Sunday, March 15, 2015

ETERNAL DIVINE LOVERS RADHA KRISHNA

ETERNAL DIVINE LOVERS
Devotion Bhakti


ETERNAL DIVINE LOVERS_"RADHA-KRISHNA"

 All the forms of God and Goddesses known as almighty powers are naturally self-submitted to Radha Krishna. Almighty forms of God have Their Blissful form of Divine regality which a Saint experiences in Vaikunth. It is somewhat like a king to his subject’s relationship and preferences. The loving form of Radha Krishna is the ocean of unlimited Divine Bliss. It reveals such a ‘love’ that is beyond imagination. It is so marvelous that even Goddess Maha Lakchmi cannot describe it. That makes it exceptionally special and great. Just think, if the sandalwood tree bears a flower, how deep and exciting would be its fragrance? This is the excellence of Radha Krishna love as compared to the Blissfulness of Vaikunth.
The Upnishads say that ahladini power is the supreme power of God Krishn that holds all the powers within itself. He is calledpoorntam purushottam brahm, the supreme personality of God. Thus, all the forms of God reside within Krishna, whereas all the forms are absolute and are Divinely one. Also, all the forms are the various forms of Krishna Himself representing Their respective Divine powers with varying Blissful elegance. Thus, there is an absolute oneness with definite Blissful differences in all the forms of God. This simultaneous non-differential difference is the natural feature of God Krishna which is established by the yogmaya, Radha, Who is the essence and life force of ahladini power.
The concentrated essence of ahladini power is called the ‘Divine love power’, like the concentrated perfume of rose flowers in an essence form. This is the power that manifests the loving leelas of Krishna. The absolute essence of the Divine love, and absolute culminated state of all the exciting, loving and thrilling aspects of the Divine love power is Mahabhao. That Mahabhao is Shree Raseshwari Radha Rani, the supreme Queen of Divine Vrindaban. Her eight personal aides, Lalita etc., are the expansion of Her own personality.
So, Radha Krishn are the absolute supreme brahm in two forms. Shree Raseshwari Radha Rani is the supreme para shakti. The Puranas describe the superiority of Radha upon leela purushottam Krishna by saying that Radha is the ‘soul’ and ‘life breath’ of Krishna and thus She is the origin of Krishna’s all-greatness. However, Radha and Krishna are one; whatever is Radha, the same is Krishna.
The Divine beauty of Radha and Krishna is beyond imagination. Vaishnab Acharyas revealed thousands of chantings and pads that describe the Gracious beauty of Their Divine form. The following are English translations of two of  Divine chantings explaining the exceeding beauty of Radha, and Krishna’s supreme form and exquisite decorations.
  

Roop Agadhey Radhey, Radhey Meri Radhey…

The beauty of Radha is boundless. My Radhey is wearing a golden crown studded with precious jewels. The glitteringchandrika on Her crown is decorated with a fine chain of pearlsRadha Rani is wearing a red bindi on Her forehead and Her ears are adorned with ear-pendants. Her lotus eyes are decorated with collyrium and She looks very innocent. Radha is              wearing a shiny nose ring and nose pearl in Her nose. Her sweet smile is heart-enticing. The fancy bracelets and rings on Her hands are fascinating and Her palms are decorated with henna. My Radhey is wearing an attractive blue blouse. Bead chains of sparkling pearls and precious gems are glorifying Her neck. She is wearing elegant bangles on Her wrists and Her delicate waist is decorated with an ornate waistband. Anklets are glorifying Her lotus feet and Her toes are bejeweled with cute little toe rings. Radhey’s toenails are glittering like ten precious jewels and Her lotus feet are decorated with javak (a liquid red color used to adorn the feet). Shree Kripaluji Maharaj says that the amazing Divine beauty of my Radhey is so fascinating that it entices the heart of Manmohan Krishn.
 

Wari Banwari Par Wari, Wari Wari Wari…

A devotee says: I adore Banwari Krishna. The Divine body of Krishn has the bluishness of the alsi flower. The beauty of millions of Kamdev’s could be sacrificed on the beauty of each pore of Krishn’s body. Whose heart would not be captivated by              looking at the black curly hair of Krishna? I adore His peacock              feather diadem and yellow silken clothing. Even God Shiv and Shukdeo are drowned in His love when they see Krishna. The beauty of thousands of Ratis (wife of Kamdev) can be sacrificed on His sweet smile. I adore the beauty of Krishn’s golden ear-pendants and nose-pearl, the beautiful bangles that adorn His wrists, and the beautiful kaustubh jewel that adorns His chest. The beauty of His elegant peetambar (yellow silken shawl) and the pretty kachni (silken scarf tied around His waist), the jeweled waistband around His waist, and jingle-bells of the anklets on His feet, are heart enticing. Shree Kripaluji Maharaj says that I adore the Divine glow of Krishna’s toenails.
  

Gopi is saying that her Both beloveds Radha and Krishna reside in her heart. Vrishbhanu Nandini Radha has a fair complexion and Krishn has a bluish complexion. They are standing in a beautiful nikunj with Their arms around each other.
That side, Radha is elegantly dressed up in blue, and Krishn is in yellow on this side. That side, Radha Rani is fully adorned with all the sixteen steps of beautification and decorations, and, on this side, Krishn is neatly dressed up in His glorious natvar style. (The personality of Krishn is like chabi, the plain Divine beauty, and of Radha is like shringar, the loving, charming and exciting adornments of that Divine beauty.) That side, beautiful Krishn beautifies the heart of all-adorned Radha Rani, the shringar, and, on this side, all-adorned Radha Rani adorns the heart of beloved Krishn, the chabi. (It means that Krishn is in the heart of Radha and Radha is in the heart of Krishn.)
The Gopi says, "Those who always watch the loving beauty of Both Divine beloveds, Radha Krishn, are really the most lucky ones in the universe."

(Krishn used to go to the Yamuna river in the morning to give His darshan to the Gopis who have received His love, and also to impart His love to other Gopis who have not yet received His Divine love. This pad describes one of the scenes of the loving beauty of Krishna.)
Krishn has just come and He is standing near the river Yamuna. He is standing in His tribhangi pose. The twist of His crown and the bend of His neck, waist and feet is exceedingly eye-pleasing. The elegance of the entwining of the peetambarwith the stick which He is holding is envying millions of Kamdevas. His pretty flute is neatly tucked in His kachni which He is elegantly wearing around His waist and on the top of His yellow dhoti. Glancing here and there He is lovingly looking at the Gopis which they very much admire.
A shy Gopi (who couldn't lift her veil and see Krishna face to face out of her blushingness) is lovingly watching the heart-exciting reflection of Krishn in the Yamuna river (and is slowly getting drowned in His love).


(A devotee says:) O my mind! Always remember the all-adorned beautiful Bhanu Nandini Radha Rani in your heart. (You must know, that) all-virtuous brahm Shyam Sundar also remembers Her day and night.
Radha Rani wears a small elegant gold chandrika which is suspended in the middle of Her gold crown. (They are uniquely studded and ornamented with radiant precious jewels like diamond, sapphire, ruby and emerald, etc. of various shades and sizes.) Under the crown there is a continuous line of intercrossing mini loops of extremely small and fine pearls.
She has a fair complexion and, on Her head and around the upper part of Her body She wears choonari which is decorated with very fine elaborate golden embroidery and has a wide border. On the lower part of Her body She wears a blue color silken or velvet long lavishing skirt (with a very wide border of golden work, ornated with little jewels and sparkling materials.              The middle of the skirt is spangled and adorned with fancy little patterns of exquisite embroidery).
(Delicately designed and excessively jeweled) ear-pendants are flashing on Her ears, Her hair is braided and decorated with fragrant flowers, and Her eyebrows are naturally shaped like a bow without any doing. A tiny ornament, a nose pearl (made out of one single and slender pearl and suspended from the middle of the nostrils with a fine link), appears to be playing with Her upper lip, and Her loving smile is catching the heart, mind and soul of everyone with its sweet fascination.
Anklets on Her lotus feet (with tiny and round jingle bells and jeweled with multicolor sparkling jewels) enliven the grace of Her superbly elegant gait (with their delicate soft, melodious resonance when She walks,) and they make the winner of the honor of having the beautiful walk, the hans bird, run away with shame. (The devotee again says:) O my mind! (What are you waiting for?) After hearing the kindness and the lovingness of such a Swamini, Radha Rani, why don’t you rush and cling to Her lotus feet forever.



The sweet nectar of Radha Krishna Love is showering in Divine Vrindaban. The beauty of sapphire-complexioned Krishn, Who is the crown jewel of all the rasik Saints and Who is wearing an elegant kaustubh jewel necklace, is charming. And the beauty of Radha, Who has a heart-enticing gait and Who is the crest jewel of all the Goddesses, is more charming than Krishn Who is the stealer of Gopis’ hearts.
With Their fascinating gestures and movements, Both, Radha and Krishn, are dancing with heart-captivating elegance and singing in a sweet melodious voice. While doing raas, Radha Krishn delight each other by Their loving frolics and smiles, and They entice the heart of the Gopis with Their Blissful actions.
Gopi says, "Out of all the visions, I take the most pleasure in seeing Radha Krishn when They put Their arm around each other (and looking into the eyes of each other when They look towards us)."

Monday, September 5, 2011

Shree Radha-Astami(The appearance day of Srimati Radharani)

Shree Radha-astami



(The appearance day of Srimati Radharani) 
In the bright half phase of the moon on the 9th day (Ashtami) in the Vaishnava month of Hrishikesh celebrates the most important and auspicious appearance day of Srimati Radharani, the eternal consort of Bhagavan Shree Krsna. This year this most auspicious day falls on the 5th September. This most auspicious day is rarely even mentioned and seems to be quite forgotten yet this day in my very humble opinion is THE most important day for a Hindu. This is the appearance day of the eternal consort of Shree Krsna - Srimati Radharani. Jai Shree Radhe.
 JAI JAI RADHA NAAM PREM TARANGINI..
PREM TARANGINI NAAM SUDHA TARANGINI..

RADHE RADHE RADHE RADHE RADHE RADHE RADHE RADHE RADHE RADHE RADHE RADHE

Over five thousand years ago, when Lord Krishna appeared on this planet to perform His divine pastimes, and so to Srimati Radharani also appeared. Srimati Radharani appeared in Rawal, a village about 8 km from Vrindavan, near New Delhi, India. There are a number of accounts of her parentage. "On a half-moon night in the month of Bhadra, King Vrishabhanu came to the Jamuna River to bathe and found himself engulfed in a golden aura, the golden aura of pure love. It was emanating from a lotus, which had a baby girl standing on its whorl. When the king returned to the palace with the baby, Queen Kirtida was delighted. She was also shocked that the child was blind.


"Lord Krishna's mother, Yashoda, heard that her best friend Kirtida had a baby, so she came to visit along with her husband and her son. Lord Krishna crawled up to the cradle and pulled Himself up and looked in. At that moment, Srimati Radharani's eyes fluttered and opened wide and blossomed like lotuses. It seems that she did not want to see anything of this world, only the form of Shree Krishna. Everyone was so delighted.
Baby Radhe 

"Srimati Radharani is the mother of the universe, the spiritual mother of all souls. And the concept of mother is the most sacred symbol—that of purity, selflessness, caring, sharing, nurturing, and love. That is why our sacred mantra is the holy names. It is the holy names in the vocative, Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare / Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.


"'Hare' means Mother "Hara" or "Radhe" (Narada-pancaratra 5.5.59). It is a desperate cry for the mother. 'Radhe! Please wake us up from this nightmare of mortal life! Remind us of our father (who is Lord Krishna) we have forgotten and take us home!'" In other words, it is through Shree Radhe that one more easily attains Shree Krishna and service to Shree Krishna. This is the advantage of approaching Lord Krishna through Srimati Radharani. In the Gaudiya Vaishnava movement, devotees carefully worship Srimati Radharani as the bestower of devotional service to Lord Krishna, by attentively chanting Her divine name in the maha-mantra, by worshiping Her deity form, and by following the instructions of the most merciful Shree Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who is the combined form of Shree Radha and Shree Krishna. "(Therefore) Shree Radha is parama-devata, the Supreme Goddess, and She is worshippable for everyone. She is the protectress of all, and She is the mother of the entire universe." - Caitanya Caritamrita, Adi Lila 4.89


In Vrndavana Srimati Radharani importance surpasses even the importance of Shree Krishna. Shree Radha's love for Shree Krishna is held within Gaudiya Vaishnavism as the most perfect primarily because of its endless and unconditional nature. Thus She is the most important consort of Shree Krishna, 'His heart and soul', and His 'hladini-shakti' (spiritual pleasure potency). In the Brihad-Gautamiya Tantra, Srimati Radharani is described as follows: "The transcendental Srimati Radharani is the direct counterpart of Lord Shree Krishna. She is the central figure for all the goddesses of fortune. She possesses all the attractiveness to attract the all-attractive Personality of Godhead. She is the primeval internal potency of the Lord."


The Srimad Bhagavatam Maha Purana is most important of all Vedic scriptures; its 18000 verses are actually glorifying Srimati Radharani. But the speaker Srila Sukadeva Goswami could not say Her name directly because if he did then he would have gone into a trance like state for many weeks (the Srimad Bhagavatam had to be completed in 7 days). Why you would ask? It is because he is the personal and favourite parrot of Srimati Radharani in the spiritual world. The attachment that he has for Srimati Radharani has no bounds.


Srimati Radharani's other most auspicious names
Srimati Radharani has many names according to Her qualities and characteristics. Some of the names that Srimati Radharani is known by include:
MOHAN PYARI,MOHAN KAMINI,MOHAN MOHINI,
MOHAN ANANDANI,MOHAN ALHADINI,MOHAN PRANESWARI,
MOHAN PRANADHIKA,MOHAN JEEBONI,MOHAN PREMAKAMINI

PARAM DHAN RADHA RADHA SRI RADHA RADHA RADHA RADHA
Govinda-anandini - She who gives pleasure to Lord Govinda (Lord Krishna)
Govinda-mohini - She who mystifies Lord Govinda
Govinda-sarvasva - the all-in-all of Lord Govinda
Shiromani Sarva-kanta - the crown jewel of all the Lord's consorts
Krishnamayi - the one who sees Lord Krishna both within and without
Radhika - Her worship of the Lord consists of fulfilling His desires
Aradhana - The root name of Radharani, meaning one who excels in worshiping the Lord
Sarva-lakshmi - The original source of all the goddesses of fortune
Sarva-kanti - all beauty and luster rest in Her body & all the desires of Lord Krishna rest in Her.
Madan-Mohan-Mohini - the enchanter of the enchanter of Cupid. Lord Krishna is said to be the enchanter of, and more beautiful than Cupid, the master enchanter. But Shree Radhe is the enchanter of Lord Krishna, Madan-Mohan-Mohini.
Vrshabanu-nandini - daughter of Maharaja Vrishabhanu
Vrndavaneshvari - Queen of Vrndavana
Lalita-Sakhi - friend of the gopi (cowherd girl) Shree Lalita
Gokula-Taruni - She whom all young girls of Gokula (Vrndavana) worship
Damodara Rati - She who dresses herself to please Lord Damodara [Lord Krishna]



Information regarding Srimati Radharani is very scarce amongst Vedic literature. Apart from a brief mention in Mahabharata and Srimad Bhagavatam Her story is largely unmentioned in written detail. The reason for this is the esoteric nature of Her position, thus details of Her topmost devotion to Lord Krishna was a closely guarded secret within Vaishnava circles. It's very easy to misunderstand Her and thus causes serious offenses.


Many commit offenses to other devotees and this is sad because they are destroying their spiritual life. APARADHA – means APA – no RADHA – Radharani. So when one commits offenses he does not receive the blessings of the most important person and that of Srimati Radharani. Without Her blessings we cannot succeed in our spiritual sadhana.


Srimati Radharani is the Supreme Goddess. She is most always seen with Lord Krishna. It is described that She is the chief associate and devotee of Lord Krishna, and topmost of all goddesses. Her name means that She is the most excellent worshiper of Lord Krishna. However, She is also an expansion of the Lord's energy. Since She is also an extension of Lord Krishna, She is the feminine aspect of Godhead. Thus, in the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, God is both male and female. They are one, but Lord Krishna expands into two, Himself and Radharani, for the sake of divine loving pastimes. If They remained as one, then there is no relationship, there are no pastimes, and there can be no dynamic exchange of love. (Caitanya-Caritamrita, Adi-lila, 4.55-56)


Srimati Radharani is the source of the other goddesses. Just as Lord Krishna is the source of all other manifestations and incarnations of God, Srimati Radharani is the source of all expansions of the energies of God - the shaktis, or other goddesses. Thus, Lord Vishnu, Shree Rama, even Lord Shiva are all expansions of the one Supreme Being, the Supreme Personality of Godhead Shree Krishna, and similarly Mother Lakshmi, Mother Sita, and Mother Durga are all expansions of this Supreme Feminine form of God, Srimati Radharani.


It is explained that the beloved consorts of Lord Krishna are of three kinds, namely the goddesses of fortune or Lakshmis, His queens, and the milkmaids of Vraja called the gopis. All of them proceed from Srimati Radharani. The Lakshmis are partial manifestations, or plenary portions, of Srimati Radharani, while the queens in Vaikuntha and in Dvaraka are reflections of Her image. The Vraja-devis or gopis are Her expansions and assist in the increase of rasa, or the divine loving pastimes. Among them there are many groups that have various sentiments and moods, which help Lord Krishna, taste the sweetness of the rasa dance and other pastimes. (Caitanya Caritamrita Adi-lila. 4. 75-81)


Without Shree Radha there is no meaning to Shree Krishna and without Shree Krishna there is no meaning to Shree Radha. Because of this, in the Vaishnava tradition we always pay respects first to the Lord's internal energy in the form of Shree Radha, and then to Shree Krsna. Thus They are referred to as Shree Shree Radha-Krishna, or in other names as Sita-Rama, Lakshmi-Narayana, and so on. In this way, Shree Radha and Shree Krishna are one, but when Lord Krishna wants to enjoy, He manifests Himself as Radharani. Otherwise, there is no energy in which Lord Krishna can attain pleasure outside Himself.


The descriptions of the beauty of Srimati Radharani are wonderfully poetic and descriptive. Actually, the residents of Vrindavana care more for Srimati Radharani than they do for Lord Krishna. They know that Lord Krishna can be influenced through Srimati Radharani. They know that Shree Radha can bring one to Shree Krishna. She is also the compassionate nature of the Lord, and thus more easily approached than trying to reach Lord Krishna directly. And when we read these descriptions of Shree Radha, it is no wonder why they are devoted to Her. For example, it is explained that Srimati Radharani has unlimited transcendental qualities, of which twenty-five are principal.


To understand Himself through the agency of Shree Radha, the Lord manifests Himself as Lord Chaitanya, who is Lord Krishna but with the super-excellent emotions of Shree Radharani's love toward Lord Krishna. To fully taste His own sweetness, the Lord accepts the position and emotions of a devotee. Appearing over 520 years ago in West Bengal, India, Lord Chaitanya propagated the chanting of the Hare Krishna Mantra as the only means to experience Shree Radha's love for Shree Krishna.


In describing Srimati Radharani, it is also said in the Vidagdha-madhava (1.32) by Rupa Goswami, "The beauty of Srimati Radharani's eyes forcibly devours the beauty of newly grown blue lotus flowers, and the beauty of Her face surpasses that of an entire forest of fully blossomed lotuses. Her bodily luster seems to place even gold in a painful situation. Thus the wonderful, unprecedented beauty of Srimati Radharani is awakening Vrindavana."


"Although the effulgence of the moon is brilliant initially at night, in the daytime it fades away. Similarly, although the lotus is beautiful during the daytime, at night it closes. But, O My friend, the face of My most dear Srimati Radharani is always bright and beautiful, both day and night. Therefore, to what can Her face be compared?" (Vidagdha-madhava 5.20)
radharani-feeling-separation-from-lord-krishna
Shree Radhe feeling separation from Lord Krishna
"When Srimati Radharani smiles, waves of joy overtake Her cheeks, and Her arched eyebrows dance like the bow of Cupid. Her glance is so enchanting that it is like a dancing bumblebee, moving unsteadily due to intoxication. That bee has bitten the whorl of My heart." (Vidagdha-madhava 2.51)


The spiritual exchange of divine love between Shree Radha and Shree Krishna is the display of the internal energy of the Lord, and is very confidential and difficult to understand. No mundane materialist can begin to understand this topic of the relationship between Srimati Radharani and Lord Krishna. But the more we awaken our dormant love for God, which is natural state of being for a fully awakened soul, then the more we can comprehend and actually enter into such spiritual loving exchanges.


SREE RADHE RADHE RADHE RADHE RADHE RADHE RADHE RADHE RADHE RADHE RADHE RADHE


To view more pictures and information on Srimati Radharani please go onto this beautiful website...http://radhamohan.webs.com/


How to observe Shree Radha-astami: -

On this most auspicious day one should at least abstain from meat. Many devout devotees abstain from salt or even water until noon (midday). I would highly recommend this. For those that are diabetic well try your best to observe the fast to the best of your abilities. In the morning on this very auspicious day after having a bath and wearing clean clothes offer to a picture/Deity of Shree Radha-Krsna incense, lamp and flowers. Offer these items seven times in a clockwise direction around the picture/Deity. Then you can break your fast just after midday with food that has been offered to Shree Radha-Krsna. It has been said by the residents of Vrndavan (Vrajvasis) that Srimati Radharani favourite food is Malpura. It would be rather nice to offer Shree Radhe Malpura's. If you so desire to offer Malpura's for Shree Radhe we have provided a recipe below. Thereafter read these pastimes or any other pastimes that you have on Srimati Radharani. You can after that, visit your local temple in the morning or in the evening. Offer Shree Radha-Krsna prayers with faith and devotion that They may remove all the obstacles that you may have in your path.



radhranifeet
Shree Radha's most auspicious lotus feet.