Brhad-bhagavatamrta Study Guide

Çré Båhad Bhägavatämåta By Çréla Sanätana Goswami Introduction This book is divided in two parts - PURVA (preliminary), and UTTAR (final). The first part is called “Çré Bhagavat Kåpa Nirdhara” or “Determining the greatest recipient of the Lord's mercy”, and the second part is called “Establishing the glory of Goloka Våndävana”. There are seven chapters in the first part 1. Earthly 2. Heavenly 3. Beyond material nature 4. Devotee 5. Dear 6. Dearer 7. The recipient of complete mercy And there are seven chapters in the second part 1. Renunciation 2. Knowledge 3. Devotional service 4. Vaikuntha 5. Love 6. The fulfillment of ultimate desire 7. The attainment of the highest bliss The questions of Uttara devi, the mother of Maharaj Pariksit, are the basis of this scripture. Maharsi Jaimini narrated this anecdote to Janamejaya, the son of Maharaj Pariksit. Therefore this can be considered to be a part of Mahabharata. In both parts there is parivrajaka who described his own experience. In the first part it is Narada Muni and in the second part Gopakumar. Narada Muni is one of a group of sages who become inspired to understand who is the greatest devotee, or who has received the most mercy from the Supreme Lord. Gradually Narada meets more and more advanced personalities, until He comes to Dvaraka and meets Uddhava. From his experiences in Dvaraka Narada Muni is able to understand that the gopés of Våndävana are the most exalted of all devotees.

In the second part of Båhad-bhägavatämåta, through Gopakumar, a cowherd boy, in a most marvelous way, Çréla Sanätana Goswami has explained the Gaudiya Vaisnava philosophy. He reveals the highest region of the spiritual sky and the supremacy of pure devotional service by gradually elevating Gopakumar from the lowest rung of devotional service in practice to the highest rung of loving devotion. As Gopakumar advances by chanting the mantra given by his guru the petals of the flower of devotional service blooms. Although his joy increases due to the blossoming of this flower, instead of becoming satisfied, he feels increasing discontent until the flower has fully bloomed. Passing through different spiritual levels ultimately he attains Vraja and experiences perfect fulfillment. The story of Gopakumar has been narrated by Srila Sanatana Goswami in order to show the result and potency of chanting the mantra given by a bonafide spiritual master. It has also been pointed out in this book that the life of a devotee is eternal, inexhaustible and everprogressive. Gopakumar's spiritual master appears to him five times during his course of advancement and instructs him. Thus one can see that until the disciple attains the lotus feet of the Lord the spiritual master cannot rest in peace.

Part I Chapter 1 - (Earthly) After hearing the narration of Mahabharata from the great sage Jaimini Pariksit Maharaj wanted to know what happened after that and requested him to describe further. Sri Jaimini then told him, “O best of the kings! Sri Vyasadev perceived the Lord, Bhakti Devi, and the external energy of the Lord in his devotional trance, and described His transcendental pastimes in Srimad Bhagavatam. “His son, Sukadev Goswami, in spite of being self-realized and selfsatisfied, became attracted to Sri Krsna's transcendental qualities and studied Srimad Bhagavatam from Srila Vyasadeva. When your father, Maharaj Pariksit, was awaiting his death due to the curse of a brahmana, on the bank of the Ganges, Srila Sukadev Goswami arrived there and narrated Srimad Bhagavatam to your father and delivered

him from the fear of birth and death and bestowed transcendental devotion unto him. “When Maharaj Pariksit was waiting to attain the transcendental abode of the Supreme Personality of Godhead he noticed that his mother Uttara was very much afflicted due to his imminent death. Maharaj Pariksit then explained to her about the futility of material existence and eternity of one's spiritual identity. Hearing these instructions of Pariksit Maharaj, mother Uttara became free from lamentation and experienced joy and asked him, ‘My dear son! Please let me also drink that supremely delicious nectar of Srimad Bhagavatam that you drank from the greatest of swanlike personalities Sripad Badarayani.’ “Pariksit Maharaj replied, ‘Dear Mother! Not much time is left for me to leave for the other world, therefore if you want to hear the most confidential pastimes of Srimad Bhagavatam, the transcendental pastimes of the Lord in Vrindavana which I heard from my most worshipable spiritual master, Srila Sukadeva Goswami, then I must describe if briefly, in a short time.’ Mother Uttara said in reply, ‘My son! Just as sugar is extracted from sugarcane and nectar was once drawn out from milk ocean is, I want you to similarly churn the Çrémad Bhägavatam that you heard from Sripad Badarayani, and allow me to drink that nectar.’ “Pariksit Maharaj then told her, ‘Mother! My last moment is nearing. I thought that now I tould take the vow of silence, yet the beauty of your question is making me eloquent.’” Then Mahäräja Parikñit explains Narada Muni’s quest for the devotee who has received the greatest mercy from the Supreme Lord. Once upon a time, in the month of Magh in Praya , all the great sages assembled near Sri Madhav. At that time one oppulent brahmana (from that country) arrived there to feed the brahmanas. He cleaned up the place and with great respect worshipped the Lord in his Salagram form, and then fed His Mahaprasad to all the brahmanas, Vaisnavas and poor. Then the brahmana honored the Prasad and offered the results of all those activities to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Sitting the Salagram in a gorgeous throne he was about to leave. Narada Muni considered him to be the greatest recipient of Krsna's mercy and told him, “O brahmana! You are the greatest devotee of Krsna. You are the recipient of greatest mercy of Krsna.” The brahmana then said, “O sage! What symptoms did you see of the Lord's mercy in me? If you really want to see the recipient of the Lord's mercy then go to the southern land and meet the great devotee king.

He is rendering wonderful service to the Supreme Lord Krsna along with his family. He is constantly rendering service to the saintly sages and honest people he is always taking care of the guests. If you see his wonderful qualities you will naturally be surprised.” Hearing these words fromthe brahmana Narada Muni became extremely eager to see the king and went to his city. There Narada the most wonderful service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead - various festivals, service to the Vaisnavas like offering them delicious Mahaprasad. Narada Muni with great joy approached the king and told him, “O king! You are the real recipient of Krsna's mercy. All your opulence is always engaged in the service to the Lord and His devotees.” The king became ashamed and told him, “O sage among the demigods! We are human beings and our life span is short; we are constantly suffering the threefold miseries; therefore how can a living entity like me be the recipient of Krsna's mercy? If you really want to see the recipient of Krsna's mercy then go to the demigods in the heavenly planets. They have conquered old age and disease by drinking nectar. Among them Indra is the greatest.

Chapter 2 - (Heavenly) 1) Narada went to heaven and saw Sri Visnu surrounded by demigods, and being worshipped by them. Indra was singing the Lord's transcendental glory and tears of joy were flowing from his eyes. 2) When Sri Vamanadeva left for His Palace Narada Muni told Indra, “O king of the demigods, you are very dear to the Lord, therefore the sun, moon, Yamaraj and all other controllers of the nature are obedient to you. The Lord Himself has taken a position of your younger brother and respects you as His elder brother.” 3)Indra became very ashamed hearing that and told him, “O expert musician, are you making fun of me? Are you not aware how often I run away from heaven due tothe fear of the demons? Bali took over my position and appointed the demons as the controllers of sun, moon, wind and fire and started to enjoy the offerings of sacrifices himself. It is due to my parents' severe austerity the Lord appeared as my brother to reinstate me on my throne.” Indra then explains a number of incidents which occurred which he feels show that he is not the recipient of the Lord’s greatest mercy: a) He did not defeat Bali, but begged heaven from him and gave it Indra. b) There are contaminations of pride, greed, envy in heaven, and there is a constant fear of falldown due to sin of killing a brahmana. c) The Lord took away the greatest assets of heaven Sudharma assembly and parijata flower to earth. d) He prevented the Vrajavasis from worshipping Indra. e) He burnt Khandava forest which was very dear to Indra. 4) Indra told Narada Muni that his father Brahma is the dearest devotee of the Lord. Because: a) In one day of Brahma 14 Indras appear. b) His one day is four thousand yugas of the demigods. c) He is the creator of the controllers of nature. d) Thousand headed Lord Mahapurusa always resides in his abode and personally accepts the sacrifices performed by him. Therefore Brahma is the dearmost devotee of Sri Krsna. He is nondifferent from Sri Krsna. a) Hiranyagarbha Brahma is Visnutattva. b) Vairaja Brahma is living entity. 5) Narada Muni then went to Brahmaloka and saw that the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as Mahapurusa, whose thousand heads are bedecked with matted hair, along with Laksmidevi, receiving the

sacrificial offerings. When the Lord left for His abode along with Laksmidevi, Brahma engaged his sons, the great sages, to perform the sacrifice and went to attend the affairs of the universe. 6) Narada Muni started to glorify him as the greatest devotee saying a) You are the creator, maintainer and destroyer of the fourteen planetary systems. b) You are the supreme controller of the universe, and the self-born. c) The four Vedas appeared from your four mouths. d) Saintly persons who are completely free from pride and envy attain your abode. d) There is no place superior to this Brahmaloka. Narayana's Vaikunthaloka is also within this brahmanda. 7) Brahma considered these praises to be blasphemy and covered his eight ears and started to say, “I am His servant! I am His servant!” He chastised Narada and told him he is not the recipient of the Lord’s greatest mercy because: a) It is His external energy mahamaya as His maidservant who creates, maintains and destroys this material nature. b) Brahma is controlled by Maya and often bewildered by Maya. c) Due to the influence of Maya he develops pride and forgets the supreme position of the Lord. d) He is always afraid of time and therefore desires liberation. e) He worships the Lord in order to attain liberation. f) He does not have any devotion to His lotus feet. He constantly worries about not to commit offense at His lotus feet. g) He was afraid to approach Him when He killed Hiranyakasipu, He warned him not to give any such boon to any demon, still he gave boon to Ravana, who then became extremely powerful and created so much trouble for the Lord. h) All his followers are also offensive to the Lord - Indra, Varuna, Yama etc. i) He himself also stole His friends and calves. 8) Brahma explained that actually Lord Shiva is the dearest devotee of Sri Vishnu because he is known to be His friend. There is no one in this universe as dear to the Lord as Shiva because: a) He renounced all opulence of this world due to the transcendental joy of drinking the nectar from His lotus feet. b) He is holding the Ganges on his head because she originated from His lotus feet. c) Shiva can grant liberation to demigods like us. d) All the residents of Shivaloka are liberated. e) So many living entities attained liberation and devotional service to Sri Vishnu due to the mercy of Shiva.

f) Sri Krsna tolerates offenses to Himself but He does not tolerate offenses committed to Shiva. g) The Lord Himself killed the demons who became powerful due to the boons given by Shiva and then consoled and praised him. (He did not do that in Brahma's case) h) During the churning of the milk ocean He made Shiva drink the poison and glorified him with the name Nilakantha. Therefore Brahma asked Narada to go to Lord Çiva’s abode beyond the seven layers of this material nature and see how Krsna's mercy is being showered upon him.

Chapter 3 - (Beyond material nature) 1) Thereafter Narada Muni went to Shivaloka and from a distance saw that Shiva was absorbed in worshiping Lord Sankarsana, and dancing in ecstasy chanting His transcendental glory. 2) Narada Muni started to sing the glory of Shiva as he heard from his father, and he tried to take the dust from his lotus feet. But Shiva prevented him from doing that and embraced him. 3) Narada Muni started to sing his glory describing him as the lord of the universe and the dearest devotee of Krsna. 4) Sri Shiva covered his ears and angrily told Narada that he was only the servant of the servant of the Lord. 5) Narada Muni then felt guilty and started to describe him as the one who knows the transcendental glory of the Lord and who can reveal His glory to others. He is so dear to Krsna that so many times Krsna worshiped him with great respect and accepted boons from him. 6) Sri Shiva then got up and covered Narada Muni's mouth telling him, “Please do not remind me of my arrogant behavior.” And he explained that they were nothing but Krsna's transcendental pastimes. Although he committed so many offenses to Sri Krsna, but Sri Krsna never neglected him. 7) Narada Muni said, “You are very dear to Krsna. Therefore there is no room for you to commit offenses to Him. Although sometimes it may appear that you committed offenses, but Krsna never considered them to be offenses. Although you gave boons to offenders to Vaisnavas there was some loopholes in those boons. (Kalayavana, Jayadratha). “But when someone offends you you do not take any offense.” 8) There was nothing wrong in Shiva's asking a boon that his position will be greater than Krsna's. By doing that he simply asked to become His devotees. 9) Krsna blessed Shiva and Durga with the power to grant liberation. 10) In spite of being the most opulent person Shiva is most renounced. 11) Sri Shiva felt extremely ashamed and started to reply, he himself is the cause of false ego. He is involved in destruction which is in the mode of ignorance. He fought with Krsna at the time of stealing the

parijata flower and at the time of stealing Usha. Krsna instructed him to write an imaginary commentary and tantras in order to make people averse to Krsna consciousness. Liberation is not wanted by devotees. The word liberation is painful to the ears of a devotee. 12) Lord Shiva told Narada that the residents of Vaikuntha are the greatest devotees of Krsna. In Vaikunthaloka the devotees do not have any desire besides serving Krsna. Their form is of eternity knowledge and bliss. All they want is to protect and increase devotees and devotional service. In Vaikuntha the animals, trees and plants are also constantly serving Sri Hari. Everyone and everything is blessed by Krsna's supreme mercy. 13) He continued to explain that even the human beings on earth who are devotees of Sri Hari are worshipable by demigods like him. They are as dear to him as the Supreme Lord. He always hankers for their association. Wherever those devotees reside those places become Vaikuntha. Their bodies, although apparently material, become transcendental. 14) Parvati said, “In Vaikuntha Sri Mahalaksmi is the greatest devotee of Krsna a) She is worshiped by everyone in Vaikuntha. b) One receives knowledge, renunciation and devotion by her mercy. c) She always resides on the chest of Sri Hari. d) She is the greatest of all chaste women. 15) Hearing that Narada Muni was about to go to Vaikuntha but Shiva reminded him that the Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Krsna was residing on the earth in Dvaraka at that time. Therefore there was no need to go to Vaikuntha. But if he wanted to see the greatest devotee then he should go to Sutalaloka and see Prahlada. Prahlada is the greatest devotee because a) Krsna Himself announced that of all His devotees Prahlada is the best. b) Prahlada's good fortune was perceived at the time of killing Hiranyakasipu, because the Lord expressed His greatest affection to him at that time. c) Although the Lord repeatedly wanted to give Prahlada liberation, Prahlada simply desired for devotion. d) Krsna's special favor to Bali and Vanasura was due to His love for Prahlada.

Chapter 4 - (Devotee) 1) Narada Muni went to Sutalaloka according to Mahadeva's instruction. Prahlada at that time was meditating upon the lotus feet of the Lord in a solitary place. In his mind's eyes he saw Narada Muni coming and he offered him obeisances. 2) Narada Muni refused to accept his worship and started to glorify him as the dearmost devotee of Krsna. Because a) Krsna personally protected him from the torture of his father. b) Due to his unalloyed devotion to Krsna his demoniac father also became a great devotee. c) He spread the glory of the Lord and His devotional service, and thus delivered so many persons from this ocean of material existence. d) Upon Brahma's request, when Prahlad approached Lord Nrisimhadeva and fell down at His lotus feet, then the Lord picked him up with His own hands and placing His lotus hands upon his head, and licked his body with great affection. e) Prahlad refused to accept liberation but accepted his father's kingdom simply to spread Krsna consciousness. f) When Prahlad was going to Naimisaranya to see his worshipable Lord, Sri Hari, the Lord appeared to him in disguise and fought with him. Being pleased with him the Lord then blessed him, “I will always be defeated by you.” g) It is because of His love for Prahlad that the Lord has become the gatekeeper of Bali's palace. 3) Prahlada Maharaj then told Narada Muni with great respect a) In his childhood whatever devotion to the Lord he displayed was not founded on knowledge. It was only some childish attachment. b) He simply remembers the Lord in his mind through meditation, but does not render devotional service unto Him. c) Service to the Lord is the sign of greater mercy of the Lord than being protected by Him. d) The appearance and pastime of Lord Nrisimhadeva was mainly due to His mercy upon the demigods, to deliver His two associates, to fulfill Brahma's words and to prove the glory of His devotional service. e) His offering the kingdom to Prahlad was not a sign of His mercy, because He Himself said, “Upon whom I bestow my mercy I take away his opulence.” f) The Lord is not always present in the gate of Bali, as Narada mentioned, only sometimes someone like Ravana gets to see Him there. If He was always at his gate then would Prahlad have gone to Naimisaranya for His darshan?

g) When the Lord appeared to kill Hiranyakasipu then Prahlad could see Him only for a short while. But Hanuman is serving the Lord personally for many thousands of years. In order to serve the Lord he crossed the ocean, consoled Sri Sitadevi, burnt Lanka, and destroyed Ravana's fort. Bringing back the news of Sita he received the embrace of Sri Ramachandra. h) He carried Lord Ramacandra on his back. i) He carried the Gandhamadan mountain to save Laksman. His servitorship to the Lord is the display of the Lord's mercy upon him. 4) Narada Muni then went to Kimpurusa-varsa and saw that Hanuman was worshiping Lord Ramachandra. 5) Hearing Narada Muni's glorification of his Lord Hanuman embraced Narada. Narada Muni glorified him as the Lord's friend, carrier, seat, flag, umbrella, general and greatest assistant because of his total surrender to the Lord. 6) Hanuman then started to cry remembering the mercy of the Lord. Narada Muni consoled him. Controlling his emotion Hanuman started to tell him a) “If I were really a servant of the Lord then would He have rejected me like this? b) He is in Mathura and displaying His Supreme opulence. c) His mercy towards the Pandavas is the greatest. d) He became the chariot driver, associate, minister, messenger of the Pandavas and He also glorified them and offered obeisances to them. e) Due to the constant presence of the Lord, the capital of the Pandavas has become the residence of all great sages. f) “Pandavas must know some magic by which they have enchanted the Lord.” g) Hanuman considered it to be his great fortune that Bhima is like his brother and very dear to him, and Arjuna carries his image on the flag of his chariot. 7) Narada Muni then invited Hanuman to go along with him to Ayodhya to see the Lord and His devotees, but Hanuman refused that proposal due to his fear of committing offense. 8) Difference between Ramachandra's pastimes and Krsna's pastimes. 9) Hanuman's attachment to Lord Ramachandra. Devakinandana is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, therefore He can do everything. As the source of all incarnation He can also appear as Sri Ramachandra.

10) The Pandavas, due to their unalloyed devotion to Sri Krsna are completely free from all material attachments. Yudhisthira ruled his kingdom for the sake of the Lord's pleasure. He was not attached to his most beautiful wife Draupadi and illustrious brothers like Bhima and Arjuna. His fondness for them was due to their relationship with Krsna.

Chapter 5 - (Dear) 1) Dancing in ecstasy Narada Muni went to Hastinapur and saw that Yudhisthira Maharaj along with his relatives were planning to bring Krsna back from Dvaraka with some excuse of danger or performing some sacrifice. 2) Pandavas offered obeisances to Narada Muni, and brought different paraphernalia to worship him, but Narada Muni started to worship them with those items and said, “Although some people received pure devotion during Sri Ramachandra's incarnation, spontaneous devotional service was unknown to this world. That spontaneous love of spiritual sentiment is manifest in the Pandavas. Therefore the Pandavas are the real recipient of the Lord's special mercy. 3) Pandavas are the greatest devotee of Krsna because a) Krsna became their dear friend, worshipable Lord, spiritual master, cousin, messenger, charioteer even He became their servant. b) He, whom Brahma, Shiva and other such great personalities cannot even perceive in their meditation, who is the ultimate goal of the Vedas, that Supreme Personality of Godhead became very pleased with them, although they did not make any endeavor for that. c) What to speak of Krsna's mercy, His chastisement also is very beneficial. Putana got the position of His mother, Kalya was blessed by His lotus feet on his head, Kamsa was always meditating upon Him and left his body upon looking at His lotus face. 4) Narada Muni controlled his tongue by biting it with his teeth and started to glorify the Pandavas along with mother Kunti and Draupadi. Narada said a) Krsna loves the Pandavas just as they love Him. b) Krsna offered Yudhistira the greatest glory by making him the king. c) He offered Bhima the unequal fame by making him kill Jarasandha. d) Arjun is known all over the world as His friend. e) Nakula and Sahadeva are also very dear to Him. f) He addressed Draupadi as “my dear friend”. He protected her from the fear of Durvasa and Duhsasana. g) Vidura and Bhisma received Krsna's special favour because of their affection to the Pandavas. h) Krsna Himself announced in the assembly of the Kauravas, “Those who are inimical towards Pandavas are also my enemy, because Pandavas are as dear to me as my own life.”

5) The Pandavas felt extremely embarassed hearing that, and told Narada Muni, “We cannot understand, inspite of repeated reasoning, what kind of mercy Krsna has upon us. a) Now that we got back our kingdom, killing our enemies, instead of joy we are feeling extreme pain. b) He acts as our messanger and charioteer not because of His special favour upon us, but to establish Dharma.” 6) The Pandavas then told Narada Muni that the Yadavas are really dear to Krsna, therefore they are the objects of the Lord's real mercy. Narada Muni went to Dvaraka and saw that the fortunate Yadavas were sitting in the Sudharma assembly and waiting for Krsna's arrival. 7) As soon as they saw Narada they ran to greet him, and Narada offered them obeisances. They picked him up from the ground and offered him a divine seat to sit on. Narada Muni sat down on the ground, and the Yadavas also sat on the ground around him. 8) When they brought the paraphernalia for the worship, Narada Muni got up and spoke to them with folded hands, “You are especially blessed by Krsna. Please be kind upon me and offer me the blessing that I can sing your glories throughout the world. You can always see Him, touch Him, address Him, sit with Him, eat with Him, sleep with Him. Thus you are related to Him with a great bondage of love. Therefore the Lord has forgotten about Vaikuntha and constantly providing you with some indescribable joy. 9) Hearing this words the Yadavas touched Narada's feet and told him, “O most worshipable sage! You are worshiped even by our worshipable Krsna, therefore why are you offering obeisances to most fallen persons like ourselves? All our qualifications are simply due to our relationship to the Supreme Lord Krsna. But amongst us Uddhava is extremely dear to Krsna. He is His minister, disciple, servant and very dear friend. The Lord sends him on very special missions like rescuing of Samba when he was captured by Bhishma, Drona and other Kauravas. Uddhava is Krsna's constant companion. Uddhava always remains with Him and receives His Mahaprasad. At night when Krsna goes to bed he massages His feet and when Krsna falls asleep he places His lotus feet on his lap and goes to sleep. He is so dear to Krsna that he even looks exactly like Krsna. 10) Narada Muni was about to go to see Uddhava, then Ugrasena said, “O best of the sages! Unless ordered by Krsna Uddhava never leaves Him even for a moment. Please go inside and meet Uddhava, but at the same time tell him that we are waiting for Krsna in the assembly. It is already quite late. Ask him to come quickly with his Lord.

Chapter 6 - (Dearest) 1) Narada Muni became overwhelmed with love hearing the glory of Uddhava. He was not able to play his vina. When he was walking from the Sudharma assembly to the inner part of Krsna's palace he appeared to be like a raving mad man or a person haunted by ghost. His steps were unsteady, sometimes he was falling down and rolling on the ground, crying, shouting singing and dancing. 2) Krsna was still sleeping. Uddhava was sitting in the room surrounded by Baladev, Devaki, Rohini, Kamsa's mother Padmavati and some maidservants. They became surprised to see Narada in such a strange mood and requested him to explain what actually happened to him. 3) Narada opened his tearful eyes and told them with a faltering voice - “Please introduce me to Uddhava. Please help me to get the dust of his feet, then only my heart will be pacified. Because a) Uddhava received the greatest favor of the Lord. b) Of all the devotees Uddhava is the greatest. c) Krsna Himself said, ‘Brahma, Balaram, Shiva, Laksmi, even His own expansions are not as dear to Him as Uddhava.’ 4) Hearing that Uddhava got up and with great respect embraced Narada's feet and started to cry. Then he controlled himself and said, “O Narada Muni! You know everything. You are the most truthful person, and the original preceptor of devotional service. I also used to think that I was the dearest devotee of Krsna. But that pride has been destroyed since I went to Vraja recently. 5) All the residents of Vraja are related to Krsna with great love, but the love of the gopis are the greatest. In order to get the dust from their lotus feet Uddhava desired to become a creeper in Vrindavana. 6) Uddhava desired to become a creeper in Vrindavana. Because a) Then he could get the dust from the feet of the gopis. b) He would get the association of other creepers who also have similar desire. c) If someone says, “Uddhava, if you stay away from the road as a creeper, then how will you get the dust from their feet?” Then Uddhava's reply is, “When the gopis become mad with the desire to meet Krsna hearing His flute they do not have any awareness of the road. I repeatedly worship the dust from the feet of those gopis.”

7) Uddhava was afraid to describe the glory of the gopis in detail because if somehow Krsna heard that then He would become afflic ed with His love for the gopis. 8) Mother Rohini said, “Uddhava, please do not remind me of the gopis who are plunged in an ocean of misery, who are being constantly burnt in the dangerous forest fire, and afflicted by the poison of separation from Krsna. “Yasoda's cry made stones to shed tears and thunders to split. No one could make out whether the gopis like Radha were alive or dead. “When Krsna returned from the ashram of Sandipani Muni I told Him about the condition of Vraja, but He was not moved by that. Therefore instead of going there Himself He sent you, who are very expert in diplomacy and flattery. “You sang the glory of your Lord's mercy upon the residents of Vraja, but is this the sign of His mercy? When your Lord was in Vraja then also He did not do anything to make them happy. Ever since Krsna went to Vraja many demons like Putana and Kesi constantly caused disturbances. But the Vrajavasis never cared for their own happiness. They were simply enchanted by the sweetness of Krsna and desired only for His welfare. They offered everything for Krsna's pleasure. They used to know Krsna as the son of Nanda Maharaj, not as Yadunandana. Therefore they had natural affection for Him. “Due to His selfish reasons as long as He stayed there He did not do any good to the Vrajavasis. Now that His selfish objectives have been accomplished, and He is residing very happily with His relatives, what He is doing for them does not need any description.” 9) Kamsa's mother Padmavati, who was old, unreasonable and unchaste, said, “Alas! How painful it is that the heartless cowherd folks engaged Acyuta to tend cows in the dense forest from His childhood. they did not even give Him a pair of shoes. Sometimes, out of hunger, when He drank some milk cruel Yasoda tied Him up with a rope. He was helpless. He took care of the cows tolerating all those sufferings in His childhood, benefitted them as much as He could. What can He do now?” 10) Rohinidevi completely ignored Padmavati and told Uddhava, “Now your Lord has become the king of kings in Dvaraka defeating all His enemies. Now the demigods even worship His feet. Now He does not even remember the poor Vrajavasis.” 11) Rukmini said, “Mother! You do not know what goes on in the butter-soft heart of Krsna, therefore you are speaking like this. At night in His sleep, Krsna speaks about Vraja. Some times He calls the cows very sweetly by their names. Sometimes He says, “Mother! Give me some butter.” Sometimes He addresses me as “Sri Radha”, “Sri

Lalita”. And sometimes He tells me “Candravali! What kind of behavior is this, are you deceiving me?” Saying that He pulls the end of my sari. Sometimes He soaks the earth with His tears, sometimes getting up from His sleep He cries painfully. Hearing that cry we become submerged in an ocean of sorrow. Tonight also, He had been crying due to some dream. Covering His face with His cadar He is still lying in His bed.” Satyabhama devi said, “Not only in His sleep, even in wakeful state He behaves like that. We are His wives only superficially; actually even the maidservants of the gopis of Vrindavana are more dear to our Lord.” 12) Balaram said, “Since we are speaking about the pitiable condition of the Vrajavasis, brother Krsna is acting as if He was dreaming about the Vrajavasis just to deceive us. When I stayed in Vrindavana for two months to console the Vrajavasis I realized that no one but Krsna can console them. Upon my return I told Him, “Krsna, please go to Vraja and save the lives of the Vrajavasis.” He simply said, “Yes, I will go.” But it does not seem that He means it. 13) Hearing that Krsna quickly got out of His bed and started to cry loudly. Tears were incessantly flowing from His eyes, with faltering voice He started to say, “It is true that my heart is made with thunder, therefore this heart did not split as yet. Those Vrajavasis took care of me so affectionately since my childhood, but I am so cruel that I forgot their extraordinary love for me. Instead of benefitting them I am simply causing them great distress. Dear Uddhava, please tell me what should I do. Please save me from this ocean of lamentation.” Uddhava told Him, “The Vrajavasis only want you, and unless you go there their lives will not be saved. In order to get you they have given up everything. You can ask your elder brother about that.” 14) Remembering the condition of Vraja Balaram started to cry loudly and said, “Dear Brother! What to speak of the Gopas and Gopis of Vraja, due to your separation even the cows, animals, birds, trees, creepers and grass offered their lives to you. The lakes have become dry, the mountains are shrinking. Some of the men are maintaining their lives depending upon your promise that you will return. If you do not show your mercy upon them then Yama will show his mercy upon them pretty soon. Those who are still alive have given up eating and drinking. Now the forest fire of dry Mahavan will be their destiny.” 15) Hearing that soft hearted Krsna started to cry placing His hand around Balaram's neck. Then They started to roll on the ground and fainted. Seeing Their condition Rohini, Uddhava, Devaki, Rukmini, Satyabhama and others present there started to cry. The sound of their cry reached the Sudharma assembly and the Yadavas headed by

Ugrasena quickly arrived there and seeing Krsna's condition became overwhelmed and started to cry.

Chapter 7 - ( The Recipient of Complete Mercy) 1) The sound of the Yadava's cry spread throughout the universe. Brahma arrived in Krsna's palace along with the personified Vedas and demigods, and saw that his father, Krsna, attained a uniquestate of bewilderment due to His separation from the dearest ones. Losing his composure Brahma also cried for a while. Then he thought of some means to cure his Lord. He called Garuda and asked him to carry Krsna and Balaram to Raivatak mountain in the salt water ocean where Viswakarma had built an artificial Vrindavana. Only Rohinidevi was allowed to go there. 2) In New Vrindavana where Visvakarma made a replica of Vrindavana with statues of gopas and gopis, Garuda very carefully placed Krsna on a bed. In the meantime Balaram came back to His senses, and understood Brahma's arrangements. 3) Unable to leave Krsna in such a state Devaki, Rukmini, Satyabhama and Padmavati also arrived with Uddhava, but due to Brahma's request stayed out of sight. Narada also stayed invisibly in the sky to see the pastime of the Lord. Garuda also remained in the sky and spreading his wings protected his Lord from the sun. Balaram quickly washed His mouth and then washed His brother's lotus like mouth. Then He stuck a flute in His belt around His waist. Then He decorated Him with buffalo horn, cane, garland of kadamba flowers, and a crown of peacock feather. He then picked Krsna up from the bed and told Him, “Krsna, Krsna, wake up. See, all your friends are waiting for you. Due to their affection for you our parents are not able to say anything to you. See, the Gopis are whispering to each others ears; most probably they are making fun of you. Krsna woke up and opening His eyes saw Nanda Maharaj and offered him obeisances; then told His mother laughingly - “Mother! I dreamt this morning that I went to Mathura and killed Kamsa and other such wicked demons. Then I built a great city called Dvaraka on the bank of the ocean.” His mother did not say anything. Krsna thought His mother was worried about His health, and consoled her saying, “Mother, it is due to the dream that I was so late to get up today.” He then told Balaram, “If you don't think that dream to be impossible then I will describe them in details while going to the forest.” 4) Krsna then stretched His hands to His mother for the food for His picnic in the forest. Rohinidevi quickly told Krsna, “Your mother was extremely worried today due to your sleeping till so late, therefore do not speak to her too much now. I will prepare the food stuffs and send them to the forest. Krsna then stole the butter from mother Yasoda's

hand and called Balaram to share it with. But Balaram already went ahead with the cows, therefore He did not eat it. 5) On the way He met the gopis, and addressed Srimati Radhika as His life and soul, and told Her, “Why aren't you speaking to me? Are you angry with me? Did I offend you? Oh! I realized now - You are omniscient, therefore you got to know about my dream. My dearest! I dreamt that deserting you I went away to far off Dvaraka and got married to many princesses there, and got many children through them. Anyway, now I am getting late. This evening I will give pleasure to you.” Then He threw flowers at Her and briskly looking around embraced Her and kissed her. 6) Seeing Krsna dressed as a cowherd boy and hearing His flute, milk started to flow from Devaki's breasts. Rukmini and Jambavati fainted. Driven by lust old Padmavati ran towards Krsna along with Satyabhama, but Kalindi with the help of Uddhava prevented them. 7) While tending the cows Krsna saw the ocean from a distance and mistook it to be the Yamuna. He called all His friends to join Him in a water sport in Yamuna - “Sridam, Subal, Arjun, where are you? Come, let our cows drink this sweet water, then we will swim and play in this cool flowing water of Yamuna.” 8) As He came close to the bank of the ocean, Krsna saw the city of Dvaraka and became extremely surprised. Then Balaram told Him, “My dear Lord of Vaikuntha! Try to remember that you have now descended to reduce the burden of this earth due to the prayers of the demigods. Therefore, please protect the devotees and annihilate the demons. Help Yudhisthira to perform sacrifice.” Baladev continued, “You established Yudhisthira as the monarch of this earth, but he became afraid of demons like Anusalva. Therefore, please go there with the Yadavas and annihilate those demons. They are troubling Yudhisthira because he is dear to you.” 9) Sri Krsna became angry hearing that and said, “Brother Balaram! Anusalva is so insignificant that I alone can kill him.” Then looking around Krsna remembered Himself as the Lord of the Yadavas. Then He remembered that He was sleeping in His palace. He became surprised and doubtful seeing flute in His hand, and Balaram and Himself tending cows on the bank of the Ocean dressed as cowherd boys. Then Balaram explained everything to Him with a smile. After taking bath in the ocean they returned to the palace riding on Garuda's back. Krsna saw that His mother and all His queens were there but Satyabhama was absent. So He asked Uddhava about Her.

10) Uddhava said, “My Lord! During your pastimes in Nava Vrindavan Kamsa's mother Padmavati, who was watching your activities from a distance along with Devaki, Rukmini and other queens, commented, “You Devaki, devoid of piety! You, unfortunate Rukmini! O lowly Satyabhama! Can't you see Krsna's condition? Now you give up your pride for your good fortune and try to perform severe austerities to become maidservants of those cowherd girls.” Mother Devaki replied, “You fool! It is not at all surprising. In the past I performed austerities along with Vasudev to receive Krsna as my son. But Nanda and Yasoda prayed to Brahma only for devotion. Therefore they attained even higher position than us due to their devotion. They brought up Krsna with affection. Krsna's attitude towards them is very appropriate. This attitude is very dear to me also.” “Rukmini said, “The gopis gave up all attachments for everything in this life and the life after. They gave up their husbands and children and served Krsna with intense love. Their loving relation with Krsna is a mystery even to us. That love is a subject of our constant meditation. Therefore Krsna's attachment to the gopis being greater than to us is quite appropriate. Because we are His married wives. We serve Him with awe and reverence, but the gopis serve Him out of their pure love for Him, which is free from all religious and moral considerations. The superior love of the gopis is not a matter of our envy, because it is not proper for the inferiors to develop enmity with someone who is much superior.” Uddhava said, “Other queens approved these words of Rukmini, but Satyabhama could not tolerate that. She became upset and went to her room.” 11) Krsna became angry upon hearing that and ordered angrily, “Bring that foolish daughter of Satrajit here.” Satyabhama's maidservants reported that to Satyabhama, and she got up from the ground and quickly came to her husband. Krsna chastised Her angrily, “You, narrow minded daughter of Satrajit! Just as you were upset upon hearing that I gave parijata flower to Rukmini, you became upset now seeing my love for the gopis. Don't you know that I am completely submissive to the desire of the residents of Vraja? If in order to make them happy I have to reject you all then I am prepared to do that.” “Brahma mentioned in his prayer that I am not able to return the favor of the Vrajavasis, that statement is not wrong. Because I am extremely indebted to the Vrajavasis. If you say that if I go to Vraja and stay there then that debt will be repaid, and they will become satisfied, but in reply I will say that I do not know whether their suffering due to my separation will be mitigated if I go to Vraja and stay there. Because that pleasant union will increase their pain of separation. Just as a person who is burnt with fire feels relief with fire, similarly I try to relieve the Vrajavasis' anguish due to separation with separation. “Besides that there is no possible remedy. If one asks why I left such great lovers and made them feel such intense pain of

separation? In reply I will say, “Even in union they experience some unique emotion and become oblivious of themselves. In union and in separation I am unable to take care of their welfare. Even in union they experience intense pain due to the anxiety of future separation. “When I disappear then sometimes they become like dead and sometimes become mad due to the blazing fire of separation. Then they mistake a tamal tree to be Me and embrace it and kiss it. “Therefore whether I stay in Vraja or stay away from Vraja means the same.” “You may question, why I got married to you all. Actually when I was in Mathura I did not have any desire to get married but when I got to know that Rukmini decided to give up her life if she did not get me, I stole Her, but when I saw her I remembered the gopis and I became very much afflicted. In order to become free from that affliction, seeing the resemblance of number with the gopis who performed Katyayani vrata, I married you all. “How painful it is! The pastimes I performed in Vraja and the joy I experienced there, what to speak of performing such pastimes, I cannot even describe them here. Sri Badarayani, who is as dear to me as the Vrajavasis will describe a part of that pastimes to his disciple Pariksit.” 12) Balaram told Krsna about Narada's presence by the door. Krsna asked with a smile, “Why Narada is not coming in as usual? Who stopped him at the gate today?” Uddhava said, “My Lord it is his own shame and fear that is preventing him from coming in.” Krsna personally went to the door and brought Narada in and told him, “You benefitted me immensely today. Due to the remembrance of the dear ones, although one feels endless lamentation and pain at first, in the long run it becomes even more pleasing than the joy of union. Then the heart feels satisfied with a sense of completeness. “O sage among the demigods! Reminding me of the gopis today you benefitted me immensely. Therefore I have become very pleased with you, and I wanted to grant you some boon according to your desire.” Narada started to offer prayers to the Lord singing His transcendental names related to His pastimes in Vraja, and asked “My Lord, please grant me the boon that no one ever becomes satisfied with your mercy, devotion and love.” The Lord said, “Naradada! What kind of boon did you ask. Everyone knows that no one ever becomes satisfied with devotion. This is the natural characteristic of devotion. Therefore you ask some other boon from me.” Narada started to dance in ecstasy and asked, “My Lord! Please let me constantly drink the nectar of your holy name and distribute them to everyone everywhere. This is the first boon, and the second one is - whoever hears, chants, touches or holds in his hearts the land of your pastimes will be blessed with the loving devotional service at the lotus feet of Srimati Radharani. The Lord granted Narada those boons.

Part 2 (The Glory of Goloka) Chapter 1 - (Detachment) 1) Janamejaya's enquires about the discussion between mother Uttara and Pariksit Maharaj. In reply Sri Jaimini started to describe the glory of Goloka - Srimati Uttara enquired about the abode that the devotees who desire the servitorship of the gopis of Vraja attain. 2) Pariksit Maharaj described his own good fortune and started to describe the story of the brahmana from Prag-yotishpur. That brahmana received the ten-syllabled Gopal-mantra from Kamakhyadevi. Due to chanting of that mantra he became detached from material attachments and developed firm faith in chanting of the mantra. He saw the Lord who was indicated by the mantra. Shiva instructed him in a dream to go to Mathura. 3) In Prayag he saw the brahmanas worshipping Madhava. His discussion with the Vaisnavas there. Instructions on one's worshipable deities. Madhava's instruction to go to Mathura immediately. 4) The brahmana heard the sound of someone sobbing on the eastern side of Kesi-tirtha and entered into the Kadamba-grove. There he saw Gopakumar. He offered him obeisances and enquired from him about the goal of life and how he could attain that. In reply Gopakumar told him that the ultimate goal can be attained by “Sri-nama-sankirtan” and in order to convince him he began to narrate his own life-story. 5) Gopakumar was a young cowherd boy from Vrindavan. He received the same ten syllabled mantra from a great devotee of Krsna. Gopakumar had firm faith that the mantra he received from his spiritual master was Krsna's prasad. Due to chanting of that mantra his heart became purified and he felt a tremendous attraction for his worshippable Lord and left home. He saw a brahmana worshipping a Salagrama-sila on the bank of the Ganges. Due to his instruction gopakumar went to the palace of the king and seeing the grand worship of Sri Narayan there he desired to worship the Lord like that. 6) The king accepted him as his son, and after the king's death he became the king. Although he was always engaged in worshipping Sri Narayan, he felt dicontentment due to various affairs about hi kingdom. From one wandering mandicant he heard about the great

mercy of the Lord of Nilacala. He left his kingdom and went there to see Him. He desired to serve Lord Jagannath personally. 7) He saw his spiritual master on the bank of the ocean, and he received further instructions about chanting of the mantra. He became the king of that country and improved the standard of worship. Due to his involvement in ruling the kingdom he felt discontentment in his mind. In a dream he received instruction from Lord Jagannath to return to Mathura.

Chapter 2 - (Knowledge) 1) Gopakumar stayed in Mathura for some time, then he left for Nilacala in order to see Lord Jagannath. On the way he met some saintly peoplea and heard from them how opulently Sri Upendra (Lord Vamanadev) is worshipped in heaven. Due to the potencey of the mantra a spaceship arrived to take him to heaven, where he received the mercy of Upendra. When Indra disappeard from heaven due to the fear of a curse of a brahmana Gopakumar became the king of heaven, and made very nice arrangements to serve Lord Upendra. a) Although he became the king of heaven, he did not stay in the palace, he used to stay in the Nandana-Kanan garden as a mendicant. He did not have any desire for sense enjoyment. b) In spite of being in heaven he could not forget Vrindavan. Upendra consoled him whenever he felt sad. c) When Upendra used to disappear from heaven, Gopakumar wanted to go to Nilacala to see Lord Jagannath, because Jagannath never leaves Nilacal. But whenever he thought like that Upendra came back and consoled him. d) He stayed in heaven as the king for one celestial year. 2) In heaven he met great sages like Bhrigu. He got to know about Maharloka from Brihaspati. Due to the influence of chanting the Mantra he was elevated there. Although the sages requested him to become a brahmana he refused. He received the opportunity to serve Yajnesvara. At the end of Brahma's day three worlds, upto heaven, were destroyed, then he went to Janaloka. He got to see Sanatkumar and from the sages heard about Tapaloka and was elevated there. 3) He saw four Kumaras in Tapaloka. He never gave up the chanting of the mantra. Once he desired to go to Nilacala to see Lord Jagannath. Sage Pippalayana got to know his mind and dissuaded him by saying -

a) The Supreme Personality of Godhead is beyond sense perception, therefore he should not try to perceive Him with his eyes. b) He asked him to fix his mind in meditation, then in trance he would be able to see Him within and without. c) Ultimate perception is through the mind. d) Although Dhruva, Prahlad saw the Lord, but that perception was possible through knowledge, but they felt that they saw the Lord with their eyes. e) Out of nine processes of devotianal service remembrance is the best, because in remembrance the activities of the mind, the greatest of all senses, is offered to the Lord. Pippalayana asked him to go to Gandhamadan mountain to meet Lord Nara-Narayana, whom they always see in their mind's eyes. As Gopakumar was about to go there the four Kumaras showed him various forms of the Lord. Once Brahma arrived in Tapaloka. From the four Kumaras he got to know the facts about Brahma and Satyaloka. 4) Gopakumar went to Satyaloka. Saw Mahapurusa. Laksmidevi treated him very affectionately. He saw how at the end of the day of Brahma three worlds become destroyed. Once Brahama disappeared from Satyaloka due to fear of a demon, then Gopakumar attained the position of Brahma. The Srutis described the important facts about liberation and devotion. 5) Devotion is greater than liberation. Superiority of devotion above knowledge and renunciation. Description of eight coverings of universe. Gopakumar's devotion increased after hearing the story of devotion, and due to the direct instruction of the Lord he went to Vrindavan.

Chapter 3 - (Devotional service) 1) While travelling in Vrindavan Gopakumar met his spiritual master and received instructions from him. Due to the influence of chanting the mantra he became free from the bondage of matter and developed his spiritual body and reached the abode of Shiva transcending the seven coverings of the material nature. a) Earth - Varahadeva is worshipped by Dharani devi. b) Water - Matsyadeva is worshipped. c) Fire - Suryadeva in worshipped. d) Air - Pradyumna is worshipped. f) False ego - Aniruddha is worshipped. g) Mahatattva - Vasudev is worshipped.

2) Gradually crossing those coverings he came to the covering of Prakriti which was in great darkness. The deep dark colour of Prakriti stole his mind . She invited him to stay there. Then she told him that wether he desired liberation or devotion he should worship her. Crossing that impenetrable darkness he perceived an extremely brilliant light and closed his eyes out of fear, and due to his devotion crossed that and as he opened his eyes he saw the Supreme personality of Godhead brilliant as million suns, yet He was extremely pleasing to the eyes and mind. Sometimes He appeared with His form and sometimes He appeared to be blinding rays of light. Sometimes he was about to lose his identity in that light and then he was safed due to the mercy of the Lord. He saw Mahadev descending from some higher plane along with his associates. Nandiswar revealed the identity of Mahadeva to him. He recognized Mahadev as non-different from his worshippable Madangopal .Still he felt dissatisfied because the qualities of Madangopal like beauty, sweatness, mercy, etc. were not there, He heard the sweet sound of music, and hearing that sound Mahadev also lost himself with joy and started to dance in ecstacy. He saw some fourhanded residents of Vaikuntha. He desired to know who they were. Knowing his mind Parvati devi instructed Ganesh to explain their secret to him. The associates of the Lord freely travel everywhere to spread pure devotion to Krsna. If someone, at the time of death, chants the name of the Lord, they deliver him. He desired to go to Vaikuntha. But then he felt that he was unqualified to reside in Vaikuntha and fainted. Sri Mahadev lifted him up and consoled him by saying, “My dear Vaisnava, I also want to always reside in Vaikuntha along with Parvati, That place is very rare. Grat sages like Bhrigu, Brahma and myself are endeavouring in various ways to go there. But you are qualified to attain that Vaikunthaloka. Because you are a devotee of Mathuranath, a disciple of His very intimate devotee and attached to chant His mantra. This place is meant for the impersonal sannyasis who have been bewildered by my devient teaching. Therefore, please leave this place knowing it to be troublesome. Associates of the Lord offered obeisances to Sri Mahadev and said, “No one is equal to Vaikunthanath and there in no difference between you and Him, and there is no difference between Gauri and Laxmidevi. We came here to take you. If you really want to go to Vaikuntha then give up everything and perform nine types of devotional servive. Read Srimad Bhagavatam, hear the pastimes of the Lord. Soon you will reach the abode of the Lord. Performance of Namsankirtan is the best of all pure devotional servive. Due to Namsankirtan one quickly develops love for the Lord. a) Kirtan manifests from the tongue, influences the mind and enchants the ears. It not only satisfies oneself but satisfies other listeners as well.

b) Meditation is not possible unless one is in a solitary place. But one can chant the holy name of the Lord in both solitary and crowded places. c) Of all kinds of kirtans Krsna's namsankirtan is the best because it generates love for the Lord very quickly d) Loud chanting pleases oneself and pleases others as well, whereas meditation simply satisfies oneself. e) When one chants the holy name with eagerness then love automatically becomes manifest. Therefore sankirtan and love of Godhead are nondifferent. f) Meditation is possible both in His presence and absence. The associates of the Lord instructed Gopakumar to go back to Mathura.

Chapter 4 - (Vaikuntha) 1) While wandering in Vraja chanting the Holy Name of the Lord ecstatically Gopakumar saw his worshipable Lord Madan Gopal and fainted. the associates of the Lord then brought him to Vaikuntha. 2) At the gate of Vaikuntha the associates of the Lord asked him to wait while they went to report his arrival. Gopakumar saw a person who looked like the Supreme Personality of Godhead and mistook him to be the Lord and started to offer prayers. That person felt very embarrassed and kept on saying, “I am the servant. I am the servant of the servant.” and walked into Vaikuntha. Then Gopakumar saw an even more opulent person, mistook him to be the Lord and offered prayers to him. That person covered his ears and affectionately asked him not to make such mistakes and entered into the city. In this way Gopakumar met many residents of Vaikuntha and mistook them as Narayana. Finally the associates of the Lord took him to Vaikunthanath. Gopakumar learnt to recognize the Lord according to the wonderful symptoms like Srivatsa. They also taught him how to pray to the Supreme Lord. The Lord welcomed him and asked him to stay in Vaikuntha. 3) He told him, “My dear friend, you have spent many lifetimes, but did not develop any attachment to me. Only in this life you became attached to me. I made you take birth in Govardhan and I myself appeared as your spiritual master as Jayanta. 4) Gopakumar played his flute and gave pleasure to Sri Madhava. He refused to accept all mystic powers and transcendental opulence and stayed in Vaikuntha as a cowherd boy. 5) He rendereed intimate personal service to the Lord like fanning Him with chamara and play his flute to give pleasure to Him. 6) Sometimes, according to his old habit, he used to sing His Holy Name like “O Govinda! O Gopal!” Hearing that the residents of Vaikuntha advised him with a smile, “O cowherd boy. You should not address the Supreme Personality of Godhead as “O Krsna! O Gopal!” He has many transcendental glories. You can compose them in poetry and sing them. In order to protect the devotees and annihilate the demons, especially to deceive Kamsa, He appears as a cowherd boy.” Some of the Vakunthavasis said,” There is no harm in singing the pastimes of the Lord as a cowherd boy. After all, His activities are inconceivable.” Those who are His principal servitors became annoyed and prevented others and said, “How foolishly you are speaking!

Activities of Sri Krsna to display His affection for His devotees must be sung in sankirtan and the Lord also becomes very pleased with that.” 7) Gopakumar used to feel unhappiness not seeing his worshipable Lord Sri Madan Gopal. All cognizant Vaikunthanath then became like Nandanandan. Laxmidevi became Radha. Dharanidevi became Chandravali and other residents became cowherd boys. Still Gopakumar was not satisfied, because he did not receive the embrace and kiss from Vaikunthanath as he did from Gopal in his meditation. 8) He used to console his mind by saying,” Oh my fickle mind. In spite of coming to Vaikuntha you could not give up your restlessness! There is nothing superior to Vaikuntha! Please now become peaceful.” 9) One day Narada Muni came to Vaikuntha and told Gopakumar,”You have been favored by the Lord of Vaikuntha. Why then you look so unhappy? There is no misery and lamentation in Vaikuntha, and there is nothing superior to Vaikuntha.” All cognizant Narada Muni then told him, I know you are hankering for the embrace and kiss of the Lord here in Vaikuntha, as you received in your meditation. Those exchanges, although very dear to the Lord, are very secret. They are rare even for sages like ourselves. Only the Vrajavasis receive that due to their unique love for the Lord. You have arrived in Vaikuntha rendering devotional service unto Him as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. You will not be able to receive that kind of exchange here. Because those very secret madhurya pastimes are not possible here. Therefore give up your lamentation, and worship the Lord of Vaikuntha as your supreme worshipable Lord. Do not make any distinction between Vaikunthanath and Madan Gopal then only you will experience an eternally increasing supreme joy. Do not ever think that the animals, birds, trees and plants here in vaikuntha are in the mode of ignorance. They are all associates of Krsna, yet in order to give Him pleasure they have accepted different forms. According to their service attitude they developed these forms. In spite of being without a second, He expands Himself in different incarnations, according to the desire of His devotees, in order to give them pleasure.” 10) Narada Muni told Gopakumar how he saw thousands of expansions of Krsna in Dwaraka, and how the Lord was accepting the service from his queens. Yogamaya, the potency of the Lord, organizes the pastimes of the Lord and it is due to her mercy that devotion manifests in hearts of devotees. Although her activities are inconceivable, yet pure devotees can understand that. The great potency of the Lord are of two kinds - para and apara (superior and inferior) . The inferior potency is the reflection of His superior potency. Transcending this inferior energy (maya) one attains liberation and

devotion. Then Narada Muni instructed Gopakumar to go to Dwaraka via Ayodhya.

Chapter 5 - (Love) 1) Gopakumar arrived in Dwaraka. There he saw some young Yadavas playing. He became so joyful upon seeing their unique beauty that he forgot to offer his obeisances to them. The Yadava boys embraced him and holding his hands took him to the palace. 2) He saw Krsna sitting on a beautiful golden throne and being served with greater opulence than Vaikuntha. Vasudeva, Balaram, Akrura etc. were sitting on His right, and Gada, Satviki and others were sitting on His left with Ugrasena ahead of them. Narada was singing for the pleasure of the Lord playing his vina. Garuda was offering prayers to Him, kneeling in front of Him and Uddhava was massaging His lotus feet narrating some secret messages to Him. 3) Seeing the Lord from a distance Gopakumar fainted out of love, and the Lord very affectionately asked Uddhava to bring him close to Him. Uddhava brought Gopakumar to his senses and holding his hand brought him to the Lord and made Gopakumar touch the lotus feet of the Lord with his head. Then Krsna very affectionately brushed his body with His hands. When He saw the flute in his hand he became silent and wiped His tears. Then He told him, “O Gopakumar, are you well? Nothing inauspicious happened in Gokul?” Saying that He became very much afflicted and Uddhava consoled Him and reminded Him about the presence of Vasudeva and other Yadavas, kings, demigods and sages in the assembly. Krsna then checked Himself and prepared to go inside His palace and holding Gopakumar's hand entered into the palace with Balaram and Uddhava. His 16.108 queens along with mother Rohini and Devaki received Him. Then Gopakumar saw Dwarakanath as Madangopal surrounded by mother Yasoda and the Gopis, and fainted in ecstasy. Krsna revived his consciousness by touching him with His own hands. He fed him with His own hands and then for his pleasure He ate something. Then Uddhava, after taking His remnants, took Gopakumar to his house. 4) Gopakumar felt inconceivable joy thinking that he reached the ultimate goal of his life. He experienced that the joy of Vaikuntha was million times greater than the joy of liberation, joy of Ayodhya was even greater than Vaikuntha but the joy of Dwaraka was inconceivable and indescribable. One day the Yadavas told Gopakumar, “We feel sad when we see you dressed as a forest dweller. Therefore please accept the dress like us.” But still Gopakumar did not want to give up his identity as a cowherd boy. He used to feel ashamed and afraid to approach Krsna when He used to sit in His assembly surrounded by greatly opulent personalities.

5) Sometimes he used to see Krsna in His four armed form. Sometimes the Lord used to leave Dwaraka to see His dear friends, the Pandavas. Then Gopakumar used to feel very sad. He also used to feel the separation from Vraja, but he used to carefully hide that feeling. 6) One day he saw Narada Muni and offering obeisances to him he asked, “O best of the sages, o best of the associates of the Lord! You are singing the glory of the Lord everywhere. I am very surprised and inquisitive about your ability.” Narada said, “I already revealed that secret to you. Just as the Supreme Lord Krsna, who is one without a second, manifests Himself in various places in various forms, similarly we, His servants, also are present in various places in various forms. I am also quite surprised that you, in spite of being sat-cit-ananda vigraha, appear to be dissatisfied and disturbed.” Gopakumar then embraced Narada's lotus feet and told him very humbly, “My lord! You know everything.” Narada then smiled and told Uddhava, “This Gopakumar, due to his birth in Govardhan, is searching for something that is even rare for you and me. It is so sad that you, who is so much concerned about the sufferings of Vrajavasis, cannot do anything to console him. Goloka, that this Gopakumar is desiring for, is much higher than Vaikuntha.” 7) Uddhava said, “He is born in Vraja and there he was engaged in tending cows. Especially he is the worshipper of Gopal. Therefore he is superior to us.” 8) Hearing that Narada excitedly embraced him and said, “Please instruct him, so that he can fulfill his desire.” Uddhava said, “O great sage! I am a ksatryia, in your presence I can not advise him.” Narada laughed loudly and told Uddhava, “ You could not give up your ksatryia consciousness even in Vaikuntha.” Uddhava replied with a smile, “What to speak of us, even the Lord Himself could not give up His ksatryia consciousness.” 9) Narada started to laugh and said, “How wonderful are the pastimes of the Lord. Just as He played His sweet pastimes in the earth planet, in Dwaraka also, which is even higher than Vaikuntha, He plays the same way. Sometimes we get confused whether we are in Vaikuntha Dwaraka or in earthly Dwaraka.” Then Narada explained to Gopakumar, “O Gopakumar! Further from this Dwaraka there is a place called Goloka, which is the crest jewel of Vaikuntha. That place is inhabited by Krsna's most intimate and loving devotees. Although that place is the most opulent place, where every single tree, even the leaves and flowers can fulfill everyone's desires, the inhabitants of Goloka do not desire any opulence due to the apprehension that may

disturb the pastimes of the Lord. Krsna is so merciful there that the abominable Putana, who was very fond of killing children, attained the position of His mother simply because she offered Him her breasts. He delivered all the demons although they came to harass Him.” 10) “He allowed mother Yasoda to tie Him up in the mortar. Kåñëa’s beauty stole the hearts of the gopis who are even superior to Mahalaxmi. When they experienced some impediments to see Krsna due to blinking of their eyes they cursed Brahma. He performed most wonderful pastimes there. He broke the cart, who was actually a demon named Sakatasura, when He was only three months old. He killed Trinavarta. Stole milk and butter from the gopis. Delivered the arjun trees. Killed Vakasura and Vatsasura while tending the cows in the forest. Bewildered Brahma. Killed Dhenukasura. Subdued Kalyia. Stole the garments of the gopis. Begged foodstuff from the brahmanas who were performing yajna and attracted their wives. Lifted GiriGovardhan. When these pastimes of Vraja enter into someone's ears naturally inundate his heart with love for the Lord. 11) “Glorious are those persons who conclusively establish the supremacy of Krsna above all other incarnations. And those who become overwhelmed with love for Krsna hearing these pastimes from a distance, I offer my obeisances unto them. “What Krsna could not accomplish with His own words or through the words of the Vedas and Upanishads, has been accomplished by His flute simply by the touch of His lotus lips. Hearing that sound of His flute demigods along with their wives faint in their spaceships; Mahendra, Rudra and Brahma forget themselves; the great sages fail to meditate and experienced ecstatic symptoms. Moon becomes stunned and fails to move in his orbit. “The cowherd boys of Goloka used to move with Him as His shadows. Hearing His flute the cowherd damsels like Srimati Radharani gave up their husbands, relatives, social custom, even shame. 12) “The residents of Vraja knew Him as the son of Nanda Maharaj and served Him in various ways. No one is able to describe their attachment to Him. Those Vrajavasis are worshipable to us in all respects. 13) “Those Vrajavasis were not enchanted by Krsna, but Krsna was enchanted by them. Alas! I went to Vraja and reminded Him about His duty to kill Kamsa. Then intelligent Akrura somehow brought Him to Mathura from Vraja. Krsna could never leave the Vrajavasis. Therefore He always resides in Vraja and performs His pastimes there. From there He goes to Mathura and returns after a while. In order to find out how the Vrajavasis feel due to His separation, He sometimes hides in

some bower in Vrindavana. My dear, be aware it is very difficult to attain that Goloka.” 14) Then Narada Muni asked Uddhava to say something. Very humbly, holding Narada Muni's feet, Uddhava said, “All I want is to become a creeper in Vrindavana in order to receive the dust of the lotus feet of the gopis who have given up their relatives and friends and all considerations of morality.” 15) Narada told Uddhava, “You are very attached to the Vrajavasis, therefore please advise this Gopakumar so that he can attain his goal.” Then Narada told Gopakumar, “O dear Gopakumar! You are very dear to Krsna. Be aware that soon your desire will be fulfilled. I already guessed that in the past. In spite of attaining incomparable joy of Vaikuntha and even greater joy in Ayodhya and Dwaraka, you are experiencing sadness. I can well imagine that this sadness is meant to increase your attachment to the lotus feet of Madan-Gopal. Otherwise how can there be any sorrow in Vaikuntha? Therefore you return to Vraja on the earth planet, because in Vrindavana you will attain the qualifications to return to Goloka which is above Vaikuntha.” 16) Gopakumar then closed his eyes and felt as if someone was carrying him to somewhere. When he opened his eyes he found that he was in Vrindavana.

Chapter 6 - (Fulfillment of desire) 1) According to Narada's instruction Gopakumar went to Vrindavan and started to chant the dear Names of Krsna in sweet Sankirtan and constantly think of Him. He used to cry piteously throughout the day and night. He could not make out, all that he was doing, whether they were for his happiness of for misery. He could not make out whether he was burning in the forest fire or dwelling in extremely sweet water of Yamuna. Sometimes he used to feel as if he has fallen in the hands of a cheater, therefore he has been submerged in an ocean of suffering. In this way he was staying in Vrindavana in an arbour. 2) One day drowning in an ocean of tears he fainted. At that time that most merciful personality appeared there and started to brush the dust from his body with his nectarian soothing lotus hands. He made the beautiful fragrance of His body enter his nostrils and shaking him affectionately brought him back to his senses. Gopakumar got up and looking at His beautiful lotuslike face in great joy tried to catch His yellow garment, but then He started to move backwards playing His

flute and disappeared inside an arbour. Gopakumar tried to catch Him but could not. He fainted and fell in Yamuna. When he gained consciousness and opened his eyes, he saw that he was moving in some vehicle with the speed faster than mind and saw that he arrived in Vaikuntha and with his great surprise he saw that even before he could look at Vaikuntha that region of the spiritual sky including Ayodhya, Mathura and Dwaraka disappear from his vision and he arrived in Goloka. 3) He saw with great surprise and delight that Madhupuri of Goloka is just like Mathura on earth. There he heard that Kamsa is ruling his kingdom after putting his father Ugrasena, Devaki and Vasudev in the prison. Many of the Yadavas ran away to different countries due to the fear of the demons. Gopakumar also became afraid and after taking bath in Visramtirtha quickly went to Vrindavana. There he saw some cowherd men wandering in the forests and elderly gopis picking flowers. It seemed that someone stole their hearts. Gopakumar asked them, “Please tell me who is the king of this country and where does he stay? How can I get to see Him?” But they did not reply. He asked whoever he saw, but no one answered. 4) Then he saw a palace, more beautiful and superior to Vaikuntha and he heard the gopis singing while churning yoghurt. Hearing that song he lost himself with joy, but controlling himself he walked forward and saw a lady crying uttering the names of Krsna. Gopakumar inquired from her about that place and she replied, “This us the house of Krsna's father Nanda Maharaj.” As soon as Gopakumar heard that he fainted, but that very merciful lady brought him back to his senses. Gopakumar ran to the gate of the palace. He could not make out whether the people there were perfectly satisfied with absolute joy or intensely miserable due to acute pain. 5) He felt as if he was still in the material nature but then he realized that he was in Goloka which is even higher than Vaikuntha. He asked one old lady, where Nandanandan was, and that old lady replied, “He went out to tend the cows along with His friends and elder brother Balarama, but now in the evening He will return.” She also told him that from the direction, where every Vrajavasi, even the leaves of the trees are looking, He would return. Then Gopakumar heard the beautiful sound of that flute blended with the sweet sound of the mooing of cows. Hearing that sound of the flute, trees started to pour nectar, tears started to flow from the cowherd folks, milk started to flow from the breasts of Krsna's mother and nurses, and Yamuna started to flow in the opposite direction. Gopakumar could not make out whether that sound of the flute was poison or nectar - whether that sound was hard as thunderbolt or soft as water - whether it was

hot as blazing fire or cool as the moon. Because the Vrajavasis became mad and fainted upon hearing that flute. 6) The young gopis were rushing towards Krsna with the paraphernalia of worship. Some of them were wearing their cloths in the opposite way, some of them became stunned like a tree and some sooned and fell on the ground. 7) Gopakumar saw that Krsna came out from the middle of His friends and animals and told Sridham, “See Sridham! My dearmost friend, the lotus of your family Sarup is here.” Saying that Krsna ran to meet Gopakumar. At that time a garland of Kadamba flower was hanging from Krsna's neck. He was wearing a yellow garment. A peacock feather was decorating His head. Due to the beautiful fragrance of His body ten directions were enchanted. A beautiful smile was making His fully bloomed lotus like face even more beautiful. He came running towards Gopakumar and embraced him and fainted. Gopakumar also fainted, but soon he came back to his senses and got up after freeing himself from His embrace, he saw that Krsna was lying on the ground and the earth was soaked with His tears. 8) The gopis came running there and said, “Who came here and did this to Krsna, the Lord of our hearts?” Seeing Gopakumar they said, “This person must be a servant of wicked Kamsa.” Then all the gopas came quickly and seeing Krsna in that condition started to cry. Upon hearing that from a distance elderly gopas like Nanda Maharaj and mother Yasoda and their servants and maidservants came running. Then all the cows, calves, deers started to cry seeing Krsna's condition. Trees became dry and everything everywhere became almost dead. Gopakumar also started to cry piteously holding Krsna's feet on his head. Then Balarama came there and also started to cry seeing His younger brother's condition. After a while He composed Himself and seeing Gopakumar there could understand what must have happened. Then He made Gopakumar put his arm around Krsna's neck and carass His body with his other hand and made him call Krsna out loud. And at last He made him lift Krsna up from the ground. Krsna then opened His tearful lotus-eyes and seeing Gopakumar embraced him and kissed him with great joy. As a friend whom He met after a long time He held his right hand with His left and started to ask him various questions. Then He entered the house of Nanda Maharaj. The wild animals, afflicted due to the separation of Krsna, became unable to go anywhere and stayed there in order to see Krsna in the morning once again. The birds, flying in the sky, kept on looking at Krsna and knowing that they won't be able to see Him at night started to cry. Mother Yasoda wiped out the dust from Krsna's body with her hair and

embraced and kissed Him repeatedly. She could not make out whether she should keep her Son in her head, in her heart or in her womb. 9) Thereafter very lovingly Krsna took Gopakumar inside the house and made him worship his mothers. Yasoda showered her affection upon Gopakumar like her own son. At this point it becomes revelealed that in Goloka Våndävana Gopakumar is knows as Sarupa. 10) Some cowherd damsels arrived there under different pretexts. Mother Yasoda and Rohini began to bathe Krsna and Balarama, then Krsna, who is very expert in amorous activities told His mothers, “Dear mothers, we are very hungry. Therefore please arrange our food very quickly and bring our father to eat.” Hearing that the gopis said, “O mother Yasoda, the queen of Vraja! O Rohinidevi! Please go and quickly prepare the food and we will take care of bathing Them.” Sri Yasoda said, “O girls! First you bathe Balarama and send Him to call Nanda Maharaj.” The gopis then quickly bathed Balarama and sent Him to call Nanda Maharaj and then they started to bathe Krsna. First they took out His ornaments and brushed His body with the ends of their clothes. The gopis massaged His body very expertly with oil with their lotus soft hands. But playful Krsna made some painful sound. Hearing that mother Yasoda quickly came in and asked, “What happened? What happened?” But when she saw the smiling face of her Son she was relieved and walked into the house. Then the damsels of Vraja bathed Krsna with the slightly warm fragrant water of Yamuna, and decorated Him in the most beautiful way. Seeing that Mukhara said, “O Yasoda! See, how beautifully these girls have decorated your dark colored son.” But mother Yasoda became annoyed and replied, “The lotus feet of my Syamasundar is naturally dancing on the head of all the beauty of this world. The beauty of these damsels cannot even be compared to the fraction of the beauty of my Syamasundar's toe-nail.” Nanda Maharaj arrived there with Balarama and sat on a golden seat with Krsna on his left and Balarama on his right. And They asked Sarupa to sit in front of them. Mother Yasoda started to serve them all kinds of delicious foodstuffs. Srimati Radhika placed a laddu called 'Manohara' on Krsna's plate. Krsna picked up a little bit of that with His fore finger and thumb and placing it in His tongue distorted His face as if He tasted the most bitter thing in this world. Seeing the distortion of Krsna's face Balarama smiled, mother Yasoda became angry, father Nanda became surprised, the sakhis from Radharani's camp became sad and the sakhis from the opposite camp became delighted. Krsna gave Sarupa that laddu and he felt that this was the most delicious thing he ever tasted. Srimati Radharani frowned at Krsna and Krsna with a smile leered at her. After dinner Nanda Maharaj went to take care of the cows and Balarama went to the bedroom. Krsna then walked around in the courtyard with

the beautiful damsels of Vraja singing some songs. Then mother Yasoda told Him to go to bed. 11) In the morning when Sarupa came to the house of Nanda Maharaj he saw that Krsna was sleeping, and there were various amorous signs in His body. Mother Yasoda was tending her son sitting next to Him on the bed. She said, “My little son took care of the cows in the forest during the day, therefore He became so tired that He did not wake up from His sleep as yet. His body has become bruised all over due to the thorns in the forest. He smeared the maskara of His eyes all over His body in His sleep. The color of betel nut from His lips has been smeared all over His body due to twisting and turning in His sleep. It seems that the reddish soil from the bank of the Yamuna is still sticking to His body. How surprising that it has not been washed during His bath. Most probably these fickle minded girls did not bathe Him properly.” Hearing these words of mother Yasoda the damsels of Vraja, who arrived in the house of Nanda Maharaj in the morning, felt fear, laughter and shame. When Krsna woke up mother Yasoda and Rohini bathed Him with Balarama and decorated Them with various ornaments and fed Them. All the residents of Vrindavana felt great reluctance to let Krsna and Balarama go to the forest to tend the cows. Mother Yasoda gave various advices to Krsna and Balarama and Their friends. Sri Krsna's Supremacy as the Supreme Personality of Godhead in Goloka and unique position of His devotees there has been described. 12) While Lord Kåñëa was out with His cowherd boyfriends He found that the Yamuna River had been contaminated by the snake, Kaliya. There follows a very dramatic description of the Lord’s confrontation with the demon, which throws the Vrajavasis into a great ocean of separation. Finally, Lord Balaräma appeals to the Lord: “O Kåñëa! Kåñëa! These people are not Your associates in Vaikuntha! They are not Your monkey-associates! They are not the Yadavas! They are the people of Goloka! You are their only life and soul! They are dying now! Lord, I have no power to save them! They are now lifeless! O, Merciful Krsna! Only friend of the people of Vraja! Give up this pastime, or Your gentle heart will become filled with grief!” Only on this heartfelt appeal of His elder brother does Kåñëa conclude this lila. 13) After some time Akrura comes to Våndävana, to take Kåñëa and Balarama to Mathura. This is the most dramatic of the Lord’s pastimes, and Çréla Sanätana Goswami gives a description of it that is very deeply moving. While describing how Akrura took away Krsna from Vraja Sarupa fainted due to intense agony, but then he came back to his senses and kept on describing the glory of Goloka.

Chapter 7 - (Attainment of highest bliss) 1) Sarup said, “O brahmana! Now you decide what is your duty, after due consideration. You also received that supreme obtainable object by the mercy of Kamakhya devi. I can clearly see Krsna's mercy upon you. Through me He revealed to you the greatest secret. I can see that you have faith in my words. Therefore the result will come very soon. This morning Sri Radhika Herself told me, ‘O Sarup! My devotee Mathur Vipra is going to come to My kunja. Please go there and bestow Krsna's mercy upon him by giving him proper advice.’ Therefore, giving up the joyful association of Krsna, according to the instruction of Sri Radhika, I came here.” 2) Pariksit said, “Although Sarup instructed the brahamana, Sarup still saw that he did not develop his love for Krsna. Therefore he placed his hand upon the brahmanas head. Then, due to the mercy of Sarup, whatever he (Sarup) experienced, immediately dawned in the heart of the brahamana. This is how wonderful the association of a devotee is. This brahmana immediately attained the platform where Sarup was, and his life became successful. That brahmana very humbly asked Sarup, after offering him obeisances, “Where is Krsna? Did you see Him somewhere here?” He asking these questions to all moving and nonmoving living entities. Singing the Lord's name loudly that brahmana started to cry, holding the lotus feet of his spiritual master. Seeing the love of his disciple, the spiritual master also was submerged in an ocean of love. 3) Then the brahmana got up like a madman and, wandering around the forest, fainted. At that time cows mooed, horns blew and various musical instruments sounded melodiously. Hearing that, both the spiritual master and the disciple got up and saw Sri Gopaldev walking towards them along with His friends and animals. He was decorated with the great ornaments of His youth. The ocean of His beauty was constantly increasing the joy of the mind and eyes of all living entities, and His sweetness was increasing at every moment. His beautiful body was marked with all-auspicious signs. His ears were decorated with ornaments made of kadamba flowers. There was a crown of peacock feathers on His head, His beautiful neck was decorated with a pearl necklace, and He was wearing a yellow garland. His broad chest was marked with Srivatsa, His waist was thin as a lion's. He was as powerful as hundreds of lions. His lotus feet were worshiped by supreme sweetness, His beautiful arms were decorated with golden armlets, and His lotuslike fingers were dancing on His flute. He Himself was enchanted with the sweet sound of His flute and He was enchanting the whole world. A tilak mark was drawn on His forehead

with the white clay of Yamuna, and His body was decorated with beautiful designs drawn with various paints. He was playing His flute and sometimes joking with His friends and thus giving them pleasure. He was surrounded by His elder brother Balaram and other dear friends. Seeing Him, both the spiritual master and disciple fell on the ground and offered obeisances. 4) Gopaldev came up on them and embraced them with His long arms and fell upon them. He bathed them with His tears and lifted them up. He cleaned the dust and tears from their bodies and embraced them again and again. Then he sat down with them and told the Mathur Vipra, “O brahmana! You have been favored by Mathura! You are like a moon in the Vipra family. O Janasharma! Are you well in all respects? By your influence, I and all the members of my family are well. By your mercy I became attracted to you and used to wait for your return. By chance you remembered me. Fortunately after a long time I have gotten to see you. O brahmana! You are very close to me, therefore I am subordinate to you. Please stay here and feel at home.” 5) Pariksit Maharaj said, “Then Janasharma became overwhelmed with respect and loving ecstasy. At that time he could not say anything or see anything. His voice became choked and eyes became filled with tears. Holding Krsna's lotus feet on his head he started to cry. That most munificent Krsna could not find anything besides Himself to offer him in return, and He pulled out His ornaments from His body and decorated the brahmana. In this way the Supreme Personality of Godhead extended His Supreme mercy and Janasharma attained ultimate perfection. 6) Then Krsna called the animals by playing His flute and making sounds with His mouth let them drink water from Yamuna. Then He started to play in the water with Sarup, Janasharma, His friends and Balaram. They started to splash water at each other and in that game the Lord sometimes defeated His friends and sometimes being defeated He turned His back and retreated. Sometimes He was swimming with the current of Yamuna and sometimes against the current. Sometimes in the dark water of Yamuna He hid His dark body and then in the blue lotus garden He hid His lotus like face. At that time His friends could not see Him and being afflicted due to separation from Him started to cry. Then playful Krsna, with great delight came out of the lotus garden and His friends swam with great speed to meet Him. Krsna made garlands with the flowers of the water and decorated His friends, and His friends also decorated Him in the same way. After playing with His friends in this way they used to sat on the bank of Yamuna to have their noon time picnic. Krsna distributed various foods they brought from home and the fruits that

they collected from the forest in Vrindavana. He made them drink sour, sweet and various other drinks and then He drank Himself. Then they washed their mouth and ate fragrant betels mixed with dry betel nut. They decorated each other with garlands made from different flowers, and smeared their bodies with the paste of sandal, agarwood, kum kum and camphor that they collected from the forest. Then Krsna laid down placing His head on the lap of Sridham while other friends served Him by massaging His feet, hands and fanning Him then giving some signals to the animals by playing the flute and blowing the horn Krsna tended the cows. then Krsna offered Janasharma to Sarup and entered into the village in the evening. 7) Pariksit Maharaj told his mother, “By the mercy of Gopinath you have attained a very saintly state. Now you decide after due consideration the answer to your question. Dear mother! Please try to go back to Goloka which is the limit of the ocean of supreme joy. As soon as one goes there one participates in indescribable sweet pastimes of the Lord. Everyone does not always participate in such pastimes as soon as one goes to Mathura Mandal, but due to the mercy of a very dear associate of Sri Madan Gopaldev someone receives such fortune also. Therefore mother collect the dust of the lotus feet of those who are attached to Krsna bhakti. Goloka Vrindavana, which is situated even above Vaikuntha, can be attained only by prema, and that prema can be attained only from those who are connected to Goloka. 8) Sri Janamejaya told Sri Jaimini, “O venerable sage, when I heard these narrations from Sri Vaisamayan I could not understand the proper meaning, but now all my doubts have been dispelled. Now I understand that Goloka is situated above Vaikuntha. I am already feeling remorseful that soon this nectarian narration will come to an end, therefore please give me some nectar so that my mind becomes satisfied. Then Sri Jaimini sang some verses, describing the glory of Goloka and loving devotion of the gopas and gopis of Goloka.” 9) Janamejaya said, “O my spiritual master, by your mercy my life now became fully successful, because you told me the most secret glory of Goloka.” Sri Jaimini said, “My son! You have really been crowned with success. Whoever listens, chants and meditates upon this glorification of Goloka with devotion will positively attain that supreme position. I offer my obeisances to that Son of the King of Vraja, who as a dearmost friend inspires devotion in the hearts of the living entities, and enjoys extreme satisfaction.