Kartik Diary 3

Jay Sri Radhe!

We just returned from a parikrama to different pastime places near Govardhana Hill, visiting places such as Manasi Ganga, Hari Deva and the Samadhi Mandir of Srila Bhaktisvarup Damodara Maharaja at Radha Kunda, who just recently passed away to join Sri Krishna in His nitya lila. His Samadhi Mandir is right at the bank of Radha Kunda, the most sacred place in the entire universe as described in the Nectar of Instruction.

At Manasi Ganga many pastimes took place. Once the gopis wanted to cross the river but there was only one old and tired boatman with an even older boat. The gopis were hesitant but had not much choice than ask him.

“Hey Baba, take us over the river”.

The boatman answered “Don’t you see I am resting?”

“Please Baba, there is no one else who can take us.”

“You are too many for my old boat and with all that yogurt and milk of yours we will surely drown.”

But the gopis insisted and the boatman eventually agreed. However, once in the middle of the river a strong wind arose and the boat begun rocking heavily in the wind.

“Boatman, boatman please save us” pleaded the gopis.

“I told you” answered the boatman. “The only thing that can save us now is if you throw your milk and yogurt over board.”

The gopis did as being told but the wind grew stronger and stronger and the boat rocked so heavily that one would think it might sink at any moment.

“Boatman, boatman please save us” begged the gopis.

“I told you” answered the boatman. “You girls are wearing so heavily decorated saris. The only thing that can save us now is that you take off these heavy saris and throw them over board.”