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Bhaktachintamani Prakaran 159

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Hasmukh Patadia

Gujarati narration
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Blessed, blessed are all these devotees, who attained Shri Maharaj. Even while embodied they were never unhappy, and when the body was released, nothing was lost. Whether knowingly or unknowingly, whoever joined their hands before Hari -- what can I say of their glory, they can never be without refuge. Whoever had darshan, touch, or worship, and kept the vows, men and women -- they dwell in Swarga, Vaikunth, Shvetadwip and Goloka. Those firmly established in Dharma and its rules, the ekantik devotees -- I now describe their attainment, listen, all of you.

Such satsangi men and women, firmly established in Dharma, to them Maharaj comes at the end, coming himself to fetch them. Leaving the body, they go with that very form of Hari, becoming pure in being.

Shri Goloka, beyond the gunas, beyond Maya, is that supreme abode, eternal, beginningless, divine -- where Shri Radha-Krishna reside; this exceedingly uncommon abode is attained by those devoted to the path of ekantik devotion. From that abode there is no return; one comes there only by Shri Krishna's will. There flows the river Virja, like a moat, with two exceedingly beautiful banks.

In it are many mines of gems -- padmaraga, crystal, emerald; steps of jewels adorn it, and trees and creepers there captivate the mind. Many ghats are built of gold, gems sparkling as if the eyes themselves gleamed. There the gopas and gopis bathe, their hearts meditating on Radha-Krishna. They fill golden pitchers with its waters; there is great crowding along the banks of the Virja. Herds of cows come to drink there in turn, and there too is great crowding.

Along the bank, for Shri Krishna's sake, are divine pleasure-grounds in a divine assembly. Beyond the Virja stands Mount Shatashringa, forming a boundary wall around Goloka. It is said to be a crore yojanas high, and ten times that in breadth. There are many trees, including the Parijata, and many cowherds with many cows. Upon this mountain is the Rasa-mandal, where Shri Krishna plays joyfully.

The Rasa-mandal spans ten yojanas, delightful with four gates on all sides. In the midst of the Rasa the gopis sing songs, exceedingly enchanting, stealing the mind. There are ponds, wells and stepwells, adorned with jeweled steps. Streams from the mountain make music, as if a skilled musician were singing, breaking into melody. There are flower gardens and groves near the Rasa-mandal, beyond measure.

Around the Rasa-mandal are many pavilions, built of five-colored gems. Upon them golden domes shine, with flags and banners delighting all who see. Festoons of ashoka and mango leaves are tied, with figures of birds and deer painted. There are pillars of plantain, and camphor and fragrant sandal-aloe scattered about, shining brightly. Vessels are filled with unbroken rice and sprouts, with vermilion and durva grass, delighting the heart. Such are the many pleasure-pavilions of Shri Krishna and the gopis.

The gopas and gopis wear garments and ornaments, resplendent in the fresh bloom of youth in the Rasa. Along the banks are countless flower-beds and bowers, and the mountain is encircled by the waters of the Virja.

Within the mountain is Shri Vrindavan, dear to the hearts of Radha and Krishna. Many kinds of trees are there -- how can I describe them all here? Flowering vines bloom there abundantly, and bees hover over lotus flowers on the ground. There are countless herds of deer, none causing fear to another. Jewel-lamps burn in house after house, adorning that Vrindavan. There are many wells, stepwells and lakes, adorned with lotus and water-lily.

There, amid great fragrance, this Vrindavan shines exceedingly. There, birds sing in sweet voices, praising Krishna like sages. The gopis and gopas sing in Vrindavan -- this forest is dear to Krishna's heart. Calves, bulls, cows being milked, the sound of the flute -- thus Vrindavan is adorned. Within it are thirty-two more forests, ever adorned with fruits and flowers. Such is this Vrindavan, called Ashok -- within it lies Shri Goloka itself.

Vast in extent, a crore yojanas, with a golden rampart set with jewels; on its four sides are four gates, adorned magnificently with diamond doors. There are many homes of the gopis and gopas, adorning Goloka without limit -- jewel-studded golden mansions, with many chariots, vimanas and vehicles. Flags, banners, and golden domes adorn each mansion, each more beautiful than the last. The bees hum, singing Krishna's praises, and the sound resounds, filling all of Goloka. At the four gates are four roads, where much music and revelry take place. Golden domes set with five-colored gems, rows of mansions rising to the sky.

Balconies and platforms set with jewels, sprinkled with aloe and sandal fragrance; pillars like plantain stalks, auspicious decorations -- thus the royal road shines exceedingly. The gopas and gopis, carrying items of worship, go to worship Krishna; coming and going, singing many songs, thus the road is adorned. There too are the lords of countless realms -- Hari, Hara, Brahma, Dharma; Rama, Uma, Savitri in their true forms, husbands and wives go there for darshan. Gods, sages, siddhas, gopas and gopis -- the road is crowded and resplendent with them. The gopis, equal to Radha and Rama in their vows, serve Shri Krishna Swami with love.

In the midst of such a beautiful Goloka shines the temple of Radha-Krishna, surrounded by sixteen golden ramparts, adorned with a moat beyond measure. The royal fort spans three yojanas around, the moat covered by speaking wish-fulfilling trees. The sixteen ramparts are jeweled with battlements, adorned with golden domes. Crossing the sixteen gates, the devotees go for darshan of Shri Krishna's presence.

There, in the courtyard, is a beauty beyond telling, paved with five-colored gems. In the midst is a mass of radiance, more than millions of suns and moons; this is named Aksharabrahma, the unchanging, gunatit abode of Hari. The vast power that is the cause of the world, the many chief Purushas and Kaal, to this uncommon Aksharabrahma they owe their existence -- of the nature of being, consciousness, and bliss.

Within it is Shri Krishna's own abode, built of ruby and gems, delightful. Jewel pillars and many garlands of flowers adorn this vast abode. Garlands of jewels and pearls, with many gems, shine in glory; white chamaras, pearl-domes, and beautiful festoons adorn it with splendor. Higher than Shatashringa mountain is this radiant abode of Krishna. It is anointed with aloe and sandal, delightful with incense, lamps and offerings.

The palace shines with great splendor, its extent beyond telling in any number of days. Around it dwell Hari's devotees, keeping their exclusive residence there. All perform service to Shri Krishna, moving about freely in great bliss. They sing Krishna's praises with musical instruments, the sound filling the whole abode.

In this abode is a throne, built of gems and domes, delightfully. Adorned with pictures in many colors, with figures of animals, birds, gopis and gopas. Upon this exceedingly beautiful throne sits Krishna Bhagwan, dark as a cloud, in the bloom of youth, wearing yellow silk, a flute in his two hands. With a gentle smile and a crown upon his head, all who see him are overjoyed beyond measure. Anointed with musk and sandal and aloe, wearing the Vaijayanti garland upon his chest.

The Kaustubh jewel-garland, radiant, adorns Shri Krishna's neck; makara-shaped earrings shine in his ears, jeweled bangles adorn his raised hands. Rings with gems on his fingers, a jeweled girdle-bell and anklets adorn him greatly. His feet are red, his nails a reddish-dark hue, shining like red lotus feet.

There the sixteen auspicious marks bring joy, served by sages, siddhas and vow-keepers: octagon, barley-grain, jambu-fruit, swastika, banner, and thunderbolt -- hook, lotus, upward line, all shine especially on his right foot; fish, triangle, dome, sky, cow's-hoof-mark, bow and moon. On the left foot, the devotee meditates on these, by which desire, anger and delusion are destroyed. Seeing Krishna's lotus feet thus, sages, like bees, remain intoxicated there.

Radha and the other goddesses, with love, anoint him with sandal and hold it to their hearts; gazing at his ankles, calves, and knees, his long arms captivate the mind. His navel, waist, and belly are uncommon, adorned with the triple fold blissfully; on his right chest is the mark of Shrivatsa, delighting and purifying all who see it.

Garlands and a crown of flowers adorn him, captivating the minds of all who see; his two hands, like red lotuses, hold the flute, shining thus. His face, like the full moon, is beautiful, his throat like a conch-shell, resplendent; there the great tulsi garland adorns his chin and coral lips. With gentle smiles he speaks sweet words, his teeth like pomegranate seeds, delightful; his nose like a lamp, his cheeks radiant, his ears adorned with shining earrings.

There two clusters of flowers are worn, his restless eyes filled with love; his eyes have red lines, delightful, his eyebrows and broad forehead shine. There is a special saffron tilak mark, which, when he smiles, forms a line upon his brow; beautiful hair on his head, a crown set with jewel-gems fitting perfectly. The beauty from head to toe cannot be described -- the Vedas and Puranas eternally sing of it.

Such is Shri Krishna, a mine of beauty -- no demonic soul can comprehend it. Dark-hued yet radiant in form, its mystery known only to a devotee. The auspicious marks described in palmistry are all found fitting in Shri Krishna, the bringer of joy. Those of perverse understanding call him formless, being of demonic nature in the extreme. The true sadhu always understands him as having form, and attains his abode and presence with great joy.

He is called Shri Krishna, Purushottam, Vasudev, Vishnu, Parabrahma, Hari, Narayan, the Indweller, Bhagwan, the Lord of many names. Names such as "Tattvajnana" and others are also given; the Shrutis, Puranas and true scriptures sing of him. Through the Upanishads and the histories, Krishna's glory is told again and again. Through his qualities and might he has many names, all worthy of chanting, all abodes of bliss.

Radha and Rama remain by his two sides, and Shri Krishna glances at them with affection. Other companions such as Lalita and others are equal to Radha and Rama. Of fine character and abode of good qualities -- listen, all, I shall tell their names: Jaya, Lalita, and Shashikala, Madhavi, Yamuna, and Sushila; Rati, Kanti, and Chandramukhi, Kadamba-malika, Swayamprabha the blissful; Padmamukhi, Sukha, Shubha, Madhumati, Saraswati; Padma, Ganga, and Sarvamangala, Sumukhi, Bharati, and Kamala; Parijata, Krishnapriya, Nanda, Nandini, Sundari, Sukhada -- these and countless other beautiful ones serve Shri Krishna with love.

They bring musk, sandal and flowers, priceless ornaments and garments; and the six flavors of fine food, foods to be licked, sucked, chewed and eaten. On golden platters, filling this food, the beloved women lovingly feed Hari. Sweets, delicacies, ambrosial fruits, water in jeweled vessels; they wash his feet, offer betel-leaf rolls, and sing praises performing the arti. Thus, worshipping him, these beloved ones please Shri Krishna Murari.

There are also the Lord's attendants -- hear the names of the chief great ones: Virbhanu, Chandrabhanu, Suryabhanu, Vasubhanu; Devbhanu, Shakrabhanu, Ratnabhanu, Suparshva; Vishal, Vrishabh, Anshubal, Devprastha, Varuth, Subal -- Shridama and others, these sixteen, and after them countless others beyond measure -- all serve Shri Krishna, each equal to the other in beauty and virtue.

With canopy, chamara, and other implements of service they serve the King of kings; there much music and singing take place, and all have darshan of Krishna. Seeing the devotees' service, the Merciful One, the Ocean of Compassion, is pleased -- the Supreme Being, of whom the scriptures say only "neti, neti" (not this, not this).

Know that Time, Karma and the gunas are all controlled by him; their inspirer is Krishna himself. He is known as Sankarshan, Pradyumna, and in the form of Aniruddha too, Krishna is present. He is Lord of infinite crores of universes, holding creation, sustenance and dissolution in his hand; and he remains as Maharaj of all universes, dwelling for the liberation of souls.

Nara-Narayana and countless others, Bhagwan resides in divine forms; whoever is devoted to them attains this Goloka. They remain near the Lord in divine form, these devotees ever enjoying bliss. Many other groups of Vaishnavas are there too, and with them this bliss is shared. They attain a greatness beyond telling, those who worshipped the Lord here with devotion.

Hari, taking incarnation himself, has opened the door to this abode. Whichever satsangi men and women there are, they have been made worthy of this abode -- this is no ordinary matter, know it, great sadhus, as truly manifest. Whoever has attained Swami, the abode of bliss, all such are residents of this very abode. Says the poet: listen, you of good understanding, I have told the attainment of the satsangis.

Thus ends the one hundred and fifty-ninth chapter of the Bhaktachintamani, describing the beauty of Goloka Dham.

Shree Swaminarayan Temple, Bhuj-Kutch / Vadtal Gadi, AI-translated, unverified · Source details