Tag Archive for: RadhaAndKrishna

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Churning Kheer & Other Fun

Krishna: “Mother please tell Me about that churning of the milk ocean by the Devas and Daityas? How many milk cows made that ocean?”

Yashoda: “Darling, the milk ocean was not made by cows.”

Krishna: “Mother, you are lying to Me. How can there be milk without cows?

Yashoda: “The one who gave cows the ability to produce milk can also make milk even without cows.”

Krishna: “Who is He?”

Yashoda: “He is Bhagavan, the cause of creation. Bhagavan is immovable and all pervading. Although Bhagavan is everywhere, I cannot show Him to You.”

Krishna: “Well mother, are you telling Me the truth?”

Yashoda: “Long ago the Devas and the demons had a fight. To favor the Devas and bewilder the demons, Bhagavan churned the ocean of milk. Mandara Mountain served as the churning rod and Vasuki, the king of the serpents, offered his body for the rope. The demons and Devas stood on opposite sides pulling that rope.”

Krishna: “Mother, did they churn the way the gopis do?”

Yashoda: “Yes my son. The churning of the Kheer-sagara produced a poison named kalakuta.”

Krishna: “Mother, how did churning milk produce poison? Only snakes have poison.”

Yashoda: “Darling, Mahadeva drank that poison. But the snakes drank the drops of poison that fell from his mouth. As a result, they now have poison. The poison rising from that milk is also the energy of Bhagavan.”

Krishna: “Yes mother that is indeed true.”

Yashoda: “Darling, this condensed butter You are seeing in the sky is produced from that Kheer-sagara. That is why the moon is spotted with the remnants of that poison. Look carefully, do You see it? Therefore, do not try to eat that butter, but please take my freshly churned butter instead.”

After hearing this description, Krishna felt sleepy so mother Yashoda put Him to rest in an opulent golden bed on a fluffy soft mattress, whiter than powdered camphor.

The next morning Yashoda brought butter, yogurt and other eatables to Krishna’s room. Lovingly fondling Krishna’s body, she said, “Wake up! God forbid, you seem to be weak from not eating sufficiently yesterday.” After Krishna awoke, Yashoda cleansed His mouth with scented water. Then she offered Krishna a golden plate full of butter, yogurt and other delights while saying, “O my beloved son, take whatever You like.”

Krishna replied, “Mother, I will not eat anything that you have brought Me. Last night you lied to Me and put Me to sleep. And I felt very distressed due to hunger.”

Yashoda: “Krishna, if You went to sleep then who stole the butter?”

Krishna replied, “Mother, when did I steal your butter? You are lying.”

With His charming transcendental pastimes Krishna continually captivated the heart of mother Yashoda.

Sometimes while roaming in the courtyard Krishna caught a stray calf, put it on His lap, and kissed it with His lotus mouth. Seeing this Yashoda felt both pleased and apprehensive. In the pasturing ground Krishna sometimes grabbed the tail of a calf. Startled, the calf would jump up and run away dragging Krishna, dressed only by the wind, behind him. Thus Krishna Gopal stole the hearts of the Vrajavasis.

Sometimes, Krishna smeared cow dung all over Himself. Seeing it as musk covering His body, the Vrajavasis enjoyed a festival of beauty. At other times, Yashoda tied a very attractive turban on Krishna’s head, and dressed Him in gorgeous yellow garments. After marking Krishna’s body with tilaka the color of gorochana, she would anoint Krishna’s lotus eyes with soft kajala.

Adopting the mood of an ordinary mother, Yashoda placed her saliva on Krishna’s forehead to prevent people from casting an evil eye on her son, whose sublime elegance enchants the entire creation. While playing in the courtyards of the gopis, Krishna often wore a necklace of tiger nails set in gold and a waist belt bedecked with costly jewels.

Excerpt: Kaviraja Sri Karnapura Goswami’s Ananda Vrindavana Campu ki jai!

Krishna Nectar Lilas ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

All parts of Krishna Nectar Lilas can be found here.

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Gopal Steals Butter

Krishna’s pastimes of crawling about and drinking His mother’s breast milk gradually stopped. Soon He walked on His lotus feet and started stealing butter. One day when no one was looking, Krishna began His pastimes of stealing fresh butter.

Startled upon seeing His own reflection in a jeweled inlaid pillar, Krishna shivered in fear and said, “O dear brother, do not tell mother. I will save some butter for You and You may enjoy too.” Watching her mischievous son from a hidden place. Mother Yashoda heard these sweet broken words with great relish. Then she innocently appeared before Krishna.

Pointing to His effulgent reflection, Krishna said, “O Ma! Being very greedy, this boy came here today to steal your butter. Although I forbade Him, He did not listen to Me. And when I got angry with Him, He also got angry. But I am not at all greedy for butter.”

One day while Yashoda was outside the house engaged in some domestic activities, inside the house Krishna stole butter again. When Yashoda returned and called out, “O my darling Krishna! Where are You and what are You doing?” Hearing her, Krishna became afraid and stopped stealing butter.

Pausing for a moment, Krishna answered, “Mother! My hand started burning from the shining effulgence of My ruby bangles, so I stuck it in this butter pot to relieve the pain.”

Pleased by her son’s clever words, Yashoda said, “Hey Vatsa! Please come sit on my lap. Oh My darling, show me the burns on Your hand.” Then Yashoda kissed Krishna’s hand and consoled Him, saying, “Ahh, ahh, Look, Your hand has been burned. So let me remove these ruby bangles.”

On another day Krishna cried and rubbed His eyes with His flower bud-like palms. In a choked voice Krishna uttered unintelligible phrases. Even though Yashoda had previously scolded Krishna for stealing butter, this time she wiped the tears from Krishna’s eyes with the edge of her sari. While tenderly caressing Krishna, She said, “Hey Lala, all of our stock of butter actually belongs to You alone.”

One night the soothing rays of the full moon illumined the courtyard of Nanda’s house. Yashoda sat there talking with some elderly gopis while Krishna played nearby gazing at the moon. Sneaking up behind Yashoda, Krishna removed the veil covering her head, loosened her braid, and patted her on the back to get her attention with His butter-soft lotus palms. Krishna’s voice choked up as He continually cried. Yashoda’s heart swelled with maternal love, so she indicated with a glance that her friends should attend to Krishna.

With great respect and affection, the gopis enthusiastically lifted up Krishna and asked, “O darling! What do You want? Do You want some kheer?” Krishna replied, “No, No!” “Do You want some thick creamy yogurt?” Krishna replied, “No, No!” “Do you want some cheese?” Again Krishna said, “No, no! I want freshly churned condensed butter.”

The gopis continued, “Do not lament or be angry with Your mother. What do You mean by ‘condensed butter?’”

Pointing His little index finger to the full moon, Krishna replied, “I want that freshly churned condensed butter!”

The elderly gopis said, “O Vatsa! Do not mistake the moon for a huge piece of butter. It is a rajahamsa (royal swan) gliding across the lake of the sky.” Krishna said, “Then give Me that rajahamsa so I can play with him. Quickly catch him before he reaches the bank of the lake.”

Full anxiety, Krishna kicked His legs and cried loudly, “Give Me! Give Me!”

While Krishna showed his childish antics, some other gopis said, “O darling! They have lied to You. What You see is not a rajahamsa, but it is the moon hanging in the sky and it is called Candra.” Krishna said, “Then give Me that Candra! I really want it so I can play with it. Right now! Get it!”

Yashoda placed her crying son on her lap and comforted Krishna, “Darling, actually it is freshly churned condensed butter! Definitely, it is not rajahamsa nor is it the moon. Regardless, I can never give it to You. Just see by chance or by the arrangement of Providence it has poisonous spots on it. Although it looks very tasty, no one in this world can eat it.”

Then Krishna said, “Mother, mother! Why is it stained with spots of poison? What is poison anyway?” Seeing a change in Krishna’s mood, mother Yashoda embraced Him and spoke in a gentle, sweet voice. “Listen attentively my dearest son. There is an ocean of milk called Ksira-sagara.”

Krishna Nectar Lilas ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

All parts of Krishna Nectar Lilas can be found here.

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

“Gopal’s Charan Bihar” (Gopal’s Crawling Pastimes)

Yashoda felt as if she had attained the ultimate fulfilment of all desires by having Krishna as her son. Gazing at the lotus face of her darling pleased her more than pleasure itself.

One day when Yashoda breast fed Krishna, she glanced lovingly at His lotus face and said, “O my darling son! Please open Your mouth so I can see if any baby teeth have come in yet.” Yashoda saw Krishna’s baby teeth looking just like tiny drops of her breast milk. Sometimes Yashoda held Krishna to her breast, and other times Nanda carried Krishna about on his shoulders.

At this time, Krishna, whose body is softer than the petals of a lotus, crawled around Nanda’s courtyard on His hands and knees. Hearing the sweet tinkling of His own waist-bells, Krishna stopped moving and looked with surprise. Turning His conch-shell shaped neck, Krishna glanced curiously over His shoulder. Seeing these childish antics of Krishna filled Mother Yashoda’s heart with inconceivable joy.

Crawling across the room, Krishna eventually came to the door leading outside. Birds sat on the arches over the jewel-inlaid doorway. Seeing the birds’ forms reflected in the jewels, Krishna tried to touch them with His soft reddish fingers, which resembled the pink color (aruna) of the sky at dawn. The elderly gopis relished these simple yet sublime pastimes of Krishna-kumara.

Just for fun Krishna crawled around like a little baby pretending to be learning about the world. By such pastimes He filled the Vrajavasi ladies with joy. Sometimes the elderly gopis joked with Krishna and affectionately asked Him, “Point to Your face. Point to Your ear. Where are Your eyes?” Krishna answered by touching those parts with His delicate leaf-like fingers.

The ladies continued, “Krishna, show us Your teeth.” Krishna put His lotus hand to His mouth, smiled and replied shyly, “My teeth have not yet come out.”

The wife of Upananda asked Krishna, “Who is Your father? Who is Your mother? Please tell us.” Again beaming that irresistible smile, Krishna-kumara pointed toward Yashoda and Nanda Baba with His leaf-like hand. The Vraja gopas thrilled with bliss to see this.

One nurse, brimming with maternal affection, tested Krishna’s speaking ability. She said, “Can you say the names of Your parents?” Krishna answered with distinct, softly spoken words. Then to everyone’s amazement, Krishna-kumara transgressed the rules of Sanskrit by combining the first syllable of the word mata (mother) and the second syllable of the word tata (father) and said, “MaTa” again and again.

Sometime later Krishna crawled into a room full of gems and jewels, and became afraid upon seeing His own reflection in the jewels. In Krishna’s enchantment He tried to erase the reflection with His hand. But Krishna could not remove the image at all. Overcome with fear, Krishna climbed up on Yashoda’s lap in order to escape.

Krishna tried to stand up and take a few steps on His own. Falling on His bottom, Krishna would look unhappily at Yashoda and cry for a moment. To encourage Krishna, Yashoda held Krishna’s finger and walked beside Him. Then that lotus face, which had previously wilted from crying, blossomed with a bright smile.

Thus Krishna brought great joy to mother Yashoda with His moonlike face which bathed His body in the nectar of gentle beauty.

One day Radharani’s grandmother Mukhara played a joke on Krishna by asking, “O darling! Go fetch the large clay pot, the low wooden seat, and the drinking cup.” With a mild smile on His face Krishna gingerly held some of the articles in His hands while balancing the remainder on His gorgeous belly.

After walking some distance Krishna rested a little, then He slowly lifted those articles and brought them all to Mukhara. The heavy items that He could not lift, Krishna just touched and left alone.

The wives of Upananda and Sunanda arrived and asked Vrajaraja Nanda if they could see Krishna. They lifted Krishna onto their laps and said, “O darling! You are the son of the king, so just drop these things. Such work is not proper for You.” Then they rebuked Mukhara and threw away the things Krishna had carried.

In so many ways the village ladies joked with Krishna. One elderly gopi said, “O my beloved Krishna! If You dance for me, I will give You some sweet butter.” Krishna danced with delight for the pleasure of Yashoda and the gopis by gracefully moving His legs and gesturing artfully with His hands.

At another time, one gopi smiled and said, “What is that, darling that looks like a golden doll? Is that beautiful golden line adorning Your chest Your wife?” Everyone laughed when Krishna agreed by smiling and slightly moving His head from side to side.

At other times, Yashoda affectionately dressed Krishna with exquisitely fine beautiful yellow cloth that complemented Krishna’s attractive waist. Unaccustomed to such opulent dress, Krishna felt bothered by it so He tried to take it off while frowning and crying. Yashoda greatly enjoyed watching Krishna throw away His clothes.

Once the housewives of Vrndavana sat in a lonely place braiding Yashoda’s hair and decorating her with her favorite jewellery. Suddenly restless Krishna snatched the ornaments from Yashoda’s body, and tried to put them on again in the wrong places.

Thus Krishna, with a splendid necklace hanging from His chest, gradually completed His crawling pastimes (carana bihar). Watching the babyhood pastimes of his beloved son immersed Vrajaraja Nanda in an ocean of bliss from. (excerpts from Anand Vrndavana Champu by Sri Kavi Karnapur)

Krishna’s balya lilas ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

All parts of Krishna Nectar Lilas can be found here.

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

The Witch Becomes a Mother

The Supreme Brahman, taking the form of a human being, descended on earth and assumed the mood of a village boy. Although He appeared like an ordinary human to the common people, Sri Krishna, who is famous as the beautiful form of supreme transcendence, has a completely pure spiritual body. Manifesting along with His divine consort Srimati Radharani, Krishna fully satisfied the minds of everyone.

Once, Vrajaraja Nanda, having accepted the customs of ordinary people, followed the proper etiquette to protect his city. Nanda and other senior men went to Mathura to pay taxes to King Kamsa for their yearly milk production. The Yadus and their faithful servants accompanied him.

Meanwhile, in Mathura, the cruel and wicked Kamsa, remembering his past enmity toward Lord Vishnu, tactfully sent Putana rakshasi to Vrindavana to kill baby Krishna. She was as foreboding as an evil planet. Capable of assuming any form, Putana disguised herself as the most beautiful woman in the three worlds and went to Nanda’s capital. The villagers became attracted and bewildered by seeing such an exceptionally charming woman. In this way, Putana astonished the minds of everyone with her superbly enchanting form.

Seeing the extraordinary elegance of Putana, the Vrajavasis openly mocked the famous society girls of heaven, saying, “O Urvasi! You are the best of the heavenly damsels, but in the presence of Putana you are no more than a beggar! O Rambhe! Very soon you will become the consort of a frog. O Ghitachi! Your fame is now as valuable as a crematorium covered by water. O Citralekhe! Your captivating form appears now like lines in a painting.”

The Vrajavasis, speculating as to the identity of Putana, thought, “Is this lady the presiding demigoddess of Vrindavana? Is she the goddess of fortune of the three worlds? Is she a creeper of lightning appearing without a cloud? Is she a friend of the kumuda flowers blossoming under the moon?”

When Putana entered Yasoda’s home, the Vrajavasis concluded that the goddess of the three worlds had favored that great soul, the King of Vrindavana by personally coming to render all kinds of service. Baby Krishna lay on a bed as white as the rays of the full moon, or the foam produced from churning the ocean of milk. Nandulala looked like a great emerald sprouting from a field of powdered camphor.

Putana played the part of the sweet deceiver who outwardly speaks pleasing words, but harbors cruelty within his vicious heart. She exactly resembled a well concealed by straw in order to trap a wild elephant. Her attractive form rivaled the jeweled sheath of a deadly sword. Although assuming the form of a desire creeper, Putanawas really a poisonous plant.

Displaying motherly affection, Putana held Nandu in her lap. Yasoda and Rohini wondered, “Is this woman Bhagavati Gauri? Or is she the presiding deity of the material elements? Is she the consort of Indra, the queen of Varuna, or the consort of Agnideva? Has she appeared here to display affection toward my son?” Thinking thus, they did not prevent Putana from offering her breast milk to the baby.

Fearlessly, Putana picked up baby Krishna and cuddled Him in her lap. The compassionate Lord, who is absolute knowledge personified, acted as if He was unaware of the situation. Krishna immediately accepted Putana as His mother and climbed up on her lap. Yasoda and Rohini watched attentively as Putana expressed motherly affection toward Krishna by pressing her poison covered nipple into His mouth. Krishna’s soft, copper-colored lips resembled drinking cups made of the petals of a cluster of bandhuka flowers. Expert at performing pastimes, Krishna skillfully sucked out both Putana’s milk and her very life, which left her helpless and stupefied.

Feeling intense pain, Putana shrieked, “Please leave me, leave me!” while trying her best to throw the baby off her breast. But Krishna held tightly with both hands and sucked her breast milk with the cup of His soft lips. Then Putana assumed her raksasi form as a horrible demon. Krishna immediately killed her and cast Putana’s huge and hideous body out of town to prevent her crushing the Vrajavasis. However, when Putana fell to the ground, her dead body smashed all of Kamsa’s favourite mango trees in his fruit orchard. The ugly body of Putana extended for twelve miles.

The Vrajavasis froze in fright upon seeing the gigantic body of that witch. Everyone was amazed to see Krishna sitting playfully in the rakshasi’s lap. Yasoda sighed, “Alas! How painful, what happened to my son? While thus lamenting, Yasoda staggered a few steps and fell senseless. But the moment she heard that her son was safe and sound, Vrajesvari Yasoda regained her consciousness.

To relieve His grieving family and friends, Krishna crawled up on Putana’s chest so they could see Him freely playing there. Upon seeing Krishna, the gopas cried out, “O look! That woman came to kill the son of Nanda, but she died as a result of her grave offense. O how fortunate we are!” Beholding that gentle yet fearless, beautiful boy with a sweet smile, the cowherd men picked Krishna up and handed Him from one to another.

The gopis consoled Yasoda, “O pious one, here is your son, please embrace Him.” Yasoda swelled with joy upon seeing her son’s face. Thereafter, Yasoda and Rohini, along with the other elderly gopis, waved about the switch of a cow, bathed the beautiful child with cow’s urine, and performed other purifying acts to create auspiciousness. To further protect the child they chanted the holy names of the Lord.

The Vrajavasis chopped up the gigantic body of Putana, took it away, and burned it. From a distance that burning body, spewing forth deep black smoke and many sparks, looked like a monsoon cloud illuminated by streaks of lightning. Because Krishna had touched Putana the smoke rising from her burning body filled every planet up to Vaikuntha with a sweet aroma. Everyone enjoyed that fragrance which smelled like incense of aguru and sandalwood. The rain falling through that fragrant smoke saturated the earth with a sweet smell.

Vrajaraja Nanda returned from Mathura amidst all this commotion. Observing the smoke and feeling apprehensive, the associates of Nanda said, “O King of Vrindavana, what is this dense cloud of dark blue smoke?” Moving closer to Putana, the elderly gopas wondered, “Where has all this aromatic smoke suddenly come from? Has the fragrance of the earth expressing its desire to conquer the sky, taken the form of smoke to spread throughout the world?”Thus, the gopas argued amongst themselves about the amazing event.

Vrajaraja Nanda anxiously said, “What happened? What is wrong?” Within minutes the Vrajavasis assembled before Nanda Maharaja and told him all about Putana’s demoniac deeds. Upon seeing the face of his beloved child, Nanda felt relieved and refreshed. Picking up Gopala, Nanda Baba affectionately smelled His head. Overwhelmed with unlimited pleasure, his mind melted with ecstatic feelings and his eyes streamed tears of happiness.

Who can describe the mercy of the Lord? Even though Putana rakshasi came disguised as a mother to kill Krishna with her poisonous breast milk, the compassionate Sri Krishna gave her the position of a mother in the spiritual world.

Anandakanda Bhagavan Sri Krishna ki jai! Vrajalila ki jai!

Kaviraja Sri Karnapura Goswami’s Ananda Vrindavana Campu ki jai!

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

All parts of Krishna Nectar Lilas can be found here.

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Sri Krishna Janmastami

Now we will discuss the truth about the transcendental appearance of Bhagavan Sri Krishna. The time for an appearance of Bhagavan coincided with two internal desires of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. 

First the Sri Krishna desired to descend on earth to increase the fortune of Yasoda and Nanda. Also at that time Krishna wanted to relish the sweet mellow of srngara rasa (paramour love) while enacting His worldly pastimes. For these two reasons the Sri Krishna appeared within the material creation on Bhuloka, (earth planet), along with His parents, friends, and other eternal associates.

Another distinction of Sri Krishna’s earthly pastimes is that when the eternally liberated gopis such as Srimati Radharani, Candravali, and others appeared, the Srutis personified also appeared in the homes of other gopis, because they had previously cultivated the desire to serve Sri Krishna as Vraja gopis. 

The Dandakaranya sages, upon seeing the svakiya bhava (the sweet conjugal relationship) of Sri Krishna Ramacandra and Sitadevi, desired to have the same relationship with their Madana Gopala. Upon attaining perfection in their sadhana they achieved the fortunate position of appearing as gopis in Vrindavana. 

Yogamaya, Sri Krishna’s pastime potency who possesses unlimited abilities, appeared invisibly in Gokula to arrange this, and perform other difficult tasks on behalf of the Sri Krishna. Sri Nanda, Yasoda, and others appeared in Brhadvana (Mahavana) before Sri Krishna. 

The gopas, gopis, and other eternally liberated associates appeared afterwards. Then those who had attained perfection by sadhana, namely the sruti-caris and muni-caris, took birth in Vrindavana.

Learning of Krishna’s imminent appearance, the earth personified, feeling like a wife happily greeting her husband after a long separation, immersed in unlimited joy. At the time of Krishna’s birth the general mass of people tasted the inner bliss that devotees forever relish. 

Auspicious signs abounded everywhere. Auspicious sacrificial fires glowed in all directions. Pure gentle breezes brought a refreshing coolness like devotees who satisfy and sanctify everyone with their calm, sweet and affectionate behaviour.

The whole atmosphere became as completely purified as the heart of a devotee. The devotees once again found peace and prosperity in worshiping the lotus feet of Sri Hari. Fruits filled the jubilant trees. At that time all the directions became as pure and joyful as the mind of a devotee who has received the mercy of Sri Hari. 

Just as gems, mantras, or medicines can a remove a poisonous disease from the body of a man, the advent of the Sri Krishna relieved the world from the contamination of material existence and the sinful effect of the demons. 

Happiness gradually replaced the distress in everyone’s hearts. The bodies of all creatures manifested extraordinary beauty and youthful vitality. Men felt extremely joyful and displayed virtuous qualities. Throughout the world people behaved cordially and interacted amicably. Happiness twinkled in everyone’s eye. 

On the eighth day of the waning moon in Bhadra month an auspicious, favourable, obstacle-free time appeared. Just at that sweet moment the Rohini Naksatra, along with the good qualities of the moon and an auspicious conjunction of stars called Ayusman, appeared in the sky to give shelter to gentle persons. 

Yogesvara Sri Krishna, the personification of complete bliss, appeared amidst great festivities. Krishna manifested the wonderful pastime of His appearance out of His love and compassion for the conditioned souls.

Due to austerities performed in previous lives, Vasudeva and Devaki received the opportunity to momentarily relish parental affection for Sri Krishna when He appeared before them in His form as Vasudeva. The four symbols of Visnu (sankha, cakra, gada, padma) adorned His hands and feet. The flute, flower garland, and kaustubha mani, although present within Him, had not yet manifested.

In fear of cruel Kamsa, Vasudeva transfered all his wives except Devaki to Gokula. He sent Rohini to the house of Vrajaraja Nanda. By the sweet will of the Sri Krishna, Yogamaya arranged for the seventh child of Devaki (Balarama) to enter the womb of Rohini. As a result, Balarama appeared in the home of Vrajaraja Nanda before the birth of Krishna.

Thereafter in fear of Kamsa, Vasudeva brought Krishna to Gokula, where He appeared as Govinda before Nanda and Yasoda, His eternal parents who have been smothering Him with the sweetest form of parental love since time immemorial. 

Sri Hari, who is bliss personified, appeared in the home of Nanda Maharaja, the king of Vrindavana for three reasons: to engage the self-satisfied sages in devotional service, to please the devotees by performing sweet transcendental pastimes, and to relieve the earth’s burden caused by the demons. 

Everyone in the maternity room swelled with joy upon seeing Sri Krishna’s exquisite transcendental form that looked like a creeper of beauty. Mother Yasoda resembled a lake of spiritual ecstasy in which a brilliant blue lotus of personified bliss had appeared. 

After Yasoda and her family members fell asleep in the maternity room, Hari cried beautifully like a newborn baby. His crying sounded like the maha-vakya omkara announcing the auspicious arrival of His pastimes. When the ladies of Vrindavana heard the sweet sound of Krishna’s crying, they woke up and ran to see the Sri Krishna. 

With the mellow of their matchless overflowing affection they anointed Gopala’s body. The natural fragrance of Krishna’s body smelled just like musk. After the ladies bathed Krishna in sweet ambrosia, He looked cleansed and beautiful. Then they smeared Krishna’s body with fragrant sandalwood pulp. Gopala’s little arms were as delicate as the tender leaves of a tree. 

Krishna looked like a fresh rain cloud decorated with the musk tilaka of the goddess of fortune of the three worlds. His presence filled the maternity room with good fortune. Although a mere baby, Krishna had a head full of curly hair. To hide the unique signs of Bhagavan on His hands (goad, fish, conch etc.) Sri Krishna folded His delicate petal-like fingers into His lotus palm. At that time, Krishna laid on His back with His eyes closed.

Mother Yasoda awoke amidst the joyous chattering of the elderly gopis. Leaning over the bed she admired her gorgeous son. But upon noticing her own reflection on Krishna’s body, she imagined it another woman. Thinking that a witch had assumed her form to kidnap Krishna, Yasoda became bewildered and yelled, “Get out of here! You go away!” Spontaneously she cried out to Nrsimhadeva to protect her precious son. 

Beholding Krishna’s tender face, Yasoda showered tears of affection that looked like an offering of a pearl necklace. Yasoda saw Krishna’s body as a mound of dark blue musk, softer than the butter churned from the milk ocean. While admiring the supremely delicate form of her son, Yasoda worried about His safety and feared the touch of her body might hurt his tender body.

As she leaned over the bed Yasoda bathed Krishna with the milk dripping from her breasts. The elderly gopis instructed Yasoda how to caress the baby in her lap, and affectionately push the nipple of her breast into Krishna’s mouth to feed Him. Due to Yasoda’s intense love, personified bliss flowed from her breasts as steady streams of milk. When milk sometimes spilled out of Krishna’s bimba fruit red lips onto His cheeks, Mother Yasoda would wipe His face with the edge of her cloth. 

After feeding her son, Yasoda gazed affectionately at Him in wonder. Yasoda perceived that Krishna’s naturally reddish lips looked like bandhuka flowers. His reddish palms and foot soles resembled Java flowers, and His nails looked like mallika flowers. The beautiful, soft curly hairs on the right side of Krishna’s chest resembled the tender stems of a lotus. 

Seeing the mark of Srivatsa on His chest, Yasoda thought it was her breast milk that had previously spilled out of His mouth. She tried unsuccessfully to remove these ‘milk stains’ with the edge of her cloth. Struck with wonder, Yasoda thought this must be the sign of a great personality. 

Observing the sign of Laksmi (a small golden line) on the left side of Krishna’s chest, Yasoda thought a small yellow bird had made a nest amidst the leaves of a tamala tree. Could this be a streak of lightning resting on a rain cloud, or could it be the golden streaks marking a black gold-testing stone? Krishna’s delicate, leaf-like hands and feet, glowing pink like the rising sun, looked like clusters of lotus flowers floating in the Yamuna.

Sometimes Yasoda saw the curly, dark blue locks of baby Krishna as a swarm of bumblebees surrounding His face. Intoxicated from drinking too much honey nectar, the bees just hovered in the sky. His thick, beautiful blue tinged, glossy black hair appeared like the dark night. The two lotus eyes of Krishna looked like a pair of blue lotus buds. His cheeks resembled two huge bubbles floating in a lake of liquefied blue sapphires. 

Krishna’s attractive ears looked like a pair of fresh unfurled leaves growing on a blue creeper. The tip of Krishna’s dark nose appeared like the sprout of a tree, and His nostrils looked like bubbles in the Yamuna. His lips resembled a pair of red Java flower buds.

 Krishna’s chin rivaled a pair of ripe, red jambu fruits. Seeing the extraordinary beauty of her son fulfilled the purpose of her eyes and submerged Yasoda in an ocean of bliss. Read about Nandotsava in part eight.

Yasoda Maiya ki jai! Sri Krishna Janmastami ki jai! 

Kaviraja Sri Karnapura Goswami’s Ananda Vrindavana Campu ki jai! 

Jai Jai Sri Radhe! 

All parts of Krishna Nectar Lilas can be found here.

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Glories of Sri Krishna’s Nandagrama (continued from part 5)

IV. Eternal Associates of Sri Krishna 

Although all the people of Nandishvara appear to exhibit temporary qualities such as youth and old age to facilitate their individual rasas, they are actually all liberated souls. Their so-called youth and old age are beyond the transformations of time.

Nanda Maharaja, the king of Vrindavana, resides in this town as the embodiment of paternal affection. Manifesting the pure nature of the soul, he is the essence of all auspiciousness, a veritable island amidst an ocean of bliss. By assuming the role of Krishna’s father, which he plays eternally, he has become endowed with all auspicious qualities. His wife Yasoda resides in Nandishvara as the embodiment of maternal affection, and a desire creeper awarding the darsana of Krishna. As a beautiful flower spreads its fragrance in all directions, the effulgence of Yasoda’s fame illuminates her entire dynasty.

Hundreds of honest and gentle cowherd men live in this capital city. They are not attached to their families, but they are completely attached to Krishna. Although they diligently care for their domestic animals and maintain themselves by trading in milk and yogurt, they exist totally in the spiritual world. A few of the cowherd men are intimate relatives of Nanda Maharaja, but all them are closely related to each other.

The husbands embody religious principles and the wives embody devotional feelings. Their sons are Krishna’s cowherd boyfriends and their daughters are His dearest lovers. Like the four Kumaras, all of Krishna’s friends are eternally youthful. As flocks of birds decorate a forest, Krishna is surrounded by friends of the same age. Krishna and His friends have a very close and intimate relationship resembling the intimacy of flowers strung on a thread. 

The blissful boyfriends of Krishna have clear eyes and brilliantly shining hair. With their musk and sandal scented bodies, smiling lotus faces, well-proportioned ears, elegantly shaped noses, handsome and resplendent necks, long, beautiful arms, and their chests are always swelling with happiness. The waists of the boys are as firm as the sides of an elephant. Krishna’s friends have very strong thighs that give joy to everyone. They walk on their bare feet, which are as tender as the rays of the moon. The cowherd boys of Vrindavana far surpass the demigods, and they exist eternally as Krishna’s beloved associates. Subala, Sridama, Sudama and Vasudama are some of Krishna’s intimate boyfriends.

Now the intimate girlfriends of Krishna will be described. The delicate feet of Krishna’s gopis resemble poetry full of wonderful rhymes. Their slender ankles move with the speed of the mind. The thighs of the gopis conquer the splendor of the broad trunks of banana trees, and the sweetness of their graceful hips is very attractive. They have charming bellies, delightful navels and thin waists. 

They have long graceful arms, and their throats have three attractive lines resembling a conch shell. They have beautiful noses, captivating eyes and beautiful ears that always drink the sweet nectar of hari-katha. They sport splendid curls and attractive hairstyles. 

Sri Radha reigns as the best of Krishna’s beloveds. This beautiful young girl is resplendent with all good qualities such as mercy, sweetness, and vitality. As the crest-jewel among Krishna’s lovers, Kishori possesses all ornaments, and all types of emotional mellows. Radhika is a golden flower in a garden of prema; a lightning flash in a cloud of sweetness; or a golden line on a testing stone of beauty. 

Radhika is the light of the moon of bliss. Her slender arms conquer the pride of Cupid. Radharani is the splendorous essence of the ocean of loveliness, and the enchanting smile of those intoxicated by love. She is a mine of the sixty-four arts, and the precious crest-jewel of all good qualities. Radhika’s complexion is more golden than a thousand Parvatis.

Radhika is also called Syama, which means that Her transcendental body is warm in the winter and cool in the hot season. Her breasts are firm, full, slightly raised, and very beautiful. Although existing since time immemorial, Radhika is an ever-fresh young girl. Radharani is the epitome of beauty and the life and soul of Her girlfriends. 

Though just an innocent young girl, Radharani controls all the goddesses of fortune in the universe. Learned pandits call Her Maha-Laksmi, tantrics call Her Lila-sakti and bhaktas call Her Hladini-sakti. Radhika is ornamented by Her dear friends who display all good qualities and move as Radha’s reflections.

Among all the young gopis, there is also one group leader named Candravali, who is the crest jewel of dalliance. She bestows the bliss of a million moons. Candravali has all good qualities, and her feminine form is the natural embodiment of beauty. Candravali is the essence of all rasa who gives bliss to all. Padma, Saibya, and others serve as her dearest companions. Although she is very prominent, Candravali is merely another gopi group leader amongst the Vraja gopis. There is another gopi group leader named Syama-sakhi, who is very dear to Radhika.

All the brahmanas living in Nanda Baba’s capital embody the principles of bhagavata dharma. They are extremely merciful, and always display sense and mind control, tolerance, and renunciation. With great skill they recite sastras like the Bhagavata, and always study the Narada Pancaratra and other Vedic works that corroborate the Bhagavata. They alone qualify for Nanda Maharaja’s charity, and only they perform the appropriate rituals and ceremonies.

Some of these brahmanas worship the aishvarya aspect of Krishna, and others adore the madhurya feature of the Lord. After thorough study of the eighteen branches of knowledge they have become genuinely peaceful and fixed in their own realizations. It is not surprising that they have never been defeated in debate. Though possessing abundant wealth, they always remain humble and exhibit gentle behavior, friendship, kindness, and compassion to one and all. 

Although the oil-sellers, tambula salesmen, goldsmiths, pot makers, weavers, and blacksmiths have spiritual forms, they behave like ordinary humans. Commanding the respect of all pious men, they freely distribute their wealth wherever needed. They do not have material bodies, nor do they experience the sufferings of ordinary mortals.

Surrounding the town of Nandishvara are many rows of small forest groves filled with varieties of multi-hued trees, dangling creepers, kunjas and bowers. The vanadevis wander hand in hand along the forest paths softened from the sap constantly dripping from the trees. The whole forest is sweetly scented from the juice of the kakkola berries spilling out of the mouths of the wild rams as they contentedly ruminate. The air is also scented from the aromatic bark of the deva daru trees rubbed off by the horns of wild buffaloes.

The sides of the hills are strewn with tree branches broken by the tusks of the wild baby elephants. And the ground is covered with bunches of half-eaten grapes scattered by families of monkeys. The aborigine women wander through the thick forest groves.

There are many other forests such as Kamyavana and Lohavan, full of trees and exotic vegetation. The lakes are full of crystal clear water and covered with water lilies. White, blue and red lotuses lie scattered throughout these forests. These lakes resound with singing herons, ducks, swans, cranes, ospreys, and cakravakas. 

  Vraja-mandala, although completely spiritual, is situated within the material world. Thus those with mundane vision see Vrindavana as a material place. Svatantra Bhagavan Sri Krishna freely chose to appear in this world in Vrindavana as the baby son of Nanda and Yasoda, the eternal embodiments of parental affection. Since Krishna is the origin of all avataras and the ocean of all pastimes, why does He perform pastimes in the material world? Simply to give pleasure to  His devotees. 

To show the world the astonishing depths of their parental affection, Krishna appeared as the son of Nanda and Yasoda. Accepting their care and attention, the omnipotent Lord covered His majesty with an unprecedented sweetness. By exhibiting all the different stages of boyhood such as kumara, pauganda, and kaisora, the Supreme Lord Krishna appeared like an ordinary human being. But throughout these stages Krishna remained in His original form as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Although madhurya rasa is predominant one in Vrindavana, the previous verse has only mentioned parental affection. The reason for this is that all of Krishna’s pastimes with the cows, gopas, and gopis also go on eternally in the spiritual world. But Krishna’s babyhood pastimes and the killing of demons occurs only in the Gokula in the material world. Thus one should understand that the sweetness of bhauma-lila is not available in the spiritual world.

Kaviraja Sri Karnapura Goswami’s Ananda Vrindavana Campu ki jai! 

Radha-Govinda Vraja Lilas ki jai!  Jai Jai Sri Radhe! 

All parts of Krishna Nectar Lilas can be found here.

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Nandagram—Glorious Birthplace of Nandanandana Sri Krishna 

Not far from Govardhana stands Nandishvara Hill, which is the second body of Lord Siva. Dhava trees and the blissful pastimes of Madhava fill Nandishvara with splendor. The parrots perched in the palasa trees vibrate sweet music throughout the day. Beautiful peaks of varying heights decorate its skyline. An abundance of roots, herbs, and delicious fruits await the eager hands of the carefree cowherd boys. 

Just as Vamana’s steps brought the Ganga down on Siva’s head, similarly, the water flowing down from its caves nourishes the fennel shrubs growing on the side of Nandishvara Hill. As gentle behavior can break the pride of a coarse man, the thick growth of yellow jinthi flowers growing on its slopes overpowers the red-colored rocks of Nandishvara Hill. Lord Siva always holds Parvati on his lap, and this mountain always holds shilajit in its crevices. 

I. Unique Nandisvara Bhasha (language)

The splendid capital of Nanda Baba rests atop Nandishvara Hill. In this place the syllable khala (deceitful) is only found in words such as mekhala (waistbells), srnkhala (waist chains), and ulukhlala. This syllable, however, is never used alone because there are no deceitful people in Nanda Maharaja’s capital. The word matsara (my lake) is used to describe one’s own lake, but it is not used to describe envy (matsarya) because Nandagrama place is devoid of envy. 

The word doshakara (having faults) is used to describe the moon and nothing else, because there are no doshakara (faulty) people in Nandishvara. The syllable mala (dirt) is used only in such words parimala (fragrance) and syamala (blackish), but it is not used separately to connote mala (filth), because everything in Nandagrama is nirmala (pure and spotless). 

The word danda (rod) is used only to connote the handle of a camara or an umbrella, but it does not connote punishment (danda) because there are no punishable people there. The word bandha (knot or bound) is used only to describe the knots of clothing, but it does not mean imprisoned (bandha) because no one here deserves to be tied up. The word adhi (mental distress) is used only in such words as samadhi and upadhi, because there is no such thing as mental distress in Nandagrama! 

The word pidha (anguish, or group) is seen only in such words as kusumapidha (flower chaplet), because there is no pain or agony in Nandishvara. The word kutila (crooked) is used only to refer to hair locks or eye glances, because there are no crooked or deceitful people there. The word cancalata (greedy or unsteady) is used only in relation to necklaces or the edges of clothing which move back and forth in anticipation of meeting Krishna. It is not used in reference to unsteadiness of the mind (cancala mana) because there are no unsteady people there. The word raga is used only to describe the reddish color of the feet and hands, and not to describe material attachments.

The word madhya (middle, mediocre) is used only to describe the waist, because everything in the spiritual world is uttama (topmost). The word palita (white) is used only to describe a pala (measurement), and not to describe white hair because no one grows old there. The word raja is used only in words describing flower pollen, or the dust of a cow, and not in words like raja-guna because there are no passionate people there. The word tama (darkness) is used only to describe darkness, and not to refer to tama-guna (ignorance), because ignorance cannot be found. The word kathina (hard) is used to describe jewels and gold, and not to refer to people because everyone is very soft and gentle. 

II. Transcendental Abode of Nandishvara

A high insurmountable town wall made of radiant sapphires encompasses all the towns within Nanda Maharaja’s capital of Nandishvara. The towns appear like festive arenas with canopies and colorful jeweled festoons hanging from the archways. The main gateways in that wall have huge, jewel-studded doors. Nandishvara is full of broad sparkling roadways, and many huge palaces which bring joy to the heart.

The many small, attractive and radiant temples have splendorous golden rooftops. Beautiful strands of pearls hang from the cornices. The palaces there are surrounded by jewel-studded verandas, and flower filled sacrificial arenas. The residential quarters are made of emeralds, and have golden rooftops, coral pillars, crystal walls, cat’s eye towers, sapphire sitting platforms, and huge doors studded with big blue sapphires that astound the eyes with their beauty. The stunning opulence of Nandishvara puts to shame the brilliant palaces of the demigods.

The capital of Nanda Maharaja is decorated with rows of shops made of jewels, which spread out from the crossroads in neat rows. These unique transcendental shops have flags atop their roofs and hanging strands of pearls decorate the interiors. The shops have wide verandas and the merchants live in their shops. Some shops smell like spring; others smell like sandalwood, aguru, kasturi, ripe paddy fields, mustard oil, and so on.

Rows of huge goshalas spread out in all directions in Nanda Maharaja’s capital. The four long crystal walls of these goshalas are topped with emerald beams, and golden crossbeams that extend beyond the walls. In all corners are ruby cornices firmly attached to the emerald beams. The roofs have sparkling jeweled surfaces which make them look like jeweled mountain peaks. The goshalas have many solid doors but no pillars. They are very clean and expansive, dust-free and devoid of chilly breezes. Go Mata ki jai! 

III. Krishna’s Cows 

Standing in the yards of the goshalas are the best of cows, which are as white as the full moon and have horns as dark as peaks of blue sapphires. The thick bushy tails of these cows resemble the long hair of the ladies of Vrindavana. Upon seeing Krishna, the cows fill with joy and lift up their tails. The heads of the cows hang down due to the heavy, thick folds of skin under their necks. Their full milk bags resemble the rotund body of Ganesh. Like the mind, these cows are independent and cannot be easily bound. 

As sadhakas gain happiness by engaging in austerities, the cows feel delighted when they are milked. The cows of Vrindavana are called kamadhenus because they fulfill all desires just like cintamani gems. As the summer season is ornamented with blooming flowers, the cows are decorated with happy calves. Many varieties of multi-colored cows beautify the goshalas. The goshalas are alive with herds of calves jumping about. These adorable calves look like clumps of foam from the milk ocean, spots of moonlight cast on the ground, or like ice boulders from Mt. Kailasa tumbling along the earth. They are the purest of offerings to the demigods.

The huge bulls look like crystal boulders or big waves in the ocean of yogurt. Sleeping peacefully in their pens, they look like ancient sages in meditation. Like liberated souls, they freely wander here and there. Their huge horns resemble the tusks of the directional elephants. The high humps on their backs resemble the parasol and fans held above a king. 

With their red eyes and slow movements they appear stunned like intoxicated persons. When the bulls let out a loud bellow it sounds like the boisterous talk of proud men. The skin folds flapping around their necks resemble the long blankets draped over the backs of anchoriteses. All the cows of Vrindavana are expansions from Goloka. Coming next, part six with more description of Krishna’s Nandagrama.

Kaviraja Sri Karnapura Goswami’s Ananda Vrindavana Campu ki jai! 

Radha-Govinda Vraja Lilas ki jai!  Jai Jai Sri Radhe! 

All parts of Krishna Nectar Lilas can be found here.

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Sri Yamunaji & Giriraja Ji

The Yamuna River

While meandering through the forest of Vrindavana, the famous River Yamuna appears like a garland of blue lotuses, a moat of kajala, a dark blue sari, or a necklace of blue sapphires around the neck of Vrnda-devi, the presiding deity of Vrindavana. Though agitated with waves, the Yamunaji holds unlimited lotus flowers in her pure waters to offer to the dark Lord of her heart—Shyama! 

Herons continually play in her waters, and delighted fish swim in large schools enjoying the ebb and flow of prema. Yamunaji grants happiness to anyone who surrenders to her or bathes in her sacred waters. And to Krishna’s devotees, Yamunaji forever thrills them with premananda.

Yamunaji looks resplendent with her multi-colored bodice composed of the many tiny saivala creepers floating on her surface. Her breasts are the cakravaka birds, and her colorful yellow dress is the pollen of white lotuses. Swarms of meandering bumblebees form her hair braid. 

The blue lotuses—her eyes; the red lotuses—her lips; the blooming lotuses—her face; the wide riverbanks—her hips; and her waist belt—a flock of herons. Sonorous geese chortle as her ankle-bells. Yamuna-devi, the personification of bliss, worships Krishna by constantly offering Him lotus flowers with her fickle wave-like hands.

The flower-filled trees on her banks reflect in the water to appear like a second blossoming forest. Seeing the reflections of birds in the water, the foolish fish come there and nibble at them. At night when they see the reflections of the stars on the water the small fish, mistaking them for food, swim up to surface and try to eat them. 

The shimmering white banks of the Yamuna appear like streams of camphor; attractive lightning flashing in the dark; sandalwood paste smeared on the limbs of Vrnda-devi; or malati garlands in the braid of a woman.

On these banks stand flowerbeds situated between emerald green strips of grass. There are also many attractive kunjas and beautiful sub-forests containing cintamani cottages. Parrots, cuckoos, cakoras, and water birds such as ducks, herons, sararis, kuraris, and cakravakas move about the courtyards surrounding these cintamani cottages singing happily. 

They appear like a group of rasika devotees discussing the delightful pastimes of Krishna. Bathing ghatas made of rubies, coral, emeralds, and vaidurya gems line the Yamuna’s shores. These ghatas appear like the embodiment of auspiciousness.

The Glories of Govardhana

An exquisite line of mountains called Govardhana stretches down the middle of Vrindavana. Giriraja’s thousands of peaks appear like the thousands of hands and feet of the virata rupa avatara. Many smaller hills surround these peaks, and many jeweled plateaus and lakes like Radha-kunda provide additional beauty. 

In this way, Giriraja appears just like a romantic hero decorated with many jeweled bracelets and earrings. Just as Giriraja contains many minerals (dhatus) of red clay and arsenics, similarly, the Sanskrit language features a wonderful variety of word roots (dhatus).

By the Lord’s grace, Govardhana has surpassed the splendor of Vaikuntha and become famous as the best of mountains–GIRI  RAJA!!! Govardhana holds many difficult to enter caves. For Radha-Shyama the interiors of these caves are the embodiments of bliss. Lord Siva holds the moon in his topknot, but Giriraja’s peaks touch the moon. Govardhana is kind and gentle, and decorated with long lines of forests, as Krishna is adorned with forest garlands reaching to His ankles. 

Cascading waterfalls continually bathe all sides of Govardhana. The glorious and beneficial sight of Giriraja Baba pleases both the eyes and hearts of one and all! The banyan trees around Giriraja are grand and glorious. Their abundant cooling shade always give joy to all the Vrajavasis. It is Govardhana’s nature to protect the deer, forest creatures, and anyone who takes His exclusive shelter.

The grand glories of Mt. Kailasa, Mt. Meru, or even the best of metaphors can never compare with the unlimited glories of Govardhana. Kailasa is composed of silver, and golden Mt. Meru is born of the material nature. They pale in comparison with Govardhana, which is made of divine cintamani gems, and eternally manifested as the transcendental energy and form of Bhagavan Sri Krishna Himself!

Just as dancers enhance the charm of a theatrical performance, the gracious trees of Govardhana forever increase the endlessly sweet splendor in seeing Him. The streams flowing by the roots of the many sandalwood trees growing there pick up the divine fragrance, and pass it on to the valleys and grass growing on Govardhana. 

When all the different animals such as rurus (black deer), camara, gavayas, gandharvas, srmaras, rohisas, sasa, and sambaras bathe in the parrot-green colored streams flowing under the densely foliated green trees they appear to be made of emeralds. No one can tell whether they are real animals or made out of green jewels. 

The crystal rocks of Govardhana reflect the blue rays of its sapphires to appear like Balarama dressed in blue. The large emeralds reflected in the smooth golden rocks look like Narayana adorned in His golden dhoti. The waterfalls pouring over the emerald cliffs look like Lord Rama carrying His curved bow. The clear waterfalls rapidly falling from the tall peaks of Govardhana carry the reflections of many multi-colored jewels and appear like long rainbows. 

The light coming from the various stones and jewels in the plateaus reflect in the sky like a rainbow. The effulgence from the peaks of vaidurya gems appears like the tail of a comet streaking over Govardhana, or like a flock of flying gray birds.

Govardhana offers its many cooling stone thrones as sitting for Krishna’s pleasure. Its flat, jeweled-studded areas await to serve Krishna’s rasa dance. Its wonderful caves look more enchanting than temples made of jewels. For serving Krishna there are many flower canopies that pour down fragrant pollen when moved by the wind. The dense cool forests provide soothing relief from the hot sun. Animals such as deer and tigers always live there in peace and harmony.

Sri Yamunaji ki jai! Sri Giriraja Baba ki jai! 

Kaviraja Sri Karnapura Goswami’s Ananda Vrindavana Campu ki jai! 

Radha-Govinda Vraja Lilas ki jai!  Jai Jai Sri Radhe! 

All parts of Krishna Nectar Lilas can be found here.

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Ten Amazing Seasons of Vraja (continued from part two)

3. Hemanta Season (early winter)

The sweet fragrance of various flowers characterizes the early winter season. Everyone enjoys the brief morning hours touched by the weakened rays of the sun. The female deer, thinking it is the rays of the rising sun, become joyful for a short time upon seeing the ruby studded earth. The deer, thinking them to be the cool rays of the moon, avoid the areas filled with bright crystal gems.

What more can be said? Frightened by the cold season, Surya Bhagavan, the sun god, retreats to the Southeast corner and the lotuses disappear. Frost competes with the heat of the sun for sovereignty over the earth.

Pearl ornaments, being cold by nature, do not adorn the gorgeous gopis at this time. But they do decorate their hair with kurubaka flowers, and rub pollen from lodhra flowers into it. Maha-saha flower garlands hang across their budding breasts. Saffron ointments, which heat the body, serve as cosmetics. Heavy clouds of incense fill the pastime cottages and heating spices enhance the tambula. Throughout the Hemanta season the gopis refrain from mentioning any object reminding them of cold.

4. Dewy Season

The brightness of the dewy days increases at every moment to decorate the season. The welcome rays of the sun increase the joy of all by chasing away the chill. Leaving its southern course, the Sun proceeds northward. Surya-deva’s gentle touch gradually dissolves the dew and the mist.

Dense foliage overhead prevents accumulation of dew beneath the tall luxuriant trees. In the evening handsome bucks sit beneath these trees and ruminate without the fear of cold. The setting sun appears like a glowing hot iron ball sinking into the water and giving off steam. Birds cry out as they flee from the darkness. Without talking to their mates, they sleep comfortably amidst the lush growth of the beautiful trees. Due to the cold, the cakora birds cease flying in the rays of the moon.

Lovers ponder sleeping blissfully in deep embraces. The long nights favor extended conversations as the rush to sleep recedes. The gopis give up cosmetics like kunkuma that obstruct a lover’s closeness. Lotuses cannot bloom in this season. In the morning the women of Vrindavana, who are endowed with good qualities, warm up their backs by exposing them to the sun.

5. The Spring Season

Mango trees laden with new buds announce the arrival of spring. Asoka trees exploding with splendid red flowers drive away all lamentation, like the Lord’s devotees who have transcended the misty coverings of hankering and lamenting. Cuckoos play about the trees, like the restless monkeys in Ramacandra’s phalanx. Lingering in the air is the fine scent of clove trees fleeting like the happiness derived from material pleasures. The large numbers of bakula trees appear like the strong men serving in the dynasty of Iksvaku. Creepers of blooming mallika flowers beautify the landscape, just as the seven notes embellish the musical scale. Flowering karira trees fill the air with an intoxicating aroma, like the liquid flowing from the heads of love crazed elephants. Flower scented breezes accent the spring season.

Moon rays increase their brilliance with the departure of the cold. While the springtime moon glistens sweetly in the clear skies above, the young gopis enjoy sweet pastimes in the groves below. When the soft breezes caress the sweet fragrances within the groves, the gopis come to gather flowers. Attracted by the beauty of the unlimited flowers on the trees, playful Krishna, wearing a golden necklace, attains the height of bliss from seeing the gopis in their prime of youth.

Dense swarms of humming bees, eager to taste the pollen of lotuses, darken the sky as they speed toward the flowers. But seeing the bees bypass them, the lotus flowers argue among themselves, “Why not drink from me first? Have I committed any offense to you?” Though the flowers offer their pollen to the bees, the bees do not accept. Instead they become intoxicated by smelling the fragrance from the lotus mouths of the Vraja gopis, whose hearts overflow with intense feelings of love.

That best of the maddened elephants roams about with the intoxicated gopis of Vraja whose sweet whispering defeats the soothing sound of running water. The cuckoos resound like a bell to announce their arrival. Various types of tiny creepers appear at this time of year, which smile with their glittering flowers, cry tears of love in the form of dripping honey nectar, and horripilate with new buds.

6. The Summer Season

The sun shines brightly at this time. The summer seasons brings scorching hot winds that make one feel he is breathing poison filled air. The length of nights gradually decreases in the presence of summer.

Due to the intense suffering experienced during the day, any mention of the word “daytime” instills fear in the heart. Mercy manifests in the cool water flowing in the jeweled basins below the shady trees. As a host carefully tends to his guests, the summer offers these cooling basins to attentively serve the birds and beasts. In the same way that pious gentlemen provide for the needy, the shady trees relieve everyone from the heat of summer.

To gain relief from the intense heat, the creepers and trees fan each other by slowly moving their twigs and branches. Krishna bhaktas find joy by absorbing themselves in His humble service, just as one finds happiness by taking a cool bath in summer.

Just as Vaisnavas feel relieved from material distress when they attain lotus feet of Krishna, similarly, the cooling rays of the moon give great relief from the scorching heat of day. In this season everyone very much appreciates the cool nights.

Krishna and the gopis, their ankle-bells chiming sweetly, hold hands as they meander along the cool forest paths under the shady trees. Besides beautifying the night, the summer moon brings full satisfaction to all. In this way the summer is glorified.

Amidst the lotus flowers in the lake [Pavana Sarovara, Manasi Ganga?], there is a beautiful houseboat covered with a canopy trimmed with hanging pearls that wave in the wind. It is sprayed by a mist scented with fine particles of camphor, and buffeted by the pleasant winds of camaras waved by loving attendants. Within that charming houseboat, Radhika-Shyama rest in bliss after the blazing days of summer.

The summer finds Sri Hari wearing a strand of large pearls bordering His hairline and forehead. Krishna’s shimmering golden dhoti blows in the wind. Garlands of mallika buds, cooling flower ornaments, and sandalwood paste adorn His attractive transcendental form. As embodiments of the summer season, the gopis are decorated with ear ornaments of sirisa flowers, crowns of patala flowers, garlands of mallika flowers, and bracelets of kutaja flowers. At the end of the day the gopis and the flower-filled forest of Vrindavana serve the lotus feet of Krishna.

Thus concludes the description of the blissful sweet transcendental seasons of SridhamaVrindavana. Next we will describe Yamunaji and Giriraja Baba.

Kaviraja Sri Karnapura Goswami’s Ananda Vrindavana Campu ki jai!

Radha-Govinda Vraja Lilas ki jai!  DasaRtuVana Vrindavana ki jai!

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

All parts of Krishna Nectar Lilas can be found here.

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

The Ten Amazing Seasons of Vraja

Because the seasons and forests are inseparable, we will first describe the astonishing transcendental forest of Vrindavana, which overflows with all wonderful attributes. Though the forest of Vrindavana contains the matchless essence of the majesty of Vaikuntha, it also features limitless sweetness and splendor that eternally manifests in newer ways at every moment.

The ever-increasing natural beauty of the forest kunjas rivals majestic houses made of priceless jewels. What exactly makes a kunja? The corners of the forest cottages (kunja) are formed of four tall kadamba trees which have many leafy branches that hang down to make natural canopies. Each of these four trees is encircled by two creepers appearing like a pair of embracing lovers. The creepers entangle with the flowers, leaves, and fruits of these trees to create a wonderful panorama of color, design and depth.

The four walls of the pastime cottages (kelimandirs) are made of flowering madhavi creepers that comprise the walls of the pastime cottages. The entwined branches of various creepers form the cottage doors that are surrounded by other fragrant creepers. Varieties of colorful flowers hang down to make the domes above the cottages. When the wind blows, these dangling flower creepers move about as natural camara fans to please Priya Yugala.

The sweet sounds of bees and cuckoos echo through the kunjas that are lit by phosphorescent vines. For the pleasure of Radha-Govinda, the kindly musk deer scent the air, and the camari cows sweep clean the forest floor with their long bushy tails.

Although the forest realm of Vrindavana exists beyond the reaches of time, it appears to display six unique seasons. Though resembling their material counterparts, the six seasons of Vrindavana are completely transcendental, charming and unlimitedly sweet because they exist only to increase the spiritual bliss of Krishna’s pastimes. The six seasons are known as: the joy of monsoon, the pleasure of autumn, the satisfaction of winter, the happiness of the dewy season, the beauty of spring, and the auspicious season of summer.

Besides the six distinct seasons mentioned above, the divine realm of Vrindavana is distinguished and beautified by three more seasons appearing in pairs as autumn and winter, dewy and spring, summer and monsoon. In this way, Vrindavana features nine seasonal forests.

But wait! There are actually ten seasonal divisions in Vrindavana (the six different seasons, the three combinations, and the six seasons together simultaneously manifesting in the same place as experienced in aprakata Sri Radha Kunda. Thus, Sri Vrindavana Dhama has ten different seasons!

In the tenth season (all six seasons at once) the youthful gopis take fresh kadamba flowers from the rainy season and fix them in their hair parts. They twirl autumn season lotuses in their petal like fingers, smear the pollen of winter lodhra flowers on their cheeks, and put bandhuli flowers from the dewy season around their necks. They place bunches of asoka buds from the spring over their ears, and entwine mallika garlands in their hair from the summer season. Every day, the Vraja gopis beautifully decorate themselves like this to worship their PriyatamaShyama.

Now we will describe the six major seasons of VrajaDhama which are the source of the ten individual forests.

The Six Seasons of Vraja

1. Rainy Season (monsoon)

During monsoon season the constant torrential rain showers resemble the intense pleasure derived from rendering pure, unalloyed devotional service. As a self-realized person becomes illumined with the eternal light of bliss, this season illumines the sky with flashes of flickering lightning which satisfy the heart. Clamoring dahuka birds mimic the conflicting arguments found in books of logic. Arjuna trees appear like a second sun to brighten all directions with their bold red flowers.

Rain showers during particular naksatras summon effulgent emeralds appearing like tender shoots of grass. The camuru deer mistake the emeralds for shoots of grass and try to nibble on them. When’ the indragopa (tiny red insects) crawl on these emeralds, they appear like tiny rubies moving across a green bodice stretched across the breast of the earth.

Kadamba flowers fill the air with a sweet herbal aroma. Due to the constant pouring of misty rain, the air always feels cool and refreshing. The rumbling clouds sound like cataki birds crying in anguish, “Please give us rain and save our lives.” The clouds answer, “Do not lament, I will rain now.”

The monsoon season abounds with a symphony of sounds. Everywhere catakabirds call, tithi birds chirp, daduri birds cry, peacocks wail piteously, clouds roar, and raindrops pitter-patter. The nourishing waters of this season beautify all the trees and gardens.

The abundant ripened fruits of the mango trees tint the center of the forest with a golden glow. With all kinds of colorful hues the gardens of Vrindavana appear as beautiful as a painting.

2. Autumn Season

Lakes of Vraja

The splendorous season of autumn is characterized by lakes full of deep blue water filled with red lotus flowers that look like the lotus feet of Visnu being caressed by the loving lotus hands of Laksmi. Brimming with water, these lakes are as clean and pure as the sinless heart of a devotee aspiring for prema. As Narayana is beautified by the presence of the joyful Goddess of Fortune, similarly, the autumn lakes are beautified by the presence of cakravaka birds and blossoming lotuses.

Groups of lazy swans sport freely in the lakes. Gliding along the water, they resemble liberated souls (parama/hamsas) swimming in the ocean of spiritual bliss. The cooing herons appear to be echoing the tales of Rama and Laksmana. Blue lotuses please everyone with their splendid fragrance, spreading through the land like the fame of the all-attractive Lord Sri Krishna. Red lotuses cast their colors across the autumn lakes like the setting sun coloring the evening sky with it pastel pinks.

The autumn moon shines brilliantly like a glinting sword unsheathed before battle. The large lakes of this season like Shyama and Radhakundas are very beautiful with warm water on their surfaces and cool water within. They resemble a peaceful man who keeps cool within, even when harassed by the hot words of a fool.

These cloud wisps appear like the white scarf of a young woman waving in the breeze, or cotton fluff carried by the winds personified as young girls. When the groups of pure white clouds reflect in the Yamuna, it appears like a brilliant white sandbar in the middle of the river. Three wonderful features fill the autumn season with bliss, namely the fragrant pollen from blooming lotuses, the directions darkening due to the swarms of bees maddened by the intoxicating fragrance of the chatima tree, and the wind driven clouds moving like freely roaming elephants.

Kaviraja Sri Karnapura Goswami’s Ananda Vrindavana Campu ki jai!

Radha-Govinda Vraja Lilas ki jai!  DasaRtuVanaVrindavana ki jai!

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

All parts of Krishna Nectar Lilas can be found here.