Radhastami 2020

[Paramananda das]

25 Aug 2020
Tuesday
Astamī, G, 05:31, Anurādhā
+Rādhāṣṭamī ~ Appearance of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī ~ best is Nirjala fasting untill next day as directed by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Prabhupada, Srila Prabhupada had fasting untill noon
Veda sastra anurakta ye tulasi vana palakah ,Radhastami vrata rata, vijneyas ce ta vaisnavah,Sri Krsna purato ye ca dipam ,Yacchanti Sraddhaya para nindam na kurvanti vijneyas te ca vaisnavah this sloka is from Padma Purana ,Brahma Khanda 1.31.32 The translation is:
Those who are attached to studying Vedic litteratures ,those who protect Tulsi forests .those who fast on Radhastami day ,those who offer a lamp to Krsna with good faith and those who do not criticize others are understood to be vaisnavas.
ekadasyam sahasrena yat phalam labhate narah Radha janma astami punyam tasmat satagu nadhikam :whatever result one can attain by fasting on 1000 ekadasis one hundred times greater results can be attained by fasting on Radhastami and Janmastami days Brahma Khanda of Padma Purana 7.8
Srila Bhakti Vaibhava Puri Maharaja who was Srila Prabhupadas dear godbrother ,preached like this and I was always very eager to hear from him as he was one of the few associates of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Prabhupada .I never got to meet Srila Prabhupada but at least I met and heard such exalted things from his lotusmouth and I took note, that I will also do like him , I considered him my Siksa Guru ,When he would talk about our Srila Prabhupada a disciple would have to come and wipe his eyes from tears he was such an exalted pure devotee.One time in Vrindavana when he opened Radha Krsna temple he asked me to lead the Kirtana for the whole installation I felt so fortunate that he would choose me ,I offered my humble obaisences to his lotusfeet and led the kirtan as directed by him.He came to see Srila Prabhupada at the end of his pastimes ,and he was not willing to leave for his preaching ,only when Srila Prabhupada told him ,no I want you please go on your preaching tour ,he took his leave.But he really did not want to leave Srila Prabhupada that time.Srila Prabhupada wrote a letter that of all my godbrothers I think you have appreciated me the most .Here is a beautiful Radha Stuti for daily chanting :
Radha-Stuti
radha raseshvari ramya
rama cha paramatmanah
rasodbhava krishna-kanta
krishna-vaksha-sthala-sthita

"Beautiful Shrimate Radharani is the queen and the origin of the rasa dance. She is the giver of pleasure to Krishna, who is the Supersoul in the hearts of all. She is the lover of Krishna and is always situated upon the chest of the Lord."

krishna-pranadhidevi cha
maha-vishnoh prasur api
sarvadya vishnu-maya cha
satya nitya sanatani

"She is the presiding Deity of Krishna's very life, and She is the first of all persons, the energy of Lord Vishnu, the embodiment of truthfulness--eternal and ever-youthful."

brahma-svarupa parama
nirlipta nirguna para
vrinda vrindavane tvam cha
viraja-tata-vasini

"Her form is spiritual, therefore She is transcendental and beyond mundane qualities. She is divine energy and is unattached. O Radha, in Vrindavana You are the leader of the gopis, and You reside on the banks of the Viraja River."

goloka-vasini gopi
gopisha gopa-matrika
sananda paramananda
nanda-nandana-kamini

"She is a resident of Goloka Vrindavana and is a cowherd damsel. She is the queen of the gopis and the divine mother of the cowherd boys. She is joyful and always experiencing the highest bliss, and She incites lusty desires in the heart of the son of Nanda (Lord Krishna)."

vrishabhanu-suta shanta
kanta purnatama tatha
kamya kalavati-kanya
tirtha-putra sati shubha

"Radha is the daughter of Maharaja Vrishabhanu. She is very peaceful and lovely. She is completely contented and fulfilled, very pleasing and is the daughter of Kalavati. She is the purifier of the tirthas (holy places) and She is most auspicious and chaste to Lord Krishna."

samsara-sagare ghore
bhitam mam sharanagatam
sarvebhyo 'pi vinirmuktam
kuru radhe surshvari

"O Radha, I have fallen into the horrible ocean of birth and death and am frightened, but I am seeking Your shelter. O queen of the demigods, please free me from all fears."
tvat-pada-padma-yugale
pada-padmalayarcite
dehi mahyam param bhaktim
krishnena parisevite

"O Radhika, please give me transcendental devotional service to Your lotus feet, which are worshiped by Lord Brahma and Lakshmi, and which are served even by Lord Krishna."
tapta-kanchana-gaurangi
radhe vrindavaneshvari
vrishabhanu-sute devi
pranamami hari-priye

"O Shrimati Radharani, I offer my respects to You whose bodily complexion is like molten gold. O Goddess, You are the queen of Vrindavana. You are the daughter of King Vrishabhanu, and are very dear to Lord Krishna."
mahabhava-svarupa tvam
krishna-priya-variyasi
prema-bhakti-prade devi
radhike tvam namamy aham

"O Shrimate Radharani, You are the exalted form of mahabhava, therefore You are the most dear to Krishna. O Goddess, You alone are able to bestow pure love for the Supreme Lord; therefore I offer my humble obeisances unto You."