Part 59 (1/2)

Outwards still more, inside a golden temple, seated upon a golden seat, adorned with ornaments of gold, there are thousands of Gopa boys, headed by Stoka Krishna, Ansu Bhadra and others, all devoutly singing the glory of Sri Krishna.

The whole of this is surrounded by a s.h.i.+ning gold wall.

On the west of that wall, within a temple, situated under a Parijata tree, is Vasudeva, with his eight wives, Rukmini, Satyabhama, Jambavati, Nagnajiti, Sulakshana, Mitravinda, Anuvinda and Sunanda.

On the north, under a Harichandana tree, is Sankarshana with Revati. On the south, under a Santana tree, is Pradyumna with Rati. On the east, under a Kalpataru, is Aniruddha.

Surrounding all this is a white stone wall, with four gates. White Vishnu preserves the western gate, Red Vishnu preserves the northern gate, yellow Vishnu preserves the eastern gate, Black Vishnu preserves the southern.

CHAP. 41. Ris.h.i.+ Ugra-tapas meditated on Sri Krishna for one hundred Kalpas. At the end of that period he became a Gopi, named Sunanda.

Ris.h.i.+ Satya-tapas meditated on Krishna for ten Kalpas, and he then became a Gopi named Bhadra.

Ris.h.i.+ Hari-dhama became a Gopi, named Raktaveni, at the end of three Kalpas.

Ris.h.i.+ Javali became Chitra-gandha after ten Kalpas.

Suchi-sravas and Suvarna became the daughters of the Gopa Suvira, at the end of one Kalpa.

Jatila, Janghaputa, Ghritasin, and Karbu became Gopis after three Kalpas.

Suka, son of Dirgha-tapas, Vyasa of the previous Kalpa, became daughter of Upananda.

One son of Svetaketu became the daughter of Balavani.

Chitra-dhvaja, son of Rajars.h.i.+ Chandraprabha, became Chitrakala, daughter of Gopa Viragupta, at the end of one Kalpa.

Ris.h.i.+ Punya-sravas practised meditation for thirty thousand Kalpas and he was born as the daughter of Nanda's brother, by name Labanga.

These are some of the favorite Gopis of Krishna.

CHAP. 42. The form of Sri Krishna, as seen at Vrindavana, is constant.

Mathura, Vrindavana, Yamuna, the Gopa girls, the Gopa boys, Sri Krishna as an Avatara - are all constant.

The Gopis are the Srutis (forms invoked by Vedic Mantras), Deva girls and devoted Ris.h.i.+s, desirous of liberation.

The Gopa boys are Munis, full of the bliss of Vaikuntha.

The Kadamba tree is Kalpa Vriksha, (a divine tree that gives all that is desired).

The Siddhas, Sadhyas and Gandharvas are the Kokilas (cuckoos) of Vrindavana.

Govardhana is the eternal servant of Hari.

CHAP. 43. Arjuna wanted to know the mysteries of Vrindavana and of the Gopis.

Krishna said they were unknown to Brahma even. He then advised Arjuna to wors.h.i.+p the G.o.ddess Tripura-sundari, as through her favor only he could know all he asked about. The G.o.ddess asked Arjuna to bathe in a tank called Kulakunda. She then gave directions which were duly performed by Arjuna. The G.o.ddess then took Arjuna to the real, constant Vrindavana, which is placed over Goloka. With the divine vision, given by the G.o.ddess, Arjuna saw the mysteries of Vrindavana, and became full of devotional love. He then asked the G.o.ddess what to do next. She then asked him to bathe in another tank, and, when Arjuna did so, he became a female. A divine voice said, ”Go back to the former tank. Touch its water and you will attain your object. There you will find your companions.”

The Gopis gathered round Arjuna out of curiosity. One of them Priyamuda asked: - ”Who art thou? How hast thou come here?” Arjuna related his story.

To satisfy the curiosity of Arjuna, Priyamuda said: - ”We are all the dear companions of Krishna. Here are the girls of Vraja. Those are Srutis and these are Munis. We are Gopa girls. Some appeared here from the body of Krishna. They are constant, keeping constant company with Krishna and moving all over the universe. Of them, this is Purna-rasa, this is Rasa Manthara (and so on). Then of the Srutis, this is Udgita, this is Sugita (and so on). Then of the Munis, this is Ugra-tapas, this is Priyavrata, this is Suvrata (and so on). Amongst us, the girls of Gopas, this is Chandravali, this is Chandrika, this is Chandra-rekha (and so on). You will have all these for your companions. Come bathe on the east side of the tank. I shall give thee the Mantra of Radhika”.