Radha Anandavallabha

[Jahnava Nitai Das]

Posted by Mukunda Datta Das to another list:

 

The following is based on the article, "Anandibai Ka Mandira," in

Sri Harinama, August 1993, volume 23, issue # 8.

 

 

Anandibai Mandira

 

To the right of the old temple in Radhavallabhaji Ghera in the old

city (i.e., Athkhamba, in Vrndavana), there is a temple of a small but

very mischievous pair, which is celebrated by the name, "Anandi Bai

Mandira." The devoted Anandibai had this temple constructed in the year

1906. Taking the Sri-arca-vigrahas of her most darling Sri Anandavallabha

and beloved "daughter-in-law" Sri Radhaji from Amritsar, she established

them here in Vrndavana. Anandibai had pure vatsalya-bhava for Sri

Anandavallabha. She used to affectionately care for Sri Radhaji as if she

were her daughter-in-law (bahu).

 

Even though having been initiated into the Sri Ramanuja sampradaya,

right from the beginning Anandibai Ma had staunch devotion unto Sri

Sri Radha-Krsna. She remained infatuated with the nectar (rasikata) of

these crest-jewels of the rasikas, and served Them with her very life and

soul. It is difficult to say whether Anandibai did Their seva being

immersed in transcendental emotion, or whether her "son and daughter-in-law"

kept her as Their slave. They obstinately took service, were never satisfied,

and otherwise threw tantrums. Stubbornly, they so kept Ma simply helpless on

account of Their seva.

 

A close assistant in the service of Sri Anandavallabhaji was Baba

Kisori dasa, who resided in the nearby dharmasala of Seth Darvari Lala

Nanja. One day when he was going to the temple, he saw Anandibai sitting

outside the temple crying.

 

Baba asked, "Ma, what happened? Why are you sitting here crying?"

 

She said, "Beta, what can I do? Today bahu-rani is too

headstrong. Yesterday I saw a sadi at Bannu Munshi's shop, but it was too

expensive. Instead of that one, I brought her another one. But Radha

bahu won't even wear it. When I try to put it on her, she takes it off and

tosses it aside. So as to be spiteful, she becomes contrary, 'I'll only

wear that sadi you left yesterday.'"

 

Baba reassured Ma; he brought that very sadi. Ma took the sadi

and placed it before her (viz., Srimati Radharani). Sri Radhaji dressed

herself with it so artistically that Ma, Baba, and for that matter even

those who came for darsana that day were transfixed in that sadi's wavy

folds.

 

Sri Anandavallabhaji was so fond of suji-halava that if He didn't

get halava in His bhoga even for one day, He would push His meal far away

and just sit there. Occasionally, Ma became so overwhelmed that she

sometimes even had to go to Amritsar because this son and daughter-in-law

were so extravagant that Their debts were constantly heaped upon Ma. For

this, she was always going to do business in rupees and paisa.

 

One time she went from Amritsar to Haridvara, in order to bathe in

the Ganges. Subsequently, the Deities' priest withheld Their halava-bhoga,

taking advantage of this opportunity for skimping. Two days later, Sri

Anandavallabhaji arrived in Haridvara--in a dream, He said--"Ma! I haven't

gotten my halava for three days--you come right now." Ma took the very

next train the next morning from Haridvara and arrived in Vrndavana. Upon

arrival, she realized that in fact the poor thing hadn't had His halava

for three days.

 

Enduring thousands of such self-indulgent whims, Anandibai was

unable to contain her joy. For the delight of Sri Yugalakisora, many kinds

of festivals, music programs, rasa-lilas, sometimes phul-bangla (flower

house), and sometimes even boating sports and other mahotsavas were always

observed in this temple, on account of which even this temple especially

is to be counted among the major temples of Vrndavana.

 

Such a devoted woman, Anandibai Ma, was the daughter of a city

inspector of Amritsar, who was born in 1855 (i.e., samvat 1912). She was

born into the family of Kashmiri brahmanas who performed the priestly

duties for Motichand Nehru and his descendents. In it, there was strong

attachment to serving the Lord and the vaisnavas, even from her childhood.

In due course of time, there were arrangements for her marriage, but just

before the wedding was to take place, the groom died. Realizing the

entangling manner of worldly relations, she didn't marry. Her father had

established a temple just at their home near the Ghimandi gate. Sri

Anandavallabha and Sri Radhaji were installed in it. Ma remained immersed

day and night in Their seva, drenched in bhava. How long could They

remain in Amritsar? Taking Ma along with Them, Sri Yugala-kisora-kisori

came to Their own place of eternal pastimes, Vrndavana, and even today,

relishing the happiness of lovely seva, They perfect the lives of those

who see Them.