The Glory of Braj Mandal

The word ‘Braj’ has been beautifully and variously depicted in the Vedas and Puranas, each description highlighting its divine essence and significance. This sacred land, steeped in ancient lore, resonates with spiritual richness and eternal charm. From the vibrant pastures where cows roam freely to the divine presence of Sri Vishnu, Braj is portrayed as a celestial abode of unparalleled beauty and sanctity. Here are some ways in which Braj has been described:

“brajanti gavo yasminniti brajah”

A place where cows roam carefree is known as Braj.

Shruti says, “ta vam vasani ushmahe yatra gavo bhuri shringa ayaasa”

A place where cows with long horns roam, I reside there.

“urugayasya vrishnah paramam padam”

This place is the prime place of Sri Vishnu.

According to the Rig Veda, “vishnurgopa paramam paati paatha”

Vishnu is in the form of a gopa (cowherd).

In the Srigopal Tapani Upanishad, Lord Brahma says:

“tamekam govindam satchidananda vigraham pancha padam vrindabane surabhurustalasinam satatam samarudganam toshayami”

I bow down to the Satchidananda Vigraha of Sri Govinda who resides in Sri Vrindavan under the Kalpavriksha along with the marudgana.

In the Patal Khand of the Padma Purana, describing the beauty of Vrindavan, it is said:“yamuna jala killolam sadaa krinati madhavah”

Madhava always sported in the waters of Yamuna.

The Padma Purana also quotes: “go gopa gopika sange sada krinati kansahaa”

In this Braj Mandal, the slayer of Kansa, Bhagavan Sri Krishna, always sports with the cows, cowherd boys, and cowherd damsels.

“adyapi pada rajah shruti mugyameva”

The dust of the feet of the one that is searched by the Shrutis even today, the embodiment of joy, the whole, omniscient, the beholder of truth, conscience and joy, Brahma, the son of Nanda, Sri Krishnachandra, took birth and enacted all his sweet leelas in this place called Braj.

In the Brihad Gautamiya Tantra, Sri Krishna told Maharshi Narad:

“panchayojanamewasti vanam mein deh rupakam”

This Vrindavan spread over five yojanas is my form.

In the Sanatkumar Sanhita, it is inscribed:

“yatra vrindavanam swayam pancha yojana vistrutam”

Included in the area of Mathura, Vrindavan is described as a beautiful place spread over five yojanas.

 In the Harivansh Puran, the area around Mathura is called Braj or Gokul. In the Bhagavatam, Braj is also referred to as Gokul Goshth and Vrindavan. All these names denote the sacred place where Nanda Baba lived and where cows were found in abundance.

Wherever the rays of one sun reach, it is called a Brahmand or one universe. Each universe has its own sun, with all the planets, satellites, and stars attracted to their respective suns. If a thousand suns were to blaze forth together in the sky, they would not match the splendor of that great form – the form that Sri Krishna showed Arjuna in the battle of Kurukshetra.

(Srimad Bhagavat Gita Chapter 11, Verse 12)

All these innumerable universes are attracted by a single center and revolve around this central point of attraction, which is Braj. The dham (place) of Sri Krishna is as divine as his name and form.

“sarvadeva mayshchaham na tyajami vanam kwachit abirbhavastirobhavo bhavedatra yuge yuge”

(Vrihad Gautamiya Tantra)

I never leave Vrindavan, where all the devas reside. I appear and leave this Vrindavan, which is situated on this earth, again and again through the ages. I reside here even after I leave my body.

The Sanatkumar Sanhita narrates:

“tatrastham yugalam dhyatwa punaragamanam na hi”

Anyone who meditates on Yugal Sarkar Radha and Krishna residing in Braj Dham Vrindavan will never return to this material world.

Acharya Prabodhanand Saraswati says in his verse:

“Sri Radha Murali dharo bhaja sakhe, vrindavanam matyaj”

O friend! Pray to Radha and Krishna while residing in Vrindavan. Don’t ever leave Vrindavan. The mind should always reside in Braj Dham even if it is not possible to stay there in the physical body.

The gopis say to each other, “This Vrindavan has made this earth holy and its fame is spread to Vaikuntha as Sri Krishna took birth here. As soon as the feet of Sri Krishna touched this land, the fame of Vrindavan soared through all the universes. When Krishna plays his enchanting flute, the peacocks dance to its beats. Seeing this, all the animals and birds around Govardhan leave their work and watch them in awe. Seeing this beauty of Vrindavan, Krishna himself is excited.

“vrindavanam govardhanam yamuna pulinani cha vikshasiduttama preeti Rama Madhavayornrupah”

In the Brahma Samhita, Lord Brahma extols the divine beauty and majesty of Goloka Vrindavan:

Cintāmaṇi-prakara-sadmasu kalpa-vṛkṣa-

Lakṣāvṛteṣu surabhīr abhipālayantam Lakṣmī-

sahasra-śata-sambhrama-sevyamānaṁ

Govindam ādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi

Lord Brahma paints a vivid picture of the highest realm, Vaikuṇṭhaloka, specifically the transcendental Goloka Vrindavan. Here, Lord Govinda, the original person, resides as a charming cowherd boy. He tends to the divine surabhi cows, surrounded by countless Kalpavriksha trees, which fulfill all desires. The entire realm is adorned with Chintamaṇi, wish-fulfilling gems, creating an atmosphere of pure enchantment. Thousands upon thousands of goddesses of fortune, in their splendor, lovingly serve Him with utmost reverence and joy. This depiction captures the essence of divine opulence and serene pastoral beauty, inviting all to worship Govinda in his eternal, blissful abode.

Radhakund in Braj Mandal

 Picture Courtesy: Shyama Mohanty