Radhe Radhe!

"Vina Radhaa prasaadena Krishna Praapthirnajaayathe

Thathah Sri Raadhika Krishnau Smaraneeyou su samayuthe!"

Lord Krishna cannot be attained without the presence of Radha.The Lord grants His vision to the devotee who meditates on the form of Lord Krishna in the company of His divine consort,Radha!

Radha was born on the thithi ashtami, in the star of Jyeshta in the month of Bhadrapada to King Vrishabhanu and Queen Kirthi. Radhashtami falls 15 days after Sri Krishna Janmashtami.She was born in a small village called Rawal on the banks of river Yamuna. She was believed to be older than Sri Krishna and after birth She had opened her eyes only when Lord Krishna was born.

Radha was known for Her stunning beauty and Her expertise in fine arts.She was described as a "Gandharava stree" for her dancing skills and expertise on rudra veena.

"Veena-Vadana Sangeetha Rasalaasya Visaaradha

Narada Pramukhodgeetha Jagadaanandi Sadyasah"-this a verse from Radha Ashtothram,describing Her expertise in veena,music and dance.

Her favourite ragas were known to be Megh malhar (close to Raga Brindavani) and Dhanasri (close to Abheri).

The 12the century poet,Jayadeva had composed "Githa Govindam",describing the relationship between Krishna and the gopis of Vrindavan, and in particular one gopi named Radha.

The twelve chapters of Githa Govinda is the erotic love expression between Krishna and Radha,defining the ecstasy of samyoga between Paramatma and Jeevatma.

Radha is the Goddess of love,beauty and fine arts,especially veena.The strains of veena endear the practitioner to the Divine Consort of Lord Krishna.Prayers to Goddess Radha bestows beauty,charm and expertise in arts(especially veena), on the devotee.

Rendering of Jayadeva Ashtapadis vocally or instrumentally balance the yin and yang (masculine and feminine factors) in oneself by ironing out excesses of either factor or enhancing the quality of yin and yang, whereever it is lacking.

The beauty and attributes of Radha are known to be compared to Goddess Tripurasundari.

The stanza from Tripura Sundari Ashtakam,

"Kadamba Vanavaasineem Kanaka Vallakee Dhaarineem

Mahaarha Manihaarineem Mukha Samullasadvaaruneem

Dayaavibhavakaarineem Vishadalochaneem Chaarineem

Trilochana Kutumbineem Tripurasundareem Ashraye!"-(I seek refuge in the immaculate and beautiful Mother,Who carries a Veena at Her breasts,Whose tresses are curly,Who resides in water-lily petals, Who is inimical to cunning minds, Who has eyes which are red as though due to the consumption of wine, Who entices the destroyer of Manasija (Lord Shiva), Who is the daughter of Sage Matanga (as Matangi) and who speaks mellifluously)-this sloka imbibes the spirit of Radha and Her great qualities bestowing on the devotee love,peace ,joy and great expertise in veena.

The greatest Radha Mantra is "Aum Parama Prema Rupaya Namaha".Chanting of this mantra atleast 108 times everyday,brings about divine intervention and divine love into one's life.

There are many prayers on Radha,like Radha Kripa Kataksha Stavam, Sri Radhika Ashtakam, Radha Kunda Ashtakam,Radha Sahasranamam etc. for the devotees of the Goddess of beauty and fine arts.

Radhastami is celebrated with great religious fervour in Radha temple in Barsana, on the outskirts of Vrindavan. Men, women and children sing and dance with delirious joy and devotion,expressing their great devotion on Her Janmashtami.
Radhastami falls on August 27th this year.Radhe Radhe!