Pictures of Vraja's nature and animals - Helpful pictures for meditation

Jay Sri Radhe!

Sometimes, while reading descriptions of Krishna's lila and Vrindavan, I wonder how all the trees, flowers, birds and other animals, which are described there, look like. It would be helpful for meditation to know how the nature and life in Vraja appear.

I have been searching for pictures of these trees, flowers and animals, and have already found some. I thought it would also be nice to post along with the picture some text where these plants or animals appear.

I have been searching for pictures of flowers, vines, trees, fruits, birds and jewels. If you have pictures of them, it would nice to see them here also.

"One night when the moon was fully bloomed in the sky, Ramacandra suddenly burst into laughter. Draupadi Ishwari was astonished by his outburst and asked her husband what had caused the outburst. Acarya explained that Sri Radhika and Krishna along with their confidantes had been plucking flowers in the garden. Sri Radha was plucking white kunda flowers which were as white as moonlight, whereas Krsna was trying to pluck the moonlight which He had mistaken for kunda flowers. Observing Krishna's mistake, the confidantes of Radha began to laugh, which also caused Ramacandra to laugh along with them. Sri Ishwari was so bewildered by this explanation that she was unable to speak."

(Bhakti Ratnakara - chapter 14)

---

[ Ramacandra - Ramacandra Kaviraja :: Draupadi - Acarya Srinivasa's wife ]

Great idea, Malatilata. I'd like to see a picture of a chakravaka.

"Your eyes are like two charming fishes swimming in the ocean of nectar. Your breasts are like two cakravaka birds in the lake of nectar. Your face is like a golden lotus blossoming in the celestial Ganga. O Radha, may the many glories of the waves of Your mercy splash against me."

(Radha-rasa-sudha-nidhi, 91)

Dandavats. All glories to the Vaisnavas.

What a wonderful idea... I will have to keep that in mind when I visit Vraja in December. Please use the videocamera to capture such moments when you visit.

Jai Radhe!

Aspiring to serve the Vaisnavas,
Rasaraja dasa

Jay Radhe!

I am happy you like this idea. I will try to take many pictures of different birds and flowers while we are in Vraja. I will probably have to buy some kind of a book about birds to recognize them all.

kadamba
anthocephalus indicus

"Radharani to Lalita: why has the kadamba flower in Hari's hair become cupid's weapon and attacked Me? Why has Sri Krishna's peacock-feather crown become cupid himself and wounded My heart?"

(Ujjvala-nilamani, ch. 10)

"O Lord whose complexion mocks the splendour of blue lotus flowers, O Lord whose eyes are like two restless khanjana birds, O Lord who kisses the young gopis, O Lord who wears a kadamba flower in Your moving locks of hair, O Lord who, surrounded in the auspicious place of flowering vines by beautiful gopis restless wit love as they play love songs on vinas, jokingly plays the notes of mullara raga on Your flute, please make my eyes blossom wide open with the charming lightning flash of Your pastimes."

(Govinda-viduravali, 31)

I'd love to know what ashoka trees, champaka flower, lustrous red coral, chakora birds, undulating golden creepers look like.

They're all in the Radhakripa kataksha stava raja by the way!

munIndra vRnda vandite, triloka zoka hAriNI...

Those kadamba flowers look amazing, they'd go beautifully next to my dahlias. I wonder whether the would grow in england.

It's all coming, she has dozens of pics lined up and waiting. Hang on there.

This is wonderful, Malatilata!

I hope you get some pictures of campaka flowers, mAdhavI, vakul, cAmeli, kRSNa-cUDA(chura) - red coloured, rAdhA-cUDA (same kind of flowers but in yellow) and many others. For birds, you might find shuka -shari! There are cAtaka, kokila and so many more!

Jaya Radhe!

Brilliant! Do you have a Krsnasara also called black buck?
Do you know the titles of any good books of Indian flora and fauna?

This bird, a Kokil I think, is common in much of India. They play a role in Vraja-lila as well. They have a beautiful, loud, refreshing call. They are the first birds to wake you up when you live in India's countryside. I have experienced the beauty of their wake-up call for some years in South India. This one couple is a resident of Nabadwip Dham

I'll post a video clip of their call here later

Sorry I can't find the video clip now, I'll post it later.

Seeing the picture of kokila by Navadip, I like to quote this verse from Chaitanya Charitamrita:

arasa-jJa kAka cuSe jJAnaa-nimba-phale |
rasa-jJa kokila khAy premAmra-mukule || (madhya, ch.8.258)

Those who are devoid of all mellows are like the crows that suck the juice from the bitter fruits of the nimba tree of knowledge, whereas those who enjoy mellows are like the cuckoos who taste the buds (sweet friuts) of the mango tree of love of the Lord.

There are many verses in C.Ch. based on bhakta-kokila-s who can only taste the Amra-manjarI-s.

lalita lavaGga latA parizIlana komala malaya samIre
madhukara nikara karambita kokila kUjita kuJja kuTIre ..
viharati harir iha sarasa vasante
nRtyati yuvati janena samaM sakhi virahijanasya durante

- Spring Song of Gita Govindam

The southern breeze
is softened by the enchanting
clove-scented vines
and the woodland hut is tuned
by the blended song of the humming honey-bees
and the cooing of the Kokilas^.

The parted ache, dear friend,
while in this delicious Spring
Krishna* dances with the youthful girls-
sporting, loving.

-------------

^ Kokila,the Indian Cuckoo. Its cry is said to represent the
perfect fifth of the Indian octave. the bird is associated with
Spring-time and love.

* In the original poem, Krishna is addressed here by his name
Hari, the remover of pain.

"Searching for Radharani in the forest, Krishna considers: I think moon-faced Radha may have entered this grove of asoka trees with a desire to enjoy transcendental pastimes here. If this were not so, then how, when it is not the proper season, could the bumble bees proclaim the glories of the fragrant asoka flower, if Radha has not touched them with Her feet."

(Ujjvala-nilamani, ch 16)

"Kundalata, who was aware of Radha and Krishna's desires for intimate pastimes, sent lotus-eyed Krsna out to pick Asoka flowers for ornamenting Radhika's ears. Meanwhile Sri Radhika, who had blooming, rolling eyes, lay down to sleep on a flowerbed in the king of kunja's (Lalita's kunja) where She was served by Her dedicated maidservants.

(Govinda Lilamrita, 14.108-109)

"Please worship this girl (Radha), who is the goddess of the nectar of sweet transcendental love. She has enchanted the entire world, and Her complexion, as golden as a campaka flower, has given a golden hue to this forest of Vrndavana."

(Sri Sangita-madhava, ch 1)

"Hearing that Radha had come, the prince of Vraja became restless and eager to see Her. Taking the two Campaka-flowers from His ears and placing them in Tulasi's hands, He told her: "Where is She, where is She? Why is She hiding? Why is She angry? I have not done anything wrong (going to other girls or so)! If you say that She's just joking, then I say that that is improper! 0! 0! Quickly show Me My Beloved!"

(Govinda lilamrita, 6.60-61)

"When Krishna saw Your campaka garland, He was overcome. Tears of love streamed from His eyes. Without stop He chants the mantra of Your glories. My dear beautiful friend, He loves You deeply."

(Padavali, song 1, verse 1)

"The Creator made Radhika's wonderful moonlike face just to please Hari's Cakorabird-like eyes. In this moon He placed the marks of Her deer-like eyes (The moon has marks of a deer on its globe also) and he bound these restless deer up with the ropes of Her ears."

(Govinda-lilamrita, 11.92)

"The Creator collected the essence of all the sweet and good things of the world to make Radhika's eyes, and the leftover parts fell down to earth to become the blackbees, deer, Cakorabirds, plain lotuses and blue lotusflowers!"

(Govinda-lilamrita, 11.100)

This is the greatest thread! Thanks for these pictures.

None of those champakas look like the typical Bengali champa flowers. The chakora is beautiful. To think I never knew. And what about a chatak? I think that's just a sparrow.

And how about some shukas and saris?

Oh! These pictures are great!

Oh yes, sorry, I meant cAtaka.

That was a nice story about cAtaka! Thanks for sharing with us anuraagji. What an example for a real bhakta!

Now we can hardly wait to see a picture of cAtaka, Malatilata!

"In an independent mood (svadhina bhartrika) Sri Radhika said: 'Womanizer! Have you messed up my dress and ornaments? Why are you so complacent? Straighten everything out before my girlfriends return here and ridicule me! Pacify Cupid, the god of love, by applying your cleverness in decorating me. Put him back into the temples of our minds by removing the spots of musk and vermilion from my body, now that you've taken him out by covering me with nail and bite marks.'

Krishna replied: 'You speak the truth! The worshipable incorporeal Cupid became manifest on the surface of your body. Let me worship him with ornaments, fragrances, garments, flowers, garlands and sandalwood pulp.' Krishna then softly combed Radhika's hair with a comb handed to him by the maidservant, Bhanumati. After tidying her hair, he expertly braided it with a garland of malati flowers."

(Sri Krishna Bhavanamrita Mahakavya, ch. 2, pastimes at dawn)

That's just beautiful! What's coming next?

Does anyone have a picture of a Ketaki flower, Ananga Manjari is this colour. I'dlove to know the exact shade of yellow.

"Lalita combed Radhika's glistening soft curly locks that were first dried off with fragrant smoke with an ivory comb inset with many gems named Svastida. Then she hung a jeweled string with the spotless crest jewel of Sankhacuda, that was taken from him by Krishna and given to her, at the tip of her braid, which was filled with Bakula-flowers and strings of pearls. She bound this end with a rope with golden ornaments inset with Antabhaga-gems and bound Her front-hair up in a knot with red silken ribbons."

(Sri Govinda Lilamrita, ch.2, 72-73, Morning Pastimes)

"Ananga-manjari is exquisitely beautiful, and therefore it is very appropriate that she is named after Ananga (Cupid). Her complexion is the color of a springtime ketaki-flower, and her garments are the color of a blue lotus."

(Sri Sri Radha-Krishna-Ganoddesa-Dipika)

For those of you who would like to immerse yourself in the sounds of Vraja, here is an mp3-recording (43MB / 128kbps / 46min) of birds chirping there:

Voices of Vraja

Click once to download.

"Radhika found unlimited bliss in relishing Krsna's remnants, like a swan tasting nice lotusstems left over by her husband, a doe tasting fresh sprouts, bees tasting honey or Cakori-birds tasting the nectar of the moon. After washing their mouths, Radhika and her girlfriends relished the remnants of Krsna's betelleaves and took rest on their beds, being served by their maidservants.

Joyfully Tulasi and Rupa manjari sent Radhika's remnants of rice and vegetables to Vrnda through Malati. Then all the other sakhis and maidservants blissfully sat down to eat the remnants of Radhika's meal. They joyfully served eachother the nectarean remnants of Radhika's meal, lovingly quarreling with eachother for a while. After eating and washing their mouths they came to Radhika's lotusfeet to serve them and to accept the remnants of Her chewed betelleaves."

(Govinda-lilamrita 20.71-76)

"Sri Radhika showed her skill in making garlands by making a vaijayanti garland scented with black aguru and camphor; like a victory flag for Krsna's limbs, that are the abode of Cupid. She made betel leaves with cardamom, camphor, nutmeg, catechu etc., that will color Krsna's moonlike face, give joy to his eyes mind, and which was scented with her heart's passion for him and the smell of her hands."

(Govinda-lilamrita 5.76-77)

"Please meditate on Sri Sri Radhika-Krsnacandra, who place betelnuts in the moons of each other's handsome mouths, who take the chewed betelnuts from each other's mouths and place them in the nectar oceans of their own mouths and who long to touch each other's sweet transcendental forms in a secluded forest grove."

(Nikunja-rahasya-stava, 20)

"The shore of Yamuna is very pure and sacred, its groves decorated with many dark tamala trees and many beautiful nipa, nimba, kadamba, pravala, panasa, kadali, kovidara, mango, jambu, bilva, azvattha and kapittha trees, as well as many madhavi vines blossoming in the springtime. Its glory eclipses the heavenly Nandana, Sarvatobhadra and Caitraratha forests of heaven. Thus the transcendental forest of Vrindavan is splendidly manifest."

(Sri Garga Samhita; 2.2.10.11-13)

"And look, O Moonfaced girl! The fresh Jasmine-flowers shine with the Punnaga-trees, the best clove-garlands with the Bakula-trees, the Kubja-vines with the golden Kovidara-trees, the Ketakiflowers with the Campaka's, the Asoka-trees with the golden Yuthi-vines, the nice Kimsuka-trees with the roses, the Madhavivines with the mango-vines and the white lotusfiowers with the Kesars!"

(Sri Govinda Lilamrita, 12.73, Krishna describes the forest of Vrindavana to Radha)

"Many kinds of dishes have been made in separate combinations, with either nutmeg, fruits, roots, licorice or black pepper. O auspicious friend! This Rayata was made with yoghurt, Rajika-seeds, pumpkin, gourd and jyotsnika. Krishna's beloved Baka-flowers and kovidara-buds are fried with ghee and dressed with yoghurt. Two kinds of flower pies were fried in ghee end dressed with yoghurt. There is also Patola fruit, fried in ghee."

(Sri Govinda Lilamrita; 3.96-99, Rohini praising Radha's breakfast preparations to Yasoda)

These pictures are divine, Malatilata!

There is one thing I like to mention. Actually, tambula (betelleaf) is called pan while betelnut is called supari in Bengali. I don't know the word in Sanskrit.

Are you sure those are betelleaves? The betelleaves are supposed to be very smooth and soft in texture.

Cakora Bird Reference


Emoko- Sringara Sankeerthana of Annamacharya

The heroine "Alamelumanga" (the consort of Lord Venkateshwara) is coming out of the bedroom after spending a night with the Lord. Her sakhis are cajoling Alamelumanga, observing the traces and marks of Her courtship with the Lord.


Emoko? chigurutadharamuna edaneda kastoori nindenu?
Bhamini vibhunaku vrasina patrika- kadu kada?

One Friend: What's this? Why do Her lips, that are as tender as sprouts, bear the marks of kasturi ?

Another Friend: The Lady has written a letter to Him in kasturi (the kasturi decorating His chest) with Her lips! Isn't it?

Kaliki chakorakshiki Kada Kannulu Kempai tochina
Cheluvambippudidemo chintimpare chelulu.
Naluvuna praneshwarupai natina aa kona choopulu
Nilovuna perukaga antina netturu- kadu kada? ll

One Friend: Her cakora eyes are red like rubies. Friends! Can you guess the reason for this beauty?

Another Friend: She planted the arrows of Her looks on Her Praneshwara's body and withdrew them all of a sudden. Thus the tips of Her arrow-like glances bear the touch of blood. Therefore Her eyes become red. Isn't it?

Padatiki chanugava merugulu pai pai payyeda velupala
Kaduminchina vidha memo kanugonare chelulu
Udugani vedukato priyudottina nakha shashi rekhalu
Vedalaga vesavi kalapu vennela- kadu kada? ll

One Friend: Her "Payyeda" (part of saree that covers the chest) bears the marks of the brilliant glow of her beautiful breasts. How is that?

Another Friend: In amorous excitement, Her Lord pressed Her breasts making nail marks in the shape of the crescent moon! It is the shining of that moonlight! Isn't it?

Muddiya chekkula Kelakula mutyapu jallula cherpula
Voddika lagulivemo voohimpare chelulu
Gaddari Tiruvenkatapati kamini vadanambujamuna
Addina suratapu chematala andamu- kadu kada? ll

One Friend: There are drops of pearls on Her pretty cheeks. Can you guess the reason?

Another Friend: Clever girl! Tiru Venkatapati, sweating with the ecstasy of desire for Her, kissed Her Lotus Face! These are the beautiful drops of His sweat! Isn't it?

Listen to this sankeerthana at Annamayya

"Why does he cast waves from his eyes? The kairava lotus does not worship the sun. Friend, stop this amorous Madhava so he does not touch my body! The lavanga flower falls from my trembling hand and still you do not stop this cheerfulness! I will not abandon the eternal codes of religion that always stay in my heart!"

Srila Jiva Gosvami explains that this song is sung by Srimati Radharani. Radharani is busily engaged in collecting flowers, when Sri Hari, eager to touch her, appears on the scene. Seeing Krishna, Radha is internally overjoyed, although she speaks these words of prohibition to Lalita.

(Stava-mala, volume 6, song 34, Vasanta-raga)

"After this Sri Krishna and his friends take a snack and Sri Radha and her girlfriends and groupleaders also take a snack. Sri Radhika then takes off her ornaments and cooks her own birthday-feast together with mother Rohini - sweet rice, savouries, rice and vegetables. Hundreds of brahmanas are cooking another feast for all the villagers outside.

Compassionate Yasoda says to her friend Kirtida: 'Sakhi! Your heart is so hard! You make Sri Radhika, who is as tender as a Sirisa-flower, cook so much! You don’t have any love and affection! Just see how warm she feels of this hard labour on her very birthday!'

Mother Kirtida replies: 'Because Sri Radhika got the blessing that whatever she cooks would be more delicious than nectar, Vrsabhanu-baba wanted Nanda Maharaja and his family to savour this once. That’s why Sri Radhika is cooking on this special occasion! O Queen of Vraja! Just see how nice her preparations are!' Mother Rohini then shows mother Yasoda all the preparations Sri Radhika had cooked."

(Sri-Sri Radhastami-lila, narrated by Siddha Krishna Das Babaji)

[malati]kasvit/kubja.jpg[/malati]

Radha: Nava-vrinda, what is this tree? With its beautiful flowers it seems to mock the flowers of the nagakesara tree.

Nava-vrinda: O simple girl, this is a kubjaka tree.

Radha: (picks a cluster of flowers and gazes at it.) Ah! Ah! a demon bee is hiding there.

Krishna: O girl whose eyes are like the frightened eyes of a doe, let go of the twig that holds this bee. O girl with the beautiful eyebrows, in this world kubja trees are famous as places of fear.

Nava-vrinda: (aside) As Radha listens to the words of Her Lord, She also glances at me from the corner of Her crooked, smiling eyes. (openly) Friend, You should ask lotus-eyed Krishna Yourself.

Krishna: Nava-vrinda, don't be afraid. You tell Me what your friend wants to say.

Nava-vrinda: She wants to say, "My Lord, the touch of these kubja flowers brings great pleasure to this bumble-bee. Why should I be afraid?"

Krishna: (smiling) Your friend is frightened for no good reason. Look! The Krishna-bumblebee is not staying with the crooked girl after all. He has left her and now He flies into the fragrant forest of Radha's face.

Radha: (frightened) O, O restless bumblebee, stop! Stop! Bold rake, I will hit you with this toy lotus.

(Sri Lalita Madhava, act Eight, 68-76, Nava-vrindavana-viharah)

During my absence I thought this thread might be flourishing once again with new collections from Vrindavan.

Any luck, dear Malatilata? Are you still organizing?

This was one of the sweet topics. Starting this thread might help me in healing and recuperating.

Wow-
such a nectarean topic!

What incredible aids for visualization! Thank you so much!

From Visvanatha Chakravartipada's MantrArtha-dIpikA:

The letter 'k' is amra-mukula (mango bud)
The letter 'l' is aZoka
The letter 'i' is mallikA
The ardha-candra is mAdhavI
The bindu is bakula

Thus these five letters are the five kinds of flower-arrows.

I just looked at our photos from our recent trip to Radhakunda, there's a few photos of some flowers and birds too. I just don't know the names of most of them.

While in Vrindavana I looked for book of flowers, but couldn't find one. We bought one book about birds, but left it to Radhakunda. I actually saw alot of different birds there, but not so many flowers since it was winter most of the time. It was only getting greener when we left.

Anyhow, I will try to post something one of these days. My Thakurji is just keeping me so busy that I have no time for almost anything...
But I will try!

Campaka
The other Campaka flowers earlier in this thread are quite different, these ones are from Radhakunda.

Nice picture, Malatilata!

But these are not campakas. I know these flowers. We used to grow in our garden too. These are called Gulanca or golAcI (in Bengali). Did you ask somone in Radhakunda to verify about these flowers?

Wow! You just made my day, Braja!

Why don't you cite the verse for us here with little more explanations as well?

As for the Campaka flowers from radhakunda i believe these are likely the ones ans in gujrati we call the Champa ni foul as the leaves resemble candals Champals, these are my favourite flowers and they also go by the name plumeria and frangipani they are a i deal for making garlands, this accounts for their popularity in hawaiian leis.

btw i'd also like to add that the pann leaves shown are likely not the most common type which are usually more smooth

Yes I too thought they looked like the frangipani or plumeria. When I lived in South Africa they were used to make the most fabulous garlands which were fragrant and which took a very long time to wilt, and when they were all in bloom in big trees it was like being on a heavenly planet.

I think I might try to grow some in containers for puja etc. No matter what their name they seem like the perfect flower!

[attachmentid=1583]

Unfortunately I don't have the verses and haven't been able to locate them anywhere. I just have an English translation.

Has anyone seen an asoka flower?

I don't really have so much knowledge myself about all these flowers.

I actually first thought one another flower was champaka, because one person, who used to live at Radhakunda, told me so. But then another person, who has herself been planting many plants, told me that this one is champaka. And they also sell this tree as champaka in the nurseries close to Vrindavana and Mathura. Who knows?