VMP Dauji to Brahmanda ghat

[Guest guest]

First stop Chintarharan ghat, overlooking the Yamuna river. Large shady neem

and kadamba trees cover the temple grounds, and are filled with chirping

parrots and beehives. Peacocks are scratching the ground in the distance.

The morning sun is slowly rising and reflecting off the Yamuna. We pay our

respects to Surya Bhagavan and walk down the concrete steps to take Yamuna

water on our head. The residents are sitting washing themselves or their

cloth and are undisturbed by our sudden invasion. Local sadhus sit here and

there chanting sloka's, generally the Ramayana, and rich incense can be

smelt rolling through the air.

 

The two small Mahadev and Radha Krnsa temples are maintained nicely, and

today many sadhus are at the temple. We have arrived on the day of their

Bhagavat katha. A special vyasasana is in place for the speaker, and

garlands hang in symetric patterns around the bamboo hut that surrounds the

vyasasana. White mattresses and cushions are in place for the audience to

get comfortable as they listen intently.

 

During our class, a young resident bull walks into the crowd of devotees,

and gently but forcefully nudges some Mataji's. "Feed him, feed him,"

someone shouts and the bull is pacified for the time being with some

biscuits.

 

'Cinta' means 'anxiety' and 'haran' means 'to take away.' or steal. 'Cintan'

means 'rememberance of the Lord.' By remembering the Lord, our anxiety is

taken away. We have come on parikrama to become free from anxiety. But there

is also spiritual anxiety. Mother Yasoda is always in anxiety for her son.

You could never tell her "Hey, don't be in so much anxiety." Nanda Maharaj,

the gopis, the gopas, and even the cows are all in spiritual anxiety

thinking about Krsna. "When will He come? When will we see Him?"

 

It was a short walk to Brahmanda ghat. It was here that Krsna revealed to

Mother Yasoda a vision of the entire creation by opening His mouth, another

inconceivable pastime. "Another day, when Krsna and Balaram were playing

with Their friends, all the boys joined Balarama and told Mother Yasoda that

Krsna had eaten clay. On hearing this, Mother Yasoda caught hold of Krnsa's

hand and said 'My dear Krsna, why have You eaten earth in this solitary

place? Just see, all Your friends are complaining about You.' Being afraid

of His mother, Krsna replied, 'My dear mother, all these boys, including My

elder brother Balarama, while playing with Me today, became angry, and

therefore He has joined with the other boys to complain against Me. They

have all combined together to complain so you will be angry and chastise Me.

If you think they are truthful, then you can look within My mouth to see

whether or not I have taken clay or not.' His mother replied 'Allright, If

You have actually not taken any clay, then just open Your mouth. I shall

see.'" (Krsna Book Ch.8)

 

We took a fulfilling ekadasi feast of puris, paneer subji, fruit salad mixed

with yoghurt and kheer. Some took rest while others explored the temple

complex. We will stay here for two days and learn of Krsna's pastimes here.

"Samadhi now, work later" is the parikrama motto.

 

Your servant,

Bhakta Damon

(Secretary to Lokanath Swami)