Thursday, June 3, 2010

Chapter 42: Pilgrimage to Jagannath Puri

Jagannath Puri

We have said earlier that madhurya or sweet love for Krishna blossomed in the life of revered Bobo. No act of hers reflected that she wanted to attain siddhi (acquisition of supernatural powers).

Revered Bobo was born to Accomplish a Distinctive Purpose on Earth.

At one end we can sight the religious devotion of Mahaprabu Vallabhacharyaji, Vitthalnathji,Sur, Nand Dasji,


Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharyaji

Parmanand Das, Mira and Tulsi in Bobo who was the icon of renunciation, and simultaneously her manner of worship somewhat matched the ecstatic devotion of Shri Shri Manmahaprabhu Chaitanya Dev, Roopji,Sanatanji and others. She had done an extensive study of Jayadeva, the composer of Shri Gita Govinda.The rush of her heart was similar to the religious devotion of Shri Surdas Bilwamangal's 'Krishna Karnamrita' and Prabhodananda Sarasvati's 'Sangeet Madhava',

 
 Shri Vidyapati

and the bhakti of Vidyapati and Chandidas


Shri Chaitanya Charitamrita
 She read the Chaitanya Charitamrita several times and it filled her with inspiration and delight. Her heart repeatedly urged her to have darshan of Braj Madhuri in Neelachal and Gambhira, the sacred site of Mahaprabhuji. The configuration of planets in her horoscope indicated that she would go abroad and she wanted to sacrifice the probability in this journey.

The topic of this pilgrimage had arisen earlier but could not be activated for some reasons.This time, seeing the convenience of the maximum number of devotees, the trip was fixed for 3rd June 1975 and arrangements were made. Shri Manohar Dasji (Bhaiya), revered Bobo, Sushila Bahenji, mother Shyama, Uma, Darshan, along with Urmil, Vimla Kapoor,Santosh, Malka,Santosh Narang, Sumitra,Saroj,Pushpa,Kaki,Sudesh,Beeju, Karuna, Nirmala and Sharma Bhaisaheb, Omi,Basheshur,Rajkumar,Manoj, Vijay and others set out in the local train.

Bobo had a premonition of some mishap and so did Manohar Dasji. Since some pilgrims had taken leave for the journey it was considered best to leave and they boarded the local train from Vrindavan. Getting distanced from Shyam Bhaisaheb, Nirmal Gupta and others, the train gathered speed.All of a sudden a utensil kept above fell on Bhaiya and then on Bobo.She got hurt near her eye and bled. It seemed they had both taken the prophesied pain on themselves.

The Toofan Express

The Toofan Express reached Mathura Station in a short while and stopped. Without looking for reservation everyone sat somehow, having kept their luggage.In handing over Thakurji to a Bahen something fell from His sinhasan but the train had started.They came to know later that a cow placed with Shri Thakurji had fallen in the railway track. Pulling the chain did not stop the train.Shri Basheshur had sensed the fall and looked after the train had left. He was stunned, this cow had borne the disaster and stood upright in the track.

Revered Bobo had sat down in a compartment while Shri Thakur was in another. Her plight had to be seen until Shri Thakur reached Bobo when the train stopped at Agra. Meanwhile Basheshur took the sacred cow in a taxi and arrived at Agra Station to meet everyone. The train chugged and gradually leaving several stations behind and crossing hundreds of miles,pulled in at Howrah Station. Bahen Indu, Shri Vijay, Vrinda and Ruchir had joined them at Durgapur Station and came along. Shruti had met the lot earlier in Asansol.

Howrah Station.

"We were not to stop over at Howrah and it was time for the Puri Express to leave. Hurriedly we caught the train and journeyed throughout the night.


Bhubaneshwar

After crossing the great river we reached Bhubaneswar at daybreak. Finally on 5th June all of us reached Puri when it struck nine.

After arranging for our stay the idea of having darshan of Jagannathji in the evening stuck us.As a matter of chance we stayed near that site where Shri Manmahaprabhu spent the last eighteen years of his life, steeped in the memories of Radha-Krishna." An ardently longing to have darshan of Gambhira, (house of Kasi Misra) had made Bobo go to Jagannath Puri.



Shringara Bhakti of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

(The shringara bhrakti  which Chaitantya Mahaprabhu indulged in through his feminity, can only be gauged by Shri Svarupa Damodara and Ramanand Rai, His close associates or devotees of the same standing).Chaitanya Mahaprabhuji is said to have taken birth in this human world as Radha herself to spread the message of madhurya bhakti ( a certain spirituality that can only arise by indulging in love)

When they knew that Gambhira was absolutely near, Bobo wished to visit that site instantly.

Gambhira

Having darshan of Gambhira in the evening, and propitiating the padukas (wooden sandals) of Shri Manmahaprabhu and His sacred garments, everyone was delighted. Who had the competence to measure Bobo's heights of elation and ecstasy. She had a tendency to remain secretive and never exhibited her bhavas.At times she would visit the site alone to relish its joy.


Shri Jagannath ji with Balbhadra Subhadra

She saw Jagannathji in the same Vrindavan Vihari form, while having darshan; holding a flute with the vaijayanti mala around His neck,faintly smiling with a sidelong glance.

Sighting fingerprints marking the boulder when Shri Manmahaprabhu was having darshan of Jagannathji, she was moved by the anguish of His separation.

Swami Shri Haridas

Meanwhile going close to the siddh Bakul tree, the thought of Shri Haridasji tugged her and she admired his dedication in taking the Lord's name.

The Ocean in Jagannath Puri

A plan was made to bathe in the ocean next day.Seeing the unfathomable ocean she was ecstatic and the memory of Shri Manmahaprabhu, gopis of Braj entering the blue waters of Shri Yamuna with handsome Krishna, water sports and the terrifying rush of love, filled her with a particular enthusiasm.

Gundicha Temple

Having darshan of Gundicha Temple (the most important sanctuary of Jagannath), Tota Gopinath along with Sakshi Gopal Bobo was ecstatic.

Tota Gopinath

 Sakshi Gopal

Alalnath

At this juncture they went for darshan of Alalnath situated about thirty miles from Puri. The beauty of this isolated and desolate site amidst trees of jack-fruit is inexpressible.

They even sighted the greatly fortunate boulder eroded by the touch of Shriman Mahaprabhuji during the pathos of his longing as he could not have darshan of Lord Jagannath. 


Shri  Manmahaprabhu Longs for Darshan of Lord Jagannath

Bobo had said,”This site touched by Manmahaprabhuji's ardent longing led to prints of His limbs being marked on this rock. And she heard Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's voice exulting repeatedly,” Shri Krishna”, “Shri Krishna” at that very spot  and was thrilled. Everyone returned to Puri in the evening.

Bathing the Shri Yugal, worshipping, as well as attending to the needs of Priya-Priyatam was sacrosanct in Bobo's life.Revered Shri Manohar Baba kept the proposal of bathing their sacred Yugal in the ocean. Her mind could not accept this because she was wary of the hard water.


Bobo's Yugal Sarkar

But amazingly the same Radha-Krishna svarupa could be seen taking a bath in the ocean with surging waves soaking them.

 Soon after she had said enthused, “Shri Yugal have taken a dip in the ocean.” Sumitra Bahen also envisioned them taking a bath in the same clothes which they were wearing that day.

On one such day she was adulating the ocean's dark splendour on its shore and shut her eyes off and on.

Bobo Saw Shri Ram-Sita & Lakshman in Jagannath Puri

On opening her eyes she saw Shri Sitaji in exile, Shri Ramji and Laxmanji with matted hair, advancing towards Her.Their heights were much more than common people. In the prime of their youth, all three of them were walking in the sky, above the earth.Kishoriji was wearing a dark reddish lehenga embroidered with Banarsi zardosi sprigs, sporting an enrapturing smile. Bobo sat still for quite some time but told Manohar Bhaiya that it seems Ramji had a certain connection with this place.

Though she relished the sites in Puri she would often be reminded of Braj and Vrindavan. Thus roaming around the places for a week she came to Calcutta on the 10th with everyone.Shri Ramchandraji Dampani who knew Manohar Dasji had made satisfactory arrangements for their stay and darshan.


Ma Kali, Calcutta

Coming to Calcutta Bobo went for darshan of Ma Kali and remembered her childhood. In Ambala she was made to wear the sacred garment of Ma Kali for her long life.

The next day the group went for darshan to Dakshineshwar Temple. Ever since childhood she had been impressed

Shri Ramakrishna Paramahansa

by the dependence of Shri Ramakrishna Paramahansa's lifestyle and bhava.The secluded shore of the Ganges and the charming scene of Panchvati apparently reminded of the constant closeness of Paramhansaji.She was thrilled to see the personal chamber of Paramahansa inside.

Ma Sharda

At this end seeing Ma Sharda's quarters she was sentimental. Meanwhile they went to have darshan of Ma Kali


Maa Kali, Dakshineshwar

and on seeing her living presence, she exulted, "Seeing her living presence it seems as if the essence of Ramakrishna Paramhansa Deva's lovable seva is spilling over from Ma's eyes.”


Belur Math

Thereafter she went to Belur Math.The pristine scene of that place abounding with the pure clean bhava of Ramakrishna Parmahansa, delighted everyone.And she was joyous on seeing the personal chamber and collection of his posessions.

Spending two days in Calcutta, she stayed at Bahen Indu's (who had been reared in her affectionate patronage since childhood) house in Durgapur, because of her fond insistence.Thereafter she came to Banaras, the sacred site of Bhootnath (title of Shiva).


Kashi Railway Station


Lord Shankar

At the Kashi Railway Station she saw Lord Shankar, the Aadi Vaishnava, in the sky welcoming His devotees. He kept His hand on her head and assured her repeatedly of being her guru.

Bindu Madhav Ghat, Banaras

Having darshan of the Bindu Madhav Ghat in Banaras, where Shri Mahaprabhu had stopped over closeby, and

Mankarnika Ghat, Banaras

Shri Kashi Vishwanath-Banaras

she had darshan of Lord Vishwanath. There in the temple she saw Lord Shankar again. Sighting several other places she went to the ashram of Ma Anandamayi. Meeting and talking to Shri Gopinath Kaviraj residing there, she was delighted.
Shri Hanuman, Banaras

Meanwhile she had darshan of siddh Hanumanji, who releases us from adversities, and the one who protected Tulsidasji from many physical ailments.Staying here for two days she came to

Prayag

Prayag.Bathing at the confluence of three rivers, the triveni in Prayag Bobo was delighted and left for Chitrakoot.

Chitrakoot

Chitrakoot: The journey to Chitrakoot turned out to be an independent section of the great pilgrimage.They faced some difficulty en route but reached the place by evening.

Site of Lord Ram and Bharat Milap

Bharat Milap: Bathing in the Mandakini River they circumambulated the Kamadgiri Temple. Observing the site where Shri Ram and Bharat met in this route she was particularly moved. Their foot prints marked the rocks.Both the factions meeting each other upfront-is clearly marked by the crowded footprints even today.

Sphatik Shila

Sphatik Shila: It appears extremely smooth and beautiful marked by the sacred feet of Shri Ram even at present.Stringing the tenderly holy feet in its bosom, it stands proud.

Bobo and her associates had darshan of Anasuya Kund,Sahasra Dhara, Sita Kund and several other sites.

While going to Sahastra Dhara by boat they had a narrow escape. There was excessive water in the turbulent river and around twenty to twenty two people were on board. The rope broke free from the boatman's hands and hence the boat rocked but stabilized gradually.All the associates relied Bobo who in turn had implicit faith in the blue-hued Krishna.


Lucknow

Relishing the sights there, Bobo reached Lucknow with everyone. She could not get a chance to go to Ayodhya, the site of Shri Ram, due to not getting transport and lack of time.

Hence with charming memories of her delightful pilgrimage, Bobo came to Shri Dham in the last week of June in 1975.Though she roamed around everywhere but her mind was steeped in constant reminiscences of Vrindavan and Vrindavan Vihari. 


Shri Radha-Krishna in a Nikunj of Vrindavan

Madhuri or the sentiment of sweet romance is strewn in bucolic groves of Braj . Therefore why not be drawn by the romantic dalliance of Radha-Krishna unfolding in the idyllic pastures of Vrindavan was Bobo's perspective and her firm belief.

Monday, May 31, 2010

Chapter 41: Emotions Surging in Shri Radha-Krishna's Madhuri (Sweetness)

Krishna's irresistible attractiveness is as mysterious as it is compelling. Revered Bobo was absorbed in the dark god's flirtatious glances,curled locks and ineffable beauty cascading from the redness of His lips. She roamed in the groves and pastures of Vrindavan and was focused on the auspiciously cool lotus feet of the blue-hued god today.

Bobo Sang the Glories of Krishna's Lotus Feet

In a trance she sang,“Oh how tender, beautiful, captivating and mischievous are these feet. The auspicious lotus feet steal the sweetness and fragrance of hundreds of lotus clusters. The task of getting rid of worldly sorrows does not burden these holy feet. All the diseases and griefs of the mundane are destroyed by taking the name, reflecting and meditating on these pair of feet.The worst agony is being detached from them because of our karmas and is dispelled when one takes refuge in them."

How are these cool pair of feet, adorned with the fragrance of lotus clusters? Braj cowherdesses have fully relished their tenderness while others have sensed only a fragment of it.These feet have triumphed over the buds of kalpataru (one of the fabulous trees of Krishna's paradise that grants all wishes). And have looted the lotus forests as well.Being adorned with saffron is one of their distinctive qualities while the lotus clusters do not have this good fortune.

Lotuses Are Compared to Krishna's Feet

How can lotuses be compared to Krishna's feet. Just by being a shade of the lotus feet's loving tenderness the entire species were declared supreme among flowers.Whiffs of wind took a fragment of their fragrance and hid it in these lotus forests. Above all lotus flowers are rooted while the handsome god's lotus feet are considered the essence of all living beings.Dispelling the apathy of devotees, they make them spiritually conscious by bringing them close.


Krishna's Lotus Feet Take Cows for Grazing

Singing their glories during the emptiness of separation, Braj milkmaids raved that goddess Lakshmi resides in these lotus feet as take the soft-eyed cows for grazing. While propitiating these holy feet the forlorn maidens affirmed that they can relieve us of the pathos of longing. Other lotuses further inflame the anguish of separation.

The forests of Vrinda (forest area near Gokul where Krishna spent his childhood) have been marked with the capricious feet of Brajendra Kumar.

Tinkling Anklets on Dark-hued Krishna's Feet

The tinkling manjiras or anklets tug at our heart strings in the wilds of Braja, moving us with a delicious anguish. Adorned with saffron are Krishna's feet but first lets us make a prayer and pay homage to them.

These lyrical pair of feet are marked by the musky spots of Shri Lakshmi's bosom and strut around affectedly. The wilds of Vrinda abound with their spirited antics. When Krishna, the teasing paramour fixes a tryst with His consort Radhika and His beloveds, the dalliances are marked by His spirited feet.

Goddess Lakshmi

How did goddess Lakshmimi arrive in the idyllic pastures of Vrindavan?She is constantly pressing the lotus feet of Lord Vishnu (who is regarded as the preserver of the world during each period of its existence) in Vaikunth. It has been heard that She did penance in Billav Van for acquiring the gopikas' good fortune when she came to Braja. Lakshmi is none other than all the young girls of Braj while our beautiful Radhika Rani is their supreme deity.

This idyllic Vrindavan is famed the world over due to the majesty of Krishna's lotus feet. Positing them on their bosoms, the Braj beauties make use of them as they wish. And that is precisely why a love lorn maiden, finding Krishna after He had vanished, kept His lotus feet on her inflamed heart.

The cowherdesses secretly pour love on them while these capricious feet are fickle. Krishna's attentions like those of any other god are all encompassing and He flits from one gopi to another like a black bee.

Gopis Are Drawn to Krishna's Side

After the emptiness of Krishna's absence, the gopis casting off societal constraints move in a delicious anguish to His side. But this elusive and insistent paramour is construed as the ardent but often faithless lover of the love-struck soul. Krishna whom we seek is the most human of gods and is subject to all the foibles and fickleness of love which add despair to the delights of love. He roams as much as He returns and is not shy like the Braj beauties.


Lovingly Tender Blue-hued Feet of Krishna

Truly the lovingly tender blue-hued feet of Krishna are worth meditating upon. Soon after, worldly sorrows vanish. And if any realm exists it abounds with the spirited antics of these feet, where grief has no entry.The intertwining roles of godly love and human love can not be separated as the symbiosis of the searcher and the sought becomes a quickening relationship.

The lotus feet are worth questing for. Come let us go and have a look at their enchanting dalliance as they roam in the wilds of Braj.Oh this fragrance exuding in the narrow lane! Look at the Yamuna banks marked by the dark god's footprints. Well sakhis let us advance towards that nikunja shrine. What is this scent exuding from those creepers?Why is the earth thrilled by budding shoots.

Actually our Supreme Lover is busy dallying with His beloved. He has sensed our arrival. Are you listening to the sweet sound of His tinkling anklets? And soon after keeping the flute on His lips, and breathing into this breath of love, He is calling out to us.

Shri Radha is Drawn by Krishna's Body Fragrance

Following His footsteps and drawn by His body fragrance, Radha Rani is steeped in some nectarine sweetness.Come let us join the herd of Braj beauties and follow these footsteps into the nikunja, the sandy banks, market places, wells, forest wilds and bhavan where the spirited pair of feet are making merry.

Braj beauties searching for Him, stash these feet in the heart (where Krishna is ultimately found). I propitiate these holy feet of my favoured deity, Krishna, which grant fruition and are my very essence and soul.

Bhavas (love flowing towards the Lord) cascading from these lotus feet inflames our desire for union with the handsome Krishna. Moreover the spring breeze adds charm to the scene. Braj beauties can not resist the dark god's secret or sudden love out of their worlds of longing. 



Gopi Bhava

Steeped in the gopi bhava of sweet love and total commitment to Krishna, Bobo reached the heights of elation and ecstasy.

The Black Cuckoo

These days of spring abound with fragrantly delightful nights, swaying creepers, cry of the black cuckoo, chirping birds, open blue sky with the radiant moon and pastures of Braj decked with blooming flowers. Probably there could be a firm connection between the joys and abundance of spring and the Supreme Lover's dalliance with Radhika and the milkmaids of Braj.

Their roving eyes are focused on the blue-hued god. The young maidens are adulating Krishna and longing for a dalliance with the Supreme Lover. The ardent god like a capricious bee is drawn by the sweet beauty of these milkmaids as His lips quiver, eyes are flirtatious and limbs yearn for a dalliance.Whispering softly and tugging their hearts this Supreme Lover got busy and a charming amorous frolic began.
Krishna's Colours Shri Radha's Red Lips 

And yes a holi played with eyes-this lovable phaag or love play bursts forth now.The flirtatious god took out the gulal from His waistband and coloured the red lips of Priyaji... How tenderly teasing and mischievously spontaneous is this dark god.The milkmaids urged Priyaji to bathe Krishna in colour but the teasing paramour's eyes held Her spellbound and She kept holding on to the gulal. On the sakhis egging Her again Radha poured the attar on His head.No constraint impeded the young god's intense passion.

The bodily lustre spilling through His soaked yellow garments and the vanamala clinging to his broad chest were irresistibly attractive!The sakhis were enthralled by that...joyous abandon.

One does not know how much time passed. Soon after the enthused dalliance was controlled maybe due to fatigue. They made merry for some time and the Rasik Shekhar sang melodious songs which flowed in the bucolic groves.Midnight was about to get over and the sakhis got up to leave. Probably they had sensed that Radha-Krishna were desirous to engage in their most intimate transcendental exchange.

Enraptured on glimpsing Krishna and steeped in these bhavas, Bobo reached the heights of elation and ecstasy, a state of great good fortune.

The enthused exultation of spring gave Bobo respite and the merriment of holi impassioned her further. She yearned for the constant closeness of Priyaji and saw Her sweetly enraptured form.Delighted Bobo picked those pearls and stored them as deposits in her writings.  
 

Shri Radha, Live & Soul of the Sakhis

“ Vrasbhanu Nandini, Shri Radhika is seen as the deity, the life and soul of the sakhis. Some of them love Radha and Krishna equally while for other sakhis their entire focus is Radha.Their love for Radha stands supreme and they work accordingly. And she loves them more than Herself. So much so that the magnanimous Radhika lets them willful Krishna's desire for a loving relationship in a variety of ways.

Shri Radha's Lotus Feet Served by Snehadhika Sakhis

The lotus feet of Kishoriji are served by the Braj beauties' capricious eyes.These cowherdesses are not just inspired by the dasya bhava.Though servitude comes spontaneously in Radha snehadhika sakhis,. They are the Kirti Kumari's sakhis who are extremely dear to Her. Their primary concern over and above their own self interest, is Radhika's pleasure.Several times they act against her wishes and even if Radharani insists such a sakhi will not go to Krishna. This is perceived in a peculiar desire to only assist in the loving affairs of Radha and Krishna, rather than trying to develop their own relationship with Krishna Himself. Apart from Priyaji's joy they have no self interest, since the sakhis are Her kayavyuhas or replications .

Like capricious bees their eyes long to relish the lotus feet of their Svamini, immersed in various sorts of seva.They deck the beloved Radhika for taking Her to the hungry Supreme Lover, and at times summoning Krishna they take Him to the ardently longing Kishori for fixing a tryst. They are constantly humming close to the lotus feet-chatting spiritedly and at times spellbound they relish the amorous frolics of Priya-Priyatam. Blessed are these cowherdesses and extremely blessed are these pair of feet served by the beauties of Braj.