 |
On the way to Govardhan on Delhi-Agra road is a village
called Chatikara where Nanda Maharaja stayed for some
time while traveling from Gokula to Nandagram. Today
we can see there a really interesting road sign...
|
 |
Half way there we pass by the biggest banyan tree in
whole Vraja.
|
 |
Govardhan-parikram (circumambulating of
Govardhan Hill) should traditionally begin near
Manasi-ganga, on the waist of Govardhan. But riksas
from Vrindavan will usually take you to the crossing
near Radha-kund and most devotees start their parikrama
from there.
|
 |
Kusuma-sarovara
A 25-minute walk from Radha-kund is Kusuma-sarovara, our first stop. |
 |
Kusuma means
"flower," and kusuma-vana is a forest of flowers.
Srimati Radhika used to come here on the pretext of
picking flowers with her girlfriends, but Her real
intent was to meet Sri Krisna, with whom She would have
love-quarrels (keli-kalada) and sarcastic exchanges
full of rasa. |
 |
Many pastimes took place here at Kusuma-sarovara: One
morning, Srimati Radhika and Her sakhis arrived on the
bank of the lake to pick the fragrant flowers that
bloomed here in abundance. Seeing a branch full of
flowers, She pulled it down with one hand and started
to pick flowers with the other...
|
 |
...Knowing that Srimati Radharani was coming, playful
Krisna had climbed that tree and had stationed Himself
on that very branch. Using all His weight to push that
branch down, He had hidden Himself so that Srimati
Radharani would not see Him...
|
 |
...Radharani became absorbed in picking flowers from
that branch when Krisna suddenly shifted to another
branch. At once the first branch sprung up, lifting
Srimati Radharani with it...
|
 |
...Radhika cried out for help and Sri Krisna immediately
leapt from the tree and caught the hanging Srimati
Radharani in His arms...
|
 |
...Seeing this, the sakhis began clapping and laughing
loudly, but Radhika began to scold Him.
|
 |
Tortoises living in the Kusuma-sarovara are said to be
the great sages, living for centuries in their bodies
and meditating on the divine pastimes of Radha and
Krisna.
|
 |
Some say that if you feed tortoise you will became
healthy.
|
 |
Nowadays, it is a good place to take bath and even swim
as this is the best swimming spot in the Vraja area.
Furthermore, where in the whole world one can get the
following benediction: "Anyone who bathes in
sanctified waters of this lake becomes eligible to
witness that ambrosial eightfold pastimes (asta-kaliya-lila)
of Sri Sri Radha and Krisna."
|
 |
The present ghatas were built by Javaraha Singh, the
Maharaja of Bharatpur, who looted the treasury of
Delhi in 1767 and with that money built beautiful
ghatas and sandstone monuments...
|
 |
...To the west of Sarovara is the tomb of his father,
Raja Surajamala, one of the most famous Jat warriors
in India's history, with the tombs of his two queens.
The Raja as built it mostly for the glorification of his
family, as you can see on the wall paintings...
|
 |
...Bigger paintings are showing events from the history
of his family and smaller ones are depicting the
pastimes of Sri Krisna.
|
 |
...The pure devotional atmosphere has been ruined to
some extend, but the wise man will take the milk part,
leaving the water, as swan (hansa) is capable
of doing...
|
 |
It is said that Astavakra Muni left his body on the bank
of Kusuma-sarovara, while doing penances on its banks
and waiting for the appearance of Radha and Krisna.
The small Siva-linga temple on the western bank of the
kund marks the spot, where he gave up his body after
being blessed with Their divine darsan.
|
 |
During Lord Chaitanya's times this place was known as
Sumanah-sarovara. It is stated in
Caitanya-caritamrita, that Sri Caitanya also took bath
there.
Nearby is the temple of Dauji.
|
 |
Also at this place is a temple dedicated to Uddhava.
This temple was established by Krishna's great-grandson about
4,800 years ago. It is a peaceful place. Uddhava is the cousin
of Lord Krisna. He is the son of Vasudeva's brother and almost
the same age as Krisna. His body resembles Krisna's body almost
exactly...
|
 |
...After delivering Krisna's message to the gopis,
Uddhava realized their exalted position and prayed:
"Let me be fortunate enough to be one of the bushes,
creepers or herbs in Vrindavan, because the gopis
trample them and bless them with the dust of their feet."
Uddhava remains there in the form of the grass known as gulma-lata.
|
 |
Ashoka-lata, a kunja (forest grove) is also on the bank
of Kusuma-sarovara. This is where Krisna braided
Srimati Radharani's hair. This pastimes is described
by Krisnadas Kaviraj Gosvami in Govida-lilamrita.
There is small temple on the left of Kusuma-sarovara, by the road,
that marks the place where Krisna decorated Radharani's hair.
|
 |
Samadhi further on the way.
|
 |
Narada-kund
About four hundred meters little off the road
south-east of Kusuma-sarovara is Narada-kund.
|
 |
After Narada Muni heard the glories of supreme
gopi-bhava from the mouth of Vrindadevi, a strong
desire to serve Radha and Krisna in the form of gopi
arose in his heart. He received a gopala-mantra from
Brahma and begin his sadhana-bhajana...
|
 |
...After performing worship for many yugas Yogamaya
Paurnamasi dipped Naradaji in Kusuma-sarovara and he
received a body of the gopi...
|
 |
...Thereafter he obtained the qualification to perform
seva of the Divine Couple...
|
 |
...Seeing Narada there in the form of a gopi, Sri
Krishna requested him to stay at Narada-vana and write
bhakti-sastras...
|
 |
...Although Narada had been cursed by Daksa not to be
able to stay in one place, Krisna informed Narada that
because Vrindavan-dhama is not a part of the material
world, the curse of Daksa would not apply here...
|
 |
..After another bath in Kusuma-sarovara, he changed back
to he male form and returned to this place, where he
wrote the famous treatise on devotional service known
as the Narada-bhakti-sutra.
|
 |
There is a small temple of Narada Muni with friendly
pujaris.
|
 |
Some say that Narada must have also instructed Prahlada
Maharaja here in the womb of his mother, since it is
said that he took her to his ashram and instructed
little Prahlada in her womb for some time. In any
other place it would not be possible for Narada to
stay for some time and it is concluded that he must have done
it here, in Vraja, where Daksa's curse had no effect.
|
 |
It is a highly beneficial to have darsan of this
Narada-kund.
|
 |
Syama-kutir and Ratna-simhasana
Situated in the forest of Syama-vana (black forest) there is a
very beautiful place known as Syama-kutir.
|
 |
This area is also known as Ratna-simhasana, because
there used to be a fabulous throne here, made entirely
from precious gems like diamonds, rubies and
sapphires. Srimati Radharani, the queen of Vraja, used
to sit on this Ratna-simhasana, surrounded by thousands
of Her girlfriends.
|
 |
Upon request, the friendly pujaris will show you the
small room inside the building that mark the actual
place of Ratna-simhasana.
|
 |
On the full moon day after Siva-caturdasi (Siva-ratri),
Sri Krisna and Sri Balarama were playing Holi with the
gopis using syringes to squirt each other with water
of many colors...
|
 |
...The sweet music and melodious ragas filled the air
and Srimati Radhika sat down on the nearby
Ratna-simhasana throne. At this time servant of Kuvera
named Sankhacuda, who considered Bhagavan Sri Krisna
to be an ordinary human being, tried to abduct these
extremely beautiful gopis...
|
 |
...In voices of distress, they started to call out:
"Krisna, Krisna". Sri Krisna ran to the call of the
gopis with great speed and killed Sankhacuda with His
fist...
|
 |
...He took the jewel from the demon's forehead and gave
it to Sri Balarama, who sent it to Srimati Radharani
through Dhanistha...
|
 |
...Ratna-kund (lake) is said to mark the spot
where the demon Sankhacuda (Sankhasura) carried off
Radharani, who was sitting on jeweled throne.
|
 |
Rasa-sthali
|
 |
The concrete circle with a seal on it is the place where
Krisna and gopis would dance.
|
 |
Syama-kutir is situated amidst thick clusters of
trees near Ratna-simhasana...
|
 |
...Here Sri Syamasundara smeared His body with
syama-colored musk, dressed Himself in syama-colored
clothes and ornaments and entered a syama-colored
nikunja...
|
 |
...Even the gopis were not able to recognize Him.
|
 |
Syama of course means "black" or "dark".
|
 |
It is really one of the most beautiful spots on
Govardhana-parikrama. Interestingly enough, the whole
area of rasa-dance pastimes is even today protected by
fence-like barrier of cactuses. This can be seen on
enlarged image behind the tree.
|
 |
A bhajani-sila,
which emits sweet sound when tapped, is nearby. |
 |
Syama-kutir also marks the spot where Govardhan Hill
first start to appear above the ground. From this
point on Govardhan Hill actually begins to rise until
it reaches its highest point just before Aniyor
village.
|
|
This place is famous, because the actual lotus
footprint of Lord Krisna is impressed upon one of
the rocks of Govardhan Hill.
|
 |
It is said that even the rock of Govardhan Hill began to
melt when Krisna played His flute...
|
 |
...and that is how this footprint came to be.
|
 |
Little further Govardhan is emerging even more from the
ground...
|
 |
...and beautiful cows and bulls reminds us of Krisna's
pastimes...
|
 |
...as we approach one of the many places near Govardhan
where cowherd boys used eat with Krisna.
|
 |
Gval-pokhara (Gopal-kund)
Gval or gowala means cowherd boy and pokhara means pool
or kund.
|
 |
After an early lunch at Gval-pokhara, Krisna would
manage to slip away from the company of the cowherd
boys and head off to Radha-kund where he would meet
with Srimati Radharani and the gopis.
|
|
The pilgrims on
the way... |
 |
...can see different ways of worship of Govardhan Hill.
Simple ones...
|
 |
...and of course more sophisticated ones
(govardhana-silas).
|
 |
On our way (further away on the left side of the
parikrama road and the places at the picture) we
can see Jugal-kund, where Nanda Maharaja and
the cowherd men would stay on their way from Gokula to
Nandagram and Kilola-kund (Kalenvana) where
Krisna would play ball with His cowherd friends and enjoy water
pastimes with the gopis. Passing by the ear of Govardhan we proceed
to the Govardhan town...
|
 |
Just as one
enters the town of Govardhan, on the right side
of the road, is beautiful palace built by the kings of
Bharatapura. |
 |
...At the side
of this palace it is the Panca-tirtha-kund, which
contains the water of five (panca) holy rivers:
Narmada, Gomati, Sarayu, Kanchi and Vetri... |
 |
...The Building
in front is known as the Bharatpur Raja's Chatri. |
 |
...it is
generally not open to the public. |
 |
Manasi-ganga
Mana means "mind" and Ganga refers to the Ganges River.
Krisna was once tending the cows with the cowherd boys. Demon Vatsasura
came in disguise as a calf and wanted to kill Krisna. Krisna however
was aware of him, took him by his hind legs, whipped him around
and threw him up into a tree... |
 |
...Because Krisna
killed a demon in the shape of a calf, the cowherd boys
asked Him to take bath in Ganga in order to purify
Himself. Not wanting to leave Vraja, Krisna informed
cowherd boys that He would call the river Ganges to
appear in Vraja. Krishna entered into meditation and Ganges manifested
in front of Him in the form of Manasi-ganga. |
 |
On another
occasion Nanda and Yasoda, hearing of the glories of the
Ganges river, had a desire to bathe in it. They heard
how Garuda captured a snake and on his way accidentally
touched his tail in Ganga's waters. The snake was
transformed into four armed form of Vaikuntha resident and amazed
Garuda took him right there... |
 |
...Seeing the arrangements made for the journey, Krisna
informed Nanda and Yasoda that there is no need to go
out of the Vraja, since all holy places are present
there...
|
 |
...When Krisna arrived with Nanda, Yasoda and others on
the shore of Manasi-ganga, Ganga-Mata personified
appeared from the water and offered prayers to the
Lord. When the inhabitants of Vrindavan saw Ganga,
they offered obeisances to her and took bath in her
waters.
|
 |
Many pastimes of Krisna and gopis took place on
Manasi-ganga and most famous is the one where Krisna
disguised as an old boatman made gopis to feed Him
with sweets and milk, massage His legs and arms to
continue rowing and finally throw all their pots,
jewels and bracelets to the water to prevent heavy boat from sinking...
|
 |
...When He suggested that the boat is still too heavy
and they should sacrifice their clothes and threw them
also in the water, the gopis refused, but when He
arranged for a storm and embraced Radharani for
protection, He was finally exposed.
|
 |
Chakra-tirtha, which was created by the
Sudarsana-chakra, is embedded in the northern bank of
Manasi-ganga.
|
 |
The temple of Chakaleswar Siva-linga is at
Manasi-ganga. It is one of the five presiding
Siva-lingas worshiped in Vrindavan.
|
 |
There are many
interesting places around Manasi-ganga. One of them is bhajan-kutir
of Sanatana Gosvami. Sanatana Gosvami would perform
Govardhana-parikrama as his daily vow... |
 |
... When Sanatana
was thinking about moving from this place because of
mosquitoes, Siva (Chakaleswar) disguised as a brahmana
came to told him that mosquitoes would no longer disturb
him. Even now this place is almost free from mosquitoes. |
 |
Deity of Nanda
Maharaja in nearby Temple... |
 |
Mukharavinda Temple
There are two silas in this temple. One sila is marked with the
outline of Krishna's crown (Mukut-sila)...
|
 |
... According to Bhaktisiddhanta Maharaja the other sila
is the mouth of Govardhan (Mukharavinda-sila).
Pilgrims pour a lot of milk every day to this
Govardhana-sila.
|
 |
Nearby Brahma-kundwas
formed by the water that was collected after Lord Brahma bathed
Lord Krishna. This is where Lord Brahma offered his prayers after
he took the cowherd boys away and hid them to test the power of
Krishna. It is located on the southern bank of Manasi-ganga. |
 |
Manasi-devi
Temple is located on the bank of Brahma-kund. Manasi-devi is the
presiding deity of Manasi-ganga, and one of the four
main goddesses of Vraja-dhama. The others are
Vrindadevi, in Kamavan; Yogamaya Devi in Vrindavan; and
Pataleswari Devi in Mathura. |
 |
The Harideva Temple, near Manasi-ganga, was
established by Krishna's great-grandson 4,800 years
ago. Harideva is one of the four presiding Deities of
Vrindavan. The temple is a two-minute walk from the
southern bank of Manasi-ganga. The temple was built by
King Bhagandas of Jaipur, whose son, Rajaman Singh, built the
Govindaji Temple in the sixteenth century during the reign of
Emperor Akbar. The original Deity of Harideva was moved to the
town of Rajdhani near Kanpur when Aurangzeb sent his soldiers
to destroy the Deities and temples of Vraja. But the Deity is
no longer in Rajdhani.
|
 |
One day Srimati Radharani and the gopis were waiting for
Krisna to come and meet them. As they were waiting,
the gopis started to feel intense separation from
Krisna and they began to chant: "Harideva, Harideva,
Harideva!" over and over again and their feeling
intensified to the point of almost giving up their
lives. Suddenly Krisna appeared in this beautiful Deity
form of seven-year-old boy holding Govardhan Hill in His left
hand and flute in the other. The ecstasy of Radharani and the
gopis knew no bounds. Since than Radharani and gopis would come
here every day and worshiped Govardhana-natha Harideva with many
offerings.
|
 |
„Mad with ecstatic love, the Lord came to the village
known as Govardhan. It was there that He saw the Deity
of Harideva and offered His obeisances...
...than He began to dance before the Deity. Hearing of
the Lord's wonderful activities, all people came to
see Him...”
Caitanya-caritamrita 18.17.20
|
 |
Sri Harideva is presiding Deity of Giriraj-Govardhan and
no Govardhana-parikrama is complete without His
darsan. Manasi-ganga is traditionally the starting and
ending point of the Govardhana-parikrama. Therefore
after bathing in Manasi-ganga and taking darsan of Harideva, we
went to the parikrama path and continued to the town through the
market...
|
 |
...where we bought few delicious samosas and sweets.
This shop is really famous for their savories and
sweets. Although we were very careful about not eating
and drinking in unknown places, we made exception
here.
|
 |
We have reached the crossing of Mathura road and the Laksmi-Narayana
Temple on our left. This is one of the 108 Divya Desam Temples
mentioned by the Alwars as being one of the most important temples
in India.
|
 |
Govardhan at Dana-gati.
|
 |
At Dana-gati, where once used to be just a
narrow pass used by gopis when they wanted to take
their milk products to the other side of Govardhan...
|
 |
...and Krisna
blocked their way and demanded a tax... |
 |
...we have also seen Baba doing dandavats around
Govardhan...
|
 |
...and manufacturing of tulasi japa beads.
|
 |
Than we have stayed for some time on the opposite side
near Radharani's footprints...
|
|
...listened to krsna-katha...
|
|
...from different speakers...
|
|
...and sang kirtans on our way.
|
 |
This beautiful property was formerly owned by Maharaja
Chattarpur from Madhya Pradesh...
|
 |
...who was
worshiping a beautiful Govardhana-sila in a small
shrine. When devotees moved in, they continued the
worship of this Deity. During digging of large hole for
the underground water tank, the devotees discovered a
Govardhana-sila that turned out to be exactly the same size and
shape as the existing Krisna-sila... |
 |
...this sila was
whitish in color and now it is worshiped as Balarama at
Krisna's side. |
 |
From the temple roof there is a good view of Dani-raja
Temple on the top of the Hill dedicated to Krisna's tax pastime...
|
 |
...The temple has
been abandoned and the priests have moved the worship to
a new temple of Dana-gati Giriraj Mandir at the crossing
of Mathura road... |
 |
...Since devotes
from gaudiya-vaisnava sampradaya never step on Govardhan
Hill as Sri Caitanya taught, the priests maybe wanted
Deity to move down to be visited by more devotees. Or
maybe there is some other reason... |
 |
Dana-gati (where Krisna's tax pastimes took place) is a
busy place, and therefore we will listen to the Krsna's
tax pastimes on our way to Danivartan-kund. Once
on the bank of Govinda-kund, Sri Bhaguri Risi was
performing yajna for the pleasure of Supreme Lord.
From the other side of Dana-gati, Srimati Radhika and Her
sakhis were bringing yogurt, milk, butter, rabadi and many other
kinds of milk-sweets...
|
|
...Krisna with Subala, Madhumangala and other boys
obstructed the path and forcibly demanded toll. Sakhas
and gopis began to taunt each other with sarcastic
remarks.
Krisna standing in tribanga form asked: "What are you carrying?"
"Milk, yogurt and butter for the yajna of Bhaguri Risi,"
gopis replied.
Madhumangala promptly said: "Quickly pay the dana (tax) and
move on..."
|
|
...Lalita, filled with sarcasm, asked, "What dana? We
have never paid any dana before."
But Krisna insisted: "You can pass only after paying dana."
Radharani replied: "Since when you have become dani here?
Did you inherited this place from your father?"
"Don't be so insolent! I am Vrindavanesvara, the ruler of
Vrindavan!"
"How is that?"
|
|
"Vrinda is My wedded wife. The property of the wife is
also property of the husband. Vrindavan is the kingdom
of Vrindadevi, therefore it is My kingdom as well."
"Accha?" Lalita answered haughtily. "We have never
heard anything about this. Let us see what Vrindadevi says."
She turned towards Vrindadevi and smilingly asked: "Vrinde!
Is this 'black one' your husband?"
|
 |
Vrinda replied: "Never! I have never seen this guy. This
is my kingdom and I have handled it to Vrindavanesvari Srimati
Radhika."
All the sakhis burst out laughing and Sri Krisna became embarrassed.
But He still demanded dana to be paid. After this prema-kalaha,
or love quarrel, the gopis exchanged dan of prema at Danivartan-kund.
|
 |
Danivartan-kund
(Dana-nivartana-kunda)
Once when Radharani and Her girlfriends were at
Radha-kund, one of the Radharani's pet parrots
informed Her of a great sacrifice being conducted at
Govinda-kund. Taking bath and dressing very nicely,
Radharani and all Her girlfriends left Govinda-kund, carrying
golden pots of milk products on their heads...
|
 |
...Meanwhile, Krisna's pet parrot told Him, that Srimati
Radharani was proceeding towards Govinda-kund along
with Her girlfriends. When Radharani and the gopis
arrived, Krisna challenged them to stop and pay the
tax: "You are regularly using this pathway to sell
your milk products but you never ever pay the tax!"
|
|
...He told Radharani that each of Her assistants must
pay a handful of diamond as a tax and by His clever
use of words the argument turned erotic, suggesting
that Radharani must pay extra tax for all the
beautiful parts of her body.
Radharani became angry and walked away, but Krisna forcibly stopped
Her...
|
 |
...He told Radharani that She could go, but Lalita must
stay as a hostage to make sure they would return to
pay tax. Lalita in furry threatened them by calling
mother Yasoda and Radharani's mother in law Jatila.
Finally Nandimukhi, Radharani's close companion,
convinced Krisna to release Radharani, because Her reputation
as a chaste lady would be ruined and assured Him, that gopis would
return next day to this kund to pay tax in full...
|
 |
...However, the gopis were feeling very angry at Krisna
for threatening them in this way. Next day, Lalita,
Visakha and hundreds of gopis hid themselves around
this lake. When Krisna arrived with a few cowherd
boys, the gopis pounced at them, beat them, tied them
up to the tree and humiliated them in various ways...
|
 |
...Lalita than demanded that Krisna pay tax to Srimati
Radharani, the queen of Vrindavan, because His cows
were eating the grass of Her forests. Lalita than
brought Radhika and forced Krisna to bow down to Her
lotus feet, ask forgiveness and accept Her as the
queen of Vrindavan. So this is the lake (kund) where tax
(dani) have been returned (nivartana).
|
 |
The various tax
pastimes went on almost daily because due to the
influence of Yogamaya, the gopis would forget the
previous days episode. They are described in
Dana-keli-cintamani by Raghunath das Gosvami, Dana-keli-kamudhi
by Sanatan Gosvami and other vaisnava literature. |
 |
"When Sri Caitanya saw Govardhana Hill, He immediately
offered obeisances, falling down on the ground like
the rod. He embraced one piece of the rock from
Govardhana Hill and become mad. Just by seeing
Govardhan hill Sri Caitanya became ecstatic with love
for Krisna. While dancing and dancing, He recited the verse from
the Srimad-Bhagavatam..."
Caitanya-caritamrita
|
 |
Govardhana-lila
Once on seeing His father, Nanda Baba, and all the inhabitants
of Vrindavan collecting various items for the annual Indra-puja,
Sri Krisna convinced them to stop and worship Govardhana Hill
instead. Krisna explained that Govardhan provides them with everything
they need for living and by worshiping this sacred hill all good
fortune would automatically come to them...
|
 |
...Following
Krisna's advice, brajavasis cooked thousands of
wonderful preparations and placed them here, in area
between Danivartan-kund and Aniyor village. There
were literally thousands of hills made of samosas, kacoris,
rice, halva, puris, sweetballs, lakes of subjis, sweet rice and
innumerable other preparations for the pleasure of Govardhan Hill...
|
 |
...When puja was to began , Krisna suddenly expanded
Himself into gigantic body of Giriraj. He declared
that He is Govardhan Himself and started to eat all
the preparations made by brajavasis. He dunked the
water from various kundas and still unsatisfied
started to call: "Aniyor! Aniyor! (Bring me more! Bring me
more!)" The village near Sankarsana-kund is until now called Aniyor...
|
 |
...Gigantic
Govardhan finished all that was prepared and still
unsatisfied called: "Aniyor! Aniyor!" Brajavasis became
little worried: "We are poor villagers, whatever we had,
we have presented before you! Please be satisfied with
that."
"Aniyor! Aniyor!"
Than somebody suggested, that the Supreme Lord will be satisfied
with tulasi leaves and water form the Ganges... |
 |
...They gave him
tulasi leaves and when He dunked Manasi-ganga,
Kusuma-sarovara and other kundas, He finally exclaimed:
"Tripto 'smi! Tripto 'smi! (Now I am satisfied! Now I am
satisfied!)" and wiped His hands and mouth with his
cloth. He told brajavasis to ask for a boon. They
requested for only one: "May this lala of ours always remain
happy and live a very long life." By "lala" they of
course meant non other than Sri Krisna... |
 |
...When the four handed form of Giriraj disappeared,
Krisna told brajavasis: "Did you ever had a darsan of
Lord Indra? And Giriraj is very kind, He came
personally to see you. He fulfills everyone's
desires." After Govardhana-puja all the brajavasis
became very satisfied and felt that their lives were successful.
Nanda Maharaja called brahmanas to perform huge yajna (sacrifice)
and all the demigods attended. All except Indra...
|
 |
...Indra felt insulted and thought how to teach a lesson
to those cowherds. Under the influence of false pride
he became enraged and sent samvartaka clouds to
Vrindavan. Samvartaka are the clouds that are used at
the end of each kalpa to destroy the whole cosmic
manifestation. Torrents of rain, thunder, lighting and sever wind
attacked Vrindavan and created a havoc...
|
 |
...Terrified brajavasis approached Sri Krisna for
protection. With his left hand Krisna lifted Govardhan
Hill and held it like an umbrella over the whole
Vrindavan. For seven days they remained sheltered by
Govardhan and they were simply astonished how Krisna
may had lifted the whole mountain as easy as child lifts the mushroom...
|
 |
...When Indra saw that a small little boy holds the
whole hill on the little finger of His left hand, he
was baffled by His mystic power and called the clouds
back. The rain stopped, sky was cleared and Krisna
asked the brajavasis to return to their homes. Than He
gently placed Govardhan at the place where it was before. Nanda
Baba, mother Yasoda and boys embraced Krisna and gopis began to
sing beautiful songs about Him...
|
|
...Indra realized his mistake and went to his guru for
advice. "This is serious offence, I cannot help you!
But you may try to see Lord Brahma and ask him for a
Surabhi cow. Krisna is very fond of the cows and
Surabhi may persuade Him to forgive you." Indra rushed
to Brahmaloka and got the Surabhi from Lord Brahma.
Than he came and pleaded Krisna for forgiveness.
Krisna stood there, looking at Indra and Indra didn't know, if
he is being forgiven...
|
 |
...Airavata, Indra's elephant, made abhisek of Krisna
with the water of celestial Ganga he brought in his
trunk, Surabhi poured over Him his milk and offered to
him beautiful prayers. The water from this bathing
ceremony created the famous Govinda-kund. Than
all the demigods came and together they performed puja with
golden paraphernalia, jewels and other precious items...
|
 |
...Lord Brahma coroneted Krisna with golden crown and
declared Him to be the real Indra (the king) of all
the demigods and living beings. Than the demigods
departed. After getting all the calves together,
brajavasis returned to Krisna and saw all those golden
paraphernalia. They wondered where all those things came from.
Nanda Baba became somewhat worried: "I only hope that Krisna
didn't steel it somewhere, in some temple. We know he was stealing
butter as a small child..."
|
 |
…But Krisna's fatty brahmana friend Madhumangala told
them: "Do not worry. When everybody run away I could
not. You know I am not so quick. I could not run and I
have seen what happened. "First cow came and started
to talk to Krisna, than elephant with Ganges water.
After while a guy with four head came and started to worship
Krisna with all of those golden things. Then another one came...
|
 |
...He was far out! He had eyes all over his body, and
than the one with snakes came, all this far out people
came and started to worship Krisna. And after they
bathed Krisna, they left just shortly before you came."
Krisna's boyfriends didn't know what to think about this funny
brahmana boy, but they stopped worrying, picked up those camaras,
ghee lamps, conshells and umbrellas, had Krisna seated on the
throne and spontaneously started to worship Him like that...
|
 |
...Krisna began
to smile, enjoying their company. Demigods watching the
scene and seeing Krisna's beaming smile were struck with
wonder, since during their worship, Krisna just
officially stood and didn't show much concern. Suddenly
the voice from the sky announced: "Nanda Maharaja, you should
now coronate your son as the King of the cows and the King of Vraja..." |
 |
...Nanda Baba then coroneted Him with all the
inhabitants of Vrindavan saying: "Krisna, You are our
protector and You have protected the cows of
Vrindavan. Therefore, we will call you Govinda".
Before Krisna was Gopal (a small cowherd boy) and how,
He became Govinda (one who gives pleasure to the cows).
Thus Nanda Baba coroneted Krisna and gave him the name Govinda.
|
 |
In memory of Nanda Maharaja's Annakut ceremony,
devotees in the temples and in their homes celebrate
Govardhan-puja by making Govardhan Hill out of halva. They
circumambulate it and hear about Krisna's Govardhan
pastimes. The Govardhan made of halva may be huge as
this one or small in case of home celebration.
|
 |
Surabhi-vana
Surabhi-vana used to be a large forest surrounding Govinda-kund.
Surabhi cows were grazing here on the fresh grass.
|
 |
Near Surabhi-vana there is a very old temple of
Madan-mohan, where the cowherds bring their herds
to rest.
|
 |
Bhajan-kutir of Madhavendra Puri
is on the bank of Govinda-kund.
"Once, Sri Madhavendra Puri traveled to Vrindavan, where
he came upon the hill known as Govardhan. Madhavendra Puri was
almost mad in his ecstasy of love of Godhead, and he did not know
whether it was day or night. Sometimes he stood up, and sometimes
he fell to the ground. He could not discriminate whether he was
in a proper place or not. After circumambulating the hill, Madhavendra
Puri went to Govinda-kund and took his bath...
|
 |
...He then sat beneath a tree to take his evening rest.
While he was sitting beneath a tree, an unknown
cowherd boy came with a pot of milk, placed it before
Madhavendra Puri, and, smiling, addressed Him as
follows. "Please drink the milk I have brought. Why
don't you beg some food to eat? What kind of meditation are
you undergoing?" When he saw the beauty of that boy, Madhavendra
Puri became very satisfied. Hearing His sweet words, he forgot
all hunger and thirst...
|
 |
...Madhavendra Puri said: "Who are You? Where do You
reside? And how did You know that I was fasting?" The
boy replied: "Sir, I am a cowherd boy, and I reside in
this village. In My village, no one fasts. "In this
village a person can beg food from others and thus
eat. Some people drink only milk, but if a person does
not ask anyone for food, I supply him all his
eatables. "The women who come here to take water saw you,
and they supplied Me with this milk and sent Me to you."
The boy continued: "I must go very soon to milk the cows,
but I shall return and take back this milk pot from you."
Saying this, the boy left the place...
|
 |
...Indeed, He
suddenly could be seen no more, and Madhavendra Puri's
heart was filled with wonder. After drinking the milk,
Madhavendra Puri washed the pot and put it aside. He
looked toward the path, but the boy never returned.
Madhavendra Puri could not sleep. He sat and chanted the Hare Krsna
maha-mantra, and at the end of the night he dozed a little, and
his external activities stopped. In a dream Madhavendra Puri saw
the very same boy. The boy came before him and, holding his hand,
took him to a bush in the jungle. The boy showed Madhavendra Puri
the bush and said: "I reside in this bush, and because of this
I suffer very much from severe cold, rain showers, winds and scorching
heat... |
 |
..."Please bring
the people of the village and get them to take Me out of
this bush. Then have them situate Me nicely on top of
the hill. "Please construct a temple on top of that
hill," the boy continued, "and install Me in that
temple. After this, wash Me with large quantities of
cold water so that My body may be cleansed. "For many
days I have been observing you, and I have been wondering,
`When will Madhavendra Puri come here to serve Me?'... |
 |
..."I have
accepted your service due to your ecstatic love for Me.
Thus I shall appear, and by My audience all fallen souls
will be delivered. "My name is Gopala. I am the lifter
of Govardhan Hill. I was installed by Vajra, and here I
am the authority. "When the Mohammedans attacked, the
priest who was serving Me hid Me in this bush in the
jungle. Then he ran away out of fear of the attack. "Since
the priest went away, I have been staying in this bush... |
 |
...It is very
good that you have come here. Now just remove Me with
care." After saying this, the boy disappeared. Then
Madhavendra Puri woke up and began to consider his
dream. Madhavendra Puri began to lament: "I saw Lord
Krisna directly, but I could not recognize Him!" Thus he
fell down on the ground in ecstatic love. Madhavendra Puri cried
for some time, but then he fixed his mind on executing the order
of Gopala. Thus he became tranquil."
Caitanya-caritamrita, Madhya 4.21-46 |
 |
Gopala-prakata sthali
(Sringara sthali)
This is the actual spot where Srila Madhavendra Puri discovered
the beautiful Gopala Deity now known as Sri Nathji. The Deity
of Gopal was originally installed by Vajranabha 4800 years ago
and it is very special and beautiful...
|
 |
...After Madhavendra Puri left Vrindavan, two brahmanas
from Bengal served the Deity. After time had passed,
Raghunath das Gosvami saw that there was a need to
find a devotee to serve Gopala. He gave it to
Vitthala, the son of Vallabhacarya.
Inside Gopala-prakata-sthali.
|
 |
Bhajani-sila behind Gopala-prakata-sthali makes
different sounds when tapped on different places.
|
 |
Due to the fear of invaders, Sri Nathji was taken to
Nathdwar by Ranaraj Singh of Mewar, in 17th century.
Nathji Temple in Nathdwar is said to be the second
riches temple in India, after the Balaji temple in
Tirupati. The original temple where Madhavendra Puri
worshipped Sri Gopala is on the top of the Govardhan Hill. It
is called Gopal Raj Temple (the white building above
Sankarsana-kund on the picture). Presently, there is a
Govardhana-sila worshipped in the temple.
|
 |
Aniyor
In the ancient village of Aniyor we can see the Temple of Lord
Balarama (Dauji) also known as Sankarsana Mandir. The Deity
was installed by Vajranabha...
|
 |
...Deity is from the black stone and next to Him is
smaller Krisna, His younger brother...
|
 |
...When Aurangzeb sent his troops to destroy Vrindavan's
temples, this Deity was hidden in nearby Sankarsana-kund.
It is said in Adi-purana that one who takes bath in
Sankarsana-kund is freed from the sin of killing the
cow.
|
 |
Indra-tila is a small hill at the side of
Govinda-kund where Lord Indra, Brahma and other
demigods stood during Krisna's abhisek. The hill is
surrounded by many buildings and it is very small now.
|
 |
In temple next to Madhavendra's bhajan-kutir on the
Govinda-kund there is self manifested pratibhu-murti
of Lord Gopala. The worship is managed by Gosvamis of
Govindaji Mandir from Jaipur.
|
 |
Radha-Govinda Mandir
The Deity of Sri Govindadev in this temple on the banks of Govinda-kund
was originally installed by Vajranabha 5000 years ago.
Nipa-kund
Just behind Radha-Govinda Mandir there is small lake called Nipa-kund.
There used to by many kadamba trees on the banks of this kund.
Many of their leaves were in the shape of cups. Krisna and the
cowherd boys used to take lunch here on the banks of this kund
and use the leaves of kadamba trees as cups...
|
 |
...Once gopis
were passing this way and Krisna blocked their way
demanding tax. Gopis wanted to go on and threatened
Krisna to tell king Kamsa about it. Krisna replied He
was not afraid of Kamsa and He would kill him and threw
his dead body on Govardhan Hill. Gopis laughed and leaving their
pots with milk on the ground, returned home. Krisna then fed the
boys with butter and yogurt. |
 |
Doka-dauji Temple. Dauji means "elder brother".
Once Balarama, Krisna's elder brother, was so intently looking
at Krisna's movements during rasa-lila, that He turned blackish
and the Deity became known as Doka, "staring", Dauji...
|
 |
... On the left side there is an impression of Lord
Balarama's crown (mukut) on a rock known as
Balarama-mukut-sila.
|
 |
On
the left side of the parikrama-road are many interesting place like
Parasauli and Sringara Mandir on the way to Punchari. On the left side
of the parikrama road near Sankarsana-kund there is Gauri-kund,
where there used to be a Temple of Goddess Gauri, Siva's wife.
Vidagdha-madhava-nataka describe an amusing pastime that took place
here...
|
 |
...One day Abhimanyu, the husband of Radharani, decided
to bring Her to Mathura to keep Her away form Krisna.
He went to Paurnamasi and asked Her for Her blessing
to do so. She told him that whatever he had heard were
just rumors. She convinced Abhimanyu not to go to
Mathura and return home. Abhimanyu then requested Paurnamasi
to have Radharani start worshipping Gauridevi...
|
|
His mother, Jatila, had told him, that Candravali had
started worshiping Gauridevi and her husband
Govardhana-malla had become very rich. Radharani
immediately left for the Gauridevi Temple, but Krisna
came and blocked Her path. After a long argument Radha
chastised Krisna and went to pick flowers for Gauridevi. Meanwhile
Abhimanyu heard that Radha and Krisna were together at Gauri-kund.
With his mother Jatila he left there, hoping to catch Radha and
Krisna together. Krisna then went to the Temple and dressed up
like Goddess Gauri, and stood in front of the deity. Radharani
entered the temple and began to worship Goddess...
|
 |
...Abhimanyu came rushing into the temple. Gauridevi
(actually Krisna) then told Abhimanyu that there is a
great danger awaiting him. Full of fear Abhimanyu
asked the Goddess what the disaster is and she pointed
to Vrindadevi to explain it. Vrindadevi then told him
that Kamsa plans to cut off his head in two days and
offer it to Lord Siva. Radharani then begged Gauridevi to save
him. Goddess told Radharani that the benediction She is asking
for is not possible to get from her...
|
 |
...Radharani pleaded saying that She could not live
without Her swami (lord). Gauri said that she would
help him if Radharani promised that She would never
leave Vraja and would always render service to her.
Abhimanyu promised Gauridevi that he would never take
Radharani away form Vraja and that She would always serve
her faithfully. Jatila then praised Radharani having saved Abhimanyu's
life.
|
 |
About 2 km away from our way on the left side of Aniyor
village we were passing Parasauli. Parasauli
is a place where the vasanti rasa-lila of Krisna and
His beloved gopis took place. This rasa-dance
continued for an entire night of Brahmaji, but it
seemed that it was over in only a few moments. The moon in
the sky have become stunned upon seeing the dance and was unable
to move the whole night. Therefore this place is also called
Candra-sarovara ("Lake of the Moon").
|
 |
In the western
corner of the sarovara is Sringara Mandira,
where Krisna personally decorated Radharani. Suradas-kuti
and samadhi are situated also in this area. Suradas was a
natural poet. He was blind, yet he would compose poems
with sweet beautiful descriptions of the different
srngaras or outfits of Sri Nathji Deity... |
 |
One day pujari did not dress Sri Nathji at all and Deity
remained completely naked. He opened the doors of the
altar and asked Suradas to compose a poem describing
Deity's sringara. Suradas remained silent for some
time and than laughed loudly and to everyone's
amazement sang: "Aj bhaya hari nangam naga (Today
Sri Hari remained undressed and naked...)"
|
 |
Since we went on Govardhana-parikrama shortly after the
monsoon ended, the water blocked our way at
Apsara-vana...
|
|
...but one helpful village boy helped us to find a way
to Apsara-kund and Nava-kund.
|
 |
Punchari - the tail of Govardhan (this time
without water)
|
 |
Nava-kund (Navala-kund)
Navala means "young" or "ever youthful" and this lake
received its name after ever-youthful Sri Krisna. Once
Radha and Krisna were absorbed in ecstasy of the rasa dance and
than Krisna looked at the beautiful Radharani and simply melted
into this lake. Radharani than looked at tribanga-lalita form
of Krisna and melted into Apsara-kund. The waters of these two
kundas are simply melted forms of Radha-Krisna prema.
|
 |
This kund is sometimes called Punchari-kund, since it is
directly at the Punchari (tail) of Govardhan Hill.
|
 |
Narasimha Mandir
Near the banks of Nava-kund is a temple with the black stone Deity
of Nrsimhadev...
|
 |
...Upon request, the pujari may lift the Deity's
dress to reveal Hiranyakasipu being ripped. Prahlada
Maharaja is standing nearby...
|
 |
...From the top of Narasimha Mandir one can get
wonderful view of Apsara-vana, a forest surrounding
the tail of Govardhan from the side of Govinda-kund.
|
 |
Apsara-kund
When the demigods came bath Lord Krisna, 108 kundas
were created by the water form His abhisek.
Apsara-kund was created when the seven main Apsaras
(heavenly dancing girls) came to perform their abhisek
of Lord Krisna.
|
 |
Srimati Radharani is extremely beautiful apsara or
transcendental damsel and Apsara-kund received its
name after Her. Eternally youthful Nandanandana is
right next to Her in the form of Navala-kund.
|
 |
On the bank of Apsara-kund there is Apsara-bihari
Temple, Dauji Temple and small Apsara-isvara
(Siva-linga) shrine.
|
 |
It is said that twenty four main incarnations of Lord
Visnu eternally
perform their pastimes on the bank of this kund. Krisna used to
come here and for the pleasure of His boyfriends He manifested
some of these forms and enjoy His pastimes...
|
 |
...Once He manifested
twelve-armed Visnu form in front of the gopis and Subal took form
of Garuda. On another occasion He became Varaha and started to
dig the Earth. Than He became Ramacandra and cowherd boy became
monkeys.
|
 |
Punchari-ka Lautha Baba
(Puncarika-lata Baba)
Lautha Baba is one of the Krisna's cowherd boys. One day he cooked
nice meal for Krisna and Balarama. Suddenly, Krisna passed by
on Akrura's chariot heading to Mathura. Lautha invited Krisna
and Balarama for this meal, but Krisna replied: "I am just
coming", with the promise that He would return the very next
day...
|
 |
... Since this time Lautha Baba is sitting in this very
same spot facing the road and eagerly waiting for
Krisna and Balarama to return. He is not eating
anything and he waits for Krisna to start eating
together. The Deity looks like Hanuman at first glance
and in fact Lautha Baba is considered nondifferent from Hanuman.
|
 |
Sutala-vana and Kadamba-vana
Sutala-vana is another rasa-sthali, a place where rasa-lila took
place. At the time of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, there used to
be whole forest of kadamba trees. In 1992 some of them were already
half-dry.
|
 |
Kadamba represents Radharani because of its wonderful
flowers. One of Radharani's names is Gandharvika,
because She is the source of all kinds of beautiful
scents. The enchanting fragrances of Her body resemble
that of kadamba and any time Krisna sees and smells
kadamba flowers, He is reminded of Radharani.
|
 |
Tamala tree with its dark colored bark represent
Krisna. Gopis in their mood of separation sometimes
embrace tamal trees saying: "Oh, it is Krisna! He has
come!" And sometimes Krisna stands there as He would
be a tamal tree and Radharani would talk to Him in Her
mood of separation mistaken Him to be a tamal tree.
|
 |
All around Vraja, there are many kadamba and tamal trees
standing side by side - tamal and kadamba - and
brajavasis bow down to them and worship them as Radha
and Krisna.
|
 |
Some of the trees may be over 5000 years old and they
have personally witnessed Krisna's manifested
pastimes. We can pray to them to be able to see the
Krisna's pastimes as they did.
|
 |
Raghava Pandit's Cave
(Mani-kandali Cave)
In this cave Radha and Krisna used to meet and enjoy their intimate
pastimes together. Raghava Pandit, an associate of Mahaprabhu,
used this cave as his bhajan-kutir to perform his nirjana-bhajana
(secluded bhajana).
|
 |
Raghava Pandit always lived at Govardhan and Srila Rupa
Gosvami arranged for Srinivasa Acarya and Narottama
Thakur to go on Vraja-mandala parikrama with Raghava
Pandit.
Inside his bhajan-kutir cave.
|
 |
Than the parikrama road continues on the opposite side
of the Govardhan Hill...
|
 |
...and on our way listen to some more Krisna-katha...
|
 |
Sanatana Gosvami used to perform parikrama of
Govardhan every day, even in his old age. Once, while
doing parikrama in the summer heat, the soil under his
feet was burning hot and there was not shade to be
found. Suddenly, a cowherd boy came and held a yellow
shawl over Sanatana to give him shade. With the other
corner of the shawl, He started fanning Gosvamiji's face...
|
 |
...His whole body became cool by the touch of that boy,
who said to him: "Baba, in this old age, there is no
need for you to perform parikrama of Govardhan and
undergo so much hardship." Sanatana replied that he
could not give it up as it is a part of his daily
vows...
|
 |
...Seeing that Sanatana was determined to continue, the
boy brought a rock from Govardhan Hill marked with
stick and the lotus feet of Krisna and gave it to
Sanatana: "Take this Govardhana-sila, perform
parikrama of this sila for seven times and you will receive
the same benefit as doing whole Govardhana-parikrama..."
|
 |
...Saying this the boy gave the sila to Sanatana and
disappeared. The boy was no other than Giridhari, the
lifter of Govardhan. Sanatana's sila used to reside in
Radha-Damodara Temple in Vrindavan, but nowadays it is
in the Radha-Damodara Temple in Jaipur.
|
 |
The pratibhu-vigraha of this sila is present in
Radha-Damodara Mandir in Vrindavan. One can easily
receive the results of performing Govardhana-parikrama
by circumambulating the sila or whole Radha-Damodara
Mandir four times.
|
 |
On our right side there is Indra-puja shrine on
the Govardhan Hill and Airavata's footprint
impressed upon the rock right next to it. Krisna was
walking on Govardhan Hill seeing the damage caused to
Vrindavan created by Indra's torrents of rain...
|
 |
...On seeing Krisna, Indra fell down and offered
obeisances at this place. He shed so many tears, that
they created a lake called Indra-kund on the
opposite side of parikrama path.
|
 |
Doka-dauji Temple can be seen from the both sides
of the Hill.
|
 |
Surabhi-kund
This kund, filled with sweet water lies on the left side of the
parikram path.
It was created by heavenly Surabhi cow, brought by Indra from
Brahmaloka, to pacify Krisna after Indra realized his mistake....
|
 |
...Surabhi came forward to Krisna with the milk in her
udder and requested Krisna to forgive Indra. Only then
Krisna was appeased...
|
 |
...Later out of greed to have darsan of Sri Krisna's
lila, Surabhi resided at this place for the duration
of Krisna's manifest vraja-lila. Maharaja Vajranabha
built this Surabhi-kund in her memory...
|
 |
...Similarly as Indra was forgiven, by taking bath and
performing acaman at Surabhi-kund, all ones aparadhas
(offences) are forgiven by taking bath here...
|
|
...and Vraja-sevika simply cannot miss such an
opportunity…
|
 |
Surabhi-kund was recently nicely repaired.
|
 |
Kadamba-vana...
|
 |
...with the cows resting in shadow.
|
 |
Thereafter we are passing along Rudra-kund on our
left side little futher away from the road. Here
Mahadeva (Siva) became so absorbed in meditation on
Krisna's lilas, that he began to weep...
|
 |
...Rudana means "tears" and this kund is sometimes
called Rudana-kund, since it was created by Rudra's tears.
|
 |
Siva Temple at this place is called Bole Baba Mandir.
|
 |
Siva-linga in the shrine.
|
 |
There is also greater lake at this place surrounding
Rudra-kund named after one of Krisna's friends called Hariju-kund.
It is said that here Radha and Krisna enjoy bathing together.
|
 |
Nearby there is Airavata-kund created by Indra's
elephant Airavata, who brought water of celestial
Ganga in his trunk and stored it here for the bathing
ceremony of Sri Krisna at Govinda-kund.
|
 |
Just before Jatipur there are plenty of samadhis.
|
 |
Jatipur is named after Madhavendra Puri, who was
sannyasi (yati or jati) and who used to reside here.
It was here at Jatipur that he performed abhisek and
annakuta festival for Sri Nathji.
|
 |
Mukharavinda
Here is another Mukharavinda or lotus mouth of Govardhan. This
particular Mukharavinda is accepted by the Vallabha-sampradaya
who manage the temple of Gopalaji. The same sampradaya is also
looking after the original Gopala Deity known as Sri Nathji at
Nathdwar in Rajasthan...
|
 |
...Six Gosvamis had very good relationships with Sri
Vitthalacarya, the son of Vallabhacarya and they have
entrusted the responsibility of the seva to the sons
of Sri Vallabhacarya...
|
 |
...Vitthalanatha's samadhi and Vallabhacarya's bhaitaka
(sitting place) are nearby.
|
 |
Dandavat-sila It is said that anyone who
circumambulate this Govardhana-sila for seven times
and offers full dandavats will be relieved of all
offences that may have been committed during
parikrama...
|
 |
...It is also said that the priests who serve in the
temples on top of the Govardhan Hill come here to rid
themselves of offences they may have committed for
having climbed on the sacred hill. Since we have
unintentionally stepped on many stones around Govardhan
on our way we had happily circumambulated the sila.
|
 |
Vilachu-kund
On our left side further away from the road we have just passed
by Vilachu-kund. Once Srimati Radharani lost Her anklebell here...
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...She was searching for it when Krisna suddenly
appeared and asked Her jokingly, if She was looking
for His flute that had been lost. Radharani asked
Krisna not to joke, but to help Her find the lost
anklet...
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...Krisna persisted in joking and Radharani became
angry. In order to pacify Her, Krisna started to dig
up the earth with his bare hands. To Radharani's
amazement He dug up all types of anklebells, some
gold, some silver, besides all kinds of priceless gems...
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...Krisna than smiled an asked Radharani which one
belonged to Her. Feeling great happiness, Radha and
Krisna embraced one another.
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Beautiful tamal and kadamba on the bank of Vilachu-kund.
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To get to the Vilachu-kund one has to go from the
parikram road into the fields...
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Just between this place...
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...and ancient Laksmi-Narayan Temple.
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As we are
approaching Govardhan town... |
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...Giriraj again disappears from our sight.
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After going through Govardhan town for the second time
we can see Manasi-ganga, this time from the
other side of parikrama road.
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On the opposite side of Manasi-ganga we are passing on
our left side by Sakhi-sthali (Kadamba-khandi),
where Candravali used to live with her 64 sakhis.
Within this village is a lake known as Lilavati-kund
(Sakhi-kund), which was dug by the girlfriends of
Candravali. There is always transcendental competition going
on between Radharani and Candravali to gain Krisna's attention.
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Out of all gopis, eight (asta-sakhis) are
prominent. Out of them, two are even more prominent:
Radharani and Candravali and out of them Radharani is
the most prominent and dearly beloved by Sri Krisna.
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Srila Rupa Gosvami has explained that Candravali expands
herself to became Rukmini in the Dvaraka-lila and
gopis headed by Candravali expand themselves to become
the queens headed by Rukmini.
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To ordinary people, this competition of gopis is most
confusing. One day a brajavasi came to Raghunath das
Gosvami who was doing his bhajana on the banks of
Radha-kund and brought him some buttermilk. Raghunath
asked him from where he had got it and brajavasi joyfully
said: "I brought it form Sakhi-sthali." Hearing this
Raghunath angrily ordered brajavasi to leave...
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...Brajavasi could not understand Raghunatha's mood and
fled. Raghunath das Gosvami is an intimate maidservant
in Srimati Radharani's own group (svapaksa) and
just hearing about the place of Candravali
(Radharani's rival) made him act in this way.
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Uddhava-kund
This kund is situated exactly west of Kusuma-sarovara. Skanda-purana
quoted in Srimad-Bhagavatam Mahatmya, gives a very interesting
description of this place. Vajranabha Maharaja manifested Uddhava-kund
under the guidance of Sandilya and other risis. Uddhava always
resides here as a grass and shrubs in order to be sprinkled by
the foot-dust of gopis.
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After the disappearance of Lord Krisna, His queens in
Dvaraka were greatly afflicted by sorrow. Once,
Vajranabha came here with them and together they
performed a very loud snakirtana. In that
maha-sankirtana, all the parikaras (associates) of Krisna started
to appear one by one. All of them joined the kirtan and Arjuna
began to dance and play mridanga...
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...Suddenly, maha-bhagavata Uddhava emerged from the
grass and he also became immersed in dancing. How
could Krisna now remain behind when this
maha-sankirtana was taking place? Krisna along with
Radharani and other sakhis appeared and after some time again
disappeared. Uddhava thus pacified the queens at this place.
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The Deities in the temple at Uddhava-kund are believed
to have been installed five thousands years ago by
Vajranabha.
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On the horizon we
can see the towers of Kusuma-sarovara's monuments on the
opposite side of Govardhana-parikrama road, indicating
that we are getting close to the end of our parikrama. |
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Pilgrims performing parikrama proceed along the path
until they arrive at Sri Radha-kund, where our journey
around Govardhan Hill ends.
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"Jaya Radha-Madhava, kunja bihari,
Gopijana-vallabha girivara-dhari..."
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Radha-kund is the most dear place of Radharani, because
it is here, in the groves surrounding Her sacred
bathing pool, that She enjoys the most intimate loving
exchanges with Sri Krisna.
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Syama-kund
(further away) and Radha-kund are eyes of the Govardhan Hill.
Krisnadas Kaviraj Gosvami has mentioned that anyone who
under the guidance of gopis bathes in the sacred waters
of Radha-kund even once in his life, will be blessed by
Lord Krisna to achieve the same mood of ecstatic love as
that of Srimati Radharani. In order to actually enter
Radha-kund, one must be above the bodily concept and completely
free from all offences. |
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No frivolous splashing in the sacred waters, no material
consciousness. Sometimes it may be better to take only
three drops on ones head since that is as good as
taking bath. Some of the residents of Radha-kund can
be seen sitting by the water and with the help of lota
(cup) taking its water and pouring it on themselves, not
daring to touch the sacred kund with their feet.
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Radha-kund is considered liquid form (prema svarupa)
of Srimati Radharani. To achieve the actual darsan of
Radha-kund is exactly the same as having darsan of
Srimati Radharani Herself.
The places and pastimes of Radha-kund are described in
separate article. And it is definitively worth to read
it...
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"This attractive place is surrounded by various kinds of
trees - kadambas, rows of campakas, excellent new asokas, numerous
mango trees, punnagas, bakulas, lavangas and malati creepers.
It is the best of all places, where the two ponds of Radha and
Madhava meet along one edge. May I find shelter here, at the favorite
place of the two lover's pleasure pastimes."
(Vraja-vilasa-stava 52,
Raghunath das Gosvami)
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"May very fragrant Radha-kund, on the shore of which, in
a pleasant courtyard Queen Radha and Her friends sweetly joke
with Lord Krishna, the moon of Vraja, be my shelter."
(Raghunath das Gosvami)
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"May very fragrant Radha-kund, where the passionate
divine couple daily plays with Their passionate
friends in the charming lotus scented water, be my
shelter."
(Raghunath das Gosvami)
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"May the left arm
of Sri Krisna, whose eyes are like the petals of a lotus
flower, always protect you. With His left arm He raised
Govardhan Hill as if it were a toy."
Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu 2.1.62 |
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"O my friends,
this Giriraj is the topmost among Sri Hari's servants
and is absorbed in supreme bliss, always being touched
by Sri Balarama and Sri Krisna's lotus feet. Giriraja
serves and satisfies Sri Krisna, Balarama and cowherd
boys and the cows by providing them with water from his
pure sarovaras, lush grass, fruits, roots and various minerals like
gairika."
Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.21.18 |
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