Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami
From the book “Sri Vraja-maṇḍala-parikramā”:
This ghāṭa is situated near Śṛṅgāra-ghāṭa, to the north. After Śrī Kṛṣṇa disappeared from the arena of the rāsa, He re-appeared in front of the gopīs at this place.
Rajashekhara Dasa
From the book “Chaurasi-kosa Vraja Mandala Parikrama”:
Govinda Ghata was formerly situated on the banks of the Yamuna River and like Imli-tala, was within the area of Seva Kunja. There is a very old Krishna Balarama Mandira located here and a rasa-mandala that commemorates the celebrated maha-rasa-lila pastimes that took place at this famous ghata. That rasa-dance which occurred at Govinda Ghata during the full moon night of the Sarat season was called a maha-rasa, which occurs when all the various grades of gopis from all over Vraja converge together at one time to take part in the rasa-dance with Krishna. The various grades of gopis include many new gopis taking part in rasa-lila for the very first time. In this regard the word maha-rasa means a ‘rasa-dance with many participants’ and on that occasion there were many thousands of gopis dancing with Krishna at one time.
When Krishna had disappeared from the arena of the rasa-dance at Vamsi Vata He suddenly reappeared here at Govinda Ghata. On that particular occasion, the gopis had congregated together near Vamsi Vata and were waiting for the rasa-dance to begin and in order to increase their ecstatic love, Krishna suddenly vanished into the forest taking only Radharani with Him. Realizing that Krishna had left, the gopis became frantic and immediately started searching for Him everywhere. Becoming almost mad at losing Krishna and consumed by the intense mood of separation, they began talking to the trees, to the flowers, and also to the creepers, asking them if they had seen their beloved Krishna. Feeling separation from the love of their lives, the gopis began remembering all the ecstatic pastimes they had spent with Krishna, how He had enjoyed Himself in their company, their dancing together, and how He had embraced them in His arms while kissing them on their beautiful faces.
As the gopis searched here and there, they suddenly noticed Krishna’s footprints in the sand. They also saw the footprints of another gopi who must have been walking hand in hand with Krishna. All of a sudden, the footprints of that gopi disappeared and the gopis realized that Krishna must have picked up that gopi in His arms and carried her deep into the forest. They started to think how qualified and beautiful that gopi must be, that Krishna took her alone, leaving all others aside. They began imagining how this particular gopi must be enjoying Krishna’s loving embraces and His nectar-like kisses. Eventually the gopis arrived at the celebrated jamun tree, where they found Radharani sitting all alone while weeping piteously, due to being bereft of Krishna’s association. The gopis immediately surrounded Radharani and tried their best to console Her and placate Her feelings of sorrow.
Taking Radharani with them, the gopis made their way to Govinda Ghata and sat beneath a kadamba tree while singing songs in praise of their beloved Krishna. At that moment Krishna reappeared before the gopis who were overjoyed to get back their beloved Krishna. “Then Lord Krishna, with a smile on His lotus face, appeared before the gopis. Wearing a garland and a yellow garment, He directly appeared as one who can bewilder the mind of Cupid, who himself bewilders the minds of ordinary people. When the gopis saw that their dear most Krishna had returned to them, they all stood up at once, and out of their affection for Him their eyes bloomed wide. It was as if the air of life had reentered their bodies.” (Shrimad-Bhagavatam 10.32.6-7).
The Bhakti-ratnakara says, “At this place known as Govinda Ghata, Krishna reappeared before the gopis and they became absorbed in transcendental bliss. O Shrinivasa, see the bank of the Yamuna here; at this place Lord Krishna began His maha-rasa. Surrounded by millions of gopis, Krishna eagerly enjoyed His pastimes of rasa-dance. As they enjoyed the rasa-dance, the whole night expanded to one kalpa. This has been vividly described by Vyasa and other poets. Surrounded by the jewels amongst women, the topmost expert at transcendental mellows, Lord Krishna, who attracts the minds of everyone, expertly enjoyed the rasa-dance.”
The following verses from the Shrimad-Bhagavatam (10.33.2-9) describe the ecstatic rasa-dance between Krishna and the gopis, “There on the Yamuna’s banks Lord Govinda then began the pastime of the rasa-dance in the company of those jewels among women, the faithful gopis, who joyfully linked their arms together. The festive rasa-dance commenced with the gopis arrayed in a circle. Lord Krishna expanded Himself and entered between each pair of gopis, and as that master of mystic power placed His arms around their necks, each girl thought He was standing next to her alone. The demigods and their wives were overwhelmed with eagerness to witness the rasa-dance, and they soon crowded the sky with their hundreds of celestial airplanes. Kettledrums then resounded in the sky while flowers rained down and the chief Gandharvas and their wives sang Lord Krishna’s spotless glories. A tumultuous sound arose from the armlets, ankle bells and waist bells of the gopis as they sported with their beloved Krishna in the circle of the rasa-dance. In the midst of the dancing gopis, Lord Krishna appeared most brilliant, like an exquisite sapphire in the midst of golden ornaments.”
