Friday, December 7, 2007

Sri Sri Navadvip Bhava Taranga - by Bhaktivinode Thakur part 5

West of this is Gandhaka river, past the Alakananda river and Kasi Ksetra. Then, in Godruma, I shall see the place where Indra's Surabhi cow worshipped the Lord. In the three worlds there is no such place. Just as Isodyana and Radha Kunda lie close to the bank of the Ganga, so Godruma, where Markandeya received mercy from the Lord, lies close to the bank of the Sarasvati. O Mind, worship the groves or Godruma, for by this, very soon you will see the full wealth of Gauranga's pastimes. Seeing these pastimes, you will easily attain the pastimes of Radha-Krishna, fulfilling your desires.

Godruma is the city of Nanda, the residence of the gopas, where Gauranga performed many pastimes. Having taken milk products for the lunch at a cowherd's house in the afternoon, with His gopa-friends, Nimai would go and herd the cows. The cowherd boys would say: "O brother, you are a gopal. Your form as a brahmin boy does not suit You. Come, I will carry you on my shoulders and we will go herd the cows. We will head towards Your mother's place in Mayapur."
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A person who tries to be a goswami is careful not to engage in those activities that are harmful to his spiritual development. For example, he refrains from taking intoxicants (including all sorts of drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, and so on); from having illicit sex; from gambling; and from eating meat, fish, and eggs.

Science of Identity Foundation - Siddhaswarupananda


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One gopa would affectionately give cheese with condensed milk, and another gopa would become unsteady just on seeing the wonderful form of the Lord. Another gopa would give fruits and flowers saying: "Come to my house every day. You are worshipped by the brahmins but are also the Lord of us gopas. We cannot give you up. You are the object of our knowledge and meditation. Look, even the cows, on sighting you, begin lowing and give up their calves and the grass. Since it is late now, go home to your father's house, and tomorrow we shall meet again here. I will keep yoghurt cheese and condensed milk for you, but if You are late, I will be upset."

In this way, daily in Godruma forest, Gaura and Nitai would play with cowherd boys. If not too late, Gauranga would bathe in the Ganga before proceeding home. Will such a day ever be mine? When will I see pure love-laden pastimes of Govinda? Aspiring to serve the Lord, in company of the gopas, with the sentiments of a gopa, I will reside in cottage in Godruma with a fixed mind.