Mathura-mandala Parikrama, Part 8

BY: SUN STAFF - 17.2 2021

By Srila Narahari Chakravarti Thakur.

The Places of Krishna's Lila Surrounding Govardhana

Shri Raghava took Shrinivasa and Narottama to see the places near Govardhana where Krishna had performed His pastimes, and he described them all one by one. The place known as Kusuma-sarovara is a famous pastime place of Radha-Krishna. In another place called Narada-kunda, Narada Muni fulfilled his desires by performing tapasya. In the Puranas it is written that Narada performed tapasya here on Vrinda's order.

At a place called Ratna-simhasana, Radha would sit on a throne. Also, the reason behind Krishna's killing Shankhacuda took place here. That story has been described in the Shrimad Bhagavatam.

Pali is a beautiful garden where Palita-yutheshvari used to stay. Shri Krishna also enjoyed Himself with His friends in the holy place called Ata-grama. In the place Indra-dhvaja-bedi, Nandaraja used to worship Indra. It was there that Shri Krishna used to tend His cows and call each one near by the sound of His flute.

P(?)anmochana, also known as Papamochana, is famous for its sanctity. If a person bathes here he will be freed from all vices. This is Sankarshana-kunda. Whoever wants to fulfill his desires should take a bath here.

In Parasauli-grama Radha and Krishna enacted Their rasa-yatra during the season of Vasanta. At Candra-sarovara, Shri Krishna took rest in His rasa dress. Now, just see the beautiful Gandharva-kunda, where the Gandharvas became overwhelmed by Krishna's beautiful songs. No one can describe all of Radha and Krishna's pastimes during the Vasanta rasa at Govardhana.

In the Stavavali, Govardhana-ashrayadashaka, this description is given: "This is Rasa-sthali, where during the month of Vasanta, Shrimati Radharani, who is known as Madhava-priya, danced with Krishna. She was surrounded by beautiful sakhis, each worshiped by hundreds of Lakshmis, and Her neck was decorated by the sweetly fragrant hands of Krishna. Which fortunate person will not take shelter of this exalted Govardhana Rasa-sthali?"

There is another village called Paitha where Krishna once hid Himself from the gopis, who began searching here and there for Him. Krishna appeared before the gopis in His four-handed Vishnu form, but upon the arrival of Radharani, two of His hands disappeared. Radharani's love was so strong, that Krishna could not retain His four-armed form. This has been described in the Ujjvala-nilamani, Nayika Prakara.

After showing all these enchanting places beginning with Paitha, Shri Raghava returned to Gauri-tirtha with Shrinivasa and Narottama. "This place is called Nipa-kunda because it is surrounded by beautiful nipa, or kadamba, trees. Another holy place is called Aniyora. It was here that on Krishna's order, Nanda and the other gopas stopped their worship of Indra and started the worship of Govardhana by offering various kinds of foods. The voice of Govardhana resounded in the sky, 'Ani aur! ani aur!' [Bring Me more! Bring Me more!]. For that reason this place is called Aniyora. By visiting Annakuta-sthana all desires will be fulfilled."

In Vraja-vilasa-stava it is written: "When the best of the cowherds, Nanda Maharaja, offered a large quantity of food to Govardhana, Shri Krishna, the killer of Agha, transformed Himself into a huge form, proclaiming that He Himself was Govardhana. Deceiving even Radharani, He ate all the offered food. Let me take shelter of this place known as Annakuta-sthana."

The place named Govinda-kunda has many glories because it was here that Indra performed the abhisheka of Krishna. Again in the Vraja-vilasa-stava it is said: "Out of fear of Lord Krishna, Indra, along with Surabhi, performed the abhisheka ceremony of Krishna by bringing the holy water of Mandakini. May Govinda-kunda, which was created from the water of this abhisheka be always manifest before my eyes."

In Adi-varaha Purana it is said: "By bathing or performing austerity at Govinda-kunda one attains liberation on the virtues of performing one hundred yajnas.

See this dense forest near Govinda-kunda. It was here that Gopala hid. Here is the very confidential place known as Dana-nivartana-kunda. Besides the devotees, others cannot know this place."

It is stated in Vraja-vilasa-stava: "The place known as Dana-nivartana-kunda is named after the dana-keli pastime which Krishna enjoyed there. This place is unknown to those persons who are averse to the mellows of devotional service, only those who are qualified in devotion can know it. I pray that I may reside at this kunda and also enjoy giving dana [dana in this pastime means taxes]."

Madhavendra Puri stayed here under a tree, and Gopala gave darshana to him on the pretext of bringing him milk. Later, Gopala lived on the mountain and sometimes visited Ganthuli. On the end of Govardhana is Apsara-kunda. People who take bath here are very fortunate. See here the old palasha trees. People call this very secluded place Shyama-dhaka.

After describing all these places, Shri Raghava Pandita took his two followers to his own cave. He told them while he stayed here he felt great pleasure seeing always the enchanting Govardhana Hill. Radha and Krishna would always enjoy here.

As stated in Vraja-vilasa-stava: "Krishna and His affectionate friends, decorated with the colorful mineral pigments found there, enjoy pastimes at Govardhana Hill with a great festival of joking words. In the caves of this same hill, Krishna also enjoys many pastimes with Shrimati Radharani. Let me worship this best of hills."

Raghava continued, "Just see here the footprint of Airavata. After being defeated, Indra described the glories of Lord Krishna's mercy here. This is Surabhi-kunda, which has unlimited glories. Who can possibly describe the various sports that took place here? In this beautiful secluded forest is Rudra-kunda, where Mahadeva sat in meditation on Krishna. In Kadamba-khandi, Shri Krishna watched the path which Radha travelled. In Dana-ghati, the King of rasa, Lord Krishna, took a share of the milk products from Radha while His friends blocked Her way.

When Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu visited here He inquired about this place from the Sanodiya brahmana. As He heard the description of the dana pastimes, He slightly smiled in delight. As Lord Chaitanya had darshana of Harideva, He danced wonderfully in ecstatic love. As everyone watched Gaurahari, they became filled with love and their eyes filled with tears of ecstasy. Some of the people who saw Him dance said He must be an incarnation of Harideva. Who can describe the pastimes the Lord performed at Govardhana?

This secluded place is Dana-ghata, also known by some people as Krishna-bedi. In Vraja-vilasa a description is given as follows. "One day Lord Krishna, the youthful king of amorous heroes, became eager at heart to enjoy the dana-keli pastime. Blocking the path, He forbade Shrimati Radharani to pass, proclaiming Himself a toll collector appointed by the king of love and demanding that She pay a toll of the milk products She was carrying. I sing the glories of Shri Krishna-bedi, the place where the Lord enjoyed these pastimes."

This unique dana-lila is described by Shrila Rupa Gosvami in his book Dana-keli-kaumudi.

Brahma-kunda is also situated at Govardhana and is described in the Mathura-khanda: "After bathing here, Brahma satisfied Lord Hari. Indra and the other planetary rulers created other lakes nearby."

Also in the Adi-varaha Purana: "O auspicious one, that lake is surrounded by groves of trees and vines as well as fourteen auspicious holy places. On the eastern side is Indra-tirtha, on the south is Yama-tirtha, on the west is Varuna-tirtha, and on the north is Kuvera-tirtha. In these places I will enjoy pastimes as I wish."

Raghava then pointed out Manasa-ganga. At this place Shri Krishna enjoyed ecstatic boat pastimes. There is a description of Manasa-ganga in the Vraja-vilasa-stava: "The waves of Manasa-ganga on the side of Govardhana Hill push the splendid rocks lining its shores. I pray that the Manasa-ganga, where Shri Shri Gandharvika-Murari enjoy jubilant boating pastimes, may give me shelter."

The waters of Manasa-ganga are supremely pure. Who can describe the wonderful results one achieves by bathing there.

After glorifying Manasa-ganga, Raghava Pandita led them on for darshana of Harideva. In great happiness he then glorified Govardhana Hill as being full of transcendental bliss. Situated eight krosha [sixteen miles] west of Mathura, just the sight of Govardhana Hill relieves one of the miseries of material life. Anyone who bathes in Manasa-ganga, takes darshana of Harideva, and then circumambulates Govardhana Hill, no longer lives in the material world.

Govardhana Hill gives unlimited pleasure to Krishna, who lifted the hill with His left hand to curb the pride of Indra and protect the Vraja-vasis.

In the Adi-varaha Purana it is stated: "Two yojanas [sixteen miles], west of Mathura, is the very rare place named Govardhana. A person who circumambulates this place named Annakuöa-tirtha does not return to this world. O goddess. I will now tell you everything about it. After bathing in the Manasa-ganga, seeing the Deity of Harideva on Govardhana Hill, and circumambulating Annakuta-tirtha, what heart can remain unhappy? To protect the cows distressed by Indra's torrential rains, I lifted Govardhana Hill."

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. Lord Vishnu stays eternally on Govardhana Hill. Brahma, Shiva, and Lakshmi also reside there. There is no doubt about this."

Again from the Adi-varaha Purana: "After seeing the Deity of Harideva and circumambulating Govardhana Hill, one attains the result of having performed a rajasuya and ashvamedha-yajna. Of this there is no doubt."