NBS#208 The Earth is Unique

Çré Varüthiné Ekädaçé

Issue no:208

The earTh Is UnIqUe

The Gopis Glorify The sonG of Krishna’s fluTe

Srila Sukadeva Goswami

The earTh is unique

By Disciples of His Divine Grace

A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

The Glories of VrndaVana

Srila Narahari Chakravarti Thakura

16th April 2023

The MosT sacred parT of MaThura

Srila Sanatana Goswami

in VrndaVana eVeryone is happy

His Divine Grace

A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

The special ManifesTaTion of sri VrndaVana

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

Sukadeva Gosvami said: Thus the Vrndavana forest was filled with transparent autumnal waters and cooled by breezes perfumed with the fragrance of lotus flowers growing in the clear lakes. The infallible Lord, accompanied by His cows and cowherd boyfriends, entered that Vrndavana forest. The lakes, rivers and hills of Vrndavana resounded with the sounds of maddened bees and flocks of birds moving about the flowering trees. In the company of the cowherd boys and Balarama, Madhupati [Sri Krishna] entered that forest, and while herding the cows He began to vibrate His flute. When the young ladies in the cowherd village of Vraja heard the song of Krishna’s flute, which arouses the influence of Cupid, some of them privately began describing Krishna’s qualities to their intimate friends. The cowherd girls began to speak about Krishna, but when they remembered His activities, O King, the power of Cupid disturbed their minds, and thus they could not speak. Wearing a peacock-feather ornament upon His head, blue karnikara flowers on His ears, a yellow garment as brilliant as gold, and the Vaijayanti garland, Lord Krishna exhibited

His transcendental form as the greatest of dancers as He entered the forest of Vrndavana, beautifying it with the marks of His footprints. He filled the holes of His flute with the nectar of His lips, and the cowherd boys sang His glories. O King, when the young ladies in Vraja heard the sound of Krishna’s flute, which captivates the minds of all living beings, they all embraced one another and began describing it.

The cowherd girls said: O friends, those eyes that see the beautiful faces of the sons of Maharaja Nanda are certainly fortunate. As these two sons enter the forest, surrounded by Their friends, driving the cows before Them, They hold Their flutes to Their mouths and glance lovingly upon the residents of Vrndavana. For those who have eyes, we think there is no greater object of vision. Dressed in a charming variety of garments, upon which Their garlands rest, and decorating Themselves with peacock feathers, lotuses, lilies, newly grown mango sprouts and clusters of flower buds, Krishna and Balarama shine forth magnificently among the assembly of cowherd boys. They look just like the best of dancers appearing on a dramatic stage, and sometimes They sing. My dear Gopis, what auspicious activities must the flute have performed to enjoy the nectar of Krishna’s lips independently and leave only a taste for us

The Gopis Glorify The sonG of Krishna’s fluTe

Srila Sukadeva Goswami

Gopis, for whom that nectar is actually meant!

The forefathers of the flute, the bamboo trees, shed tears of pleasure. His mother, the river on whose bank the bamboo was born, feels jubilation, and therefore her blooming lotus flowers are standing like hair on her body.

O friend, Vrndavana is spreading the glory of the earth, having obtained the treasure of the lotus feet of Krishna, the son of Devaki. The peacocks dance madly when they hear Govinda’s flute, and when other creatures see them from the hilltops, they all become stunned. Blessed are all these foolish deer because they have approached Maharaja Nanda’s son, who is gorgeously dressed and is playing on His flute. Indeed, both the doe and the bucks worship the Lord with looks of love and affection.

Krishna’s beauty and character create a festival for all women. Indeed, when the demigods’ wives flying in airplanes with their husbands catch sight of Him and hear His resonant flute-song, their hearts are shaken by Cupid, and they become so bewildered that the flowers fall out of their hair and their belts loosen. Using their upraised ears as vessels, the cows are drinking the nectar of the flute-song flowing out of Krishna’s mouth. The calves, their mouths full of milk from their mothers’ moist nipples, stand still as they take Govinda within themselves through their tear-filled eyes and embrace Him within their hearts. O mother, in this forest all the birds have risen onto the beautiful branches of the trees to see Krishna. With closed eyes they are simply listening in silence to the sweet vibrations of His flute, and they are not attracted by any other sound. Surely these birds are on the same level as great sages.

When the rivers hear the flute-song of Krishna, their minds begin to desire Him, and thus the flow of their currents is broken and their waters are agitated, moving around in whirlpools. Then with the arms of their waves the rivers embrace Murari’s lotus feet and, holding on to them, present offerings of lotus flowers. In the company of Balarama and the cowherd boys, Lord Krishna is continually vibrating His flute as He herds all the animals of Vraja, even under the full heat of the summer sun. Seeing this, the cloud in the sky has expanded himself out of love. He is rising high and constructing out of his own body, with its multi-

tude of flower-like droplets of water, an umbrella for the sake of his friend.

The aborigine women of the Vrndavana area become disturbed by lust when they see the grass marked with reddish kunkuma powder. Endowed with the color of Krishna’s lotus feet, this powder originally decorated the breasts of His beloveds, and when the aborigine women smear it on their faces and breasts, they feel fully satisfied and give up all their anxiety. Of all the devotees, this Govardhana Hill is the best! O my friends, this hill supplies Krishna and Balarama, along with Their calves, cows and cowherd friends, with all kinds of necessities-water for drinking, very soft grass, caves, fruits, flowers and vegetables. In this way the hill offers respects to the Lord. Being touched by the lotus feet of Krishna and Balarama, Govardhana Hill appears very jubilant. My dear friends, as Krishna and Balarama pass through the forest with Their cowherd friends, leading Their cows, They carry ropes to bind the cows’ rear legs at the time of milking. When Lord Krishna plays on His flute, the sweet music causes the moving living entities to become stunned and the nonmoving trees to tremble with ecstasy. These things are certainly very wonderful.

Thus narrating to one another the playful pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead as He wandered about in the Vrndavana forest, the Gopis became fully absorbed in thoughts of Him.

- Çrémad-Bhägavatam (Bhägavata Puräëa) » Canto 10: The Summum Bonum » Chapter twenty one» Verses: 1-20 » Translations by Disciples of His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

The earTh is unique By Disciples of His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

våndävanaà sakhi bhuvo vitanoti kértià yad devaké-suta-padämbuja-labdha-lakñmi govinda-veëum anu matta-mayüra-nåtyaà prekñyädri-sänv-avaratänya-samasta-sattvam

O friend, Vrndavana is spreading the glory of the earth, having obtained the treasure of the lotus feet of Krishna, the son of Devaki. The peacocks dance madly when they hear Govin-

da's flute, and when other creatures see them from the hilltops, they all become stunned.

Srila Sridhara Svami explains that because activities such as those described in this verse do not occur in any other world, the earth is unique. In fact, the earth's glories are being spread by wonderful Vrndavana because it is the place of Krishna's pastimes.

The name Devaki also refers to Mother Yasoda, as stated in the Båhad-viñëu Puräëa:

dve nämné nanda-bhäryäyä

yaçodä devakéti ca

ataù sakhyam abhüt tasya

devakyä çauri-jäyayä

"The wife of Nanda had two names, Yasoda and also Devaki. Therefore it was natural that she [the wife of Nanda] develop friendship with Devaki, the wife of Sauri [Vasudeva]."

Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura explains kåñëa-lélä as follows: "In Vrndavana, the peacocks request Krishna, 'Govinda, please make us dance.' Thus Krishna plays His flute, and they surround Him in a circle and dance in time with the rhythm of His melody. And while standing in the midst of their dancing, He also sings and dances. Then those peacocks, who are fully satisfied with His musical performance, out of gratitude offer for

His pleasure their own divine feathers. In the usual manner of musical performers, Krishna gladly accepts these presentations and places a feather upon the turban atop His head. Gentle animals such as deer and doves greatly relish the transcendental entertainment presented by Krishna, and to get a good view they flock to the peaks of hills. Then, as they watch the breathtaking program, they become stunned in ecstasy."

Srila Sanatana Gosvami comments that because in Vrndavana Krishna goes barefoot and can thus directly mark the earth with the symbols of His lotus feet, that transcendental land is even more glorious than Vaikuntha, where Visnu wears slippers.

- Çrémad-Bhägavatam (Bhägavata Puräëa) » Canto 10: The Summum Bonum » Chapter Twenty One » Verse: 10 » Translations by Disciples of His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

The Glories of VrndaVana

Srila Narahari Chakravarti Thakura

Vrndavana is described in the Skanda Puräëa, Mathurä-khaëòa, as follows: “Vrndavana is completely under Vrndadevi's grace. Sri Hari Himself lives in this splendid, incomprehensible place, which is served by the demigods headed by Brahma and Siva. Extending over a wide area, Vrndavana is decorated with forests of tulasi and the äçramas of saints. Vrndavana is as dear to Govinda

as Laksmi is to Visnu. Surrounded by His cowherd boys and cows, Madhava sports in Vrndavana with Balarama. O what a beautiful place is Vrndavana where Govardhana mountain along with many other holy places created by Lord Visnu are situated.”

Then in the Padma Puräëa it is stated: “Vrndavana is filled with transcendental bliss. It destroys the greatest sins and miseries. Simply by living there one is awarded liberation.”

Vrndavana is also described in the Çrémad Bhägavatam (10.11.28) in the following words: “Between Nandesvara and Mahavana is a place named Vrndavana. This place is very suitable because it is lush with grass, plants, and creepers for the cows and other animals. It has nice gardens and tall mountains and is full of facilities for the happiness of all the gopas and Gopis and our animals.”

There is another verse in the Çrémad Bhägavatam (10.21.10) in which one gopi says: “O friend, Vrndavana is spreading the glory of the earth, having obtained the treasure of the lotus feet of Krishna, the son of Devaki. The peacocks dance madly when they hear Govinda's flute, and when other creatures see them from the hilltops, they all become stunned.”

A passage from the Gautaméya-tantra where Krishna says to Narada: “Every part of this beautiful Vrndavana is My abode. Every creature or demigod who lives in this place will attain Goloka-dhama after death. The cowherd girls who live in My abode are yoginés. The five yojanas of Vrndavana forest are like My body and the spinal cord of the body is the Kalindi River, which flows with nectarean water. Deities and other spirits live here in invisible bodies. And I, living within every being, never leave this place. My appearance and disappearance has been enacted in every age. The divine and glorious illumination of this place is beyond worldly vision. The glories of Vrndavana are beyond anyone's calculation. People say Vrndavana covers sixteen kroña, and in the çästra it is said Vrndavana extends five yojanas. Whoever has darçana of Govinda in Vrndavana never goes to Yamalaya, but attains the destination of pious persons. The temple of Sri Govindadeva is situated in Vrndavana and is surrounded by devotees. A fortunate person can have His darçana.”

In the Skanda Puräëa, Narada Muni says, “In Vrndavana the temple of Govindadeva is surrounded by devoted worshipers. I prefer to live there. O king, in this world Vrndavana is the Vaikuntha of Govinda. Vrnda and other female devotees of Krishna also remain there. O Mahapala, those great souls who get darçana of Govinda in Vrndavana are the most glorified persons in this world.”

- Bhakti-ratnäkara Srila Narahari Cakravarti Thakura Published by Pundarika Vidyanidhi dasa

The MosT sacred parT of MaThura

Srila Sanatana Goswami

Sri Vraja-bhumi, the most sacred part of Mathura District, is where the Supreme Personality of Godhead displays His exceptionally sweet pastimes. Within Vraja-bhumi, three places are very special. The Tenth Canto of Çrémad-Bhägavatam first mentions these three places when Krishna and Balarama move from Mahavana to avoid the dangers developing there:

våndävanaà govardhanaà

“O King Pariksit, when Rama and Krishna saw Vrndavana, Govardhana, and the banks of the river Yamuna, They both enjoyed great pleasure.” (Bhägavatam 10.11.36)

Since these three places are most dear to Krishna, Srila Sanatana Gosvami praises them, beginning with Sri Vrndavana, in the hope of getting their mercy.

Jayati (“all glories”) is repeated in this verse to express the superexcellence of Vrndavana and the great joy the author feels in glorifying Vrndavana. Again the proximate pronoun is used, etat (“this”), to indicate that Srila Sanatana Gosvami was living in Vrndavana forest while writing this book.

In Vrndavana the Supreme Lord displays a special beauty and loving mood He shows nowhere else; therefore the Lord’s most expert devotees are more pleased by His presence in Vrndavana than by His presence in Vaikuntha or in the hearts of yogés. Krishna is eternally perceivable for His per-

fect devotees in Vrndavana, which is supremely attractive for them because of His unequaled beauty and the endless flow of the all-attractive pastimes He displays there. No such overwhelming ecstatic experience is found in the heart of a yogé or in the official kingdom of God.

Sometimes the Personality of Godhead is present in His other abodes without showing Himself, but never so in Vrndavana. As mentioned in regard to Text 4, Lord Hari is always present in Mathura (nityaà sannihito hariù). But the word for “present”—sannihitaù—can also be understood to mean “hidden.” In Mathura the Lord, although present, may be hidden. In contrast, even after Krishna and Balarama transferred Themselves to Mathura the ladies of Mathura described the Lord’s wandering throughout Vraja-bhumi in the present tense, implying that He was still manifest there, as He is now and always:

puëyä bata vraja-bhuvo yad ayaà nå-liìgagüòhaù puräëa-puruño vana-citra-mälyaù gäù pälayan saha-balaù kvaëayaàç ca veëuà vikréòayäïcati giritra-ramärcitäìghriù

“How pious are the tracts of land in Vraja, for there the primeval Personality of Godhead, disguising Himself with human traits, wanders about, enacting His many pastimes! His feet are worshiped by Lord Siva and the goddess Rama. Adorned with wonderfully variegated forest garlands, He vibrates His flute as He tends the cows in the company of Balarama.” (Bhägavatam 10.44.13)

As described by Srila Sanatana Gosvami in the current verse, Krishna is always busy tending His cows in the Vrndavana forest. At the same time, He manages to keep the Gopis, headed by Sri Radhika, immersed in complete happiness by always finding opportunities to engage with them in the räsa dance and other loving pastimes. When He plays His flute, whose charming sound attracts the entire universe, His outward purpose is to call the cows, but simultaneously He awakens the Gopis’ anticipation of their later enjoyment with Him. Certainly His main purpose in playing His flute is to increase the Gopis’ ecstasy, since expanding the enjoyment of loving exchanges with devotees in this and other relationships is the ultimate reason

for His appearance on earth. Herding cows and flirting with young girls are but means to this end.

- 1.1.6 Çré Båhad Bhägavatämåta of Srila Sanatana Gosvami Volume One. Translated by Gopiparanadhana Dasa.

in VrndaVana eVeryone is happy

His Divine Grace

A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

The word vana means "forest." We are afraid of the forest and do not wish to go there, but in Vrndavana the forest animals are as good as demigods, for they have no envy. Even in this material world, in the forest the animals live together, and when they go to drink water they do not attack anyone. Envy develops because of sense gratification, but in Vrndavana there is no sense gratification, for the only aim is Krishna's satisfaction. Even in this material world, the animals in Vrndavana are not envious of the sädhus who live there. The sädhus keep cows and supply milk to the tigers, saying, "Come here and take a little milk." Thus envy and malice are unknown in Vrndavana. That is the difference between Vrndavana and the ordinary world. We are horrified to hear the name of vana, the forest, but in Vrndavana there is no such horror. Everyone there is happy by pleasing Krishna. Kåñëotkértana-gäna-nartana-parau. Whether a gosvämé or a tiger or other ferocious animal, everyone's business is the same—to please Krishna. Even the tigers are also devotees. This is the specific qualification of Vrndavana. In Vrndavana everyone is happy. The calf is happy, the cat is happy, the dog is happy, the man is happy—everyone. Everyone wants to serve Krishna in a different capacity, and thus there is no envy. One may sometimes think that the monkeys in Vrndavana are envious, because they cause mischief and steal food, but in Vrndavana we find that the monkeys are allowed to take butter, which Krishna Himself distributes. Krishna personally demonstrates that everyone has the right to live. This is Vrndavana life. Why should I live and you die? No. That is material life. The inhabitants of Vrndavana think, "Whatever is given by Krishna, let us divide it as prasäda and eat." This mentality cannot appear all of a sudden, but it will gradually develop with Krishna consciousness; by sädhana, one can come to this platform.

In the material world one may collect funds all over the world in order to distribute food freely, yet those to whom the food is given may not even feel appreciative. The value of Krishna consciousness, however, will gradually be very much appreciated. For instance, in an article about the temple of the Hare Krishna movement in Durban, South Africa, the Durban Post reported, "All the devotees here are very active in the service of Lord Krishna, and the results are obvious to see: happiness, good health, peace of mind, and the development of all good qualities." This is the nature of Vrndavana. Haräv abhaktasya kuto mahad-guëäù: without Krishna consciousness, happiness is impossible; one may struggle, but one cannot have happiness. We are therefore trying to give human society the opportunity for a life of happiness, good health, peace of mind and all good qualities through God consciousness.

The Parabrahma is the original eternal form of bliss, as well as a deep reservoir of all transcendental mellows. He is greater than the grestest, one without a second, unlimited and unfathomable! Yet still the truth of His original form is the energetic source of all energires, the extreme zenith of mellows in transcendental pastimes, and the Supreme shelter-giving abode. How can any ordinary argument ever be able to touch this truth? The truth of such transcendental mellows is extremely deep and grave! It is attained only under the shelter of samädhi! Ah, such a wonderful treasure is samädhi!!

samadhistha ho'ye dekho, susthira antare, he sadhaka! rasa-tattva akhanda ananda; kintu tahe asvadaka-asvadya-bidhana, nitya-dharma anusyuta! advitiya prabhu, asvadaka krsna-rupa,—asvadya radhika, dvaitananda! parananda-pitha vrndabana!

The special ManifesTaTion of sri VrndaVana Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur

apurva vaisnava-tattva! atmar ananda prasravana! nahi ja'ra tulana samsare sva-dharma boliya ja'r ache paricoy e jagate! e tattver suno vivarana.

Oh most powerful essential truth of the Vaisnava! Oh gushing fountain of the bliss of the self! A similar truth of which there is no equal within this material world! On account of its own nature and characteristics, it is famous throughout this entire universe! Please hear the description of the essence of this truth.

parabrahma sanatana ananda-svarupa, nitya-kal rasa-rupa, raser adhar— paratpar, advitiya, ananta, apar! tathapi svarupa-tattva, sakti saktimana; lila-rasa-parakastha, asraya-svarupa. tarka ki se tattva kabhu sparsibare pare? rasa-tattva sugambhira! samadhi-asraye upalabdha! aha mari, samadhi ki dhana!!

Oh aspiring devotee! Just see the characteristics of samädhi with an unagitated and peaceful mind. The truth of rasa is that such mellows produce complete, absolutely undivided supreme bliss. However, within that, the dealings between the taster of mellows and that which is tasted have an eternal principle that is inseparable. The Supreme Lord is one without a second, and in His original form of Lord Krishna He is the taster of transcendental mellows, and His object to be tasted is Sri Radhika. Oh, the joy of the meeting of the Supreme subject and object! And their transcendentally blissful meeting place is Sri Vrndavana.

prakrta jagate ja'r prakasa-visesa, jogamaya prakasita! tanhar asraye labhiche sadhaka-vrnda nitya prema-tattva— adarsa, jahar nama vaikuntha-kalyana!!

The special manifestation of Sri Vrndavana within the material universe is revealed directly by the potency of Yogamäyä! Those aspiring devotees who take refuge in this Vrndavana attain the eternal truth of ecstatic love. Indeed, the very name of this model of Vrndavana here on the earth's surface is all-auspicious even within the realm of Vaikuntha!!

- Çrémad-Bhägavatam (Bhägavata Puräëa) » Canto 10: The Summum Bonum » Chapter Thirteen » Verse: 60 » Translations by Disciples of His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

jadi caha nityananda pravaha sevite avirata, guru-padasraya koro' jiva! nirasa bhajana samudaya parihari' brahma-cinta adi jata, sada sadha' rati, kusumita vrndabane sri-rasa-mandale.

If you ever want to continuously render service to the flowing current of eternal bliss, then just take shelter at the feet of a bona fide spiritual master, oh spirit soul! Then rejecting all types of dry, sapless worship which is devoid of appreciation for higher sentiments, please reflect deeply on the nature of the Absolute, and always endeavor to lovingly worship the circle of the divine rasa dance (the rasa-mandala) in ever-blossoming Vrndavana.

purusatva-ahankara nitanta durbala taba. tumi suddha jiva. asvadya svajana, sri-radhikar nitya sakhi! parananda-rasa anubhavi'. maya-bhoga tomar patana!!!

My friend, your false egoistic conception of being a male is extremely feeble, for you are in reality pure spirit soul. And your real family is the beloved objects whom are tasted by Krsna, namely the eternal girlfriends of Sri Radhika! Just realize the mellows

of such transcendental ecstasy! The enjoyment of mäyä is your downfall!!

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- A Songbook of 62 Bengali Songs by Srila Saccidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura Translation by Dasaratha-suta dasa published by Nectar Books

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