Radha Anandavallabha

Jahnava Nitai Das · 06-06-2001, 07:21 AM

Posted by Mukunda Datta Das to another list:

Quote:

The following is based on the article, "Anandibai Ka Mandira," in
Sri Harinama, August 1993, volume 23, issue # 8.

Anandibai Mandira

To the right of the old temple in Radhavallabhaji Ghera in the old
city (i.e., Athkhamba, in Vrndavana), there is a temple of a small but
very mischievous pair, which is celebrated by the name, "Anandi Bai
Mandira." The devoted Anandibai had this temple constructed in the year
1906. Taking the Sri-arca-vigrahas of her most darling Sri Anandavallabha
and beloved "daughter-in-law" Sri Radhaji from Amritsar, she established
them here in Vrndavana. Anandibai had pure vatsalya-bhava for Sri
Anandavallabha. She used to affectionately care for Sri Radhaji as if she
were her daughter-in-law (bahu).

Even though having been initiated into the Sri Ramanuja sampradaya,
right from the beginning Anandibai Ma had staunch devotion unto Sri
Sri Radha-Krsna. She remained infatuated with the nectar (rasikata) of
these crest-jewels of the rasikas, and served Them with her very life and
soul. It is difficult to say whether Anandibai did Their seva being
immersed in transcendental emotion, or whether her "son and daughter-in-law"
kept her as Their slave. They obstinately took service, were never satisfied,
and otherwise threw tantrums. Stubbornly, they so kept Ma simply helpless on
account of Their seva.

A close assistant in the service of Sri Anandavallabhaji was Baba
Kisori dasa, who resided in the nearby dharmasala of Seth Darvari Lala
Nanja. One day when he was going to the temple, he saw Anandibai sitting
outside the temple crying.

Baba asked, "Ma, what happened? Why are you sitting here crying?"

She said, "Beta, what can I do? Today bahu-rani is too
headstrong. Yesterday I saw a sadi at Bannu Munshi's shop, but it was too
expensive. Instead of that one, I brought her another one. But Radha
bahu won't even wear it. When I try to put it on her, she takes it off and
tosses it aside. So as to be spiteful, she becomes contrary, 'I'll only
wear that sadi you left yesterday.'"

Baba reassured Ma; he brought that very sadi. Ma took the sadi
and placed it before her (viz., Srimati Radharani). Sri Radhaji dressed
herself with it so artistically that Ma, Baba, and for that matter even
those who came for darsana that day were transfixed in that sadi's wavy
folds.

Sri Anandavallabhaji was so fond of suji-halava that if He didn't
get halava in His bhoga even for one day, He would push His meal far away
and just sit there. Occasionally, Ma became so overwhelmed that she
sometimes even had to go to Amritsar because this son and daughter-in-law
were so extravagant that Their debts were constantly heaped upon Ma. For
this, she was always going to do business in rupees and paisa.

One time she went from Amritsar to Haridvara, in order to bathe in
the Ganges. Subsequently, the Deities' priest withheld Their halava-bhoga,
taking advantage of this opportunity for skimping. Two days later, Sri
Anandavallabhaji arrived in Haridvara--in a dream, He said--"Ma! I haven't
gotten my halava for three days--you come right now." Ma took the very
next train the next morning from Haridvara and arrived in Vrndavana. Upon
arrival, she realized that in fact the poor thing hadn't had His halava
for three days.

Enduring thousands of such self-indulgent whims, Anandibai was
unable to contain her joy. For the delight of Sri Yugalakisora, many kinds
of festivals, music programs, rasa-lilas, sometimes phul-bangla (flower
house), and sometimes even boating sports and other mahotsavas were always
observed in this temple, on account of which even this temple especially
is to be counted among the major temples of Vrndavana.

Such a devoted woman, Anandibai Ma, was the daughter of a city
inspector of Amritsar, who was born in 1855 (i.e., samvat 1912). She was
born into the family of Kashmiri brahmanas who performed the priestly
duties for Motichand Nehru and his descendents. In it, there was strong
attachment to serving the Lord and the vaisnavas, even from her childhood.
In due course of time, there were arrangements for her marriage, but just
before the wedding was to take place, the groom died. Realizing the
entangling manner of worldly relations, she didn't marry. Her father had
established a temple just at their home near the Ghimandi gate. Sri
Anandavallabha and Sri Radhaji were installed in it. Ma remained immersed
day and night in Their seva, drenched in bhava. How long could They
remain in Amritsar? Taking Ma along with Them, Sri Yugala-kisora-kisori
came to Their own place of eternal pastimes, Vrndavana, and even today,
relishing the happiness of lovely seva, They perfect the lives of those
who see Them.