Braja Mandala

Braja is where Sri Krishna performed His pastimes 5,000 years ago. Braja Mandala covers an area of 1453 square miles (2325 square km) surrounding Vrindavana and Mathura. The area of Braja Mandala goes from Agra in the south to Banchari in the north. It is about 150 km (84 miles) across. Braja is the area 75 km (42 miles) in each direction, with Mathura in the center. This Braja area, even though appearing to be part of India, is not destroyed when the universe is destroyed.

In the Adi Varaha Purana it says that there are over 600 million tirthas (holy places) on this earth. The benefit of going to all these tirthas and more is attained by going to the tirthas (holy places) in Mathura. It also says in the Adi Varaha Purana that by circumambulating Mathura you attain a hundred times the same results as circumambulating all the holy places, temples in the world, and the benefits of giving all charity and doing all rituals for the well-being of the world. It also says that even those who just see a person who has just returned from Mathura get cleansed of their sins.

Vrindavana and Mathura are the most important Vaishnava holy places in all of India. This is because Mathura is the birthplace of Lord Krishna and Vrindavana is where He had His childhood pastimes.

There are twelve principle forests in Braja and all of them are considered places of pilgrimage. Other major places in the Braja area are: Nandagram, Varsana, Gokula, Govardhana Hill, and Radha Kund.

It is said in the Padma Purana that “Simply by residing for one day in Mathura one will attain Hari-bhakti, devotion to Hari (Vishnu).” Some of the important and especially interesting temples in the town of Vrindavana are the Govindaji, Madana Mohana, Banke Bihari, Radha Damodara, Radha-Raman, and Sri Raghunatha Temples. All the places in Vrindavana are considered important because they are transcendental. ISKCON (the International Society for Krishna Consciousness) has one of its major centers in Vrindavana called the Krishna Balarama Mandir.

“In the Varaha Purana there is a statement praising the residential quarters of Mathura. Lord Varaha tells the men of earth, ‘Any person who becomes attracted to places other than Mathura will certainly be captivated by the illusory energy.’ In the Brahmanda Purana it is said that all the results of traveling on all the pilgrimages within the three worlds can be achieved simply by touching the holy land of Mathura. In many sastras (scriptures) it is said that simply by hearing, remembering, glorifying, desiring, seeing or touching the land of Mathura, one can achieve all desires.” (Nectar of Devotion, page 102)

In the Adi Varaha Purana it is stated: “Any person who dies in any place within Mathura—a holy place, a home, or even a courtyard—certainly attains salvation. In this world Mathura is the best of all holy places beginning with Kashi (Varanasi).”

Emperor Akbar named Vrindavana “Fakirabad” (the land of the ascetics). When he visited Vrindavana he asked the devotees there what they wanted. As they had renounced everything, there was nothing for them to ask for. When he insisted, they asked that he prohibit killing of any animals in the area of Vrindavana and Braja Mandala by hunters or persons killing animals for sport. Killing a peacock, a monkey or cutting a tree for no reason is a punishable offense.

Statements About Vrindavana
“It is understood that Mathura City is the transcendental abode of Lord Krishna. It is not an ordinary material city, for it is eternally connected with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Vrindavana is within the jurisdiction of Mathura and still continues to exist. Because Mathura and Vrindavana are intimately connected with Krishna eternally, it is said that Lord Krishna never leaves Vrindavana (vrindavanam parityajya padam ekam na gacchati). At present the place known as Vrindavana in the district of Mathura, continues its position as a transcendental place and certainly anyone who goes there becomes transcendentally purified.

“We must understand the transcendental importance of Mathura, Vrindavana and Navadvipa dhamas. Anyone who executes devotional service in these places certainly goes back home, back to Godhead after giving up his body.

“Whenever the Supreme Personality appears, He appears in Mathura because of His intimate connection with this place. Therefore, although Mathura and Vrindavana are situated on this planet earth, they are transcendental abodes of the Lord.” (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.1.28 Purport).
“The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna engages in pastimes there eternally. For this reason Vrindavana is better than all other holy places. Sixty billion sacred places reside in Mathura and Vrindavana. (Mathura Mahatma)
“Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu instructs us that just as Krishna is worshipable, Krishna’s place, Vrindavana, is also worshipable. Similarly, the paraphernalia in Vrindavana—the trees, roads, rivers, everything—is worshipable. A pure devotee thus sings, Jaya, Jaya Vrindavana-vasi yata jana: ‘All glories to the residents of Vrindavana.’ If one has a staunch devotional attitude, all these conclusions will be revealed in the heart.” (Caitanya Caritamrita Madhya 12.38 purport)

“As Brajendranandana, Krishna, is worshipable, His dhama, Vrindavana is also worshipable. We should be very much respectful toward Vrindavana-dhama. Otherwise we will be offenders, dhama-aparadha.” (Srila Prabhupada Tape 72/48)

“The human form of life is meant for understanding this transcendental land of Vrindavana and its inhabitants. An expansion of this Vrindavana, which is the supreme abode of Krishna, is also present on earth. No one can appreciate Vrindavana without being highly elevated in spiritual knowledge, Krishna consciousness.” (Teachings of Lord Caitanya)

“Vrindavana-dhama is non-different from Krishna because the name, form, fame and place where the Lord manifests are all identical with the Lord as absolute knowledge. Therefore, Vrindavana-dhama is as worshipable as the Lord.” (Srimad Bhagavatam, Intro.)

“The ideal place to execute Krishna consciousness is Braja-bhumi, or Vrindavana, where the people are naturally inclined to love Krishna and Krishna is naturally inclined to love them.” (Caitanya Caritamrita Madhya 4.95)

Copyright ©2001 John Howley and Spiritual Guides