Page 9 - Sri Vraja Riti Cintamani final

Introduction

In this wonderfully poetic book of Çréla Viçvanätha
Cakravarté Öhäkura, we are led on a transcendental tour
of Våndävana. However, the reader will soon notice that
the Våndävana described here is much different than the
Våndävana we will see with out external senses. Many times,
ÇrilaPrabhupäda has said that one cannot go to Våndavana
simply by purchasing a ticket.

In his book, Kåñëa, The supreme personality of Godhead,
Çréla Prabhupäda has written: Akrura’s journey to Våndävana
is exemplary. One who intends to visit Våndävana should
follow the ideal footsteps of Akrura and always think of the
pastimes and activities of the Lord as soon as one reaches
the boundary to Våndävana, he should immediately smear
the dust of Våndävana over his body without thinking of
his material position and prestige. Çréla Narottamadäsa.
Öhäkura has sung in a celebrated song, viñaya chäòiyä kabe
çuddhaha'be mana: “When my mind will be purified after
leaving the contamination of material sense enjoyment, I
shall be able to visit Våndävana.” Actually one cannot go to
Våndävana by purchasing a ticket. The process of going to
Våndävana is shown by Akrura.

Of course, all of the readers of this book have not visited
Våndävana in India but I am sure that many have. Anyone
who visits Våndävana will feel the wonderful spiritual
atmosphere even though externally, it appears to be generally
impoverished town. For the average visitor by Våndävana,
the sights include crowded streets, full of cycle rickshaws,
pigs, cows, along with the motor vehicles. Monkeys are

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