Śrīla Bilvamaṅgala Ṭhākura expresses a similar mood. He says, “I will do everything for Kṛṣṇa’s pleasure. He may do with me as He likes, but my only desire is to serve and please Him. Kṛṣṇa likes to play with the vraja-gopīs. I do not drink the nectar of those pastimes for myself, I explain those pastimes and distribute them everywhere. When Kṛṣṇa hears this, He is overjoyed.” How powerful and great the Vraja-devīs are! Kṛṣṇa is overjoyed to hear the glories of the Vraja-devīs, and when many people follow and respect the Vraja-devīs, then Kṛṣṇa will be more and more happy. The Vraja-devīs playful pastimes with Kṛṣṇa are the essence of sweetness. Kṛṣṇa says, “If anyone takes training from them, then they will become My dearest associates.” Otherwise, if people offer many things according to the injunctions of śāstra, or with their own desire, this doesn’t necessarily please Kṛṣṇa. Mahāprabhu came to give sva-bhakti-śrīyam. What is this? He did not give any other kind of bhakti, only sva-bhakti. How will Kṛṣṇa be pleased? Who knows that process? What is His desire? Only Śrīmati Rādhārānī and those engaged in Her service understand that. If they don’t know how to please God, then how can they consider serving Him? If they have no pure knowledge, then any service they perform will be based on speculation. Mahāprabhu came to give sva-bhakti-śrīyam, that is the service of Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa in unnata-ujjvala-rasa. Śrīla Bilvamaṅgala Ṭhākura was with Kṛṣṇa in Vraja-dhāma among the Vraja-devīs. Daily, with his internal vision, he observed the pastimes of Kṛṣṇa with the Vraja-devīs and saw how pleased Kṛṣṇa was with them, and how they did everything for the happiness of Kṛṣṇa. He then described their glories and pastimes with Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa is kiśora. His face is like a budding lotus, not yet fully blossomed. When the sun rises, the lotus blossoms. When the Vraja-devīs come from a distance, Kṛṣṇa waits to speak with them. Slowly a smile appears on His face. Kṛṣṇa looks at someone and waits to speak. With the sun’s light, the lotus blossoms. All the gopīs are like rays of the sun. The sun is the power of Śrīmatī Rādhārānī. When this power comes, then darkness is dispelled. Light comes, and everywhere, everyone is smiling; pure happiness comes. Svarūpa-śakti is supremely powerful. That power is greater than millions of suns. This gives inspiration to everyone and causes everyone’s hearts to blossom. Kṛṣṇa’s kiśora age is only for the kiśorīs, not for any others. His mercy, līlā-kaṭākṣa, and beauty are not available for any demigods, yakṣas, rākṣasas, or kinnaras; His beauty is only for the Vraja-devīs. Without the Vraja-devīs, He is Brahma and neutral; He is Nārāyaṇa, Viṣṇu. viśvopaplava-śamanaika-baddha-dīkṣaṁ viśvāsa-stabakita-cetasāṁ janānām praśyāma-pratinava-kānti-kandalārdraṁ paśyāmaḥ pathi pathi śaiśavam murāreḥ Kṛṣṇa-karṇāmṛta 56 On every path we see the childlike form of Murāri, whose one fixed vow is to relieve all the afflictions of those whose hearts are blossoming with faith in Him. His soft, bright bluish cheeks glow with ever new effulgence. The devotees have deep faith and love. They take dīkṣā. Does dīkṣā mean only a promise, and to try again and again? Dīkṣā means a firm vow to follow this line with an attitude of do or die. In Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s movement, if anyone takes true dīkṣā, then he becomes a follower of unnata-ujjvala-rasa. This unnata-ujjvala-rasa comes from Śrīmatī Rādhārānī. We accept dīkṣā to attain Her service. We do not take dīkṣā to attain any mundane rasa. How can this bright, clean and powerful rasa come in our heart? This unnata-ujjvala-rasa spreads from the heart of Śrīmatī Rādhārānī to all the Vraja-devīs and Vrajavāsīs and pervades all of Vraja-maṇḍala with its powerful love. The Vrajavāsīs serve Kṛṣṇa with rays of that love. To achieve that love we must have faith. Kṛṣṇa accepts that love; this is the paraphernalia, instrument, and bhoga for offering to Kṛṣṇa. Without this rasa, if you offer anything, this will not be bhoga; Kṛṣṇa will not accept it. During nāma-saṅkīrtana, or while moving anywhere, while cleaning or doing any service, if you have no love, your action is dry and not bhakti. Kṛṣṇa will never accept an offering or any service done without love. Therefore we must have deep faith. If you have faith, then all problems and other attractions and disturbances will not affect you. By taking that dīkṣā, Kṛṣṇa will stay always on the path of one’s eyes in His kiśora form, and then one will not be able to watch anything else. When and how will Kṛṣṇa come, there is no guarantee. One person is in his room, and the door and the ventilators, everything is locked and closed. Sunshine can’t even enter. He is hiding in a dark room and serving Kṛṣṇa—thinking of Kṛṣṇa. He has dīkṣā and promises to follow this line, meaning, from the early morning he remembers aṣṭa-kālīya-līlā and continuously serves in those pastimes. Then Kṛṣṇa comes and is present there. By serving Kṛṣṇa, and keeping appointments with Kṛṣṇa, no other thing will come. That Kiśora Kṛṣṇa will come. His lotus feet will walk and dance gracefully there. If anyone remembers Kṛṣṇa, then Kṛṣṇa’s mercy comes to help him. Kṛṣṇa doesn’t send His mercy. Without waiting for Kṛṣṇa’s permission, Kṛṣṇa’s karuṇā-śakti goes to help whoever is remembering Him, saying, “I will help him and make friendship with him, then he will not wait for the mercy or help of any other.” (see more)
