A visit to Vrindavan.
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Author: Usha Nair
Here Radha is Rani – the Queen who rules over the heart of not only Krishna, her beloved, but over the hearts of every inhabitant and visitor to this place. This is Vrindavan, the place where Lord Krishna had spent part of his life and mesmerized the Gopis. The eternal love story of Radha and Krishna is well known but for the inhabitants of Vrindavan, it is more than just a love story, it is as much a part of their legacy as their day to day lives.
When two people meet in Vrindavan, the greeting is “Radhe, Radhe”. The cycle rickshaw puller cries out “Radhe, Radhe” to clear the way of pedestrians and animals alike. If there is imminent danger of someone coming under the wheels of the rickshaw, the cry becomes louder and more insistent – but it always works. (There are few, almost none, ‘road rage fights’ even though the roads are always conjested and crowded. The rare fight can invariably be traced to some motor vehicle which has carried visitors into Vrindavan). The beggar shouts “Radhe, Radhe” trying to catch your attention, beseeching alms. In all the temples (more than 5000 in Braj Bhoomi, one is told) the chant is predominantly “Radhe, Radhe!” The outer walls of all houses have “Radhe” inscribed on them. Radha is at once the protecting deity and co-inhabitant in this place made holy by the playful deeds of Krishna.
Even when the name of her Lord, Krishna is taken, it is always after hers –Radha Krishna, Radhe Shyam, Radha Govind……… Why so, one may ask. Why is Radha given so much importance? The answer of her devotees is that she, through her total surrender in love, gained what even Rukmini, Krishna’s wife could not – a place in His heart and his eternal love. It is said that Rukmini was jealous of Radha’s place in her Lord’s heart. Radha set an example of devotion which none could match. She surrendered herself totally and unconditionally and her life was filled with love. But by such surrender she has gained a permanent place in the hearts of the Vrindavan vasis who take her name with every breath.
The triumph of Radha’s devotion carries the lesson that if we totally and whole-heartedly strive for something, we are sure to attain it.
A little distance away is Gokul where Krishna spent his early years with Nandagopan and Yasoda. In the temple there, the devotee is first asked to remember his / her Mother with gratitude – having borne and nurturing one selflessly. Thereafter one remembers and thanks one’s Father. Next is the Guru, the teacher who has opened our eyes to knowledge and wisdom. Only after paying obeisance to these three most important people in one’s life is one allowed to pray to the Lord. Here too Mother is remembered first, Father and Guru come later.
Aren’t these quaint and touching reminders of the high esteem in which women were held in the bygone ages?
Both Vrindavan and Gokul remind us of the enjoyment and pleasures of a life filled with love. Bhakthi here is enjoyment, happiness, love. The temples of Vrindavan resound with music. Devotees sing and dance and lose themselves in their bhakthi. There is hope and love. There is a temporary respite from the drudgery and misery of daily grind. In Gokul, after chanting “Om Shri Bhagavathe Vasudevaya!” devotees are asked to raise both hands and laugh loudly. If the laugher is not loud enough or lively enough, the pujari will chide you, “Louder! With more spirit!” The temple here resounds with happy laughter along with chants and bhajans.
We can see how temples, as indeed other places of worship, were places that relieved stress and kept depression at bay. In those days there was no need for psychiatrists and psychologists. The simple people with their pious beliefs found solace in temples and other places of worship.
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