Imlitala

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Imlitala / इमलीतला

While visiting Braj some five hundred and fifty years ago, Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu resided for several days at Akrur Ghat. Daily, He would come to this very beautiful Imlitala Ghat on the bank of the Yamuna, where He was immersed in bhava as He chanted the holy names of the Supreme Lord Hari.

At the time of Krishna's pastimes in Braj, the ancient imli (tamarind) tree that stood here was enormous. That tree has since disappeared, and a new imli tree stands in its place. Midway through rasa-lila, Shri Krishna disappeared in order to dispel the other gopis pride in their good fortune (saubhagya-mada) and to soothe Priyaji's mana. He followed Priyaji to Shringarvat, where He began to decorate Her with flowers. At that time, the other gopis, who were searching for Krishna, came closer to the place where Radhika and Krishna were. Shri Krishna requested Priyaji to leave with Him, but She said, "I am unable to walk. You can carry Me on Your shoulders." Krishna squatted down, indicating that Priyaji should sit on His shoulders. Just as She went to do this, Krishna disappeared again. Now, She also called out in separation, "O Naha, O Ramana!" and fell down unconscious. The other gopis became very distressed to see Her in this condition.
Having left Radhika, Shri Krishna began to feel deep separation from Her. Sitting under an imli tree on the bank of the Yamuna, He became so absorbed in thinking of Her that His bodily lustre turned golden like Hers. In connection with this incident, our most worshipful om vishnupada Shri Shrimad Bhakti Pragyan Keshav Goswami Maharaja has presented a wonderful verse that penetrates the heart: "I worship the lotus feet of the form of Shri Krishna that manifests when He is thoroughly immersed in separation from Radhika (who is displaying mana, Her mood of jealous anger), or when He is embraced by Radhika (after Her mana is broken). At these times, His own dark complexion vanishes and He assumes Her bright, golden lustre."
The transcendental sentiments that lay within the heart of Shri Gurupadpadma are profound and full of excellent siddhanta. It is the bhava of the manjaris, the maidservants of Radhika, to feel that Krishna should indeed experience great distress when He is separated from Radhika. They become very pleased to see this distress, and arrange Krishna's meeting with Radha at that time. This bhava is prominent in Shri Rupanug Gaudiya Vaishnavas.

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While visiting Braj some five hundred and fifty years ago, Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu resided for several days at Akrur Ghat. Daily, He would come to this very beautiful Imlitala Ghat on the bank of the Yamuna, where He was immersed in bhava as He chanted the holy names of the Supreme Lord Hari. He bestowed His mercy upon the Rajaput Krishnadas here.
One day, while Mahaprabhu was staying here, some people requested Him to come to Kaliya Hrada and take darshan of Shri Krishna, who they said was again manifesting His pastimes there at night. Mahaprabhu told them to wait for a few days. Nonetheless, crowds of people began to throng to Kaliya-daha at night. At last, it became evident that the spectacle on the Yamuna was nothing more than some Muslims in a boat catching fish. A light was burning on the bow of the boat. When the fishermen on the how stood up and moved about, it appeared as if someone was dancing. The boat looked like a serpent, and the burning light like the serpent's jewel. When the facts were revealed, Mahaprabhu said to the people, "Bhagvan Shri Krishna does not manifest such pastimes before the masses of ordinary people of Kali Yug. Such pastimes appear only in the hearts of pure devotees." Some days later, Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Shri Vallabha Bhattacharya proceeded to Nilachala via Sauron and Prayag.
It is said that several years ago someone cut into a branch of the ancient tree here and blood oozed from it. The person who severed the branch realised that he had committed an offence and repeatedly prayed for forgiveness. Residents of the dhama believe that liberated great souls (siddha mahatmas) are still performing bhajana in Vrindavan in the form of the trees and creepers.