Garga Bhagavatham : Vrindavan Khanda - Chapter 1

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Sannanda gives his consent for Gopas to move from Mahavan to Vrindavan

Sri Narada says:- King! Once King Nand, seeing so many disturbances taking place in Vraj, invited all his helpful Nands, Upanands, Vrishabanus, Vrishabanuvars, and elderly Gopas for a consultation. He spoke thus.

 

Sri Nanda said:- Gopas! So many atrocities are taking place here. Please tell me what needs to be done now.

 

Sri Narada says:- Listening to this, the most learned and aged Gopa named, Sannand took Balram and Sri Krishna in his arms and told King Nanda thus.

 

Sannand said:- In my opinion, we have to leave this place along with all our folks must go and camp at some other place where there is no chance of any dangerous incidents occurring. Your son Sri Krishna is as dear to all of us, as our lives. He is the very life of all the people living in Vraj, He is the wealth and the light of the Gopa dynasty. He steals the hearts of everyone with his childish acts. Alas! How sad it is, that this boy was attacked by Puthana, Shakata and Trinavartha and trees fell on him but somehow He escaped from all these, what can be more dangerous than this? Hence all of us should go to Vrindavan along with all our children and come back when all the dangers subside. 

 

Nand asked:- Most intelligent Sri Sannand! How far is Vrindavan from this Vraj? How far is it spread, what are the features of that place and what comforts are available there? Please tell me all this.

 

Sannand said:- The land, towards the northeast of Bahishat, to the south of Yadupur, and the west of Shonpur is called Mathura. A portion of land, spread over an area of twenty and a half Yojanas(area of land) within Mathura is called as the Divine land of Mathura or Vraj by learned men. Once when I was staying in the house of Sri Vasudev, I heard from Sri Garga himself that Theertaraj Prayag also worshipped this divine Mathura region. As it is, there are many forests in Mathura, but better than all these, there is a forest known as Vrindavan, which will capture the heart of the Complete (paripoornatam) Baghawan and also will be a fit place for His

pastimes. Only one Vrindavan is there, which is as sublime as Vaikunt itself. The famous king of hills, named Govardhan is present there, and on the banks of Kalindi, divine garden, Pulin is present. There is the Barsana mountain, where Nandeeswar hill is shining. The Garden is spread over an area of twenty four kos(land measure) and is encircled by vast forests, which will be very good for the cows. It will be of great use for cows, Gopas, and Gopis and is full of lovely creepers. That beautiful garden is known as Vrindavan.

 

Sri Nand asked:- Sri Sannand! When did Theertraj Prayag worship this Vraj? I want to know this. I am very excited and yearning to know about this.

 

Sannand said:- King Nand! In the past, at the time of total annihilation(pralaya), one great demon appeared who was famous by the name 'Shankhasur'. That demon king was an enemy of Vedas. He defeated all the Devas and went to Brahmalok and while Brahma was asleep, he stole the book of Vedas and went into the ocean and hid there. When Vedas were lost, all Devas lost their powers. The Complete Lord, The King of Oblations, Sri Hari took the form of a Fish(Matsyavatar) and fought with that Shankhasur in the ocean of total annihilation. The powerful demon attacked Sri Hari with a spear. But Lord Sri Hari broke the spear into million pieces with His Divine Chakra(disc). Then Shankhasur attacked Lord Vishnu's chest with his head, but Lord Vishnu was not distracted by this attack. Then, the Lord in form of a fish took a mace in His hand and attacked the demon on his stomach, the demon was mentally distraught by this attack, but still, he managed to punch The King of all Devas, Sri Hari with his fists. Then the lotus-eyed Bhagawan Vishnu was angered and with his Chakra beheaded the demon's head along with the powerful horns. King of Vraj! after defeating Shankhasur, The All-pervading Lord Sri Hari, along with all Devas came to Prayag and gave the Vedas to them. Along with all other Devas, He duly performed oblations(yagnas). He called the presiding Devata of Prayaga Teertha and anointed him as the King of Teerthas. He made Akshayvat as a place for Teertharaj. The daughter of a sage, Ganga, and the daughter of the Sun, Yamuna were fanning him in the form of waves and were serving him. At the same time, all Teerthas came near Teertharaj with gifts, worshipped him and paid their respects, and went back to their places. When all the Devas and Sri Hari left that place, the shrewd SriNarada came there and told Teertharaj who was seated on a throne thus.

 

Sri Narada said:- Great sage Teertharaj! Truly you have been honored very specially by all the most prominent Teerthas, but the Teerthas of Vraj's Vrindavan have not come to honor you. You are the king of kings of all the Teerthas, but the important Teerths of Vraj have dishonored you by not coming here.

 

Sannand says:- After telling this The head of deva rishis, SriNarada went away. Then Teertharaj got very angry and went to the abode of Sri Hari immediately. After prostrating in front of Sri Hari and circling(parikrama) Him. Teertharaj who was surrounded by all Teerthas stood in front of Bhagawan with folded hands and told Srinath thus.

 

Teerthraj said:- God of Gods! I have presented myself in front of You because you made me 'Teertharaj', all the Teerthas came and honored me but Teerthas of Mathura Mandal have not come and they have dishonored me. Hence I have come to Your abode to inform You about this.

 

Sri Bhagawan said:- I have surely made you the king of all the Teerthas on the earth, but I have not anointed you as the king of My home. But you have got the ambition to rule My house! How can you speak like a self-sufficient person? Teeertharaj! Go back to your house. Listen to my good words. Mathura Mandal is my place and is beyond the reach of the people of three worlds. 

 

Sannand says:- Listening to this Teerthraj was amazed! All his pride vanished. After that, he went to Vraj Mandal, worshipped the place, and after doing parikrama of the holy land, he proceeded to his home. To crush the ego of Mother earth Vrajmandal was displayed first. I have told you all this, what else do you want to hear?

 

Sri Nand asked :- Best among Gopas! Who displayed this Vraj Mandal firstly to crush the ego of the earth? Tell me this.

 

Sannand said:- In this same Varaaha age, firstly Sri Hari taking the form of a Boar(Varaaha avatar) saved this earth by lifting it out of the abyss with His nose. At that time, The Lord was glorified very much. Mother Earth who was seated on the nose of Bhagawan in the form of Varaha, who was moving in the waters, spoke to Him thus.

 

Mother Earth asked:-Lord! The whole universe is filled with water, hence please tell me where are you going to place me? 

 

Bhagawan Varaah said:-  When trees are seen and there is excitement in the water, then you will be placed at that spot. You lookout for the trees.

 

Mother Earth said:- Lord! Immovable things are formed on me alone. Is there second earth? DHAARANAAMAYEE Earth is only me.

 

Sannand says:- While saying this, Mother Earth saw attractive trees in the water. Seeing this Mother Earth's pride went away and she told Bhagawan "Lord, where are these trees with twigs situated? This view has surprised me. Lord, please tell me the secret behind this".

 

Varaha Baghawan :- Nitambini(one with large hips)! Divine Mathura Mandal is being seen in front, which is connected to the world of Golok. This will not be destroyed even at the time of total annihilation(pralay).

 

Sannand said:- Listening to this Mother Earth was surprised. She lost all her pride. Great Nand! This Vrajmandal is greater than all other worlds. By listening to the greatness of Vraj, one will attain moksha. Please know that 'Mathura-Vrajmandal' is greater than Teerthraj Prayaag. 

 

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