Tag Archive for: Manjari

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Radharani’s Manjaris: Tattva & Lilas 030 “Manjaris Pride in Radha”

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

This series of posts presents the facts (tattva) regarding the identity, moods (gopi-bhava), intimacy and sevas of Srimati Radharani’s beautiful, talented handmaidens known as manjaris, kinkaris, or dasis. Many wonderful lilas are also presented to highlight the manjaris intimate sevas to Srimati Radhika and Her beloved Krishna.

The information here comes from the commentaries of Advaitavamsa Acharya 108 Sri Ananda Gopala Goswami and 108 Sri Ananta Dasa Babaji Maharaja on “Vilapa Kusumanjali” and “Radha Rasa Sudhanidhi” translated by Sri Advaita Dasji.

 

Manjaris Pride in Radha

Krishna is coveted by innumerable Vrajasundaris, yet He Himself yearns only for Sri Radhika! Day and night He murmurs: “Vrishabhanu Nandini!” without saying anything else. Although hundreds of thousands of gopis speak sweet words to Shyam, He does not listen to them even in dreams!

Krishna can only pronounce the first syllable of Radha’s name, “Ra”, but out of ecstasy Krishna cannot pronounce the other one, “Dha”. Krishna’s eyes carry streams of tears. That jewel of men rolls on the ground of Vraja. Who can describe Krishna’s distress?

Although Vrajendra-nandana is the very form of full bliss and the ocean of all rasa, even He is maddened by Radha’s sweetness. Krishna is the limit of ecstasy, yet even Krishna is mad to meet Srimati Radharani!

Shyam does not love anyone as much as Radha. Different gopis only serve to create variety in Krishna’s loving pastimes with Kishori, but Sri Krishna is totally subdued by Sri Radha alone. This is a very relishable situation for Radha’s maidservants. The manjaris are proud of Radharani’s pride in being Krishna’s topmost gopi.

 

Bhajan Gives New Life

Manjari bhava sadhakas should read, think, and talk about Sri Rupa and Tulasi Manjari’s expertise in Radha’s seva. By doing this one will lose all desires to do anything else.

By thinking of the forms, qualities, and feelings of Radha Govinda Yugal, and mentally serving in Their intimate pastimes the heart will become beautiful, pure, and blissful. Maya will disappear for such a dedicated sadhaka. Manjari svarupa bhajana makes a new life for a devotee. If one is not experiencing changes in the heart and mind, however, it means one’s bhajan is lifeless.

The full series of “Radharani’s manjaris tattva & lilas” can be found here.

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Radharani’s Manjaris: Tattva & Lilas 029 “Manjari’s Expert Fanning Seva”

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

This series of posts presents the facts (tattva) regarding the identity, moods (gopi-bhava), intimacy and sevas of Srimati Radharani’s beautiful, talented handmaidens known as manjaris, kinkaris, or dasis.

Many wonderful lilas are also presented to highlight the manjaris intimate sevas to Srimati Radhika and Her beloved Krishna.

The information here comes from the commentaries of Advaitavamsa Acharya 108 Sri Ananda Gopala Goswami and 108 Sri Ananta Dasa Babaji Maharaja on “Vilapa Kusumanjali” and “Radha Rasa Sudhanidhi” translated by Sri Advaita Dasji.

Manjari’s Expert Fanning Seva

After Radhe-Shyam’s sumptuous love dalliance, beautiful Shyam’s crown, pearl necklace, and flower garland have all broken and fallen off. So Swamini says, “Sundara! Just look at Your condition! Wait, let Me decorate You! I have spoiled Your looks so now I will make You look nice again! Just sit down for a while!” 

Then Radha says, “Rupa! Come here! We are going to pick some flowers!”

Swamini takes Rupa into the gardens and picks flowers of Her choice. Returning to the kunja, Radha and Sri Rupa Manjari start decorating Prananatha with ornaments made of flowers. Tulasi stands on one side of the kunja floating in oceans of bliss observing Ishvari’s expertise in service.

She thinks: “Swamini! Only through You such services are possible!” Meanwhile, because of Swamini’s touch Shyam’s body becomes adorned with ecstatic bodily symptoms such as sweatdrops, that obstruct Swamini’s service. Swamini gives a hint to Tulasi to stand by Shyam’s side and fan Him. Because of Tulasi’s fanning Nagara’s sweatdrops dry up.

Then Tulasi fans with such humorous expertise that the breeze causes Swamini’s clothes and blouse to loosen. Shyam becomes agitated from seeing Radhika’s beautiful, half-covered limbs. Then Krishna fondles Radha and obstructs Her seva  of dressing Krishna. Tulasi softly giggles but continues fanning.

Swamini rebukes Tulasi with a glance that says, “How naughty you are! How can I decorate My Nagara when you fan Him like that? Fan Shyam nicely, so that He will sit still!”

After receiving Swamini’s sublime chastisement Tulasi blissfully finds a new way to fan Krishna. Now she starts fanning in such a way that Radha’s bodily fragrance enters Shyam’s nose to destroy His patience once again. Blessed is this maidservant! Blessed is her service!

Manasi Seva Only in Svarupa

In material consciousness nobody can approach Radha-Krishna. To actually relish serving in Radha-Krishna’s madhurya-lilas one must visualize and enter into one’s individual siddha-deha (svarupavesha).  A sadhaka should always identify oneself thus: “I am Radha’s kinkari!”

No one can delight Radha-Shyam as much as a kinkari because she arranges Their meetings which fill Lila Yugal with bliss. Radha-Krishna are so pleased with the kinkari that they give even Themselves to her!

Narottama Dasa Thakur says: vrajapura vanitara, carana ashraya sara, koro mana ekanta koriya, “O mind! Take exclusive shelter of the gopis of Vraja. That is essential.”

Sri Jiva Goswamipada says (Krishna Sandarbha 501): “May the indescribable sweetness of the combined forms of Radha Govinda arise in my heart in such a way that I will not see anything else.” Accepting and embodying the great words of the acharyas leads to a steady wakefulness of one’s svarupa.

Prayer For Radha Seva

“O sakhi Sri Rupa Manjari! Without your grace Radha’s kunja-seva cannot be attained! Please always give me the shade of your lotus feet! In an enchanting cottage in a kunja on the beautiful bank of Radha Kunda you and my mistress Radha lovingly and diligently decorate Her heart’s lover Vrajendra Kumara with different floral ornaments to make Krishna look very beautiful. When will my life become fruitful by seeing this sweet, intimate pastime?” (Sri Rasika-Candra dasa)

Sri Radha’s manjaris ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

The full series of “Radharani’s manjaris tattva & lilas” can be found here.

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Radharani’s Manjaris: Tattva & Lilas 028 “Shyam’s Bliss in Serving Radha”

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

This series of posts presents the facts (tattva) regarding the identity, moods (gopi-bhava), intimacy and sevas of Srimati Radharani’s beautiful, talented handmaidens known as manjaris, kinkaris, or dasis.

Many wonderful lilas are also presented to highlight the manjaris intimate sevas to Srimati Radhika and Her beloved Krishna.

The information here comes from the commentaries of Advaitavamsa Acharya 108 Sri Ananda Gopala Goswami and 108 Sri Ananta Dasa Babaji Maharaja on “Vilapa Kusumanjali” and “Radha Rasa Sudhanidhi” translated by Sri Advaita Dasji.

Need Separation in Bhajan

Swamini goes on abhisara holding Sri Rupa Manjari’s hand. Waves of divine lust manifest in each of Radha’s limbs. Priyaji’s passionate love for Priyatama is like a wave seen in Radha’s glances, gait and words. Sriji’s passionate desires to meet Shyam, however are only for Shyam’s pleasure!

Radha anxiously asks Sri Rupa, “How long will it take before I can see Madhava again? Tell Me Rupa, how far is it still? Aha! How eagerly Madhava must be waiting for Me!”

There is delight in separation, although it brings suffering. Such delight cannot be found in this world. Unless feelings of separation appear, one will not develop a strong desire to attain Radha-Krishna. Therefore, a raganuga sadhaka must first experience love-in-separation.

Unless one feels eagerness to see Radha-Krishna, born from a sense of want, one will never experience anything. A sincere sadhaka should feel ashamed when comparing the intensity of one’s bhajan with the bhajan of Sri Raghunatha Das Goswamipada.

How Shyam Serves Swamini

Together with Tulasi and Rupa manjaris, Radha arrives at the gate of the kunja. They see that Sri Hari has personally decorated the kunj beforehand and is eagerly waiting inside for Radha. Hari made a flower asana for Radha with flowers moistened with His tears of love. The kunja is adorned by Hari’s form, qualities, and craftsmanship. It appears Krishna has decorated the entire kunja with His pure love for His Priyaji, thinking: “Here I will sit with My beloved!”

This is the expertise of prema seva, the mutual service of love. Swamini is amazed when She enters the kunja with Rupa and Tulasi. The kunja delights Cupid, and it is decorated by the very hands of the transcendental youthful Cupid of Vrindavan!

Swamini asks: “Shyam! Who has decorated this kunja?”

Hari: “Who knows? Can You tell!”

Srimati: “You have done it, nobody else can decorate like this! You have done all this work, knowing that I would come! I should have been here to help You!”

Today Radha is very munificent. It is Swamini’s Hari, who steals Radha’s heart with His loving expertise. Two teardrops trickle from Radhika’s eyes. With tender affection Shyam helps Sriji onto Her asana.

How much love Hari has in His heart as He sits at Radha’s soft lotus feet. Try to feel and visualize how beautiful Shyam looks sitting at Swamini’s feet. Krishna clutches Kishori’s feet to His chest and says, “O Radha! How did You come all the way here with these tender feet? The ground of Vraja is so hard!”

Krishna repeatedly looks at Swamini’s lotus feet that are greyed by dust. Tulasi understands the mood and brings a golden water pitcher and a golden bowl. Tulasi pours the water while Shyam washes Swamini’s feet and dries them off with His yellow dhoti. Tears trickle from Shyam’s eyes.

Radha lifts Krishna up and sits Him next to Her. How beautiful Shyam looks with loving tears for Radha in His eyes!

Holding Hari’s cheek on Hers, Swamini asks Shyam, “Why do you love Me so much? I cannot do anything for You! I have so many shortcomings! How many qualified girls are there not always waiting for You? How You could leave them all for an unfortunate girl like Me?”

Overwhelmed by hearing this, Shyam simply stares at Swamini’s gorgeous face. Krishna is completely unaware of what a rare and priceless treasure He has received!

Without the mercy of acharyas like Sri Raghunatha Das Goswamipada no one can experience pastimes like this during smarana. By their grace such sweet, charming pastimes will appear in the heart of a sincere sadhaka. The mind must be absorbed in this subject. Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

The full series of “Radharani’s manjaris tattva & lilas” can be found here.

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Radharani’s Manjaris: Tattva & Lilas 027 “Loving Bumblebees “

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

This series of posts will present facts (tattva) regarding the identity, moods (gopi-bhava), intimacy and sevas of Srimati Radharani’s beautiful and talented handmaidens known as manjaris, kinkaris, or dasis.

Also, we will present many astonishing and wonderful lilas to highlight the manjaris most personal and confidential sevas to Srimati Radhika and Her dearest Priyatama Shyamasundara.

The information here is based on the commentaries of Advaitavamsa Acharya 108 Sri Ananda Gopala Goswami and 108 Sri Ananta Dasa Babaji Maharaja taken from “Vilapa Kusumanjali” and “Radha Rasa Sudhanidhi” translated by Sri Advaita Dasji.

Eagerness to See Radharani

Sri Raghunatha Das Goswamipada relishes the blissful eagerness on Radha’s lotus face in the kitchen while Radha intently watches Krishna eat. Sadhakas following Sri Raghunatha Das Goswamipada should also relish the sweetness of Radha’s face in their meditations.

In deep meditation one vividly experiences being near Radharani. One no longer thinks: “I am practicing smarana.” At this time, great anxiety for Radha’s darshan will arise in the heart when meditation ends. The more one relishes meditating on Radha-Krishna’s lilas, the more anxious one becomes for Their darshan.

The more one’s thirst and eagerness increase, the sooner one will attain perfection in manjari bhava bhajan. We should pray to Sri Rupa and Raghunatha for a drop of their eagerness!

Meeting of Loving Bumblebees

Swamini has placed all the tasty dishes in Mother Rohini’s hands. How wonderful are the movements of Kishori’s hands! Shyam is absorbed relishing Swamini’s inner feelings. How eager Krishna is to embrace Kishori!

Madhava’s eyes are like restless bumblebees thirsty to drink the nectar of Swamini’s lotus face. There is not much time for Radha-Krishna to glance at each other, but somehow, They find some consolation by blinking at each other with lowered faces.

In that moment, Radhe-Shyam drink all the honey from each other’s faces with Their bee-like eyes. The relish of the honey of Their lotus eyes mixes with the honey of Their lotus faces. When Their eyes meet Krishna prays to Swamini for a loving embrace. Kishori’s eyes promise to fulfil to Krishna’s request glance.

What a wonderful deluge of sweetness! Manjari bhava sadhaka’s always desire to unite Radha Madhava and serve Them intimately.

Radharani’s maidservants ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

The full series of “Radharani’s manjaris tattva & lilas” can be found here.

 

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Siddha Deha: Mercy of Guru and Krishna

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

SRI GURU GIVES THE SIDDHA DEHA

The reception of a disciple’s eternal transcendental form, siddha deha, begins with receiving a siddha bhava from Sri Guru at the time of diksha.

The Guru’s individual siddha bhava i.e. one’s eternal fixed loving relationship with Sri Krishna (sthayi-rati) is hidden within the Gopal and Kama-gayatri mantras Sri Guru gives at the time of diksha. Sri Sanatana Goswami confirms the non-difference of Sri Guru and the diksha mantras:

yo- mantra -sa -guruh -sakshad -yo -guruh -sa -harih -svayam

Sri Brahmaji said (Vaman Kalpa), “The diksha mantra is identical to the Guru and the Guru is identical to Bhagavan Sri Hari Himself.” (Bhakti Sandarbha 237: Hari Bhakti Vilasa 4.353). Thus by chanting the diksha mantas, the sincere disciple gradually develops the same sthayi-rati, siddha bhava, as that of Sri Guru.

Right at the time of diksha, the Guru may give a siddha deha to an exceptionally qualified disciple. But usually this is done after some time. One can think that the following direct words of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu indicate receiving a siddha deha from Sri Guru at the time of diksha:

diksha -kale -bhakta -kare -atma-samarpana
sei-kale –krishna -tare -kare atma-sama

“At the time diksha, when a disciple fully surrenders to Sri Guru, Sri Krishna accepts the disciple and makes one as spiritual as Himself.”

Mahaprabhu further says:

sei -deha -kare -tara –cid -ananda-maya
aprakrta-dehe -tanra -carana -bhajaya

“Krishna makes the sadhaka’s body full of transcendental bliss (cid-ananda-maya). Then in one’s spiritual body, siddha deha (aprakrta-deha), one worships the lotus feet of Sri Krishna.”
(Caitanya Caritamrta 3.4.193-4)

In the following verses, Sri Jiva Goswamipada explains how at the time of diksha, the merciful Guru gives divine knowledge of one’s constitutional nature, and special knowledge about the disciple, which many Gurus take to mean revealing the disciple’s siddha deha.

divyam -gyanam -srimati -mantre -bhagavat-svarupa-gyanam,
tena -bhagavata -sambandha-vishesha-gyanam

“At diksha, the Guru gives knowledge of Bhagavan Sri Krishna’s form within a potent mantra, and special knowledge of the disciple’s specific relationship with Bhagavan Sri Krishna, the beautiful mantra Devata.” (Bhakti Sandarbha 283)

In the Gaudiya Vaisnava Sampradaya, divya gyanam means knowledge of the jiva’s particular relationship with God which is one of eternal service, jivera -svarupa -haya -krishna -nitya-dasa (Caitanya Caritamrta 2.20.108). Knowledge of a specific relationship can mean the sadhaka’s manjari form (siddha deha) with Sri Gopijanavallabha, the mantra Devata.

upasanam -sakshad -vraja-jana-visheshayaiva –mahyam
sri -guru-caranair -mad-abhishta-vishesha-siddhy-artham -upadishtam

“While worshiping the Gopal diksha mantra, I meditate to develop myself as a specific person in Vraja (my siddha deha) that Sri Guru’s lotus feet have instructed me in to attain the specific siddhi I covet.” (Bhakti Sandarbha 312)

In verse 283, Sri Jiva Goswamipada speaks in a general way about Sri Guru giving special knowledge to the disciple. But in verse 312, Sri Jiva Goswamipada tells exactly what is that special knowledge, namely the knowledge of the disciple’s individual siddha deha!

SADHANA BHAJAN IN SIDDHA DEHA

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu instructs how to practice raganuga bhakti sadhana in siddha deha:

ataeva -gopi-bhava -kari -angikara
ratri-dina -cinte -radha-krishnera -vihara
siddha-dehe –chinti -kare -tahanni -sevana
sakhi-bhave -paya –radha -krishnera -carana

“Certainly, one must accept gopi-bhava, and think of Radha-Krishna’s asta-kaliya lila. Also one must think of doing seva in one’s siddha deha. By this gopi-bhava one will attain the lotus feet of Radha-Krishna.” (Caitanya Caritamrta 2.8.228-9)

KRISHNA MANIFESTS THE SIDDHA DEHA OF YOUR MEDITATION

In the Srimad Bhagavatam, Sri Brahmaji describes how Bhagavan Sri Krishna reveals the siddha deha to the raganuga bhakti sadhaka.

yad -yad –dhiya -ta -urugaya -vibhavayanti,
tat -tad -vapuh -pranayase -sad -anugrahaya

Sri Brahmaji said, “O Bhagavan Sri Krishna! You are so merciful to Your devotees that You manifest Yourself in the particular eternal form of transcendence in which they always think of You.” (Srimad Bhagavatam 3.9.11)

The key words are tat -tad-vapuh, which mean a corresponding body. It can be Krishna’s body or one’s individual spiritual body, siddha deha. Grammatically both are possible and both are explained as such by the tikakaras. Sridhar Swami and Srinatha Chakravarti say it refers to Krishna’s showing a particular form of Himself.

However, in his tika, Sri Visvanatha Cakravartipada says that Sri Krishna gives the sadhaka the siddha deha that one has been continually meditating upon.

sva-bhavanurupam -yad-yad-dhiya -bhavayanti,
tat -tad -eva -vapus tesham -siddha-deham,
pranayase –prakarshena -tan –prapayasi

“The sadhaka bhaktas, according to their bhava, meditate on their siddha dehas which Bhagavan Sri Krishna will give them.”

In His final personal teaching to Sri Rupa Goswamipada, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said:

bhavite -bhavite -krishna -sphuraye -antare
krishna-kripaya -agya -paya -rasa-sindhu-pare

“Krishna will manifest whatever siddha deha one continually thinks of. And by Krishna’s mercy one will attain the ocean of rasa.” (Caitanya Caritamrta 2.19.236)

Based on the Shastra praman of the Srimad Bhagavatam, Caitanya Caritamrta and the teachings of the Six Goswamis, this post has shown how the combined mercy of Sri Guru and Bhagavan Sri Krishna gives one a siddha deha, eternal spiritual form.

For the last 535 years, the traditional parivars within the Gaudiya Vaisnava Sampradaya have been teaching the method of raganuga bhakti sadhana as introduced and personally taught by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to His followers. That system has been presented here.

In summary, one takes diksha from Sri Guru, and receives specific information about one’s individual siddha deha, either immediately during diksha or sometime later according to the will of Sri Guru. The disciple then practices raganuga bhakti sadhana as delineated above by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Then the all-merciful Bhagavan Sri Krishna will kindly give that same siddha deha to the fortunate disciple. Thus the mercy of Sri Guru and Sri Krishna work beautifully together to bring one to spiritual perfection.

(shastra insight courtesy of Sri Advaita Dasji)

Sri Krishna kripa ki jai! Sri Guru kripa ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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Radharani’s Manjaris: Tattva & Lilas

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

This series of posts will present facts (tattva) regarding the identity, moods (gopi-bhava), intimacy and sevas of Srimati Radharani’s beautiful and talented handmaidens known as manjaris, kinkaris, or dasis.

Also we will present many astonishing and wonderful lilas to highlight the manjaris most personal and confidential sevas to Srimati Radhika and Her dearest Priyatama Shyamasundara.

The information here is based on the commentaries of Advaitavamsa Acharya 108 Sri Ananda Gopala Goswami and 108 Sri Ananta Dasa Babaji Maharaja taken from “Vilapa Kusumanjali” and “Radha Rasa Sudhanidhi” translated by Sri Advaita Dasji.

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Yearly Residences of Srimati Radharani

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Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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Manjari Svarupa Meditation

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

The following siddha deha (spiritual form) meditation is presented for the blessed few that are spiritually hankering to become loyal maidservants of Srimati Radharani in the bowers of Vrndavana (radha-pada dasis).

Regardless of how one has attained his/her siddha deha, this is an ideal meditation on manjari svarupa i.e. siddha deha. Daily meditating like this will purify one’s material existence (bhuta-suddhi), produce a dynamic divine mentality (divya abhimana), and permanently fix one in their eternal spiritual body, which will be clearly seen in this life at the stage of bhava bhakti. Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

MANJARI SVARUPA MEDITATION

Raganuga sadhakas worshiping in the mood of Madhuri Radha’s maidservants should always think as follows:

“I am a beautiful youthful Vraja kisori (12-14) with a robust form adorned with varieties of gold and jewel ornaments. I am expert in all the 64 artistic talents. When Sri Govinda perceives the secret love I cherish for Him, He becomes overwhelmed with the bliss of Eros.

I know the art of sweet speech and pleasant conversation. My brilliant golden form, adorned in dazzling blue cloth and lovely ornaments, is full of the mellows of transcendental bliss.

I delight in music and singing, and overflow with a unique form of madhura-rati called bhavollasa [special loving attachment to Sri Radhika].

Throughout the day and night my heart is filled with love for Radha-Govinda Yugala. With all my pleasant qualities and various feminine gestures, I arouse feelings of love [within Radha-Madhava].

I am formed from my Guru’s mercy, and I always follow my beloved Guru-devi. Gandharvika Radha is my group leader, and I serve within the party of Visakha-sakhi. As a follower of Srimati Radhika, I live in Yavata, and always think how to serve Radha like the other sakhis in madhura-rati.

I forever remain beside Radha-Krishna as Their graceful tender maidservant fanning Them, dressing Sri Radha, and rendering all kinds of amazing and tasteful sweet sevas for Their satisfaction.

All glories to my eternal Isvari, Swamini Sri Radha and Her infinitely gorgeous Govinda. May Radha-Govinda Yugala always astonish me with Their Vraja madhurya-lilas, and eternally engage me in Their blissful seva.” (adapted Paddhati [83-91], Sri Dhyanacandra Gosvami)

Manjari svarupa dhyana ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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Vrndavana Maha Yogapitha Meditation Part Two

Mahanidhi Swami

For lovers of Radha-Krishna Vrndavana lila and sadhakas doing yogapitha dhyana, we herein present Sri Krishna Dasa Kaviraja’s portrayal of Priya-Priyatam’s Vrndavana Yogapitha from the Govinda Lilamrta.

Yogapitha Mandir and Surrounding Area

  1. Simhasana—Radha-Govinda’s simhasana (royal throne or seat). In the middle of the golden Yogapitha Mandir is a golden throne resting on the back of carved golden sunstone jewel lion with ruby eyes resting on his haunches. The ruby eyed lion supporting the simhasana (lion or royal throne/seat) has its front paws raised to appear like he’s flying. A golden umbrella spreads out above the simhasana.
  2. Surrounding Kunjas—Eight desire tree kunjas stand in eight directions around the Yogapitha Mandir. Each kunja has a small, jeweled cottage covered by intertwining desire creepers. Beyond the eight kunjas are circles of many more kunjas, each one double the size of the previous. There are circles of 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 356, etc. individual kunjas around the Vrindavana Yogapitha.

Area Beyond Yogapitha

In concentric circles surrounding the Yogapitha Mandira and its thousands of keli-kunjas (love bowers) are the following:

  1. A Golden Glen—circle filled with jeweled paintings or statues of mating animals, birds and devatas to stimulate amorous feelings.
  2. Banana Grove—circle with thousands of banana trees full of ripened fruits, and cooling leaves due to natural camphor oozing from their trunks.
  3. Flower Gardens—circle blossoming with infinite varieties of inconceivably fragrant flowers.
  4. Fruit Orchards—with heavily laden trees bent down due to lots of juicy tasty fruits.
  5. Kunja Cottages—scattered among the various gardens and orchards wherein Vrnda’s vanadasis store paraphernalia for Radha-Madhava’s ratri-lila.
  6. Dense Forests—spread out beyond the orchards.
  7. Betelnut Tree Grove—with green, yellow and fully ripened fruits hanging within reach of the manjari’s graceful lotus stem arms.
  8. Coconut Groves—surround the entire area of Govinda-sthali Maha Yogapitha and border Yamunaji. The continuous line of trees looks like a necklace around the island.
  9. Keli Nikunjas—beyond the coconut groves and near Yamunaji’s banks are hundreds of secluded intimate pastime groves. These kunjas are formed from various trees and vines i.e. asoka, bakula, campaka, kadamba, mango, punnaga, vetasi; and vines of madhavi, malati etc. Many richly blossoming, verdant trees hang luxuriantly over Yamunaji.

Yogapitha Related Lila Sthalis

  1. Brahma Kunda: 5,000 years ago and in 2018, just northeast of the Yogapitha Mandir, which is exactly where the old Govindaji temple stands today, is Brahma-kunda!
  2. Gopisvara Mahadeva Mandira: today and then this popular temple is still just northeast of Brahma Kunda!
  3. Vamsivata: today and then this lila-sthali is still just northeast of Gopisvara Mahadeva Mandira! Govindaji relaxes on the jeweled dais (ratna-vedi) here to call the gopis to His side with His enchanting murali. Muralidhara Sri Syama ki jai!
  4. Yamuna Pulina: Just north of today’s ancient Vamsivata is a sandbar in Yamunaji where Rasabihari and the gopi ramanis blissfully dance in rasa [invisible today to most]. The brilliant sandbanks along Yamunaji appear brighter than camphor glistening in the moonlight. With her love-excited waves Yamunaji spashes all sides of the rasa-mandala. Hundreds of private pastime madhavi-kunjas and countless celestial flower gardens lie beyond Yamunaji banks. The sensational lotus footprints of Syama and the sakhis can always be found here, and seen even today by some!

Yamunaji’s Sevas:

Sri Yamunaji loving and personally serves Sri Sri Radha and Krishna in the following tasteful ways:

  1. Water Depth—to blissfully serve Syamasunda’s jala-keli lilas with His beloved damsels, Yamunaji varies her depths to either ankle, knee, waist, chest, head, or super deep waters.
  2. Scented Water—shaking the blooming red and white lilies in Yamunaji, excited bumblebees make the fragrant flower pollen fall into the water.
  3. Colorful Birds—swans, cranes, humming birds, nightingales, and others sing attractively and play on Yamunaji’s banks.

We hope this article will increase everyone’s loving appreciation for Sri Vrndavana Dhama, and also help the sadhaka’s dive deep into the blissful world of lila-smarana and manasi-seva in their beautiful eternal and divine spiritual forms, siddha dehas.

To dive deeper in the ocean of Krishna lila you can read chapter 21 of Govinda Lilamrta, Krishna Bhavanamrta or hear our Govinda Lilamrta audio narration on Soundcloud and mnsaudio.com

Sri Maha Vrindavana Yogapitha ki jai!  Sri Sri Radha-Govinda Yugala ki jai!

Sri Guru ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

Part one of Yogapitha meditation is available here.

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Vrndavana Maha Yogapitha Meditation Part One

Mahanidhi Swami

For lovers of Radha-Krishna Vrndavana lila and sadhakas doing yogapitha dhyana, we herein present Sri Krishna Dasa Kaviraja’s portrayal of Priya-Priyatam’s Vrndavana Yogapitha in Govinda Lilamrta.

Vrindavana Maha Yogapitha

Before Their nightly rasa dance (ratri/nisa lila (10:48 p.m.-3.36 a.m.), Sri Sri Radha-Govindadeva meet Their beloved sakhis in a jeweled temple called the Yogapitha Mandir in Vrndavana. The entire area of Yogapitha appears like an island in Yamunaji. The island is formed by Yamunaji who rushes in from the north, divides into two branches flowing by the island’s east and west sides, and again unites in the south to form one gorgeous blue river. It appears like Yamunaji is holding Yogapitha on her lap with the arms of her beautiful waves.

From Yamunaji’s banks the island rises gradually to a small hillock shaped like a sea turtles’s back. More than fifty types of exotic trees embraced by fragrant flowering vines adorn the island. To facilitate learning lila and meditation, we present the individual features of Vrndavana’s Maha Yogapitha.

Names of Yogapitha

Govinda-sthali is the main name of Yogapitha which amazingly can change its colors according to time and the moods of Radha and Krishna. For various confidential reasons, the gopis call it Keli Mandir. When Sundari and the sakhis see Yogapitha, they succumb to sumptuous thoughts of Syama. The Vedas call it Gopala’s Simhasana Yogapitha.

The Urdhvamnaya Tantra mentions many deeply descriptive names i.e. Ananda Mandap, Candravali Duradarsa, Kandarpa Mandapa, Keli Mandir, Maha-madhurya Mandapa, Radha Saubhagya Mandir, Ratna Mandap, Sathrajya Mandap, Saubhagya Mandapa and Srngara Mandap.

Yogapitha Area General Description

From a drone view the entire golden-soiled area of Govinda-sthali, which stands on top of the hillock, looks like a huge lotus flower with thousands of petals. Each petal is actually a separate seva kunja of a specific sakhi for serving Syamasundara!

Trees: The trees include amaranth, asoka, asvattha (peepul), bakula, banana, banyan, betel, bilva, campaka, date and coconut palms, guvaka, jackfruit, jambu, kadamba, lodhra, mango, naga-kesara, parijata, plaksa, punnaga, tamala, and sandalwood. Water basins of different shapes and heights made of rare gems i.e. blue sapphires crystal, diamond, emerald, moonstone, and ruby surround each tree.

Desire Trees: The unlimited kalpa latas and vrksas (desire-fulfilling vines & trees) supply anything at any time. Fulfilling all Krishna’s seva needs, they regularly give lots of tasty fruits, fragrant powders, clothes, ornaments, scents and gems! The flower laden vines automatically form garlands for Krishna’s use. To satisfy Radha-Govinda, colorful jeweled swings decorated with fancy fabrics and flowers hang from the many desire trees.

Birds: Vraja’s birds attract and excite everyone with their skittish movements and jovial sweet singing. There are bharadvajas, cakoras, cakravakas, cranes, cuckoos, doves, haritas, mynas, parrots, peacocks, pigeons, roosters, sparrows, swans etc.

Animals: Assorted animals, including black stags and twelve species of deer i.e. Renku, Camaru, and Rohita frolic in the forests and nibble on the fresh grass in Vrndavana.

Kunjas: To excite loving hearts, the walls of Krishna’s jeweled keli kunjas have gem pictures of mating birds, animals and celestials. Colorful canopies hang over the beds of fragrant flower petals adorned with comfortable pillows.

Next to the beds are small tables with canisters of kajjala and kunkuma, crystal glasses, flower fans, jugs of honey nectar, mirrors of jewels, pan boxes, and perfumes. Aho! The kunjas look like jeweled temples, but the walls are merely flowering creepers and the roofs are just dense tree foliage.

Yogapitha Mandira Area

  1. Grounds—The central ground of Govinda-sthali is golden with jeweled designed borders surrounded by thousands of kalpa vrksa kunjas.
  2. Yogapitha Mandir—in the center of everything is the jeweled Yogapitha Mandir. The mandir is surrounded by a raised veranda with jeweled steps on four sides. Parijata, Mandara, Haricandana and Santanaka desire trees decorate its four corners.

From the four directions around the Yogapitha Mandir, there are four jeweled pathways down the hill to Yamunaji. Evenly spaced, super fragrant bakula trees line the paths. Colorful well-designed flower beds lie between the trees. At the end of each pathway are four beautiful jeweled bathing ghatas jutting into Yamunaji.

Radha-Govinda Yugala Vrindavana Yogapitha ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe! Jai Sri Krishna!

Read part two here.