The world’s largest festival of chariots is celebrated in Jagannath Puri.
Rath Yatra signifies pulling Krishna from Dwarka to Vrindavan. The Nilachal Temple is considered to represent Dwarka, and the Gundicha Temple represents Vrindavan.
When the gopīs met Krishna at Kurukshetra, they were not happy. Krishna was in royal dress, surrounded by the sound of horses, chariots, conches, and weapons. That was not the Krishna they loved.
Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī insisted that Krishna return to Vrindavan, because her heart is non-different from Vrindavan. She mentally pulled Krishna from Kurukshetra to Vrindavan. That is the inner mood of Rath Yatra—pulling Krishna’s chariot to Vrindavan, which means bringing Krishna into our Vrindavan-like heart.
Chaitanya Mahāprabhu, speaking in the mood of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, prayed:
“anyera hṛdaya — mana, mora mana — vṛndāvana,
‘mane’ ‘vane’ eka kari’ jāni
tāhāṅ tomāra pada-dvaya, karāha yadi udaya,
tabe tomāra pūrṇa kṛpā māni”
(CC Madhya 3.137)
“For most people, the mind and heart are one, but because My mind is never separated from Vṛndāvana, I consider My mind and Vṛndāvana to be one. My mind is already Vṛndāvana, and since You like Vṛndāvana, will You please place Your lotus feet there? I would deem that Your full mercy.”
My Heart—Kurukshetra or Vrindavan?
Currently, our hearts are in the process of transforming into Vrindavan. In their present state, they may resemble Kurukshetra—where constant battles are going on between right and wrong, dharma and adharma, what to do and what not to do. And often, we may lose, giving in to lower tendencies.
But Vrindavan is different. Even fierce animals who are natural enemies live in friendship there. Vrindavan is that heart where seemingly opposing viewpoints and superficial contradictions coexist in harmony, because the only goal is to please Krishna.
Until our hearts are transformed into Vrindavan, we must constantly strive to pull the chariots of our minds out of the ditches of mental speculation and sense gratification, toward the peaceful and serene ambiance of Vrindavan.
We have inspiring examples of devotees who pulled their chariots to Vrindavan, i.e. who transformed their hearts into Vrindavan.
Akrūra’s Manoratha: Chariot of the Mind
Akrūra was a great devotee of Krishna. When Kaṁsa understood that Krishna would be the cause of his death, he arranged many obstacles for Him and summoned Him to Mathurā. Kaṁsa sent Akrūra to bring Krishna and Balarām.
But Akrūra was overjoyed. For him, this was an opportunity to finally meet Krishna and Balarām.
His mind-chariot mattered more than the chariot he rode to Vrindavan. That’s why the chapter is named Akrūra Manoratha. What a beautiful heart he had!
Even before reaching Vrindavan, he had already arrived there, in his consciousness. He left in the morning and reached Vrindavan in the evening, but the whole day, his thoughts were immersed in Krishna: how he would offer obeisances, how Krishna would greet him, how he would receive darśana, and how his life would be blessed.
His journey was successful—because the whole time, he was Krishna conscious.
Uddhava’s Return Chariot: The Depths of Love
After staying for a long time in Dvārakā, Krishna decided to send Uddhava to console Nanda, Yaśodā, and the gopīs. But in truth, Krishna wanted to give Uddhava a taste of a higher association.
Uddhava set out as Krishna’s messenger, but after arriving in Vrindavan, he realized he was a beggar.
He was in total Krishna consciousness for his whole life, but he was unaware of Vrindavan consciousness. Krishna wanted to teach him that in Vrindavan consciousness, the highest form of Krishna consciousness is totally included.
Uddhava was a great devotee, deeply Krishna conscious. But he was yet to experience Vrindavan consciousness—the consciousness where love forgets even that Krishna is God, where every moment is lived only to serve and love Krishna.
He finally became a beggar— a beggar of love. He longed for just a speck of dust from the gopīs’ feet, who had reached the pinnacle of perfection of Krishna’s love.
He prayed to become just a creeper in Vrindavan. That was millions of times greater to him than being Krishna’s dear friend, counselor, and minister in Dvārakā.
He pulled the chariot of his mind from Dvārakā to Vrindavan – because he realized that in Vrindavan lies the perfection of life, and the summum bonum of all existence.
The Inner Journey of Rath Yatra
For us, Rath Yatra signifies bringing Krishna to the core of our consciousness.
First, we must offer our heart to Krishna. We must follow the regulative principles of devotional service sincerely and steadily.
And then, a time will come when Krishna will steal our consciousness. Even if we want to forget Him, we won’t be able to. He will never leave our mind.
That is the perfection of Rath Yatra — not just inviting Krishna, but pulling Him toward us. And when He comes near, binding Him with the ropes of our love, so that He never leaves our heart.
This is our true Journey Home!
