# The Real World

*“Lord Krishna would loudly sound His flute as He entered the forest of Sri Vrindavana, thus giving inconceivable bliss to all the residents of His hometown, Vrindavana-Dhama. These simple pastimes of playfully entering the forest, playing on the flute and so forth were performed daily in the spiritual land of Vrindavana.”* ([SB 10.15.2](https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/10/15/2/))

Vrindavana is God’s playground. Eternally beautiful and unchanging, the scriptures and saints describe its glory through delightful poetry and profound philosophy. For thousands of years, it has been a focal point for pilgrims, who make long (and often arduous) journeys to reinvigorate their faith. Pilgrimage is not just a physical journey to a special place but also an inner spiritual journey towards transcendence. Krishna’s place of pleasure pastimes stays on earth and preserves its spiritual potency. Only with a pure heart, however, can one see the actual Vrindavana. That vision is a rare gift. It comes only to a very sincere practitioner of devotional life who has attracted the mercy of the Lord.

Just as Krishna is the source of all incarnations (*svayam-rupa*), embodying and displaying the qualities of Godhead in full, Vrindavana is the original holy place (*svayam-dhama*). The benefits of visiting all holy places can be accrued by one who visits Vrindavana.