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Çré Vijaya Ekadäsé Issue no:130 19th February 2020 The Essence Of Spiritual Knowledge

The Science Of The Supreme Lord Spontaneous Unalloyed Devotion Srila Das Thakura Srila Vishvanatha Chakravarti Thakura

The Essence Of Spiritual Knowledge The Glories Of Lord Chaitanya His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Thakura A.C.Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada

Mahaprabhu's Arrival In Gokula Srila Jagadananda Pandita

Circulaton 29, 621 Issue no 130, Page — 2 nityaà bhägavata-sevayä The Science Of The Supreme Lord names of . Everyone was maddened with Srila Vrindavan Thakura pride on account of their high birth, opulence, knowledge, and beauty. At that time Sri Advaita The science of the Supreme Lord and His , along with pure devotees like various incarnations is difficult to understand. Srivasa, loudly chanted the names of Lord Hari. What to speak of ordinary living entities, even But people who were averse to the Lord con- Lord cannot fathom this science without tinually harassed and teased the non-envious the mercy of the Lord. The statement of Lord pure devotees. When the compassionate Sri Brahma in the Çrémad Bhägavatam is the evi- Advaita Prabhu saw people’s extreme aversion dence in this regard. Although the cause of the to cause great distress to the devotees, Supreme Lord’s appearance is most confidential, He began to worship Krishna with water and the statements of Bhagavad-gétä reveal that Lord tulasi with a vow to bring about the advent of Visnu appears in every millennium in order to Krishna. Before the advent of Lord Gaurahari, Sri protect the pious people, deliver the miscreants, Nityananda Prabhu—who is nondifferent from and reestablish the principles of religion. There- Lord Baladeva, the elder brother of Krishna— fore the chanting of the holy names of Krishna appeared from the womb of Padmavati, the wife is the religious principle for the Age of . Sri of Hadai Pandita, in the village of Ekacakra, in Gaurahari has appeared along with His abode, Räòha-deça, on the thirteenth day of the waxing Sri Navadvipa, to propagate this -dhar- moon in the month of Magha. Meanwhile, in ma. By the will of the Lord, great devotees and Navadvipa, Sri Visvarupa Prabhu, who is non- eternal associates such as , , and different from Nityananda Prabhu, appeared as Brahma appeared prior to the Lord in various the son of Saci and Jagannatha, after their many impious families and impious places where the daughters had met early deaths. A few years does not flow and the holy names are after the advent of Sri Visvarupa, Sri Gaurahari, not chanted. In this way such families and places the original Personality of Godhead, appeared were purified. After the appearance of Sri Gaura- in the hearts of Sri Saci and Jagannatha, who are hari, His associates joined Him in Navadvipa to nondifferent from and . Under- assist in His saìkértana movement. At the time standing this, the demigods offered to of the Lord’s appearance, Sri Navadvipa was Lord Sri Gaura-Krishna, the Supreme Absolute most prosperous. Millions of people took bath Truth and source of all incarnations, who was sit- at each of the bathing ghäöas on the Ganges. uated within the womb of Saci. Sri Gauracandra, By the benedictions of Sarasvati and Laksmi, the inaugurator of the saìkértana movement, the residents of Navadvipa were absorbed in appeared during an eclipse on the full moon scholastic pursuits and material enjoyment, but night in the month of Phälguna as everyone there was ample evidence of people’s aversion engaged in the congregational chanting of the to Lord Krishna. Although it was the beginning names of Hari. of Kali-yuga, people exhibited the behavior fore- — Çré Chaitanya-bhägavata -Çréla Vrindavan däsa Öhäkura With told for the future of the age. People considered English Translation of the Gauòéya-bhäñya Commentary and Chapter their religious duty was to worship demigods Summaries of His Divine Grace Oà Visnupäda Paramahaàsa Parivrä- such as Mangalacandi, Visahari, and Vashuli. jakäcärya Çré Çrémad Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Gosvämé Mahäräja- They thought the purpose of having money was Translated by Bhumipati Däsa. to spend it for enjoying the marriage of their sons and daughters or the marriage of idols. Since the The Glories Of Lord Chaitanya so-called brähmaëas and scholars maintained Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur the asslike mentality of accepting only the gross meaning of the scriptures without understanding Long before the advent of Sripad Sankara- the actual purport, when they tried to teach their carya, the tridaëòi sannyäsa order existed students, both teachers and students were bound in the Vaisnava line of Sri Visnusvami. In the by the ropes of Yamaraja and led to hell. Even the Visnusvami Vaiñëava-sampradäya, there are so-called austere renunciates did not chant the ten different kinds of sannyäsa names and 108 Bhāgavata Mahāvidyālaya www.ibmedu.org nityaà bhägavata-sevayä Issue no 130, Page—3 different names for sannyäsés who accept the Sri Krishna Chaitanya. The Lord kept His brah- tridaëòa, the triple staff of sannyäsa. But at the macäré name even after accepting sannyäsa. time of Sankaracarya, who was a Vedäntist in- Those who recorded the Lord’s pastimes did clined to impersonalism and who preached the not mention that the Lord ever identified Himself philosophy of , the sect of païcopäsakas as Bhäraté. Although a sannyäsé in the Sanka- (those who worship five ) had again become ra-sampradäya thinks that he has become the prominent in . That is why Sri Chaitanya Supreme, Sri considered Mahaprabhu accepted Vedic sannyäsa from the Himself the eternal servant of Lord Krishna even Sankara-sampradäya, which uses ten names after He took ekadaëòa-sannyäsa. As the friend for their sannyäsés. In Aryavarta, many of the living entities and spiritual master of the pseudo-followers of the became followers universe, He benefited the conditioned souls by of Sankaracarya known as païcopäsakas under preaching pure devotional service of Lord Krish- the guidance of that sampradäya. The ten names na among them and never exhibited the pride of the Shankara sannyäsés are Tértha, Äçrama, of an ekadaëòi-sannyäsé. The brahmacärés’ Vana, Araëya, Giri, Parvata, Sägara, Sarasvaté, only pride is their service to their spiritual master, Bhäraté, and Puré. The title and abode of each which is not unfavorable to devotional service. sannyäsé and brahmacäré is as follows: Sanny- The authentic biographies also mention that äsés with the titles Tértha and Äçrama generally when Lord Chaitanya took sannyäsa He accept- stay at Dwaraka, and their brahmacäré name ed the daëòa (rod) and begging pot, which are is Svarüpa. Those known by the names Vana symbolic of the sannyäsa order. and Araëya stay at Puruñottama, or Jagannatha The word maheçvara is found in the Çvetäç- Puré, and their brahmacäré name is Prakäça. vatara Upaniñad (4.10 and 6.7) as follows: Those with the names Giri, Parvata, and Säga- mayaà tu prakåtià vidyän mäyinaà tu maheç- ra generally stay at Badarikäçrama, and their varam—“Although maya [illusion] is false or tem- brahmacäré name is Änanda. Those with the porary, the background of maya is the supreme titles Sarasvaté, Bhäraté, and Puré usually live magician, the Personality of Godhead, who is at Srngeri in , and their brahmacäré Maheshvara, the supreme controller,” and tam name is Chaitanya. éçvaräëäà paramaà maheçvaraà—“You are Sripad Sankaracarya established four monas- the supreme controller of all controllers.” In his teries in India, in the four directions north, south, commentary on Çrémad Bhägavatam (11.27.23), east, and west, and he entrusted them to four Srila Sridhara Swami has quoted the following sannyäsé disciples. Now there are hundreds of verses from the Padma Puräëa: yo vedädau branch monasteries under these four principal svaraù prokto vedänte ca pratiñöhitaù tasya monasteries, and although there is an official prakåti-lénasya yaù paraù sa maheçvaraù “He symmetry among them, there are many differ- who is described in the Vedas and established ences in their dealings. The four different sects in the Vedänta, who exists after the merging of of these monasteries are known as Änandavära, prakåti, is called Maheshvara.” Bhogavära, Kéöavära, and Bhümivära, and in course of time they have developed different yo ’säv akäro vai viñëur viñëur näräyaëo hariù ideas and different slogans. sa eva puruño nityaù paramätmä maheçvaraù According to the regulation of Sankara’s sect, one who wishes to enter the renounced order “The original person, who remains after anni- in the disciplic succession must first be trained as hilation, is none other than Lord Visnu, who is a brahmacäré under a bona fide sannyäsé. The certainly nondifferent from , or Hari. He brahmacäré’s name is ascertained according to is the eternal Supersoul known as Maheshvara.” the group to which the sannyäsé belongs. This Also in the Brahma-vaivarta Puräëa (Prakå- custom is current in this sampradäya up to the ti-khaëòa, Chapter 53) it is said: present day. Lord Chaitanya superficially accepted sannyäsa viçva-sthänaà ca sarveñäà from Bhäraté and became known as mahatäméçvaraù svayam www.ibmedu.org Bhāgavata Mahāvidyālaya Issue no 130, Page — 4 Top left 4 nityaà bhägavata-sevayä maheçvaraà ca tenemaà tion of ancient Navadvipa began even before pravadanti manéñiëaù the time of Lord Chaitanya and have presently taken a terrible shape due to various reasons. “The wise say that maheshvara refers to the These baseless arguments have not and will not Lord of all places in the universe, which is called ever be successful. Under the order of perfect mahat.” devotees like Srila it has The city of Navadvipa is situated on the eastern again been indisputably established that a short bank of the Ganges. For a long time it was the distance from the samädhi of Chand Kazi is the capitol of the Sena kings. At present the place site of Jagannatha Mishra and Sacidevé’s house formerly known as Navadvipa consists of a (the Lord’s birthplace) at Sri Yogapitha. number of villages with various names. The All impartial historical and spiritual evidence en- place now known as Sri Mayapur is the site riched with reason and argument indisputably wherein the residences of Jagannatha Mishra, conclude that the area surrounding present day , Sri Advaita Acarya, and Mu- Mayapur is the site of ancient Navadvipa. rari Gupta were formerly situated. Due to the In the twelfth wave of -ratnäkara it change in the course of the Ganges, most of is written: “It is specifically stated in the Visnu the Navadvipa area of Lord Chaitanya’s time Puräëa that all of the Lord’s abodes are situated has been submerged. Therefore most of the within Nadia. The Visnu Puräëa (2.3.6-7) states: inhabitants were forced to shift to nearby plac- ’Please hear about the nine islands of Bhära- es. The modern city of Navadvipa is situated ta-varña known as Indradvipa, Kasheru, Tam- at the place known during the time of Lord raparna, Gabhastiman, Nagadvipa, Saumya, Chaitanya as Kuliya, or Pahadapura, but in the , Varuna, and the ninth, Navadvipa, eighteenth century Navadvipa was situated on which is situated near the ocean in the midst of the island of Kuliya-daha or Kaliya-daha. In the the other eight islands. Navadvipa extends 1,000 seventeenth century, however, Navadvipa was from north to south.’ situated at the places now known as Nidaya, “In his commentary on these two verses, Srila Sankarapura, and Rudrapada. Previous to that Sridhara Swami writes: ’In these verses the word and up to the sixteenth century the Navadvipa of Sägara-saàvåta means “near the ocean.” Since Lord Chaitanya’s time extended throughout the the name of the ninth island is not separately places now known as Sri Mayapur, Ballal-dighi, mentioned, it is obvious that the ninth island is -pukura, Sri Nathapura, Bharui-danga, Navadvipa.’ Simuliya, Rudrapada, Taranavasa, Kariyati, and “In the Gaura-gaëoddeça-dépikä (18) it is said: -jéVanapura. The present day village of ’All glories to the most wonderful abode of Na- Vamana-pukura was then known as Belpuku- vadvipa, which those in full knowledge of ra, but when this ancient village of Belpukura call Vrindavan, which people of knowledge call was shifted to Meghara-cada at the end of the , which others call Shvetadvipa, and still seventeenth century it became known as Vama- others call Paravyoma, the spiritual sky.’ na-pukura. Ramacandrapura, Kakadera , “Navadvipa is famous throughout the universe Sri Ramapura, Babla Adi, and other places were as the place where the nine types of devotional on the western side of the Ganges. Some of service, beginning with hearing, shine bril- these places were part of Koladvipa, and some liantly. The nine varieties of devotional service were part of Modadrumadvipa. Although some are enumerated by Maharaja in the places like Cinadanga and Pahadapura are now Çrémad Bhägavatam (7.5.23-24) as follows: lost, places like Tegharira Kola, Kola Amada, ’Hearing and chanting about the transcendental and Kuliya-ganja of present day Navadvipa still holy name, form, qualities, paraphernalia and display evidence of ancient Koladvipa. Vidy- pastimes of Lord Visnu, remembering them, anagara, Jannagara, Mamgachi, Kovla, etc., on serving the lotus feet of the Lord, offering the the western side of the Ganges, are supposed Lord respectful worship with sixteen types of paraphernalia, offering prayers to the Lord, be- to be suburbs of ancient Navadvipa. Various coming His servant, considering the Lord one’s unreasonable arguments regarding the loca- Bhāgavata Mahāvidyālaya www.ibmedu.org nityaà bhägavata-sevayä Issue no 130, Page—5 best friend, and surrendering everything unto Upaniñad glorifies as Para-Brahmapura, which Him (in other words, serving Him with the body, is glorified by the småtis as , the abode mind and words)—these nine processes are ac- of Visnu, which is called Shvetadvipa by some cepted as pure devotional service. One who has great souls, and which is known as Vrindavan by dedicated his life to the service of Krishna through the rare devotees conversant with transcendental these nine methods should be understood to be mellows.” the most learned person, for he has acquired The word avatära is explained by Srila complete knowledge.’ in his Kåñëa-sandarbha as follows: “Although Sri Navadvipa consists of nine sepa- “An avatära is He who descends into the ma- rate islands, they remain one. Throughout , terial realm.” Srila Baladeva Vidysbhusana has Treta, and Dväpara , up through the be- commented on the description of the Lord’s ginning of Kali-yuga, the name of Navadvipa was incarnations in Srila ’s La- never lost; but as Kali-yuga progresses, the name ghu-bhägavatämåta as follows: “When the Ab- of Navadvipa will be nearly forgotten. Some solute Truth incarnates from the spiritual world, persons, however, will realize the abode of Na- Vaikuntha, into this material creation, He is called vadvipa. By Krishna’s will, Vajranabha established an avatära.” many villages in Vraja and named them according In the Caitanya-caritämåta (Ädi 2.88-90) it is to the pastimes that were performed there, yet as stated: “Only the Personality of Godhead, the time passed many of those places were forgotten source of all other Divinities, is eligible to be or renamed. In the same way, the villages of Na- designated svayaà bhagavän, or the primeval vadvipa were manifested and named according Lord. When from one candle many others are to the pastimes performed there by the Lord and lit, I consider that one the original. Krishna, in the His devotees, yet some of them were forgotten same way, is the cause of all causes and all incar- and some were renamed. The name of Navad- nations.” The Caitanya-caritämåta (Ädi 3.28-30) vipa, however, remained. Simply by hearing the says: “Therefore in the company of My devotees word dvépa, one’s miseries are diminished. There I shall appear on earth and perform various col- are nine dvépas on the eastern and western sides orful pastimes. Thinking thus, the Personality of the Ganges. Antardvipa, Simantadvipa, - of Godhead, Sri Krishna Himself, descended rumadvipa, and Sri Madhyadvipa are situated at Nadia early in the Age of Kali. Thus the lion east of the Ganges, while Koladvipa, Rtudvipa, like Lord Chaitanya has appeared in Navadvipa. Jahnudvipa, Modadrumadvipa, and Rudradvipa He has the shoulders of a lion, the powers of a are situated west of the Ganges. Beloved dev- lion, and the loud voice of a lion.” The Caitan- otees of the Lord headed by Shiva and ya-caritämåta (Ädi 3.110) says: “Therefore the eternally reside in the abode of Navadvipa.” principal reason for Sri Chaitanya’s descent is this Tridaëòi Goswami Srila Prabodhananda Sar- appeal by Advaita Acarya. The Lord, the protector asvaté has written in his Navadvipa-çataka (1-2): of religion, appears by the desire of His devotee.” “Through the nine processes of devotional ser- The Caitanya-caritämåta (Ädi 5.14-15, 19) says: vice, beginning with hearing, remembering, and “Beyond the material nature lies the realm known worshiping, we adore the Supreme Personality as paravyoma, the spiritual sky. Like Lord Krishna of Godhead, Sri Krishna, who is absorbed in the Himself, it possesses all transcendental attributes, mood of Radharani, who is resplendent with the such as the six opulences. That Vaikuntha region radiance of molten gold, who in Navadvipa is al- is all-pervading, infinite and supreme. It is the ways engaged in kértana with associates playing residence of Lord Krishna and His incarnations. mådaìgas and karatälas, who is eternally wor- That abode is manifested within the material shipable by all living entities, who is the destroyer world by the will of Lord Krishna. It is identical of the contamination of the Age of Kali, and who to that original Gokula; they are not two different is the bestower of happiness to His devotees. We bodies.” The Caitanya-caritämåta (Ädi 5.78, 80- adore Sri Navadvipa dhäma, which is manifested 82) says: “Although Ksirodaksayi Visnu is called a by the Lord’s internal potency, which bestows kalä of Lord Krishna, He is the source of , supreme happiness, which the Chändogya and the other incarnations. That puruña www.ibmedu.org Bhāgavata Mahāvidyālaya Issue no 130, Page — 6 nityaà bhägavata-sevayä [Ksirodakasayi Visnu] is the performer of creation, The eternal associates of Lord Chaitanya have maintenance, and destruction. He manifests Him- preached and thereby firmly established the path self in many incarnations, for He is the maintainer of devotional service all over the world. All this of the world. That fragment of the Maha-purusa has been done by Lord Chaitanya's grace alone, who appears for the purpose of creation, main- for pure devotional service is attained solely by tenance, and annihilation is called an incarnation. the blessings of the Supreme Lord and His pure That Maha-purusa is identical with the Personality devotees. The Çäëòilya Sütra confirms this in of Godhead. He is the original incarnation, the the following verse, describing Lord Chaitanya's seed of all others, and the shelter of everything.” mercy as unlimited and freely distributed. The The Caitanya-caritämåta (Ädi 5.131-132, 127- verse further explains that no one can obtain 128, 133) says: “When the Supreme Personality devotion to Lord Krishna by the process of , of Godhead Krishna appears, He is the shelter of the practice of austerities, or any other method all plenary parts. Thus at that time all His plenary except by the mercy of Lord Chaitanya and His portions join in Him. In whatever form one knows pure followers: the Lord, one speaks of Him in that way. In this there is no falsity, since everything is possible in bhaktiù pürvaiù çrita täntu Krishna. But I accept it as the truth because it has rasaà paçyed yadättadhéù been said by devotees. Since He is the source of taà naumi satatam all incarnations, everything is possible in Him. rüpa-näma-priya-janaà hareù They know that there is no difference between the incarnation and the source of all incarnations. In the past, saintly persons have always taken Previously different people regarded Lord Krishna shelter of devotional service. Five hundred years in the light of different principles. Therefore Lord ago such a person appeared by whose mercy Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has exhibited to everyone seekers are able to distinctly perceive that path all the pastimes of all the various incarnations.” of devotional service to Lord Krishna, a path It is also stated in the Caitanya-caritämåta steeped in spiritual mellows. I offer my repeated (Madhya 20.263-264): “The form of the Lord that obeisances to that great soul Srila Rupa Goswami, descends into the material world to create is called who is very dear to the Lord. an avatära, or incarnation. All the expansions of Devotees from previous ages like , Lord Krishna are actually residents of the spiri- , Sukadeva Goswami, Sri Yamunacarya, tual world. However, when they descend into Nathmuni, and others have rendered loving de- the material world, they are called incarnations votional service to the Supreme Lord. But Lord [avatäras].” Chaitanya propagated spontaneous, unalloyed — Çré Chaitanya-bhägavata -Çréla Vrindavan däsa Öhäkura With English devotion, and on the Lord's order Srila Rupa Translation of the Gauòéya-bhäñya Commentary and Chapter Summaries Goswami established this platform. This process of His Divine Grace Oà Visnupäda Paramahaàsa Parivräjakäcärya is therefore available only to the followers of Srila Çré Çrémad Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Gosvämé Mahäräja Translated by Rupa Goswami. Bhumipati Däsa. — Madhurya-Kadambini - Çréla Viçvanätha Cakravarté Öhäkura Translated by SarvabhäVana däsa. Spontaneous Unalloyed Devotion Srila Vishvanatha Chakravarti Thakura The Essence Of Spiritual Knowledge His Divine Grace The nine practices of devotion: to hear, chant, A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and remember the Lord's transcendental name, qualities, pastimes; to serve His lotus feet; to The essence of spiritual knowledge is found in worship and pray to Him; to become His menial the pastimes of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, which servant and friend; and to offer oneself in total are identical with the pastimes of Lord Krishna. surrender to Him are attained only by the mercy This is the essence of knowledge. If knowledge of Lord Chaitanya. The mature fruit of these de- does not include the understanding of Sri Chait- votional practices is prema, or of Godhead. anya Mahaprabhu and Krishna, it is simply super- Bhāgavata Mahāvidyālaya www.ibmedu.org nityaà bhägavata-sevayä Issue no 130, Page—7 fluous. By Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s grace, the here. Who can describe in detail the arrival of nectar of Lord Sri Krishna’s pastimes is flowing in Lord Chaitanya at this place. Mahaprabhu came different directions in hundreds and thousands to Agravana [known as Agra] from Prayaga and of rivers. One should not think that the pastimes then went to see the Äçrama of Muni. of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu are different from The Lord visited Reëukä-gräma which was Krishna’s pastimes. It is said, çré-kåñëa-caitanya, named after Jamadagni's wife, Renuka. It is the rädhä-kåñëa nahe anya: ”Lord Chaitanya Ma- birthplace of . Mahaprabhu came haprabhu is a combination of and Krish- to Gokula from Renuka via Räja-gräma and sat na.” Thus without understanding the pastimes of under a tree. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, one cannot under- “The arrival of Lord Chaitanya in Gokula is stand Radha and Krishna. Srila described in the Chaitanya-carita as follows: Thakura therefore sings, rüpa-raghunätha-pade ’Mahaprabhu had darçana of Sri Madhavadeva haibe äkuti/ kabe häma bujhaba se yugala in Prayaga and then danced with His followers in piréti: ”When shall I become very eager to study ecstatic devotional love. After taking darçana of the books left by the Six ? Then I shall Akñaya-vaöa, He bathed in the Triveni like a mad be able to understand the conjugal pastimes of elephant. His eyes filled with tears of love, the Radha and Krishna.” Chaitanya Mahaprabhu hairs of His body stood on end and He gravely directly empowered Srila Rupa Goswami and shouted in ecstasy as He moved from there. In Srila . Following in their due course, He crossed the River Yamuna and footsteps, the other Gosvämés understood Sri came to Agravana, where Reëukä-gräma, the Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and His mission. One birthplace of the great warrior Parashurama, is should understand Sri Krishna Chaitanya and situated. After taking darçana of the Yamuna, Lord Sri Krishna from the Six Gosvamis in the which always flows towards Vrindavan, Ma- paramparä system. The Krishna consciousness haprabhu went to Räja-gräma. At last Mahapra- movement is following as strictly as possible in bhu entered Gokula and became overwhelmed the footsteps of the Goswamis. Narottama dasa with ecstatic love.' Öhakura says, ei chaya gosäïi yäìra, mui täìra “Arriving here, Lord Chaitanya became mad- däsa: ”I am the servant of the Six Goswamis.” The dened with ecstatic love while performing philosophy of Krishna consciousness is to be- saïkértana. As He went to see Krishna's birth- come the servant of the servant of the servant of place, large crowds followed Him. This place, the Lord [ Caitanya-caritämåta, Madhya 13.80]. where Krishna's birth ceremony was performed Whoever wants to understand the difficult subject according to tradition, is the abode of the great- matter of kåñëa-kathä should accept the disciplic est happiness. All the elderly would sing succession. If one is somehow or other able to auspicious songs in great happiness here for understand Krishna, his life is successful. Tyaktvä the well-being of Krishna. Maharaja and dehaà punar janma naiti mäm eti so ’rjuna other cowherd men would sit here and discuss [Bg. 4.9]. A perfect devotee is able to understand various topics. After numerous disturbances oc- Krishna through the disciplic succession, and his curred here, however, they all decided to shift to entrance into the kingdom of God is thereby cer- Vrindavan.” tainly opened. When one understands Krishna, Raghava then pointed out the path by which there is no difficulty in transferring oneself to the the cowherd men from Gokula and Ravala used spiritual kingdom. to go to Vrindavan. During their journey they had —Madhya 25.271, Sri Chaitanya-caritamrta » Madhya-lila » Chapter great fun crossing the Yamuna near Bhandirava- 25 »Purport by His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. na. In Sakaraulé-gräma they collected the cows and calves and brought them together. Mahaprabhu's Arrival In Gokula “O Srinivasa see Ravala, the village where Srila Jagadananda Pandita Vrsabhanu used to live happily. Sri Radhika ap- peared here, and by Her auspicious appearance “The inhabitants of Gokula would relieve their the whole world was filled with joy.” fatigue under a tree. Lord also sat www.ibmedu.org Bhāgavata Mahāvidyālaya Issue no 130, Page — 8 nityaà bhägavata-sevayä In the Vraja-viläsa-stava there is the following own will He is wandering throughout Vraja in this : “May I be filled with love for Ravala in form.' Someone else said, ’By seeing this golden Vrsabhanupura. The precious gem, Sri Radha, complexioned form of the Lord, I am unable to appeared there in the mine of Kirtida's womb, speak although I wish to.' which is praised by the demigods, åñis, and hu- “After speaking in this way, by Lord Chaitanya's man beings.” mercy the people became agitated in love and “Who can understand the great joy in Vrsabha- tears flowed from their eyes. After manifesting His nu's house when Radhika appeared from the transcendental pastimes here, the Lord along with womb of Kirtida. Sri Radha's effulgent form illu- the Sanoçiyä brähmaëa went on to . minated the ten directions. Whoever sees Radha This place, where Radhika performed Her en- once is freed from the threefold miseries. Her chanting childhood pastimes, is most secluded.” body is extremely soft and Her complexion is like Discussing in this way they passed the night molten gold. Alas! How is it possible to describe in Ravala enjoying the nectarean glories of Lord the exquisite movements of Her limbs? Seeing Krishna. Who can describe the ecstatic feelings of Her beauty Her parents could not control their ex- love Sri Raghava Pandita, Srinivasa, and Narotta- citement and repeatedly looked at Her moonlike ma experienced? Whoever hears this story atten- face. All the elderly gopis sang auspicious songs, tively will attain the lotus feet of Sri Radha-Krishna and the entire universe was filled with the sound and Sri Chaitanya. of ’Jaya! Jaya!' The sounds of various instruments In the morning they crossed the Yamuna River enchanted all, and they began dancing as they and entered Mathura. There they saw the resi- exclaimed, ’Very good!' Tumeric, yogurt, and milk dence of Vasudeva, , and Kansa, where was scattered in the courtyard for the occasion, Kansa had snatched the daughter of . He and the cowherd men laughed and made others had attempted to kill the daughter in the prison laugh with their gestures. The brähmaëas and the cell where Vasudeva had been imprisoned. They singers were offered valuable gifts and Ghanasa- saw a place where Vasudeva had passed urine ma [another name of Narahari Chakravarti who on a stone, the path by which Vasudeva carried has written this song], although seeing this scene Krishna towards Gokula, and the way he had is unable to relish its happiness.” returned after keeping Krishna safely in Gokula. “Seeing Radha's beauty on the occasion of Her After showing Srinivasa and Narottama these dif- appearance, Her parents became agitated in love ferent places, Raghava explained them in detail. and were unable to take their minds away from — Bhakti-ratnäkara -Çréla Narahari Cakravarté Öhäkura Published by Her. They gave various gifts in charity for the aus- Puëòaréka Vidyänidhi däsa. piciousness of their daughter. Who can describe that scene? Only the fortunate souls can see this. Sri Radha would wander around with many other girls, and Her mother felt joyful watching Her. Vrs- !! Sri Sri Gaurchandra Jayati !! abhanu with his associates would sit at one place ISKCON and, like this, there is no limit to the fun in Ravala. Mahavidyalaya “O Srinivasa, after coming from Gokula, Editor Gauracandra and His associates stayed here for Brajsunder Das sometime. He became overwhelmed with ec- Copy Editor static love when He saw Ravala. What to speak Isha Prakash Das of others, even Ananta Shesa cannot describe Editor, His feelings of love. People came running from Vrajsevika Dasi all directions chanting the name of Hari and Assistance exclaiming, ’O brother, see this jewel amongst Rasa Manjari Devi Dasi sannyäsés!' Everyone became maddened drink- Hari Lila Devi Dasi ing the nectar of the Lord's moon-like face. Being Quotations from the books, letters, and lectures of greatly happy, they spoke to one another, ’I have His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada © International. concluded that He is definitely Krishna. 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