Notes from journal 2008
Here in Vrindavan there are over 5000 temples dedicated to the personality of Godhead Sri Krishna and his playful activities. In the early morning and evening a person can walk anywhere and hear bells, gongs, drums and devotees singing songs glorifying the divine couple.
Sitting in my room I could hear wonderful Kirtans. During a few of these Kirtans there was great excitement and everyone eventually joined in. I can only describe it like this ; It was like hearing a train from a long distance then gradually upon its arrival it brings with it great excitement.
I heard the famous Govinda - Jaya - Jaya - Gopala - Jaya - Jaya , it got loud , louder, loudest than faded then again loud, louder, loudest then faded and continued in this cycle for countless revolutions. It faded into the distance and then , REAL LOUD, the chanting of Radha Ramana Hari -Govinda - Jaya - Jaya.
Shouts of "Radhe Radhe" filled the air. The excitement now at its peak then Silence for a few moments then a loud Jai Radhe.
Radhe Radhe is softly spoken by the devotees as they disburse. It was what my heart needed to hear.
Next morning ....
I heard the sweetest kirtan ( devotional music ) and a lecture given in Hindi. He was speaking about the wonderful pastimes of Sri Krishna his brother Balaram and the divine leelas of Radha and Krishna. It was exceptionally sweet. After this I went to chant japa on the roof of the guest house and must say the view was fantastic. I could see from tree top level a very long way, noticing the domes of many famous temples. This city of vrindaban is known for being the playground of lord Krishna and every Vaisnava organization has it's Representatives here.
As daybreak arrives monkeys , birds, squirrels and other creatures become passionately active. Across the way is a building not yet completed. It has on it's roof corrugated steel panels laying loosely , as to provide shade. As soon as the sun peaks its head over the horizon monkeys begin jumping from tree to tree. They would land on these panels and make a loud horrific sound. The meditative silence and peaceful atmosphere has officially now ended. A chase is in progress, one monkey after another. Birds flying, dogs barking, horns honking and all the building construction begins.
Here in Vrindavan there are over 5000 temples dedicated to the personality of Godhead Sri Krishna and his playful activities. In the early morning and evening a person can walk anywhere and hear bells, gongs, drums and devotees singing songs glorifying the divine couple.
Sitting in my room I could hear wonderful Kirtans. During a few of these Kirtans there was great excitement and everyone eventually joined in. I can only describe it like this ; It was like hearing a train from a long distance then gradually upon its arrival it brings with it great excitement.
I heard the famous Govinda - Jaya - Jaya - Gopala - Jaya - Jaya , it got loud , louder, loudest than faded then again loud, louder, loudest then faded and continued in this cycle for countless revolutions. It faded into the distance and then , REAL LOUD, the chanting of Radha Ramana Hari -Govinda - Jaya - Jaya.
Shouts of "Radhe Radhe" filled the air. The excitement now at its peak then Silence for a few moments then a loud Jai Radhe.
Radhe Radhe is softly spoken by the devotees as they disburse. It was what my heart needed to hear.
Next morning ....
I heard the sweetest kirtan ( devotional music ) and a lecture given in Hindi. He was speaking about the wonderful pastimes of Sri Krishna his brother Balaram and the divine leelas of Radha and Krishna. It was exceptionally sweet. After this I went to chant japa on the roof of the guest house and must say the view was fantastic. I could see from tree top level a very long way, noticing the domes of many famous temples. This city of vrindaban is known for being the playground of lord Krishna and every Vaisnava organization has it's Representatives here.
As daybreak arrives monkeys , birds, squirrels and other creatures become passionately active. Across the way is a building not yet completed. It has on it's roof corrugated steel panels laying loosely , as to provide shade. As soon as the sun peaks its head over the horizon monkeys begin jumping from tree to tree. They would land on these panels and make a loud horrific sound. The meditative silence and peaceful atmosphere has officially now ended. A chase is in progress, one monkey after another. Birds flying, dogs barking, horns honking and all the building construction begins.
