Japa Means Radha Dasyam

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Srila Prabhupada said that chanting the maha-mantra means begging Radharani for engagement in Kṛṣṇa’s service. But Prabodhānanda Sarasvatī presents a slightly different conception of the mahā-mantra in the verse below. He explains that while chanting Kṛṣṇa’s names, Gauḍiyā Vaiṣṇavas will beg the Lord to engage them in the service of the lotus feet of His beloved Srimati Radhika. Of course, this is for those devotees who have realized and accepted the service of Rādhārāṇī (radha-dasyam) as their life and soul.

“By constant meditation upon Śrī Kṛṣṇa whose head is bedecked with a peacock feather, by chanting His sweet holy names, by serving His lotus feet, and by performing japa of His mantras, we anxiously aspire to obtain service at the lotus feet of Srimati Radharani. By constantly thinking in this way, and by Her causeless mercy, a deep spontaneous attachment will awaken toward Her lotus feet.” (Rādhā-rasa-sudhā-nidhi)

tavāsmi rādhikā-nātha karmaṇā manasā girā
kṛṣṇa-kānte tavaivāsmi yuvām eva gatir mama
śaraṇaṁ vāṁ prapanno ’smi karuṇā-nikarākarau
prasādaṁ kuru dāsyaṁ bho mayi duṣṭe ’parādhini

I am Yours, O Lord of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, as are my actions, mind, and words. O Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, lover of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, I belong to You alone. O Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, O ocean of mercy, You are my only shelter, and thus I take shelter of You. Although I am such a fallen offender, please be merciful to me and make me Your servant. (Pancaratra Pradipa)

An excerpt from the book Art of Chanting