Vrindavan, Krishna And Devotional Music

Nestled in fertile planes of North India Is a small town of Vrandavan, filled with much Revered devotional and transcendental music. Crossing the town I closed my eyes for few seconds To transcend street view, dotted with Krishna Temples, guest houses and meditation centers. The music that chimed with temple bells Drenched me like Monsoon rains. The centuries old Vrandavan at the edge of Yamuna Was once a lush mystical forest of sweet holy basil. Here song birds broke the silence of night to greet dawn. Peacocks danced with descending clouds to welcome rains. Cows grazed upon lush greenery and Cowboys weaved their dreams on silvery clouds. The cool waters of Yamuna murmured a truth of Nature's spiritual energy echoed in music ethereal. A man of magnificent and miraculous personality Was Krishna-an Avatar of Supreme Consciousness! When the setting sun gathered His golden rays behind Govardhan Hills Krishna's flute music floated under moon light. Waves of Yamuna splashed in glee with exotic laughter. His childhood sweetheart Radha And Gokul's Gopas and Gopis gathered around Their beloved Krishna to sing and dance in delight. In timeless space jingled the sound Of their anklets and bracelets. Brij Bhumi sings eternally Raas-Leela of Radha-Krishna in hymns dedicated To Supreme playing with its Divine Shakti. ‘In the periods of heightened ecstasy, United with Krishna consciousness The poet saint Chaitanya Mahaprabhu wandered the forest Transcending the physical planes of mind! ' Such are the expressions of legendary devotional music. "Poet Meera was so taken over by the ecstatic love for Krishna That she wandered in Vrandavan seeing him everywhere. She, the princess born and raised in palace Roamed on streets of Brij, she the queen of a kingdom Is now a crazy ascetic merged into Krishna consciousness! " Poet's notes: Vranda- Sanskrit name for holy sweet basil Van- forest Gokul- a small village where child Krishna was raised. Gopas- cowboys Gopis- cowgirls Gopal- caretaker of cows. Another name for Krishna Raas-Leela- playful romantic gestures often depicted in songs and dance forms. Brij- The area surrounding Vrandavan and Gokul is called Brij Bhumi. Shakti- Nature's Eternal creative energy. Chaitannya Mahaprabhu- mystical poet saint of 15th century. Hindi translation of song depicting transcendental state of Meera- एैसी लागी लगन मीरा हो गयी मगन वो तो गली गली हरि गुन गाने लगी महलों की पली बन के जोगन चली मीरा रानीं दिवानीं कहाने लगी।।