During the Vrindavan Yatra of 2008, Radhanath Swami gave a beautiful narration of Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill on the day of Diwali. Here are a few key philosophical points that Radhanath Swami covered during the lecture:
1) After Indra’s attempt to destroy the Vrajavasis by sendi
During the Vrindavan Yatra of 2008, Radhanath Swami gave a beautiful narration of Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill on the day of Diwali. Here are a few key philosophical points that Radhanath Swami covered during the lecture:
- After Indra’s attempt to destroy the Vrajavasis by sending torrential rains on Vrindavan turned futile, he approached Krishna through mother Surabhi. Radhanath Swami explained in this connection, “One can’t approach Krishna directly. It is only by the grace of devotees that one can approach the Lord. Narrotam Das Thakur says, chadiya vaishnava seva…, “Unless one serves the spiritual master and the acharyas one cannot get liberation.” This is a crucial and essential principle of Vaishnava philosophy. Krishna accepts the sincerity with which we reciprocate with the blessings of Guru and the Vaishnavas. Krishna reciprocates with our sincerity and devotion.”
- Radhanath Swami quoted Srila Vishwanath Cakravarti Thakur, according to whom when Krishna saw Indra approaching Him for an apology, He joked at him by saying “I am sorry I disturbed the Indra puja and your plans to destroy Vrindavan.” Indra was humiliated and devastated.
Radhanath Swami explains in this connection, “Everyone can see our pride except us. Just like, when there is mud on our face, everyone else can see it except us. When Krishna is merciful to us, He exposes our anarthas to us, that he wants us to overcome. Therefore Indra was so grateful.
tat te ‘nukampa su-samikshamano
bhunjana evatma-krtam vipakam
hrd-vag-vapurbhir vidadhan namas te
jiveta yo mukti-pade sa daya-bhak
‘My dear Lord, one who earnestly waits for You to bestow Your causeless mercy upon him, all the while patiently suffering the reactions of his past misdeeds and offering You respectful obeisances with his heart, words and body, is surely eligible for liberation, for it has become his rightful claim.’
This should be our attitude when we are in difficulty.
“And when another devotee has a difficulty, we should never feel good about it; rather it must pain us. There are lessons we can learn from the devotees’ struggles, weaknesses, successes, failures, strengths and fall downs. But we should never criticize, and be always a well wisher. When we feel good about other devotees’ difficulties, Krishna feels bad about us.”
- Radhanath Swami explained why Krishna is known as Govinda and how we can attract His mercy. “Indra then worshiped Krishna and named Him Govinda—the protector of the cows. Also, Krishna attracts our hearts, steals away our attachments, and directs them towards His loving service—thus satisfying our senses. Hence Krishna is Govinda—the one who pleases our senses.
“If we sincerely take shelter of Krishna, knowing Him to be our only shelter, He will protect us. If we once take shelter of His holy name wholeheartedly, Krishna will be ours.”
ng torrential rains on Vrindavan turned futile, he approached Krishna through mother Surabhi. Radhanath Swami explained in this connection, “One can’t approach Krishna directly. It is only by the grace of devotees that one can approach the Lord. Narrotam Das Thakur says, chadiya vaishnava seva…, “Unless one serves the spiritual master and the acharyas one cannot get liberation.” This is a crucial and essential principle of Vaishnava philosophy. Krishna accepts the sincerity with which we reciprocate with the blessings of Guru and the Vaishnavas. Krishna reciprocates with our sincerity and devotion.”
2) Radhanath Swami quoted Srila Vishwanath Cakravarti Thakur, according to whom when Krishna saw Indra approaching Him for an apology, He joked at him by saying “I am sorry I disturbed the Indra puja and your plans to destroy Vrindavan.” Indra was humiliated and devastated.
Radhanath Swami explains in this connection, “Everyone can see our pride except us. Just like, when there is mud on our face, everyone else can see it except us. When Krishna is merciful to us, He exposes our anarthas to us, that he wants us to overcome. Therefore Indra was so grateful.
tat te ‘nukampa su-samikshamano
bhunjana evatma-krtam vipakam
hrd-vag-vapurbhir vidadhan namas te
jiveta yo mukti-pade sa daya-bhak
‘My dear Lord, one who earnestly waits for You to bestow Your causeless mercy upon him, all the while patiently suffering the reactions of his past misdeeds and offering You respectful obeisances with his heart, words and body, is surely eligible for liberation, for it has become his rightful claim.’
This should be our attitude when we are in difficulty.
“And when another devotee has a difficulty, we should never feel good about it; rather it must pain us. There are lessons we can learn from the devotees’ struggles, weaknesses, successes, failures, strengths and fall downs. But we should never criticize, and be always a well wisher. When we feel good about other devotees’ difficulties, Krishna feels bad about us.”
3) Radhanath Swami explained why Krishna is known as Govinda and how we can attract His mercy. “Indra then worshiped Krishna and named Him Govinda—the protector of the cows. Also, Krishna attracts our hearts, steals away our attachments, and directs them towards His loving service—thus satisfying our senses. Hence Krishna is Govinda—the one who pleases our senses.
“If we sincerely take shelter of Krishna, knowing Him to be our only shelter, He will protect us. If we once take shelter of His holy name wholeheartedly, Krishna will be ours.”
– Radhanath Swami
