Tag Archive for: Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

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Maa Ganga Appears

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

The River Ganga appeared in this world in the most auspicious month of Vaishakha on the day of shukla akshaya tritiya (May). Some say Ganga appears in Jyestha month on Ganga Dusshera. There is a story describing how once Maa Ganga’s rising waters threatened to engulf Jahnu Rishi’s ashrama, so he swallowed her. Then after some time, on Vaishakha sukla saptami, the rishi released Ganga from his ear or thigh according to some Puranas. Thus, this saptami day is the day that the Jahnavi Ganga appeared. On these two days, we encourage all devotees to remember, pray to, bathe and worship the sweet kind mother of all sacred rivers. Gange! Gange! Gange! Ki jai!

We can also read and meditate on the wonderful statements below gloryifying Maa Ganga, which are taken from our book Appreciating Navadvipa Dhama:

Lord Kṛṣṇa told Uddhava in the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 11.16.20, “Among sacred and flowing things, I am the holy Ganges.”

Vṛndāvana Dāsa Ṭhākura says, “Kṛṣṇa is always present wherever these four things are found: the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, Tulasī, Gaṅgā, and His devotees. The Deity form of the Lord may be worshiped only after doing the prāṇa-pratiṣtha ceremony [installation]. However, the Vedas say that these other four forms are the Supreme Lord Himself from the moment they appear in this world.” (Caitanya Bhagavata Madhya 21.81)

The Agni Purāṇa describes the personified form of Gaṅgā Devī as being white in color, riding on a makara [a variety of fish], and holding a pot and lotus in her hands. “In Gaura-līlā, the Ganges River appeared as the daughter of Lord Nityānanda named Gaṅgā Devī.” (Gaura Ganodesa Dipika)

Śrī Kavi Karnapura glorifies Gaṅgā Devī in his Caitanya-carita mahākavya: “Flooding Lord Śiva’s matted hair shining with the reflection of the crescent moon; pure with the touch of the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s lotus feet; beautiful, sweet, manifesting the supreme abode; restless, transcendental, eternal, flowing with pure waters; drying up the ocean of repeated birth and death though she herself is liquid; glorious, holding the transcendental form of Lord Kṛṣṇa in her embrace; destroying material illusion even though her course is winding; filled with playful waves, and bearing the fragrance of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; that sacred River Ganges, the famous river of the celestial world, is now flowing on earth, beautifying the transcendental land of Navadvīpa.”

“Seeing the fortune of the Yamunā in participating in Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes, the Gaṅgā did penance to become an associate of the Lord’s līlā. Bestowing His mercy, Kṛṣṇa appeared before Gaṅgā Devī and said, ‘In the form of Gaurāṅga I will perform pastimes with you.’ ” (NDM)

Lord Caitanya regularly bathed in the Ganges to satisfy her desire to embrace Him and serve His transcendental pastimes. As the topmost śikṣā-guru, Lord Caitanya would respectfully offer daṇḍavats to the Gaṅgā before entering. Lord Gaurāṅga purified the Gaṅgā by playing in her waters, and made her equal to the Yamunā which forever flows with vraja-prema.

Whenever Lord Caitanya bathed in the Gaṅgā, He behaved in a frolicsome manner with His devotees. They would engage in all sorts of games like splashing each other with handfuls of water. Loud shouts of “Hari bol!” would accent their sporting.

“Viśvambhara enjoyed Himself by swimming, diving, floating, playing games, and splashing water on His friends. The Lord would sometimes spend six hours playing in the Gaṅga.” (Caitanya Bhagavata)

“Once Garuḍa, Lord Viṣṇu’s giant eagle carrier, picked up a large snake when he was searching for food. While Garuḍa was flying over the Ganges, that snake’s tail happened to touch Gaṅgā’s sacred waters. Due to touching the Gaṅgā, the snake immediately attained a four-armed form resembling the residents of Vaikuṇṭha. Seeing this, Garuḍa then placed that glorious personality on his back, and personally carried him to Vaikuṇṭha.” (MD)

“A person who touches the Ganges attains an eternal spiritual form.” (Nārada Purāṇa)

“Sins perish just by remembering Gaṅgā, or even by merely looking at her. Very heinous sins perish by chanting her name. Hosts of great sins are exhausted by taking a daily bath in the Gaṅgā, by drinking her water, and by offering oblations into her waters. As cotton is immediately burned by fire, sins are destroyed in a moment by the touch of her waters.” (Padma Purāṇa) Gaṅgā Mayi ki jai!

“One who fasts, bathes in the Gaṅgā on Gaura Pūrṇima, and worships Lord Gaurāṅga will cross over the material ocean of birth and death along with one thousand of his ancestors, and attain Goloka after death.” (NDM)

“Puṇḍarika Vidyānidhi always drank Gaṅgā water before worshiping the Lord. By this he taught the proud scholars about the greatness of Mother Gaṅgā.” (Caitanya Bhagavata)

Western devotees often sit on the banks of the Gaṅgā, and cover their bodies with mud before bathing in Gaṅgā’s nectarean waters. Besides being beneficial for health, this playful practice purifies the soul. “He who smears the mud from the banks of the Gaṅgā on his head and body will get the lustre and glow of the demigods like Sūrya. The Ganges water can wash off all sins.” (Mahābhārata)

“Anyone who puts clay from the bank of Gaṅgā on his head or smears his body with it becomes free from all sins, even without bathing in Gaṅgā. He who chants the word ‘Gaṅgā, Gaṅgā’ even from a distance of hundreds of yojanas from Gaṅgā is freed from all sins and goes to Vaikuṇṭha.” (Padma Purāṇa)

“One becomes purified of sins by seeing, touching, or drinking the Gaṅgā.” (Agni Purāṇa)

“Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, ‘The great glory of the Ganges is that she teaches the chanting of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s holy names. The breezes from the Gaṅgā blow here. That is why I hear Lord Kṛṣṇa’s glories.’ Eager to see the Gaṅgā, Lord Caitanya walked swiftly. Accompanied by Lord Nityānanda, Lord Gaurāṅga happily dove into the Gaṅgā while chanting, ‘Gaṅgā! Gaṅgā!’

“Lord Caitanya continued, ‘Your splendid transcendental water is the embodiment of ecstatic love. Anyone who once hears your name attains genuine devotion to Lord Viṣṇu. How much greater than is a person who drinks your waters. By your mercy people chant the name “Kṛṣṇa!” There is no other reason for this. A bird, dog, jackal, worm or insect who lives on your bank becomes fortunate. You came to this world to rescue fallen souls. No one is your equal.’ Anyone who hears Lord Caitanya’s prayers glorifying Gaṅgā Devī will find love for Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya in his heart.” (Caitanya Bhagavata Antya 1.106-123)

“Śrī Gaurāṅga Mahāprabhu is like a golden mountain emanating the jewels of the highest form of Kṛṣṇa-prema. Gaurāṅga wanders here and there distributing His mercy to the afflicted. Known as Viśvambhara, the maintainer of the universe, He flooded the universe with a Ganges river of tears, flowing from His eyes in waves of love of Godhead.” (SNV)

“Lord Nityānanda said, ‘Service to the Gaṅgā breaks offenses to pieces.’ Śrī Gaurāṅga Mahāprabhu said, ‘By the power of bathing in the Gaṅgā, and chanting the holy name of Lord Hari Prabhu people attain devotional service to the Lord.’ ’’ (Caitanya Bhagavata)

“Lord Gaurāṅga felt morose and wondered why He could not attain the happiness of ecstatic love, even after chanting and dancing for a long time. Advaita Ᾱcārya, however, was clapping His hands and joyfully dancing. Thinking that He was completely devoid of Kṛṣṇa-prema, Gaurāṅga jumped in the Gaṅgā to drown Himself. Grabbing Gaurāṅga’s hair and feet, Nityānanda and Haridāsa saved Him.

“Lord Caitanya said, ‘Why should I stay alive if there is no ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa in My life? Why did you two rescue Me?’ ’’ (Caitanya Bhagavata)

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Six Gopi Gitas of Bhagavatam

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Srila Rupa Goswamipada says (Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu (1.2.291) raganuga-bhakti sadhana can begin when one has a slight but specific hankering and desire (lobha, divine greed) to experience the feelings and render services like a particular eternal associate of Sri Krishna in Vrndavana i.e. Sri Radha, Visakha-sakhi or Sri Rupa Manjari in madhura-rati (vraja-vasi jana bhaava lubdho).

Regarding this, Srila Prabhupada says (Nectar of Devotion, pg. 125), “There is a gradual development to become like a particular devotee.”

In the next verse (Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu 1.2.292), Srila Rupa Goswamipada says divine greed may appear and develop by repeatedly hearing [or reading] sastras like the Srimad Bhagavatam and books of the six Goswamis. Sri Jiva Goswamipada says that to develop raganuga-bhakti sadhana, one should especially hear the Tenth Canto Bhagavata’s depiction i.e. [Gopi-gitas) of the sweet love and activities of the cowherd damsels of Vrajabhumi.

In (Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu 1.2.294), Srila Rupa Goswamipada says practicing raganuga-bhakti means to live in Vraja Mandala and be absorbed in hearing topics specifically related to the Vrajavasis whom you want to follow, such as Radhika and the Vraja-gopis.

For devotees pursuing Vraja bhakti in the amorous mood of the gopis, the Srimad Bhagavatam contains six priceless jewels known as the six Gitas or songs of the Vraja-gopis. Bhagavatam is the cream of the Vedas, and the Gopi-gitas are the burfee of the Bhagavatam.

Why is that you may ask? The six Gopi-gitas are full of deeply emotional, pure love-surcharged verses that have arisen from the Vraja gopis’ immaculately pure hearts. In these outpourings, often cried out in the agony of separation from Shyam, the Vraja-gopis reveal the topmost transcendental ecstatic sentiments of mahabhava, pure and selfless, divine love for their dearest Priyatama Shyama, Sri Krishna!

The Gopis’ songs are especially meant for sadhakas treading the emotional path of raganuga-bhakti in pursuance of the madhura-rati of Sri Krishna’s Vraja ragatmikas as taught by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. By regularly hearing, reading, or better yet crying like they did, these six songs of love divine, devotees will quickly develop the moods and feeling of the damsels of Vraja.

The Vraja gopis sing these six Gitas either in times of union or separation, while relishing the ecstasy of their srngara-prema, pure ecstatic amorous love for Shyamsundar, the beautiful dashing sweet Lord of Love.

Srila Sukadeva Goswami comments (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.33.36) on these Gitas, “People must hear about Krishna pastimes [in the six Gopi-gitas]. By doing so people will become exclusively devoted to Bhagavan Sri Krishna.”

Many contemporary Vrndavana Goswamis and Bhagavata katha vachaks say that if you want to cultivate the gopi’s mood separation, attract the heart of Krishna, and receive His beautiful darshana, then daily sing the “Gopi Gita”. (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.31.1-19)

Moreover, since the Vraja-gopis are the topmost devotees of Bhagavan Sri Krishna in all of creation, any devotee who daily hears, reads, or cries these songs will surely increase his/her attraction, love and attachment for Sri Krishna, our Sweet Loving Master.

OUTLINE OF THE SIX GOPI GITAS

  1. Venu-gita:

In verses (10.21.7-19), the gopis describe Sri Krishna’s purvahna-lila (8:24-10:48 a.m.) in the morning when Govinda goes out with gopa friends to tend the cows in the forest. While the gopis are staying at home they hear Krishna sweet flute song echoing and resounding in the distant pastures. Their hearts thrill with ecstatic hankering. Then to ease their pangs of separation, the lovely damsels of Vraja sing about their beloved Shyam, His amazing flute, and His frolicking in the forests of Vrndavana.

  1. Pranaya-gita:

This Gita appears in the Tenth Canto at the end of the first chapter describing the rasa-lila (SB 10.29.31-41). After the gopis hear Sri Krishna’s flute invitation for amorous sports, they drop everything and run through the frightening midnight forest to stand before their beloved. And what does Shyam do? He preaches patni dharma, lajja dharma, varna dharma and morality to seemingly dissuade and reject them.

Replying, the Vraja damsels forcefully express their pure intentions, and transcendental loving sentiments for the one and only true husband and master of everyone, Krishna! In their talks about the deepest pure love, the Vraja-gopis reveal a type of sweetness in prema called pranaya. To better understand the gopis’ feelings at this time, please attentively read and reflect upon the following passage:

Pranaya-prema is a spiritual mentality of equality and oneness of heart between the lover and beloved. It includes boldness, firm faith and trust, and it is completely free from the slightest scent of reverence. Ujjvala-nilamani states that alaukik pranaya is the fifth stage (rati, prema, sneha, mana, pranaya) of ever-thickening sweetness in divine love. In pranaya prema, the lover completely identifies with the beloved, but not like the oneness of the jiva identifying with Brahman in sayujya-mukti.

At this level the lovers feels that their life-airs, minds, intelligence, bodies, and garments (prana, mana, buddhi, deha, vesh) are identical with the counterparts in their beloved. The lovers think, “You are my very prana and I am your very prana (life force).”

Thus, in their loving exchanges there is no hesitation, fear or distance created by respect or feelings of difference. For example, Sri Krishna can place His feet on Radharani’s breasts or pass His chewed pan into Radha’s mouth without any fear or hesitation.

  1. Gopi-gita:

This Gita (10.31.1-19) comprises the entire third chapter of Radha-Krishna’s rasa-lila in the Tenth Canto of Bhagavatam. On the camphor white, soft sandy banks of Yamunaji, the gorgeous gopis sing the pranaya-gita directly to Sri Krishna in chapter 29. Then later in the night during the rasa lila, Sri Krishna suddenly disappears leaving the damsels distraught and dejected.

Overwhelmed with broken hearts and sobbing continuously, the gopis sit down on the bank of the Yamuna after searching a long time for Krishna. Each in her own way, the gopis ecstatically cry out to Rasikashekhar while praying for Shyam’s merciful darshana.

Their minds filling with Krishna’s pastimes and presence, and their hearts burning in loneliness they cry out for their beloved. The commentators say singing the “Gopi-gita” will assuage the aggrieved heart of any bhakta who truly feels separation from Krishna.

  1. Yugala-gita:

This Gita appears in (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.35.2-25). Although wanting, the gopis can’t run out with Shyam when He goes to the forest every day. But their minds do run out. So while remaining in the village doing their chores, the gopis sadly pass their time singing of Krishna’s pastimes while eagerly awaiting Shyam’s return.

Standing in small groups here and there in Vraja, the gopis recite pairs (yugala) of verses glorifying Sri Krishna’s late afternoon pastimes (aparahna-lila 3.36- 6 p.m) of returning from the pasturing grounds (uttara-gostha lila) with the cows and cowherd boys.

  1. Viraha-gita:

Viraha-gita is in (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.39.19-31). This chapter describes one dismal day in February, when Akrura comes to town to take the tender boys Krishna and Balarama out of Vraja and on to Mathura City for a wrestling match with the fierce and hefty henchmen of the notorious demon King Kamsa.

Priyaji Radha and the other gopis are afraid to be without Shyama for even an eye blink. So when they hear the news, they become extremely upset and distressed.

Their faces turn pale from their heavy breathing, and their dresses, bracelets and braids slip off. When Radhika hears the bad news, She remembers some intimate moments with Shyama and faints.

Tossing in the high waves of prema, the Vraja-gopis stay up all night vacillating between madness and fainting. Half-conscious, the gopis lament and condemn Providence for separating them from Shyam.

Due to the intense anxiety of thinking that they may never see Krishna, the gopis run to Nandagrama at dawn. They decide to cast away their shyness and try their best to keep Krishna in Vraja. Standing at the door of Nanda’s palace, they openly express their deep feelings of love of separation in what is called the “Viraha-gita”.

In Nectar of Devotion (ch 44), Srila Prabhupada cites Srila Rupa Goswamipada’s Padyavali: “Since the inauspicious day when Krishna left Vrindavana to go to Mathura, Srimati Radharani has been pressing Her head on one of Her hands and constantly shedding tears. Radha’s face is always wet now, and therefore there is no chance of Radha’s sleeping even for a moment. Radharani was always weeping for Krishna because of His separation and She could not sleep for a moment.”

And how did Krishna feel in Mathura after being separated from His beloved sweetheart Radhika? In the Prahlada-samhita, Uddhava says, “Sri Govinda, panic-stricken from the piercing arrows of Cupid, is always thinking of Radharani. He does not eat regularly nor sleep at night.”

  1. Bhramara-gita:

This Gita appears in (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.47.12-20). After Sri Krishna leaves the gopis and moves to Mathura, He sends Uddhava back to Vraja with a message to pacify the gopis who are completely distraught in Krishna’s separation.

When the young maidens of Vraja see lotus-eyed Uddhava, wearing Krishna’s prasadi dhoti, turban and ornaments, they are astonished thinking that perhaps he is Krishna. The gopis bring Uddhava to a secluded place to speak confidentially.

As they remember their pleasurable pastimes with Krishna, the gopis abandon all propriety and shyness and loudly cry. At that time, Sri Radha sees a bumblebee and mistakes it to be a messenger of Uddhava or someone very dear to him and Krishna. Completely bewildered by intense pangs of love in separation from Shyam (divyonmada mahabhava), Radha speaks to that bee like a madwoman.

Uddhava tries his best to console the deeply anguished Radharani and the damsels of Vraja, who just want to see Shyam again, but he fails! Instead of pacifying the anguished gopis, Uddhava himself becomes baffled and astonished at Sri Radha’s intensely mad love in separation from Krishna.

The Bhramara-gita concludes with Uddhava’s response which is simply his heartfelt prayers to the gopis expressing his gratitude, appreciation and aspiration. Although he is a most exalted Vedic scholar and a confidential friend of Krishna, Uddhava prays with folded hands that the gopis will bless him in some life with their foot dust if by chance he gets birth in Vraja as a lowly creeper. It seems this pastime occurred during the morning (purvahana-lila 8:36-10:48 a.m.)

We hope this article will inspire devotees to cultivate their individual budding attraction to follow the Vraja-gopis by regularly hearing and reading these wonderful Gopi-gitas of the Tenth Canto.

Srimad Bhagavatam Gopi-gitas ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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Krishna Nama Japa and Lila Smarana

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

For the last 500 years, Gaudiya Vaisnava acharyas have directed their students to chant Hare Krishna nama japa while remembering, even in a small way, the eternal Vraja lila of Radha and Krishna.

This practice is called japa with lila-smaran. The Gaudiya Vaisnava mahajanas have written several famous books to acquaint sadhakas with Radha-Govinda Yugala’s eight-fold daily pastimes i.e. asta-kaliya-lila in the spiritual realm, i.e. Krishnainika Kaumudi, Govinda Lilamrita, Krishna Bhavanamrta and Bhavanasara Sangraha.

However, we have often heard followers of Sri Bhaktivedanta Srila Prabhupada repeatedly tell all newcomers and each other, “Srila Prabhupada said, ‘No need to think of Krishna’s lilas. Just chant japa and HEAR THE NAME!’”

Agreed! Each of Sri Krishna’s transcendental eternal names is a complete, totally pure cintamani gem that will fulfil all desires. But if one examines Srila Prabhupada’s teachings, one finds that right from the very beginning of his spiritual mission, Prabhupada was directing disciples to chant japa AND MEDITATE ON KRISHNA LILA!

Not only that, but in his BBT KRSNA BOOK published in 1969, Srila Prabhupada even encourages his disciples to practice asta-kaliya-lila smaran by recommending they READ the classic Radha-Krishna asta-kaliya lila grantha, “Krishna Bhavanamrita” written by the great Vraja rasik Sri Visvanatha Cakravartipada.

The following direct quotes of Srila Prabhupada give very clear instructions about the practice and benefits of lila smaran while chanting Hare Krishna nama japa.

51 years ago in 1968, a disciple asked, “Srila Prabhupada, is it offensive to think of Krishna’s pastimes while chanting?” Srila Prabhupada: “You should know that it is not offensive, but rather IT IS REQUIRED!” (bbt folio: Letter, 4Dec.1968)

While commenting on the Srimad Bhagavatam “gopi yugal-gita”, Srila Prabhupada said, “By constantly CHANTING the Hare Krishna mantra AND REMEMBERING the transcendental pastimes of Krishna, one can be fully in Krishna consciousness and thus make his life sublime and fruitful.” (bbt folio: KRSNA BOOK ch.35)

Now regarding the doubt, “Is it bonafide to read asta-kaliya-lila books like Govinda Lilamrita and Bhavanasara Sangraha”, Srila Prabhupada said, “Devotees can remain absorbed in Krishna thought by reading such books as Sri Visvanatha Cakravartipada’s “Krishna Bhavanamrita”, which is full with Krishna’s pastimes. (bbt folio: KRSNA BOOK 46)

Some devotees will respond to these quotes by preaching here and there, “Ok, that’s fine. But only very advanced pure devotees are qualified to read such books. We are just neophytes full of anarthas. So we should just read Bhagavad-gita and chant Hare Krishna.”

But what about the instructions of Srila Prabhupada? What about the teachings in his books? And what about the fact that Radha-Krishna’s immaculately pure and transcendental intimate pastimes have such power and mercy that Shukdev Goswami says (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.33.39) that even gross materialists, non-devotees, will attain para bhakti i.e. the supreme form of Krishna bhakti by hearing Radha-Krishna’s Rasa Lila?

vikriditam -vraja-vadhubhir -idam -ca -visnoh
sraddanvito -nusrnuyad -atha -varnayed -yah
bhaktim -param -bhagavati -pratilabhya -kamam
hrd-rogam -asv -apahinoty -acirena -dhirah

“Anyone who faithfully hears or describes Sri Krishna’s playful affairs with the young gopis of Vraja will attain para bhakti, the highest form of pure Krishna devotion i.e. Vraja madhurya rasa; quickly destroy lust, the disease of the heart, and immediately become steady, pure and saintly.” (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.33.39)

Srila Prabhupada: “If one hears Krishna’s pastimes with the gopis, which seem to be lusty affairs, the lusty desires in his heart, which constitute the heart disease of the conditioned soul, will be vanquished, and he will become a most exalted devotee of Krishna.” (Srimad Bhagavatam 7.1.30)

Now please consider this. What follows is a most astonishing instruction wherein Srila Prabhupada gives the SECRET OF SUCCESS in spiritual life.

In 1968, Srila Prabhupada sent the following letter to a former “hippie” turned disciple who was deeply involved with all the illicit acts so popular in America in the 1960-1970’s.

In this letter, which basically is a teaching or instruction for every devotee in Kali-yuga, Srila Prabhupada not only agrees with the Bhagavat siddhanta cited above, but he is practically endorsing the practice of reading about Radha Krishna’s transcendental romantic affairs as the “SECRET OF SUCCESS IN SPIRITUAL LIFE”!

Srila Prabhupada said, “Another secret of success is that when one is very much sexually disturbed he should THINK of Lord KRISHNA’S PASTIMES WITH THE GOPIS, and he WILL FORGET his SEX URGE. To think of Krishna’s pastimes with Gopis, but not to try to imitate.” (bbt folio: SPLetter 8Nov1968)

Sri Sri Radha Krishna Rasa Lila ki jai! Jai Sri Radhe!

Jai Srila Prabhupada!

The conclusion is that it’s perfectly all right and recommended to mix japa chanting with lila smaran, and thereby quickly become love-filled, pure and eligible to relish Krishna’s Vraja madhurya.

What follows is a summary of Radha-Govinda Yugala’s asta-kaliya-lila for devotees who want a sprinkling of asta-kaliya-lila in their nama japa, but don’t have the time to patiently hear and read the wonderful lila books of our acharyas like Govinda Lilamrita.

  1. Late Night Pastimes (nishant-lila 336-6 am)

Fearing the imminent sunrise, Vrndadevi orders some parrots to sing sweetly to awaken Radha-Madhava. A refreshing, flower-scented wind wafts through the kunja. With charming calls, the cuckoos, parrots, peahens and peacocks praise Priya-Priyatama’s pastimes.

The birds sing, “O Vrajaraja-nandana! O Nikunjeshvari! We want to see You, so please arise!” Although Lila Yugala awaken from the sweet chirping, They tightly embrace again and fall asleep, weary from amorous play. The more Vrndadevi tries to waken Radha-Madhava, the more They drowsily pretend to sleep because They don’t want to separate. As a last resort, Radha’s old pet she-monkey Kakkhati cries out, “Jatila! Jatila!”.

Everyone jumps up in fear of Radha’s mother-in-law, Jatila, and scrambles out of the kunja. The sakhi/manjaris then enter the kunja to redress Radha-Madhava and conceal the signs of Their loving intimacies. Yugala Bihari joke each other as Lalita-sakhi performs mangal arati. Then Krishna, Radha and the gopis run to Their respective homes. Nishant lila is also called kunja-bhanga lila.

  1. Sunrise Pastimes (pratah-lila 6-836)

Radha-Krishna lie in their beds in Nandagrama and Yavata. Seeing Radhika burning in the fire of Shyam’s separation, Sri Rupa and Tulasi manjari comfort Her and sustain Radha’s life. Yashoda and Paurnamasi rouse Krishna, and Jatila and Mukhara, Radha’s Nanny, rouse Radha from Her slumber.

The friendly sakhi Shyamala comes to cheer up Radha with sweet memories of Her times with Shyam. The sakhi/manjaris then bathe, dress and ornament Srimati so beautifully that Radha wants to immediately run to Krishna to please His admiring eyes.

Radhika and Her sakhi entourage then travel to Nandagram to cook Krishna’s breakfast. Kishori cooks and supervises 100 different stoves in preparing a variety of tasty, nourishing dishes for Krishna. Naughty Madhava accosts Swamini on the path and many hilarious pastimes ensue.

When Yashoda Ma stirs Shyam and sees scratches on His chest she sadly says, “Lala’s body is softer than lotus petals. So why have the pesky gopas hurt my tender boy by wrestling frivolously? Ha Hanta! Hanta! What can I do to stop this?”

Out of love for His mother, Krishna quickly jumps out of bed and runs to the goshala to milk the cows. Then Krishna, enjoys a wonderful joking breakfast with Madhumangala and the boys, and goes out for go-charana lila. Sri Radha and Her confidential sakhis take Krishna’s madhura prasadi and return to Yavata.

  1. Morning Pastimes (purvahna-lila 836-1048)

Sri Krishna and the gopas take the cows to the forest to pasture and play together. Nanda Baba, Yashoda Ma and other Vrajavasis follow Krishna and repeatedly say good bye, fearing even a moment’s separation from their most beloved Nandulal.

Using a clever excuse, Krishna, restless and eager to meet Radha, slips away from the sakhas at Manasi Ganga and rushes off to Radha-kunda with Subala and Madhumangala. Radha waits in Yavata for a sakhi to bring news of Krishna before going out to Surya Kunda for Surya puja.

  1. Midday Pastimes (madhyahna-lila 1048-1536)

For six hours in the day and night, Radha-Krishna enjoy a continuous variety of pastimes together full of blissful intimacies. They wander, joke, sing, laugh, swing, swim, picnic, gamble, drink, steal, worship, and dive deeply in the fathomless ocean of Their ecstatic love sports.

  1. Late Afternoon Pastimes (apurvahna-lila 1536-1800)

After Surya puja, Radhika goes home, bathes, dresses and cooks five special sweets for Krishna on Yashoda’s request. Sriji steals a sweet and joyful glimpse of Shyam as He passes through Her village with His cows and boys returning to Nandagram.

Krishna lovingly greets Nanda and Yashoda, who cleanses the dust from His face with the end of her sari before performing Krishna’s arati. Then Yashoda Ma breast-feeds Lala and sends Him off to milk His beloved cows.

  1. Evening Pastimes (shayan-lila 1800-2024)

Yashoda then attentively bathes Krishna, dresses Him in beautiful clothes, and fondles Krishna in the many ways mothers do. Krishna milks the cows, and Yashoda lovingly feeds Him the sweets sent by Radha.

The sakhi/manjaris witness these lilas and immediately bring Krishna’s food remnants and the good news to Radha’s eager ears. Then Sri Radha enjoys Krishna’s nectar-lips prasadi along with Her confidential sakhis.

  1. Evening Pastimes (pradosh-lila 2024-2248)

Radharani sends more cooked foods to Nandagram. Yashoda affectionately greets Radhika’s maidservants and then serves Radha’s delicacies to Kanai Balai, and other family members. Krishna enjoys an evening of entertainment in the palace theatre featuring recitals, music, dramas, gymnastic feats and magic shows.

Yashoda Ma sings a lullaby as Krishna pretends to fall asleep. Then Shyam secretly slips away from the palace, and runs into the dark forest to meet His sweetheart Srimati Radharani.

Yashoda gives Krishna’s prasadi to the manjaris who take it to Sri Radha and inform Her of the evening’s meeting place. Radha’s kinkaris tell Her all about Krishna relishing Her preparations, and then prepare Radha for abhisara, love journey to Krishna in the kunja.

  1. Midnight Pastimes (ratri-lila 2248-336)

The love anxious, Playful Pair Radha-Madhava finally meet under the soothing moon of night. Their dearest sakhi/manjaris worship and expertly serve Them in many tasteful ways. Krishna and all the gopis sport the night away with forest rambling, singing, rasa dancing, Yamuna bathing, forest snacking, honey-nectar drinking, resting and enjoying confidentially.

Radha’s loyal and dedicated kinkari maidservants serve Radha-Madhava by fanning, offering flavourful betel tambula, massaging Their feet and so on. Finally, Rasika Yugal drift off to sleep, and enjoy tender hugs and kisses in Their svapna-vilasa -amritam.

Jai Jai Sri Radhe Shyam! Radha-Krishna asta-kaliya-lila ki jai!

In closing, we offer you Sri Jiva Goswami’s beautiful prayer “Yugalashtakam”, crying out to the wonderfully kind and merciful eternal Loving Pair, Sri Sri Radha and Krishna.

1) Radha is made of Krishna prema and Hari is made of Radha prema. In life or death, Radha-Krishna are my one and only eternal shelter!

2) Radha is Krishna’s treasure and Hari is Radha’s treasure. In life or death, Radha-Krishna are my one and only eternal shelter!

3) Radha pervades Krishna’s prana, and Hari pervades Priya’s prana. In life or death, Radha-Krishna are my one and only eternal shelter!

4) Radha is completely melted into Krishna, and Hari is completely melted into Radha. In life or death, Radha-Krishna are my one and only eternal shelter!

5) Radha is permanently within Krishna’s body, and Hari is permanently within Hari’s body. In life or death, Radha-Krishna are my one and only eternal shelter!

6) Radha is permanently fixed in Krishna’s heart and Hari is fixed in Hers. In life or death, Radha-Krishna are my one and only eternal shelter!

7) Radha wears Shyam blue clothing, and Hari dons Radha golden clothes. In life or death, Radha-Krishna are my one and only eternal shelter!

8) Radha is Vrndavaneshvari and Hari is Vrndavaneshvara. In life or death, Radha-Krishna are my one and only eternal shelter!

Jai Jai Radhe! Jai Jai Shyam! Jai Jai Sri Vrndavana Dham!

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Appeal to One Moving to Vrndavana

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

1977, we left our Delhi train in Mathura, and bounced along the dusty road in a clickety-click, clickety-click horse cart ride to Vrndavana. “Welcome to Vrndavana, the Land of Krishna” said the sign as we approached its precincts.

“Ahh, we made it, we’re here; this is the spiritual world!”

Then Sri Vrndavtavi Mata blessed us with our first darshana of Vrndavana, and completely excited our heart with a special kind of attraction. We felt a unique sense of imperceptible peace, and some inexplicable feeling of continually resonating joy in the core of our heart.

As we wandered about the villages of Vrndavana, Varshana, Nandagrama, Govardhana and Radha-kunda all of our senses, especially our eyes, ears and nose, were captivated and transported to a subtle and mysterious realm far beyond whatever lies outside this “play land of God”, lilabhumi Vrndavana.

Now we will share some of our memories from forty-two years ago.

Legions of robust, brilliant green happy parrots chattered everywhere in the neem trees lining the Chattikara road like rows of sentinels guarding the path from the Delhi Road to the Banke Bihari Mandir. The road was so narrow that if two cars were passing, the car giving way would get scratched by the scrawny, thorny babul trees (acacia arabica) flanking the road.

The twisty, narrow roads of bricks were polished smooth from millions of loving shuffles scurrying to tiny temples or regal palaces housing the sweet Kings of their hearts. In the small “family temples” and grand mandirs, the Thakurajis were all being cooled with large cloth fans pulled by the eager hands of grateful bhaktas.

Before our Vrndavana yatra we had darshan of many Krishna murtis in mandirs in America, Canada and UK. But here in Vrndavana, we experienced the Thakurajis to be very different, extra special, close and friendly, touchable and human like. If you reach out, Thakuraji will hold your hand, whisper something in your ear and move into your heart. Here the Thakurajis are not aloof and distant. They are loving, and like gaumata they want attention and care.

Thakuraji wants to be close and near His devotees. He misses them and hankers to see them in every arati. When you take darshan of Damodar jiu, Govindadeva, Gopinatha, Radha Raman, Radha Vallabh and Shyamsundar you feel that They really like you, and appreciate your standing before them admiring Their sweet and perfectly beautiful divine forms with every drop of devotion you possess.

“O such a land! Such a wondrous experience! And such a love found in nowhere but Vrndavana!”

The Yamuna River, glistening with an undeniably rich dark blue color, immediately reminded us of our beloved Shyamsundar. Yamunaji meandered in a zig-zag way through the magical landscape, not purposely toward a goal, but lazily like a person relishing one’s self in the inner world of contentment. Like the path of Krishna bhakti, Yamunaji moved slowly, carrying the hidden treasure of her personal joy while steadily move toward her goal, the ocean.

One night at 1.30 a.m. while sleeping in our small Raman Reti guesthouse, we were suddenly awakened by some unearthly sound. It was the deep thunderous crying of what seemed to be thousands of domestic cats meowing in unison. What was that curious mystical cry? The sound abated after some time, but then again roared back into prominence at about 4 a.m.

The next morning, our Vrajavasi friend said, “O that is the peacocks in the forests singing for Radha-Krishna’s nightly rasa lila. And at 4, they are calling all the bhaktas to come for Krishna’s darshan in mangal arati!”

In 1992, by Krishna’s power alone, we did dandavat parikrama of Vrndavana. It was all just sandy plains from Keshi Ghat to the big white Jagannatha Mandir. Then believe it or not, the entire length of the parikrama marga was ONLY soothing cool and purifying white Yamuna sand. Parrot and peacock filled big tall neem, palasha, kadamba and arjuna trees interspersed with fruit orchards of ber, guava and jamun trees lined both sides of the marga. Crossing the Vrndavana-Mathura road, the parikrama marga was bordered by big trees and garden filled spacious ashrams of various saints all the way to Raman Reti.

Often we would take visiting devotees to the then tallest building in Vrndavana, the seven storied “Pagal Baba Mandir”. From its roof we would point out the Goswami Saptalaya Mandir domes, and the royal Madan Mohan temple gloriously reigning atop Dvadashaditya Tila.

This is the Vrndavana of forty-two years ago that completely captured the dry and broken heart of one 24-year-old American. Like many, we were searching for a nature loving, personal and playful God. We found Him here; Krishna and Radha in their paradise of pure devotion, Vrndavana! It was an incredible overtaking of our being. Impossible but it’s happening. We can see, smell, hear, taste, touch and feel Krishna right here, NOW in Vrndavana.

Ten years later, in 1987, by Srimati Radharani’s mercy, we happily moved permanently to Vrndavana. Then a tragedy appeared. Unfortunately, for the next 20 years (1987-2007), we painfully and helplessly watched the divine paradise that once enchanted our hearts disappear right before our tear-filled eyes.

Sadly, our hearts broken, it’s now ALL GONE! No more trees, no more parrots, peacocks or mynas, those talented maestros, and NO MORE YAMUNA! Small “family temples” vanished under the rubble of stores and apartments. Other friendly, sweet and vibrant small temples turned into sprawling complexes of marble, gold, tinsel and trim all neatly packaged in steel “monkey cages”. Thakuraji’s “devotee fans” moved by loving hands and hearts were replaced by ceiling fans and AC’s.

During the destruction of Vrndavana, we often thought and prayed, “O Radharani! You are the Queen of the trees, birds and forests of Vrndavana. And You are the one and only supreme Empress of absolutely, pure and immaculate selfless love for Sri Krishna, mahabhava. We promise You that if we ever get some money, we will buy a little land and offer You some beautiful trees as a small token of our love and gratitude for all and everything that you have and still are giving to us.”

After many years, by Srimati Radharani’s sweet will, She gave some land in Her heart’s domain, Sri Radha-kunda Dhama. By Sri Krishna’s grace there are now over thirty-five trees here for Lila Yugal’s enjoyment, including neem, campak, asoka, amla, moulshri and Their favorites, our precious Tamal and Kadamba yugal vrksh.

With great disappointment, however, we have seen that most of the devotees buying land here will mindlessly decimate all the trees, and then cover every inch of their plots with cement, buildings driveways and towering walls, leaving zero vraj raja, save and except a ceremonial “tulsi stambha”. What about serving Vrndavana, and pleasing the Queen who so kindly gave you the land, Vrndavaneshvari Sri Radha?

We met one South Indian sadhu just after he purchased a plot in Vrndavana. “Maharaja, what is your plan for your land? Are you going to cover every inch with cement like everyone else does?”

Swamiji replied, “O, No, no, this is Vraja. I promise you I will build a small ashram along the back wall and leave the remaining area for a garden with trees and flowers for our Thakuraji.”

“Yes, this is good. Actually, it’s a privilege and a special favor from Srimati Radharani to be granted some land in Her Queendom. “Your property” and all the land in Vrndavana actually belongs to Sri Radha alone. We are merely guardians meant to protect and beautify it with flowers and trees as a place for the happiness and sweet pastimes of Sri Sri Radha Govinda Yugal.”

Conversation over, construction starts and guess what happened? A big ashram manifested eating all the land, and the “promised garden” is nonexistent! Such is the age of Kali!

To all those blessed devotees moving to Vrndavana and building a home on a private plot, we humbly make the following appeal. No matter how big or small your plot is, please only build on one-third or one-half of “your land”, and leave the rest for a “Radharani Bagicha”, a beautiful garden full of fragrant flowers and happy trees! The is real residence in Vrndavana, Vrajavasa, and this is Krishna bhakti.

In closing, we pray: “O Vraja! O Vrndatavi Mata! How very much we miss you that while writing this our tears are falling on the paper. Will we ever see you again? Will we ever be embraced by you again, and fill with that special feeling of love, security, hope and happiness than only a bhakta can perceive? O Srimati Radharani! If Vraja does not return, then please I beg You to take me to Your lotus feet in Goloka Vrndavana Dhama.

Jai Jai Sri Radhe! Sridham Vrndavana ki jai!

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Gaudiya Vaisnava, Identity and Goal

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

To progress nicely in Radha-Krishna bhakti -bhajan, we offer the following ideas for your daily remembrance and practice, sadhana -abhyasa. For most Gaudiya Vaisnavas this is the essence of SAMBANDHA and PRAYOJANA i.e. the foundation and goal of Radha-Krishna bhakti bhajan.

Our Eternal Identity

** By nature every jivatma (you) is an eternal servant, part and parcel of Bhagavan Sri Krishna.

** As Gaudiya Vaisnavas we are Radha-Govinda Yugala -upasakas, which means that here every day, and forever in Vraja Gokula, we will worship Radha and Krishna in the keli -kunjas, divine play groves of Sridhama Vrndavana in Goloka—the spiritual sky.

** My Sthayi-rati (permanent mood of loving attachment to Bhagavan Sri Krishna.)

Of the five Vraja rasas or ratis, we possess and serve Sri Krishna in the topmost form of madhurya-rati (divinely ecstatic amorous love), with the same parakiya bhava that Srimati Radharani and all Her confidential sakhis like Lalita, Visakha and Tulasi-manjari feel toward Bhagavan Sri Krishna.

** We are eternal loving maidservants (manjaris/dasis/kinkaris) of Srimati Radharani, following the moods and sevas of Her other manjaris like Sri Rupa and Tulasi manjaris.

** For Sri Radhika’s happiness, in our daily reading and meditation, we offer one specific seva (which we cherish most), and a variety of other tasteful services to please Swamini Radha throughout the day and night, asta-kaliya lila.

** Upon attaining Radha-Govinda prema, we will leave this maya jagat, samsara, once and for all, and go directly to Radha-Govinda Yugala’s pastimes in Bhauma Vrndavana.

** Then Srimati Herself and Her dearest companions like Visakha sakhi, Tulasi-manjari, Guru manjari and param-guru manjari will personally train us in perfect sevas, and all the nuances and advanced feelings beyond Krishna prema i.e sneha, maan, pranaya, raga, anuraga, bhava and MAHABHAVA.

** Our hearts and bodies have now become perfect (siddha-deha/siddha-bhava)—complete and immaculate divine spiritual beings.

** Upon concluding Their prakata lila in Bhauma Vrndavana, Radha-Govinda Yugala, all Their eternal associates (nitya-siddhas), and all Their sadhana-siddha dasi manjaris (us) will go directly to Goloka Vrndavana in the spiritual sky to eternally serve Radha-Krishna in the ever-fresh, beautiful and natural play land of loving happiness—Sridhama Vrndavana.

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

Sri Vraja Dhama ki jai!

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Bhagavan Surya Narayana Health Puja

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Hare Krishna! Yes, we consult doctors and take medicines of different types to remove our various ailments and diseases. But at the same time, devotees know that real cause of any cure, and the background of success in all actions is the will, mercy and kindness of our sweet loving Master, Bhagavan Sri Krishna.

In Gita (18.14) Sri Krishna states, “There are five factors of success in all actions.”

  1. Place (ksetra or adhishthanam [home, office, world]
  2. Instruments (karanam) [senses, hands, legs etc.]
  3. Actions (ceshtah) [work, activities]
  4. Performer (karta) [you, and others]
  5. Bhagavan (daivam) [Sri Krishna, the Paramatma and the celestial controllers, Devatas]

Of these five, Daivam or Bhagavan Sri Krishna is the ultimate, most powerful and invincible force or factor behind all the cures, wins, successes or achievements one may attain. As it’s said, “You propose and Bhagavan disposes, as He deems fit!”

To help everyone live happy, balanced and healthier lives, Bhagavan Sri Krishna, out of His infinite mercy and compassion, has manifested two most beautiful and powerful forms of His transcendental personality i.e. Bhagavan Surya Narayana and Bhagavan Sri Dhanvantari.

The original supreme Devata of good health is a form of Sri Krishna known as Bhagavan Surya Narayana. He lives on the Sun Planet, Surya grahan, with His eternal consort Sri Lakshmi Devi, and is forever worshiped by Suryadeva and his two wives, Samgya and Chaya. [See Srimad Bhagavatam canto 5, chapter 22]

In Gita (10.21), Sri Krishna says, “Among all brilliant lights, I am the Sun, jyotisham –ravih -amshu –man.”

Besides utilizing doctors, hospitals and medicines to cure our diseases, as devotees we should always remember, pray to Krishna and take His shelter in every aspect of life—be it healthy times or hard times. Thus for devotees facing health issues, we suggest you add the following transcendental pujas and prayers to your daily health regimens.

For thousands and even millions of years, the residents of dharma -bhumi, Bharatavarsha, have regularly prayed to Bhagavan Surya Narayana, the Devata of health, and Bhagavan Sri Dhanvantari, the father of Ayurveda, for both maintaining and restoring their health.

Although the Ayurveda recommends various medicines and cures, it still recognizes the supreme and ultimate control of Bhagavan Sri Krishna. In fact, the Ayurveda says that before taking any of its medicines, they must first be offered to a murti or Deity of Bhagavan Sri Krishna, and before taking them the patient should chant:

om achyutaya namah
om anantaya namah
om govindaya namah

And also don’t forget to chant the topmost, complete cleansing, healing and liberating maha-mantra:

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna
Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Simple Bhagavan Surya Narayana Puja

*** Rise before sunrise= Bathe, wear clean cloth (red color is good). If you can’t take bath, just wash legs, arms and face.

*** DAILY Sunrise to 8 AM= Offer water to Bhagavan Surya Narayana in a 1-2 liter copper lota while facing East, standing barefoot on earth, or on red asana if in an apartment i.e. veranda. If it’s cloudy still follow same procedures.

[[SUNDAY; offer water, and also a full arati to Bhagavan Surya Narayana with red incense, ghee lamp, kunkuma, red flower (especially red, pink lotus), red cloth (wave like fan). You can also offer with tulasi red fruits like anar, apple, cherries. ]]]

*** Hold lota in both hands above your head.

*** SLOWLY POUR the water onto the earth, on a plant or into a flower pot while looking at the sunrays THROUGH THE FALLING STREAM of WATER. Don’t look directly at the Sun.

No water should touch your feet.

As much as possible, expose your body to the healing light rays of sunrise and the water falling from your lota.

*** Chant all the following 12 names of Suryadeva either once or 11 times, with love and devotion, while SLOWLY POURING THE WATER from the lota. Pour the water so slowly that when the water finishes your chanting is completed.

  1. Om Adityaya Namaha
  2. Om Arkaya Namaha
  3. Om Bhanave Namaha
  4. Om Bhaskaraya Namaha
  5. Om Hiranya Garbhaya Namaha
  6. Om Khagaya Namaha
  7. Om Marichaye Namaha
  8. Om Mitraya Namaha
  9. Om Pushne Namaha
  10. Om Ravaye Namaha
  11. Om Savitre Namaha
  12. Om Suryaya Namaha

*** Or you can chant this mantra 21 times, “O Suryaya Namaha”.

*** Personal Prayer:

“O Bhagavan Surya Narayana! You are the loving Master of good health. Please be kind upon me and cure all my diseases. Please give me good health, so I can enthusiastically serve Sri Sri Radha-Govinda Yugala, my beloved Gurudeva and all the wonderful Krishna bhaktas. And please forgive me for any mistakes made in Your worship.”

*** Offer sincere obeisances to Bhagavan Surya Narayana.

Bhagavan Surya Narayana ki jai! Bhagavan Surya Narayana ki jai! Bhagavan Surya Narayana ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

*** You can also pray to Bhagavan Dhanvantari, Krishna’s expansion as the Devata of health, medicine and Ayurveda, “The Vedic Science of Life”.

Srimad Bhagavatam (8.8.34) says, “Dhanvantari is an expansion of Bhagavan Sri Visnu, sa -vai -bhagavatah –sakshad -vishnor –amsha.”

“O Bhagavan Sri Dhanvantari, may the medicines I am taking quickly cure my disease, and please bless me with strength and vitality to nicely serve Bhagavan Sri Krishna.”

Bhagavan Surya Narayana ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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Are You in Ananda?

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

It’s true that both in quality and quantity, Bhagavan Sri Krishna is infinitely SAT CHIT AND ANANDA, which means Sri Krishna has a beautiful spiritual form made of eternity, all-pervading unlimited consciousness, and infinite transcendental, ecstatic loving bliss.

ishvara parama krishna, sac cid ananda vigraha,
“Bhagavan Sri Krishna is the transcendental form of eternity, unlimited knowledge and bliss.” (Brahma-samhita 5.1)

Although many think and speak, “The jivatmas or jivas (human beings like us) are like Sri Krishna, sac cid ananda, one with Krishna in quality but not in quantity. Thus Krishna is the big sat chit ananda, and we are a small edition, “chota sat chit ananda”.

FYI:

This is completely INCORRECT due to a misunderstanding of the word ANAND, which is often used when describing the jivatama. According to Upanisads, Srimad Bhagavatam, Puranas and the Vrndavana Six Goswamis the eternal constitution, nature, or composition of the jivatma is only SAT and CHIT, eternality and consciousness. In other words, “I am eternal and I am aware of my existence.” [Sri Gita 2.20]

Now we give a brief summary of the sastras and Sri Jiva Goswamipada’s definition of the inherent nature of the jivatma.

To begin with, Sri Jiva Goswamipada says that understanding the true identity and nature of the jiva is the first step in the science of God-realization. (Tattva San. Anu. 53)

In various Sandarbhas, he explains that ananda is only in the svarupa-shakti of Bhagavan Sri Krishna and NOT IN tatastha-shakti i.e. the jivatmas. We jivatmas only have the POTENTIAL TO EXPERIENCE ANANDA, if and when we receive the gift of bhakti by the grace of Bhagavan Sri Krishna or Sri Guru.

Bhakti is a combination of Sri Krishna’s two transcendental potencies, hladini i.e. bliss, real spiritual ananda, and samvit i.e. transcendental knowledge.

The material happiness we jivatmas feel through our senses, bodies or minds has absolutely nothing to do with the transcendental ananda that is part of Sri Krishna’s being.

As said earlier, the confusion about the true identity of the jivatma arises from the misunderstanding and misapplication of the word ANANDA. It is just like the word ATMA, which sastra uses interchangeably to mean either SOUL, MIND OR BODY.

A second example is the word KAMA, which, depending on the context, can mean either base, material desire or physical LUST i.e. intense craving to satisfy one’s selfish carnal instincts.

Or in spiritual matters KAMA refers to the cent per cent, absolutely pure spiritual desire, and intense transcendental amorous passion of the Vraja gopis like Srimati Radharani to please and satisfy Sri Krishna in every possible way, without a pinch, fragrance or even one iota of selfish desires “for me”.

Similarly, the word ANANDA is used to describe the material happiness of the jiva as in “Are you feeling anand?” Such material ananda, which is merely a play of polarity or the removal of a distress or lacking, should never be confused or equated with the totally transcendental eternal ANANDA of Bhagavan Sri Krishna.

Sri Jiva Goswamipada explains in Paramatma Sandarbha that the chit or knowledge aspect of the jivatma is merely the potential to learn and experience material knowledge, the innate nature of knowing. All the material knowledge that we may collect is stored in the buddhi. This knowledge, chit feature, is not part of the jivatma’s transcendental nature.

It is only if and when the jivatma receives Krishna’s transcendental chit shakti in the form of bhakti by the grace Bhagavan or Sri Guru that spiritual bliss i.e. TRUE AND REAL ANANDA, and transcendental knowledge CHIT are infused and mixed in the inherent nature of the transcendental jivatma.

Thus all Krishna bhaktas should understand, appreciate and be forever grateful to Sri Krishna and Sri Guru for Their giving the matchless gift of pure bhakti. By the mercy of bhakti, all devotees can now know and understand Sri Krishna, reality the beautiful.

And they can NOW TRULY LOVE and experience unending real spiritual joy and fulfillment in the service of Sri Sri Radha-Krishna in the pleasure bowers of Vraja for time eternal!

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

(concept, Dr. Sri Satyanarayana Das Babaji Maharaja)

Sri Krishna ki jai! Sri Guru ki jai! Bhakti-devi ki jai!

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Ten Unique Powers of Vrndavana

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

For all Gaudiya Vaisnavas, Vrndavana is the topmost place of sadhana bhajan. Sri Krishna Caitanya Himself set the example of staying here for four months, totally immersed in gopi-bhava i.e. Radha’s premonmada mahabhava.

Roaming around Vraja, Mahaprabhu went mad searching for that elusive King of love divine, the all-attractive, Master of sweet bliss eternal—Sri Krishna! After partially recovering from His eternal swoon of love in separation from Syama, Gaurahari left Vraja and returned to His circle of loving friends.

In great ecstasy, Gauranga then ordered His antaranga bhaktas, the six Goswamis, to go live in Vrndavana—serve, search and cry for Krishna, and teach others to do the same.

For fifty-years or more of their manifest presence, the Goswamis—Sri Rupa, Sanatana, Bhatta, Gopala and Dasa Raghunatha, and Sri Jiva—LIVED IN VRNDAVANA. They showed the ideal of Radha-Krishna sadhana bhakti for all Gaudiya Vaisnavas.

Their lives, books, bhajans, and eternal blessings teach us how to live in Vrndavana in the mood of Srimati Radharani’s eternal maidservants i.e. dasis, manjaris. Like the Goswamis, the fervent, hankering bhaktas will internally serve Radhika with their minds, and externally through bhajan, tears and endless prayers to see Her beloved sweet Syama.

Jai Jai Sri Radhe

Ten Phenomenal Powers

To encourage everyone to live in Vrndavana doing Krishna bhakti sadhana, Sri Rupa, the very form of Sri Radha’s beauty and compassion, wrote extensively about the glories of Sridhama Vrndavana. In Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, Sri Rupa Goswamipada describes ten uniquely astonishing attributes of Vrndavana, unavailable anywhere else in the universe!

1) All in Vraja! Other Yatras Not Needed

In Adi Purana, Bhagavan Sri Krishna says:

mathuram -ca -parityajya,
yon -yatra -kurute -ratim
mudho -bhramati -samsara,
mohita -mama -mayaya

“Only a fool, wandering in samsara and bewildered by My maya, will leave Vrndavana out of attraction to go somewhere on a yatra.” (Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu 1.2.211)

One might argue, “But Bharata-bhumi is filled with all kinds of sacred places, tirthas, and dhamas like Prayaga, Puskara, Haridvara, Kanchi, Dvaraka, Ayodhya, Sri Rangam, Ramesvaram, and Badrinatha. So why can’t we go on tirtha yatras to see all these wonderful places?”

Of course, anyone can go; there is no law against it. Indeed, these sacred places can purify one and even grant mukti. But why leave Braja, since the Six Goswamis never did that once they settled here? They stayed 24/7 in Vrndavana and quoted so many sastras to encourage others to live here too.

In fact, Sri Rupa Goswamipada’s “Sri Mathura Mahatyam” contains over four-hundred Vedic verses proving the supreme efficacy of Braja vasa, and the incredible benefits of living and dying here.

To establish Vrndavana Dhama above all the other sacred places like those listed above, Sri Rupa Goswamipada quotes the Padma Purana on residing in Mathura/Vrndavana:

anyesu –punya -tirthesu
muktir -eva –maha -phalam
muktaih -prarthya -harer -bhaktir
mathurayam tu labhyate

“Mukti is the topmost fruit to be gained at other sacred places. But HARI BHAKTI, which even the liberated desire, is only attainable in Mathura/Vrndavana!”

aho -madhu -puri -dhanya
vaikunthac -ca -gariyasi
dinam -ekam -nivasena
harau -bhaktih -prajayate

“Aho! Wow! The sweet land of Mathura/Vrndavana is most auspicious and even superior to Vaikuntha. By staying here only one day, Hari bhakti will appear! (Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, 1.2.135, 137)

In the following, most beautiful, poetic and musical Sanskrit verse, Sri Rupa Goswamipada summarizes nine more powers of Braja, elaborately described in the Puranas (khyatam-puranesu-na-vistara-bhiyocyate). In these nine ways, Mathura/Vrndavana fulfil desires.

sruta- smrta –kirtita -ca
vanchita- preksita -gata
sprsta- srita sevita -ca
mathur -abhista -da -nrnam

“[Due to the unlimited power of Vrndavana], anyone can fulfil their cherished desires [for Krishna’s eternal service] simply by:

2) Hearing about Vrndavana (sruta).

3) Remembering Vrndavana (smrta).

4) Glorifying Vrndavana (kirtita).

5) Desiring Vrndavana (vanchita).

6) Seeing Vrndavana (preksita).

7) Visiting Vrndavana (gata).

8) Touching Vrndavana (sprsta).

9) Living in Vrndavana (asrita).

10) Serving Vrndavana (sevita).”

Sri Jiva Goswami’s commentary

“The word preksita (#6) means seeing Vrndavana from a distance, or going near but without direct contact. Srita (#9) means accepting Vrndavana as one’s shelter [residence]. Sevita (#10) means serving Vrndavana by cleaning, beautifying, repairing old temples, etc.

The items in this list fulfil the desires of all beings with successively increasing power. Thus, the last item, sevita, serving Vrndavana is the most powerful!

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das comments:

Regarding (#9), living in Vraja, in Padma Purana (Patala-khanda), Sri Rudra says to Sri Parvati:

aho -madhu -puri -dhanya
yatra –tisthati -kamsaha
tatra -deva -munih -sarve
vasam -icchanti -sarvada

“Aho! Wow! The sweet land of Mathura/Vrndavana, where Kamsari Sri Krishna resides eternally, is so valuable and fortunate. Even all the munis and devas desire to always live there.” (Laghu Bhagavatamrta I.5.433)

Thus, the conclusion of sastra, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and the example and teachings of the six Goswamis is that Gaudiya Vaisnavas should live in and serve Vrndavana, while continually practicing raganuga bhakti bhajan in the mood and manner of the sakhi/manjaris of Srimati Radharani in Goloka Vrndavana.

Sridhama Vrndavana vasa ki jai! Six Goswamis ki jai!

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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Vraja, Wonderland of Play, Part Seven

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Welcome all lovers of Vrindavana! This is Part Seven of our continuing series of articles glorifying Sridhama Vrindavana. Vraja [aka Vrindavana] is the divine realm wherein Sri Krishna loves, plays and sports with all and everyone. If you simply visit Vraja or live in Vraja, Gopala will enchant your heart by His sweet love, beauty, charm and naughty playfulness.

Filled with thousands of temples, Vrindavana is known as a “temple town”. In fact, the entire 168 sq. mile area of Vraja Mandala is adorned with thousands of temples, sacred places, mountains, rivers, lakes and bathing tanks.

Bhakti-ratnakara, a 500-year-old holy book penned by Gaudiya Acarya Sri Narahari Chakravarti, describes over 300 different inhabited villages still existing today in Vraja Mandala. Each village is named after and commemorated to a particular amazing pastime of Sri Krishna which occurred there.

Vraja Dhama ki jai ho! This is such a unique and captivating sacred place. In every square mile of Vraja Mandala, one can visit two villages named after a divine lila that Sri Krishna enacted there 5,000 years ago! Here in Vraja, every step is a celebration of love leading us from village to village, lila-to-lila, and on into Krishna’s heart.

These articles are meant to increase attract everyone more and more and more to this most astonishing, wonderland of pure love and never ending play. Sri Krishna’s pastime villages will be grouped by area like Kamavana, Govaradhana, Varsana, etc. The villages will be listed by their modern names. The origin of that name will appear in brackets after its English translation.

Sri Vraja Dhama ki jai!

Vraja Dhama! O, What an amazing sacred place? In every square mile of Vraja Mandala, one can visit two villages named after a divine lila that Sri Krishna enacted there 5,000 years ago! Here in Vraja, every step is a celebration of love leading us from village to village, lila to lila, and on into Krishna’s heart.

Nandagaon & Kokilavana Area Lila Villages

Now come, let us wander through the northern area of Vraja Mandala around Nandagrama to uncover more hidden lila sthalis full of bliss.

** Kosi (Kosikalan)
While waiting here in a kunja, Radhika pretends not to recognize Her eternal beloved when Syama knocks on the bamboo door.

“Who is that?”, Sri Radha tauntingly says from behind the door.
Krishna: I am Krishna.
Radha: O, a black snake has come here to bite Me? Just go from here, slither into the forest and leave Me alone. [word Krishna means black snake]
Krishna: No Priyaji, listen it’s Me—Ghanasyama!
Radha: O, no, no, no! I don’t want any thick rain clouds [ghanasyama] drenching My kunja!
Krishna: Come on Kisori, I am Cakri, wielder of the Sudarsana cakra.
Radha: Sorry, no need, My father has thousands of water pots [cakri].
Krishna: I am Madhusudana.
Radha: There are no blossoming flowers inside this kunja, little bee [madhusudana], so just fly away to some white flowers and drink some honey.
Krishna: What are You saying? It’s Me, Hari, your dearest!
Radha: I am very afraid of being scratched and bitten by a lion [hari]. So just run away somewhere into a deep forest!

May we someday come to Kosi, and hear this wonderful joking pastime of Lila Yugala, Radha Govinda.

** Nari-Semaré (near Chata)
These are two combined villages (Nari & Semari), of which, Semari is the residence of Syamala, a friendly sakhi of Radha. Here, Srimati Radhika is feeling so angry and jealous with Krishna that none of the sakhis even Her confidante Visakha-sakhi can break it. As advised, Krishna arrives disguised as a beautiful girl playing a vina.

Marvelling at her beauty and virtuosity in music, mystified Madhuri asks, “O sakhi, what is Your name and where are you from?”

Krishna [sakhi] “My name is Syamari. I am a celestial Kinnari, and I have come to entertain You.”

To reward Syamari for her stunning performance, Radha starts to drape a costly diamond necklace around Syamari’s lovely neck.

But Syamari [Krishna], immediately lifts her arms to stop Radha while begging with folded palms, “O sakhi, I don’t need a diamond necklace. I just want You to give up your sulky angry mood [maan].” Seeing through the ruse, Radha immediately wraps Ramana in a tight loving embrace while all the sakhi/manjari’s cheer:

“Jai Jai Sri Radheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee—SYAMA!” Thus the village is named.

** Baithäna (Baithana)
Name derived from baithaka [sit]. Here Nanda Baba, Upananda and the village chiefs sit down to discuss the welfare of Krishna, Baladeva and all Vrajavasis in Baba’s kingdom. It’s said that the love and hospitality of Vrajavasis here was so amazing, that only in this village did Sri Sanatana Goswami stay for more than one night as he wandered around Vraja Mandala.

** Rasauli Grama
Near Kotvana and Chota Bhaitan. Puranas say this village is the actual, original site of the Srimad Bhagavatam (10.29-33) Maha Rasa Lila. Hence the name Rasa-uli.

In 2017, Sri Pandit Baba personally showed us this lila sthali, with its Rasa mandala, forests and small “Yamuna” river meandering between its sandy banks. Indeed, a very beautiful, tranquil divine spot.

** Kamara [blanket/lust]
Village name is derived from a lila involving a woollen blanket and divine, spiritual desire or love [kama]. Feeling extremely eager to meet Priyaji and all the gopis, Priyatama Syama summons them all to His side. Radhika and the playful sakhis decide to play a trick on Krishna. Without Syama seeing, the sakhis snatch Krishna’s favorite black blanket [kari kamara] and hide it.

Not finding it, Krishna goes home to complain to Maa Yasoda: “Maiya, while I was grazing cows just now, the pesky sakhis stole My blanket. When I ask them to return it, they say, ‘O Kanhaiya, I saw Your old blanket floating in the Yamuna.’ Maa, another sakhi then says, ‘Hey Gopala, I saw a cow eating Your blanket.’ A third sakhi then teases Me, saying, ‘If you dance for me, then I will buy You a new blanket.’

Maa Yasoda caresses Gopala to her bosom, and says, “O Lala, don’t worry, just go back, and I am sure the gopis will return your blanket.” Upon returning, the gopis give back the black blanket, and then lead Syama into a dark, shady Keli Nikunja to dive in the waves of Radha’s mysteriously sweet love.

Krishna Kanhaiya ki jai! Radha Govinda Yugala ki jai!

** Basosi
Village near Sesasayi. When Krishna comes here, the bees hover all around Syama, smelling the sweeter than sweet fragrance of Krishna’s transcendental form. Basa means fragrance and so the village name, Basosi.

While throwing colors on each other here during Holi, Krishna and the gopis fill the atmosphere with the beautiful flower-like, sandal-scented, natural fragrance of Their beautiful limbs.

** Paya-gaon
10 km. east of Kosi. Feeling hungry because His tiffin has not come, Krishna, Dou and all the gopas do madhukari here, and drink the milk [paya] loving offered by the sweet hands of the Vrajavasis.

** Sesasayi
While sporting here with Srimati and the damsels of Vraja, Krishna tells the lila of Visnu lying on the snake bed of Anantasesa in the milk ocean. Entering the bhava and lila of His form as Anantasayi, Sri Krishna lies down on a huge lotus flower in the middle of a clear water lake.

Srimati adopts the bhava of Visnu’s consort, Laksmi-devi, and massages Krishna’s lotus feet. Astonished, the gopis look on and cheer, “Visnu Visnu Visnu! Syama Syama Syama! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!”

Here today, one can see a large lake called Ksirasagara.

** Kashrata
Kashrata means [exercise or wrestle]. While Radha-Krishna and the sakhis play and sport here, Radha says, “O Pranavallabha! You always boast about your strength, and how You’ve defeated the strongest gopas like Sridhama and Subala!”

Krishna interjects, “That’s right, no one in the whole universe can defeat Me!”

Radhika replies, “O yea? If that’s so, then now just wrestle with us. If by chance you defeat us, then we will believe Your boasting.”

Radha removes Her bangles, ties up Her hair, and folds Her dress. Slapping Her arms like a wrestler, Rai starts tussling with Syama. Within minutes, Radhika easily pins Krishna on the earth. Then all the sakhi/manjaris clap their hands excitedly while crying out happily, “Jai Sri, Jai Sri, Jai Sri Radhe!”

Radha-Krishna nitya Vraja madhurya lila ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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Vraja, Wonderland of Play Part six

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

NANDAGRAMA AREA LILA VILLAGES

Ludhauli
Village called ludhauli from lubdha which means eager. Here Radha and Shyama hankered to meet each other so Lalita arranged for it.

Pisai
While tending the cows one day, Baladeva brought water here to slake Shyama’s thirst. Village name comes from pyas ai meaning “thirst came”.

Sankhi
Village named after Shankhachuda, who was killed here by Krishna. Removing the valuable jewel from his head, Krishna arranged thru Baladeva, Madhumangala and Dhanishtha to secretly give it to Swamini.

Chata
Once Shridama and the sakhas came here to enact the pastime of a royal coronation. Sitting Shyama on a regal throne topped with an umbrella (chatra), the gopas proudly pronounced Krishna to be the reigning king of Vraja Mandala (chatra-pati). Then each boy took a different post in the new government. Balarama became the state minister. Arjuna fanned with a royal camara, Shridama held the umbrella, Madumangala pranced about as the court jester, Subala offered betel-nuts, and other sakhas became the subjects of the newly appointed King Gopala.

Umrao
This village lies just nearby Chata where Kanaiya ascended the throne. The sakhis became very angry when they heard that Hari had been honored as the Chatrapati of Vraja. Fuming with anger, Lalita-sakhi said, “Who is that person who dares to claim authority over Ishvari Radha’s kingdom? We shall retaliate against Him!”

Then she sat Rai on a beautiful throne and pronounced Radhika to be Vrindavana’s undisputed queen, umrava (now Umrao). Chitra sakhi held the umbrella over Vrindavaneshvari’s head, Vishakha fanned Radha with a camara, and Lalita, now the state minister, sat on Radha’s left. One sakhi offered betel-nuts and the rest acted as subjects.

Sitting on Her throne, Srimati commanded, “Go and conquer that person who so brazenly wants to usurp My kingdom. Bind Him with ropes and bring Him before Me.” Receiving the order of their Umrava Urjjeshvari Radha, thousands and thousands of sakhés with flower-sticks in their hands set out for battle.

Seeing an army of angry sakhis approaching, the cowherd boys Arjuna, Lavanga, Bhrnga, Kokila, Subala and Madhumaìgala ran away in all directions. One clever sakhi, however, caught the slow moving Madhumaìgala, tied him up with a mala, and brought him to the lotus feet of the Queen. Then some other gopis slapped Madhumangala’s cheeks a few times and said, “What audacity you have to try to unlawfully seize the authority of this kingdom from our Umrava? Now we will severely punish you!”

Like a defeated general, Madhumaìgala bowed his head and muttered, “That is only befitting. We concede defeat, but please punish me in such a way that my stomach will be completely filled!” Slightly laughing, Maharani Madhuri said, “This is just some gluttonous brahmana, so sakhis stuff his stomach with laddus and let him go!”

Returning to Chatra-pati Maharaja, Madhumangala, pretending to cry, told Krishna everything about his humiliating detention. After hearing this, Krishna, Madhu and the sakha army invaded Umrao. Upon seeing Shyama, Rai-vinodini became quite embarrassed and quickly tried to remove Her royal dress. The sakhis, however, laughed uproariously and prevented Radha from doing that.

Madhumangala sat Chatra-pati Sri Krishna on Umrava Sundari’s right side. Somehow Radha and Krishna signed a peace treaty, wherein Shyama submitted to Sriji’s sovereignty. Coming before Srimati, Madhumangala folded his hands and said humorously, “The kingdom of Kanu’s body is now under Your rule. You can take whatever You desire from Him.”

Dhanashinga
This is village is named after Dhanishtha Sakhi, who stayed here. She has more affection for Krishna, (krishna sneha-adhika), than for Radharani. Dhanistha Sakhi serves Krishna in various ways in the home of Nanda Baba and Yashoda. She especially acts as a messenger to arrange for Shyama’s meetings with Sarvanga-sundari Radha.

Watch this site for more wonderland posts.

Sridhama Vrindavana ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!