Tag Archive for: Mahanidhi Madana Gopala Dasa

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Ji Means What?

Mahanidhi Swami

The word ji or jiu (Bengali) is added to the name of any senior personality deserving our respect, honor, service and worship such as Krishna Ji, Ramachandra Ji, Thakura Ji, Govindadeva Ji, Sri Radha Ramana Ji and Sri Sri Radha Damodara Jiu.

Among elders and superiors, the honorific term “Ji” refers to the spiritual master (Guru Ji, Babaji, Swamiji, Maharaja Ji); or one’s father or mother (Pitaji/ Papaji, Mataji) or other relatives (Kakaji, Mamaji, Dadaji etc.)

The term Ji comes from the Sanskrit word JIVATU which has many meanings i.e. life and soul, life, source of life, enlivening, maintainer. The term Ji is also used as a blessing meaning “live a long life.”

What does it mean when a bhakta takes darshana of Thakura Ji and lovingly says, “Radha Govinda Deva Ji Maharaja ki jai!”

While speaking this, the bhakta is thinking and truly feeling, “O Radha Govinda Deva, You are my life and soul, my providers, my eternally enlivening Beloveds, and the most venerable and worshipable Ishvara and Ishvari of my life.

“May You live forever within my heart, and my I live forever in Yours, serving You with every breath!” This is the meaning of jivatu indicated in the honorific suffix Ji or Jiu.

In closing, we quote Sri Rupa Gosvami glorifying Sri Radha with the word JIVATU. One can remember this sweet meditation whenever one’s uses the term “Ji”.

“The honey-sweet nectar from Sri Radha’s delightful red lips is the life and soul of Shyama, the Prince of Vraja, goshthendra-suta jivatu, ramya bimbadhara amritam.” (Stava Mala, Prarthana Paddhati v.4)

Sri Giriraja Ji ki jai! Radha Govinda Devi Ji ki jai! Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!

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Brahmanas: Respect or Not? part two

Mahanidhi Swami

 

Gaura nitya-parishad Murari Gupta describes how Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu once honored the brahmanas in Gaya by drinking their foot water. (Sri Krishna Chaitanya Carita Maha Kavya 1.15.11-12)

While narrating this pastime, Srila Prabhupada gives some important instructions for all followers of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, i.e. us.

Srila Prabhupada said, “When Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu went to Gaya, He became sick on the way. He had such a high fever that He asked His students to bring water that had washed the feet of brahmanas. After Mahaprabhu drank it He was cured.

“Therefore everyone should respect the position of a brahmana. Neither the Lord nor His followers displayed any disrespect to brahmanas. The followers of the Lord must be prepared to offer brahmanas all due respect.” (Cc. 1.17.9 p.)

The following entry from Padma Purana, Kriya-yoga-sara khanda (21.3-36) beautifully glorifies the brahmanas and reveals the severe reactions of not properly treating or respecting them.

Sri Brahmaji said, “Of all the castes the brahmana is the most venerable person. Gifts should be given to him by all men. A brahmana is the resort of all deities. He is actually a god on the earth (bhu-deva). He delivers one from samsara to whomever gives him a donation.

“Brahmanas are respectable to ksatriyas, vaisyas and sudras. Brahmanas are always to be honoured. The lifespan, sons, fame and wealth will increase for one who worships a brahmana as being non-different from Sri Vishnu.

“One who does not respect a brahmana is just like a dog-eater. An intelligent person should not hate brahmanas who have committed faults. If out of foolishness someone shows hatred toward a brahmana then Vishnu will forever be angry with them.

“Yamaraja puts a needle into the eyes of one who looks angrily at brahmanas. And Yama puts a hot iron rot into the mouth of one who rebukes a brahmana.

“However, Yamaraja quickly destroys all the sins of one who carries a mere drop of water from the foot of a brahmana. All the holy places in crores of worlds exist in the right foot of a brahmana. He whose head is sprinkled with water from the feet of a brahmana, has bathed at all holy places and is initiated for all sacrifices.

By washing and worshiping a brahmana’s feet, one simultaneously worships Lord Vishnu, becomes free from all sins and attains liberation. By doing parikrama of a brahmana one circumambulates the entire universe.” Sri Brahmaji shiksha ki jai!

To conclude we offer this prayer:

namo brahmanya devaya, go brahmana hitaya ca

jagad-dhitaya Krishnaya, govindaya namo namah

I offer my respects unto Sri Govindadeva, the worshipable Lord for all brahmanas, and the benefactor of cows, brahmanas and the entire universe. (Vishnu P.1.19.65)

Brahmana bhu-devas ki jai! Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!

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Brahmanas: Respect or Not?

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

 

It is very sad to see that in the holiest of places, Sri Dhama Vrindavana, the yatris and pilgrims show very little if any respect to the brahmanas, pandas and tirtha gurus.

 

Of course, such neglect can be expected since this is the age of Kali which is characterized by ignorance and degeneration, a lack of quality,  and total distrust in anyone and everything. It is very, very rare to find a good anything; be it a good teacher, good parent, good spouse, friend, politician, doctor, soldier, merchant or laborer, or a good devotee, guru or brahmana.

 

Everyone is faulty in one way or another. The Srimad Bhagavatam confirms that Kali-Yuga is the AGE OF FAULTS—each and every one of us is drowning in an ocean of faults and shortcomings, kaler dosha nidhe. (SB 12.3.51)

 

Thus we all have a “faulty outlook” and for various reasons or even no reason, many people have personal prejudices or negative feelings toward brahmanas.

 

However, if we just follow our minds and impulses, whims and wants, impressions, negative samskaras, dislikes and prejudices we will never attain any happiness or success in human life.

 

Follow the mind and attain frustration, anxiety and failure at last. Or follow shastra and attain happiness, perfection and liberation forever.

 

Sri Krishna describes these two paths in Gita (16.23): “One who rejects and neglects the shastra vidhi (rules and suggestions of scripture) and just follows his/her desires and lust will never achieve happiness, perfection or the spiritual world, yah shastra vidhim utsrjya, vartate kama-karatah, na sa siddhim avapnoti, na sukham na param.

 

An intelligent person should guide his thinking, desiring and actions on the basis of the perfect knowledge given by Bhagavan Sri Krishna, personally appearing before us in the form of shastra to guide, be friend and help all of us. In Srimad Bhagavatam (10.85.42), Daityaraja Bali said, “O Bhagavan, Your divine form comprises the revealed scriptures, tvayi shastra sharirini.

 

To create a healthy attitude toward brahmanas, to improve our understanding of their position, and to learn how to properly respect, honor and treat them, we offer the following shastric references for the benefit of all.

While touring South India, Bhagavan Sri Krishna and His exalted entourage visited the home of a brahmana devotee named Shrutadeva. At that time, Sri Krishna gave some very important “eternal instructions for everyone” regarding the proper vision and treatment of brahmanas.

By reading, reflecting upon, and trying to follow these Puranic teachings one will acquire a peaceful, controlled mind which will be shown by proper behavior toward the brahamanas.

Bhagavan Sri Krishna said, “My dear brahmana Shrutadevaji! You should know that these great sages have come here just to bless you. They travel throughout the worlds with Me, purifying them with the dust of their feet.”

Tika: Sri Krishna said, “I have heard you praise Me but not the brahmanas accompanying Me. Being favorable to the brahmanas, I will personally praise them in order to teach devotion to the brahmanas.” By saying this Krishna implies, “Even though I am Your object of praise, the brahmanas are Mine.

Sri Krishna: “One can gradually become purified by seeing, touching and worshiping temple deities, places of pilgrimage and holy rivers. But one can attain the same result immediately simply by receiving the glance of exalted sages.”

Tika: “Moreover, the brahmanas, who immediately purify one just by their darsana, are even greater than temple deities who slowly purify one.”

Sri Krishna: “By his very birth, a brahmana is the best of all living beings in this world, and he becomes even more exalted when he is endowed with austerity, learning and self-satisfaction, what to speak of devotion to Me.”

Tika: Krishna continued, “By birth, austerity, peace and knowledge the brahmana is the best of all living entities. He is even more so when he has attained direct realization of Me by intensely worshiping Me.”

Sri Krishna: “Even My own four-armed form is no dearer to Me than a brahmana. Within himself a learned brahmana comprises all the Vedas, just as within Myself I comprise all the demigods.”

Tika: The phrase sarva-veda-mayo vipraḥ means that the brahmana sages, who are the Vedas personified, can reveal Krishna who embodies all the demigods and Vishnu-tattva expansions of Narayana.

Sri Krishna: “Ignorant of this truth, foolish people neglect and enviously offend a learned brahmana, who, being nondifferent from Me, is their spiritual master and very self. They consider worshipable only such obvious manifestations of divinity as My Deity form.

Tika: Krishna said, “Foolish people who are ignorant of this truth find fault (asuyavah) with brahmanas, and think that deities are worshipable but not brahmanas.”

Sri Krishna: “Because he has realized Me, a brahmana is firmly fixed in the knowledge that everything moving and nonmoving in the universe, and also the primary elements of its creation, are all manifest forms expanded from Me.”

Tika: This verse describes the qualities of the brahmana. Krishna said, “Special brahmanas like Narada Muni, who are endowed with direct realization of Me (mad-ikshaya), know that this universe and its causes (hetavah), the primary elements (bhavah) such as mahat-tattva, are all manifest forms expanded from Me.”

Concluding His glorification of brahmanas, Bhagavan Sri Krishna said, “Therefore you should worship these brahmana sages with the same faith you have in Me. If you do so, you will worship Me directly, which you cannot do otherwise, even with offerings of vast riches. (SB 10.86.51-59 v& tikas Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti) See more in part two.

Respecting and serving brahmanas ki jai! Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!

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Are You a Vaisnava?

Mahanidhi Swami

 

About anyone who is even slightly inclined to Krishna bhakti, we often hear people say, “O, this person is a good devotee, a nice Vaisnava!”

But exactly how does one define who is and who is not a Vaisnava, a “devotee”? The correct and most authoritative answer to this question is found in the sacred texts of our Gaudiya Vaisnava tradition. By reading and understanding these passages, one can then accurately determine who is a Vaisnava.

  1. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu:

“A Vaisnava is one who rejects the association of materialistic people (asat-sanga tyaga), the unsaintly (asadhu), and those not devoted to Bhagavan Sri Krishna (krishna abhakta)” (Cc. 2.22.87)

  1. Sri Kapila Muni:

One is a sadhu Vaisnava if he/she is:

  1. Tolerant.
  2. Merciful to all living entities.
  3. Not inimical toward anyone.
  4. Follows rules of scripture.
  5. Peaceful. (SB 3.25.21)

 

  1. Sri Sanatana Goswami:

Simplest definition of a Vaisnava:

“The wise have determined that a Vaisnava is one who is initiated into a Vishnu [Krishna] mantra and engaged in the worship of Sri Vishnu [Krishna, Rama, Nrsimha].” All others are known as non-Vaisnavas. (Hari Bhakti Vilasa 1.55)

 

A Vaisnava is one who meets these criteria;

  1. DIKSHA: has received Krishna mantra diksha from Sri Guru.
  2. SEVA: dedicated to serving Sri Krishna.
  3. EKADASHI: follows Ekadashi vrata without fail.
  4. BALANCED MIND: is equipoised toward all living beings.
  5. MAINTAINS VAISNAVA BEHAVIOR: follows Vaisnava niyamas and sadachara. (HBV 2.12.338-340):

 

III. Sri Jiva Goswami:

PREMA: “The greatness of a Vaisnava depends on the amount of Krishna prema.” (Bhakti Sandarbha 187)

  1. Srila Prabhupada:

“A devotee is one who is always pleasing Krishna. He has no other business. That is a devotee.” (folio: PQPA 5)

In summary, a Vaisnava is one who is devoted to seeing, serving, pleasing, loving and living eternally with the Absolute Supreme Person, GOD—Bhagavan Sri Krishna, Rama, Vishnu.

A Vaisnava is a devotee, and a devotee is one who cares for God, and is loyal to Sri Guru, Sri Hari and the Vaisnavas. A devotee is committed, determined, dedicated and steady in serving and pleasing Sri Krishna with deep feelings of attachment and mine-ness. A devotee genuinely feels, “I belong to Krishna and Krishna is mine.”

A true devotee feels his loving Lord’s presence everywhere, and he/she shows sweet affection to all, big and small, from an ant to a President.

A devotee adores and worships his/her beloved Sri Krishna with great enthusiasm, attentively offering everything available at every moment throughout the day and night.

Vaisnava sadhu sanga ki jai! Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!

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Wonderful Radha Kunda part four

Mahanidhi Swami

 

For fifty years, the sweet glories of Sri Radha-kunda and the service of Srimati Radharani in manjari-bhava have been broadcast worldwide by the esteemed Mahantaji of Radha-kunda, Srila Ananta Dasaji Maharaja.

 

What follows are a few of the gems collected from ocean of Babaji Maharaja’s deep love for Srimati Radharani and Sri Radha-kunda. May all the bhaktas relish these realizations with the utmost humility and gratitude.

 

Sri Ananta Dasaji Maharaja

Priyaji’s Sarasi [Radha-kunda] is most dear to those whose everything is the service of Sri Radhika’s lotus feet. (Vilapa Kusumanjali 15 p.)

 

Radha-kunda and Shyama-kunda will be merciful to anyone who is sincerely and earnestly surrendered. And they will bless such a soul by showing him the pastimes that are taking place there. (Vraja Vilasa Stava 52 p.)

 

For the sake of Her daily bath at Manasa Pavana Ghata, Srimati personally decorated Sri Shyama-kunda with a flight of stairs. (VVS 58 p.)

 

Radha-kunda and Shyama-kunda are non-different from Sri Sri Radha-Madhava. As Sri Krishna embraces His Priyaji with the greatest love, similarly Sri Shyama-kunda  lovingly embraces Sri Radha-kunda [at the Sangama] which is non-different from Srimati Radharani. (VVS 58 p.)

 

The attraction to reside at Sri Radha-kunda awakens within the heart of a person who is totally fixed on Sri Radha’s lotus feet. And in life or in death they don’t know anything but Radha’s lotus feet. (VVS 58 p.)

 

Srimati Radharani most carefully bathes in Shyama-kunda every day and thus attains the pinnacle of bliss. Sri Radha loves Shyama-kunda as much as She loves Shyama.  (Sri Visakhanandada Stotram 26 p.)

 

Sri Radha-kunda is the limitlessly beautiful crown jewel of Vraja, [Vraja Mukuta Mani]. (Vilapa Kusumanjali 15 p.)

 

The most fortunate souls can live on the banks of Sri Radha-kunda, and that fortune is Radharani’s personal mercy upon them. (Vilapa Kusumanjali 15 p.)

 

The water that fills Radha-kunda and Shyama-kunda is not actually water, it is the splendid spiritual erotic flavour of Radha-Madhava’a pastimes! (Vilapa Kusumanjali 15 p.)

 

The desire vine of love for Kåñëa will blossom for even an ignorant and unqualified person who performs some service at Radha-kunda in the form of bathing, living there, seeing or touching Radha-kunda, and it will bear the fruits of Radha service. (Vilapa Kusumanjali 15 p.)

 

O Radha, Because Radha-kunda is Your [Radha] dearmost place I will surely receive Your mercy by taking shelter of it! Surely one day Your loving pastimes in

this lake will appear before the spiritualised eyes of an unfortunate soul like me!” (Vilapa Kusumanjali 97 p.)

 

Without making any distinction between who is qualified and who is not, Sri Radha-kunda blesses everyone who performs some devotional service there with the treasure of love of God, even if they do not perform any sadhana bhajana. (Vilapa Kusumanjali 98 p.) Shyama-kunda Radha-kunda ki jai! Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!

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Wonderful Radha Kunda part three

Mahanidhi Swami

 

Puranas Glorifies Radha-kunda

Sri Hari said: “O Priyatama Radha! Dearest One! May Your Radha-kunda be even more world-renowned than than My Shyama-kunda! Here I will always bathe and play in the water, because Radha-kunda is as dear to Me as You are.

proce hariḥpriyatame tava kuṇḍam etat, mat kuṇḍato’pi mahimādhikam astu loke

atraiva me salila kelir ihaiva nityaṁ, snānaṁyathātvam asi tadvad idam saro me !”`

“Radha replied: “I will also come to bathe in Your Shyama-kunda even though You may kill hundreds of Ariṣṭa demons here. In the future, anyone who has intense devotion for Shyama-kunda, which is on the spot where You chastised Ariṣṭāsura, and who bathes or resides here is sure to become very dear to Me.’

 

“That night Ghanashyama initiated a rasa utsava at Radha-kunda enjoying the Maha-Rasa dance which brought a torential downpour of joy, rāsotsavaṁprakurute sma ca tatra rātrau, kṛṣṇāmbudaḥkṛta-mahā-rasa-harṣa-varṣaḥ(SB 10.36.16 Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti quoting Puranas)

Sri Rupa Gosvami

Paurnamasi said, O Madhava, I have a request!

If someone leaves all material activities to live in a kutira on the bank of Radha-kunda while deeply yearning to directly serve the Youthful Couple, then please make the tree of that devotee’s aspirations bear fruit very soon.

Radha-kunda-kuṭīra-vasatis tyaktānya-karmājanaḥ

sevām eva samakṣam atra yuvayor yaḥkartum utkaṇṭhate

Krishna replied: Yes, let it be so, bhagavati, tathastu! (Dan-keli kaumudi 532-533)

Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami

O mind, always remember Priya-saraḥ(Radha-kunda) and Girindrau (Giriraja Baba) as two places the mere sight of bestows charming love for Radha Govinda Yugala. (Manah Siksha 9)

Radha-kunda is superior [to Govardhana Hill] because of its flood of prema, Radha-kundam ihāpi gokula-pateḥpremāmṛtāplavanāt. (Mukta-carita)

With great care Srimati Radharani happily bathes everyday in Shyama-kunda, which is filled with the honey that oozes from Krishna’ lotus feet. (Visakhanandabhidha–stotra 26)

O sakhi (Rūpa Mañjari)! If the Youthful Couple, who enliven the whole world by distributing the nectar of Their mercy and anointing everyone with the fragrance of Their flower-like attributes, do not bestow Their mercy on me, then, O Sri Rupa Manjari, please arrange that I can always live at Sri Radha-kunda! (Prarthanashraya-caturdashaka 3)

udaṣcat-kāruṇyāmṛta-vitaraṇair jīvita-jagad-

yuva-dvandvaṁgandhair guṇa-sumanasaṁvāsita-janam

kṛpāṁcen mayy evaṁkirati na tadātvaṁkuru tathā

yathāme Sri-kuṇḍe sakhi sakalam aṅgaṁnivasati

 

Sri Jiva Goswamipada

The two lakes named Radha-kunda and Syama-kunda are the meeting of the lovers, Radha and Krishna. I think the sweet fragrances at those lakes are actually Radha-Krishna passionate embraces; the breezes there are Radha-Krishna’s passionate sighs and trembling, and the water seen in those lakes is Radha-Krishna’s passionate love melted into nectar!” (In Gopala Campu, One Prarthamam Puranam 13-15).

Sri Krishna Dasa Kaviraja

Because of its wonderful transcendental qualities, Radha-kunda is as dear to Sri Hari as Sri Radha Herself. In Radha-kunda, the beautiful Madhavendu Sri Krishna always lovingly plays with Radhika. Simply by bathing here once, one attains a love for Krishna like Radhika’s. (Govinda-līlāmṛta 7.102)

Sri-rādheva hares tadīya-sarasīpreṣṭhādbhutaiḥsvair guṇair

yasyāṁSri-yuta-mādhavendur aniśaṁpremnātayākrīḍati |

premāsmin bata rādhikeva labhate yasmin sakṛt snāna-kṛt

tat tasyāmahimātathāmadhurimākenāstu varṇyaḥkṣitau

 

Vrnda: Hari is in the forest around Radha-kunda.

Radhika: What is Hari doing there?

Vrnda: Hari is learning dance.

Radhika: Who is teaching dance to Hari?

Vrnda: It is Your form Radha that is appearing in every tree and creeper in every direction and moving there like a skillful dancer, making Hari dance along behind. (Govinda-līlāmṛta 8.77)

kasmād vṛnde priya-sakhi hareḥpāda-mūlāt kuto ’sau

kuṇḍāraṇye kim iha kurute nṛtya-śikṣāṁguruḥkaḥ

taṁtvan-mūrtiḥprati-taru-lataṁdig-vidikṣu sphurantī

śailūṣīva bhramati parito nartayantīsva-paścāt

 

Every day without fail, Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami took three baths in Radha-kunda, tina sandhyāRadha-kuṇḍe apatita snāna. (Cc. 1.10.101)

Just as Srimati Radharani is most dear to Sri Krishna, Radha-kunda is also dear to Krishna. Among all the gopīs, Srimati Radharani is supermost and very dear to Sri Krishna. (Padma P/Cc. 2.8.99)

Sri Narahari Cakravarti Thakura

Only by the grace of Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami can one live at Radha-kunda. (Bhakti-ratnakara 5)

Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti

Longing to meet, but forced to remain separate, Radha-Govinda assumed the forms of Radha-kunda and Shyama-kunda. In this way, Radha-Govinda become splashed with the nectar of eternally meeting each other [at the sangam].

How did these divine kundas appear? I think that when Radha saw Krishna, Radha melted with ecstasy to assume a liquid form as the waters of Radha-kunda. In the same way, when Shyama saw Radha, Shyama also melted in ecstasy and became the waters of Shyama-kunda. (Vraja riti-cintamani 3.33-34)

Limitlessly beautiful Sri Radha-kunda is filled with Radha Govinda Yugala’s topmost love. (v. 39)

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati

The spiritual master has an eternal kunja on the shore of Sri Radha-kunda. There he has bound Krishna by the power of his service.” (Amrta Vani Array53)

“As the surrendered maidservants of Sri Radha, we have to constantly live on the banks of Radha-kunda.

Sri Rūpa-manjari instructed that service to Radha-kunda, the highest object of Sri Gaurahari’s internal mood, is the ultimate goal of all service.

Only the most fortunate live in the most sanctified place, Sri Radha-kunda, with pure hearts and worship Krishna twenty-four hours a day.

Sri Radha-kunda is the topmost section of Goloka, the most confidential place in the spiritual sky, and the only shelter for devotees on the platform of mādhurya-rasa.

Only by Sri Radha’s mercy can one reside eternally on the banks of Radha-kunda, the topmost place in the entire creation.

Therefore Sri Rūpa Prabhu mentions taking bath in Radha-kunda in his ultimate instruction: tat premedaṁsakṛd api saraḥsnāturāviṣkaroti, “If one simply bathes once within those holy waters, one’s pure love of Krishna is fully aroused.

The topmost principle in the spiritual kingdom is to bathe in Sri Radha-kunda.” (Lec. 16 Oct. 1932 at Radha-kunda)

The eternal land of our abode should be Radha Kunda. By the border of Radha Kunda we should have our groves. (article: “Radha Dasyam”)

Bathing Mantra

The Gaur-Govinda Archana Smarana Paddhati recommends chanting the following mantra before lovingly and respectfully bathing in the divine holy waters of Sri Radha Kunda:

rādhikā-sama-saubhāgya, sarva-tīrtha-pravandita

prasīda rādhikā-kuṅḍa, snāmi te salile śubhe

O Sri Radhika Kunda, You have obtained good fortune equaling that of Srimati Radhika Herself. And among all the holy places, you are the most praiseworthy. I am bathing in your sacred waters, so please be gracious toward me.

Radha Kunda Tilaka

Acyutananda Swami said, “Srila Prabhupada, our devotees are also wearing the Radha-kunda tilaka.”

Srila Prabhupada replied, “There is no harm.” (Folio:  760816rc.bom)

Shyama-kunda Radha Kunda ki jai!  Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

 

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Wonderful Radha Kunda part two

Mahanidhi Swami

 

Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami: I take shelter of the Sangama at Radha-kunda,

 

which is Radha-Madhava’s dear most charming playground that is surrounded by trees of excellent Ashoka, Bakula, Kadamba, Mango and Naga-Keshara, and vines of Campaka, Lavanga and Madhavi.

 

népaiç campaka-pälibhir nava-varäçokai rasälotkaraiù

punnägair bakulair lavaìga-latikä väsantikäbhir våtaiù

hådyaà tat-priya-kuëòayos taöa-milan-madhya-pradeçaà paraà

Radha-mädhavayoù priya-sthalam idaà kelyäs tad eväçraye.

 

What to speak of other places, even the delightful forest of Våndävana, the most beautiful Govardhana Hill, and the rapture-filled Rasa Sthali are not equal to even a single particle of one of the atoms of Sri Radha-kunda. I take shelter of Radha-kunda, which is dearer to Mukunda than His dearly beloved Radhika.

 

Sri-våndä-vipinaà suramyam api tac chrémän sa govardhanaù

sä rasa-sthalikäpy alaà rasamayé kià tävad anya-sthalam

yasyäpy aàça-lavena närhati manäk sämyaà mukundasya tat

präëebhyo’py adhika-priyeva dayitaà tat-kuëòam eväçraye. (Vraja Vilasa Stava 52-53)

 

I always eagerly worship Ariñöakuëòa (Shyama-kunda), who automatically appeared from Krishna’s lotus feet just as honey automatically trickles from a blooming flower when Krishna killed the wicked Ariñöa-demon. Shyama-kunda, who lovingly embraces Sri Radha-kunda, was beautified with staircases by Sri Radha due to Her great love [for Shyama-kunda].

 

duñöäriñöa-vadhe svayaà samudabhüt kåñëäìghri-padmäd idaà

sphétaà yan makaranda-viståtir iväriñöäkhyam iñöaà saraù

sopänaiù pariraïjitaà priyatayä Sri-rädhayä käritaiù

premëäliìgad iva priyä sara idaà tan nétya-nityaà bhaje. (Vraja Vilasa Stava 58)

 

Some great souls, who in their previous lives worshiped the beautiful lotus feet of Sri Gändharvä and Acyuta with the ever-fresh sweetness of ecstatic spiritual love, are able to live on the bank of Sväminé’s dear most lake Sri Radha-kunda. These great devotees are my life and soul!

 

purä premodrekaiù pratipada-navänanda-madhuraiù

kåta-Sri-gändharväcyuta-caraëa-varyärcana-balät

nikämaà sväminyaù priyatara-saras-téra-bhuvane

vasanti sphéta ye ta iha mama jévätava ime (Vraja Vilasa Stava 101)

 

In summer evenings, Sri Radha eagerly plays in the water of Radha-kunda with Her sakhis. When will I serve Radha at that time by filling a syringe with water from Her beloved lake Radha-kunda so She can sprinkle Govinda who is expert in jala-keli.

 

ULLÄSAIR JALAKELI LOLUPA MANAÙ PÜRE NIDÄGHODGAME

KÑVELÉ LAMPAÖA MÄNASÄBHIR ABHITAÙ SÄYAÀ SAKHÉBHIR VÅTÄM

GOVINDAÀ SARASI PRIYE’TRA SALILA KRÉÒÄ VIDAGDHAÀ KAËAIÙ

SIÏCANTÉÀ JALA-YANTRAKEËA PAYASÄÀ RADHAÀ KADÄHAÀ BHAJE

(Utkantha Dasakam 8)

 

O sakhi (Rüpa Maïjari)! If the Youthful Couple, who enliven the whole world by distributing the nectar of Their mercy and who anoint everyone with the fragrance of Their flower-like attributes, do not give me Their mercy, then please arrange that I can always stay at Sri Radha-kunda (and that I may leave my body there)!

 

UDAÏCAT KÄRUËYÄMÅTA VITARAËAIR JÉVITA JAGAD

YUVADVANDVAÀ GANDHAIR GUËA SUMANASÄÀ VÄSITA JANAM

KÅPÄÀ CEN MAYYEVAM KIRATI NA TADÄ TVAÀ KURU TATHÄ

YATHÄ ME SRI KUËÒE SAKHI SAKALAM AÌGAÀ NIVASATI

(Sri Prarthanashraya Chaturdasakam v. 3)

 

Eating only the yogurt and fruits of Vraja, I will always reside in a lovely grove on the bank of Våndävaneçvaré’s lake Sri Radha-kunda, at the base of Giriräja Govardhana. I will continually glorify Sri Radhika and Krishna, love Them and remember Their enchanting lotus feet.

 

GIRI-VARA TAÖA KUÏJE MAÏJU VÅNDÄVANEÇÄ

SARASI CA RACAYAN SRI RADHIKA KRISHNA KÉRTIM

DHÅTA RATI RAMAËÉYAÀ SAÀSMARAÀ TAT PADÄBJAÀ

VRAJA DADHI PHALAM AÇNAN SARVA KÄLAÀ VASÄMI

(Sri Prarthanashraya Chaturdasakam v.13)

 

On summer evenings, Sri Radhika blissfully plays with Bakari Krishna and Her girlfriends in Her own lake, which is filled with breezes cooled by rows of spotless lotus flowers. O, when will Radhika bathe me in Her service?

 

AMALA KAMALA RÄJI SPARÇI BÄTA PRAÇÉTE,

NIJA SARASI NIDÄGHE SÄYAM ULLÄSINÉYAM

PARIJANA GAËA YUKTA KRÉÒAYANTÉ BAKÄRÉÀ

SNAPAYATI NIJA DÄSYE RADHIKA MÄÀ KADÄ NU

(Sri Radhikastakam 8)

 

O blooming lotus-eyed girl (Rädhe)! When my eyes directly saw

Your pond (Radha-kunda), which is filled with sweet water and lotus flowers surrounded by blissfully humming bees, then I really got the desire to taste the nectar of Your service!

 

YADÄ TAVA SAROVARAÀ SARASA BHÅÌGA SAÌGHOLLASAT,

SARORUHA KULOJJVALAÀ MADHURA VÄRI SAMPURITAM,

SPHUÖAT SARASIJÄKÑI HE NAYANA-YUGMA SÄKÑÄD VABHAU,

TADAIVA MAMA LÄLASÄJANI TAVAIVA DÄSYE RASE (Vilapa Kusumanjali 15)

 

O Loläkñi (restless eyed girl)! You and Your beloved always stay at Radha-kunda. Here only I will live and here alone I will stay!

 

SVA KUËÒAÀ TAVA LOLÄKÑI, SAPRIYÄYÄÙ SADÄSPADAM,

ATRAIVA MAMA SAÀVÄSA, IHAIVA MAMA SAÀSTHITIÙ (Vilapa Kusumanjali 97)

 

“By the grace of beautiful Radha-kunda, which is my only shelter, the desire-vine of love for Krishna that bears the flowers of service to my Ishvari Radhika instantly sprouts in the heart of anyone who performs devotional service there.

 

API JANA IHA KAÇCID,  YASYA SEVÄ PRASÄDAIÙ

PRAËAYA SURALATÄ SYÄT,  TASYA GOÑÖHENDRA SÜNOÙ

SAPADI KILA MAD ÉÇÄ,  DÄSYA PUÑPA PRAÇASYÄS

TAD ATI SURABHI RÄDHÄ, KUËÒAM EVÄÇRAYO ME   (Radha-kunda Astakam 5)

 

O beautiful lake (Radha-kunda)! My Ishvari Radha always plays erotic games in you with Her beloved Krishna. If you are dearer to Them than the dearest, then please show me my Ishvari, who is my very life!

 

HE SRI SAROVARA SADÄ TVAYI SÄ MAD ÉÇÄ

PREÑÖHENA SÄRDHAM IHA KHELATI KÄMA RAÌGAIÙ

TVAÀ CET PRIYÄT PRIYAM ATÉVA TAYOR ITÉMÄÀ

HA DARÇAYÄDYA KÅPAYÄ MAMA JÉVITAÀ TÄM (Vilapa Kusumanjali 98)

 

My only shelter is that very fragrant, dear and beautiful Radha-kunda, which instantly makes a desire-tree of Krishna prema sprout in the land of the heart of anyone who bathes there, even though this is rarely attained by Krishna’s beloveds in Vrajabhumi.

 

VRAJABHUVI MURAÇATROÙ,  PREYASÉNÄÀ NIKÄMAIR

ASULABHAM API TÜRËAÀ,   PREMA KALPA DRUMAÀ TVAM

JANAYATI HÅDI BHÜMAU,  SNÄTUR UCCAIÙ PRIYAÀ YAT

TAD ATI SURABHI RÄDHÄ, KUËÒAM EVÄÇRAYO ME (Radha-kunda Astakam 2)

Kundavasi Dasa Goswami ki jai! Radha-kunda ki jai! Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!

,

Wonderful Radha Kunda part one

Mahanidhi Swami

 

Sriman Mahaprabhu unveiled Radha-kunda and bathed there about 500 years ago.

 

After offering the following prayers, Mahaprabhu became overwhelmed in prema, and danced in bliss on the banks of Radha-kunda while meditating upon Radha-Madhava’s pastimes there, premäviñöa haïä tére nåtya kare kuëòa-lélä saìariyä. (Cc. 2.18.13)

 

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu:

  1. Radha-kunda is very dear to Sri Krishna because it is very dear to Radha, taiche rädhä-kuëòa priya ‘priyära sarasé’ (Cc. 2.18.7)
  2. In Radha-kunda, Krishna eternally associates with Radhika enjoying water sports and other rapturous pastimes on Her banks, yei kuëòe nitya kåñëa rädhikära saìge, jale jala-keli kare, tére räsa-raìge. (Cc. 2.18.9)
  3. Sri Krishna gives ecstatic love like that of Radha to whoever BATHES EVEN ONCE in Radha-kunda, sei kuëòe eka bära yei kore snäna, täre rädhä sama prema kåñëa kore däna!” (Cc. 2.18.10)
  4. The glorious sweetness Radha-kunda resembles Radha’s sweet glories, kuëòera ‘mädhuré’ yena rädhära ‘madhurimä’, kuëòera ‘mahimä’ yena rädhära ‘mahimä’. (Cc. 2.18.11)

 

Glorification of Sri Radha-kunda by Gaudiya Vaisnava Acharyas:

 

Sri Rupa Gosvami:

  1. Radha-kunda is the topmost holy place in Vrindavana because it immerses one in the nectar of Gokulapati Krishna prema. What discriminating person would not wish to serve this magnificent lake beside Giri-Govardhana, rädhä-kuëòam ihäpi gokula-pateù premämåtä plävanät, kuryäd asya viräjato giri-taöe seväà viveké na kaù. (Upadeshamrita 9)

 

Srila Prabhupada Purport:

Rädhä-kuëòa is superior to all because here love of Kåñëa overflows. Advanced devotees prefer to reside at Rädhä-kuëòa because this place is the site of many memories of the eternal loving affairs between Kåñëa and Rädhäräëé (rati-viläsa). Who, then, would give up Rädhä-kuëòa and try to reside elsewhere? No person with transcendental intelligence would do so.

 

  1. Radha-kunda is as profoundly dear to Sri Krishna as Radharani, the most beloved of the gopés. Who, then, will not reside at Rädhä-kuëòa and, in a spiritual body surcharged with ecstatic devotional feelings [apräkåta-bhäva], render loving service to the divine couple Çré Çré Rädhä-Govinda, who perform Their añöakäléya-lélä, Their eternal eightfold daily pastimes. Indeed, those who execute devotional service on the banks of Rädhä-kuëòa are the most fortunate people in the universe. (Upad. 10)

 

Srila Prabhupada Purport:

Srimati Radharani the most exalted devotee of Kåñëa and Her Çré Rädhä-kuëòa is the most exalted place. Therefore everyone interested in Kåñëa consciousness should ultimately take shelter of Rädhä-kuëòa and execute devotional service there throughout one’s life.

 

  1. Upon one who bathes just once in Her waters, Radha-kunda bestows gopi-prema which is very difficult for Krishna’s dear devotees to attain what to speak of ordinary sadhakas, yat preñöhair apy alam asulabhaà kià punar bhakti-bhäjäà, tat premedaà sakåd api saraù snätur äviñkaroti. (Upad. 11)

 

Srila Prabhupada Purport:

It is stated that a devotee will at once develop pure love of Kåñëa in the wake of the gopés if he once takes a bath in Rädhä-kuëòa. Çréla Rüpa Gosvämé recommends that even if one cannot live permanently on the banks of Rädhä-kuëòa, he should at least take a bath in the lake as many times as possible. This is a most important item in the execution of devotional service.

 

Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura writes in this connection that Çré Rädhä-kuëòa is the most select place for those interested in advancing their devotional service in the wake of the lady friends (sakhés) and confidential serving maids (maïjarés) of Çrématé Rädhäräëé.

 

Living entities who are eager to return home to the transcendental kingdom of God, Goloka Våndävana, by means of attaining their spiritual bodies (siddha-deha) should live at Rädhä-kuëòa, take shelter of the confidential serving maids of Çré Rädhä and under their direction engage constantly in Her service.

 

If, by great fortune, one gets an opportunity to come to Rädhä-kuëòa and bathe even once, he can develop his transcendental love for Kåñëa, exactly as the gopés did.

 

It is also recommended that one should live on the banks of Rädhä-kuëòa and should be absorbed in the loving service of the Lord. One should bathe there regularly and give up all material conceptions, taking shelter of Çré Rädhä and Her assistant gopés.

 

If one is thus constantly engaged during his lifetime, after giving up the body he will return back to Godhead to serve Çré Rädhä in the same way as he contemplated during his life on the banks of Rädhä-kuëòa.

 

THE CONCLUSION is that to live on the banks of the Rädhä-kuëòa and to bathe there daily constitute the highest perfection of devotional service. Thus there is no limit to the glory of Çré Rädhä-kuëòa.

 

By serving Rädhä-kuëòa, one can get an opportunity to become an assistant of Çrématé Rädhäräëé under the eternal guidance of the gopés. (All quotes above from Srila Prabhupada Upadeshamrita 11 pur.)

Radha-kunda snana ki jai! Radha-kunda vasa ki jai! Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!

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The Real Radha Kunda Appearance Day

Mahanidhi Swami

 

There is an amazing story behind this. The day before Caitra Purnima 2017, I met with 108 Pandit Sri Krishna Dasa Babaji Maharaja and had the following conversation:

  1. Madan Gopal Das: “Gurudeva, since Sri Sanatana Goswami says in (SB 10.45.3) Vaisnava Toshani tika that today, Caitra Purnima midnight is the ACTUAL AND REAL APPEARANCE DAY OF RADHA KUNDA, should we bathe tonight to honor that wonderful, most merciful lila of Radha and Krishna?”

Gurudeva: (replied affirmatively while looking straight into my eyes from about one foot away), “Yes, you should!”

mmgd: “Should I tell all your disciples about this?

Gurudeva: “Yes, get a microphone, go around Radha-kunda and tell everyone.”

mmgd: “Really, Gurudeva, are you serious that I should do that?”

Gurudeva: “Yes, because the Karttika Bahulastami snana is NOT THE APPEARANCE DAY OF Radha-kunda. In Mathura Mahatmyam, Sri Rupa Gosvamipada says that devotees should BATHE ON THE KARTTIKA DAY OF BAHULASTAMI just to please Bhagavan Sri Hari. It says nothing about appearance day. According to our Gaudiya Vaisnava mahajana and supreme praman, Srimad Bhagavatam, today at midnight Caitra Purnima IS THE REAL APPEARANCE DAY OF SRI RADHA KUNDA!”

mmgd: (Since Gurudeva is 99 years old,  I never expected him to say yes, but nevertheless, I curiously asked him the next question):

“Gurudeva, would you like to join us and take Radha-kunda midnight snana tonight?”

Gurudeva: (Much to my surprise, Pandit Baba looked at me innocently like a child and said enthusiastically, “YES, I’LL WILL TAKE MIDNIGHT SNANA TOO!”

 

And that’s how our first annual Caitra Purnima Radha-kunda Appearance Festival started. On behalf of Sri Advaita Prabhu, Sri Gurudeva and all the faithful followers of the six Goswamis, we invite all the devotees to come bathe at midnight on every Caitra Purnima to celebrate the actual, real APPEARANCE DAY OF RADHA KUNDA.

Radha-kunda Annual Avirbhava Mahotsava ki jai! Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!

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TONIGHT: Radha Kunda Appears!

Mahanidhi Swami

 

Since every pastime of Bhagavan Sri Krishna is eternal, tonight in some other universe Radha-kunda will appear at midnight before the amazed eyes of the gopis and Vrajavasis.

 

Sri Sanatana Goswami proves that today is the appearance day of Sri Radha-kunda in his tika (SB 10.45.3): “Bhagavan Sri Krishna killed Arishta on the full moon day of Caitra month when Krishna was eleven.” Afterwards Radha-Krishna manifested Shyama-kunda and Radha-kunda. That wonderful appearance lila, as described in the Vishnu Purana, will conclude this article.

 

In other words, the actual appearance day/night of Sri Radha-kunda is tonight April 10th at midnight when the moon will be full. I know a few bhavuka bhaktas that celebrate this wonderful lila every year on Caitra Purnima with puja and a midnight bath in Sri Kunda.

 

So what about Kattika month and the Bahulastami snana? Other than recommending daily or regular bathing in Radha-kunda, the six Goswamis only mention Karttika Bahulastami as one special day to bathe in Radha-kunda. Vrajavasis say that on this day, Krishna tested the saintliness of a cow named Bahula, and thus the Puranas recommend a holy dip in Radha-kunda on THIS DAY. Incidentally, the Vrindavana forest of Bahulavan is very close to Radha-kunda.

 

In his Mathura Mahatyam, Sri Rupa Gosvami, quoting the Puranas, says, “Anyone who ON THE DAY of Bahulastami (aka Karttika Krishna astami) bathes in Radha-kunda, that person will become very dear to Sri Hari.” Certainly all Gaudiya Vaisnavas want to become dear to Sri Hari, and dear to His dearest Haripriya Swamini Sri Radhe! Thus, they all try to honor this auspicious, transcendental day by bathing in Radha-kunda.

 

On Bahulastami evening, barren North Indian grhasta couples worship a fertility devi named Ahouri in hopes of getting a child. The puja rites culminate with a midnight bath in Radha-kunda. It seems that over time, the Gaudiya’s daytime Bahulastami snana merged with the grhasta’s midnight in Radha-kunda, resulting in Gaudiyas’ thinking that they are bathing at midnight to celebrate the appearance of Radha-kunda.

 

So if you’re near, come over to Govardhana for a holy dip in Sri Radha-kunda Dhama under the rasa-filled full moon night of Caitra TO REJOICE OVER THE ACTUAL APPEARANCE DAY OF SRI RADHA KUNDA!

 

Appearance of Sri Radha Kunda 

 

In his Sarartha Darshini tikas (SB 10.36.16) Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti quotes the Radha-kunda appearance pastime from Vishnu Purana, describing a joking conversation between Radha-Madhava after Krishna had killed the Arishta demon bull.

 

“The innocent young gopis said, ‘Ah, Krishna, don’t touch us now, O killer of a bull! Alas, even though Arishta was a terrible demon, still he was posing as a bull, who represents dharma, so You will have to undergo atonement, just as Lord Indra did after killing Vrtrasura. But how can You purify Yourself without going to the trouble of visiting every single holy place in the three worlds?”

 

Krishna: “Why should I have to wander throughout the entire universe? I will at once bring all the countless pilgrimage places here and take My bath in them. Just watch!” With this, Lord Mukunda struck His left heel on the ground.

 

Then Krishna said, “Just see sakhis! This is the water of the Patala Ganga. And now, all holy places please come here!” Then all the holy places arrived before Sri Krishna.

 

Krishna proudly said, “O gopis, you see all the holy places!”

Vraja-gopis: “No, we don’t see them as You describe.”

 

Then those best of holy places, joining their palms in supplication, spoke up:

‘I am the salt ocean.’I am the ocean of milk.’ ‘I am the Amara-dirghika.’ I am the river Shona.’I am the Sindhu.’I am the Tamraparni.’I am the holy place Pushkara.’ ‘I am the river Sarasvati.”And we are the Godavari, Yamuna and Reva rivers and the triveni of Prayaga. Just see our waters!’ ”

 

Sri Krishna took a purifying bath, and then arrogantly said, “Bho, bho sakhis! I have produced a pond containing all the holy places, whereas you gopis have never done any pious acts to please Brahmaji”

 

Sri Radha said boldly, “I must create an even more beautiful pond than His. Sakhis! Get to work!” In a ditch created by the hooves of the huge asura, the gopis started digging out a kunda with their golden kankana, bangles. Within an hour, the expert sakhis manifested a most majestic and beautiful divine kunda.

 

Completely astonished at their feat, Sri Krishna said, “O Priyaji! You and Your sakhis can fill Your lake with the holy waters of mine.”

 

“NO! NO! NO! Impossible”, said Radharani, “We cannot take Your water which is contaminated with the terrible sin of killing a cow. I have an unlimited number of sakhis who can easily bring billions of pots of pure water from Manasi Ganga. And thus the fame of My kunda will be unequalled!”

 

Bhagavan Sri Krishna then gestured to a celestial representative of all the holy places there. He arose from Krishna kunda, bowed to Vrshabhanunandini, and prayed to Swamini Radha with folded palms and tear-filled eyes:

 

“O Devi! Brahmaji, Shivaji and Lakshmi can never understand the fathomless depth of Your glories. Only Sri Krishna knows, and thus He humbly washes away Your perspiration when You are tired. And Krishna always thrills in delight whenever He gets the chance to wash Your beautiful lotus feet and fasten Your ankle bells. In fact, Shyama feels supremely fortunate simply by satisfying the tips Your toes of Your lotus feet.

 

“It is on Krishna’s command we have immediately come to live in this lake, created by one stroke of Krishna’s heel. Alas! The tree of our cherished desire will only bear fruit if You are pleased and grant us Your merciful glance!”

 

Sri Radha: “Well, then what do you want?”

 

In unison, all the sacred places said, “Our lives will be successful if we can come and fill the wonderful lake You have manifested. This is the only benediction we desire.”

 

With a side-long glance toward Shyama, Srimati Radharani replied to the sacred celestials: “Oh, certainly, please come!” Thus all the holy rivers and lakes in Sri Shyama-kunda forcibly broke through its boundary walls [at the Sangam} and swiftly filled Sri Radha-kunda with their waters.”

 

Sri Hari: “O Priyatama! Throughout the world and the universe, Your Radha-kunda will become supremly more famous than Mine! And I will come here every day to bathe and enjoy water pastimes with You and all My preyasis. Indeed, Your beautiful Sri Kunda is as dear to Me as You!”

 

Srimati Radharani: “O Prana Priyatama! Even if You vanquish hundreds of Arishtas here, I will still come and bathe every day in Your Krishna Kunda.

Furthermore, I proclaim that in the future, anyone who has intense devotion for My Sri Kunda, who who bathes or resides here is sure to become very dear to Me.”

 

That night [Caitra Purnima], Sri Krishna and the Vraja-gopis enjoyed maha rasotsavam on the banks of Radha-kunda. The Krishna cloud combined with the lightning strike of Sri to cause a downpour of glee to flood the three worlds with their playfully divine lila, krishna ambudah maha rasa harsha varsha, sri radhika pravara vidyud, trai lokya madhya vitati krta divya kirti!

Caitra Purnima Appearance Night of Radha-kunda ki jai! Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!