Mathura-mandala Parikrama, Part 17
BY: SUN STAFF
Mathura
Mar 07, 2021 — CANADA (SUN) — By Srila Narahari Chakravarti Thakur.
Shri Mahaprabhu Visits Sheshashayi at the Border of Vraja
Once Krishna laid down on Ananta Shesha at Sheshashayi, Kshira-samudra, and Shri Radhika massaged His lotus feet. Their divine beauty cannot be described. The Vraja-vilasa-stava describes: "While Krishna was lying down on Ananta Shesha, Radhika wanted to hold His soft lotus feet on Her chest, but considering that Her hard breasts might hurt His soft feet She restrained Herself. I pray to that Sheshashayi Krishna to grant me a residence in this beautiful land of Vraja."
Raghava explained that Shri Krishna Chaitanyacandra came here for darshana of Sheshashayi. Seeing the beauty of Sheshashayi, His ecstasy increased and in that state of love He became overwhelmed. Those fortunate persons who saw the effulgence of the Lord also became maddened in ecstasy and tears flowed from their eyes. They concluded that He could not be an ordinary human being, but must be Sheshashayi Bhagavan Himself in the dress of a sannyasi. While speaking, they looked continually at the moonlike face of Chaitanya.
"O Shrinivasa," said Shri Raghava, "the character of Mahaprabhu is unfathomable, and only by His mercy is one able to understand Him." Raghava then pointed to a kadamba tree garden where Krishna used to roam. Then there was Khani-grama in Khambahara, where Krishna and Balarama grazed their cattle. Khani-grama is on one boundary of Vraja and on another boundary there is Vanacari, which is also famous for the pastimes of Krishna. In Khararo, Balarama inquired about the well-being of His cowherd boyfriends. In Ujani, [ujana means an upstream course] the Yamuna changed her course and flowed upstream while listening to the sweet music of Krishna's flute. In Khelanavana, now called Khela-tirtha, Krishna and Balarama played continually, forgetting even Their food until Their mothers came to feed Them.
Balarama's Rasa-lila at Rama-ghata
"O Shrinivasa, this is Rama-ghata. Balarama, the son of Rohini, performed His rasa-lila here. This place is situated quite a distance from where Krishna had His rasa-lila.
Balarama is the second body of Krishna Himself—supremely gentle and forbearing. The depth of His real self is like that of ten million oceans. Anxious to meet the residents of Vrindavana, He came to Vraja from Dvaraka and stayed during the months of Caitra and Vaishakha [mid-March to mid-May] to console Shri Nanda, Yashoda, and the others. By His loving submissive dealings, the son of Rohini satisfied His friends in various ways.
Here also, Balarama gave solace to all of Krishna's beloved gopi friends and charmed His own dear and loving gopis with whom He had previously sported during spring. Who can possibly describe the great fun they enjoyed as they performed their pastimes. At that time Krishna killed Sankhachuda. Then Krishna and Balarama both increased the ranga [ranga means fun and also color] with Their own beloveds by celebrating a festival of Holi [throwing colored dyes on one another]. The learned devotees have described the beauty of these pastimes.
In Shri Krishna Chaitanya Carita, Murari Gupta says: "Just see! At this place Rama and Krishna, decorated with gold and jeweled ornaments and suitably dressed for spring, engaged in amorous pastimes in a merry mood each with His own beautiful gopis. They are overflowing with ecstatic mellows as They joined Their lovely gopi friends in dancing and singing.'
The sporting activities of Lord Balarama are most wonderful and abounding with transcendental mellows. There is no limit to His dear beloveds. He increased the loving attachment of those gopis who were not fortunate enough due to their young age to associate with Krishna when He performed His rasa-lila. How Balarama engaged in this pastime is beyond description.
In Shrimad Bhagavatam (10.65.17), it is stated: "Lord Balarama, the Personality of Godhead, resided there for the two months of Madhu and Madhava, and during the nights He gave His cowherd girlfriends conjugal pleasure."
Shri Raghava continued to describe the beauty of Balarama at the time of His rasa-lila. "O Shrinivasa, knowing that He would perform His rasa-lila with His dear lovers, Balarama happily came to this place. This pleasant spot, situated near the Yamuna River, was always filled with scented air. The flowers of the gardens were in full bloom and the sky was bright from the full moon. The humming of bumblebees and the sweet singing of various birds surcharged the atmosphere. Millions of male and female peacocks danced and many deer played in the garden. As Balarama relaxed beneath a tree, the gods in heaven sang the glories of Rohini-nandana whose beauty and posture fascinate the world.
O Shrinivasa, who can keep his composure seeing the splendor of Baladeva? It was here that Rama sat on a jewelled throne in a festive dress. The beauty of Baladeva conquers that of millions of Kamadevas and every movement of His charms the munis and Indras. The glory of His body which brightens the three worlds can defeat the pride of a million moons. The silky black curly hair covering His head is decorated with a jewel-set crown and He wears a flower garland. His lips are as red as bimba fruit and His teeth sparkle like pearls. A garland of Vaijayanti dangles from His powerful neck.
All glories to the powerful hero, Rohini-nandana. The white conch, kunda flowers, camphor, and the silver-white mountain, all bow down to Balarama's bright white complexion. The wavy locks of His lustrous hair, curling around His forehead and His bright tilaka steals the young maidens' hearts. His lotus eyes are restless and His eyebrows dance like black bumblebees near His bright earrings. With a pointed nose that defeats the beauty of Garuda's beak and His face which conquers the splendor of the moon, it appears as though nectar pours from His body. His arms are decorated with bangles, and jewelled necklaces adorn His strong chest. His thin waist breaks the lion's pride. He is wearing an exquisite blue dress and His well-shaped knees are very pleasing to all who see Him.
The reddish color of the souls of His feet defeat the sun and the brightness of His nails conquers the darkness. I am unable to describe the beauty of Baladeva as there is no comparison to Him in this world. In this way the Puranas give Baladeva's descriptions which the fortunate must always see.
In this place Rohini-nandana, Balarama, stood in a threefold bending form and blew joyfully on His horn, the sound of which moved the heart of Brahma and others. O Shrinivasa, with only one mouth how can I describe the beauty of Balai's pastimes? Here in this moon-lit Yamuna-upavana, Balarama engaged in pastimes surrounded by millions of gopis.
This is described in the Shrimad Bhagavatam (10.65.18-20) as follows: "In the company of numerous women, Lord Balarama enjoyed in a garden by the Yamuna River. This garden was bathed in the rays of the full moon and caressed by breezes bearing the fragrance of night-blooming lotuses.
Sent by the demigod Varuna, the divine Varuni liquor flowed from a tree hollow and made the entire forest even more fragrant with its sweet aroma. The wind carried to Balarama the fragrance of that flood of sweet liquor, and when He smelled it He went [to the tree]. There He and His female companions drank.
Raghava continued his story. "After drinking the liquor, Rohini-nandana became maddened as He began His rasa dance with His gopis. Some of the gopis played mridanga, pinaka, vina, and other instruments, while other gopis sang Balarama's glories in melodious songs based on rhythmic tunes and beats. Lord Brahma and others were moved by the music. Shri Balarama Himself became overwhelmed by the dancing, singing, and music, and soon the rasa-mandira was filled with unlimited happiness. To enjoy water sports with His lovers, Balarama brought the Yamuna near by pulling her with His plough and then sported in her water. After bathing, Balarama changed His dress, drank honey and liquor and spent the night with His associates. In the early morning the gopis could not bear their separation from Balarama and did not want to return to their homes. Balarama consoled them in many ways and sent them to their houses. Out of fear of Balarama, the Yamuna offered Him prayers and, folding her hands, she threw herself at His feet.
This description is found in the Vraja-vilasa-stava: "When by her own quiet nature, the Yamuna was flowing to the south ocean, she did not respond to the order of Balarama and thus He pulled her with His plough. In this place the Yamuna can be seen as she is. I sing the glories of this place with my devoted heart."
Shri Raghava told his followers that Balarama's Rasa-sthali is famous throughout the world and devotees always offer their prayers at this beautiful place named Rama-ghata.
Nityananda Prabhu's Lila at Rama-ghata
Whoever hears the glories of Rama-ghata can be easily freed from worldly life.
During His pilgrimages, Shri Rasa-vilasi Rama, Nityananda Raya, passed some days here. He played with the cowherd boys and ate curd, milk, roots, and fruits whenever He felt hungry. He was perplexed, trying unsuccessfully to conceal His identity as Baladeva. The local people said, "This must be Rohini-nandana travelling in Vraja as an avadhuta.' Seeing Nityananda's divine performance, all people—young, old, and youths—were bewildered."
Raghava showed the shakata tree whose wood Nityananda used to clean His teeth. At Rama-ghata there was a brahmana who could not live for a moment without the thought of Baladeva. To satisfy His devotee, Nityananda gave him darshana as Baladeva. Here also Kalindi prayed to Nityananda, Shri Rasa-vilasi Balarama. Even the demigods could not restrain their tears of ecstasy as they watched Nityananda sporting at this place.
When Nityananda slept on a bed of dust beneath the trees He would call out again and again in His dream, "When will the emancipation of these wretched souls take place? When will the Lord of Navadvipa advent Himself? I will go and see Him with My own eyes.' No one could understand the meaning of His words.
Kacchavana is a place near Rama-ghata where the children used to play as kacchapa [turtles]. In Bhushanavana, the sakhas dressed Krishna in flower ornaments. All these places are famous for Krishna's pastimes. Seeing these places relieves one from the blazing fire of material existence.
While describing these holy places Shri Raghava and his followers passed through a forest whose beauty created restlessness within their minds. Travelling on the path to Bhandira they felt great happiness within. Presently people call this the place of the Akshaya-vata [a banyan tree]. Speaking in very sweet words Raghava told Shrinivasa, "Look at this beautiful place called Bhandira-vata. At this place Balarama and Krishna enjoyed Their sports. As They played games with Their sakhas, Pralambhasura in disguise also joined them. Balarama in fun killed Pralambha and in this way enjoyed Krishna's various pastimes with the sakhas here in Bhandira.
One day as Krishna sat beneath a tree in Bhandira, He played His flute in such an enchanting tone that it could drive the whole world mad. When Radha heard the sound of the flute She became agitated and ran to meet Krishna along with Her friends. In great ecstasy They enjoyed various sporting pastimes here along with the sakhis.
