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

HINDUS CELEBRATE KRISHNA JANMASHTAMI

JANMASHTAMI: A DAY SOAKED IN
DEVOTION, RITUALS AND CELEBRATIONS

http://www.hindustantimes.com - While hundreds of Govinda groups will build pyramids and break dahi handis on Monday, families celebrated Janmashtami, the occasion of Lord Krishna’s birth, with their own festive rituals at homes and in temples at midnight on Sunday.  Sri Krishna Janmashtami, also known as Sri Krishna Jayanti, Gokulashtami and Krishnashtami, marks the birthday of Lord Krishna.  Krishna’s arrival in the world is celebrated as with enthusiasm and fervour by his devotees.  In Ghatkopar, the six-member Shah family had hidden an idol of Baal Gopal (baby Krishna), which they brought out at midnight, bathed in milk and honey, and dressed in new clothes.  “In keeping with tradition, each of us rocked the cradle in which baby Krishna was kept,” said Khushali Shah, 24, a freelance interior designer. “My nephews also enacted the scene of the Lord’s childhood attempts to steal butter and curd from earthen pots.”

Nita Kotak, 40, prepared for Janmashtami for a week. “We made prasad from coriander seeds, sugar and dry coconut, to give to our neighbours and friends at the temple at midnight,” said Kotak who recited hymns on Krishna at her local Panvel temple on Sunday night, and will observe a fast on Monday. “The fast is traditionally observed to mark the Lord’s birth.”  

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the festival celebrates teachings of Lord Krishna - discipline, knowledge and selfless action - which are timeless.  “May the festival inspire us towards a work ethic based on right conduct and bring success and prosperity to all,” he said.  
Vice President Hamid Ansari greeted the people on Janmashtami and hoped that the auspicious occasion brought amity, harmony, prosperity and happiness in the people’s lives.  “I extend my heartiest greetings and good wishes to the people of our country on the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami”, he said in a message.

With elaborately decorated cradles to mark the birth of Lord Krishna, Janmashtami celebrations began in all India with much gaiety.  The birth of Krishna is celebrated with gusto in many Hindu households.  But temples have their own special rituals for the day.  There is joy and celebrations amongst the devotees of Lord Krishna, for whom no effort seems enough when it comes to serving the Lord.  The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, Hari in His original form, appeared as Visnu so that His father and mother could understand that their son was the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

Thereafter, at the auspicious time for the appearance of the Lord, the entire universe was surcharged with all the qualities of goodness, beauty and peace. The constellation Rohinī appeared, as did stars like Aśvinī. The sun, the moon and the other stars and planets were very peaceful. All directions appeared extremely pleasing, and the beautiful stars twinkled in the cloudless sky. Decorated with towns, villages, mines and pasturing grounds, the earth seemed all-auspicious. ... Vasudeva then saw the newborn child, who had very wonderful lotuslike eyes and who bore in His four hands the four weapons śańkha, cakra, gadā and padma. On His chest was the mark of Śrīvatsa and on His neck the brilliant Kaustubha gem. Dressed in yellow, His body blackish like a dense cloud, His scattered hair fully grown, and His helmet and earrings sparkling uncommonly with the valuable gem Vaidūrya, the child, decorated with a brilliant belt, armlets, bangles and other ornaments, appeared very wonderful.

Śrīla A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda :
Śrīmad Bhāgavatam - Canto 10: “The Summum Bonum”
Chapter 3: “The Birth of Lord Krishna”
Verses 1-2, 9-10 - Bhaktivedanta VedaBase