Goloka Vrndavana

A Transtaltion of Jiva Gosvami's Gopala-Camu (Chanter One)

Authors

  • J.K. Brzezinski

Keywords:

Jiva Gosvami, Gopala-Campu, Goloka Vrndavana, Gaudiya Vaishnavism, Krishna, Vrndavana, spiritual abode, mādhurya, bhakti, nara-līlā, Bhagavata-Purana, Govardhana, Yamuna River, divine pastimes, Sanskrit literature, theology, devotional vision

Abstract

J.K. Brzezinski’s "Goloka Vrndavana: A Translation of Jiva Gosvami's Gopala-Campu (Chapter One)" offers an introduction and English rendering of the seminal "Goloka-vilasa" chapter from Jiva Gosvami’s Gopala-Campu. This foundational Gaudiya Vaishnava text reimagines Krishna’s pastimes, portraying Vrndavana not merely as a pastoral setting but as Goloka, the supreme spiritual abode. Through rich poetic theology, Jiva Gosvami describes a mystical realm of divine sweetness (mādhurya), where Krishna eternally enacts his human-like pastimes (nara-līlā) amid spiritually charged landscapes like Govardhana and Yamuna. Accessible only through pure devotion, Goloka-Vrndavana exemplifies the intimate bond between God and devotee

Published

1992-12-13