Venue: Mathura

And when my mind would become shudha pure, and whenever that would happen then I would be qualified to be in Vrindavan or then I would see Vrindavan “Rupa Raghunath pade hoibe akruti kabe habe bhujabo se yugala piriti”

And we would like to develop attachment to the lotus feet of Rupa and Raghunath so that “kabe habe bhujabo
se yugala piriti”

So that I could understand by developing love and attachment to the lotus feet of Rupa and Raghunath I will be able to develop devotion to the divine couple Sri Radha Shyamasundar.

“Rupa Raghunath pate, kabhi mora asha prarthana koro ye sada Narottam Das”

By the mercy of Rupa and Raghunath  always   residing at their feet, thinking of their lotus feet Narottam Das Thakur prarthana koro ye sada. Always praying like that and that person praying is Narottam Dasa. So everything is relevant to what we are doing here. What he says what Narottam Das Thakur sings is relevant to our present devotional service, the Vraj mandal parikrama service and we would be successful in this mission by giving up the visayas or endeavoring to give up ideas of trying to enjoy this material existence. And then we will be free to concentrate on the business that we have undertaken, our transcendental business. Trying to enter Vraj mandal, trying to
enter Mathura mandal we need to enter dham, go deeper then we could experience dham as it is. Some of you are wondering Where is OH! I read that beautiful description of Vrindavan in Krishna book and OH! That Mathura city where are those crystal clear lakes and those palaces and the lotuses, the swans there is only smell of some tire burning. So everything is very much here and it never goes away, it is eternally here. So we need the vision to see how, if we don’t have one, we could see through the eyes of the scriptures, we could also see through the eyes of the acaryas.

So here we are in Mathura, Mathura dham ki jai……………

So I think what we would do with Mathura is, do a little overview of different pastimes or in different orders which they took place. Or Krishna’s movements He comes into Mathura or in and out of Mathura. We are in Mathura so its most natural topic right we should talk about Mathura, Cannot talk about London or Delhi. Yes Mathura is on everybody’s mind, first of all as we did mention few minutes ago that this dham is here for all the time. There was no time when Mathura and Vrindavan did not exist, it exists now and it’s here for all time to come in the future. You went to Vishram ghat today? Yes Vishram ghat Vishram is a place of rest, resting is called vishram. So at Vishram ghat Lord Varaha took rest, when Varaha he had lifted the earth, from the Garbadhak ocean, you know the pastime from Bhagavatam. It was not in the same orbit same situation so the earth fell down

Varaha rupa kesava dhrita, Varaha rupa jaya jagadish hare.

He lifted and while He was still holding the earth, Varaha rupa is holding earth. Varaha has two tusks like a jungalee Varaha (Maharaj laughs) not like the pigs you see around  Mathura they have tusk like a elephant. So the earth is sitting right there on the tusks and Lord is known as Dharnidhar. You’ve heard one of the names of the Lord is Dharanidhar, Dharnidhar is the holder of the earth planet.
So while he was holding the earth one time he sat down, where was he sitting? At Vishram ghat he was sitting. That means Mathura Vrindavan was there it always exists, this Mathura Vrindavan did not fell down along with the earth, earth fell down or earth is also destroyed or dissolved, burned  at the time of Mahapralaya. But this Mathura Vrindavan remains intact, So in other words you could imagine that earth was on the tusk of Varaha means rest of the planet Where was Delhi on the tusk? Where was Agra on the tusk?  Everything was part of that earth while Lord was sitting in Mathura on the banks of Jamuna.
This should give us some realization; one of the ten offenses against the holy dham is to consider dham Vrindavan, Mathura to be part of some country part of some state. But that’s not true, lot of times people wonder OH! Why God every time He has to appear in India? That also is  not true. God does not appear in India He appears in Vrindavan, to think that Vrindavan is part of some state or some country some continent this is an offense, ignorance in fact.

We have an acarya, Vraja acarya Narayan Bhatta Goswami. We will visit his Samadhi when we visit Barsana. He is authority on Vraja, Vraj mandal parikrama path and pastimes and what you do while on praikrama, the mood that you maintain on parikrama and different rituals also you perform on parikrama. Vraj Bhakti Vilas is the name of that scripture, he compiled many many scriptures and one that deals with parikrama is Vraj Bhakti Vilas. In there he explains that you know we understand, we know that Sankarasana, Balarama’s expansion holds different planets on his different hoods. So he says that while earth is on one of the hoods of Ananta Sesa, Vrindavan, Mathura is held by yet another hood of Ananta they are not on the same hood. And he gives the name of that hood called “Kumuda”.

Kumuda is the name of the hood that holds Vrindavan Mathura realm, while Earth is on another hood. So Srila Prabhupada
explains that like when governor goes to Kanpur or Nagpur or someplace he has his headquarters he has quarters, Governors Koti or his apartment, he doesn’t stay somewhere in a hotel or under a tree as we stay in parikrama, he has his
fixed place. Whenever he goes to that particular town he has his fixed place.
So likewise whenever Lord comes to this universe, when Krishna comes to this universe He doesn’t go to any of those stars in nighttime we see billions or trillions of stars of course we don’t see all the stars if we have a telescope device but we see quite a few stars . He doesn’t go and appear on any other planet, He comes here, He comes to his Vrindavan, He comes to Mathura, He comes to Dwarka, He comes to Mayapur as Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Everytime He visits this universe this is it. This is the place, There is only one Vrindavan in the entire Brahamand that’s why even the demigods they aspire to come down to this Vrindavan or some kind of  some sort of connection earthly planet and Mathura Vrindavan. But when you put a drop of oil on the top of water does it ever mix? Oil drop on water it always floats, it seems to be together in same pot, you see water, you see oil but they never mix. So likewise Vrindavan Mathura are suppose to be on the same planet earthly planet but  one day at the time of  destruction  final destruction the earth will go back to
Mahavisnu’s body leaving Mathura Vrindavan here and Krishna is performing his pastimes eternally in this place.

So Lord Krishna appeared in Mathura that place also you visited yesterday. Last night you were there? Yes so He was
8^th son of Vasudeva and Devaki and Vasudeva and Devaki had little time with Krishna, and ofcourse with Balarama they did not even see the face of Balarama. Only when Krishna and Balarama had come Akrura had brought them after killing of Kamsa they had first time seen Balarama and only second time seen Krishna, but first darshan was very very brief one. So like that this is the birth place of Krishna Mathura but it took ten-eleven years to return to Mathura. So today you had opportunity to kind of walk on the same path that Krishna and Balarama followed, today right you finally
went to Kamsa tila that tila where Kamsa was killed. The tila on the top of which Kamsa was killed and there is a Ranga,  Rangeswara Mahadeva. So that way Krishna had come. And before that Kubja’s place Krishna was coming that way, going to the wrestling match was His destination He was following that path,  I don’t know whether  you were shown chariot of Krishna and Balarama and Akrura little darshan before Kubja’s place. Of course the chariot did not come all the way there. So you were following kind of Krishna Balaram’s footsteps today. So that day Akrura he drove the chariot all day from Nandagram to first of all to Akrura ghat. And there he thought did I loose Krishna and Balarama, (Maharaj saying) “ remember yesterday we were..” ,but luckily that was not the case, they were still sitting there. Then they continued his
journey after Akrura had finished his bath and chanting of the gayatri mantra. And Akrura offered so many beautiful prayers at Akrura ghat and also later as they were about to enter Mathura. Akrura is known for one of the processes of devotional service called Vandanam.

One process , one devotee, right  for hearing Parikshit Maharaj and speaking Sukhadeva Goswami and remembering Prahlada Maharaj, Prithu offering worship and like that. Nine processes and nine devotees. So when it comes to vandanam Akrura is number one he is at the top of the list of those who offer prayers to the Lord, so Akrura had offered prayers at Akrura ghat. And of course on the way to Vrindavan he was also offering prayers, he is always offering prayers. His mood is that of offering prayers, always offering prayers prayerful mood. So as the chariot of Akrura carrying Krishna and Balarama was about to enter Mathura, Krishna and Balarama they  proposed “we want to get down here could please let us get down here” but Akrura said “but you have to visit my home”, and Krishna and Balarama  said “we are on a very important mission here”, (Maharaj saying) “ what is that mission, killing Kamsa” and that  will give relieve to our whole dynasty and then peacefully later on we will visit, for sure we will visit your home dear uncle Akrura. So that time Krishna and Balarama they noticed that Nanda Maharaj and so many other hundreds and thousands of cowherd men had already arrived in Mathura and they were in fact waiting. Srimad Bhagavatam says that Nanda Maharaj and other cowherd men they were waiting to receive Krishna and Balarama. So Akrura he had brought Krishna and Balarama on chariot and others were riding on ox carts, riding on the back of the bulls carrying big big loads of milk products. They say Akrura took Krishna and Balarama on little longer path. He was not going on the traditional path. Hidingly he was bringing Krishna and Balarama he was worried someone may stop, something may come up I may not be able to bring Krishna and Balarama. So he was tactfully in a tricky way bringing Krishna and Balarama  and that took little  longer time for them to arrive and that is how, others had already come in a short cut way and they were waiting for Krishna and Balarama.

So around this time Bhagavatam says it was almost end of the day when Krishna and Balarama arrived in Mathura. So they spent time with everyone else in a special garden, udyan, Upavana where they were staying camping out. So next day in the afternoon which is“aparana”in the afternoon, before noon and then afternoon they wanted to see the town. So they go around and lots of cowherd boys are accompanying Krishna and Balarama. They are received the beauty of this Vrindavan Sukadev Goswami describes in fact Mathura is one of the sapt puris the seven celebrated cities of Bharat varsha, this great land of India. And Ayodhya is one of them, strong>Varanasi is another. Haridwar,  Mathura,  Avantipur, Ujjain,  Dwarka and Kanchipuram. These are the seven cities. Well planned and beautiful wide roads and squares and beautiful architect and lakes, cities excellent the best cities in existence. So Mathura is one of those seven sapta puris. So Krishna and Balarama they were enjoying the sightseeing touring around. Then they came across the washer men. He was meeting different parties on the way to the wrestling match. Washerman carrying big load of clothes Krishna and Balarama were thinking now we are in the city, we are not in the forest anymore and we should be wearing clothes just like the city folks with a tie (Maharaj laughing). So He asked for the clothes. But the washer man he was not in the mood so Krishna used his “karagrahas” end of his hands and suu………he was beheaded separated from the rest of his body. The washerman was accompanied by others, the rest of his colleagues. When they saw what happened to the head they all ran, leaving the rest of the clothes there. Then Krishna put on the best clothes for themselves. And gave some to their friends and still they were lots of clothes left behind. But they were not their own clothes so they were not fitting properly. So they go to a tailor shop nearby. And then he fixed up so they were nicely fitting. Once they had nice clothes, nice colors. Then as they proceeded they came across a gardener, a florist. And he welcomes Krishna and Balarama saying “OH! How fortunate I am to have you the VVIP’s as my guests and then he worshipped with chandan and garlands and no not enough chandan. And as they proceeded then they came across Kubja trivakra because she was bent in three places. Although very very beautiful lady but bent. So she had chandan for Mathura naresh, king of Mathura. But then she saw Krishna and Balarama and said that this chandan would be just appropriate for you and there is whole dialog takes place. So she offers chandan for Krishna and Balarama. And Krishna was very pleased and He wanted to reward that lady. So Krishna puts his foot on her feet and hold here and lifts, she was bend in three places Krishna put his feet on her foot and held her here and lifted, and what happened do you think to kubja? She became straight. So this was the only thing she was lacking everything else was perfect except that she was bent in few places. And she was very thankful for such service and she had also invited Krishna “Please why don’t you visit me” not now we will see you later. And Krishna and Balarama carry on and they go “Swaha Swaha” wasn’t that chaturdashi the fourteenth day? Shiva chaturdashi something like that, one day before purnima. And there was a dhanush, bow a special bow of Shiva he used to worship and whole festival infact was centered around this Dhanush puja. And people were coming thinking this is a special festival. Kamsa was trying to do a little coverup it’s a religious affair. So that no one would doubt that he had any bad intention and he had some evil plan of bringing   Krishna and Balarama and killing them during the wrestling match. So Krishna and Balarama they were standing there for some time and then they noticed that there was a bow. So Krishna moves forward he picks up the bow and breaks it into two pieces. Krishna kept one and one he handed over to Balarama. And the party, the priests, the chowkidaar noticed that the boys broke the special bow that was being worshipped and yes yes and when that bow broke that made a big sound. And the sound was heard by who do you think heard?   Kamsa heard the sound of breaking of the bow. At that time he realized yes the Lord’s are here. My killer is not very far from here now, because he was told when he
was given this  bow by Parashuram , he said that anyone who breaks this bow is not ordinary only the Supreme personality of Godhead could do such thing. Its not any Tom, Dick and Harrys  job. So when Kamsa heard the breaking of the bow, immediately he knew I am in trouble now.

So those who were guarding the bow they tried to attack Krishna and Balarama. But Krishna and Balarama had two pieces of the bow and they started fighting back, hitting in their heads and breaking their bones. All those who were trying to fight Krishna and Balarama they were all put to rest falling flat on the ground. As that path was cleared now they were not very far from the hill where the wrestling match was planned. There was only one more obstacle the Kovalayapida, the elephant. A very powerful elephant, not an ordinary kind from some circus. This elephant was the property of Jarasandh to begin with. Jarasandh had given this as a dowry when he married his two daughters Asti and Prapti, married them to Kamsa, Jarasandh was the father-in-law. So when he handed over his two daughters he also gave this Kuvalayapida elephant as a gift. This elephant was captured in central India and to capture this elephant they had taken one hundred thousand elephants and one hundred thousand those who sit on top of elephant, what do they call them?  “maouth” we call them “mouuth”. They tried to surround and capture this elephant that was very very powerful. And it took a lot of effort and endeavor and battling with this elephant in order to finally capture. This was the property of Jarasandh. One time Jarasandh was camping on the other side of Yamuna and somehow the elephant came over to this side. And Kamsa noticed this elephant and said “Whose elephant is this?” he was not happy to see this elephant. So he pushed that elephant, Kamsa did and the elephant was back in the camp of Jarasandh. Like a little toy, like little children push their cars backwards and it moves back. So he pushed the elephant and he went many miles like a reverse gear. And when Jarasandha “Who is this, who could do such a thing to my elephant?, later on he came to know it was Kamsa and he was pleased and later on he married his daughters to this Kamsa. So you could see that Kamsa also was very very powerful. So this Kuvalayapida was the last stumbling block in the path of Krishna and Balarama. There is a nice description by Sukhdev Goswami, Sukhdev Goswami describes how Krishna and Balarama how they were teasing the elephant. They were teasing the maouth and pulling the tail of the elephant; elephant was going round and round, they were hiding between the four legs of the elephant. They were going round and round. Then they run and elephant runs, the children are running and stopping and elephant is also running and stopping. Like this he was losing his energy and finally he collapses. And then Krishna and Balarama they climb on the top of the elephant and kick, and finally they pull the two tusks of the elephant. Now Krishna and Balarama they were carrying the tusks, the tow teethes of the elephant. Now they are entering the arena. First of all Kamsa had heard the breaking of the bow but he still was thinking I have Kuvalayapida, there is no way these children can defeat with battle with my Kuvalayapida. But when Krishna and Balarama entered the wrestling arena what they were carrying? They were carrying the teeth.

“Kamsa Mama, uncle here here, your Kovalayapida is here we are carrying”. And there were Shala and Toshala there were five wrestlers who were ready to battle with Krishna and Balarama and they were killed. Finally Kamsa also was killed Hari Bol, Gaur Hari Bol.

And when Kamsa was killed eight brothers of Kamsa they came running and Balarama killed the brothers of Kamsa. And like this lot of killing took place and everything was over the ladies were crying. Then Krishna and Balarama also joined those ladies. They were family members and their uncle had died so they had to participate in the service. What do they call, Uncle memorial service. Krishna goes and others are crying so Krishna also cries saying (Maharaj make a crying sound ha…ha…) “such a nice mama, He was here just now and now no more” (devotees laughing).

He would say some nice things about mama. They also say that Krishna pulled, dragged the dead body of Kamsa through the streets of Mathura, giving the confidence and declaring here he is. So when devotees were seeing dead Kamsa they were joyful. Krishna also took rest at Vishram Ghat after killing Kamsa, so that’s another reason why Vishram ghat is  called Vishram ghat or place of rest. So like this one mission was accomplished.

You could read further details in Krishna book or Srimad Bhagavatam, if you are carrying Krishna book, we just ran through it quickly. And then the meeting with Vasudev and Devaki is described. Krishna and Balarama are meeting. But their mood was not the same as Nanda Baba and Yasoda. Immediately could see notice the difference. Nanda and Yasoda they are in one kind of mood, spontaneous Vatsalya bhava, full of Vatsalya. But Vasudeva and Devaki they call Jagadishwara OH!  They are Supreme personality of Godhead so they are full of awe and reverence. They try to pay obeisances to their children (Maharaj laugh). But Yasoda comes with a stick. That’s how she worships Krishna, threatens him and Krishna is in tears and trembling body. And he cant even face Yasoda, can’t even look at the eyes of Yasoda. So that’s Yasoda, that’s Nanda baba. Nanda baba says “bring my shoes, he asks Krishna I have to go hurry up bring my shoes I say”./strong>