Vasanta Pada - Navala Vasanta - Dhrupad / Pada Gaayan

Swami Shri Shribhatta Devacharya Ji Maharaj lived as the disciple of Jagadvijayi Swami Shri Keshava Kashmiri Bhattacharya Ji Maharaj. Swami Shri Shribhatta who was the leader of the Nimbarka Sampradaya of Vaishnavs in the early 14th Century wrote the first ever Vani granth in Vraja Bhasha in the year 1352 V.S. which was his record of the Padas that the Sakhis sung to the Lord in the Nitya Lilas of Nikunja. It is from his teachings that the Ashtayama Lila took hold in Vrindavan, and his ashram was established on Vanshi Vata in Vrindavan, even though that of his Guru's was on Vishram/Vishrant Ghaat in Mathura. The reason for this he revealed to his disciples was that 'Vipin Raaj Seemaa Kau Baahira, Hari Ko Haun Na Nihaar' - outside the boundaries of Vrindavan, he could not see his Lord. He presented his work to his Guru Maharaj, who deemed it unfit for the devotees of Kaliyuga, even though it was the essence of all devotion. He then placed it into the Yamunaji and said if it should be given to devotees in this age, Yamuna Ji will decide. The next day, as Swami Keshava Kashmiri was performing Sandhya Snan in the Yamuna, as he rose up from the waters, on his head was the work of his disciple. The main bulk had disappeared, leaving only 100 padas. He asked Yamuna ji the reason for this - and she replied that the other 99,900 Padas were too precious to give to everyone - so she kept them in safe keeping for when the true devotees are blessed by her.

This Pada is in Raag Vasant, sund by the Haveli Sangeetist Shri Bhagavati Prasad Ji from Nathdvara. Even though the Pushti Marga is a different type of Vaishnav, still we are all Vaishnav, and sometimes we will sing the Madhurashtaka of Shri Vallabhacharya Ji, and sometimes they will sing the Mantra 'Shree Krishna Sharanam Mama' which was composed by Swami Shri Shribhatta in his Shri Krishna Sharana Stotram. This is the unique brotherhood of all Vaishnavas and I hope it continues :)

Jay Shri Raadhe! Shyam!!!
Radhe Krishna Radhe Krishna Krishna Krishna Radhe Radhe,
Radhe Shyaam Radhe Shyaam Shyaam Shyaam Radhe Radhe.