ASTA-KALIYA-NITYA-LILA
by Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami
INTRODUCTION: "Others hearts are their minds, but my mind is Vrindavana, I know my mind and Vrindavana to be one." ---Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu yah sarvajnah sarva-vidyasyaisa mahima bhuvi divye brahma-pure hyesa vyomnyatma pratisthitah "The Supreme Self, who is all-wise, omniscient, and whose glory is pervertedly reflected in the mundane world, resides eternally in the divine city of Brahman, within the great vacuum." ---Mundaka-upanisad (III.3.7), Vyoma literally means "vacuum," according to the Visvakosa Sanskrit dictionary. Grammatically, vyoma is in the locative case, and thus it literally 'locates' the kingdom of God in a place perfectly free of all matter. Divya-brahma-puri, in the above sloka, is the dhama itself, the transcendental abode of God, and it includes all His divine and glorious qualities, associates, paraphernalia, and pastimes. Sri Dvaipayana Vedavyasa, in his famous "Brahma-sutras," proclaims, antara-bhutagramavat svatmanah "Within (Brahma-jyoti), things appear similar to that of an ordinary village in the material world, to the self realized devotees of the Supreme Lord."---Vedanta-sutra (III,3,36)
Devotees of God can actually see (visualize) the holy dhama by the grace of the Supreme Lord, and such a spiritual vision permits the devotee to perceive and experience the sublime varieties of transcendental (initially mental) manifestations present there. The Gopala-tapani Upanishad states, saksad brahma gopala-puri-hi "The city of Gopala, or the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna, is verily Brahman." The Lord and His realm, in other words, are identical in spiritual nature. To which Sri Baladeva Vidyabhusana adds, prapance svatmakam lokam avatarya mahesvara avirbhavati tatreti matam brahmadi-sabdatah govinde saccindanande naradarakata yatha ajnair nirupyate tadvadhamni prakrta kila "The Supreme Godhead first manifests His supra-mundane realm in the mundane world, and then He Himself makes His divine descent therein. But just as the ignorant fallen souls deluded by the forces of maya attribute mortal form and qualities to the Supreme Lord Govinda, who is in reality the absolute embodiment of truth, consciousness, and bliss, so also the Lord's dhama is misconceived by fallen souls to be a mundane place subject to the laws of material nature; --while in reality it is the eternal realm of the Supreme Autocratic Lord." ---Prameya-ratnavali (para.. XXVII):
LIFE IN GOLOKA: The version of asta-kaliya-nitya-lila which is most bona fide for Gaudiya Vaishnavas was composed by Paramahansa Srila Krishnadas Kaviraja Goswami. It is essential, basic knowledge for any Rupanuga devotees. The following eight slokas are excerpts from Srila Kaviraja Goswami's classic, 'Govinda-Lilamrta,' and are named: "Sri Radha-Krsnayoh Asta-kaliya-lila Smarana-mangala Stotram" "A sacred song of remembering the sports performed by Sri Radha and Krishna during the eight periods of the day." Revealed by Paramahansa Srila Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami (author of Chaitanya Charitamrita)
..................................................................................
Pratham-yama-kirtanam :
Chanting during the first period: (3:22 a.m. to 5:46 a.m.)
"I remember Radha and Krishna at the close of night. Vrnda, who was attending Them, was not happy at that moment, knowing that before dawn the Divine Couple would separate Themselves. However, she did her duty. She prompted the parrot and the myna to sing many pleasing songs. These songs awakened Radha and Krishna, who rose from Their bed of bliss. Their female friends observed Them looking very charming because of the deep love and affection They shared at that time. Both were suspicious about the voice of a she-monkey, and although They desired to continue Their mutual association They left that place for Their own residences, where They occupied Their own beds."
dvitiya-yama-kirttanam :
Chanting during the second period: (5:46 a.m. to 8:10 a.m.)
"I worship Radha and Krsna. Radharani had finished Her ablutions and ornamenting Her body when She was called for by Mother Yasoda early in the morning through Her friends, and there in her house She prepared food and drink. Upon awakening, Krsna went first to the cowshed and milked the cows, and then came home and took His bath, eating His meal in the company of His playmates. Radha then took Her meal."
tritiya-yama-kirttanam :
Chanting during the third period: (8:10 a.m. to 10:34 a.m.)
"I remember Sri Krsna in the forenoon. He was going toward the forest, followed by cows and cowherd friends. Others like Nanda Maharaja also followed Him. Because He was anxious to be with Radharani, Krsna went to search Her out on the banks of Sri Radha-kunda. I also remember Sri Radha, who, having caught a glimpse of Krsna, went home, where She was ordered by Her mother-in-law (Jatila) to worship the Sun god. Radharani had sent Her girlfriends to discover Krsna's whereabouts, and thus She was casting her eyes down the pathway by which they were likely to return."
caturtha-yama-kirttanam :
Chanting during the fourth period: (10:34 a.m. to 3:22 p.m.)
"I remember Radha and Krsna during the midday period. Both were happy in each other's company, exhibiting goose bumps and other such symptoms as Their bodily ornaments. They both felt unsteady because of Their very keen desires for amorous play. They were engrossed in various sports, such as playing see-saw, roaming in the forest, sporting in the water, hiding Krishna's flute, love-play, drinking honey, and worshiping the Sun god. Each had a great longing for the other, and both were attended by large retinues of friends."
pancama-yama-kirttanam :
Chanting during the fifth period: (3:22 p.m. to 5:46 p.m.)
"I remember Sri Radha, who arranged many presents for Krsna after She arrived at Her home. By that time She had taken Her ablution and had dressed in beautiful clothes. She was full of joy to see the lotus-like face of Her beloved Sri Krsna. I also remember Sri Krishna in the afternoon. He was walking toward Vraja, followed by a myriad of cows and cowherd boyfriends. At home He was received by Nanda Maharaj and other elderly people, and then He was bathed and groomed by Mother Yasoda."
sastha-yama-kirttanam :
Chanting during the sixth period: (5:46 p.m. to 8:10 p.m.)
"I remember Sri Radha in the evening. She had sent many exquisite preparations for Her beloved Krsna with Her friend, who brought back the remainder of the food tasted by Him. Radharani became very happy to partake of it. I also remember Vrajendra Krishna, who had taken His bath at home and was very well dressed. Mother Yasoda fondled Him. He came to the cowshed and milked several cows, and after finishing this chore He again returned home and took His meals."
saptam-yama-kirttanam :
Chanting during the seventh period: (8:10 p.m. to 10:34 p.m.)
"I remember Sri Radha early in the evening in the company of Her playmates. She had dressed Herself in clothes suitable for the dark and light fortnight, and pursuing Vrnda's advice She repaired to a bower of peace and bliss on the banks of the Yamuna, accompanied by a messenger. I also remember Sri Krishna sitting in an assembly of cow herders and watching various acrobatic feats. Yasoda, His affectionate mother, then brought Him home and attempted to put Him to sleep. Afterwards, the Lord quietly left His bed for the bower of bliss."
astam-yama-kirttanam:
"Chanting during the eighth period" (10:34 p.m. to 3:22 a.m.)
"I remember both Radha and Krsna, who were anxious for each others company. When They are together, Vrnda attends the loving couple in various ways. They both look very charming, along with Their loving friends, while They roam in the forests and are engrossed in singing and dancing in the style of rasa. They feel tired after so many sportive activities. They are then looked after by many loving friends. At night They repose on a bed of flowers, and then They sleep."
Pratham-yama-kirtanam :
Chanting during the first period: (3:22 a.m. to 5:46 a.m.)
"I remember Radha and Krishna at the close of night. Vrnda, who was attending Them, was not happy at that moment, knowing that before dawn the Divine Couple would separate Themselves. However, she did her duty. She prompted the parrot and the myna to sing many pleasing songs. These songs awakened Radha and Krishna, who rose from Their bed of bliss. Their female friends observed Them looking very charming because of the deep love and affection They shared at that time. Both were suspicious about the voice of a she-monkey, and although They desired to continue Their mutual association They left that place for Their own residences, where They occupied Their own beds."
dvitiya-yama-kirttanam :
Chanting during the second period: (5:46 a.m. to 8:10 a.m.)
"I worship Radha and Krsna. Radharani had finished Her ablutions and ornamenting Her body when She was called for by Mother Yasoda early in the morning through Her friends, and there in her house She prepared food and drink. Upon awakening, Krsna went first to the cowshed and milked the cows, and then came home and took His bath, eating His meal in the company of His playmates. Radha then took Her meal."
tritiya-yama-kirttanam :
Chanting during the third period: (8:10 a.m. to 10:34 a.m.)
"I remember Sri Krsna in the forenoon. He was going toward the forest, followed by cows and cowherd friends. Others like Nanda Maharaja also followed Him. Because He was anxious to be with Radharani, Krsna went to search Her out on the banks of Sri Radha-kunda. I also remember Sri Radha, who, having caught a glimpse of Krsna, went home, where She was ordered by Her mother-in-law (Jatila) to worship the Sun god. Radharani had sent Her girlfriends to discover Krsna's whereabouts, and thus She was casting her eyes down the pathway by which they were likely to return."
caturtha-yama-kirttanam :
Chanting during the fourth period: (10:34 a.m. to 3:22 p.m.)
"I remember Radha and Krsna during the midday period. Both were happy in each other's company, exhibiting goose bumps and other such symptoms as Their bodily ornaments. They both felt unsteady because of Their very keen desires for amorous play. They were engrossed in various sports, such as playing see-saw, roaming in the forest, sporting in the water, hiding Krishna's flute, love-play, drinking honey, and worshiping the Sun god. Each had a great longing for the other, and both were attended by large retinues of friends."
pancama-yama-kirttanam :
Chanting during the fifth period: (3:22 p.m. to 5:46 p.m.)
"I remember Sri Radha, who arranged many presents for Krsna after She arrived at Her home. By that time She had taken Her ablution and had dressed in beautiful clothes. She was full of joy to see the lotus-like face of Her beloved Sri Krsna. I also remember Sri Krishna in the afternoon. He was walking toward Vraja, followed by a myriad of cows and cowherd boyfriends. At home He was received by Nanda Maharaj and other elderly people, and then He was bathed and groomed by Mother Yasoda."
sastha-yama-kirttanam :
Chanting during the sixth period: (5:46 p.m. to 8:10 p.m.)
"I remember Sri Radha in the evening. She had sent many exquisite preparations for Her beloved Krsna with Her friend, who brought back the remainder of the food tasted by Him. Radharani became very happy to partake of it. I also remember Vrajendra Krishna, who had taken His bath at home and was very well dressed. Mother Yasoda fondled Him. He came to the cowshed and milked several cows, and after finishing this chore He again returned home and took His meals."
saptam-yama-kirttanam :
Chanting during the seventh period: (8:10 p.m. to 10:34 p.m.)
"I remember Sri Radha early in the evening in the company of Her playmates. She had dressed Herself in clothes suitable for the dark and light fortnight, and pursuing Vrnda's advice She repaired to a bower of peace and bliss on the banks of the Yamuna, accompanied by a messenger. I also remember Sri Krishna sitting in an assembly of cow herders and watching various acrobatic feats. Yasoda, His affectionate mother, then brought Him home and attempted to put Him to sleep. Afterwards, the Lord quietly left His bed for the bower of bliss."
astam-yama-kirttanam:
"Chanting during the eighth period" (10:34 p.m. to 3:22 a.m.)
"I remember both Radha and Krsna, who were anxious for each others company. When They are together, Vrnda attends the loving couple in various ways. They both look very charming, along with Their loving friends, while They roam in the forests and are engrossed in singing and dancing in the style of rasa. They feel tired after so many sportive activities. They are then looked after by many loving friends. At night They repose on a bed of flowers, and then They sleep."
