Bits of Vraja History part one .... by Mahanidhi Madana Gopala Das

#VrindavanHistory #VrajaYatra #ParikramaOfVrindavana #Vrindavana 

Some of the monthly issues of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada’s English publication titled “Harmonist” give brief descriptions of his Vraja Mandala Parikramas in the 1930’s. We will cite a few quotes to give a glimpse of how “natural” Vrindavana was 85 years ago. 

Harmonist (1932 a.d.): 

“The Govardhana Hill parikrama route from Danaghati to Govinda kunda is covered with sand 4 inches deep. Surya-kunda abounds in deer freely roaming about. The route from Kamyavan to Varsana (9 miles) is mostly covered with deep sand. Prasadam for our party was flat rice, yogurt, sugar, bundia, etc. The Vrajavasis supplied as much matha (buttermilk) as the pilgrims needed.” [ed. The article often mentions that wherever the yatra went, the Vrajavasis freely gave them buttermilk in abundance.]

“The Vrajavasis sprinkled the road with water and showered fried rice, flowers etc., on the chanters of the kirtana party all along the route. When the yatra reached Vrindavana, in the evening a large gathering of local Vrajavasis including several European ladies and gentlemen was addressed in the lecture.” 

What follows are unedited excerpts from an article by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada:

Circumambulation of the Divine Realm of Braja

(Shree Braja Mandal Parikrama)

“It is not the journey [means parikrama] but the method of its performance that really matters. Any journey that is performed under the lead of the sadhu is a spiritual function. It is for the purpose of inspiring a real regard for the transcendental realm of Braja in the minds of the circumambulators that the function has been manifested by the sadhu. 

“In the realm of Braja, it is not jeevas who enjoy the landscape. It is Krishna Who is the Sole Enjoyer of that Realm. When love for Krishna makes its appearance in the spiritual essence of the perfectly pure soul, such a person forgoes all inclinations for any form of sensuous activity of both the gross and subtle varieties. He is then entitled to visit the realm of Braja. He is also impelled to do so by his irrepressible love for Krishna. 

“But [when he gets there] he finds the realm of Braja itself in mourning in its agony of separation from Krishna. The sight only serves to still further augment his own sorrow. He does not find Krishna in the realm of Braja, but meets instead the denizens of the place undergoing grief of separation from Krishna like himself.” (Harmonist jan. 1932)

Vraja Mandala Chaurashi Krosha Parikrama ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!