About Radhastami:
Radhashtami is observed in the month of Bhadra on the eighth day of the bright fortnight (Shukla paksha Ashtami) (August – September). It is an important festival for devotees. Radharani is the mother of the entire universe, and devotees pray to Her on this auspicious day to bless them with Krishna-bhakti. Radhashtami is observed yearly in the month of Bhadra, 15 days after Krishna Janmashtami, Lord Krishna's appearance date.
Who is Radha Rani?
devi krsna-mayi prokta
radhika para-devata
sarva-laksmi-mayi sarva-
kantih sammohini para
Meaning: Lord Sri Krsna's direct counterpart is the transcendental goddess Srimati Radharani. She is the crucial figure for all fortune goddesses. She contains all of the attractive qualities required to entice the all-attractive Personality of Godhead. She is the Lord's primordial interior potency. (4.83 Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila)
How Radharani Appeared On This Earth:
Nandbaba and Yashoda Maiya lived in Nandgaon, and Vrishabhanu and Kirtida Maiya lived in Barsana (Raval); the two families were good friends. When Vrishabhanu Maharaj went to take a bath before morning, he noticed a large light in the pool. When he got closer, he noticed that the golden light was emanating from a lotus; upon closer inspection, he realised that the light was coming from a beautiful girl inside the lotus.
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Vrishbanu Maharaj was overjoyed to see that girl. At that moment, Brahma Ji arrived and bestowed many blessings, saying, "You had done penance to obtain Lord Krishna's inner strength in the shape of a daughter, which is why you have received Srimati Radharani in the form of a daughter. Now you take her home and care for her with love." Vrishabhanu Maharaj brought Radharani home, but when he realised she didn't open her eyes or talk, he was overcome with sadness.
Then Narad Muni Ji arrived and told him that it was time to celebrate Kanya Utsav. Vrishabhanu Maharaj does as well, organising a Grand Festival. Nandbaba, Yashoda Maiya, and their young children Krishna and Balaram also attended the festivities. Then Krishna, a tiny toddler, crawls on his knees to the chalet, near Radharani, and touches her. Radharani opens her eyes and begins to cry as soon as Krishna touches her. Everyone ran, and Vrishabhanu Maharaj and Kirtida Maiya were overcome with joy that their daughter had opened her eyes.
Radharani Pranam Mantra:
tapta-kāñcana-gaurāńgi rādhe vṛndāvaneśvari
vṛṣabhānu-sute devī praṇamāmi hari-priye
Meaning: I pay my respects to Radha Rani, the Queen of Vṛndāvana, whose bodily complexion is like molten gold. You are the daughter of King Vṛṣabhānu, and Lord Krishna adores you the most.
Ashtasakhis of Radha Rani: Lalita, Visakha, Chitralekha, Champakalata, Tungavidya, Indulekha, Rangadevi, and Sudevi. Radharani's eight sakhis were an important part of her childhood and adolescence. Lalita Sakhi and Vishakha Sakhi were the most notable of the eight sakhis. Radharani spent time with her feminine counterpart during Krishna's pastimes in Vrindavan. The Srimad Bhagavata Mahapuran and six Goswami in Vrindavan tell us how they always enjoy each other's company and make plans to meet.
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Srimati Radharani, the most beautiful, always enchanted Krishna, and Krishna, in turn, was always the Enchanter of Srimati Radharani.
The Purpose Of Human Life Is To Please Radharani:
The purpose of our lives should be to seek refuge only at Sri Krishna's lotus feet and to do so, we must have perseverance, concentration, focus, and determination. The clearest example of this is Srimati Radharani Ji, to whom Sri Krishna himself came 500 years ago in the form of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and proclaimed Hari Naam Sankirtana, which according to Srimad Bhagavata Mahapuran is the simplest way of mankind's compassion in Kaliyuga. So begin chanting this Kalyuga's tremendous maha-mantra:
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare,
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.
Make this maha-mantra an essential part of your daily routine since there is no other mantra as strong and effective. Call on the Lord with a simple heart and a selfless attitude, seeking refuge in Him to achieve the perfection of this human life.
Celebration of Radhastami:
The Deities of Sri Radha Krishnachandra are dressed in new attire for this auspicious occasion. The altar is adorned with vibrant, colourful flowers that radiate their scent throughout the area.
The utsava Deities of Sri Radha Krishnachandra are given a magnificent abhisheka in the evening. Devotees chant amazing songs composed by Vaishnava Acharyas during kirtans to worship Srimati Radharani. Hundreds of worshippers go to the temple to witness the festivities. The Deities are bathed in milk, curd, ghee, honey, and jaggery water, followed by fruit juices such as muskmelon, apple, watermelon, pineapple, pomegranate, orange, sweet lime, papaya, grapes, and so on. As the devotees chant Sri Radhikastava, an elaborate arati is conducted. Following the arati, the Deities are bathed in holy water drawn from 108 kalashas. This is followed by a shower of various flower kinds. Following the abhisheka, devotees present Chappan Bhog (56 different cuisines) to Sri Radha Krishnachandra.
The festivities culminate with a spectacular shayana arati. Radhikastaka, a particular song authored by Srila Rupa Gosvami, is sung by devotees. A big pallakki utsava follows the shayana arati. Radhashtami is a special occasion to honour Srimati Radharani, under whose care one can achieve perfection in devotional service. Don't pass up this chance to sponsor sevas to Sri Radha Krishnachandra and gain Their immeasurable mercy.
All Glories to Srimati Radha Rani...
Radhe Radhe!!!
