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

REQUEST TO & FROM A MOTHER

  Today on the occasion of Mother's Day, I went to meet the cow, our mother to wish her for Mother's Day and make a request to her. I requested her to shower her blessings and mercy on her children who are suffering so badly due to the deadly covid virus. The good news for all of us is that, she mercifully agreed to shower her heartfelt blessings, prayers, mercy on all her children. After all, that's the heart of a mother - always wanting and desiring best for her children. I was elated, my mission accomplished - now, the suffering of humanity will reduce. As I was leaving, the cow also had one personal request. She requested me with tears in her eyes to request her children not to abuse, exploit and slaughter her mercilessly. I could literally feel her pain and suffering as she made this request. This was the pain of a mother. Tears swelled up in my eyes. I didn't know what to reply her. I did tell her that I will pass on her request to her other children and I walked ...
Post a Comment
Read more

A RADHASHTAMI MEDITATION

Jai Sri Radhe!! Is the chant on everyone's minds and hearts now. Atleast in the minds and hearts of devotees. It's time to celebrate the most auspicious of auspicious festivals; it's time to celebrate Sri Radhashtami - the appearance day of Srimati Radharani. For devotees, Radhashtami is a more important festival than Janmashtami. Why? Because for the world Krishna is God but for devotees, Radha is God because they know that Krishna is subservient to the love of Radha. In our ISKCON circle, it is said that - Janmashtami is a public event but Radhashtami is a private event for only devotees who understand the supreme position of Srimati Radharani. On the most auspicious occasion of Radhashtami, I would like to bring to your attention a beautiful meditation that His Holiness Bhakti Tirtha Swami wrote many years back on this occasion called "An offering for the Divine Mother". The best prayer is to repeat the prayer of previous realized, great souls. Keeping thi...
Post a Comment
Read more