Whilst relishing the resplendent beauty of Sri Sri Radha Madan-Mohan on Their Jhulan made of green creepers and myriad coloured flowers in Ujjain on 2006 and 2007, my mind would travel to the home of Shanti Rupa mataji in SS3. I would imagine how sweet and beautiful Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda would look and wonder about the colour of Their Lordships clothes and what kind of jewellery They would be wearing. On Friday the 15th, my heart was replete with satisfaction. They were more gorgeous and sweeter than what my mind was capable of conjuring. Their Lordships exquisite beauty is indeed spell binding and I could not get enough of Their transcendental beauty. I stood by Them, reciting the Brahmasamhita prayers (not knowing how else I could glorify Them ) and just embraced the moment with content. I am sure all the devotees who came and participated in this auspicious festival felt the same way. I felt so fortunate and blessed to have had the opportunity to âpullâ the Divine Couple that day. Though absolutely unqualified and undeserving of this opportunity, I understand that it is only by the mercy of Srila Prabhupada and my Gurudev that I could partake in this amazing pastime of the Lord and His eternal consort.
However I also realized that Their Lordships, the Divine couple have such different moods, look and âpresenceâ in Their various manifestations. In Ujjain, due to my âattachmentâ to Sri Sri Radha Madan-Mohan, I could see how ânaughty and cheekyâ sometimes Madan-Mohanji would look on the Jhulan. He always looked like He was enjoying Hisâ swingâ. I was allowed to fan Them with the camara and hence I got to stand quite close to the Jhulan. These deities are so exquisite and Their faces are so expressive and sweet. Hundreds of people would come into the Temple hall to swing Them. It was almost like They were enjoying the festivity of the occasion. In Shanti Rupa matajis house however, in my most unworthy and spiritually immature eyes, Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda was the epitome of elegance, grace, serenity and sweetness. Srimati Radharani really looked like the Queen of Vrajadham, sparing Her loving glance to whomever She allowed to tug at her Jhulan.
However this year not only did Their Lordships allow me to participate in the Jhulan festival in Shanti Rupa matajis house, I was over the moon when Ram Gopinath prabhu very kindly informed me that Sri Sri Radha Govinda will be given Their last swing on Sunday the 17th! I was ecstatic. I have been missing Them in Calcutta and I wanted to see Them again after the Childrens Ratha Yatra. It was just another amazing experience! When Sri Sri Radha Govinda came on to the Jhulan, Kalidas prabhu started singing songs in praise of Them. Everyone joined in, calling out âJaya Radha Govinda, Radha Govinda, Radhe!â Then Their Lordships began Their pastime with a slow and gentle swing, pulled by the prabhus. However after sometime, as the women folk began pulling Their Lordships, I saw Sundari Gopi mataji pushing the Jhulan from behind, vigorously, with a blissful smile on her face. Sri Sri Radha Govinda were swinging high , like 2 happy children! I then asked her if I could take over from her (I had to experience this bliss!) She said âOkay, You push Them and I will go in front and push Them backâ Like This They were swung with such a jubilant mood. YesâŠ.thatâs the wordâŠ.jubilant, celebrative, joyful. WowâŠwhat a feeling. When I went back to the front, all I could do was smile happily and she said âRadha Govinda look soooo happyâ. So today I saw Sri Sri Radha Krishna, the Divine Couple in another mood âŠJoyful, full of fun wanting to swing higher and higher!
What made the day even more special was when I saw Sri Sri Krishna Balaram on the altar. They were sent from Ujjain by a god brother of mine for Sita, the daughter of Kalidas prabhu just two days ago. These Deities have such sweet faces and Sri Krishna specially looked very very beautiful. What a feast for the eyes. Now I have not only Radha Govinda here but Krishna Balaram too!
Dear devotees, as neophyte and as insignificant as we are as aspiring devotees and servants of the Lord, I sincerely believe that the ONLY way we can relish any of these pastimes is by the mercy of the Guru.
Please allow me iterate with humility and respect, what an unworthy servant I am and absolutely unqualified in the edicts of spiritual realization and practises. However I am convinced that whatever realizations and experiences I do have emanate from within my heartâŠ. through the guidance and mercy of my spiritual master, HH Bhakti Charu Swami, who is my guiding light, my shelter , my Lord and Master but most importantly, my only hope to reach the lotus feet of Srila Prabhupada who will deliver me like a creeper to the lotus feet of the Divine Couple.
HG Uttama prabhu said in a class recently that one cannot even fathom or perceive the true joy and experience of this festival with our materially tainted eyes and that is so true. However with sincere desire to please the Lord, by performing unmotivated devotional service , service devoid of fame, envy, pride, anger, and lust incorporated with deep founded faith, I have full conviction that Srila Prabhupada would bless us with a drop of that taste.
I would like to convey my heartfelt gratitude to HG Shanti Rupa mataji and Iskcon Klang, Malaysia for the most special Jhulan festival ever.
All Glories to Sri Sri Radha Madan-Mohan!
All Glories to Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda!
All Glories to Sri Sri Radha Govinda!
All Glories to Jagad Guru Srila Prabhupada!