When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu toured South India about five hundred years ago, He discovered the Brahma-samhita, a spiritual treatise by Lord Brahma. Lord Caitanya was greatly pleased to find this work, because it clearly sets forth Lord Brahma’s realization of the supreme position of Lord Krsna. Here are some verses from the fifth chapter of the Brahma-samhita:

TEXT 39

ramadi-murtisu kala-niyamena tisthan
nanavataram akarod bhuvanesu kintu
krsnah svayam samabhavat paramah puman yo
govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami

I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, who by His various plenary portions appeared in the world in different forms and incarnations such as Lord Rama, but who personally appears in His supreme original form as Lord Krsna.

TEXT 44

srsti-sthiti-pralaya-sadhana-saktir eka
chayeva yasya bhuvanani bibharti durga
icchanurupam api yasya ca cestate sa
govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami

The mighty Durga, who creates, maintains, and annihilates the material worlds, is the potency of the Supreme Lord, and she moves like His shadow, according to His desire.

TEXT 45

ksiram yatha dadhi vikara-visesa-yogat
sanjayate na hi tatah prthag asti hetoh
yah sambhutam api tatha samupaiti karyad
govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami

Milk changes into yogurt when mixed with a yogurt culture, but actually yogurt is constitutionally nothing but milk. Similarly, Govinda, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, assumes the form of Lord Siva for the special purpose of material transactions. I offer my obeisances at Lord Govinda’s lotus feet.

TEXT 48

yasyaika-nisvasita-kalam athavalambya
jivanti loma-vilaja jagad-anda-nathah
visnur mahan sa iha yasya kala-viseso
govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami

The Brahmas and other lords of the mundane worlds appear from the pores of Maha-Visnu and remain alive for the duration of His one exhalation. I adore the primeval Lord, Govinda, of whom Maha-Visnu is a portion of a plenary portion.

TEXT 49

bhasvan yathasma-sakalesu nijesu tejah
sviyam kiyat prakatayaty api tadvad atra
brahma ya esa jagad-anda-vidhana-karta
govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami

The sun manifests his brilliance in a gem, although it is stone. Similarly, the original Personality of Godhead, Govinda, manifests His special power in a pious living entity. Thus the living entity becomes Brahma and manages the affairs of the universe. Let me worship Govinda, the original Personality of Godhead.

TEXT 50

yat-pada-pallava-yugam vinidhaya kumbha-
dvandve pranama-samaye sa ganadhirajah
vighnan vihantum alam asya jagat-trayasya
govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami

I worship the primeval Lord, Govinda. Ganesa always holds His lotus feet upon the pair of tumuli protruding from his elephant head in order to obtain power for his function of destroying all obstacles on the path of progress in the three worlds.

During an initiation ceremony in New York City, 1971, Srila Prabhupada gave a new disciple the name Pushkar Dasa (“servant of Pushkar”). Prabhupada said, “Pushkar Dasa. There is a sacred lake in India, Pushkar Tirth. Anyone who takes bath in that lake becomes a devotee. So you try to bring all people of the world to take bath in Pushkar.”

Pushkar Dasa Prabhu’s paintings and drawings are well known in Iskcon and also in outside world.

Pushkar, in the Indian state of Rajasthan, is 130 kilometers southwest of Jaipur. The population of Pushkar is about 15,000. The city of Ajmer (400,000) is 13 kilometers to the south. A scenic road from Ajmer to Pushkar winds up and over snake mountain. The elevation of Pushkar 1,500 feet above sea level helps create a moderate climate during Rajasthan’s stiffling hot season.

When to Go: September-March.

How to Get There: Jaipur is easy to get to from many cities by air, rail, or bus. From Jaipur take a train or bus to Ajmer or a bus to Pushkar. Jodhpur, another major city in Rajasthan, is about 230 kilometers from Pushkar.

Where to Stay: For its many visitors, Pushkar has plenty of hotels. The state of Rajasthan runs the comfortable Sarovar tourist bungalow, pleasantly situated on the banks of the lake. If you plan to go during Karttika Purnima (and the camel fair), reserve several months ahead. During the fair, the Rajasthan government provides comfortable lodging for tourists in tents. To reserve either a tent or a room at the Sarovar tourist bungalow, write to Central Reservation Office, Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation, Ltd., Chanderlok Building, 36 Jan Path, New Delhi 110 001, India. Ajmer, a short bus-ride to Pushkar, also has many hotels.

Where to Eat: Restaurants in Pushkar are allowed to serve only vegetarian food. The Brahmä temple has its own restaurant, known as the R. S. Restaurant.

Nag (Yajna) Hill

Nag hill is said to be one of the oldest hills in the world. It is on the way to Ajmer. Its height is said to have been ten crore yojanas in Satya yuga, ten lakh in Treta, ten thousand in Dwapara. In Kali yuga, the height is decreasing day by day because it is sinking in earth. By the end of Kali yuga, it will almost disappear. It is said that if you visit this hill on your pilgrimage to Pushkar you will not have any interference or difficulties.

On the hill is Naga Kund. The story of this hill is that on the second day of Brahma’s sacrifice, Rishi Chyavan cursed Vatu, the grandson of Brahma to become snake, because he released a snake at the sacrifice that coiled around Bhrgu muni, Chyavan’s father. After Vatu begged for forgiveness, Brahma blessed him to live in this natural kund on Nag hill. Vatu performed austerities here. People who worship here on the panchami of sravana – Krishna paksha are said to have their desires fulfilled. Agastya muni’s residence is said to be a cave on Nag hill.