Radhastami at ISKCON Vrindavan

By Lakshman (das) Vrindavan (IN)

For Radhastami photos see the link…….. http://www.flickr.com/photos/48332942@N05/page5/

In the month of Bhadra (Hrisikesh masa), during the waxing fortnight on the eight day at noon, we observe the most auspicious appearance of Vrishabhanu Nandini Srimati Radhika, the most beloved associate of Sri Krishna. Just as Krishna’s glories are unlimited, so too are Hers. She is the embodiment of Krishna’s internal pleasure potency known as Hladini shakti. She appeared at Raval, seven kilometers away from Gokul. It is said that Her father Vrishabhanu Maharaja found Her floating on the River Yamuna on a golden lotus. The King was elated to receive the child, but was worried because the child’s eyes were closed. Immediately, Narada Muni appeared and told him not to worry and very soon She would open Her eyes. Vrishabhanu Maharaja had faith in the words of the great sage, but was astonished to see Narada Muni’s respect to his daughter and the prayer offerings the sage made to Her in utmost supplication.

A few days later, Lord Krishna’s mother, Yashoda, heard that her best friend Kirtida had a baby. Nanda Baba, his wife Yashoda, and Nanda-lala came to visit Vrishabhanu Maharaja and his family. Krishna crawled up to the cradle and pulled Himself up and looked in. Immediately She opened Her eyes and saw Krishna. It seems that she did not want to see anything else first except Sri Krishna. Everyone was delighted to see the child’s eyes opened like blossoming lotus petals.

The pastimes of the divine couple are most wonderful, sweet, amazing, confidential and intimate and only pure devotees can properly understand them. As humble servants, we may also be blessed with an opportunity to hear these astounding pastimes in association with the pious devotees. For the devotees aspiring Radha-dasyam (servitude of Radharani), this was the most auspicious day. At ISKCON Vrindavan, a new outfit was offered to Radharani for Mangal-aarti at 4.30 AM and new gorgeous attires for the darshan aarti at 7.30 AM, puspaarti at 4.00 PM including new jewelleries. The flower decorations were beautiful on Radhastami. A variety of palatable food offerings were made including a large cake as well. After Rajbhog, the Deities took a brief rest. With Radharani’s mercy, the devotees enjoyed a sumptuous feast at noon after a half-day fast.

There was a nectarine Radha-katha followed by an abhishekham and kirtan, which captivated the devotees. All devotees danced and sang in ecstasy and the atmosphere was surcharged with the roar of joy. At 10 PM, there was a special darshan and the Deities were adorned with a night-dress and ornaments and we were blessed with a great opportunity to have Srimati Radha’s caran-darshan. Thus, we had three times caran-darshan on the holy day of Radhashtami and adorned the Deities with four new beautiful outfits. In the past few years, Radharani blessed the devotes Her caran-darshan almost the whole day, which indicates the measure of Her mercy exemplifying even that of Krishna, the Supreme Lord.

There are unlimited qualities for Radharani, but 25 are listed prominent. One among them is Her matchless ability to control the unsurpassable Krishna. Krishna could control even the cupid (Madan) and therefore He is called Madan Mohan. Radha could even control Krishna and therefore She is called Madan Mohan Mohini. Actually we should know that there are two considerations- tattva-vicar and lila-vicar. Tattva is the Absolute Truth, Sri Krishna- the source of everything, the Almighty Lord, and the pristine beauty above all. Lila is the glorious pastimes because Srimati Radharani excelled Him in arguments, feud, and beauty, to narrate a few. Anyone dear to the dearest of a master becomes dearest to the master. Therefore, those who worship Radharani will be dearest to Lord Krishna.

The Gaudiya-vaisnavas enjoy the magnanimous pastimes of Radharani more than the Lord like the Vrajavasis, who are completely dedicated to Srimati Radharani than Sri Krishna, although Krishna is worshipped as Her Master and their Prananath. They sing in great ecstasy, “Radhe Radhe, Jaya Sri Radhe, Hare Krishna Mahamantha, Jaya Radha-Shyamsundar, Jaya Krishna Balaram, Jaya Gaura Nitai, Jaya Prabhupada.” Srimati Radharani is the eternal consort of Lord Sri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. She is the internal pleasure potency of the Supreme Lord. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila Chapter 4)

Srimati Radharani is the Mother of the universe, the merciful Mother of all souls. The mother is the most sacred symbol of purity, selflessness, caring, sharing, nurturing, and love. Therefore, our sacred mantra link with the holy names,

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

‘Hare’ means ‘Radhe.’ It is a desperate cry to seek the love of Mother. “Radhe! Mother, please save us drowning in this miserable ocean of samsara and remind our Father to sail us safe through to our Eternal Home!”

In the Krishna consciousness movement, devotees carefully worship Srimati Radharani as the bestower of devotional service to Krishna, by attentively chanting Her name in the maha-mantra, worshiping Her Deity, and following the instructions of the most merciful Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the conjoined form of Radha and Krishna. “Therefore, Radha is parama-devata, the Supreme Goddess, and She is worshipable for everyone. She is the protectress of all, and She is the Mother of the entire universe.” (Sri Caitanya Caritamrita, Adi 4.89)