One of the ways to improve our focus in chanting is to imagine oneself sitting at one’s favorite holy place. By being absorbed in the thoughts and the mood of a holy place, our absorption in chanting can increase multifold.
Yesterday, while chanting, I attempted a mental Govardhan Parikrama. I am not sure if it is the right way to chant, but I felt it quite absorbing. Previously, my Parikrama would not go beyond Manasi Ganga after starting from Kusum Sarovar. But today, I made an effort to complete it.
I have tried to recollect the places I mentally visited and the prayers I offered along the way in short. I definitely got distracted in my chanting, but I made attempts to be focused.
Round 1: Kusum Sarovar
Herein, the gopis would collect flowers to offer Krishna. I tried to pray the following – how a ku-manah, or a polluted mind can become su-manah, or a devotee, by simply offering a flower to Lord Caitanya.
ku-manāḥ su-manastvaṁ hi
yāti yasya padābjayoḥ
su-mano-’rpaṇa-mātreṇa
taṁ caitanya-prabhuṁ bhaje
I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of Lord Caitanya because simply by offering a flower at His lotus feet even the most ardent materialist becomes a devotee.
Round 2: Ban Bihari Mandir
This is the temple under ISKCON’s care. I remembered the Mataji who would explain to us each time how Krishna is tying braid to Srimati Radharani, and Radharani is looking in the mirror, but not to herself, but to Krishna. Tried to pray for being the servant of servant which is extremely difficult and challenging.
Round 3: Manasi Ganga
Lord had performed Nauka-vihāra here and Nanda Mahārāja desired to bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges upon hearing her glories. Also, got reminded of Pavana Sarovara which is a place in Nandagaon where Nanda Maharaja and Krishna would bathe.
I also reflected on Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s divine pastimes in the Ganges.
Round 4: Chakleshwar Mahadev and Sanatana Goswami’s Bhajan Kutir
This is on one of the sides of Manasi Ganga. I prayed to Sanatana Goswami who even threw a philosopher’s stone (that can transform anything into gold when touched) in the garbage bin because he was deeply relishing the Holy Name!
Round 5: Haridev Mandir
Mahaprabhu had performed ecstatic dance here. The gopis had cried out “Haridev, Haridev” in Krishna’s separation which resulted in the appearance of Krishna in the form of Haridev. It’s a very beautiful Deity. Tried to pray to Haridev, remembering Mahaprabhu.
Round 6: Danaghati
Krishna would stop the gopis here and demand taxes from them. A nice place for begging for Krishna’s love.
Round 7: Govind Kund
Remembered Madhavendra Puri’s pastime, and his wonderful glories. How hard he worked for Gopala! Tried to pray so that i can also try my best to extend for Krishna’s service.
Round 8: Narasimha Temple near Apsara Kund
This is one of my favorite places. The Deity of Narsimhadeva is 1000 years old, wherein He is tearing apart the chest of Hiranyakashipu. I prayed to Lord Narasiṁhadeva for protection on my path of devotional service.
Round 9: Apsarā Kund and Naval Kund
Here, Radharani and Krishna both melted in ecstatic love for each other resulting in the formation of these two kundas.
I remembered the below prayer of Jiva Goswami,
kṛṣṇa-prema-mayī rādhā
rādhā prema-mayo hariḥ
jīvane nidhane nityaṁ
rādhā-kṛṣṇau gatir mama
Rādhā is made of pure love for Kṛṣṇa and Hari is made of pure love for Rādhā-In life or in death, Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa are my eternal shelter.
Round 9: Puchari Ka Lauta Baba Temple
He is Krishna’s friend who waited for a very long time for Krishna to come. I tried to beg for determination and patience.
Round 10: Govardhan
Prayers to Govardhan,
namaste girirajaya
sri govardhana namine
ashesha klesha nashaya
paramananda dayine
I offer my respectful obeisances unto the king of all hills, Govardhana Hill (the source of enjoyment for the senses, land, and cows). He is a servant of Krsna and is Krsna Himself. He puts an end to unlimited sufferings and bestows the supreme bliss.
Round 11: Surabhi Kund
This is the place where Indra came along with Surabhi after his pride was crushed by Krishna. While chanting, I tried to focus and pray to Krishna for removing my pride.
Round 12: Uddhava Kund
This is another of my favorite places. The deity of Uddhava is mesmerizing. I remembered prayers of Uddhava desiring to be a creeper in Vrindavan, and also his mood and stay in Vrindavan that delighted all the Vrajavasis.
Round 13: Bhajan Kutir of Raghunatha Dasa Gosvamī
As the Prayojana-acarya, Raghunatha Dasa Gosvamī embodies the pinnacle of devotion. He was the one who wrote Caitanya Caritamrita while living in the banks of Radha Kunda. I prayed for his grace.
Round 14: Samādhi of Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī, RDG and Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī
Round 15: Lalita Kund
I remembered Lalita Devi’s compassion, her mercy upon Dukhi Krishna Dasa, and how she descended in Lord Caitanya’s Lila as Svarupa Damodar Goswami. I prayed for her blessings.
Round 16: Radha Kund
I remembered the verse,
yathā rādhā priyā viṣṇos
tasyāḥ kuṇḍaṁ priyaṁ tathā
sarva-gopīṣu saivaikā
viṣṇor atyanta-vallabhā
“Just as Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī is most dear to Kṛṣṇa, Her bathing pond is similarly dear. Of all the gopīs, She is the most beloved of the Lord.”
