By Kavicandra Swami
When I vistied Sri Vrnadavan Dham after Gaura Purnima I had a desire to go to Radha Kunda to have darshan a the samadhi of HH Bhakti Swarupa Damodara Goswami. I was only going to be there for one and a half days so I was wondering how I would manage it. I happened to see the car of my friend Dr Liladhar Gupta and found him on his way to that very place, so I joined him.
The Samadhi is in the compound of the Gopal temple al Radha Kund. From the front it appears to be a very small temple, but it is actually a very large compound.The brahmacari there told me the history of the temple
A former Manipur king (they are descendants from Pandava Arjuna) had Gopal appear to him in a dream. Gopal asked for a temple on the banks of Radha Kunda. He built the temple just on the corner of Radha Kunda, Gopala has a nice view of the entire pond and can see the sunrise. over Kadha Kunda. That King also provided the stone walking path upon which we circumambulate Radha Kunda.
A later king gave the temple to HH Bhakti Swarupa Damodara Goswami. Now his samadhi is in the back courtyard. It is a sublimely sattvic structure of bricks covered with cow dung… I was involved i n some managerial activities with Maharaja, and just before his departure we had had some disagreements. I was hoping that I could make some heartfelt apologies. I tried and count upon his merciful nature to excuse me.
I took some photos which are included here. I only had my hand phone camera so the quality is not as good as I would like it to be. But they are clear enough to give a good idea of the mood there.
When visiting Radha Kunda it is easy pass right by the Gopal Mandir since the front is very small. Please ask for the location and visit this sublime place. Everyone there knows the Manipura Mandira.
Your servant,
Kavicandra Swami
“In the sastra it is said that of all types of fruitive workers, he who is
advanced in knowledge of the higher values of life is favored by the Supreme
Lord Hari. Out of many such people who are advanced in knowledge [jnanis],
one who is practically liberated by virtue of his knowledge may take to
devotional service. He is superior to the others. However, one who has
actually attained prema, pure love of Krsna, is superior to him. The gopis
are exalted above all the advanced devotees because they are always totally
dependent upon Sri Krsna, the transcendental cowherd boy. Among the gopis,
Srimati Radharani is the most dear to Krsna. Her kunda [lake] is as
profoundly dear to Lord Krsna as this most beloved of the gopis. Who, then,
will not reside at Radha-kunda and, in a spiritual body surcharged with
ecstatic devotional feelings [aprakrtabhava], render loving service to the
divine couple Sri Sri Radha-Govinda, who perform Their astakaliya-lila,
Their eternal eightfold daily pastimes. Indeed, those who execute devotional
service on the banks of Radha-kunda are the most fortunate people in the
universe.” (NOI 10)
Thank you, Your Holiness Kavicandra Swami Maharaja, for dragging our minds
back (at least mine!) to the lotus feet of Sripada Bhakti Svarupa Damodara
Swami Maharaja. I pray that the memory of his extraordinary life, passing
away, and samadhi installation, will remain engraved in my heart forever.
Just by sitting in the courtyard of the Gopal Mandir, one can feel that mood
of aprakrta-bhava, due to the strong presence of Sripada Maharaja. By his
causeless mercy, ISKCON members now have their own shelter in Radha-kunda,
and certainly, those who execute devotional service in the courtyard of the
Gopal Mandir are the most fortunate people in the universe.
Your servant,
Visakha Priya dasi