Garga Bhagavatham : Vrindavan Khanda - Chapter 25

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 Shiv and Aasuri Muni take the form of Gopis to enter Raasa Mandala; Darshan and Praise of Sri Krishna by them; Sri Krishna blesses them with eternal place in Vrindavan

Sri Narada says:- King! Bhagawan Shiva along with sage Asuri wholeheartedly decided and started from there. Both of them went to Vrajmandal seeking darshan of Sri Krishna. That place was beautiful with divine trees, creepers, thickets, and pavilions. Seeing that divine land, both of them reached the banks of Yamuna. At that time, the place was being guarded by two strong Gopa girls, who were residents of Golok and they were holding canes in their hands. Those Dwarapalikas (women guards) stood in the way of Bhagawan Shiva and sage Asuri. The women forcefully stopped them from entering Raasmandal. Both of them said, "We have come here with the eagerness of having Sri Krishna darshan". Best of Kings! then the Dwarapalikas, while obstructing the path, told them thus. 

Dwarapalikas said:- Sacred ones! Crores of gopikas like us are guarding Vrindavan on all the four sides. Sri Krishna, Himself has given this duty to us. In this secluded Raas-mandal, Sri Krishna is the only male. Inside that place, where there is no other male, no one else other than gopikas is allowed. Sages! if both are desirous of His darshan, then bathe in this 'Maan sarovar'. There you will get the form of gopikas quickly, then you can go into the Raasmandal. 

Sri Narada says:- Upon hearing the gopikas speaking thus, that sage and Shiva bathed in the Maan Sarovar and got the form of gopikas and immediately went into the Raasmandal.

     Decked with gold and full of padmaraga gems, that land was enhancing the attraction of Raasmandal. That beautiful place was full of Madhavi creepers and Kadamba trees and was unpolluted. Vasantha Ritu and the Moonlight had made it very bright. All types of artful decorations could be seen there. The gem-studded steps of Yamuna and pavilions on the banks, were adding to the special grace of Raasmandal. Peacocks, swans, the mystical Chataka birds, and cuckoo birds were emanating music with their sweet voices. That sublime place, on the banks of the Yamuna flowing with a gentle breeze and the swaying of trees, was looking extremely graceful. The assembly halls and pathways, courtyards and line of pillars, divine flags fluttering from the shining golden pinnacles, decorated with white-colored flowers, and the temples with flower gardens and pathways enhanced the beauty of the place and made it a sight to behold. The humming of bees and the melodious sounds of the instruments that were being played made the Raasmandal filled the air. The gentle breeze with the aroma of thousand-petalled lotus was blowing from all directions and the holy breeze was making that place very pleasant. In the thicket of Raasmandal Sri Krishna was seated with the goddess Hamsagaamimee(having the gait of a swan) Sri Radhika, who was as bright as crores of Moons. In Raasmandal, surrounded permanently by gemlike girls, the form of Shyamasundar Sri Krishna was looking as if Kamadev would have shied away in comparison. HE was very attractive with a flute and cane in His hands and wearing a shiny yellow cloth on His chest. The emblem of Srivats, koustubhamani, and vanamala were shining on His chest. He was decorated with tingling anklets, armlets, and bracelets. He had also adorned a necklace and ear studs that were shining like the early morning Sun. Wearing a crown with peacock feathers that Son of Nand was stealing the hearts of the young girls with the look that would fulfill all their wishes.

    King! both Asuri and Shiva saw Sri Krishna from a distance with folded hands. Great King! in front of all the gopikas,the two of them bowed before the feet of Sri Krishna and said thus. 

Both said:- Krishna! God of Gods! Lord of the universe! Pundairkaksh! Govind! Garudadwaj! salutations to you. Janardhan! Jagnnath! Padmnabh! Trivikram! Damodar! Hrishikesh! Vasudev! salutations to you. Dev! You are the complete (paripoornatam) Absolute Bhagawan. These days, to relieve the misery of the earth and to save the virtuous people You have appeared in Nand Bhavan and you have converted the entire universe into nothingness. In reality You are The Paratpar Pramatma. All the avatars of Amshamsh, Amsh, Kalaa, Aavesh and Poorna are inside YOU. You, the complete Parameswar, protect the entire universe and in Vrindavan, you are also ornating the Raasmandal. Lord of Golok! Lord of Giriraj! Prameshwa! God of Vrindavan! The propagator of the leelas of daily pleasures, Radhavallabh! Listner of Your virtues sung by gopikas, Govind! May You be ever victorious. For the wellbeing of the beautiful creepers of the forest, You are Vasantha ritu. You are the necklace of precious gems on the chest of Sri Radhika. You are the savior of Sri Raasmandal, the God of Vrajmandal, and the protector of the entire universe. 

SriNarada says:- King! Then Bhagawan Sri Krishna, who was with Sri Radha was pleased and smilingly said in a voice, resounding as the thunder said thus. 

Sri Bhagawan said:- Both of you have done penance for sixty thousand years without any expectations, that is why you have got my darshan. Those who are unambitious, peaceful, and without enmity are My friends. Hence you ask for a boon as per your wish.  

Shiv and Asuri said:- Bhuman! Salutations to You. We wish to live in Vrindavan forever at the Lotus feet of both You beloveds. Apart from Your feet, nothing is sweeter for us, hence our most sincere salutations to both of you, Sri Hari and Sri Radhika.  

Sri Narada says:- King! Then Bhagawan saying 'so be it', and accepted their prayer. From then on Shiv and sage Asuri started living near Vamshivat in a forest near Kaaalindhi which had Raasmandal.

      Thereafter Sri Krishna started Raasakreeda where the pollen of the lotuses were smelling sweetly and the humming of bees was heard. King of Mithila! At that time SrKrishna created six months of night time at a stretch. But for the gopikas who took part in that Raas, the entire period seemed like a moment. King! all their wishes were fulfilled. At the time of dawn all the girls of Vraj returned to their homes, in groups. The Son of Nand returned to the palace of Nand and the daughter of Vrishabanu quickly went to Vrishabanupur.

    In this way I have told you the story of Raas, which will wash away all sins, gives sainthood, fulfills all wishes, and is a storehouse of peace and tranquility. King! I have told you about this incident. What else would you like to hear?

 

 

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