Mustard Yamuna

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Hare Krsna. That Sri Prabhodananda Sarasvati has firmly established Sri Vrindaban Dham as his shelter is evident in his uncompromising words from Sri Vrindavana-Mahimamrta:

“What nonsense! What nonsense! What misfortune! Even though he is a ‘great man’ he still does not like blissful Vrndavana!

“If even the ‘greatest’ person refuses to take shelter of blissful Vrndavana, he should be called the lowest of men.

“I do not love blissfully sweet Vrndavana. What is the good of my knowledge, devotion, or renunciation?

“Pathetic! Pathetic are my scholarship, noble birth, good character, and splendid array of virtues! Because in this life I do not love Vrndavana, I am a living corpse.

“Because I have not renounced everything and taken shelter of Vrndavana I am more pitiful than those pitied by the pitiful and I am more foolish than the greatest fool.

“Lord Caitanya’s feet are far away. Powerful Kali has appeared. How will love for Krsna be attained without love for Vrndavana?”

The Sadhu Enters–Two Statements on Faith

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Below are two statements by great souls on faith.
Prabhupada: I have faith in you. Now, I give sometimes this example. Just like you go to a barbershop, and you put your neck like this, and he is with the razor. So unless you have faith, “No, he is a good man. He will not cut my throat,” how can you do so? So faith is the beginning. If you have no… If you say, “No, I have no faith in you,” then you cannot be cleansed.
Baradraj: That example became very clear when we went to India.

(Prabhupada & devotees laugh) Because the barbers are so, they look like they could cut your throat.
Bahulasva: You have to have a lot of faith.
Prabhupada: He can do that, but you must have faith. Otherwise no shaving. So many… Suppose you are going to some unknown place. Now we are purchasing, paying two thousand dollars, a ticket. But where is the guarantee that you will go there? You are paying first money, but there is no guarantee that you will go there. Then how do you get the ticket? How do you get on the plane unless, without faith? So faith, without faith you cannot move an inch. It must be there. [break] …believe, “No, no, this ticket is issued by the Pan American. They are good company, and so many people are going. So I will go also.” That’s all. So faith. You never went there, neither you know whether it will be possible to go there. But still, you have to do. That is faith. [break]
Baradraj: The airplane may crash.
Prabhupada: Yes, there are so many things. There is no guarantee that you will reach there. But still, you have to purchase a ticket. You have to get on the plane. That is faith.
Sudama: And all the passengers have to have faith in the captain of the plane.
Prabhupada: Whatever it may be, the faith must be there. Without faith, you cannot go.
(From a morning walk with Srila Prabhuapda, July 21,
1975, San Francisco)

A firm faith in the holy name will be awakened in the heart after worshiping the Deity in this way for a long time; then at last they will have determination for Nama-bhajana in the company of devotees. The case is different with those few lucky ones who have exclusively firm faith in Krsna’s holy name; they take, by unbounded grace of Krsna, shelter at the feet of such a spiritual guide who is an ontologist of the holy name, i.e., who has realized and does see the svarupa (form) of the holy name. Concerning the need for such a preceptor, Sri Mahaprabhu says that though formal initiation may not be necessary, still a guide is essential in nama-bhajana. The mere letters of the holy name may be had at any place and from anybody, but the profound and unknown truth that is lurking behind those letters can only be exposed by the grace of a true preceptor who is purely devoted to Krsna. The grace of the spiritual guide alone can pass over from the early twilight from the ten offenses hindering the true service of the holy name. (From Nama-bhajana, by Srila Saccidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura and Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura)

Mustard near Akrura Ghat

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Hare Krsna. Krsna explains in Bhagavad-gita 9.30:”For one who sees Me everywhere and sees everything in Me, I am never lost, nor is he ever lost to Me.”

Seeing Krsna everywhere is certainly easier in Vraja dhama.

It is said that the flowers from the mustard plant are close in color to the golden complexion of Srimati Radharani. And that the Yamuna River is dark, as is the complexion of Sri Krsna.

Thus simple mustard plants flowering near the bank of the Yamuna remind us of Sri Sri Radha Krsna.

To remember Krsna always with a favorable mood is eminently satisfying, purifying, and moves us towards perfecting our relationship with Krsna.

This particular photograph was taken close to Akrura ghat, where Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu resided during his stay in Vrindaban. Akrura, while carrying Krsna and Balarama to Mathura in his chariot, bathed in the Yamuna. While bathing, and saw the Krsna and Balarama, who were still in his chariot, in the Yamuna River as Visnu and Ananta Sesa.

When Akrura returned from his bath and again saw Krsna and Balarama upon the chariot, he gazed at the two brothers in amazement.

Seeing the expression on Akrura’s face caused Krsna to ask, “Have you seen something wonderful on the earth, in the sky, or in the water? From your appearance, We think you have.” Akrura, understanding Krsna’s supreme position, replied, “And now that I am seeing You, O Supreme Absolute Truth, in whom reside all amazing things on the earth, in the sky, and in the water, what amazing things could I see in this world?”

To see and remember Krsna is indeed the most amazing thing. Indeed, Sri Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami states “There is no consummation for the eyes other than the sight of Krishna. Whoever sees Him is most fortunate indeed.” (CC Adi 4.154)

One Calf Six Young Firm Vrajabasi Hands

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Hare Krsna. The land of Vrindaban still remains famous for its cows and calves, for Vraja to this day is agriculturally based. Of course, Braja’s most famous cowherd boy is Krsna, who loved his calves and cows dearly. With His tender lotus fingers, Krsna milked the cows himself, and the cows reciprocated with Krsna’s loving touch by pouring forth unlimited streams of milk. Ananda Vrndavana Campu describes Krsna’s milking His cows as follows:

“The white hue of the pure-minded cows, who were sitting along the side of the road, which looked as white as powdered camphor, easily surpassed the glow of the full moon and it created a satisfying sight for all. The beautiful white bodies of the cows could only be distinguished from the lustrous setting due to their thick horns, for they appeared blacker than a swarm of bumblebees. Sitting there peacefully, the cows felt boundless joy.

“Desiring to milk the cows, the gopas met with Krsna, who tastefully performs all artistic feats and derives pleasure from all that He does. Moving His lotus eyes in all directions, Krsna milked the cows with great fun and affection.

“Krsna’s turban looked very attractive as it tilted slightly from rubbing against the bellies of the cows. Squatting down and holding the golden milk pail between His knees, Krsna looked enchanting in His glimmering yellow dhoti. While milking the cows, Krsna’s back arched beautifully and His elbows jutted out to the sides as He squeezed and released the udders with His bud-like fingers. First Krsna moistened His thumb and forefinger with milk foam, and then He deftly pulled showers of milk from one udder after another. The touch of Krsna’s lotus hand felt dearer to the cows than the touch of their own calves. Out of affection for the Lord, the cows freely poured forth streams of milk. The forceful pouring of milk made a pleasant sound as it filled the deep milking pot as the milk spilled out on the ground before a new pot could be brought to replace it.”

Wheat and Vraja

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Hare Krsna. Wheat is a food which has always abundantly grown in the rich soil of Vraja. Krsna Himself was fond of the preparations cooked from Braja wheat, especially because they were soaked in the devotional love unique to Vrindavana. Srimati Radharani would cook with wheat full-moon shaped rotis, laddhus, pies, and cakes and all would be served by Mother Rohini.

Krsna also compared the waving grains in the winter-fields of Vraja to dancing girls, dressed in multicolored clothes.

Lord Brahma also composed prayers in Vraja to glorify Krsna and to seek His forgivenss. Brahma first described his Lord’s beauty, as He stood before him dressed in a yellow dhoti that shimmered as brilliantly as gold. Brahma then glorified the unlimited and unknowable Lord, who neverthelss can be known through hearing about Him. Brahma then declares bhakti as the “best path of self-realization”, comparing other paths, especially the speculative path, to the beating of empty husks of wheat in an attempt to gain grain.

sreyah-srtim bhaktim udasya te vibho klisyanti ye kevala-bodha-labdhaye tesam asau klesala eva sisyate nanyad yatha sthula-tusavaghatinam

My dear Lord, devotional service unto You is the best path for self-realization. If someone gives up that path and engages in the cultivation of speculative knowledge, he will simply undergo a troublesome process and will not achieve his desired result. As a person who beats an empty husk of wheat cannot get grain, one who simply speculates cannot achieve self-realization. His only gain is trouble.

All glories to the wheat grown in the soil Vraja, for it gives pleasure to Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead!

Late Nandagram

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Hare Krsna. Although previously sent, this photo of Nandagram at sunset is a favorite.

Srila Rupa Gosvami in Uddhava Sandesha sweetly describes Nandagram, the boyhood home of Krsna, to Uddhava, His dear friend and the best of the Yadavas:

“O best of advisers, Uddhava! Please go to Nandagram, the capitol of Nanda Maharaja, which is situated on a beautiful hill covered by wonderful creepers and the best of trees and surrounded by a wall made of priceless jewels….With banana trees shaken by agitating winds and full of fragrant Ashoka flowers, that beautiful, wonderful transcendental abode of Nanda Maharaja will bring you unlimited bliss.”

“There, in Nandagram, you will see many calves that look like white crystals as they run around after freeing their tails from the hands of the cowherd boys. You will also see many calves frolicking after having smelled the tips of new grass.”

“Dear friend, in this world there are many holy places, places that are forms of My very self, places I have created to please devotees like yourself. Still, I vow to you again and again, and I do not lie to you, no other holy place pleases Me more than Vraja.”

After describing to Uddhava the pure and full love of the residents of Vrindaban, Srila Rupa Gosvami expresses the desire that caused his writing Uddhava Sandesha at the poem’s end:

“May this book make a great flood of bliss flow in the heart of Sri Krishna Caitanya, whose lotus feet are Sri Rupa Gosvami’s shelter, and who, His heart overcome with bliss by thinking of Lord Krishna’s pastimes in Vraja, with sincere ecstatic love again and again wildly danced in the famous circle of Vraja.”

and he concludes with a benediction:

“May merciful Lord Sri Krishna, who enjoys childhood pastimes with Sridama and other boy friends, who enjoys rasa-dance pastimes with the young gopis, and who contemptuously kills many wicked demons, carry you all to the dry land on the other side of the ocean of repeated birth and death.”

Samadhi of Srila Sanatana Gosvami

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Hare Krsna. All glories to Srila Sanatana Gosvami, whose samadhi mandir shelters all who visit him near Madan Mohan mandir.

Srila Krsna dasa Kaviraja Gosvami notes that the mercy of Nityananda Prabhu had awarded him two special shelters:

“All glory, all glory to the merciful Lord Nityananda, by whose mercy I have attained shelter at the lotus feet of Sri Rupa and Sri Sanatana!
(CC adi 5.201)

He then described Sanatana and Rupa Gosvamis’ specific gifts to him:

By the mercy of Sanatana Gosvami I have learned the final conclusions of devotional service, and by the grace of Sri Rupa Gosvami, I have tasted the highest nectar of devotional service. (CC Adi 5.203)

Once, as Srila Prabhupada describes in his purport to Bhag. 4.7.7, Sanatana Gosvami awarded a poor brahmana devotee of Lord Siva with the greatest benediction. This little pastime hints at our own fortune:

“Sometimes, of course, it so happens that Lord Siva becomes the best benedictor in spiritual life. It is said that once a poor brahmana worshiped Lord Siva for a benediction, and Lord Siva advised the devotee to go to see Sanatana Gosvami. The devotee went to Sanatana Gosvami and informed him that Lord Siva had advised him to seek out the best benediction from him (Sanatana). Sanatana had a touchstone with him, which he kept with the garbage. On the request of the poor brahmana, Sanatana Gosvami gave him the touchstone, and the brahmana was very happy to have it. He now could get as much gold as he desired simply by touching the touchstone to iron. But after he left Sanatana, he thought, “If a touchstone is the best benediction, why has Sanatana Gosvami kept it with the garbage?” He therefore returned and asked Sanatana Gosvami, “Sir, if this is the best benediction, why did you keep it with the garbage?” Sanatana Gosvami then informed him, “Actually, this is not the best benediction. But are you prepared to take the best benediction from me?” The brahmana said, “Yes, sir. Lord Siva has sent me to you for the best benediction.” Then Sanatana Gosvami asked him to throw the touchstone in the water nearby and then come back. The poor brahmana did so, and when he returned, Sanatana Gosvami initiated him with the Hare Krsna mantra. Thus by the benediction of Lord Siva, the brahmana got the association of the best devotee of Lord Krsna and was thus initiated in the maha-mantra, Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.”

Butterfly and Govardhana Mustard

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Hare Krsna. What deeds enacted in previous lives cause one to inhabit a butterfly body alighting upon a blossoming mustard plant in Vraja, near Govardhana Hill? Where will this soul go after his butterfly body returns to Vraja’s dust?

I cannot say, but one purport and one lecture of Srila Prabhupada indicates two deep lessons we can learn from a butterfly.

From a purport to the Bhagavad-gita: “One example often given is that of the caterpillar that thinks of becoming a butterfly and so is transformed into a butterfly in the same life. Similarly, if we constantly think of Krsna, it is certain that at the end of our lives we shall have the same bodily constitution as Krsna.” (Purport to Bg 8.8)

You see a butterfly,
how it is nicely painted.
You just see a duplicate
in both the wings.
Just like an artist
paint nicely,
it is painted.
So we think
it is coming
out of nothing.
This is our foolishness.

Here is,
that it is coming
out of the jnana-shakti.
But His jnana
is so wide
that simply
by His desire,
simply by His will,
it can be executed.

These are the things
to be studied.
Because we cannot see
something before our eyes,
that does not mean
there is no existence.

There is existence,
but we do not know
how one is working,
how one is working.

(From a lecture by Srila Prabhupada, New York, December 16, 1966)

The Fields Near Varshana

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Hare Krsna. In 1976 in Vrindaban, a devotee asked this of Srila Prabhupada on a morning walk:

“The devotees are asking one question. They’re wanting to know how it was that even though there is so much distance between, let’s say, Govardhana and Radha-Kunda and Vrndavana, Nanda-grama, Varsana, how it was that still Krsna and Radha could go and meet, and the cowherd boys could go and meet at these various places. They could go such great distances.”

Srila Prabhupada’s reply: “That is the distance for you, not for them. Just like a small ant. It goes from here to here. It is a great, three hundred miles, but for you, one step. Why do you study Krsna like you? Why do you think that Krsna was like you? Avajananti mam mudha manusim tanum asritam [Bg. 9.11]. Krsna can do anything, so (can) His associates.”

Simple but profound truth spoken concisely. Krsna, His associates, and the holy land of Vrindaban are extraordinary, transcendental, and are not limited by the limitations of this world.

In Sri Vrindaban Dham, everything and everyone, including time, act solely for the pleasure of Krsna. Sri Prabodhananda Sarasvati, therefore, instructs us as he so sweetly glorifies the land of Vrindaban:

“The lotus feet of Sri Caitanya are far away, and the formidable age of Kali has arrived. Therefore how can one obtain love for Sri Krsna without having an intense attachment for the land of Vrndavana?”

“When will I reside in Vrndavana like a helpless person while glorifying the transcendental pastimes of Sri Sri Radha and Krsna, while condemning material enjoyment because of achieving supreme bliss within the heart, and while loudly crying out, “O my dear Lord! O Shyamasundara!”

“Although nectar is available, I drink poison. Although I have beautiful eyes, I am practically blind. I always increase my material bondage, which is the cause of misery. O mother Vrndavana, my only hope in life is that you are most affectionate, therefore you will pull me out of the worldly association and give me shelter on your lap.”

Looking beyond Shadow to Substance

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Hare Krsna. Who can fathom the unlimited charm of Krsna playing upon His flute by the Yamuna Bank:

“When Krsna walked on the bank of the Yamuna, He was seen nicely decorated with tilaka on His face. He was garlanded with different kinds of forest flowers, and His body was smeared with the pulp of sandalwood and tulasi leaves. The bumblebees became mad after the fragrance and sweetness of the atmosphere. Being pleased by the humming sound of the bees, Krsna would play His flute, and together the sounds became so sweet to hear that aquatic birds like cranes, swans and ducks were charmed. Instead of swimming or flying, they became stunned. They closed their eyes and entered a trance of meditation in worship of Krsna.”
(from Krsna Book, Chapter 35)

In a lecture in 1973, Srila Prabhupada described the importance of looking away from the shadow–the bustling world, so full of promise–to true substance, Vrindavana:

“So Vrndavana is village life. It is not a town…. it is village. It is village, and they are always taking pleasure on the bank of Yamuna. Yamuna-tira-vana-cari. And there are very nice gardens on the bank of the Yamuna. And whenever there is some danger… Of course, in the original Vrndavana there is no question of danger. It is blissful, transcendental abode…. So when Krsna was present, although He was playing like an ordinary human child or human being, still, when there was need, He manifested His godly power. That is God. When it was needed to protect the inhabitants of Vrndavana, He lifted a big hill, and since then His name is Giri-vara-dhari. Giri-vara-dhari means that hill, and He sustained that hill. He was at that time seven years old from material calculation. But in the original Vrndavana there is no such thing as the wrath of Indra, the king of heaven, and danger or torrents of rain overflood, inundation. There is no such thing. There everything is blissful, transcendental and eternal. Here we have got a little sample, because whatever you have got in this material world, that is simply imitation, a shadow of the original…. You can understand that on the desert sometimes it appears there is a vast ocean of water, mirage. But actually there is no water. Those who are animals, they sometimes are misled. They are thirsty, and they think that there is water in the desert, and they run over, but actually there is no water. The animal runs, and the water also advances. In this way, when he becomes too much fatigued, he dies. This is the exact example of this material world. We are hankering after water, we are thirsty, and we are being misled by so-called water, mirage. Just like while I was coming here, both sides, the manifestation of material civilization, electrical wire pumping station of oil, big, big motorcars light, motel, hotel and so many things… So we are thinking that these things will give us relief; our thirst will be quenched, our hankering for water will be satisfied. But it has failed. …. So this kind of mirage, showing of water—actually there is no water—a shadow of water will not help us. That is a fact. But because there is shadow of water, we can understand that there is real water. It is not that the shadow of water is all in all, finished. There is water. But we have to seek out that water elsewhere, not in the desert. In the desert the shadow of water will not quench your thirst. So that information we are giving. Krsna consciousness movement means that you do not know where that water is to be found, how your great thirst will be satisfied. That you do not know.” (Srila Prabhupada speaking in Laguna Beach, September 30, 1972)

May we follow Srila Rupa Gosvami’s footprints and find the sweetness of shelter beyond illusion—in Vrndavana:

“May Vrndavana, which is fragrant with a gentle breeze that makes the lotuses in the Yamuna rock to and fro, where there are groves of kadamba trees and there are many gopis, their hearts blossoming with happiness by hearing the music of Lord Mukunda’s flute, be my shelter.”