From- Ananda-vrndavana-campu 1.117-120
"The forest of Vrndavana, which automatically nurtures good qualities within its residents, is unlimited but it appears to be only eighty-four krosas in circumference. Its golden trees, bushes, and creepers sparkle like emeralds. Fragrant creepers cover the golden jewel inlaid footpaths. Some places abound in crystal trees, bushes and creepers standing on earth made of rubies. In other places ruby creepers entwine crustal houses, golden creepers embrace emerald trees, or emerald creepers surround golden trees. One can also see crystal creepers crawling up ruby trees, or ruby creepers embracing crystal trees."
Ananda-vrndavana-campu ~ Description of Vrndavana
This poem is dedicated to Srila Saccidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakur, one of the great poets and Acharyas of the Gaudiya Sampradaya. He describes in some of his songs, the ecstatic visions of Vraja occurred during his meditations and samadhi. Often, when chanting my japa, I have walked in my mind to his house in Godrum and then climbed up the staris to the tiny room where he used to chant. It is an offering of gratitude for this legacy of books and teachings. I am always praying for his blessings and guidance.
"The forest of Vrndavana, which automatically nurtures good qualities within its residents, is unlimited but it appears to be only eighty-four krosas in circumference. Its golden trees, bushes, and creepers sparkle like emeralds. Fragrant creepers cover the golden jewel inlaid footpaths. Some places abound in crystal trees, bushes and creepers standing on earth made of rubies. In other places ruby creepers entwine crustal houses, golden creepers embrace emerald trees, or emerald creepers surround golden trees. One can also see crystal creepers crawling up ruby trees, or ruby creepers embracing crystal trees."
Ananda-vrndavana-campu ~ Description of Vrndavana
This poem is dedicated to Srila Saccidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakur, one of the great poets and Acharyas of the Gaudiya Sampradaya. He describes in some of his songs, the ecstatic visions of Vraja occurred during his meditations and samadhi. Often, when chanting my japa, I have walked in my mind to his house in Godrum and then climbed up the staris to the tiny room where he used to chant. It is an offering of gratitude for this legacy of books and teachings. I am always praying for his blessings and guidance.
O mind ~
take me to Godrum (1)
to the house of Thakur ~
at the gate side
I will humbly leave my
shoes
and bow and sit in the dark room
to chant my japa;
and you may go to Vraja
where the moon never wanes,
and liquefied love
fills the lakes,
where nectar flows in the
river
and tears from the
eyes spill,
soaking the soil mixed with milk,
where the charming sound
of (2)
churning and yearning,
singing and jingling,
mingles with fragrances in
the breeze;
Where women appear
2 from flowering vines, (3)
and along with trees
and every being with limbs,
dance ecstatically
in the wind;
birds drink nectar from
the Moon,
at night, lotuses bloom
in waters of desire,
eyes turn into bumblebees
- at times
stealing the pollen
of the Gopis’ minds;
their dresses, the bark of
desire trees,
caress their skin
caress their skin
and become loose
when the note of autumn
pours from the flute;
there caves and riverbanks
are paved with gems,
and flowers and buds
are shining stones
encrusted in jewelled
branches;
When seasons of pleasure
unfold,
blanketing with petals
valleys and roads,
bowers and groves,
the land and the plants,
bliss oozes as sap,
diadems and garlands
bloom on the trees,
riddles make a juice
of red fruits and reddish
lips,
of sweat and musk,
of dusk and dust,
of lotuses and dew,
every word tastes blue.
Garlanded
by kunds
of
the liquid love of Radha
is this land of Vraja.
is this land of Vraja.
O Mahajana,
by the shelter of this
japa
please give me darshan of
Vraja,
bestow upon me this mercy
~
to take into my heart
just one glimpse
through the door,
kept ajar
by the Golden Avatar!
Notes
(1) "O Gurudeva! You have very mercifully given me a place in Godruma within the forest of Gaura Mandala. You have ordered me to dwell in this place which is [non different from] Vraja and to chant the holy names of Sri Hari." ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪
" Sri Prema das Babaji, being a scholar of the scriptures, understood that Sri Godrum was like Sri Nanda-grama, that in Vrindavan, therefore he settled in this sacred area." Jaiva Dharma by BVThakur
(2) SBB Vol.III 6.31 "... all about I heard wonderful songs, sung by cowherd women, and the charmin gsound of the churning of butter and the jingling of bangles."
(3) Sri Garga Samhita 1.5.10 "Sri Hari said :
In Vrindavana, at the end of Dvapara-yuga, you will become flowering vines and
then you will change into women in the arena of the rasa dance. I promise
this to you."
