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Day 5 - 23.03.2001 - Friday

The day’s Moola pãrãyana saw the rendering of the ‘pancha gitas’. Another interesting feature of the day’s rendering was Uddava’s admiration of the Gopis’ love for Krishna.

“Vande Nandagopa Vrajastreenãm Pãdarenumabhikshnashah”

One day, Uddhava, the dearest friend of Dwarakãdeesa Krishna, was surprised to find Krishna in a desolate mood. Uddava asked him, “Pray! Tell me what could be worrying one who has everyone and everything at His beck and call?” It was then that Krishna spoke to Uddhava about the gopis of Vrindãvan, “None and nothing can equal the love that the gopis of Vrindãvan have for ME!” Deciding that Uddhava was the best person to carry his message of love to those in Vrindãvan, Krishna said to him, “I want you to go to Vrindãvan and meet my parents and the gopis who are in sorrow because I have left them. The gopis know nothing but ME. Since I am unable to go to them I desire you to carry my message of love to them, which would comfort them greatly.” Krishna then explained to the curious Uddhava, “Because of my promise to them to return they are holding on to their lives. They know not their home, kith and kin nor riches. Their minds and heart ever set on ME, they need an assurance from ME that their Krishna has not forsaken them but remembers and loves them as deeply as ever; that he will meet them as soon as he is able to get away from his duties. Without this reassurance from ME they will languish in this physical separation from ME and give up their lives.”

Early next morning Uddhava left for Vrindãvan eager to meet the gopis. On reaching Vrindãvan he was met by Nandababa and taken into his house. Uddhava spent the whole night trying to comfort Nanda and his grief-stricken wife Yashoda.

Early next morning one of the gopis spotted the chariot at Nandababa’s doors. Quickly the news that the chariot that resembled the one that had taken away their beloved Krishna was back at Nandababa’s doors, spread like wild fire. Probably their Krishna had actually returned to them, as he had promised! Thus the ‘Krishna-filled’ hearts and minds of the gopis speculated as they all stood watching Nandababa’s house. Just then their ‘Krishna painted’ eyes and minds caught Uddhava’s figure and their hearts jumped in joy as, for a moment they mistook him to be their beloved Krishna. But their roused up spirits dampened as they realized that it was not their Lord but a stranger who had come home. However, on learning that he was from their Lord Krishna all of them rushed to him drowning him with their enquiries after the welfare of their beloved Krishna. Barely managing to satisfy them and out of sympathy Uddhava decided to teach them dhyana yoga and requested them all to come to the banks of the Yamuna early the next morning. The simple, innocent, love-lorn gopis were all there early the next morning having bathed clean in obedience to the request of their Krishna’s friend and eagerly awaiting to learn what their Krishna’s friend was about to teach them! Uddhava asked them all to sit down, close their eyes and ‘think’ of Krishna in their hearts. A wave of laughter passed and the wonder struck Uddhava asked for the reason. The gopis amidst peels of laughter explained, “Is there a way to forget Krishna? Please teach us that, for, Krishna is ever shining in our hearts. Whilst our eyes are open, closed, amidst our household chores, wherever we are, whatever we do, there stands before our eyes Krishna. Our suffering is that we are unable to forget our beloved Krishna.” Thoroughly beaten down by the depth of love that these simple souls had for Krishna Uddhava bowed down to them. And saluted the gopis in sheer admiration.

“Vande Nandagopa Vrajastreenãm
   ---‘Salutations unto the gopis’
Pãdarenumabhikshnashah!”
   --- and Uddhava took the dust of the great gopis’ Feet and applied it on his head!

10.00 a.m.

Rukmini Kalyanam from the Bhãgavatam was rendered. Sumanth Bhãgavata and party sang “Alokaye Rukmini Kalyana gopãlam…” Dampati puja was performed to Sri and Smt. Nagaraja Sastrigal. This was followed by Upanyãsa of Rukmini Kalyanam by Sri Gowrisankara Sastrigal.

8.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.

Divya Nãma Sankirtana by female devotees.

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Report | Introduction | Daily Events | Inaugural Function | Day 1 - Day 4 Events | Day 5 - Rukmini Kalyanam | Day 6 - Jaanavaasam | Day 7 - Avabhruta Snana/Radha Kalyanam
Sri Swamigal's Discourses: Inaugural Address | Lilaa Stalas | Valedictory Address

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