Govardhana Hill Is My Sanctuary Now

Govardhana Hill is my sanctuary now, for 12 days. There's no material stimulation whatsoever for the mind here; hence neophyte devotees beware. To the unaware, life at the foot of Sri Giriraja, the king of mountains, can appear bleak and empty--despite horns honking, loudspeakers blaring atop nearby temples, and processions of pilgrims chanting and drumming as they circumambulate Govardhana.

What's a swami holiday here like? Dedication to ever fresher chanting, reading, and associating with Godbrothers are the main events. "The days are cooling down now," His Holiness Kesava Bharati Maharaja informs me. Sure, I silently reply--the temperature is 37 degrees C (98.6 F).

I don't care about the heat. O Sri Govardhana, the best servitor of Krishna, I look forward to my days at your foot. Casting aside bodily cares in the all-spiritual atmosphere, this lowly devotee will seek the shelter of the holy name. Tomorrow is Ekadasi--I can't wait to get my tongue and fingers in action. Best to clear out my email and finish settling in today. Tomorrow will be a feast of japa beads and divine sound. What a miracle Srila Prabhupada has performed--transporting en masse the lowest of humanity from Kali-yuga to Vrindavan's forests.