At the sangam the large number of Govardhana silas create mini-mountain of Giriraja.

It was here, next to white house, where Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati told Srila Prabhupada: “If you ever get money, print books.”

Click here for more pics.

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Domanda: la cosa che mi è rimasta più impressa qui di Vrindavana è il fatto che tutti cantano. Qualche giorno non si riesce neanche a dormire. Hanno il vizio di tenere questi altoparlanti altissimi come se tutti fossero tenuti ad ascoltare loro. Anche camminando, si sente cantare ovunque.

Risposta: Vrindavana è particolare in questo senso. Anche in altri posti c’è questa importanza data al canto, ma bisogna ammettere che questo posto è speciale. Vrindavana è la città dei devoti. Tutti cantano perché il canto fa bene alla vita spirituale. E’ Krishna stesso, nella Bhagavad-gita a sostenere questo principio.

satatam kirtayanto mam
yatantas ca drdha-vratah
namasyantas ca mam bhaktya
nitya-yukta upasate
“Cantando sempre le mie glorie, sforzandosi con grande determinazione, porgendomi gli omaggi, queste grandi anime mi adorano sempre con devozione.”

Questo verso viene dalla Bhagavad-gita, 9.14. Dunque quello che fanno gli abitanti di Vrindavana è in linea con le direzioni del Signore stesso. Ovviamente il canto in se’ non è così importante quanto ciò che si canta, le parole, intendo. Qui tutto è un mantra, parole di origini trascendentali che hanno il potere di purificare la mente e il cuore. Manah significa mente, traya purificare o liberare. Cantare qualsiasi altra cosa non darà lo stesso risultato. Dire “krishna” o dire “acqua” non è la stessa cosa. La parola Krishna contiene il Signore in persona al suo interno, mentre qualsiasi altra parola no.
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu lo insegna nel Shikshastakam, al secondo verso:

namnam akari bahudha nija-sarva-saktis
tatrarpita niyamitah smarane na kalah
etadrsi tava krpa bhagavan mamapi
durdaivam idrsam ihajani nanuragah
“O mio Signore! Solo il Tuo santo nome può conferire tutte le benedizioni alle entità viventi, e per questo tu hai centinaia e milioni di nomi, come Krishna e Govinda. In questi nomi trascendentali Tu hai investito tutte le Tue energie trascendentali, e non ci sono neanche regole difficili per cantare questi santi nomi. O mio Signore! Avvicinarti a Te è facie grazie ai Tuoi santi nomi, ma io sono così sfortunato che non ho attrazione per essi.”

Questo verso non ha bisogno di spiegazioni sul putno specifico: nei Suoi nomi il Signore ha investito le Sue potenze spirituali, non in tutti i nomi che esistono.

Questo risponde anche a certe domande che spesso ci vengono poste: perché cantate proprio Krishna e non “Dio mio” o qualcos’altro? La risposta è che non è la stessa cosa. E’ Lui stesso a dire quali sono i Suoi nomi; non possiamo invertarceli.

Domanda: se non possiamo inventarli, allora dove li andiamo a trovare? Come facciamo a sapere i nomi veri di Dio?

Risposta: allo stesso modo di come facciamo a sapere il nome di nostro padre. Solo nostra madre sa chi è il nostro vero padre e lei può dircelo. Srila Prabhupada usava questa analogia. Krishnaè nostro padre e le Scritture sono nostra madre.

Nelle Scritture autentiche ci sono i nomi di Dio e lì possiamo trovarli. Sono tanti, e tutti bellissimi all’ascolto. Krishna, Rama, Govinda, Gopala, Gopinatha, Vrajavihari, Radhanatha, Madhusudana, Vasudeva, Murari, Narayana, quanti altri dovremo prununciare prima di trovare sazietà? In realtà non troveremmo mai fine, perché il mondo spirituale non ha confini. Anche i piaceri e le realizzazioni sono senza fine. E’ un bel mondo dove andare a vivere, quello… un mondo interessante, non ci si annoia mai perché c’è sempre qualcosa di nuovo da apprendere e nuovi rasa, emozioni, da provare.

Goloka Vrindavana. O Gokula. E’ la stessa cosa. Come dice la Bhagavad-gita, yatantas ca drdha-vratah, dobbiamo sforzarci con determinazione per ottenere l’auspicabile risultato.

Domanda: ci sono mantra che contengono i nomi di Krishna che secondo voi non dovrebbero essere cantati? Per esempio l’altra sera un devoto mi stava dicendo di un mantra che si canta qui a Vrindavana e Radhakunda che dicono avere tinte di impersonalismo.

Risposta: quelli che accettano una scuola, dei maestri, devono attenersi agli insegnamenti e alle tradizioni che fanno parte della tradizione che hanno accettato. Diversamente che senso avrebbe essere discepoli, studenti? Sono questioni filosofiche molto sottili e che sprofondano nei secoli e nei millenni, e sono costituite da prospettive di natura teologica, filosofica e filologica. Chi non è discepolo non coglierà nessuna di queste sottigliezze e quindi può cantare qualsiasi mantra che contenga i nomi veri di Krishna. I discepoli invece si atterranno alle pratiche indicate dai loro Maestri spirituali.

aprile 2001 – n.523

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Just behind Sanatana Gosvami’s samdahi, there is grantha-samadhi, which contains some of the original manuscripts of the Goswamis.

Some of the books compiled by Sanatan Goswami were Hari-bhakti-vilasa, Brihad-bhagavatamrita, Dasama-tippani and Dasama-carita.

In nice garden surrounding Sanatana’s samadhi there are puspa-samadhis of Tapana Misra and Candrasekhara.

They were close associates of Lord Caitanya. When Caitanya Mahaprabhu visited Benares, He stayed and took prasadam at their house. Tapana Misra was the father of Raghunath Bhatta Goswami.

Sanatana’s samadhi in the garden just next to Dvadasaditya Hill.

For more pics:

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In his Sri Prarthana-paddhati [Stavamala], Srila Rupa goswami prays:

“O Queen of Vrndavana, O Radharani, Your complexion is like molten gold, Your doe-like eyes are captivatingly restless, a million full and brilliant moons wane before Your lustrous countenance, and a blue sari, having stolen the hue of a fresh rain-laden cloud, has enwrapped Your exquisite form. O Radha, You are the crest-jewel of all the dallying damsels of Vrndavana, fragrant and pristine like a budding jasmine flower. Your sublime form is adorned with priceless jewelry, and you are the best of all the charming and intelligent gopis. You are decorated with all wonderful excellences and surrounded by eight dedicated and beloved cowherd girls known as the asta-sakhis.

“The ambrosia of Your beautiful lips, red as the bimba fruit, is life-giving syrup to Krsna. O Radha, I am rolling on the banks of the Yamuna, my poor heart filled with anticipation, praying to You with all humility. I am guilty of being an offender, a rascal, a useless wretch–yet I beg You to kindly engage me in even the smallest service to Your lotus feet. O most merciful Lady, it will not become You to ignore this most distressed soul, for Your heart is always overflowing with compassion and love.”

Radha-Stuti

radha raseshvari ramya

rama cha paramatmanah

rasodbhava krishna-kanta

krishna-vaksha-sthala-sthita

“Beautiful Shrimate Radharani is the queen and the origin of the rasa dance. She is the giver of pleasure to Krishna, who is the Supersoul in the hearts of all. She is the lover of Krishna and is always situated upon the chest of the Lord.”

krishna-pranadhidevi cha

maha-vishnoh prasur api

sarvadya vishnu-maya cha

satya nitya sanatani

“She is the presiding Deity of Krishna’s very life, and She is the first of all persons, the energy of Lord Vishnu, the embodiment of truthfulness–eternal and ever-youthful.”

brahma-svarupa parama

nirlipta nirguna para

vrinda vrindavane tvam cha

viraja-tata-vasini

“Her form is spiritual, therefore She is transcendental and beyond mundane qualities. She is divine energy and is unattached. O Radha, in Vrindavana You are the leader of the gopis, and You reside on the banks of the Viraja River.”

goloka-vasini gopi

gopisha gopa-matrika

sananda paramananda

nanda-nandana-kamini

“She is a resident of Goloka Vrindavana and is a cowherd damsel. She is the queen of the gopis and the divine mother of the cowherd boys. She is joyful and always experiencing the highest bliss, and She incites lusty desires in the heart of the son of Nanda (Lord Krishna).”

vrishabhanu-suta shanta

kanta purnatama tatha

kamya kalavati-kanya

tirtha-putra sati shubha

“Radha is the daughter of Maharaja Vrishabhanu. She is very peaceful and lovely. She is completely contented and fulfilled, very pleasing and is the daughter of Kalavati. She is the purifier of the tirthas (holy places) and She is most auspicious and chaste to Lord Krishna.”

samsara-sagare ghore

bhitam mam sharanagatam

sarvebhyo ‘pi vinirmuktam

kuru radhe surshvari

“O Radha, I have fallen into the horrible ocean of birth and death and am frightened, but I am seeking Your shelter. O queen of the demigods, please free me from all fears.”

tvat-pada-padma-yugale

pada-padmalayarcite

dehi mahyam param bhaktim

krishnena parisevite

“O Radhika, please give me transcendental devotional service to Your lotus feet, which are worshiped by Lord Brahma and Lakshmi, and which are served even by Lord Krishna.”

tapta-kanchana-gaurangi

radhe vrindavaneshvari

vrishabhanu-sute devi

pranamami hari-priye

“O Shrimati Radharani, I offer my respects to You whose bodily complexion is like molten gold. O Goddess, You are the queen of Vrindavana. You are the daughter of King Vrishabhanu, and are very dear to Lord Krishna.”

mahabhava-svarupa tvam

krishna-priya-variyasi

prema-bhakti-prade devi

radhike tvam namamy aham

“O Shrimate Radharani, You are the exalted form of mahabhava, therefore You are the most dear to Krishna. O Goddess, You alone are able to bestow pure love for the Supreme Lord; therefore I offer my humble obeisances unto You.”

Shri Radhikastakam

Eight Prayers Glorifying Sri Radhika

by Shrila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami

Text 1

rasa-valita-mrgaksi-mauli-manikya-laksmih
pramudita-muravairi-prema-vapi-marali
vraja-vara-vrsabhanoh punya-girvana-valli
snapayatu nija-dasye radhika mam kada nu

When will Sri Radhika, who is a splendid ruby in the crown of all nectarean doe-eyed girls, a swan swimming in the lake of love for jubilant Lord Krsna, and a celestial vine sprouted from Vraja’s exalted King Vrsabhanu, bathe me in Her service?

Text 2

sphurad-aruna-dukula-dyotitodyan-nitamba-
sthalam abhi vara-kanci-lasyam ullasayanti kuca-kalasa-vilasa-sphita-mukta-sara-srih
snapayatu nija-dasye radhika mam kada nu

When will Sri Radhika, who makes the sash of bells dance on Her hips splendid with red silk, and whose necklace of large pearls plays on the waterpots of Her breasts, bathe me in Her service?

Text 3

sarasija-vara-garbhakharva-kantih samudyat-
tarunima-ghanasaraslista-kaishora-sidhuh
dara-vikasita-hasya-syandi-bimbadharagra
snapayatu nija-dasye radhika mam kada nu

When will Sri Radhika, who is as splendid as a great lotus whorl, who is new nectar mixed with the camphor of youth, and whose bimba fruit lips blossom with a gentle smile, bathe me in Her service?

Text 4

ati-catulataram tam kananantar milantam
vraja-nrpati-kumaram viksya sanka-kulaksi madhura-mridu-vacobhih samstuta netra-bhangya
snapayatu nija-dasye radhika mam kada nu

When will Sri Radhika, who, accidentally meeting restless Krsna in the outskirts of the forest, stared at Him with suspicious eyes as he cast amorous glances at Her and flattered Her with many sweet and gentle words, bathe me in Her service?

Text 5

vraja-kula-mahilanam prana-bhutakhilanam
pasupa-pati-grhinyah krsna-vat-prema-patram su-lalita-lalitantah-sneha-phullantaratma
snapayatu nija-dasye radhika mam kada nu

When will Sri Radhika, who the girls of Vraja love as much as their own lives, who the gopa queen Yasoda loves as much as Lord Krsna, and who makes the heart of charming lalita blossom with love, bathe me in Her service?

Text 6

niravadhi sa-visakha sakhi-yutha-prasunaih
srajam iha racayanti vaijayantim vanante agha-vijaya-varorah-preyasi sreyasi sa
snapayatu nija-dasye radhika mam kada nu

When will Sri Radhika, who in the company of Visakha at the forest’s edge strings a Vaijayanti garland from the flowers of many trees, and who is the beautiful beloved resting on Lord Krsna’s handsome chest, bathe me in Her service?

Text 7

prakatita-nija-vasam snigdha-venu-pranadair
druta-gati-harim arat prapya kunje smitaksi sravana-kuhara-kandum tanvati namra-vaktra
snapayatu nija-dasye radhika mam kada nu

When will Sri Radhika, who smelling the fragrance of Lord Krsna and hearing the sweet sounds of His flute, ran to Him in the forest grove and, scratching Her ears, approached Him with smiling eyes and lowered face, bathe me in Her service?

Text 8

amala-kamala-raji-sparsa-vata-prasite
nija-sarasi nidaghe sayam ullasiniyam parijana-gana-yukta kridayanti bakarim
snapayatu nija-dasye radhika mam kada nu

When will Sri Radhika, who on a summer evening happily plays with Lord Krsna by Her own lake cooled by breezes touching the many splendid lotuses, bathe me in Her service?

Text 9

pathati vimala-ceta mista-radhastakam yah
parihrita-nikhilasa-santatih katarah san pasupa-pati-kumarah kamam amoditas tam
nija-jana-gana-madhye radhikayas tanoti

Pleased with any person who, abandoning all hope of material happiness, and overwhelmed (with love), reads this sweet Sri Radhastaka with a pure heart, the prince of Vraja (Krsna) of His own accord places him among Sri Radha’s personal associates.

Sri Radhikastakam

by Srila Krsnadas Kaviraja Gosvami

“May that Srimati Radhika–whose bodily complexion snatches away the pride of a golden lotus flower tinged with kunkuma, whose bodily fragrance reproaches the fame of a fragrant lotus sprinkled with saffron powder, and who fulfills all the desires of the prince of Vraja, Sri Krishna–always bestow upon me the service of Her lotus feet.

“May that Srimati Radhika–whose dazzling, colorful silk sari defeats the splendour of coral, who is a garden of all varieties of blooming flowers which attract the maddened bumblebee Sri Krishna who comes to play amongst Her flowers, and who worships the sun-god in order to meet with Krishna eternally–always bestow upon me the service of Her lotus feet.

“May that Srimati Radhika–whose softness defeats the fame of delicate budding flowers, whose body’s coolness is worshipable for the moon, sandalwood-paste, the lotus, and camphor, and whose touch dispels the heat of Gopijanavallabha, Sri Krishna’s amorous desires–always bestow upon me the service of Her lotus feet.

“Although Lakshmi-devi is honored by all the worshipable damsels of the universe, the opulence of her great beauty and ever-fresh youthfulness is overshadowed by that of Srimati Radhika. Nor can Lakshmi-devi surpass Her by her natural loving and playful disposition. May that Srimati Radhika always bestow upon me the service of Her lotus feet.

“May that Srimati Radhika–who is expert in all the celestial arts of the rasa-lila, like dancing, singing and joking; who is adorned with supernatural prema, enchanting beauty, wonderful dresses and ornaments, and all divine virtues; and who is the topmost youthful maiden of Vraja–always bestow upon me the service of Her lotus feet.

“May that Srimati Radhika–who by Her ever-fresh beauty, ever-fresh playfulness, and ever-fresh wealth of affection causes all the young maidens of Vraja, who are abound in love to Sri Krishna, to tremble in anxiety; and who is immersed in samadhi (meditation) upon Sri Krishna’s beauty, attire, and playful pastimes–always bestow upon me the service of Her lotus feet.

“May that Srimati Radhika–who in divine ecstasy manifests perspiration, hairs standing on end, trembling tears, and a choked voice; who is adorned with indignation, joy, and contrariness; and who wears splendid jewel-studded ornaments which delight Sri Krishna’s eyes–always bestow upon me the service of Her lotus feet.

“May that Srimati Radhika–who upon being separated from Sri Krishna for even half a moment becomes distressed by the ever-arising feelings of Her own lowliness and great restlessness, and who upon meeting Krishna through the intense efforts of one of Their messengers is relieved of all Her mental anguish–always bestow upon me the service of Her lotus feet.

“Srimati Radhika, whose darshana (audience) is rarely attained even by Parvati-devi and other goddesses, who gives great pleasure to Her sakhis (confidential servants), who Herself becomes elated upon meeting with Sri Krishna, and who is Krishna’s dearest lover, very quickly makes that person who prays to Her singing this astaka a recipient for the nectar of Her service. This astaka is recited in the poetic meter known as ‘Tunaka’.”

Sri Radha-Kundastakam

[The Glories of Srimati Radhika's Kund, Pond]

by Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami

“After the killing of Aristasura, Srimati Radhika and Her sakhis exchanged many joking words with Sri Krishna concerning the necessary atonement for one who has committed the offence of killing a bull. As a result, the Queen of Vrindavana, Srimati Radhika, and Her sakhis joyfully excavated and filled Sri Radha-kunda with their own hands. May that immensely fragrant Radha-kunda be my shelter.

“In the land of the hearts of those who bathe in Radha-kunda, a desire tree of the superlative prema, which is not attainable even for Krishna’s principal queens in Dvaraka, will arise. May that supremely charming Radha-kunda be my shelter.

“For the pleasure of Srimati Radhika, even Sri Krishna Himself, yearning to attain Her merciful sidelong glance, regularly bathes in Radha-kunda, carefully observing all the appropriate rituals. May that supremely enchanting Radha-kunda be my shelter.

“May that supremely enchanting Radha-kunda, which the moon of Vraja, Sri Krishna, loves as much as He loves the crown-jewel amongst the sweet girls of Vraja, Srimati Radhika, and which He has made known by the name of Radhika Herself, be my shelter.

You’ll find the rest of Prarhana in our Library….

Library in English

Rupa Goswami, feeling separation because of being unable to find Deity of Govinda, sat under a tree on the bank of Yamuna.

At that time a beautiful young boy came and told him of a hill where a cow went every day and poured milk into a hole. The young boy then disappeared and Rupa Goswami went there.

He started to dig on that spot and discovered the Deity of Sri Govindaji.

Purusottam, the son of King Prapatarudra, sent the Deity of Radharani from Jagannath Puri to be installed next to Govindadev. This was first Deity of Radharani to be installed in Vrindavan.

This magnificent Krisna temple was built in 1590 by Maharaja Man Singh from Jaipur, a disciple of Raghunath Bhatta Goswami, and took several thousand men five years to build. He built it after meeting with Rupa Goswami and altar was made from marble, silver and gold.

This temple was originally seven stories high and on the top there was burning gheelamp. Aurangzeb could see it shining even from his residence in Agra and sent his troupes to destroy it.

…

Full story and more beautiful photos:

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feb 2002

Dopo aver uccido il demone che aveva assunto il corpo di un toro, chiamato Aristasura, Krishna si recò da Radharani per attività di gioco trascendentale. Ma Lei Lo rimproverò, sostenendo che era impuro a causa del peccato di aver ucciso un toro, che è il simbolo della religione. Per purificarsi dal peccato Krishna avrebbe dovuto fare il bagno in tutti i fiumi sacri dell’universo.

Ma Krishna, che era ansioso di giocare con Srimati Radharani, spinse il Suo piede di loto nel terreno, facendo così un grande buco. Subito dopo chiamò tutti i fiumi sacri dell’universo ed entrare nel Kunda (lago). Essi apparvero da davanti a Lui e furono ben lieti di farlo. Così fu creato Syama-kunda.

Quando vide che Krishna aveva il suo Kunda, Radharani desiderò di avere il proprio, per cui insieme alle altri Gopi, ruppe il bracciale e con quello scavò. I fiumi sacri dell’universo vennero a riempirlo. Lì si svolgono i lila più intimi della Coppia trascendentale, Sri Sri Radha e Krishna. Da quel giorno nulla è più caro a Krishna del Radha Kunda.

Nota: segue una seconda versione della origine del Radha Kunda:

Dopo aver fatto il bagno, Krishna tornò da Radharani e disse che ora era puro, perchè si era bagnato nello Syama-kunda, ma che ora erano le Gopi a essere impure, perchè avevano preso le pprti di un demone, anche se questi aveva preso il corpo di un toro.

Così Radharani, insieme con le Sue amiche Gopi, ruppero i loro braccialetti e fecero un buco in terra con i pezzi dei bracciali. Ma non c’era acqua e Krishna rise.

Così le Gopi fecero una catena umana fino al Manasi Ganga e cominciarono a passarsi giare di acqua per riempire il Kunda.

Allora tutti i fiumi sacri arrivarono in persona e chiesero il permesso di entrare nel Kunda di Radharani. Lei acconsentì e così nacque Radha Kunda.

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Radha-Damodar Temple was founded by Srila Jiva Goswami, nephew of Rupa and Sanatana Goswami. He was son of Annupam.
Sadhana-dipika mentions that Sri Rupa Goswami had many skills. He could carve Deities, draw, he was expert astrologists and fluent in Sanskrit, Bengali, Persian and other languages.

In Karttik 1542 Sri Rupa, knowing Jiva’s desire for the Deity, personally carved, installed and offered a small Deity of Damodar to his foremost disciple. Eight inches high Lord Damodar came from a piece of black marble brought from Vindhya Parvat in central India.

“Dama” means “rope” and “udara” is “abdomen”. Damodar is a form of Krisna who is being bound by the ropes of mother Yasoda because He broke the yogurt and milk pots like the ordinary naughty boy.

Click here for the full story and more pics…

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These are some of the stories related to the sacred Imli tree, who is found in Vrindavana.

Story told while sitting on the Yamuna banks on february 14, 2007, in Vrindavana (India).

Length 4′ 08″
0.60 Mb

Clik here to listen.

This is a nice map of Vraja. It is not part of the material world; Vraja is directly the abode of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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Il sole e’ stupendo e brillante in cielo. La cosa non e’ affatto straordinaria per l’India, ma la cosa eccezionale e’ una fantastica brezza davvero rara da queste parti, cosi’ fresca che persino stare all’aperto al sole e’ quasi piacevole. Al Krishna Balarama Mandira il flusso di persone e’ costante, incessante. E’ incredibile quanta gente ci sia in India e quanto devozionali siano. Il kirtana al piu’ bel Tempio di Vrindavana e’ stupendo e non si puo’ fare a meno di danzare. Oggi si cantano canzoni a Radharani. Penso a Varshana, a quanta gente ci deve essere li’.

Radhastami e’ una buona notizia per il mondo intero, per il genere umano confuso dalle promesse sempre tradite della natura materiale: semplicemente eseguendo servizio devozionale a Sri Krishna e’ possibile ottenere il fine piu’ alto dell’esistenza.
patram puspam phlam toyam
yo me bhaktya prayaccahati
tad aham bhakty upartam
asnami prayatatmanah
“Basta offrirMi una foglia, un fiore, un frutto e dell’acqua. Se viene offerto con amore e devozione Io lo accetto”, dice Krishna nella Bhagavad-gita.

…..

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