Kamyavan

 Kamyavan

Childhood pastimes in Kamyavan;

       Kamyavan is fourth among the twelve forests of Vraja-mandala. The word kamya means “extremely beautiful”, “well adorned” or “highly attractive”. This forest within Vraja-mandala is a most charming pastime place of Shri Krishna. Many pleasant lakes, wells, ponds, trees, creepers, flowers, fruits and species of birds contribute to its extraordinary beauty. Hence, it is called Kamyavan. This is the place where Krishna performed many of His childhood pastimes. According to the Vishnu Purana, there are eighty-four sacred ponds, eighty-four temples and eighty-four pillars in Kamyavan. It is said that a famous king named Shri Kamasena established them all. Kamyavan has countless small and large kundas (small reservoir of water), as well as a Parikrama of fourteen miles. Some of the prominent kundas are Vimala Kunda, Dharma Kunda and Kama Kunda.

       

Kamyavan view; 

       It is said that there are four “Devas”, four “Devis” and five “Mahadevas” in Vraja Mandala. Out of the five Mahadevas, Kameshwar Mahadev resides here in Kamyavan. This deity of Kameshwar Mahadev was personally installed at this place by Vajranabh, Krishna’s great-grandson. Of the four Devis, Vrinda devi resides here in this beautiful forest of Kamyavan. Vrinda devi is an expansion of Shrimati Radharani and She is orchestrating the whole land of Vrindavan to make pleasing arrangements for the pastimes of Radha and Krishna and Their devotees. Vrinda devi is the presiding deity of the land of Vrindavan. In fact the most famous temple of Kamyavan is the Radha Govinda Temple where Shrimati Vrinda devi resides. This is the most ancient, prominent deity of Vrinda devi in the entire world. Previously, Srila Rupa Goswami (Prominent amongst the Six Goswamis of Vrindavan who excavated many pastime places of Vrindavan) had installed this deity of Vrinda devi in his Radha Govinda Temple in the forest of Vrindavan. But later on by Her sweet will, Vrinda devi moved to this Radha Govinda Temple in the forest of Kamyavan.

       In the Puranas it is said that the forest of “Kamyavan” fulfills the innermost desires of the soul. At this place we should pray to fulfill the desire for pure devotional service and for the selfless desire to please the Lord and satisfy His devotees because the fulfillment of any other desire will eventually bring only frustration in our life. 

       “In this Kamyavana, Krishna performed enchanting pastimes. Here you will be able to take darshana of many Kundas and other Lila Sthalies. I cannot even describe in writing all the sacred tirthas found at Kamyavana.”  (Bhakti-ratnakara, Fifth Wave)

       When the three original Deities of Vrindavana, Radha Madana-Mohana, Radha Govinda and Radha Gopinatha were taken from Vrindavana to Jaipur to avoid being destroyed by Yavans, they stayed in Kamyavana for three nights. Since these Deities stayed here, three temples have been established here dedicated to Radha Govinda, Radha Madana-Mohana and Radha Gopinatha. Radha Gopinatha is worshiped in a house of a grihasta, north of the mound on which Chaurasi Khambha is on.

Deity of Vrinda Devi in Kamyavan;

       A brief description of Kamyavan Parikrama :

       CARAN PAHADI: This hill is on the left of the path when we travel from Bilond to Kamam. The left and right footprints of Lord Sri Krishna can be seen atop the hill on a large stone here. Once while Krishna and the cowherd boys were grazing the cows and calves, they were indiscriminately scattered in all directions. As the evening grew near, Krishna and His friends were concerned. Krishna closed His eyes and smilingly played His flute in sweet melody and hearing the call, the cows and calves immediately ran to Him. The sheer ecstasy of the flute music melted the stones here and thus impressions of His lotus feet were casted on the rocks.

Foot prints of Krishna; 

Krishna's footprint on top of the hill and Vyomasura's cave;

       GAYA-KUND: Gaya Kund is on the western outskirts of the town of Kaman. Nanda Maharaja offered oblations to his forefathers here. This is believed as the Gaya Tirth in Vraj.

       KAMAN: This town is 22 km north of Deeg and 14 km south-west of Nandgaon. It is located in Kamavan. In this town, there are many temples, kunds and places where Krishna displayed His sweet pastimes. Kamavan is one of most important and beautiful forest among the twelve forests of Vraj. The Pandavas lived here for some time in this forest during their vanvas (exile to forest).

       VIMAL-KUND: On the south-east of Kaman is Vimal Kund. This is one of the most beautiful and important kunds of Vraj formed by the loving tears of the daughters of King Vimala. While Krishna was swimming here, the cows grazed on its banks.

       GOVIND & VRINDAVEVI MANDIR: This temple is located at the center of the town of Kama and the Deities of Govind and Vrindadevi are installed in it. This is the most famous temple of Kama.

       The deity of Vrinda Devi was originally installed by Vajranabha 4,900 years ago. This deity was rediscovered by Rupa Gosvami on the bank of Brahma Kunda, in Vrindavan. He installed the deity in a small temple next to the Radha Govinda Temple. Later, due to fear of an attack on the temples in Vrindavan by the Yavans, the king of Jaipur decided to take Vrinda Devi, Radha Gopinatha, Radha Madana-Mohan, and Radha Govinda to Jaipur. But when they reached Kamyavan, Vrinda Devi refused to go any further.

Vrinda Devi; 

       Vrinda Devi is an expansion of Srimati Radharani and her partial expansion is Tulasi Devi in Goloka. Vrinda Devi is an intimate associate and girlfriend of Srimati Radharani. She arranges the meetings of Radha and Krishna. She is the queen and proprietor of Vrindavan.

Vrinda Devi's Temple, Kamyavan; 

       

       GOPINATH MANDIR: This temple is also located at the middle of the town of Kama and in it the Deity of Sri Radha-Gopinath is installed. The King of Varddhaman built the current temple.

       CHAURASI KHAMBHA: The celestial architect Vishvakarma built this palace for Maharaja Yudhisthira and the Pandavas lived in it during their vanavas.

      DHARMARAJ MANDIR: This temple is dedicated to Yudhisthira, the son of Dharmaraj. In it is a beautiful deity of the son of Dharma. This located close to the western side of the Kameshwar temple.

       Five thousand years ago the Pandavas were living peacefully here at Kamyavana. One day Durvasa Muni came with his 60,000 disciples. Durvasa Muni told Draupadi that he and his disciples were very hungry and that after returning from taking a bath, he expected to be fed a feast. He then went to take bath in Vimala Kunda. Draupadi had a cooking pot that could provide unlimited food for any number of people, but it could only be used one time in a day. The Pandavas had just finished a feast and Draupadi had just finished washing the pot, when Durvasa Muni arrived.

       Draupadi, not knowing any other solution to the problem, immediately though of the lotus feet of Krishna and prayed to Him for help. Immediately Krishna appeared and told her that He was very hungry and would like something to eat. Draupadi said that she had nothing. Krishna asked her to bring her cooking pot. Krishna then found one-minute particle of food left in the pot. Krishna then ate this particle of food and then said I am fully satisfied.

       Naturally when the Supreme Lord is satisfied everyone is satisfied. So therefore, Durvasa Muni and his 60,000 disciples were totally satisfied. While taking bath Durvasa Muni suddenly felt like his stomach was totally full and that he could not eat even one bite. Krishna then told Bhima to go get Durvasa Muni and his disciples and invite them to take a feast. Durvasa Muni saw Bhima approaching carrying his club. Durvasa Muni and his disciple immediately left, fearing that they would offend the Pandavas, because they could not eat the feast that they had prepared for them.

       KAMESHWAR MANDIR: Kameshwara is one of the famous Shiva-lingas in Vraj and Vajranabha established it 5000 years ago. The word kama means “desires” and Lord Shiva is called Kameshwar, because he fulfills all desires. This temple is located on the east of the town.

       PANCA-PANDAVA MANDIR: In this temple, the deities of Draupadi and the five Pandavas are installed.

       PANCHI TIRTH / DHARMA-KUND: (Pancha Tirtha Kund):

       At this place Yamaraja (Dharmaraja), disguised as a sage, asked King Yudhisthira four questions. Yudhisthira had gone out to find his four brothers. They had not returned for a long time, after they had gone out to find some water. When his four brothers had reached this kunda, they had been told by Dharmaraja that they could only drink the water of this kunda, if they could answer four questions correctly. None of them were able to do it, but being extremely thirsty they had tried to drink the water any way and had died.

       Dharmaraja told Yudhisthira if he answered the questions correctly that he would bring one of Yudhisthira’s brothers back to life. He was able to do this and he asked that Nakula, the oldest son of Madri, Kunti’s sister, be brought back to life. Dharmaraja asked Yudhisthira why he had not brought Bhima or Arjuna back to life. Why Nakula? Yudhisthira explained that he was the eldest son of Kunti, and Bhima and Arjuna were also from her womb. While Madri, her sister, had two sons Nakula and Sahadeva. Therefore Madri would have been extremely disappointed to have lost both her sons, so he chose to bring back to life one of her sons. Dharmaraja being extremely pleased by his explanation brought all four brothers back to life. This kund is located on the east of the town.

       YASHODA-KUND: This kund is situated 0.5 km south-west of Vimal-kund. Mother Yashoda often arrived here to take bath.

       ASHOKA VATIKA: On the west of Yashoda-kund is Ashoka-vatika. It represents the Ashoka garden in Lanka, where Sita Devi was held captive by Ravana.

       RAMESWARAM: Setu means “bridge” and at this place Krishna reenacted the pastime of Lord Rama building a bridge to Lanka. Krishna had the monkeys build a rock bridge for the gopis to go over at this place. The story about this place is that once Krishna and the gopis were here, and the area was filled with water up to a village on a hill, where the gopis wanted to go. Not wanting to walk around the water, the gopis said to Krishna that you have said that you are Lord Rama. Lord Rama had the monkeys build a stone bridge across the ocean to Lanka. Here there is water, many stones and many monkeys. Show us that you are actually Rama and have the monkeys build a bridge across this water. Krishna then played His flute and the monkeys gathered around Him. Krishna then ordered the monkeys to build a bridge across the water here, so the gopis could walk across. The monkeys then quickly built a bridge across the water.

Monkey kutir, Kamyavan;

       LANKA: This is located on the south of Rameshwaram.

     SURABHI KUND AND PRABODHANAND SARASVATI’S BHAJAN KUTI: This is approximately 2 km north-west of Kama. This is a wonderful pond with blossoming lotus flowers.

      KALAVATA: The Kalavata village is 3 km north of Kamavan and it has a beautiful temple.

      PHISALINI-SHILA: Outside the Kalavata village on the peak of Mount Indrasena is this place located. Here, on the side of the hill is a long and smooth rock slide, where Krishna and the cowherd boys played sliding downhill.

      BALARAM CARANCINH: On a rock located north of Kalavata village, the footprint of Lord Balaram can be seen. In the raging war between Lord Krishna and Vyomasura, the whole of earth started to tremble. To stabilize the earth, Lord Balaram pushed her with His leg and that footprint is seen on the rock.

      VYOMASURA GUPHA: On a hill north of Kalavata village is the cave of Vyomasura. Vyomasura stole the cowherd boys and concealed them in this cave. To rescue the boys, Lord Krishna fought with Vyomasura here. On the rock atop the hill above the cave has footprints and handprints of Lord Krishna. A rock nearby shows imprints of marigold flowers and Kaustubha jewel fell down from sky during the fight.

Vyomasura Gupha;

       BHOJAN STHALI: On the east of Kalavata village is Bhojan Sthali. Crossing the stream from Vyomasur-gupha, or moving straight from Kama, this place can be accessed. This is where Krishna often took lunch with the cowherd boys. On a rock here, the imprints of the bowls and plates Lord Krishna used are still secured.

Appearance of Vrinda devi in Kamyavan

       Vrinda devi is an expansion of Shrimati Radharani. Vrinda devi is the presiding deity of the land of Vrindavan. In fact, She is orchestrating the whole land of Vrindavan to make pleasing arrangements for the pastimes of Radha and Krishna and Their devotees. She has many millions of parrots that are flying around Vrindavan, all sending messages for orchestrating the pleasure pastimes of Shri Shri Radha and Krishna. Thus Vrinda devi is the producer and director of the original social networking system.

       Vrinda devi is creating the seasons, the particular flowers and the trees with their particular fragrances in Vrindavan. She is assembling the different pure hearted animals like peacocks and deer and arranging them to be present in various places at various times. Just for the pleasure of Shri Shri Radha and Krishna and Gopas and Gopis they are all ultimately acting under the direction of Vrinda devi to orchestrate a wonderful stage performance by which Radha and Krishna can enjoy Their pastimes.

       Once when Rupa Goswami was living in Vrindavan, he had a vision in which Vrinda devi appeared to him and revealed that She in Her deity form was hidden in “Brahma Kunda”. So Shrila Rupa Goswami excavated Shri Brahma Kunda and there found this beautiful deity of Vrinda devi. She was originally installed by Vajranabh, Krishna’s great-grandson, approximately 5,000 years ago. This is the most ancient, prominent deity of Vrinda devi in the entire world. Srila Rupa Goswami installed Vrinda devi in his Radha Govinda temple in Vrindavan and there he personally worshipped Her. Later on when Aurangazeb attacked Vrindavan to destroy the temples and deities, the King of Jaipur decided to bring all the prominent deities of Vrindavan to Jaipur for protection. So on bullock carts he brought the deities of Shri Shri Radha Madanmohan, Radha Govinda, Radha Gopinath and Radha Govindaji along with Shrimati Vrinda devi. On the way to Jaipur they stopped at Kamyavan for the three nights. On the morning of the fourth day, all the carts started as per schedule except Vrinda devi’s cart. They tried everything but they could not move this cart even by an inch. Then Vrinda devi revealed to the pujaris that “I do not wish to leave Vrindavan. Krishna is the Lord of the Universe. He may go anywhere. But I am the goddess of Vrindavan, please do not take Me from Vrindavan.” So since that very time, She has been residing here at the Radha Govinda temple in Kamyavan. In fact this is the most prominent temple of Kamyavan.

Rupa and Sanatana Goswami at Kamyavan

Rupa and Sanatana Goswamis;

         Srila Rupa Goswami and Sanatana Goswami were prominent amongst the famous six Goswamis of Vrindavan. They were disciples of Lord Shri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and under His direction they excavated many of the lost places of Krishna’s pastimes in Vrindavan.

       Once they were living in Kamyavan and continuously discussing the divine subject matters of the pastimes of Lord Krishna, sometimes throughout the day and sometimes throughout the night. One time as they were speaking they became so much immersed that they completely forgot about eating or sleeping. That time, a beautiful young girl came and said that “I have heard that you are so engrossed in Hari Katha that you have not eaten for a long time. I have brought some milk, rice and sugar. You can make nice Kheer, Sweet Rice.” But they just continued speaking the glories of Vrindavan. So, this girl personally collected the ingredients for making a fire. She put all the ingredients in a pot and cooked it and gave it to Rupa Goswami. Rupa Goswami immediately offered it to his spiritual master, Srila Sanatana Goswami. On tasting this most nectarine Prasad, Sanatana Goswami entered into a state of ecstasy: tears started flowing from his eyes, his hairs started standing on end, and his limbs started trembling.

Once Srimati Radharani Herself brought rice,

sugar and milk to Rupa Goswami and cooked khir for them;

       He asked Rupa Goswami, “Please tell me where you got this?” Rupa Goswami answered, “A little girl had come, She has given this to me, and I am offering it to you.” As Rupa Goswami was explaining the qualities of this girl and how She looked, it dawned upon them that She was none other than Shrimati Radharani. Sanatana Goswami became very much sad in his heart on realizing that they had engaged Shrimati Radharani in their service. So, he started lamenting, “We have come to this land of Braja to serve Shrimati Radharani. It is the aspiration of our life to be the servant of the servant of Her servants, and yet She is collecting wood, She is lighting fires and She is preparing this Kheer just for us. This is very bad, we should never want to take anything from Shrimati Radharani, we should only want to serve Her.” So as they were thinking like this they began to both weep in a sense of regret, but at the same time the taste of that sweet rice was so nice that they kept drinking. They would take a sip and they would weep and cry, fall to the ground, and regret “How have we accepted this service from Shrimati Radharani?” Then they would take another sip, and they did this throughout the day. Such was the loving devotion of Rupa and Sanatana Goswami for the Divine Couple.

       We should not think what God can do for us; rather we should meditate on what we can do for God. He quoted Caitanya Mahaprabhu, “I do not want great wealth or followers or association of beautiful women or even liberation. I only want loving devotional service unto the lotus feet of Radha and Krishna, birth after birth after birth.” This is the supreme prayer that a devotee should offer here at Kamyavan.