The Eternal Raas-Kunj on the Sacred Banks of Shri Yamuna Ji
चलो मंडल सभी मिलि के बधाई है बधाई है।
जहाँ बानी श्रीसेवक की रसीली झर लगाई है।
समाजी साज बाजे से सभी रसिकों ने गाई है।
रंगीली राग रागिन में सुनी मन में समाई है।
कमाई श्याम सुन्दर की यही मंडल पै छाई है।
जहाँ वट में रहे सेवक तमाले ध्रुव समाई है।
किशोरी रास रंगी की रंगीली मूर्ति ध्याई है।
बजी जब से भई तब से जुगलवल्लभ सुनाई है।
परी कानों में जिनके सो रंगे रंग में सदाई है।
Chalo Mandal Sabhi Mili Ke Badhai Hai, Badhai Hai
Jahan Baani Shree Sewak Ki Rasili Jhar Lagai Hai
Samaji Saaj Baaje Se Sabhi Rasiko Ne Gaai Hai
Rangili Raag Ragin Me Suni Man Me Samai Hai
Kamai Shyam Sunder Ki Yahi Mandal Pe Chhayi Hai
Jahan Vat Me Rahe Sewak Tamale Dhruv Samai Hai
Kishori Raas Rangi Ki Rangili Murti Dhyai Hai
Baji Jab Se Bhayi Tab Se Jugal Vallabh Sunai Hai
Pari Kano Me Jinke So Range Rang Me Sadai Hai
Introduction to Shri Hit Raas Mandal
Situated on the sacred banks of Shri Yamuna Ji, Shri Hit Raas Mandal is an ancient Raas Mandal of the Braj region. It was established in 1533 CE by Shri Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu Ji.
- Mahaprabhu Ji was absorbed in Manasi Seva upon the “Raj” of Yamuna Ji when suddenly he saw a divine mass of light.
- Within that divine light, he had the vision of the Ras-Krida — the divine Raas Nritya of Shri Shyama-Shyam, accompanied by an infinite assembly of Sakhis. Mahaprabhu Ji became completely overwhelmed with divine love.
- When the Ras Leela came to “Viraam”, Priya Ji instructed Mahaprabhu Ji that this was her eternal Raas-Kunj and commanded him to manifest it in the world.
- Accepting her command with complete reverence, Mahaprabhu Ji had a circular platform and Mandal constructed at the place indicated by the “Raj” of the Yamuna, and established devotional Sewa there.
मंडल मनिनु खच्यौ है लाल । हेम सुगंधि सच्यौ है लाल ।।
हेम सुगंधि सच्यौ जाम्बूनद जगमग जोति महाई।
Mandal manini khachyo hai Laal, Hem Sugandhi sachyo hai Laal,
Hem Sugandhi sachyo jambunad jagmag jyoti mahai
Today, the Raas Mandal remains a living place of Sewa and darshan:
Beginning of the Enactment of Raas Leela
Began on Kartik Badi DwitiyaOn Kartik Badi Dwitiya, Mahaprabhu Ji began the tradition of enacting Raas Leela by having the Baal Brijwasi Balak and Balika as the divine forms of Ras Bihari.
रसिकानन्द बिहारी लाल । सम्पति बिपिन निहारी लाल ॥
सम्पति बिपिन निहारी नागर कमनी बेष बनायौ ।
Rasikanand Bihari Laal, Sampatti Bipin Nihari Laal.
Sampatti Bipin Nihari Nagar Kamni Besh Banayo
This tradition was begun for the welfare of society, so that ordinary people could experience at least a small touch of the otherwise inaccessible Divine Raas.
Accounts of Rasikacharyas Receiving Darshan
Shri Chhabil Das Ji
Since childhood, Chhabil Das Ji was an intimate friend of Shri Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu Ji. Every day, Chhabil Das Ji lovingly offered Paan-Bidi Sewa to Shri Navrangi Lal Ji Maharaj in Dev-Van.
When Shri Hit Prabhu came to Vrindavan in Vikram Samvat 1590, Chhabil Das Ji’s heart became filled with a strange pain. The pain of separation intensifies in divine love, and eventually, one day, Chhabil Das Ji entrusted the service of Navrangi Lal Ji to his son and departed for Vrindavan.
When he reached Vrindavan and received the darshan of his childhood friend Shri Harivansh Ji, their reunion filled both hearts with love and joy.
Chhabil Das Ji wished to visit the sacred places of Braj. When he reached Seva Kunj with Shri Hit Ji Maharaj, Shri Hit Ji explained the Leela of Seva Kunj — that when Priya Ji got tired while wandering through the forest, this was the place where Lal Ji offered Charan Sewa while she rested.
Chhabil Das Ji then expressed his desire to have darshan. Hit Ji Maharaj took him among the vines. Both returned, but at night Chhabil Das Ji desired to have darshan of Seva Kunj, so he went there alone.
The next day, while Hit Ji Maharaj was performing Shringar of Shri Ji at Madan Ter, some residents of Braj told him that the person who had come from Dev-Van was lying unconscious in Seva Kunj. Shri Hit Ji Maharaj immediately went there and lifted him up. Mahaprabhu Ji asked:
Chhabil Das Ji replied:
On the throne sat Priya-Priyatam together with the accompanying Sakhis. In front of Them sat Shri Harivansh Ji and Chhabil Das Ji. He began to hear the divine sounds of Vanshi Ji and mridang.
At the request of the Sakhis, Thakur Ji arose to perform the Raas Nritya and began dancing. Chhabil Das Ji played the majira, while Shri Harivansh Ji sang the sacred verses.
आज बन नीकौ रास बनायौ ।
पुलिन पवित्र सुभग यमुना तट मोहन वेणु बजायौ ।
Aaj Ban Neeko Raas Banayo,
Pulin Pavitra Subhag Yamuna Tat Mohan Venu Bajayo
This vision was not merely an experience of the eyes; it was the supreme bliss of the soul. The divine sight of the Ras Vilas overwhelmed Chhabil Das Ji with emotion. He plunged into an ocean of bliss and became unconscious there. Even in that state of unconsciousness, his soul continued to behold the sweet divine Leela of the Yugal Jodi, and time itself seemed to stand still.
Mahaprabhu asked him lovingly:
Chhabil Das Ji did not answer in words. Instead, he answered through complete surrender. He gently placed his head at the feet of Shri Hit Prabhu. At that very moment, his life-breath left his mortal body, and he entered the eternal divine Leela of the Yugal Sarkar.
Shri Hariram Vyas Ji
बडौ रास मंडल इहां सेवित हित हरिवंश ।
गुहौ जनेऊ तोर के व्यास दास अवतंश ॥
Badau Raas Mandal Ihan Sevit Hit Harivansh,
Guhau Janeu Tor Ke Vyas Daas Avtansh
Here, in the Raas Mandal, once Priya-Priyatam were performing the Raas Nritya when Radharani’s Payal broke. Vyas Ji (the incarnation of Vishakha Sakhi), who was completely absorbed in the divine Leela, immediately removed his sacred thread (Janeu) from around his neck and tied it around Shri Priya Ji’s Charan.
Some Vaishnavas complained about his behaviour. However, he remained firmly convinced of his decision because, as he expressed:
Everyone was astonished upon hearing this.
Shri Dhruvadas Ji
Shri Dhruvadas Ji, a Param Rasik of Vrindavan, was a disciple of Gopinath Ji, the third son of Shri Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu Ji. From childhood, he possessed an intense desire and longing to attain the beloved Shyama-Shyam. He would wander near the Yamuna Ji and through the forests (Van) of Vrindavan in states of divine emotion.
Within his heart, spiritual feelings and visions would arise, and he had an intense desire to express them through Pad Rachna and words. However, he was unable to do so:
‘उर आवै मुख तें नहिं कढ़ें।’
Ur Aave Mukh Te Nahi Kadhe
Gradually, his desire to sing of the Priya-Priyatam and Their qualities became so powerful that, in order to fulfil it, he gave up food and water and lay down at the Raas Mandal established by Shri Hit Prabhu Ji. He remained in this condition for two days.
On the third day, at midnight, Shri Priya Ji gave darshan and placed her Charan Kamal upon his head. Dhruvadas Ji suddenly awoke. He heard the sound of anklets (Payal), accompanied by the divine words:
Dhruvadas Ji became spiritually fulfilled and began singing the glories of the Divine Priya-Priyatam. He studied numerous authoritative spiritual texts and established the eternal loving Leelas through references from the Shruti, Smriti and Puranas. Many new divine Leelas of Shyama-Shyam manifested within his heart, and he revealed all of them through his words for the benefit of Rasikas.
It is said that whenever Shri Radhavallabh Lal went for Van Vihar, He would stop at Dhruvadas Ji’s hut. There, He would accept bhog, aarti and offerings before returning to the temple.
वानी हित ध्रुवदास की सुनि जोरी मुसिकाँत ।
Vaani Hit Dhruvdas Ki Suni Jori Musikaant
Shri Sevak Ji (Shri Damodar Ji)
Shri Damodar Das Ji, known as Sevak Ji, was one of the principal disciples of Shri Mahaprabhu Ji and an interpreter of his fundamental devotional principles. In 1554 CE, he resided at this Raas Mandal for some time.
One day, while in a state of divine love and spiritual ecstasy, Sevak Ji became absorbed into the banyan tree situated at the Raas Mandal.
जहाँ वट में रहे सेवक तमाले ध्रुव समाई है।
Jahan Vat Me Rahe Sevak Tamale Dhruv Samai Hai
His absorption into the tree in this manner is described as a wondrous event of the spiritual world.
The Raas Mandal through the years
After this, in 1584 CE, Goswami Shri Vanchandra Ji, the eldest son of Mahaprabhu Ji, inspired Bhagwan Das Svarnakar to construct a temple dedicated to Shri Radharani at the Raas Mandal.
There are also ancient memorials (Charan Chinh) here dedicated to Shri Narvahan Ji and Shri Chhabil Das Ji, who were disciples of Shri Hit Harivansh Chandra Mahaprabhu Ji.
Selected Pads from Shri Hit Chaurasi Ji Related to the Raas
चलहि राधिके सुजान, तेरे हित सुख निधान, रास रच्यौ श्याम तट कलिंद-नन्दिनी ।
Chalhi Radhike Sujaan, Tere Hit Sukh Nidhan, Raas Rachyo Shyam Tat Kalind Nandini
आजु गोपाल रास रस खेलत, पुलिन कलपतरु तीर री सजनी।
Aaju Gopal Raas Ras Khelat, Pulin Kalptaru Teer Ri Sajni
मोहनी मदन गोपाल की बाँसुरी ।
Mohini Madan Gopal Ki Bansuri
खेलत रास दुलहिनी दूलहु।
Khelat Raas Dulhini Dulhu
मोहन मदन त्रिभंगी।
Mohan Madan Tribhangi
मदन मथन घन निकुंज खेलत हरि, राका रुचिर सरद रजनी।
Madan Mathan Ghan Nikunj Khelat Hari, Raka Ruchir Sarad Rajni
रास में रसिक मोहन बने भामिनी।
Raas Me Rasik Mohan Bane Bhamini
स्याम सँग राधिका रास मंडल बनी।
Shyam Sang Radhika Raas Mandal Bani
सुधंग नाचत नवल किसोरी।
Sudhang Nachat Naval Kishori
रहसि रहसि मोहन पिय के संग री, लड़ैती अति रस लटकति।
Rahasi Rahasi Mohan Piy Ke Sang Ri, Ladaiti Ati Ras Latkati
वृषभानु नंदिनी मधुर कल गावै।
Vrishbhanu Nandini Madhur Kal Gaave
“The daughter of Vrishabhanu sings a sweet and melodious song.”