Tag Archive for: Vrindavana

,

Vraja, Wonder Land of Play part one

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Welcome all lovers of Vrindavana! This is part one of our continuing series of articles glorifying Sridhama Vrindavana.

Vraja [aka Vrindavana] is the divine realm wherein Sri Krishna loves, plays and sports with all and everyone. If you simply visit Vraja or live in Vraja, Gopala will enchant your heart by His sweet love, beauty, charm and naughty playfulness.

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

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

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

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

KAMAVANA AREA LILA VILLAGES:

Dhuleda Gaon (gaon means village)
This village is so named, because here the whole sky filled with dust (dhuli) from the hooves of cows as Govinda drove them home.

Udha
Named after Uddhava (udha), who rested here while en route to Nandagrama to deliver Krishna’s message to the gopis.

Atora
Here Krishna, Subala, Sridama, Bhrnga and the gopas would frolic here for eight (atora) hours a day.

Bajhera
This is the appearance place of two of Radhika’s asta-sakhis, the twin sisters Rangadevi and Sudevi.

Sunahara-gaon
Sona or suna means gold and hara means Lord Shiva or take away. Here Srimati Radharani removed Her golden necklace, and offered it in worship to Mahadeva Lord Shiva.

Nagala Moti (nagala means town or village) Here Sri Krishna hung a string of pearls (moti) on the beautiful smooth neck of Kishori.

Nagala Khapana
Madhava then suddenly ran away after offering Srimati the pearl necklace. Swamini Radha asked a sakhi, “Where has Krishna suddenly gone after getting some type of message (khapara)?”

Malapura
One day while cavorting in the forest, Gopala Shyama boasted to His playmates, “I can do anything at any time!” Challenging Nandulala, the gopas said, “Ok, Gopala! Then bring us lots sweets (maala) like rabri, laddus, and kheera. And if the plate remains full even after we stuff ourselves, then we will believe you can do anything!” It came to pass and so the village is named. Even today everyone here remembers and talks about that lila of 50 centuries ago! Vrindavana Dhama ki JAI HO!

Didavali
Yashoda’s mom lived here, and thus it is famous as the village of Krishna’s grandmother (didi ma).

Ghata
Once while cow herding here, Shyama remembered the vastness (ghata) of Priyaji’s love and called out, “O Subala! Quickly bring My Praneshvari here!”

Paramadara
Once the sakhis came to this lonely village searching for Shyama. In the pangs of separation, Ishvari Radha tightly embraced a glossy black tamala tree. Then upon seeing a nearby lake, shimmering with a dark blue hue, all the sakhis fainted. Suddenly Shyama arrived and fully (parama) worshiped (adaraniya) each gopi by satisfying her every wish and whim.

Nagala Maharani
Here the sakhis sat Srimati on a throne to honor Her as the greatest Queen (maharani). They adorned Radharani with lots of flowers; played instruments; sang and danced all around chanting……. Maharani ki Jai! Radharani ki jai! Bolo Varsane walli ki jai, jai, jai!!!!

Pahalabada
Here the gopas challenged Krishna, “If alone You can defeat all of us together in a wrestling match, then we will say You are strong and powerful.” Feeling a little afraid and doubtful about their collective strength, all the sakhas started goading each other, “O bhaiya! You attack (pahela) Krishna first.” And guess what? Sri Krishna defeated everyone and became Ajita Sri Krishna ki jai!

Kalyanapura
Here all the cowherd boys once playfully offered dandavats to the Divine Duo while roaring, “Krishna Kanhaiya, Douji ka Bhaiya ki jai!!!!!!” Responding, Krishna Balarama blessed them all, saying, “May all be auspicious (kalyana) for you!”

Khona
One day to make Radhaji happy, the sakhis started laughing and jumping here in a game called “Kho” (a girl’s play). Hence the name Khonha.

Kayarika Nagala
Once while Sriji and the sakhis were playing the game of Kho here, evening arrived suddenly and covered all directions in dense darkness. While walking home to Varsana the sakhis became scared. So they called out, “O Krishna! O Prananatha! We are afraid of this darkness (kari), so quickly come save us!”

Sri Krishna then fully illuminated the road all the way to Varsana with the effulgent rays of His beautiful smile. By the mercy of Priya-Priyatama, watch here for more nectar from the Wonderful Land of Play.
Sri Dhama Vrndavana ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

,

Radha Kunda and Sri Ananta Dasa Babaji Maharaja

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

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 Gaudiya Vaisnava acarya, Srila Ananta Dasa Babaji Maharaja.

Here are some transcendental gems from the fathomless ocean of Babaji Maharaja’s intense love for his Thakuraji, Sri Sri Radha Vrndavanacandra, and his eternally most beloved Sri Radha-kunda contained in his commentaries on the books mentioned below.

May all bhaktas relish these elegant realizations with the utmost taste, humility and gratitude.

Nitya-lila pravista 108, Sri Sri Ananta Dasa Babaji Maharaja ki jai!

Sri Ananta Dasa Babaji 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 sincerely surrenders to Radha-kunda. And They will bless such a soul by showing them Their pastimes in Radha-kunda. (Vraja Vilasa Stava 52 p.)

For the sake of Her daily bath at Manasa Pavana Ghata, Srimati Radharani personally ornaments Sri Shyama-kunda with a row of stairs leading into Syama-kunda. (Vraja Vilasa Stava  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 gently caresses Sri Radha-kunda at the Sangama which is non-different from Srimati Radharani. (Vraja Vilasa Stava 58 p.)

The attraction to reside at Sri Radha-kunda awakens within the heart of one who is totally fixed on Sri Radha’s lotus feet. In life or in death, such a person will not know anything but Radha’s lotus feet. (Vraja Vilasa Stava 58 p.)

Srimati Radharani 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)

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 )

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

The desire vine of love for Krishna will blossom and bear the fruits of Radha’s service, for even ignorant and unqualified persons who performs some service at Radha-kunda in the form of bathing, living here, seeing or touching Radha-kunda. (Vilapa Kusumanjali 15)

O Radha, Because Radha-kunda is Your dearmost place, I will surely receive Your mercy by taking shelter of Radha-kunda! Surely one day Your loving pastimes in Radha-kunda will appear before the spiritualized eyes of an unfortunate soul like me! (Vilapa Kusumanjali 97)

Without making any distinction between who’s qualified or not, Sri Radha-kunda is so very merciful that She blesses everyone with the treasure of Krishna prema, whether they do or don’t do any Radha-Krishna bhajan here in Radha-kunda. (Vilapa Kusumanjali 98)

Shyama-kunda Radha-kunda ki jai! Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!

,

Sri Krishna and Acaryas Praise Radha Kunda

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

In the Puranas, Bhagavan Sri Hari says: “O Priyaji! May Your Radha-kunda become even more world-renowned than My Syama-kunda! I will always bathe here and play in Your waters, because, O Radha, Your kunda is as dear to Me as You are.

“Radha replies, ‘I will bathe daily in Syama -kunda even though You may kill hundreds of Arista demons here. In the future, anyone who has intense devotion for Syama-kunda, where You silenced Aristasura, and who bathes or resides here will surely become very dear to Me.’

“After bathing, Radha-Krishna relish a Maha Rasa on the banks of Radha Kunda to drench everyone in a shower of bliss.”

rasot -savam -prakurute -sma -ca -tatra ratrau,
krishnambudah -krta -maha -rasa -harsa -varsah
(Srimad Bhagavatam 10.36.16 tika, Sri Visvanatha Cakravartipada)

Sri Rupa Gosvami:

Paurnamasi says, “O Sri Madhava, I have a request! If someone gives up one’s material life to live in a kutira on the bank of Radha-kunda, and then deeply hankers for the direct service of You and Your beloved Radhika, then please, Sri Krishna, quickly fulfill that devotee’s desires.”

radha-kunda-kutira-vasatis, -tyaktanya -karma -janah
sevas -eva -samaksam –atra, yuvayor -yah -kartum -utkanthate

“Krishna replies: “Yes, Bhagavati Purnamasi, let it be, tathastu!” (Dan -Keli -Kaumudi 532-533)

Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami:

“O mind, always remember Priya-sarah (Radha-kunda) and Girindrau (Giriraja Baba) as two transcendental abodes, the mere sight of which bestows the sweetest divine love for Radha Govinda Yugala. (Manah Siksha 9)

“O blooming lotus-eyed girl (Rādhe)! 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!” (Vilapa Kusumanjali 15)

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

SVA KUṆḌAṀ TAVA LOLĀKṢI, SAPRIYĀYĀḤ SADĀSPADAM,
ATRAIVA MAMA SAṀVĀSA, IHAIVA MAMA SAṀSTHITIḤ (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 KAŚCID, YASYA SEVĀ PRASĀDAIḤ
PRAṆAYA SURALATĀ SYĀT, TASYA GOṢṬHENDRA SŪNOḤ
SAPADI KILA MAD ĪŚĀ, DĀSYA PUṢPA PRAŚASYĀS
TAD ATI SURABHI RĀDHĀ, KUṆḌAM EVĀŚRAYO 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 SADĀ TVAYI SĀ MAD ĪŚĀ
PREṢṬHENA SĀRDHAM IHA KHELATI KĀMA RAṄGAIḤ
TVAṀ CET PRIYĀT PRIYAM ATĪVA TAYOR ITĪMĀṀ
HA DARŚAYĀDYA KṚPAYĀ MAMA JĪVITAṀ TĀM (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 MURAŚATROḤ, PREYASĪNĀṀ NIKĀMAIR
ASULABHAM API TŪRṆAṀ,   PREMA KALPA DRUMAṀ TVAM
JANAYATI HṚDI BHŪMAU, SNĀTUR UCCAIḤ PRIYAṀ YAT
TAD ATI SURABHI RĀDHĀ, KUṆḌAM EVĀŚRAYO ME (Radha-kunda Astakam 2)

“Vrndavana is a higher transcendental pastime realm than Mathura because it features Radha -Rasa -Bihari’s -rasa-lila. But Giri-Govardhana is even higher because Govinda touches Giriraja with His gorgeous hand.”

“Among all holy abodes, however, Radha-kunda is the best of all because it’s inundated by the nectar stream of Gokulapati’s love. Thus, who will not serve this transcendental lake of divine love located near Govardhana Hill?” (Govardhanasraya Dasaka 1)

“Every day with great care, Srimati Radharani happily bathes in Syama-kunda, which overflows with the honey oozing from Krishna’s lotus feet.” (Visakhanandabhidha Stotra 26)

“O Sri Rupa Manjari! If Yuva Yugala Radha-Krishna, who inspire the world with the gift of Their ambrosial mercy, and who saturate everyone with the fragrance of Their flowering attributes, do not give Their mercy to me, then, O Sakhi, will you please arrange for me to live forever at Sri Radha-kunda!” (Prarthanasraya-caturdasaka 3)

Eating only the yogurt and fruits of Vraja, I will always reside in a lovely grove on the bank of Vṛndāvaneśvarī’s lake Sri Radha-kunda, at the base of Girirāja Govardhana. I will continually glorify Sri Radhika and Krishna, love Them and remember Their enchanting lotus feet. (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? (Sri Radhikastakam 8)

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.(Utkantha Dasakam 8)

Sri Jiva Goswamipada:

“The most romantic transcendental pair, Radha Govinda, forever sport and play in Radha-kunda and Syama-kunda.

“I believe that the sumptuous divine fragrance wafting in the air around the kundas arises from Radha Govinda’s divinely amorous embraces.

“The gentle winds are Their lovely murmurs and trembles.

“And the water in Radha-kunda and Syama-kunda is sweet nectar churned from the melting of Their amorous delights.” (Gopala Campu, I.13-15)

Sri Krishna Dasa Kaviraja:

“Radha-kunda has such captivatingly wonderful and unlimited spiritual qualities that Radha-kunda is as dear to Sri Hari as Sri Radha Herself. The most handsome and radiant romantic, Madhavendu Sri Krishna, always enjoys playful intimacies in Radha-kunda. (Govinda-lilamrta chapter 7)

“Simply by a single snana in sacred Radha-kunda, one will secure a sweet love for Syama similar to Srimati’s.”
premasmin bata radhikeva labhate, yasmin sakrt snana-krt

“As soon as Krishna sees Radha-kunda, His heart thrills with joy, and He becomes very eager to meet His beloved Priyaji.”

priya-kundam -drstva -mudita-hrdayo,
priya-prapty-utkantha. (Govinda-lilamrta 7.102-103)

“Vrnda: Hari is in the forest around Radha-kunda.
Radhika: What is Hari doing?
Vrnda: Hari’s learning dance.
Radhika: Who’s teaching Hari?
Vrnda: O Radhika, You won’t believe it. But Hari’s teacher is actually the reflection of Your lovely form, that Syama sees appearing like a skillful dancer in every tree, creeper and direction to make Hari dance along with it” (Govinda-lilamrta 8.77)

“Every day without fail, Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami takes three baths in Radha-kunda.” (Caitanya-caritamrta 1.10.101)
tina –sandhya -radha -kunde -apatita -snana

“Just as Srimati Radharani is most dear to Sri Krishna, Radha-kunda is also dear to Krishna. Among all the sakhis, Srimati is the supremely dearest of Damodara.” (Caitanya-caritamrta 2.8.99/Padma P.)

Sri Narahari Cakravarti Thakura:

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

Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti:

“Although always longing to meet and play together, Radha Govinda forever remain apart. But in Their forms as Radha-kunda and Syama-kunda, They eternally unite at the Sangam to splash one another with the nectar sweetness of Their love.

“How do the divine Radha and Krishna kundas appear? What I think is that as soon as Radha sees Her Raman, Radha melts in divine ecstasy to become Radha-kunda. In the same way, when Syama sees Sundari, Syama melts in divine ecstasy to become Syama-kunda.” (Vraja riti-cintamani 3.33-34)

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

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati:

“Sri Guru has an eternal kunja on the shore of Sri Radha-kunda. There he binds Krishna by the power of his seva.” (BBT folio: Sri Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Amrta -Vani 53)

“As manjaris of Sri Radha, we must constantly live on the banks of Radha-kunda. Only the most fortunate live in the most sanctified place of Sri Radha-kunda, and it is the only shelter for devotees in madhurya-rasa. (BBT folio: BST Amrta Vani Appendix)

“Only by Sri Radha’s mercy can one reside eternally on the banks of Radha-kunda.” (BBT folio: Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Vaibhava (III.12)

“The topmost principle in the spiritual kingdom is to BATHE IN SRI RADHA KUNDA.” (BBT folio: BST Amrta Vani Appendix)

Srila Prabhupada:

Forty-three years ago, in 1976, a disciple, Acyutananda Swami, asked, “Srila Prabhupada, our devotees are also wearing Radha-kunda tilaka. Is that ok?”

Srila Prabhupada replied, “There is no harm in wearing Radha-kunda tilaka.” (Folio: 760816rc.bom)

Radhika Kunda Sacred Bath Mantra:

Gaur-Govinda Archana Smarana Paddhati (33) says one should chant this mantra before lovingly and respectfully bathing in the divine holy waters of Sri Radhika-kunda (Radha-kunda):

radhika –sama –saubhagya, sarva -tirtha-pravandita
prasida –radhika -kunda, snami -te -salile -subhe

“O Sri Radhika-kunda! You are most fortunate because You are like Srimati Radhika Herself.
“O Radhika-kunda, You are the most praiseworthy of all holy places.
I am now bathing in Your divine prema-filled water, so please give me Your mercy.”

Syama -kunda -Radha-kunda -ki -jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

,

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Praises Radha Kunda

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

500 hundred years ago, Sriman Mahaprabhu unveiled the hidden location of Radha-kunda, manifested 5,000 years ago by Radha-Krishna. While bathing in two tiny pools of water He discovered in some paddy fields, Sri Caitanya became overwhelmed in prema. Then Gaurahari danced in bliss on the banks of Radha-kunda while meditating upon Radha-Madhava’s pastimes at Radha Kunda, premavista -hana -tire, nrtya -kare -kunda –lila -sanariya. (Caitanya Caritamrita 2.18.13)

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said:

  1. Radha-kunda is very dear to Sri Krishna because it is very dear to Radha,
    taiche –radha –kunda -priya -priyara -sarasi (Caitanya Caritamrita 2.18.7)

 

  1. In Radha-kunda, Krishna eternally associates with Radhika enjoying water sports and other rapturous pastimes on Her banks, yei –kunde -nitya –krishna –radhikara –sange, jale –jala –keli –kare, tire –rasa –range. (Caitanya Caritamrita 2.18.9)

 

  1. Sri Krishna gives ecstatic love exactly like that of Radha to whoever BATHES EVEN ONCE in Radha-kunda,
    sei –kunde –eka –bara –yei –kore –snana, tare –radha –sama –prema –krishna –kore –dana. (Caitanya Caritamrita 2.18.10)

 

  1. The glorious sweetness Radha-kunda resembles Radha’s sweet glories,
    kundera –madhuri –yena –radhara –madhurima,
    kundera –mahima –yena –radhara -mahima. (Caitanya Caritamrita 2.18.11)

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu ki jai Radha Kunda Dhama ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

 

,

Where to Live—Radha Kunda or Vrindavana?

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Some extremely fortunate Gaudiya Vaisnavas live in either Radha-kunda or Vrindavana. Quoting Srila Prabhupada and the Gaudiya Vaisnava acaryas, we’ll answer the question: “Which is the best place practice bhakti sadhana—Radha-kunda or Vrindavana?”

Although there are different views on this, all Gaudiya Vaisnavas must accept of conclusions of our sastras. Srila Prabhupada confirms saying, “To follow Caitanya Mahaprabhu means following the six Goswamis [books], because the six Goswamis were directly instructed by Mahaprabhu to spread this [Krishna consciousness] movement.” (folio 730105ND.BOM)

“Our goal is to become fully Krishna conscious. To attain this goal, we follow the six original Gosvamis [i.e. Sri Rupa, Sanatana, Bhatta Raghunatha, Sri Jiva, Gopala Bhatta, Dasa Raghunatha].” (folio: BTG april/1974 post SP)

Each chapter of Caitanya-caritamrta, ends with the sloka: “The lotus feet of Sri Rupa and Raghunatha [Dasa Goswami] are my only hope and aspiration, sri -rupa -raghunatha -pade vara -asha.”

Sri Narottama Dasa Thakura (Prarthana) prays, “When will I understand Radha-Krishna’s love by eagerly following the footsteps of Sri Rupa and Sri Raghunatha?”

rupa -raghunatha -pade, hoibe –akuti,
kabe -hama -bujhabo, se -jugala -piriti?

The immortal words of Srila Prabhupada and the six Gosvamis will now highlight the preeminent position of Radha-kunda as the best place of residence for Gaudiya Vaisnavas.

Sri Rupa Gosvami:

  1. Mathura is superior to Vaikuntha because Krishna appears there. Better than Mathura is Vrndavana where Krishna dances the rasa-lila. Better than Vrindavana is Govardhana Hill. And best of all is Radha-kunda because it overflows with Krishna prema -amrta. Therefore, anyone who is intelligent will live at Radha-kunda! (Upadesamrta v. 9)
  2. Anyone who is fortunate will take shelter and live at Radha-kunda.” (Upadesamrta v. 10)

Raghunatha Dasa Goswami:

  1. The delightful forest of Vrndavana— site of the nectar-filled Rasa-dance— beautiful Govardhana Hill, and all other holy places are not even equal to one particle of one atom of Sri Radha-kunda! I take shelter of divine Radha-kunda which is dearer to Mukunda than His own breath. (Vraja Vilasa Stava 53)
  2. O restless-eyed Radhika! You and Your beloved Krishna always stay in Radha-kunda. Thus I vow that here only I will live and here only I will stay! (Vilapa Kusumanjali 98).
  3. O sakhi Sri Rupa Manjari! Please arrange for me to always stay in Radha-kunda. (Stavavali, IV. 3)

Srila Prabhupada:

  1. Sri Rupa Goswamipada has given much stress to Radha-kunda, so who would give up Radha-kunda and try to reside elsewhere? No person with transcendental intelligence would do so. (Upadesamrta v. 9 pur.)
  2. One should live at Radha-kunda, take shelter of the confidential serving maids [the manjaris] of Sri Radha, and under their direction engage constantly in Radharani’s service. (Upadesamrta v. 11 pur.)
  3. If one is thus constantly engaged during his lifetime, after giving up the body he will return back to Godhead to serve Sri Radha in the same way as he contemplated during his life on the banks of Radha-kunda.

The conclusion is that to live on the banks of the Radha-kunda and TO BATHE THERE DAILY constitute the highest perfection of devotional service. Thus there is no limit to the glory of Sri Radha Kunda. (Upadesamrta v. 11 pur.)

Srila Prabhupada ki jai! Radha-kunda ki jai!

Of course, it is a great fortune to live in any one of the four Gaudiya Vaisnava transcendental dhamas i.e. Radha-kunda, Vrndavana, Jagannatha Puri and Navadvipa. However, the sastras specifically describe the unique and incredible benefits of living in and practicing bhakti sadhana in Sri Vraja Dhama. Srila Prabhupada himself said “Vrndavana is my home”, according to various biographies found in the BBT Folio Archives.

It is also clearly seen in sastras and in the personal lives of the six Gosvamis that among all the holy places in the universe, Radha-kunda is the most powerful, beneficial, and madhurya rasa-filled sacred place to reside and do Krishna bhajan. In fact, five of the six Gosvamis lived in Vrndavana, and one, Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami, did Radha-Govinda Yugala bhajan in Radha-kunda for about fifty-years.

Thus, to quickly attain spiritual perfection and Sri Sri Radha-Krishna’s eternal loving service, one should live in and practice bhakti sadhana in Sri Radha-kunda Dhama.

Jai Jai Sri Radhe! Radha-kunda vasa ki jai!

Six Goswamis ki jai! Srila Prabhupada ki jai!

,

How to Serve Radha Kunda?

Mahanidhi Swami

The Puranas, the Gaudiya Vaisnava sastras and acaryas like Sri Rupa Goswamipada, Sri Sanatana Goswami, Sri Jiva Goswamipada, Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami, Sri Visvanatha Cakravarti and Srila Prabhupada all mention the magnificent, beneficial and sweet glories of ati ati pavitram and mangalam transcendental dhama called Sri Radha Kunda.

In Mathura Mahatmya (v. 421-22), Sri Rupa Goswamipada quotes the Padma Purana: “Among unlimited number of Vraja-gopis, there is one i.e. Srimati Radharani who is the dearest beloved of Sri Krishna. Just as Radha is Krishna’s dearest, similarly, Radha-kunda is also most dear to Bhagavan Sri Krishna.”

sarva-gopisu saivaika, visnor atyanta-vallabha
atha radha priya visnos, tasyah kundam priyam tatha

Since Radha-kunda and Shyama-kunda are saksad, directly and personally Sri Sri Radha-Krishna, the obvious first answer to the question, “how to serve Radha Kunda”, is to directly serve Shyama and Radha Kundas by speaking and writing about Their glories, offering arati and chanting astakams and prayers exalting the kundas, parikrama, sweeping, taking snana, bringing friends for darsana, seva and snana etc. More ideas listed below.

In Mathura Mahatyam (v. 420), Sri Rupa Goswamipada quotes the Padma Purana, Karttika-mahatmya: “If you BATHE IN RADHA KUNDA on Bahulastami, you will become very dear to Bhagavan Sri Hari, karttike bahulastamyam, tatra snatva hareh priyah.” Please note that the verse does not specifically say anything about bathing at midnight.

Sri Rupa Goswamipada says (Upadesamrta 11), “If you just take ONE BATH in Radha-kunda, then that Krishna prema [like Sri Radha and the gopis have] will manifest in your heart, tat premedam sakrd api sarah snatur aviskaroti!

Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami says, “If anyone, qualified or not (jana kascit), serves Radha-kunda, he/she will obtain the transcendental creeper of Krishna prema, bearing the flowers of radha-dasya i.e. service to my Isvari Sri Radha.” (Stavavali, Radha-kunda astakam v.5)

api jana iha kascid yasya seva-prasadaih
pranaya-sura-lata syat tasya gosthendra-sunoh
sapadi kila mad-isa dasya puspa prasasya

Srila Prabhupada said, “By serving Radha-kunda, you will get an opportunity to become an assistant of Srimati Radharani under the eternal guidance of the gopis [means dasi manjari]” (Nectar of Instruction 11 pur.)

Another way to “serve Radha-kunda” is to serve the Kundavasis or full time residents of Sri Radha-kunda Dhama. Many types of Radha-Krishna bhaktas, local and foreign born, are staying here, including Brahmins and Pandas, Vrajavasis, Babajis, Sannyasis, Widows, Grhastas and single persons. Serving Radha-kunda certainly includes serving Srimati Radharani’s dear kunda nivasis by donating money, cloth, blankets, books, utensils, umbrellas, shoes, sweets, grains, dal, ghee, oil, sugar, fruits, vegetables, etc.

Radha Kundavasi service is mentioned in the ancient Padma Purana, Karttika-mahatmya quoted by Sri Rupa Goswamipada in his Mathura Mahatmya (v. 421):

“You should please and satisfy the HUMANS, DEVOTEES and BRAHMINS staying at Radha-kunda.”

naro bhakto bhaved vipras, tat-sthitasya pratosanam

So serving Radha-kunda means serving the place which is Srimati Radharani Herself, and the people staying here—the Radha-kunda nivasis.

19 Ways to Serve Radha-kunda and Vrndavana

Sri Krishna, His associates and His holy abode of Vraja are all beautiful and blissful, sweet, charming, purifying and worshipable. However, it is very very difficult and practically impossible to directly see and intimately serve Radha and Krishna. It is the rare fortune of the premi bhaktas.

However, many bhaktas get the fortune to visit, see and live in Sridhama Vrindavana. So whenever you visit Radha-kunda or Vrndavana, please take advantage of the opportunity to directly see, worship and serve Sri Radha and Sri Krishna in Their dhama-svarupa by performing the following wonderful sevas.

By serving Sri Radha-kunda and Sri Krishna’s Holy Dhama, you will become free from janam grama and indriya grama, attachment to your birthplace and material body made of senses (indriya). You can do the following dhama-sevas alone or with kindred spirits. The saying goes, “Cleaning Krishna’s dhama removes krodha and kama.”

  1. Sweep, wash and clean the footpaths, steps of kundas and sarovaras, parikrama paths, lila sthalis and old temples.
  2. Donate money to repair and maintain old temples, especially at specific lila sthalis.
  3. Visit each holy place with great respect, eagerness and enthusiasm to hear its glories and also give donations to the temple pujaris and pandas (brahmana guides).
  4. Show the utmost respect to Vrajavasis, temple pujaris and pandas (brahmana guides) at each holy place.
  5. Give donations of food (sweets, fruits, juices, grains etc), cloth and money to children and needy Vrajavasis.
  6. Wherever possible plant fragrant flowering trees, creepers and plants to beautify lila sthalis, temples and other open areas of the holy dhama.
  7. Don’t pollute Vrajadhama with plastic bags, bottles, containers and other non-biodegradable articles.
  8. Regularly and respectfully bathe in sacred waters and worship them. And also worship all the Deities with at least a ghee lamp and some incense.
  9. Help the Vrajavasis who are performing Nama and Dhama seva.
  10. Offer dandavats and roll in the dust of all lila sthalis.
  11. Glorify the presiding Deities at each temple and lila sthali with sweet kirtana, katha and bhajanas.
  12. Hear or read about Krishna’s lilas at every holy place you visit.
  13. Also ask the pujari or panda to tell you some transcendental pastimes of Krishna.
  14. Never visit Vraja without hearing Hari-katha from devotional Vrajavasis.
  15. Inspire and help others to visit or live in Vraja dhama.
  16. Speak, write, make videos and print books about the glories of Vraja dhama.
  17. Every day in Vraja rise early and chant, sing, hear and read the glories of Radha-Govinda with a fixed vow.
  18. Never ever think, hear or speak, criticism or gossip about any Vrajavasis.
  19. When not in Vraja dhama, try to remember the Vraja deities, lila sthalis, pastimes, Hari-katha and devotees you experienced there.

The most important seva, which is the main part of all the preceding nineteen sevas, is to always chant the ambrosial name of Srimati Radharani.

Vrajavasis say, “Radhe Radhe Bol, Vrindavana Mein Dol”, which means, If you want to live and wander in Vrindavana, then always chant “Radhe! Radhe!”

Shyama Kunda Radha Kunda ki jai! Sri Dhama Vrindavana ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

,

Heart of a Manjari

Mahanidhi Swami

A raganuga sadhaka pursuing the madhurya bhakti of the Vraja ragatmika gopis of Sri Krishna will concentrate on the sevas and feelings of a few manjari dasis of Sri Radhika.

The goal of a manjari bhava sadhaka is the seva and pleasure of Srimati Radharani. The sadhaka will read and meditate upon all the sevas performed by different manjari’s i.e. Sri Rupa Manjari and Rati/Tulasi.

The manjari bhava sadhaka will think, “I am assisting and serving side by side with Radhika’s nitya-siddha manjaris, and my individual guru sakhi and parama guru sakhi in various ways for Srimati’s satisfaction as described in Vilapa Kusumanjali, Govinda-lilamrta, Sankalpa Kalpadrum etc. One should also think that sometimes I am alone with Radha to personally perform all these sevas for Radha’s pleasure throughout the day and night.

When reading about the sevas, sentiments, and interactions of Sri Rupa-manjari, Tulasi-manjari and others, I try to visualize and relish their exchanges with Radhika, with Krishna, and with each another. I try my best to identify with their feelings of oneness with Srimati Radharani.

As Srimati Radhika’s kinkari or loving maidservant, I have tad bhava icchatmika bhava or devotion. This means that I only desire to identify with, nourish and experience the sentiments and feelings (madhurya-bhava) within the heart of Sri Radhika, who is the sole Mistress of my life.

“O Srimati, my life is sharing Your sentiments, not enjoying Your Shyama.”

I am totally made of seva. I exist only to please and satisfy Radha in every possible way throughout the day. Radha’s joy is my joy and Radha’s distress is my distress.

“O Swamini Sri Radha! I’m also trying my best to become bhava tadatmya, which means that I am exactly one in feeling with You—one heart, one mind and one life: YOURS. O Sriji! You never have to tell me what You need or what to do. I know it already because You are in my heart and I’m in Yours—ETERNALLY!”

Whatever Radha needs or feels immediately produces a thought within the manjari to offer that exact seva at that moment. Because of her oneness in heart with Radharani, the Radha bhava tadatmya manjari directly experiences the bliss and ecstasy that Rasa-vilasini Radha relishes with Rasabihari Shyama.

But at all times, the focus of the manjari is Radha’s pleasure, and not relishing the paramount euphoria of sharing the quality but never the quantity of Radhika’s mahabhava. Removing Radha’s anxieties and rendering expert, pleasing sevas to Radha is the only activity of a manjari. It’s her life and soul. This angle of vision coupled with a humble seva bhava automatically fills the manjari with supreme bliss. For the sadhaka and the siddha—Seva Is bliss!”

“O Radha, please feel my heart crying in the loneliness of Your separation! I am Yours! For even a second, I cannot live without Your most trusted, intimate seva. O Priyaji, please just once look my way and take this fallen wretch to Your sweet lotus feet.”

Sri Radha’s nitya Vraja kunja seva ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe! Sri Vraja Dhama ki jai!

,

Karttika Super Benefits

Mahanidhi Swami

Karttika is a special month to collect lots of mercy and blessings from Bhagavan Sri Krishna. Before citing the super benefits of observing the Karttika Vrata, we will quote Srila Prabhupada’s translation of one verse of Satyavrata Muni’s “Damodarastakam” which is chanted daily in the Karttika month.

Srila Prabhupada said, “In this prayer, one passage says, ‘My dear Lord Dämodara, once when You were playing as a naughty boy in the house of Nanda Mahäräja, You broke the box containing yogurt. Because of that, mother Yaçodä considered You an offender and tied You with rope to the household grinding mortar. At that time, You delivered the two sons of Kuvera, Nalaküvara and Maëigréva, who were staying there as two arjuna trees in the yard of Nanda Mahäräja. My only request is that by Your merciful pastimes You may similarly deliver me.’” (Nectar Of Devotion cp. 4)

In His teachings to Srila Sanatana Goswamipada (Cc. 2.22), Gauranga Mahaprabhu explained the 64 limbs of devotion by which one can attain the most valuable treasure of love for Krishna (pai Krishna-prema-maha-dhana). At that time, Mahaprabhu said, “In all respects, one of the most important limbs is to observe special vows in the month of Karttika, (karttika adi vrata, parama-parama-mahattva).

Srila Rupa Goswami extols the Damodara (Karttika) month in his Mathura Mahatyam: “To they who worship Krishna in Vrindavana, Lord Krishna gives them their original spiritual forms. The perfect atonement to purify the sins of a lifetime is to worship Lord Damodara in Vrindavana during Karttika. The month of Karttika spent in Vrindavana takes one to the spiritual world.”

The Hari-bhakti-viläsa proclaims, “O learned brähmanas! Lord Dämodara becomes very pleased if during the month of Karttika with one worships a Deity of Radhika solely for Her pleasure.” (16.95)

In Jaiva Dharma, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura said, “Another name for Kärttika is Ürja. Devotees take special vows of renunciation and increase their devotional activities of hearing, chanting, remembering, circumambulation, etc., to celebrate the pastimes of Sri Krishna.”

In his Nectar of Devotion, Srila Prabhupada said, “One of the most important functions is called Ürja-vrata, observed in the month of Kärttika. The execution of devotional service during Ürja-vrata in the month of Kärttika is especially recommended to be performed at Mathurä. This system is still followed by many devotees. They go to Mathurä or Våndävana and stay there during the month of Kärttika.

“Even unserious persons who execute devotional service according to the regulative principles during the month of Kärttika within the jurisdiction of Mathurä in India are very easily awarded Sri Krishna’s personal service.”

Srila Prabhupada ki jai! Karttika Super Benefits ki jai!

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

,

Spend Karttika in Radha Kunda – October 20 – November 19, 2018

Mahanidhi Swami

In Karttika month, Maa Yashoda bound her Lala Damodara, Dhruva had darshana of his ishta-deva, Lord Vishnu, and King Amburisha humbled the powerful Rishi Durvasa. In Mathura Mahatmya, Srila Rupa Goswamipada highlights the glories of living in Vraja Mandala during Karttika: “It gives immense pleasure to Bhagavan Sri Krishna, and Krishna awards one residence in the spiritual world. Although Karttika comes every year, foolish people (nara-mudha) do not take advantage of this.” (verses 172-180)

Please do not take the last phrase personally. Srila Rupa Goswamipada, like Sri Krishna in Gita motivating Arjuna in different ways, is trying to encourage us to observe Karttika Vrata in Vraja [especially Radha Kunda]. Let’s just say the phrase means, “Stop fooling around, get serious about bhakti, and arrange to spend Karttika this year in Radha Kunda to get the full mercy of Karunamayi Sri Radha.”

To facilitate the devotees wanting to do this, I have collected the names and the up-to-date contact numbers of guesthouses in Radha Kunda. You must call first, and then come here to personally see the rooms before booking. As there are lots of varieties of accommodations, you must see yourself. If a guest house is not in Radha Kunda, it will be marked (N), meaning near, 1-3 km. from the village.

  1. Manipur Gopala Mandira 9897430910
  2. Sri Nathji Ashram 8755116769
  3. Gajendra Goswami 9897412716; 9456684004
  4. Sriji 9411442020; 9634215583
  5. Lakshman Brijwasi 9897509067
  6. Raghu Lila (N) 7417103234
  7. Yugala Bhajana Kutir (N) 8791314610
  8. Radharani G.H. 9997874528
  9. Smt. Susma Parashar (N) Noida G.H. 9897500365
  10. Giridhari G.M. (N) 9760628646; 0565-281-5668
  11. Radha Kunja G.M. (N) 9454875061
  12. Rupanuga Bhajana Ashram 9412777437
  13. Nataraja Manipur Mandir 9897534796
  14. Nitai G.M. (B.R. Sadhu) [behind Mahanidhi S. Ashram] 8755570735

KARTTIKA 2018 CLASSES: Radha Kunda, Mahanidhi Swami Ashram
October 20 – November 23, 2018

3 pm – 5 pm  Rasa Lila Katha
5 pm – Radha Kunda Parikrama with Sri Harinam Sankirtana

Radha-Damodara ki jai! Karttika Vratosava ki jai!

Shyama Kunda Radha Kunda ki jai!

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

,

Panditji & Swamiji

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

One of the oldest and most famous Gaudiya Vaisnava scholars in Vraja today is 99 year old Pandita Sri Krishna Dasa Babaji Maharaja, Bhakti-tirtha.

Srila Prabhupada and Pandita Sri Krishna Dasji became friends in the 1960’s after meeting in Bon Maharaja’s college in Vrindavana. A few years ago, Pandita Baba recounted his memories of Prabhupada for a book titled, “Our Srila Prabhupada—A Friend to All”.

Here we share those memories, and invite our readers to relish the sweet and sometimes humorous exchanges between the liberated ones.

Pandit Sri Krishna Dasa Babaji:

“I was a Sanskrit student and scholar in the early 1960’s, and I often visited Bon Maharaja’s Sanskrit college, which was across from where the ISKCON temple is now. At that time, Srila Swami Maharaja also was living in Sri Vrindavana Dhama. He was writing translations and purports to the beginning three volumes of his Srimad Bhagavatam series in the English language.

“At the college, there was an informal gathering of local Gaudiya and Vrajavasi scholars and writers who met regularly every few weeks or each month to share their work and ask for suggestions regarding the Sanskrit or whatever. I attended those writers’ meetings and so did Srila Swami Maharaja. That is how we began our acquaintance and friendship.

“I remember how delightful his countenance was. Swamiji was very charming, and full of realization, humor and affection. He was so kind upon me. I was a much younger man, junior in all ways. Yet Swamiji treated me just like a son or a very little brother. He always encouraged me, asked about my welfare, and shared hari-katha from his writings.

“He was a valuable friend during that time. Although his material circumstances were then so poor, he always seemed to me to be one of the richest devotees in spiritual blessings. He was a very learned and humble Vaisnava. He worked very diligently on his manuscripts, and often spoke about the order from his guru maharaja, His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada.

“I have one special remembrance of something that occurred during our regular meetings at Bon Maharaja’s college. Swamiji had every intention to somehow spread this Krishna knowledge in the West, despite all obstacles.

“He would often speak of this task of service, and was always looking for opportunities to somehow arrange to travel there. Most of us at that time were quite doubtful that he could succeed to go. He was practically penniless then, without sponsors or connections. Many of us were not so favorable for any Indian to go to the mleccha [western] countries, so we did not encourage him. Nevertheless, he was undaunted.

“I recall how Swamiji came one day in great happiness and excitement. I think he had just completed his third volume of the Srimad Bhagavatam and he was carrying all three in his hands. He then explained to our group how he had finally printed the last texts and now the books were ready to go to the West.

“In a very sweet way, he formally asked if we would all please bless his books that they would be able to go across the ocean and be successful in spreading Krishna consciousness in the western countries. Of course, we were willing to do that. So he carefully passed around the stack of three, brick-red, cloth bound books, and asked each of us to touch them and give our blessings, which we did.

“Immediately after this he did something quite remarkable. Swamiji explained with deep seriousness how these Bhagavata books, now blessed, could not go across the ocean by themselves. Someone would have to take them to the west, popularize them, and distribute them properly to the public. So he then humbly requested, with folded palms, that our assembly would also bless him to accompany the books and preach on their behalf. In this way he took us all by surprise.

“We all then felt moved to finally give our full blessings to his mission. I thought at that time how remarkable a Vaisnava he was, to request such blessings and to arrange for receiving them so wonderfully. I remember when I gave my blessings to him, I felt a spiritual surcharge in my heart.

“Many years later, and now still it stands strongly in history how Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja [Srila Prabhupada] was successful in carrying our heritage and philosophy to the whole world. I feel honored to have been some very small part of that glorious success.”

Srila Prabhupada ki jai! Pandit Sri Krishna Dasji Babaji Maharaja ki jai!

Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!