The Mysterious Caves in Govardhana Hill, and The Secret Cave-Pastimes of Radha-Krsna in it | Part 1
This blog is specially dedicated to Giriraja, on the occasion of Annakut 2022.
The blog will be split in two parts, the main and second part will be published on Annakut (Govardhana puja) 2022.
IntroductionWhile reading the Goswami’s books I noticed, that here and there are caves mentioned in Braja, mainly in the mountain Govardhana. And also that Radha and Krsna have some pastimes in these caves of Govardhana, were they meet each other and hide themselves. A closer look on this topic revealed some amazing secrets.
Mysteriously we don't see caves nowadays in Govardhana at all. The Gaudiyas don’t step on the Govardhana, so we can’t go for searching for these caves, but it was never ever reported that there are caves in Govardhana. Other sampradaya and the brajabasis step on Govardhana, but also they never saw any caves.
But what is even more mysteriously about these caves in Govardhana, is that our astakala lila books; Govinda-līlāmṛta, Krsna Bhavanamrta and Krsnahnika Kaumudi don’t describe these cave-pastimes in Govardhana in more detail, nor mentioned they the time when such cave-pastimes happen. There are some hints in Govinda-līlāmṛta and Krsna Bhavanamrta about these madhurya cave-pastimes of Radha and Krsna in Govardhana (and also in Nandisvara, more about this in the second part), but no details. So these cave-lila’s take place, but the acaryas did not place them in the astakala lilas.
The reason — Why We Don’t See Caves anymore in Govardhana and the Vrindavana ForestLet us first check, what could be a possible reason, why nowadays we don't see any more caves in Govardhana?
The reason why nowadays we see no caves on Govardhanan anymore is the same as, why we don’t see any more the forest in Vrindavan, the trees, bushes, flowers etc – the rustic landscape of Braja, because it disappeared (from our vision).
But why? They died or shrunk out of viraha.
Govardhan was much higher when Krishna was on the planet 5000 year ago. So why Goverdhana shrunk?
Sanatana Goswami describes in Bṛhad Bhāgavatāmṛta:
1.6.117
latāni kuñja-puñjāni
śādvalāny api jīvanam
bhavaty evārpayām āsuḥ
kṣīṇāś ca sarito ’drayaḥ
The grass, the creepers, the lush bushes have all dedicated their lives to you. Now they are all withering away, and so too are the rivers and mountains.
Dig-darśinī Tika by Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmīpad:
Rivers like the Yamunā and mountains like Govardhana have become thin.
1.6.118
manuṣyāḥ katicid bhrātaḥ
paraṁ te satya-vākyataḥ
jātāśayaiva jīvanti
neccha śrotum ataḥ param
Some of the people, dear brother, live only on the hope that your
promises were true. Better you not ask to hear more news than this.
Dig-darśinī Tika by Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmīpad:
That is the situation with the plants and animals. Some people live. This hints
that many have died. At the time of leaving Gokula for Mathurā you said, “I
will return.” (SB 10.41.17) to Nanda you said, “I will come to see my
relatives.” (SB 10.45.23) Only (param) by the hope arising from those
promises do they live. Do not desire to hear any other detailed news. A great
problem would arise by hearing of the miserable condition of his dear
devotees.
1.6.119
kintv idānīm api bhavān
yadi tān nānukampate
yama eva tadā sarvān
vegenānugrahīṣyati
But if you don’t show your kindness to them now, Yamarāja will soon
show them his mercy.
Dig-darśinī Tika by Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmīpad:
If you do not show mercy to the remaining people of Vraja [inclusive plants, bushes and tree’s], Yama will show mercy: by dying, their misery and lamentation caused by separation from a
friend will disappear.
1.6.120
yat tatra ca tvayākāri
nirviṣaḥ kāliyo hradaḥ
śoko ’yaṁ vipulas teṣāṁ
śoke ’nyat kāraṇaṁ śṛṇu
That you rid Kāliya’s lake of its poison has only increased their misery.
And please hear of still other reasons for their sorrow.
Dig-darśinī Tika by Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmīpad:
If they have no means of dying quickly by their will, their lamentation will
increase more. In regard to Yama’s mercy (tatra), making Kāliya’s lake free
of poison is a cause of great sorrow, since it was impossible to die quickly
without poison. They could not die by entering the water. That is explained:
there is another reason for sorrow.
1.6.121
tatratya-yamunā svalpa
jalā śuṣkeva sājani
govardhano ’bhūn nīco ’sau
svaḥ-prāpto yo dhṛtas tvayā
There the river Yamunā has turned so dry that she has hardly any water. And Govardhana, which when you held him up touched Svarga, has now become short.
[Bṛhad Bhāgavatāmṛta 1.6.117-121]
Dig-darśinī Tika by Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmīpad:
Thinness of everything was previously described. This is a cause of sorrow. The Yamunā, related to Vraja (tatratya), with huge waves, and great depth, the place of your pastimes (sā), has almost dried up, having very little water because of pain in separation from you. One cannot enter her waters to die. One cannot jump off a mountain to die. Govardhana, who you held in your hand, which reached Svarga, being very high, has become very low. It has entered the earth out of sorrow in separation from you. The peaks have fallen off. śikharair ghūrṇamānaiś ca sīdamānaiś ca pādapaiḥ vidhṛtaś coddhataiḥ śṛṅgair agamaḥ kha-gamo ’bhavat When Kṛṣṇa lifted Govardhana, it reached the sky with high peaks and summits waving back and forth, and trembling trees. āpluto ’yaṁ giriḥ pakṣair iti vidyādharoragāḥ gandharvāpsarasaś caiva vāco muñcanti sarvaśaḥ - Vidyādharas, Uragas, Gandharvas, and Apsarās said that the mountain had risen up with wings. Hari-vaṁśa
So Govardhan shrunk at once and out of viraha [separation] and the shrinking was intangible bhavavastha (divine emotional situation), as described here in Bṛhad Bhāgavatāmṛta by Sanatana Goswami — and not that Govardhana sinks slowly, tangible and due to a curse as described in Garga Samhita. Govardhana shrunk only once because of separation of Krishna when He left the planet. Same as the trees, bushes, and flowers disappread in Braja, because of deep separation of Krishna – they died, so big was (is) their prema.
The Identity of Govardhana HillIn the Goswamis books are several caves mentioned, (also when Krsna was in Dwaraka), but we are only interested in the caves in Braja. For us there are 3 mountains in Braja:
Govardhana in Vrindavan (non-different from Krsna)
Nandagram Hill (non-different from Shiva) [1]
Barsana Hill (non-different from Brahma) also called Vrsabhanupur
In this blog we will only focus on Govardhana Hill, who is non-different from Krsna — Govardhana is Krsna Himself:
kṛṣṇas tv anyatamaṁ rūpaṁ gopa-viśrambhaṇaṁ gataḥ śailo ’smīti bruvan bhūri balim ādad bṛhad-vapuḥ
Having assumed another peculiar form, that created confidence in the mind of the cowherds (to whom the mountain was represented as a Krsna), Sri Krsna in that gigantic personality consumed the abundant mass of offerings saying, "I am the mountain (Govardhana)!"
[SB 10.24.35]
ei śilā kṛṣṇera vigraha — This stone is Krsna’s own body, [CC Antya-lila 6.294].
Mahaprabhu said it personally to Raghunatha Dasa Goswami, that Govardhana is Krsna
The Acintyabehabeda Tattva Principle and why Govardhana is the Best Bervant — hari-dasa-varyoGovardhana is Krsna – Bhagavan Himself, but simultaneously Govardhana is also a servant of Krsna — acintyabhedābheda tattva.
The acintyabhedābheda principle we can find everywhere:
Guru is a manifestation of Bhagavan Himself, and simultaneously Guru is also a servant of Krsna
budha ābhajet tam bhaktyaikayeśa gurudevatātmā — "An intelligent person will worship Śrī Guru, who is both the Lord Himself and His dearest servant, with exclusive devotion.” (Śrīmad Bhāgavata 11.2.37)
Mahaprabhu is Krsna Himself, kṛṣṇa-svarūpam — [Mahaprabhu is Krsna Himself [CC Adi 1.4], and Mahaprabhu is simultaneously a devotee of the Lord as well [Bṛhad Bhāgavatāmṛta 1.1.3]
And also by Govardhana it’s the same principle. Govardhana is Krsna Himself [SB 10.24.35] and simultaneously He is also (the best) servant of Krishna [10.21.18].
The best servant of Krsna — GovardhanaBut why is Govardhana the best servant of Krishna?
The name Govardhana itself gives some hint:
Go = cows Vardhana = protecting or giving pleasure
Sanskrit - Dictionary (learnsanskrit.cc) वर्धन m. vardhana act of increasing वर्धन m. vardhana growth वर्धन n. vardhana increment[math.] वर्धन n. vardhana extension न n. vardhana upgrading वर्धन n. vardhana amelioration
Govardhana = The one who gives pleasure to the cows.
The more rasik meaning of Govardhana — The one who gives pleasure to Radha’s senses. In part two there will be more revealed.
A more detailed answer why Govardhana is the best servant of Krsna gives Jiva Goswami in Gopal Campu. Govardhana provides unlimited facilities for Radha and Krishna:
Gopal.Campu 1.1.51:
Govardhana offers a seat in the form of beautiful slabs of jewels.
Govardhana offers welcome in the form of cries of various birds.
Govardhana offers foot wash in the form of crooked waterfalls filled with śyāmāka, dūrva, lotuses and viṣṇukrānta.
Govardhana offers arghya in the form of rice, darbha and various sprouts pushed down by the hooves of wandering deer.
Govardhana offers ācamana in the form of water mixed with nutmeg, clove and kakkola from the bank of the river.
Govardhana offers madhuparka in the form of fresh milk from cows which have just given birth, along with yogurt and ghee, and with honey taken from trees.
Govardhana offers bath water in the form of water from its peaks falling in heavy streams, imitating pleasing bathing service.
Govardhana offers cloth in the form of special bark from golden trees similar to cloth, pleasant on contact with the body. 17
Govardhana offers excellent cosmetics in the form of sandalwood, gairika and haritala ground to fine powder by a hundred stones as well as natural perfumes with excellent scent.
Govardhana offers the most pleasing flowers in the form of blossoming garlands of jasmine creepers.
Govardhana offers incense surpassing all other types in the form of smoke from cloves, aguru and devadāru wood broken by cows’ hooves.
Govardhana offers lamps which reveal all treasure through their light from a host of gems which shine brightly even in the daylight.
Govardhana offers splendid ornaments in the form of objects made from beautiful guñja berries, peacock feathers and clusters of flowers.
Govardhana offers food giving full pleasure in the form of all sorts of desirable fruits and roots.
Govardhana offers ācamana again in the form of cool water steeped with flowers, and offers mouth freshener in the form of pure, incomparable, fragrant tulasī leaves.
Govardhana offers extraordinary āratrika by lamps made of a wealth of blossoming campaka flowers moving in the breeze.
Govardhana offers a most splendid umbrella in the form of groups of branches of bakula covered with thick bud clusters.
Govardhana offers a fan giving joy to the devotees in the form of a huge śāla tree whose branches quiver in the Malaya Mountain breeze.
Govardhana offers dancing filled with the various cries of the peacocks who know the art of crying out.
Govardhana offers a most excellent bed in the form of strewn flowers accompanied by many women attracted by the sounds of the wild bamboos, mistaking that sound for Kṛṣṇa’s flute. 18
Govardhana offers songs for sleeping in the form of an assembly of the soft cooing of the cuckoos
Offering items in this way, Govardhana shows that he is the best of the Lord’s servants among all the previously perfected devotees. [Gopal.Campu 1.1.51]
So in the same way, Govardhana serves Radha-Krsna also with His caves, to give Them a hidden place/shelter in the first place, and also to provide for Them a nice colling and comfortable place in the summer (heat), where it would be too hot outside.
By the Lord's grace Dhruva traveled beyond Maharloka. Similarly, by the mercy of the Lord, Govardhana has surpassed the splendor of Vaikuntha and become famous as the best of mountains. Just as Kartikeya, the commander who is difficult to conquer, supports the king of heaven, Govardhana holds many difficult to enter caves. Many snakes surround the valuable sandalwood trees adorning the Malaya Mountain, but there are no snakes guarding the unlimited treasures found on Govardhana Hill.
[Ananda Vrndavana Campu]
Lord Siva holds the moon in his topknot, but Girirāja's peaks touch the moon. Siva is fearsome, but Govardhana is kind and gentle. As Kṛṣṇa is adorned with forest garlands that reach to His ankles, Govardhana is decorated with long lines of forests. Cascading waterfalls caress all sides of Govardhana. Bhu-mandala is made pleasant by the Loka-loka mountain range, whereas Govardhana pleases the eyes of all devotees. Govardhana is made glorious by banyan trees that distribute joy to everyone. The interiors of its caves are the embodiments of bliss. It is Govardhana's nature to protect the deer and other forest creatures.
[Ananda Vrndavana Campu]
Govardhana offers many thrones made of cooling stones for the sitting pleasure of Kṛṣṇa. Its flat, jeweled-studded areas await to serve Kṛṣṇa's rasa dance. Its wonderful caves look more enchanting than temples made of jewels. For serving Kṛṣṇa there are many flower canopies that pour down fragrant pollen when shaken by the wind. The dense cool forests provide soothing relief from the hot sun. Animals such as deer and tigers live there in peace and harmony.
[Chapter one – The Glories of Govardhana of Ananda Vrndavana Campu by Kavi Karnapur]
The arrival of the summer season brought a suitable time for Kṛṣṇa to relish refreshing pastimes with Śrī Radha. But when Kṛṣṇa played with Balarāma and the cowherd boys at this time, He felt the scorching heat of summer manifesting within Himself as the burning pain of separation from Rādhikā. Before telling the next pastime, I will describe the summer season in Vṛndāvana. During the summer, the pathways become hard and dry from the blistering heat of the sun. A person's fingernails become brittle and crack. But inside the caves of Govardhana, where Kṛṣṇa secretly enjoys with His beloveds, there is always a soothing and cooling atmosphere due to its natural springs and small ponds of water.
[Chapter Eleven - Pastimes in Summer and Other Seasons of Ananda Vrndavana Campu]
The manjaris decorate these caves most beautifully in Govardhana. More in the second part.
Govardhana is Krsna’s homeGovardhana serves Krsna in unlimited ways more, and Goverdhana is basically Krsna’s home as well!
na naḥ purojanapadā na grāmā na gṛhā vayam vanaukasas tāta nityaṁ vana-śaila-nivāsinaḥ
My dear father, our home is not in the cities or towns or villages. Being forest dwellers, we always live in the forest and on mountains (hill’s). [SB 10.24.24].
Tika by Advaitadasji:
The first sentences of this shloka is just about the most madhurya statement that exist in the whole Bhagavatam - at all. Krsna says: "We do not possess any cities, territories, villages or even houses, O father! We are cowherds, therefore we are eternally forest and mountain-dwellers!" In other words - the picture is drawn here of the brajabasis as complete nomads. They just traveled around with bullock carts. Of course that it is not what the rest of the Bhagavatam says, but this statement by itself it's the most rustic, the most rough and the most renounced situation, where you could ever find the Supreme Personality of Godhead in.
Also Gita Govinda confirms, that Krsna lives in the forests (and mountain – Govardhana):
vasati vipina-vitāne tyajati lalita-dhāma |
luṭhati dharaṇi-śayane bahu vilapati tava nāma ||5||
tava virahe vana-mālī sakhi sīdati || dhru. ||
Giving up his attractive house, He [Kṛṣṇa] lives in the depths of the forest. He
rolls on his earthen bed and repeatedly utters your name.
“O friend! Kṛṣṇa, wearing a flower garland, remains morose, in
separation from you.
[Gīta Govinda 5.5]
Govardhana — The Ornament of Brajagiri-nrpa-hari-dasa-sreni-varijeti-nania-
mrtam ida in uditam sri-rādhikā-vaktra-candrāt
vraja-nava-tilakatve klpta-vedaih sphutam me
nija-nikata-nivāsam dehi govardhana tvam
O Govardhana, whose nectarean name of‘best of Lord Hari’s servants’ emanated from Sri Radhika's moon like mouth! You are the king of mountains and the Vedas describe you as the new tilaka of Vraja. Please allow me to live close to you!
[Govardhana Vasa Prarthana Dasakam verse 8]
With 'new tilaka of Braja, Dasa Goswami means to say that Govardhana Hill is the best of holy places, ornamenting Braja as one ornaments one's forehead with a mark of tilaka.
But Govardhana looks also like the Tilaka of Braja!
The caves in Braja in the Srimad BhagavatamIn the brahma-vimohana-līlā caves are also mentioned. Krishna is searching for His calves which Brahma stole. He also searches in the caves in Braja. It’s not mentioned that its Govardhana, but which other mountain is there in Vrindavan (for us)?
Govinda lilamrta says Krsna herds his cows at Govardhana, therefore we know, SB 10.13.14 is by Govardhana and in the caves of Govardhana.
ity uktvādri-darī-kuñja
gahvareṣv ātma-vatsakān
vicinvan bhagavān kṛṣṇaḥ
sapāṇi-kavalo yayau
After saying so, Bhagavan Kṛṣṇa, with the morsel still in His hand, went to search for His
calves in the mountains, mountain-caves, kuñja, and the forests.
[SB 10.13.14]
Tika by Sanātana Gosvāmī —
“He went to look for His calves (ātma-vatsakān
= ātmanaḥ vatsakān)” because the other calves were theirs, and also
due to softheartedness on account of being a cowherd prince. Thus,
the suffix [ś]at[ṛ] in vicinvan (to look for) has the sense of hetu
(reason). The gist is: anveṣṭum (to search). Or, “While searching
(vicinvan = vicinvan san) in caves and so on, he wandered here and
there (yayau = tatra tatra babhrāma).”
“How is it possible that He went alone in this manner?” In that
regard he says: bhagavān, “He is most merciful” (= parama-dayāluḥ),
and moreover: kṛṣṇaḥ, that is to say: sarva-cittākarṣaka-madhuralīlaḥ,
“He whose sweet pastimes attract everyone’s hearts.”
The reason for having a morsel in hand (sa-pāṇi-kavalaḥ) is
either to bewilder Śrī Brahmā, which has to be done, or to satisfy
His companions.
The most famous verse about Govardhana in the Bhāgavatam mentions His caveshantayam adrir abala hari-dasa-varyo yad
rama-krsna-carana-sparasa-pramodah
manam tanoti saha-go-ganayos tayor yat
pantya-suyavasa-kandara-kandamultaih Ah, this mountain (Govardhana), O fair ones, is the foremost of Sri Hari's servants in that it not only derives supreme joy from the touch of the feet of Balarama and Sri Krsna (joy which is betrayed by its horripilation in the form of fresh blades of grass), but also extends its hospitality to the two Brothers along with their cows and followers through (the fresh and pure) water (of its cascades), excellent pasture, caves (affording shelter to them) and its (produce in the form of) bulbs and roots.
[Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.21.18]
Tika by Sanatana Goswami:
In talking about other subjects in Vraja, they hide their
emotions by other rasas in two verses. They point out Govardhana
(ayam) with their fingers, since they live near Govardhana. Hari indicates
that Kṛṣṇa steals away all the sins, suffering and hearts of everyone in
the universe. That he is the presiding deity is famous in scriptures and
local lore. Govardhana is the best servant among all his natural
servants. His superiority is shown by the fruits he yields. He feels great
joy at the touch of their feet, with hairs standing on end, perspiration,
and tears by sprouting shoots and flowing with water drops. He gives
respect elaborately (vi—tanoti) in the form of all itemsPānīya refers to water and honey. The long vowel in sūyavasa is poetic license for
metrical reasons. This refers to soft items or nourishing items that
produce milk etc. Pānīyasuva (another version) can also mean waterfalls.
Pānīya-bhuva is another version, meaning water and pleasant places for
sittng. Kandara refers to caves, equipped with jeweled beds, chairs,
lamps and mirrors. With these items Govardhana serves Kṛṣṇa and the
others.
We can only guess for who the jeweled bed, chairs, lamps and mirrors are in the cave. Sounds like a romantic abhisara.
Tika by Visvanatha Cakravarti:
[..] This verse describes the sweet opulences of Govardhana Hill. Paniya refers to the fragrant, cool water gushing from Govardhana’s waterfalls, which Krsna and Balarama drink and use to wash Their feet and mouths, Govardhana also offers tasty beverages, such as honey, mango juice and pilu juice. Suyavasa refers to durva grass, used in making ritualistic hand wash, arghya. The word suyavasa also refers to Govardhana’s soft and succulent grasses which nourish the cows and thereby increase milk production. Krsna, Balarama and the boys play, sit and lie down in Govardhana’s many caves (Aandara), which give pleasure when the weather is too hot or cold, or when it rains. Govardhana also offers soft edible roots, jewels to decorate the body, flat rocks for sitting, and mirrors in the form of smooth stones.[..]
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.20.27
vanaukasaḥ pramuditā
vana-rājīr madhu-cyutaḥ
jala-dhārā girer nādād
āsannā dadṛśe guhāḥ
The Lord saw the joyful aborigine girls of the forest, the trees dripping
sweet sap, and the mountain waterfalls, and caves which were detected
by echoes.
Tika by Sanatana Goswami:
Vanaukasaḥ refers to Pulindas and others. He saw caves
because they were indicated by echoes, even though they were far away
and covered by grass. Dadṛśe means dadarṣa.
The caves in Braja are really well camouflaged, and for others not easy to find, perfect for Radha-Krsna to hide themselves there.
Interesting note about what Krsna and the Brajabasis eat in the caves of GovardhanaŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.20.28
kvacid vanaspati-kroḍe
guhāyāṃ cābhivarṣati
nirviśya bhagavān reme
kanda-mūla-phalāśanaḥ
When it was raining, sometimes the Lord entered either in a cave
or in the hollow of a tree and had fun eating bulbs, roots, and fruits.
Tika by Sanatana Goswami:
He took pleasure (reme) signifies either cikrīḍa (He had fun)
or sukhī babhūva (He became happy). Why? That is what he talks
about with kanda-mūla-phalāśanaḥ. The difference between kanda
(bulb) and mūla (root) is that the former is somewhat out of the
ground and the latter is completely within it. The mention of those
two is done before the fruits because they are first-class in the rainy
season due to an abundance, softness, etc.
Bhanu Swami’s translation of Sanatana Goswamis tika:
He ate roots (kanda and mūla) which can be distinguished by external and internal differences. During the monsoon they were suitable because they were plentiful and soft. The fruits were previously described (dates and jambu).
Jīva Gosvāmī—
From the common renown, the varieties of kanda
(bulb) and mūla (root) should be understood in terms of being round
and long. The mention of those two is done before the fruits because
they are first-class in the rainy season due to softness and so forth.
Viśvanātha Cakravartī—
The varieties of kanda (bulb) and mūla (root) should be understood in terms of
being round and long.
The difference between kanda (bulb) and mūla (root), could be like underground root-vegetables like potatoes, and root-vegetables which are not fully under the ground like, beetroot, radish, and carrots. Vaishnavas usually don’t eat carrots, but Krsna is above the rules.
Also we see here, that Krishna takes a rest in a cave with his cows on a rainy day, so why he shouldn’t do this with Radharani as well? — More in part two
Closing wordsIn the second part, will come the main purpose of this blog – The mysteriously and secret madhurya cave-pastimes of Radha Krsna in Govardhana, wonderful and astonishing details will be revealed.
A little sample from Raghunatha Dasa Goswami :
pramada-madana-līlāḥ kandare kandare te
racayati nava-yūnor dvandvam asminn amandam
iti kila kalanārthaṁ lagnakas tad-dvayor me
nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ dehi govardhana tvam
O Govardhana! The youthful couple Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa play
passionate erotic pastimes in your every cave and I
became very eager to witness them. Please allow me to
live close to you!
[Goverdhana vasa prarthana dashakam verse 2]
And there is much more
Stay tuned.
Jay Sri Radhe
[1]
Not far from Govardhana stands Nandisvara Hill, which is the second body of Lord Siva
[Chapter one of Ananda Vṛndāvana Campu]
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