Garga Bhagavatham : Sri Mathura khanda - Chapter 4

  

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Consolation of the Gopis at their houses by Sri Krishna; Krishna's departure to Mathura after consoling the Gopis who surrounded his chariot.

 

 

Sri Narada says :- King! Knowing the intense pain of separation being experienced by the Gopis, Shree Krishna went to their homes. The Lord took as many forms as the number of Gopis and went to each one's house and explained to them. He went to the house of Sri Radha and saw that had fallen unconscious and was surrounded by Sakhis (friends). He then played a melodious tune in His flute. Upon hearing the sound of the flute, Sri Radha was agitated and woke up instantly. When She opened Her eyes, She found Sri Govind in front of Her. Just as the lotus blooms upon seeing the Sun, who is the beloved of the family of lotuses, Sri Radha, the softest of all lotuses, became joyful and offered a beautiful seat to Her Lord. Tears were flowing down from the lotus-like eyes of Sri Radha. Upon seeing Her weeping helplessly, the Lord spoke in a majestic tone. 

 

The Lord said:- Oh Gentle Lady! Radhika! Why is your mind so sorrowful? Please do not lament so! Have you become restless at the thought of separation from Me after hearing about my wish to leave for Mathura? Look, I have appeared on the Earth along with You, to fulfil Lord Brahma's request to reduce the burden of Mother Earth by annihilating Kamsa and other demons. Hence I will certainly go to Mathura to fulfil my purpose and reduce the burden of Mother Earth. After that, I will come here very soon and bestow auspiciousness upon You.  

 

Sri Narada says:-  O king! Upon hearing Sri Hari's words, Sri Radha fell like a creeper that withers in a forest fire. Divine symptoms of devotion like shivering, horripilation etc appeared in Her body. In this state, She thus addressed Her beloved.             

 

Sri Radha said :-  My beloved! You may certainly go to Mathura, but please also listen to this firm decision of mine. When you leave this place, I will certainly not retain this body. If You disregard my vow, then please go ahead and test it out by repeating whatever you just said and I will immediately end my story.  My life breath is very eager to leave my body through my lips, I will quickly disappear like these particles of camphor. 

 

Sri Bhagavan said:- Radhike! I am very capable of stalling my words which are the very embodiment of the Vedas. However, I have no power to disregard the words of my devotees.  Due to a past disagreement that happened in Golok, SriDhama's curse upon me that I should be separated from you for a period of one hundred years shall certainly come true - there is no doubt in that. Kalyani! Radhike! Do not lament! Remember the boon I bestowed upon you. In order to ward off the sorrow arising out of separation, You will have my Darshan once ever month. 

 

Sri Radhika said:-  O Hari! If you do not appear every month to mitigate the sorrow arising out of separation, I will definitely give up my body out of unbearable grief. Oh Lokabhiram (one who charms everyone in the world), Oh JanaBhooshan (Crest jewel of people), Oh Vishwadeep (Light of the world), Oh  Madan-Mohan (the one who attracts even the mind of Cupid), Remover of the sins and sufferings of this world, Blissful one, the King of Yadus, Oh NandaKishore, Just like I did, please take a vow that you will fulfil your promise. 

 

Sri Bhagavan said:- Beautiful one, Radhe, I swear on the clan of cows, that I will appear to You every month, during the period of our separation. Please understand that whatever I uttered here are devoid of doubts or deceit. Blessed is one who fulfils friendship without any selfish motives. Cursed is the one who deceives in the name of friendship as he is a mere actor. Just as the senses used by the soul to perform actions(Karmendriyas) are unable to discern taste, visuals, sound, touch and smell, the sages who hold on to desires cannot understand the hidden causeless bliss of the soul. Only those who are even minded, who have conquered their senses, who are without expectations and who are great, can experience the bliss of My selfless love just like how the senses can perceive taste, touch etc. The emotions of the mind are mutual, they expect something in return. Hence love cannot happen by itself, it relies on reciprocation by another. Hence everyone should develop love towards me. There is nothing like love in this world. Radhe, just like how your wish was fulfilled in the Bhandira forest, your wishes will be fulfilled again. Great souls take the shelter of that causeless love which is also considered by them as Nirguna (devoid of qualities). Those who do not differentiate between Me, Keshav and You, Radhika, just as the milk and the whiteness cannot be separated, only such saints who are full of devotion that arises out selfless love, can attain the place of My supreme spirit. Those ill-minded people who differentiate between You and Me, will suffer in KalaSutra Naraka ( a form of hell) for as long as the Sun and Moon rule this Earth. 

Sri Narada says:- O king! After assuring Sri Radha and other Gopis in this manner, Govinda, the one adept in principles, returned to the palace of Nanda Maharaj. Upon sunrise, Nanda and other Gopas loaded the gifts in bullock carts and climbed on to their chariots and left for the city of  Sri Mathura. O King! Akrura, the son of Gandhini, ascended his chariot along with Sri Krishna and Sri Balaram and proceeded towards Mathura, eager to show them around the city. Crores and crores of Gopis, heaving with anger and attachment lined the streets, and watched the departure of the Sri Krishna. Addressing Akrura as Krura (the cruel one), they surrounded his chariot on all four sides just as the clouds dim the sun by surrounding it. Gripped with the angst of separation from the Lord, the Gopis started beating Akrura's chariot, his horses and his charioteer with sticks. The horses began to run helter-skelter and the charioteer fell of the chariot, unable to withstand the beating. As if having performed last rights for their shyness and reputation, the Gopis pulled Akrura from the chariot, even as Sri Krishna and Sri Balaram were watching and started hitting him with their bangles. After seeing the army of Gopis, Sri Krishna and Balaram came to the rescue of Akrura, the son of Gandhini and advised the Gopis thus : "Maidens of Vraja, do not worry. I will return this evening itself. Please try to ensure that the residents of Vraja do not make fun of us right in front of Sri Akrura."  

                    After saying so, with the help of the swift and beautiful horses, Sri Krishna and Balaram, along with Akrura, rode off to the city of Sri Mathura, which was decorated by the descendants of the Yadu clan. As long as they could get the glimpse of the chariot, or the flag flying on it or the dust raised by the hooves of the horses drawing it, the Gopis stood still like figures in a painting. After hearing the words of Sri Hari, their minds became hopeful of meeting Him again soon. 

 

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