Vraja Riti Cintamani | Part 4 | Verse 69~83 | Shravana Utsav 2024 @ ISKCON Chennai by HH Bhanu Swami Maharaj on Feb 13, 2024
nama om vishnu-padaya Krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine
namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracharine
nirvishesha-shunyavadi-pashchatya-desha-tarine
Sri-Krishna-caitanya
prabhu nityananda
sri-adwaita gadadhara
shrivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrinda
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare,
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
So yesterday we spoke about some of the different personalities, that is Nanda, Yasoda, Cowherd Boys, the Gopis and then Radharani [Laughs]. There are other persons there also. For instance we have the Brahmanas.
We saw the description of there was a big temple there in the eastern part of the courtyard. So at that place we have a lot of Brahmanas doing the worship for Nanda Maharaj. We see at the birth of Krishna, Nanda Maharaj invited all the Brahmanas and they chanted Vedic mantras etc. and then he gave them donations. So we see that the Brahmanas keep on appearing so they are actually eternal associates also in Vraja. So some of them of course chant the Vedas and Srila Vishvanatha Cakravarti Thakura says they also use the Pancharatric tradition for deity worship. Some of them are attracted to Krishna as being powerful, others are attracted to his sweetness.
The cows are an important part of Vrindavan and we will see many descriptions in Bhagavatham and other scriptures about the cows. Of course the cows come in many colors, but the white cows are often glorified. Like normal cows they are little bit uncontrollable. But they are also in the Spiritual world they are all following Krishna, so ultimately they obey Krishna [Laughs]. So they appear to be like tapasvis, people doing austerities or yogis because the yogis control their mind so the cows are following Krishna [Laughs]. At the same time of course we know the mind is restless[Laughs]. So the cows have both aspects.
And Srila Vishvanatha Cakravarti Thakura compares them to Saraswati. Not because they are learned but because they are white, white color. Everything within Vrindavan, is inundated with love for Krishna. So also the cows they always desire to see him.
And even the fish in the water, they are designed to see Krishna so they poke their heads out of the water to look at Krishna.
So of course we have the cows and then we have the calves. And here they are compared to the children of moonlight. Because moonlight also is white in color or another example is given of Kailash. So Kailash is a big mountain which is white. And the calves are like stones that have fallen off of Kailash because they are gleaming like Kailash.
And of course the bulls are also there. Usually we see Krishna herding cows. But there are also bulls in Vrindavan. So they are compared to like a crystal spatika mountain and they are like huge rocks coming from the crystal mountain or they are like huge waves in the ocean of milk.
They are also compared to sages. Usually they are also calm, peaceful. But they wander freely. Nobody interferes with them. They wander wherever they want.
We know the great sages are like Parivrajakas and Paramahamsas, they go anywhere[Laughs]. So the bulls are compared to these liberated souls wandering everywhere [Laughs]. But when they move then they appear like they are full of pride. They also have around their neck the skin. So it looks like blankets like they are sannyasis with blankets around their neck [Laughs]. But they have red eyes so they look intoxicated.
So next is described Vrishabhanu’s palace before Nanda Maharaj’s palace was described. So south of Nanda Maharaj is Nandishwara, is Vrishabhanu’s city. It is like a brother of Nandishwara hill. And Vrishabhanu is also like Nanda. He has similar qualities, similar powers and he has a similar palace.
And Vrishabhanu is famous because his daughter is Radha who is equal to Krishna and controls Krishna.
So north east of Nandishwara is a place called Yavata. And Vrishabhanu built a very nice palace and he gave it to Radha. So she would use that palace and she would go to the upper stories of the palace and there she was able to see Krishna coming [Laughs].
Okay and there is a banyan tree. And at that place Krishna would meet with Radha. And there he would decorate her feet with Yava which is this lac, red colour. And therefore the place is called Yavata.
So there are many forests in Vrindavan. The hill is there and is surrounded by many forests. And forests are filled with trees and creepers and bowers. In the forest there are personalities called Vanadevis, the goddesses of the forest. So they are in charge of the different aspects of the forest.
And of course all the forests are useful for serving Radha and Krishna. And in the forest there are many types of fruit. We have mango, jackfruit, hog plum, bilva, rose apple, palasa, betel nut [Laughs], coconuts, many different types of trees and fruits and flowers. So they are all very productive. So they have colourful flowers and useful fruit.
And there are also many birds like saris and parrots. And in the forest there are rivers and ponds and canals and lakes. And there are water lilies and different coloured lotuses.
And there are swans and other birds also in the water. So the ground is not like earth ground. We call the ground here dirt and if you get it on you are called dirty so it is contaminating [Laughs]. So there the ground is made of camphor or kumkum or powdered musk. And other scented powders [Laughs]. Other places it looks like ordinary earth but it isn’t. So the earth is very useful also.
So in some places the earth is made out of emeralds, green colour. Other places of course it is covered with grass but the grass also looks like emeralds. In other places the earth shines like gold and other places it is like sapphires. So Radha and Krishna when they are in the sapphire land then nobody can see Krishna, they see only Radha [Laughs]. In some places the ground is emeralds and the trees and bushes are gold. And sometimes opposite, the trees are emeralds and the ground is gold.
In some places the ground is rubies which is red and the trees and creepers are crystal. And in some places the ground is crystal and the trees are rubies. So sometimes the trees are emeralds and the vines or creepers are made out of gold.
And in some places the trees are gold and the vines are emeralds. In some places the trees are crystal and the vines are rubies. And in some places the trees are rubies and the vines are crystals [Laughs].
So there are many trees there and of course the trees are also spiritual not material so they are Swapakasha or self manifesting. They are not created and they don’t grow up like trees on earth. And they are considered to be like Shiva. Because they have tangled branches and things on them like Shiva’s Jata has massive hair [Laughs]. The trees function to give shade but they are also bright like the sun. And they are also compared to the Kumaras.
Kumaras are famous because they are very young, eternally young. So they show what appear to be opposite qualities because they are not limited like the material world. So as I mentioned the trees are spiritual not material so they have spiritual powers. But just like the avatars are seen by materialists to be ordinary people so if they see the trees they think they are ordinary trees.
So there are many animals in the forest. There are cuckoos and bees. So the cuckoos are famous because their song is very sweet. Often the cuckoo is said to sing like the fifth note note , pancama – fifth note of the scale. And of course the bees are also famous for humming.
The various plants give shade but they also produce light. There are camari deer with special tails that look like camaras. So with their tails they sweep up the earth and keep it clean. [Laughs]. And there are musk deer there and they produce nice fragrance. So many of the trees form into bowers like little houses made out of trees and creepers.
So there are four trees in the corner and then we have different creepers on the sides to make walls.So Gopis like Vrindadevi will decorate these places and this is where Radha and Krishna will meet and they will decorate the places with pearls and jewels etc.
So like the animals and like the residents, the flowers, the forest, the bowers, the trees, the creepers, the birds, the bees, they all become very joyful when Krishna looks at them. And they become very sad when Krishna doesn’t look at them or they can’t see Krishna.
So north east of Nandishwara there is a forest meant for the intimate pastimes of Krishna and Radha. So the Gopis would say I’m going out to get some water [Laughs]. So they would go there and that’s where they would meet Krishna. So this place is called Gopi-ghatta, the place where the Gopis would go for water. There is a famous banyan tree called the Bhandira. It is said to be very huge and Krishna has pastimes there.
And of course of all the famous forests, Vrindavan is the famous one. So this is of course praised as being the most excellent of all forests. And usually when we think of Krishna we think of Vrindavan [Laughs].
So the forests are there with the bowers etc. and then we have the Yamuna river. So the Yamuna is also very famous, we see it discussed in Bhagavatam and other places. Yamuna is famous because of its dark color. But those dark in color it is most purifying [Laughs]. So if one bathes in the Yamuna not only one becomes purified, but one becomes attracted to Krishna. Of course it is dark like Krishna [Laughs].
Srila Vishvanatha Chakravarti Thakura compares the Yamuna river to a garland of blue lotuses. Like a necklace of sapphires or like a blue sash, a belt. Because it surrounds Vrindavan. So as I said the Yamuna has dark water. And the water is able to lift Krishna up.
Of course Krishna and the Gopis play in the Yamuna water. And Krishna himself is a current of Madhurya rasa. So he is playing in the Yamuna river which is also Madhurya rasa.
As we said the fish, the turtles, the aquatic creatures are very eager to see Krishna. And because the waters of the Yamuna are also full of Madhurya rasa, then all the creatures there are also full of Madhurya rasa [Laughs]. And they are always waiting for Krishna to come.
In the forest there are bowers and sometimes there are also pavilions, special structures. They are useful for Radha and Krishna meeting or other Gopis meeting Krishna and also for Vrindadevi and her associates to store things.
So the seasons are described. So we define six seasons. And at different times of the year they manifest. But in Vrindavan in one day we get all six seasons. So it’s never too hot because then that will change into monsoon season and autumn season and winter season etc [Laughs]. In any case all the seasons are serving Krishna for his pastimes. The Gopis use the flowers of the various seasons for making ornaments for Krishna. So in different seasons we get different flowers.
But because all seasons can appear in one day, then all the different flowers can be useful one day for decorating Krishna. Okay, so we have trees but we have special trees, these are the desire trees. So Krishna has unlimited desire trees but there is one famous tree and at the base of the tree we have a special pavilion with a bower.
So pavilion may go up many stories, five stories, six stories, eight stories or nine stories, huge structure. And around the central portion we have eight different rooms like eight petals. And then we have extra rooms for servants. And then around this we get eight other pavilions. Okay so in this way we get a central pavilion, we get eight pavilions in the eight directions.
But these buildings are hidden by all the trees so nobody knows they are there. So no one else can see that these are the meeting places for Krishna and the Gopis.
So we have this one pavilion with eight around it and around that we get eight other pavilions all surrounded by eight [Laughs]. And then each of these is also surrounded by eight [Laughs].
So we have a huge city here of expanding pavilions and bowers everywhere. So in the central pavilion is Radha’s place.
And the surrounding pavilions and bowers are for the Sakhis. As I mentioned previously, Radha has billions of Sakhis [Laughs]. So therefore you need so many different rooms and palaces and bowers for everybody. Because Krishna expands Himself and meets with all of them. So in the sub pavilions we have a Gopi there and then she has her own Sakhis also around in the surrounding pavilions. So we have a central pavilion with a Sakhi and then we have eight around the subordinate Sakhis around [Laughs].
Okay, so another feature of Vrindavan is the swing. So the bower was there in the forest and south of that is a pavilion and it has a swing in it. And you will find a nice description of this in Ananda Vrindavan Campu.
And also there is a description even in Govinda Lilamrita of Krishnadasa Kaviraj. There is not one swing, there are many swings. In fact in Govinda Lilamritha it says there are four swings there. So he says there are two Campaka trees and then we have a jewelled swing on its branches.
And then on the eastern side of a kunda we have two Kadamba trees and we have a swing there. On the west side we have two mango trees and we have a swing there. And on the north side we have two Bakula trees and we have a swing there also [Laughs]. So actually there are swings everywhere around each pavilion [Laughs].
Okay so then we also have the Kundas. So to the south we have Govinda Kund, this is also surrounded by Bowers with bees humming. North east of Govinda Kund is Brahma Kund. This is also surrounded by Bowers. North of this there is an Ashoka forest and this is very very beautiful.
Ok, to the north east of Brahma Kund is a place called Gopisha, “Isha” meaning Shiva. So this means a place where Shiva is worshipped by Gopis and he gave them blessings. And of course the blessing is they get to meet Krishna.
So north east of this place, where Shiva stays, gave blessings, is Vamsivat.
Vamsivat is on the bank of the Yamuna river bank. So this is where Krishna plays his flute and he attracts the Gopis.
North of this is, is a place called Niduvana . So when Krishna disappeared from the rasa dance, he went with Radha to this place.
So these places of course are still there in Vrindavan. You can see Niduvana , Vamsivat, Govinda Kund, Brahma Kund etc.
Krishna would play his flute at Vamsivat, and then he would go somewhere else and play his flute. And when he did so, then the breeze began to blow. So this place where the wind blew is called Dhira Samira which literally means the place of the gentle breeze.
Okay, any questions there?
Q & A
1) In material world, lovers speak to each other intimately. But they won’t keep this intimacy with the person. Here how Radharani allows other Gopis to speak with Krishna intimately. Generally, partners don’t like to share intimacy with other persons.
Material relationships are governed by self-interest and that is why if we have a relationship and somebody else wants to start a relationship with the same person, we don’t like that because something is taken from us. So the person thinks my enjoyment is getting stolen, somebody is taking it away.
But in the spiritual world, the devotee’s relationship with Krishna is very different. If it is based on selfishness, I want some enjoyment from myself, you cannot exist in the spiritual world. What to speak of Vrindavan, you can’t even go to Vaikuntha [Laughs]. What to speak of Vaikuntha, you can’t even get to Brahman. If you think of enjoyment, you can’t even get there [Laughs] – to Brahman.
So if we get at least to Vaikuntha, we have a relationship and we can establish love that is not based upon self-interest. If we are in Vaikuntha, there is no self-interest. But there is no object of love also, in Brahman.
So Prema , whether it is in Vaikuntha or in Goloka, means that it is “Anya abhilashita shunya”. Anya Abhilash – no other desire. So there is one desire. That’s the desire to please Krishna. So we serve Krishna, to please Krishna, not to get something for ourself.
That may seem a little bit strange from material point of view, because we do all our activities to get something for ourself. For that reason we also say that philanthropy is a little higher because we are not doing it for ourself, we are doing it for somebody else. But we know that even philanthropy and sattva guna charity etc also has a self-interest there.
Of course in Vedic terms that means we do this because we want to get a better future life, so we go to Svarga Loka. And in the material world of course it is not even so elevated, they do philanthropic work, it is very nice, but they are also getting some profit out of it for themselves somehow or other. So to think of giving service and getting nothing, that sounds meaningless to a person in the material world. But that’s the only way you can get to the spiritual world, you cannot have any enjoyment for yourself.
So what is the motivation for doing anything for Krishna? [Laughs]. So it is to please Krishna. So of course we will think that how can I do anything like that, I don’t get anything for myself. But that’s the nature of Prema . We are eager to do it for the Supreme Lord. So that’s the definition of real love! So we call that Prema!.
Any love in the material world we call it kama. There is always some self-interest in kama. So in Prema no self-interest at all. Now the strange feature in the spiritual world and especially in Vrindavan is that, there is only one person to please [Laughs]. In the material world, one husband, one wife, one husband, one wife.. but there is only one husband, that’s Krishna, everybody else is serving. And why? Because that’s simply the nature of being a Supreme Lord, He is the enjoyer and everybody else is enjoyed.
So the compensating factor is that because he is Supreme Lord, he responds to everybody to the 100% satisfaction of each individual. And we also see that nobody thinks, oh Krishna is with somebody else. They think Krishna is with me [Laughs]. So in the Rasalila there was Krishna, A gopi, Krishna, A gopi, Krishna, A gopi in a big circle. But each gopi thought Krishna is dancing with me. [Laughs] So by the arrangement of Yoga Maya, everybody is satisfied and Krishna is with each person individually.
The nature of the spiritual world is that Supreme Lord is there and then everybody is serving him. And if you think I should serve Krishna but nobody else should, then you can’t be in the spiritual world also [Laughs]. You can’t be in the spiritual world and think only I’m going to serve Krishna, nobody else can serve Krishna. One understands that everybody should serve Krishna. So one is happy that everybody else is serving Krishna also. So therefore Radha arranges for her Sakhis to meet Krishna and she is very happy to do that.
Now we do have a little bit of a pastime because we have the enemy group and they never want Chandravali and her group to meet Krishna [Laughs]. But we do see when they are all in separation from Krishna, that type of hatred disappears. So during the Rasalila when Krishna disappeared, they went off with Radha and then he left Radha and then all the Gopis were searching. They found Radha also on the ground. Everybody lamented. And they didn’t think, oh this Gopi is our friend, this one is our enemy. So in separation they gave up all their envy and together they went to the bank of the Yamuna and did Kirtan [Laughs]. So in pastimes they may show this envy or hatred of each other but in other situations all that disappears.
2) In general, in material world group classification happens based on ego centered. How about in spiritual world Goloka, groupism in spiritual world?
Well, in the material world, a group forms because there is a similar interest. And there may be similar qualities as well. So we have a group of people who are all interested in music [Laughs]. We have another group interested in dance. So in that way, in the spiritual world also it is natural to have group. And of course the group usually needs a leader. So in the material world you have a group but you also appoint one person as the leader [Laughs]. So in the spiritual world also they will have groups because of some similarities and interests but they will have one leader as well.
So the question will arise, why form groups? In the material world we form, one reason we form groups is we like socializing [Laughs]. People don’t like loneliness, they want to be together. Another is protection. So we see in ancient societies we have cavemen here and cavemen there, they form into groups and they build walls around their towns to protect themselves from people attacking.
So in the spiritual world they may form groups by interest etc. And in a certain sense there is a type of protection also [Laughs]. But there is no enemies in one sense in the spiritual world so that’s not that type of protection. But we see that within the group we have Radha’s group or Chandravali’s group. So, in that group they are protected from the others [Laughs]. And then they may compete with each other. And if they are in a group they are stronger [Laughs].
But as I said so there is competition, like we have competition in the material world but it’s also different. In the material world the competition is there and it’s all based upon selfishness and whatever material ego etc. But that cannot exist in the spiritual world. What is the basis of everything? – To please Krishna [Laughs]. So the formation of groups and even the competition is to please Krishna! We see that at the various works you will find there are pastimes because there is competition. So Radha’s group will fool the Gopis and Chandravali’s group and frustrate them so this becomes some sort of pastime. And in this way the Gopis are pleasing Radha and they are all pleasing Krishna [Laughs]. But even Chandravali’s group and the other groups also they are there to please Krishna.
If they are not there, then the competition isn’t there, and then that pastime cannot be there. [Laughs]. And then the idea of winning and losing and lamentation and separation and meeting again won’t take place. So there is less excitement! But because there is no ego , false ego there, there is no pride in the material sense, no anger in the material sense everything is for Krishna, then those sentiments etc. have no negative value to them.
3) If a person develops a desire to become a Gopi in the spiritual world how is it possible as the person is an expansion of Tathastha Sakthi whereas Gopis belong to Hladini Sakthi just like a Jiva Tattva cannot become Vishnu Tattva, how can a Jiva Tattva become a Hladini Sakthi?
So in the spiritual world we have some personalities or Sakthi like Radharani. But then we also have Jivas who are Nitya Siddhas. So out of the billions and billions of Gopis most are going to be Nitya Siddhas.
So Nitya Siddhas are Jivas. But they are eternally endowed with the Hladini and Sandhini Sakthis. We also have the Sadhana Siddha Gopis, they are also Jivas but they were in the material world. They didn’t have the Hladini and Samvit Sakthi. But by Sadhana they got a portion of the Hladini and Samvit Sakthi. Therefore they go to the spiritual world. So therefore we will have these two types of Jivas in the spiritual world. The Nitya Siddha Jivas, not just Gopis, but cowherd boys, Dasas, anybody, even Vaikuntha. We have the Nitya SiddhaJivas, and then we will have the Sadhana Siddha Jivas.
So the Sadhana Siddha Jivas are like the Nitya Siddha Jivas, but their intensity of the Prema is slightly less. Thus we have a distinction that said there were different types of Sakhis. So some are there that become Prana Sakhis, etc., or Priya Sakhis, or Parama-prestha Sakhis[Laughs], depending on whether they were Nitya Siddhas or Sadhana Siddhas. So when a person does Sadhana as a Jiva and goes to the spiritual world and becomes a Sadhana Siddha, he is still a Jiva. But by the mercy of the devotees in Krishna, then a portion of the Hladini and Samvit Sakthis combines with the Jiva, and he is qualified for the spiritual world.
4) In Acharya’s books like Govinda Lilamrita, they will explain some chapters about climate, natures in Vrindavan, trees, flowers, but as we are in city, it is city culture, it is difficult to imagine.
Well, we see that not only in Govinda Lilamrita, even in Bhagavatam, we will find descriptions of forests, mountains and rivers, etc. So, at the same time, even in ancient times, there were cities as well, people were living in cities. So, we have great cities like Hastinapura, Dwaraka and Indraprastha, etc. At the same time, we have these elaborate descriptions of forests and trees and birds and flowers.
So, a person of good knowledge, one who is really learned, should know everything, city life and country life. [Laughs]. But, a most learned person should understand about the spiritual world, that will also have descriptions. So, the descriptions of towns and cities, we see Nandishwara and Vrsabhanapur, we also find descriptions of forests [Laughs]. So, it will look like we have towns and we have forests in the material world, but as I said, if you look with material eyes, you will think these things are material. But, actually they are spiritual. And for that reason, sometimes they have ruby trees and golden creepers, sometimes the creepers are rubies and the trees are golden, etc. all these different descriptions of the trees changing their colors, etc or we see the turtles and fish poking their heads out of the water to look at Krishna [Laughs] or even the seasons, eager to serve Krishna.
So, by reading these descriptions, then we can.. to some extent understand the nature of devotion to Krishna. We may not understand all the varieties of jasmines and malathis and all these different flower names and all the different fruits, etc [Laughs]. But we should at least understand that in the spiritual world, all the different varieties are there to serve Krishna! And the devotees there can use all these different things at will for serving Krishna.
5) How should be our mood while taking bath in Yamuna in the way that we get attracted to Krishna?
Well, not just taking bath in Yamuna, visiting the Holy Dham itself, the mood always has to be that of devotion. And as much as possible, we should not impose material limitations on whatever we see. In other words, we have our eyes looking at material things, but we have to see beyond that to the spiritual dimension. The only way we can do that, of course, is by mercy and by having some knowledge. And therefore, the Acharyas have written these works for us, so we can at least understand the real nature of the Yamuna and the Radhakunda, etc.
6) If I understand right, cows are uncontrollable and restless, bulls are calm, seems contradictory to one’s material understanding.
Well, yes, we said that the cows were a little restless, but they were also like sages! So they had two qualities [Laughs]. They have their natural quality, and then when they are with Krishna, they all become very obedient. The bulls, of course, are a little bit different because Krishna doesn’t herd the bulls. They are sitting there in the pasture eating their food all the time and sleeping [Laughs]. But at the same time, they are not always peaceful because, as I said, they have red eyes [Laughs].
7) These descriptions seem simple and straightforward. However, are these descriptions meant for those who have foundational understanding of Krishna consciousness as otherwise there is a possibility of misunderstanding for the common man?
So the initial qualification is faith. We have to have faith that the words of scripture are true. And if the Acharyas make a statement, then we don’t challenge it and disbelieve it. How to understand, of course, then to do that we also need a little knowledge. So we do have to have a little knowledge about the nature of the Supreme Lord. This is what we call Sambandha Jnana. So with that scriptural knowledge, we can understand that Krishna is all powerful. He can do anything. He has all knowledge. And he is full of bliss. And thus he can do anything. So nothing is impossible.
So therefore all these different descriptions are there, but they are all very natural because Krishna is controlling everything.
8)Hare Krishna Maharaj, Dandavat pranam. Your holiness is sharing so much of nectar in the form of your lecture and books. As your servant how would we reciprocate? What service would please yourself the most?
So the best service is to understand the scripture and put it into practice.
9) Maharaj, you have mentioned in Rasa, Bhakti rasamrita sindhu class, trees, animals, etc. actually don’t experience rasa. But here in this presentation, it is compared as avatars and they are said if Krishna does not look at them, how to understand this if they don’t have rasa?
So in the Nectar of Devotion, Rupa Gosvami explains that rasa can truly be experienced by human forms where there is equal development of consciousness. So in the material world, of course we can have a relationship with a dog or a cat or a monkey. But it is not going to be as satisfying as a relationship with a person [Laughs]. Of course some people are so frustrated with human relationships that they need to fall in love with their dog or cat [Laughs] but normally it is not going to be so fulfilling [Laughs]. So we never see a marriage between a human being and a dog for instance [Laughs]. So because there is dissimilarity between species, etc. then it is not so satisfying.
So in the spiritual world, satisfying rasa will take place between the human forms who have similarly developed consciousness. Now everything in the spiritual world is conscious. So the cows and the bees and the cuckoos and the trees are all conscious. But they also do not interact with Krishna to the same degree as the humans there. They do not speak in the same way, no conversations take place. So there is relationship but it is quite minimal.
So in that sense, when the gopis will praise the rivers or the deer or whatever because they have such devotion to Krishna or the cows or whatever, they call this “uparasa”. Because of one’s own rasa, one will tend to project that rasa on everything else. So definitely everything in the spiritual world is praiseworthy, but it is a little bit of an exaggeration. But because of their great rasa enthusiasm, they say everybody is like this [Laughs].
In the material world, a person in Prema will say everybody has Prema so they don’t even see demons even the demons have Prema [Laughs]. So in the spiritual world, of course, things are different, there are no demons. Everybody is a devotee and even the trees and the rocks and everything is conscious. But the rasas that we speak about in the Nectar of devotion that where we have people interacting and speaking etc., that is not available to the animals and the trees and the bees and the rocks etc.
But everything in the spiritual world is permeated with rasa [Laughs].
10) Maharaj, if one aspires for Priya sakhi Gopi, it seems like one is overcoming guru, Acharyas as most of them are manjaris. So how is this genuine aspiration in our sampradaya and it is allowed?
So in our sampradaya, if you are in Madhurya rasa, generally one would become manjari in Madhurya rasa because we are following after Rupa Gosvami [Laughs]. So for being a sakhi or whatever, then you would have to be in some other sampradaya or some other universe [Laughs].
11) Maharaj, to the degree Prema is there, to that degree dainya, humbleness is also there. If this is being the case, how to see when Krishna became like a pet for Radha?
So yeah, Krishna is controlled by Radha but the conclusion is not that. therefore Radha is proud cause she controls Krishna, , it doesn’t mean that [Laughs].
12)Maharaj, in our Gaudiya parampara, are there any acharyas who have become priyashakhi instead of manjari?
Well we don’t have any examples because usually they don’t mention their own personal sadhanas.
13) Krishna is under Radharani’s control but in Bhagavad Gita Krishna claims he is the supreme controller. How do we understand this?
So from one point of view, in terms of philosophy yes Krishna is the Supreme controller. But we see from Nectar of devotion that Prema is such that it controls Krishna. So of course Krishna is the controller of everything, but by his choice he melts devotees.
So in terms of creating material world, yes he is the controller. In terms of devotees, he serves devotees. So we can take the material example, we have head of a country like a king or a prime minister, so he rules the country, he is the head person. But if he is in the house, then he has children. So in the children then.., children control the parents [Laughs]. So both things exist simultaneously.
14)How to understand night in Vraja as everything in Vraja is bright and effulgent? How to understand night in Vraja?
So everything is there for the service of Krishna. So there is no need for sun and moon, but for the past times we have a day and a night and we have a sun and a moon. So we have day time past times, Krishna goes out in the fields and herds the cows and then we have night time past times, Krishna going out and having rasalila.
So in the night time past times there is a sense of darkness, because nobody should see that this is happening. And they have to hide in the bowers etc. So night is a good assistant for that. But in spite of it being night, they don’t really need lights or candles or lamps or anything because everything, Krishna is self effulgent, everybody is self effulgent, the jewels are self effulgent, the trees are self effulgent.
So the darkness is there also simply as a stimulus for the past times.
15) Do edible fruits grow on the emerald trees on the golden ground?
So everything in the spiritual world is different. The gold is not like this gold, the emeralds are not like these emeralds. Everything is cit. And it says all the trees are desire trees. And of course it is not necessary to even have fruit to eat. Everybody is satisfied with Prema . But there is fruit as part of the past times like day and night etc. And similarly there are jewels there for past times.
So obviously everything is desire tree there, anything can become anything else [Laughs]. And any tree can produce anything that you want.
16) If person in the spiritual world have no desires and they are free of desires, then what function do the desire trees fulfill as Cintamani stones?
So the desire is to serve Krishna. So therefore things useful for Krishna’s service get manifested.
17) What is meant by following in the footsteps of Gopis? Should we meditate on the activities of Gopis?
Well, in the nectar devotion there, in Raganuga Bhakti, the advice of Rupa Gosvami is, you hear the past times of the Gopis from Bhagavatam.
18) In what stage does a devotee see all these features as described by you in Vrindavan Maharaj?
So we have to reach the stage of Prema !
19) When this book is written, does the author refer to other books or is it revealed to them?
So here he actually mentioned Ananda Vrindavana Campu, which was written a few hundred years earlier. That was Kavi Karnapur’s work. And as I said at the beginning, there is one verse there where he says, I am following after Rupa Gosvami and Kavi Karnapura and others.
Devotee : Thank you Maharaj.
Hare Krishna.
Devotee:
So we are fortunate that there are five limbs of devotional service. One of them is to live in a holy Dham. And we also hear from Srimad Bhagavatam, the pure devotees, Krishna resides in the heart of the pure devotees and they themselves carry the holy Dham.
Not only HH Bhanu swami Maharaj is able to carry the holy Dham, he is able to give those holy Dham to us who are hearing from this wonderful work of Sri Vishvanatha Chakravarti Thakur, Sri Vraja riti Cintamani.
[Conversation about arrangements for the devotees collecting Sri Vraja rati cintamani book from HH Bhanu Swami Maharaj]
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare.