Friday, November 14, 2008

Prem Sudha Dhara: Vimlaji

(page 70)

Shri Radha & Krishna Are in Essence a Single Entity
Shri Hari
Sri Vrindavan Dhaam
17th October 1964

Dear Vimla,
With love, Jai Sri Hari.

Boboji's Yugal Sarkar

Today's shangar is ravishing. Thakurji clad in green garments on a white curtain looks ethereal, wearing golden necklaces and diadems. Lustrous due to the innate beauty of divinity, the arrayed adornments are dazzling. These days radiant nights of the autumnal full moon embrace the earth with moonlight. Bhagwan Shukdev enlightened us on these magical nights in their most glorious state. Supreme Lover Krishna, ardently longed for romantic dalliances on sighting these beaming nights.

Look Vimla, I was to inform you that we will take Thakurji to the courtyard, in a short while. Vimlaji would be arriving soon and we propose to have kirtan in the open. All depends on what He wants. Right now Bauji and Pushpaji dropped in after having darshan of Sri Yamunaji and Bihariji. Bahinji is unwell and her suffering is heart-rending. But what can we do. Sri Hari makes his devotees undergo pain to enlighten humans on the temporal plane.

Yesterday, I had a word with her. 

"The body is miserable but its cause is the state of mind. Once a while, on becoming blank, I am conscious of the compassionate Lord's loving tenderness and certainly do not feel any bodily distress," she explained.  

Thakurji is Always by Our Side

" Thakurji is by our side eternally but we are not aware of His closeness because of the mundane world. Complete absorption in the joy of Krishna takes us beyond physical griefs and delights. Only if this bliss was constant...but we are wanting," she affirmed.

She has made such a correct analysis.

Well now I will recite a pada, which I have longed to do so earlier:


Aesi jiya hoth jo jiya son jiyo mile,
Tan samai lyon tau dekhon kaha ho pyari.
Tohi so hi lagi aankhinha son aankhen mili rahen,
jivan ko yahe laha ho pyari.
mo kaun itau saj kahan ri pyari, hau ati deen tuv bas,
bhuvchhep na jai saha ho pyari.
Sri Haridas ke svami syama kahat rakhi lai bahu bal,haun
haun bapura kam daha ho pyari।


Shri Radhe-Krishna Are One

Such a terrifying rush of love is possible only in the play between Sri-Radha Krishna. They are in essence a single entity who manifest as two distinct individuals for the sake of interpersonal romantic exchange. The moonbeams and the moon, both exist simultaneously but one comes from the other. At times, longing for a dalliance Priyaji finds respite in Priyatam's embrace, who fondly caresses her with constant surges of love. Occasionally, impassioned Sri Krishna snuggled in Sri Radhika's arms and finds solace to gushes of exquisite desire. Thus the frolic between Radha and Krishna as they move into the mazes of love, becomes a methaphor for the conjunction of the male and female polarities of the cosmos itself, where the descending god and the ascending soul are one.

Krishna enraptured by Sri Radha's unprecedented charm longed for Her to take the first step; but being the sole purusha He had no inkling of Her shyness? However, She is able to please Him with little more than a glance with Her enticing coquetry. Sri Radha ultimately remains and is revealed as the supreme object of Krishna's love. Highly restrictive social conventions stop Her from taking the initiative. But when Krishna makes ardent entreaties She forgets everything, moving in delicious anguish to his side.

Dark-hued Krishna is Irresistibly Drawn to Shri Radha

Sri Radha is an embodiment of the irresistibly attractive feminine principle toward which the masculine power encompassed in the god is drawn. The very foundation of a religion of union, where the questing soul must reach the state of oneness with divine.

 "Our minds and bodies must fuse to become a single entity; our inflamed hearts should unite and consummate in love. But I am helpless, probably it is not my destiny. How can I possibly explain to you my sweetheart, the supreme object of my passionate love. I can not bear a moment's separation from you," says dark-hued Krishna.

"Even blinking makes me restless when I am not able to catch a glimpse of you. Oh the uneasiness can not be expressed in words! Every fiber of mine yearns to be absorbed in you. Even if the bodies fuse, the eyes are forlorn, eagerly desirous of beholding your charming beauty. How can both occur simultaneously?


Shri Radha Embracing Krishna

Now dejected, I am dependent on you in every respect. Embracing me, wrap your affectionate, tender arms around me. Snuggling me, sustain me Priya. Holding me, give me respite. Soothe my heart on fire with desire, with the cooling essence of your touch. I am yours in every possible way; relying on you Priye, my beloved! The repository of my heart, Radhike!"

 Hearing this enthused exultation would Priyaji not have been moved? Who can possibly pen the ecstatic waves which surged in the domain of love, splashing about.

Okay then, Jai Hari.

With Love,
Yours Bobo.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Prem Sudha Dhara: Darshanji

(Page 51)
Lord Krishna Richly Shares His Love with the Gopis of Vrindavan

Sri Hari
Sri Vrindavan Dham
17th December 1960
Dear Darshan,

With love, Jai Sri Hari!


Received your loving letter after several days. On contact with Madhupati everything becomes madhurya. (The Bhagavata posits Krishna as the paragon of sweetness and hence gives Him epithets such as madhupati and madhukara). The entire world resonates with Krishna; residing in earthly Vrindavana or perhaps that region in the heart where God is ultimately found. Nevertheless,  we are lacking in our quest of the impassioned soul for union with the divine because of the mundane and can not experience the sweetness of madhur rasa.



Shri Krishna, the Repository of Sweetness


Only those enraptured cowherdesses representing souls in search of salvation, knew how to express and experience their love for Krishna, the repository of sweetness. Fragrant limbs, loving tenderness, lyrical softness, delicate movements, the mellifluous sound of His flute, innocent pranks, beautiful adornments such as the vanamala, serene sensuality, graceful manners all define Krishna's love which He richly shares with the gopis of Vrindavana.



Gopis Longing for Dark-hued Krishna 

On Nandnandan's vanishing during the Maharasa, the gopis began to experience a depth of despair that carves a new dimension in their love. Because of His absence they are led to cross a threshold of awareness that Krishna exists intensely in their hearts and dwells in their longing for him. 

 "Oh Lord married to Goddess Laxmi, kindly keep you lotus-hand on us," the gopis beseech at one step. 

Darshan, this entreaty is not merely a request.

The bhavas of humility and servitude are spontaneously aroused during separation. But we find glimpses of their urging each other into complete absorption in the joy of Krishna that does not require His physical presence. Therefore the gopis did not call out to Thakurji on a grand ritualistic Vedic note but implored with charming humility and enthused exultation. Isn't it?


BhagwanNarayan and goddess Lakshmi & Shri Radha-Krishna

Above all, Darshan,"Keep your lotus hands on us," has several underlying implications. Not addressing Him as a slayer of demonic forces, nor as the saviour of devotees; they long for Narayana who holds the lotus-hands of Goddess Laxmi. Thus calling to mind those playfully capricious lotus hands. Another Vaishnava doctrine endorses that Sri stands for Sri Radhika in Braj, revered by all as Sriji. In a way the gopis reminded Him of Sri Radha.

The play between Sri Radha-Krishna is a conjunction where the descending god and ascending soul become one. Though a part of the delicious anguish, Sri Radha was absolutely silent, all invocations being sung by the gopis. 

She merely remarked, Sakhe Darshaya Sannidhi, suffering pangs on His account.


Lovely Lotus Face of Krishna

There is explicit reference to Krishna's darshan madhuri in the next shloka. Jalruhanan Charu Darshaya; the gopis are engulfed by surges of exquisite desire for a sight of His lovely lotus-face.These simple cowherdesses of Braj,   steeped in the sweet love of Krishna, were the only ones who attained the state of oneness with the Lord, expressing the cry of the enraptured soul for God.


In the following shloka the herdswomen long for the Lord's Holy feet. There is an underlying ethos as we recollect the awesome incidences...what can me more tender than a lotus? But devotees offered their grave sins at the Lord's feet, the same feet bore thorn pricks while grazing cows, danced gracefully on the deadly poisonous Kaliya's hood and put an end to demonic forces...



Dark-hued Krishna's Lotus Feet

These softly delicate feet have borne such ordeals and now they are wandering amidst thorns, Come Lord! Kindly give rest to these tenderly loving lotus-feet” (The last shloka of the gopi geet has the same bhava) We have our soft sweet hearts to give them joyous respite. But this essence is underpinned.


No longer in search of self-gratification alone, the gopis begin to know that Krishna exists intensely in their hearts when they sing His praises and dwells in their longing for him. Who knows if Priyatam arrives soon after for spreading joy? But the Supreme Lover's beloveds ardently call out to Him for complete absorption in the delight of Krishna. ' Cool our hearts which are on fire with desire by the touch of your lotus-feet'.


The cool lotus soothes the pathos of longing and anguish of separation in the domain of love. Secondly these gopi herds long for the romantic dalliance of their Supreme Lover and are ecstatic on belonging to Him. A yearning of all dedicated devotees, this bhava is the essence of charan-madhurya.


At the moment, let me put Thakurji to sleep and I will write again. The gopis have not just richly shared the loving tenderness of His fragrant limbs but other aspects of Lord Krishna's madhurya which define His love. They are enraptured by the lyrical softness of His voice; charming and sensitive. Passionate but not lustful...love-struck they cast off their work and all their worldly cares, moving in a delicious anguish to His side.


Gopis Enraptured by Krishna's Flute

Their devotion to Krishna is knowledge that they share and together they accept rejection by society of which they are a part, disregarding convention. The mellifluous sound of His flute transforms all worldly infatuations to detachment, arousing passion in the Lord's divine play and romantic dalliance. The gopis want to be enraptured by the same flute which is the breath of love and a call to eternity.

Lord Krishna's laughter, loving tenderness, evocative chest, charming love-talk, winsome manners, enchant them over and over again. Every fiber of His playful dalliance exudes madhurya or sweet love and He exists intensely in their hearts when the gopis sing the Lord's glories. 

They affirm,Dhyanmangalam prahsint priya premvikshan, vihran cha te dhyanmangalam...rahsai sanvido ya hridisparsh kuhak no man shobhyanti hi. This delicious anguish worked perfectly for them; repeatedly giving an account of Krishna's miraculous smile, peals of laughter, love-laden eyes and passionately romantic entreaties.


Bobjo ji's Yugal Sarkar

Today's shangar is simple but beautiful. The green curtain of Janamashtami is  laid out on the pedestal. Woolen clothes knitted in pale yellow yarn, adorn Thakurji. The necklaces are strung in golden beads of flower-shaped shells. The diadems are very old. Indu had also made the same last year strung with shells and beads. Yesterday the curtain was the same and the garments were knitted in light green wool. The necklaces were made by Indu and the diadems worn on Janamashtamai.

A bitterly cold blast is rampant today. I mentioned to Pushpaji that it does not seem winter here but rather the pleasant weather of Basant. I often remember your Vahti Madhu Pavne when the charming breeze nudges me.

How is Sri Thakurji at your end? Last night I was about to write a savaiya but I can only pen what the motivating Lord wants me to. The above could be written, seems to be His lovable prank too. 

It is said that once when someone made an attempt to unveil Lord Krishna's mysterious playful dalliance, He snatched the write-up and pleaded, " Leave it alone brother! As it is I am already disgraced. Isn't it enough?" 

The writer laughed sheepishly and ended his commentary on the Lord's divine play.

 Probably the incident is related to Sri Vishwanath Chakravarti.

Okay then, Jai Sri Hari

With Love,
Your's Bobo.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Prem Sudha Dhara: Umaji

(Page 28)

Gopis Begging to Hold Krishna's Hand

Shri Hari

Sri Vrindavan Dhaam

13th January 1962

Dear Uma,


With Love, Jai Sri Hari!


In the absence of physical closeness to Sri Hari, chanting his name, reflecting on his divine play and singing his glories is the only recourse …strength…tender assurance for a restlessly distressed mind and longing soul. ‘He should come close, very close, absolutely close’…this constant yearning for a state of oneness with the divine is comforting and reigns supreme. He may come when he pleases but what can be more fortunate than this ardent desire tugging at our heartstrings, not letting us rest in peace?


This metaphorical search of the impassioned soul for union with God leads to a pathos of longing in his own devotee eagerly desirous to become a part of the divine condition. Only the Lord has the antidote for lovelorn hearts. The enraptured gopis were on fire with desire of having Krishna’s attention for themselves. Precisely this yearning should persist, escalate and be inflamed, bestowing spiritual bliss on us.


Once I had read a beautiful verse of an Urdu poet and had probably recited the same to you:


La Apna Haath De Mere Daste Sawal Mein,

Kuch Aur Mangna Meri Nazar Mein Gunah Hai.


“Oh Beloved, I extend my hand begging you for a favour... grant me one wish…asking for anything else is shameful on my part…no, no…it is a great offense…What? You are questioning me…my sweetheart! It is your lovely-soft, fragrant lotus-tender hand. Give your charming, passionately sensitive hand in mine…Ah! There is no greater good fortune; wealth…or heart-stirring sweetness…just...merely…let me hold your hand my Lord.”


Taking a break, I have sat down again. The flow seems hampered but if the motivator wants me to write he will succeed. Oh, I remember another point. Hajrat Rumi was a celebrated and devout Sufi saint and highly learned. He has also somewhat endorsed the ethos in the above verse. Uma, mankind has this perennial quest for a divine and transcendental love. Some are less and others more ardent seekers of the ultimate reality. The more this desire is inflamed the better it nurses the passion. Amongst hearts throbbing longingly the question of Hindus or Muslims, males or females does not crop up.


According to me and acharyas of the Hindu doctrine, Sri Hari is the only male and the questing human soul is feminine. Embedded deep in Vaishnava doctrine is the belief that Lord Krishna is the sole purusha, the divine exemplar is singular without a second and therefore there can be no other male. The human soul striving for evolution is conceived as a woman, a celestial energy of the divine.


Anyway now listen to the essence of Maulana Rumi’s pada or devotional verse,” My Lord, place your soothing hand on me. The touch of your palm comforts me…calms the miserable agony in our lives…yes bless me with the same hand my Lord. I am craving for your touch. Uma, such delicious anguish! Who can possibly not long for this state; distressed by the pathos of separation not crave for such spiritual bliss?


The Gopis entreated, “Oh Almighty! Your lotus hands grant all desires, fulfill all longings…we are ardently at your service…craving for complete absorption in the joy of Krishna. Keeping your lotus-hand on us, provide an antidote for this aching separation and soothe our hearts on fire with desire for You. You are a friend of the distressed, protector of the wretchedly miserable…the solution for all shortcomings…drive away our sorrow, being deprived of your closeness, your physical presence…


Oh! Supreme Lover, there can be no greater grief! Inflamed with yearning, who can be more wretched than us, oh destroyer of sorrows! Oh demolisher of grief! Come dear Lord and keep your lotus-hand on our anguished hearts and foreheads …bestow life on us otherwise tormented with longing we will certainly die…Oh! The aching pathos of separation is more terrifying than death and no longer bearable…come and bless us".


With Love,


Yours Usha.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Prem Sudha Dhara: Dulariji

(page 14)

Shri Ram, the Paragon of Sweetness
Sri Hari

Sri Vrindavan Dhaam
6th March 1968

Very Dear Dulari

With love Jai Radhe Shyam!

Sri Pujariji has recited a perfect chaupai or quatrain (usually printed as two rhyming lines of verse), underpinning the ethos of the innately loving God. Do seva or service to the Lord's svarupa; attend selflessly without expectation of reward, to the needs of the Lord. Whatever personal seva you can do easily will help you develop an all-consuming intimacy with the Lord. Dulari, this illness has to be borne because of some previous deeds but is also indicative of God’s grace. ‘Teri Kripa Kathor Mahaan’. At times compassion appears harsh but has an underlying tender gentleness - precisely like a loving mother’s slap. You are sensible in every way and what is the need to explain? But in this fashion we can discuss the delightful ways of the Lord- reflect a bit on the fathomless domain of his loving tenderness, savour it. Consequently I will write more but probably one anecdote to the point.

I forgot to mention in yesterday’s letter that I dreamt about you again on Saturday night. You entreated, “Ushaji! Quickly narrate the Lord’s lila or divine play because you will leave at twelve-thirty.” We were actually to come by the twelve-thirty bus on Sunday afternoon. Now when I read about the Lord’s playful dalliance in your letter it is pleasing. I am keen to relate an incident but when we meet. Dulari, in case you can’t come for a month, make it fifteen days but do drop in.

Now we are about to discuss one of the many forms of Ramji, his revelation as the paragon of sweetness, which becomes him most of all. Look at the coincidence; Sri Ramkinkarji, a learned priest of ‘Sri Ram Charit Manas’, gave a moving description of his tender gentleness. ‘Uma Ramsubhav Jin Jana-Tahi Bhajan Taji Bhav Na Aana’. He spoke beautifully upon Sheel Sneh Avadhi Raghurai; all the beauty and all of the virtue of the world co-mingle in the Lord’s character and form…its dimensions being absolutely perfect and profound in itself. Even if the gravest of sinners… a killer of Brahma (all pervading spirit of the universe) takes refuge in the Lord’s feet, the compassionate Supreme Being welcomes him with open arms. There are innumerable instances endorsing this truth, not only in the earlier eras but also as of today.

Rest assured that such incidents occur in the new millennium, underpinning His generosity. The Lord is eagerly desirous to take us under His shelter; and this search of the impassioned soul for union with God is centered in that region of the heart where God is ultimately found. He is eager to welcome even those deprived souls whose longing is flawed but in the domain of love there must be complete absorption in the joy of Rama. However I will dwell on this topic later-let us reflect on His lotus-tender persona and gently soft demeanor.


Lord Ram Accepts Vibhishana

To accept Vibhishana, an enemy’s brother, without any close search is unheard of. Sugreevji also offered to unravel the mysterious predicament but Ramji casually evaded the matter. Soon after, He spoke seriously, "Jo Sabheet Aava Sharnai-Rakhihan Tahi Pran Ki Nahi". Not merely giving protection but having a just and rational approach …is a distinctive trait of Ramji.

Sri Ramkinkarji made a beautiful statement, “On everyone’s harping upon politics and asserting that Vibhishana had come to steal their secrets-The Lord answered, “Folks I have become a part of the human condition to impart the divine mystery. Brahma or the Supreme Being is mysterious, indescribable and not perceptible by the senses or mental faculties in every respect. The sole objective of my incarnation is to convey the secret of my innate divinity and my descent as a mortal full of sweet love. If one makes the slightest effort to know my persona, I instantly unveil myself." Isn’t it a lovable remark!

Arising from this memorable doctrine, Sri Goswami Maharaj affirmed at dawn, “Japiye Naam Roop Binu Dekhe. Aavat Hridaya Sneh Bisekhe”; Or on chanting His name which does not require His physical presence, we cross a threshold of awareness that the Lord exists intensely in our hearts when we sing His praise and dwells in our longing for Him. This is simply the only means to satiate our quest for the divine.

Ravana, the demon king, had dispatched two envoys to keep a track of Vibhishana. Disguised, they mingled with the monkey army. Perceiving Sri Ram’s admirably rare persona, they were compelled to give up a life of deceit. The demons raved about Sri Ram’s gentle generosity and sang his glories, going back to Ravana.


Bharat Milap

Sri Ramji’s flower-like delicate feet had to trudge on pebbled, thorny forest paths because of his brother Bharat. When he came to meet them, Sri Laxman lashed out in fury but Sri Ramji, the adulated darling of everyone, sang of Bharat’s lovable grandeur, overwhelmed by love for His younger brother. Ramji has no apprehensions whatsoever about mistrust. A repository of kindness, He showers love; fondly doting on his devotees with loving tenderness.



Pootna Vadh

Pootna, the demoness, ventured to kill Lord Krishna by suckling Him at her poison-laced breasts but attained salvation by the soft-hearted Braj Sundar just like Yashoda Maiya. Sri Pad Shukdevji endorses that abandoning such compassionate mercy we have no other recourse. Dulari, He is not merely kind but hungry for dedicated devotion. Exactly as we can not survive by relying on mercy…we long for love. I can certainly swear that only He knows how to love selflessly… none else. Steeped in the love of the Lord; aching with hunger for reaching a state of oneness with the divine, we attain salvation. Sri Ramkinkarji states…one who can understand His loving tenderness, can not possibly survive without perfected devotion or adulated meditating upon the Supreme Being.

Offer your worldly desires and earthly attachments at the lotus-feet of the Lord and get rid of all anxieties.

Today Thakurji is resplendent on a white sheet; dressed in natural-hued garments made of cots wool and embroidered with the same coloured wool. These clothes have been newly made.

With love,

Yours own Usha.