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Govardhan Parirkrama
By Bhakta Damon

CHAKRA (Vrindavan, India) - Deena Bandhu Prabhu honored the parikrama party today by attending the Govardhana celebrations during our stay in Barsana. He oversaw the making of Govardhana Hill, which tuned out to be over three metres long and beautifully decorated with dolls, paper cows and all varieties of sweets. A meter-high form of Krishna, brightly dressed and made of cow dung, rested on the hill. Parasurama’s sister, who has made cow-dung Krishnas on Vrindavan parikrama for the last several years, made it.

Barsana is the capital city of King Vrishabhanu, the father of Srimati Radharani. In this area are four hills. Tha padma purana states that Lord Brahma wanted to do some service for Krishna, and so he incarnated as these four hills. On top of one of the hills, majestically overlooking the town is the Ladalila Mandir, the main temple of Varsana. It is said that on the very same spot was the palace of King Vrishabhanu.

"Varsana's beauty is inspiring. There is no Swiss cable car yet to attract tourists, only hand-carried palanquins bringing pilgrims up and down the hill. A big crowd was taking shelter of the lotus feet of Radharani the day I was there. The views from the top of the high, high hill made me dizzy as I sat on the edge of a wall to chant evening gayatri. The next morning we walked eight kilometers to Nandagram. As we approached, we eventually saw Nanda Maharaja's palace on the hill in the distance. Once we got there, I watched the mischievous monkeys steal shoes and trade them for bananas." Tattvavit Dasa (USA)

This entire area has a special attraction for the Vaisnavas. Nanda Maharaj moved his family here after being disturbed by all the demons that were attacking his family. Krishna lived here from the age of 6 years 8 months, until the age of ten years. Radharani, Krishna, the gopis and the gopas spent a lot of time between Varsana and Nandagram. Radharani went from Varsana to Nandagram everyday to cook for Krishna.

"Sometimes Radhika checked if the fire was burning well, sometimes She added wood to the fire, and sometimes She lifted the lid to see if it was cooking nicely and stirred the preparation, making Her belly, breast and arm vibrate along with Her garments. Acyuta came from his room and looked through the window of the kitchen to relish the sweetness of this scene with His eyes. Intoxcated by desire, He said something to Madhumangala, just to attract Radhika with the sound of His voice. When this very sweet sound entered the cups of Sri Radhika's ears, it forcibly took Her mind off Her cooking. But nevertheless, She managed to cook very nicely. The sakhis, being eager to hear Krishna's ascertainment of a meeting place with Priyaji, walked here and there in His vicinity, casting sly, meaningful glances at Him. Krishna, knowing that the time was right, clearly expressed His desires to them." (Visvanatha Cakravrti's 'Krishna Bhavanamrita Mahakavya.')

THE PARIKRAMA EXPERIENCE

"I have learned to appreciate that simple living is the real way to live. I would to try and make my life simpler. Normally we are so complicated, but on parikrama there is only Krishna." Bhakta Josh (USA)

"It's certainly an austerity, but when you're together with the devotees all the time, you develop a bond and because you are all performing the austerities it's not so bad. I don't know how I have come this far, but there is such a sweet taste that is unequalled. Vraja enters your heart in the form of dust taken in through the mouth, ears and nose. You don't get it from just visiting for one or two days. It's an all or nothing affair." Vaidarbhi devi dasi (USA)

"Parikrama has taught me a lot about the need for association. I even tried to sleep apart from the devotees one night, but I just felt lonely. On parikrama you learn that other devotees are what helps you." Yudhishtira das (USA)

Adi-kesava das: The devotees are asking one question. They're wanting to know how it was that even though there is so much distance between, let's say, Govardhana and Radha kund and Vrindavan Nandagram and Varsana, how it was that still Krishna and Radha could go and meet, and the cowherd boys could go and meet at these various places? They could go such great distances. Prabhupada: That is distance for you, not for them. Just like a small ant. It goes from here to here. It is a great distance for him, three hundred miles, but for you, one step. Why do you study Krishna like you? Why do you think that Krishna was like you? Avajananti mam mudha manusim tanum ashritam [Bg.9.11]. Krishna can do anything, so His associates. (April 2, 1976, Vrindavan)

Your servant, Bhakta Damon (Secretary to Lokanath Swami)

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