by Nirguna Devi Dasi

Brajati gacchati iti brajah

“What moves around Braja is Braja: the cows, gopas, gopis and Gopal.”

Krishna as Braja-bihari always plays in the land of “His own free, joyful movement.” Devotees, too, walk around this sacred space (parikrama) to savour its rasa and bhava, heeding Srila Prabodhananda Saraswati: “If you wish to attain all goals of spiritual life, please go to Vrindavan, where independent pastimes have limitless, wonderful potencies, where Radharani removes all fear.”

Srila Prabhupada tells us: “Lord Krishna is the Supreme Paramour. Be always attached to Him, and worship Him in the mood of Braja. Reside in Braja, associating with devotees who appreciate loving devotional service. A braja-jana’s business is how to satisfy Krishna; similarly, it is Krishna’s business how to satisfy braja-janas. This is reciprocal love.”

To honour Braja, the codes are clear. Here we practice austerity and external and internal cleanliness, speak the truth, take no offence, renounce anger, engage in conscientious seva, and chant the Holy Name. We hurt no tree, creeper, shrub - or any jiva. We do not dishonour Vaishnavas or Brahmins, criticize others or take part in disputation.

“As Vrajendra-nandana Krishna is worshipable, His dham, Sri Vrindavan, is also worshipable. We should very much respect Vrindavan Dham. Otherwise, we will be offenders, dham-aparadha. Remaining in Vrindavan, we should know that we live with Krishna. How much should we be cautious if we actually understand the dham. The dham is also Krishna. If you live in Vrindavan cautiously, carefully, without committing offence or sin, then in this life you are going to Krishna.”

Herein the perception and worship of Vrindavana becomes possible.

Once more, Srila Prabodhananda Saraswati advises us:

“If one worships Vrindavan, which has endless beauty, sweetness and splendour, endless nectarean love for Krishna, endless kindness, generosity and glory, then one’s good fortune is also endless.”