Lets rejoice Radha Naam on Radha Ashtami2024 with full zeal. Radha naam is the blissful chant which will liberate you from the cycle of birth and death.
Radhey – Radhey
Welcome our readers! We are here again with an interesting and captivating blog on Radha. Who was Radha? Why is she always associated with Lord Krishna? Why is she utmost part of Lord Krishna’s life? Why Radha Ashtami is celebrated?
Introduction
Radha is a Sanskrit word which means prosperity, success and wealth. Although, Radha is a eminent figure in Hindu mythology. And, she is believed to be the beloved consort and divine counterpart of Lord Krishna.
Eventually, Radha is also called Radharani, Shri Radha, Ladleeji, Kishoriji, Vrishbhanu ki dulaari, Shyama pyari, Radhika and many more. Like Lord Krishna, Radha also has many names. Additionally, she is worshipped as the epitome of pure love, devotion and selflessness.
You will find that Radha is deeply intertwined with Lord Krishna in every epic and legend. Radha- Krishna love and chemistry is eternal and transcendent affair.
Apparently, many ancient text suggests that embodiment of Radha and Krishna is a union between the human soul (Radha) and the divine (Lord Krishna). Contrarily, many sacred text says that Radha is incarnation of goddess Lakshmi.
Who is Radha?
According to Hindu scriptures, Radha is described as a young cowherd girl (gopi) from Barsana (place in Uttar Pradesh, India), the village of Mathura.
We all hailed Radha as “Barsane wali Radhe”. Barsana is the birthplace of Shri Radha. A huge divine temple of Radha, Radha Rani Temple, is located in the city of Barsana. Even, Radha Rani is the goddess of that temple and people also call her Ladlee Shree Radhe. Similarly, Radha is called radharani in Brij as she is believed to be a magnificent queen of Brij forever.
What is Radha Ashtami?
Radha ashtami is the birth anniversary of Radha. It is celebrated exactly 15 days after the Krishna janamstami. It falls on Ashtami of Shukla Paksha of Bhado mas.
Date of Radha Ashtami 2024
We will celebrate Radha Ashtami on 11 September in 2024. The tithi of Ashtami will start at 11:11 pm on 10 September 2024 and will end up at 11:46 pm on 11 September 2024.
Story of her birth
The most popular story of Radha’s birth is of king Vrishabhanu.
Once, on Ashtami of Bhadra mas of Hindu panchang, King Vrishabhanu went to river Yamuna to take bath. He saw golden effulgent emitting from a lotus flower in the river. He went near the flower and saw a beautiful baby girl laying on the lotus petals. Thus, he brought her home and asked his wife queen Kirtida to raise this baby girl as their child name, Radha.
From then onwards, Radhastami is celebrated amongst devotees with great joy and glee.
Rituals of Radha Ashtami 2024
1. Firstly, wake up early in the morning and have your bathing rituals done on time.
2. Secondly, clean up your puja space thoroughly. Now install idol or image of goddess Radha with Shri Krishna over a red colored cloth.
To buy an attractive idol of Radha and Krishna, click here.
3.Then after, offer flowers, kumkum, rice and bhog to yugal Chavi (forever young couple- Radha and Krishna).
4. Devotee must observe fast on this auspicious day to get the blessings in abundance.
5. Additionally, chant mantras and recite Radha Sahastranama and Krishna Sahastranama on this day. Indulge in bhajan Kirtan of Shri Radhe and his beloved Shri Krishna.
6. Lastly, light a diya and do aarti.
7. Do not forget to offer fruits and falahar ot goddess as bhog. At the end of the day, consume the prasad and pay grtitude to her for every blessings in your life.
Magical remedy on Radha Ashtami 2024
In fact, Radha Ashtami is the perfect day to manifest your ideal future spouse. For those yearning for their destined life partner, a beautiful and sacred ritual awaits. During the puja, lovingly apply kumkum tilak to Radha Rani and a fragrant blend of turmeric and sandalwood tilak to Lord Krishna. Then, inscribe the name of your beloved on a betel leaf (with same kumkum, sandalwood and Haldi paste) and gently place it at Radha Rani’s feet. This heartfelt gesture, steeped in ancient belief, is said to draw your dream partner closer to you, fulfilling your deepest desires.
Lets read about the personalty of Radha futher in the blog.
a) Story behind Radha’s Devotion Towards Lord Krishna
Radha was a blessing to the childless couple. Soon, her parents, Vrishabhanu and Kiritda realised that the baby girl was not ready to open her eyes. Both king and queen were puzzled whether the girl is blind.
Besides, sage Narada visited the king. Also, King Vrishabhanu told the story about the baby girl to him. Queen Kirtida gave the baby to him on his lap.
Eventually, the moment Sage Narada hold the baby girl, his tears were unstoppable and his level of happiness was immense. Her divine presence and existence was out of overwhelmed explaination for Sage. Namely, Sage Narada realised that the baby girl was divine Radha from gowlok ( place of Cows shelter in heavens).
Meanwhile, Sage Narada told the king not to worry about her sight. After few days, King Vrishabhanu arranged a get together, where king Nandbaba and queen Yashoda came.They visited Barsana with their beloved son Krishna.
Soon, baby Krishna crawled to Radha’s room. He went near to baby Radha. That very moment, Radha opened her eyes for first time to see Lord Krishna.
Radha Wanted to See Krishna at First
Also, Radha wanted to see Lord Krishna first. She revealed that she had no interest in any sight of this world, has to offer other than Krishna.
b) Radha Love for Krishna
Radha had boundless and unconditional love for Krishna. Her love represents the ultimate devotion and surrender to the divine. Radha’s devotion to Krishna is believed to surpass all other devotees, and her love for him is seen as the highest form of spiritual love.
c) Radha as Goddess
Vaishavanites believe that Radha-Krishna eternal bond continues to inspire hearts across generations till date. There are many ancient texts and legends which narrates us Radha as incarnation of goddess Lakshmi. Radha and Krishna lives in Gowlok (abode of Radha and Krishna). Shridhama cursed Radha and Krishna for separation on Earth. As a result, they could not marry. Radha’s unwavering love and spiritual significance can not be ignored. Her sacrifice, devotion and divine romance are always sung and praised in Indian folklore.
d) Physical Appearance of Radha
As per puranas, Radha was a youthful and beautiful goddess with golden complexion. Also, she had lotus feet. This princess was mrignayani (deer eyes) and had a mesmerising smile. Her hair were as vast as black clouds. She was a paragon of beauty, simplicity and love.
Was Radha a Consort or Deity?
Nevertheless, many legends suggests that Radha was a consort of lord Krishna. She was no different from Krishna. She was a soul waiting for reunion with Lord Krishna on Earth. Many scholars and sages believed that Radha is a creative and divine power of Lord Krishna. She was a part of the body of krishna. She completes Krishna in every form and every leela.
Why Radha is Associated with Shri Krishna?
Radha holds great importance in the context of Lord Krishna due to the profound love and devotion she illustrates.
a) Radha represents the highest form of love and devotion (bhakti) towards Krishna. Further, her unconditional love for him symbolizes the ideal relationship between the devotee and the divine.
b) Radha is regarded as the perfect follower of lord Krishna. Once, Lord Krishna had ulcers in his mouth and Vaidya (medical practioner) adviced dust of Radha’s feet to heal the ulcers. She gave away the dust without thinking of paap and punya.This shows her selfless, pure and unconditional love for Krishna. Radha teaches us the qualities and attitudes required to attain spiritual union with Lord Krishna.
c) Radha has been blessed with supermacy over lord Krishna. Although, it is regarded that lord Krishna once announced that one who wants to worship me should always praise and worship Radha first to attain the divine bliss. Radha is a connection between devotees and lord Krishna. From then, Radha namm is added as prefix to Krishna in every hymn, bhajan and legend.
d) Radha is the eternal consort and counterpart of Lord Krishna. Their love represents the ultimate union of the divine masculine and feminine energies.
e) Radha’s love for Krishna is portrayed as unattainable and incomparable. Many sects and school of thoughts define their blissful relationship differently. For few of sages, Radha was part of his life till Vrindavan only.
And, for some she was forever Sakhi of Lord Krishna. Her separation from Krishna represent the intense yearning and desire for union with the divine.
Nonetheless, Radha’s divinity, wait for eternity and love for Krishna is an inspiration for millions of devotees.
Conclusion
We can not surpass the sincere love and devotion of Radha for Lord Krishna. Her longing for Krishna, her existence and her deepest and purest relationship with Krishna are celebrated in Hinduism’s devotional sects.
Radha is a symbol of love, devotion, and the quest for spiritual union. Keep following us and indulge in selfless love and devotion for Krishna. Have a blessed day ahead.
About Author
11 thoughts on “Radha Ashtami 2024 and Radha: An Epitome of Eternal Love and Devotion”