Front cover painting © Vrindavan Das used with permission.

Table of Contents

Çré Rädhikä Stava 1Çré Rädhä-Bhajana Mahimä - Rädhä-Bhajane Jadi 2Rädhikä-Caraëa-Padma 4Ramaëé-Çiromaëi 6Çata-koöi gopé 7Çréla Raghunätha däsa gosväméra 9The Original Potency 11Närada Muni’s Prayer 17Rädhäräëé Showed Närada Muni Her Form 18The Most Fortunate Parents in the Whole World 18Rädhäräëé Did Not Open Her Eyes 21kåñëa’s Family Visits Våñabhänu’s Palace 22Eye-to-Eye Union 23

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Rādhāstamī. .

2

(3)våñabhänüdadhi-nava-çaçi-lekhe!lalitä-sakhi guëa-ramita-viçäkhe!

O new moon who has arisen from the ocean of king Våñabhänu! O friend of Lalitä! O You who make Viçäkhä loyal to You due to Your wonderful qualities of friendliness, kindness, and faithful-ness to kåñëa!

(4)karuëäà kuru mayi karuëä-bharite

sanaka-sanätana-varëita-carite!O You who are filled with compassion! O You whose divine characteristics are described by the great sages Sanaka and Sanätana! O Rädhä, please be merciful to me!

Çré Rädhä-Bhajana Mahimä - Rädhä-Bhajane Jadiglorification of Worshipping Çré Rädhä

(Gétävalé-Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura)

(1)rädha-bhajane jadi mati nähi bheläkåñëa-bhajana tava akäraëa gelä

If the desire to serve Çrématé Rädhäräëé does not appear in my heart, then my worship of kåñëa is simply useless.

(2)ätapa-rohita süraya nähi jäni

rädhä-virahita mädhava nähi mäniJust as the sun cannot be perceived without sunlight, in the same way I do not recognise Mädhava without Rädhä.

Rādhāstamī. .

3

(3)kevala mädhava püjaye, so ajïäné

rädhä anädara koroé abhimänéThose who worship Mädhava alone are ignorant; they simply neglect Çrématé Rädhikä out of their mundane pride.

(4)kabahé nähi korobi täkora saìga

citte icchasi jadi braja-rasa-raìgaDo not ever associate with such persons if you desire the loving playfulness of vraja-rasa to appear in your heart.

(5)rädhikä-däsé jadi hoya abhimänaçéghraé milaé taba gokula-käna

If you develop pride in being Çrématé Rädhikä’s exclusive maid-servant, then very quickly you will meet gokula käna.

(6)brahmä, çiva, närada, çruti, näräyané

rädhikä-pada-raja püjaye mäni’Brahmä, Çiva, Närada, the Çruti-cari åñis, and Näräyané all hon-our and worship the dust of Çrématé Rädhikä’s lotus feet.

(7)umä, ramä, satyä, çacé, candrä, rukminé

rädha-avatära sabe - ämnäya-väëéThe ämnäya, revealed scriptures, declare that Umä, Ramä, Sa-tyä, Çacé, Candrävalé, and Rukmiëé are all Rädhä’s expansions.

Rādhāstamī. .

4

(8)heno rädhä-paricaryä jäìkara dhanabhakativinoda tära mägaye caraëa

Bhaktivinoda is begging at the lotus feet of those whose wealth is the service of Çrématé Rädhärani.

Rädhikä-Caraëa-Padma(Gétävalé-Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura)

(1)rädhikä-caraëa-padma, sakala çreyera sadma,

jatane je nähi ärädhilorädhä-padmäìkita dhäma, båndäbana jära näma,

tähä je nä äçraya korilo

(2)rädhikä-bhäva-gambhéra, citta jebä mahädhéra,

gaëa-saìga nä koilo jévanekemone se çyämänanda, rasa-sindhu-snänänanda,

labhibe bujhoha eka-maneOne who has failed to carefully worship the lotus feet of Çrématé Rädhikä, which are the abode of all auspiciousness; who has not taken shelter in the transcendental abode known as Våndäva-na, which is decorated with the beautiful lotus flower named Rädhä; who in this life has not associated with the devotees of Rädhikä, who are very wise and whose devotion for Rädhä is very deep-how will such a person ever experience the bliss of bathing in the ocean of Lord Çyäma’s sublime mellows? Please understand this most attentively.

Rādhāstamī. .

5

(3)rädhikä ujjvala-rasera äcärya

rädhä-mädhava-çuddha-prema vicäryaÇrématé Rädhikä is the exemplary teacher of the brilliant mel-lows of conjugal love. This pure love between Rädhä and Mäd-hava is worthy of discussion and contemplation.

(4)je dharilo rädhä-pada parama jatanese pailo kåñëa-pada amülya-ratane

He who has grasped hold of the lotus feet of Rädhä with great care obtains the lotus feet of kåñëa, which are like priceless jew-els.

(5)rädhä-pada vinä kabhu kåñëa nähi milerädhära däséra kåñëa sarva-vede bole

Without taking shelter of the lotus feet of Rädhä, one can never personally meet Lord kåñëa. The Vedic scriptures declare that kåñëa is the property of the maidservants of Çré Rädhä.

(6)choòata dhana-jana, kalatra-suta-mita,

choòata karama geyänarädhä-pada-paìkaja, madhurata sevana,

bhakativinoda paramänaAbandoning wealth, followers, wife, sons, and friends, and giv-ing up materialistic activities and intellectual knowledge, being absorbed in the sweetness of service to the lotus feet of Çrématé Rädhäräëé-this is Bhaktivinoda’s conviction.

Rādhāstamī. .

6

Ramaëé-Çiromaëi(Gitavali - Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura)

(1)ramaëé-çiromaëi, våñabhänu-nandiné,

néla-vasana-paridhänachinna-puraöa jini’, varna-vikäçiné,

baddha-kabaré hari-pränaThe beloved daughter of king Våñabhänu is the crest-jewel of all young women. She is fond of wearing blue garments. Her radiant complexion is very pleasing and conquers the beauty of freshly cut gold, Her locks of hair are nicely arranged, and She is the life and soul of Lord kåñëa.

(2)äbharaëa-manòita, hari-rasa-panòita,

tilaka-çusobhita-bhäläkaïculikäcchäditä, stana-maëi-manòitä,

kajjala-nayané rasäläShe is artfully adorned with jewels, She is very learned in the science of Hari-rasa, and Her forehead is nicely decorated with tilaka. Her breasts are covered with a beautiful corset and adorned with valuable gems, and Her eyes are anointed with black collyrium. Thus She appears to be relishable sweetness personified.

(3)sakala tyajiyä se rädhä-caraëedäsé ho’ye bhaja parama-jatane

giving up everything and becoming a maidservant at the lotus feet of Rädhä, just worship and serve Her with great care and attention.

Rādhāstamī. .

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(4)saundarya-kirana dekhiyä jäìhära

rati-gauré-lélä garva-parihäraBeholding Her effulgent rays of pure beauty, the goddesses Rati, gauré, and Lélä abandon all their pride.

(5)çacé-lakñmé-satya saubhägya bolane

paräjita haya jäìhära caraëeThe good fortune attributed to the goddesses Çacé, Lakñmé, and Satyä is completely defeated in the presence of Rädhä’s feet.

(6)kåñëa-vaçékäre candrävalé-ädiparäjaya mäne hoiyä vivädé

The group of rival gopés led by Candrävalé are forced to accept their defeat before Çrématé Rädhäräëé, for She alone controls kåñëa. Thus they always sulk and simply remain quarrelsome.

(7)hari-dayita rädhä-caraëa prayäsébhakativinoda çré-godruma-väsé

Bhaktivinoda, a resident of Çré godruma, always endeavours for the lotus feet of Rädhä, the most beloved of Lord Hari.

Çata-koöi gopé (Gitavali - Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura)

(1)çata-koöi gopé mädhava-mana,

räkhite närilo kori jatana

Rādhāstamī. .

8

Millions of cowherd damsels are unable to please the mind of Mädhava although endeavouring to do so.

(2)veëu-géte òäke rädhikä-näma, eso eso rädhe! òakoye çyäma

The flute song calls the name of Rädhikä “Come here, come here, Rädhe!” Çyäma calls out in the night.

(3)bhäìgiyä çré-räsa-maëòala tabe,

rädhä-anveñaëe calaye jabe When the Çré-räsa-manòala comes to a halt in search of Beloved Rädhä He then goes.

(4)dekhä diyä rädhe! räkhoha präëa!

boliya kändaye känane käna“Please appear, O Rädhe! kindly save My life!” calling out while weeping käna in the forest.

(5)nirjana känane, rädhäre dhori,

miliyä paräëa juòäya hari In a secluded grove embracing Rädhikä regaining His life and soul Hari is relieved.

(6)bole, ‘tuìhu vinä kähära räsa?tuìhu lägi’ mora baraja-bäsa’

Saying, “Without You, where is the räsa dance? Only because of You do I live in Vraja.”

Rādhāstamī. .

9

(7)e heno rädhikä-caraëa-tale, bhakativinoda käìdiyä bole

At the lotus feet of such a Rädhikä this Bhaktivinoda says weep-ing,

(8)“tuwä gaëa-mäjhe ämäre gaëi,

kinkoré koriyä rakho äpani”“Among Your personal associates please count me also; making me Your maidservant keep me as Your own.”

Çréla Raghunätha däsa gosväméraThe Song on Life goal of Çréla Raghunätha däsa gosvämé

By Çréla gaura kiçora däsa Bäbäjé Mahäräja

(1)kothäya go prema-mayi rädhe rädhe

rädhe, rädhe go, jaya rädhe, rädhe Where is She who is full of prema? All glories to Çré Rädhä.

(2)dekhä diye präëa räkha rädhe rädhe

tomära käìgäla tomäya òäke rädhe rädhe O Rädhä! Please give me Your darçana and save my life. Your

wretched beggar calls out to You, “Rädhe! Rädhe!”

(3)rädhe våndävana-viläsiné, rädhe rädherädhe känu-mana-mohiné rädhe rädhe

Rādhāstamī. .

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O Rädhä, You enjoy pleasure pastimes in the forest of Våndäva-na wherein You enchant the mind of kåñëa.

(4)rädhe añöa-sakhéra çiromaëi, rädhe rädhe

rädhe våñabhänu-nandini, rädhe rädhe(gosäi) niyama kare sadäi òäke, rädhe rädhe

O Rädhe, You are the crest-jewel among Your eight princi-pal sakhés. O Rädhä, daughter of Våñabhänu Bäbä. Raghunätha däsa gosvämé was always calling out, “Rädhe! Rädhe!”

(5)(gosäi) eka-bära òäke keçé-ghäöe,

äbära òäke vaàçé-vaöe, rädhe rädhe(gosäi) eka-bära òäke nidhu-vane,

äbära òäke kuïja-vane, rädhe rädheSometimes at keçé ghäöe, sometimes at Vaàçé Vaöa. Sometimes in Nidhuvan, sometimes in Sevä kuïja.

(6)(gosäi) eka-bära òäke rädhä-kuëòe,

äbära òäke çyäma-kuëòe, rädhe rädhe(gosäi) eka-bära òäke kusuma-vane,äbära òäke govardhane rädhe rädhe

Sometimes at Rädhä kuëòa, sometimes at Syäma kuëòa. Some-times at kusuma Sarovara, sometimes at giriräja-govardhana.

(7)(gosäi) eka-bära òäke täla-vane,

äbära òäke tamäla-vane, rädhe rädhe(gosäi) malina vasana diye gäya,

vrajera dhüläya gaòägaòi jaya, rädhe rädhe

Rādhāstamī. .

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Sometimes at Tälavana, sometimes at Tamälvana. Raghunätha däsa wears simple cloth which appears to be dirty because he is always rolling on the earth crying out, “Rädhe! Rädhe!”

(8)(gosäi) mukhe rädhä rädhä bale,bhäse nayanera jale, rädhe rädhe

(gosäi) våndävane kuli kuli kende beòäyarädhä boli’, rädhe rädhe

Calling out “Rädhe! Rädhe,” his eyes are bursting with a flood of tears. He wanders throughout the lanes of Våndävana crying out, “Rädhe! Rädhe!”

(9)(gosäi) chäpänna daëòa rätri-dine

jäne nä rädhä-govinda vine, rädhe rädheHe knows nothing but Rädhä-govinda throughout the day and night. Rädhe! Rädhe!

(10)tära para cäri daëòa çuti’ thäke

svapne rädhä-govinda dekhe, rädhe rädheHe takes rest for only four daëòas (equal to: one hour and thir-ty six minutes). At that time in his dreams he receives darça-na of Rädhä-govinda. Rädhe! Rädhe!

The Original Potency

In the transcendental abode of Çré Våndävana, under a madhavi, creeper, kåñëacandra was once sitting alone on a golden throne, thinking how to relish the nectarean mellow

Rādhāstamī. .

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of His pastimes. As soon as He thought like that, by His mere willing, Çrémati Rädhäräëé appeared from the left side of His body. Rädhäräëé is known throughout the universe as ädé-çakti, the original potency. When She appeared Her bodily complexion was the colour of molten gold. Her body was decorated with varieties of ornaments; a flower bouquet adorned Her braided hair. A necklace of pearls (muktämäla) lay on Her breast and a belt (mekhala) encircled Her waist. Her ears were decorated with beautiful golden earrings. The nüpura, anklets, on Her feet produced tinkle-bell sounds as She walked. Mädhava-mohini rädhä-mädhava-mohila — Rädha enchanted Mädhava. In the räsa dance She gave so much pleasure to Mädhava and again She thought, how can I give more pleasure to Mädhava. With this thought immediately innumerable gopés came out from Her body. They all looked like Rädha. In order to relish the nectarean pastime, They appeared as two bodies. [This is a description from Brahma-vaivarta Puräëa]

Now I will relate the description in the Padma Puräëa about the appearance of Rädhä. Çivajé is speaking with Pärvaté. In Padma Puräëa, Uttara Khaëòa it is mentioned:

våñabhänu puré räjä våñabhänu mahäçayamahakula praséda so sarva çästra vicarada

tasya varya mahabhagya çrématé kértidä hayarüpa jovana sampanya mahäräja kula bhava

tasyäm çré rädhikä jata çrémad vrdavanesvaribhadramasi siddhas tasayan madhyane subadane

våñabhänu name räjä bhakata pradhänaañöa nidhi täìra ghare sadä vidyamäna

Rādhāstamī. .

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täìra patné kértidä name mahapati vratatähära garbhe janamilä rädhä jaganmata

Rädhäräëé ki jaya!Çrématé Rädhäräëé ki jaya!

Rädhäsöamé-mahä-mahotsava ki jaya!

bhadrava suklastami dine madhyana kaletejanmile na vrajeçvaré hari ra icchäte

pürëänanda moi hoila gopa paribarasakala gokula bari änanda apära

sabära vasana pürëa sukhera prakäçakanyä ratna daraçane sabära ulläsa

tabe bhänu kanyä janme dila bahu dhanadeva dwija adi kari karilä samana

nata bata adi kari jatadina jänenänä dilo bhanuraja baòa sukhé mane

heno mata vrajeçvaré janmilo gokulena bhujite pare keho tähäì mäyä role

iti madhye eka kathä sunu bhakta ganaje mata närada päi rädhikä darçana

eka dina muni çreñöha närada tapa dhanabhramite bhramite laya bhänu rädhä vana

kuçala va ratamani bhanure pursilabhanuraja namracite kahite lägilä

Rādhāstamī. .

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tomära prasäde sära kusüla ämäraprthive pavitra haya paraçe tomära

sarva päpa tapa jai tomära daraçanesarva çubha daya haya tomä ägamane

tomära caraëa reëu sarva tirthamayatomära parasilacite hari bhakti haya

ete kebaliya bhänu kanyä vilakalerädhära parasamuni änanda vihale

premete pürila deha netre açru jharesarväìga pulakavali sättvika vikare

antare antare muni rädhära çaraëahådaye òäriyä prema kara ceñöä vana

tumi haripriya devé mahäbhäva rüpagovinda mohiné tumi änanda svarüpa

tumi bhakti tumi tapa tumi sarva rüpatomära caraëa dhyäna kare sarva deva

tomära angsete mahä lakñmé janamilägopé mohisi abi sakali hayaila

tumi adyasakti haya kåñëera mohinétumi kåñëa präëa rüpa savära janané

munira eteka väëé çuni rädhä dhanédekhäila nija rüpa kåpayä äpani

divya kalpa taru täre divya ratnasanebosiachena vrajeçvaré sakhi gana äsane

Rādhāstamī. .

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cämara vyajana kare kon sakhi janadivya çveta chatra dare parama suvarëa

rädhä aìga diyä väsa alaìkära çobhäprati aìga dolamana hari mana lobha

sundara sindhura bindu lolate çobhanakatitate kancite ämära apürva darçana

ratna harävali sore kaëa mäni parecaraëe nüpura dama hari citta hare

aìgera chataye dik hayala alokita rüpa heri muni bära parama vismita

nayane premera dhara gadä gadä väëépulake pulake tanu kichu nähi jäni

e saba carita keha narelikio barerädhära kåpayä mätra närada nihare

puëya çiçu rüpe rädhä munira kalesesuiarailo keho närila bhujite

öäbä muni bära kanyä bhänu käle dilabhänu kirtidari dhaki kahite lägilä

mahäbhägyaväna dohe jagata majhareeno aparüpa kanyä haya jarä ghare

kamala pärvaté ara arundhaté satéçacé satyabhämä ara jateka jubali

sarvara aàçiné rädhä janabhalo matetära sama haripriya na acche jagate

Rādhāstamī. .

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e kanyä prabhava sarva gokula maëòalasakala sampada päbe labhibe maìgala

kanyä bole muni kichu dukha nähi karaiha hoite bahu däsa hoibe tomära

tabe bhanuraja bole judaduti karakibapati habe bhavi aha muni bära

muni bole habe mahäpuruñera näréhoibe nayana käle cara dukha vari

bära bhägyaväne dare jagate madareateke boliyä muni alila satare

padma puräëera çiva durgara varathaäçraya karilä kichu rädhä janma kathä

Çrématé Rädhäräëé ki jaya!Våñabhänu-nandiné Rädhäräëé ki jaya!känu-mana-mohiné Rädhäräëé ki jaya!

Çré Çré Rädhäsöamé-mahä-mahotsava ki jaya!

In the Padma Puräëa it is mentioned that there was a great devotee, an opulent king named Våñabhänu. His wife, kértidä was chaste and devoted. From her womb Rädhä, jagan-mätä, the mother of the whole world, took birth. On this day, in the month of Bhadrava, the eighth day of the bright fortnight, at noon, by the will of Lord Hari, Rädhäräëé appeared. All the gopa families of gokula became very, very blissful, all of gokula was joyful. Every one’s desires were fulfilled seeing a very beautiful daughter was born and everyone felt great joy and

Rādhāstamī. .

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happiness. king Våñabhänu gave immense amounts of charity to brähmaëas, to Vaiñëavas, to bhärtas, to naöas, to poor men. In this way Vrajeçvaré, that is Rädhäräëé, took birth in gokula. No one could understand it because of Her mäyä.

Närada Muni’s Prayer

One day Närada Muni came to king Våñabhänu’s quarters to have darçana of Rädhäräëé. Närada Muni inquired of all auspiciousness. king Våñabhänu humbly replied, “By your mercy everything is auspicious. You are a great sädhu, wherever you travel all-auspiciousness appears there. Wherever you go, that place becomes a tértha. By your mercy everyone can have hari-bhakti.”

Saying this king Våñabhänu picked up his daughter and placed her on the lap of Närada Muni. When Närada Muni felt the touch of Rädhäräëé he became ecstatic, his hair stood on end, tears poured down from his eyes in torrents, and in his heart Närada Muni offered a prayer to Rädhäräëé, “You are hari-priya, dear to Lord Hari; You are mahäbhäva-svarüpä, the embodiment of mahäbhäva, govinda-mohiné, the enchantress of govinda. You are änanda svarupa, the embodiment of all bliss. You are bhakti, You are tapa, You are everything. All demigods, beginning from Brahmä and Çiva meditate on Your lotus feet. All gopés, mahiñis, queens, and Mahälakñmé, are your plenary portions. You are adya-çakté, the original potency, energy; kåñëer-mohéni, You enchant kåñëa; kåñëa-präna-rüpa, You are kåñëa’s life and soul. You are jagan-mätä, the mother of the whole world.”

Rādhāstamī. .

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Rädhäräëé Showed Närada Muni Her Form

Out of mercy hearing Närada Muni’s prayers Rädhäräëé showed him Her form. Närada Muni saw Rädhäräëé sitting on a divya-raöëa-siàhäsana, a throne studded with divine gems, under a transcendental kalpa-våkça, wish-fulfilling tree, surrounded by innumerable sakhés. Some of the sakhés were fanning, some sakhés were waving cämaras, and some sakhés were holding white umbrellas. He saw Rädhäräëé’s body covered with beautiful transcendental garments, and he saw the vermillion points, sindhura-bindu on Her forehead. He saw around Her waist, khate thäke, a belt, and ratna harävali suveñöa-maëi-male, a necklace of gems on Her chest. He saw nüpura, ankle bells clasped to Her feet. He saw the effulgence coming from Her body. Närada Muni’s voice faltered and his whole body was ecstatic. No one knew, no one else could see, only by Her mercy, Närada Muni saw this beautiful form of Rädhäräëé.

The Most Fortunate Parents in the Whole World

Now, again as a baby, Rädhäräëé was lying on the lap of Närada Muni. Then Närada Muni returned that baby daughter to Her father Våñabhänu. Then Våñabhänu called his wife kértidä. Våñabhänu and kértidä sat down before Närada Muni. Närada Muni said, “Both of you are the most fortunate mother and father in the whole world. You are very, very fortunate, mahä-bhägyavan, because you have such a wonderful daughter. kämala, Pärvati, Arundhäti, Sacé, Satyabhama, all are the portions and portions of this girl Rädhäräëé. She is hari-priya. No one is as dear to Lord Hari as She is dear. Because of this daughter, the whole of gokula-maëòala will be filled with every

Rādhāstamī. .

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kind of opulence. Do not feel sorry that it is a daughter. Your glory will be spread far and wide.”

After hearing this from Närada Muni, king Våñabhänu asked, with folded hands, “Who will be Her husband?” Närada muni said, “She will be the wife of that supreme puruña, parama-puruña, mahä-puruña.” At that time Her eyes were not open. Närada Muni said, “In due course of time Her eyes will open. You are the most fortunate mother and father in the whole universe.” Saying this, Närada Muni left that place.

This is mentioned in the Padma Puräëa. Çivajé is speaking to Pärvaté devé. Then Pärvaté enquires:

pärvaté jijïäsä punaù çaìkara caraëenetra kuli rädhä kena na kare darçane

çaìkara bolena devé kara avadhänakahiba se saba kichu apürva aksana

jabe hari avatära mana icchä kailarädhära òäkiyä kichu bolite lägilä

mora sane martya loke tumi janabibetathä e vicitra lélä tomä sane habe

tave rädhä kahe çuna kamala locanamartye janme habe para puruña darçana

tava rüpa vinä mui ananahi herikathaye janmila mora dukha habe vari

kåñëa bole çuna devé kon dukha nähitathaye ämära rüpa dekhibe sadäi

Rādhāstamī. .

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eteka balilä hari nanda gopa gharejanama lahila sigra sädhu rakña kore

radhao kértidä garbhe janama labilaubhayara janma nisraya sukhamaya haila

nakalila netra dyuti rädhikä sundarédekhiyake cidamane dukha paivare

kahila pärvaté puna siddhera caraëeki rüpe päila rädhä äpana nayane

çiva bola çuna devé se kathä kahibajahära çravaëe citte änanda päibä

kanyä janma sabe bhänu sabäre dakhilaviçeñe nandera ghare anantra nandila

bhänu anantrane nanda putra patné sanesakate toriyä helä bhanura bhavane

bhanuraja agrasvari nandera aniloyaçodä e kértidä äliìgana kaila

bhänu nanda kola kuli karite lägiläkértidä yaçodä anta pure äliìgilä

vividha bhajana bhaje änanda khola holarädhä janma sarva gopa kariche maìgala

Çrématé Rädhäräëé ki jaya!Çrématé Rädhäräëé ki jaya!

Rädhäñöamé-mahä-mahotsava ki jaya!känu-mana-mohiné Rädhäräëé ki jay!

Rādhāstamī. .

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anta pure palinkite rädhä nidrä jaiantaryämé harita janmila ihaye

alakse äilä kåñëa rädhä äsane danedekhi priya era mugha ase mane mane

kara padma vilasigra ihära nayanekåñëa kara päçe rädhä kahe kåñëa pane

nayane nayane duha haila milanaänanda mogana belä duha kara mana

eta jaya bäëa sigra ela kanyä päçadekhila kanyä haila nayana prakäça

änande duha kare loila takñaëabole rädhära netra kåñëa koilä dhana

e çiçu haibe rädhä paräëa samänaçuniyä yaçodä devé baòa sukha päïä

änanda haila baòa kértidä bhavanekåñëera acintya lélä dekhera avane

puravai kathä alasapanahari guru pada padma koriyä smaraëa

hare kåñëa hare kåñëa kåñëa kåñëa hare hare hare räma hare räma räma räma hare hare

Rädhäräëé Did Not Open Her Eyes

Pärvati again inquired at the lotus feet of Çivajé, “Why is Rädhäräëé not opening Her eyes?”

Rādhāstamī. .

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Çivajé said, “O Devé, that is a very wonderful story. When Lord Hari wanted to descend here to the material world He called Rädhä and said, “You will also take birth in the material world, with Me. We will manifest wonderful léläs there.” Rädhä said, “O My dear lotus-eyed Hari, if I take birth in the material world I will be very distressed. I only see Youå form. I cannot see the form of other men.” kåñëa said, “O Devé, You will not feel any distress. You will always see My form. You will not see any other male form.”

After saying this, Lord Hari took birth as the son of Nanda Mahäräja, in order to protect the sädhus – sädhu rakhya-kare. Rädhä took birth in the womb of kértidä as the daughter of Våñabhänu. At the birth of Rädha and kåñëa the whole universe became supremely joyful. Seeing that Rädhä had not opened Her eyes, kértidä felt distressed.”

kåñëa’s Family Visits Våñabhänu’s Palace

Again Parvati inquired, “Please tell me how Rädhäräëé’s vision returned.” Çivajé said, “I’ll tell you a wonderful story, hearing which everyone will feel transcendental happiness.”

king Våñabhänu performed a grand festival on the auspicious occasion of Rädhä’s birth. He invited all the cowherd men and women, with a special invitation to Nanda Mahäräja and Yaçodaräné. Nanda Mahäräja and Yaçodaräné came to king Våñabhänu’s palace seated on a bullock cart. Mahäräja Våñabhänu went outside to welcome Nanda Mahäräja, and kértidä went outside to welcome Yaçoda-mätä. Våñabhänu and Nanda embraced, and kértidä and Yaçoda embraced each other

Rādhāstamī. .

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in the inner quarters. A lively festival was in progress with the music of drums, kettle-drums, bugles, violins, véëä. In the inner quarters Rädhä was sleeping in a cradle. Antaryämé-hari, He who dwells within, understood it. No one noticed when baby kåñëa went to Rädhäräëé as She slept in the cradle. Seeing the face of His dear consort, kåñëa was smiling, laughing in His mind. Then He put His lotus palm on Rädhäräëé’s eyes. As soon as Rädhäräëé felt the touch of kåñëa’s lotus palm immediately She opened Her eyes and saw kåñëa’s face.

Çrémati Rädhäräëé ki jaya! känu-mana-Mohéné Rädhäräëé ki jaya! Våndävana viläsiné Rädhäräëé ki jaya!

Añöa-sakhéra- çiromaëi Rädhäräëé ki jaya! Våñabhänu-nandiné Rädhäräëé ki jaya!

Çrémati Rädhäräëé ki jaya!

Eye-to-Eye Union

There was eye-to-eye union, Rädha and kåñëa. Both of Them were very, very blissful. At that time kértidä went to her daughter’s cradle and saw that Rädhä had opened Her eyes. kértidä was overjoyed and placed her daughter on her lap. She said, “O, kåñëa has given eyes to Rädhä, therefore this baby Rädhä will be very dear to kåñëa.” Hearing this mother Yaçoda was very happy.

There was a joyous festival in king Våñabhänu’s palace. No one can describe this inconceivable lélä of kåñëa. The léläs mentioned in the Brahma-vaivarta Puräëa and the Padma Puräëa are described by the mercy of hari-guru. This is all about the appearance of Çrémati Rädhäräëé.

Rādhāstamī. .

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bhadrava çuklästami tithi vishaka na kñetra tithi çrématé janama sei kale

majadina gata rabi dekhi amalika ca jaya jaya deha kutühale

våñabhänupuré prati ghare ghare jaya rädhe çri rädhe bole

rädhe jaya jaya mädhava-dayitegokula-taruëé-maëòala-mahite

kanyära candramukha dekhi räjä hoila mahä sukhédhana dehé brähmaëa sakale

våñabhänupuré prati ghare ghare jaya rädhe çri rädhe bole

rädhe jaya jaya mädhava-dayitegokula-taruëé-maëòala-mahite

nänä drabya haste kari nagare jata närésabe hailo kértidä mandire

aneka puëyara pale daiva haiba anakulee na balika mile täre

baòa mane hena laya e hatama nirsya noikoì cäle kebä janamilä

dhana çyama däse kaya na kariyä saàçayakåñëa-priya sadaya haila