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EDITORIAL June 27, 1999 VNN4177 Comment on this story Why Is This Forest Named Vrndavan? BY ARIJIT DAS  EDITORIAL, Jun 27 (VNN) — In the revealed scriptures there is mention of the holy land of Vrndavan. Our Stalwart Acaryas have given many references as to why Sri Vrndavan appeared on this earth and how the divine forest playground got its name. The following was taken from the Sri Brahma-Vaivarta Purana Canto Four Volume Six.Sri Narada said: Why is the forest on the earth named Vrndavan? What is the derivation of this name? O knower of the truth, please reveal it to us. Sri Narayana Rsi happily smiled and told the ancient story explaining how Vrndavan got its name. Sri Narayana Rsi said: During the satya-yuga a saintly king named Kedara ruled the seven continents. He lived happily with his wives, children, and grandchildren. Following religious principles, he protected the citizens as if they were his own children. Although he performed a hundred yajnas, he did not wish the post of Indra. Although he performed many pious deeds, he did not wish to enjoy the benefits they brought. All regularly and occasional duties he did to please Lord Krsna. There never was, nor will there be again another king like Kedara On the instruction of Jaigisvaya Muni leaving his kingdom and his wives, who were the most beautiful in the three worlds, in the care of his sons, he went to the forest to perform austerities. O sage, the Sudarsana-cakra always stays near a pure devotee that always meditates on Lord Krsna. After long austerities, the king went to the world of Goloka. The holy place where he performed austerities was named Kedara after him. Anyone who dies there at once attains liberation. His daughter named Vrnda was a partial incarnation of Goddess Laksmi. Austere and learned in the yoga-sastras, she would not accept any husband. From Durvasa Muni she received a rare mantra of Lord Krishna's names. Renouncing everything, she left home and went to the forest to perform austerities. For sixty thousand years she performed austerities in a secluded place. Handsome, smiling Lord Krsna, who dearly loves His devotees, appeared before her and said, "Please ask for a boon." Gazing at Sri Radha's handsome eternal beloved, she at once fell in love with him. She was deeply wounded by Kamadeva's arrows. She at once asked, "Please be my husband," He replied, "So be it." And He enjoyed with her in a secluded place for a long time. She happily went with Lord Krsna to Goloka. She became the best of the gopis. She was almost equal to Sri Radha Herself. O great sage, Vrndavana (Vrnda's forest) is named after Vrnda either because she performed austerities there, and enjoyed pastimes there. O child, now I will tell you another sacred story of Vrdavana's name. Please hear it. King Kusadhvaja had two daughters, Tulasi and Vedavati, who were learned in the dharma-sastras and renounced from material activities. Vedavati performed austerities and attained Lord Narayana as her husband. She became King Janaka's daughter Sita, who is famous everywhere. Desiring Lord Krsna as her husband, Tulasi performed austerities, but by destiny's arrangement Durvasa Muni cursed her and she attained the demon Sankhacuda as her husband. After that she attained handsome Lord Narayana as her husband, but He also cursed her and she became a tree that is the queen of the demigods. Then she cursed Lord Narayana and He became the Salagrama stone. Beautiful Tulasi tree Vrnda always stays on the chest of Salagrama stone Lord Narayana. O sage, I have already narrated Tulasi's pastimes at great length. Still, because they are relevant here, I have mentioned them. Another name of Tulasi is Vrnda. For this reason the wise say that Vrndavana is named after Tulasi because she performed austerities there. Please listen and I will tell you still another reason this holy place on the earth is named Vrndavana. Of the sixteen names of Radha given in the Vedas, Vrnda is one. Because Radha enjoyed pastimes in beautiful Vrndavana forest, it is named after Her. To please Radha, Lord Krsna manifested Vrndavana forest in the spiritual world of Goloka. When Vrndavana was brought to earth for Radha's pastimes, it was named after Her. Submitted for the devotees of Sri Radha and Sri Krishna - by Arijit Das Comment on this story | Contact VNN about this story | Send this story to a friend
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