Sorry I have been a bit negligent about daily posting Vṛndāvana-Mahimāmṛtam. I am glad to do it, to relish these verses with their mad mood of renunciation, the disorganized jumping around from condemnations of those who don't see the transcendental beauty of Vrindavan, who don't see the presence of Radha and Krishna, who think the people and creatures of Vrindavan are like any other mortals... It is a kind of madness, no doubt about it.
And no doubt those who think that the quest to serve and preserve Vrindavan is also a kind of folly. Politics and economics, these things stir passions, but passions about ineffable things, about vague things like religious heritage is just so medieval. What place could it possibly have in the modern world?
What can I say folks? Seva. Bhakti means seva. And seva of the Dham is the best seva because seva in the Dham incorporates all the five best kinds of bhakti. This is a preaching site, my friends. kurvann eveha karmani: Service in the state of knowledge is called bhakti. This is not karma-yoga, this is prema-bhakti-yoga. Find out how to serve. If you have faith in the Dham, find out how to serve. If you don't have faith, read Vṛndāvana-Mahimāmṛtam, and may you find Prabodhananda's madness attractive.
These are tough verses today. Each one of them raises questions... Old Prabodhanandaji knew his Upanishads...
nindā-saṁstava-koṭibhir bahu-vibhūty-atyanta-dainyādibhiḥ |
jīvann eva mṛto yathā na vikṛtiṁ prāptaḥ kathaṁcit kvacit
śrī-vṛndāvanam āśraye priya-mahānandaika-kandaṁ param ||
Whether I am covered in beautiful clothing and ornaments, or whether my hands and feet are cut off or burned; whether I am cursed and mocked or praised; whether I have great riches or complete poverty; whether I live or die, the only thing I ask is that this one single thing remain ever unchanged: I should remain in the shelter of Vrindavan, the supreme, single root of all the great joys of my beloved Lord and Lady. (1.29)
duḥkhāny eva sukhāni viddhy apayaśo jānīhi kīrtiṁ parāṁ
dainyāny eva mahā-vibhūtim ati-sal-lābhān alabhān sadā
pāpāny eva ca puṇyamanti yadi te vṛndāvanaṁ jīvanam ||
Know suffering here to be joy. Know ill-repute here to be the greatest glory. Accept that being defeated here at the hands of the lowliest people is equal to being honored by the saints. Know that poverty is the greatest wealth and the greatest pious gains are ever as nothing of value, and sins are piety. If you know this, then you will be able to live in Vrindavan. (1.30)
daivāl labdhenaiva nirvāhya dehaṁ
śrīmad-vṛndā-kānane joṣam āssva ||
Renouncing from afar the company of witch-like women, pulling up the very root of all material hopes, maintaining the body by whatever fate gives you, lovingly take up residence in Vrinda Devi's forest. (1.31)
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