Saturday, January 17, 2009

Prem Sudha Dhara: Muditji


(Page 294)
Jai Shri Hari
Shri Barsana Dhaam
13th September 1990
Dear Mudit,
With love, Jai Shri Hari.



We Should Focus on Lord Krishna's Divine Play

Whatever has been seen and heard should be treasured in the heart. Precisely in the same fashion as a cow fills it throat with food and chews the cud later on, one should conscientriously reflect  on the easily accessible sites, discuss about the Lord's divine play and matters related to attaining union with the divine. 


Complete Absorption in Supreme Lover Krishna

This delights the mindset with complete absorption in the love of Krishna.

All means and customary norms of the world are not contradictory. One should not become carelessly negligent under the pretext of ardent entreaties for a divine and transcendental love. And turning slack in the cry of the enraptured soul for union with god by terming actions as duties, is also not acceptable.


With love,
Yours Bobo.

Friday, January 16, 2009

Prem Sudha Dhara: Manojji


(Page 292)

Shri Hari

Shri Vrindavan Dhaam

13th March 1978

Dear Manoj,


With love, Jai Shri Hari.


Even if we rely somewhat on the Supreme Being, he takes great care of us. During illness, the thought that no one is truly yours dejected you for a short while. Calming it in a distinct fashion, he made you exquisitely desirous for union with the divine. Seek his reliable support as you work hard and the Lord will manage everything in the future too. His blessings and reassuring lotus hands have delivered us from several misfortunes and sufferings earlier.


Lord Krishna is the one who protectively shelters us, till date. But one should not be content with such a meagre attainment. The true objective is his unprecedented loving tenderness and focused-fickle dedicated devotion at his feet; with a constant entreaty for such a blissful state.


Bhaktas or devotees rave truly, 'Mo son na bigaran ko, to son na sanvaran ko.' You tell me why should we abandon such an affectionately tender Swami or Supreme Being to seek some other shelter. He is our sole essence, good-hearted friend and the only refuge. An earnest prayer wishes that our heart, mental faculties and all instincts are able to imbibe this clear concept.


Do not forget to religiously do your paath (recitation of a sacred text) and japa (repetition of the name of a deity) while preparing for your examination. Shri Haris' bhajans or songs of a devotional nature become practised religion as we 'live out' stories from the cosmic world of Krishna; a must for the individual soul,precisely in the same fashion as food is essential to fill the belly, water quenches one's thirst and breathing is imperative for sustaining life.


With love,

Yours Bobo.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Prem Sudha Dhara:Rajeshji

(Page 291)


Dear Rajesh,


With love, Jai Shri Hari.


I received the invitation card for your auspicious marriage. It was a pleasure. Now you are stepping into a life of actual responsibilities. A domesticated lifestyle is a sphere of several duties and responsibilities. One has to move ahead with great care. There must be a commendable effort that the new girl who is leaving her set-up, parents and siblings, and accepting the new home in every manner, is nurtured with your loving affection and virtuous conduct. Both of you must step ahead in unison to progress and live compatibly.


Plus on entering a married life, do not neglect your mother, father, brothers and sisters. Jointly the two of you keep the whole lot happy; serving your parents, affectionately loving your siblings and respecting close relatives. Their delightful blessings will make your life joyous.


Certainly remember to explain the new residence's manners, customs and behavioural patterns lovingly to the new entrant; not by shouting angrily. It definitely takes some time to discard old mannerisms and sculpt oneself in the new mold. You are sensible and have a pleasant temperament. Here's hoping that you will manage well from every angle.


Make Anita go through this letter if you think necessary. I have a suggestion that she must consider this her own house, adopting its correctly courteous behaviour and in the process is delighted herself while pleasing the elders, family and you. Even if a certain issue is irksome, she should clarify with humility and ask politely.


With love,

Yours Bobo

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Prem Sudha Dhara: Anilji


(Page 288)
Shri Hari
Shri Dhaam Barsana
14th September 1990
Dear Anil,

With love, Jai Shri Hari.


Seeing the address of Shri Dhaam on the envelope, do not assume that we have reached Barsana. We came to the comforting site of Shri Shri Swamini (Shri Radha) on eighth morning; carrying the delightful memories of Shri Nandgaon. We propose to go to Shri Van on the 17th, which can be implemented with the grace of Shri Hari.


Brajraj Kunwar Krishna's Lovable Pranks & Playful Dalliances in Nandgaon

The path which leads into the fields and forests and down to the streams of Braj Bhoomi is enchanting. It seems that the delights of Paradise are reflected by a cosmic mirror onto the the pilgrimage sites here. Snuggling Brajraj Kunwar's childhood play in its bosom, Nandgaon attracts countless sentimental devotees till date. It is not only the ground where the lovable pranks and  playful dalliances of youthful Krishna (from His fifth to sixteenth year) have taken place and are occurring till date. Shri Lalitasar, Krishan Kund and dense foliage of the forest endorse these escapades. You could not see the Paniharin Kund and the footprints of Shri Charanh. Does not matter because some eager curiosity will inspire you later on.


Shri Radha Rani's Mandir, Barsana

Similarly, the birthplace of Shri Shri Swamini and the area of Her childhood is heart-stealing. People like us who can not travel much, can sight Shri Shriji's high bhavan imparting delight. Attended and adorned by dense foliage, it makes us rapturous till date. I was thinking of showing you Vilasgarhi with its magnificent mountain range but was fatigued those days and time was also scarce. You might have had a glimpse but Aalok and Mudit haven't.




The Romantic Dalliance of Shri Radha-Krishna in Gaharvan

The sacred dhaam of Barsana is not merely a sight of child play. Here too Rasraaj Nandkunwar, guised in various flashy forms comes for a rendezvous with the young Kishori of Vrashbhanu. He stops over at times. Gaharvan abounding with these amorous frolics, blossoms radiantly today. Both the passionate kunwar and kishori secretly enjoying themselves; often surrounded by sakhis and sometimes in isolation, are engrossed in several romantic dalliances and spirited antics.


 Dark-hued Krishna's Flute Play

The metaphorical search of the impassioned soul, for union with the handsome god is centred within earthly Vrindavana. It is here that we shall find the dark god fluting in the blossoming pastures of His youth. Even though the mundane world has veiled the constant joy; but the forest is the same today, the sites are the same,these kunjas and nikunjas, sacred river Yamuna and its sandy banks are just the same.


Those who can sight the divine play, are steeped in it. The temporal plane does not jolt them or deprive them of joy in Vrindavana which is the source of several playful dalliances of Shri Radha-Krishna. Rasikas (persons moved by passionate religious devotion for Krishna) engrossed in the spirited antics of Krishna on the banks of Kalindi are sighting this divine play till date.


Romantic Dalliance of Shri Radha-Krishna in Nidhivan

The abundance of romantic dalliances impassions fortunate devotees in Nidhivan. Shri Van, snuggling the child play of Lord Krishna in its bosom is a storehouse of wealth. Idyllic and sensuous Vrindavana becomes the perfect landscape in which madhurya or the sweet love of Krishna unfolds.



Sakhas Playfully Dally with Lord Krishna in Shri Giriraj

The divine peaks of Shri Giriraj, mountain passes, cascading waterfalls, the verdant groves, ponds and lakes;are all the charmingly blessed sites of sakhya rasa ( in which the devotee imagines himself as a companion or sakha of the deity) and madhurasa ( where Krishna is construed as the bee attracted to various flowers or sakhis); the adorable means of romantic dalliances.

I had not planned this write up but  Krishna, the Rasiya, gets precisely what He wants.


Peacock Dancing in Ecstasy Around Krishna

In reality, a person becomes solely His on knowing Krishna's enigmatic persona. It is here that peacocks dance in ecstasy, birds sing passionately, bees dance around lotus pollen and sing a love song, cranes and swans fly towards and cows are drawn to the call of the flute. We awaken to a world of Vishnu who resides not only in the hearts of gopis but also in the sap that animates the birds and bees, the trees and creepers of Vrindavana.


Savouring the closeness with Lord Krishna, absorbed in His, love delights us with joyous abandon. In which case one does not become attached to the world of apparent reality by doing duties, and is not distanced from union with the divine.




Lord Krishna Shelters His Devotees

The supremely enchanting form of Lord Krishna, with His loving tenderness and the supportive canopy of His shelter does not abandon us for a second. Adopting the same delightful basis, when we conduct ourselves, the end result is ecstatic. I have the same expectations from you. An indifferently cold attitude, insensitivity, indifference; all these traits make the mind unemotional and arid; while Rasik Shekhar (title of Krishna) resides in a sentimental persona...so why would His devotees be heartless!

We must certainly remember that due to negligence we do not become attached to those very people and their conduct. Keep the mind under control.

With love,
Yours Bobo.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Prem Sudha Dhara: Kaushalji


(Page 275)

Shri Hari

Shri Vrindavan Dhaam

28th October 1969

Dear Kaushal,


With love, Jai Shri Hari.


Intuitively I often remember several domesticated women like you; your disregard of convention and open desire for Krishna. I can very well understand your predicament; highly restrictive social constraints and the burden of responsibilities. Longing to accordingly correspond with all of you but can't even on wishing to do so. Kindly overlook my plight with your generous affection. Compared to your loving kindness, I fail hundred percent while reciprocating.


Even so, I entreat the supremely goodhearted and solely affectionate Yugal Sarkar (divine couple, Shri Radha-Krishna) to steep all of us in the selfless love of their nectarine feet; instinctively washing away the delayed distance in the terrifying rush of love. We are all one, is knowledge that we share; sheltered under the protective canopy of the Lord. May this conception transform into an implicit belief. Complete absorption in the of love of the dark-skinned god and fair-complexioned Radha, ends all sorrows and burdens of convention.


Duties and actions should be carried out competently as far as possible. Deal with everyone in an affectionately friendly manner without irritation. No longer in search of self-gratification,continue praying to beloved Shri Radha-Krishna that they should not let us go astray. Concentrating our attentive focus on them ,charms us. The world will remain the way it is and run in the same motion. Then, why must we change! Here is wishing that living in the mundane world we do not become a part of it but belong to our YugalaRadhya, solely their own.


Sootji and Vijay had made a small beautiful square-shaped arbour. Darshan's Yugal Sarkar and Kapoor's Shri Shri Gopal were also here. Getting up from the pedestal, the supremely ravishing Radha-Madhav along with their family ventured to the square thicket of creepers, through the open courtyard. Pada gaan and kirtan or songs of a devotional nature were on from quarter past eight to quarter past eleven. Pushpa, Darshan and Narang sang the padas (verses). Sarlaji also sang one. The next day Thakurji went up for some time and all of them sang padas. Did you also go to attend some kirtan?


29th October 1969, yesterday the shangar was pink-hued. Today the dresses are very old, sky blue moonlight with the yellow and blue adornment looking adorable. The mukut (diadem) and chandrika (veil) are very showy these days.


The Kartik month (eighth month of the Hindu lunar year, October-November) has begun from this purnima (the night or day of full moon). Contemplating on Shri Yamuna in the morning while having a bath, do namaskar (respectful salutation)which grants the blessings of a bath in the holy river. Soon after kirtan we go and take a dip in the Yamuna. Coming back, we bathe Shri Shri Thakurji and do his shangar or adornment.


I will write a pada in honour of Shri Yamunaji and end the letter.


Yamune! Piya ko bas tum keenhe.

Prem ke phand te gheri rakhe,

Nikat aise nirmol mool leene tum jo padhavat,

Tahan ab dhavat, nishidin tihare ras rang bheene

'Daas Parmanand' paya ab Brajchand param udar Yamunaji deene.


The divine play of Shri Yamuna's grandeur and her propitiation is contained in this concise verse. Hey Yamune! Shyam Sunder is completely under your control...you have bound him in your love noose. He ventures wherever you send him and is steeped in your passionate joy, day in and day out. With your grace, this devotee of yours can attain union with the divine, a fruition of your generosity.


With lots of love.

Yours Bobo

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Prem Sudha Dhara: Induji


Vihar Panchami


(Page 256)

Shri Vrindavan Dhaam
6th December 1967
Dear Indu,

With love, Jai Shri Hari.


Today is Vihar Panchimi;the manifestation day of Shri Shri Bihariji. The sweetly enchanting idol of Shri Haridas Maharaj's (Shri Lalitaji incarnate) pampered affection, dark-hued Bihariji powerfully attracts innumerable devotees, steeped in His loving tenderness.


Vrindavana abounds with unprecedented splendour along with bustling commotion celebrating his appearance. Talented musicians from distant lands offer songs at the samadhi of the renowned maestro Shri Haridas. It is said that Bihariji's grandeur is extraordinary today. And why not! He is enchanted by His dedicated devotees and their hungering devotion gushing forth on this grand occasion. Emotional bhaktas walk ahead of the idol, singing songs of a devotional nature, 'Jai jai Kunjbihari Shri Haridas.'


Lord Krishna's Romantic Dalliance In Vrindavana

Lord Krishna's romantic dalliances and spirited antics are centered within earthly Vrindavan. The lively festivals are enhanced when Krishna, the teasing elusive and insistent paramour of the cowherdesses does amorous frolics in houses, forests, nikunjas, verdant groves, market places and banks of the Yamuna. Till date, rasiks (persons moved by passionate religious devotion,especially for Krishna) are steeped in His terrifying rush of love.

Shri Shri Nanddasji has given such a remarkable account of Biharji, the repository of sweetness, that the idol seems to have a living presence. Though no one can bind the divine but those who have seen the lovingly tender form of passion, express its frenzied madness in words.


Shri Nanddasji Raving About Krishna


Chabeele neelghan ki pootri krirath Vrindavan mahin.
Vividh bhushan dhare, vanshi kartal karen chalat dekhat parchanhi.
Sabhi ko hiyo karse,shobha badan barse, lochan chatak peevat jahin.
Nanddas prabhu ek damini see thagi tharhi, take gare garbanhi.

The handsome god Krishna, colour of the condensed sky, playfully dallies in Vrindavana everyday. His feet tapping in a delicately expressive manner, hands restlessly active, eyes flitting with sidelong glances, frenzied fragrant breaths, sweetly melodious voice, swiftly dancing furrowed brows and heaves of ardent love in His broad chest. Adorned with fragrant limbs and lyrical softness; Krishna a paragon of exquisite beauty, does amorous frolics in Vrindavana. 


 Ineffably Beautiful Krishna is Enraptured by His Own Reflection

Certainly enrapturing others,Krishna surprisingly gets charmed by His own Madonmatkari form. ( Madan Mohan, infatuator of the god of love, a title of Krishna).


(Once having got up, dark-hued Krishna stood in front of the mirror to comb His hair. Drowsy-eyed and hair ruffled;Krishna was fascinated to see His clear reflection. Passionately drawn to His enigmatic persona, the cowherdesses represent his hungering devotees.' I am impassioned by myself,' admits the Lord).



Dark-hued Krishna's Flute Play

Adorned with sparkling ornaments, the flute in His hands, looking at His shadow, the capricious dark-hued handsome god wanders along. You never know how many times He stops all of a sudden and then struts on.


Which female will not be enchanted by this handsome male form? Even animals and birds who saw the dark-skinned cowherd, stood still entranced. All were moved by the fusions of delight and desire, creating a delicious anguish in their lives. But what the Vraja maidens saw can not be expressed. Is he Kamdev incarnate! Krishna is nothing but madhurya or sweet love personified. All the beauty and all of the virtue of the world co-mingle in His character and form. He is irresistibly attractive with an attractiveness as mysterious as it is compelling.


Madhuryavaridhi madambutarangbhangi, shringar sankulit sheet, kishore vesham. You tell me Indu is it possible that Kishore  with His thrusts of exquisite passion, be accounted for in words. 


Sakhis are Passionately Drawn by Krishna

The desirous longing of enraptured village girls for union with god, represents the intensity with which divine Krishna has been worshipped over centuries and continues to be celebrated even today. Sometimes the sakhis' eyes close due to excessive ardent passion. Soon after, a fresh vexation of the capricious Krishna jolts them and they sight their teasing, elusive and insistent paramour.


Rasik Chudamani's (Krishna) smile is winsome and He laughs. Capturing a delicate and decisive moment in the progression of the gopis towards union with their Lord, does it grant the gift of life or captivates the heart by urging them into complete absorption in the joy of Krishna? Soon the love-laden song of their adulation flows from the music of His flute. Not just a musical instrument in the hands of Krishna, the flute is the breath of love and a call to eternity. It attracts and draws the milkmaids of Vrindavana out of their homes for a romantic dalliance with the handsome god. One never knows when Shri Radha, the devotional ideal of these Vraja maidens, came and stood close to Krishna.


Damini Radha Embraces Megha Krishna

As if lightning resplendently stood by the side of the handsome god, the colour of the condensed sky. Having abandoned Her trait of fickleness, it seems firmly fixed in the dark-skinned cloud; taken aback and nonplussed. Priyatam, initiator of the love song, saw His heart's beloved with side long glances; the song halted and He smiled. Shri Radha appraised Him with partially opened eyes and put her arm around His neck; engulfed by surges of exquisite desire to possess Krishna singularly and without cease. Lightning (Radha) had embraced the cloud (Krishna).


And precisely then, those young maidens in a trance, turned vigilant as the song stopped and encircled the cloud-lightning. It seemed that the flash of lightning (Radha) replicating herself (as the kaya-vyuha sakhis), enclosed the blue-skinned cloud and was dazed. Soon after Rasik Shekhar (Krishna) would have broken their stupor in various ways and delighted them. All attained joy with the Supreme Lover fulfilling their desires. Longing ardently, the sakhis were on fire with desire for Krishna.


The divine play of Krishna finds no respite in earthly Vrindavana. This playful dalliance which is both real and illusionary, becomes Him most of all and brings delight to all His bhaktas. Fusions of delight and desire are constant and no one can count the thrusts of this terrifying rush of love. Whoever sights these amorous frolics is completely absorbed and lost in ecstasy.

Okay, Jai Hari.

With love,
Yours Bobo.