Vrindhavan Dham

Hare Krishna Prabhujis and Matajis,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudev.

During this week what ever kirtanas or satsangs I attended, the discussion has been on Sri Vrindavan Dham and our Lord's pastimes at Vrindāvana. Vrindavan is such an amazing place that how much ever we write about it is less. Every corner or bit of Vrindavan has been touched by Krishna. Every square foot of Mathura-Vrindavan is wrapped in timeless devotion to Lord Krishna, the lover of Radharani and the gopis and the cowherd-prince. I have jotted down whatever I heard about Vrindāvana, please forgive if I have gone wrong anywhere.

"Radharani is the center of all Vrindāvana activities. In Vrindāvana, Krishna is the instrument of Radharani; therefore all the inhabitants of Vrindāvana still chant 'Jaya Radhe' or Radhe-Radhe (which even means Rah-de that is show me the way). From Krishna's own statement given herein, it appears that Radharani is the Queen of Vrindāvana and that Krishna is simply Her decoration." - (Caitanya Caritamrita Madhya 11.150 purport). "It is said if you want Krishna's favor, then just try to please Radharani. This is the way." - (SPT 75/82)

It is understood that Mathura City is the transcendental abode of Lord Krishna. It is not an ordinary material city, for it is eternally connected with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Vrindāvana is within the jurisdiction of Mathura and still continues to exist. Because Mathura and Vrindāvana are intimately connected with Krishna eternally, it is said that Lord Krishna never leaves Vrindāvana (vrindavanam parityajya padam ekam na gacchati) . Anyone who goes to Vrindavan becomes transcendentally purified.

"We must understand the transcendental importance of Mathura, Vrindāvana and Navadvīpa dhāms. Anyone who executes devotional service in these places certainly goes back home, back to Godhead after giving up his body."

"Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu instructs us that just as Krishna is worshipable, Krishna's place, Vrindāvana, is also worshipable. Similarly, the paraphernalia in Vrindāvana-the trees, roads, rivers, everything-is worshipable. A pure devotee thus sings, 'Jaya, Jaya Vrindāvana-vāsi yata jana'- 'All glories to the residents of Vrindāvana'. If one has a staunch devotional attitude, all these conclusions will be revealed in the heart." - (Caitanya Caritamrita Madhya 12.38 purport)

"As Brajendranandana, Krishna is worshipable, His dham, Vrindāvana is also worshipable. We should be very much respectful toward Vrindāvana-dhāma. Otherwise we will be offenders, dhāma-aparādhā." - (Srila Prabhupada Tape 72/48)"The human form of life is meant for understanding this transcendental land of Vrindāvana and its inhabitants. An expansion of this Vrindāvana, which is the supreme abode of Krishna is also present on earth. No one can appreciate Vrindāvana without being highly elevated in spiritual knowledge, Krishna consciousness." -(Teaching of Lord Caitanya)

"Vrindāvana-dhāma is non-different from Krishna because the name, form, fame and place where the Lord manifests are all identical with the Lord as absolute knowledge. Therefore, Vrindāvana-dhama is as worshipable as the Lord." - (Srimad Bhagavatam, Intro.)"The ideal place to execute Krishna consciousness is Braja-bhūmi, or Vrindāvana, where the people are naturally inclined to love Krishna and Krishna is naturally inclined to love them." -(Caitanya Caritamrita Madhya 4.95)

Sri Vrindhavan Dham ki Jai! Sri Sri Radha Shyam Sundar ki Jai!

Thank you very much.
Yours in service of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudev,
Tina Rastogi
Mumbai.