Vrndavana is Krishna’s Body—Darsana and Bare Feet

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

#VrndavanaDhama #SeeingKrishnaInVrndavana #DarsanaOfKrishna

Unlike any other place on earth which may have trees and magical forests, sacred mountains, lakes, rivers and curious creatures, Sri Dhama Vrndavana is directly the transcendental body of Bhagavan Sri Krishna.

In his Brahma-samhita (43) commentary, Sri Jiva Goswami quotes the Brhad Gautamiya-tantra:

pañca-yojanam –evāsti, vanaṁ- me -deha-rūpakam

kālindīyaṁ -suṣumnākhyā, param-āmṛta-vāhinī

Bhagavan Sri Krishna says, “O Naradaji! The forest of Vrndavana on earth, comprising five yojanas, is non-different from My body. The sweet nectar filled Yamuna River is the sushumna nadi of My transcendental body of Vrndavana.”

Sri Jiva Goswami: “The unmanifest Vrndavana Dhama, aprakata-vrndavana, in the spiritual sky can be seen by eyes filled with Krishna prema. Moreover, terrestial Vrndavana has a special power in it, i.e. Yogamaya, that allows premi bhaktas to see right here and now before them the blissful, divine lilas of Radha and Krishna going on in Goloka Vrndavana in the spiritual realm. Thus it is said, ‘one can see Gokula in Goloka, and Goloka in Gokula.’”

The verse quoted above, which proves that Vrndavana Dhama is non-different from the spiritual body of Bhagavan Sri Krishna, is cited in many sastras i.e. Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (3.4.76); Brahma-samhita verse 43 tika of Sri Jiva Goswami; Gopala Campu (1.1.18); Krishna Sandarbha 106; Brhad and Laghu-Vaisnava Tosani (chapter 11).

Sri Krishna Dasa Kaviraja also confirms that Vrndavana dhama is the body of Bhagavan Sri Krishna. When Caitanya Mahaprabhu gave His personal Govardhana Sila to Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami, He said:

ei- śilā- kṛṣṇera- vigraha, iṅhāra- sevā –kara- tumi -kariyā -āgraha

“O Dasa Raghunatha! This Govardhana sila is directly the transcendental form of Sri Krishna, so you must worship Giriraja with great eagerness.” (Cc 3.6.294)

pūjā-kāle -dekhe -śilāya, vrajendra-nandana

“At the time of puja, Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami saw his Govardhana sila as Vrajendranandan Sri Krishna.” (Cc 2.6.300)

Saints say that Govardhana is Visnu Parvata, and He is also the tilaka gracing the elegant forehead of Govinda’s transcendental body of Vrndavana.

The question may be asked, “Ok, fine, Vrndavana is the transcendental body of Sri Krishna. But is there any chance that I will ever see Radha and Krishna while living in Vrndavana?” Sri Jiva Goswami answers this question by saying YES! Then he gives a meditation from Gautamiya-tantra (chapter 4) to attain Krishna’s darsana:

“The entire Vrndavana community of millions of gopis, cows and calves has descended from Goloka Vrndavana. In Vraja, lacs of blossoming lotus-eyed gopis worship Sri Hari with the flowers of their ecstatic emotions.

ahar-niśaṁ- japen –mantraṁ, mantra- niyata-mānasaḥ

sa –paśyati- na- sandeho, gopa-rūpa-dharaṁ- harim

“To get darsana of Sri Hari and the gopis, you should continually chant japa of the Krishna/Gopala diksa mantra day and night with single-minded attention. Then without any doubt (na-sandeho) you will see Krishna the cowherd boy of Vrndavana.”

Sri Jiva Goswami quotes the Trailokya-sammohana-tantra: “Any sadhaka who chants the eighteen syllable Krishna/Gopala diksa mantra WILL DEFINITELY SEE SRI KRISHNA, the cowherd boy.”

Barefoot in Vraja

Before we get to the main point of this post, let’s hear some Vraja dhuli mahima, about the greatness and transcendental significance of the sacred dust of Vrndavana.

Throughout His Vraja lila, Govinda Gopala ran all over Vraja mandala without any shoes or socks. The Srimad Bhagavatam (10.15.1) says:

padaiḥ-vrndavanam-punyam-ativa-cakratuh, “Krishna especially beautified the land of Vrndavana by imprinting upon it the marks of His lotus feet.”

In Gopi-gita (SB 10.31.11), the cowherd damsels of Vraja cry out:

nalina-sundaraṁ -nātha -te -padam, śila-tṛṇāṅkuraiḥ -sīdatīti -naḥ

“O Natha! O Kanta! Your feet are softer and more beautiful than a blue lotus. Thus, O Krishna, You must be feeling great pain when You step on the spiked husks of grains, dried grass and sprouting plants while herding Your cows.”

Sri Caitanya maha-krpa-patra, Sri Kavi Karnapura says, “The pure, colorful dust of Vraja kicked up by the cows’ hooves and sprinkled on Krishna’s curly locks by the gentle breeze looks like pollen sprinkled on the body of a beautiful bumble bee.’ (Krishnaika Kaumudi, 5th ray)

Radha Rasa Sudha Nidhi (14):

rādhā- padāṅka- vilasan –madhura- sthalīke

“The lila sthalis of Vrndavana are sweet and beautiful because of Radha’s pastimes and Her footprints.”

“We should understand that the dust of Vraja is the foot dust of Srimati Radhika. Endless honey-sweet streams of mahabhava flow from Sri Radharani’s lotus feet to saturate the dust of Vrndavana with the nectar of Her astonishing love for Krishna.

“There is no doubt about it that one can attain Giridhari Sri Krishna by serving this unlimitedly powerful divine dust. Thus Krishna’s eternal associates like Uddhava pray for birth in Vraja as a blade of grass just to get covered by this transcendental dust.” (Prema Bhakti Candrika 107 tika, Pandit Sri Ananta Das Babaji Maharaja)

Besides these few entries, there are literally hundreds of sastric statements and poems in Sanskrit, Bengali and Hindi glorifying the power and benefits of the amazing transcendental dust of Vraja Bhumi. All of these scriptures prescribe going barefoot on parikrama, and thousands of years of tradition have upheld this injunction.

Unfortunately, today we see lots of Vraja yatris performing parikrama of Giriraja, Vrndavana or Radha-kunda while wearing regular shoes, thin “baby” shoes or layers of socks. Acts of devotion like parikrama are included in the fourth limb of nava-vidha bhakti (pada- sevanam). The purpose all sevas like chanting Hare Krishna japa, studying Srimad Bhagavatam, worshiping Krishna murtis, and parikrama is to please Bhagavan and receive His blessings.  

We highly doubt that Sri Krishna will be very happy with or bless anyone who walks on His transcendental body (Vrndavana) while wearing shoes and socks on his/her feet.

Of course, our mushy minds will mutter— “O my feet are too soft and tender. I may get cut or bruised if I go bare foot. I have to protect my feet so I can go to work on Monday. Besides it hurts and it’s painful.”

All these things may be true, but what about the gain gotten from the pain of surrender?

Sadhu vani says that one can get Krishna prema in Navadvipa Dhama from Harinama Sankirtan; in Sri Ksetra Dhama from eating Jagannatha maha-prasadam, and in Vrndavana Dhama prema from contacting the dust, Vraja dhuli. But how will this prema-giving, mercy-rich, sweet dust of Vraja get through the shoes and layers of socks? When prema is waiting for the taking, pampering one’s feet over receiving the mercy of Vraja is a most paltry proposal.  

For centuries, yatris and the saints of Vraja have covered themselves with the precious dust of Vraja—seeing it as the ultimate goal of their lives. When Krishna’s uncle Akrura arrived in Vrndavana, he rolled in the dust of Vraja and honourably held it on his head.

The Gaudiya Vaisnava poets sing:

tyājiyā- śayana-sukha- vicitra -pālaṅka

kabe- vrajera- dhūlāya -dhūsara habe aṅga

“When will I give up the happiness of sleeping in a wonderful bed, and cover my body with the dust and dirt of Vraja?”

It our cherished hope that the gentle words appearing here will encourage devotees to do whatever it takes to make Krishna smile. Our motto should be: “Soul first, body second”. 

In other words, perform acts of sacrifice by depending on Krishna, and watch what miracles of mercy manifest in your lives.

Vraja dhuli ki jai! Vrndavana Dhama ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe! 

Vegan or Bhakta: Which Way to Go?

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

#Veganism #BhaktiAndVegans #KrishnaBhakti #PleasingKrishna             

The perfection of human life is to serve, love and please Bhagavan Sri Krishna with all of one’s thoughts, words and deeds. This is the ultimate Sanatana Dharma, eternal religious practice. Bhagavan Sri Krishna tosana is human perfection.

Today many devotees are taking up the way of Veganism which shuns all products from mother cow, Sri Gaumata. However, for Gaudiya Vaisnavas and all Krishna bhaktas, cows and their wonderful products are essential in the worship of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna. Bhagavan Sri Krishna aka Gopal and Govinda very much loves cows and their milk, butter, yogurt etc. Krishna is eternally famous as “Makhan Chor” and “Damodara-the Mischievous Butter Thief”.

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and all His associates regularly offered and ate Sri Jagannatha maha-prasadam prepared from cow’s milk. Mahaprabhu and His followers propagated the Yuga Dharma of Sri Harinama Sankirtana while using karatals, and mrdangas made from clay and cow hides.

It’s a fact that the demon milk industry wallas are mistreating cows and just ripping off their milk for profit. This is the sorry state of Kali-yuga.

Becoming a Vegan is one way to sympathize with and serve these cows and protest against the Godless demons. But another way is to be a Krishna bhakta, and offer their milk in the seva of Bhagavan Sri Krishna. By engaging these poor cows in Krishna’s pleasure, they will receive great spiritual benefit and elevation.

The Puranas predict that in the future of Kali-yuga, there won’t be any cows, goats, buffalo, camels or any kind of milk whatsoever available. Then at that time, Krishna’s bhaktas will have to resort to soya milk and soya cheese to make offerings for Krishna’s pleasure. Until that unfortunate time arrives, however, we should offer Krishna what He loves, and depend on Krishna to protect us and deliver us. In this way, Krishna bhaktas stay pure in mind, acts and reactions because all is done to please Krishna.

Krishna dharma is sanatana, and beyond all modern standards of morality and mundane sentiments. Veganism and other such compassionate movements are very good on one level, especially for those who are not Krishna bhaktas. However, Veganism, in and of itself, is not transcendental and pleasing to Bhagavan Sri Krishna.

CONCLUSION:

The objective of human life is not just morality or sentiments, but the pleasure of Bhagavan Sri Krishna, Hari tosana. So as Krishna bhaktas, we should keep offering Krishna varieties of cow’s milk products, honor Krishna’s sacred remnants, and also help and serve cows in whatever way we can.

In addition, if all the Vegans and Krishna bhaktas unite in the global performance of intensive public Harinama Sankirtana, then the entire polluted atmosphere of Kali-yuga will be purified, the collective consciousness of the world will be cleaned, and a new age of universal peace, harmony and happiness for the cows and all living entities will prevail.

Sri Gaumata seva ki jai! Gopala Makhan Cora ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

Self-Realization Means What?

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

#SelfRealization #GodRealized #SeeingKrishna #RealizedSoul #Siddhi

Sometimes we hear someone say, “O so and so is self-realized” which is the goal of all spiritual practices. But exactly what does it mean to be a self-realized soul? There is a common saying, “it takes one to know one” which means that the self-realized one is the best person to answer this question.

Thus, we turned to Srila Prabhupada’s direct words describing self-realization because he is a perfectly self-realized soul, and liberated pure devotee of Sri Sri Sri Radha and Krishna. All the sincere Krishna bhaktas striving for self-realization and Radha-Krishna prema will greatly benefit by studying these words of Srila Prabhupada,and trying to embody these qualities and actions in their personal lives. 

The following statements are taken from the BBT Folio collection of Srila Prabhupada’s personal words.

16 DEFINITIONS ofSELF-REALIZATION

Srila Prabhupada said:

- Self-realization means understanding Krishna and one’s eternal relationship with Him.

-Self-realization means “I am dependent on Krishna. I am eternal servant of Krishna. Let me engage myself to the service of Bhagavan Sri Krishna.”

-Self-realizationmeans becoming indifferent to the needs of the gross and subtle bodies and becoming serious about the activities of the self.

-Self-realization means becoming a pure devotee of Bhagavan Sri Krishna.

-Self-realization means seeing one’s proper identity as the infinitesimal jiva. At the present moment, we are seeing the body, but we have no vision of the real person occupying the body.

-Self-realization means that energy should be transferred for Krishna.

-Self-realization means to know that “I am not this body. I am spirit soul. I am part and parcel of God.”

-One who is self-realized knows that all mundane emotions have nothing to do with the pure soul, whose natural propensity is to engage in the loving service of Bhagavan Sri Krishna.

-One who is self-realized is not bewildered by the birth anddeath of the material body, knowing himself to be eternal.

-When one becomes self-realized, two things are conspicuous by absence: no more hankering and no more lamenting [for material things].

-A self-realized person knows that this material cosmic manifestation is a temporary, illusory representation appearing to be truth.

-A self-realized person knows quite well that material happiness is the very cause of continued material existence and forgetfulness of one’s own constitutional position.

-When one is self-realized he becomes joyful because he is free from the material contamination of lamentation and hankering.

-A self-realized person automatically gives up everything irrelevant to his spiritual advancement.

-A self-realized person sees all living entities equally.

-A self-realized person is always engaged in Krishna consciousness.

By the blessings of Sri Sri Guru, Nitai-Gaura Sitanatha and Sri Hari Nama Prabhu may we all very quickly become self-realized, pure loving devotees of Sri Sri Radha Govindadeva.

Giriraja Baba ki jai! Srila Prabhupada Pure Devotees ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

Chitta and Concentration

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das)

#MeditationOnKrsna #JapaConcentration #NamaBhajan #WhatIsChitta

Chitta is a representative of the mahat-tattva within a human being. The Srimad Bhagavatam (3.26.22), says that chitta by nature is pure and peaceful. In pure chitta, one can see Bhagavan Sri Krishna and one’s eternal spiritual form too.

But due to material actions, desires and samskaras accumulated over many lives, the chitta becomes sullied and contaminated like murky water or a dirty mirror. Thus Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu commands ceto darpana marjanam, “Purify the mirror of chitta or consciousness by chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra.”  (Siksastakam 1), 

Chitta is the subconscious mind or the finer aspect of intelligence which links the atma or living entity with the material body via the ahankara, buddhi, mana and indriya (ego, intelligence, mind, senses). Embedded within the chitta are samskaras and vasanas. One’s consciousness (chitta) is made up of two types of impressions (samskara): those acquired in previous lives (praktana), and this lifetime (adhunika).

These samskaras are inclinations, proclivities, impressions and experiences from this and former lives which cause various vasanas or desires to manifest at particular times. These desires or wants appear as thought waves (vrttis) or thinking about a particular object and how to attain it or reject it. An infinite number of vrttis or thought waves, which disturb the mind with tension, anxiety and restlessness, continuously rise and fall within the ocean of chitta.

Concentration is impossible without mental peace and tranquillity. Mental purity produces perfection in practice. Therefore, one must carefully supress or ignore the thought waves i.e. vrttis, ever-rising from the ocean of chitta. This is best done by absorbing the mind in the transcendental name, form and sweet pastimes of Sri Govindadeva with attention and love. Association with saintly devotees also helps create new, positive and divine “bhakti samskaras” which in turn remove the material samskaras, or inclinations for sense enjoyment.

Krishna nama and bhakti bhajan are indeed the most powerful ways to purify the mind and attain spiritual perfection. Along with bhakti, however, you must also cultivate the proper mentality (abhimana) and physical behaviour, sadacara, to purify and steady the mind. You must always watch and monitor your thinking, feeling and acting.

In all times and places, you should remain equipoised, balanced, unbiased and friendly in all dealings. Be loving, understanding, compassionate, and kind to all. Don’t be envious, hateful or judgemental of anyone.

Time is your most valuable asset. Use it wisely for Krishna’s seva and attaining spiritual perfection. Don’t waste your precious human form of life with “time eating monsters” like gossiping, fault-finding, net surfing, face booking, selfies, mindless messaging, and useless twitter-chatter. Krishna prema will quickly come to one who spends maximum time and energy in spiritual practices.

With enthusiasm, patience and determination you should spend all your free time to realize and see Radha and Krishna right now in this life. At all times, you should feel the urgency: “I absolutely must attain and taste Krishna’s sweet love in this life. Nothing else really matters.”

Pitamaha Sri Brahmaji says: “The fire of sadhana absorption will burn the entire stockpile of your karmic desires, karmani nirdahati kintu ca bhakti bhajan. (Brahma-samhita 54) Keep tuned in here for more posts on chitta and concentration.

Ekanta Krishna bhajan ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

Just Living in Vrndavana Gives Prema

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

#BenefitsOfLivingInVrndavana #VrajaDhama #KrishnaPrema

Since one can practice bhakti anywhere, why does Srila Rupa Goswamipada stress physically living in Vrindavan, kuryadvasamvrajesada? (Brs.1.2.295)

Why, because Vraja Dhama has the inconceivable power to quickly manifest bhava bhakti within the heart of a non-offensive sadhaka residing there, duruha-adbhuta-virya-smin–shraddha-dure-panchake …bhava -janmane (Brs. 1.2.238)

The word panchake above refers to the five most potent, result producing limbs of sadhana bhakti, namely nama-sankirtana, murtiseva, sadhu-sanga, hearing Shrimad -Bhagavatam and living in Vrindavan. Not only will one attain bhava-bhakti by Vraja vasa but also Prema.

Mahaprabhu explains, “Of all sadhanas, these five limbs of bhakti are the best. Krishna prema will appear in the sadhaka by even a slight association (alpa-sanga) with them, sakala-sadhana-shreshtha-ei–pancha-anga, Krishna-prema--janmayaei–panchera-alpa-sanga.” (Cc. 2.22.128)

After reading this, the sadhakas living in Vrindavan may ask, “How is it then that I have not yet attained bhava, what to speak of Prema, even though I have lived in Vrindavan for 5, 10, 15 or 25 years?”

The answer is that there is a certain type of “how to” mood of residence in Vrindavan. Srila Narottama dasa Thakura describes it, “One should live in Vraja with anuraga which means a continuous mood of respect, love and loving attachment; while always desiring to be counted among Shrimati Radhika’s Sakhis and Manjaris, “vrajapure–anurage- vasa, sakhi-gana-gananate.” (Pr.Bk.Candrika 56).

If one does not have this mood, however, then he will invariably commit offences to the holy Dhama or the dhamavasis, and thus have to wait a long time to receive the promised bhava and prema. After one suffers for his aparadhas and deeply repents, then Shri Dhama will eventually forgive, and soon award bhava-bhakti to that sincere sadhaka.

Srila Sanatana Goswamipada reveals the matchless quality of Vraja vasa. While traveling on his spiritual odyssey, Gopa Kumara arrived in Dvaraka in the spiritual sky [not in Gujarat, India]. There he directly saw Krishna and interacted with Him in a very personal way. Nevertheless, Gopa Kumara still felt dissatisfied because there he could not find his coveted “Vraja bhava”.

Feeling compassion for him, Uddhava Mahashaya advised him to go to Gokula Vrindavan in the material world, saying, “When the saintly devotees see the empty forests, rivers, mountains and so on in earthly Vrindavan, they automatically get feelings of humility and love simultaneously. Overwhelmed, and their hearts intensely burning in separation, they loudly cry out “Alas! Alas!” as they search for their dearest Shri Krishna.” (Brhad-Bh. 2.5.242-243)

Upon arriving in this earthly Vraja, Gopa Kumara entered a similar emotional state which he describes here: “I came to Vraja and went to see the many places of Shri Krishna’s pastimes while singing my favourite names of Krishna. While loudly and sweetly singing about Krishna’s pastimes, I fixed my mind upon them. I attained such as state of ecstasy (bhava dasha), and became so emotional that it embarrasses me even to think of it. So how then can I describe this to anyone else?

“In this way, I passed many days and nights. However, I did not know whether my bhajana was bringing me immense joy or immense misery. Was I living in a forest fire or was I submerged in the cooling, sweet waters of Yamunaji? That I cannot say. Then one fine day while I was sitting in a Vrajanikunja doing my bhajana, I became immersed in an ocean of crying and fell unconscious.

“Suddenly dayalu-cuda-mani-Shyama appeared before me. With His cooling nectar hand, Shyama personally wiped the dust from my body. Then Madan Gopaladeva filled my nose with the most uncommon and enchanting fragrance of His divine body. I awoke from my swoon and stood up.

“Vraja Nagara Shyama artfully played a sweet tune on His murali, and before I even knew it, Shyama just disappeared in a kunja. Alas! Alas! I ran behind looking for Him. But Shyama had vanished and I collapsed on the ground!” (Brhad-Bh. 2.6.3-10)

Displaying a similar mood, Srila Raghunatha dasa Goswamipada prays in Stavavali: “When will I wander around Govardhana Hill, constantly crying out like a madman, ‘O Radhe! O Krishna!’ for my most beloved Priya Priyatama? Sometimes I will stumble and fall, and then get up again dancing, singing and crying. O when will the streams of my tears shower these transcendental playgrounds?”

By the mercy of Shri Guru and Shri Krishna, Raganugiya Sadhakas who live in Vraja practicing manjari-bhava-sadhana will someday also have a similar experience of seeing Krishna, then losing sight, and then seeing their playful Lord once again while participating in Shyama’s sport of hide and seek with His beloved Premi kaBhaktas.

“O when, O when will that day be mine”, sei din kabehabemor? Srila Narottamadasa Thakura prays, “When while absorbed in transcendental bliss in Vrajabhumi will I give up my body, and go to the joy-filled divine realm of Vrindavan, e- bhava- samsara- tyaji, parama-anande-maji, ara-kabe-brajabhume-jaba, sukhamaya-Vrindavan?” (Prarthana 26)

In his Goswami Astakam, Shrinivasa Acharya perfectly depicts the mood of the six Vrindavan-Goswamis, whom we are trying to follow in our present sadhaka forms (sadhaka-rupena): Greatly agitated and distressed—they wandered everywhere in Vrindavan crying out:

“O Radhe! O Vraja Devi! O Lalite! O Nandanandana! Where are You all now? Are You at Shri-Govardhanaji, or are You under the desire-trees on the bank of Yamunaji? Where are You?” (he-radhe-vraja-devike- ca-lalite, he-nanda-suno-kutah).”

To reside in Vrindavan means to experience this type of separation while performing one’s bhajana, which in essence is nothing more than crying…for mercy, for Prema, for seva and for the sweet Darshan of Radha-Govinda-Yugala. And this is exactly what Srila Narottamadasa Thakura means by saying one should live in Vraja with anuraga.

Without a doubt, the best example of living in Vraja with intense anuraga is seen in the lives and writings of Shri Rupa, Sanatana, and Srila Raghunathadasa Goswamis. By always hearing/reading their anguished, heart-rending words of separation from Radha-Madhava, a fortunate sadhaka will continuously cry and cry until the waves in the river of his tears carry him along to the lotus feet of Priya Radha.

ONLY IN VRAJA

Regarding the uniqueness of living in Vraja Mandala, the Padma Purana (Patala-khanda) says, “Anyone who spends even one day in Mathura/Vrindavan will attain Hari-bhakti, aho-madhupuri-dhanya, vaikunthac- ca-gariyasi, dinam-ekam-nivasena, harau-bhaktih-prajayate.” (Brs. 1.2.237) The BrahmandaPurana says, “One achieves the bliss experienced at the stage of Prema just by touching Mathura, parananda-mayi-siddhir-mathura-sparsha-matratah.” (Brs. 1.2.212)

Of course, this will never ever happen just by living a day in Mumbai, Moscow, Manhattan or anywhere in this mayajagat! The word Mathura in Mathura-mandala means “to churn, spin or agitate”. And that’s exactly why residence here is so very special, because Vraja-Dhama has the power to agitate one’s mind with thoughts and feelings for Krishna, and make one forget everything else!

From my 29 years of continuous residence in Vrindavan, I can personally say, that unlike anywhere else in the world, Vrindavan has a distinctive other worldly atmosphere or ambience. There is some special enchantment in Vraja that practically every visitor feels upon coming here.

Devotion to God is imperceptibly floating in the air. It’s all-pervasive, touching every heart with a drop of joy. It’s the kind of happiness every heart hankers for. This is the taste of Krishna bhakti, and this Vrindavan is the land of Krishna’s love, waiting to embrace all who venture forth.

In Bhakti Ratnakara (chapter 5), Shri Raghava Goswami, a resident of Govardhana, became completely impatient and overwhelmed with bliss when he started narrating the glories and benefits of being in Vraja. He said, “One who bathes anywhere in Vraja Mandala, or sees the Holy Places there is freed from his sins.” (Padma Pur.)

“Simply by touching the dust of Vraja, one can attain ecstatic love for Krishna.” (BrahmandaPur.) “Living in Vraja Mandala is possible only by the grace of Shri Krishna, for without it one can’t stay a second.” (AdiPur.)

Srila Krishnadasa Kaviraja wonderfully describes the transcendental position of the Vrindavan situated right here right now:

“Beyond all spiritual abodes is the abode of Vraja-loka, or Shri Gokula, which is also called Shri Goloka, Shvetadvipa and Vrindavan. Like Shri Krishna’s transcendental body, Gokula is unlimited, supreme and all-pervading. Vraja-loka spreads above and below without any restriction. Although, by Krishna’s wish, it manifests in the mundane universes, it only has one basic form, and not two separate ones.

“The soil of Vrindavan consists of thought gems and the forests are full of wish-yielding trees. But one with material eyes, sees it as a mundane place. The true form of VrajaDhama manifests to one with the eyes of love, as a divine land wherein Krishna IS playing with His beloved gopas and gopis.” (Cc. 5.17-21)

One of best things about living in Vraja, and nowhere else in this universe, is that it enables one to see the pastimes of Radha Govinda Yugala. How is that? Shukadeva Goswami answers saying, “Shri Hari is very intimately connected with and ALWAYS PRESENT in Vrindavan, madhu-vanam-yatra,sannidhyam-nityada-hareh.” (SB 4.8.42; and 10.1.28)

Since Shri- Krishna, Shri Radha and all the beautiful damsels of Vrajabhumi are still living here right now and eternally in Vrindavan, a raganuga-sadhaka who lives here doing bhajana will one fine day see this:

“O, Krishna is here, living eternally in Vrindavan! And I see that Kamadeva Shyama, with His blissful smiling face, is forever increasing the desires of the Vrajagopis, susmita- sri-mukhena-vraja-pura-vanitanam-vardhayan-kama-devam.” (SB 10.90.48)

In the above verse of the Bhagavata, the first line says, “jayati-jana-nivaso-devaki-janma”, which means that “Krishna, the son of Devaki, eternally lives gloriously among the cowherds of Vrindavan.” Srila Visvanatha Cakravartipada explains, “The word jayati is in the present case, meaning, “Krishna is victorious and eternally in this world—in Vrindavan, in His Holy Name, and in His Hari-katha.” (Sarartha Darshinitika)

In short, living always in Vrindavan, vraje vasa sada, means at the ultimate level to always meditate upon Radha-Krishna’s asta-kaliya-lilas while, ideally if one can, residing in a nitya-lilasthali like Radha Kunda, Govardhana, Varsana, Nandagoan, Yavata, or others.

In this regard, Srila Visvanatha Cakravartipada says, “One must meditate upon Radha-Krishna along with Their Vrajalilas, and never meditate on Radha-Krishna without Their pastimes, sri-krishna-lila-sahitayor-evopasyatvam, na-lila-rahitayoh-lilayam.” (Raga Vartma Chandrika II.6)

If physical residence in Shridhama Vrindavan is impossible, however, then Shri Jiva Goswamipada advises that one can live elsewhere, but always remember Radha-Govinda’s eternal pastimes in Vrindavan. Physical + mental Vrindavan is best, but only mind in Vrindavan will also bring success in bhajana.

Although one may live outside Vrindavan, one should not be satisfied and complacent with that residence, and never become attached to it. Rather, one should intensely hanker for that auspicious day or the life when one can physically and mentally live in Vraja Dhama absorbed in Radha-Krishna Yugala bhajana

Srila Narottamadasa Thakura beautifully expresses these sentiments in his bhajana, hari-hari! kabe-habo-vrndavana-vasi:

“O Hari, Hari! When will I be able to live in Vrindavan, and see the beautiful radiant forms of Radha Govinda Yugala? When will I give up the happiness of sleeping in a wonderful, luxurious bed, and smear my body with the dust of Vraja, vrajadhuli? When will I give up the desire for tasty food, and live on begged food (madhukari) in Vraja?

“When will I wander around the forests of Vrindavan, and sometimes take rest on the cool, sandy banks of the Yamuna? When will I find relief from the scorching sunshine under the cooling shade of Vamshi-Vata? When will I sit in a kunja amidst the elevated Vaisnavas? O when will that day come, when I give up everything [and run to Vrindavan]?”

Sri Vrndavanadhama ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!