As much as Kṛṣṇa is worshipable, similarly, this Vṛndāvana is also worshipable. Therefore Vaiṣṇavas, especially Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavas . . .
Because this Vṛndāvana was established by the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavas. The Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavas, under the order of Lord Caitanya, Sanātana Gosvāmī first of all came here. You have seen his old temple at Madana-Mohana. He was . . . because he was ordered by his master, he came here, but it was a field only; there was no building, no nothing, nobody knew. But under the instruction of Caitanya Mahāprabhu, this Vṛndāvana city was established by Sanātana Gosvāmī. And later on, when Sanātana Gosvāmī first of all established the Madana-Mohana temple, and then after Rūpa Gosvāmī established Govindajī's temple, then all other temples gradually developed. Many kings and princes came here, and that is the history of this Vṛndāvana city.
Of course, Vṛndāvana was existing, because Kṛṣṇa had His pastimes here. But because it is five thousand years ago, so many things happened. The relics were lost practically, but by the endeavor of Caitanya Mahāprabhu and His devotees, this Vṛndāvana is in the present condition.
So Vṛndāvana is viśokān, vigata-śoka. There is no anxiety. If anyone comes to the Vṛndāvana and chants Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, he will have no disturbance. Still, thousands and thousands of people are here; they do not like to go away from Vṛndāvana, because it is so pleasing and anxiety-less, viśokān. But if you have got another, ulterior motive, then that is a different . . . then māyā will capture even in Vṛndāvana. That is also going on. That is also going on. There are . . . we do not wish to criticize them, but that is also going on. So bhakti, therefore, should be without any material intention.
- anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyaṁ
- jñāna-karmādy-anāvṛtam
- ānukūlyena kṛṣṇānu-
- śīlanaṁ bhaktir uttamā
- (Brs. 1.1.11)
First-class devotion without any motive.
So the sages said that, "If you execute the prescribed duties of the humankind, then ultimately you will be elevated to the planet where there is no anxiety and you will be liberated, provided you keep yourself without any contamination of this material world." That can be done. That is also given by Rūpa Gosvāmī:
- anāsaktasya viṣayān
- yathārham upayuñjataḥ
- nirbandhe kṛṣṇa-sambandhe
- yukta-vairāgyam ucyate
- (Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu 1.2.255)
If we want to be aloof from the contamination of this material world, then everything, whatever we use, whatever we need, it must be in relation with Kṛṣṇa. Then we can keep ourself aloof from the contamination. That is the liberated condition. That means you are eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa. If you always be engaged in the service of the Kṛṣṇa, then you are above this material world, uncontaminated. But if you have got any material intention, then again you are under the clutches of māyā. We should always remember it.