Srila Rupa Goswami's Glorification of Mathura,
Part 4
BY: SUN STAFF
Jul 31, CANADA (SUN) — Translated by Sriman Kusakratha dasa.
Text 300-301
tatraiva pitrinam vakyam
kascid asmat-kule jatah
kalindi-salilaplutahah
arcayishyati govindamah
mathurayam uposhitah
jyaishtha-mule 'male pakshe
yenaiva vayam apy uta
param riddhim avapa syamas
taritah sva-kulodbhavaih
In the same scripture, the Pitas say:
Someone in our family will fast, bathe in the Yamuna's waters, and worship Lord Govinda in Mathura during the Mula-nakshatra in the bright half of the month of Jyaishtha. Becasue of his deed we were delivered and we attained sublime opulence.
Text 302
jyaishthasya sukla-dvadasyam
samabhyarcya janardanam
dhanyo 'sau pinda-nirvapam
yamunayam karishyati
A person who during the sukla-dvadasi in the month of Jyaishtha worships Lord Janardana by the Yamuna's shore is fortunate. He will attain the result of offering pinda.
Text 303
brahma-vaivarte
jyaishthamulasite pakshe
samabhyarcya janardanam
dhanyanam kulajah pindan
yamunayam pradasyati
In the Brahma-vaivarta Purana it is said:
A person who during Mula-nakshatra in the bright fortnight of the month of Jyaishtha worships Lord Janardana by the Yamuna's shore, attains the same result a person born in a noble family attains when offering pinda.
Text 304-305
brihan-naradiye
jyaishthe masi paurnamasyam
mularkshe prayato narah
snatva ca yamunayam vai
mathurayam uposhitah
abhyarcya vidhina vishnum
yat phalam labhate dvijah
tat pravaksyami vah samyak
srinudhvam gadato mama
In the Brihan-Narada Purana it is said:
Listen, O brahmanas, and I will tell you the result a person attains when, during the Mula-nakshatra in the full moon of the month of Jyaishtha, he fasts in Mathura, bathes in the Yamuna, and then worships Lord Vishnu.
Text 306
janmayutarjitaih papair
muktah koti-kulanvitah
brahmanah padam asadya
tatraiva parimucyate
He becomes free from the sins of billions of births. With millions of his family he goes to Brahma's abode and then he becomes liberated.
Text 307 and 308
padma-purane
sankrantau ravi-vare ca
saptamyam vaidhritau tatha
vyatipate ca hastarkshe
tvashtre paunce punar-vasau
ekadasyam caturdasyam
ashtamyam ca vidhukshaye
paurnamasyam ca purvoktam
phalam sata-gunam bhavet
In the Padma Purana it is said:
On Sankranti, Sunday, Saptami, Vaidhriti, Vyatipata, Hasta-nakshatra, Tvashtra, Paunca, Punarvasu, Ekadasi, Caturdasi, Ashtami, the new moon, and the full moon, the previously described results are multiplied hundreds of times.
Text 309
tad eva koti-gunitam
grahane candra-suryayoh
dvadasyam arcayed vishnum
ekadasyam uposhya yah
kalindyam tasya sulabham
tad vishnoh paramam padam
During a solar or lunar eclipse the results are multiplied by millions of times. A person who by the shore of the Yamuna worships Lord Vishnu on Dvadasi or fasts on Ekadasi, easily attains Lord Vishnu's transcendental abode.
Text 310
atha mathura-brahmana-mahatmyam. adi-varahe
anrico mathuro yas ca
catur-vedas tatha parah
catur-vedam parityajya
mathuram bhojayed dvijam
Glorification of Mathura's Brahmanas
In the Adi-varaha Purana it is said:
There are two brahmanas. One lives in Mathura and is not learned in the Vedas. The other does not live in Mathura, although he knows the four Vedas very well. One should ignore the brahmana learned in the four Vedas and should feed the brahmana who lives in Mathura.
Text 311
krishi-balo duracaro
dharma-marga-paran-mukhah
idriso 'pi pujaniyo
mathuro mama rupa-dhrik
Whether a farmer, a ruffian, or a sinner who turns his face from the path of religion, any resident of Mathura should be worshiped. He is representation of My own form.
Text 312
mathuranam ca yad rupam
tad rupam me vasundare
ekasmin bhojite vipre
kotir bhavati bhojitah
O earth-goddess, the brahmanas of Mathura are My own form. When one of them is fed it is like feeding millions of other brahmanas.
Text 313
mathura mama pujya hi
mathura mama vallabhah
mathure paritushte vai
tushto 'ham natra samsayah
Mathura's brahmanas are worshiped by Me. Mathura's brahmanas are dear to Me. When Mathura's brahmanas are pleased, I am pleased. Of this there is no doubt.
Text 314
bhavanti punya-tirthani
punyany ayatanani ca
mangalani ca sarvani
yatra tishthanti mathurah
All holy places, all holy temples, and all auspiciousnesses stay where Mathura-brahmanas reside.
Text 315
atha mathura-vasi-mahatmyam. adi-varahe
ye vasanti maha-bhage
mathuram itare janah
te 'pi yanti param siddhim
mat-prasadan na samsayah
Glorification of the Residents of Mathura
In the Adi-varaha Purana it is said:
O fortunate one, they who reside in Mathura, but are not brahmanas, by My mercy attain the supreme perfection. Of this there is no doubt.
Text 316
yas tatra nivased devi
samyato hi jitendriyah
tri-kalam api bhunjano
vayu-bhaksha-samo hi sah
O goddess, a person who lives there (in Mathura), although he be a prisoner of his senses, is like one who has conquered them, and although he eats three times a day, is like an scetic that only eats the wind.
Text 317
mathurayam maha-puryam
ye vasanty ascui-vratah
balibhiksha-pradataro
devas te nara-vigrahah
They who, although avowed to unclean works, live in the great city of Mathura, are demigods that grant benedictions, although they bear human forms.
Text 318
mathura-vasino lokah
sarve te mukti-bhajanah
api kitah patango va
tiryag-yoni-gato 'pi va
They who live in Mathura, even the worms, insects, moths, birds, and beasts, are all liberated.
Text 319
tishthed yuga-sahasram tu
padanaikena yah puman
tasyadhikam bhavet punyam
mathurayam nivasinah
By living in Mathura one attains more piety than by performing the harsh austerity of standing on one foot for a thousand yugas.
Text 320
para-dara-rata ye ca
ye nara ajitendriyah
mathura-vasinah sarve
te deva nara-vigrahah
They who live in Mathura and are adulterers, or are defeated by their senses, are all demigods in human form.
Text 321
siddha bhuta-ganah sarve
ye ca deva-gana bhuvi
mathura-vasino lokams
te pasyanti catur-bhujan
All Siddhas, Bhutas, and Devas who come to earth see the people of Mathura as four-armed residents of Vaikuntha.
Text 322
mathurayam ye vasanti
vishnu-rupa hi te khalu
ajnanas tan na pasyanti
pasyanti jnana-cakshushah
They who live in Mathura have forms like Lord Vishnu's form. The ignorant cannot see it, but they who have eyes of knowledge see it.
Text 323
mathurayam pure yas tu
prasadam pura-vasinam
karayitva tu manujo
jayate sa catur-bhujah
A person who builds a palace for the residents of Mathura becomes in his next birth a four-armed resident of Vaikuntha.
Text 324
skande
mathura-vasino lokan
manasapi dvishanti ye
na jatu bhavita tesham
viraho nirayaih saha
In the Skanda Purana it is said:
For they who in their hearts hate the residnets of Mathura the tortures of hell will not cease.
Text 325
mathura-vasinam kurvanty
upakaran manag api
ye loka nasti tesham hi
punyasyantah kadacana
The piety gained by they who, even slightly, help the residents of Mathura, will never end.
Text 326
padme patala-khande
dhanya mathura-vasas te
vasanti hari-sannidhau
catur-varna-varah so 'yam
pibate yamuna-jalam
In the Padma Purana, Patala-khanda, it is said:
The residents of Mathura are fortunate, for they live near Lord Hari. A person who drinks the water of the Yamuna belongs to the best of the four varnas.
Text 327
svapacah pavanas te 'tra
vasanti mathura-pure
anya-desa-stha-vipranam
mathura-vasino 'dhikah
Dogeaters who live in Mathura City become purified. The ordinary people of Mathura are better than the brahmanas in other places.
Text 328
tatraiva nirvana-khande
mathura-vasino dhanya
manya api divaukasam
aganya-mahimanas te
sarva eva catur-bhujah
In the same scripture, in the Nirvana-khanda, it is said:
The residents of Mathura are fortunate. They are more exalted than the demigods in heaven. Their glories cannot be counted. They are all four-armed residents of Vaikuntha.
Text 329
mathura -vasinam ye tu
dosham pasyanti manavah
te sva-dosham na pasyanti
janma-mrityu-sahasra-dam
People who see fault in the residents of Mathura do not see their own mistake, which will bring them thousands of births and deaths.
Text 330
tatradi-varaha-matam madhuvanam puradbhir apy astiti. tatha hi
tena drishta ca sa ramya
vasavasya puri yatha
vanair dvadasabhir yukta
punya papa-hara subha
The Adi-varaha Purana considers that the forest of Madhuvana continues to exist after the great flood of cosmic devastation. It further says:
For one who sees sacred and auspicious Mathura, which has twelve forests, and which destroys sins, it is as beautiful as Indra's capitol.
Text 331
atha dvadasa-vananam mahatmyam. tatra madhuvanasya
ramyam madhuvanam nama
vishnu-sthanam anuttamam
yad drishtva manujo devi
sarvan kaman avapnuyat
Glorification of Mathura's Twelve Forests
Glorification of of Madhuvana
O goddess, a person who sees Lord Vishnu's beautiful and peerless abode of Madhuvana, attains all his desires.
Text 332
talavanasya. adi-varahe
vanam talavanakhyam ca
dvitiyam vanam uttamam
yatra snatva naro devi
krita-krityo 'bhijayate
Glorification of Talavana
In the Adi-varaha Purana it is said:
The second forest is transcendental Talavana. O goddess, a person who bathes there attains all success.
Text 333
tatra kundam svaccha-jalam
nilotpala-vibhushitam
tatra snanena danena
vanchitam phalam apnuyat
The clear-water lake there is decorated with blue lotuses. By bathing there or giving charity there, one attains his desire.
Text 334
skande mathura-khande
aho talavanam punyam
yatra talair hato 'surah
hitaya yadavanam ca
atma-kridanakaya ca
In the Skanda Purana, Mathura-khanda, it is said:
This is sacred Talavana where, to help the Lord's pastimes and to benefit the Yadavas, a demon was killed by palm trees,.
Text 335
yas tatra kurute snanam
yatra kutra sthite jale
yadavatvam avapnoti
dehante deva-darsanam
A person who bathes in the waters there becomes, at the end of his body, a Yadava who personally sees the Lord.
Text 336
kumudavanasyadi-varahe
vanam kumudvanakhyam ca
tritiyam uttamam param
tatra gatva naro devi
krita-krityo 'bhijayate
Glorification of Kumudavana
In the Adi-varaha Purana it is said:
The third forest is transcendental Kumudavana. O goddess, a person who goes there attains all success.
Text 337
kamyavanasyadi-varahe
caturtham kamyakavanam
vananam vanam uttamam
tatra gatva naro devi
mama loke mahiyate
Glorification of Kamyavana
The fourth is Kamyavana, the best of all forests. O goddess, a person who goes there is glorified in My abode.
Text 338
vimalasya ca kunde tu
sarvam papam vimokshyate
yas tatra muncati pranan
mama lokam sa gacchati
In nearby Vimala-kunda one becomes free from all sins and, when leaving this life, goes to My abode.
Text 339
skande mathura-khande
tatah kamyavanam rajan
yatra balye sthito harih
snana-matrena sarvesham
sarva-kama-phala-pradam
In the Skanda Purana, Mathura-khanda, it is said:
O king, next is Kamyavana, where Lord Hari stayed in His childhood. Simply by bathing here, any person will attain all his desires.
Text 340
tatra kama-saro rajan
gopika-ramanam sarah
tatra tirtha-sahasrani
saramsi ca prithak prithak
In that place are Kama-sarovara, Gopikaramana-sarovara, many other lakes, and thousands of holy places.
Text 341
bahulavanasyadi-varahe
pancamam bahulavanam
vananam vanam uttamam
tatra gatva naro devi
agni-sthanam sa gacchati
Glorification of Bahulavana
In the Adi-varaha Purana it is said:
The fifth forest is Bahulavana, the best of forests. O goddess, a person who goes there attains Agniloka
Text 342
skande mathura-khande
bahula sri-hareh patni
tatra tishthati sarvada
tasmin padmavane rajan
bahu-punya-phalani ca
In the Skanda Purana, Mathura-khanda, it is said:
Lord Hari's wife Bahula stays there always. O king, in the forest of lotus flowers there one attains the result of many pious deeds.
Text 343
tatraiva ramate vishnur
lakshmya sardham sadaiva hi
tatra sankarshanam kundam
tatra mana-saro nripa
There Lord Vishnu enjoys pastimes with Lakshmi eternally. In that place is Sankarshana-kunda. In that place is Mana-sarovara, O king.
Text 344
yas tatra kurute snanam
madhu-mase nripottama
sa pasyati harim tatra
lakshmya saha visampate
O king, a person who bathes there during the month of Caitra (March-April) sees Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi there.
Text 345
bhadravanasyadi-varahe
tasmin bhadravanam nama
shashtham ca vanam uttamam
tatra gatva tu vasudhe
mad-bhakto mat-parayanah
tad vanasya prabhavena
nagalokam sa gacchati
Glorification of Bhadravana
In the Adi-varaha Purana it is said:
Bhadravana is the sixth transcendental forest. O earth-goddess, a devotee attached to Me who goes there, goes to Nagaloka by the power of that forest.
Text 346
khadiravanasyadi-varahe
saptamam tu vanam bhumau
khadiram loka-visrutam
tatra gatva naro bhadre
mama lokam sa gacchati
Glorification of Khadiravana
In the Adi-varaha Purana it is said:
The sixth forest is famous on the earth as Khadiravana. O auspicious one, a person who goes there will go to My abode.
Text 347
mahavanasyadi-varahe
mahavanam cashtamam tu
sadaiva hi mama priyam
tasmin gatva tu manuja
indraloke mahiyate
Glorification of Mahavana
In the Adi-varaha Purana it is said:
The eighth forest is Mahavana, which is very dear to Me. A person who goes there is glorified on Indraloka.
Text 348
yamalarjuna-tirtham ca
kundam tatra ca vartate
paryastam yatra sakatam
bhinna-bhanda-kuti-ghatam
In that place are Yamalarjuna-tirtha and Yamalarjuna-kunda. In that place is the place where the cart was overturned and the pots and pans were broken.
Text 349
tatra snanopavasena
anantam phalam apnuyat
tatra gopisvaro nama
maha-pataka-nasanah
By fasting and bathing in that place one attains a limitless result. The Deity Gopisvara there destroys great sins.
Text 350
sapta-samudrikam nama
kundam tu vimalodakam
devasyagre tu vasudhe
gopisasya mahatmanah
O earth-goddess, before the Deity of Lord Gopisvara is a clear-water lake named Saptasamudrika-kunda.
Text 351
pitaras cabhinandanti
paniyam pindam eva ca
soma-vare tv amavasyam
pinda-danam karoti yah
gaya-pindam pradanam ca
kritam nasty atra samsayah
The pitas enjoy water and pinda there. A person who on a Monday new-moon day offers pinda there, offers pinda at Gaya. Of this there is no doubt.
Text 352
lohajanghavanasyadi-varahe
lohajanghavanam nama
lohajanghena rakshitam
navamam tu vanam devi
sarva-pataka-nasanam
Glorification of Lohajanghavana
In the Adi-varaha Purana it is said:
O goddess, Lohajanghavana, which was protected by Lohajanghasura, and which destroys all sins, is the ninth forest.
Text 353
bilvavanasya
vanam bilvavanam nama
dasamam deva-pujitam
tatra gatva tu manujo
brahmaloke mahiyate
Glorification of Bilvavana
The forest named Bilvavana, which is worshiped by the demigods, is the tenth forest. A person who goes there is glorified on Brahmaloka.
Text 354
bhandiravanasya
ekadasam tu bhandiram
yoginam priyam uttamam
tasya darsana-matrena
naro garbham na gacchati
Glorification of Bhandiravana
The eleventh forest is Bhandiravana, which is very dear to the yogis. Simply by seeing it, a person will never again enter a mother's womb.
Text 355
bhandiram samanuprapya
vananam vanam uttamam
vasudevam tato drishtva
punar-janma na vidyate
A person who visits Bhandiravana, the best of forests, and sees the Deity of Lord Vasudeva there, never takes birth again.
Text 356
tasmin bhandirake snatva
samyato niyatasanah
sarva-papa-vinirmukta
indralokam sa gacchati
A person who, fasting and controlling his senses, bathes in Bhandiravana, becomes free of all sins and goes to Indraloka.
Text 357
sri-vrindavanasyadi-varahe
vrindavanam dvadasamam
vrindaya parirakshitam
mama caiva priyam bhume
sarva-pataka-nasanam
Glorification of Sri Vrindavana
In the Adi-varaha Purana it is said:
The twelfth forest is Vrindavana, which is protected by Vrinda-devi, and which destroys all sins, O earth-goddess, it is My favorite.
Text 358
tatraham kridayishyami
gopi-gopalakaih saha
su-ramyam su-pratitam ca
deva-danava-durlabham
It is very beautiful and very famous. The devas and danavas can attain it only with great difficulty. There I will enjoy pastimes with the gopas and gopis.
Text 359
skande mathura-khande
tato vrindavanam punyam
vrinda-devi-samasritam
harinadhishthitam tac ca
rudra-brahmadi-sevitam
In the Skanda Purana, Mathura-khanda, it is said:
Next is sacred Vrindavana, where Lord Hari resides. It is protected by Vrinda-devi and served by Brahma, Siva, and the demigods.
Text 360
vrindavanam su-gahanam
visalam vistritam bahu
muninam asramaih purnam
vanya-vrinda-samanvitam
Vrindavana is very large and dense. It is filled with sages' asramas. It is filled with the creatures and flowers of the forest.
Text 361
yatha lakshmih priyatama
yatha bhakti-para narah
govindasya priyatamam
tatha vrindavanam bhuvi
As Lakshmi-devi is dear, and as the devotees are dear, so in this world is Vrindavana dear to Lord Govinda.
Text 362
vatsair vatsa-taribhis ca
sakam kridati madhavah
vrindavanantara-gatah
sa-ramair balakavritah
In Vrindavana Lord Madhava enjoys pastimes with the cows, calves, boys, and Balarama.
Text 363
aho vrindavanam ramyam
yatra govardhano girih
yatra tirthany anekani
vishnudeva-kritani ca
Oh, Vrindavana is beautiful with Govardhana Hill and with many holy places made sacred by Lord Vishnu.
Text 364
padme nirvana-khande
paramananda-kandakhyam
maha-pataka-nasanam
samasta-duhkha-samhantri-
jiva-matra-vimuktidam
In the Padma Purana, Nirvana-khanda, it is said:
Vrindavana is filled with transcendental bliss. It destroys the greatest sins. It ends all sufferings. Simply living within it grants liberation.
Text 365
sri-dasama-skande
vanam vrindavanam nama
pasavyam nava-kananam
gopa-gopi-gavam sevyam
punyadri-trina-virudham
In the Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.11.28) it is said:
Between Nandisvara and Mahavana is a place named Vrindavana. 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.*
Text 366
vrindavanam sakhi bhuvo vitanoti kirtim
yad devaki-suta-padambuja-labdha-lakshmih
govinda-venum anu-matta-mayura-nrityam
prekshyadri-sanv-avatarany asamasta-sattvam
In the Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.21.10) it is also said:
Dear friends, our Vrindavana is proclaiming the glories of this entire earth because this planet is glorified by the lotus footprints of the son of Devaki. Besides that, when Govinda plays His flute, the peacocks immediately become mad. When all the animals and trees and plants, either on the top of Govardhana Hill or in the valley, see the dancing of the peacock, they all stand still and listen to the transcendental sound of the flute with great attention. We think that this boon is not possible or available on any other planet.*
Text 367
etena vrindavanasya loka-prasiddhya shodasa-krosi-vistaratvam yuktam eva. sri-govinda-vrindavanakhye brihad-gautamiya-tantre tv idam drisyate. tatra narada-prasno yatha
kim idam dvadasabhikhyam
vrindaranyam visampate
srotum icchami bhagavan
yadi yogyo 'sti me vada
Vrindavana is famous in this world as being 16 krosas (32 size. This is seen in the Sri Govinda-Vrindavana-sastra and the Brihad-Gautamiya-tantra. In that scripture Narada asks the following question:
What is Vrindavana, which is named here as the twelfth forest? I desire to hear of it. O Lord, if You think it is right, please tell me of it.
Text 368
tatra sri-krishnasyottaram
idam vrindavanam ramyam
mama dhamaiva kevalam
atra ye pasavah pakshi-
vriksha-kita-naramarah
ye ca santi mamadhishthe
mrita yanti mamalayam
Lord Krishna answered:
Beautiful Vrindavana is My transcendental abode. The beasts, birds, trees, insects, worms, humans, and demigods who stay here with Me will all go, when they die, to My own abode.
Text 369
atra ye gopa-kanyas ca
nivasanti mamalaye
yoginyas ta maya nityam
mama seva-parayanah
The gopis who reside here in My abode and serve Me with devotion stay eternally by My side.
Text 370
panca-yojanam evasti
vanam me deha-rupakam
kalindiyam sushumnakhya
paramamrita-vahini
atra devas ca bhutani
vartante sukshma-rupatah
This forest of five yojanas (40 miles) is My body. This Yamuna is the Sushumna River that flows with nectar. The demigods and sages stay here in subtle forms.
Text 371
sarva-deva-mayas caham
na tyajami vanam kvacit
avirbhavas tirobhavo
bhaved atra yuge yuge
tejomayam idam ramyam
adrisyam carma-cakshusa
I, who am the personification of all the demigods, never leave this forest. Millenium after millenium I appear and disappear. This splendidly beautiful forest then becomes invisible to material eyes.
Text 372
atha sri-govindasyadi-varahe
vrindavane ca govindam
ye pasyanti vasundhare
na te yama-purim yanti
yanti punya-kritam gatim
Glorification of the Sri Govinda Deity
In the Adi-varaha Purana it is said:
O earth-goddess, they who see the Govinda Deity in Vrindavana do not go to Yamaraja's city. They go to the place where pure-hearted saints go.
Text 373
skande mathura-khande sri-naradoktau
tasmin vrindavane punyam
govindasya niketanam
tat-sevaka-samakirnam
tatraiva sthiyate maya
In the Skanda Purana, Mathura-khanda, Sri Narada says:
In Vrindavana is the sacred temple of Lord Govinda. When His servants are assembled, I stand among them.
Text 374
bhuvi govinda-vaikuntham
tasmin vrindavane nripa
yatra vrindadayo bhrityah
santi govinda-manasah
O king, Vrindavana, where Vrinda-devi and others whose hearts are fixed on Lord Govinda stay, is Lord Govinda's Vaikuntha abode on this earth.
Text 375
vrindavane maha-sadma
yair drishtam purushottamaih
govindasya mahi-pala
te kritartha mahi-tale
O king, the great souls who see Lord Govinda's temple in Vrindavana have attained all success on this earth.
Text 376
atha sri-govinda-tirthasya saura-purane
govinda-svami-tirthakhyam
asti tirtham mahottamam
vasudeva-tanujasya
vishnor atyanta-vallabham
Glorification of Govinda-tirtha
In the Saura Purana it is said:
The great holy place named Govindasvami-tirtha is very dear to Lord Vishnu, who became the son of King Vasudeva.
Text 377
govinda-svami-namatra
vasaty arcatmako 'cyutah
tatra snatva tam abhyarcya
muktim icchanti sadhavah
Here Lord Acyuta's Deity of Lord Govindasvami resides. The saintly devotees bathe nearby, worship the Deity, and yearn for release from the world of birth and death.
Text 378-379
atha sri-brahma-kundasyadi-varahe
tatra brahme maha-bhage
bahu-gulma-latavrite
tatra snanam prakurvita
eka-ratroshito narah
gandharvair apsarobhis ca
kridamanah sa modate
tathatra muncate pranan
mama lokam sa gacchati
In the Adi-varaha Purana it is said:
A person who, fasting for the night, bathes in beautiful Brahma-kunda, which is surrounded by many trees and vines, enjoys pastimes with the Gandharvas and Apsaras. Leaving this life here, he goes to My abode.
Text 380
skande
tatra kundam maha-bhage
bahu-gulma-latavritam
punyam eva maha-tirtham
su-ramya-salilavritam
In the Skanda Purana it is said:
O auspicious one, in this place is a very sacred lake with beautiful waters surrounded by many trees and vines.
Text 381
tatra snanam prakurvita
catuh-kaloshito narah
modate vimale divye
gandharvanam kule sukham
A person who fasts and bathes here four times, enjoys in the community of Gandharvas in the splendid heavenly world.
Text 382
tatrapi muncate pranan
satatam krita-niscayah
gandharva-kulam utsrijya
mama lokam sa gacchati
A person who stays here with determination and departs from this life here, leaves the company of the Gandharvas and goes to My abode.
Text 383
tatrascaryam pravakshyami
tat srinusva vasundhare
labhante manujah siddhim
mama karya-parayanah
O earth-goddess, listen and I will tell you something wonderful: They who devotedly serve Me in this place attain the supreme perfection.
Text 384-385
tasya tatrottara-parsve
'soka-vrikshah sita-prabhah
vaisakhasya tu masasya
sukla-pakshasya dvadasi
sa pushpati ca madhyahne
mama bhaktasukhavahah
na kascid abhijanati
vina bhagavatam sucim
North of this place is a white asoka tree that in the month of Vaisakha (April-May), on the sukla-dvadasi, at noon, suddenly bursts into full bloom. Except for My pure devotee, no one can understand how this happens.
Text 386
atha kesi-tirthasyadi-varahe
ganga sata-gunam punyam
yatra kesi nipatitah
tatrapi ca visesho 'sti
kesi-tirthe vasundhare
tasmin pinda-pradanena
gaya-pinda-phalam labhet
Glorification of Kesi-tirtha
In the Adi-varaha Purana it is said:
Kesi-tirtha, the place where Kesi died, is a hundred times more sacred than the Ganges. By offering pinda in Kesi-tirtha one attains the result of offering pinda in Gaya.
Text 387
atha kaliya-hradasya tatraiva
kaliyasya hradam gatva
kridam kritva vasundhare
snana-matrena tatraiva
sarva-papaih pramucyate
Glorification of Kaliya-hrada
In the same scripture it is said:
O earth-goddess, a person who goes to Kaliya-hrada, bathes there and plays in the water, simply by bathing becomes freed from all sins.
Text 388
varahe
kaliyasya hradam punyam
asti guhyam param mama
yatraham kridaye nityam
vimale yamunambhasi
In the Varaha Purana it is said:
Sacred Kaliya-hrada, where I eternally play in the Yamuna's pure waters, is a great secret of Mine.
Text 389
tatrabhishekam kurvita
aho-ratroshito narah
takshakasya griham gatva
mama loke mahiyate
Even a person born in a carpenter's house, who fasts for a day and night and bathes there, is glorified in My abode.
Text 390-391
atrapi mahad ascaryam
pasyanti pandita narah
kaliya-hrada-purvena
kadambo mahato drumah
sata-sakho visalakshi
pushpam surabhi-gandhi ca
sa ca dvadasa-masani
manojnah subha-sitalah
pushpayati visalakshi
bhasvarams tu diso dasa
Wise men see a great wonder there. To the east of Kaliya-hrada is a great kadamba tree. O girl with beautiful, large eyes, this beautiful, splendidly white, pleasnatly cool, hundred-branched tree is filled with fragrant flowers. O girl with beauitful, large eyes, this tree remains always in bloom through all twelve months of the year, always filling the ten directions with its splendor.
Text 392
saura-purane
tatah kaliya-tirthakhyam
tirtham amho-vinasanam
anrityad yatra bhagavan
balah kaliya-mastake
In the Saura Purana it is said:
Next is the holy place named Kaliya-tirtha, which destroys sins. There the Supreme Personality of Godhead as boy danced on Kaliya's head.
Text 393
tatra yas tu krita-snano
vasudevam samarcayet
aganya-janma-dushprapam
krishna-sayujyam asnute
A person who bathes there and worships Lord Vasudeva attains krishna-sayujya-mukti, which is difficult to attain even after countless births.
Text 394
atha dvadasaditya-samjnasyadi-varahe
surya-tirthe narah snato
drishtvadityam vasundhare
aditya-bhavanam prapya
krita-krityah sa modate
Glorification of Dvadasaditya-tirtha
In the Adi-varaha Purana it is said:
O earth-goddess, a person who bathes at Surya-tirtha and sees the deity of the sun-god there, goes to the sun-god's abode and becomes happy.
Text 395
aditye 'hani sankrantav
asmin tirthe vasundhare
manasabhipsitam kamam
samprapnoti na samsayah
O earth-goddess, a person (who bathes) at this holy place on a Sunday during a sankranti attains his heart's desire. Of this there is no doubt.
Text 396
saura-purane
dvadasaditya-tirthakhyam
tirtham tad anu pavakam
tasya darsana-matrena
nrinam amho vinasyati
In the Saura Purana it is said:
Next is purifying Dvadasaditya-tirtha. Simply by seeing it, the sins of men become destroyed.
Text 397
athokta-kramam yatrayah kartavyopadesah. adi-varahe
prathamam madhuvanam proktam
dvadasam vrindikavanam
etani ye prapasyanti
na te naraka-bhojinah
Instruction to Visit the Twelve Forests of Vrindavana
In the Adi-varaha Purana it is said:
They who see the twelve forests of Vrindavana, which begin with Madhuvana, will not go to hell.
Text 398
yatha-kramena ye yatram
vananam dvadasasya tu
karishyanti vararohe
yanti te brahmam alayam
O beautiful one, they who visit, one by one, the twelve forests (of Vrindavana) go to the spiritual abode.
Text 399
atha sri-govardhanasya
tatraiva asti govardhanam nama
kshetram parama-durlabham
mathura-pascime bhage
adurad yojana-dvayam
Glorification of Sri Govardhana
In the same scripture it is said:
Two yojanas (16 miles), which is not very far, west of Mathura is the very rare place named Govardhana Hill.
Text 400
anna-kutam tatah prapya
tasya kuryat pradakshinam
na tasya punar avrittir
devi sarvam bravimi te
A person who circumambulates the place named Annakuta-tirtha does not return to this world. O goddess, I will now tell you everything about it.
Text 401
snatva manasa-gangayam
drishtva govardhane harim
annakutam parikramya
kim manah paritapyase
After bathing in the Manasa-ganga, seeing the Deity of Lord Hari on Govardhana Hill, and circumambulating Annakuta-tirtha, what heart can remain unhappy?
Text 402
indrasya varshato 'ty-artham
gavam pida-karam jalam
tasam samrakshanarthaya
dhrito giri-varo maya
To protect the cows distressed by Indra's torrential rains, I lifted Govardhana Hill.
Text 403
anna-kuta iti khyatah
sarvatah sakra-pujitah
soma-vare tv amavasyam
prapya govardhanam narah
dattva pindan pitribhyas ca
rajasuya-phalam labhet
The place where Indra worshiped Lord Krishna is famous as Annakuta-tirtha. A person who, on a Sunday that is also a new-moon day, goes to Govardhana Hill and offers pinda to his ancestors, attains the result of offering a rajasuya-yajna.
Text 404
skande mathura-khande
govardhanas ca bhagavan
yatra govardhano dhritah
rakshita yadavah sarva
indra-vrishti-nivaranat
In the Skanda Purana, Mathura-khanda, it is said:
Govardhana Hill is an incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. When the Lord lifted the hill, all the people of Vraja were saved from Indra's rains.
Text 405
aho govardhano vishnur
yatra tishthati sarvada
yatra brahma sivo lakshmir
vasaty eva na samsayah
Oh, Lord Vishnu stays eternally on Govardhana Hill. Brahma, Siva, and Lakshmi also reside there. Of this there is no doubt.
Text 406
varahe
asti govardhanam nama
guhyam kshetram param mama
adurad ashta-krosat tu
mathurayas ca pascime
In the Varaha Purana it is said:
Eight krosas (16 miles), not very far, west of Mathura, is My very confidential place named Govardhana.
Text 407
tatrapi mahad ascaryam
yat pasyanti su-cetasah
tasmin samvartate bhumir
sarva-bhagavata-priyam
The wise see a great wonder there. In that place is something dear to all the devotees.
Text 408
catur-vimsati-dvadasyam
tasmin sikhara-parvate
sthulan pasyanti dipan vai
dyotayanto diso dasa
On Caturvimsati-dvadasi the devotees see on Govardhana Hill many great lamps shining in the ten directions.
Text 409
yas ca tan pasyate dipan
mama karma-parayanah
labhate paramam siddhim
evam etan na samsayah
They who, devoted to My service, see these lamps. attain the supreme perfection. Of this there is no doubt.
Text 410 -411
bhadre parsva-parivartinyam ekadasyam govardhana-yatra. adi-varahe
masi bhadra-pade ya tu
sukla caikadasi subha
govardhane sopavasah
kuryat tasya pradakshinam
govardhanam parikraman
drishtva devam harim prabhum
rajasuyasvamedhabhyam
phalam prapnoty asamsayah
Visiting Govardhana Hill During Ekadasi in the Month of Bhadra (August-September)
In the Adi-varaha Purana it is said:
On the auspicious sukla-ekadasi in the month of Bhadra (August-September) one should fast and circumambulate Govardhana Hill. After circumambulating Govardhana Hill and seeing the Deity of Lord Hari there, one attains the result of having performed an rajasuya-yajna and an asvamedha-yajna. Of this there is no doubt.
Text 412
sri-dasame
hantayam adrir abala hari-dasa-varyo
yad rama-krisna-carana-sparasa-pramodah
manam tanoti saha-go-ganayos tayor yat
paniya-suyavasa-kandara-kanda-mulaih
In the Tenth Canto (10.21.18) of Srimad-Bhagavatam it is said:
Of all the devotees this Govardhana Hill is the best! O my friends, this hill supplies Krishna and Balarama, as well as 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 respect to the Lord. Being touched by the lotus feet of Krishna and Balarama, Govardhana Hill appears very jubilant.*
Text 413
tatrastha-brahma-kundasya mathura-khande
tatra snatva brahma-kunde
brahmana toshito harih
indradi-loka-palanam
jatani ca saramsi hi
Glorification of Brahma-kunda In That Place
In the Mathura-khanda it is said:
After bathing in Brahma-kunda, Brahma satisfied Lord Hari. Indra and other planetary rulers created other lakes nearby.
Text 414
adi-varahe
hradam tatra maha-bhage
druma-gulma-latavritam
catvari tatra tirthani
punyani ca subhani ca
In the Adi-varaha Purana it is said:
O auspicious one, that lake is surrounded by groves of trees and vines and by fourteen auspicious holy places.
Text 415
aidram purvena parsvena
yama-tirtham tu dakshine
varunam pascime tirtham
kauveram cottarena tu
tatra madhye sthitas caham
kridayishye yad icchaya
On the eastern side is Indra-tirtha. On the south is Yama-tirtha. On the west is Varuna-tirtha. On the north is Kuvera-tirtha. In these places I will enjoy pastimes as I wish.
Text 416
sri-govinda-kundasya mathura-khande
yatrabhishikto bhagavan
maghona yadu-vairina
govinda-kundam taj-jatam
snana-matrena moksha-dam
Glorification of Sri Govinda-kunda
In the Mathura-khanda it is said:
The Supreme Personality of Godhead was bathed by Indra, who had become the enemy of Vraja. From that bathing Govinda-kunda, was created. Govinda-kunda grants liberation to those who do nothing more than bathe in it.
Text 417
adi-varahe
anna-kutasya sannidhye
tirtham sakra-vinirmitam
tasmin snane tarpane ca
sata-kratu-phalam labhet
In the Adi-varaha Purana it is said:
Near Annakuta-tirtha is the holy place (Govinda-kunda) that Indra made. A person who bathes there and offers tarpana attains the result of performing a hundred yajnas.
Text 418
sri-radha-kundadikasyadi-varahe
arishta-radha-kundabhyam
snanat phalam avapyate
rajasuyasvamedhabhyam
natra karya vicarana
Glorification of Radha-kunda and Other Places
In the Adi-varaha Purana it is said:
By bathing in Radha-kunda and Syama-kunda, one attains the result of having performed a rajasuya-yajna and an asvamedha-yajna. Of this there is no doubt.
Text 419
mathura-khande
dipotsave karttike ca
radha-kunde yudhishthira
drisyate sakalam visvam
bhrityair vishnu-parayanaih
In the Mathura-khanda it is said:
O Yudhishthira, during the dipotsava festival Lord Vishnu's devoted servants at Radha-kunda can see the entire universe.
Text 420
padme karttika-mahatmye
govardhane girau ramye
radha-kundam priyam hareh
karttike bahulashtamyam
tatra snatva hareh priyah
In the Padma Purana, Karttika-mahatmya, it is said:
Radha-kunda, by beautiful Govardhana Hill, is dear to Lord Hari. A person who bathes there on the Bahulashtami day of the month of Karttika is also dear to Lord Hari.
Text 421
naro bhakto bhaved vipras
tat-sthitasya pratoshanam
yatha radha priya vishnos
tasyah kundam priyam tatha
O brahmanas, a person who satisfies the residents of Radha-kunda becomes a great devotee. As Srimati Radha is dear to Lord Vishnu, so Her lake (Radha-kunda) is also dear to Him.
Text 422
sarva-gopishu saivaika
vishnor atyanta-vallabha
tat-kunde karttikashtamyam
tatra snatva hareh priyah
Among all the gopis, She is most dear to Lord Vishnu. A person who, on the ashtami day of the month of Karttika, bathes in Her lake, becomes dear to Lord Hari.
Text 423
natva stutva ca sampujyo
deva-deva-janardanah
prabodhinyam yatha-as; pritas
tatha pritas tato bhavet
As Lord Janardana, the master of the demigods, is pleased by obeisances, prayers and worship during the Prabodhini day, so He is also pleased when these are done at Radha-kunda.
Text 424
athakrura-tirthasya saura-purane
ananta-vasati-sreshtham
sarva-papa-vinasanam
akrura-tirtham aty-artham
asti priyataram hareh
Glorification of Akrura-tirtha
In the Saura Purana it is said:
The best of the Lord's numberless abodes and the destroyer of all sins, Akrura-tirtha is very dear to Lord Hari.
Text 425
purnimayam tu yah snayat
tatra tirtha-vare narah
sa mukta eva samsarat
karttikyam tu viseshatah
A person who, on the full-moon day of the month of Karttika, bathes at that very holy place, becomes freed from the cycle of repeated birth and death.
Text 426
adi-varahe
tirtha-rajam hi cakruram
guhyanam guhyam uttamam
tat-phalam samavapnoti
sarva-tirthavagahanat
In the Adi-varaha Purana it is said:
Akrura-tirtha is the king of holy places, the most confidential of confidential abodes. There one attains the result of bathing in all other holy places.
Text 427
akrure ca punah snatva
rahu-graste divakare
rajasuyasvamedhabhyam
phalam prapnoti niscitam
A person who, during a solar eclipse, bathes in Akrura-tirtha, certainly attains the result of performing a rajasuya-yajna and an asvamedha-yajna.
Text 428
atha bhandagarasya varahe
bhandagaram iti khyatam
guhyam ati tato mama
labhante manuja bhumi
siddhim tatra na samsayah
Glorification of Bhandagara-tirtha
In the Varaha Purana it is said:
O earth-goddess, the place known as Bhandagara-tirtha is My confidential abode. In Bhandagara-tirtha people attain perfection. Of this there is no doubt.
Text 429-431
tatra kundam maha-bhage
druma-gulma-latavritam
tatra snanam prakurvita
aho-ratroshito narah
lokam vaidyadharam gatva
modate krita-niscayah
tatrascaryam pravakshyami
bhumi guhyam param mama
catur-vimsati-dvadasyam
mama bhakti-vayavsthitah
ardha-ratreshu srinvanti
gitam karna-sukhavaham
O auspicious one, that lake is surrounded by groves of trees and vines. A person who, fasting for a day and a night, bathes there, goes to Vidyadharaloka, where enjoys great happiness. O earth-goddess, I shall now tell you a wonderful secret. At this place, on caturvimsati-dvadasi, my devotees stay awake, in the middle of the night hearing songs about Me that bring pleasure to the ears.
Text 432
atha nandisvarasya sri-dasame
punya bata vraja-bhuvo yad ayam nri-lingo
gudhah purana-purusho vana-citra-malyah
gah palayan saha-balah kvanayams ca venum
vikridayancati giritra-ramarcitanghrih
Glorification of Nandisvara-tirtha
In the Tenth Canto (Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.44.13) it is said:
Dear friends, just imagine how fortunate the land of Vrindavana is where the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself is present, always decorated with flower garlands and engaged in tending cows along with His brother, Lord Balarama. He is always accompanied by His cowherd boy friends, and He plays His transcendental flute. The residents of Vrindavana are fortunate to be able to constantly see the lotus feet of Krishna and Balarama, which are worshiped by great demigods like Lord Siva and Brahma and the goddess of fortune.*
Text 433
tatha ca pathanti
pavane sarasi snatva
krishnam nandisvare girau
drishtva nandam yasodam ca
sarvabhishtam avapnuyat
In the Vedic literatures it is said:
A person who bathes in Pavana-sarovara on Nandisvara Hill and sees the Deities of Nanda and Yasoda, attains all his desires.
Text 434
sakatarohanasyadi-varahe
sakatarohanam nama
tasmin kshetre param mama
mathura-pascime bhage
adurad ardha-yojane
Glorification of Sakatarohana-tirtha
In the Adi-varaha Purana it is said:
Half a yojana (4 miles), not far, west of Mathura is My holy place named Sakatarohana-tirtha.
Text 435
anekani sahasrani
bhramaranam vasanti vai
tatrabhishekam kurvita
eka-ratroshito narah
sa tu vaidyadharam lokam
gatva tu ramate sukham
Many thousands of bees reside there. A person who, fasting for one night, bathes there, goes to Vidyadharaloka, where he enjoys great happiness.
Text 436
tatrapi mahad ascaryam
pasyanti pathi samsthitah
sarva-pushpa-varam kundam
magha-mase tu dvadasi
Travelers on the pathways there see a great wonder. On the dvadasi of the month of Magha (January-February) they see the lake there filled with every kind of flower.
Text 437
atha grahana-snanady-artham keshucit tirtheshu kurukshetratvati-desah. adi-varahe
govardhanam tathakruram
dve koti dakshinottare
praskandanam ca bhandiram
kurukshetra-samani sat
Some of These Holy Bathing-places Are Like Kurukshetra
In the Adi-varaha Purana it is said:
With Govardhana and Akrura-tirtha on the south and north, and Praskandana-tirtha and Bhandira on the other sides, the area is like Kurukshetra.
Text 438
atha yathartha-kathanam tatraiva
asi-kundam ca vaikuntham
koti-tirthottamam tada
avimuktam soma-tirtham
samyamanam tindukam tatha
cakra-tirtham tathakruram
dvadasaditya-samjnakam
ete punyah pavitras ca
maha-pataka-nasanah
These Places Are Like Kurukshetra
In the same scripture it is said:
The places are: Asi-kunda, Vaikuntha-tirtha, Koti-tirtha, Avimukta-tirtha, Soma-tirtha, Samyamana-tirtha, Tinduka-tirtha, Cakra-tirtha, Akrura-tirtha, and Dvadasaditya-tirtha. These purifying sacred places destroy the greatest sins.
Text 439
kurukshetrac chata-guna
mathurayam na samsayah
These places in Mathura are a hundred times more sacred than Kurukshetra. Of this there is no doubt.
Text 440
ye pathanti maha-bhage
srinvanti ca samahitah
mathurayas ca mahatmyam
te yanti paramam gatim
O fortunate one, they who read or hear of the glories of Mathura go to the supreme destination.
Text 441
te kulani tarayanti
dve sate pakshayor dvayoh
mahatmya-sravanad eva
natra karya vicarana
By hearing the glories of Mathura, the listeners liberate two hundred relatives on both sides of their families. Of this there is no doubt.
Text 442 and 443
mathura-maha-tirthani
visrantir asi-kundam ca
vaikuntho dhruva eva ca
krishna-ganga cakra-tirtham
sarasvatyas ca sangamah
catuh-samudrikah kupo
gokarnakhya-sivas tatha
govardhano nanda-griham
vatsa-kridanakas tatha
vanani dvadasa tatha
maha-tirthani mathure
The Great Holy Places of Mathura
Visranti-tirtha, Asi-kunda, Vaikuntha-tirtha, Dhruva-tirtha, Krishna-ganga, Cakra-tirtha, Sarasvati-sangama, Catuh-samudrika-kupa, Gokarna-siva, Govardhana Hill, Nanda's home, Vatsa-kridana-tirtha, and the twelve forests, are the great holy places in Mathura.
Text 444
atha mathure deva-varah
narayananya-paryayah
kesavo madhya-samsthitah
svayambhuh padmanabhas ca
dirgha-vishnur gatasramah
govindo hari-varahav
iti mathura-devatah
The Deities of Mathura
Narayana, Kesava, Svayambhu, Padmanabha, Di rgha-Vishnu, Gatasrama, Govinda, Hari, and Varaha, are the Deities of Mathura.
Text 445
mathurayas tu mahatmyam
sa-vanaya mahadbhutam
gopalottara-tapanyam
anyad apy asti kirtanam
This is the wonderful glorification of Mathura and its forests. Further glorification is in the Gopala-tapani Upanishad, Chapter Two.
Text 446
tirthany uktani bhurini
puraneshv atra mathure
khyatany evadhuna tesham
likhitaniha kanicit
Many holy places in Mathura are described in the Puranas. Some of the more famous of them have been written here.
