Divine Ecstasy on Govardhana Parikrama

On Sunday 28 September 2014 we went with a group of devotees from various nations on Govardhana Parikrama, a truly delightful experience. Our first stop was the lake known as Kusum Sarovara, one of the many places where Krishna had pastimes with the gopis 5,000 years ago. Lord Caitanya also took His bath here five centuries ago. Our next stop was a spot along the parikrama path where Govardhan is just starting to manifest from within the earth. There I related, as given in the Garga Samhita, the amazing story of Govardhana's appearance in Sri Vrindavana Dhama. Further along the trail we came Manasi Ganga a wonderful lake where Krishna had many sublime pastimes including a hilariously funny boat pastime with the gopis. That pastime is as follows:

Srimati Radharani and the gopis came to the bank of the large lake named Manasi Ganga and wanted to take a boat across. They were carrying their yogurt pots and other milk preparations. Krishna who was disguised as a boatman told them He would take them across. They then bargained for a while over the price finally settling for the price of some of their sweets and butter. He rowed for a while and then just stopped. Srimati Radharani and the gopis asked Him why he had stopped. He told then that He was tired and hungry and He could not go any further, if they did not feed Him. They then offered Him their milk products. He ate everything. He then told them that he would take a nap and that they should massage His arms and legs. They told Him if He did not keep rowing they would throw Him overboard. He then started rowing again. He then stopped again and the gopis asked Him why He had stopped. He told them that the boat was old and that water was coming in, because the weight they were carrying was too heavy. The gopis then threw overboard their yoghurt pots and their jewelry. Then a storm came. The wind began to blow and the waves became upset. Krishna started rocking the boat. Radharani became frightened and put Her arms around the boatman. At this time She realized that the boatman was Krishna. The wind and waves then became calm. Radharani then pulled Krishna's flute from under His clothing, and the gopis could understand that the boatman was Krishna in disguise. This pastime is called Noka-vihar and is described in Gopala Campu by Jiva Goswami.

After Manasi Ganga we proceeded to many more wondrous holy places as we completed our parikrama around Govardhana Hill. The most holy Sri Vrindavana Dhama is overflowing with the unlimited pastimes and glories of Krishna. May I roll forever in the sacred dust of Sri Vrindavana Dhama.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

Ducks in Formation at Beautiful Kusum Sarovara
28 September 2014Ducks in Formation at Beautiful Kusum Sarovara

Telling How Govardhana Hill Appeared in Vrindavan
28 September 2014Sankarshan Das Telling The Story Of Govardhana Hill's Appearance

Sharing Krishna's Amazing Boat Pastime at Manasi Ganga
28 September 2014Sankarshan Das Sharing Krishna's Amazing Boat Pastime

Answers by Citing the Vedic Version:

Question: How to Develop Desire to Hear About Krishna

I am very thankful to you for giving me so much by your daily articles full of truth. Kindly help me in getting the answer of following question:

How can I develop the desire of hearing Krishna katha?

Your Servant,
Nikhil

Answer: Hear About Krishna From His Pure Devotees

The more you hear about Krishna from His pure devotees, the more you will develop a taste for hearing about Him. So go on hearing and reading about Him as much as possible. Reading is a silent form of hearing. So you should also read about Krishna as much as possible.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

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