Govardhana Lilas
A Comprehensive Guide to Śrī Vṛndāvana Dhāma
The places of Krsna's lila surrounding Govardhana
Sri Raghava took Srinivasa and Narottama to see the places near Govardhan where Krsna had performed his lilas and one by one he described them all.
The place known as Kusuka Saivor is famous for lilas of Radha Krsna. In another place called Narda Kunda, Narda Muni had fulfilled his desires by performing tapasya. In the Puranas it is written that Narda performed his tapasya on the order of Virnda. In a place called Ratna Sinhasana, Radha used to sit on a throne. That was the place where Krsna killed Sankha Chuda and that story has been described in the Bhagavatam. Paliuivaran is a beautiufl garden where Jutheswarai used to stay. Sri Krsna also enjoyed himself with his friends in a holy place called Alograma. In the place Indra Dhvajabedi, Nandaraj used to worship Indra. It was there that Sri Krsna used to send his cows, calling each one by the sound of his flute.
Rinmochana (Papmachana Akhyana) is famous for its holiness. If a person bathes there he will be freed from all vices. This is Sankaishana Kunda and whoever wants to fulfil his desires should take a bath here.
In Parasavri village Radha and Krsna enacted their Yasuratra in this kirtana. In Chandra Sarvar, Sri Krsna took rest after Yasuratra. Now we see the beautiful Gandhava Kunda, where the Gandhavas became overwhelmed by the beautiful songs of Krsna. No one can describe all the pastimes of Radha Krsna during the time of Vasanta rasa in Govardhan.
In the Govardhan Ashrayadasaka of Stavavali it is given in an inscription: this is Yasa Sthali where Radha, the lover of Krsna was worshipped by hundreds of Lakshmis. It is surrounded by her beautiful sakhis, her neck decorated by the loving hand of Krsna, danced in spring time enchantment.
All fortunate persons take shelter of the great Govardhan Yasa Sthali.
There is another village called Paitha where Krsna once hid his self from the Gopis who began searching here and there for him. Krsna appeared before the Gopis in his four handed Visnu form but upon arrival of Radha two other hands disappeared. So strong was the love of Radha that Krsna could not retain his four armed form. This has been written in the Nayika Prakara of Ujjamanilmani.
After showing all the holy places Sri Raghava returned to Gouai Tirtha with Srinivasa and Narottama. This place is called Neepa Kunda because it is surrounded by beautiful neepa (Kadamba) trees. Another holy place is called Aniyor. It was here that by Krsna's order Nanda and the other Gopas stopped the worship of Indra and started the worship of Govardhan by offering various kinds of foods. The voice of Govardhan resounded in the sky, "Ani Aur Ani Aur" (Bring me more water) and for that reason this place is called Aniyor. By visitiing Annyakuta all desires will be fulfilled. In Stavavali is written Sri Krsna the killer of Aga, took all the food which was offered to Govardhan by Sri Nanda by transforming himself into a huge body and by depriving Radha of a boon. The place Govinda Kunda has its own glory because it was here that Indra performed the Abhsieak of Krsna. In the Ravivi vilas chapter of Stavavali it is said that out of fear of Lord Krsna Indra performed the Abhisek ceremony of Krsna in front everyone by bringing the holy water of Mandakani from Sarbui. From this holy water Govinda Kunda was formed. In Adi Varaha Purana it is said that by bathing or performing tapasya at Govinda Kunda one attains salvation on the virtues of performing one hundred Yajnas.
There is a pond Govinda which is called Dana Nivinata kunda which is surrounded by a dense forest. It was here that Gopala hid and performed his danakeli pastimes. This place is not known by common people; only one who understands the real meaning of Krsna's pastimes can visit here. Adi Varaha Purana has stated the same fact. It was here that Gopala gave darshan to Madhavendra Puri on the pretext of bringing him milk. Gopala lived in Gothuli on the mountain. On the far side of Govardhan is Apsara Kunda where fortunate people can take bath. The holy place Shyama Dhak is a quiet area with a old palash.
While describing all these places, Sri Raghava Pandita took his two followers to his own cave. He told them from that cave they daily enjoy the beauty and glory of Govardhan.
In Saradi Kunda Indra was blessed by Lord Krsna. In Rudra Kunda Mahadeva sat in meditation on Krsna. In Kadamkhandi Sri Krsna watched the path by which Radha had gone. In Danghali Krsna used to taste Radha. Disguised as king Madana Krsna took his share of the milk from Radha while his friends blocked her way. In Vraja Vilasa the same story is given. When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu visited here and heard the pastimes from his followers, he danced in ecstasy in front of everyone.
When people saw him dance they aid he must be the avatar of Hari. Who can describe the lilas of Krsna in Govardhan? Some people call Danghali as Krsna bedi. Sri Rupa has described the dana lila in his book Danakeli Kaulaudi.
Brhna Kunda is also situated near Govardhan and is surrounded by the lakes of Indra.
The story of a Govardhan brahmin who was a devotee of Baladev
Once a rich devotee of Baladev named Artha Vanta lived in Govardhan. His mind was always absorbed in thoughts of Balarama. He believed that one day Baladeva would kindly grant him darshan for that reason he wandered around Govardhan. The brahmin was fortunate and one day he got the information that Baladev would grant him darshan. Just to fulfil this devotee's desire Nityananda Nandaram went to Govardhan on pilgrimage. Nityananda remained in a lonely place but whoever saw him was moved by his celestial body.
In Kundala Kunda Krsna used to dress up. In Bedakhoira Kunja Radha and Krsna performed lilas within the closed room of the kunja. In Choiana Pahadi hill Krsna joyfully performed different lilas. Once Krsna and his cowherd boyfriends climbed this hill simply to see the beauty of the grazing cows. Dressed in attractive clothing Krsna stood beneath a tree there playing his flute while standing in hs three fold bending form. As soon as the sound of his flute was heard people from all directions would gather near him standing motionless as they heard the sweet music. Within this earth is there any comparison for that heavenly music? Even the mountains melted at the sound of his flute. The foot prints of Sri Krsna as well as those who came to hear his flute on that mountain and therefore it is called Coiana Pahadi (Coiana means foot).
Here is another village called Haioyal where Krsna became ashamed when he was defeated in a dice game with Radhika. Lalita said to Radhika, "You have easily defeated the master of your soul in this dice game ain in every other way. But we shall see who wins in the game of love. The friends of Radha then escorted their divine pair to the Nikunja Mandir and secretly watched them. Observing this celestial loving relationship between Radha and Krsna the sakhis felt themselves to be most fortunate.
In Satoan village Sri Sanatana Muni worshipped Krsna. Krsna used to roam freely in Sarya Kunda Nandana kupa and Vadyashila. It was in Paigram (Pai means to get) Sri Radhika and her sakhis caught hold of Krsna after searching for him. In this place called Chalana Shila Krsna sat down, being unable to move out of the mood of love.
In Kanair village (kan means feelings of love or desire) Krsna passionately waited for Radha.
In Vichorgram (Vichor means seperate) Chandramukhi and her friends met Krsna and after their celestial enjoyments the gopis returned to their own homes.
Because of the seperation from Krsna it is called Vichora.
In Tiloyara village Krsna would play without taking a moments rest. And under the Srnagaravana Krsna decorated Radhika with different dresses.
Lalapur is famous for Sri Krsna's lilas and the Vasasi village is perfumed by the scent of Krsna's body which maddens not only the bumble bees but the entire world. It was here that Radha and Krsna played Holi with their friends. In Payagram Krsna ate Parananya with his friends and snatched yogurt from the gopis in Dadigram. He passed his time in merriement in Kolaravana which is now called Kolavana.
From Bhakti Ratnakara Chp 5 by Shrila Narahari Chakravarti Thakura.
Translated by Shriman Kushakratha dasa.