Observing the Pastimes of God's Return in Vṛndāvana
The transcendental pastimes of the Supreme Lord's return are never mundane occurrences but are instead profound expressions of His reciprocal love and divine independence. As Śrīla Prabhupāda explains, whether the Lord is returning to His eternal abode after concluding His earthly missions or coming back home to Vṛndāvana in the evening to gladden His devotees, every instance is saturated with spiritual significance and mercy for the conditioned souls.
The Evening Return of Kṛṣṇa to Vṛndāvana
The daily pastimes of Kṛṣṇa returning home after tending cows in the forest display the intimate, affectionate nature of the Supreme Lord as a person who enjoys loving exchanges with His devotees. These evening returns are not merely physical movements but are transcendental events that gladden the hearts of the residents of Vṛndāvana and reveal that God is not impersonal but relishes personal relationships with His pure devotees. By meditating on these sweet pastimes, one can develop a deeper appreciation for the personal aspect of the Absolute Truth.
- Akrura could understand that both Krsna and Balarama had returned from tending cows in the forest; They had taken Their baths and were dressed with fresh clothing and garlanded with flowers and with necklaces made of valuable jewels.
- Expecting that Krsna must return to them, they (the gopis) simply engaged in chanting the glories of Sri Krsna - Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare / Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.
- Krsna is compared to the moon, born in the ocean of the womb of Devaki. When He returns in the evening, it appears that He is fatigued, but He still tries to gladden the inhabitants of Vrndavana by His auspicious presence.
- Very much pleased by the sound of other people's ankle bells, They (Krsna and Balarama) used to follow them as if going to Their mothers, but when They saw that these were other people, They became afraid and returned to Their real mothers - Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.8.22.
- When You (Krsna) return home, the milk flowing out of the breasts of Your mother washes Your face of its dust covering, and it appears that You are purified by this milk.
The Lord's Return to His Eternal Spiritual Abode
When the Supreme Lord concludes His manifest pastimes in the material world, He returns to His eternal spiritual residence, which causes intense feelings of separation among His devotees and the earth itself. This departure is not a sign of abandonment but is necessary for the completion of His divine mission and serves to intensify the loving attachment of His pure devotees. By understanding the philosophical significance of these returns, one can appreciate the transcendental nature of the Lord's activities and the depth of His reciprocal relationships.
- After thus killing the most formidable demon Hiranyaksa, the Supreme Lord Hari, the origin of the boar species, returned to His own abode, where there is always an uninterrupted festival. The Lord was praised by all the demigods, headed by Brahma.
- By killing the demon Hiranyaksa He (God) fulfilled His promise to kill the demons and always protect the demigods headed by Brahma. The statement that the Lord returned to His own abode indicates that He has His own particular transcendental residence.
- The devotees, who could not tolerate even thinking of the Lord's lotus feet being pricked by a thorn, were again put into tribulation by thinking of the Lord's disappearance, for the Lord had to return to His abode after finishing His pastimes.
- To understand clearly why Lord Ramacandra returned, it is mentioned herewith (in Srimad-Bhagavatam 9.11.22) that the Lord went to that particular place where the bhakti-yogis go.
- When the Lord left the surface of the earth to return to His spiritual abode, the earth's feelings of separation were therefore more acute.
The Ceremonial Returns of the Deity in Festival Pastimes
The Deity forms of the Lord, such as Lord Jagannātha, engage in sacred returns during festivals like Ratha-yātrā, demonstrating that the Lord's movements are always transcendental and meant to bestow blessings upon the devotees who participate. These ceremonial returns are not mere rituals but are actual pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who accepts the loving service of His devotees and reciprocates with His mercy. By participating in these festivals, one can directly experience the Lord's presence and receive His transcendental blessings.
- At the time of the Ratha-yatra festival, Lord Jagannatha goes to the Gundica temple from His original temple and stays there for one week. After one week, He returns to His original temple.
- The next day Lord Jagannatha came out from the temple and, riding on the car, returned to His own abode.
- Thus Lord Jagannatha returned to His temple and sat on His throne while Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu returned to His residence with His devotees.
- When Lord Bharata understood that Lord Ramacandra was returning to the capital, Ayodhya, He immediately took upon His own head Lord Ramacandra's wooden shoes and came out from His camp at Nandigrama.
- When Ramacandra returned to Ayodhya, He was greeted on the road by the princely order, who showered His body with beautiful, fragrant flowers, while great personalities like Brahma, other demigods glorified the activities of the Lord in great jubilation.
The Reciprocal Nature of the Lord's Return to His Devotees
The Supreme Lord always returns the service and offerings of His devotees with multiplied rewards, accepting simple gifts of love and transforming them into prasāda that purifies the heart and strengthens the bond of devotion. This reciprocal nature is not a material transaction but a transcendental exchange of love that reveals the Lord's infinite mercy and affection for His pure servants. By understanding this principle, one can develop the confidence to offer everything to the Lord with love, knowing that He will return it with His blessings.
- He (God) is the complete whole, and therefore whatever He may eat as offered by the devotee is accepted because of the devotee's love, but again it is returned as prasada for the devotee so that he can be happy by eating.
- If we offer something to Lord, oh, that is rewarded in many millions of times. So we should not expect. The Lord is always serious to return the service of the servant, of His devotee.
- If you do business or if you accept some employment, do so on behalf of the Lord. Whatever you may eat, you may offer the same to the Lord and be assured that He will return the food after eating it Himself.
- When Arjuna was shown the virat-rupa of Krsna, he saw it, but he did not want to see it perpetually. He requested the Lord to return to His original form as two-armed Krsna.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the pastimes of the Supreme Lord's return are never ordinary events but are instead profound displays of His reciprocal love and divine independence. As Śrīla Prabhupāda so beautifully elucidates, whether the Lord is returning to His eternal abode, coming home to Vṛndāvana in the evening, or ceremonially returning during sacred festivals, every moment is a perfect manifestation of spiritual bliss and mercy for the conditioned souls. Meditating upon these intimate and cosmic pastimes elevates the consciousness of the practitioner and solidifies their eternal relationship with the Divine.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category God's Return. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.
(See our Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles)