Well here’s another festival where I’m stuck at work. *Grumbles*

And what is Radhastami? Radhastami is Srimati Radharani’s birthday. Janmastami was Krishna’s birthday, this is Radha’s.

Who is Radharani?

One of our scriptures describes Radharani: “The transcendental goddess Srimati Radharani is the direct counterpart of Lord Sri Krsna. She is the central figure for all the goddesses of fortune. She possesses all the attractiveness to attract the all-attractive Personality of Godhead. She is the primeval internal potency of the Lord.” – Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila.

Radharani is the female “side” of God. Krishna is the male “side.” “Radha and Krishna are one and the same, but they have assumed two bodies. Thus they enjoy each other, tasting the mellows of love. Krishna is compared to the full moon, and Radha is like his effulgence.” [- CC, Adi]

“Krishna is compared to the full moon, and Radha is like his effulgence.” – Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur

Or to put it very plainly, Srila Prabhupada describes it in a purport from Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila:

As already explained, Krsna and Radha are one in two. They are identical. Krsna expands Himself in multi-incarnations and plenary portions like the purusas. Similarly, Srimati Radharani expands Herself in multi-forms as the goddesses of fortune, the queens and the damsels of Vraja. Such expansions from Srimati Radharani are all Her plenary portions. All these womanly forms of Krsna are expansions corresponding to His plenary expansions of Visnu forms. These expansions have been compared to reflected forms of the original form. There is no difference between the original and reflected forms. The female reflections of Krsna’s pleasure potency are as good as Krsna Himself.

This is from a 1973 Radhastami lecture by Srila Prabhuapda:

Therefore we don’t keep Krsna alone. No. Radha-Krsna. First Radharani. So that day is today. First you have to worship Radharani. If you go through Radharani…

Therefore in Vrndavana you will see all devotees, they will address one another, “Jaya Radhe.” Still. Because they know that “If Radharani is pleased, if I can please Radharani…” Radharani is presented, the original pleasure potency, always absorbed in thought of Krsna. So anyone who comes before Radharani to serve Krsna, oh, She becomes so pleased, “Oh, here is a devotee of Krsna.” She immediately recommends, “Krsna, oh, here is a devotee. He is better than Me.” This is Radharani. I may be a, not devotee. I may be most fallen rascal. But if I try to reach Krsna through Radharani, then my business is successful. Therefore we should worship Radharani first. That is our business. Instead of offering directly one flower to Krsna, you just put it in the hands of Radharani: “My mother Radharani, Jagan-mata, if you kindly take this flower and offer it to Krsna.” “Oh,” Radharani says, “Oh, you have brought a flower?” Krsna said, patram puspam phalam toyam yo me bhaktya prayacchati [Bg. 9.26], but don’t try to offer Krsna directly. Just offer through Radharani. It will be very much appreciated by Radharani.

So this is our philosophy, to please Krsna through Radharani, and just today is the auspicious day of Radharani appearance. So we should offer puspanjali and pray to Radharani that “Radharani, kindly be merciful and tell about me to Your Krsna. To Your Krsna. Krsna is Yours.” Krsna, Radha-Krsna. Krsna is not independent. Krsna is Radharani’s property. So you have to approach Krsna through Radharani. That is, today is the auspicious day. Worship Radharani very nicely and be happy.

Thank you very much. Hare Krsna.

Because today is Radhastami, we should do what we can to please Radharani. The best thing we can do is chant:

Actually…. that’s a good idea any day!

So let’s get to it!

Related posts:

1. Radhastami at New Vrndavana 2008
2. Happy Happy Happy HAPPY Gaura Purnima!
3. Happy Thanksgiving! (aka Happy Ritual Sacrifice with a Slice of Pie Day!)
4. In New Vrndavana for Radhastami
5. Happy Janmastami!