Tree Replantation of the Hills of Braja

Such is the perfection of Braja seva, to not only stop the breaking of the hills of Braja, to have a 20,000 facility for cow protection, to the purchase and restoration of various lilastans, to the mammoth task bringing the true Yamuna back to Braja, and now we have steps towards forest replantation of the hills of Braja.

In one recent class Baba Śrī spoke about the benefits of planting a tree in Braja. From an Aśvamedha yajña can obtain the position of Lord Indra. “This ‘paudaropan seva’ of planting a tree in Braja is equal to 1000 Aśvamedha yajna’s. Before Veda Vyāsa went to Vrindavan, he noted how “My son is embracing the trees in Braja and is saying how ‘They are my real parents.’ ” Vyasa later wrote;

vrindavan ke vraksa hamare maat pita sut bandhu

The trees are my mother, father, son, and brother.

Beginning with the nearby hills in Barṣāṇā, another historical preservation of Braja is in the making. Several weeks ago the little gopis combed the ground and climbed the iron fencing over the stairway to Maan Mandir collecting the seeds from the outstretched branches of the trees. From experience, only these seeds that grow in Barṣāṇā are successful for regeneration, outside seeds are impotent.

Now every morning the gopis and gopas collect the wet cow dung at the goshala, place into large fiberglass bags and these are taken to the roof top of Maan Mandir. There after class the gopistake this govar, mix with the tiny bija seeds and roll small balls the size of a plum, and 2000 a day are brought to the adjacent roof top to dry. Later during the rainy season, the seedling balls will be placed on the surrounding hills to Maan Mandir, Barṣāṇā. A proven ground has been the hill of Maan Mandir, which was completed in 2007.

One may ask how is it that Kṛṣṇa allows His dhama to depreciate? From the example at Maan Mandir, we can see so that the Lord is so kind to allow us the opportunity to render seva. Baba Śrī says “That the purpose to this dhama seva is for the service to Śrī Śrī Radha and Kṛṣṇa, our only desire is to give pleasure to the divine couple.”