From Back to Godhead
By Sacinandana Swami
This little-known holy place played a major role in the inauguration of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's sankirtana movement.
During the month of Karttika, which falls across October and November in the lunar calendar, devotees of Lord Krishna are advised to increase their concentration on His worship by dedicating their daily devotional hearing and chanting to Srimati Radharani, His eternal consort. This advisory for Karttika is best carried out in a secluded place, if possible. But anyone can apply this principle anywhere by chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, which addresses both Radha and Krishna: “O energy of the Lord (Radha), O Lord (Krishna), please engage me in your service.”
Many years ago, during Karttika I briefly visited Kanai Natashala, in West Bengal, with a group of devotees and fell in love with its seclusion. It is surrounded by a dense jungle called the Jharikhanda Forest. Five hundred years ago, the forest animals here miraculously chanted Krishna’s names together under the influence of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He is Krishna Himself in the role of His greatest devotee, Radharani. The jungle is still an untouched wilderness of ornamental trees (the tamal and ashvattha), fruit- and flower-bearing trees (the chico, mango, golden champak, kadamba, and malati), and trees with medicinal properties. Kanai Natashala lies atop a tall rock formation and overlooks the majestic Ganges. Wildlife abounds. The Ganges is inhabited by dolphins, and the jungle by jaguars and snakes.
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