My dear Guruji:

As per your instructions, I have read Nectar of Instruction – Upadesamrta once and again and again and again and now that I am living in this part of the world I take it as “my Bible” since verses 9-11 refer to my beloved Radha-kunda.

For all inhabitants of Radha-kunda, including myself, to take bath in the kunda is not only an ecstasy but also a mandatory instruction from our previous acaryas in order to improve our sadhana.

Srila Rupa Goswami, in his verse 11 states: “If one simply bathes once within those holy waters, one’s pure love for Krsna is fully aroused”, and Srila Prabhupada confirms it in his purport by saying: “Srila Rupa Goswami recommends that even if one cannot live permanently on the banks or Radha-kunda, he should at least take a bath in the lake as many times as possible” and also said: “The conclusion is that to live on the banks of Radha-kunda and to bathe there daily constitutes the highest perfection of devotional service”.

Therefore, every time that one devotee comes to Radha-kunda I invite him or her to take bath.  I have heard that many spiritual masters do not allow their disciples to take bath in Radha-kunda or Syama-kunda, so I respect that position, but recently, one of my godsisters came and when I invited her to take bath she told me very sad, Guru Maharaja told me not to take bath in Radha-kunda, and it astounded me since you always say that we must follow the instructions of our acaryas.

ASA -  As far as I know all the ISKCON acharyas who say not to bath in Radha-kunda, say not to put feet in Radha kunda but they all say to take water and put it on the head.   If some one is not doing that I think they have misunderstood what their ISKCON guru is saying.    At least take drops of Radha-kunda water and put it on your head.  With GREAT respect.

Personally I have not said much to anybody on the subject. I present the various ideas and let people, disciples, mostly make their own choice. Personally from 1978 I always took full bath in Radha kunda or was ready to. But some times we just take water from Radha kunda in our lot and take many lotus on our self sitting beside Radha kunda but don't put our feet in here.

I have also heard that Srila Prabhupada forbid one of his disciples for taking bath in Radha-kunda because he was disrespecting the kunda playing within, forgetting the importance of this holy place and that can be understood, but in this case I do not understand why did you forbid my godsister to take bath.

HpS - ASA - I never forbade anybody to take bath in Radha kunda.  Hmm.  Some false propaganda.   Ho!   Ho!   Ho!

So, I humbly ask you to explain to me why did you forbid her to take bath? And if instead of inviting the devotees to do it, to ask you first because it is a personal instruction.

I thank you very much in advance for clarifying this doubt. I remain as your humble servant.

 Your (trying to be humble) servant

Tungavidya dd

HpS - Jaya!   So nice to hear from you.     So, nice.   We have honestly been thinking it is time to follow your footsteps and just go to live on the banks of Radha kunda.  To die their.   Again we never told anybody to not bath there.  Of course, if somebody is doing something bad, then yes they should not bathe there if they do it to cheat Krsna.  Then the reaction will be hellish.

Is O.K.   We just tell everyone what we have heard from different sources about bathing there and explain our personal standard and then let them make their own choice.   I think it is very, very, very, very important for you to be a guru to show people how to appreciate Radha-kunda.   Please do that.    Maybe you have a few more years in this situation and then you will go to original Radha kunda.

O.K.   More News Please.                  Clearing any Doubts