Çré Varüthiné Ekädaçé Issue no:208 16th April 2023

The Earth Is Unique

The Gopis Glorify The Song Of
Krishna’s Flute The Most Sacred Part Of Mathura
Srila Sukadeva Goswami Srila Sanatana Goswami

The Earth Is Unique In Vrndavana Everyone Is Happy

By Disciples of His Divine Grace His Divine Grace
A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

The Glories Of Vrndavana The Special Manifestation Of Sri Vrndavana

Srila Narahari Chakravarti Thakura Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
 Issue no 208, Page — 2
The Gopis Glorify The Song Of
Krishna’s Flute
Srila Sukadeva Goswami
Sukadeva Gosvami said: Thus the Vrndavana
forest was filled with transparent autumnal waters
and cooled by breezes perfumed with the fra-
grance of lotus flowers growing in the clear lakes.
The infallible Lord, accompanied by His cows
and cowherd boyfriends, entered that Vrndavana
forest. The lakes, rivers and hills of Vrndavana
resounded with the sounds of maddened bees
and flocks of birds moving about the flowering
trees. In the company of the cowherd boys and
Balarama, Madhupati [Sri Krishna] entered that
forest, and while herding the cows He began
to vibrate His flute. When the young ladies in
the cowherd village of Vraja heard the song of
Krishna’s flute, which arouses the influence of
Cupid, some of them privately began describing
Krishna’s qualities to their intimate friends. The
cowherd girls began to speak about Krishna, but
when they remembered His activities, O King, the
power of Cupid disturbed their minds, and thus
they could not speak. Wearing a peacock-feather
ornament upon His head, blue karnikara flowers
on His ears, a yellow garment as brilliant as gold,
and the Vaijayanti garland, Lord Krishna exhibited
Bhāgavata Mahāvidyālaya www.ibmedu.org
nityaà bhägavata-sevayä
His transcendental form as the greatest of dancers
as He entered the forest of Vrndavana, beautify-
ing it with the marks of His footprints. He filled
the holes of His flute with the nectar of His lips,
and the cowherd boys sang His glories. O King,
when the young ladies in Vraja heard the sound
of Krishna’s flute, which captivates the minds of
all living beings, they all embraced one another
and began describing it.
The cowherd girls said: O friends, those eyes
that see the beautiful faces of the sons of Maharaja
Nanda are certainly fortunate. As these two sons
enter the forest, surrounded by Their friends,
driving the cows before Them, They hold Their
flutes to Their mouths and glance lovingly upon
the residents of Vrndavana. For those who have
eyes, we think there is no greater object of vision.
Dressed in a charming variety of garments, upon
which Their garlands rest, and decorating Them-
selves with peacock feathers, lotuses, lilies, newly
grown mango sprouts and clusters of flower buds,
Krishna and Balarama shine forth magnificently
among the assembly of cowherd boys. They look
just like the best of dancers appearing on a dra-
matic stage, and sometimes They sing. My dear
Gopis, what auspicious activities must the flute
have performed to enjoy the nectar of Krishna’s
lips independently and leave only a taste for us
 nityaà bhägavata-sevayä
Gopis, for whom that nectar is actually meant!
The forefathers of the flute, the bamboo trees, shed
tears of pleasure. His mother, the river on whose
bank the bamboo was born, feels jubilation, and
therefore her blooming lotus flowers are standing
like hair on her body.
O friend, Vrndavana is spreading the glory of the
earth, having obtained the treasure of the lotus feet
of Krishna, the son of Devaki. The peacocks dance
madly when they hear Govinda’s flute, and when
other creatures see them from the hilltops, they all
become stunned. Blessed are all these foolish deer
because they have approached Maharaja Nanda’s
son, who is gorgeously dressed and is playing
on His flute. Indeed, both the doe and the bucks
worship the Lord with looks of love and affection.
Krishna’s beauty and character create a festival
for all women. Indeed, when the demigods’ wives
flying in airplanes with their husbands catch sight
of Him and hear His resonant flute-song, their
hearts are shaken by Cupid, and they become so
bewildered that the flowers fall out of their hair
and their belts loosen. Using their upraised ears
as vessels, the cows are drinking the nectar of the
flute-song flowing out of Krishna’s mouth. The
calves, their mouths full of milk from their moth-
ers’ moist nipples, stand still as they take Govinda
within themselves through their tear-filled eyes
and embrace Him within their hearts. O mother, in
this forest all the birds have risen onto the beautiful
branches of the trees to see Krishna. With closed
eyes they are simply listening in silence to the sweet
vibrations of His flute, and they are not attracted
by any other sound. Surely these birds are on the
same level as great sages.
When the rivers hear the flute-song of Krishna,
their minds begin to desire Him, and thus the
flow of their currents is broken and their waters
are agitated, moving around in whirlpools. Then
with the arms of their waves the rivers embrace
Murari’s lotus feet and, holding on to them, pres-
ent offerings of lotus flowers. In the company of
Balarama and the cowherd boys, Lord Krishna is
continually vibrating His flute as He herds all the
animals of Vraja, even under the full heat of the
summer sun. Seeing this, the cloud in the sky has
expanded himself out of love. He is rising high and
constructing out of his own body, with its multi-
www.ibmedu.org
Issue no 208, Page—3
tude of flower-like droplets of water, an umbrella
for the sake of his friend.
The aborigine women of the Vrndavana area
become disturbed by lust when they see the grass
marked with reddish kunkuma powder. Endowed
with the color of Krishna’s lotus feet, this powder
originally decorated the breasts of His beloveds,
and when the aborigine women smear it on their
faces and breasts, they feel fully satisfied and give
up all their anxiety. Of all the devotees, this Go-
vardhana Hill is the best! O my friends, this hill
supplies Krishna and Balarama, along with 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 respects to the Lord. Being touched
by the lotus feet of Krishna and Balarama, Govard-
hana Hill appears very jubilant. My dear friends, as
Krishna and Balarama pass through the forest with
Their cowherd friends, leading Their cows, They
carry ropes to bind the cows’ rear legs at the time
of milking. When Lord Krishna plays on His flute,
the sweet music causes the moving living entities
to become stunned and the nonmoving trees to
tremble with ecstasy. These things are certainly
very wonderful.
Thus narrating to one another the playful pas-
times of the Supreme Personality of Godhead as
He wandered about in the Vrndavana forest, the
Gopis became fully absorbed in thoughts of Him.
- Çrémad-Bhägavatam (Bhägavata Puräëa) » Canto 10: The Summum Bonum »
Chapter twenty one» Verses: 1-20 » Translations by Disciples of His Divine Grace
A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
The Earth Is Unique
By Disciples of His Divine Grace
A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
våndävanaà sakhi bhuvo vitanoti kértià
yad devaké-suta-padämbuja-labdha-lakñmi
govinda-veëum anu matta-mayüra-nåtyaà
prekñyädri-sänv-avaratänya-samasta-sattvam
O friend, Vrndavana is spreading the glory of
the earth, having obtained the treasure of the
lotus feet of Krishna, the son of Devaki. The
peacocks dance madly when they hear Govin-
Bhāgavata Mahāvidyālaya
 Issue no 208, Page — 4
Top left 4
da's flute, and when other creatures see them
from the hilltops, they all become stunned.
Srila Sridhara Svami explains that because
activities such as those described in this
verse do not occur in any other world, the
earth is unique. In fact, the earth's glories are
being spread by wonderful Vrndavana be-
cause it is the place of Krishna's pastimes.
The name Devaki also refers to Mother
Yasoda, as stated in the Båhad-viñëu Puräëa:
dve nämné nanda-bhäryäyä
yaçodä devakéti ca
ataù sakhyam abhüt tasya
devakyä çauri-jäyayä
"The wife of Nanda had two names, Yasoda
and also Devaki. Therefore it was natural that
she [the wife of Nanda] develop friendship
with Devaki, the wife of Sauri [Vasudeva]."
Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura explains
kåñëa-lélä as follows: "In Vrndavana, the peacocks
request Krishna, 'Govinda, please make us dance.'
Thus Krishna plays His flute, and they surround
Him in a circle and dance in time with the rhythm
of His melody. And while standing in the midst
of their dancing, He also sings and dances. Then
those peacocks, who are fully satisfied with His
musical performance, out of gratitude offer for
Bhāgavata Mahāvidyālaya www.ibmedu.org
nityaà bhägavata-sevayä
His pleasure their own divine feathers. In the
usual manner of musical performers, Krishna
gladly accepts these presentations and places a
feather upon the turban atop His head. Gentle
animals such as deer and doves greatly relish
the transcendental entertainment presented by
Krishna, and to get a good view they flock to the
peaks of hills. Then, as they watch the breathtak-
ing program, they become stunned in ecstasy."
Srila Sanatana Gosvami comments that because
in Vrndavana Krishna goes barefoot and can thus
directly mark the earth with the symbols of His lo-
tus feet, that transcendental land is even more glo-
rious than Vaikuntha, where Visnu wears slippers.
- Çrémad-Bhägavatam (Bhägavata Puräëa) » Canto 10: The Summum Bonum
» Chapter Twenty One » Verse: 10 » Translations by Disciples of His Divine
Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
The Glories Of Vrndavana
Srila Narahari Chakravarti Thakura
Vrndavana is described in the Skanda Puräëa,
Mathurä-khaëòa, as follows: “Vrndavana is com-
pletely under Vrndadevi's grace. Sri Hari Himself
lives in this splendid, incomprehensible place,
which is served by the demigods headed by Brah-
ma and Siva. Extending over a wide area, Vrnda-
vana is decorated with forests of tulasi and the
äçramas of saints. Vrndavana is as dear to Govinda
 nityaà bhägavata-sevayä
as Laksmi is to Visnu. Surrounded by His cowherd
boys and cows, Madhava sports in Vrndavana with
Balarama. O what a beautiful place is Vrndavana
where Govardhana mountain along with many oth-
er holy places created by Lord Visnu are situated.”
Then in the Padma Puräëa it is stated: “Vrn-
davana is filled with transcendental bliss. It
destroys the greatest sins and miseries. Sim-
ply by living there one is awarded liberation.”
Vrndavana is also described in the Çrémad Bhäga-
vatam (10.11.28) in the following words: “Between
Nandesvara and Mahavana 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 happi-
ness of all the gopas and Gopis and our animals.”
There is another verse in the Çrémad Bhäga-
vatam (10.21.10) in which one gopi says: “O
friend, Vrndavana is spreading the glory of
the earth, having obtained the treasure of the
lotus feet of Krishna, the son of Devaki. The
peacocks dance madly when they hear Govin-
da's flute, and when other creatures see them
from the hilltops, they all become stunned.”
A passage from the Gautaméya-tantra where
Krishna says to Narada: “Every part of this beau-
tiful Vrndavana is My abode. Every creature or
demigod who lives in this place will attain Golo-
ka-dhama after death. The cowherd girls who
live in My abode are yoginés. The five yojanas of
Vrndavana forest are like My body and the spinal
cord of the body is the Kalindi River, which flows
with nectarean water. Deities and other spirits live
here in invisible bodies. And I, living within every
being, never leave this place. My appearance and
disappearance has been enacted in every age. The
divine and glorious illumination of this place is
beyond worldly vision. The glories of Vrndava-
na are beyond anyone's calculation. People say
Vrndavana covers sixteen kroña, and in the çästra
it is said Vrndavana extends five yojanas. Who-
ever has darçana of Govinda in Vrndavana never
goes to Yamalaya, but attains the destination of
pious persons. The temple of Sri Govindadeva is
situated in Vrndavana and is surrounded by dev-
otees. A fortunate person can have His darçana.”
www.ibmedu.org
Issue no 208, Page—5
In the Skanda Puräëa, Narada Muni says, “In Vrn-
davana the temple of Govindadeva is surrounded
by devoted worshipers. I prefer to live there. O
king, in this world Vrndavana is the Vaikuntha
of Govinda. Vrnda and other female devotees of
Krishna also remain there. O Mahapala, those
great souls who get darçana of Govinda in Vrnda-
vana are the most glorified persons in this world.”
- Bhakti-ratnäkara Srila Narahari Cakravar-
t i T h a k u r a P u b l i s h e d b y P u n d a r i k a Vi d y a n i d h i d a s a
The Most Sacred Part Of Mathura
Srila Sanatana Goswami
Sri Vraja-bhumi, the most sacred part of Mathu-
ra District, is where the Supreme Personality of
Godhead displays His exceptionally sweet pas-
times. Within Vraja-bhumi, three places are very
special. The Tenth Canto of Çrémad-Bhägavatam
first mentions these three places when Krishna
and Balarama move from Mahavana to avoid the
dangers developing there:
våndävanaà govardhanaà
yamunä-pulinäni ca
vékñyäséd uttamä prété
räma-mädhavayor nåpa
“O King Pariksit, when Rama and Krishna saw
Vrndavana, Govardhana, and the banks of the
river Yamuna, They both enjoyed great pleasure.”
(Bhägavatam 10.11.36)
Since these three places are most dear to Krishna,
Srila Sanatana Gosvami praises them, beginning
with Sri Vrndavana, in the hope of getting their
mercy.
Jayati (“all glories”) is repeated in this verse to
express the superexcellence of Vrndavana and the
great joy the author feels in glorifying Vrndavana.
Again the proximate pronoun is used, etat (“this”),
to indicate that Srila Sanatana Gosvami was living
in Vrndavana forest while writing this book.
In Vrndavana the Supreme Lord displays a spe-
cial beauty and loving mood He shows nowhere
else; therefore the Lord’s most expert devotees are
more pleased by His presence in Vrndavana than
by His presence in Vaikuntha or in the hearts of
yogés. Krishna is eternally perceivable for His per-
Bhāgavata Mahāvidyālaya
 Issue no 208, Page — 6
fect devotees in Vrndavana, which is supremely
attractive for them because of His unequaled beauty
and the endless flow of the all-attractive pastimes
He displays there. No such overwhelming ecstatic
experience is found in the heart of a yogé or in the
official kingdom of God.
Sometimes the Personality of Godhead is present
in His other abodes without showing Himself, but
never so in Vrndavana. As mentioned in regard
to Text 4, Lord Hari is always present in Mathura
(nityaà sannihito hariù). But the word for “pres-
ent”—sannihitaù—can also be understood to mean
“hidden.” In Mathura the Lord, although present,
may be hidden. In contrast, even after Krishna and
Balarama transferred Themselves to Mathura the
ladies of Mathura described the Lord’s wandering
throughout Vraja-bhumi in the present tense,
implying that He was still manifest there, as He is
now and always:
puëyä bata vraja-bhuvo yad ayaà nå-liìga-
güòhaù puräëa-puruño vana-citra-mälyaù
gäù pälayan saha-balaù kvaëayaàç ca veëuà
vikréòayäïcati giritra-ramärcitäìghriù
“How pious are the tracts of land in Vraja, for
there the primeval Personality of Godhead, dis-
guising Himself with human traits, wanders about,
enacting His many pastimes! His feet are worshiped
by Lord Siva and the goddess Rama. Adorned with
wonderfully variegated forest garlands, He vibrates
His flute as He tends the cows in the company of
Balarama.” (Bhägavatam 10.44.13)
As described by Srila Sanatana Gosvami in the
current verse, Krishna is always busy tending His
cows in the Vrndavana forest. At the same time, He
manages to keep the Gopis, headed by Sri Radhi-
ka, immersed in complete happiness by always
finding opportunities to engage with them in the
räsa dance and other loving pastimes. When He
plays His flute, whose charming sound attracts the
entire universe, His outward purpose is to call the
cows, but simultaneously He awakens the Gopis’
anticipation of their later enjoyment with Him.
Certainly His main purpose in playing His flute is
to increase the Gopis’ ecstasy, since expanding the
enjoyment of loving exchanges with devotees in
this and other relationships is the ultimate reason
Bhāgavata Mahāvidyālaya www.ibmedu.org
nityaà bhägavata-sevayä
for His appearance on earth. Herding cows and
flirting with young girls are but means to this end.
- 1.1.6 Çré Båhad Bhägavatämåta of Srila Sanatana Gosvami Volume One.
Translated by Gopiparanadhana Dasa.
In Vrndavana Everyone Is Happy
His Divine Grace
A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The word vana means "forest." We are afraid of
the forest and do not wish to go there, but in Vrn-
davana the forest animals are as good as demigods,
for they have no envy. Even in this material world,
in the forest the animals live together, and when
they go to drink water they do not attack anyone.
Envy develops because of sense gratification, but
in Vrndavana there is no sense gratification, for
the only aim is Krishna's satisfaction. Even in this
material world, the animals in Vrndavana are not
envious of the sädhus who live there. The sädhus
keep cows and supply milk to the tigers, saying,
"Come here and take a little milk." Thus envy and
malice are unknown in Vrndavana. That is the
difference between Vrndavana and the ordinary
world. We are horrified to hear the name of vana,
the forest, but in Vrndavana there is no such hor-
ror. Everyone there is happy by pleasing Krishna.
Kåñëotkértana-gäna-nartana-parau. Whether a
gosvämé or a tiger or other ferocious animal, ev-
eryone's business is the same—to please Krishna.
Even the tigers are also devotees. This is the specific
qualification of Vrndavana. In Vrndavana every-
one is happy. The calf is happy, the cat is happy,
the dog is happy, the man is happy—everyone.
Everyone wants to serve Krishna in a different
capacity, and thus there is no envy. One may
sometimes think that the monkeys in Vrndavana
are envious, because they cause mischief and steal
food, but in Vrndavana we find that the monkeys
are allowed to take butter, which Krishna Himself
distributes. Krishna personally demonstrates that
everyone has the right to live. This is Vrndavana
life. Why should I live and you die? No. That is
material life. The inhabitants of Vrndavana think,
"Whatever is given by Krishna, let us divide it as
prasäda and eat." This mentality cannot appear
all of a sudden, but it will gradually develop with
Krishna consciousness; by sädhana, one can come
to this platform.
 nityaà bhägavata-sevayä
In the material world one may collect funds all
over the world in order to distribute food freely, yet
those to whom the food is given may not even feel
appreciative. The value of Krishna consciousness,
however, will gradually be very much appreciated.
For instance, in an article about the temple of the
Hare Krishna movement in Durban, South Africa,
the Durban Post reported, "All the devotees here
are very active in the service of Lord Krishna, and
the results are obvious to see: happiness, good
health, peace of mind, and the development of all
good qualities." This is the nature of Vrndavana.
Haräv abhaktasya kuto mahad-guëäù: without
Krishna consciousness, happiness is impossible;
one may struggle, but one cannot have happiness.
We are therefore trying to give human society the
opportunity for a life of happiness, good health,
peace of mind and all good qualities through God
consciousness.
- Çrémad-Bhägavatam (Bhägavata Puräëa) » Canto 10: The Summum Bonum
» Chapter Thirteen » Verse: 60 » Translations by Disciples of His Divine Grace
A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
The Special Manifestation Of Sri Vrndavana
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur
apurva vaisnava-tattva! atmar ananda
prasravana! nahi ja'ra tulana samsare
sva-dharma boliya ja'r ache paricoy
e jagate! e tattver suno vivarana.
Oh most powerful essential truth of the Vaisna-
va! Oh gushing fountain of the bliss of the self! A
similar truth of which there is no equal within this
material world! On account of its own nature and
characteristics, it is famous throughout this entire
universe! Please hear the description of the essence
of this truth.
parabrahma sanatana ananda-svarupa,
nitya-kal rasa-rupa, raser adhar—
paratpar, advitiya, ananta, apar!
tathapi svarupa-tattva, sakti saktimana;
lila-rasa-parakastha, asraya-svarupa.
tarka ki se tattva kabhu sparsibare pare?
rasa-tattva sugambhira! samadhi-asraye
upalabdha! aha mari, samadhi ki dhana!!
www.ibmedu.org
Issue no 208, Page—7
The Parabrahma is the original eternal form of
bliss, as well as a deep reservoir of all transcen-
dental mellows. He is greater than the grestest,
one without a second, unlimited and unfath-
omable! Yet still the truth of His original form is
the energetic source of all energires, the extreme
zenith of mellows in transcendental pastimes,
and the Supreme shelter-giving abode. How can
any ordinary argument ever be able to touch this
truth? The truth of such transcendental mellows
is extremely deep and grave! It is attained only
under the shelter of samädhi! Ah, such a wonderful
treasure is samädhi!!
samadhistha ho'ye dekho, susthira antare,
he sadhaka! rasa-tattva akhanda ananda;
kintu tahe asvadaka-asvadya-bidhana,
nitya-dharma anusyuta! advitiya prabhu,
asvadaka krsna-rupa,—asvadya radhika,
dvaitananda! parananda-pitha vrndabana!
Oh aspiring devotee! Just see the characteristics
of samädhi with an unagitated and peaceful mind.
The truth of rasa is that such mellows produce
complete, absolutely undivided supreme bliss.
However, within that, the dealings between the
taster of mellows and that which is tasted have an
eternal principle that is inseparable. The Supreme
Lord is one without a second, and in His original
form of Lord Krishna He is the taster of transcen-
dental mellows, and His object to be tasted is Sri
Radhika. Oh, the joy of the meeting of the Supreme
subject and object! And their transcendentally
blissful meeting place is Sri Vrndavana.
prakrta jagate ja'r prakasa-visesa,
jogamaya prakasita! tanhar asraye
labhiche sadhaka-vrnda nitya prema-tattva—
adarsa, jahar nama vaikuntha-kalyana!!
The special manifestation of Sri Vrndavana with-
in the material universe is revealed directly by the
potency of Yogamäyä! Those aspiring devotees
who take refuge in this Vrndavana attain the eter-
nal truth of ecstatic love. Indeed, the very name
of this model of Vrndavana here on the earth's
surface is all-auspicious even within the realm of
Vaikuntha!!
Bhāgavata Mahāvidyālaya
 Issue no 208, Page — 8
jadi caha nityananda pravaha sevite
avirata, guru-padasraya koro' jiva!
nirasa bhajana samudaya parihari'
brahma-cinta adi jata, sada sadha' rati,
kusumita vrndabane sri-rasa-mandale.
If you ever want to continuously render service to
the flowing current of eternal bliss, then just take
shelter at the feet of a bona fide spiritual master, oh
spirit soul! Then rejecting all types of dry, sapless
worship which is devoid of appreciation for high-
er sentiments, please reflect deeply on the nature
of the Absolute, and always endeavor to lovingly
worship the circle of the divine rasa dance (the
rasa-mandala) in ever-blossoming Vrndavana.
purusatva-ahankara nitanta durbala
taba. tumi suddha jiva. asvadya svajana,
sri-radhikar nitya sakhi! parananda-rasa
anubhavi'. maya-bhoga tomar patana!!!
My friend, your false egoistic conception of being
a male is extremely feeble, for you are in reality pure
spirit soul. And your real family is the beloved ob-
jects whom are tasted by Krsna, namely the eternal
girlfriends of Sri Radhika! Just realize the mellows
Bhāgavata Mahāvidyālaya www.ibmedu.org
nityaà bhägavata-sevayä
of such transcendental ecstasy! The enjoyment of
mäyä is your downfall!!
- A Songbook of 62 Bengali Songs by Srila Saccidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura
Translation by Dasaratha-suta dasa published by Nectar Books
!! Sri Sri Nitai Gaurchandra Jayati !!
ISKCON
Bhägavata Mahävidyalaya
is a branch of
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Founder-Acarya: His Divine Grace
A.C. BhaktiVedanta Swami Prabhupada
Editor
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Quotations from the books, letters, and lectures of
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhakti Vedanta Swami Prabhupada
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