Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami
From the book “Sri Vraja-maṇḍala-parikramā”:
This vaṭa (banyan) tree is famous in Bhāṇḍīravana as the site of many different pastimes of Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa Yugala. At the time of Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s manifest pastimes (prakaṭa-līlā), a huge banyan tree stood here full of long branches that spread in all directions. Nearby, Śrī Yamunā made a sweet sound as she followed her meandering course. Śrī Kṛṣṇa, Baladeva and the sakhās would cross the river by walking on the branches of this tree. Male and female parrots, peacocks, peahens, cuckoos and papīhās were always sitting singing on the tree’s profuse branches. They remained satisfied by eating its fruit. Deer, does and other forest animals drank the sweet water of the Yamunā and took rest in the cool, pleasant shade of the banyan tree.
It was mostly to this Bhāṇḍīravaṭa that Mother Yaśodā and the mothers of the other cowherd boys used to send lunch with some gopas for their respective sons. While grazing the cows, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, Baladeva and the sakhās used to have the cows drink the water in the Yamunā and then freely graze on the lush, green grass of the forest. The boys themselves bathed and engaged in water sports in the Yamunā’s cool water. They would then sit in the shade under this banyan tree and eat the various tasty preparations sent by their mothers. Śrī Kṛṣṇa sat in the midst of them all, and the sakhās would sit around Him in thousands of rows that extended here and there. Each and every sakhā, even if sitting at the back or far away, experienced that Śrī Kṛṣṇa was sitting right in front of him. Their eating was accompanied by laughing and joking, and they would play various games together. Brahmā and other demigods in the sky became astonished to see their festive and joyful picnics.
Brahmā performed the gāndharva marriage of Śrī Rādhā- Kṛṣṇa Yugala beneath this banyan tree. According to the Garga- saṁhitā and Gīta-govinda, Nanda Bābā once took Śrī Kṛṣṇa to Bhāṇḍīravana to graze the cows. This forest was very attractively covered with the dense foliage of the tamāla and kadamba trees and the lush creepers, and therefore it was only lit by scant sunrays. Suddenly, black clouds gathered from all directions and a raging rainstorm developed. Darkness pervaded. Nanda Bābā became frightened of the bad omen and carefully hid Kanhaiyā on his lap.
At that moment, the extraordinarily beautiful daughter of Vṛṣabhānu Mahārāja, Śrī Rādhikā, appeared there in the form of a young girl. She held Her hands out to Nanda Bābā, indicating that She wanted to take Kṛṣṇa with Her. The astonished Nanda Bābā gave Śrī Kṛṣṇa to Her. Rādhikā then took Kṛṣṇa to the inner part of Bhāṇḍīravana under the shelter of Bhāṇḍīravaṭa. Here Śrī Kṛṣṇa manifested Himself as manmatha-manmatha kiśora, a beautiful youth who bewilders even the mind of Cupid. Meawhile, Lalitā, Viśākhā and the other sakhīs also appeared here with Caturmukha Brahmā. Knowing the desire of Kiśora-Kiśorī, Brahmā performed Their gāndharva wedding by reciting Vedic mantras. Śrīmatī Rādhikā and Śrī Kṛṣṇa exchanged beautiful flower garlands. The delighted sakhīs sang wedding songs as the demigods showered flowers from the sky. While everyone looked on, Brahmā left that place. The sakhīs also disappeared, and Kṛṣṇa again assumed the form of a small boy. Śrīmatī Rādhikā took Kṛṣṇa by hand and returned to Nanda Bābā, who was standing waiting for Him. Meanwhile, the clouds dispersed and the storm abated. Nanda Bābā now returned with Kṛṣṇa to his Nanda-Vraja.
The following incident also took place here in Bhāṇḍīravana. One summer’s day, Śrī Kṛṣṇa and the sakhās brought the cows to drink water at the Yamunā and then let them graze freely. The boys became so absorbed in their delightful picnic that they were unaware that their cows had wandered off. The cows made their way to the completely parched Muñjavana, through which even elephants could not force their way. It was the month of Jeṭha (May–June), and the blazing sun scorched the sand. The cows could not find shade anywhere, and had forgotten the pathway out of this wild muñja forest. Dying of thirst, they began to cry out in distress. The sakhās went to look for the cows without telling Kṛṣṇa and Baladeva where they were going. Finally, they too arrived at the muñja forest in the same dire condition as that of the cows. Meanwhile, the servants of the wicked Kaṁsa set Muñjavana on fire, and within a moment the wind had spread it everywhere. The fire’s blazing flames surrounded the cows and cowherd boys, who saw no other means of rescue than to call out to Kṛṣṇa. They did so, and Śrī Kṛṣṇa arrived immediately. Telling the sakhās to close their eyes, He swallowed the forest-fire within a second. Upon opening their eyes, the sakhās saw that they were again under the cooling shade of Bhāṇḍīravaṭa, immersed in festive eating pastimes with Kṛṣṇa and Baladeva, the cows grazing peacefully nearby. The distress of the forest-fire seemed like a dream.
The place where Śrī Kṛṣṇa swallowed the forest fire is called Muñjāṭavī or Īṣikāṭavī, and in its middle is Agiyārā. We have already described this earlier. The place where Kṛṣṇa and the sakhās had festive picnics, and where, after Kṛṣṇa swallowed the forest-fire, the sakhās again began to joke and laugh while eating and the cows happily chewed grass is called Bhāṇḍīravaṭa. These pastimes are described in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.19.12):
pītvā mukhena tāna kṛcchrād yogādhīśo vyamocayat
Rajashekhara Dasa
From the book “Chaurasi-kosa Vraja Mandala Parikrama”:
The Marriage Ceremony of Radha and Krishna
The forest of Bhandiravana is famous because it was at this place under the celebrated banyana tree known as Bhandira Vata, that Radha and Krishna were married. The wonderful story of this pastime was spoken by Shrila Narada Muni and has been recorded in the Garga Samita as follows. One day, Nanda Maharaja came to Bhandiravana from Gokula to graze his cows near the banks of the Yamuna, and was carrying his little boy Krishna in his arms. By the will of yogamaya, a strong wind suddenly began to blow causing all the leaves on the trees to fall and ripples to appear over the surface of the Yamuna. The sky immediately became dark and overcast as blackish rain-clouds assembled threateningly overhead. When the clouds loudly thundered, Krishna became frightened and started to cry, forcing Nanda Baba to cuddle Him closer to his chest. The day seemed to turn into night as darkness spread in all directions.
Just then, a shining light as brilliant as ten million suns appeared from nowhere. From within that shining light, Nanda Baba could see standing before him, the youthful, charming, and exquisitely beautiful form of Shrimati Radharani, the daughter of his friend Vrishabhanu. She bore the luster of a thousand moons and was wearing a deep blue sari and Her pinkish lotus feet were decorated with golden anklets that jingled sweetly. She was adorned with a golden waistband, a necklace, armlets, and bangles, and She wore a pearl in Her nose that appeared like a small moon orbiting Her full moon-like face. She had a golden Shri-kanta around Her neck, glittering golden earrings and a brilliant jewel-studded diadem situated on Her head.
Nanda Maharaja was struck with wonder at Her effulgence which appeared to light up the entire world. He immediately bowed his head and offered his heartfelt respects to Radharani saying, “See this child in my arms, He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and I know that You are His eternal consort. Oh Radhe! I have heard this great secret from Gargamuni, therefore take this child, Your Lord, from my arms, He has become frightened due to the thundering of the clouds.” Radha then took Krishna in Her arms and as Nanda Baba offered his humble obeisances, She entered the Bhandiravana forest holding Krishna tightly in Her embrace.
At that very moment, the holy land of Vrindavana assumed a divine form, the dark rain-clouds suddenly scattered and the wind subsided into a gentle breeze. Bhumi Devi, the mother earth and consort of Lord Vishnu, appeared there in her eternal form causing the earth to flourish as if it was spring-time. The gopis headed by Vrinda Devi also appeared there along with the cowherd boys to witness the special occasion. The crystal clear waters of the Yamuna glistened and became beautified by jeweled staircases and golden terraces. In the distance, the rocks on Govardhana Hill appeared to be like great jewels and its peaks shone like gold. With its cascading waterfalls and deep caverns, its huge body appeared like the king of elephants. The sweet smelling lotus flowers in the lakes around Vrindavana began to bloom simultaneously, causing the bumblebees to become madly intoxicated by the delicate aroma that emanated from them. The peacocks, cuckoos, pigeons, and other song-birds began to resound, creating a celestial chorus that permeated the entire forest of Bhandiravana. In each of the nikunjavans, multicolored banners flapped joyously in the breeze announcing a very special event. Then the Lord of creation, Shri Krishna, who was being carried in the arms of Radha, suddenly assumed His eternal youthful form of Govinda that defeated millions upon millions of Cupids, and clasping the hand of His beloved Radha, They both gracefully entered the nuptial arena that was decorated with all the paraphernalia for a wedding ceremony.
Then as the ‘divine couple’ Radha and Krishna sat down beneath the Bhandira Vata on a golden throne, Lord Brahma, who was to officiate as the head priest, arrived there with the host of demigods through the celestial airways. After offering His humble obeisances by bowing down, He began to speak brilliant words in glorification of Radha and Krishna saying, “Anyone who speaks about Your divine transcendental attributes and sings Your praises automatically achieves complete beauty, wealth and perfection, even in this life. Even though You are equal to each other, nevertheless, for the sake of fulfilling local customs, I am going to perform Your marriage ceremony.” Lord Brahma then kindled the sacrificial fire and after offering oblations into it, he asked Radha and Krishna to accept each other’s hand. Then after chanting the sacred Vedic mantras and seeing that the corners of Their clothing was tied together, Brahma requested the ‘divine lovers’ Radha and Krishna to circumambulate the sacrificial fire seven times according to the Vedic system. After this, Lord Brahma had Radha place Her hand on Krishna’s chest and Krishna’s hand on Radha’s back, after which They recited Their wedding vows and offered garlands to one another other. As the marriage ceremony concluded, the host of demigods began to shower flowers from the sky and to the accompaniment of various musical instruments and the beating on many hundreds of celestial drums; the demigods began to dance along with their beautiful wives in great transcendental ecstasy.
