Brajamandal Parikrama Day 10

Dharma Kund:

• Question 1: The Yaksha asked, “What is the most wonderful thing in the world?”
  Yudhishthira replied, “The most wonderful thing in the world is that although every day innumerable living beings die, the remaining still think they are immortal.”
• Question 2: The Yaksha inquired, “What is the greatest surprise in the world?”
  Yudhishthira answered, “The greatest surprise in the world is that, even though we see people around us dying every day, we think we will live forever.”
• Question 3: The Yaksha asked, “What is the most amazing thing in the world?”
  Yudhishthira responded, “The most amazing thing in the world is that, even though every day countless living beings are born and die, a person still thinks that he will never die.”
• Question 4: The final question was, “What is the most important duty?”
  Yudhishthira concluded, “The most important duty is to be compassionate, to protect one’s dharma (duty/righteousness), and to practice self-control.”

  

Kamesware Mahadeb:

After all, how Lord Shiva get the name Kameshwar? He has many names – Neelkanth, Chandramouli, Gangadhar, Shambho, Shankar but there is a special reason to be Kameshwar – Since Parvati Ji had received rare wishes from Lord Shankar which were incomplete till date, and due to the fulfillment of wishes Kamyavan, He is called as Kameshwar (wish fulfiller). The rare wish was – Krishnaprapti. Laxmi Ji has said

Sa Vai Patih Syadkutobhayah Svayam Samantatah Paati Bhayaturam Janam.
Sa Ek Evataratha Mitho Bhayam Naivatmalabhadadhi Manyate Param.
(Bhagavatam, 5/18/20)

“The man who is bound to the fruits of karma is not a husband because he cannot protect the other. What can a frog lying in the mouth of a snake protect another?”

Parvati Ji inquired about Shri Radha from Lord Shankar, this story was narrated by Lord Narayana to Narada. Lord Shankar was narrating the incident of Raas to Sanatkumar. Both Sanatkumar and Parvati Ji were listening with love. Parvati Ji inquired about Shri Radha, when asked earlier, Shankar Ji did not tell, so now she is asking fearfully. “In the Shrutis, there is the praise of Yugal Sarkar Shri Radha Krishna in Kanvashakha, sung by Vyas Ji, please tell us.
Hearing this question, Kameshwar bowed his head and prayed to the Lord – “Oh Lord! Parvati has expressed her desire to know about Shri Radha Krishn. Once you refused me to say this, now should I tell it or not?” Lord Krishna replied – “Shambho! When she was Sati, I knew she would renounce the body. Now she is in the form of Parvati, now there is no fear, so tell the secrets of Shri Radha Krishna.” Shankar Ji said to Parvati Ji – “I, Shesha, Brahma, and only Sanatkumar know the secrets of Shri Radha Tatva, and no one else. O Durga! Listen carefully – why Radha Rani is called as Radha” “Ra means Raas, Dha means running, She ran towards Sri Krishna, hence the name Radha was called due to the runaway motion. “Raase Sambhuye Goloka” She is also called Radha by being Krishna Pranadhishthatri Devi. Without Radharani, prosperity is not possible anywhere. The pronunciation of the word ‘Ra’ gives definite salvation. Shri Krishna is attained by the pronunciation of the word ‘Dha’. The meaning of ‘Ra’ is to obtain, ‘Dha’ means salvation. Radha-Krishna has a mutually adorable-loving relationship. Mahalakshmi is the one who takes shelter.

Chourasi Khambba:

Bharatpur district of Rajasthan, India, houses a sub-district called Kamān. While not widely known, this place holds significant spiritual importance among religious people, particularly Vaishnavas. Part of Kamān is connected to the Braj region, where Lord Krishna spent his childhood. Kamān is known for its abundant presence of Tulsi plants, earning it the name “Adi Vrindavan” or “Vrindavan of the beginning.” In the month of Bhadon, a special forest expedition takes place here, in which Vaishnav devotees from all over the country participate. During the rainy season, a fair called “Parikrama Mela” is also organized at the Chhatri Mahal in Kamān. This region is also home to some famous and revered temples in Rajasthan, including the Chaurasi Khamba Temple.

This temple gets its name from the 84 pillars it has. Although the temple does not have any deity or regular worship, it is still referred to as a temple. It is believed that the powerful forces ruling over India in the past have caused various damages to the temple, resulting in its loss of original form. The mysterious nature of the pillars, which cannot be accurately counted, often piques the curiosity of tourists visiting the area. No one has been able to determine the exact number of pillars in the Chaurasi Khamba Temple. Those who attempt to count them either see more pillars than expected or fewer. Every time they are counted, a different number emerges.

Sinhāsan (Judhisthir Maharaj):

Sri Govinda jiu – Sri Gopinath jiu – Sri Madanmohan jiu:

Vrinda Devi:

Vrindavan, also known as Vrindavana, is a forest in which the sacred plant Tulasi, also known as Vrinda-devi, grows abundantly. Vrinda-devi performed penances in this forest for 60,000 years and sanctified it, earning the forest its name. Later, Tulasi, the daughter of King Kusadhvaja, also performed penances in Vrindavana and achieved perfection.

Tulasi is dear to Lord Krishna, and He specifically states in the scriptures that He is present in the form of Tulasi. She is highly revered and worshipped by devotees. Tulasi removes sins by her mere presence and purifies the body when touched. Praying to her removes diseases and conquers fear of death.

 

Tulasi is an essential aspect of devotional practices. Chanting the Hare Krishna mantra with a vow before the Tulasi plant is considered spiritually potent and helps one become spiritually strong.

Vrinda-devi, an expansion of Srimati Radharani, is intimately associated with her and plays a significant role in arranging the pastimes of Radha and Krishna. She is responsible for waking them up, delivering love notes and gifts, and organizing their meetings. She gracefully decorates the groves, provides instruments and refreshments for their pastimes, and ensures the privacy of their rendezvous by having parrots act as spies.

Vrinda-devi is considered the queen of Vrindavana and the supreme proprietor of the land. Without her mercy, it is difficult to access the confidential pastimes of Radha and Krishna. By her grace, even the impossible becomes possible. “Marrying” Vrinda-devi to Krishna in a symbolic ceremony highlights her significance and reciprocates her kindness.

Vrinda-devi is worshipped and revered in Vrindavana, particularly at Kamyavana, Vrinda-kunda, and the Rupa-Sanatana Gaudiya Math Mandir in Seva Kunja. Her mercy and presence are considered essential for anyone seeking a deep connection with Radha and Krishna’s divine pastimes.