Autumn in Vrindavan

Autumn in Vrindavan

“During the autumn, the lotus flowers in the lakes grow in large numbers because of the absence of lilies; both the lilies and the lotus flowers grow by sunshine, but during the autumn season, the scorching sunshine helps only the lotus.” 

During the daytime in autumn, the sun is very scorching, but at night, due to the clear moonshine, people get relief from the day’s fatigue.

In India, after the scorching heat of the summer, the rainy season is very welcome. The clouds accumulating in the sky, covering the sun and the moon, become very pleasing to the people, and they expect rainfall at every moment. After summer, the advent of the rainy season is considered to be a life-giving source for everyone.

Due to rainfall, the grass, trees and vegetation look very green. During the rainy season, all living entities, in the land, sky and water, become very refreshed, exactly like one who engages in the transcendental loving service of the Lord.

Vrndavana forest improved from the rains and was replete with ripened dates, mangoes, blackberries and other fruits. Lord Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and His boy friends and Lord Balarama, entered the forest to enjoy the new seasonal atmosphere. The cows, being fed by new grasses, became very healthy, and their milk bags were all very full. When Lord Krsna called them by name, they immediately came to Him out of affection, and in their joyful condition the milk flowed from their bags. Lord Krsna was very pleased when passing through the Vrndavana forest by the side of Govardhana Hill. On the bank of the Yamuna He saw all the trees decorated with beehives pouring honey. There were many waterfalls on Govardhana Hill, and their flowing made a nice sound. Krsna heard them as He looked into the caves of the hill. When the rainy season was not ended completely but was gradually turning to autumn, sometimes, especially when there was rainfall within the forest, Krsna and His companions would sit under a tree or within the caves of Govardhana Hill and enjoy eating the ripened fruits and talking with great pleasure.

When Krsna and Balarama were in the forest all day, mother Yasoda used to send Them some rice mixed with yogurt, fruits and sweetmeats. Krsna would take them and sit on a slab of stone on the bank of the Yamuna. While Krsna and Balarama and Their friends were eating, they watched the cows, calves and bulls. The cows appeared to be tired from standing with their heavy milk bags. By sitting and chewing grass, they became happy, and Krsna was pleased to see them. He was proud to see the beauty of the forest, which was nothing but the manifestation of His own energy.

At such times Krsna would praise nature’s special activities during the rainy season. It is stated in the Bhagavad-gita that the material energy, or nature, is not independent in its actions. Nature is acting under the superintendence of Krsna. It is also stated in the Brahma-samhita that material nature, known as Durga, is acting as the shadow of Krsna. Whatever order is sent from Krsna, material nature obeys. Therefore the natural beauty created by the rainy season was acted out according to the indications of Krsna. Soon all the water reservoirs become very clean and pleasing, and refreshing air was blowing everywhere because of the appearance of autumn. The sky was completely cleared of all clouds, and it recovered its natural blue color. The blooming lotus flower in the clear water in the forest appeared like a person who has fallen down from yoga practice but again has become beautiful by resuming his spiritual life.

Everything becomes naturally beautiful with the appearance of the autumn season.

Complete article below:

Description of Autumn
Krishna Book Chapter 20