The Milky Mud – Kartik Parikrama 2024

The Milky Mud %u2013 Kartik Parikrama 2024In this video, Indradyumna Swami shares insights and personal reflections during Kartik Parikrama 2024, speaking from the holy city of Jaipur. He opens by humorously sharing his experience with kidney stones, a condition that has impacted his participation in the parikrama. Despite the pain, he remains dedicated to his devotional service, inspiring others to chant louder and maintain a positive mindset. Indradyumna Swami then shifts focus to the glories of Krishna and His devotees, emphasizing that only through the mercy of such devotees can one truly understand Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He recalls the historical and divine significance of deities like Govindaji, established by great saints such as Rupa Goswami, who discovered and worshipped Krishna’s forms with profound devotion. Describing the role of the Six Goswamis of Vrindavan, Swami notes how their spiritual explorations uncovered sacred locations in Vrindavan associated with Krishna's pastimes and established the worship of deities. Indradyumna Swami vividly recounts the legend of Rupa Goswami discovering the deity of Govindaji. According to this account, Rupa Goswami was guided by divine indications, even as cows gathered around the spot where Govindaji was buried. When Govindaji emerged, covered in "milky mud," Rupa Goswami fell in reverence, his heart overflowing with love. Swami emphasizes that deities like Govindaji seem to "find" their devotees, symbolizing the reciprocal relationship between God and His devotees. He further explains that the Six Goswamis were entrusted by Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to restore and revitalize devotional practices in Vrindavan. These saints revealed the locations of Krishna’s pastimes, wrote scriptures on bhakti, and installed deities, reinvigorating the holy dham. Rupa Goswami, for instance, carefully crafted devotional experiences with elaborate worship practices such as abhishekas and ceremonies that continue to this day. Indradyumna Swami also speaks of the high standards set by great teachers and contemporary devotees, like Srila Prabhupada’s disciples, whose dedication reflects the deep love in their hearts for Krishna. He reminds viewers of the importance of genuine devotion, encouraging them to pray from the heart, particularly when calling upon Krishna’s holy names. In closing, Swami invites the audience to appreciate the “drop in the ocean” of Govindaji’s glories, suggesting that even a glimpse of such profound love and devotion can inspire a deep appreciation for the divine.