Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami
From the book “Sri Vraja-maṇḍala-parikramā”:
This village is situated on the bank of the Yamunā two miles south of Māna-sarovara and a quarter of a mile south-east of Vṛndāvana. It is also known as Pānī-ghāṭa.
At the time of Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes, Maharṣi Durvāsā stayed at his hermitage (āśrama) near Pānī-gaon. Once, the gopīs of Vṛndāvana wanted to please Maharṣi Durvāsā with a large selection of very delicious food preparations, which they were going to carry from Vṛndāvana across the Yamunā to his āśrama. Yamunā was in flood due to the monsoon season, and her waves were so high that no boatman was courageous enough to ferry the gopīs across the river. Suddenly, Kṛṣṇa appeared and smiling, asked them why they were in anxiety. The gopīs told Him about their dilemma. Kṛṣṇa said, “You can easily cross the river. Go to the bank of the Yamunā and tell to her in unison, ‘If Kṛṣṇa has not seen the face of any woman, then, on the strength of His firm vow of celibacy, may we easily cross the river on foot.’ ” The gopīs did as Kṛṣṇa had told them and crossed the river on foot, arriving at Maharṣi Durvāsā’s āśrama with all their foodstuffs. There, the hundreds and thousands of gopīs pleased Durvāsā with a vast spread of delicious foods. Being satisfied, he blessed them that their hearts’ desires would be fulfilled.
When they were ready to return, they told Maharṣi Durvāsā the difficulty they faced in crossing the river. He said, “Tell Yamunā, ‘If Durvāsā has not eaten any cooked food during his whole life, then, on the strength of his austerities, may we cross over to Vṛndāvana on foot.’ ” They did so and reached Vṛndāvana by walking upon the Yamunā’s waters.
The gopīs were greatly astonished that they had been able to cross the Yamunā on foot on the strength of Kṛṣṇa and Maharṣi Durvāsā’s declarations. Śrī Kṛṣṇa had been in the company of women since birth and Maharṣi Durvāsā had devoured everything they had just brought him. They enquired from Śrī Kṛṣṇa about this mystery. Very seriously, He replied, “Although I stay with all of you day and night, My vow of celibacy nonetheless remains intact, because I do not think Myself as the enjoyer. Durvāsā is also free from this identification; therefore, although he has eaten everything, he has eaten nothing. A person who thinks himself to be the enjoyer is strongly attached to this material existence.” The gopīs looked at Kṛṣṇa in great astonishment. That place where the gopīs crossed the Yamunā is called Pānī-gaon or Pānī-ghāṭa.
Rajashekhara Dasa
From the book “Chaurasi-kosa Vraja Mandala Parikrama”:
During the days of Krishna’s pastimes, the River Yamuna completely encircled Vrindavana on three sides and its course ran past such places as Dhira Samira, Pani Ghata, Adi-bhadri Ghata, Raja Ghata and Akrura Ghata. On the western bank of the Yamuna there was a famous riverside crossing known as Pani Ghata and on the other side of the river was the village named Panigaon where it is said Durvasa Muni had an ashrama. The actual location of Durvasa Muni’s ashrama at Panigaon is unknown but Durvasa had an ashrama near Rishi-tila on the eastern bank of the Yamuna opposite Mathura.
There is a famous episode about the gopis visit to Panigoan of which there are a number of versions but the essence of the story is as follows. On the occasion of Ekadashi, the sage Durvasa Muni was observing an Ekadashi fast at Panigaon and was thinking it would be nice to honor Bhagavata-prasadam while breaking his fast the next day. Understanding the mind of the great sage, Krishna encouraged Radharani and the gopis to prepare a wonderful feast and carry it in clay pots to Panigaon. Krishna informed the gopis that if they sumptuously feed the great sage Durvasa Muni, he would certainly be very pleased and give his special blessings to all of them. Knowing that there were no boats plying on the Yamuna at Pani Ghata, the gopis asked Krishna how they would be able to cross the river. Krishna said just pray before Yamunaji by saying the following words “On the strength of Krishna being a pure brahmachari, please allow us to cross the river”.
When the gopis arrived at Pani Ghata there were no boats available to carry them across the river. The gopis remembered Krishna’s advice and therefore they prayed to Yamuna Devi by saying. “Dear Yamunaji, on the strength of Krishna being a strict brahmachari, kindly let us cross.” Hearing the words of the gopis, and knowing full well that Krishna’s relationship with the gopis was not born out of mundane lust or desire, but out of prema or pure transcendental love, Yamuna Devi immediately revealed a path through the water to the other side. Arriving at Panigaon, the gopis humbly greeted Durvasa Muni, who was overwhelmed by their kindness in bringing such a sumptuous feast of Bhagavata-prasadam for him to break his Ekadashi fast. After relishing all the wonderful preparations, Durvasa was extremely pleased and gave his benediction to the gopis that all of their desires would be fulfilled. Durvasa also gave a special boon to Radharani, that whoever was fortunate enough to eat Her cooking, would never become sick and would achieve a very long life.
When it came time for the gopis to return, Durvasa told them to pray to Yamunaji and speak the words: “If Durvasa has not eaten any food other than durva grass, than on the strength of his austerities, may we cross the river.” After hearing the prayers of the gopis, once again Yamunaji gave them a path across the river. Being surprised by these events, when gopis returned to Krishna they asked him to explain the meaning of the words spoken to Jamunaji. Krishna replied that because He had no desire for material pleasure but acts only out of prema or pure love, He always remains transcendental. Similarly, Durvasa Muni ate everything without getting attached to the taste of the prasadam so even though he ate everything it was as if he had eaten nothing.
