Blessed by a Visit to Vamsivata

On 20 November 2015 we were unlimitedly blessed by an opportunity to visit the most sacred Vamsivata. Vamsi means flute, and vata means banyan tree. So Vamsivata is the banyan tree where 5,000 years ago Krishna played His flute to attract the gopis. The original tree washed away by a flooding of the Yamuna river about 450 years ago, but Paramananda Goswami took a branch from it and planted the present tree, which is therefore an expansion of the original tree. When he planted the branch he discovered the deity of Gopinatha, which is now being worshipped very nicely in Jaipur.

This most sacred place is mentioned as follows in the Caitanya Caritamrita, Madhya 1.58:

śrīmān rāsa-rasārambhī
vaṁśīvaṭa-taṭa-sthitaḥ
karṣan veṇu-svanair gopīr
gopī-nāthaḥ śriye ’stu naḥ

"May Gopinathaji, who attracts all the gopis with the song of His flute and who has begun the most melodious rasa dace on the bank of the Yamuna in Vamsivata, be merciful upon us."

Vamsivata was also a place of great transcendental significance for the six Goswamis 500 years ago. It is mentioned as follows by Srinivasacharya in his prayers to the six Goswamis:

rādhā-kuṇḍa-taṭe kalinda-tanayā-tīre ca vaṁśīvaṭe
premonmāda-vaśād aśeṣa-daśayā grastau pramattau sadā
gāyantau ca kadā harer guṇa-varaṁ bhāvābhibhūtau mudā
vande rūpa-sanātanau raghu-yugau śrī-jīva-gopālakau

"I offer my respectful obeisances unto the six Gosvamis, namely Sri Rupa Goswami, Sri Sanatana Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha Bhatta Goswami, Sri Raghunatha das Goswami, Sri Jiva Goswami, and Sri Gopal Bhatta Goswami, who were sometimes on the bank of the Radha-kunda lake or the shores of the Yamuna and sometimes at Vamsivata. There they appeared just like madmen in the full ecstasy of love for Krishna, exhibiting different transcendental symptoms in their bodies, and they were merged in the ecstasy of Krishna consciousness."

The Bhakti-ratnakara describes Vamsivata as follows:

“Please see now this wonderfully beautiful Vamsi-vata on the bank of the Yamuna. The shade of the Vamsi-vata tree removes the distress of the world. Lord Gopinatha eternally enjoys His pastimes here. His attractive dress enchants the world and His movements are flawless as the sound of His flute attracts the gopis.”

In the Caitanya-Caritamrita it is stated: “Sri Srila Gopinatha, who originated the transcendental mellow of the rasa dance, stands on the shore in Vamsi-vata and attracts the attention of the cowherd damsels with the sound of His celebrated flute. May they all confer upon us their benediction.”

“This place, Vamsi-vata, was flooded and disappeared in the waters of the Yamuna. The Goswami collected one branch from the original tree and replanted that branch next to the original place. O Srinivasa, this place is supremely enchanting and cool breezes slowly blow here.

“After leaving behind everything, in great agitation from the sound of the flute, the gopis came here to meet Lord Krishna. They swam in the ocean of Krishna's beauty, and Krishna, seeing their love, could not remain steady. Who can understand how Krishna calmly inquired about the gopis' welfare in a happy mood? In this way, Krishna tested the love of the gopis at this place, as He instructed them in various ways to return to their homes.

“As the rasa dance began, Krishna observed the different grades of gopis and decided to leave them, taking Radharani alone with Him. Hiding at this place, Krishna happily heard the gopis' lamentation. Left alone by Krishna, the gopis inquired from the trees and creepers about His whereabouts. The gopis began imitating Krishna's pastimes, and they glorified Srimati Radharani's fortunate position.

“After fulfilling the desires of Radharani, Krishna left Her also at this place. Seeing Radharani in this state, the other gopis, agitated at heart, tried to pacify Her in many ways. They all assembled together, eagerly desirous to see Krishna, they began to endlessly glorify His transcendental qualities.”

Press-here-to hear-Lecture-at-Vamsivata
There is some defect in the recording, but it is mostly clear.

Ecstatic Krishna Katha on 20 November 2015
at Vamsivata, the Tree That Removes the Distress of the World

Artist's Concept of Our Completed Project in Austin, Texas USA

$42,535.17 collected with $2,457,464.83 still to go.
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Answers by Citing the Vedic Version:

Question: Krishna is Simultaneously Partial and Impartial?

I need your valuable clarification on following question :

The Bhagavad-gita (9.29) states two paradoxical features of Krishna’s nature:

He is equal to all and does not consider anyone to be an object of aversion or affection. And for those who worship him with devotion, he offers himself to them and they offer themselves to him. These two features suggest that Krishna is both partial and impartial. How can that be?

Please clarify my doubt how God can be partial for his devotees ?

Your servant,
Vibhav Dikshit

Answer: Krishna is Impartially Partial

Even though Krishna is partial to His devotees, He is indeed completely impartial because He impartially gives everyone the equal opportunity to be His devotee. In other words, Krishna impartially applies to same principle to everyone. He says inasmuch as they surrender to Me, I reward them accordingly.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari