BVHAlliance conducts a serie of articles about the present situation of Vrindavana and the possible future if we involve in dham seva

Protection and Development of Sri Vraja Mandala
by Kesidamana das

The Nature of Sri Vraja Mandala

Sri Vraja Mandala, consisting of twelve forests over an area of eighty-four square miles, is the Supreme Abode of Lord Krsna manifest within the material world for the spiritual benediction of all souls. Five thousand years ago, Lord Krsna, whom the most ancient scriptures of world, the Vedas, reveal as the Highest Manifestation of Godhead, enjoyed His transcendental pastimes throughout this Divine Land. He appeared in Gokula, near Mathura, at early age moved to Nandgrama, and throughout Sri Vraja Mandala displayed His unlimited pastimes in the company of His intimate associates. These transcendental pastimes continue to this day, for the Vedas declare that Sri Krsna never leaves Vraja, His Supreme Abode, for even just one moment. With vibrant hope to realize and enter those pastimes, to this day from every country in the world, from all castes and creeds, devotees travel to Sri Vraja Mandala. The touch of this Divine Abode, even to this day, evokes devotion within all souls, and by this devotion the Supreme Lord is revealed within the heart. In this way, Sri Vraja Mandala is known as Cintämaëi-Dhäma, the place where all desires are fulfilled by the Grace of the Supreme Lord.

Sri Vraja Mandala: A Region of Special Administration

Development within Sri Vraja Mandala should be in accordance with the intrinsic spiritual quality of this Transcendental Abode. This paper outlines how this may be attained.

       1. The complete area of Sri Vraja Mandala should be designated as a Region of Special Administration. Pursuant to this, an especially dedicated office should be created within the UP State Government. The duties of this office would be to precisely define the boundaries of Sri Vraja Mandala. The office would oversee the protection of the spiritual heritage of Sri Vraja Mandala. The office would define and oversee suitable development for Sri Vraja Mandala.
       2. The Office of Sri Vraja Mandala would institute a committee of the leading spiritual personalities of Sri Vraja Mandala for close consultation in regard to the protection of the Mandala and to oversee suitable spiritual development within the Mandala.

Development Within Sri Vraja Mandala

The Divine Glories of this region are extolled in the Vedas. Therefore the development should showcase the most Ancient Heritage of India as presented in the Vedas for the edification of the National and International Community.

       1. Sri Vraja Mandala is the place of Sri Krsna's rural pastimes, therefore protection of the rural environment of the region is of the highest priority.
       2. Thus go-raksa, cow protection, is essential.
       3. Pursuant to the protection of the cows and other lifestock of the Mandala, the government may start a Veterinary College of the highest quality within the region.
       4. The government may start studies, teaching, and the practical implementation of 'methods of organic farming' throughout the Mandala based on ancient Vedic practices.
       5. Thus land irrigation projects and the boring of tube wells to enhance the fertility of the region may be overseen.
       6. Throughout Sri Vraja Mandala there are the most wonderful buildings, palaces, lakes and bathing ghats to be found, comparable to any within the whole world. A priority would be to preserve and maintain these wondrous architectural achievements. Thus new building in these locales must be carefully supervised.
       7. When visiting a Holy Place, the Vedas instruct one to bathe at the ghats and perform parikrama on barefoot. Therefore special attention should be towards the purity of water at these bathing sites. The numerous parikrama paths of the Mandala should remain places of pedestrian traffic, only. They must not be developed as motorways, thus destroying their very nature and the very purpose of visiting a Vedic holy place.
       8. Near to the particular holy places of Sri Vraja Mandala, overnight facilities for pilgrims may be created. In keeping with the sacred nature of the Mandala, these facilities may be simple, clean and inexpensive.
       9. Sanskrit is the language of the Vedas. Thus the government may start colleges and universities within Sri Vraja Mandala teaching this wonderful and most scientific language to scholars not only of India, but scholars from all corners of the world.
       10. In the Sanskrit Universities, a special research office may be created to accumulate and preserve all available Vedic Literature from all temples and corners of India. This office may also search the world for further Vedic and Sanskrit literatures for the collection.
       11. The Vedas teach the science of Astrology. Thus a research and teaching university of this ancient science may be started in association with the Sanskrit University.
       12. The Vedas teach the medical science of Ayurveda. Presently, throughout the world the beneficial remedies of this science are becoming increasingly famous. A research and teaching university of this science may be started. Concurrently a hospital and treatment centre for this ancient Vedic science may be build.
       13. The Vedas teach the Arts of Music and Dance in unique depth and beauty. In the Mandala, colleges dedicated to the research and teaching of these arts would be instituted.
       14. Publishing Houses for the presentation and translation of the Vedas and Vedic philosophy would be instituted in Sri Vraja Mandala.
The above fourteen ideas illustrate the development of Sri Vraja Mandala as a rural area of holy pilgrimage that would showcase the Vedas and Vedic Knowledge to the national and international community. In this way, the central component of Ancient Indian Culture would be developed and illustrated to the world.

Protection of Sri Vraja Mandala

Protection of Sri Vraja Mandala would necessarily run concordantly with the development of the Mandala as a rural area of great architectural and natural beauty that showcases the Vedas and Vedic Knowledge and Arts to the International Community.

  1. Heavy industrial development would not take place within the Mandala.
  2. Protection of the natural beauty of the Mandala would be of the highest priority.
  3. Cow protection and husbandry within the Mandala of Sri Krsna's Pastimes would be of the highest priority.
  4. The architectural wonders of the Mandala would be protected.
  5. The Pastime Places of Sri Krsna would be researched, designated and protected.
  6. The illicit stone mining activities within the Mandala would be stopped.
  7. All building and roads within the Mandala would be subject to strict planning permission.
  8. The bathing ghats, temples and kunds of the Mandala would be restored.
  9. All the parikrama paths of the Mandala would be maintained as unpaved pedestrian walks seperate from vehicular traffic.
  10. The Mandala would be kept to the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene.
  11. The use of plastic packing and bags within the Mandala would be restricted.
  12. Rubbish disposal within the Mandala would be quick, efficient and not damage the ecological rural environment.

The above twelve points should be added to and developed to ensure the protection of Sri Vraja Mandala. A police force especially tasked with ecological preservation of the Mandala would be trained. Educational programmes for a "Clean and Green Vraja Mandala" would be instituted. Thus the local population would be brought on board with the Governmental programmes for the development and protection of Sri Vraja Mandala.

Conclusion

As India enters the era of modern economic development it is of vital importance that the Ancient Vedic Culture of India should not be destroyed. Sri Vraja Mandala is unique throughout the world and presently is becoming increasingly famous as a topmost place of holy pilgrimage, especially for the national and international community of devotees of Sri Krsna. This paper suggests a route of development for the Mandala that would preserve and present the Vedic Knowledge, Philosophy, Spirituality and Arts to the national and international community in a beautiful rural environment. Presently there is much international concern for the natural environment, which is becoming polluted by the modern industrial society. Development within Sri Vraja Mandala should showcase the Indian Government concern for the natural environment and spiritual knowledge of the Vedas for which India is renowned worldwide. In this way the status of India would be enhanced internationally. However the real consideration is service to Sri Krsna. Those fortunate souls who render devotional service in protecting and suitably developing the transcendental place of Sri Krsna's Pastimes, Sri Vraja Mandala, will surely attract His Eternal Blessings upon themselves and their nation.

Braj Vrindavan Heritage Alliance