishna Moment to Moment

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

The minds of most people are filled with thoughts, which change from moment to moment. Like ocean waves, these thoughts, arise in the ocean of the mind, stay awhile and then disappear in the murky waters of forgetfulness—never to be thought again.

Devotees, however, try to still the ocean of thoughts by always thinking, remembering and speaking about the sweet and satisfying names, forms and pastimes of Radha and Krishna. In this regard, Sri Suka Muni says, “Devotees, who have accepted the essence of life, only talk about the ever-fresh topics of Acyuta Sri Krishna at every moment, satamsarabhrtamprati-kshanam, navya-vadacyutasyayat sadhu varta.” (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.13.2)

The practice of remembering Sri Krishna is so powerful and purifying that just by this one can attain liberation from birth and death, even while living. Think of Krishna—Go to Krishna!

The Vedas say, “One who remembers Sri Hari at every moment is liberated even while living in this world, harihsmrtihanukshanamjivanmuktasya.” (Brahma Vivarta Purana 4.16.122)

For Gaudiya Vaisnavas, the teachings of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu are the essence of all spiritual instructions on how to attain the perfection of Krishna prema. In the following dialogue, Mahaprabhu reveals the importance of remembering Radha and Krishna and Their divine Vrajalilas.

Mahaprabhu said, “O Ramananda Raya! What should one always remember?”

Ramananda Raya: “One should mainly remember Sri Krishna’s name, qualities and pastimes, Krishna nama, guna, lila pradhana smarana.”

Mahaprabhu: “Among all the topics one can listen to, which is the best, sravanamadhyeshreshthasravana?”

Ramananda Raya: “The best topic is Radha-Krishna’s transcendental, amorous affairs that are a nectar tonic for the ears, Radha Krishna prema kelikarnarasayan.” (Caitanya Caritamrta. 2.8.252, 255)

During His youth, Nimai Pandita’s Sanskrit students once asked Prabhu a question about perfecting letters (varna siddha). Mahaprabhu replied in an equivocal way, which actually gives the answer to all questions, the solution of all problems, and the best means to attain spiritual perfection in human life. At that time, Mahaprabhu said, “Remember Sri Krishna at every moment, prabhu bale sarvakshanasrikrishnasmarana! (Caitanya Bhagavata 2.1.254)

In pursuance of Gauranga Mahaprabhu’s instruction to remember Krishna from moment to moment, we present the following outline of one transcendentally blissful, ever-new and fresh day in the loving lives of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna in Gokula Vrindavana.

Throughout the day, many people look at their mobiles to find out the time, weather, road conditions, news, sms messages, missed calls etc. If one keeps this asta-kaliya-lila outline on his/her phone, then one can always tune into the spiritual world, and thereby experience the peace and bliss of remembering Krishna from moment to moment.

We pray that the sensitive devotional readers will fill their minds and hearts with these pastimes, and thereby always think of Krishna from moment to moment. This outline can be saved on mobiles, pc’s or even printed out for constant review and relish of love divine.

Radha-Krishna lila smarana ki jai! Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!

SRI SRI RADHA KRISHNA**** ASTA KALIYA LILA

Period One Pastimes at the End of Night (3:36 a.m.—6:00 a.m.) Niśānta-līlā

3:36 a.m.—4:24 a.m.

The sakhīs’ morning services
The birds awaken Rādhā-Mādhava
The pleasure fatigue
Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa’s sweet fatigue

4:24 a.m.—5:36 a.m.

Mañjarīs’ services and Kṛṣṇa’s agitation
Female parrots speak to Rādhā
The male parrots speak to Kṛṣṇa
The sakhīs joy in seeing Rādhā& the pleasure bed

5:36 a.m.—6:00 a.m.

Forgetting to go home and Kakkhatī’s poetry
Rādhā’s lamentation and sleeping

Period Two Morning Pastimes (6:00 a.m.—8:24 a.m.) Prātaḥ-līlā

6:00 a.m.—6:24 a.m.

The mañjarīs activities and Rādhā’s abode
Performing services for Rādhā
Dawn and arrival of Mukharā
Rādhā awakens
Talks with ŚyāmalāSakhī
Madhurikā Sakhī describes Kṛṣṇa’s waking and milking cows
Milking the cows
Rādhā’s condition &Śyāmalā’s departure
Rādhā brushes Her teeth
Kalāvatī narrates Kṛṣṇa’s cow-milking pastime

6:24 a.m.—6:48 a.m.

Rādhā’s bath and dressing

6:48 a.m.—7:36 a.m.

Hiraṇyāṅgī Sakhī describes Kṛṣṇa’s wrestling match
Kṛṣṇa’s dress & ornaments
Kundalatā takes Rādhā to Nanda’s house
Joking with the sakhīs
Tuṅgavidyā describes Nandīśvara
Seeing Kṛṣṇa at the entrance gate
Rādhā meets Yaśodā
Yaśodā’s cooking instructions
Rādhā & Rohiṇī cook
Yaśodā inspects the preparations

7:36 a.m.—8:24 a.m.

Serving and eating
The breakfast joking
Kṛṣṇa loses His appetite upon seeing Rādhā
The sakhīs eat

Period Three Forenoon Pastimes (8:24 a.m.—10:48 a.m.) Purvāhna-līlā

8:24 a.m.—9:12 a.m.

Kṛṣṇa’s dressing & meeting His friends
Service items for forest playing
The gopīs’ responses to Kṛṣṇa’s leaving
Yaśodā instructs Kṛṣṇa
Bidding farewell to the Vrajavāsīs
Rādhā’s plans to meet Kṛṣṇa

9:12 a.m.—10:00 a.m.

Description of Kṛṣṇa& His friends
The Vṛndāvana forest and the boy’s sports
The forest welcomes Kṛṣṇa
Kṛṣṇa sees Rādhā everywhere
Dhaniṣṭhā’s news & Kṛṣṇa’s water sports
Picnic & Kusuma Sarovara meeting
Tulasī brings news of Rādhā
Śaibyā Sakhī deceived

10:00 a.m.—10:48 a.m.

Rūpa-mañjarī describes Rādhā’s anguish
Rādhā goes to Rādhā-kuṇḍa
Description of Lalitānanda-da Kuñja

Period Four Midday Pastimes (10:48 a.m.—3:36 p.m.) Madhyāhna-līlā

10:48 a.m.—11:12 a.m.

Rādhā’s attraction to Kṛṣṇa
Power of Kṛṣṇa’s flute
Tulasī-mañjarī brings news of Kṛṣṇa
Dhaniṣṭhā describes the beauty of spring
The love journey to Kṛṣṇa
Kṛṣṇa sends Vṛndā to bring Rādhā
Rādhā, Vṛndā and Kundalatā’s discussion
Rādhā-Govinda’s mutual vision
Kṛṣṇa’s joy on meeting Rādhā

11:12 a.m.—11:36 a.m.

Conversations while picking flowers
Rādhā’s ownership of the forest
A clever conversation
Kṛṣṇa embraces Rādhā
Lalitā jokes with Kṛṣṇa

11:36 a.m.—12:00 p.m.

Flute stealing pastimes
Kṛṣṇa enters Rādhā’s bower

12:00 p.m.—12:24 p.m.

Description of Rādhā

12:24 p.m.—1:12 p.m.

Service of the six seasons
Beauty of Vṛndāvana
Service of the creepers
Rādhā’s pretense of anger
The Spring Forest

1:12 p.m.—1:36 p.m.

Spring festival of Holī
Summer forest pastimes
Entering the monsoon forest
Swing pastimes
The autumn forest
The winter forest
The dewy season forest
Rādhā transformations in prema
Pastimes of drinking madhvikā nectar

1:36 p.m.—2:00 p.m.

Sleeping pastimes
Talks about Rādhā’s intimacy

2:00 p.m.—2:24 p.m.

Divine water sports in Rādhā-kuṇḍa
Dressing at the lotus pavilion
Forest lunch

2:24 p.m.—2:48 p.m.

The parrots glorify Kṛṣṇa’s beautiful form

2:48 p.m.—3:12 p.m.

The parrots describe Kṛṣṇa’s divine qualities

3:12 p.m.—3:36 p.m.

The sakhīs praise Rādhā’s elegant form
The female parrot describe the sakhīs
The gambling match
Sun-god worship

Period Five Afternoon Pastimes (3:36 p.m.—6:00 p.m.) Aparāhna-līlā

3:36 p.m.—4:00 p.m.

Candanakalā Sakhī relieves Rādhā

4:00 p.m.—4:24 p.m.

Rādhā cooks Kṛṣṇa’s favorite five sweets

4:24 p.m.—4:48 p.m.

Rādhā praises Kṛṣṇa’s flute

4:48 p.m.—6:00 p.m.

The sakhīs receive the returning Kṛṣṇa
The meeting of Rādhā-Mādhava

Period Six Dusk Pastimes (6:00 p.m.—8:24 p.m.) Sāyāhna-līlā

6:00 p.m.—6:24 p.m.

The attractive features of Kṛṣṇa
Tulasī relieves Rādhā
Yaśodā’s motherly affection for Kṛṣṇa

6:24 p.m.—6:48 p.m.

Kṛṣṇa’s bath
Kṛṣṇa&Balarāma’s meal

6:48—8:24 p.m.

Kṛṣṇa milks the cows

Period Seven Evening Pastimes (8:24 p.m.—10:48 p.m.) Pradośa-līlā

8:24 p.m.—8:48 p.m.

Induprabhā Sakhī brings Rādhā news of Kṛṣṇa
Kṛṣṇa’s sleeping chamber
Kṛṣṇa describes Rādhā’s beauty
Subala describes Rādhā’s separation
Nanda entertains Kṛṣṇa

8:48 p.m.—10:00 p.m.

Kṛṣṇa goes to His bedroom
Rādhā’s evening meal

10:00 p.m.—10:24 p.m.

Kṛṣṇa goes to meet Rādhā
Rādhā describes Kṛṣṇa’s beauty
Lalitā comforts Rādhā and their departure
Description of Govinda-sthali Yogapitha

10:24 p.m.—10:48 p.m.

Meeting Kṛṣṇa
Kṛṣṇa searches for Rādhā

Period Eight Midnight Pastimes (10:48 p.m.—3:36 a.m.) Niśa-līlā

10:48 p.m.—11:12 p.m.

Vṛndā serves Rādhā-Mādhava
Pastimes in the forest
Glory of the forest

11:12 p.m.—1:12 a.m.

The rāsa dance begins
Rāsa-līlā

1:12 a.m.—1:36 a.m.