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How to Celebrate Radhastami

 Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

In Hari-bhakti vilasa, Srila Sanatana Goswamipada writes 276 verses telling how to observe Sri Krishna Jayanti. But he did not mention one verse about observing Radhastami. Gaudiya Vaisnavas worship Radha Govinda Yugala with special emphasis on serving and pleasing Sri Radha (radhadasyam). Therefore, on Radhastami many Gaudiyas do special worship and vratas to please their eternal Ishvari and Swamini Sri Radha.

Here we will list many wonderful sevas devotees may do to please Karunamayi Radhika with special pujas, offerings and prayers. Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

* 1. WAKING RADHASTAMI SANKALPA:

Upon rising from bed, take a sankalpa (firm vow): Before a murti or painting of Radharani pray, “O Karunamayi Radha! On this most beautiful and auspicious day of Your divine appearance, I will try my best to remember, serve, glorify and please You. O Vrindavaneshvari! Please be merciful and bless this most unworthy one with the eternal service of Your delicate, fragrant and sweet lotus feet.”

* 2. CHANT AT 6 A.M. TO 8:24 A.M. LORD CHAITANYA’S RADHA PRAYER:

Mahaprabhu personally wrote the following prayer and gave this benediction: “Any devotee who recites (at this time) these 108 names of Sri Radhika will attain ecstatic love for Lord Krishna.”

ŚrīRādhikā-Aṣṭottara-Śata-Nāma-Stotram108 Names of ŚrīRādhikā

śrīmad-rādhā rasa-mayī, rasa-jñārasikātathā
rāseśvarī rasa-bhaktī, rasa-pūrṇa rasa-pradā (1)

ŚrīRādhā is endowed with all the most splendrous opulences, and is completely pervaded with ever-flowing transcendental mellows. She fully understands the subtleties of these mellows. Rādhā is adept in relishing mellows. Rādhikā is the Queen of the nightly rāsa dance. She is totally devoted to expressing divine mellows. Śrī Rādhā is full to overflowing with pure mellows. She bestows these exquisite mellows unto everyone.

raṅgiṇī rasa-lubdhāca, rāsa-maṇḍala-kāriṇī
rasa-vilāsinīrādhā, rādhikā rasa-pūrṇadā (2)

Rādhā is always very playful. She is greedy to taste newer and newer aspects of mellows. Rādhā is the designer of the circular arenas for rāsa dancing. She enjoys sporting the rāsa dance to Her heart’s content. Rādhā is the best worshiper of Śyāma. Rādhikā, the best worshiper, is adored intimately by Her friends. She bestows mellows unto others in the most completely fulfilling way.

rāmā-ratnāratna-mayī, ratna-mālāsu-śobhanā
raktoṣṭhirakta-nayanā, raktotpala-vidhāriṇī (3)

ŚrīRādhā is the topmost jewel among all the many forms of Lakṣmī-devī. All of Her ornaments and paraphernalia are studded with precious jewels. Rādhikā likes to wear gemstone necklaces. Rādhā radiates the nicest, purely sublime splendor. Her lips are naturally hued with a charming redness. The corners of ŚrīRādhā’s eyes are hued with reddish tints. She especially likes to hold a red lotus flower in Her hand.

ramaṇīrāmaṇīgopī, vṛndāvana-vilāsinī
nānā-ratnāvicitrāṅgī, nānā-sukha-mayīsadā (4)

Rādhārāṇī is a charming young mistress. Her loveliness is especially pleasing to behold. Rādhā is a cowherd girl. She likes to frolic in the forest of Vṛndāvana. Rādhā is fond of wearing different types of gemstones. The shapes of Rādhārāṇī’s limbs are astonishingly lovely to behold. She abounds in various forms of happiness.

saṁsāra-pāra-tāraṇī, venu-gītā-vinodinī
kṛṣṇa-priyākṛṣṇa-mayī, kṛṣna-dhyāna-parāyaṇī (5)

Rādhārāṇī delivers souls out of the material world. She takes great pleasure in listening to flute songs. Rādhā is very dear to Kṛṣṇa. She is Lord Kṛṣṇa’s exact counterpart. Rādhā is fond of meditating upon ŚrīKṛṣṇa.

sadānandākṣīṇa-madhyā, kṛṣṇākṛṣṇālayāśubhā
candrāvalīcandra-mukhī, candrācakṛṣṇa-vallabhā (6)

Rādhikā is always full of bliss. Her waist is very slim. Rādhā is the female form of Kṛṣṇa Himself. She is the refuge of Her beloved Kṛṣṇa. Rādhārāṇī is the embodiment of auspiciousness. She is beautiful as a series of full moons. Rādhā’s face is round, and radiantly soothing like a full moon. She is the very personification of the moon itself. Rādhā is the dearmost beloved of Lord Kṛṣṇa.

vṛndāvaneśvarīdevī, kṛṣṇa-raṅgīparā-gatiḥ
dhyānātītādhyāna-magnā, sadā-kṛṣṇa-kutūhalī (7)

Rādhārāṇī is the Queen of Vṛndā’s forest. She is the Supreme Goddess of the entire creation. Rādhā enjoys playing fun games with Kṛṣṇa. ŚrīmatīRādhārāṇī is the final transcendental goal. She is naturally situated far, far beyond anyone’s meditation. Rādhā is very meditative by nature. She is always playing mischievous pranks on Kṛṣṇa.

prema-mayīprema-rūpā, premāprema-vinodinī
kṛṣṇa-priyāsadānandī, gopī-maṇḍala-vāsinī (8)

Rādhikā is effused with the purest ecstatic love. She is the embodiment of love’s most beautiful form. Her every thought, action, word and deed is totally saturated with love. She revels in the delightful sports of pure love. Rādhā is the favorite of Lord Kṛṣṇa. She is perpetually absorbed in the greatest happiness. Rādhārāṇī resides within the circle of Her cowherd girlfriends.

sundarāṅgīcasvarṇābhā, nīla-paṭṭa-vidhāriṇī
kṛṣṇānurāgiṇīcaiva, kṛṣṇa-prema-su-lakṣaṇā (9)

Rādhā’s bodily limbs are all very attractive. Her complexion is radiantly golden. Rādhā especially likes to wear blue silken garments. She is very contented in Her attachment to Kṛṣṇa. ŚrīmatīRādhārāṇī is nicely marked by Her obvious love for Kṛṣṇa.

nigūḍha-rasa-sāraṅgī, mṛgākṣīmṛga-locanā
aśeṣa-guṇa-pārāca, kṛṣṇa-prāṇeśvarīsamā (10)

Rādhā embodies variegated forms of confidential mellows. Her eyes are just like those of a dear. Rādhā views things innocently like a dear. She excels even beyond limitless good qualities. Rādhārāṇī is the mistress of the very life-breath of Kṛṣṇa. She is equal in Her dealings with all.

rāsa-maṇḍala-madhyasthā, kṛṣṇa-raṅgīsadāśuciḥ
vrajeśvarīvraja-rūpā, vraja-bhūmi-sukha-pradā (11)

Rādhā dances in the center of the circular rāsa dance. She enjoys frolicking with Lord Kṛṣṇa. Rādhārāṇī always has immaculate manners. ŚrīmatīRādhārāṇī is the Queen of Vraja-dhāma. Aspects of Her form are visible in all the natural features throughout Vraja. ŚrīRādhā is the grantor of happiness to all beings in Vraja-bhūmi.

rasollāsāmadonmattā, lalitā rasa-sundarī
sarva-gopī-mayīnityā, nānā-śāstra-viśāradā (12)

Rādhā especially blossoms with delight during the rāsa dance. She becomes wildly intoxicated by drinking honey-wine. Rādhā embodies the most charming loveliness. She is the truly beautiful expression of divine loving mellows. She expands Herself into multiple forms as all the cowherd girls. Rādhā is the essence of eternity. She is greatly learned in various scriptures.

kāmeśvarīkāma-rūpā, sadākṛṣṇa-parāyaṇā
parā-śaktī-svarūpāca, sṛṣṭi-sthiti-vināśinī (13)

Rādhā is the Queen of transcendental lust. She is the personification of divine desire. ŚrīRādhikā is always cherishing Kṛṣṇa. She is the very figure of divine potency. Rādhā is the annihilator of the material creation.

saumyāsaumya-mayīrādhā, rādhikāsarva-kāmadā
gaṅgācatulasīcaiva, yamunācasarasvatī (14)

Rādhā is pleasing like the moon. All of Her dealings are soft and gentle. She is endowed with all prosperity and success. Rādhā fully satisfies Her beloved by Her intimate worship. She fulfills the aspirations of all beings. ŚrīRādhā is the original form of the Ganges River. She is the original form of the holy basil plant. She is the original form of the Yamunā River. Rādhā is the original form of the Sarasvatī River.

bhogavatībhagavatī, bhagavac-citta-rūpiṇī
prema-bhakti-sadā-saṅgī, premānanda-vilāsinī (15)

ŚrīmatīRādhārāṇī is the original form of the Bhogavatī river [the Ganges flowing in the Pātāla region. She is the Supreme female divinity. Rādhā is the embodiment of Bhagavān’s very heart. She is continuously associated with ecstatic loving devotion. Rādhā cavorts in the ecstatic bliss of pure love.

sadānanda-mayīnityā, nitya-dharma-parāyaṇī
trailokyākarṣaṇīādyā, sundarīkṛṣṇa-rūpiṇī (16)

Rādhikā is perpetually permeated with exhilaration. She is the incarnation of agelessness. Rādhā is devoted to performing auspicious daily rituals. She is the attractor of the three worlds. ŚrīRādhā is the original source of all that is. She is the absolute manifestation of total beauty. Rādhārāṇī expresses Herself as the form of Lord Kṛṣṇa.

śatam-aṣśṭottaraṁnāma, yaḥpaṭhetprayataḥśuciḥ
prātaḥ-kālecamadhyāhne, sandhyāyāṁmadhya-rātrike
yatratatrabhavettasya, kṛṣṇaḥprema-yutobhavet (17)

If a pious and clean devotee recites these 108 holy names of ŚrīRādhikā — either in the morning [6-8:24a.m.], evening [6-8:24p.m.], or in the middle of the night [10:48p.m.-3:36a.m.]– wherever and however that person lives, they become endowed with ecstatic love for Lord Kṛṣṇa.”

 

* 3. CHANT RADHA PRANAM PRAYERS:

As a love offering to Sukumari Radha on Her Divinely wonderful birthday, memorize the following short prayers, or others, and chant them for Sundari Radha’s pleasure:

 tavaivāsmitavaivāsminajīvāmitvayāvinā
itivijñāyadevitvaṁnayamāṁcaraṇāntikam (1)

“O Radhe, I am Yours! I am Yours! I cannot live without You! O Radhe, please understand this and bring me to the service of Your lotus feet.” (ŚrīVilāpa-kusumāñjali 96)

bhajāmirādhāṁaravinda-netrāṁ
smarāmirādhāṁmadhura-smitāsyāṁ
vadāmirādhāṁkaruṇā-bharārdrāṁ
tatomamānyāstigatirnakāpi (2)

I worship Rādhā who has lotus eyes, I remember Rādhā who has a sweet smile, and I speak of Rādhā who is melted with compassion. There is nothing else for me. She is my life and soul.(ŚrīViśākhānandadābhidha-stotram 131)

* 4. HEAR AND READ RADHA KATHA:

Hear lectures and read books glorifying the astonishing name, form, qualities, pastimes and loving service of Radharani (e.g. Radha-Krishna Ganoddesha Dipika, Vilapa Kusumanjali, Radha Rasa Sudhanidhi, Sankalpa Kalpadruma, Govinda Lilamrta, Ujjvala-nilamani, and Caitanya-caritamrta, adi four and other chapters see index.

* 5. SING RADHA BHAJANS & RADHA NAMA KIRTANA:

a. RĀDHĀRĀṆĪ KĪ JAI! MAHĀRĀṆĪ KĪ JAI!

(rādhāraṇīkī jai, mahārāṇīkī jai.bolo barṣāṇevārīkī jai jai jai)

ṭhākurāṇīkī jai, haripyārīkī jai
vṛṣabhānu-dulārīkī jai jaijai

gaurāṅgīkī jai, hemāṅgīkī jai
vrajarāja-kumārikī jai jaijai

vrajā-rānīkī jai, vrajadevīkī jai
gahvaravanavārīkī jai jaijai

All glories to Rādhārāṇī! All glories to the greatest of all Queens. Sing the glories of Rādhārāṇī, who lives in Barṣāṇā.

All glories to RādhāṬhākurāṇī [Queen Rādhā], who is the beloved of ŚrīHari. All glories to the beloved daughter of King Vṛṣabhānu.

All glories to Rādhārāṇī who has a fair complexion and golden limbs.

All glories to the Queen of Vraja. All glories to the goddess of Vraja. All glories to Rādhā who wanders in the Gahvara forest.

 

b. jaya jaya radhe, jaya jaya shyama,
jaya jaya sri Vrindavana dhama.

Pavana Radhe tero nama
Pavana sri Vrindavana dhama.

Jaya jaya Shyamaa, jaya jaya Shyama,
Jaya jaya sri Vrindavana dhama.

“All glories, all glories to Radhe-Shyama! O Radha, Your Holy Name is completely purifying and so is Your beautiful abode named Vrindavana. All glories to You, the Golden One whose heart is brimming with Shyama-rasa. And all glories to Your dark Lord of Love—the sweet heart stealer of Vraja.”

c. Maine RaṭanāLagāiRādhāNāmakīTraditional Brijbhāshā Song (Rasiyā)

(refrain) maineraṭanālagāirādhānāmakī
maineraṭanālagāirādhānāmakī

(1) merīpalakoṅmeṅrādhā, merīalakoṅmeṅrādhā
mainemāṅgabharāirādhanāmakī

Rādhā is there in the blinking of my eyes. Rādhā is there in the curls of my hair I have filled up the very part of my hair Oh! With the sweet name of Rādhā.

(2) merenainoṅmeṅrādhā, mere bainoṅmeṅrādhā
mainebainīguthāirādhanāmakī

Rādhā is there within my vision. Rādhā is there within my speech. I interweave my every word Oh! With the sweet name of Rādhā.

(3) merīdularīmeṅrādhā, merīcunarīmeṅrādhā
mainenathanīsajāirādhanāmakī

Rādhā is there in my necklace. Rādhā is there in my sārī. I have adorned my nose-ring Oh! With the sweet name of Rādhā.

(4)merecalanemeṅrādhā, mere halanemeṅrādhā
kaṭikiṅkinībajāirādhanāmakī

Rādhā is there in my walking. Rādhā is there in my gestures. My sash of waist-bells resounds Oh! With the sweet name of Rādhā.

(5)meredāyebāyerādhā, mere āgepīcherādhā
romaroma rasa chāirādhanāmakī

Rādhā is there on my right and on my left. Rādhā is there in front of me and behind.My every fiber reflects the rasa flowing,Oh! With the sweet name of Rādhā.

(6)mereaṅgaaṅgarādhā, mere saṅgasaṅgarādhā

Rādhā is there on my each and every limb. Rādhā is there accompanying me always. Lord Gopāl plays His flute which calls out, Oh! With the sweet name of Rādhā.

d. Jaya Rādhe, Jaya RādheRādhe

HariVyāsaDevācārya

nava-navaraṅgi tri-bhaṅgijaya, syāmasu-aṅgisyāma
jayarādhejayahari-priye, śrī-rādhesukhadhāma

(introductory verse) “All glories to Sri Krishna who stands in a beautiful three-fold stance! Shyama is the connoisseur of newer and newer playful sports, and His body is effulgent with the nicest dark complexion.

All glories to You, Rādhe! All glories to You, O Hari-priyā! O ŚrīRādhe! You are the abode and reservoir of all happiness!”

 

Refrain:(1) jayarādhe jayarādherādhe jayarādhe jayaśrī-rādhe
jayakṛṣṇa jayakṛṣṇakṛṣṇa jayakṛṣṇa jayaśrī-kṛṣṇa

(2) syāmāgorīnitya-kisorīprītama-jorīśrī-rādhe
rasikarasīlochaila-chabīloguṇa-garabīlośrī-kṛṣṇa

O ŚrīRādhe! You are:

Syāmā—a fresh young maiden with slender waist, endowed with the luster of new adolescence;
Gorī—You possess the fairest golden complexion;
Nitya-kisorī—You are eternally situated in the sweet blossoming of divine youth;
Prītama-jorī—You are the only perfect match for Your most Beloved.

O ŚrīKṛṣṇa! You are:
Rasika—the true relisher of transcendental mellows;
Rasīlo—You are sweet and relishable in every aspect;
Chaila-chabīlo—You are so effulgent that You represent the topmost super excellence of pure enchantment;
Guṇa-garabīlo—You are situated in great pride due to full awareness of Your own transcendental qualities.

(3) rāsa-vihārini rasa-bisatārinipiya-ura-dhāriniśrī-rādhe
nava-nava-raṅgīnavala-tribhaṅgīsyāma-su-aṅgīśrī-kṛṣṇa

O ŚrīRādhe! You are:

Rāsa-vihārini—the sportive Princess of the ecstatic rāsa-dance festival, which You organize every night;
Rasa-bisatārini—You are the distributor of pure ecstatic rasa-mellows to all other living entities;
Piya-ura-dhārini—You love to embrace the chest of Your Lover.

O ŚrīKṛṣṇa! You are:

Nava-nava-raṅgī—the connoisseur of newer and newer playful sports;
Navala-tribhaṅgī—You like to stand in a three-fold bending posture that always appears ever-fresh;
Syāma-su-aṅgī—Your body is perfectly exquisite in both proportion and deep dark complexion.

(4) prāna-piyārīrūpa-ujyārīati-sukuṅvārīśrī-rādhe
maina-manoharamahā-moda-karasuṅdara-bara-taraśrī-kṛṣṇa

O ŚrīRādhe! You are:

Prāna-piyārī—the most dear loving friend of everyone’s life;
Rūpa-ujyārī—You manifest a brilliant splendor of sheer beauty;
Ati-sukuṅvārī—You are extremely soft and delicate due to Your fresh youth.

O ŚrīKṛṣṇa! You are:

Maina-manohara—the enchanter of the mind of Cupid;
Mahā-moda-kara—You are the giver of great transcendental bliss to all living entities;
Sundara-bara-tara—Your beauty surpasses the best by far.

(5) sobhā-sainīmobhā-mainīkokila-bainīśrī-rādh
kīrati-vantākāmini-kaṅtāśrī-bhagavaṅtāśrī-kṛṣṇa

O ŚrīRādhe! You are:

Sobhā-sainī—the manifestor of wonderful beauty while You are gracefully reclining on a flower bed;
Mobhā-mainī—You radiate the luster of the transcendental Cupid, Lord Kāmadeva;
Kokila-bainī—Your speech sounds just like the soft, gentle cooing of the cuckoo bird.

O ŚrīKṛṣṇa! You are:

Kīrati-vaṅtā—honored by Your own glorious fame;
Kāmini-kaṅtā—You are the lover of lusty young gopīs;
Śrī-bhagavaṅtā—Your position is the highest amongst all the different forms of Godhead.

(6) caṅdā-badanīkuṅdā-raḍanīsobhā-sadanīśrī-rādhe
parama-udārāprabhā-apārāati-sukuṅvārāśrī-kṛṣṇa

O ŚrīRādhe! You are:

Chaṅdā-badanī—the possessor of a spotless moon-face;
Kuṅdā-raḍanī—Your teeth look just like small round jasmine flowers;
Sobhā-sadanī—You are the very abode of majestic beauty and splendor.

O ŚrīKṛṣṇa! You are:

Parama-udārā—the most supremely magnanimous personality;
Prabhā-apārā—Your bodily aura radiates out into unlimited eternity;
Ati-sukuṅvārā—You are naturally endowed with the softness of extremely youthful charms.

(7) haṁsā-gavanīrājati-ravanīkrīḍā-kavanīśrī-rādhe
rūpa-rasālānaina-bisālāparama-kṛpālāśrī-kṛṣṇa

O ŚrīRādhe! You are:

Haṁsā-gavanī—fond of walking like a majestic swan;
Rājati-ravanī—You are the most radiant lover;
Krīḍā-kavanī—You are the instigator of many fun sports and contests.

O ŚrīKṛṣṇa! You are:

Rūpa-rasālā—the embodiment of the most relishable type of beauty;
Naina-bisālā—Your lotus eyes are large and wide;
Parama-kṛpālā—You are the topmost merciful personality.

(8)kaṅcana-belīrati-rasa-relīati-alabelīśrī-rādhe
saba-sukha-sāgarasaba-guṇa-āgararūpa-ujāgaraśrī-kṛṣṇa

O ŚrīRādhe! You are:

Kaṅcana-belī—just like a golden creeper wound around the Śyāmatamāla-tree;
Rati-rasa-relī—You are completely full to the brim with the ecstatic mellows of purely divine love;
Ati-alabelī—Your unique activities are conducted in complete privacy.

O ŚrīKṛṣṇa! You are:

Saba-sukha-sāgara—the ocean of all types of happiness;
Saba-guṇa-āgara—You are the mine of all good qualities;
Rūpa-ujāgara—You radiate a famous aura of glorious beauty.

(9) ravanī-ramyātara-tara-tamyāguṇa-agamyāśrī-rādhe
dhāma-nivāsīprabhā-prakāsīsahaja-suhāsīśrī-kṛṣṇa

O ŚrīRādhe! You are:

Ravanī-ramyā—the most charming mistress of Your beloved;
Tara-tara-tamyā—You are naturally situated at the topmost level of successive greatness;
Guṇa-agamyā—Your divine qualities are imperceptible to ordinary senses or minds.

O ŚrīKṛṣṇa! You are:

Dhāma-nivāsī—a permanent resident of the holy abode of ŚrīVraja;
Prabhā-prakāsī—You radiate a most influential aura;
 Sahaja-suhāsī—You naturally wear a pleasant smile.

(10) śaktyāhlādiniati-priya-vādiniura-unmādiniśrī-rādhe
aṅga-aṅga-taunasarasa-salaunasubhaga-suthaunaśrī-kṛṣṇa

O ŚrīRādhe! You are:

śaktyāhlādini—the very potency of divine pleasure
Ati-priya-vādini—Your speech is such that whoever hears it becomes lovingly attached to it
Ura-unmādini—Your breasts are crazed with the wildest desire to be satisfied by Your Beloved.

O ŚrīKṛṣṇa! You are:

Aṅga-aṅga-tauna—endowed with such bodily limbs that each and every aspect of them is very captivating;
Sarasa-salauna—Your beauty is indeed saturated with an all-pervading, overflowing rasa-current;
Subhaga-suthauna—Your chest is beautifully endowed with majestic divine opulences.

(11) rādhā-nāminiguṇa-abhirāminihari-priya-svāminīśrī-rādhe
hare-hare-hari hare-hare-hari hare-hare-hariśrī-kṛṣṇa

O ŚrīRādhe! You are:

Rādhā-nāmini—celebrated with the most blessed name of “Rādhā”
Guṇa-abhirāmini—You please everyone with your good qualities;
Haripriya-svāmini—You are the only worshipable Queen for Haripriya

[the author, HariVyāsadeva].

Hare HareHari, Hare HareHari,
Hare HareHari, ŚrīKṛṣṇa

* 6. COOK RADHA’S FAVORITE PREPS:

Here’s a recipe said to a favorite of Rasika-rani Radha:

main ingredients:

• 10-12 arbi
• ½ tsp carom seeds/ajwain
• ½ tsp turmeric powder
• ½ tsp garam masala powder
• 2 tbsp oil
• 2 cups water
• salt as required
• some mint & coriander for garnishing

for making the paste:
• 3 medium size tomatoes
• 1 green chili
• ½ inch ginger
• 1 tsp cumin

INSTRUCTIONS

1. wash the arbi well.
2. pressure cook the arbi till cooked.
3. drain and let the arbi cool.
4. when warm or cool, peel the skin and slice the arbi in to 2 or 4 pieces vertically.
5. grind all the ingredients mentioned for making the paste to a smooth paste.
6. heat oil.
7. add the carom seeds and fry them.
8. then add the tomato paste.
9. stir and add all the spice powders one by one.
10. fry the tomato paste till the oil separates.
11. this will take about 6-7 minutes.
12. then add water, rock salt and the boiled arbi pieces,
13. simmer for some 6-7 minutes till the gravy becomes smooth and thickens a little bit.
14. garnish with mint or coriander leaves and serve arbi curry to Rasika-rani Radha.

 

* 7. NOONTIME RADHARANI PUJA:

If you have Deities then worship with a variety of wonderful items per your standard and more. If you only have a painting or Deity photo of Sri Radha, then worship that form of Radharani externally with a delicious bhoga offering, aroti, fragrant flower garlands and scents, all followed by a euphoric kirtana!

Internally as manasic-puja, you can offer many, many bhoga preparations to your painting/ photo murti of Shyama-priya. You can bathe Radharani with pancha-amrta, and thousands of juices, nectars and waterfalls of jeweled-inlaid tears. Then you can dress Rai-vinodini in a splendidly stunning designer outfit with elaborate decorations and ornaments—all of flowers, especially blue lotus and every other exotic tropical flower you can think of.

Your mind is an unlimited temple, wherein you are completely free to worship Srimati Radharani in an infinite number of sweet, intimate and beautiful ways. Open the garden of your heart and decorate Kishori with the flowers of all your love!

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

* 8. FULL DAY RADHA ABSORPTION:

After noon puja, you can spend the whole day pleasing Sri Radha with reading, speaking, kirtana, dancing and bhajanas—all focused on bringing bliss to Sukumari Radha.

After all this absorption, close your eyes, meditate on all that you have received, and then glide through the wee hours of the night chanting the Radha-Krishna Yugala Maha Mantra:

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

SRI RADHASTAMI MAHA MAHOTSAVA KI JAI!

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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Krishna Opens His Heart

By: Mahanidhi Swami

One day in Goloka Vrindavana, Shyama sat alone under the shade of a beautiful flowering kadamba tree that was filling the entire forest with a sweet fragrance reminiscent of Radharani. Becoming absorbed in vivid memories of His sweet beloved, Krishna started spontaneously glorifying Gandharvika Radha with the choicest of words full of love and genuine realization of Radhika’s grandeur.

Brilliant green parrots gathered in the branches, curious innocent deer collected nearby, and swans floated in the peaceful waters of the Yamuna. All were stunned in bliss and spellbound in amazement to hear what Shyama was saying.

Sri Krishna, musing to Himself, said, “I am the complete, spiritual Absolute Truth. I am made of unlimited self-effulgent bliss, yet Radharani’s love drives Me mad. I just can’t understand the power of Radha’s prema by which Kishori forever overwhelms Me! Everyone everywhere says I am the adi-guru, the spiritual master of the universe. But now I realize the truth is this:

rädhikära prema guru, ämi çiñya naöa

sadä ämä nänä nåtye, näcäya udbhaöa

“The prema of Radhika is My Guru, and I am dancing as Her disciple. Radha’s inconceivable love makes Me dance in various novel ways.”

“It is now very clear to Me that Rädhä’s love is all-pervading, leaving no room for expansion. But still Madhura-mukhi’s love keeps expanding constantly. Although there is certainly nothing greater than Priyaji’s love, Radha does not show a drop of pride. This is solid proof of the greatness of My Radharani!

“Nothing is purer than Shyama-priya’s love. But Vaidagdhi Radha always acts in contrary and crooked ways. Although Rädhä’s love is pure like a mirror, its purity increases at every moment. There is no one in this world except Radha that is more qualified than Me. In Radha’s presence alone I can find pleasure.

“Seeing Rädhäräëé gives pleasure to My eyes. The sweet words of Çrématé enchant My ears, and the naturally sweet scent of Rädhäräëé’s limbs captivates My mind and heart. I am charmed by the nectarean taste of Radha’s luscious lips, and completely refreshed by the cooling caress of Kishori beautiful limbs. The incomparable beauty and attributes of Çré Rädhikä are My life and soul! Nothing satisfies My eyes more that gazing upon Bhanu-tanya’s delightful form. The happiness I feel meeting Rädhäräëé is a hundred times greater than the happiness I get from anyone else.”

Somehow by the will of Providence, that very Queen of Shyama’s heart suddenly appeared at that lonely spot beside the Yamuna. Seizing this rare opportunity to flatter the cherished treasure of His heart, Gopinatha said, “O My dear auspicious Rädhäräëé! Your divinely attractive body is the source of all beauty. O Sulochana, Your radiant cherry-red lips are softer than the sense of immortal sweetness. O Pranapriya, the effulgent orb of Your perfectly shaped lotus face bears the aroma of a lotus flower. O Radha, Your heart touching, honey sweet words silence the soothing warbling of the cuckoo. O Devi, Your shapely golden limbs are cooler than the pulp of sandalwood. O Shyamaa, all My senses are totally overwhelmed in ecstatic pleasure by being with You, who are completely decorated by beautiful qualities.” (Cc. Adi 4)

Sri Krishna Prema ki jai!

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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A Manjari Glorifies Radhika

By: Mahanidhi Swami

Soon a shower of the most incredibly sweet nectar will descend from the skies of mercy to inundate the desert of your heart. Just read on with enthusiastic eyes and minds full of anticipation as you marvel at this astounding glorification of Swamini Sri Radha by Her dearest sweet manjari named Kasturi.

One day, deeply absorbed in a mood of loving gratitude and appreciation, Kasturi-manjari glorified Srimati Radharani thus:

“Çré Rädhä Öhäkuräëé is the svarupa of mahabhava, and a deep jewel mine of all extraordinary qualities. Bhanunandini is the crest jewel among all Sri Krishna’s artful lovers. The senses, mind and body of Raseshvari are steeped in love for Shyama. Madhuri Radha is Krishna’s personal energy nourishing all His pastimes. Radha is the source of Krishna’s bliss potency and Her divine form is imbued and permeated with ever-blissful spiritual rasa.

“The Vaikuntha Laksmis, the Dvaraka Queens and the Vraja-gopis all expand from Radhika alone. Unlike the other two, Radharani expands the gopis from Her own divine form so that Shyama can taste all the sweetness of the räsa dance and other pastimes.

“Being the foremost gopi, Srimati Radhika surpasses all the gopis in beauty, in good qualities, in good fortune and, above all, in love. Radha is the dearest beloved of Shyama and the very wealth of His life. Sri Krishna cannot derive any pleasure from the gopis without the presence of Radha.”

Becoming completely submerged in the ambrosial ocean of Radha-katha, Kasturi-manjari became very excited and started ecstatically chanting Radha Nama-kirtana.

She sang, “O Govindänandiné Rädhä! O Govinda-mohiné! O Govinda-sarvasva! O Sarva-käntä-çiromaëi!”

Rädhä pleases and mystifies Govinda. Radha is Govinda’s everything! And Radha is the crest-jewel of all Krishna’s lovers.

“O Devi! O Krishna-mayi! O Radhika Para-Devata! O Sarva Lakshmi-mayi!”

Priyaji is the most resplendent and beautiful celestial, and the lovely abode of the worship and love sports of Shyamasundara. Krishna is within and without Radha. Wherever Radha casts Her glance She sees Shyama. Parameshvari Radha is the supreme energy of Krishna, and the embodiment of all the mellows of love. Srimati’s worship [ärädhana] is fulfilling Krishna’s desires, and that is why only She is called Radhika. Radha is the supreme goddess, and the original source of all the Queens of fortune; Radha fully represents the six opulences of Kåñëa.

“O Sarva-pujya! O Sarva-pälikä! O Sarva jagatera-mätä! O Sarva-saundarya-kanti! O Sarva-lakñmé-gaëera-çobhä!”

Everyone in the universe worships Radha. Radhika is the maintainer of everyone, and the mother of the entire universe. The transcendental body of Sarvanga-sundari Radha is the resting place for all beauty and luster. Kalyani Radha’s radiant beautiful form is the origin of the splendor of all the goddesses of fortune. Kunjavilasini Radha alone fulfill all of Krishna’s desires.

“O Jagat-mohana-mohiné! O Parä Thäkuräëé! O Pürëa-çakti!”

As the supreme enchantress, Radha captivates Krishna. Therefore, Thakurani Radha is the supreme goddess over all. Radha holds all the power of Bhagavan Sri Krishna. (Cc. Adi 4)

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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Birthday of Swami Haridasa

By: Mahanidhi Swami

Today, Radhastami, is also the appearance day of Sri Swami Haridasaji, an illustrious devotional saint and musician of the 15th century in Vrindavana. Swami Haridasaji unveiled Vraja Mandala’s most famous and popular deity Thakurji Banke Bihari in Nidhuvana, where he did his nirjana bhajana.

The word nidhu means, amorous pastimes (sürata-kréòä) because here in the keli-kunjas of Nidhuvana, Radha Govinda Yugala enjoy intimate affairs after the rasa dance (11p.m. to 4 a.m.) Govinda-lélämåta and other books beautifully portray these pastimes. Radha-Krishna’s pastimes of resting and waking each day also occur here. Meditative devotees often relish these sweetly confidential pastimes while chanting japa.

With his virtuosity on vina and his supremely melodious and enchantingly sweet voice, Swami Haridasaji greatly pleased the heart of his beloved Thakura Bihariji. He composed his own songs and created a unique music style which is still emulated by musicians worldwide. Due to his intense absorption in offering his heart in song to his dearest Thakuraji, Haridasaji completely forgot his body and mind. Followers identify Swami Haridasaji as an incarnation of Lalita-sakhi.

Once after hearing from Tansena, one of the two famous disciples of Swami Haridasaji (also Baijubavara) about the musical expertise of Haridasaji, Emperor Akbar desired to hear him sing. However, the saint Haridasa would only sing for the pleasure of Banke Bihariji and no one else. After sometime, Tansena came to Nidhuvana along with Akbar, who was in disguise, sat down near the kutira of Swami Haridasaji, and started singing while playing his vina.

Detecting some flaws in Tansen’s presentation, Haridasaji came out of his kutira and showed his disciple how to properly sing that raga. Then the disguised Akbar witnessed a miracle! Swami Haridasaji’s sweet singing enchanted and attracted all the forest birds, deer and animals to his side. They were spellbound, listening to the rapture of Swamiji’s love for Bihariji. Fortunate souls will visit Nidhuvana, and roll in the dust before the samadhi of the great Swami Haridasaji, one of the greatest saints of Vraja Mandala.

On this most auspicious occasion, I humbly pray to Swami Haridasaji to please bless me that someday I can sing to My Thakuraji in a voice full of pure love and completely forget about my useless body and mind.

Swami Haridasaji’s Thakuraji Banke Bihariji is very special, very powerful, very merciful, very beautiful, very playful and very naughty. You can only relish His mystifying eyes, and catch His mischievous smile for a moment before He closes the curtain to His heart. But actually that is Bihariji’s kindness on all of us.

Because if Thakuraji gave a little longer darshana, then everyone in the temple would never leave. They would all just throw their arms up into the air and shout with full conviction, “To hell with Delhi! To hell with Mumbai! To hell with Europe! To hell with America! To hell with everywhere! I am going to stay here forever in Vraja, gazing upon the most sweetly beautiful lotus face of Banke Biharilala ki! JAI!!!

Technically speaking Sri Banke Biharij’s unique brief darshana style is called jhäìké-darçana, which means a momentary vision. To do this, the pujaris open the curtains to reveal the vision of perfection, and then rapidly close them after a moment. The following pastime explains how this came to be. Once a parama-bhakta stood looking intently at Banke Bihariji with the eyes of his heart fully expanded. The unbreakable attraction of prema between God and His devotee (Bhagavata bhakta prema-sambanhda) made Bihariji leave the temple and follow that devotee home. The temple was empty!

In great alarm, the pujaris followed the lotus footprints of Banke Bihariji to that village. After much begging and crying, Bihariji agreed to return to the temple. After this incident, momentary darshana was introduced to prevent any loving devotee from capturing Bihariji with his loving glance. Just see the power and attraction of pure love! O when will I attain such pure love that Bihariji comes to enter the home of my heart!

Sri Swami Haridasaji Avirbhava Mahotsava ki jai!

Sri Banke Biharilala ki jai!

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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Krishna Falls in Love with Radha

By: Mahanidhi Swami

A previous article called “Radha Falls in Love” described how Shyama caught a glimpse of Radha one day from Her palace window. What happened to Krishna after that blessed moment He received the beautiful darshana of Rai Kishori?

“Krishna became so overcome with loving attraction to Radha that His hands and feet refused to move and He just stood motionless, stunned on the footpath. At that time a comforting sakha said, ‘O friend! You just had a vision of Sri Radha high upon a jeweled palace. With Her splendid golden complexion clad in garments of cloud-dark hue, Radhika appears like the play of lightning bolts within a raincloud. None of the young girls in Vraja can equal Rai in superb elegance. I think Providence has produced this perfect girl, who is an ocean of beauty and virtues, just for Your happiness. May that Rai Kishori occupy Your heart throughout the day and night.’” (Shashi Shekara, padakarta)

The next wonderful pastime, unveiling more of Sri Krishna’s purva raga, clearly shows why Radha is called Madana Mohini, the only one who can attract the attractor of all embodied beings, Kamadeva Shyama. One day while walking along the banks of the Yamuna with His bosom friend Subala, Gokulendu beheld a most astonishingly captivating sight.

Overwhelmed with bliss, Krishna described it to Subala, “O My dear friend! Please tell Me clearly who was that blessed girl we just saw by the bathing ghata? Being of tender age and fresh youthfulness (navina-kishori), She had a brilliant golden complexion. She was sitting partially immersed in the water with one leg crossed over another while cleansing Her body. While coming out of the river after Her bath, the tresses of Her dark hair fell upon the curve of Her golden hips. She was using Her sari as a ground-cover to sit upon, and Her braid was untied and disheveled.

“A golden necklace was swaying near the base of Her upraised breasts, which defeated the peaks of mount Sumeru in shapeliness. How dazzling were Her two conchshell bangles, looking like two slender phases of the moon that are as sweet as nectar and make Me forget everything.

“She was wending Her way while wringing out Her wet blue sari, and along it My very life! Since that darshana, Subala, My heart has been very restless, overcome with the feverish passion of love.”

Out of compassion for his dear friend, Subala reveals that identity of that amazing girl, saying, “O Nagara Chanda, sweetest moon of lovers, that girl is the daughter of the prince Vrishabhanu, and Her name is Vinodini Radha.” (Chandidasa)

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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Meeting Radha’s Family

By: Mahanidhi Swami

One aspect of raganuga-sadhana is learn about the identities, relationships, feelings and moods of love of Radha and Krishna’s friends and family members. Why you may ask? Attaining the spiritual perfection of Krishna prema means to enter Goloka Vrindavana, and to lovingly serve Radha-Krishna alongside all of Their friends and family members. Therefore, here as part of our sadhana we must prepare ourselves to know where we are going, and with whom we will live and serve with upon getting there.

To facilitate this “spiritual family familiarization sadhana”, our compassionate Gaudiya Vaisnava acharyas Srila Rupa Goswamipada and Srila Raghunatha dasa Goswamipada wrote two essential books for our study:

Radha-Krishna Ganoddesha Dipika and Vraja Vilasa Stava. Also Sri Kavi Karnapura wrote Gaura Ganoddesha Dipika to help us learn the dual identities of Krishna’s eternal associates in both Vraja-lila and Gaura-lila.

To celebrate Radhastami, we are listing the key personalities in Srimati Radharani’s transcendental family of loving servitors. Wherever known, we’ll include their Gaura-lila names in brackets.

But first however, we should warn everyone with a few words of caution. If you are at all attached to your relativities in the form of friends and family members, then definitely

DO NOT READ THIS description of the pure and loving, beautiful people in Radha’s realm of eternal transcendental bliss!

Radha’s Elders

Paternal grandfather: Mahibhanu

Paternal grandmother: Sukhada

Father: Vrishabhanu (Pundarika Vidyanidhi)

Maternal grandfather: Indu

Maternal grandmother: Mukhara

Mother: Kirtida (Ratnavati)

Elder brother: Sridama (Abhirama Gopala)

Younger sister: Ananga-manjari (Jahnava-devi)

Paternal uncles: Bhanu, Ratna-bhanu, Subhanu.

So-called husband: Abhimanyu

Father-in-law: Vrka-gopa

Mother-in-law: Jatila (Ramachandra Puri)

Brother-in-law: Durmada

Sister-in-law: Kutila

Radha’s Ashta Sakhis:

Lalita (Svarupa Damodara Goswami)

Vishakha (Ramananda Raya)

Chitra (Govindananda Thakura)

Indulekha (Vasu Ramananda)

Champakalata (Shivananda Sena)

Tungavidya (Vakreshvara Pandita)

Ranga-devi (Govinda Ghosh)

Sudevi (Vasudeva Ghosh)

And: Vrinda-devi (Mukunda Dasa)

Dhanishta (Raghava Pandita)

Nandimukhi (Saranga Thakura)

Radha’s Ashta-Manjaris:

Sri Rupa-manjari: (Srila Rupa Goswamipada)

Rati-manjari: Srila Raghunatha dasa Goswamipada)

Lavanga-manjari (Srila Sanatana Goswamipada)

Raga-manjari (Srila Raghunatha Bhatta Goswami)

Guna-manjari: (Sri Gopala Bhatta Goswami)

Manjulali-manjari: (Sri Lokanatha Goswami)

Vilasa-manjari (Sri Jiva Goswamipada)

Kasturi-manjari (Srila Krishnadasa Kaviraja)

Radha’s Favorite Pets:

Calf: Tungi

Chakori bird: Charu-chandrika

Cows: Bahula, Sunada, Yamuna

Doe: Rangini

Elephant: Madhuri

Monkey: Kakkhati

Talking Parrots: Shubha, Sukshmadhi

Peahen: Tundika

Swan: Tundikeri

Sri Radha’s premika nitya-parisads ki jai!

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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RADHA’S Resolutions

By: Mahanidhi Swami

Krishna is Radha’s Hari because Krishna takes away Radha’s shyness, unwillingness and any other obstacle to Their meeting. One day Sri Radha became very angry with Krishna and She made three resolutions, thinking, “From now on, I will not look at, speak to or trust that black fellow any more.”

A short time later, the clever prankster arrived and begged Radha, “O Shyama Jiu! Look at Me just once!” While admiring Shyama’s sweet form, the sakhis started talking to each other, “Aha! How sweetly Shyama stands in tribhanga pose. The life of that lady-love who does not see such sweetness is wasted.” Hearing this, Radha becomes eager to look at Krishna and She does. Radha’s first resolution is broken. Krishna is speaking so nicely with lots of flattery and witty remarks that Radharani cannot remain silent anymore. So Radha says, “Just go to that gopi you love. Don’t stay here speaking so cleverly.” Thus, Radha’s second vow is gone. Krishna slowly slides His foot forward to touch the tips of Radha’s toes. Being disturbed by this, Radha takes Krishna by the hand and pushed Him out of the kunja. Then Radha thinks, “Oh just see! Now I have also touched Him. If I can not keep any vow, then how can I keep Krishna away.” Then Radha steps out of the kunja, wraps Her beautiful arm around Shyama’s neck and brings Him back into the kunja. Thus Lord Hari continually steals the tender heart of Sri Radha with all His sweet charms.

Three resolutions wali Radha ki jai!

Chatura shiromani Hari ki jai!

Jai jai Sri Radhe!!

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The Sweet Service of Radha’s Lotus Feet

By: Mahanidhi Swami

One who does not carefully worship the lotus feet of Srimati Radhika, which are the abode of everything good;

One who does not take shelter in the divine land of Vrindavana, which is decorated with the beautiful lotus flower named Radha;

One who has not associate with Radhika’s devotees, who are very wise and deeply devoted to Radha;

How will such a person ever experience the bliss of bathing in the ocean of Shyamasundara’s sublime mellows?

Srimati Radhika is the exemplary teacher of the brilliant mellows of conjugal love, ujjvala-raser acharya. One should discuss the pure love, shuddha-prema, between Radha and Madhava.

He who tightly holds the lotus feet of Radha with great care obtains the lotus feet of Krishna, which are like priceless jewels.

Without taking shelter of Radha’s lotus feet of Radha, one will never personally meet Bhagavan Sri Krishna. The Vedas state that Krishna is the property of the maidservants of Sri Radha.

Abandon your wealth, followers, wife, sons, friends, karma and jnana, so that you can be absorbed in the sweet service Radha’s lotus feet, radha-pada madhura seva.

(Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura Gitavalli)

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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The Wonder of Two Syllables: RA DHA

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

The two wonderful syllables RA DHA immediately attract Gokulapati (Krishna, the Lord of Gokula).

If one develops love for chanting RA DHA then all the goals of human life seem insignificant.

The syllables RA DHA are marked within the mantra that is lovingly chanted by Lord Madhava Himself.

May this pair of amazing syllables RA DHA become manifest to me forever.” (Radha-rasa-sudha-nidhi 95)

A Verse Meditation:

Look at a beautiful painting of Sri Radha;

Read the verse above with full concentration;

Pray to Radhika for the memory power or shakti to remember it;

Close your eyes;

Chant japa while immersing your mind and heart in this divine illumination.

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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Radha’s True Love

By: Mahanidhi Swami

Krishna prema is defined as a mood and expression of love, wherein even if there is a very good reason to break the relationship and leave the beloved, the lover will never under any condition or circumstance give up the beloved. Indeed such a completely selfless, immaculate love is transcendental and divine; only found in the loving dealings of Bhagavan Sri Krishna and His beloved bhaktas. This type of “true love” can never be found in this material world.

What follows is a very secret passage from sacred scriptures. Here in the privacy of a dark cave, alone with Her personal divine raptures, Srimati Radhika opens Her heart to show the world the pinnacle of pure love. My dear devoted friends, please read the following passage with the utmost concentration and a mood of submissive reception. Then a few drops from the unlimited ocean of Sri Radha’s pure love may to trickle into the desert we call heart.

One night in the quiet hours aftermidnight, Radhika tightly embraced the darkness and revealed the jewel of Her heart to Her closest girlfriends, Lalita and Vishakha.

Radha cried out, “O My dearly beloved Govinda! I am intensely missing You. Every moment just creeps by like a thousand ages. I cannot control the endless torrents of tears gushing from My anguished eyes, which appear like a downpour from monsoon clouds. Without You, Govinda, I see emptiness in all directions and in My agitation I see that the day never ends.

“Seeing the three worlds as stark and empty, I feel as if I am burning alive in a slow fire. It seems that Krishna has become indifferent to Me just to test My love. And My sakhis are advising Me it’s better to just neglect Krishna.”

After deeply pondering over Her condition in separation from Shyama, Radha then manifested some of the natural attributes of Her pure love. Radha’s mind became agitated with the combined emotions of divine envy, enthusiasm, submission and intense eagerness. In this state of the topmost pure divine love, Krishna prema, Srimati Radharani continued speaking:

“O Lalite! O Vishakhe! Krishna may wrap Me in a pleasurable embrace, or trample Me under His lotus feet, or break My heart by never seeing Me. After all, Krishna is a debauchee and can do whatever He likes. Nevertheless, only Krishna and no one else is My Prananatha, the Lord of My heart.

“I am a just maidservant at Krishna’s lotus feet, and Shyama is the reservoir of transcendental mellows. If Shyama likes He can tightly embrace Me in the oneness of love. Or destroy My mind and body by not appearing before Me. Hey sakhi! I am completely fixed in the idea that Krishna is My Pranishvara in all conditions, whether Krishna showers Me with affection or kills Me with misery.

“Sometimes Krishna leaves the other gopis and becomes completely controlled Me as He enjoys loving affairs with Me. And sometimes that cunning cheater enjoys with other gopis right front of Me just to disturb My mind! But that does bother Me, because in any condition Krishna is always My Prananatha!

“Listen, I don’t care about My personal distress. I only want Krishna to be happy. For Krishna’s happiness of is the only goal of My life. And if Krishna feels great happiness in giving Me distress, than that distress is My greatest happiness. And even if Krishna wants to enjoy another beautiful gopi but can’t attain her, then I will go fall at her feet and take her by the hand to Krishna for His pleasure.”

While concluding Her illumination on the inconceivable level of Her pure divine love for Krishna, Srimati Radhika speaks a wonderful verse which sets the standard for any sadhaka trying to become a pure lover of God, a Krishna premi:

Srimati Radharani said, “Krishna is My life and soul. Krishna is the treasure of My life. Indeed, Krishna is the very life of My life. I therefore keep Krishna always in My heart and try to please Krishna by rendering service. That is My constant meditation.” (Caitanya-caritamrta 3.20.1-60)

Mahabhavati Sri Radha ki jai!

Vishuddha nirmala srngara-prema ki jai!

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!