There, in Goloka, which the demigods, kings of the planets, and their associates could not approach, seeing a country glorious as the sunrise, where there were the ways and customs and human language of Bharata-varsa's Arya-varta, I became filled with wonder and I plunged in an ocean of bliss.In a moment I saw cowherd men going here and there and elderly gopis picking flowers.Everyone there was extraordinary, different from any people I had seen before. It seemed that someone had stolen the treasure of their hearts.Simply by seeing them I became like them. Carefully composing myself, I approached them and asked them this question.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that the words "became like them" means that Gopa-kumara also became very agitated.
O people served by great bliss beyond what the great paramahamsas can desire, O people to whom the loving devotees of the goddess of fortune's husband pray for mercy, please look, look with kindness on this poor person come to you for shelter. Tell him: Who is the king of this place? Where is His palace? By what path (does one go to Him)?
O fortunate ones, please be kind to me, who with plaintive words asks: O saintly ones, please give me a sign in answer.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that they did not answer Gopa-kumara's questions. He thinks they may be observing a vow of silence, so he asks that with a gesture of their hands they somehow answer his questions.
Please hear the words of troubled me. You must be overcome with love for that charming person.
Again and Again with plaintive words asking everyone I saw, I went to the different places in Vraja.Moving my eyes in all directions, far away I saw a palace filled with great sweetness.On that side, and also everywhere, I heard the beautiful singing of gopis, the sounds of them churning yogurt, and the tinkling of their ornaments.
Suppressing the bliss I felt in my heart, I approached an elderly man who was emotionally singing "Krsna! Krsna!" and crying. I carefully listened to the broken words he spoke. Simply by hearing the words "This is the palace of Krsna's father, the gopa-king Nanda" I fainted, overcome with happiness.
In a moment brought to consciousness by the kind elderly man, I ran ahead and came to the palace gate. There I saw millions and millions of wonders never seen, heard of, or imagined by anyone.
O best of the brahmanas, I could not understand whether all the people were filled with bliss or overcome with sorrow. Whether I heard the gopis songs I did not know whether they cried in the greatest happiness or the greatest sorrow.
As I looked at this place, which I had ascended higher and higher to reach, I thought "I am in the material world".
Then I understood: "I am above all material and spiritual worlds. I am above the material and spiritual worlds".
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that the word "loka" here means "the fourteen material worlds" and the words "aloka" and "ati-loka" mean "what is beyond the fourteen material worlds".
An elderly lady came. I bowed down before her and with sweet words asked: "Where does the son of Nanda enjoy pastimes today?"
Srila Sanatana Gosvami reminds us that this conversation was at the entrance to Nanda's palace.
The elderly lady said: He who gives life to us people of Vraja, in the morning went to the forest with His cows, friends, and elder brother to enjoy pastimes. Now, in the evening, He will return. Their eyes fixed on the path, all the people of Vraja now stand by the Yamuna's shore. Even the trees, eager to see Him, stretch their leaves and branches high. He will come by this path.
Sri Gopa-kumara said: It was as if I was suddenly bathed with great streams of nectar. With a single glance I saw the path she showed.
This stream of Nectar is from Srila Sanatan Goswami's famous literary work entitled "Brhat-Bhagavatamrta".
