How Lord Caitanya observed Janmastami and Radhastami

[Paramananda das]

How Lord Caitanya observed Janmastami and Radhastami
For the pleasure of the vaisnavas ,I am posting the pastimes Lord Caitanya performed to observe Janmastami and Radhastami as narrated by Narahari Charavati in his Bhakti Ratnakara:
Mahaprabhu’s dancing on Janmastami day in the house of Srivasa.
One day in the house of Srivasa, Prabhu announced, “Tomorrow is the birthday of Krsna.” Srivasa and others, knowing the mind of Prabhu, at once understood that tomorrow He would dance in the form of a Gopa. Everyone began busily preparing for the forthcoming festival. On the next day the house of Srivasa was filled with joy as the auspicious abhiseka of Lord Krsna was performed, afterwards they spent the entire night absorbed in sankirtana. The following morning Nityananda expertly dressed and decorated Gaurahari in the garb of a Gopa. Ramai, Sundarananda, Gauridasa and others also decorated themselves as Gopas. They all took earthen pots full of yogurt and butter, tied strings around the necks of the pots, and then tied the pots on both ends of a stick. Placing the stick on their shoulders they entered into the compound of Srivasa. Absorbed in the mood of the Gopas, Srivasa and Advaita scattered curd and turmeric in the compound. Within a short time the house of Srivasa was transformed into the house of Nanda Raja, the father of Krsna. Narahari has described this incident in his songs.
By the order of Mahaprabhu, arrangements were made to perform the birthday ceremony of Sri Radha in the house of Sri Pundarika Vidyanidhi.
With a smile, Prabhu told Pundarika, “Tomorrow I shall observe the birthday ceremony of Sri Radhika in your house.” Vidyanidhi was overjoyed and rushed to his house to arrange everything for the festival. The next day Prabhu and His companions came to the house of Vidyanidhi. First of all Prabhu performed the abhiseka of Sri Radha, then He decorated Himself as a gopa and directed his followers to do the same. Taking on their shoulders earthen pots filled with milk, curd and butter, they all began dancing like Gopas, and Pundarika scattered milk, curd and turmeric in the compound of his house. Afterwards, taking up their musical instruments, they began sankirtana dancing and chanting eloquently as the Lord, in the dress of a Gopa, stood beneath the Kadamba tree holding his flute in the pose of Krsna.
this is from the 12 chapter of this book

4 Comments

Author
Paramananda Das
it is interesting Lord Caitanya observed Radhastami in Navadvipa at the house of Pundarika Vidyanidhi ,he is the incarnation of Vrsabhanu Maharaja .I am not sure where his residence in Navadvipa was when he stayed there but I have read many of Lord Caitanyas associates had residence at Srivas Angam? If there is any suggestion where else Pundarika Vidyanidhis house was in Navadvipa please let me know
Reply5m

Author
Paramananda Das
from what I have learned Lord Caitanya used to do NIrjala fasting for Krsna on Janmastami and Srimati Radharani on Radhastami and this was observed by all the associates of Lord Caitanya
Reply11m
Most Relevant is selected, so some replies may have been filtered out.

Author
Paramananda Das
In CC we read on Janmastami Lord Caitanya dressed up like a Gopa, because He is Krsna Himself and He and His associates would play with the cowherd stick ,that is all there in Caitanya Caritamrta
Reply4m

Author
Paramananda Das
https://gaudiyahistory.iskcondesiretree.com/sri.../
Pundarika Vidyanidhi | Gaudiya History
GAUDIYAHISTORY.ISKCONDESIRETREE.COM
Pundarika Vidyanidhi | Gaudiya History
Pundarika Vidyanidhi | Gaudiya History
ReplyRemove Preview2m