At the time of Krsna’s pastimes in Vraja, the ancient îmlī (tamarind) tree that stood here was enormous. That tree has since disappeared, and a new imli tree stands in its place.
Krsna Left Radha Ji
Midway through rasa-lilā, Śrī Kṛṣṇa disappeared in order to dispel the other gopis’ pride in their good fortune (saubhagya-mada) and to soothe Priyaji’s mana. He followed Priyāji to Śṛngāravata, where He began to decorate Her with flowers. At that time, the other gopis, who were searching for Krsna, came closer to the place where Radhika and Krsna were. Śri Krsna requested Priyaji to leave with Him, but she said, “I am unable to walk. You can carry Me on Your shoulders.” Krsna squatted down, indicating that Priyāji should sit on His shoulders. Just as She went to do this, Krsna disappeared again. Now, She also called out in separation, “O Nātha, O Ramana!” and fell down unconscious. The other gopis became very distressed to see Her in this condition.
Krsna’s Intense Separation For Srimati Radhika
Having left Śrimati Radhika, Śrī Kṛṣṇa began to feel deep separation from Her. Sitting at Imlitala on the bank of the Yamuna, He remembered how She was once crowned the Queen of Vṛndāvana under the tamarind tree in Imlitalā.
He thus took shelter of that tree and started crying out, “Rādheee! Rādheee! Please save my life by giving me your darśana! He became so absorbed in thinking of Her that His bodily lustre turned golden like Hers.
Mood of Manjaris of Radharani
In connection with this incident, our most worshipful om vişnupada Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Prajnāna Kesava Gosvāmi Mahārāja has presented a wonderful verse that penetrates the heart:
rādhā-cintā niveśena yasya kantir vilopitā
śrī-kṛṣṇa-caranam vande radhalingita vigraham
Śri Radha-vinoda-bihārī Tattvaṣṭakam (Text 1)
“I worship the lotus feet of the form of Sri Krsna that manifests when He is thoroughly immersed in separation from Śrīmati Radhika (who is displaying mana, Her mood of jealous anger), or when He is embraced by Śrimati Radhika (after Her mana is broken). At these times, His own dark complexion vanishes and He assumes Her bright, golden lustre.”
The transcendental sentiments that lay within the heart of Śrī Gurupādapadma are profound and full of excellent siddhanta. It is the bhava of the manjarīs, the maidservants of Śrimati Radhikā, to feel that Krsna should indeed experience great distress when He is separated from Srimati Radhikā. They become very pleased to see this distress, and arrange Krsna’s meeting with Radha at that time. This bhava is prominent in Śrī Rūpanuga Gaudiya Vaisnavas.
Mahaprabhu Visiting Imli-Tala
While visiting Vraja some five hundred and fifty years ago, Šri Caitanya Mahaprabhu resided for several days at Akrura-ghața. Daily, He would come to this very beautiful Imlītală-ghāța on the bank of the Yamuna, where He was immersed in bhāva as He chanted the holy names of the Supreme Lord Hari. He bestowed His mercy upon the Rajapūta Kṛṣṇadāsa here.
Misidentifying the Boatman as Krsna
One day, while Mahaprabhu was staying here, some people requested Him to come to Kaliya-hrada and take darsana of Śrī Krsna, who they said was again manifesting His pastimes there at night. Mahaprabhu told them to wait for a few days. Nonetheless, crowds of people began to throng to Kaliya-daha at night. At last, it became evident that the spectacle on the Yamuna was nothing more than some Muslims in a boat catching fish. A light was burning on the bow of the boat. When the fishermen on the bow stood up and moved about, it appeared as if someone was dancing. The boat looked like a serpent, and the burning light like the serpent’s jewel. When the facts were revealed, Mahaprabhu said to the people, “Bhagavan Sri Krsna does not manifest such pastimes before the masses of ordinary people of Kali-yuga. Such pastimes appear only in the hearts of pure devotees.” Some days later, Śrī Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Śrī Vallabha Bhaṭṭācārya proceeded to Nilacala via Sauron and Prayaga.
Not an Ordinary Tamarind Tree
It is said that several years ago someone cut into a branch of the ancient imli tree here and blood oozed from it. The person who severed the branch realised that he had committed an offence and repeatedly prayed for forgiveness. Residents of the dhama believe that liberated great souls (siddha mahātmās) are still performing bhajana in Vṛndāvana in the form of the trees and creepers.
