Nectar from Bhakti Ratnakara

Excerpts from Bhakti Ratnakara, written by Srila Narahari Cakravarti Thakur


The Glories of Radha-kunda and Syama-kunda

Syama-kunda is also known as Arista-kunda. Whoever bathes in Radha-kunda and Syama-kunda gets the same results one achieves by the performance of a rajasuya and asvamedha-yajna. This is confirmed in Adi-varaha Purana.

Raghava Pandita said that according to the Puranas there is no limit to the glories of Radha-kunda. In the Adi-varaha Purana, Mathura-khanda, it is stated that if a devotee of Visnu offers a lamp to Radha-kunda during the month of Kartika, he will be able to see the entire universe.
In Padma Purana, Kartika Mahatmya, it is stated: “Radha-kunda is very dear to Sri Hari and is situated near Govardhana Hill. By taking bath in Radha-kunda on the eighth day of the waning moon in the month of Kartika [Bahulastami], one can greatly please Lord Hari, who enjoys His pastimes there. This kunda is as dear to Krsna as Radha Herself. Amongst all the gopis, She is the most dear to Krsna. It is the duty of the devotees to bathe in the Radha-kunda during the month of Kartika and thereafter worship Lord Janardana. This simple worship pleases Krsna as much as one does by worshiping Janardana on the day of Uthana-ekadasi.”


Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Discovers Sri Radha-kunda and Syama-kunda

“See these two kundas, Radha-kunda and Syama-kunda, which are surrounded by beautiful forests and which enchant the sages and demigods. After visiting the other forests of Vrndavana, Caitanya Mahäprabhu came here and sat under this tamala tree. He asked the residents of Arista-grama where the two kundas were, but no one could answer. The brahmana accompanying Him from Mathurä also did not know.

“Being the omniscient Personality of Godhead, Lord Caitanya, carefully searched and discovered the two kundas in two paddy fields. He joyfully took a bath in whatever little water was there and glorified the kundas in various ways. Then He marked His forehead with mud from the kundas.

“The villagers were greatly startled by His behavior. One of them inquired, ‘From where has this sannyasi suddenly come?' Someone said, ‘O brother, by seeing Him I cannot understand what is happening in my body.' Another person said, ‘He cannot be a mortal sannyasi. Seeing Him I cannot explain what is happening in my mind.'

“Someone else said, ‘Who says He is a sannyasi? He is Krsna Himself appearing in this dress and form. Just see the proof. Different birds are all coming for His darsana. The cuckoos and parrots are happily addressing Him as Krsna, and the peacocks are dancing in jubilation. The different sounds of the birds is very pleasing to the ears. And see the wonderful blooming of the trees! O brother, just see the creepers showering flowers on this person, who is disguised as a sannyasi. The deer are coming near Him and staring undivertedly towards His face. All the cows are coming running from all sides with raised tails, and they also look at His face. By the tears of ecstasy falling from the eyes of these creatures we can understand that they are meeting Him after a long period of time.'

“‘O brother, I repeatedly glorify the good fortune of these creatures, who are seeing Krsna in this form and dress. Dear brothers, let us offer obeisances unto the feet of the Lord, who has incarnated to distribute knowledge to the people. By His mercy we can now understand that these two paddy fields known as Kali and Gauri are actually holy kundas.' Speaking like this amongst themselves, they all became maddened by the nectarean sight of Mahaprabhu at this most holy site. Even Lord Brahma cannot describe a fragment of Mahaprabhu's ecstatic expression when He discovered these kundas.”

The Fulfillment of Srila Dasa Gosvami's Desire

“O Srinivasa, presently these paddy fields are seen as two kundas full of water. Please listen while I briefly describe the transformation of the two paddy fields into beautiful kundas.

“One day Raghunatha dasa Gosvami suddenly considered to himself that if these kundas were filled with water it would be very good. Considering that for this purpose money would be needed, Raghunatha dasa remained silent. He scolded himself again and again, thinking why he had desired such a thing. Solacing himself, he decided to stay alone and behave cautiously for sometime. However, when a devotee desires something, that cannot be denied, for Krsna always fulfills His devotees' desires.

“Meanwhile, one rich person had gone to Badarikasrama to get the Lord's darsana. He offered Lord Narayana a large sum of money. That night in a dream the Lord ordered the man, ‘Take this money to Arista-grama in Vraja. There you will find the best of the Vaisnavas, Raghunatha dasa. Give the money to him in My name. If Raghunatha does not agree to take the money, you should remind him about his desire to clean the two kundas for bathing and drinking water.'

“Speaking these words, the Lord disappeared, and that sincere devotee happily came here to Arista-grama. Going before Raghunatha dasa he fell to the ground, offered his obeisances, and then gave the money to Raghunatha. He explained the instruction given to him by the Lord in his dream. Raghunatha became stunned for some time. After some time he repeatedly praised his fortune and requested the rich man to excavate the two kundas without delay. Hearing this, that fortunate man was filled with ecstasy and proceeded to engage many people for the work. Very soon the kundas were dug out. Now hear why Syama-kunda was dug in an irregular shape.

“Everyone decided that the following day a few old trees on the bank of Syama-kunda should be cut. That night Raghunatha had a dream in which King Yudhisthira told him, ‘My brothers and I are living within those trees. Tomorrow morning go to Manasa-pavana-ghata, identify those five trees, and protect them from being cut.' After the dream, Raghunatha went early the next morning to identify the trees and order the people not to cut them. For that reason they could not make Syama-kunda square. The two kundas were then filled with clear water and Sri Raghunatha became very satisfied.