Sadhana means to be under the shelter of the Vrajavasis and Vraja devis. This is most important. Krsna’s followers go to Dvaraka or Vaikuntha etc. But they don’t get entrance into Vraja Mandala. If one follows the Vraja devis then one will get entrance into Vraja. Vraja is only Radhika’s place. It may seem mundane to the external observer, but it is the opposite. There is no selfishness. One is 24 hours engaged in service. Time is not in the past or future, it is only the eternal present. No sun, moon, or light has any independent power. The Vrajabasis give judgment and order according to the desire of Srimatiji. When to be night, day, when light, dark, all according to the necessity of service.
Sometimes Krsna asks for admission. He thinks how can I go to Vraja? I’m unqualified. Parabrahma came and serves the cows moving from forest to forest. He is not a King or Prince, he has naked feet, simple cloth, and only a cowherd. Why? Vrajavasis will be pleased and give Him chance, Vraja mood coming. Therefore he takes his flute and goes alone, with no parsadas or soldiers. That area is provided for Radhika. Parabrahma respects Vrajabasis. Who understands? Anyone near Krsna will not understand. Only if one is near Radhika’s dust and smears it on his body. Brahma and Uddhava prayed for one particle of dust, but they could not get this. Krsna has four extra qualities above all other manifestations of God, these qualities the Guru Varga distributes to this world.
Before Jayadeva Goswami appeared in one village between Ekacakra and another village. His parents were respected priests of the King. He learned Sanskrit and read all sastras. He quickly became famous. The King ordered the father to bring his son and he asked him questions along with the other Pandits. He gave all good answers and solutions. King arranged good tutors for him for learning sastra, and vyakarana. He went to the meeting halls of King, to expert pandits, and learned, collected everything. But he saw that mostly all were following Nirvesesa Vada, or Laksmi Narayana, but no one had a relation with Vraja. Krsna was respected, but no one thought for his happiness, where he was pleased, where that place was.
Jayadeva Goswami stayed near the river Ajay in a mud hut. He would write and sing songs of Radhika. His family was disturbed. His family wanted to kill him, and steal everything. The King liked him and neglected them therefore they were envious. By Jagannatha’s mercy, he went to Puri. There the King was very happy. He would sing songs to Jaganatha and write poetry. At that time in India only Sanskrit was present. The King Laksmana Sena of Bengal called him. But his family sent Daicots to kill him. They cut his arms and legs and threw him in a well. Jaganatha came in a dream to a young girl named Padmavati, he told her that one person was his near and dearest and in a well without legs or hands and that she should go and rescue him. She went and brought him out. She thought that he was like Jagannath and she took care of him. When his family found that he was still alive they went and arranged a program to get rid of Padmavati and ruin her reputation as a chaste woman. They said that this lady had caught and maimed him, destroying his life. They thought they could get rid of her and then after Jayadeva would be unprotected.
The king was disturbed and sent his soldiers to punish her. She went to the Ganga and prayed that if she was pure and chaste to please protect her from this propaganda. When the soldiers came to kill her Ganga gave him back new life and body. The soldiers were amazed and respected Padmavati, she then had a brilliant effulgence like sunlight, and became very famous. The King called them and took Diksha from Jayadeva. Then his family had more jealousy. The King asked where he wanted to stay and he replied in a Garden. Then the king gave them his garden near Samudra Garh near Campahati. Everyday he would bathe in the Ganga.
Once, the queen came to Padmavati very disturbed and told her that the king had been gone for 3 days and she was greatly disturbed. Padmavati said, “How can you still have life, your Pati is gone and you remain alive, you have no love.” The Queen became angry, later after the king was returned she made a program to humiliate and test Padmavati. She had her and Jayadeva called to the King’s court, but she made some plan so Jayadeva was sent distance and could not come. When Padmavati came alone and he did not arrive she lost all consciousness and was as dead, then when they brought Jayadeva he revived her. He said “without my permission how could you go?” They all understand they did not have an ordinary relationship. Both were God near and dear. Padma would pick flowers and make garlands, she wanted to give them to Jayadeva, he stopped and said that this was Srimati Radika’s garden, that these garlands were for Prabhu. Where was he? In their hearts. Then he took out Radha Krsna from his heart. She asked their name and he told “Radha Madhava” Everyday she would make garlands and worship Radha Madhava. The King wanted to make a temple but Jayadeva kept them there in the garden and stayed in a simple hut. The king would come to see and worship them. Once he saw that his hut was under disarray and wanted to repair it. He was working and it was time to offer Bhoga, Padmavati went to the Ganga to bathe. He kept working. When she returned and saw that he was still working she asked him who had helped him by passing him the straw while he was on the roof. He had been repairing and singing and thought she had been helping. But she had not been there present. Then who had helped? Then they went and looked and saw that Radhika’s hair was tangled and had straw in it, and she was scratched and disturbed. “Oh! Radhika was helping you!” Radhika was like sweating. That mood he then wrote. Gita Govinda. Govinda Priya’s glories. Arranging straws for Govinda and she was helping. His prayer, and writing, all for the happiness of Radhika and Govinda.
He came to Vraja, walking with Padmavati and Radha Madhava. After a long time, he went to Jagannath Puri and the king had a temple built there. Later, Laksmana Sena recalled him back to Bengal. His previous family had not met him for a long time. They were still very envious and disturbed. Jayadeva never took one paisa from the King. He would day and night write and sing. Padmavati would daily serve, cook, and make garlands. Once, they brought thousands of people to their ashram after Padma had already cooked a small amount. They wanted to see if she was really empowered by Laksmi devi. She fed Jayadeva inside, and simultaneously gave asana, lotus leaf plates to all and fed all sumptuous Prasad. They were all amazed. His family changed their attitude seeing the sincerity of Jayadeva and Padmavati and that they were not taking all the wealth of the king. Every evening Jayadeva would give Srimad Bhagavatam class on the tenth canto. He would speak on the vraja devis and vrajavasis glories. Everyone’s doubts were finished.
Hari-katha spoken by Pujyapada Premananda Prabhu on January 9th 2010