Guest guest Posted March 25, 2000 Report Share Posted March 25, 2000 Balarama's rasalila > > Balarama, the son of Rohini performed his rasalila in Ranaghat. This > place is situated quite a long distance from where Krsna had his rasakela. > > Balarama was the second body of Krsna himself and the depth of his real > self was like the depth of a million oceans. He came to Vraja from > Dvaraka and stayed during the two months of Chaita and Vaishakh to console > Sri Nanda, Yasoda and the others. He pleased his sakhas in various ways. > There also Balarama gave soloce to all the Krsna priyas and charmed his > own dear and loving gopis by having lilas with them. At that time Krsna > killed Sankhachuda. Then Krsna and Balarama both performed divine lilas > with their own lovers and played Holi. Only a learned devotee can > describe the beauty of these celestial activities. In Sri Krsna Caitanya > Carita Murari Gupta says; "Look at Rama and Krsna who are covered with > jewels and suitablu dressed for spring time. In a humorous mood they > performed their kelis with their own beautiful Vraja ladies. They are > gracefully dancing and singing in a delighful mood with their pretty > gopis. > > Pg.173 The gopis who were not fortunate enough to associate with Krsna > forgot their sorrow when Balarama performed his lila with them. How > Balarama increased their enjoyemnt is beyond description. > > In Srimad Bhagavatam it is stated that Bhagavan Sri Balarama stayed in > Vraja for two months and supplied divine enjoyment to the gopis each > night. Sri Raghava continued to describe the beauty of Balarama at the > time of his rasa keli. "O Srinivasa, knowing that he would perform his > rasa lila with his dear lovers Balarama happily came to this place. This > pleasant spot, situated near the Jamuna river, was continually filled with > scented air. The flowers of the gardens were in full bloom and the sky > was bright from the full moon. The humming of bumble and the sweet > whistling of different birds surcharged the atmosphere. Millions of male > and female peacocks danced and many deer played in the garden. As > Balarama relaxed beneath a tree the guards in heaven sang the glories of > Rohini Nandan whose beauty and posture could fasicinate the world. The > followinf is a song. > > Glory to the valiant Rohini Nandana. The white conch kunda flowers, > camphor, and the silver-white mountain bow down to Balarama's beautiful > bright complexion, his curly hair, the beauty of the carefree locks of > hair on his forehead, his bright tilak. He steers the hearts of young > maidens. His lotus eyes are restless and his eyebrows dance like black > bumble bees near his bright earrings. With a short nose and a face which > conquers the splendour of the moon, it seems like nectar pours from his > body. His arms are decorated wtih bangles and jewelled necklaces adorn > his strong chest. His thin waist makes the lion feel insufficient and his > blue dress enchances his figure. His beautifully shaped thighs and feet > fascinate the hearts of all who see him. > > Pg.174 O Srinivasa, who can keep his composure seeing the splendour of > Baladev? It was here that Rama sat on a jewelled throne in a graceful > Ramostava dress. The beauty of Baladev conquers millions of kamadevas and > every movement of his charms the Munis and Indras. The glory of his body > which brightens the three worlds can win the pride of a million moons. > The silky black curly hair covering his head is decorated with a jewel set > crown and flowers. His lips are as red as bind fruit and his teeth > sparkle like pearls. A garland of Vaijayanti dangles from his powerful > neck. The reddish color of the souls of his feet defeat the sun and the > brightness of his nails conquers the darkness. > > I am unable to describe the beauty of Baladev as there is no comparison to > him in this world. Whoever absorbs the gracefulness of Baladev is the > most fortunate person. In the Puranas Baladev Dhyana is written as > follows: In this place Rohini Nandana, Balarama, stood in a three fold > bending form and blew joyfully on his horn, the sound of which moved the > heart of Brahma and others. O Srinivasa, with one mouth only how can > Idescribe the beauty of Balai's lila? Here in this moon-lit Jamuna > Upavana, Balarama engaged in lilas surrounded by millions of gopis." > > Pg.175• In that Upavana near the Jamuna which was flooded by bright moon > light and covered with the scent of lotuses, Balarama performed his rasa > lila. Then Vaiuni devi, sent by her fatherVaruna, flowed from a hole in a > tree and filled the entire atmosphere with the sweet scent of wine. > Baladev breathed the scent and drank the wine with his beloved gopis in > that garden. (Srimad Bhagavatam) > > Raghava continued his story, after drinking the wine Rohini Mandana > engaged himself in divine love making with his gopis. Some of the gopis > played wth mridanga, ranika, and other instruments while other gopis sang > the glories of Balarama in beautiful songs based on beautiful tunes and > beats. Lord Brahma and others were moved by the music. Sri Balarama > himself became overwhelmed by the dance, the songs and music and soon the > rasa mandir was filled with celestial joy. To enjoy water sports with his > lovers Balarama brought the Jamuna near by pulling her with his plough and > then sported in her water. After bathing Balarama changed his dress, > drank honey and wine and spent the night with his associates. In the > early morning the gopis could not bear their seperation from Balarama and > did not want to return to their homes. Balarama consoled them in many > ways and sent them to their houses. Out of fear for Balarama the Jamuna > offered him prayers and folding her hands she threw herself at his feet. > > Pg.177 When by her own quiet nature the Jamuna was flowing to the South > ocean she did not respond to the order of Balarama and thus he pulled her > with his plough. In this place the Jamuna can be seen as she is. I sing > the glory of this place with my devoted heart. (Stavavali/Vraja Vilas) > > Sri Raghava told his followers that Rasa Sthali is famous throughout the > world and devotees offer their worship as this Ramaghat Pradesh. > > Nityananda Prabhu's lila in Ramaghat > > Whoever hears the glory of Ramaghat can be easily freed from worldly life. > > During his pilgrimages, Sri Rasa VIlasi Rama Nityananda Ray passed some > days here. He played with the cowherd boys and ate curd, milk, roots and > fruits whenever he felt hungry. He unsuccessfully tried to conceal the > perplexieties he felt as Balarama. The local people said,"This must be > Rohini Nandan travelling in Vraja as an avadhuta." Seeing Nityananda's > divine performance people of different ages were attracted. > > Raghava showed the shakata tree whose wood Nityananda used to clean his > teeth. In Ramaghat there is a brahmin who could not live for a moment > without the thought of Baladev. To satisfy his devotees Nityananda gave > him darshan as Baladev. Here also, Kalandi prayed to Nityananda, Sri Vasa > Vilas Balarama. Even the demigods could not restrain their tears of > ecstasy in watching the sports of Nityananda in this place. > > When Nityananda slept on a bed of dust beneath the trees he would always > call out in his dream, "when will the enancipation of this wretched soul > take place? When is Navadvipa going to reveal himself in Navadvipa? I > will witness it with my own eyes." No one could understand the meaning of > his words. > > Kachchavana is a place near Ramaghat where the children used to play as > Kachchapa (turtle) in Bhushanavana the sakhas dressed Krsna in flower > ornaments. All these places are famous for Krsna's vilas. > > Pg.178 While describing these holy places Sri Raghava and his followers > passed through the forest whose beauty created restlessness within his > mind. Seeing Bhandirvata (a banyas tree) he sighed. At this place > Balarama and Krsna used to wrestle for fun. They also let Pralambha join > them as one of their sakhas. Balarama killed him very easily. Once Krsna > played his flute in such an enchanting tone that as soon as Radha heard it > she could not remain at home but ran to meet Krsna with her friends. > Vandir is famous for their various divine performances. > > The wrestling sport of Radha Krsna > > Here Radha asked Krsna in her soft voice, "How do you play with your > friends in this place?" Krsna answered, "I dress as a wrestler and I > wrestle with my friends. No one knows wrestling like me and I win very > easily." > > Then Lalita smilingly requested Krsna to show them his wrestling while > dressed as a wrestler. They all then changed into wrestlers costumes but > Krsna was very proud of his dress. Radha smiled sweetly when she saw > Krsna's wrestling costume and they both entered the wrestling arena. > There was no question of winning or losing in that wrestling match and > Kandipa the God f love was satisfied to watch the game. > > I sing the glory of Vandira where charming Sri Radha, being eager to > wrestle with Krsna, dressed herself and her Sakhisin wrestling costumes. > With a cheerful mind she wrestled with Vakali, the killer of > Bakarakshaksh, who was also dressed as a wrestler for the pleasure of > Madana. (Stavavali/Vraja vilas). No one can describe the vilases of > Vandira. > > Aragram and Munjatali are near Vandira where Krsna swallowed the forest > fire to rescue the cows and the cowherd boys. Vandali village is on the > other side of the Jamuna. In Tapavana the daughters of the cowherd men > performed tapasya. In Gopighat they bathed in the Jaumna. These gopis > performed their puja to Kalyani devi in Chiraghat. It was here that they > put their clothes on the bank of the Jamuna while having a bath in the > river. To enjoy himself Krsna stole the clothes and climbed into a Nipa > tree. Having finished their baths they realised they had no clothes and > while concealing themselves in the water they bade Sri Krsna to return > their dresses. Krsna explained the reaon for that lila and returned their > clothes to them. The Gopis dressed themselves only after dedicating > themselves to the grace of Krsna. In Nandaghat, Kandananda and others > took their bath in the Kananda river. That bath has significant meaning > because Nanda had fasted on the day of Ekadashi and on Dvadashi he took > his bath in te Kalandi. While bathing a messenger of Raruna abducted > Nanda but Krsna rescued him easily from Raruna. As Nanda had become > afraid in this place Krsna's great grandson, Vajra, the son of Aniruda, > named this place Vaya. Leaving Vaya behind Sri Raghava continued his tour > of the holy places around Mathura. In Vatsavana Brahma stole the cows and > cowherd boys. > > I sing the glory of the place Vatsaharanasthali where Brahma, being > inquisitive about the real glory of his own Lord Krsna stole the cows and > cowherd boys, and then Krsna to satisfy the long cherished desire of the > mothers of the cows and cowherd boys, manifested himself as cows and > cowherd boys to eat the food sent by the mothers for their sons. > (Stavavali/Vraja Vilas) > > In Unaiv Krsna and his boyfriends ate all sorts of food. In Valahara > Brahma again stole all the cowherd boys. In Pairkhani Brahma wanted to > verify the power of Krsna. In Sui (Sui means that) Brahma was shadowed by > the maya of Krsna when he intentionally but secretly stole a calf. Under > the veil of maya Brahma failed to identify the stolen with that which had > belonged to Krsna. Being overwhelmed he secretly said, ""O this is that; > this is that." That is why the name of this place is Sui. In Echamuha > village Brahma repented his audicity and sang the glory of Krsna. > > "I sing the glory of the place called Viru Chaturmukha. It was here that > Brahma, being repentant for his own offense of stealing the cows and > cowherd boys fell on the ground at the feet of smiling Vrajendra with his > eyes filled with tears and sang the glories of the Lord. > > Pg.180 In Augholi Krsna killed Agasura but people now call the place > Sapauli (the place of snakes). > > "May Saipasthali be my protector for it was here that the powerful Naruri, > got angry when his friends were swallowed by a poisonous snake, he killed > the Agasuri demon by forcefully entering its poisonous stomach to rescue > his followers. (Stavavali/Vraja Vilas) > > In Joiat village the demigods sang the glory of Krsna and showered him > with flowers. Krsna was given the name Sehana (clever) for killing > Agasura the snake and this village Soyano which is now called Sehana was > named after him. Tarori in Varli were named by the gopas. > > Then Raghava took Narottama and Srinivasa up a small hill called Krsna > Kundatala and showed them the Maghera village and the Tanar forest where > Radha and Krsna used to meet. > > In Atasa village the saint Astavakra performed tapasya. Shakrasthana was > later named Sakasoya. This place is famous because it was here that > Shakra (Indra) became repentant and afraid after causing the terrible rain > in Vraja. In Varahar village Krsna played with his friends by assuming > the Varaha rupa, ^ In Harasali village Krsna performed his rasa. "May that > Rasasthali, which is the precious gem of the three worlds, be our > protector. While dancing with the bright and beautiful wives of the > cowherd men, Krsna left them and went with Radha to a solitary place to > decorate her with flower ornaments and then engaged himself in divine > loving play with her." (Stavavali/Vraja Vilas) After describing the > various holy places Sri Raghava returned toNandaghata with Srinivasa and > Narottama. > > The description of Sri Jiva's residence in Nandaghata. > > Pg.181• Sri Raghava said that in a lonely place in Nandaghata Jiva Gosvami > lived for sometime in seclusion. > > Once Sri Rupa was writing a book in a quiet place in Vrndavana. It was a > hot day, and to dry the sweat from Rupa's body Sri Jiva would stand beside > him and fan him. The beauty of both Sri Rupa and Sri Jiva was bright. At > that time Sri Vallava came to visit Rupa and when he looked at Rupa's book > Bhaktirasamrta Grantha Mangala Carana he told Rupa, "I shall edit it." > When he went to bathe in the Jamuna Sri Jiva followed on the pretext of > taking water from the Jamuna. Although he did not know Sri Vallava > personally, Jiva asked him, "what is the flaw in Mangala Carana?" > > As Vallava mentioned each point he felt required correction Jiva refuted > the point by his knowledge of the scriptures. Unable to defeat Sri Jiva > in a discussion, Vallava went to Sri Rupa to enquire about the identity of > Jiva. Rupa told Vallava that the young Vaisnava was his nephew, and that > he had arrived from his village only a few days before. Vallava Bhatta > praised Jiva Gosvami and told Rupa the details of their discussion on the > book. Then Vallava left that place. > > Meanwhile Sri Jiva returned from the river and Sri Rupa scolded him in a > very quiet voice, "It was very kind of Bhatta to visit me and for my own > benefit he wanted to edit my book. This much you could not tolerate by > your Vaisnava grace? Go back to your home and return to Vrndavana whem > you will be able to be patient." > > At once Sri Jiva left the place and headed East towards his home. When > his mind became peaceful he decided to remain in a solitary place in the > forest as he did not have permission to return to the association of Rupa > Gosvami. He lived here in a hut made of leaves; sometimes he ate a little > and sometimes he ate nothing while he passed his time in great distress > and lamentation. He thought that if he gave up his life he would be able > to obtain the lotus feet of his Lord. > > In the course of his travels Sanatana Gosvami came to that village. The > villagers came forward to welcome him and ask about his well being. They > informed him that one young and beautiful sannyasi had been living in the > forest for a long time, eating only a small quantity of fruits or roots or > drinking water mixed with atta (flour). > > Knowing that this sannyasi must be Sri Jiva, Sanatana went to see him > affectionately. Seeing Sanatana within his patched Sri Jiva could not > control himself and fell flat on the ground at Sanatana's feet. The > villagers were quite astonished. Sanatana asked Sri Jiva to explain his > difficulty and Jiva very lovingly explained everything. After consoling > the villagers Sanatana left Sri Jiva in his hut and went to see Rupa in > Vrndavana. > > Pg.182 Hearing of Sri Sanatana's arrival in Vrndavana, Sri Rupa went out > to meet him. He asked about the book Bhaktirasamrta sindhu and Rupa said > that he had finished writing the book but the editing was incomplete > because of Sri Jiva's absence. > > Sanatana explained the situation to Sri Rupa and said, "Jiva is alive, but > he is so weak that even the breeze can rock his body." At once Sri Rupa > brought Jiva back to Vrndavana and nursed him affectionately. Everyone > was happy with SRi Jiva's recovery and Rupa Sanatana bestowed all > responsibility on him. By their mercy the greatness of Sri Jiva's > knowledge spread throughout the world. > > A Digvijayi (world conquering scholar) once came to Vrndavana and asked > Jiva, "If you will compete with me in debate, then send my Jaya patra, (a > written paper acknowledging his defeat by the Digvijayi)." Sri Jiva sent > him back the Jaya patra, but the Digvijayi accepted defeat after reading > it. The glory of Sri Jiva is beyond description. Then Sri Raghava showed > them the hut of Sri Jiva. > > After that they crossed the Jamuna river and passed the night in Surukharu > village where Krsna was pleased with the demigods, and there Narottama and > Srinivasa saw many far away villages. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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