Radhaji, Personification of Devotion, Grace, Selfless Service and
Unconditional Love for Krishna.
Radhashtami is a very special and important festival. On this day Shree Radharani appeared in Barsana (U. P. India) . Radharani is the
eternal consort of Shree Krishna. She appeared on the earth fifiteen days after
Shree Krishna’s appearance in Mathura. She is the original and most loving form
of Shakti, or the Divine Mother of the Universe. The festival falls on the
eighth day of bright fortnight of the Hindu
month Bhaadra ( August-September).
Meaning Of Radha:
Ved says, कृष्णेन आराध्यते इति राधा I Radha
is the one who is adored and worshiped by Shree Krishna Himself!!
Radharani is often reffered to as Shree Radharani, Radhika
or Radhikarani. According to Upnishad, the one Supreme entity manifests in two
forms to increase its bliss- Radha and Krishna. Shree Krishna is the source of
all energies and Radharani is His Supreme Divine Energy, or Yogmaya.
In the Shreemad Bhagavatam there is only indirect mention of
Radharani, as the Gopi who was most dear to Shree Krishna. It is explained that
the speaker of Bhagavata, Shukdev Paramhans is an eternal associate of
Radharani. He is so devoted to Her, that if he ever takes Her name he faints
for six months. He had to relate the entire Bhagavatam to Parikshit in seven
days. Therefore, he refferd to Her as the one Gopi who loved Shree Krishna the
most.
Appearance of Radhaji:
Radharani’s appearance is very much similar to that of
Mother Seeta. She was not actually born to Her parents. King Vrishbhanu, was a
king of the cowherds in the land of Braj. One day, when he was bathing in a
lake, he saw that a golden lotus with tremendous effulgence was floating and
coming closer to him. When it came more closer he found a beautiful little girl
with Divine effulgence on that lotus flower.
Vrishbhanu was filled with fatherly affection and brought
the baby back home. When the king returned to the palace with the baby, Queen
Kirtida was delighted. At that time Radharani’s eyes were closed, and She
refused to open them. Vrishbhanu and Kirtikumari were very upset by knowing
that their daughter, RADHAJI did not open her eyes even after one year of her
appearance.She grew up in Her father Vrishbhanu’s home in Barsana. Afew years
went by, and Vrishbhanu had a grand function, in which he invited the
neighboring villages. Shree Krishna came along with His parents to the
function. When He reached by the side of little Radha, She opened Her eyes for
the first time, and saw Her Beloved Lord, for whose pleasure She had descended
on the planet earth!!
Radhaji’s bodily
complexion defeats the beauty of gold. Her large and big eyes full of
compassion, filled with grace and love, are just like the wide petal of pink
lotus. Her Beloved Krishna has a blue hue and to keep Him always closer, She
prefers to wear blue saree. She adorns herself with beautiful flowers and flower
strings in Her braid to please Krishna.
Devotees pray to Her to Bless them with Divine Love for
Shree Krishna. In Vrindavan, they sing kirtan:
Radhey Radhey! Shyam se mila de!
“ O
Radharani! Kindly help us meet Shree Krishna!”
Devotees pray to Radharani to grant them seva of Her Beloved
Lord, knowing that if they can please Her, Lord Krishna will be pleased automatically.
It is not only confusing to understand the glory of Goddess RADHAJI but also
difficult to describe RADHAJI in one form or beauty.
Many temples follow the tradition of keeping Radharani’s
feet covered all through the year. On Radhashtami, devotees especially have the
auspicious darshan of Radharani’s Lotus-feet.
Radharani is the Goddess of Devotion, or Bhakti, and Her
Love for Shree Krishna is the highest ideal of selfless devotion. The love and
relationship between Lord Krishna and Radha is above all relations existing
in the world. Their relationship describes love, sacrifice, togetherness,
separation, innocence, playfulness, friendship and devotion. Radharani cannot be
simply called as the Lover of Shree Krishna because Lord Krishna used to
worship Radharani along with all his love and care. The love story of Radharani and
Krishna is not only famous in the entire world but also read and heard as the
holy story across the globe.
The love of Radha for Krishna is beyond the human
imaginations and heights, none in this world can even treasure their love in
words or feelings because it is always less in comparison to her actual love
and simplicity.
