Sri Radhe-Krsna's playful pastimes (vihara) - Kusuma-sarovara
A forest of flowers (kusuma) was in Kusuma-sarovara full of varieties of trees, creepers and flowers like beli, cameli, juhi, yuthi, mallika and campaka. Srimati Radhika used to come here on the pretext of picking flowers with Her girlfriends, but Her real intent was to meet rasika Sri Krsna, with whom She would have love-quarrels and sarcastic exchanges full of rasa.
Krsna-bhavanamrta describes how one day Srimati Radhika was picking flowers here with Her girlfriends when Krsna arrived, and the following exchange took place:
Krsna: Who is there? Radha: Nobody. Krsna: Tell Me honestly, who are You? Radha: Nobody. Krsna: You are speaking in a very crooked way. Radha: And You speak in a very straight way, don't You? Krsna: I am asking You who You are. Radha: Don't You know? Krsna: What are You doing? Radha: Picking flowers to worship the Sungod. Krsna: Have You received permission from anyone to do so? Radha: There is no need of anyone's permission.
Krsna: Aha. I have caught a thief today. I wondered who was stealing flowers every day and ruining this garden. Now I have caught You, and will punish You straight away.
Radha: Since when have You become the master of this flower garden? Have You ever planted a single flower here? Have You ever even watered one? On the contrary, You ruin this flower garden with Your hundreds and thousands of cows and Your boisterous, brazen friends. Indeed, since when have You become the protector of this garden?
Krsna: Do not defame a pious, righteous person like Me. Now I shall teach You a good lesson.
Radha (smiling): Aha-ha, You are a highly pious and righteous person, are You? You killed a woman right after Your birth; You lied to Your mother even in childhood; You stole butter from the houses of the neighbouring gopis; and when You became a little older, You stole the clothes of the young gopis. Only a few days ago, You killed a calf. This is the extent of Your pious, saintly conduct.
Hearing the retort, Krsna scratched His head and looked towards clever Madhumangala, who advised Him, "One's wellbeing lies in remaining quiet." At this point, all the sakhis surrounded Syamasundara (Krsna) and began to clap.
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Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati's Sri Radha-rasa-sudha-nidhi (The Nectar Moon of Sri Radha's Sweetness)
1. A spiritual splendour that bears the name Radha, that is the most sweet, that showers a monsoon of glorious nectar, and that is worshipped in Vraja-mandala by many hundreds of splendid and playful teenage girls more beautiful and glorious than millions of goddesses of fortune, shines in the heart of a very fortunate person, a heart where Sri Radha stays.
2. Glory to the glorious splendour that is filled with the great beauty and playfulness of youth, that has a charming beautiful form filled with deep love and bliss, that plays in the forests of Vraja, that is fair like yellow kasmira and that Vraja's queen loves in the same way She loves Lord Govinda.
3. Radha, who is tossed to and fro by the great waves in the nectar ocean of bliss and love, who with the great wonder of playful glances from the corners of Her restless reddish eyes enjoys a great festival of pastimes, who is filled with the most wonderful glory of love, and who is the most charming goddess in all the worlds, enjoys pastimes in the palace that is Vrndavana forest.
4. The crest jewel of all beautiful girls is now manifest deep in Vrndavana forest, a girl who is the devotees' cintamani jewel, a girl who is a jewel streaming the nectar of great bliss, a girl who with the slightest amorous signal from Her eyebrows bewilders He who is the jewel of Vraja.
5. Sri Radha, whose waves of sidelong glances gave birth to many millions of Kamadevas proudly standing with twanging archers' bows, and who, in the first entrance of youth has become wonderful and glorious with limitless floods of the greatest sweetness, is our queen.
6. Brahma, Siva, and the demigods are not qualified to place on their heads even a single particle of dust from Radha's feet. Even so, they who take shelter of the gopis in the course of time eventually attain Sri Radha, who is the great treasure of the nectar ocean of love. O destiny, I bow down before you.
7. Let the affectionate relatives stay far away. Let the friends and servants stay far away. How can anyone approach? In a forest grove King Vrsabhanu's daughter now enjoys pastimes with Her passionate lover. Standing at the doorway, I, Her dear maidservant, will hear the tinkling of the ornaments at Her waist.
8. O Sri Radha, in my heart may I always see in meditation the softness of Your fair limbs, the sweetness of Your smile, the longness of the corners of Your eyes, the heaviness of Your breasts, the slenderness of Your waist, the slow grace of Your steps, the broadness of Your hips, the curve of Your eyebrows, the redness of Your bimba-fruit lips, and the coolness of the nectar in Your heart.
9. When, in the early morning, will I remove the yellow garment and replace it with another, run to the forest to reclaim the lost bodice, again tie Your braids, again string the broken pearl-necklace, decorate Your eyes with mascara, and, O heroine, with coloured ointment conceal the wounds on Your limbs?
10. My restless eyes yearn to embrace the eternally youthful form that is filled with the sweet nectar of pure love, that is seen only in Vrndavana, that the Upanisads, which stay at the head of all the Vedas, cannot describe, and that Siva, Sukadeva, all the demigods and sages cannot find in their meditations.
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Story of Lord Krishna - SRIMAD BHAGAVATA by Krsna-Dwaipayana Vyasa
The Killing of the Demon Bakasura
1. One day all the boys, including Krsna and Balarama, each boy taking his own group of calves, brought the calves to a reservoir of water, desiring to allow them to drink. After the animals drank water, the boys drank water there also.
2. Right by the reservoir, the boys saw a gigantic body resembling a mountain peak broken and struck down by a thunderbolt. They were afraid even to see such a huge living being.
3. That great-bodied demon was named Bakasura. He had assumed the body of a duck with a very sharp beak. Having come there, he immediately swallowed Krsna.
4. When Balarama and the other boys saw that Krsna had been devoured by the gigantic duck, they became almost unconscious, like senses without life.
5. Krsna, who was the father of Lord Brahma but who was acting as the son of a cowherd man, became like fire, burning the root of the demon's throat, and the demon Bakasura immediately disgorged Him. When the demon saw that Krsna, although having been swallowed, was unharmed, he immediately attacked Krsna again with his sharp beak.
6. When Krsna, the leader of the Vaisnavas, saw that the demon Bakasura, the friend of Kamsa, was endeavoring to attack Him, with His arms He captured the demon by the two halves of the beak, and in the presence of all the cowherd boys Krsna very easily bifurcated Him, as a child splits a blade of virana grass. By thus killing the demon, Krsna very much pleased the denizens of heaven.
7. At that time, the celestial denizens of the higher planetary system showered mallika-puspa, flowers grown in Nandana-kanana, upon Krsna, the enemy of Bakasura. They also congratulated Him by sounding celestial kettledrums and conchshells and by offering prayers. Seeing this, the cowherd boys were struck with wonder.
8. Just as the senses are pacified when consciousness and life return, so when Krsna was freed from this danger, all the boys, including Balarama, thought that their life had been restored. They embraced Krsna in good consciousness, and then they collected their own calves and returned to Vrajabhumi, where they declared the incident loudly.
9. When the cowherd men and women heard about the killing of Bakasura in the forest, they were very much astonished. Upon seeing Krsna and hearing the story, they received Krsna very eagerly, thinking that Krsna and the other boys had returned from the mouth of death. Thus they looked upon Krsna and the boys with silent eyes, not wanting to turn their eyes aside now that the boys were safe.
10. In this way Krsna and Balarama passed Their childhood age in Vrajabhumi by engaging in activities of childish play, such as playing hide-and-seek, constructing a make-believe bridge on the ocean, and jumping here and there like monkeys.
Gita Govinda - Sakhi's request to Radha Song by Jayadeva Gosvami
When Radha saw Krsna enjoying affectionate exchanges with all the cowherd maidens in the groves of Vrndavana, she became indignant because he had not acknowledged her eminence. She immediately departed for another part of the forest and hid herself inside a shady bower that resounded with the drone of bumblebees. Bewildered by love for Radha, Krsna was sitting in a dense grove on the Yamuna riverside feeling deeply depressed. Radha’s dear friend came to speak to him and told Radhika's condition.
aham iha nivasami yahi radham anunaya mad-vacanena canayethah iti madhuripuna sakhi niyukta svayam idam etya punar jagada radham Translation When Krsna heard the moving account of Radha’s pitiful condition from her intimate friend, he suggested, “I will wait here. You should go to Sri Radha, pacify her with my humble appeal and then bring her here.” Engaged thus by Madhuripu Krsna, that sakhi approached Radha and spoke the following words.
vahati malaya-samire madanam upanidhaya sphutati kusuma-nikare virahi-hrdaya-dalanaya sakhi! sidati tava virahe va vanamali (refrain) (1) Translation “My dear friend Radha, the Malaya breeze drifts along slowly, just to soak everyone in the mood for amour. Varieties of flowers are opening and tearing open the hearts of lonely lovers. At this provocative time of spring, passionate Krsna feels morose in separation from you.”
dahati sisira-mayukhe maranam anukaroti patati madana-visikhe vilapati vikalataro ’ti sakhi! sidati tava virahe... (2) Translation “The moonshine scorches him as he approaches the brink of death. His heart is pierced by flowers that fall from the trees like the arrows of Kamadeva. He bitterly laments his destitute condition.”
dhvanati madhupa-samuhe sravanam apidadhati manasi valita-virahe nisi nisi rujam upayati sakhi! sidati tava virahe... (3) Translation “He covers his ears with his hands when he hears the humming of bumblebees. Every night he expects that he will attain your company, but he is disappointed. His infirmity increases as he goes on enduring the torture of separation day after day.”
vasati vipina-vitane tyajati lalita-dhama luthati dharani-sayane bahu vilapati tava nama sakhi! sidati tava virahe... (4) Translation “He has abandoned his own charming bed chamber to reside in the forest. Instead of living comfortably at home, he rolls about on the ground, repeatedly calling out your name, ‘Radha! Radha!’”
bhanati kavi-jayadeve viraha-vilasitena manasi rabhasa-vibhave harir udayatu sukrtena sakhi! sidati tava virahe... (5) Translation This song of Sri Jayadeva is full of Krsna’s anxiety of separation. As a result of the piety infused by this song, those who recite it attain an unsurpassed immersion in the pastimes of separation. May Sri Krsna manifest within their hearts.
purvam yatra samam tvaya rati-pater asaditah siddhayas tasminn eva nikunja-manmatha-maha-tirthe punar madhavah dhyayams tvam anisam japann api tavaivalapa-mantravalim bhuyas tvat-kuca-kumbha-nirbhara-parirambhamrtam vanchati Translation “In a great place of pilgrimage – a secluded forest bower – Madhava previously attained the perfections (siddhis) of Kamadeva, in order to fulfil your cherished desires to embrace. He always meditates on you in that sacred place to attain those siddhis. Constantly uttering the mantra of his previous romantic conversations with you, he makes a wish to attain the nectar of liberation in the deep embrace of your pitcher-like breasts.”
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1. bela ho' lo damodara aisa ekhano bhoga-mandire bosi' koraho bhojana
Mother Yasoda calls to Krsna, "My dear Damodara, it is very late. Please come right now, sit down in the dining hall, and take Your lunch."
2. nandera nidese baise giri-bara-dhari baladeva-saha sakha baise sari sari
On the direction of Nanda Maharaja, Krsna, the holder of Govardhana Hill, sits down, and then all the cowherd boys, along with Krsna's elder brother, Sri Baladeva, sit down in rows to take their lunch.
3. sukta-sakadi bhaji nalita kusmanda dali dalna dugdha-tumbi dadhi moca-khanda
They are then served a feast of sukta and various kinds of green leafy vegetables, then nice fried things, and a salad made of the green leaves of the jute plant. They are also served pumpkin, baskets of fruit, small square cakes made of lentils and cooked-down milk, then thick yogurt, squash cooked in milk, and vegetable preparations made from the flower of the banana tree.
Then they receive fried squares of mung dahl patties, and urad dahl patties, capatis, and rice with ghee. Next, sweets made with milk, sugar, and sesamum; rice flour cakes; thick cooked-down milk; cakes floating in milk; and sweet rice.
There is also sweet rice that tastes just like nectar due to its being mixed with camphor. There are bananas, and cheese which is nectarean and delicious. They are also served twelve kinds of sour preparations made with tamarinds, limes, lemons, oranges, and pomegranates.
There are puris made with white flour and sugar; puris filled with cream; laddus; and dahl patties boiled in sugared rice. Krsna eagerly eats all of the food.
In great ecstasy and joy Krsna eats the rice, curried vegetables, sweets, and pastries cooked by Srimati Radharani.
8. chale-bale laddu khay sri-madhumaìgala bagala bajay ara drya hari-bolo
Krsna's funny brahmana friend Madhumaìgala, who is very fond of laddus, gets them by hook or by crook. Eating the laddus, he shouts, "Haribol! Haribol!" and makes a funny sound by slapping his sides under his armpits with his hands.
Beholding Radharani and Her gopi friends out of the corners of His eyes, Krsna eats at the house of mother Yasoda with great satisfaction.
10. bhojanante piye krsna subasita bari sabe mukha prakhaloy ho'ye sari sari
After lunch, Krsna drinks rose-scented water. Then all of the boys, standing in lines, wash their mouths.
11. hasta-mukha prakhaliya jata sakha-gane anande bisrama kore baladeva-sane
After all the cowherd boys wash their hands and mouths, in great bliss they take rest with Lord Balarama.
12. jambula rasala ane tambula-masala taha kheye krsna-candra sukhe nidra gela
The two cowherd boys Jambula and Rasala then bring Krsna pan made with betel nuts, fancy spices, and catechu. After eating that pan, Sri Krsnacandra then happily goes to sleep.
"Radha-piyari is holding a stick of pride and anger (man-guman) and is teaching Her beloved Kunja-bihari to dance. While instructing Him, If He makes a mistake in the swift movement of the dance, the sharp glances shooting from Pyariji's eyes punish Him and He gets afraid."
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Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati's Sri Radha-rasa-sudha-nidhi (The Nectar Moon of Sri Radha's Sweetness)
1. When, on the Yamuna's shore, will I meet Sri Radha, as, like a passionate female elephant meeting a regal male elephant in the forest, She, wealthy in sweet musical skill, sweetly plays the vina as Krsna plays the fifth raga on His graceful flute?
2. When, fanning Them and massaging Their feet will I, now a gopi, happily serve the king and queen of playful lovers as, Their cheeks wet with perspiration from wonderful enthusiastic dancing, They enjoy a charming and wonderful rasa-lila festival filled with smiles and laughter?
3. When, again and again bathing in the Yamuna's waters muddied with the musk that had anointed Her breasts, then searching for my queen in Vrndavana's charming forest groves, and then calling out, "O Radha, do You not see the path Your playful lover took?" Will I gradually become freed from the dirt that is this wretched material body, and become again pure?
4. O giver of nectar, when will I become Your maidservant? When will You order me to bow down again and again before lotus-dark Krsna, celebrate a nectar festival of touching His feet, and place Your request before Him? When will You order me to carefully clean and arrange the charming forest grove? When will You order me to bring flower garlands, sandal paste, fragrances, pleasant betel nuts and nectar drinks?
5. Ah! A very beautiful girl stays in the groves of Vrndavana forest. With the news of Her nectar beauty She floods the world. Her face is splendid like limitless full moons in autumn. When she gives to someone the happy festival that is service to Her, that festival makes all other goals and means seem very petty and insignificant.
6. When, after pretending to reject Krsna's proposal, and after with repeated glances indicating where They should meet, will Radha instruct me to tell Krsna, "O king of rascals, Radha is very afraid of You. Do not think She will enter that kadamba grove without a companion?"
7. Glory to Radha, who is expert in making Her eyebrows dance, expert in playful sidelong glances, expert in speaking playful words, expert in meeting Her lover, expert in newer and newer pastimes, and expert in enjoying a festival of joking words with Her gopi friends.
8. May the nectar of Sri Sri Radha-Krsna's pastimes appear in our hearts, pastimes where in childhood Krsna becomes both diksa-guru and siksa-guru and teaches Radha the art of playing in the waves of newer and newer pastimes, pastimes where Radha and Krsna enjoy a splendid playful festival of the flooding sweetness of Their just-beginning love, pastimes where Radha and Krsna are agitated by each other's touch.
9. When, staying in a secluded place, will I become fulfilled as I see Sri Radha and Krsna, even though They are only children, suddenly become teenagers, teenagers enjoying playful joking words and many other pastimes in Vraja Village's pathways, teenagers who rob the devotees of their hearts?
10. O Radha, I meditate on Your braids decorated with fragrant jasmine flowers, Your forehead anointed with a glistening dot of red sindura, the peerless splendour of Your large eyes, the beautiful moonlight of Your smile, the joyful splendour of Your pure love, and the beauty of Your graceful breasts.
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Story of Lord Krishna - SRIMAD BHAGAVATA by Krsna-Dwaipayana Vyasa
The Killing of the Demon Vatsasura
1. One day while Rama and Krsna, along with Their playmates, were tending the calves on the bank of the River Yamuna, another demon named Vatsasura arrived there, desiring to kill Them.
2. When the Supreme Personality of Godhead saw that the demon had assumed the form of a calf and entered among the groups of other calves, He pointed out to Baladeva, "Here is another demon." Then He very slowly approached the demon, as if He did not understand the demon's intentions.
3. Thereafter, Sri Krsna caught the demon by the hind legs and tail, twirled the demon's whole body very strongly until the demon was dead, and threw him into the top of a kapittha tree, which then fell down, along with the body of the demon, who had assumed a great form.
4. Upon seeing the dead body of the demon, all the cowherd boys exclaimed, "Well done, Krsna! Very good, very good! Thank You." In the upper planetary system, all the demigods were pleased, and therefore they showered flowers on the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
5. After the killing of the demon, Krsna and Balarama finished Their breakfast in the morning, and while continuing to take care of the calves, They wandered here and there. Krsna and Balarama, the Supreme Personalities of Godhead, who maintain the entire creation, now took charge of the calves as if cowherd boys.
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Chalo man! Shri Vrindaban dham. A devotee says to himself, "Oh my mind! Let's go and live in Vrindaban abode, the Divine abode of Radha Krishna."
Jahan viharat Nagari aru Nagar, kunjani athon yam. "It is such a place where Radha and Krishna playfully reside, spending day and night in the kunjas or flowering bowers."
Bhukh lage to rasikan juthani, khai lahiya vishram. "If you feel hungry, eat the food of the Rasik Saints (those Saints who eternally reside there and who have attained Divine love) and relax."
Pyas lage to tarani tanuja, tat pivu salila lalam. "If you feel thirsty, go to the Divine Yamuna River and from her banks drink the sweet river water."
Neend lage to jai soi raha, latan-kunj abhiram. "If you feel sleepy, go to any beautiful kunja and sleep there."
Braj ke renu renu lakhi chinmay, tanmay aviram. "Seeing the Divinity of every particle of this abode, remain engrossed in the love and pastimes of Radha Krishna all the time."
Pai 'Kripalu' man ! Jani yah bhuliya, bhav rahe nishkam. Jagadguru Shri Kripaluji Maharaj says, "Most importantly, don't forget that you have to love Radha Krishna selflessly."
Gita Govinda - Meeting of Sakhi with Krsna Song by Jayadeva Gosvami
When Radha saw Krsna enjoying affectionate exchanges with all the cowherd maidens in the groves of Vrndavana, she became indignant because he had not acknowledged her eminence. She immediately departed for another part of the forest and hid herself inside a shady bower that resounded with the drone of bumblebees. Bewildered by love for Radha, Krsna was sitting in a dense grove on the Yamuna riverside feeling deeply depressed. Radha’s dear friend began to speak to him as follows.
avaso vipinayate priya-sakhi-malapi jalayate tapo ’pi svasitena dava-dahana-jvala-kalapayate sapi tvad-virahena hanta harini-rupayate ha katham kandarpo ’pi yamayate viracayan sardula-vikriditam Translation “O Sri Krsna, my sakhi Radha is behaving exactly like a deer. She considers her residence to be the forest and her friends to be like hunters with a net. The flames of the blazing forest fire in her body are intensified by her own sighs of pain. Alas, alas! Playing just like a tiger, Kandarpa has become death personified as he begins to maul her life airs.”
stana-vinihitam api haram udaram sa manute krsa-tanur iva bharam radhika virahe tava kesava (refrain) (1) Translation “O Kesava, Radha is so emaciated in separation from you that the charming necklace upon her breasts has become a burden.”
sarasa-masrnam api malayaja-paìkam pasyati visam iva vapusi sasaìkam radhika virahe tava kesava... (2) Translation “O Kesava, in separation from you, Radha looks upon the moist, smooth sandalwood paste smeared on her body as if it were poison and she becomes afraid.”
svasita-pavanam anupama-parinaham madana-dahanam iva vahati sa-daham radhika virahe tava kesava... (3) Translation “Her body is being scorched by long sorrowful sighs, heated by the flames of passion’s fire. Nevertheless, she continues to hold on.”
disi disi kirati sajala-kana-jalam nayana-nalinam iva vigalita-nalam radhika virahe tava kesava... (4) Translation “Her lotus eyes glance in all directions, scattering the rain of her teardrops like water-speckled lotus flowers detached from their stems.”
tyajati na pani-talena kapolam bala-sasinam iva sayam alolam radhika virahe tava kesava... (5) Translation “Her cheek resembles the beauty of the newly risen moon in the twilight sky when she sits alone in a secluded place, holding it upon her reddish lotus hand.”
nayana-visayam api kisalaya-talpam ganayati vihita-hutasa-vikalpam radhika virahe tava kesava... (6) Translation “Although she sees a bed of fresh petals directly before her, in her bewilderment she perceives it to be a blazing fire.”
harir iti harir iti japati sa-kamam viraha-vihita-maraneva nikamam radhika virahe tava kesava... (7) Translation “It seems that Radha has decided to give up her life. In separation from you, she continuously chants japa of the name, ‘Sri Hari, Sri Hari’, with the desire to attain you.”
sri-jayadeva-bhanitam iti gitam sukhayatu kesava-padam upanitam radhika virahe tava kesava... (8) Translation May this song of Sri Jayadeva bestow happiness upon the devotees who are unconditionally surrendered at the feet of Krsna.
sa romancati sit-karoti vilapaty utkampate tamyati dhyayaty udbhramati pramilati pataty udyati murcchaty api etavaty atanu-jvare vara-tanur jiven na kim te rasat svar-vaidya-pratima prasidasi yadi tyakto ’nyatha hastakah Translation “O best of physicians! You are just like the celestial physicians, the Asvinikumaras. The exquisitely beautiful Radha has become deranged by the anxiety of separation. Sometimes her hair stands on end, sometimes she begins to gasp and sometimes she becomes startled. Sometimes she weeps out loud and at other times she trembles. Sometimes she meditates on you with rapt attention. She wanders throughout the places of your loving pastimes. When she is overwhelmed with confusion, she closes her eyes. Sometimes she falls to the ground. Then she stands up and prepares to go, but she suddenly faints and falls to the ground again. She is afflicted with sannipata-jvara, a dangerous fever resulting from disorder of the bodily humours. If you are satisfied, kindly administer the medicine of rasamrta to counteract these violent transformations of passion. Then she may attain the treasure of her prana. Otherwise her hands will soon be motionless (she will die).”
smaraturam daivata-vaidya-hrdya tvad-aìga-saìgamrta-matra-sadhyam vimukta-badham kuruse na radham upendra vajrad api daruno ’si Translation “O Upendra! You are more expert in medical affairs than the celestial physicians. Radha is suffering from the heat of Cupid. She can only stay alive if she takes the medicine of bodily union with you. Her disease, the affliction of unfulfilled kama, is very difficult to cope with. Radha is about to die. If you do not relieve her, then we will know that you are harder than a thunderbolt.”
kandarpa-jvara-samjvaratura-tanor ascaryam asyas ciram cetas candana-candramah kamalini-cintasu santamyati kintu klanti-vasena sitalataram tvam ekam eva priyam dhyayanti rahasi sthita katham api ksina ksanam praniti Translation “Radha is afflicted with the high fever of unrestrained passion. How astonishing it is that she burns as soon as she thinks of the remedies for a high temperature such as sandalwood, moonshine and lotus flowers. Alas! Her body has become feeble and cold from fatigue. As she meditates exclusively on you in a secluded place, she somehow stays alive for a few moments more.”
ksanam api virahah pura na sehe nayana-nimilana-khinnaya yaya te svasiti katham asau rasala-sakham cira-virahena vilokya puspitagram Translation “When gazing at you, Radha could not tolerate the moment’s separation caused by the blinking of her eyes. So I have no idea how she stays alive during this long period of painful separation, especially when she sees a delightful mango tree in full bloom (with fresh flowering blossoms on its upper branches).”
vrsti-vyakula-gokulavana-rasad uddhrtya govardhanam bibhrad vallava-vallabhabhir adhikanandac ciram cumbitah darpeneva tad-arpitadhara-tati sindura-mudraìkito bahur gopa-tanos tanotu bhavatam sreyamsi kamsa-dvisah Translation The arms of Krsna competed with Indra by lifting and holding aloft Giri Govardhana to protect the anxious residents of Gokula from heavy rainfall. His arms were kissed for a long time by the beautiful young gopis and smeared with kuìkuma from those newly married gopis’ lips and the sindura from their foreheads. May those arms of the destroyer of Kansa, Sri Krsna, who appears in the form of a cowherd boy, bestow auspiciousness upon you all.
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Glory to the Shri Krishna sankirtana (congregational chanting of the Lord's holy names), which cleanses the heart of all the dust accumulated for years and extinguishes the fire of conditional life, of repeated birth and death. That sankirtana movement is the prime benediction for humanity at large because it spreads the rays of the benediction moon. It is the life of all transcendental knowledge. It increases the ocean of transcendental bliss, and it enables us to fully taste the nectar for which we are always anxious.
O my Lord, Your holy name alone can render all benediction to living beings, and thus You have hundreds and millions of names, like Krishna and Govinda. In these transcendental names, you have invested all Your transcendental energies. There are not even hard and fast rules for chanting these names. O my Lord, out of kindness You enable us to easily approach you by Your holy names, but I am so unfortunate that I have no attraction for them.
(3)trinad api sunicena taror api sahishnuna amanina manadena kirtaniyah sada harihi
One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street; one should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige, and should be ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly.
(4)na dhanam na janam na sundarim kavitam va jagad-isha kamaye mama janmani janmanishvare bhavatad bhaktir ahaituki tvayi
O almighty Lord, I have no desire to accumulate wealth, nor do I desire beautiful women, nor do I want any number of followers. I only want your causeless devotional service, birth after birth.
O son of Maharaja Nanda [Krishna], I am Your eternal servitor, yet somehow or other I have fallen into the ocean of birth and death. Please pick me up from this ocean of death and place me as one of the atoms at Your lotus feet.
O my Lord, when will my eyes be decorated with tears of love flowing constantly when I chant Your holy name? When will my voice choke up, and when will the hairs of my body stand on end at the recitation of Your name?
(7)yugayitam nimeshena chakshusha pravrishayitam shunyayitam jagat sarvam govinda-virahena me
O Govinda! Feeling Your separation, I am considering a moment to be like twelve years or more. Tears are flowing from my eyes like torrents of rain, and I am feeling all vacant in the world in Your absence.
(8)ashlishya va pada-ratam pinashtu mam adarshanan marma-hatam karotu va yatha tatha va vidadhatu lampato mat-prana-nathas tu sa eva naparaha
I know no one but Krishna as my Lord, and He shall remain so even if He handles me roughly by His embrace or makes me brokenhearted by not being present before me. He is completely free to do anything and everything, for He is always my worshipful Lord, unconditionally.
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According to Adi-varah Purana, during the advent of Sri Ramacandra, monkeys and bears all brought large rocks and stones from many places to construct a bridge across the ocean. Hanuman also received the order from Sri Ramacandra to help build the bridge. Hanuman uprooted Govardhana from Uttarancala, but while carrying him to the ocean he heard a divine sound that announced, "The ocean bridge is now complete. No more rocks are required."
Hearing this, Hanuman became some sad and put down Sri Giriraja, where he stands today. Giriraja also became unhappy and said to Hanuman, "You have deprived me of the touch of Sri Rama's lotus feet. I will curse you."
"Please forgive me," Hanuman replied. "In the next Dvaparayuga, your desire will be fulfilled. At that time, the Supreme Lord Sri Krsna will stop the worship of Indra and worship you instead. Angered, Indra will try to destroy Vraja by unleashing his thunderbolt and by sending torrential rains. At this time, Sri Krsna will hold you on His hand to protect Vraja. In this way, He will fulfill your desire." Upon saying this, Hanuman leapt into the air and arrived at Sri Ramacandra's side by the aerial pathways.
After narrating the whole incident to Him, Sri Ramacandra said, "All the rocks that have been assembled to build the bridge have been delivered by the touch of My feet. But I shall fulfill the desires of Govardhana by holding him on My hand and touching Him with My whole body. At the close of Dvapara-yuga, I shall take birth in the dynasty of Yadus and make Govardhana famous as the best servant of Hari by herding the cows with My sakhas on his slopes and by enjoying with My beloved gopis in his kunjas." This is how Sri Govardhana appeared in Vraja.
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Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati's Sri Radha-rasa-sudha-nidhi (The Nectar Moon of Sri Radha's Sweetness)
1. O Sri Radha, when will I, a maidservant standing at the door, suddenly fall into a lake of nectar as I overhear Your words mixed with the tinkling of Your ornaments as You enjoy a nectar festival in a secluded forest grove?
2. May Sri Radha, who, taking the sweet sounding Madhumati vina in Her hand, and then singing many songs describing Her pastimes with the crest jewel of lovers, suddenly bursts into a shower of tears, appear in my heart.
3. My heart has been stolen by an intelligent and charming couple who playfully enjoy a sweet festival of joking and laughter in Vrndavana forest.
4. All glory to the jewel decorating the hair of the Vraja-gopis, a jewel sweet with new youthfulness, a jewel fair like a garland of lightning flashes, a jewel that with dancing sidelong glances floods the world with waves of the nectar of pure love.
5. All glories to the delicate being that bears the name Radha, a being all the Vedas cannot describe, a being who is the sweetest essence of the nectar ocean, a being whose mercy has no limit, a being splendid, sweet, graceful, and beautiful, a being whose passionate love has pushed away the shackles that chained Her heart.
6. When will my heart become forever wild with love for the two fair and dark splendours that charm all the worlds, deeply love each other, are expert in transcendental amorous pastimes, and are eager to enjoy a spring-festival in the charming cottage of flowering madhavi vines?
7. When will I hear the tinkling of anklets and belts as Sri Sri Radha-Krsna, finally meeting after a hundred comings and goings, and now splashed by waves of amorous desires, waves created by the splendid moon of gazing at each other's faces, enjoy wonderful transcendental pastimes on a bed in a forest cottage?
8. As I loudly chant the holy names of Lord Hari, worship the divine couple with sweet fragrances and many offerings, and happily reside in Vrndavana, may my thoughts always stay at Sri Radha's soft lotus feet.
9. Even though He tells me, "The queen of My life is merciful to you", and even though again and again He kisses me, embraces me, and maddens me with the nectar of amorous pleasures, and even though He creates in me a wonderful wealth of sweet love, my thoughts still stay, O Sri Radha, in the nectar pastimes of Your feet.
10. When, decorated with many flowers brought by me from Vrndavana forest, will Sri Sri Radha-Krsna, the hairs of Their bodies standing erect as They hear each other's names, celebrate in the forest grove the splendid festival of Their childhood wedding?
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Story of Lord Krishna - SRIMAD BHAGAVATA by Krsna-Dwaipayana Vyasa
The Childhood Pastimes of Krsna
1. Sometimes the gopis would say, "If You dance, my dear Krsna, then I shall give You half a sweetmeat." By saying these words or by clapping their hands, all the gopis encouraged Krsna in different ways. At such times, although He was the supremely powerful Personality of Godhead, He would smile and dance according to their desire, as if He were a wooden doll in their hands. Sometimes He would sing very loudly, at their bidding. In this way, Krsna came completely under the control of the gopis.
2. Sometimes mother Yasoda and her gopi friends would tell Krsna, "Bring this article" or "Bring that article." Sometimes they would order Him to bring a wooden plank, wooden shoes or a wooden measuring pot, and Krsna, when thus ordered by the mothers, would try to bring them. Sometimes, however, as if unable to raise these things, He would touch them and stand there.
3. To pure devotees throughout the world who could understand His activities, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, exhibited how much He can be subdued by His devotees, His servants. In this way He increased the pleasure of the Vrajavasis by His childhood activities.
4. Once a woman selling fruit was calling, "O inhabitants of Vrajabhumi, if you want to purchase some fruits, come here!" Upon hearing this, Krsna immediately took some grains and went to barter as if He needed some fruits.
5. While Krsna was going to the fruit vendor very hastily, most of the grains He was holding fell. Nonetheless, the fruit vendor filled Krsna's hands with fruits, and her fruit basket was immediately filled with jewels and gold.
6. Then one time, having seen the great disturbances in Gokul, all the elderly persons among the cowherd men, headed by Nanda Maharaja, assembled and began to consider what to do to stop the continuous disturbing situations in Vraja.
7. At this meeting of all the inhabitants of Gokula, a cowherd man named Upananda, who was the most mature in age and knowledge and was very experienced according to time, circumstances and country, made this suggestion for the benefit of Rama and Krsna.
8. He said: My dear friends the cowherd men, in order to do good to this place, Gokula, we should leave it, because so many disturbances are always occurring here, just for the purpose of killing Rama and Krsna.
9. The child Krsna, simply by the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, was somehow or other rescued from the hands of the Raksasi Putana, who was determined to kill Him. Then, again by the mercy of the Supreme Godhead, the handcart missed falling upon the child.
10. Then again, the demon Trnavarta, in the form of a whirlwind, took the child away into the dangerous sky to kill Him, but the demon fell down onto a slab of stone. In that case also, by the mercy of Lord Visnu or His associates, the child was saved.
11. Even the other day, neither Krsna nor any of His playmates died from the falling of the two trees, although the children were near the trees or even between them. This also is to be considered the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
12. All these incidents are being caused by some unknown demon. Before he comes here to create another disturbance, it is our duty to go somewhere else with the boys until there are no more disturbances.
13. There 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.
14. Therefore, let us immediately go today. Upon hearing this advice from Upananda, the cowherd men unanimously agreed. Thus they sorted out their household affairs, placed their clothing and other paraphernalia on the carts, and immediately started for Vrndavana. As they rode, they began to chant with great pleasure the pastimes of Krsna.
16. When Rama and Krsna saw Vrndavana, Govardhana and the banks of the River Yamuna, They both enjoyed great pleasure.
17. In this way, Krsna and Balarama, acting like small boys and talking in half-broken language, gave transcendental pleasure to all the inhabitants of Vraja. In due course of time, They became old enough to take care of the calves.
18. Not far away from Their residential quarters, both Krsna and Balarama, equipped with all kinds of playthings, played with other cowherd boys and began to tend the small calves.
19. Sometimes Krsna and Balarama would play on Their flutes, sometimes They would throw ropes and stones devised for getting fruits from the trees, and sometimes, Their ankle bells tinkling, They would play football with fruits like bael and amalaki.
20. Sometimes They would cover Themselves with blankets and imitate cows and bulls and fight with one another, roaring loudly, and sometimes They would imitate the voices of the animals. In this way They enjoyed sporting, exactly like two ordinary human children.
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Siddhant Madhuri (Sweetness of Devotional Philosophy)
Suno man! Sabai shrutin ko sar. A devotee says to himself, "Oh my mind! Listen to the gist of all the Vedas."
Ik maya ik jeev duhun ko, Ish brahm sakar. "There are only three existences -- maya, the soul and God. Out of these three, God is the Governor of the soul and maya."
Mayadheen sanatan jeevahin, maya hi son pyar. "The soul has been under the bondage of maya since eternity, and due to this, loves the material world."
Jeev brahm ko divya ansh hai, charihun Ved pukar. "But the four Vedas declare that the soul is a fraction of God and Divine in nature (not material)."
Yate yako vishay na mayik, yah mayik sansar. "If a soul realized that the material world and its limited happiness are not his cherished objective..."
Mayik jag son rag dvesh taji, rah Guru-sharan majhar. "...he could find Divine fulfillment by detaching himself from the world and surrendering to Radha Krishna."
Tajahu 'Kripalu' apar sadhan bal, bhajahu yugal sarkar. Jagadguru Shri Kripaluji Maharaj says, "Oh my mind! Renouncing all other means, devote yourself entirely to Radha Krishna."
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Srimati Tulasi devi is one of the most exalted devotees of the Sri Krishna. All scriptures stress on the importance of getting the mercy of Tulasi devi if one has to make progress in the path of devotion. In the Skanda Purana it is said: ‘Tulasi is auspicious in all respects. Simply by seeing, simply by touching, simply by remembering, simply by praying to, simply by bowing before, simply by hearing about or simply by sowing this tree, there is always auspiciousness. Anyone who comes in touch with the Tulasi tree in the above-mentioned ways lives eternally in the Vaikuntha world."
Above this material world is the eternal spiritual world comprised of millions of Vaikuntha planets. The topmost planet in Vaikuntha is Goloka which is presided by Sri Krishna in His original form. Here resides Vrinda devi, an intimate associate of and an expansion of Srimati Radharani. Her partial expansion is Tulasi devi in the Vaikuntha planets and they are all considered non-different from her. Five thousand years ago when Sri Krishna descended on Earth to do His pastimes, Vrinda devi created the proper environment for His pastimes in Vrindavana.
Pastimes of Radha-Krishna
Vrindavana is completely under the control of Vrinda devi. Without her mercy it is not possible to even approach the confidential pastimes of Radha-Krishna, even as an audience. Even being allowed into Vrindavana dhama indicates that one has received some mercy from Vrinda devi.
In Krishna lila she appeared as a young gopi friend of Srimati Radharani. Under the instructions of Purnamasya (Yogamaya), she would arrange secret meeting between Krishna and Radha. She would also make all the material arrangements, like saffron, fruits, flowers, music etc. for Radha Krishna. Thus she carried on her eternal service in Goloka Vrindavana in the earthly Vrindavana.
Once Srimati Radharani was so pleased by the service of Vrinda devi that with the help of the other gopis she arranged a magnificent throne and had Krishna and Vrinda devi sit on it. Lalita sakhi acting as the priest recited the mantras and performed the marriage cermony of Krishna and Vrinda devi. Thus by the mercy of Srimati Radharani, Vrinda devi got Krishna.
In another pastime, Vrinda devi offered all the forests of Vrindavana to Srimati Radharani. Thus Radharani is also known as Vrindavaneshwari or the queen of Vrindavana.
Tulasi devi becomes a plant
Once Tulasi devi descended as the daughter of King Kushadvaja. She was married to Jalhandara. It is said that Samudra deva the demigod controlling the nether regions had Lakshmi devi as a daughter (since she appeared from him at time of the churning of the ocean) and Jalandara (one who is born from water).
Jalandara was married to Tulasi devi and drew strength from her purity and chastity. So firm was her chastity that even Lord Shiva could not defeat Jalandara in battle and all the demigods went to Lord Vishnu for help.
At this time, Lord Vishnu went to Tulasi devi assuming the form of her husband, Jalandara. When Tulasi devi greeted Him, thinking Him to be her husband, her chastity was momentarily broken. Taking advantage of this the demigods killed Jalandara.
When Tulasi devi understood what happened, Lord Vishnu revealed His original form. An enraged Tulasi devi cursed Lord Vishnu for His stone hearted behavior to become a stone. Honoring His pure devotee, Lord Vishnu accepted this curse and promised to appear as the Saligrama shila in the Gandika river (now in Nepal). He also gave Tulsai devi the benediction that she will eternally reside with Him as His consort in Vaikuntha. He said that for the benefit of every one she will assume the form of a plant which will be most auspicious for anyone performing devotional service. Thus devotees never offer anything to Krishna without a Tulasi leaf. He always adorns Himself with a Tulasi garland.
Tulasi as the source of bhakti
The scriptures are full of pastimes that reveal the potency of Tulasi in developing devotion for the Lord.
The Srimad Bhagavatam talks about this pastime with the four Kumaras, the sons of Lord Brahma who were very much attached to the impersonal aspect of Godhead.
‘When the breeze carrying the aroma of tulasi leaves and saffron from the lotus feet of the lotus-eyed Personality of Godhead entered through the nostrils into the hearts of those sages [the Kumaras], they experienced a change in both body and mind, even though they were attached to the impersonal Brahman understanding.'
Thus by simply smelling the fragrance of the Tulasi leaves the four Kumaras became pure devotees of the Lord.
In Caitanya lila Srila Advaita Acarya was very much disturbed to see the growth of irreligiosity. Therefore He decided to call for the Personality of Godhead Krsna to descend by worshiping the Lord with tulasi leaves and the water of the Ganges. When Sri Krishna was please by this devotion He descended as Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
Haridasa Thakura a great devotee of Caitanya Mahaprabhu purified a prostitue who had come with the intention of seducing him with instructions to chant the holy name and worship Tulasi. She became so elevated by this service that even great Vaishnavas would come to get her mercy.
Glories of Tulasi devi
Quoting from the Gautamiya-tantra, the Hari-bhakti-vilasa states:
tulasi-dala-matrena jalasya culukena va vikrinite svam atmanam bhaktebhyo bhakta-vatsalah
‘Sri Krsna, who is very affectionate toward His devotees, sells Himself to a devotee who offers merely a tulasi leaf and a palmful of water.’
In the Nectar of Devotion, service to Tulasi is glorified as one of items of devotional service.
In the Srimad Bhagavatam (3.15.19) it is said that although flowering plants like the mandara, kunda, kurabaka, utpala, campaka, arna, punnaga, nagakesara, bakula, lily and parijata are full of transcendental fragrance, they are still conscious of the austerities performed by tulasi, for tulasi is given special preference by the Lord, who garlands Himself with tulasi leaves.
In the Skanda Purana there is a statement praising the Tulasi tree as follows: ‘Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto the Tulasi tree, which can immediately vanquish volumes of sinful activities. Simply by seeing or touching this tree one can become relieved from all distresses and diseases. Simply by offering obeisances to and pouring water on the tulasi tree, one can become freed from the fear of being sent to the court of Yamaraja [the King of death, who punishes the sinful]. If someone sows a tulasi tree somewhere, certainly he becomes devoted to Lord Krsna. And when the tulasi leaves are offered in devotion at the lotus feet of Krsna, there is the full development of love of Godhead.’
sri-guru-carana-padma, kevala-bhakati-sadma, bando mui savadhana mate jahara prasade bhai, e bhava toriya jai, krsna-prapti hoy jaha ha'te
The lotus feet of our spiritual master are the only way by which we can attain pure devotional service. I bow to his lotus feet with great awe and reverence. By his grace one can cross the ocean of material suffering and obtain the mercy of Krsna.
guru-mukha-padma-vakya, cittete koriya aikya, ar na koriho mane asa sri-guru-carane rati, ei se uttama-gati, je prasade pure sarva asa
My only wish is to have my consciousness purified by the words emanating from his lotus mouth. Attachment to his lotus feet is the perfection that fulfills all desires.
He opens my darkened eyes and fills my heart with transcendental knowledge. He is my Lord birth after birth. From him ecstatic prema emanates; by him ignorance is destroyed. The Vedic scriptures sing of his character.
sri-guru karuna-sindhu, adhama janara bandhu, lokanath lokera jivana ha ha prabhu koro doya, deho more pada-chaya, ebe jasa ghusuk tribhuvana
Our spiritual master is the ocean of mercy, the friend of the poor, and the lord and master of the devotees. O master! Be merciful unto me. Give me the shade of your lotus feet. Your fame is spread all over the three worlds. Read more…
Gita Govinda - Meeting of Sakhi with Krsna Song by Jayadeva Gosvami
When Radha saw Krsna enjoying affectionate exchanges with all the cowherd maidens in the groves of Vrndavana, she became indignant because he had not acknowledged her eminence. She immediately departed for another part of the forest and hid herself inside a shady bower that resounded with the drone of bumblebees.
yamuna-tira-vaniranikunje mandam asthitam praha prema-bharodbhrantam madhavam radhika-sakhi Translation Bewildered by love for Radha, Krsna was sitting in a dense grove on the Yamuna riverside feeling deeply depressed. Radha’s dear friend began to speak to him as follows.
nindati candanam indu-kiranam anu vindati khedam adhiram vyala-nilaya-milanena garalam iva kalayati malaya-samiram sa virahe tava dina madhava manasija-visikha-bhayad iva bhavanaya tvayi lina (refrain) (1) Translation “O Madhava! Radha is experiencing intense suffering in separation from you. She is so afraid of the incessant rain of Madana’s arrows that she has resorted to dhyana-yoga to find relief from this slow-burning fire of distress. She has unconditionally surrendered to you and now she is completely immersed in you by the practice of meditation. In your absence, she criticizes sandalwood paste. When she sees the rays of the moon, she feels as if her body is burning and the Malaya breeze even increases the heat. She also considers the breeze from the Malaya Mountains to be like poison because it is mixed with the hissing of venomous snakes who reside around the sandalwood trees there.”
avirala-nipatita-madana-sarad iva bhavad-avanaya visalam sva-hrdaya-marmani varma karoti sajala-nalini-dala-jalam sa virahe tava dina... (2) Translation “The arrows of Kamadeva are falling incessantly upon her heart. Since you are also present there (in her heart), she is making a mystical shield (kavaca) to protect you by covering her vulnerable heart with large lotus petals bearing droplets of water.”
kusuma-visikha-sara-talpam analpa-vilasa-kala-kamaniyam vratam iva tava parirambha-sukhaya karoti kusuma-sayaniyam sa virahe tava dina... (3) Translation “Madhava! Radha is making a delightful flower bed, suitable for the enjoyment of many amorous pastimes. Yet it seems to be a bed of Kamadeva’s arrows. She is performing severe austerities in the form of a vow to recline on a bed of arrows in the hope of attaining your deep embrace.”
vahati ca valita-vilocana-jaladharam anana-kamalam udaram vidhum iva vikata-vidhuntuda-danta-dalana-galitamrta-dharam sa virahe tava dina... (4) Translation “Just as a current of nectar began to flow from the moon after it was bitten by the terrible gaping mouth of Rahu, similarly an incessant stream of tears is flowing from the restless eyes of Sri Radha’s exceptionally attractive lotus face.”
vilikhati rahasi kuranga-madena bhavantam asamasara-bhutam pranamati makaram adho vinidhya kare ca saram nava-cutam sa virahe tava dina... (5) Translation “O Sri Krsna, in a secluded place, Radha is painting a picture of your captivating form in musk, considering you to be Kamadeva himself. After depicting you with mango-bud arrows in your hand and riding upon a makara, she bows down to offer respectful obeisances to your portrait.”
prati-padam idam api nigadati madhava tava carane patitaham tvayi vimukhe mayi sapadi sudha-nidhir api tanute tanu-daham sa virahe tava dina... (6) Translation “O Madhava, after painting a picture of you in this form, Radha pleads again and again, ‘Hey Sri Krsna! I am falling at your feet. As soon as you become indifferent to me, even the moon-god Candrama, with his chalice of nectar, begins to shower fire upon my body.’”
dhyana-layena purah parikalpya bhavantam ativa durapam vilapati hasati visidati roditi cancati muncati tapam sa virahe tava dina... (7) Translation “Sri Radha is completely absorbed in meditation on you. She imagines that you are directly before her. Sometimes she laments in separation, sometimes she expresses jubilation, sometimes she cries and sometimes she abandons all suffering by being embraced in a momentary vision.”
sri-jayadeva-bhanitam idam adhikam yadi manasa nataniyam hari-virahakula-ballava-yuvati-sakhi-vacanam pathaniyam sa virahe tava dina... (8) Translation This song composed by Sri Jayadeva, based on the words spoken by Radha’s dear friend, should be enacted within the temple of the heart. The sakhi’s description of Radha’s anguish in separation from Sri Hari are worthy of constant recitation.
(1) Lord Krishna is the beloved son of mother Yashoda; the transcendental lover in the land of Vraja; the delight of Gokula; Kana [a nickname of Krishna]; the wealth of the lives of the gopis. He steals the mind of even Cupid and punishes the Kaliya serpent.
(2) These pure, holy names of Lord Hari are full of sweet, nectarean pastimes. Krishna is the Lord of the twelve forests of Vraja. He is ever-youthful and is the best of lovers. He is always playing on a flute, and He is an excellent dresser.
(3) Krishna is the protector of the inhabitants of Vraja; the destroyer of various demoniac dynasties; the keeper and tender of Nanda Maharaja's cows; the giver of pleasure to the cows, land, and spiritual senses; the husband of the goddess of fortune; the butter thief; and the beautiful cowherd boy of Nanda Maharaja.
(4) Krishna wanders along the banks of the River Yamuna. He stole the garments of the young damsels of Vraja who were bathing there. He delights in the mellows of the rasa dance; He is very merciful; the lover and beloved of Shrimati Radharani; the great dancer of Vrindavana; and the shelter and only refuge of Thakura Bhaktivinoda.
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Sri Radhe-Krsna's playful pastimes (vihara) - The appearance of Radha-kunda & Syama-kunda
View with Radha Kund on the left and Shyama Kund on the right.
Sri Krsna killed Aristasura during the day. That same night, He met with Srimati Radhika and His other beloveds. He was very eager to embrace Srimati Radhika, but as soon as He reached out to do so, She jokingly stepped back and said " Today, you have killed a bull, which belongs to the cow family. You have therefore committed the sin of killing a cow. Please do not touch My pure body."
Smiling, Krsna answered, "O dear most one, I killed a demon who had deceitfully assumed the form of a bull, so how can sin touch me?"
Srimatiji insisted, "Whatever he was, he was in the form of a bull when You killed him, so You are definitely guilty of the sin of killing a cow." The sakhis fully supported Her words.
Sri Krsna asked how He could atone for this sin. Srimatiji smiled and answered, "The only atonement is to bathe in every holy place in the world." Hearing this, Sri Krsna created a wide kunda (lake) simply by striking His heel on the ground. He then summoned all the holy places from all over the planet to come there. Uncountable holy places promptly come before Krsna in their personified forms, and Krsna asked them to enter the kunda as water. Within a moment the kunda was filled with pure, sacred water. When Sri Krsna had bathed in the kunda He again tried to embrace Srimatiji, but in response to the bragging of Her dear most beloved, Srimati Radhika now wanted to manifest a kunda full of water that was larger and more equisite than Krsna's. She and Her sakis stubbornly dug out a very attractive kunda nearby with their bracelets, but not so much as a drop of water appeared in it. Krsna joked that they could take water from His kunda, but Srimatiji along with Her innumerable sakhis indignantly prepared themselves to bring water from Mansi-ganga in clay pots. Sri Krsna signalled to the holy places that they should insist that Srimatiji and Her sakhis fill up their kunda with water from His. The holy places personified prayed to Srimati Radhika and Her sakhis and glorified them in many ways. Thus they pleased Her. She gave them permission to enter Her kunda and immediately, a current of water flowed from Krsna-kunda into Radha-kunda. With great pleasure, Sri Krsna bathed and sported with Srimati Radhika and the sakhis in the water of this dear kunda. Thus appeared Radha-kunda and Syama-kunda.
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