Impressions of Vṛndāvana

An article by Hṛṣīkēśa dasa published in the Janmastami 1994 issue of Sri Vṛndāvana Dhama (Sri-Sri Kṛṣṇa-Balarama Mandir, Raman Reti, Vṛndāvana, Mathura Dist. U. P. India 281124).

Impressions of Vṛndāvana
by Hṛṣīkēśa Dasa
New Vṛndāvana, West Virginia

The dark green grass felt as smooth as a finely woven carpet. The cool breeze gently caressed my face. Dozens of bright flowering shrubs exploded riotously before my eyes like a grand fireworks display and inundated my nostrils with sweet intoxicating scents. Colorful green parrots flew overhead chattering in their own confidential language. A gentle morning dove landed on the shore of the little pond and sipped water. Tiny frogs played tag, chasing each other among the purple lotus flowers. Bee hives the size of hammocks hung from branches of huge Kadamba trees. Contented cows mooed peacefully. A peacock crowed in the distance. The familiar greeting “Jai Radhe!” met my ears as local Brijabasis passed each other on the nearby parikrama path. From a long way off I heard the faint sounds of ringing temple bells and booming drums. I fingered my japa mala and listened attentively to the sweet sound of Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare; Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

My chanting gradually grew softer as I became aware of the various sounds of the Vṛndāvana forest. I closed my eyes and focused on the sounds of the birds for several minutes. I counted at least seven different calls. Suddenly, the morning dove began a soft lament: coo-cooooooo coo; coo-cooooooo coo, which reminded me of one of the very last purports that Srila Prabhupada dictated before he departed, “In Vṛndāvana everyone is happy. The calf is happy, the cat is happy, the dog is happy, the man is happy. Everyone there is happy by pleasing Kṛṣṇa.” (S. Bhag. 10.13.60 purport)

Something about the cooing of the dove attracted my mind so I absorbed myself in the call of this bird and became dimly aware that she was trying to tell me something. I listened closer. I even heard the breath of the bird which was similar to the sound of a flute. In a flash, it hit me: she was chanting Kṛṣṇa’s name! In my meditation, her coo-cooooooo coo was mystically transformed into Rad-heeeee Śyāma, Rad-heeeee Śyāma.

At that moment, my voice choked up, my eyes moistened, and my heart melted. I was amazed by these strong loving feelings which overcame me. I was surprised by this new, incredible, and ecstatic experience which I attributed to Srimati Radharani’s causeless mercy on me.

I thought I knew something about loving Kṛṣṇa. I became a full-time devotee sixteen years ago and served faithfully at New Vṛndāvana to the best of my ability. However, now I have finally begun to taste the actual Vṛndāvana experience and my life has been forever changed.

Though I had visited Rishikesh and Mayapur before, this was my first trip to Vṛndāvana. I can now clearly understand that Vṛndāvana is unique and in a class by itself. Srila Prabhupada said, “Vṛndāvana is the only solitary transcendental abode within this universe where Kṛṣṇa consciousness automatically reveals.” Prabhupada lilamrta, Vol. 3.

This fact became obvious during my very first hour in the holy dhama. While traveling to Vṛndāvana from Mathura thoughts about Kṛṣṇa automatically filled my mind: “Kṛṣṇa walked here… He herded His cows here… He played with His cowherd boyfriends here… Kṛṣṇa exchanged loving pastimes with the gopis here…”

Over and over again, thoughts of Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes flooded my memory and my heart became extremely happy—spontaneously happy. Kṛṣṇa consciousness was never so easy.

However, this was just the beginning. When I arrived at the stunningly beautiful Sri-Sri Kṛṣṇa-Balarama Mandir, my appreciation increased even more. I prayed silently for fifteen minutes before Srila Prabhupada as he sat on his Vyasasana flanked by two lions. “Thank you, Srila Prabhupada! You understand the Vṛndāvana experience and the benefits derived by those who travel to Sri Vṛndāvana dhama. You are a genius!”

After expressing my gratitude, I took darsana of Sri-Sri Gaura-Nitai, Kṛṣṇa-Balarama, Radha-Syamasundara, Lalita, and Visakha. I could not take everything in all at once. I stood motionless before each deity, my eyes deeply drinking Their beauty like a thirsty bee drinks nectar from a flower. Almost a full hour passed as I beheld Them.

Then I visited the Samadhi Mandir and took a long darsana of the magnificent more-than-life-size brass murti of Srila Prabhupada, surrounded by twelve hand-carved marble lions.

The splendor and opulence of the Samadhi is stunning. Sixty-five truckloads of white marble create a divine worshipful atmosphere of awe and reverence to remind the pilgrim of Srila Prabhupada’s uniquely exalted position.

The marble floor is inlaid with jasalmira and brass. Hand-carved marble lattice fills the windows. Seventy hand-carved marble peacocks decorate the two sweeping marble staircases leading to the balcony. For a moment I imagined that I was transported back through time five thousand years to the palaces of saintly rajarsis.

During my stay in Vṛndāvana I also visited the Yamuna, Kesi Ghat, Kaliya Ghat, Srila Prabhupada’s bhajana kutir at Radha-Damodara, and the other temples of the Six Goswamis. I visited Varsana, Nandagrama, Radha Kunda, Syama Kunda, and also went on parikrama of Govardhana hill where I walked barefoot in the blazing sun for fourteen miles on blistering hot sand and pavement. I stepped on dozens of thorns and when I sought relief in the cool shade of a large tamal tree, I was threatened by a horde of monkeys!

Over eight hours later, when the grueling ordeal was over, the soles of my feet were so raw I could hardly walk another step. I got a splitting headache which lasted three days. But, believe it or not, I chanted nearly 64 rounds and loved every minute of it!

I had planned to spend one week in Vṛndāvana, and two weeks in other holy places. But it soon was obvious that a short stay in Vṛndāvana would not allow me to fully experience and absorb this new intense level of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, so I decided to spend my entire pilgrimage here. I thought, “What is the need to go anywhere else?”

This was confirmed when I read in Srila Rupa Gosvami’s Mathura Mahatmya, “Vṛndāvana is better than all other holy places.” Now I understand why Srila Prabhupada especially loved this place and said “Vṛndāvana is my home.”

In one purport Srila Prabhupada writes, “The trees in Vṛndāvana are wish-fulfilling trees. The land is made of touchstone, and the water is nectar. Words are musical vibrations, and all movements are dancing. The flute is the Lord’s constant companion. The planet of Goloka Vṛndāvana is self-luminous like the sun and is full of spiritual bliss. The perfection of life lies in tasting that spiritual existence; therefore, everyone should cultivate its knowledge.” (CC Madhya 8.138 purport)

After visiting Vṛndāvana I finally understand what Srila Prabhupada wanted for New Vṛndāvana. Why could I not see it before? Prabhupada’s intentions for New Vṛndāvana are very clear in his many letters and conversations. He wanted a self-sufficient community based on cows and agriculture with seven temples on seven hills. He wanted to recreate a holy place dedicated to the transcendental pastimes of Kṛṣṇa.

In essence, Prabhupada wanted New Vṛndāvana to be modeled after the Vṛndāvana in India. The vrajvasis dress in a way that inspires Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Many times Srila prabhupada said, “Just by seeing a person dress in dhoti or sari. . . or with shaved head and sikha flags . . . or tilak decorating the forehead, one is reminded of Kṛṣṇa.”

The residents of Vṛndāvana chant and worship in the time-honored Vaisnava tradition—with bells, mrdangas, and karatals. They sing in Sanskrit and Bengali. It was been going on like this for so long. Because it all serves to remind us of Kṛṣṇa.

Somehow, due to offenses, the New Vṛndāvana residents have been temporarily bewildered and lost this vision. But now we are getting back on the track Srila Prabhupada originally set. We beg the forgiveness and blessings of all the Vaisnavas so we can once again faithfully follow the instructions of our eternal spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada.

What has this Vṛndāvana pilgrimage done for me? My convictions have been fortified, my love for Prabhupada and Kṛṣṇa has increased, and most important, my desire to preach has grown. For this I thank you, Srila Prabhupada. I thank you and your followers. Sri Vrndavana dhama ki jai!

Readers are invited to correspond with the author at 295-B Palace Road, Moundsville WV 26041 USA.

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