Last week, fifteen students from Bhaktivedanta Gurukula and International School completed a dandavat parikrama on the Vrindavan parikrama path. Rather than walking, they circumambulated Vrindavan by offering prostrations on the ground, falling like a stick (the meaning of dandavat) again and again, until the entire path was traversed.
By Ananda Vrindavanesvari devi dasi RNS (Vrndavan Gurukul – IN)
Grade 8 students completed this difficult challenge along the 11 km path. It was not an easy task – physically, emotionally, or spiritually. It was performed as a concluding activity to their Gurukula education and in preparation for their entering High school, where more maturity and independent responsibility is needed.
On a deeper level – one that is not easily assessed or judged – the dandavat parikrama is meant to allow students time with themselves and with Krishna, an internal exchange brought about by the difficulty of the parikrama. Here these young men faced their own
weakness, vunerability, and tininess, and thus gain an opportunity to experience shelter and strength from something (their resolve and mental control) and someone (the Lord) greater than themselves. They lived on the edge, away from their usual daily activities, and changed from young boys into young men.
The students spent five days on the path, staying in different ashrams each night. They kept a journal of their thoughts and in the evenings, around a campfire, they exchanged realizations with their friends and teachers.
Abhay from Switzerland wrote, “I didn’t think I could do it. Every night I was exhausted, but the next day, once I started, my energy would come back. I was so happy when I was out there.”
Pravesh from Nepal penned, “It was so difficult. There was dust everywhere, but I just kept chanting and pushing on. I would tell myself, ‘Just get to the next rest area.’”
“I was excited to do it but found it harder than I thought. I learned humility here, down on the ground, close to the earth and the small insects. I felt myself closer to Krishna,” commented Madhav from New Delhi.
When the students returned, they were bright-faced and energetic. Austerities – performing difficult acts to bring about spiritual awakening – bring results and the results could be seen in the faces of these young men. In a final ceremony, they addressed the primary school (Gurukula Grades 1–8) and shared their experiences. They were then presented with their own personal copy of the Bhagavad-gita As It Is as their guidebook to life, as well as a harinam chaddar and a Nrsimha pavitra.
It is interesting that all these young devotees did this, I have seen one ISKCON sannyasi do this a Radha kunda, however I wonder where in sastra the Dandavat parikramas are mentioned, we have never heard of the 6 Goswamis doing it, I am curious how this idea of Dandavat parikrama started. It seems our line is to chant Hare Krsna and do Parikrama, there is really no need for this in my understanding, though touching the dust of Vraja again and again is certainly beneficial.Srila Prabhupada describes in the Krsna book when coming to Vrindavan one should role oneself in the dust of Vraja….but my questions is where is this dandavat Parikrama mentioned in sastra?
ys
Payonidhi das
here is something about the glories of the dust of Vrindavan:
“In the highest region of Vaikuntha, is the spiritual planet called Krishnaloka. It has three divisions-Dwarka, Mathura and Goloka. Sri Goloka, the highest of all, is also called Braja, Goloka, Svetadvipa and Vrindavana.” (Caitanya Caritamrita Adi 5. 16-19)
The greatness of Vrindavana can be understood by the very fact that it is the highest of all three divisions of Krishnaloka. Even Sri Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead made Vrindavana his supreme abode. Since Sri Krishna is worshipable, his dhama, Vrindavana is worshipable and therefore, the dust of Vrindavana which is no different from Krishna, is also worshipable.
“Because Vrindavana dust is not different from Krishna, when you take a little dust from Vrindavana Dhama, it means you are taking dust from Krishna’s lotus feet.” (Srila Prabhupada Tape 75/89)
“The dust of Govinda’s lotus feet is so sacred that even Brahma, Siva, and the goddess of fortune Rama take the dust on their heads to dispel sinful reactions.” (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.30.29)
“The dust of Krishna’s lotus feet, which is the source of holiness for all places of pilgrimage, is worshiped by all the great demigods. The principal deities of all planets are engaged in His service, and they consider themselves most fortunate to take the dust of the lotus feet of Krishna on their crowns.” (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.68.37)
“As soon as Akrura entered the boundary of Vrindavana, he saw the footprints of the cows and Lord Krishna’s footprints, impressed with the signs of His sole, the flag, trident, thunder-bolt and lotus flower. Upon seeing the footprints of Krishna, Akrura immediately jumped down from the chariot, out of respect. He became overwhelmed with all the symptoms of ecstasy; he wept, and his body trembled. Out of extreme jubilation upon seeing the dust touched by the lotus feet of Krishna, Akrura fell flat on his face and began to roll on the ground.”
“Akrura’s journey to Vrindavana is exemplary. One who intends to visit Vrindavana 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 Vrindavana, he should immediately smear the dust of Vrindavana over his body without thinking of his material position and prestige. Actually one cannot go to Vrindavana by purchasing a ticket. The process of going to Vrindavana is shown by Akrura.” (Krishna Book)
ys Payonidhi
One devotee from Vrindavan send me this in reference to Dandavat parikramas
sankhya-purvaka-nama-gana-natibhih kalavasani-krtau
nidrahara-viharakadi-vijitau catyanta-dinau ca yau
radha-krsna-guna-smrter madhurimanandena sammohitau
vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau sri-jiva-gopalakau
6) I offer my respectful obeisances unto the six Gosvamis, namely Sri Rupa Gosvami, Sri Sanatana Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, Sri Jiva Gosvami, and Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, who were engaged in chanting the holy names of the Lord and bowing down in a scheduled measurement. In this way they utilized their valuable lives and in executing these devotional activities they conquered over eating and sleeping and were always meek and humble enchanted by remembering the transcendental qualities of the Lord.
…bowing down in a scheduled measurement. Vrindavan is so important : Srila Prabhodananda Sarasvati has written in his Vrindavan Mahimamrta:
5: Think of Vrndavana with love. Roll in its dust. Love it ardently. Please its moving and non moving residents. Worship Sri Radha’s birthplace. With all your heart take shelter of Sri Vrndavana, the best of all holy places.
your servant
Payonidhi das
the glories of Vrajas dust-this from Caitanya Bhagavat when Lord Nityananda Prabhu visited Vrindavan:(madhya ch. 3) :
His travels finally brought Him to Mathura. He visited Gokula, the place where He had appeared in His previous incarnation as Lord Balaram. He roared with ecstatic emotion, but no one could recognize Him as the original Lord Ananta Sesa. In Vrindavan He felt like a young boy, playing with the sand of Vrindavan and rolling on the ground. This feeling was constantly with Him. He did not even feel like eating, he just wanted to roll and play in the dust of Vrindavan. No one could understand the inner mood of Lord Nityananda; He simply maintained Himself on the nectar of loving exchanges with Krishna. On some rare occasions He drank a little milk, and it appeared as if someone offered it to Him unsolicited.
your servant
Payonidhi das