English
24 August 2020
Day 5 - Ras-lila is the topmost pastime
Hare Krishna. Today we have participants from 816 locations.
jaya rādhe, jaya kṛṣṇa, jaya vṛndāvan
śrī govinda, gopīnātha, madana-mohan
Translation
All glories to Radha and Krsna and the divine forest of Vrndavana. All glories to the three presiding Deities of Vrndavana--Sri Govinda, Gopinatha, and Madana-mohana. ( Verse 1 , Sri Viraj Dham mahatmya by Krishna dasa)
Govind Shyam, are you listening? Hare Krishna!
(1)
jaya rādhā-mādhava kuñja-bihārī
jaya rādhā-mādhava jaya kuñja-bihārī
jaya gopī-jana-vallabha jaya giri-vara-dhārī
(2)
yaśodā-nandana braja-jana-rañjana
yāmuna-tīra-vana-cārī
jaya rādhā-mādhava kuñja-bihārī
Translation
1) Krsna is the lover of Radha. He displays many amorous pastimes in the groves of Vrndavana, He is the lover of the cowherd maidens of Vraja, and the holder of the great hill named Govardhana.
2) He is the beloved son of mother Yasoda, the delighter of the inhabitants of Vraja, and He wanders in the forests along the banks of the River Yamuna!
Wanderer of the banks of river Yamuna and the Forests (forests on the banks of river Yamuna)
Srila Prabhupada always sang this song. This song is sung before every class at ISKCON. It is the topmost pastime. This song begins with jaya rādhā-mādhava kuñja-bihārī. How is Radha Madhav? They are always roaming in different meadows (Kunj biharis). They are givers of pleasure to all the Gopis. Bhagavan Krsna is the reservoir of pleasure and bliss. He lifted Govardhan hill. He gives pleasure to all the people of Braja. Krsna gives pleasure and satisfaction to you, all souls also. On the banks of Yamuna They are wandering. In all these pastimes, Radha Krsna pastimes are prominent. In Braja Krsna propagates parkiya bhav ( paramour love ). The main importance is of Radha Krsna pastimes and Gopi and Radha Krsna pastimes. Whenever Krsna unites with the Gopis the nectar multiplies.
raso vai sah
Translation
Krsna, the supreme Lord is reservoir of all the pleasures. ( Taittariya Upanishad))
Krsna is the reservoir of all rasas. Those who immerse themselves in this rasa, experience nectar which goes on increasing so much that it becomes Rasa. It is beyond explanation. They float in an ocean of this nectar. They dance the Rasa Dance. Krsna gets complete pleasure from this Rasa Dance. Rasa Dance is the top most and highest pastime. There is nothing higher than Rasa pastime of Krsna.
In Srimad-Bhagawatam’s 10 canto, from chapter 29 to chapter 33 these Rasa pastimes are explained so they are called Rasa Panchadhyayi. This is also called the heart of Srimad-Bhagawatam. These five chapters are the abstract of Srimad-Bhagawatam. In these five chapters Krsna’s Rasa pastimes are described. Of course it is a small description. Radha Krsna pastime or Gopi Krsna pastime or Madhurya pastime took place all the time. Mainly two times are fixed. The afternoon pastime takes place at Radha-Kunda everyday. And then again at midnight Radha Krsna pastime takes place in different meadows which are designated for this. Gopis assemble to meet Krsna at midnight and they perform Rasa pastime throughout the entire night. These five chapters begin with this shloka.
śrī-bādarāyaṇir uvāca
bhagavān api tā rātṛīḥ
śāradotphulla-mallikāḥ
vīkṣya rantuṁ manaś cakre
yoga-māyām upāśritaḥ
Translation
Śrī Bādarāyaṇi said: Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, full in all opulences, yet upon seeing those autumn nights scented with blossoming jasmine flowers, He turned His mind toward loving affairs. To fulfil His purposes He employed His internal potency. ( SB 10.29.1)
That night has come when the moon is a full moon. It is night in the autumn season. Fragrant flowers like Mallika are blooming. At a place called Chirghat Krsna performed the Vstra-haran pastime. At that time Krsna had promised, “We will meet again in future at night.” The night which is mentioned in the shloka is the night Krsna had promised at Chirghat. That night is a night in autumn. It is actually Ashwin month. From the next day of this full moon night , is the beginning of Kartik. Here is the discussion of that full moon night.
Krsna plays flute and sends a message that You are welcome. The melody of the flute brings all the Gopis towards the meadow where Krsna is playing His flute. All Gopis from the Braj reach there.
śrī-bhagavān uvāca
svāgataṁ vo mahā-bhāgāḥ priyaṁ kiṁ karavāṇi vaḥ vrajasyānāmayaṁ kaccid brūtāgamana-kāraṇam
Translation
Lord Kṛṣṇa said: O most fortunate ladies, welcome. What may I do to please you? Is everything well in Vraja? (S.B. 10.29.18)
Lord Krsna welcomes them all and inquired. “What can I do to please you?” Then suddenly Krsna chastised them, “Why you have come here leaving your homes on such a dangerous and dark night? It is so late. Here are dangerous animals around. No, no! You must return to your homes.” Then the Gopis were disheartened and became sad. Actually it was the beginning of the Rasa pastime. The preparation was going on. At first the Lord welcomed them and suddenly Krsna again advised them to return to their respective homes. Then Krsna sarcastically said, “Oh! You have come to see the meadows and not to meet Me. Then go and see the forest. It is so late now and this is a dangerous forest. Go back! Go back !” The Gopis were disappointed and felt helpless and were very sad. Then all together they sang a song. In the 10th canto of Srimad-Bhagawatam five different songs are mentioned, like Yugala-geet, Venu-geet, Bhramar-geet. This Gopi-geet is one of those five songs. Gopis have expressed their emotions and feelings in this. Gopis started feeling that,
tāsāṁ tat-saubhaga-madaṁ
vīkṣya mānaṁ ca keśavaḥ
praśamāya prasādāya
tatraivāntaradhīyata
Translation
Lord Keśava, seeing the gopīs too proud of their good fortune, wanted to relieve them of this pride and show them further mercy. Thus He immediately disappeared.(SB 10.29.48)
One chapter of this Rasa Panchadhyayi is based on Gopi Geet. Before the Gopi Geet the Gopis sung these two famous songs. Radharani is also there with these Gopis. The two songs sung by Radha and Gopis are included in Rasa Panchadhyayi. The Gopis prayed to Krsna by singing the song. They are praying, “Please do not part us from You.” They are expressing their desire and mood.
Suddenly Krsna took only Radha with Him and alone with Radha He disappeared and went to some other place deep inside the forest. At the end of the 29th chapter Sukhadev Goswami has said.
tāsāṁ tat-saubhaga-madaṁ
vīkṣya mānaṁ ca keśavaḥ
praśamāya prasādāya
tatraivāntaradhīyata
Translation
Lord Keśava, seeing the gopīs too proud of good fortune, wanted to relieve them of this pride and show them further mercy. Thus He immediately disappeared. (ŚB 10.29.48)
As Krsna met all the Gopis and preparations for the Rasa dance were being made, this made the Gopis feel special and develop subtle pride in them. They developed the mood that they were some special personalities. There was pride in that mood and so it was not acceptable. It made them think that they were special as they were selected to be a part of the Rasa pastime. Here Sukhadev Goswami said that to remove the mood of pride of the Gopis of being special , Bhagavan Krsna disappeared. One more purpose was to give special treatment to Radharani as She was also thinking that She had been treated as just one of the crores of Gopis and nothing special and there is no different behaviour and treatment towards Her. This is not correct and therefore Radharani is upset. Then to please Her and assure Her that She is special Radha and Krsna left from there and went far away. Then the Gopis were looking for Radha and Krsna everywhere. In the 30th chapter of Rasa Panchadyayi it is mentioned how Gopis went from one forest to another in search of Krsna. And asking everyone to the trees, tulsi whoever came in their way they were asking living and non living things about Krsna. Actually in Vrindavan there is nothing non living. Everything is living thing over there. They are asking everyone,“Have you seen Krsna? He must have gone from here.” While searching for Krsna suddenly a few Gopis saw the fresh footprints on the land. They came to know that these belonged to Krsna. The footprints were like Krsna has just walked on the that land. There are various symbols on the feet of Lord. Like chakra, Padma, fish, flag, etc. Then they started moving forward by tracing the footprints with different symbols. Then at some distance , again they saw another pair of footprints of one more person. It looked like two persons have walked from there with each other. They started wondering whose footprints were these. To answer this Sukadev Goswami mentions
anayārādhito nūnaṁ
bhagavān harir īśvaraḥ
yan no vihāya govindaḥ
prīto yām anayad rahaḥ
Translation
Certainly this particular gopī has perfectly worshiped the all-powerful Personality of Godhead, Govinda, since He was so pleased with Her that He abandoned the rest of us and brought Her to a secluded place. ( SB 10.30.21)
One Gopi said, “Don’t you understand that these footprints are of Radhika who is always worshiping Lord Krsna. That’s why Her name is Radhika. I want to tell you that this is the only place in the entire Srimad-Bhagawatam, in the 10th chapter or in Rasa Panchadhayi where Srila Sukadev Goswami mentioned Radharani. This is only once. He has mentioned Radha and called Radha’s name, but Sukadev Goswami has not mentioned the complete name or direct name of Radha. If he had said Her name, then it would have been very difficult for him. He would have lost external consciousness. We always chant Radhe Radhe, but nothing happens to us. We do not have that intensity of Bhakti. But if Sukadev Goswami says, ‘Radhe' then he is finished and so the story he is narrating to King Parikshit would have stopped there. So very carefully he says anaya radhito nuenam. Sukadev Goswami is Radharani’s pet parrot. That is why Radharani is also called as Suka-Ishta. That means worship of parrot. Like ishtadev, it is ishata. Ishata of Sukadev Goswami means that Sukadev Goswami worships Radharani. Here Radharani is mentioned in Srimad-Bhagawatam, but many less intelligent persons who are not aware of Srimad-Bhagawatam properly, claim that Radharani is not mentioned in Bhagawatam. They say if it had been mentioned, then Sukadev Goswami would have surely have said, “Radha, Radha.” But why not? It is said here and also in other places in Bhagawatam. So it is clear that Sukadev Goswami has mentioned Radharani.
The Gopis now move forward by tracing the footprints. Now they saw footprints of Krsna only. It looked like that they are more deeply immersed in the soil of Braja. A big hole is formed due to the footprints of Krsna. They understood that Krsna must have lifted Radharani on His shoulders. That is why Radharani’s footprints were not visible. Krsna has lifted Radharani so His footprints are gone deep in the soil. Then moving forward they saw only the toes print embossed in soil. Then they inferred that Krsna must have raised Himself to pluck selected flowers for Radharani. Or He must have jumped, so only the toe print is embossed. Moving further they saw footprint pairs of two persons facing each other. Then they thought that Krsna is sitting behind Radharani and He decorated Radharani’s hairs with specially selected flowers. Thus He has increased Radharani’s beauty. As they move forward they found Radharani there. Only Radha was there. What happened ? Radha must have said, “I am very tired. Please lift Me again on Your shoulder.” As Radha was trying to sit on His shoulder, suddenly Krsna had disappeared. Radharani is left alone there. She met the Gopis there. The Gopis saw that Radharani was praying to Krsna.
hā nātha ramaṇa preṣṭha
kvāsi kvāsi mahā-bhuja
dāsyās te kṛpaṇāyā me
sakhe darśaya sannidhim
Translation
She cried out: O master! My lover! O dear most, where are You? Where are You? Please, O mighty-armed one, O friend, show Yourself to Me, Your poor servant! (SB10.30.39)
Gopis said, “Hey dear! Hey strongest one, with long arms, where are You ? Where are you?” Radharani is saying, “I am Your servant. Please be merciful and take Me where ever You are or please come here. Please give Me Your association.” Radharani very desperately prays to Krsna. Gopis saw Radharani and listened to what She was praying. Now Krsna was not returning. Initially the Gopis were searching for Krsna. While searching they met Radha. Now Radha is also searching for Krsna. “Where are You ?” Now Radha and the Gopis start looking for Krsna together. As they were looking for Krsna they realised that they had lost Krsna on the banks of Yamuna, then they could possibly find Krsna where they had lost Him. “We have not lost Him in the forest.” Actually Radha had lost Him in the forest. If we lost our home key in the office then we will not get it at home. We will get it where we lost it. Thus they thought that they should go there and search for Krsna. All the Gopis with Radharani reached the banks of Yamuna. There they all together started calling for Krsna. It is popularly known as Gopi Geet. It is in the 31st chapter. This is the third chapter of the five chapters of Rasa Panchadhyayi. Chapter 31, 1 to 19
gopya ūcuḥ
jayati te 'dhikaṁ janmanā vrajaḥ
śrayata indirā śaśvad atra hi
dayita dṛśyatāṁ dikṣu tāvakās
tvayi dhṛtāsavas tvāṁ vicinvate
Translation
The gopīs said: O beloved, Your birth in the land of Vraja has made it exceedingly glorious, and thus Indirā, the goddess of fortune, always resides here. It is only for Your sake that we, Your devoted servants, maintain our lives. We have been searching everywhere for You, so please show Yourself to us.( S.B. 10.31.1)
This complete chapter is called as Gopi Geet. This is a very special song.These are the words of Radha and the Gopis. In this remembrance of Krsna is there.
nāhaṁ tiṣṭhāmi vaikuṇṭhe
yogināṁ hṛdayeṣu vā
tatra tiṣṭhāmi nārada
yatra gāyanti mad-bhaktāḥ
Translation
Although the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Ananta, eats through the fire sacrifices offered in the names of the different demigods, He does not take as much pleasure in eating through fire as He does in accepting offerings through the mouths of learned sages and devotees, for then He does not leave the association of devotee
This is a promise by the Lord that wherever My devotees come together and sing, I will reach there. Same thing happened as the Gopis sung this song and remembered Krsna then Krsna appeared in front of them. As this song appeared Krsna also appeared. Lord is non different from this song or His remembrance. If the Lord is being remembered it means the Lord is there.
In next chapter there is a conversation between Radha, the Gopis and Krsna. There is the meeting and now again arrangements for Rasa Dance begins. In-between there was some interval as Krsna disappeared and then returned. As the conversation goes on it is mentioned at the end of chapter 32 the most popular promise by Krsna
na pāraye ’haṁ niravadya-saṁyujāṁ
sva-sādhu-kṛtyaṁ vibudhāyuṣāpi vaḥ
yā mābhajan durjara-geha-śṛṅkhalāḥ
saṁvṛścya tad vaḥ pratiyātu sādhunā
Translation
I am not able to repay My debt for your spotless service, even within a lifetime of Brahmā. Your connection with Me is beyond reproach. You have worshiped Me, cutting off all domestic ties, which are difficult to break. Therefore please let your own glorious deeds be your com (S.B.10.32.22)
Krsna said ‘Hey Radhe and Gopis I am eternally indebted to you.I am extremely grateful to you. You always serve Me with devotion. I can never forget the favours done by you. I am immersed in this debt that I am not able to clear.’ Krsna expressed these thoughts and mood. We can only imagine Radha’s love towards Krsna, Gopis’ love towards Krsna. This love is not only saying, “I love you.” It is not just lip service. It is transcendental, loving service offered by the Gopis and Krsna to each other. Krsna is saying that this is too much of a debt on Him that He can never clear.
In the fifth chapter (ie chapter 33) there is a description of the Rasa pastime. Krsna takes as many forms as the number of Gopis present. There was music and dance. Without music, dance is not possible. We can call it music or sankirtana. We should have singing , playing of instrument in rhythm with each other. There must be singing, beating of instruments together and then the dance begin.
Mahaprabhu kirtan Nitya gita
These three elements - singing, playing instruments and dance is all happening in Rasa Dance. Some Gopis were singing. Few were playing instruments and all were dancing. Krsna was with each one of them. It is said that this Rasa Dance lasted for the complete night of Brahma. Brahma’s night consists of 1000 Divya yugas. This Rasa dance pastime is aneternal pastime. It is also stated in the last shloka of the fifth chapter - which means at the end of 33 chapter. Sukadev Goswami has mentioned the benefits of hearing and explaining this Rasa Panchadhayi as
vikrīḍitaṁ vraja-vadhūbhir idaṁ ca viṣṇoḥ
śraddhānvito ’nuśṛṇuyād atha varṇayed yaḥ
bhaktiṁ parāṁ bhagavati pratilabhya kāmaṁ
hṛd-rogam āśv apahinoty acireṇa dhīra
Translation
Anyone who faithfully hears or describes the Lord’s playful affairs with the young gopīs of Vṛndāvana will attain the Lord’s pure devotional service. Thus he will quickly become sober and conquer lust, the disease of the heart. ( SB 10.33.39)
Sukadev Goswami says that one who hears this Rasa dance pastime or conjugal love with full faith, or one who shares or describes it to others then he attains the highest level of devotion and becomes free from disease of heart known as lust. You must have heard of heart attacks, or artery blockages, but he is talking about the disease of lust. Such a person will be free from this dangerous disease of Lust. Chanting Hare Krishna maha-mantra also gives the same result. One is attached to true love and free from lust. This hearing and speaking is the medicine to get freed from this disease. We will stop here.
I think we will give you a few minutes. We will open the chat and you can send your questions, comments. Send your thoughts, realisations, and comments or any questions. You can write it, others can chant as you wish. If you are in hurry then you may leave the meeting. We do not mind.
Padmavati are you reading the transcription in English ? Are you able to understand what they type or write.? Other English speaking devotees also from Russia, Ukraine? They are sharing the Japa talk.
And now only one day is remaining for Radhasatami. Only tomorrow and then day after tomorrow is Radhasatami. Radhasatami mahotsav ki Jai! This Japa talk is preparation. We are preparing ourselves. During the day you may read more about this. I have explained a short description of those five chapters. You know from where we began. Try to read those five chapters not complete, but at least the thing which you do not understand or if you want to know more about something. For this you must have Bhagawatam with you.
All of you must have Bhagawatam as your property. A complete set of Bhagawatam or you should have all the books by Srila Prabhupada.
The day after Radhasatami Bhagawat katha by Sukadev Goswami had begun. That was completed on full moon day. This is Bhadrapad month, so on full moon day Srimad-Bhagawatam was completed by Sukadev Goswami. We should distribute Bhagawatam or we should gift it. It has very high spiritual benefits. BBT wants you to distribute maximum number of books. Make sure that you have a Bhagawatam set. You can gift it to others. Or sell it? Why not ? But you must have a Bhagawatam set, otherwise you will not be able to study the 10th canto which is explained today. Then you will keep on asking questions. Instead you must read. You keep on asking so many questions because you do not hear or read properly and then keep on troubling. Do your homework. Read books.
Padayatris, are you reading ? Ok they are reading. They are not able to continue Padayatra due to lock down. Have you increased hearing and reading? This is caturmasa going on so this time is for study.
mac-citta mad-gata-prana
bodhayantah parasparam
kathayantas ca mam nityam
tusyanti ca ramanti cha
Translation
The thoughts of My pure devotees dwell in Me, their lives are surrendered to Me, and they derive great satisfaction and bliss enlightening one another and conversing about Me. ( BG 10.9)
You must have written whatever you wished to write. We will meet again.
Gaur Premanande Hari Haribol.
Jai Jai Sri Radhe Shyam. Haribol.