Skip to main content

VRINDAVAN YATRA AFTERTHOUGHTS

Sharing a few afterthoughts of the recently concluded Vrindavan Yatra. Feeling extremely grateful for all the places of the pastimes of the Lord that I got to see this time in Vrindavan. There were a lot more places to be seen but Vrindavan is unlimited like the Lord so, the places of Lord's pastimes are also unlimited. Therefore to expect to see all the holy places in a few days is unrealistic. But, one can try to relish the few places one gets to see and genuinely feel grateful that at least one got the opportunity to have darshan of these supremely holy places. What is our qualification to be given entry into these intimate places of Lord's pastimes? Our only qualification is that we have received the association of sincere devotees of the Lord who have prayed for us and are praying for us.
 

I was blessed to come to this Yatra with a group of wonderful and simple hearted devotees from Goa. I have learnt so much from them. Apparently, I came to speak on the spirit and mood of Vrindavan to them but I am going back learning the spirit and mood of Vrindavan from them. I am realising how much Bhakti these relatively new devotees have for the Lord. I am going back feeling smaller in Bhakti than when I came to Vrindavan. Vrindavan after all, is a land that humbles one because Krishna knows that only in a humble state of mind can one truly relish Bhakti to Him. Uddhava, the most intimate cousin and devotee of Krishna came to Vrindavan to teach Bhakti to the Vrajvasis but went back realising that he didn't have any Bhakti. This is the land where everyone is humbled. Whether it was Uddhava or Brahma or Lakshmi or Indra or for that matter Kaliya, everyone who comes in Vrindavan goes back feeling grateful to be humbled by the dust of this holy land and the dust of the feet of the devotees. 

My prayer is that I can take the lessons and the inspiration I was blessed with, during this Yatra to Vrindavan - this supremely merciful and holy abode, store it deep in heart and try to become more sincere in the practice of my Bhakti so that the next time I am blessed with the chance to come to this holyabode I can come in a better state of heart to absorb more deeper aspects of this Chintamani Dham in my life. I am physically leaving Vrindavan but I pray that my heart never leaves Vrindavan and in separation from this abode, my love towards it keeps increasing manifold. May the sights, sounds and experiences I have had in Vrindavan be everfresh in my heart. This abode has the power to touch the innermost core of one's heart and bring about sustainable transformation. Eternally grateful to Srimati Radharani, the Mistress of Vrindavan to give me a tiny glimpse of Her abode. 

Sri Vrindavan Dham ki jai!
Srimati Radharani ki jai!

- Achyut Gopal Das

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

GIVING UP PETTINESS to EXPERIENCE PRETTINESS

"The process of Krishna consciousness will empower us when we empower it." The other day as I was taking a bath, the plastic bucket I was using, slipped and cracked. A piece from the rim of the bucket broke off and cut my finger. As I was waiting for the bucket to refill with water, I noticed that even after a long time the bucket wasn't filling up. It's at that time, I noticed a "not so apparent" crack at the bottom of the bucket which was causing all the water to leak out. I drew a lesson from this incident which is applicable to my spiritual life. SEALING THE LEAKS The process of spiritual life or Krishna consciousness which includes the nine fold limbs beginning with Shravanam (hearing) and Kirtanam (chanting) is like filling the container - the vessel of our hearts. For the vessel of our hearts to fill up, it should be leak free. If the container is faulty and contains many holes, the best of content, in the best of quantity will not help it fill. Ana...
Post a Comment
Read more

VRINDAVAN EXPERIENCE - HUMBLING yet ENLIVENING

Our Yatra to Vrindavan has just ended. Leaving the physical boundary of Vrindavan but praying to carry Vrindavan within my heart always and everywhere. Coming to Vrindavan was a very humbling yet enlivening experience. Humbling because I realize my smallness and weakness is comprehending this great holy abode which is non-different than the Lord. I realize that getting to see Vrindavan is one thing but, getting to actually "see" Vrindavan is all together on another platform. That vision of Vrindavan is given only to devotees whose hearts are freed from all desires to enjoy this world independent of God.    As Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura has sung in a celebrated song, "viṣaya chāḍiyā kabe śuddha habe mana, kabe hama herābo sri-brandaban": “When my mind will be purified after leaving the contamination of material sense enjoyment, I shall be able to visit Vṛndāvana."   The greatness of Sri Vrindavan Dham humbles one but the sweetness of this land, enlivens and s...
Post a Comment
Read more

HOME BEYOND ALL OTHER HOMES

  I recently had the opportunity to visit the temple of Lord Gadagidu Veer Narayana in Gadag, Karnataka. After having darshan of the Lord, we sat under a shady tree to have our morning Srimad-bhagvatam class. While, we were having our class, I observed that few teenage, college going girls also sat nearby to have their breakfast together. I also observed that few elderly men were practising yoga asanas in one corner of the temple. There was one little puppy sleeping at the entrance of the temple without any fear. As I was giving the class, I heard so many birds who were chirping and flying around in the temple courtyard.  I was reflecting how so many different types of people and living entities were happily taking shelter of the temple of the Lord. And why not? After all, the Supreme Lord is the father of all and we are all His children. Our Supreme Father provides and gives shelter to us all and yes, the temple of the Lord is the home of our Father, t...
Post a Comment
Read more