17.156
mathura asiya kaila ’visranti-tirthe’ snana
’janma-sthane’ ’kesava’ dekhi’ karila pranama
SYNONYMS
mathura asiya—coming in to Mathura; kaila—performed; visranti-tirthe—at the bathing place known as Visrama-ghata; snana—bathing; janma-sthane—at the place of Lord Krsna’s birth; kesava—the Deity named Kesava; dekhi’-seeing; karila pranama—offered His respectful obeisances.
When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu entered the city of Mathura, He took His bath at Visrama-ghata.
He then visited the birthplace of Krsna and saw the Deity named Kesavaji.
He offered His respectful obeisances to this Deity.
PURPORT
At the present moment, the temple of Kesavaji is very much improved.
At one time, Kesavaji-mandira was attacked by the emperor Aurangzeb, who constructed such a big mosque there that the temple of Kesavaji was insignificant in comparison.
However, with the help of many rich Madwaris, the temple has improved, and a very large temple is now being constructed so that the mosque is now appearing diminished in comparison.
Many archeological discoveries have been made there, and many people from foreign countries are beginning to appreciate Krsna’s birthplace.
This Krsna consciousness movement is attracting many foreigners to the Kesavaji temple, and now they will also be attracted by the Krsna-Balarama temple in Vrndavana.