Journey Home of Raghunath Das Goswami

2013-06-21
Srimad Bhagavatam 10.21.10 - Journey Home of Raghunath Das Goswami (download mp3)
by Damodar Prabhu at ISKCON Chowpatty
www.iskcondesiretree.net




SB 10.21.10
vrndavanam sakhi bhuvo vitanoti kirtim
 yad devaki-suta-padambuja-labdha-laksmi
govinda-venum anu matta-mayura-nrtyam
 preksyadri-sanv-avaratanya-samasta-sattvam

Translation:
O friend, Vrndavana is spreading the glory of the earth, having obtained the treasure of the lotus feet of Krsna, the son of Devaki. The peacocks dance madly when they hear Govinda’s flute, and when other creatures see them from the hilltops, they all become stunned.

Purport:
Srila Sridhara Svami explains that because activities such as those described in this verse do not occur in any other world, the earth is unique. In fact, the earth’s glories are being spread by wonderful Vrndavana because it is the place of Krsna’s pastimes.

The name Devaki also refers to mother Yasoda, as stated in the Brhad-visnu Purana:

dve namni nanda-bharyaya
 yasoda devakiti ca
atah sakhyam abhut tasya
 devakya sauri-jayaya

“The wife of Nanda had two names, Yasoda and also Devaki. Therefore it was natural that she [the wife of Nanda] develop friendship with Devaki, the wife of Sauri [Vasudeva].”

Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura explains krsna-lila as follows: “In Vrndavana, the peacocks request Krsna, ‘Govinda, please make us dance.’ Thus Krsna plays His flute, and they surround Him in a circle and dance in time with the rhythm of His melody. And while standing in the midst of their dancing, He also sings and dances. Then those peacocks, who are fully satisfied with His musical performance, out of gratitude offer for His pleasure their own divine feathers. In the usual manner of musical performers, Krsna gladly accepts these presentations and places a feather upon the turban atop His head. Gentle animals such as deer and doves greatly relish the transcendental entertainment presented by Krsna, and to get a good view they flock to the peaks of hills. Then, as they watch the breathtaking program, they become stunned in ecstasy.”

Srila Sanatana Gosvami comments that because in Vrndavana Krsna goes barefoot and can thus directly mark the earth with the symbols of His lotus feet, that transcendental land is even more glorious than Vaikuntha, where Visnu wears slippers.