Introduction:
This book blends Vedic scriptural references, the statements of realized seers and the author’s personal mystic experiences to unravel the sweet charm and hidden mystery of Lord Krishna’s divine play land known as Sri Vrndavana Dhama, a spiritual oasis arising from the dusty plains of Northern India. Philosophy, pastimes, poetry and prayers dance together in one book to clearly unveil the secret treasures of Radha-Krishna’s holy land of eternal enchantment. More than a book, Appreciating Sri Vrndavana Dhama is a poetic journey through Vrndavana Dhama. Read and experience its lush pastime filled-forests, talking trees, blissful residents, living dust, loving animals, the famed divine damsels of Vraja, the Divine Couple, the rapture of bhakti, Sri Krishna’s love groves, the Goswamis and the classic medieval temples
Softcover
Language: English
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Sample Chapter:
The Dust of Vrndavana
In some places the ground of Vraja is made of camphor dust. In some places it is saffron. In some places it is made of ground musk, and in some places it is made of the aromatic substances used in religious ceremonies.” (VM)
Worshipable By All
“The dust of Krsna's lotus feet, which is the source of holiness for all places of pilgrimage, is worshiped by all the great demigods. The principal deities of all planets are engaged in His service, and they consider themselves most fortunate to take the dust of the lotus feet of Krsna on their crowns.” (SB
10.68.37v.) “O girls! The dust of Govinda's lotus feet is so sacred that even Brahma, Siva, and the goddess of fortune Rama take that dust upon their heads to dispel sinful reactions. According to Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti, who quotes from the sastras, each day in the late afternoon, as Krsna returned from the cow pastures with His cowherd boyfriends, great demigods like Brahma and Siva would come down and take the dust of Krsna's feet.” (SB 10.30.29v.&p.)
“Lord Brahma prays, 'My dear Lord Krsna, please give me any sort of birth within this Vrndavana forest so that I may be favored by the dust of the feet of some of the devotees of Vrndavana'.” (KB Chap.14) Not only the demigods, but even Lord Sri Krsna's eternal associates such as Srimati Radharani, the gopis, Laksmiji and intimate devotees like Uddhava and Narada Muni relish the dust of Vrndavana. “When, overcome by Vrndavana's nectar beauty, and happily covering Her limbs with its dust, will dear Radharani, Her large lotus petal eyes rolling in ecstasy, shine in great wonder?.” (VM)
“The goddess of fortune, Laksmiji, also desired to keep the dust of Vrndavana on Her breast,along with the fragrant saffron. The gopis, especially, the cowherd men and the aborigine tribes women, always desire to become the grass and straw on the street of Vrndavana, to be trampled by the lotus feet of Krsna.” (KB Chap.82) “Uddhava appreciated the exalted position of the gopis and wished to fall down and take the dust of their lotus feet on his head. Not daring to place the dust of the gopis feet on his own head in this life, Uddhava aspired to have a future birth in the position of a clump of grass or herbs. He would then be able to have the dust of the gopi's feet.” (KB Chap.46)
“In Vrndavana forest the best place is along the shore of the Yamuna. On the sand of the Yamuna, the best place is the arena of the rasa dance. The rasa dance arena is filled with dust that touched the two lotus feet of Sri Krsna, the lover of the gopis. The great sage Narada worships those particles of
dust with all his heart.” (LM)
Living Dust
Why is the dust of Vrndavana worshipable? “Because Vrndavana dust is not different from Krsna,” said Srila Prabhupada, “When you take a little dust from Vrndavana-dhama, it means you are taking the dust from Krsna's lotus feet.” (SPT 75/89)
Devotees living in Vrndavana regularly eat a few grains of this transcendental dust whenever they visit Radha-Krsna's pastime places such as Seva Kunja, Govardhana Hill, Varsana, Radha-kunda, and Raman-reti. Some Vrajavasis even carry a small bottle of Vrndavana dust whenever they leave the dhama. They add a sprinkle to their meals in order to maintain an intimate contact with Radha-Govinda and Sri Vrndavana-dhama. Biographers recount that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself, regularly ate a few grains of dust that He had collected from the birth place of His spiritual master, Sri Isvara Puri.
The Dust That Satisfies All Desires
“When Krsna traveled in Vrndavana forest with Baladeva and His boyfriends, the reddish powder from His chest fell to the ground of the Vrndavana forest. So the lusty aborigine girls, while looking toward Krsna playing with His friends, saw the reddish kunkuma on the ground, took it, and smeared it over their faces and breasts. In this way, they became fully satisfied, although they were not satisfied when their lovers touched their breasts.” (KB Chap.21)
How is the dust of Vrndavana personal, individual living entities? “If you want something from this dust in Hyderbed,” said Srila Prabhupada, “You cannot get it because this dust is material. But in Vrndavana, even from the dust, if you want anything, it will be delibered immediately.” (SPT 75/38)
Roll in the Dust
“One who intends to visit Vrndavana should follow the ideal footsteps of Akrurua, and always think of the pastimes and activities of the Lord. As soon as one reaches the boundary of Vrndavana, he should immediately smear the dust of Vrndavana over his body without thinking of his material position and prestige. Actually one cannot go to Vrndavana by purchasing a ticket. The porcess of going to Vrndavana is shown by Akrura.” (KB Chap. 37)
Prayer
“O son of Maharaja Nanda, Krsna, I am Your eternal servant, yet because of my own fruitive activities I have fallen into this terrible ocean of birth and death. Please pick me up from this ocean of birth and death, and keep me as a particle of dust at Your lotus feet.” (Siksastaka)
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Price: Rs. 300.00
