Sri Vrndavana Mahimamrta
Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati Thakura
Sataka One
21 The materialists, who are strongly attached to the objects of sense gratification, the ascetics, who cannot tolerate even a glimpse of sense happiness, the earnestly endeavoring yogis, the impersonalists, whose minds are merged in Brahman happiness, and the devotees whose minds have entered the lotus flower of Lord Govinda’s feet, are all enchanted by the transcendental qualities of Sri Vrndavana.
22 If one studies the Upanisads for a long time he will not obtain even an atomic particle of transcendental sweetness as a result of his study. On the other hand, simply by residing in Vrndavana one will become quickly drowned in a great ocean of transcendental nectar. May that supreme abode of Sri Vrndavana become manifest within my heart.
23 When, patiently tolerating hundreds of kicks, millions of insults, and the constant onslaught of hunger, thirst, cold, heat and hundreds of other sufferings, penniless, agitated, shedding a great shower of tears, and calling out the names of Sri Sri Radha-Krsna in a piteous voice, will I wander in this land of Vrndavana?
24 Today or tomorrow this worthless material body will leave me and all the material happiness connected with it will also leave. Because material happiness is temporary, it should be understood to be only a mirage of the real happiness. O my mind, please abandon this false happiness and enjoy the real, eternal happiness of devotional service within the land of Vrndavana.
25 How important are the most powerful earthly kings for us? How important are all the demigods and sages? How important are countless material opulences, which come and go like the scenery in a dream? How important are even the liberated devotees in the spiritual realm of Vaikuntha, for those of us who have made residing in Vrndavana our only goal of life?
26 May Sri Vrndavana, which grants auspiciousness and bliss to all, and which is deeply loved by two or three great souls, become the mother and protectress of blind me.
27 May I love Vrndavana, where at the base of a kadamba tree on the cool shore of the Yamuna a dark complexioned, amorous, divine youth dressed in yellow garments plays a flute as He glances at Radha’s lotus face.
28 What is the use of the highest royal pleasures? What is the use of perfecting the yoga-system and travelling to the upper planets? What is the use of the great variety of material endeavors to attain useless ends? These things are insignificant in comparison to residence in Vrndavana. Simply by living in Vrndavana I will one day hear the sweet sound of Krsna’s flute, which brings the ultimate bliss.
29 My body may be decorated with beautiful garments and ornaments, or it may burn with terrible disease. I may be praised, or defamed with millions of words. I may become the master of all wealth, or I may be reduced to abject poverty. I may be free from all suffering, or I may be a living corpse. Whatever my condition is, I shall always take shelter of the transcendental land of Sri Vrndavana, the source of all bliss.
30 You may experience either happiness or distress. You may know fame or infamy. The lowest persons may insult you, or the saintly devotees may praise you. You may know poverty or great wealth. You may obtain all valuable things, or you may not obtain anything. Whatever position your past pious or impious deeds may place you in, just make Vrndavana your life and soul.
31 Flee from the witch of female companionship, uproot all desires for material enjoyment, accept whatever destiny provides for your bodily maintenance, and reside in Sri Vrndavana.
32 Don’t do anything! Don’t say anything! Forget everything you’ve seen! Remember the fair and dark divine couple that pains Kamadeva, flee the common people and go to transcendental Vrndavana!
33 He who gives up the company of ordinary people, keeps no servants or followers, agitated with a desire to serve Sri Sri Radha-Krsna, constantly sheds tears, his hands placed on his cheeks and lives in Vrndavana, is the most fortunate of all persons.
34 If you desire to easily get vast wealth, a beautiful wife, good children, a palatial home and the other opulences that don’t come in this world without a struggle, and if you desire krsna-bhakti, which carries liberation in the palm of her hand, then simply reside in the spiritual realm named Vrndavana.
35 O friend, please control your mind and senses and go and live in Vrndavana, which is a mine of nectar, and which is so glorious that even millions of books by the greatest poets and philosophers cannot describe a single ray of light from the host of the jewels of its virtues.
36 All glories to Sri Vrndavana which, with single particle of its glory, which cannot be understood even by Laksmi, Siva, Brahma, and all the leaders of the demigods, makes numberless kamadhenu cows, kalpa-vrksa trees, and cintamani gems appear insignificant.
37 If Vrndavana, whose great splendor eclipses the shining of millions of suns, moons, fires and lighting flashes, once shines in the heart, then the desire for wealth and a host of material benefits will not enter.
38 May blissful, spiritual, wonderful Vrndavana which with its charming groves where Sri Sri Radhika-Muralimohana enjoy pastimes, milks the ocean of nectar, destroy my sins.
39 May faultless Vrndavana, which transforms sinners into saints, protect me, who stands outside all religious duties, and dry up the multitude of my terrible sins.
40 With great devotion Brahma and the demigods glorify and the Supreme Personality of Godhead nullifies the karma of a glorious person who because of many past pious deeds has obtained Vrndavana as a guest residing in his eyes.
Sataka One
21 The materialists, who are strongly attached to the objects of sense gratification, the ascetics, who cannot tolerate even a glimpse of sense happiness, the earnestly endeavoring yogis, the impersonalists, whose minds are merged in Brahman happiness, and the devotees whose minds have entered the lotus flower of Lord Govinda’s feet, are all enchanted by the transcendental qualities of Sri Vrndavana.
22 If one studies the Upanisads for a long time he will not obtain even an atomic particle of transcendental sweetness as a result of his study. On the other hand, simply by residing in Vrndavana one will become quickly drowned in a great ocean of transcendental nectar. May that supreme abode of Sri Vrndavana become manifest within my heart.
23 When, patiently tolerating hundreds of kicks, millions of insults, and the constant onslaught of hunger, thirst, cold, heat and hundreds of other sufferings, penniless, agitated, shedding a great shower of tears, and calling out the names of Sri Sri Radha-Krsna in a piteous voice, will I wander in this land of Vrndavana?
24 Today or tomorrow this worthless material body will leave me and all the material happiness connected with it will also leave. Because material happiness is temporary, it should be understood to be only a mirage of the real happiness. O my mind, please abandon this false happiness and enjoy the real, eternal happiness of devotional service within the land of Vrndavana.
25 How important are the most powerful earthly kings for us? How important are all the demigods and sages? How important are countless material opulences, which come and go like the scenery in a dream? How important are even the liberated devotees in the spiritual realm of Vaikuntha, for those of us who have made residing in Vrndavana our only goal of life?
26 May Sri Vrndavana, which grants auspiciousness and bliss to all, and which is deeply loved by two or three great souls, become the mother and protectress of blind me.
27 May I love Vrndavana, where at the base of a kadamba tree on the cool shore of the Yamuna a dark complexioned, amorous, divine youth dressed in yellow garments plays a flute as He glances at Radha’s lotus face.
28 What is the use of the highest royal pleasures? What is the use of perfecting the yoga-system and travelling to the upper planets? What is the use of the great variety of material endeavors to attain useless ends? These things are insignificant in comparison to residence in Vrndavana. Simply by living in Vrndavana I will one day hear the sweet sound of Krsna’s flute, which brings the ultimate bliss.
29 My body may be decorated with beautiful garments and ornaments, or it may burn with terrible disease. I may be praised, or defamed with millions of words. I may become the master of all wealth, or I may be reduced to abject poverty. I may be free from all suffering, or I may be a living corpse. Whatever my condition is, I shall always take shelter of the transcendental land of Sri Vrndavana, the source of all bliss.
30 You may experience either happiness or distress. You may know fame or infamy. The lowest persons may insult you, or the saintly devotees may praise you. You may know poverty or great wealth. You may obtain all valuable things, or you may not obtain anything. Whatever position your past pious or impious deeds may place you in, just make Vrndavana your life and soul.
31 Flee from the witch of female companionship, uproot all desires for material enjoyment, accept whatever destiny provides for your bodily maintenance, and reside in Sri Vrndavana.
32 Don’t do anything! Don’t say anything! Forget everything you’ve seen! Remember the fair and dark divine couple that pains Kamadeva, flee the common people and go to transcendental Vrndavana!
33 He who gives up the company of ordinary people, keeps no servants or followers, agitated with a desire to serve Sri Sri Radha-Krsna, constantly sheds tears, his hands placed on his cheeks and lives in Vrndavana, is the most fortunate of all persons.
34 If you desire to easily get vast wealth, a beautiful wife, good children, a palatial home and the other opulences that don’t come in this world without a struggle, and if you desire krsna-bhakti, which carries liberation in the palm of her hand, then simply reside in the spiritual realm named Vrndavana.
35 O friend, please control your mind and senses and go and live in Vrndavana, which is a mine of nectar, and which is so glorious that even millions of books by the greatest poets and philosophers cannot describe a single ray of light from the host of the jewels of its virtues.
36 All glories to Sri Vrndavana which, with single particle of its glory, which cannot be understood even by Laksmi, Siva, Brahma, and all the leaders of the demigods, makes numberless kamadhenu cows, kalpa-vrksa trees, and cintamani gems appear insignificant.
37 If Vrndavana, whose great splendor eclipses the shining of millions of suns, moons, fires and lighting flashes, once shines in the heart, then the desire for wealth and a host of material benefits will not enter.
38 May blissful, spiritual, wonderful Vrndavana which with its charming groves where Sri Sri Radhika-Muralimohana enjoy pastimes, milks the ocean of nectar, destroy my sins.
39 May faultless Vrndavana, which transforms sinners into saints, protect me, who stands outside all religious duties, and dry up the multitude of my terrible sins.
40 With great devotion Brahma and the demigods glorify and the Supreme Personality of Godhead nullifies the karma of a glorious person who because of many past pious deeds has obtained Vrndavana as a guest residing in his eyes.
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