The Purpose of Rupa Goswami's Visit to Rädhä-kunda
Bhakti-ratnäkara -
Räghava continued narrating, “Rüpa Gosvami was staying at Våndävana, but he came here for a reason I will now explain.
“One time Rüpa Gosvämé had given Lalitä-Mädhava to Raghunätha. This book describes the intense feelings of love in separation. After reading the book, Raghunätha cried day and night in agitation and became mad in distress. Sometimes he went far off to stay, leaving the book, and sometimes he fell to the ground keeping the book to his chest. People who saw the various states of Raghunätha's ecstasy as he lost consciousness became worried and struck with wonder. Thinking of a cure for Raghunätha's condition, Rüpa Goswämi quickly finished writing Däna-keli-kaumudi. Çré Rüpa then gave Raghunätha the new book and requested him to taste its contents and return Lalitä-Mädhava for editing. Although Raghunätha was reluctant to give up Lalitä-Mädhava, when he heard that Rüpa wanted to edit it, he relented. Taking and reading Däna-keli-kaumudi, he tasted different ecstasies and thus merged in an ocean of happiness. O Çréniväsa, what can I say about the activities of Sanätana, Rüpa, and Raghunätha?”
After finishing this narration, Räghava Paëòita, feeling jubilation in his mind, led them on. Within a short time they visited all the places near Rädhä-kuëòa. Räghava Paëòita then showed Çréniväsa and Narottama the place known as Nima-gräma. Then, after leaving Govardhana, they all worshiped Lord Kåñëa, who they considered more dear than their own life.
In the Vraja-viläsa-stava it is stated: “Considering Him more dear than their own lives, out of intense parental love, the elderly gopis worship even a drop of perspiration from Krsna's lotus feet, and for a long time they kiss His head, decorated with handsome locks of hair. I worship the dust of these gopés feet.”
“This is Päöal-gräma. In sport Rädhä and Her sakhis picked pinkish roses [päöal means pink] at this place. Here is Derävali-gräma. Coming from Ñañöhéghara, Nanda stayed here on his way to Nandéçvara. See in front, this kunja called Navä-gräma. It is situated on the border of Rädhä-kuëòa. People presently call it Kuïjarä, and it is the site of Rädhä and Kåñëa's unparalleled pastimes. Here is Sürya-kuëòa-gräma. Just see the deity of Süryadeva situated in the Sürya-mandira within this forest. In great happiness Rädhäräëé with Her sakhés came here to worship Süryadeva. Kåñëa Himself became the priest and enjoyed performing the püjä. This deity of Süryadeva is very merciful and gives love of Kåñëa. Who can describe his glories and who will not worship him?
“I worship Süryadeva, who is the father of Yamunä and the destroyer of all diseases. He bestows attachment to the lotus feet of Lord Kåñëa, therefore he is the basis of all auspiciousness.
“See in front the town called Keñnäi where Ghanaçyäma felt very impatient in Rädhä's absence. Kåñëa asked Rädhä's servant why She had not come [keñnä äi], therefore this place was called Keñnäi and later it became known as Konäi. See here Bhadäyara-gräma, where Bhadrä-yütheçvaré performed her pastimes. This is Magaherä-gräma. Here everyone sees the road Kåñëa travels by. These people were so intensely eager for His darçana it cannot be described. Presently it is known as Magherä.”
In this way, after visiting various other pastime places of the Lord, they returned to Rädhä-kuëòa in a joyful state. Whoever takes interest in hearing about or visiting these places is easily freed from any distressed condition. Räghava Paëòita along with Çréniväsa and Narottama thus spent the night on the shores of Rädhä-kuëòa discussing Kåñëa-kathä till morning arrived.
The Source of Gäëöhuli-gräma's Name
Räghava continued narrating, “Rüpa Gosvami was staying at Våndävana, but he came here for a reason I will now explain.
“One time Rüpa Gosvämé had given Lalitä-Mädhava to Raghunätha. This book describes the intense feelings of love in separation. After reading the book, Raghunätha cried day and night in agitation and became mad in distress. Sometimes he went far off to stay, leaving the book, and sometimes he fell to the ground keeping the book to his chest. People who saw the various states of Raghunätha's ecstasy as he lost consciousness became worried and struck with wonder. Thinking of a cure for Raghunätha's condition, Rüpa Goswämi quickly finished writing Däna-keli-kaumudi. Çré Rüpa then gave Raghunätha the new book and requested him to taste its contents and return Lalitä-Mädhava for editing. Although Raghunätha was reluctant to give up Lalitä-Mädhava, when he heard that Rüpa wanted to edit it, he relented. Taking and reading Däna-keli-kaumudi, he tasted different ecstasies and thus merged in an ocean of happiness. O Çréniväsa, what can I say about the activities of Sanätana, Rüpa, and Raghunätha?”
After finishing this narration, Räghava Paëòita, feeling jubilation in his mind, led them on. Within a short time they visited all the places near Rädhä-kuëòa. Räghava Paëòita then showed Çréniväsa and Narottama the place known as Nima-gräma. Then, after leaving Govardhana, they all worshiped Lord Kåñëa, who they considered more dear than their own life.
In the Vraja-viläsa-stava it is stated: “Considering Him more dear than their own lives, out of intense parental love, the elderly gopis worship even a drop of perspiration from Krsna's lotus feet, and for a long time they kiss His head, decorated with handsome locks of hair. I worship the dust of these gopés feet.”
“This is Päöal-gräma. In sport Rädhä and Her sakhis picked pinkish roses [päöal means pink] at this place. Here is Derävali-gräma. Coming from Ñañöhéghara, Nanda stayed here on his way to Nandéçvara. See in front, this kunja called Navä-gräma. It is situated on the border of Rädhä-kuëòa. People presently call it Kuïjarä, and it is the site of Rädhä and Kåñëa's unparalleled pastimes. Here is Sürya-kuëòa-gräma. Just see the deity of Süryadeva situated in the Sürya-mandira within this forest. In great happiness Rädhäräëé with Her sakhés came here to worship Süryadeva. Kåñëa Himself became the priest and enjoyed performing the püjä. This deity of Süryadeva is very merciful and gives love of Kåñëa. Who can describe his glories and who will not worship him?
“I worship Süryadeva, who is the father of Yamunä and the destroyer of all diseases. He bestows attachment to the lotus feet of Lord Kåñëa, therefore he is the basis of all auspiciousness.
“See in front the town called Keñnäi where Ghanaçyäma felt very impatient in Rädhä's absence. Kåñëa asked Rädhä's servant why She had not come [keñnä äi], therefore this place was called Keñnäi and later it became known as Konäi. See here Bhadäyara-gräma, where Bhadrä-yütheçvaré performed her pastimes. This is Magaherä-gräma. Here everyone sees the road Kåñëa travels by. These people were so intensely eager for His darçana it cannot be described. Presently it is known as Magherä.”
In this way, after visiting various other pastime places of the Lord, they returned to Rädhä-kuëòa in a joyful state. Whoever takes interest in hearing about or visiting these places is easily freed from any distressed condition. Räghava Paëòita along with Çréniväsa and Narottama thus spent the night on the shores of Rädhä-kuëòa discussing Kåñëa-kathä till morning arrived.
The Source of Gäëöhuli-gräma's Name
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