Category Archives: Radhe Krishna

Braj Chaurasi Kos Darshan Yatra

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Braj Chaurasi Kos YatraOnce upon a time God Shiva was staying at Mount Kailash. God Shiva was looking tensed; looking at him Goddess Parvati asked him the reason for it. God replied to her “I have heard that everyone should have a spiritual guru in his life, but I don’t have anyone, it is said that unless you meet a spiritual guru a human doesn’t get the benefit of his virtuous deeds.” No matter how much we pray to God we never get any yield. That’s why I am thinking to find a spiritual guru.

Hearing this Goddess Parvati suggested that “to whom you worship day and night make him your spiritual guru?” God replied that there is nothing special in this since everybody in this universe pray to him. Goddess suggested that he should make God Krishna and Goddess Radha his guru. God Shiva became very happy and said “I will go and meet him today itself and will request to be my spiritual guru”.

God Shiva and Goddess Parvati than went to Vishnu Lok to meet God Vishnu. On reaching they told the reason to come to Vishnu Lok. God Vishnu accepted his request to become his Guru and agreed to meet him at the Bank of river Birija.

On decided day God Vishnu and Shiva met at the banks of river Virija. God Shiva and Goddess Parvati gave a huge welcome to Mata Lakshmi and Vishnu Ji. God Shiva created a new city on the banks of river Birija. In this city there were numerous cows, tree with fruits, bountiful birds etc. There was a huge Throne of Gold named as “Shree Golok Dham”.

After performing the rituals God Shiva and Goddess Parvati gave new identity to God Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi as Krishna and Radha. With rituals and prayer he made God Krishna his spiritual guru. And told that all the animals, birds, trees etc dedicated to you. Shiva also requested both of them to reside in Golok Dham forever.

Once Radha and Krishna were enjoying in Shree Golok Dham and they were engrossed in the beauty of the place. Same time Radha’s brother came there. Radha & Krishna could not see him. He became very angry and cursed them “you are so busy among yourself that you couldn’t see me I curse you that henceforth you will not see each other although still loving.”

God Vishnu said we need to go to earth to live the curse. Goddess Lakshmi replied that she will not go to earth as there is lot of bad thing on earth. It’s not a livable place. God Vishnu suggested why not to bring the Golok Dham to Earth and staying it.

To bring Golok Dham on earth God Vishnu requested Yamuna Ji to come on earth. After that Water of river Birija was poured into it. God Krishna than took sand (Raj) to the size of his 84 fingers. This sand was spread across river Yamuna in the area of 84 Kos (252 Kilometers). Joining the name of river Birija and Raj of Golok Dham gave the name as and Birija.

In this area there are 12 Van (Forest) 24 Upvan (Gardens) 20 Kund (Tanks),and village namely as Nand-Goan, Barsana, Govardhan Vrindavan, Mathura, Kosi, Radha Kund etc. After the city was created God Krishna requested all the trees, birds etc in Golok Dham to come to Brij and stay in there.

After some time Radha was born in village Barsana. Few years later of her birth God Krishna was born in a prison in Mathura. All his childhood activities happened in Brij area. To complete the curse of Radha’s brother Krishna left Brij and went to Dwarka and Radha Ji remained in Brij. After completing the term of curse Radha Ji left for Golok Dham.

As per Bhagvat Gita and other books its mentioned that in Kalyug anyone who completes the Yatra of 84Kos will get rid of all his evil deeds.

Mukti Kahe Gopal se, meri mukti batao,

Brij raj jab maathe chade mukti mukt ho jaye||

Brij chourasi kos ki parikamma jo det,

To lakh chorasi janm ke paap hari har let||

 “Jai Jai Shri Radhe”

Ladoo Gopal ji Sewa as per Temple Standard

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What I know about deity worship at home (and that applies to Laddu Gopal seva also) is that whatever standard of worship you set in your house, you have to maintain. When the lord comes to our house in the form of deity, He adjusts as per the schedule and capacity of the householder. But when the lord appears in the temple, then everything revolves around Him and has to be as per His timings. One more thing I have heard but still to be able to apply fully is – when there are deities in the temple and you are serving in the temple, then the temple deities take precedence over the home deities. One has to give more importance to temple deities (esp on festivals).

Now how to serve Laddu Gopal ji in the house  – you can start by keeping a very minimal standard and increase as and when the desire comes and the buy in is there from all the family members, instead of starting as if its a temple and then the entire routine becomes cumbersome and a drudgery for everyone. We shoudl do whatever we do with love – that is important. There shoudl be minimum one arati a day, min one bhoga a day. You can increase to 2 -3 aratis and bhoga as many times as food is cooked in the house.

Now I will tell you the ideal – do mangalarati (not necessary because the lord is a baby in your house, may need to sleep till 8.00 am like Banke Bihari Lal Ju of Vrindavan), do sandhya arati, do tulsi puja twice a day. Offer whatever you cook or eat to the lord and take only remnants of maha prasad. Keep the lord’s utensils and wiping cloth, cleaning soap/ detergent/ vim bar separate and do not use for any other purpose. Shringar/ abhishek can be done daily, twice a day or once in a fornight – every ekadasi or every alternate weekend, as per convenience. Put the lord to sleep every night (approx same time every night) and you may put some laddoo and water (both covered) for night time snack if He feels hungry at night. Remove the flute and crown when you put Him to sleep. Remove whatever flowers you put during puja at sleep time. You can even get a small bed for Him to sleep in. You can tuck Him in each night and wake Him up (approx same time everday) in the morning. The clothes shoudl be as per the weather – light non jari cotton clothes for summer, grand jari clothes for ocassions, woollens for winters.

Follow your local temple – do chandan seva on akshay tritiya, continue for 21 days, do jhoolan for janmashtami, set up a separate damodar during kartik. If they are doing lotus offering in summer, jal vihar – whatever you can follow in your house, you can do as per interest, time, capacity and cooperation of family members. My firm belief is that if you fight with family members and then do seva, that seva is not accepted. Better to serve internally and with mind, rathar than pick up fights and then serve, telling yourself you are the only devotee.

When you have time, sing kirtans in front of the lord, read Bhagawatam in front of the lord. Keep on looking at Him, admiring Him, sharing with Him what you did the whole day, your thoughts and feelings, laugh with Him, cry with Him. The best part is – everything is service and He accepts everything.

Enjoy serving the lord. Love Him and make Him the centre of your life.

The most important thing I am saying at the end – give up ownership of your house. Mentally, transfer the ownership of your house to Laddu Gopal – stay in your house as if you are His servant. Keep the altar area especially clean.

“Jai Shree Radhe”

Radha’s wonderful beauty

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radha-rani-

Sri Krishna praised Srimati Radharani:

“My dear Radha, Your curling locks of hair, long restless eyes, firm breasts, slender waist, shyly lowered head, creeper-like arms and jewel-like fingernails are all exquisitely beautiful. The jubilant festival of Your beauty makes the three worlds tremble in transcendental bliss”.

“The beauty of Srimati Radharani’s eyes forcible devours the beauty of the newly grown blue lotus flower, and the beauty of Radha’s face surpasses that of an entire forest of fully blossomed lotuses. Radha’s bodily luster seems to place even gold in a painful situation. Thus the wonderful unprecedented beauty of Srimati Radharani is awakening in Vrindavana”. (Vidagdha-madhava)

“Entwining this way and that with decorations of fresh forest flowers, and bound and tied up with jewel-threads; Adorned with jasmine garlands of exotic fragrance and hanging down very best of noble gemstones; Your hair style arranged by the hand of Hari, will I ever see it, Oh Radhe?

“Teeth like rows of pearls and lovely lips like bimba berries; Thin waist, wide hips and a deep navel like a whirlpool of newer youth; This indescribable lover – the very heart of the cleverest maidens – May Radha protect us!

“Oh moon-faced one! O doe-eyed one! O Goddess! Oh lovely-nosed one! O one with reddish lips! O sweet smiler! O Supreme Laksmi! O creeper-armed one! O lustrous one of conch shell-smooth neck! O one with plantain tree shaped thighs! Oh whose collection of lotus toenails brightly illuminates all directions! When, Oh Radhe, will You be worshipped by me?”

Radha’s wonderful beauty:

Srimati Radharani is fifteen years old and full of the luster of youth. Radha is expert in all the sixty-four fine arts and Her transcendental form is like an ocean of nectar. Radha’s splendid bodily luster is like molten gold or stationary lightning. Radha wears wonderfully beautiful blue garments, and She is decorated with various pearls and flowers. Gandharvika (Radha) is very beautiful, and has long, nicely braided hair. Radha’s splendid forehead is decorated with the red pigment, sindura, and with beautiful locks of curling hair.

Decorated with blue bangles, Sri Radha’s arms have defeated Cupid’s staff with their beauty. Decorated with black mascara, Radhika’s expanded lotus eyes are the most beautiful in all the three planetary systems.

Radhika’s nose if as beautiful as a sesame flower and the tip is nicely decorated with a pearl. Anointed with carious perfumes, Sri Radha is splendidly beautiful. Radha’s ears are decorated with wonderful earrings and Her nectarean lips defeat red lotus flowers. Srimati Radharani’s teeth are a row of pearls and Her tongue is very beautiful.

Decorated with a smile of pure love for Krishna, Radha’s beautiful face is as splendid as millions of moons. The beauty of Radhika’s chin has defeated and bewildered Cupid. Decorated with a drop of musk, Radha’s chin appears like a golden lotus flower with a bumblebee.

Bearing all the marks of wonderful beauty, Radha’s neck, back and sides are enchantingly gorgeous. Radhika’s breast is like splendid golden waterpots covered by a bodice decorated with a pearl necklace. Srimati Radharani’s beautiful enchanting arms are two red lotus flowers illuminated by the series of moons that are Her fingernails.

Jeweled rings decorate Radha’s splendidly beautiful fingers. Charming, full of sweet nectar, and decorated with a deep navel, Sri Radha’s beautiful waist enchants the three worlds. Radhika’s sloping hips lead to Her charmingly beautiful slender waist which is bound by a creeper of three beautiful folds of skin and decorated with a sash of tinkling bells.

As beautiful as two exquisite plantain trees, Sri Radha’s thighs enchant the mind of Cupid. Sri Radha’s beautiful knees are two reservoirs filled with the nectar of various transcendental pastimes. Radha’s beautiful feet are decorated with jeweled ankle-bells, and Her toes with toe rings as beautiful as the treasure of Varuna. (RKG)


Sri Radha’s Gold and Flower Ornaments:

Srimati Radharani wears twelve different ornaments on Her transcendental form. These ornaments which include Radha’s crown, earrings, belt, ankle-bells, finger and toe rings, armlets, and jewel necklaces that look like strings of stars are all fashioned from pure gold; they appear like myriad shining suns. Sri Radha wears a locket containing a picture of Sri Krishna and a signet ring that is engraved with “Radha”. Radha’s Syamantaka jewel is also known as Sankhacuda-siromani” (Sankhacuda’s crest jewel). Srimati Radhika’s ankle-bells stun Sri Krishna with their tinkling sounds.

Besides jewels and gold, Radha wears a variety of flower crowns, necklaces, armlets, sashes, earrings, bracelets, anklets and blouses. Radha taught Lalita-sakhi how to make these flower decorations, which Radharani prefers over the jeweled variety. Srimati Radhika’s favorite crown is made from flowers and buds of five colours arranged in five points. The gopis also artistically arrange flowers to create five different kinds of earrings; resembling objects like a peacock, lotus, shark or half-moon.

“The glaringly effulgent tiara’s shimmering halo; beautifully sports in all directs stretching to the horizon. Glistening, sleek armlets, bracelets and necklaces refract a collective, flickering of jewel-like coronas. Hip-spanning belt of softly tinkling bells. Anklets charming musical chimes embellishing the majesty of Her divine lotus feet. Oh, my dear mind! Just worship the effulgence known as ‘Radha’”.

Srimati Radharani’s Clothing:

Wearing light-colored clothes during the full moon and dark colours in the moon’s absence, Sri Radha dresses to please Her beloved Krishna, and to facilitate Her nightly meetings with Her gallant lover, Sri Syamasundara. Radha’s favourite outfit is a “Krishna-blue” sari and shawl matched with a pink blouse that delights Sri Krishna.

“Radharani’s upper garment is red like a ruby, and it is the favourite of Lord Hari. Radha’s lower garment is the color of a blue cloud, and it is Her favourite.”

“Sri Krishna said to Sri Radha, ‘All glories to Your wonderful ruby-red silk sari. O Radha, this sari has doubled the passionate love I bear for You in My heart’”.

 Among Radha’s innumerable transcendental attributes, She has twenty-five principal qualities

1) Radharani is very sweet and most charming to look at;

2) Radha is adolescent and always freshly youthful;

3) Radhika’s eyes are doe-like and restless;

4) Sri Radha’s face is smiling and every blissful’

5) Auspicious, beautiful lines adorn Sri Radha’s lotus hands and feet;

6) Radharani maddens Krishna with Her fragrant bodily aroma;

7) Srimati Radharani is the most exceptional singer and vina player;

8) Radha’s words are charming and pleasing;

9) Radha is expert at telling jokes that delight Krnsa;

10) Srimati Radhika is exceptionally humble;

11) Radha is the embodiment of mercy and compassion;

12) Sri Radha’s intelligence and wit surpasses all;

13) Radharani is expert at performing all activities of love:

14) Shyness is the shining gem in Radha’s character’

15) Srimati Radharani is the beacon light of modesty and never swerves from the path of honesty;

16) radha is never perturbed by worldly sorrow or misery;

17) Sri radha has unbounded gravity and sublimity;

18) Radhika is ever fascinated to unite Herself with Krishna;

19) Radha possesses Mahabhava, the highest sentiments of love;

20) Radharani is the reservoir of loving affairs in Gokula;

21) Radha’s transcendental glories are shining in all the worlds;

22) Sri Radha is most affectionate to her superiors;

23) Radhika is submissive to the love of Her senior girlfriends;

24) Radharani is the chief among Krishna’s gopi lovers;

25) Radha always keeps Sri Krishna under Her control. Krishna submissively obeys Radha’s command.

“Jai Shri RadheKrishna”