Anandibai Mandira

(based on the article, "Anandibai Ka Mandira," in Sri Harinama, August 
1993, volume 23, issue # 8)

To the right of the old temple in Radhavallabhaji Ghera in the old 
city (i.e. Athkhamba, in Vrndavana) there is a temple of a small but 
very mischievous pair, which is celebrated by the name "Anandi Bai 
Mandira." The devoted Anandibai had this temple constructed in the 
year 1906. Taking sri arca-vigrahas of her most darling Sri 
Anandavallabha and beloved Sri Radhaji from Amritsar, she established 
them here in Vrndavana. Anandibai had pure vatsalya-bhava for Sri 
Anandavallabha. She used to affectionately care for Sri Radhaji as if 
she were her daughter-in-law (bahu).

Even though having been initiated into the Sri Ramanuja sampradaya, 
from the beginning Anandibai Ma had staunch devotion unto Sri Sri 
Radha-Krsna. She remained infatuated with the nectar (rasikata) of 
these crest-jewels of the rasikas and served Them with her very life 
and soul. It is difficult to say whether Anandibai did Their seva 
being immersed in transcendental emotion or whether her "son and 
daughter-in-law" kept her as Their slave. They obstinately took 
service, were never satisfied, and otherwise threw tantrums. 
Stubbornly, they so kept Ma simply helpless on account of Their seva.

A close assistant in the service of Sri Anandavallabhaji was Baba 
Kisori dasa, who resided in the nearby dharmasala of Seth Darvari Lala 
Nanja. One day when he was going to the temple, he saw Anandibai 
sitting outside the temple crying.

Baba asked, "Ma, what happened? Why are you sitting here crying?"

She said, "Beta, what can I do? Today bahu-rani is too headstrong. 
Yesterday I saw a sadi (sari) at Bannu Munshi's shop, but it was too 
expensive. Instead of that one, I brought her another one. But Radha 
bahu won't even wear it. When I try to put it on her, she takes it off 
and tosses it aside. So as to be spiteful, she becomes contrary, 'I'll 
only wear that sadi you left yesterday.'"

Baba reassured Ma; he brought that very sadi. Ma took the sadi and 
placed it before her (viz. Srimati Radharani). Sri Radhaji dressed 
herself with it so artistically that Ma, Baba, and for that matter 
even those who came for darsana that day were transfixed in that 
sadi's wavy folds.

Sri Anandavallabhaji was so fond of suji-halava that if He didn't get 
halava in His bhoga even for one day, He would push His meal far away 
and just sit there. Occasionally, Ma became so overwhelmed that she 
sometimes even had to go to Amritsar because this son and 
daughter-in-law were so extravagant that Their debts were constantly 
heaped upon Ma. For this, she was always going to do business in 
rupees and paisa.

One time she went from Amritsar to Haridvara, in order to bathe in the 
Ganges. Subsequently, the Deities' priest withheld Their halava-bhoga, 
taking advantage of this opportunity for skimping. Two days later, Sri 
Anandavallabhaji arrived in Haridvara - in a dream, He said - "Ma! I 
haven't gotten my halava for three days - you come right now." Ma took 
the very next train the next morning from Haridvara and arrived in 
Vrndavana. Upon arrival, she realized that in fact the poor thing 
hadn't had His halava for three days.

Enduring thousands of such self-indulgent whims, Anandibai was unable 
to contain her joy. For the delight of Sri Yugalakisora, many kinds of 
festivals, music programs, rasa-lilas, sometimes phul-bangla (flower 
house), and sometimes even boating sports and other mahotsavas were 
always observed in this temple, on account of which even this temple 
especially is to be counted among the major temples of Vrndavana.

Such a devoted woman, Anandibai Ma, was the daughter of a city 
inspector of Amritsar, who was born in 1855 (samvat 1912). She was 
born into the family of Kasmiri brahmanas who performed the priestly 
duties for Moticand Nehru and his descendants. From her childhood she 
had strong attachment to serving the Lord and the Vaisnavas. In due 
course of time, there were arrangements for her marriage, but just 
before the wedding was to take place, the groom died. Realizing the 
entangling manner of worldly relations, she didn't marry. Her father 
had established a temple just at their home near the Ghimandi gate. 
Sri Anandavallabha and Sri Radhaji were installed in it. Ma remained 
immersed day and night in Their seva, drenched in bhava.

How long could They remain in Amritsar? Taking Ma along with Them, Sri 
Yugala-kisora-kisori came to Their own place of eternal pastimes, 
Vrndavana, and even today, relishing the happiness of lovely seva, 
They perfect the lives of those who see Them.

