"Radha Ashtami", also known as "Radhashtami" and "Radha Jayanti" is a significant Hindu festival celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm by devotees of Lord Krishna. As per Hindu Lunar Calendar, it falls on Ashtami Tithi (eighth day) during Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month. According to the Gregorian calendar, it lies in the month of either August or September. This year, we are celebrating "Radha Ashtami" on the 11th of September ’24.
As per Drik Panchang, the "tithi" for 'Radha Ashtami' in ‘24 is as follows:
Radha Ashtami on Wednesday, 11th of September ‘24
Basically, "Radha Ashtami" is dedicated to honoring and commemorating the birth anniversary of 'Shri Radha Rani', who is considered the divine consort and embodiment of devotion to Lord Krishna.
In Sanskrit language, the word "Radha" stands for 'prosperity.'
"Radharani" is a revered and central figure in Hinduism, particularly in the Vaishnavism tradition. She is celebrated as the divine consort and eternal love of Lord Krishna, one of the most beloved and worshiped deities in Hinduism.
Let us read more about about "Shri Radhika Rani":
Radha Rani is considered an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu. In the Vaishnavism tradition, she is regarded as the personification of devotion (bhakti) and the embodiment of divine love (prema). She's the 'Jagat Janani', the Mother of all the Universes. In Puranas, especially Shrimad Bhagavatam, 'Radha' has been mentioned as the primary, internal pleasure of the Lord known as 'Hladini.' She's the fountainhead of divinity, auspiciousness, opulence and spirituality.
Radha's relationship with Lord Krishna is celebrated as the highest form of love and devotion. She is often depicted as Krishna's childhood friend, playmate, and later, as his beloved gopi (cowherd girl). Their divine love story, filled with playful and profound interactions, is a central theme in Hindu Shastras.
In Vedic texts, Lord Krishna is regarded as the 'Poonam Purushottam Brahma' (the better than the best and complete) & Radha Rani is the 'Supreme Para Shakti' (soul & life force of Shri Krishna).
Radha symbolizes the ideal devotee. Her love for Krishna is selfless, unwavering, and all- encompassing. Devotees look up to her as a role model for their own spiritual journey, aiming to emulate her pure devotion and surrender to the divine.
Radha's love for Krishna carries deep philosophical meaning. It represents the soul's longing to unite with the divine. In metaphysical terms, Radha is seen as the individual soul (Atma), and Krishna as the supreme consciousness (Parmatma), and their love signifies the eternal union of these two aspects. Her inseparability from the Lord has been mentioned in 'Shiva Purana' & 'Brahma Vaivarta Purana' as well.
Radha's character and her love story with Krishna have inspired numerous poets, writers, artists, and musicians throughout history. The Bhagavata Purana, the Gita Govinda, and various devotional songs and poems beautifully narrate the tale of Radha and Krishna's love.
It is believed that about five thousand (5000) years ago, when Lord Krishna appeared on the Earth to demolish evil, Shri Radha Rani also took birth at the same time. She was born to Raja Vrishbhanu and his wife, Kirtida in the holy city of Barasana on Bhadrapad Shukla Paksha Ashtami in Vrishabha Nupuri.
There are two different stories mentioned in Hindu Shastras about the divine appearance of "Jagat Janani, Shri Radha Rani" on the earth. Let us have a look at them:
As per one legend,
In the month of Bhadrapada, on a half moon night, King Vrishbhanu went to the banks of the Jamuna River to bathe. While he was bathing, something magical happened. He saw a beautiful golden light coming from a lotus flower in the river. To his amazement, there was a baby girl sitting on that lotus.
King Vrishbhanu carefully picked up the baby girl and brought her back to the palace. His wife, Queen Kirtida, was overjoyed because they had been unable to have children of their own. So, they decided to adopt this special baby girl, whom they named 'Radharani.' They showered her with love and care, raising her as their own child.
While according to the another story in the Padma Purana, there's a different tale about the birth of Radharani:
In this story, King Vrishbhanu was cleaning the floor to prepare for a sacred ritual called a yajna. While he was cleaning, he discovered a baby girl.
The wise Sage Narada came and told King Vrishbhanu and Queen Kritika that this baby girl was actually an incarnation of the goddess Lakshmi. Hearing this divine revelation, they decided to adopt her as their daughter and treated her with love and care from that day forward.
In many religious books, it has been mentioned that 'Radha Rani' was born blind. And at the same time, Lord Krishna was also born to Mata Devaki. There's a belief that when both children met each other, i.e. when Lord Krishna met Radha Rani (when they were in their initial stages as a child), Radha Rani got her eyesight back miraculously (on being touched by Shri Krishna).
Even Shrimad Bhagavatam also mentions this: When Lord Brahma requested Lord Vishnu to appear on the earth as Lord Krishna, Lord agreed on it but Radha couldn't accept to see her beloved consort leave. Hence, she wished to be born on the earth blind until she saw the Lord (her divine consort) first.
Shri Radha Rani had been given a total of "16 names" by Lord Narayana himself (as mentioned in the Brahma Vaivarta Purana as follows):
श्रीनारायण उवाच ।
राधा रासेश्वरी रासवासिनी रसिकेश्वरी ।
कृष्णप्राणाधिका कृष्णप्रिया कृष्णस्वरूपिणी ॥ १॥
कृष्णवामाङ्गसम्भूता परमान्दरूपिणी ।
कृष्णा वृन्दावनी वृन्दा वृन्दावनविनोदिनी ॥ २॥
चन्द्रावली चन्द्रकान्ता शतचन्द्रप्रभानना ।
नामान्येतानि साराणि तेषामभ्यन्तराणि च ॥ ३॥
Meaning (in English):
and 12 more names are there for "Shri Radha Rani" namely- 'Krishna-Pranadhika', 'Krishna-Priya', 'Krishna-Svarupini', 'Krishna-Vamanga-sambhuta', 'Paramananda Rupini', 'Krishna', 'Vrindavani', 'Vrinda', 'Vrindavana-Vinodini', 'Chandravali', 'Chandra-Kanta', and 'Sarac-chandra-Prabhanana.'
To pay tribute to the divine "Shri Radha Rani" (the Queen of Vrindavan), a special day has been reserved in Hindu Dharma, i.e. "Radha Ashtami." Basically, "Radha Ashtami" is celebrated fifteen (15) days after 'Janmashtami' (the birth of Shri Hare Krishna).
On "Radha Ashtami", devotees wake up early, take a holy bath, and visit temples dedicated to Radha and Krishna. Special prayers, kirtans (devotional songs), and bhajans (hymns) are organized in these temples.
Devotees also fast until noon as an act of devotion on "Radha Ashtami." According to Hindu Shastras, observing the Radha Ashtami fast is believed to bring many blessings. People who observe this fast can expect a prosperous and joyful life. It's said that they will overcome difficulties and achieve their material desires. This helps clear their minds of negative thoughts and brings them spiritual happiness and peace. In essence, it's a way to seek both material and spiritual well-being.
There's a special aspect of fasting on 'Radha Ashtami' as it's believed to please Lord Krishna as well. As Radha and Krishna are seen as two halves of the same divine whole, hence the people fasting on Janmashtami should fast on 'Radha Ashtami' as well to honor the divine union of Radha and Krishna, seeking blessings for a deeper spiritual connection and profound devotion.
The worship of Radha and Krishna together is prevalent in many temples, especially in the Braj region of North India, where it is believed that they spent their early years. The ancient Hindu texts say that, 'the worship of Lord Krishna is considered incomplete without worshiping Radha Rani.'
As per Hindu Shastras, Goddess Radha is worshiped during Madhyana Kaal (which is noon time according to Hindu division of the day).
According to Drik Panchang,
Madhyahna Time (for Radha Ashtami in ’24) -
11:03 AM to 01:32 PM
Duration - 02 Hours 29 Mins
As per Shrimad Bhagavatam (Bhagavata Purana), listening or reading the stories related to Radhakrishna given in 'Harivamsa' (a holy book) on "Radha Ashtami" is considered blissful.
The Radha-Krishna murti (idol) in temples is often adorned with intricate jewelry and clothing (known as 'shringar'), and devotees offer flowers, and sweets. The 'Abhishek' of Radha Rani and Shri Krishna is also performed using 'Panchamrit.' Many devotional songs are also sung by the devotees to express their love and devotion. Recitation of different names of Shri Radha Rani and chanting 'Radha Gayatri Mantra' is considered very auspicious on this day.
It's only on the auspicious occasion of "Radha Ashtami" that the devotees can take darshan of Radha Rani's feet (as they are kept covered for the rest of the year). It is said that no living being in this world can describe the beauty of the feet of Radha.
Some of the most renowned 'Radha-Krishna' temples and pilgrimage sites in India include the Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, the Radha Raman Temple in Mathura, and the Barsana Temple in Barsana, which is believed to be the birthplace of Radha.
In Barsana, people are usually not allowed to take a bath in the holy Radha Kund. On other days of the year, even chanting 'Radha' name is also prohibited as it's believed discourteous for the Goddess. On "Radha Ashtami", people are allowed to chant the names and bhajans of "Radha Rani". But to take a dip in the holy water of Radha Kund, the devotees have to wait till midnight for receiving her divine blessings.
ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) also celebrates this festival of "Radha Ashtami" with utter grandeur.
These places witness an influx of devotees
during Radha Ashtami, who come to immerse themselves in the divine love and devotion of Radha and Krishna.
On this day, 'Mani Mahesh Yatra' comes to an end in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.
Other than all these religious realms, the love story of 'Radha and Krishna' is the central theme of "Radha Ashtami." Their love is portrayed as pure and transcendental, where Radha represents the ideal devotee, and Krishna embodies the divine lover. Radha's unwavering love for Krishna symbolizes the yearning of the soul to unite with the supreme consciousness.
Even the 'Krishna Katha' (Skanda of Shrimad Bhagavatam) states that 'Radha and Krishna' are never separate in Vaikuntha, the residential abode of the Lord.
The following is mentioned in "Shrimad Bhagavatam":
"To understand the relationship between Radha and Krishna, first we have to clear the worldly impurities from our mind, which is clogging our vision. Once these impurities are removed we will understand the true meaning of Raslila – the individual soul realizing that it is part of the universal soul, which is a continuity. It is always Radha and Krishna together or simply Radhakrishna. Radha exists with Krishna; not without Krishna. Radha represents the individual soul and Krishna the universal soul. On a lower level, we say the individual soul merges with the universal soul. In fact, Radha on seeing Krishna realizes that there is nothing called the individual soul and that she is Krishna."
In conclusion, Radha Ashtami is a beautiful celebration of divine love, devotion, and the eternal bond between Radha and Krishna. This auspicious day reminds us of the power of selfless love and the path to spiritual fulfillment. By honoring Radha and her unwavering devotion, devotees not only seek blessings for a prosperous life but also aspire to cultivate a heart filled with pure love and devotion in their own spiritual journeys. Radha Ashtami, with its rich symbolism and profound teachings continues to inspire and uplift the hearts of millions who cherish the timeless love story of Radha and Krishna.
Radhe Radhe
|| Shubh Radha Ashtami ||
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