Sri Vraja-Riti-Cintamani (Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)

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In this wonderfully poetic book of Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, we are led on a transcendental tour of Vrndavana. However, the reader will soon notice that the Vrndavana described here is much different than the Vrndavana we will see with out external senses. Many times, Srila Prabhupada has said that one cannot go to Vrndavana simply by purchasing a ticket.

In his book, KRSNA, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Srila Prabhupada has written: Akrura’s journey to Vrndavana is exemplary. One who intends to visit Vrndavana should follow the ideal footsteps of Akrura and always think of the pastimes and activities of the Lord as soon as one reaches the boundary of Vrndavana, he should immediately smear the dust of Vrndavana over his body without thinking of his material position and prestige. Srila Narottama dasa Thakura has sung in a celebrated song, visaya chadiya kabe suddha habe mana: “When my mind will be purified after leaving the contamination of material sense enjoyment, I shall be able to visit Vrndavana.” Actually, one cannot go to Vrndavana by purchasing a ticket. The process of going to Vrndavana is shown by Akrura.

Of course, all of the readers of this book have not visited Vrndavana in India but I am sure that many have. Anyone who visits Vrndavana will feel the wonderful spiritual atmosphere even though externally, it appears to be a generally impoverished town. For the average visitor to Vrndavana, the sights include crowded streets, full of cycle rickshaws, pigs, cows, along with the motor vehicles. Monkeys are everywhere and one must be careful that they don’t steal one’s glasses. There are beggars galore and especially the Westerners are accosted again and again.

How can one see the Vrndavana described in this book? One must apply the ointment of love for Krsna to one’s eyes if one hopes to see Vrndavana as it is:

Premanjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena
santah sadaiva hrdayesu vilokayanti
yam syamasundaram acintya-guna-svarupam
govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami

‘I worship the primeval Lord, Govinda, who is always seen by the devotee whose eyes are anointed with the pulp of love. He is seen in His eternal form of Syamasundara, situated within the heart of the devotee.” [Brahma-samhita (5.38)].

We may not be able to perceive the spiritual world with our present senses but we can take a tour in our mind and heart while relishing the contents of this necarean book.

In this wonderfully poetic book of Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, we are led on a transcendental tour of Vrndavana.

Let me glorify Vrajabhumi, the place where Sri Krsna enjoys transcendental pastimes. Simply by drinking with their ears the nectarean description of Vrajabhumi, the liberated souls abandon the bliss of impersonal Brahman and yearn to attain the land of Vraja.