Bad experience at Radha Kund? -

Mina - Mon, 11 Nov 2002 03:15:15 +0530

[ -- Sometimes it occurs that a person may go to Radha Kund and have a bad experience. This is obviously a subject matter of concern and needs to be addressed.

-- Madhava -- ]

Madhava - Mon, 11 Nov 2002 04:53:09 +0530

It does not come to me as a surprise that someone may have a bad experience visiting Radha Kund. It takes quite some "aloofness" if one intends to stay at Radha Kund for a longer period of time, and particularly so if one is visiting India for the first time.

Often we are awaiting a travel to a paradise, a heaven on earth so to say. However, for our present eyes, the heaven on earth often shines with its absence at various holy places around India. Let me outline some reasons why someone may have a bad experience staying at Radha Kund.

• Compared to the rest of Vraja where people generally spend time, the outset is rather austere. There are no fancy living arrangements, one is likely to live in a small box with the cold water tap being the only shower facility available, and attached bathrooms are for the lucky ones only. There are no places to go out for nice prasad, you eat what you cook, and generally that means any combination of rice, dal, flour and potatoes. For someone accustomed to a somewhat varying diet, it may get rather demanding over long periods of time.

• The noise level at Radha Kund is considerable. Fortunately the blasting loudspeakers generally play the Maha-mantra, but that often becomes mixed with the blasting loudspeakers of the man who owns the music store next to sangam on the Manoranjan Dharamshala side. When the loudspeakers shut down somewhere around 11.00 PM, the dogs start. They gather in flocks at the different Gheras around Radha Kund and start their nocturnal concert, which often goes on all the way until the early hours of morning. This can become rather demanding to the mind for one who is accustomed to a somewhat silent atmosphere.

• As everywhere where people go for pilgrimage, Radha Kund too is filled with pandas, the priests who enthusiastically engage all visitors in worship and are equally enthusiastic to endlessly solicit for money. Coupled with the beggars and little kids who run after you asking for money and hardly leave you in peace, it may become annoying when one desires to peacefully go and spend time at the sacred places around Radha Kund, immersed in meditation. Add the monkeys who harass you on occasion, and you have some more to tolerate in addition to the aforementioned items.

• Though Radha Kund is the highest among all holy places, not everyone living at Radha Kund is the highest among all sadhakas and the holiest among men. Many people come there with a mixed pursuit for spiritual and material life, often more driven by the latter. Young people from Bengal who experience hardships in life decide to leave the world, and after some years in Vraja take up their old style of life, though now wearing the attire of a spiritualist. Looking from an objective point of view, the real sadhus are few and far between. This may be disheartening to notice.

Consequently, it is not surprising if one has a bad experience visiting a holy place such as Sri Radha Kund, as often our idealistic expectation of a holy place clashes with the gruesome reality of the world we perceive with our eyes. It is a rather demanding task to stay "aloof" at Radha Kund, immersed in the essence of Radha Kund. Attaining the vision of the mahajanas who see no faults in the residents of Vraja is certainly not accomplished overnight. To begin with, one must learn vast amounts of tolerance spiced with neglect of apparent faults. We may perceive what we understand to be a fault in the holy dhama, but it is best neglected. If we enter into evaluating the faults of the dhama while residing there, we are bound to have a bad expierience.

Therefore it is a good idea, particularly if one is going to the dhama for the first time, and is not certain what to expect, to go to the dhama with a person one knows well, to have someone to whom one can open his heart at times of difficulty, inner conflict and so forth.

Malatilata - Mon, 11 Nov 2002 05:48:56 +0530

QUOTE

Therefore it is a good idea, particularly if one is going to the dhama for the first time, and is not certain what to expect, to go to the dhama with a person one knows well, to have someone to whom one can open his heart at times of difficulty, inner conflict and so forth.

I also think that it's good to go to the holy dhama with someone who's been there before and not alone, especially, if it's the first time. Or at least make sure that there will be some devotees, who know that you are coming and who can help and guide you with practical things. For example where to stay, where to find a good doctor if you get a malaria and so.

If you go alone, you also don't know about the people there, whose association is good to seek and to whom one should pay respect from a little distance.

And like Madhava said, it's good to have someone to whom you can open up in times of difficulties, if you have some doubts, if you face some conflict with someone or if you just become so sick, that someone needs to carry you to the doctor.

Tamal Baran das - Mon, 11 Nov 2002 06:49:16 +0530

QUOTE

1.)There are no places to go out for nice prasad, you eat what you cook, and generally that means any combination of rice, dal, flour and potatoes. For someone accustomed to a somewhat varying diet, it may get rather demanding over long periods of time.

We didn't have electricity for days and when there is no electricity there is no water too.Add to that super heat and small child like bonus.Sometimes i did just cook only for our Giridhari.My wife,my son and me will just eat once a day.

QUOTE

2.)The noise level at Radha Kund is considerable. Fortunately the blasting loudspeakers generally play the Maha-mantra, but that often becomes mixed with the blasting loudspeakers of the man who owns the music store next to sangam on the Manoranjan Dharamshala side. When the loudspeakers shut down somewhere around 11.00 PM, the dogs start. They gather in flocks at the different Gheras around Radha Kund and start their nocturnal concert, which often goes on all the way until the early hours of morning. This can become rather demanding to the mind for one who is accustomed to a somewhat silent atmosphere.

It is good to go and rentplace in Gaur Dham.I have 2 contact addresses and those devotees are ok.

QUOTE

3.)As everywhere where people go for pilgrimage, Radha Kund too is filled with pandas, the priests who enthusiastically engage all visitors in worship and are equally enthusiastic to endlessly solicit for money. Coupled with the beggars and little kids who run after you asking for money and hardly leave you in peace, it may become annoying when one desires to peacefully go and spend time at the sacred places around Radha Kund, immersed in meditation. Add the monkeys who harass you on occasion, and you have some more to tolerate in addition to the aforementioned items.

Some of Pandas are really heavy on westerners.But like one brijbasi told me:Westerners here are sent by Krishna too,that people here can learn some things.So therefore they should respect westerners who are genuine devotees and not harass them.

QUOTE

4.)Though Radha Kund is the highest among all holy places, not everyone living at Radha Kund is the highest among all sadhakas and the holiest among men. Many people come there with a mixed pursuit for spiritual and material life, often more driven by the latter. Young people from Bengal who experience hardships in life decide to leave the world, and after some years in Vraja take up their old style of life, though now wearing the attire of a spiritualist. Looking from an objective point of view, the real sadhus are few and far between. This may be disheartening to notice.

Those people are better to avoid.

QUOTE

5.)Consequently, it is not surprising if one has a bad experience visiting a holy place such as Sri Radha Kund, as often our idealistic expectation of a holy place clashes with the gruesome reality of the world we perceive with our eyes. It is a rather demanding task to stay "aloof" at Radha Kund, immersed in the essence of Radha Kund. Attaining the vision of the mahajanas who see no faults in the residents of Vraja is certainly not accomplished overnight. To begin with, one must learn vast amounts of tolerance spiced with neglect of apparent faults. We may perceive what we understand to be a fault in the holy dhama, but it is best neglected. If we enter into evaluating the faults of the dhama while residing there, we are bound to have a bad expierience.

Best, like you stated is to pass it, and be respectful.

Madhava - Mon, 11 Nov 2002 07:19:49 +0530

Let me also add that different sadhus have different kinds of upasana, and in general, there are rather different approaches to the path of raganuga bhakti. It is a good idea, particularly prior to committing oneself to any particular guru or path, to take the time and examine the direction one is about to take, and to make it certain that the kind of upasana one is about to take up is actually something one feels happy with in his heart. There is no reason to unnecessarily rush, one gets no credit for that. Myself I have not accepted diksha yet, as I did not wish to rush in to it. I feel it is better to try to first become a bit more mature in the heart, to know what is to be received and to in advance gain a proper appreciation for the same.

Tamal Baran das - Mon, 11 Nov 2002 07:58:56 +0530

*Quote* (Madhava @ Nov. 10 2002,19:49)Myself I have not accepted diksha yet, as I did not wish to rush in to it. I feel it is better to try to first become a bit more mature in the heart, to know what is to be received and to in advance gain a proper appreciation for the same.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------

When my wife and me were receiving initiation ,we for example knew (we will actually never really know the importance) such a priceles gift we are getting.Therefore the importance of the whole event was even more sacred to us, and what to speak of just being there with Baba.It was a dream for both of us for some time.We were praying to go to Radhakunda and finally we made it.I am not saying that it was materially easy,but spiritually you can't compare it with anything in this or other worlds.I remember taking bath with Yugal Kishor das on appearance day of Sri Radhakunda,sweetnes of water in Radhakunda that moment when i bathed and dived into the Sri Radhakunda,i will never forget it.That sweetnes is beyond anything sweet in this world.The whole event was out of dreams.

Jagat - Wed, 13 Nov 2002 01:46:13 +0530

There are other towns and villages in the area. One good practice when in Vraja is to do regular Govardhan parikrama. You get a lakh of Harinam done and you simultanously get exercise. You might be able to find a place to stay along the parikrama path where there is less noise pollution. I agree that this is a very disturbing aspect of life in India.

Nabadwip was particularly terrible. At certain times of the year, Gadadhar Pran would have picknickers from Calcutta who put up a loudspeaker on the end of a bamboo pole to make as much noise as possible while slaughtering goats.

Kaliyuga anarchy.

Radhapada - Wed, 13 Nov 2002 16:45:14 +0530

There is also not much benefit if one goes to visit Radha Kunda trying to prematurely emulate the mood of an ascetic. Especially for a western body that is used to a more hygenic atmosphere than what is found in India in general, one has to be careful with the mosquitos, drinking water, proper clothing and food that one eats. One should not leave ones health into the hands of Radharani unneccesarily. Especially, if one has family members, one cannot expect that they will share the same level of enthusiam for austerity as one would like to. Radha Kunda is for everyone, men, women, children and animals, not just for babajis.

QUOTE

One good practice when in Vraja is to do regular Govardhan parikrama. You get a lakh of Harinam done and you simultanously get exercise.

Good advice.

Malatilata - Thu, 14 Nov 2002 23:48:58 +0530

Good points, Radhapada. If one tries to live at Radhakunda in too ascetic way, although the body (and also mind) are not used to it, there is a good change that after some time one is only taking care of the needs of the body and forgetting about bhajan.

If one has already a weak body and is used to the western standards of hygieny, one gets easily very sick there. What happened to me was that every morning when I took a cold shower I got fever for a couple of days. Then our nice and kind neighbour Anuradha didi adviced me (of forced) to warm up some water to take the shower with, in order to avoid getting sick.

Such small things can help to avoid getting sick and too disturbed. Then one can more peacefully engage in bhajan, go on Govardhana parikrama, take a bath in Radhakunda and go to see the sadhus instead of being sick in the bed during the whole trip.

Ekesuara das - Fri, 15 Nov 2002 21:42:29 +0530

Dear vaisnavas we dont forget that is very dificult to get Radha kund Darsan, Rupa Goswami tell us that only great soul can gou to Radha kund, is for this that is natural that many thing can disturbing our aim, the Darsan. Yoga maya also make that ours see this thing... The only way to get out this ,is for the Guru Grace. Yours Ekesuara das

Radhapada - Fri, 15 Nov 2002 23:24:05 +0530

Ananta Das Baba has told us that the transcendental holy dhama has taken on the dress of an ordinary place.

Madhava - Fri, 15 Nov 2002 23:42:43 +0530

QUOTE(Ekesuara das @ Nov. 15 2002,10:12)

Dear Ekesuaraji,

Could you change the yellow color to something which is more easy to read? I do not know how it looks like in your monitor, but I cannot see anything of it as it is.

Madhava - Sat, 16 Nov 2002 00:04:10 +0530

One thing we should not forget is that when we travel to Vraja, we are the guest of Radharani, not independent tourists. Whatever unexpected circumstances arise, we should take it as Her kripa alone. Often we get into problems when we try to play master and controller in a holy place, making so many plans and disregarding the kripa of Radhaji.

Banmati - Sat, 16 Nov 2002 05:33:34 +0530

Bad Experience

Its the first time I am writing on this site. I must thank all of you for shedding so much nectar and inspiration on this website. My experiences, as well as other devotees in the holy dhams based on either forgetfulness, material counsciousnees,or culture shock encounter problems.However during my first Kartik I tried so hard to go beyond my conditioning, showered with cold water and walked bare foot in the cold dust of Vrindaban on parikrams in the early hours of the morning and did not get sick. I realised the Indians walked fast, which helps the feet from getting too cold, but also rub them with oil which prevents the skin from drying and cracking. The use of coconut oil is cheap and smells good too, which helps keep warm and prevents dry skin etc., (very good after a shower). Our ashram in Goverdhan, was next to a huge stoolfield which all devotees had to go past. Nealy everyone including myself got a stomach bug only a few devotees with the right counsciouness did not, because they saw it as the holy dham.This also reminds me of my swiss devotee friend who lives in Puri, who experienced the same with her brother(non-devotee) who came for a two week visit to Puri and constantly got sick despite his many innoculations and medications. Of course, I must conclude that this experience was only on a short stay in the holy dham, so for the long term, maybe ask others who are living there.
Gandharvika dasi