Narottama,Srinivasa,Syamananda,Rasikananda & Ramacandra meet to discuss Krsna Con!

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What a sat sanga!

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Chronology of events related to

Srila Prabhupada and other Gaudiya Vaisnavas.

 

 

 

1473 Appearance of Lord Nityananda

1479 Madhavendra Puri visits Radha-kunda and Govardhana Hill

 

1479 Madhavendra Puri establishes worship of Sri Gopala Raya

 

1482 Advaita Acarya takes diksa in Vrndavana from Madhavendra Puri

 

1483 Appearance of Lokanatha Gosvami

 

1486 Appearance of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu

 

1487 Appearance of Gadadhara Pandita

 

1488 Appearance of Sanatana Gosvami

 

1489 Appearance of Rupa Gosvami

 

1491 Disappearance of Madhavendra Puri

 

1491 Visvarupa (Lord Caitanya's brother) takes sannyasa

 

1494 Appearance of Raghunatha dasa Gosvami

 

1496 Appearance of Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami

 

1503 Appearance of Gopala Bhatta Gosvami

 

1505 Appearance of Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami

 

1509 Lokanatha Gosvami and Bhurgarbha Gosvami come to Vrndavana

 

1510 Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu takes sannyasa

 

1513 Appearance of Jiva Gosvami

 

1515 Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu visits Vrndavana

 

1516 Rupa and Sanatana come to Vrndavana

 

1516 Prabhdhananda Sarasvati Gosvami comes to Vrndavana

 

1534 Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu's disappearance

 

1534 Appearance of Narottama dasa Thakura

 

1535 Raghunatha dasa Gosvami comes to Vrndavana

 

1535 Jiva Gosvami comes to Vrndavana

 

1541 Disappearance of Lord Nityananda

 

1541 Completion of Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu by Rupa Gosvami

 

1542 Installation of Radha Damodra in vrindavana

 

1542 Installation of Radharamna in vrindavana

 

1545 Raghunatha dasa Gosvami starts excavation of Radha-kunda

 

1550 Disappearance of Advaita Acarya

 

1554 Completion of Radha-kunda and Syama-kunda

 

1558 Disappearance of Sanatana Gosvami

 

1564 Disappearance of Rupa Gosvami

 

1570 Emperor Akhbar meets Jiva Gosvami in Vrndavana

 

1571 Disappearance of Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami

 

1575 Completion of Caitanya-bhagavata by Vrndavana dasa Thakura

 

1576 Jiva Gosvami appointed Mahanta of Radha-kunda

 

1578 Disappearance of Gopala Bhatta Gosvami

 

1580 Temple of Madana-Mohana opens at Vrndavana

 

1581 Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami completes Sri Caitanya-caritamrta

 

1582 Disappearance of Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami

 

1583 Disappearance of Raghunatha dasa Gosvami

 

1585 Disappearance of Lokanatha Gosvami

 

1590 Govindaji Mandira opens in Vrndavana

 

1608 Disappearance of Jiva Gosvami

 

1611 Disappearance of Narottama dasa Thakura

 

1630 Disappearance of Syamananda Pandita Gosvami

 

1638 Appearance of Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura

 

1670 Emperor Aurangzeb attacks Vrndavana

 

1708 Disappearance of Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura

 

1838 Appearance of Bhaktivinoda Thakura

 

1874 Appearance of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami

 

1896 Appearance of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

 

1914 Disappearance of Bhaktivinoda Thakura

 

1915 Disappearance of Gaura Kishore dasa Babaji Maharaja

 

1933 His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada initiated by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami at Allahabad

 

1935 His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada meets Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati at Radha-kunda

 

1936 Disappearance of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami

 

1954 His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada takes vanaprastha

 

1956 His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada arrives in Vrndavana

 

1959 His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada takes sannyasa

 

1965 His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada sails to America

 

1966 Incorporation of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in New York, USA

 

1975 Sri Sri Krsna-Balarama Mandira opens in Vrndavana

 

1977 Disappearance of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

 

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The affectionate behavior of Sri Rupa Gosvami toward Srinivasa Acarya and Narottama Mahasaya. One day Sri Jiva Gosvami decided he would request Srinivasa and Narottama to tour all of the holy places. He wondered who should guide them on such a tour. While he ws contemplating this point Raghava Gosvami arrived from Govardhana. Sri Jiva was very glad to see him and inquired about his well being. Raghava told Sri Jiva, "I have decided to tour Vraja and for that reason I have come here early." Sri Jiva was quite happy to hear that and asked Raghava to take Srinivasa and Narottama with him. Raghava was pleased with the idea. Meanwhile, Srinivasa and Narottama arrived there and bowed at the feet of Sri Jiva and Raghava. Raghava embraced Srinivasa and Narottama very affectionately for which the two boys were overjoyed. Sri Jiva Gosvami told them about the tour of the holy places in Vraja and overwhelmed with joy they took their leave from the devotees. Sri Jiva Gosvami heartily bid them farewell.

 

Srinivasa and Narottama tour Vrndavana with Sri Raghava

 

Sri Raghava travelled happily to Mathura with Srinivasa and Narottama. They first reached the temple of Sri Kesava Deva where Subhuddhi Roy had once stayed. They all sang in praise of Sri Subhuddhi Roy and in the evening began a nama sankirtana. Who can described the devotional character of Raghava Gosvami who was always absorbed in the joy of divine love of God?

 

The eulogy of Sri Raghava Gosvami

 

Who can describe the activities of such a great Vaisnava as Sri Raghava? He belonged to a Kulin brahmin family of South India and he always showed favor to the poor. He published different holy books like Bhaktiratna Prakasa.

 

As a great scholar Raghava Gosvami always lived in Govardhan, the place which was most dear to him.

 

It is stated in Gaura Gana Desa Dipika: the person who was Sakhi Champakalata, the dearest friend of Sri Radha in Vraja, has appeared as Sri Raghava Gosvami, the resident of Govardhan, in Gauralila. He has published a book called Bhaktiratna Prakasa.

 

From time to time Raghava Pandita would visit the holy places in Vrndavana and at other times he stayed with Sri Dasa Gosvami. Sometimes both of them would come to Vrndavana to meet the other devotees. Raghava always chanted the glories of radha Krsna and Caitanya Mahaprabhu and floated in his own tears. He used to roll in the dust of Vrndavana and he never felt the urge of hunger. Who can undrstand the depths of his attachment from worldly pleasures? Sri Raghava knew that Srinivasa and Narottama were of the same mentality - full of love and devotion - and therefore he loved them intensely. At dawn, in the absence of the other listeners, Sri Raghava began to describe the uncountable pastimes of Sri Krsna in Mathura Mandala.

 

King Bajaranath of Mathura Mandala established many villages which he named after the variious lilas of Krsna. By installing many deities of Krsna and by developing many kundas King Bajaranath satisfied his own long-cherished desires. In the coure of time the holy places of Vraja were forgotten: no one cared to discuss or remember those holy places or those pastimes. Much later, Sri Krsna Caitanya, who was Vrajendra Kumar himself, came to Mathura and indicated the obscure locations of those holy places. He described everything about those places to Sanatana and Rupa.

 

Although Rupa and Sanatana were familar with the places andtheir importance, never the less they sought evidence from the scriptures. After collecting scriptural references, they travelled to each of the holy places in Vraja.

 

With utmost care they revealed many of the holy places which were concealed.

 

They also revealed the glory of Radha and Krsna and the essence of their divine love. Rupa and Sanatana were very dear to Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and because of their sincere endeavor to reveal the holy places, people now know the glory of Mathura.

 

Description of the glories of Mathura

 

Mathura Mandala cover 25 Yajanas of land. One who takes his bath anywhere in Mathura is freed from his sins. Adi Varahapurana confirms that statement about Mathura: as darkness is vanquished by the sun rise, as mountains tremble in fear of thunder, as snakes fear Garuda, as clouds are removed by the blowing wind, as miseries are destroyed through cultivation of knowledge, s deer tremble in fear of lions, as heaps of grass can be burnt by fire, so all the sins of man can be destroyed by observing all the places of Mathura.

 

In the conversation of Hara Gaurai in the Patala Khanda of Padma Purana, the same information has been given: each and every step taken within the 20 yajanas of Mathura give the same virtous result as an asvamedha Yajana. If anyone commits a sin - either intentionally or unintentionally - he can be freed from that sim by visiting any place within Mathura. (Adi VP and P Purana)

 

According to the Padma Purana: any sin committed in Mathura, is destroyed in Mathura itself. By living in Mathura one can attain the foregos of human life namely virtue love, wealth and salvation (dharmarth, Kalm, mokasha?)

 

The Patala Khanda of Padma Purana says: O Maha devi the result of whatever sin forces a man to suffer ten years outside of Mathura can be destoryed within ten days by living in Mathura. In the Adi Varaha Purana it is stated: O Vasundhare, in all, on the earth, or in th sky, there is no place more dear to me than Mathura.

 

There are also quotes from Narada in the Mathura Khanda of Skanda Purana: the results which one gets by living in India for thirty thousand and thirty hundred years is easily attained simply by remembering the glory of Mathura.

 

In Patala Khanda of Padma Purana it is stated: if someone cherishes the hope of visiting Mathura but never gets the opportunity or if someone dies outside Mathura cherishing that hope of visiting Mathura he will attain a birth in Mathura.

 

In Adi varaha Purana it is stated: O Vasudhav, I have indicated 60 thousand millions and 60 hundred million holy places in Mathura Mandala. From the Mathura Khanda of Skanda Purana it is stated: O King, in the course of time, it may be possible to count the particles of dust on the earth but the number of holy places in Mathura cannot be counted. Dear man, do live in Mathurapuri where Govinda - the creator of the three worlds - and his Gopis exist eternally. O lovers of worldly affairs do take a lesson. If your want to get eternal happiness simply live in Mathura in Madhupur.

 

Another quote from Adi Varaha Purana says: the person who rejects Mathura and lives in any other holy place or even expresses his love for living outside of Mathura is a foolish person. By my illusory potency that man will pass life after life in this material world. The same verse is quoted in the Skanda Purana.

 

The Adi Vraha Purana also says: Madhupuri is the refuge of those who have been rejected by friends and family and have no other shelter. Mathura is the goal for those who want to visit the most worthy places, the most secret place of all.

 

Again in the Adi Varaha Purana it is stated: O devi within the three worlds there is certainly no other holy place that Mathura. I have lived there throughout the ages.

 

In the fourth chapter of Srimad Bhagavatam (4/8/42) it is stated: My dear, let all good come to you. Go to the bank of the Jamuna where you will find the holy and auspicious Madhuvana, the eternal abode of Sri Hari.

 

A verse in Visnu Purana says: Satrughna founded the city of Mathura after killing the powerful demon Lavana, the son of the demon Madhu. Madhuvana is the abode of Mahadevi, the deity of all deities, and a great devotee of Hari. Mahadev executed his meditation in Mathura, the place which can destroy all sins.

 

In Padma Purana there is a verse: Mathura may be extended up to 40 Yajanas.

 

The Lord of Lords, Sri Hari remains there eternally.

 

A verse in the Adi Purana says: the opportunity to live in mathura cannot be gained by different types of virtues, different types of charieties, austure practices or various oracles but can only be gained by the grace of Lord Krsna. Living in mathura is made possible by the grace of Sri Krsna, and without that grace one cannot remain in Mathura for even a second

 

In the Uttra Khanda of the Padma Purana there is a verse: Only those persons who have faithful devotion to Sri Hari and have gotten his grace are inclined to live in Mathura.

 

Again in the Nirvana Purana of Padma Purana: O great brahmin when a person obtains virtue through religious meditation and austerities and he continually follows the path of celebacy, only then can he attain the darshan of my auspicious Mathurapuri. No other type of effort will help him attain this.

 

Another verse in the Adi Varaha Purana states: The ultimate goal of the Yogis and the great source is easily attained by one who dies in Mathura. O devi, any person who dies in any place within Mathura - a holy place, a home or even a courtyard - attains certain salvation. However, if he meets death any where else he wil not attain salvation. In this world mathura is the best of all holy places such as Kashi and others. Whoever can sincerly maintain Brahmacarya, die and be ceremeated her, he can attain the four types of salvation. That same salvation is awarded to insects who die here or even trees which fall with their roots torn up.

 

Another verse in the Patala Khanda of Padma Purana states: If the ceremony of Pindadana (offering homage to dead souls) of low caste people like Candalas, Sudras, women and animal-killers can be performed in Mathura, those people will avoid repeated births. O Devi if any being dies inthe drain, on the bricks or even in the crematorium or the sky or on any platform of any house in Mathura, he can surely attain salvation.

 

A verse in the Saura Puranas states: upon the earth exists the sand holy places of Mathura which is gratified as the dust of the feet of Lord Krsna, the Lord of the three worlds. That holy place is decorated by celestial roads. Simply by touching the dust of Mathura people can attain salvation from the miseries and agonies of the material world.

 

In Mathura Khanda it is stated: Thoughts such as "I shall live in Mathura" or "I shal go to Mathura" are also sufficent to gaurantee attainment of salvation from the material world.

 

A verse in Brahamanda states: those who get the darshan of Lord Achyuta, the son of Devaki, can attain Visnuloka and are never driven back to the material world. Those who devotedly perform the festivals related to the Yatras of Krsna also go to Visnuloka freed from all sorts of vices and sins.

 

Another verse in the Patla Khanda of Padma Purana says: Women, untouchables, Sudras, animals, birds, deer, etc. can attain salvation if they die in Mathura. Those who die by snake bite, by the attack of wild animals, from fire, from water, or any other sort of unnatural death, while in Mathura, are transferred to Vaikuntha loka, the abode of Hari.

 

A verse in the Brahmananda Purana says: O great sage, I assure you that there is no other place in this world like Mathura. It can fulfil all the desires of all living beings.

 

The Mathura Khanda of the Skanda Purana states: is there any type of result which cannot be attained in mathura where Kshetrapala Mahadev exists eternally and where there are holy places like Visramghat? Mathura suffices the three objects of human life for those who enjoy sensual and earthly pleasures (religion, wealth and love; it grants salvation to those who seek; and restores devotional qualities on the devotees. Wise men should take shelter in Mathura.

 

The Adi Varaha Purana states: as even the Lord himself cannot describe all these spiritual qualities of Mathura, Mathura must be a special creation of Providence,.

 

The Mathura Khanda states: O King, this eternal place Mathura is shaped like a lotus situated on the chakra of Visnu and it shall never perish.

 

The Patala Khanda of Padma Purana again states: the word Mathura is comprised as Ma the first letter, thu the middle letter and ra the last.

 

Just like the work Onkara, these three syallables make the word Mathura. Ma represents Maharudra Siva; thu represents Visnu and ra represents Brahma.

 

Salvation is the self desired for all those who visit holy places, but those who desire instead devotion to Hari can obtain that only in Mathura. O great sage, if anyone spends even three days in Mathura, Hari grants them precious divine love which even the most sacred of salvation remain eager to get.

 

From the Brahmanda Purana there is a verse: the attainment of precious divine love which maybe obtained by serving the holy places of the three worlds can easily be attained only by touching the dust of Mathura.

 

The Mathura Khanda of Skanda Purana states: O King, those who constantly remember Mathura and the king of Mathura Krsna may attain the result of visiting all holy places; they will also attain devotional servitude at the feet of Lord Hari.

 

In the Patala Khanda of Padma Purana states: Mathura is more glorious than the Vaikuntha dham of Narayana for anyone who spends even one day in Mathura he will become devoted to the lotus feet of Sri Hari.

 

A verse in the Adi Vraha Purana says: if anyone desires freedom from material bondage and success in the realm of devotion he should sing the glories of Mathura with his body and mind and words. Krsna's Mathura Mandala covers 20 Yajanas.

 

According to the scriptures the boundry of Mathura extends from Jayavara to Saukarai Vatweswara. The name Jayavara comes from the name of a brahmin and Saukarai comes from Adi Sakara. The temple of Vateswara Siva is there and the state is ruled by Sri Surasana. People used to call the place Varaha Dasanahrada, but the Puranas says that was Jayawara Saukari.

 

The Yamuna Mahatmya of Padma Purana states: in ancient times it was a beautiful place occupied by Apsaras. An ascetic brahmin named Jayavara who lived there was overwhelmed by sensual pleasures. That brahmin had become very thin because of a curse from Indra, yet he freed himself from sin through austere practices. That brahmin then travelled East till he reached Saukalapuri where Lord Adi Varaha Deva had previously manifest himself to rescue the Earth when it had sunk in the ocean of universal czthclysm. The present name of Saukaripuri is Sukaratala.

 

There are many holy places within the district of Mathura's 20 Yojanas. The Puranas classified these holy places within Mathura Mandala where Krsna used to play, stating that these holy places covered 12 yojanas. This is also confirmed in the mathura Khanda.

 

A verse in the Adi Varaha Purana states: Mathura Mandala extends throughout 24 krosas and is decorated with dvadasvanas where Mathura devi, the bestower of all accomplishments, used to exist. O vasundhari the lotus-like Mathura is the bestower of salvation for all. Within the seed-pod of Mathura exists Adi Kesava deva, man's deliverer from the miseries and agonies of life.

 

Those who die within the seed pod can attain salvation as well as those who die on its petals.

 

O mind, why do you remant after observing Hari deva, the worshipable Lord of Mahadev, the deity of deities who is seated on the western petal of this lotus? If anyone gets the darshan f Govindadev seated on the northern petal, he will be freed from births of the material world until the time of the universal deluge. Lord Visanti is known to have sat on the Southern petal.

 

If any person can get the darshan of Kesava dev on the twelfth day of the full moon in the month of Jaistha after taking a bath in Mathura and maintaing complete indifference to material pleasures, he will obtain the ultimate refuge. O Vasundhari, when I lie down all the holy places, and lakes of the world come to Mathura.

 

The Skanda Purana states: originally Matyurapuri is the forest of the demon Madhu who was slain by the almighty Sri Hari. O King, nothing is impossible within this Madhuvana of Sri Hari. I am not capable of mentioning the names of all the holy places.

 

Explaining the glory of Mathura through these Puranic references, Raghava Pandita could not check his emotions. After finishing the required morning duties Srinivasa acarya, Narottama and Raghava Pandita began to tour Mathura. They went first fothe house of a Sanai brahmin where Krsna Caitanya used to beg alms. The brahmin was a disciple of Madavendra Puri Gosvami and had witnessed the transcendental pastimes of Caitanya.

 

Sri Raghava Pandita said to Srinivasa, "Gaura Candra used to dance here in ecstasy. Numerous people came to observe his dancing, and they all became absorbed in nama sankirtana. They cried as they thought of Mahaprabhu as Vrajandan himslef. They would not leave his association as they swam in an ocean of love. That was the wonderful pastimes of Mahaprabhu here." Raghava Pandita sighed deeply while remebering the pastime of Gauranga Candra and Narottama and Srinivasa cried in ecstasy. They rolled on the ground as they cried and their bodies were covered with dust. After a long time they were able to control themselves.

 

"A wise person once told them that Advaita Gosvami stayed in Mathura during his pilgrimage because of the beauty here," said Raghava Pandita. "At that time there was a worthless brahmin in Mathura who invariably spoke ill of the Vaisnava devotees. That was his worst habit. He was a proud scholar and a wicked man so the inhabitants of mathura feared him. Once he used abusive language about the Vaisnavas in front of Sri Advaita Prabhu.

 

Advaita became so furious that his lips began to tremble and his eyes grew red. He shouted at the brahmin, 'O wicked man, today you will not be freed from me. I shall severe your head from yur body with this chakra.' Advaita assumed a four armed figure, andthe brahmin began to tremble in fear.

 

He folded his hands and tried to pacify Advaita by saying, 'O Lord, punish me as you like. Unfortunately I have lost my good intelligence and according to Vaisnava tattva I have comitted sins. Please be kind to me and save me from these sins.' The brahmin began to cry helplessly, and Advaita concealed his four handed figure. Seeing the wretched condition of the brahmin Advaita felt pity for him and decided to bless him. 'The sins which you have comitted will send you to hell,' said Advaita. 'But I will tell you what you must do now. By admitting your guilt mentality you must try to give up all pleasures and engage yourself in nama sankirtana. Serve the Vaisnavas with your heart and soul and be very cautious in your dealings with them. Engage yourself in worship according to the standards of pure devotion and do not tell anyone what you have seen today.'

 

After advising the brahmin Prabhu Adaita left on pilgrimage. The brahmin absorbed himself in nama sankirtana and proved himself humble by visiting every house in Mathura with tears in his eyes. Observig his sincere efforts the Vaisnavas became satisfied and wished him well. The Vaisnavas wondered what had caused the change in the brahmin's behavior. One man knew the reason. 'A brahmin once came to Mathura whose effulgence was as bright as the sun. But most likely he was the Lord in a human form. He has changed the brahmin.' Srinivasa this places is very auspicious. Now I will show you the place which is shaped like a crescent.

 

In the Adi Varaha Puana it is stated: If the killer of a brahmin, a drunkard or a killer of cows, or any person who violates Brahmacarya can so circumbulate Mathura, hw will be freed from the results of his sins. Any pilgrim from a far away country who so corcumbulates Mathura he becomes empowered to purify others whom he meets in his travles.

 

This is the room of Devaki and Vasudeva where Lord Krsna took his birth.

 

According to the Puranas, darshan of this birth place of Krsna can free even a sinner from his sinful reactions.

 

O Srinivasa, look at Kesava deva because in this place Sri Caitanya once danced in ecstasy. Those who saw him dance thought that he was Sri Kesava Ray himself. Who can describe the glory of Sri Kesava Ray? Whoever so circumbulates Sri Kesava Ray in Mathura attains the virtue of circumbulating the earth with its seven islands. Singing the kirtana of Kesava Rai will destroy sins comitted in this age and in ages to come.

 

Look at beautiful Mathura where the deities of Dirghaaisnu, Padmanava and Sayambhuva exist. The darshan of these deities fulfil the desires of all mankind. (Adi Varaha Purana)

 

O Srinivasa, taking darshan of the relatives of Krsna like Ekanamsa devi (Yoga maya), Yasoda devi and Deviki devi can save a person from the sin of killing a brahmin. (Adi Varaha Purana)

 

In Mathura lives the deity of Viriteswara. Darshan of Kshetrapatla Mahadeva will assist one in reaching the abode of Krsna. (Adi Varaha Purana). If anyone does not care for the worship of Siva, who is my great devotee, how can that sinner attend devotion to me?"

 

Description of the holy places of Mathura

 

Now I look at this great holy place named Sri Visranti. It was here that Krsna took rest after killing Kamsa. O Srinivasa, the supreme ascetic Sri Caitanya also performed many transcendental activities here. All people - women, men, aged, young and even children - would gather to see the great ascetic. Millions of people acknowledged that the best of all ascetics had come to Mathura. Raising their arms in the air and crying, they would shout the name of Hari. The beauty of Gaura Candra charmed the entire world and they could not take their eyes off him. The Lord had fulfilled the desires of every one.

 

In the Mathura Khanda of Skanda Purana it is stated: the world-famous holy place of Sri Visranti is situated in Mathura. By visiting this place a traveller attains eternal rest. By bathing here and worshipping Achutya, one attains immortality because he is automatically freed from the miseries and agonies of the material world. (Saura Purana) The Yamuna Mahatma of the Padma Purana states: it has been said that divine results can be gained from visiting the mountain Kalinda, from visiting Mathura, from he ganga of Sukartala flowing westwards and from the meeting point of the Bhagirathi. According to scholars, only Sri Virasantai can bestow million of divine results on people. A person can attain Vaikuntha dham if he takes a bath in Tirtha. (Adi Varaha Purana) Now lets look at the beautiful place Gatasiama. Darshana gives the divine results attainable from all other holy places together. (Adi Varaha Purana)

 

The 24 Tirthas of Jamuna flowing in Mathura

 

O Srinivasa, in this crescent shaped place there are 24 tirthas of Sri Jamuna. This first one is called Adi Murmukta tirtha. One who bathes in this place gains salvation and one who dies here is promoted to Visnu loka.

 

(Adi Varaha Purana)

 

This next place is called Ghuhya tirtha. One who bathes in this place gains salvation and goes to Visnu tirtha. (Adi Varaha Purana) This next place known as Prayaga thirtha is not attainable even by demigods. By bathing here one gets the same result as performing an Agni Stoma yajna. (Saura Purana)

 

This holy place is called Kankahna Tirtha. By bathing here one attains happiness as in the heavenly planets. (Adi Varaha Purana)

 

This place is called Timduka tirtha. By bathing here one is promoted to Visnu loka. (Adi Varaha Purana) This place is called Surya Tirtha and it destroys all sins. It was here that Bali the son of Virachana, performed his tapasya. Bathing here during the solar eclipse, on Samkanti and on Sunday will result ifn the benefit as performing the Rajasuya Yajna. (Adi Varaha Purana)

 

This place is called Vataswami tirtha and it is the greatest of all.

 

Vataswami Surya has become famous here. Whoever performs sincere worship here on a Sunday will recover from disease, gain wealth in his life and attain the ultimate goal after death. (Saura Purana)

 

This place is called Dhruva tirtha. It was here that Dhruva did his tapasya by bathing here one is certainly promoted to Dhruva loka. Whoever can perform this sraddhi ceremony in the auspicious titripaksha here will gaurantee the attainment of salvation for the ancestors on his father's side. Performing the ceremony of Pindadana in Dhruva tirtha gives more valuable results than performing the same ceremony in Gaya. Whoever performs Japa, Homa, Tapasya, dhana, or puja here attains one hundred times more results that performing the same activities in any other holy place.

 

(Adi Varaha Purana) and (Skanda Purana)

 

This place south of Dhruva tirtha is called Rishi tirtha. By bathing here one attains Visnu loke and also Krsna Bhakti. (Adi Varaha Purana and Skanda Purana) South of Rishi tirtha is Moksha tirtha. A bath here guarantees salvation.

 

This is koti tirtha, a place which cannot be attained even by demigods. By bathing here and givine in charity here one attains Visnu loka.

 

This place is called Bhodhi tirtha. One attains pitri loka by performing the Pindadana ceremony here.

 

This holy place is called Nava Tirtha and it is North of Asikunda. Neither now nor in the future will there ever be a tirtha in the world like Nava tirtha.

 

This place is called Samyanya tirtha. By bathing here one attains Visnu loka. (Adi Varaha Purana)

 

This place is called Dharapatana tirtha. By bathing here one attains happiness unavailable even in heaven and by dying here one attains Visnu loka.

 

This holy place is called Naga tirtha and it is the greatest of all great Tirthas. By bathing here one attains Swarga loka and by dying here one avoids rebirth.

 

This place is called Ganatavarana tirtha. By bathing here one's sins are destroyed and he is promoted to Surya loka. (Adi Varaha Purana)

 

This holy place is called Brahma tirtha. One who bathes here attains Visnu loka. Whoever can bathe here, drink the water of the holy place, remain contented and sit on a celsetial seat without feeling restless will get the grace of Brahma and attain the abode of Visnu. (Adi Varaha Purana)

 

This holy place is called Sone tirtha. It was here that Jamuna was used to carry pure water. By bathing here one becomes accomplished in all spheres of life and attains Sone loka.

 

This place is known as Saraswati Patana. By bathing here a person becomes an ascetic although he may have no right to be an ascetic by the rules of Chatura Varna (Adi Varaha Purana).

 

This is called Chakra Tirtha. By bathing here after fasting for three days one becomes free from the sin killing a brahmin (Adi Varaha Purana).

 

This holy place is called Dasasamedha tirtha. In ancient times the sages worshipped this tirtha. If one bathes here in a contented mood he easily obtains heaven.

 

This place is known as Vighanarajra tirtha. As it is most auspicious and it frees one from misery. A bath here prevents the king of miseries from causing pain to anyone. (Yama)

 

This place is called Koti Tirtha and it is alos auspicious. One bath in this holy place delivers the same result as a million baths in the Ganges.

 

"O listeners there are 24 tirthas on the Northern and Southern side of Sri Visnuvanti. The 12 on the North extend up to Dasasvamadha and the 12 on the South extend to Moksha tirtha. (Mathura Khanda)

 

Other tirthas of Mathura

 

O Srinivasa, Caitanya Mahaprabhu happily bathes in all 24 ghats of the Jamuna. The pastimes which he performed at each ghat is beyond description.

 

Millions of people took their baths with Prabhu and floated in the ocean of happiness. Even demi gods used to mingle with the common people to observe the lila of Mahaprabhu. They all sang the glories of Sri Krsna Caitanya.

 

Now, Srinivasa, we will visit other holy places.

 

This place is known as Gokarnakhya but sometimes it is called Viswanath tirtha. It is a favorite place of Lord Visnu.

 

This place is known as Krsna Ganga. The Adi Varaha Purana states that although a person can take his bath in five tirthas namely Visvinti, Sokara, Nainisa, Proyaga and Puskara - the results obtained from these five tirthas are ten times less than the result attained from one bath in Krsna Ganga.

 

This holy place is called Vaikuntha. A bath here promotes one to Visnu loka.

 

This place is called Asikunda Tirtha. If anyone gets the darshan of the four deities - namely Varaha Devi, Narayani Devi, Yamana devi and the auspicious Langali Devi - after taking a bath in this kunda, he gets the same result as circumbulating earth with its four oceans. He attains the good results of visiting all the holy places of Mathura. (Adi Varaha Purana)

 

This is a well named Chatu Samudaika. By bathing here one is promoted to Deva loka.

 

O Srinivasa, who can describe the numerous glorious of Sri Mathura? Bathing in the Jamuna of Mathura those results one hundred times superior to those obtained from bathing in the Ganges.

 

In the Matsya Purana, in a conversation between Yuddistra and Narada, it is stated: O Yuddistra, a man becomes virtous if he takes a bath in the Jamuna, drinks pure water and sings for glories. Even the darshan of Jamuna gives auspicious results. One who believes in the Jamuna or drinks her water guarantees her auspiciousness for seven generations of his family. Whoever dies on the bank of the Jamuna attains the eternal abode.

 

In the Visnu Dharmattare it is stated: O King, whoever performs the sraddha ceremony on the bank of the Jamuna attains immoral results and becomes happy in heaven.

 

In the Mathura Khanda of Padma Purana, regarding the contest of the creation of Prajapati marichi, it is said: Rasaswarupa Krsna, the cause of all causes, the eternal, onmiscient blissful Lord, Rasamaya, who is glorified as Brahma by the Upaishads, existed in the form of Jamuna. As iron becomes gold by the touch of the phiolsophers stone, so sins become virtues by the touch of the waters of the Jamuna.

 

In the Adi Varaha Purana it says: if there are two brahmins - one living in mathura with no knowledge of the Vedas and the other a scholar in all four Vedas who lives outside Mathura - you should feed the ignorant Mathura brahmin. Although a peasant of Mathura may be wicked and unreligious, nevertheless he is respectable to me because a Mathura vasi is always my personification. O Vasundhari all the residents of Mathura are personifications of me. If you feed one brahmin of Mahura you earn the same virtue of feeding millions of other brahmins. The Mathura vasis are worshipped by me because they are my favorite. WHen as resident of Mathura feels satisfied then I also feel satisfied. The places where they reside are certainly holy places and thier houses are full of auspiciousness. In Mathura the insects, birds, animals and other living beings are all eligible for salvation. Lascovious men who lust after other women are all deities disguised as human beings.

 

O Srinivasa just see Mathua where Krsna enacted many pastimes. This is the house of the gardener Sudama who was a favorite friend of Krsna. Here Krsna killed the Kansa's washer amd he and the cowherd boys dressed themselves in the washer man's clothes. This is the road by which Krnsa went to the palace of Kamsa while the residents of Mathura watched overwhelmed by his beauty. Here Krsna broke the bow with ease. He and his friends strolled about in a magnificent way. The demon Kuvalayapida blocked Krsna's path here and Krsna killed him easily uprooting his tusks. This is the arena where the great wrestling match took place. Ths is the platform where Krsna sat, this is the platform where Nanda and the other Gopals had sat. They all enjoyed Krsna's wrestling. Krsna found that killing Kamsa was great fun. This place known as Kansa khali is the place where Kansa was killed.

 

Here is the temple of Kubja, known as Kubja kupa. Everyone knows this place. The wonderful pastimes of Krsna with Kubja is knownhroughout the three worlds. These two places Baladva Kunda and Krsna Kupa, are the places where Krsna and balarama sported with their friends. It was here that Sri Krsna Caitanya sat surrounded by people after completing his tour of Mathura. People were overwhelmed to see the ecstatic condition of Mahaprabhu. The brahmin residents of Mathura thought that the ascetic must be Krsna himself. Who could realise the transcendental activities of Mahaprabhu when he concealed himself behind the wall of his golden complexion? A man said, "Very, very fortunate as we have observed Mahaprabhu conquering Mathura." While describing these pastimes Raghava Pandita became so overwhelmed that he could not control himself. Even Narottama and Srinivasa fell on the ground and burst into loud sobbing, calling the name of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. After sometime they pacified themselves and Raghava took them to other holy places of Mathura.

 

This is the place where Gopala stayed for one month. Sri Rupa Gosvami and his followers became ecstatic when they saw the deity of Sri Gopala. The residents of Mathura were equally happy to have Sri Rupa and his followers in their midst. Look Srinivasa, this is the famous tree under which the son of Ravani, Balarama used to play. During his pilgrimage, Prabhu Nityananda also came to Mathura and stayed here for sometime. He fell into ecstasy seeing his familar sporting places and he roamed here and there in that ecstasy. The residents of Mathura forgot all thier miseries in the pleasure of seeing Adhuta Candra. Taking darshan of all those places will help one forget the agonies of love and become devoted to the feet of Nityananda.

 

The Dvadasavanas of Mathura Mandala Raghava Pandita, Srinivasa and Narottama then took darshan of Kesava's beautiful dvadasavanans which are auspicious, which removes sins, which bestows virtues.

 

On the western side of the Jamuna or Madhu tola, Kumuda, Bahuala, Kanyi, Khadinar and Vrndavana: on the Eastern side of Sri Badro, Bandari, Bilva, Lauha, and Mahavana (Padma Purana and Skanda Purana)

 

1. Madhuvana

 

O Srinivasa, this is Madhuvana and its darshan will satisfy all desires. In this forest there is a kunda full of transparent water and blue lotuses. If anyone bathes in that water and gives in chatiry he will posess the deserving result.

 

2. Talavana

 

For the good of the adavaras and for his own pleasures Krsna killed the demon who is the protector of the tala flute. (Skanda Purana)

 

3. Kumudavana

 

A person is certain to attain Visnuloka if he visits this place. (Adi Varaha Purana) Sri Raghava Pandita pointed out to Srinivasa that there was another holy place named Daliha. That name has been given by Vajranva and became famous as Kaliupvana in the Padma Purana. It was there that Krsna killed Dantavakra. Again Sri Raghava told them the story about Dantavakra. Once Nanda and others went to visit Krsna at Kurukshetra. Krsna met them and satisfied each person in every way. He assured them that he would visit Vraja in a very short time. Although they were satisfied by his nectar like words and they took their eave from him still out of eagerness they used to wait on the bank of the Jamuna in hopes of seeing him. When the gopis left Kurukshetra Krsna felt very depressed. He went to Dwarka to kill Sishupala and then went to Mathura on the pretext of killing Dantavakra. After that work was completed he crossed the river Jamuna hurriedly and went to meet Nanda and the others. On seeing Krsna the Gopis ran forward shouting welcome, welcome. Krsna returned to his own house in Vraja witand the other gopis and enjoyed himself with the gopas as he always had before. Because the villagers shouted Aoray Aoray (welcome, welcome), the village is now known as Aoray.

 

4. Gaurai

 

There is another village called Jourbaj and Sri Raghava also told the story of that village. Once there was a large village called Dhana where lived a distinguished zamindar who had a good relationship with Sri Nanda Maharaja.

 

When Nanda returned from Kurushetra the zamindar had a large reception and asked Nanda to glorify the village by staying there for sometime. In Sanskrit this glory is called Gaurava. So the village was named Gauravi but at this time it is known as Gaurai.

 

In Gopala Champu the same story is told in different ways. When Nandaraj, the master of Vraja returned from Kurukshetra without Krsna he was so depressed that he did not want to go back to his own house. He advised his followers to stay in Gaurai, a place which was far from Gokula. Just as the Parasthana dham has become famous by the name Parashtattna, so also Golulapali was named Golulapati.

 

It was called Gokulapati, after the owner Gokul Nandaraj.

 

Sri Raghava happily travelled all round Mathura showing the holy places where Krsna had performed his lilas to Srinivasa and Narottama. Then Sri raghava changed the direction to show them a place called Sasthi Karatari.

 

The place is now known as Sasthighara. It is a beautiful and pleasant place the favorite spot of Lord Krsna. Whoever takes a bath here or fasts for one day is certain to attain Vidyadhara loka.

 

This place is called Sakata Rohana, in Adi Varaha Purana. It is on the west side of Mathura and thousands of bumble bees live here.

 

Raghava also pointed out another place known as Garuda Govinda. Once, just in play, Sridham transformed himself into Garuda and Sri Krsna also turned into Visnu Narayana, and mounted the bed-carrier. The whole place was named after him. The same story is given in Sri Laghu Bhagavatam mrta.

 

While describing the ways of the holy places Raghava arrived at Sastikas'ratavi and explained to Srinivasa the source of tht name of that holy place. Originally it had been called Sasti kalatavi but more recently was known as Sastighara. He pointed out the place where Krsna used to mount his chariot. At that time that place was very beautiful and had been very dear to Lord Krsna. Bumble bees used to hum musically in the beautiful flowerly ardens of Sastikaratavi. If anyone fasts for one day and bathes in this place he enjoys the pleasures of Vidya dhar Loka. This place is called Sakatagram. (Adi Varaha Purana)

 

The Pandita also showed Srinivasa and Narottama a beautiful lotus filled pond named Sankarshan kunda in one lake known as Manasarsai. A visit to this holy forest would bestow the same virtue as the darshan of Krsna and Lakshmi.

 

According to Adi Varaha Purana Bahula is the best of all forests. Whoever enters this forest attains Agni loka after that. In Skanda Purana, Mathura Khanda it is also written tht Bahula, the wife of Sri Hari lives in the holy forest. O king, this place is asupicious because herein Sri Visnu and Lakshmi resided inside a clump of lotuses in the Sankarshan kunda and whoever enters there in or takes a bath in th month of Chaitra is able of have darshan of Sri Visnu with Lakshmi.

 

Another holy place is known as Mayurgram. Here Krsna used to enjoy the dancing peacocks with peahens. It was wonderful to watch Radha and Krsna in the midst of the flock of peacocks. The dancing birds turned towards Radha and Krsna and expanded their plumage. The sakhis stood all around and clapped while the peacocks danced. Raghava Pandita pointed out another holy place to Narottama and Srinivasa, called Dakshin Jainad where Krsna enjoyed himself with his beloved Radha. As Raghava continued to describe the holy places they walked until they reached a place called Gandheswar Sthan a place which was named after Krsna's perfume.

 

Salaya was another place where saint Santanu had performed his tapasya. The lake inside the holy place is full of clear water. As they looked around Salaya Raghava led them to different holy forests.

 

Bahula forests

 

When they reached Bahula forest Raghava Pandita told them that this was the place where Sri Caitanya had come in ecstatic joy in a course of his pilgrimages of the Vrndavana forests. Seeing him millions of cows surrounded him and looked at him longingly. Then Gaura touched each one of them as he had touched them when he was in Vrndavana as Krsna. The dear animals, peacocks and koels expressed their joy by flying over his head and running around him. People were overwhelmed to see that even he trees showered flowers on Sri Mahaprabhu's head. All of them said that he must be the same sannyasi form of Sri Krsna. Simply to deceit people he covered his beautiful complexion with a fair one. Crowds of people came forward to meet him; they expressed their desires and he satisfied them all.

 

There is another village called vasati in the kingdom of king Vasibanu. No one had previously lived in the village of Rowor which is now called Rol.

 

In both of these villages Krsna and Balarama passed their lives in joyful play.

 

Radha Kunda and Syama Kunda in Airatagrama

 

The story of the vilasa of Krsna in the village of Airat is a charming one.

 

Once Krsna killed a demon in the form of a boar. Afterwards he wanted to touch Radharani but she jokingly rebuked him saying he could not touch her with his unpurified hands. Since he had killed a boar, a boar was actually a demon, she toldhim he had to purify himself by bathing in all the holy places before he could touch her. Krsna said, "I shall bathe in the water of all the holy places by calling them all together here." He stomped on the earth and created a depression which immediately filled up the water of all the holy places. The personification of each holy place also appeared before Krsna, introduced himself and praised Krsna in different ways. In front of Radha and the Gopinis Krnsa then took a bath in the water, uttering the name of each holy place as he did. He finished his bath sometime before midnight. Even now people follow the same system of bathing in the holy lake. Unmoved by Krsna's joke Radha also createanother lake in her perference. When Krsna learned that she also wanted water he ordered the Ganges, which represents all the holy places, to fill up her lake. The personified holy rivers also worshipped radha with obliged respect. From that time on radha and Krsna enjoyed their pastimes with the sakhis on the sides of the two lakes such was surrounded by beautiful trees and plants.

 

Even now people enjoy bathing in those two holy lakes.

 

In the Vraja vilasa chapter of the book Stavavali a description of Radha Kunda and Shyama Kinda is given in a beautiful way. Radha Kunda is surrounded by subaladi and Shyama Kunda and other kunjas of Lalita and the other eight sakhis were also beautiful and pleasant places to see.

 

Sri Narahari Cakravarty has written a few sayings describing Radha Kunda.

 

The inner meaning of the sayings is that Radha and Krsna are enjoying the beauty of the kunda. The lake is full of divine water and lotuses. The bumble bees hum amongst the lotuses and the gentle wind causes small ripples in the water. Aquatics move pleasurbly through the water. The banks of the lakes are decorated with different kinds of gems andt he platforms are decorated with painted pictures. The house of Madana bows its head in inferiority, a golden-gem studded swing hangs from the trees and the birds and peacocks sing and dance as Radha and Krsna swing. As Narahari sings his songs he enjoys the darshan of Radha within his heart.

 

The glory of Radha Kunda and Shyama Kunda

 

Whoever bathes in Radha Kunda and Shyama kunda gets the glorified results of performing Rajasuya-Ashwamedhea Yajana. Shyama Kunda is also known as Airsta Kunda. This is confirmed in Adi Varaha Purana.

 

Raghava Pandita confirmed that the glory of Radha Kunda is very good. In the Mathura Kunda it is stated that if any person offers a lake to Radha Kunda in the month of Kartik, as a devotee of Visnu he will be able to visualise the entire universe.

 

In Padma Purana there is a description of the glory of kartik month.

 

Therein it is written that this Radha Kunda is so dear to Lord Krsna is situated near the Gurkadan mountain. If one wants to please Lord Hari or becomes his beloved, he should bathe in the radha Kunda during th emonth of Kartik. This Kunda is as dear to Krsna as Radha herself. She is themost beloved of the Gopis. It is the duty of the devotees to bathe in the Radha Kunda during the month of Kartik and hereafter worship Janaidana. This simple worship requires only one day and pleases Krsna more than the worship of janaidana or Urthana akadashi.

 

The discovery of Sri Radha Kunda and Shyama Kunda by Sri Mahaprabhu

 

Sri Raghava continued to describe the beauty of Radha Kunda. After visiting the other forests of Vrndavana Caitanya Mahaprabhu came to Radha Kunda and saw in it a tamala tree. He inquired about the history of the two kundas from the residents of Airsta village and also from a brahmin who had accompanied him from Mathura, but no one was able to answer him. By is own divine power, mahaprabhu knew that these lakes were unlived because they were being used as paddy lives. He took a bath in whatever little bit of water was there and glorified the kundas in various ways. Then he marked his forehead with mud from the lake. The villagers were startled by his behavior but they admitted that seeing Mahaprabhu they felt symptoms of ecstasy. The sannyasi had won them over quite suddenly. They felt that the sannyasi was not an ordinary person but they were unable to express their feelings. Some men thought he must be Krsna in a different body because all of the animals and birds had come to see him, as if meeting friend after a very long time. Peacocks danced inthe blooming trees, put flowers on his head. Koels and parrots whistled the name of Krsna. Cows and deer also came to see him, they were full of tears of enchantment. Another spoke, "O brothers he must be an incarnation of Krsna who has come to earth to free us from our vices. Let us offer our respects at his feet. We have always known these two paddy fields as Kali and Goari, but by his mercy we now understand that they are holy kundas." Not even Brahma can describe the ecstaic expression of Sri Mahaprabhu when he discovered the Kundas.

 

The fulfillment of Srila Dasa Gosvami's desire

 

Sri Raghava described the transformation of the two paddy fields into beautiful lakes full of water. One day Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami considered that if these two paddy fields were transformed into beautiful lakes his deisres would be fulfilled. For this purpose money was needed, so Raghunath Dasa scholded himself again and again, ashamed of his desire for money.

 

Full of shame he decided to stay alone and behave cautiously for sometime.

 

But Krsna is always aware of the desires of his devotees.

 

Meanwhile a rich person had gone to Badairkashrana to get the darshan of the Lord nd he offered the Lord quite a lot of money. In a dream that night Sri Krsna ordered the man to take his money to raghunath Dasa in Airat village, he told the man that if Rghunath did not agree to take the money, he should remind Raghunath about his desire to clean the two kundas for bathing and drinking water. THat sincere devotee went directly to that village and happily revealed to Sri Raghunath the instruction given to him by Krsna in a dream. Although Raghunatha was overwholemed he accepted the money and gave orders to begin cleaning the lakes.

 

While clearing the paddy fields they saw a few old trees which stood in the way of their making te lake square, so they decided that the next day they would cut the tree down. That night Raghunath had a dream in which King Yuddistra told him not to cut the trees down as he and his four brothers were living within those trees. He advised Raghunath to go to Manas-pavana ghat and identify one. Early the next morning raghunath went to the South, recognised the South trees and ordered the people not to cut those trees.

 

For that reason they could not make Shyama Kunda square. The kunda was filled with clear water and Sri Raghunatha became very satisfied.

 

Sri Raghunatha dasa accepts a house

 

Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami had no desire for a house an dspent both day and night under a tree. One day Sanatana Gosvami went to visit Gopala Bhatta's house and take his bath in the manas-pavan ghat. He saw a tiger coming to the ghat for drinking water and then returned to the forest, crossign very close to Sri Raghunath who was meditating beneath this tree. When raghunatha finished his meditation and opened his eyes he saw Sanatana and went forward immediately to pay his obeisances and touch Sanatana's feet.

 

Sanatana embraced him affectionately and asked him to please live in ahouse.

 

From that day on Sri Raghunatha stayed in a house. It was beyond the capabilities of raghava Pandita to describe the activities of Raghunatha.

 

Dasa Gosvami used to favor a Vrajavasi named Dasi. One day this Dasa went to sakhistakhli village and got a large leaf of a Palash tree. He knew that Rabhunath took only one glass each day. A cup made from this large leaf would naturally be bigger than usual and thus Raghunath would take a larger quantity of juice. With this in mind Dasa made a cup from the leaf and carried juice to Dasa Gosvami. Dasa Gosvami immediately noticed the new leaf and asked Dasa about it. Gosvami immediately told him how and why he had taken the leaf, but when raghunatha heard that the leaf was from Stkhistahai he grew angry. He threw down the cup and ordered Dasa never to go agian to Sakhistahai as it was th residence of Candravali. Dasa then understood the true idnetity of this saint as a nitya siddha. Whoever doubts that is the most sinful man in the world.

 

One day Raghunatha ate rice with milk and afterwards felt very heavy with indigestion. As no one could determine the reason for this Sri Vallabha Para Vittal brought two doctors. By taking his pulse the doctors determined that indigestion was caused by taking milk with rice. At last raghunatha admitted that he had actually eaten the milk and rice whereupon everyone was astonished.

 

Living in Radhakunda by the grace of Srila Dasa Gosvami

 

Sri Raghava told Srinivasa and Narottama that only by the grace of Raghunath Dasa Gosvami could one live in Radha Kunda. The Malya hari kunda is famous as the place where Krnsa enacted the pastime of stealing a garland from Sri Radha. Sri Raghava has described this incident in the book Sri Muktamala Chairatra.

 

Raghava pointed out Siva Khore, Vanakhanore and other kundas in a joyful mood and then he took Srinivasa and Narottama to meet Sri Dasa Gosvami.

 

They both touched Dasa Gosvamis's feet, lying down on the ground. Although he was weak with old age, Dasa Gosvami was delighted to meet the boys and stood up to embrave both of them, speaking very softly to Srinivasa. Krsna Dasa Kaviraja also came there and Srinivasa and Narottama touched his feet.

 

Krsna dasa Kaviraja and loved Srinivasa as his own soul. All the Vaisnavas of Radha Kunda including Dasa the vrajabasis came forward to meet Srinivasa and Narottama. Taking permission ofthe devotees they went to take a bath in the Radha Kunda. After finishing their meal both of them went directly to Radha Kunda and became overwhelmed by its beauty.

 

A kunja called Saval was on the North side of Shyama Kunda near Manas Pavana ghat. This place, where the five Pandavas stood as trees, is very dear to Radhika. Srinivasa and Narottama bathed there with joyful hearts and then returned to the house of Sri Gopala Mata Mahaprasad. They remained quite joyful in Radhakunda for the entire day and they continued their tour the next morning. Raghava Pandita took them to see Mukhara, a village to the South of the Kunda which was originally the home of Radha's godmother Nakula. It was here that Radha and Krsna met condestinely.

 

The places of Krsna's lila surrounding Govardhana

 

Sri Raghava took Srinivasa and Narottama to see the places near Govardhan where Krsna had performed his lilas and one by one he described them all.

 

The place known as Kusuka Saivor is famous for lilas of Radha Krsna. In another place called Narda Kunda, Narda Muni had fulfilled his desires by performing tapasya. In the Puranas it is written that Narda performed his tapasya on the order of Virnda. In a place called Ratna Sinhasana, Radha used to sit on a throne. That was the place where Krsna killed Sankha Chuda and that story has been described in the Bhagavatam. Paliuivaran is a beautiufl garden where Jutheswarai used to stay. Sri Krsna also enjoyed himself with his friends in a holy place called Alograma. In the place Indra Dhvajabedi, Nandaraj used to worship Indra. It was there that Sri Krsna used to send his cows, calling each one by the sound of his flute.

 

Rinmochana (Papmachana Akhyana) is famous for its holiness. If a person bathes there he will be freed from all vices. This is Sankaishana Kunda and whoever wants to fulfil his desires should take a bath here.

 

In Parasavri village Radha and Krsna enacted their Yasuratra in this kirtana. In Chandra Sarvar, Sri Krsna took rest after Yasuratra. Now we see the beautiful Gandhava Kunda, where the Gandhavas became overwhelmed by the beautiful songs of Krsna. No one can describe all the pastimes of Radha Krsna during the time of Vasanta rasa in Govardhan.

 

In the Govardhan Ashrayadasaka of Stavavali it is given in an inscription: this is Yasa Sthali where Radha, the lover of Krsna was worshipped by hundreds of Lakshmis. It is surrounded by her beautiful sakhis, her neck decorated by the loving hand of Krsna, danced in spring time enchantment.

 

All fortunate persons take shelter of the great Govardhan Yasa Sthali.

 

There is another village called Paitha where Krsna once hid his self from the Gopis who began searching here and there for him. Krsna appeared before the Gopis in his four handed Visnu form but upon arrival of Radha two other hands disappeared. So strong was the love of Radha that Krsna could not retain his four armed form. This has been written in the Nayika Prakara of Ujjamanilmani.

 

After showing all the holy places Sri Raghava returned to Gouai Tirtha with Srinivasa and Narottama. This place is called Neepa Kunda because it is surrounded by beautiful neepa (Kadamba) trees. Another holy place is called Aniyor. It was here that by Krsna's order Nanda and the other Gopas stopped the worship of Indra and started the worship of Govardhan by offering various kinds of foods. The voice of Govardhan resounded in the sky, "Ani Aur Ani Aur" (Bring me more water) and for that reason this place is called Aniyor. By visitiing Annyakuta all desires will be fulfilled. In Stavavali is written Sri Krsna the killer of Aga, took all the food which was offered to Govardhan by Sri Nanda by transforming himself into a huge body and by depriving Radha of a boon. The place Govinda Kunda has its own glory because it was here that Indra performed the Abhsieak of Krsna. In the Ravivi vilas chapter of Stavavali it is said that out of fear of Lord Krsna Indra performed the Abhisek ceremony of Krsna in front everyone by bringing the holy water of Mandakani from Sarbui. From this holy water Govinda Kunda was formed. In Adi Varaha Purana it is said that by bathing or performing tapasya at Govinda Kunda one attains salvation on the virtues of performing one hundred Yajnas.

 

There is a pond Govinda which is called Dana Nivinata kunda which is surrounded by a dense forest. It was here that Gopala hid and performed his danakeli pastimes. This place is not known by common people; only one who understands the real meaning of Krsna's pastimes can visit here. Adi Varaha Purana has stated the same fact. It was here that Gopala gave darshan to Madhavendra Puri on the pretext of bringing him milk. Gopala lived in Gothuli on the mountain. On the far side of Govardhan is Apsara Kunda where fortunate people can take bath. The holy place Shyama Dhak is a quiet area with a old palash.

 

While describing all these places, Sri Raghava Pandita took his two followers to his own cave. He told them from that cave they daily enjoy the beauty and glory of Govardhan.

 

In Saradi Kunda Indra was blessed by Lord Krsna. In Rudra Kunda Mahadeva sat in meditation on Krsna. In Kadamkhandi Sri Krsna watched the path by which Radha had gone. In Danghali Krsna used to taste Radha. Disguised as king Madana Krsna took his share of the milk from Radha while his friends blocked her way. In Vraja Vilasa the same story is given. When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu visited here and heard the pastimes from his followers, he danced in ecstasy in front of everyone.

 

When people saw him dance they aid he must be the avatar of Hari. Who can describe the lilas of Krsna in Govardhan? Some people call Danghali as KRsna bedi. Sri Rupa has described the dana lila in his book Danakeli Kaulaudi.

 

Brhna Kunda is also situated near Govardhan and is surrounded by the lakes of Indra.

 

The story of a Govardhan brahmin who was a devotee of Baladev

 

Once a rich devotee of Baladev named Artha Vanta lived in Govardhan. His mind was always absorbed in thoughts of Balarama. He believed that one day Baladeva would kindly grant him darshan for that reason he wandered around Govardhan. The brahmin was fortunate and one day he got the information that Baladev would grant him darshan. Just to fulfil this devotee's desire Nityananda Nandaram went to Govardhan on pilgrimage. Nityananda remained in a lonely place but whoever saw him was moved by his celestial body.

 

In Kundala Kunda Krsna used to dress up. In Bedakhoira Kunja Radha and Krsna performed lilas within the closed room of the kunja. In Choiana Pahadi hill Krsna joyfully performed different lilas. Once Krsna and his cowherd boyfriends climbed this hill simply to see the beauty of the grazing cows. Dressed in attractive clothing Krsna stood beneath a tree there playing his flute while standing in hs three fold bending form. As soon as the sound of his flute was heard people from all directions would gather near him standing motionless as they heard the sweet music. Within this earth is there any comparison for that heavenly music? Even the mountains melted at the sound of his flute. The foot prints of Sri Krsna as well as those who came to hear his flute on that mountain and therefor it is called Coiana Pahadi (Coiana means foot).

 

Pg.171 Here is another village called haioyal where Krsna became ashamed when he was defeated in a dice game with Radhika. Lalita said to Radhika, "You have easily defeated the master of your soul in this dice game ain in every other way. But we shall see who wins in the game of love. The friends of Radha then escorted their divine pair to the Nikunja Mandir and secretly watched them. Observing this celestial loving relationship between Radha and Krsna the sakhis felt themselves to be most fortunate.

 

In Satoan village Sri Sanatana Muni worshipped Krsna. Krsna used to roam freely in Sarya Kunda Nandana kupa and Vadyashila. It was in Paigram (Pai means to get) Sri Radhika and her sakhis caught hold of Krsna after searching for him. In this place called Chalana Shila Krsna sat down, being unable to move out of the mood of love.

 

In Kanair village (kan means feelings of love or desire) Krsna passionately waited for Radha.

 

In Vichorgram (Vichor means seperate) Chandramukhi and her friends met Krsna and after their celestial enjoyments the gopis returned to their own homes.

 

Because of the seperation from Krsna it is called Vichora.

 

In Tiloyara village Krsna would play without taking a moments rest. And under the Srnagaravana Krsna decorated Radhika with different dresses.

 

Lalapur is famous for Sri Krsna's lilas and the Vasasi village is perfumed by the scent of Krsna's body which maddens not only the bumble bees but the entire world. It was here that Radha and Krsna played Holi with their friends. In Payagram Krsna ate Parananya with his friends and snatched yogurt from the gopis in Dadigram. He passed his time in merriement in Kolaravana which is now called Kolavana.

 

From Bhakti Ratnakara Chp 5 by Shrila Narahari Chakravarti Thakura.