Radhashtami, Glories of the queen of Vrindavan- Srimati Radharani

Introduction

Radhashtami is celebrated as the auspicious appearance day of Srimati Radharani, the eternal consort of Lord Krishna. Srimati Radharani appeared as the daughter of Sri Vrishbhanu and Kiritda in Raval on the eighth (Ashtami) day of the bright fortnight in the month of Bhadra (August-September). 

As the material world is conducted under external energy, the spiritual world is conducted by internal potency. The Supreme Goddess, Srimati Radharani is mentioned as the internal potency, hladini shakti of Lord Krishna. Srila Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of ISKCON and Worldwide Hare Krishna Movement explains about Srimati Radharani in one of His lectures in great detail-

“Rādhārāṇī is the expansion of Krsna’s pleasure potency. Kṛṣṇa is the energetic, and Rādhārāṇī is the energy. Just like energy and energetic, you cannot separate. Similarly, wherever there is Kṛṣṇa there is Rādhā. And wherever there is Rādhā there is Kṛṣṇa. They are inseparable."

Who is Srimati Radharani?

As per the folktales of Braj, Vrishabhanu Ji and Kiritda were praying for a child. One day, while praying, an extraordinary lotus with petals dazzling brightly, came to him. When he approached to see inside the petals, he found a baby shining like molten gold. She was none other than Radha.

tapta-kancana-gaurangi radhe vrndavanesvari

vrsabhanu-sute devi pranamami hari-priye

"I offer my respects to Radharani, whose bodily complexion is like molten gold and who is the Queen of Vrndavana. You are the daughter of King Vrsabhanu, and You are very dear to Lord Krishna."

Srimati Radharani is the source of love, devotion and compassion. Her appearance day, Radhashtami, is celebrated as one of the most joyous festivals of the Braj region. Srimati Radharani is the eternal consort of Lord Krishna and is non-different from the Lord Himself. She guides all the devotees and blesses them with Her causeless mercy. Once She recommends such a devotee to Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Lord at once accepts the devotee into His association.

rādhā — pūrṇa-śakti, kṛṣṇa — pūrṇa-śaktimān

dui vastu bheda nāi, śāstra-paramāṇa

As per Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta Adi 4.96, Śrī Rādhā is the full power, and Lord Kṛṣṇa is the possessor of full power. The two are not different, as evidenced by the revealed scriptures. 

Glories of Radharani

Srimati Radharani, the queen of Vrindavan, is worshipped by a lot of beautiful names among Her devotees, and She is infinitely merciful towards them. As mentioned in the purport of Srimad Bhagavatam 2.3.23-

“Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī is a tenderhearted feminine counterpart of the supreme whole, resembling the perfectional stage of the worldly feminine nature.”

Srila Rupa Goswami, one of the six Goswamis of Vrindavan who revealed the glories of Vrindavan to the world on instructions of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, describes the divine features of Srimati Radharani in His book Sri Sri Radha-Krishna-Ganoddesa-Dipika. It mentions-

“Srimati Radharani possesses all charm and sweetness, and in Sruti-Sastra, she is known by the name of Gandhara Devi. Her transcendental form is like an ocean of nectar, and Her splendid bodily luster is like molten gold or stationary lighting. She is adored by various pearls and flowers, in Her long, nicely braided hair. Her pre-eminent beauty multiples, as She wears a garland of flowers. Her arms have defeated Cupid’s staff with their beauty.”

He further explains, “Decorated with black mascara, Srimati Radhrani’s lotus eyes are the most beautiful in all the three planetary systems. Her nose is as beautiful as a sesame flower, and it is decorated with a pearl. She is anointed with various perfumes and Her nectarean smile of pure love for Krsna, Her beautiful face is as splendid as millions of moons.

The auspicious markings on Srimati Radharani’s lotus hands include the sign of the bumblebee, lotus, crescent moon, earring, conch-shell and svastika. Her lotus feet anointed with red kumkum are adorned with signs of conch-shell, moon, elephant, barleycorn, chariot flag, small drum, svastika and fish.”

Srimati Radharani is known by many beautiful names, which implies Her divine appearance on earth, like- 

• Shriji- Goddess of devotion, radiance and prosperity

• Kishori- Youthful

• Gopi- Cowherd woman

• Shyama- Beloved of Shyam Sundar 

• Keshavi- One with long and beautiful hair

• Nitya- means eternal

• Vrindavaneshvari- Queen of Vrindavan

• Rasapriya- the one who is fond of the rasa dance

• Madhavi- born in springtime or goddess of wealth and good fortune 

Srimati Radharani: The Supreme Devotee of Krishna

Radha is regarded as the ultimate embodiment of divine feminine energy, Mulprakriti the origin or manifestation of all the material forms. She is the Supreme Goddess and source of all creative energies in the universe. 

kṛṣṇa-vāñchā-pūrti-rūpa kare ārādhane

ataeva ‘rādhikā’ nāma purāṇe vākhāne

As per Sri Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā 4.87, “The name “Rādhā” is derived from the root word ārādhana, which means “worship.” The personality who excels all in worshipping Kṛṣṇa may therefore be called Rādhikā, the greatest servitor.”

Rādhā is the one who gives pleasure to Govinda, and She is also the enchantress of Govinda. She is the be-all and end-all of Govinda and the crest jewel of all His consorts. She possesses all the attractiveness to attract the all-attractive Lord Krishna. Srimati Radharani is the prime reciprocator of the transcendental love of Sri Krishna. The essence of the hlādinī potency is love of God, the essence of love of God is emotion [bhāva], and the ultimate development of emotion is mahābhāva, and Sri Radha is that "mahabhava". 

She is the repository of all good qualities and the crest jewel among all the lovely consorts of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Her mind, senses and body are steeped in love for Kṛṣṇa. She is Kṛṣṇa’s own energy, and She helps Him in His pastimes. Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī serves as She assists in the Lord’s pastimes. Srimati Radharani is incomprehensible even by the Lord Himself and Her intensity of loving service is the highest form of ecstacy. Radha the very name suggests that she is eternally the topmost consort of Shri Krishna.

rādhikāra prema — guru, āmi — śiṣya naṭa

sadā āmā nānā nṛtye nācāya udbhaṭa

CC Ādi 4.124 states, “The love of Rādhikā is My teacher, and I am Her dancing pupil. Her prema makes Me dance various novel dances.”

Srimati Radharani is the supreme devotee of Lord Krishna. Devotees can easily attain the blessings of Lord Krishna if they worship Srimati Radharani. She is the medium transmitting the living entities’ service to Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Devotees in Vṛndāvana, therefore, seek the mercy of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī in order to be recognised as loving servitors of Śrī Kṛṣṇa. As stated by Bhaktivinoda Thakura in one of His devotional songs to glorify the importance of Radharani, He says-

radha-pada vina kabhu krsna nahi mile

“Without taking shelter of the lotus feet of Radha, one can never personally meet Lord Krsna.”

Radhashtami in Vrindavan

The auspicious appearance day of Srimati Radharani is celebrated all across the Braj with great joy and zeal. The major temples of Vrindavan, like  Sri Banke Bihari Temple, Sri Radha Vallabh Temple, Radha Raman Temple, Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir and Shriji Temple in Barsana etc are decorated in a grand way, special prayers and melodious kirtans glorifying Srimati Radharani are offered by devotees.

At Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir, the Deities are adorned with a special shringar on this auspicious day. In the evening, the Utsava Deities of Sri Radha Vrindavanchandra are offered a grand abhishek, which is accompanied by Vedic chants and melodious kirtans. There will also be a pravachan on the glories of Sri Radharani given by one of the senior devotees of the temple. The Deities will also receive a grand arati and Pallaki Utsav as part of the festivities.

Do join the festivities LIVE on September 11, from 5:30 PM onwards.