Those who live in BrajaBhoomi

Exoterically seen, a Brajabasi is someone who is born and lives in Vraja, but from the esoteric point of view this term applies to any person who possesses a spontaneous loving relationship with Sri Krishna, following in the footsteps of His eternal associates, and lives physically, or even just mentally, there. While in samsara, the cycle of repeated births and deaths, the consciousness is egocentric, in Vraja virtually everything is centred round Sri Krishna, as in the mystic circle dance. So it is not surprising to hear the farmer, as he walks across the fields, singing the glories of his Lord, like the rickshaw-driver, when he winds his vehicle through the busy lanes. Even the shopkeepers in the bazaar count silently the names of God on their prayer beads, while crowds of children, singing, dancing, laughing and shouting, are completely absorbed, like yogis in deep meditation, in imitation of Sri Krishna’s childhood pranks.

The Brajabasis are extremely fond of celebrating festivals in commemoration of Sri Krishna’s Lilas, and there are indeed plenty of them throughout the year. Some are very specific to the area and therefore hardly known outside Vraja Mandala, but others, like Janmasthami, Sri Krishna’s appearance-day, are of widespread fame and attract thousands of pilgrims from all over the land.

An outstanding event for the Brajbasis is Holi, called by them „the festival of love". It is celebrated with great intensity each spring and begins with the joyous shout "the Lord plays Holi". During the whole occasion, lasting several days, all social rules are suspended and a sort of spiritual anarchy, related by some to the drama of cosmic dissolution, reigns in Vraja. Some of the most distinctive features of Holi are the throwing of coloured powder and spraying of scented water, all in an atmosphere of divine frenzy, that can also be found during the performances of Hari-nam-sankirtan.

In this ecstatic way the Brajbasis spend their lives in total dedication to their beloved Sri Sri Radha Krishna.