Sri Govardhana Puja Sri Govardhana BID
by
SS Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja
[The text that follows represents the start of the third chapter Bhakti Rasayana
, which is a compilation of lectures given by Srila Narayana Maharaja.] sva-prestha-hastambuja-saukumarya-
sukhanubhuter ati-bhumi-vrtteh
mahendra-vajrahatim Ahana apy Govardhana
disatam me abhistam
"Giriraj Govardhana was filled with a happiness so great when he felt the delicate touch of Krishna's lotus hand while holding it up, noticed that even the powerful rays Indra smashed against his body. Govardhana that satisfies my desire. "
Sri Govardhanastaka . Cakravarti Visvanatha Srila Thakura.
Who is Sri Govardhana?: The Best of the Servants of Hari (
Fragment of a dissertation based a compilation of Srimad-Bhagavatam name Bhakti Rasayana, made by jagat-guru Srila Sanatana Goswami ).
In the verse cited below, the gopis, the cowherd in Vrindavan, glorify the Govardhana hill, which is the crown not only in Vrindavan, but the entire universe.
hantyam adrir abala hari-dasa-Vary
yad rama-krsna-carana-sparasa-pramodah
tanoti manam-saha-go-yat tayor Ganay
paniya-suyavasa-kanda, kanda-mulaih
Srimad Bhagavatam (10/21/1918) and Brhad-Bhagavatamrta (2.7.109)
Govardhana Hill is the best among the servants of Hari (hari-dasa
) because it is filled with joy at the touch of lotus feet Krishna and Balarama. Govardhana worship them with great respect by providing - both to them and their friends, the cowherd in Vrindavan, caves, fruit trees, fragrant flowering plants, freshwater springs and everything needed for hobbies.
Vrindavan is glorious because in the places of Govardhana Krishna plays the flute, the peacocks dance, and all other forest animals watch and listen enraptured. The gopis
exclaim 'hantayam' . Although this word denotes a great sorrow, the truth is that in this sense is also perceived a great transcendental bliss. The gopis
feel unhappy because they can not leave their homes to see Krishna, and so join the fun externally, however, feel a transcendental bliss, which grows more and more, to perceive everything in their meditations.
The gopis say: "there is no force (
abala )." Why? When deer come to Krishna, their spouses accompany them on foot behind them. Nothing in this world to stop them. But we all are obstacles: husbands, fathers, brothers and amigos.Y, what is the biggest hurdle of all?: The restrictions imposed by our own minds, in particular, our fear of social rejection. For this reason, we are weak.
sri-guru-carana-padma-bhakati-sadm kevala
bhanda mui savadhana
mate Sri Guru-vandana . Srila Narottam das Thakur
Without the mercy of the spiritual master can not develop love for Krishna. The lotus feet of the spiritual master are the refuge of love of Krsna (krsna-pr
ema), and that love lies at the heart of this teacher. That is the source. For the bhakti
reach our hearts, it is imperative to have devotion to the spiritual master and surrender to serve him in every way. Unless we receive the mercy of the master espirutal, we can not see nor experience bhakti to Krishna. Here a
gopi says to another: "My dear, we have long wanted to meet with Krishna, but we can not go to meet Him, nor can our eyes see and our hands touch. Everyone can have contact with him and serve him, except us. However, near the hill here is Giriraja, which is the best among all the servants of Hari and is also
guru. If we come to it, we surrender, we worship and serve Him, surely He will give us the opportunity to serve Krishna. "
saksad-dharitvena
samasta-shastra
uktas bhavyata tatha eva sadbhih
Kintu prabhor yah priya eva tasya vande
guroh sri-caranaravindam
Sri gruruvastakam , 7. Srila Chakravarti Thakura Visvanatha
The spiritual master is very dear to Krishna. Krishna loves all souls, but we can meet with him only when they serve a teacher capable of controlling Krishna with his love and receive His mercy, otherwise, is impossible. To get all the benefits that derive from wandering around the hill of Govardhana, devotees should first visit the Temple of Harideva.
The gopis say: "With the excuse to bathe in the Manasi-Ganga, first go to see Harideva and then we drive to Giriraj Govardhana. There will be fulfilled every wish of our hearts. Somewhere in the Govardhana hill is Krishna herding cows and playing with his friends. And if we are to these grasslands can see it, feel the touch of His hands and interact freely with him That is the main purpose of our lives. "
This should also become the main goal of our lives: Krishna meet and have the opportunity to dedicate ourselves to His service. To achieve this goal we run the spiritual practices of devotional service. Ultimately, in bhakti-yoga
, practice and purpose are the same. For example, when we hear (
sravana ) as part of our practice, what we hear? Bhagavan conclusive truths (
bhagavat-tattva) and the illusory energy (maya-tattva
). We must understand the nature of the illusory energy, what we see now and that to which we are attached by virtue of our false ego, we can only bring misery. Until we surrender to the feet of a genuine spiritual master and follow your instructions, we are only obeying the dictates of our mind.
completely when we took refuge in the spiritual master, he saved us our independence. We have to completely empty our hearts and accept its teachings and act accordingly. We must make our heart is one with the hearts of our spiritual master, devotees developed and the great masters who preceded him as Visvanatha Srila Chakravarti Thakura, SRLA Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada and Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. If we keep our hearts away from them, the illusory energy (maya
) will catch us. If you do not surrender our independence to the spiritual master, just act according to our own desires. We have to rely solely on them-the spiritual master, the Vaishnavas and acaryas, "and think:" I will use my intelligence to follow their instructions. Only then will succeed, otherwise, pure devotion (
bhakti), which is purely spiritual and has its own independent nature, will not manifest in our hearts.
The gopis
say here: "Using thousands of efforts on our own, will not save the obstacles, such as the fear of family or adherence to the regulations of the Vedic social system (
varnasrama-dharma) - which prevent us from being with Krishna. We can only overcome them as we receive the mercy of Giriraja. " Those at the stage of practice or sadhana
, Should never forsake the company of genuine devotee. Although many distractions arise, should not ever leave, this is the most important instruction. We have to act in accordance with the desire of the spiritual master and so will move safely into the realm of devotional service (
bhajana ). If, on the contrary, we ignore the dictates of the mind, we'll end to the hellish planets. What do we say the mind? "Look after your body, living comfortably and works just enough to get the happiness that can be achieved without great efforts." By following this kind of advice, we will be trapped in the reactions of our enjoyment and suffer. Instead, we must honor the instructions of the spiritual master of the devotees and the Scriptures. As expressed by the cowgirls in this verse, we are weak. We do not show continuity in our association with pure devotees (
sadhus). Even, you might live in a temple, but never talked with anyone and we have no love or spiritual teacher or by the devotees. What will happen? Isolate us and we become discouraged. Therefore, we must speak fondly with sadhus
, ask questions, listen carefully to their responses and take with them an attitude of surrender and acceptance in all respects. Without them, we have no spiritual strength.
pracinanam bhajanamatulam duskaram srnvato
nairasyena
me bhakti-lesalasasya jvalati Hrdayam
Stava-mala
. Rupa Goswami
How did the lofty goal devotees who came before us? Rishi Kasyapa and Aditi were without food, drink or breathe for sixty thousand years after these severe austerities, Narayana appeared before them and said they asked a blessing. Rishi Kasyapa said: "We have a son like you, we have a son like you, we have a son like you." Narayana said, But where to find a son like me? Myself I have to go down as his son. " Since I asked three times, Narayana It became his son in three different births. There are many examples like this. We already know the severe austerities to which was referred Hiranyakasipu only for material gain. Maharaja Druva also practiced austerities too strong to have your own planet. And Sanatana Gosvami ordered to burn the blanket was for fear that it do so more sleep. We, on the contrary, we spent the day enjoying, eating, sleeping, joking, laughing, and even quarreling. And through it all, can you sing once a round. We can free ourselves from our worldly attachments in a relatively easy, but as long as we thus leading us, the extraordinary pure love (prema
) we seek not manifest in our hearts. We must develop an intense desire to always think: "How I can know Krishna?" Bhagavan Narada allowed to see him and then disappeared. Why?: "Your desire is not strong enough. I came to increase your desire to have my association. In your current situation can not always be with me, but if your desire becomes intense enough, when you leave this body, you will see me at all times. "
As we are concerned, our devotional service (
bhajana ) has no desire or intensity, and if our hearts are not completely melted, we will not see Krishna. So there is only one hope: "We are at the edge of the ocean of Thy goodness, if a single drop of that ocean is upon us, our lives are filled with meaning." Our only hope is the certainty that sooner or later we will find Krishna. If by good fortune we partner with a genuine devotee, we should stay with him and follow his instructions in the hope that one day we will receive the direct mercy of Krishna. The gopis say here: "We lack strength because our feet are unable to take up Krishna."
Thousands of people see us and ask, "Where are you going?" Or complain to our parents and say: "But where does your daughter? She is a disgrace to your family! ". Something similar happens today when someone takes the devotional service (
bhajana ). Currently no one cares much if their child smokes, drinks or maintain illicit relations with the opposite sex, but when the children leave the bad habits and give up everything to do bhajan, parents consider it a disgrace to the family. And what does a holy person when he hears that someone has left everything to devote to your spiritual practice? "In practice bhajan, this soul has become the light of his family." And when you hear the news, relatives dead, wherever they are, will be made to dance and cry out: "Viva! He has appeared a devotee in the family! "
Gopis declare that Govardhana is the best among all the servants of Hari. When someone gives Krishna all his good qualities, she says that person is a devotee of Bhagavan,
hari-dasa. There are three personalities that have been called that way: Yudhisthira Maharaja, Uddhava and Giriraj Govardhana. Maharaja Yudhisthira has three kinds of relationships with Krishna: a parent, a friend and as a servant and serve Him with a sense or another as occasion requires. He loves just as Krishna to Arjuna and Sahadeva: as a brother lower. As a friend of Krishna laughs and jokes with him Finally, considering that all he has, his kingdom, his wealth, his wife and children, are to serve, also acts as a servant of the Lord.
When he left Hastinapura Krishna, Yudhisthira Maharaja felt his kingdom had lost its value. When Krishna was among them, the Pandavas, Yudhisthira felt their property was all about Him and His service. And when the time came that he wanted to go to Dwaraka Krishna, Yudhisthira Maharaja said Kunti: "Dear mother, I do not listen, but they sure know you. Talk to him, please. " And his wife Draupadi said, "I do not get to hear me, but you just have to shed a few tears. I do not listen to me because I do not cry, but if you cry a little, get to stay. " Draupadi and Kunti
wept, and therefore they could not leave Krishna. So Yudhisthira Maharaja Krishna sometimes served using a trick. Even devotees who relish the transcendental mellows
prema-bhakti, as Narada, Maharaja Yudhisthira pray: "You are a true servant of Hari (hari-dasa
). Along with his queens, Krishna goes to your palace, and at that time also many saints go there to witness His glories. But I have not come for that purpose, but to see you. Your love is so great that Krishna can control himself. "
Uddhava is prime minister, friend and servant of Krishna, and even acted as a close friend and running special messenger service to deliver confidential message gopis Him As bhakti
sakhya regards, Yudhisthira Maharaja is complete, Uddhava is more complete and Giriraj Govardhana is extremely full. Giriraja is always ready and does everything necessary to serve Krishna in Krishna relationship in which you want to enjoy: neutral, servitude, friendship, paternal or maternal affection and conjugal love. Therefore it is considered the best among the servants of Hari. Aware of this, the gopis say: "We will Giriraja, worship and serve him. And then we see Krishna when he takes to feed his cows. " In his commentary on this verse, Sanatana Gosvami explains that the gopis
thought: "We do not have the strength to overcome all obstacles that prevent us from seeing Krishna. When we are in our homes and there is a problem, we have patience, but when it comes to meet Krishna, we are unable to control our anxiety. And yet we must restrain ourselves, because otherwise you lose everything. We know that Krishna has brought to graze cattle, but it is wrong to go with Him If we did, our laws and all the people we criticize. We must remain calm. If we have any hope of meeting someday with Him, always be brought fear of rejection by society, fear of the elderly and fear to transgress our prescribed duty (dharma
). We can not abandon our patience, do not have the necessary strength. So we are weak. We can not go there. "
In this world there are also similar dilemmas. If someone wants to leave his wife, his children, his home and work to engage in loving service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he feared the reaction of society. But our lack of strength is a hindrance to run
bhajana . We are very lazy and are always thinking in the comfort of the body. Married people, especially, have many responsibilities to society and family, which constitutes an inconvenience for them. Shortly after birth, Sukadeva Gosvami left his house and into the forest. His father, Vyasadeva, shouted: "My son! My son, "but Sukadeva not respond. Who responded? Only the echo of the forest, not even reached the ears of the young. If not today, tomorrow or our desire for devotional service to Krishna be like Sukadeva. Then such circumstances will eliminate the feeling of lack of strength. When you really want to overcome all obstacles from our
bhajana , where do we draw the strength to do it? The
gopis say: "To get the force, go to Giriraj Govardhana, because he is the best of the servants of Hari. Why? Because not only serves to Krishna, but His countless colleagues. Its sweet and fresh water used to drink cows and the cowherd, and also to wash the feet of Krishna. " To meet the needs of everyone, not just Giriraj Govardhana offers obeisances to Krishna, but also to everyone who goes with him Many people serve the spiritual master, but few respect to the servants of the master. When someone does, the teacher feels even more pleased. Similarly, many Krishna devotees serve, but if someone served His devotees and pleased, Krishna is pleased automatically. Govardhana not only provides clean water, but also a delicious herb so that the cows eat it get stronger and give plenty of milk completely satisfying Krishna. For the cowherd, Govardhana not only provides water, but all kinds of fruit-bananas, lemons, pomegranates, coconuts, logging
[a very fragrant fruit] and others, whose very sight gets them even happier. Govardhana
caves also provides for the moments in which the cowherd are tired of caring for the cows. On hot days the caves are cool and cold days, providing warmth and shelter. Inside the caves there are walls covered with vines (
kunja ) with mirrors made jewelry. There is everything needed to decorate. They are therefore perfect spots for Krishna and the gopis are met. In places like Dana and Dana-gati-nivartana-kunda, Krishna, Radhirani and his friends were charged tolls among them. So the gopis pray: "Oh, Giriraj Govardhana, You are witness to the pastimes of Krishna. Give us, please a place where we can witness them as well. When the practitioner hears the words of the gopis
, his desire also increases, and think: "When will the day go to Giriraj Govardhana with feelings like these cowgirls in my heart? I also wish to attend daytime pastimes of Krishna. "This aspiration is the goal of our lives and spiritual Prática (
bhajana ) higher.
