Feb 25, 2021 — CANADA (SUN) — By Srila Narahari Chakravarti Thakur.
Kamyavana (Continued)
"See here enchanting Krishna-kunda. Here in Sanketa innumerable pastimes were performed that no one could understand. The people of Nanda-grama and Barshana would pass by this road. This same road was used by Radharani to go to Her father-in-laws house at Yavat. This forest is very pleasant and always pleasantly shaded. The various songs of the birds along with the humming sounds of the bumblebees can be heard here.
"O Shrinivasa, see the home of Nanda Maharaja called Nandishvara. Disguised as human beings, Balarama and Krishna enjoyed Their pastimes here."
In the Shrimad Bhagavatam (10.44.13) it is stated: "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! Adorned with wonderfully variegated forest garlands, He whose feet are worshiped by Lord Shiva and goddess Rama vibrates His flute as He tends the cows in the company of Balarama."
"See here the boundary of Nanda Maharaja's residence. To the east of Nanda Bhavan is a wonderful garden. Coming from Yavat, Radharani would come here along with Her friends. O Shrinivasa, a person who bathes in Pavana-sarovara and sees the deities of Krishna, Nanda, and Yashoda on Nandishvara Hill attains all his desires at that moment."
In the Vraja-vilasa-stava it is stated: "On the pretext of going to fetch clear water, the lotus-eyed gopis again and again meet Krishna with great happiness and love at Pavana-sarovara. They delighted Krishna by various water sports in Pavana-sarovara, which is surrounded by many kadamba trees filled with the pleasant sound of many humming bees. May this Pavana-sarovara protect us."
Just see Nandishvara! In a cave on top of the mountain see Shri Nanda Maharaja and Yashodadevi with their child Krishna. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu came here and entered the cave for darshana. With bright eyes He saw Nanda Maharaja and Yashoda Mayi with Krishnacandra between them. He offered prayers at the feet of Nanda and Yashoda and in ecstasy touched the limbs of Krishna. Then He began to dance and chant in ecstatic love. When people saw the ecstatic manifestations of Lord Chaitanya they were struck with wonder. Someone said, "He cannot be an ordinary man. How could such a display be possible for a human being?" Someone said, "He must be Narayana come from Vaikuntha to wander in Vraja in a human form." Someone else said, "In my mind it appears He is the son of Nanda again manifest, otherwise how could He have such devotion for Nanda and Yashoda? Tears are flowing constantly from His lotus eyes. I cannot know what He is saying softly to Nanda and Yashoda with folded hands. What more can I say my dear brother, by seeing Him I am convinced He must be Krishna." Speaking these words and chanting "Hari bol!" they all started dancing with the Lord and floated in the waves of krishna-prema.
Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is the jewel of all sannyasis. I cannot describe the manifestation of His love at this place.
Look here at Tadaga-tirtha, known to all. It is surrounded by beautiful trees and creepers. O Shrinivasa, I will say a little more about this place. The son of Devamidha, Parjanya, lived here. Narada Muni came to Nandishvara and bestowed his mercy by giving Parjanya the Lakshmi-Narayana mantra. Parjanya then performed austerities here at Tadaga-tirtha and his desire was fulfilled as he had five sons known as Upananda, Abhinanda, Nanda, Sananda, and Nandana. See that same place, Tadaga-tirtha, which is very dear to Lord Krishna and which the devotees always pray they can serve."
It is stated in the Vraja-vilasa-stava: "Going to the shore of a certain lake, Parjanya Maharaja fasted, performed austerities, and worshiped Lord Narayana in order to obtain a worthy grandson. Partly for this reason Giridhari, the reservoir of all good qualities and the enemy of the demons, appeared as the son of Nanda, the King of Vraja and grandson of Parjanya Maharaja. The place where Parjanya Maharaja fasted is famous in this world as Kshunnahara-sarovara [the lake of fasting]. I pray that I may take shelter of this sacred place."
O Shrinivasa, what can I say? Here at Kshunnahara-kunda Krishna performed His sports. Dhoyani-kunda is situated on the north-east side of Nandishvara. This is where the yogurt pots were washed. See Krishna-kunda and Kadambavana where Vrajendra-nandana enjoyed His pastimes. At Lalita-kunda, Lalita by some trick brought Radharani to meet Krishna. At the most wonderful Surya-kunda, Suryadeva became agitated in love by Krishna's darshana.
Here is Vishakha-kunda where Rai and Kanu met in great joy. Just see here in this very secluded place is Paurnamasi-kunda. Paurnamasi stays here in a hut thatched with tree leaves. She feels great happiness when Radha and Krishna enjoy Their pastimes together. Who has the strength to understand her activities?"
From the Vraja-vilasa-stava comes: "I worship the most fortunate Paurnamasi, who bestows all auspiciousness. She very expertly arranges the meetings of Shri Shri Radha and Krishna and therefore she is worshipable by all. She repeatedly enjoys nectarean bliss by organizing the separation and reunion pastimes of Radha Madhava."
Here is the beautiful residence of Nandimukhi, where Radha and Krishna always remain happy. The characteristics of Nandimukhi have previously been carefully described by the maha-bhagavatas."
She is described in the Vraja-vilasa-stava as follows: "Nandimukhidevi always feels enchanted within by repeatedly hearing the glories of the divine couple and longing to meet Them. She left Avanti [Ujjain] and went to Vraja where she blissfully increases the happiness of Shri Shri Radha and Krishna's loving pastimes. I eternally offer my respectful obeisances to Nandimukhidevi.
See these transcendental kunjas here and there. There is no end to Krishna's pastimes in these places. Look here is Yashoda-kunda where mother Yashoda watched Krishna and Balarama play with Their cowherd boy friends. O Shrinivasa, Krishna is the reservoir of transcendental bliss. He enjoys various pastimes here in His different ages.
In the Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu Krishna's different ages are described, "Krishna's age is considered in three periods: from His appearance day to the end of His fifth year is called kaumara; from the beginning of the sixth year up to the end of the tenth year is called pauganda; and from the eleventh to the end of the fifteenth year is called kaishora; after the beginning of the sixteenth year, Krishna is called a yauvana or a youth, and this continues with no change.
As far as Krishna's transcendental pastimes are concerned, they are mostly executed during the kaumara, pauganda, and kaishora periods. His affectionate pastimes with His parents are executed during His kaumara age. His friendship with the cowherd boys is exhibited during the pauganda period. And His friendship with the gopis is exhibited during the age of kaishora. Krishna's pastimes at Vrindavana are finished by the end of His fifteenth year, and then He is transferred to Mathura and Dvaraka, where all other pastimes are performed.
See Karela-kunda in the forest of karela. Krishna used to stay here observing the beauty of this place.
On Nandishvara Hill is a footprint of Lord Krishna. People have seen the great influence of this place since a very long time. At Madhusudana-kunda in this forest of flowers, Krishna became greatly pleased hearing the humming of the bumblebees. See the most pure Panihari-kunda. Krishna would drink its water while eating.
O Shrinivasa, see here the randhanagara [kitchen] where Radharani would cook in great happiness with mother Rohini. At this place Krishna with His friends would eat and then take rest one hundred steps from here. Shri Radhika would then take Krishna's remnants and, going inside the house, She would sit comfortably. Secretly one sakhi would bring Krishna to meet Radha. There is no end to the fun of Their pastimes! Here mother Yashoda would decorate Krishna and Balarama, and her heart was pierced as she sent Them to the forest. Krishna and Balarama with the cowherd boys would go to tend cows by this path. What can the beauty of this scene be compared to?
