Today is Divapali which is a very super excellent, auspicious day. On this day, we offer ghee lamps to Sri Giriraja Govardhana. We do this because Govardhana is actually the heart and soul of the Vrajavasis. Srimati Radhika Herself glorifies Giriraja. In Srimad-Bhagavatam, Srila Shukadeva Gosvamipada also glorified Govardhana Hill by calling him the topmost devotee of Lord:
hantāyam adrir abalā hari-dāsa-varyo
yad rāma-kṛṣṇa-caraṇa-sparaśa-pramodaḥ
mānaṁ tanoti saha-go-gaṇayos tayor yat
Pānīya-sūyavasa-kandara-kandamūlaiḥ
Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.21.18)
[Of all the devotees, this Govardhana Hill is the best! O my friends, this hill supplies Krishna and Balarama, along with Their calves, cows and cowherd friends, with all kinds of necessities — water for drinking, very soft grass, caves, fruits, flowers and vegetables. In this way the hill offers respects to the Lord. Being touched by the lotus feet of Krishna and Balarama, Govardhana Hill appears very jubilant.]
In Venu-gita, Srila Shukadeva Gosvamipada told Parikshit Maharaja, “When gopis feel pangs of separation from Krishna, krishna-viraha, they sometimes also glorify Giriraja Govardhana.” This is because Sri Giriraja is known as the topmost amongst devotees of Lord. “Hantāyam adrir abalā hari-dāsa-varyo,” uttered Srimati Radhika. Giriraja Govardhana is called hari-dāsa-varyo. And hari-dāsa-varyo means the topmost devotee of Krishna. In Srimad-Bhagavatam, Shukadeva Gosvamipada has described three Haridasas, one being Yudhishthira Maharaja. A Haridasa is one who has completely surrendered to the lotus feet of Krishna. Even Narada Rishi himself glorified Yudhishthira Maharaja:
yūyaṁ nṛ-loke bata bhūri-bhāgā
lokaṁ punānā munayo ’bhiyanti
yeṣāṁ gṛhān āvasatīti sākṣād
gūḍhaṁ paraṁ brahma manuṣya-liṅgam
Srimad-Bhagavatam (7.10.48)
[Narada Muni continued: My dear Maharaja Yudhishthira, all of you [the Pandavas] are extremely fortunate, for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, lives in your palace just like a human being. Great saintly persons know this very well, and therefore they constantly visit this house.]
Narada Rishi said, “O Yudhishthira Maharaja, you are so fortunate. Parabrahma Bhagavan Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Svayam Bhagavan, is approached by jnanis (those who pursue the path of knowledge) according to their meditation are accepting His effulgence, brahmajyoti. Yogis, according to their yoga darshana (philosophy) think He is Paramatma (Supersoul). However, those who are devotees of Lord, realise that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and He has six opulences. Now, that same Parabrahma Bhagavan Krishna, who is called Brahma, Paramatma and Bhagavan, is directly seated in your house and has many kinds of sambandha-jnana, knowledge of relationships with your family.”
The Pandavas have many kinds of family relationships with Krishna— called laukika sad-bandhuvat priti. Kunti, Draupadi and especially the Pandavas, have so much love and affection for Krishna. All the Pandava family members like Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, Sahadeva and Kunti— just look how they have so much love and affection for Krishna. For this reason, Narada Rishi quoted this verse:
yūyaṁ nṛ-loke bata bhūri-bhāgā
lokaṁ punānā munayo ’bhiyanti
yeṣāṁ gṛhān āvasatīti sākṣād
gūḍhaṁ paraṁ brahma manuṣya-liṅgam
Srimad-Bhagavatam (7.10.48)
Parabrahma Bhagavan is now in their home as a human being. For this reason, all of the demigods and demigoddesses headed by Brahma and Shiva would also visit their home every day, and they would take the foot dust from the doorway of the Pandavas’ house and place it on their heads. Since Krishna is their family member, if they have any problems, He will solve them. Our scriptures also explain who a real friend is:
utsave vyasane prāpte durbhikṣe śatrusaṃkaṭe
rājadvāre śmaśāne ca yastiṣṭhati sa bāndhavaḥ
Chanakya-niti (12)
[Who is a real friend? A real friend is always with me during festival times and also when I am in a situation of much trouble. When a food crisis occurs in my family, a real friend will come forward to help me. When a political revolution occurs in the country, a real friend will be with me, and when my body goes for cremation, a real friend will stand by me.]
If you are hosting any celebrations, if any utsava or festivals are taking place, then without invitation, a real friend will come. Actually, there is no need to extend an invitation. Sometimes disciples tell me, “Gurudeva, you did not invite me.” In Kali-yuga, disciples speak in this way. They say, “You did not call me.” However, does Gurudeva call you or do you call Gurudeva?
In Niti-shastra, the verse explains who your real friend is: ‘utsave vyasane prāpte durbhikṣe śatrusaṃkaṭe rājadvāre śmaśāne ca yastiṣṭhati sa bāndhavaḥ’. During times of celebration a real friend will come and help without being invited. If you ever have any problems, he or she will come and help resolve them. And when you are about to leave your body, a real friend will come and afterwards, make all of your funeral arrangements. This is called antima bandhu, meaning he is your lifelong friend. Try to understand this.
In the same way, Narada Rishi said, “O Yudhishthira Maharaja, you have so much love and affection with your friend Krishna.” For this reason, Yudhishthira Maharaja is called Haridasa. Another Haridasa is Uddhava:
vṛṣṇīnāṁ pravaro mantrī
kṛṣṇasya dayitaḥ sakhā
śiṣyo bṛhaspateḥ sākṣād
uddhavo buddhi-sattamaḥ
Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.46.1)
[Shukadeva Gosvami said: The supremely intelligent Uddhava was the best counselor of the Vrishni dynasty, a beloved friend of Lord Sri Krishna and a direct disciple of Brihaspati.]
Uddhava is a very qualified person, and very prominent in Mathura-puri and Dvarаka-puri. ‘Vṛṣṇīnāṁ pravaro mantrī’. Also, he is an advisor to Krishna. Who is Parabrahma Bhagavan Krishna? ‘Srishti-sthiti-pralaya’. Krishna is the creator, maintainer and destroyer. Despite this, Krishna sometimes receives advice from Uddhava on what to do and what not to do.
For example, once, Yudhishthira Maharaja wrote a letter to Krishna saying, “O Krishna, I want to perform a rajasuya-yajna, a fire sacrifice for the king’s celebration. Please come and advise us.” Simultaneously, another letter arrived from the imprisoned kings in the jail of Jarasandha— who was attempting to kill them all. In order to become ajaya, Jarasandha needed to sacrifice one hundred kings. And what does ajaya mean? Victorious. Afterwards, no one would be able to defeat him.
Jarasandha worshipped Lord Shiva. One time, Lord Shiva told him, “If you sacrifice one hundred kings, you will be completely unconquerable. No one will be able to defeat you.” For this reason, Jarasandha had ninety nine kings arrested, only one remained to be captured. As he was searching for the last king, the ninety nine kings sent a letter to Krishna pleading, “O Krishna, please come and save us.”
After reading both letters, Krishna asked Uddhava, “O Uddhava, what will I do now? Those kings are not My relatives, we do not have any relationship with them, and Yudhishthira Maharaja is My best friend and also My family member. Where shall I go first? What will I do?” Where would you go? If your best friend was calling you and simultaneously, some other unknown person was also calling you, what would you do?
In this situation, Krishna sought the advice of Uddhava. And Uddhava very nicely told Him, “Prabhu You should postpone the rajasuya-yajna of Yudhishthira Maharaja. You have to go and rescue the imprisoned kings from the jail of Jarasandha. Why? Because when You release the kings from the jail and kill Jarasandha, they will follow You. Then, with those ninety nine kings following, You will arrive at the rajasuya-yajna of Yudhishthira Maharaja and everybody will glorify You. They will credit You for this and they will also give credit to Yudhishthira Maharaja. However, if You were to arrive alone, only You will receive credit. But if You arrive with ninety nine kings, everyone else will also receive credit. Everybody will glorify You. All of the kings that You have freed from the jail of Jarasandha will be completely indebted to You because of Your love and affection.”
Krishna replied, “This is good, yes.” Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He already knows what to do and what not to do— He knows everything. He has no actual need to take advice from anyone. He creates millions and millions of universes and also destroys millions and millions of universes. Bhagavan is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Svayam Bhagavan.
What does Bhagavan mean? He has no need to take advice from others, He already knows everything. However, according to His human being lila, manava-lila, Krishna asks Uddhava for his advice. After hearing Uddhava’s advice, Sri Krishna replied, “Yes, your advice is good. First, I have to release the ninety nine kings from the jail of Jarasandha.” For this reason it is said: ‘vṛṣṇīnāṁ pravaro mantrī kṛṣṇasya dayitaḥ sakhā’. Uddhava is Krishna’s very close bosom friend, His very nearest and dearest friend, His sakha.
‘Śiṣyo bṛhaspateḥ sākṣād’. He is also the direct disciple of Brihaspati, who, in the heavenly planets, is the guru of the demigods and demigoddesses. ‘Uddhavo buddhi-sattamaḥ’. Uddhava is very calm, quiet and intelligent and he has sattvika-bhava (mood in the mode of goodness). Just observe Lord Shiva and observe Uddhava. Lord Shiva is very aggressive. If there is the slightest defect, he will become angry.
kṣaṇe tuṣṭaḥ kṣaṇe ruṣṭastuṣṭo ruṣṭaḥ kṣaṇe kṣaṇe
avyavasthitacittasya prasādo’pi bhayaṅkaraḥ
Niti-shastra
[Being pleased one moment and angry the next. His being kind to others is also fraught with danger.]
Lord Shiva becomes pleased with you very quickly and also very quickly becomes angry with you. Thus, his mercy is considered very dangerous. One time, Lord Shiva gave mercy to Bhasmasura, who is also known as Vrikasura. In Srimad-Bhagavatam, Shukadeva Gosvami mentions how once, Vrikasura asked Lord Shiva, “Give me a blessing.”
In return, Lord Shiva asked, “What do you want?” Vrikasura answered, “Give my hand this blessing. If my palm were to touch anybody’s head, they will turn into ashes.” Without thinking, Lord Shiva replied, “Yes, I am giving this blessing to the palm of your hand. If you place your palm on anyone’s head, they will be converted into ash.” After receiving this boon, Vrikasura began chasing Lord Shiva while saying, “To test my blessing, I will first kill you.” This is why it is said: ‘kṣaṇe tuṣṭaḥ kṣaṇe ruṣṭastuṣṭo ruṣṭaḥ kṣaṇe kṣaṇe avyavasthitacittasya prasādo’pi bhayaṅkaraḥ’. On the other hand, Uddhava speaks and makes his decisions very calmly, quietly and gently— he is very intelligent and has sattvika-bhava. And what is sattvika-bhava? The mood of goodness. One who is always laughing and joking, you think him to be childish. And childish people are valueless. Even if they say something good, people will not show respect. Rather, they will only think, “Perhaps he is pagala (crazy).” However, Uddhava is not childish. As mentioned, he is very calm, quiet and grave. Try to understand these things. Shukadeva Gosvamipada glorified Uddhava in this way, and for this reason, Krishna sent Uddhava to Vraja:
gacchoddhava vrajaṁ saumya
pitror nau prītim āvaha
gopīnāṁ mad-viyogādhiṁ
mat-sandeśair vimocaya
Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.46.3)
[(Lord Krishna said:) Dear gentle Uddhava, go to Vraja and give pleasure to Our parents. And also relieve the gopīs, suffering in separation from Me, by giving them My message.]
At the time, the Vrajavasis felt pangs of separation from Krishna. Their viraha-agni, their fire of separation, was rising very high. When the flame from the fire of separation has risen so high, who can pacify the vraja-gopis? Though Krishna knew no one could pacify the vraja-gopis’ viraha-agni... Do you understand what viraha-agni means? The flame from the fire of separation that vraja-gopis feel.
If there is a small fire, you can easily throw water over the fire and it will be extinguished. Yet, if the fire is big and you throw water— what will happen? It will only increase. Why am I saying this? Because similarly, when the Vrajavasis’ flames from the fire of separation from Krishna, rises, especially the vraja-gopis’, Uddhava cannot pacify them. You cannot imagine how high this flame rises. For this reason, Krishna knows Uddhava can never offer a solution to any of their problems. He simply cannot pacify them. This is all true.
Perhaps a question may arise. You may ask: then why did Krishna send Uddhava to Vraja? Actually, Uddhava is a very prominent person in Dvaraka-puri and Mathura-puri. If a prominent person speaks anything, everyone will accept it. For this and other reasons, Krishna sends Uddhava to pacify the Vrajavasis. Additionally, Krishna wants Uddhava to witness the glories of the vraja-gopis. Amongst those vraja-gopis, He especially wants Uddhava to witness Srimati Radhika’s prema. This is actually the main reason.
I have explained why Uddhava is called Haridasa, and also mentioned that the topmost Haridasa is Sri Giriraja Govardhana. Why? Because Govardhana serves Krishna with his body, mind and speech; he serves Him with everything, no one can compare with Govardhana Hill. Do not think that it is just an ordinary mountain or stone. Giriraja Govardhana has so much love and affection for Krishna. Our Gosvamis, especially Srila Vishvanatha Chakravartipada, Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami and Srila Rupa Gosvami, have all glorified Giriraja Govardhana in their granthas.
pramada-madana-līlāḥ kandare kandare te
rachayati nava-yūnor dvandvam asminn amandam
iti kila kalanārthaṁ lagnakas tad-dvayor me
nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ dehi govardhana tvam
Sri Govardhana-vasa-prarthana-dashaka
by Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami
[O, Govardhana please grant me the residence near you that you will guarantee the sight of the youthful Divine Couple as they enjoy passionate amorous pastimes in your caves.]
Sri Govardhana is very, very merciful. One must request, “O Giriraja Govardhana, give me shelter very close to your lap.” Now, we are currently sitting on the lap of Giriraja Govardhana. This place we are now sitting is actually the lap of Govardhana Hill. During the time of Krishna’s prakata-lila (manifest pastimes), Giriraja Govardhana was very big. Gurudeva would say, “Giriraja was so high, his shadow extended all the way to Mathura.” Today, you cannot see Giriraja Govardhana as high as he is slowly sinking into the earth.
This verse explains, ‘hantāyam adrir abalā hari-dāsa-varyo yad rāma-kṛṣṇa-caraṇa-sparaśa-pramodaḥ’. During Krishna’s prakata-lila, His manifested lilas in Vraja-dhama, Krishna would come to the lap of Giriraja Govardhana and herd His cows. Summer time is very hot, especially in Vraja. During those hot seasons, Krishna, His friends and cows would take rest on the lap of Govardhana Hill in his shadow. Also, during the summer time, Giriraja provides cool waters, and during the winter time, he offers warm water. There is no need for a water heater, it is very nice. Not only this, but Sri Giriraja Govardhana also produces many kinds of flowers and fruits.
The verse states, ‘pramada-madana-līlāḥ’. Giriraja Govardhana creates many kinds of caves where Radha-Krishna and the gopis perform their sweet amorous pastimes.
pramada-madana-līlāḥ kandare kandare te
rachayati nava-yūnor dvandvam asminn amandam
iti kila kalanārthaṁ lagnakas tad-dvayor me
nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ dehi govardhana tvam
In this way, Sri Giriraja has witnessed all sorts of lilas between Radha and Krishna. Earlier today, we visited Manasi-ganga. Giriraja Govardhana says, “I know how Radha-Krishna and the gopis perform their sweet amorous pastimes and boat sporting pastimes, jala-vihara and nauka-vihara on the waters of Manasi-ganga.”‘Yatraiva gangam’. Srila Vishvanatha Chakravartipada also glorified how these very nice and sweet pastimes occurred there.
All of the Vedas, Puranas and Upanishads are very eager to listen to these types of amorous pastimes between Sri Sri Radha and Krishna. Unfortunately, we do not want to listen to them. Sri Giriraja Govardhana also manifests many kinds of perfumes or sweet fragrances like ‘sugandha shila’.
Sugandha shila is one kind of stone located on the lap of Govardhana. If you place water and rub your hand on the stone, your hand will become reddish, similar to kumkuma (red powder) and your hand will also have a sweet odour. These are some of the unique qualities of Giriraja Govardhana.
pramada-madana-līlāḥ kandare kandare te
rachayati nava-yūnor dvandvam asminn amandam
iti kila kalanārthaṁ lagnakas tad-dvayor me
nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ dehi govardhana tvam
This means Govardhana serves Krishna in a conjugal mood, madhurya-bhava. For this reason, our Vaishnava acharyas, rasika-acharyas (connoisseurs of ecstatic transcendental mellows) glorify Sri Giriraja as the topmost devotee of Lord. With Her own mouth, Srimati Radhika also glorified Giriraja Govardhana. And today, we have very fortunately come to sit on his lap.
Today is also Dipavali. There are very nice and beautiful pastimes associated with this day. Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami glorified Dipavali. Do you know how we celebrate Dipavali? One part is offering ghee lamps to Giriraja Govardhana:
(1)
nija-pati-bhuja-daṇḍac-chatra-bhāvaḿ prapadya
pratihata-mada-dhṛṣṭoddaṇḍa-devendra-garva
atula-pṛthula-śaila-śreṇi-bhūpa priyaḿ me
nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaḿ dehi govardhana tvam
(2)
pramada-madana-līlāḥ kandare kandare te
racayati nava-yūnor dvandvam asminn amandam
iti kila kalanārthaḿ lagnakas tad-dvayor me
nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaḿ dehi govardhana tvam
(3)
anupama-maṇi-vedī-ratna-siḿhāsanorvī-
ruha-jhara-dara-sānu-droṇi-sańgheṣu rańgaiḥ
saha bala-sakhibhiḥ sańkhelayan sva-priyaḿ me
nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaḿ dehi govardhana tvam
Sri Govardhana-vasa-prarthana-dashaka
by Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami
[(1) O Govardhana, O king of all incomparable great mountains, O hill that became an umbrella with the arm of your own Lord as the handle and then destroyed the pride of the deva (divine) king madly attacking with raised weapons, please grant the residence near you that is so dear to me.
(2) O Govardhana, please grant to me the residence near you that will guarantee the sight of the youthful divine couple as they enjoy passionate amorous pastimes in your caves.
(3) O Govardhana, O hill where Lord Krishna happily plays with Balarama and His friends in the incomparable jewelled courtyards, jewelled lion-thrones, trees, waterfalls, mountain-brooks, caves, peaks, and valleys, please grant the residence near you that is so dear to me.]
Since today is Dipavali, we will soon offer ghee lamps to Giriraja Govardhana and Manasi-ganga. In his grantha, our Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami very nicely and eloquently described the beautiful pastimes of Dipavali— offering ghee lamps to Govardhana. Especially in Vraja, traditionally, the topmost celebration is Dipavali Utsava. Today, all of the Vrajavasis decorate their houses with ghee lamps.
Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami composed some verses in his Mukta-charita grantha where he very nicely describes these sweet and beautiful pastimes. If you attend Nandagaon parikrama, you will find a kunda (pond) there called Mukta-kunda, manifested by Vrajanabha. In this Mukta-charita grantha, this and many other Mukta-kunda pastimes are recalled.
It is explained that during the time close to the marriage ceremony between Radha and Krishna, Vrishabhanu Maharaja sent a dowry. Do you know what a dowry is? In certain cultures, prior to marriage, the families of the bride and groom normally exchange some gifts with each other— this is known as a dowry.
This is found in India and other cultures as well. It seems now, all of you have forgotten these traditions and now you are marrying on the basis of love only. You are entering a “love” marriage. But in Kali-yuga people say, “I love you,” then say, “I leave you,” then, “I divorce you,” and finally, “I kill you.” So according to tradition, prior to Radha and Krishna’s marriage ceremony, family members from both sides exchanged gifts, known as a dowry. And for his dowry, Vrishabhanu Maharaja sent many mukta, pearls. In fact, he sent a cart completely full of pearls. When Mother Yashoda and Nanda Maharaja saw that Vrishabhanu Maharaja had sent this type of dowry to Krishna for Their marriage ceremony, they became very upset. Why did they become upset? Because since they now received a cart full of pearls, naturally, they must, in return, give even more. Then, Krishna noticed how both Nanda and Yashoda, especially Mother Yashoda, were a little upset, asking themselves, “What can we do now?”
So Krishna said, “Mother, do not worry. I will arrange everything.” Mother Yashoda replied, “How is this possible?” Krishna answered, “I will arrange for a lot of pearls, mukta, which you can use to return the dowry to Vrishabhanu Maharaja.” Mother Yashoda asked Krishna, “How will You possibly do this?” “I can also cultivate pearls,” answered Krishna.
Mother Yashoda thought, “How is it possible that Krishna will grow and cultivate pearls?” However, Krishna insisted, “Mother, just give Me some pearls.” Despite her reservations, she did as Krishna asked and He took these pearls and cultivated them in the field by placing them into milk and yogurt, and covered them with soil. After just three to four days many creepers began growing, containing many pearls! Afterwards, Nanda Baba and Mother Yashoda were able to return a dowry that exceeded the one of Vrishabhanu Maharaja.
During Dipavali Utsava, the Vrajavasis, especially vraja-gopis, decorate their clothes with many different kinds of pearls. During one Dipavali, gopis came in front of Krishna and began teasing Him by saying, “Look how we are decorated.” Actually, they did not say anything, they only implied it. Seeing them act in this way, Krishna began thinking, “Oh My God! What will I do now?”
During these moments, Krishna has no power, and He has to ask the vraja-gopis, especially Radha, Lalita, Vishakha, “Give Me some pearls?” “And what will You do with these pearls? Generally, pearls are used only to decorate ladies’ bodies and their clothing. Gents have no need for them,” replied the gopis. Krishna answered, “We will use them to decorate the horns of our cows.”
Now, the gopis begin to laugh and joke. They said, “How foolish are you! ‘Arre, with these pearls we decorate our body and our clothes.” Krishna insisted, “No, I will use these pearls to decorate My cows and their horns.” The gopis continued joking and did not give Him anything, which caused Krishna to become very upset. Then, Krishna asks Mother Yashoda, “Give Me some pearls?” Since Mother Yashoda does not have many pearls at the house, she only gives Him the little she has.
Afterwards, Krishna took the pearls and began cultivating them in the field by placing them in some milk and yogurt and covering the jewels with soil. From afar, the gopis saw what Krishna was doing and all began laughing and joking, “Look how Krishna and His friends are so foolish! Just look how He wasted those pearls!” At that moment, Krishna remained quiet and did not say anything to them. After a few days, big creepers began appearing, and eventually, the field was completely full of high quality pearls. In comparison, the gopis’ jewels were very low quality, and Krishna’s pearls were very big, effulgent, beautiful and attractive.
Now, Krishna took the pearls and decorated His cows and their horns. The gopis subsequently asked Krishna, “O Krishna give us some pearls.” Krishna quickly replied, “No, no. You did not give Me any. How could I possibly give some to you now?” The gopis simply said, “Okay.” Then Radha, Lalita and Vishakha said, “Okay, we will also cultivate pearls,” and all of the gopis brought jewels from their homes and began cultivating them.
The gopis said, “Since we are all equal, males and females…if You can cultivate pearls, why can’t we?” So, the gopis cultivated the fields as they are also very expert in growing. They dug all of their pearls similarly, with milk and yogurt and covered them. “We will show Krishna that we can also do this. We all have equal rights,” thought the gopis. However, Krishna is very tricky. Late at night, Krishna took all of the pearls they buried. Now, there were no longer any pearls in the ground as Krishna and His friends took them all out. Still, the gopis kept watering them each day, in the hope that after a few days, pearls would sprout. Except, what grew after a few days? Only thorns and creepers.
When the gopis saw there were no pearls, they realised there was now a big problem. Their mothers-in-law, fathers-in-law and superiors would ask, “Where are the pearls?” What will they do? They had a very big problem on their hands. With no other option, the gopis surrendered to Krishna, “O Krishna, give us some pearls,” Still, Krishna replied, “No, no, we will not give you any.”
The gopis again pleaded with Krishna, “Please give us some pearls.” This time, Krishna replied, “Okay. I will give you pearls, but you have to give Me some form of payment. They are not free.” In this material world, you can never get anything for free. Some may offer you, “Buy one, get one free.” But actually, you are not getting anything for free, you were only previously paying double. In the same way, Krishna said, “I will not give them to you for free, you have to pay Me something.”
In this manner, Krishna and the gopis joked with each other regarding how the gopis would use different things to pay for the pearls they were attempting to buy from Krishna. In his Mukta-charita grantha, Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami very nicely glorified this lila. And all of these pastimes take place on this day of Dipavali. If you visit any Vrajavasis’ house, you will see it completely decorated with ghee lamps.
Giriraja Govardhana actually manifested from Srimati Radhika’s mind, there is a shloka which clearly states: ‘manasa prakriti jaya’. Prakriti means Srimati Radhika and jaya means manifested. In some kalpas (cycles of 4.32 billion years), Giriraja Govardhana manifests from the mind of Krishna, and in others, Giriraja Govardhana manifests from the heart of Srimati Radhika.
Also, tomorrow is Annakuta maha-mahotsava, and hopefully all of you will prepare many kinds of preparations for Giriraja Govardhana Annakuta.
Bolo Giriraja Maharaja ki jaya!
Bolo Dipavali mahotsava ki jaya!
Jaya Giriraja Jaya Govardhana!
Gaura Premanande Hari Haribol!
Transcriber: Sanatana dasa (USA) Editor: Sanatana dasa (USA) Proofreader: Chandrika dasi (UK) Integrity check: Divya-premamayi dasi (Slovakia) Image: Nrisimhananda dasa (Russia)
Date: 7 November 2018 Location: Govardhana
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