Vraja Mandal Parikrama. Part 12.

[Guest guest]

Dear Maharajas and Prabhus.

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

 

Day 24. Bhandirvan to Mansarovar.

Bilvavan (Srivan). This is also one of the 12 forests of Vraja. Bilva is

another name for Bela tree or Bela fruit. Laxmi devi resides in this forest

and another one of Her names is Sri. This is the reason this forest is

called Srivana. Laxmi devi wanted to be able to associate with Krsna in the

conjugal mood. For this end She came here and performed austerities.

Krsna and Balarama would come to this forest, eat bela fruit and have

picnics with friends.

 

Manasarovar. This is a beautiful pond surrounded by many bushes and trees.

Mana means anger which is an expression of exchange of extreme love between

lover and beloved. Sarovar means a pond. Srimati Radharani came here in

the mood of mana. Radharani became angry presuming that Krsna was ignoring

and neglecting Her. She pretended that She did not have any concern for

Krnsa. This pastime took place here.

Once, Lord Siva wanted to enter the rasa dance. Because he has a male body,

he was refused entry. He then bathed in Manasarovar, took the form of a

gopi and participated in rasa lila.

 

 

Day 25. Mansarovar to Lohavan.

Lohavan is one of the 12 forests of Vraja. Here, Satrughna, younger brother

of Lord Rama, killed Lohajanghasura.

 

This Lohavan is also the battlefield where Krsna fought and defeated

Jarasandha. Today we heard that each time Jarasandha was defeated by Krsna

he would return home, gather a new army, and engage Brahmans to perform

yajnas, etc, to hopefully ensure victory against the Lord. However, he was

defeated 17 times by the Him. After the 17th time, Jarasandha threatened to

kill the Brahmans if he again lost the fight. So, the Brahmans wrote to

Krsna and asked His help. This is one of the reasons why Krsna chose to run

away from the 18th battle against Jarasandha and earn Himself the name

Ranachora.

 

Radha Gopinath Mandir. This is a famous temple in Lohavan with deties of

Radha Gopinath.

 

Parikrama realizations:

"I hurt my ankle and was very much touched by the care and affection of the

other parikrama devotees. The spirit of cooperation, here on the parikrama,

is so great. Such a merry, wonderful mood. Our advancement in spiritual

life comes through pleasing Krsna. We please Him by looking after His

devotees. I would like to keep this realization."

(Manjari DD, formerly of New Zealand, now residing in Mayapur for last 15

years).

 

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Your servant,

Ekanath dasa