RADHASTAMI CELEBRATIONS

APPEARANCE DAY OF SRIMATI
RADHARANI AROUND THE WORLD

Mathura (Uttar Pradesh) - Yesterday millions gather yesterday in India and around the world, to offer prayers, worship, and devotional songs glorifying the appearance of the Divine mother, Radha (Radharani). Chants of ‘Radhey Radhey’ echoed in the air early Monday as pilgrims and locals here celebrated Radhastami, the birth of Lord Krishna’s consort Radha. The Krishna-Radha lore has inspired poets and musicians for centuries. The early morning celebrations began at Barsana, the birthplace of Radha, with thousands of devotees lining up at the Sri Ji temple. Speaking to IANS, Ram Babu Sharma, a priest, said: “The festivities started Sunday with an evening of song and dance. This year, the weather being pleasant, we saw a large turnout, but the police arrangements were poor and pilgrims who had come from outside had a tough time.” On Sunday evening, women from Barsana and nearby areas flocked the Ladli ji ka Mandir and sang songs in the local Braj dialect to the beats of drums and strains of harmonium.

A procession with Radha’s jhanki went around the town as foreign and local pilgrims showered rose petals.Radha descended from the spiritual realm shortly after Krishna, approximately 5,000 years ago. She took birth in the small village known as Barsana, which is about 28 miles from Mathura, the birth place of Krishna. The word Radha comes from the Sanskrit verbal root radh, which means to worship, and the word rani, which means queen. Radharani can be literally translated to mean “the queen of worship.” In some texts, she is described as “the supreme goddess who is worshipable by everyone.  She is the protector of all, and she is the mother of the entire universe.” It was a wonderful day to meditate and reflect on the beautiful selfless qualities of Radharani and pray that we can to some degree follow in her footsteps.

Yesterday Hinduist devotees around the world celebrated the appearance of Srimati Radharani, called “Radhastami”, which is the most auspicious holiday of the year Vaisnava.  When people see a picture of Radha and Krishna, they often ask, “Who is that girl with Krishna?” The answer is: She is Radharani, Krishna’s pleasure potency. By Her mercy you can advance wonderfully in Krishna consciousness.  Radhastami is said is far more important that “Janmastami” as Radhastami is the principal feast for Krishna Himself, during which He is in total ecstasy, thinking of the appearance of his most beloved, Srimati Radhika.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

aham sarvasya prabhavo, mattah sarvam pravartate // iti matva bhajante mam, budha bhava-samanvitahthe (BG 10.8). ... Lord’s finest potency is Srimati Radharani. Of course, there are many other eternal associates, but the highest order of devotional service is represented in Srimati Radharani. The Lord is therefore saying, “My worship is shown by Me.  I, as My finest potency, worship Myself.  Iti matva bhajante mam  - understanding this conception the devotee will come to worship Me, always under the direction of My best worshiper - My finest potency and representation - Radharani, or gurudeva. Crossing Her, the highest and most desirable form of service to Me is not possible.”  Radha-dasyam, the servitorship of Srimati Radharani, is indicated here. Only those who are blessed with divine intelligence will be able to appreciate this, and not persons with self-acquired intelligence from this mayika quarter, the world of misconception.

Śrīla Bhakti Raksaka Sridhara Mahārāja :
“The Hidden Treasure of the Sweet Absolute”
Srimad Bhagavad-gita  10.8:  Commentary
http://www.scsmath.com/ 
http://bvml.org/SBRSM/thtotsa.html