Radhastami in Sridham Mayapur

[Guest guest]

Sorry I couldn't post this earlier

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Dear devotees,

 

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to His Divine Grace Srila

Prabhupada!

 

All glories to Navadwipa Dham, the essence of all dhams! All glories to the

moon of Navadwip and son of mother Saci! All glories to all those tireless

soldiers of Lord Caitanya whose life and sole is to spread the message of

pure bhakti.

 

Offering obeisances at the feet of all vaisnavas, I will now try to briefly

describe the wonderful and most auspicious occassion of Sri Radhastami which

took place in this most wonderful abode created by Srimati Radharani

Herself.

 

It was the most ecstatic Radhastami with a very special event this year.

>From Morning programs starting from mangal aroti with rumbling of

transcendental sound of Radhe Radhe, the temple was packed with visitors and

pilgrims. Many devotees had come expecting initiations, which is postponed

for a week now. When Darshan finally opened everyone just gave a big sigh of

exclamation as they fell to pay their obeisances over the glamour and beauty

of Their Lordhships along with Lalita devi and Visakha devi and the other

Gopis being decorated by the beautifully shining golden outfit. It was

followed by SB class by HG Jananivas prabhu and HG Padmalochan prabhu and in

Bengali by HH Subhag Maharaj and Naru Gopal prabhu. Followed by grand maha

abhishek and puspa abhishek (diff. coloured and scented flower petals

shower).

 

Followed by puspanjali and Maha aroti by HH Subhag Maharaj. There were 2

huge containers and 2 huge mixing spoons. All (except some which was sent to

CCU) salty maha prasadam was put in those containers and mixed together and

all visitors were offered paper plates full of Radharani's mercy in the

Temple hall. For all devotees (about 1300) there was a feast in the Gada

bhavan prasadam hall sposored by the Guest house dept.

 

In the evening after sandhya aroti, we had this special event which I

mentioned above. Just like Damodar aroti nights, on the alter and platform

lamps lit up the whole place, making the fully golden outfit even more

shiny! Electric lights were turned off. On the platform decorated with

flowers and written with lamps was "jai sri radhe". Everybody got lamps to

offer to Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Madhava.

 

The most special thing which happened was that although Jananivas prabhu

being requested several times by different God brothers have never allowed

which he agreed upon this time, was the lotus feet darshan of Srimati

Radhika. As the curtains parted, there She bestowed her mercy upon all and

stood with her skirt lifted up to give darshan of Those Which are the

reservoir of all devotion and the only shelter of all living entities, for

about 45 mins, while everyone got chance to offer their lamp of devotion to

Them.

 

I had some tulasi sticks from which I made some extra lamps for offering to

Their Lordships on behalf of all those who were not able to be physically

present. Just in case, one can please Lord Krsna unlimitedly if He is

offered a ghee lamp made from Tulasi stick from Tulasi plants after she has

left them.

 

A new pair of Shoes was offered to Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha-Madhava for

Radhastami. They look very beautiful and sweet smelling as the soles are

made of sandal wood. Our head pujari, HG Jananivas prabhu was very pleased I

could see, by seeing Sri Radhika's diamante studded sandals with small heels

just as he wanted. All he was saying was --very nice! very beautiful! again

and again. It is such a satisfaction when a pure devotee is pleased!

 

Something wonderful to meditate upon:

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As explained in Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (Nectar of Devotion), Krishna

possesses sixty-four transcendental qualities. Srimati Radharani has

twenty-five transcendental qualities, but She can control even Krishna by

them. Her transcendental qualities are as follows: (1) She is sweetness

personified; (2) She is a fresh young girl; (3) Her eyes are always

moving; (4) She is always brightly smiling; (5) She possesses all

auspicious marks on Her body; (6) She can agitate Krishna by the flavor of

Her person; (7) She is expert in the art of singing; (8) She can speak

very nicely and sweetly; (9) She is expert in presenting feminine

attractions; (10) She is modest and gentle; (11) She is always very

merciful; (12) She is transcendentally cunning; (13) She knows how to

dress nicely; (14) She is always shy; (15) She is always respectful; (16)

She is always patient; (17) She is very grave; (18) She is enjoyed by

Krishna; (19) She is always situated on the highest devotional platform;

(20) She is the abode of love of the residents of Gokula; (21) She can

give shelter to all kinds of devotees; (22) She is always affectionate to

superiors and inferiors; (23) She is always obliged by the dealings of Her

associates, (24) She is the greatest amongst Krishna’s girl friends; (25)

She always keeps Krishna under Her control.

___

 

One day prior to Radahrani is Lalita Sakhi's appearence day. on the same day

as Rahdarani is Visakha devi's appearance. Then the next day is Campaaaklata

devi's, followed by Indulekha devi's on Ekadasi and so on of the principle

eight Gopis.

 

We have all the Sakhis here and it is nice to meditate on all the services

they perform for Radharani and Her beloved, Krsna!

 

Your servant,

Ahladini Radha devi dasi.