Goloka

Goloka (Sanskrit: गोलोक) or Goloka Vrindavan (IAST: Goloka Vṛndāvana) is the celestial abode of the Hindu god Krishna and his chief consort goddess Radha.^[1]^[2] In the Bhagavata Purana, Krishna is portrayed as the highest person who resides in Goloka.^[3] Goloka is often represented as the celestial realm containing flowing streams and lovely gardens, and is inhabited by cows and enchanting maidens - Gopis.^[4]

According to Gaudiya Vaishnava philosopher Jiva Goswami, Goloka, also called Vrindavan, is the highest spiritual planet and can be further manifested into three abodes, called Mathura, Dvārakā and Gokul, according to the difference in the pastimes and associates of Krishna.^[5]

Goloka is revered in various Vaishnavism traditions including Gaudiya Vaishnavism, Swaminarayan Sampradaya, Pranami Sampraday, Pushtimarg and Nimbarka Sampradaya. Besides Bhagvata Purana, Goloka is also mentioned in Sanskrit scriptures such as the Pancharatra texts,^[6] Garga Samhita,^[7] Brahma Samhita, Brahma Vaivarta Purana and Devi-Bhagavata Purana.

^ Asiatic Researches or Transactions of the Society Instituted in Bengal for inquiring into the History and Antiquities, Arts, Sciences and Literature of Asia. Vol. 16. Bengal Military Orphans Press. 1828. p. 126.
^ PRADHAN, SHRIKANT (2008). "A Unique Image of "Ardharadhavenudharamurti: Or "Ardhanari Krishna"". Bulletin of the Deccan College Research Institute. 68/69: 207–213. ISSN 0045-9801. JSTOR 42931207.
^ G. M. Schweig (2005). Dance of divine love: The Rasa Lila of Krishna from the Bhagavata Purana, India's classic sacred love story (PDF). Princeton, NJ; Oxford: Princeton University Press. p. 10. ISBN 0-691-11446-3.
^ Garlington, W. (1984). "Candravali and the Caurasi Vaisnavan ki varta". South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies. 7 (1): 77–86. doi:10.1080/00856408408723053. ISSN 0085-6401.
^ Francis Bryant, Edwin (2007). Krishna: A Sourcebook. United States of America: Oxford University Press. p. 382. ISBN 978-019-514891-6.
^ goloko nitya-vaikuntho yathakaso yatha disah
^ 1.23, 2.14, etc.

[Bengal1828-1] Asiatic Researches or Transactions of the Society Instituted in Bengal for inquiring into the History and Antiquities, Arts, Sciences and Literature of Asia. Vol. 16. Bengal Military Orphans Press. 1828. p. 126.

[2] PRADHAN, SHRIKANT (2008). "A Unique Image of "Ardharadhavenudharamurti: Or "Ardhanari Krishna"". Bulletin of the Deccan College Research Institute. 68/69: 207–213. ISSN 0045-9801. JSTOR 42931207.

[Schweig2005-3] G. M. Schweig (2005). Dance of divine love: The Rasa Lila of Krishna from the Bhagavata Purana, India's classic sacred love story (PDF). Princeton, NJ; Oxford: Princeton University Press. p. 10. ISBN 0-691-11446-3.

[4] Garlington, W. (1984). "Candravali and the Caurasi Vaisnavan ki varta". South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies. 7 (1): 77–86. doi:10.1080/00856408408723053. ISSN 0085-6401.

[5] Francis Bryant, Edwin (2007). Krishna: A Sourcebook. United States of America: Oxford University Press. p. 382. ISBN 978-019-514891-6.

[6] tya-vaikuntho yathakaso yatha disah

[7] 1.23, 2.14, etc.

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