Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura therefore says:
- śrī gauḍa-maṇḍala-bhūmi, yebā jāne cintāmaṇi,
- tā’ra haya vrajabhūme vāsa
“Vrajabhūmi” refers to Mathurā-Vṛndāvana, and Gauḍa-maṇḍala-bhūmi includes Navadvīpa. These two places are nondifferent. Therefore, anyone living in Navadvīpa-dhāma, knowing Kṛṣṇa and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to be the same personality, lives in Vrajabhūmi, Mathurā-Vṛndāvana. The Lord has made it convenient for the conditioned soul to live in Mathurā, Vṛndāvana and Navadvīpa and thus be directly connected with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Simply by living in these places, one can immediately come in contact with the Lord.
(SB 10.1.28 purport)
Sri Vrindavan-dhama | Sri Navadvipa-dhama (Location) |
---|---|
Bhadravana | Jahnudvipa |
Bilvavana | Bilvapaksa (Simantadvipa) |
Lauhavana | To be identified |
Bhandiravana | Modadrumadvipa |
Mahavana | Mayapur (Antardvipa) |
Madhuvana | Kholāvecā Śrīdhara Angan (Simantadvipa)/ Prthu-kunda (Antardvipa) |
Talavana | Mayamari (Simantadvipa) |
Kumudavana | Samudragada (Ritudvipa) |
Bahulavana | Koladvipa |
Kamyavana | Mahatpura (Modadrumadvipa) |
Khadiravana | Campahatta (Ritudvipa) |
Vrindavana | Sri Pulina (Rudradvipa) |
Niḥśreyasa Forest | Mahatpura (Modadrumadvipa) |
Nandagram | Surabhi-kunj (Godrumadvipa) |
Nandisvara | Godrumadvipa |
Giri-Govardhana | Koladvipa |
Radha-kunda | Ratupura (Ritudvipa) |
Dvārakā Puri and Ganga-sāgara | Samudragada (Ritudvipa) |
Mathura | Prthu-kunda (Antardvipa) |
Pulina, Sri Rasa-maṇḍala, Chatikarā | Rudradvipa |
Ayodhya | Modadrumadvipa |
Mahaprayag | Pancaveni (Koladvipa) |
Forests of Vrindavan in Sri Navadvipa-dhama
There are twelve forests in the area of Vṛndāvana, and Madhuvana is one of them. Pilgrims from all parts of India assemble together and visit all twelve of these forests.
There are five forests on the eastern bank of the Yamunā: Bhadravana, Bilvavana, Lauhavana, Bhāṇḍīravana and Mahāvana.
On the western side of the bank there are seven: Madhuvana, Tālavana, Kumudavana, Bahulāvana, Kāmyavana, Khadiravana and Vṛndāvana.
In those twelve forests there are different ghāṭas, or bathing places. They are listed as follows: (1) Avimukta, (2) Adhirūḍha, (3) Guhya-tīrtha, (4) Prayāga-tīrtha, (5) Kanakhala, (6) Tinduka-tīrtha, (7) Sūrya-tīrtha, (8) Vaṭasvāmī, (9) Dhruva-ghāṭa (Dhruva-ghāṭa, where there are many nice trees of fruits and flowers, is famous because Dhruva Mahārāja meditated and underwent severe penances and austerities there in an elevated spot), (10) Ṛṣi-tīrtha, (11) Mokṣa-tīrtha, (12) Budha-tīrtha, (13) Gokarṇa, (14) Kṛṣṇagaṅgā, (15) Vaikuṇṭha, (16) Asi-kuṇḍa, (17) Catuḥ-sāmudrika-kūpa, (18) Akrūra-tīrtha (when Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma were going to Mathurā in the chariot driven by Akrūra, all of them took baths in this ghāṭa), (19) Yājñika-vipra-sthāna, (20) Kubjā-kūpa, (21) Raṅga-sthala, (22) Mañcha-sthala, (23) Mallayuddha-sthāna, and (24) Daśāśvamedha.
(SB 4.8.42 purport)
See to the north is Bahulavana, whose wonderful effulgence spreads out in all directions. O son of Vallabha, in Vrindavan, the twelve forests come in a particular sequence, but here they are not in the same order. By the Lord’s desire, the sequence here is reversed. One should see the forests in the order that they are arranged here, for the change in the sequence enhances one’s prema.
(Sri Navadvipa-Dhama-Mahatmya, Chapter 11)
Some of the important places that were visited by the Lord in Vṛndāvana were Kāmyavana, Ādīśvara, Pāvana-sarovara, Khadiravana, Śeṣaśāyī, Khela-tīrtha, Bhāṇḍīravana, Bhadravana, Śrīvana, Lauhavana, Mahāvana, Gokula, Kāliya-hrada, Dvādaśāditya, Keśī-tīrtha, etc. When He saw the place where the rāsa dance took place, He at once fell down in trance. As long as He remained at Vṛndāvana, He made His headquarters at Akrūra-ghāṭa.
(SB Introduction)
Afterwards, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu saw Khelā-tīrtha and then went to Bhāṇḍīravana. Crossing the Yamunā River, He went to Bhadravana.
PURPORT
In the Bhakti-ratnākara it is said that Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma used to play at Khelā-tīrtha with the cowherd boys during the entire day. Mother Yaśodā had to call Them to take Their baths and eat Their lunch.
(CC Madhya 18.66)
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then visited Śrīvana and Lohavana. He then went to Mahāvana and saw Gokula, the place of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s early childhood pastimes.
PURPORT
Of Śrīvana (also called Bilvavana), the Bhakti-ratnākara states, devatā-pūjita bilvavana śobhāmaya: “The beautiful forest of Bilvavana is worshiped by all the demigods.” About Lohavana, the Bhakti-ratnākara (Fifth Wave) states: lohavane kṛṣṇera adbhuta go-cāraṇa ethā loha-jaṅghāsure vadhe bhagavān “At Lohavana, Lord Kṛṣṇa used to tend cows. The demon named Lohajaṅgha was killed at this place.” Mahāvana is described as follows in the Bhakti-ratnākara (Fifth Wave): dekha nanda-yaśodā-ālaya mahāvane ei dekha śrī-kṛṣṇa-candrera janma sthala śrī-gokula, mahāvana—dui ‘eka’ haya “Behold the house of Nanda and Yaśodā in Mahāvana. See the birthplace of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Mahāvana and the birthplace of Lord Kṛṣṇa, Gokula, are one and the same.”
(CC Madhya 18.67)
Upon seeing the place where the twin arjuna trees had been broken by Śrī Kṛṣṇa, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was moved to great ecstatic love. After seeing Gokula, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu returned to Mathurā, where He saw the birthplace of the Lord. While there, He stayed at the house of the Sanoḍiyā brāhmaṇa.
(CC Madhya 18.678 – 18.69)
Seeing a great crowd assemble at Mathurā, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu left and went to Akrūra-tīrtha. He remained there in a solitary place.
PURPORT
Akrūra-tīrtha is also mentioned in the Bhakti-ratnākara (Fifth Wave): dekha, śrīnivāsa, ei akrūra grāmete śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya-prabhu chilena nibhṛte “Śrīnivāsa, look at this village of Akrūra. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu stayed there in a solitary place.”
(CC Madhya 18.70)
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu visited the different forests, including Madhuvana, Tālavana, Kumudavana and Bahulāvana. Wherever He went, He took His bath with great ecstatic love.
PURPORT
The word vana means “forest.” Vṛndāvana is the name given to the forest where Śrīmatī Vṛndādevī (Tulasīdevī) grows profusely. Actually it is not a forest as we ordinarily consider a forest, because it is very thick with green vegetation. There are twelve such vanas in Vṛndāvana. Some are located on the western side of the Yamunā, and others are on the eastern side. The forests situated on the eastern side are Bhadravana, Bilvavana, Lauhavana, Bhāṇḍīravana and Mahāvana. On the western side are Madhuvana, Tālavana, Kumudavana, Bahulāvana, Kāmyavana, Khadiravana and Vṛndāvana. These are the twelve forests of the Vṛndāvana area.
(CC Madhya 17.193)
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu stayed at Benares only four days and then left for Vṛndāvana. After seeing the town of Mathurā, He visited the twelve forests.
PURPORT
Those who visit the Vṛndāvana area today also generally visit twelve places, known as the twelve forests. They start at Mathurā, where there is Kāmyavana. From there they go to Tālavana, Tamālavana, Madhuvana, Kusumavana, Bhāṇḍīravana, Bilvavana, Bhadravana, Khadiravana, Lohavana, Kumudavana and Gokulamahāvana.
(CC Madhya 1.239)
Bhadravana (Jahnudvipa)
This enchanting place named Jahnudvipa is known as Bhadravana. At this place, Jahnu Muni underwent penances and received darsana of the golden form of Gauranga.
(Sri Navadvipa-Dhama-Mahatmya, Chapter 13)
This Jahnudvipa is nondifferent from Bhadravana of Vraja.
(Sri Navadvipa Bhava-taranga)
Bilvavana – Bilvapaksa (Simantadvipa)
See this attractive place named Bilvapakṣa. Generally people call it Bela Pukhariya (or Belpukura). The place known in the scriptures as Bilvavana in Vraja is situated here in Navadvipa.
(Sri Navadvipa-Dhama-Mahatmya, Chapter 16)
Lauhavana
To be Identified
Bhandiravana (Modadrumadvipa)
This forest is nondifferent from Sri Bhandiravana of Vraja. where the birds and beasts are all spiritual entities. In the branches of the trees live cuckoos who continuously sing the glories of Gauranga and Sītā-Rāma. The countless banyan trees spread their branches out to block the sun. When will this place, where Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma displayed Their pastimes, be visible to my eyes?
Bhandiravana, land of transcendental gems, my heart weeps without end to leave you! At that place, on the pretext of herding cows, Balarama and Krsna performed many pastimes. In the same way, Gauranga performed pastimes here in Modadruma, becoming drunk with the sound of kirtana in the company of His friends.
(Sri Navadvipa Bhava-taranga)
“O Jiva, here the pure devotees see the Bhandira forest.”
(Sri Navadvipa-Dhama-Mahatmya, Chapter 14)
Mahavana – Mayapur (Antardvipa)
Mahavana, in the center of Goloka, is none other than Mayapur of Navadvipa….
(Sri Navadvipa-Dhama-Mahatmya, Chapter 3)
Madhuvana & Mathura – Prthu-kunda (Antardvipa)
North of Prthu-kunda is Mathura, the Chand Kazi’s village, as well as Şaşthi-tirtha, and the exquisite Madhuvana, an extensive area scattered with many residences. O eyes, please become purified by seeing this scene.
(Sri Navadvipa Bhava-taranga)
Madhuvana – Kholāvecā Śrīdhara Angan (Simantadvipa)
In the middle of Madhuvana is Visrama‑sthana, the place of Sridhara’s cottage and a clean pond.
(Sri Navadvipa Bhava-taranga)
Talavana – Mayamari (Simantadvipa)
In Vrindavana, this tirtha is called Talavana, and it is visible to those who are fortunate.
(Sri Navadvipa-Dhama-Mahatmya, Chapter 6)
Kumudavana – Samudragada (Ritudvipa)
As he looked on, the king beheld the sweet pastimes of Radha and Kṛṣṇa. In the forest of Kumuda, Krsna and His friends performed their afternoon activities of going to herd the cows.
(Sri Navadvipa-Dhama-Mahatmya, Chapter 11)
Bahulavana (Koladvipa)
The fortunate living entities see Koladvipa as nondifferent to the supemely blissful Bahulavana of Vraja. Sri Gauranga and His associates, absorbed in kirtana, often come and dance here.
(Sri Navadvipa Bhava-taranga)
Kamyavana – Mahatpura & Arka Tila (Modadrumadvipa)
Nityananda explained, “This place is Kamyavana of Vraja. See it with great devotion. There were five banyan trees here in ancient times, but these have now disappeared. This place is now called Matapura, but according to scripture, the name was previously Mahatpura.
(Sri Navadvipa-Dhama-Mahatmya, Chapter 15)
This Mahatpura is nondifferent from Kamyavana, Krsna’s pastime place in Vraja.
(Sri Navadvipa Bhava-taranga)
Khadiravana – Campahaṭṭa (Ritudvipa)
In the afternoon, as they toured Campahaṭṭa, Nityananda Prabhu said, “Listen, son of Vallabha, there was once a campaka forest at this beautiful place, which is a portion of Khadiravana of Vṛndāvana.
Also in Campahaṭṭa village is a campaka forest from which the gopi Campakalatā gathers flowers to make garlands for Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa. This place is nondifferent from Khadiravana of Vraja, where Krsna and Balarama take rest.
(Sri Navadvipa-Dhama-Mahatmya, Chapter 11)
Vrindavana – Sri Pulina (Navadvipa, Rudradvipa)
You say that Navadvipa and Vrindavana are nondifferent. If that is so, why should one make the effort to go to Vrindavana at all?”
(Sri Navadvipa-Dhama-Mahatmya, Chapter 17)
To the south, see Sri Pulina, so attractive. That is Vrindavana within Navadvipa.
(Sri Navadvipa Bhava-taranga)
Niḥśreyasa Forest – Mahatpura (Modadrumadvipa)
As the devotees saw Niḥśreyasa Forest, situated on the other side of the Virajā River, they attained unlimited bliss. In this way, while reciting these narrations, they arrived at Mahatpura.
(Sri Navadvipa-Dhama-Mahatmya, Chapter 15)
The Lord saw Niḥśreyasa forest within Vaikuṇṭhapura and Brahmāṇīnagara across the Virajā River, and then He went to Mahatpura.
(Sri Navadvipa-Dhama-Mahatmya, Pramana-Khanda, Chapter 4)
Then slowly I will go to Vaikunthapura, to the forest called Niḥśreyasa, abundant with all grandeur. The Lord of Vaikuntha, who is worshiped by all the demigods, resides there along with His three energies, Līlā, Bhū, and Śrī.
(Sri Navadvipa Bhava-taranga)
Nandagram – Surabhi-kunj (Godrumadvipa)
1-2) On the banks of the celestial Ganges River I will dwell in a cottage at Surabhi-kunj in Godruma-dhama. This land of Godruma is very conductive for performing devotional worship of the Supreme Lord and is non-different from the sacred place called Nandagram, located in the holy district of Mathura.
(Bhakti Anukula Matra Karyera Svikara Song 2, Author: Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Book Name: Saranagati)
Nandisvara (Godrumadvipa)
Godruma is nondifferent from Nandisvara, home of Nanda Mahārāja and the cowherd men. Gauranga performs various pastimes here. Having taken some milk products at a cowherd’s house, Nimai would go and herd the cows with His gopa friends.
(Sri Navadvipa Bhava-taranga)
Giri Govardhana (Koladvipa)
“In great bliss, the brahmana performed sankirtana. He constantly sang the name of Gaura within his mind. After seeing the mountainous form of Varaha, Vasudeva carefully decided to call this place Koladvipa Parvata [kola-boar; parvata- mountain], but it is now known as Parvata. The devotees know that this is Giri Govardhana of Vṛndāvana.
(Sri Navadvipa-Dhama-Mahatmya, Chapter 11)
Radha-kunda (Ritudvipa)
Enchanting Ritudvipa is filled with attractive forests. The seasons headed by spring perform eternal service to the Lord here. This Rtudvipa is the abode of transcendental bliss, for it is part of the area of Radha-kunda in Vraja.
(Sri Navadvipa Bhava-taranga)
Dvārakā Puri and Ganga-sāgara (Ritudvipa)
Going a little further, Nityananda again said, “See here Samudragada. O wise one, both Dvārakā Puri and Ganga-sāgara are directly present here. Samudra Sena, a king and great devotee, held Krsna as all in all.
(Sri Navadvipa-Dhama-Mahatmya, Chapter 11)
Pulina, Sri Rasa-maṇḍala, Chatikarā (Rudradvipa)
Nityānanda said, “Listen to My words, Jīva. Please look at that land on the west side of the Ganges. That high sandy shoal is called Pāraḍāngā. A community of brahmanas live there. North of that, is the bank of the Ganges, which the wise know as Chināḍāngā. At that place, a village will be established wherein Śiva and his energy will stay for some time. Who can properly describe the glories of that riverbank, called Pulina? There, where the Ganges flows, is the location of the rasa dance. Only a sandy place of land is visible to the naked eye, but that place is a jewel-like eternal dhama where transcendental pastimes take place. Māyāpur is considered Gokula Mahāvana, and Paraḍāngā is Saṭṭīkāra [presently Chatikarā]. And that place, Pulina, is Vṛndāvana with Sri Rasa-maṇḍala. Later, the sound of tumultuous kirtana will be heard there.
(Sri Navadvipa-Dhama-Mahatmya, Chapter 5)
Ayodhya (Modadrumadvipa)
Here, in Modadrumadvipa is Ayodhya
(Sri Navadvipa-Dhama-Mahatmya, Chapter 14)
Mahä‑Prayäga
Crossing the Ganges at Mahä‑Prayäga, the confluence of five holy rivers, Gauränga arrived at Koladvipa.
(Sri Navadvipa-Dhama-Mahatmya, Chapter 4)
Nityananda spoke, “Listen everyone! This is Pañcaveṇī, where five rivers join the Ganges. The Bhāgīrathī mixes with the Mandākinī and the Alakanandā, and the Sarasvati flows here hidden from view. From the west, the Yamuna flows along with the Bhogavati. The Manasa-ganga also quickly flows there. This place is called Maha-Prayaga by the rṣis, who performed millions of sacrifices here along with Lord Brahmā. The glories of this place are incomparable. If one takes bath here, he will not take another birth. Who can describe the glories of this place? All other tirthas become like dried up rivers in comparison. One who leaves his body here on the earth, in the air, or in the water will attain Śrī Goloka Vṛndāvana.
(Sri Navadvipa-Dhama-Mahatmya, Chapter 11)
Bhagirathi
Flowing in various places of Navadvīpa are all auspicious rivers such as the Ganges, Yamunā, Godavari, Sarasvatī, Narmadā, Sindhu, Kāverī, Tāmraparṇī, Payasvini, Krtamālā, Bhīmā, Gomati, and Drṣadvati. Navadvīpa is always surrounded by these holy rivers.
“O Parvati, present within this eternal Navadvipa-dhāma are Ayodhya, Mathura, Māyā (Haridvāra), Kāśī, Kāñcī, Avanti (Ujjain), Dvārakā, Kurukṣetra, Puskara, and Naimiṣāraṇya. The four streams of the Ganges-Bhagirathi, Alakanandā, Mandākinī, and Bhogavati-enclose the thirty-two mile circumference of Navadvipa.
(Sri Navadvipa-Dhama-Mahatmya, Pramana-Khanda, Chapter 4)
Alakananda
As they approached Alakanandā, Lord Nityananda, immersed in bliss, said, “Starting to the west of Bilvapakṣa village (Belpukura), the Mandākinī River comes and surrounds Nadia. At Suvarnavihara, the Alakanandā River leaves the Mandakinī. On the eastern bank of the Alakanandā River, near the Gandaki River, is Harihara-kṣetra. A beautiful Deity will be discovered there in the future, amidst a lovely forest.
“To the west of the Alakanandā River see Kāśī, where the followers of Siva and his consort endeavor for liberation. This Navadvipa Kāśī, however, is superior to the other Kāśī. Here, Śiva is always dancing and chanting the name of Gaura, begging his followers to accept gaura-bhakti. The sannyāsīs who live for a thousand years in Kāśī may attain liberation through the cultivation of jñāna, but here the devotees kick away that liberation as they dance and chant the name of Gauranga. While leaving the body here, living entities are delivered by Lord Śiva, who chants the name of Gauranga in their ears. This dhama is thus called Mahā-Vārāṇasī, for here there is no fear of death.”
At that moment Nityānanda Prabhu began dancing, and He asked Jiva to accept gaura-prema. Invisible to everyone, Siva came forward and bowed at Nityānanda’s lotus feet. Lord Siva and his consort, Gauri, achieved all their desires by always singing the name of Gauranga.
(Sri Navadvipa-Dhama-Mahatmya, Chapter 8)
Sarasvati
Going to the west of Devapalli, I will pass the Gandaki River. the Alakananda River, and Kāsī-kṣetra. Then I will see the very pure Godruma, where Indra’s surabhi cow worshiped the Lord.
In the three worlds there is no place comparable to Godruma. where Markandeya received the Lord’s mercy. Just as Isodyāna. nondifferent to Radha-kunda, lies close to the bank of the Ganges. so Godruma lies close to the bank of the Sarasvati.
O mind, just worship the groves of Godruma! Then very soon you will see the full wealth of Gauranga’s pastimes. Seeing these pastimes, you will easily attain the pastimes of Radha and Kṛṣṇa. thereby fulfilling all your desires.
Godruma is nondifferent from Nandisvara, home of Nanda Mahārāja and the cowherd men. Gauranga performs various pastimes here. Having taken some milk products at a cowherd’s house, Nimai would go and herd the cows with His gopa friends.
(Sri Navadvipa Bhava-taranga)
The complete parikramā is sixteen krosas, and if that is done, the Lord is pleased.
(Sri Navadvipa-Dhama-Mahatmya, Chapter 10)
Vrindavan Parikrama – 84 Krosas
One krośa equals two square miles.
(NOI 8 purport)