Both Vrindavan and Gokul remind us of the enjoyment and pleasures of a life filled with love. Bhakthi here is enjoyment, happiness, love. The temples of Vrindavan resound with music. Devotees sing and dance and lose themselves in their bhakthi. There is hope and love. There is a temporary respite from the drudgery and misery of daily grind. In Gokul, after chanting “Om Shri Bhagavathe Vasudevaya!” devotees are asked to raise both hands and laugh loudly. If the laugher is not loud enough or lively enough, the pujari will chide you, “Louder! With more spirit!” The temple here resounds with happy laughter along with chants and bhajans.
We can see how temples, as indeed other places of worship, were places that relieved stress and kept depression at bay. In those days there was no need for psychiatrists and psychologists. The simple people with their pious beliefs found solace in temples and other places of worship.
