Sadhus perform sadhana by the road, pilgrims do parikrama, security guards sing devotional songs, and fruit vendors chant sacred mantras. That only happens in the holy land of Vrindavan.
Everyone in Vrindavan speaks the same language. This language is simple, and everyone can learn, provided the mercy of the devotee is received.
This language consists only of a few Names; “Radhe Radhe” and “Hare Krishna”. A version of these couple of Names may vary according to the spiritual group the devotees belong to. Still, the essence is the same – remembering and worshiping one’s own Ishtadev in all circumstances of daily life.
Old or young, diseased or healthy, poor or rich, full of desires or free from attachments; everyone is chanting the Names of Radha and Krishna.
Beggars beg for donations, chanting Names “Radhe Radhe”, and the donors, whilst giving charity, reply “Radhe Radhe”.
The fruit vendor is trying to attract the attention of potential customers by chanting his Ishtadeva’s Name, whilst the driver going by in the car is chanting his Master’s Name for protection whilst on the road.
Pilgrims on parikrama are chanting the Name of their Lord, and sadhus performing sadhana, offering their body, mind and soul to their Ishtadeva.
Many devotees are living in this small village called Vrindavan.
Simple brahmacharis in faded saffron, sannyasis with dandas, babajis in their white lungi and caddar, local brahmanas with a massive tilak on their forehead and village ladies in their colourful saris are all trying to attain or have already reached, the spontaneous attraction for the service to Radha and Krishna.
Some of them are beginners in the process of bhakti, whilst others are already advanced. Some take it easy, whilst others are trying hard to advance quickly.
Beginners or already accomplished, they all are taking shelter from Radha and Krishna, who are known by different Names according to the pastimes they performed.
As I walk around the holy place of Vrindavan and observe all these people, I realise how far I am from perfecting my spiritual practice.
Although in the category of beginners in this process of bhakti, I consider myself very fortunate because, by the mercy of devotees, I have learned the local language which is the means to attain my goal: spontaneous service to Radha and Krishna.
It may take some time for me to perfect the Vrindavan language and develop full faith in the Names of Radha and Krishna, but if I daily practice chanting Their Names, those Names will reveal more and more as days go on.
VedaBase => TLK Vs 32- When we are chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare / Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma, Rāma, Hare Hare, we are actually addressing God and His energy, Harā. In the beginning of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra we first address the internal energy of Kṛṣṇa, Hare. Thus we say, “O Rādhārāṇī! O Hare! O energy of the Lord!” When we address someone in this way, he usually says, “Yes, what do you want?” The answer is, “Please engage me in Your service.” This should be our prayer.
Ananta Gopal das
03.12.2023
Bhakti Wisdom 