Tag Archive for: AppearanceRadhaKunda

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

According to Gaudiya Vaisnava Sampradaya tattva acarya Sri Jiva Goswamipada, Sri Sri Radha-Krishna personally manifested Shyama Kunda and Radha Kunda at midnight of Chaitra Purnima.

He revealed this truth in his tika to Srimad Bhagavatam (10.45.3):

“Sri Krishna killed Aristasura on Chaitra Purnima when Krishna was eleven years old.”

In Gopal Champu (I. 31.8), Sri Jiva Goswamipada says, “When the full moon of the Chaitra month is in the Chitra nakshatra (star), that is the exact time of the appearance of Radha Kunda, yada-hi–chitra–yuta–purna–candram-purnimam-anu–turnita–cetah.”

The Vishnu Purana (part V, section 14, verse 1) says: pradosardhe-aristah-samupagatah, “The Arista demon arrived in the middle of Pradosh Kal (late evening) when Sri Krishna was relishing Rasa Lila with His gopi sweethearts.”

Pradosh Kal runs from PM 836-1048, which means Arista came to finish Sri Krishna, and ruin the rasa dance at approximately 9.30 pm on Chaitra Purnima evening.  After a brief tussle, Krishna killed the beast and formed the beautiful Shyama Kunda.

After some playful joking with Priyatama, Priyaji and Her sakhis created the magnificent lake of love divine, Sri Radha Kunda, in one hour (10-11 PM), according to Shri Visvanatha Cakravartipada’s tika to Shrimad Bhagavatam (10.36.16): divyam-sarah-prakatitam–ghatika–dvayena.

Now everyone clearly understands that according to our Gaudiya Vaishnava acharyas, Radha Kunda and Shyama Kunda manifested near or about midnight 12 AM on Chaitra Purnima.

EXACT BATHING TIME: Sri Radha Kunda appeared on Chaitra Purnima after Pradosh-kal (PM 836-1048) during Chitra Nakshatra. Since this year, Chitra Nakshatra ends at 10.31pm, it is best to bathe in Shyam kunda and Radha kunda between 9-10.30 pm.

In 2019, ISKCON GBC passed resolution 423.3: “The observance of the appearance of Radha Kunda on Karttika Bahulastami is incorrect. The appearance of Radha Kunda SHOULD BE OBSERVED ON CHAITRA PURNIMA.”

Before offering arati and bathing in Radha Kunda, one can meditate on Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami’s “Radha-kundastakam” which follows:

The very dear, beautiful and fragrant Radha Kunda, that appeared after a joking quarrel between Radha and Krishna about piety after killing of the Arista bull demon, and which was joyfully revealed and filled up by Sri Radha’s own hand, with the assistance of Her sakhis, is my only shelter!

The very fragrant, dear and beautiful Radha Kunda, that instantly makes a desire-tree of Krishna prema sprout in the heart of anyone who bathes there, although this is very difficult to attain even by the Vraja-gopis, is my only shelter!

The very dear, beautiful and fragrant Radha Kunda, where Aghari Krishna eagerly bathes and submissively serves to obtain the merciful glance of Devi Radhika, is my only shelter!

 The very dear, beautiful and fragrant Radha Kunda, that is the abode of love for Vrajachandra, which is as dear to Krishna as Sri Radha, the crown-jewel of the sweet vraja-kishoris. Radha Kunda, which was named after Radharani by Krishna, is my only shelter!

The very beautiful and fragrant Radha Kunda, by whose mercy the desire vine of Krishna prema bearing the flowers of seva to my Ishvari Sri Radha, instantly sprouts in the heart of anyone who serves there, is my only shelter!

The very beautiful and fragrant Radha Kunda, whose shores are divided among Sri Radhika’s sakhis who have their own sweet kunjas named after them, and where the bees buzz sweetly, is my only shelter!

The very beautiful and fragrant Radha Kunda, where my Ishvari Sri Radhika makes ever-so-sweet and pleasant jokes about Vrndavanachandra, with Her dearest sakhis on a nice platform on the shore, is my only shelter!

The very beautiful and fragrant Radha Kunda, in whose water, that is filled with nicely smelling lotus flowers, Radha Madhava daily sport in loving intoxication along with Their sakhis, who are in a similar loving frenzy, is my only shelter!

Shruti phala: Anyone who recites this beautiful Radha-kundastakam for Devi Radha with a peaceful mind, a fixed intelligence, and submission to Radha’s blissful seva, will soon see Radha-Krishna in a delightful loving embrace.

Jai Jai Sri Radhe! Sri Radha Kunda ki jai!

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

How should we worship Radha-kunda on Her appearance day in Caitra Purnima (april), and on Karttika Bahulastami (october), the day Caitanya Mahaprabhu discovered Radha-kunda?

Sri Sanatana Goswami’s Hari Bhakti Vilasa, the lawbook (smrti) for the Gaudiya Vaisnava sampradaya, describes the observance of and worship details for Krishna, Rama, Nrsimha, Vamana, Visnu and Siva. It does not mention anything about observing or worshipping the appearance (avirbhava) days of Radharani, Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Nityananda or Advaita Acarya, what to speak about Radha-kunda.

Nevertheless, for all Gaudiya Vaisnavas these appearance days are supremely worshipable. They should be observed with grand celebrations of fasting, puja, worship, tirtha snana (Radha-kunda, Yamuna, Ganga), Hari-katha, kirtana, bhajans, Sri Harinama Sankirtana and sumptuous transcendental maha-prasadam!

But why are these most significant divine days not mentioned in Hari Bhakti Vilasa? Sri Sanatana Goswami produced this important law book by collecting references from all the authentic and ancient Vedic literatures, especially the Puranas. These sastras say very little or nothing about worshiping Srimati Radharani. And they say nothing at all about worshiping Caitanya and the Panca Tattva because they appeared here long after these sastras were written.

Thus over the last 500 years, the different lineages of the Gaudiya Vaisnava sampradaya have developed their own worship standards for observing these sacred appearance days.

How to observe Radha-kunda’s appearance and discovery days depends on one’s devotional inspiration and the instructions of Sri Guru.

Bhagavan Sri Krishna Himself, Vedic sastras i.e. Puranas, and our Gaudiya Vaisnava sastras all say that Radha-kunda is non-different from Srimati Radharani, which means SRI RADHA KUNDA IS SRIMATI RADHARANI!

So on Her appearance day in Caitra Purnima, one can worship Radha-kunda just like one observes Radhastami by:

-fasting until midnight;
-panca-amrta abhiseka;
-wonderful bhoga offering;
-astakams and prayers;
-Radha-Krishna katha;
-grand aratika;
-kirtan;
-kunda parikrama & Sri Harinama Sankirtana;
-snana—midnight moon light bath in Yugala’s prema-amrta;
-relish Radharani’s maha-prasadam!

Now that’s the proper way to observe the divine appearance of Vrndavanesvari Srimati Radharani in Her most merciful, compassionate, prema-giving, madhurya rasananda svarupa as SRI RADHA KUNDA!

Srimati Radharani ki jai! Caitra Purnima Radha-kunda appearance day ki jai!

Sridhama Vrndavana ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Since every pastime of Bhagavan Sri Krishna is eternal, at midnight on Chaitra Purnima, the first full moon of the Hindu new year, Sri Radha-kunda is appearing in some material universe right now before the amazed eyes of Radha Govinda Yugala and the nitya and sadhana siddha gopis of Bhauma Vrndavana.

Sri Sanatana Goswami proves that Chaitra Purnima (April 18th 2019), is the real and actual appearance day of Sri Radha-kunda in his tika (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.45.3): “Bhagavan Sri Krishna killed Arista on the full moon day of Caitra month when Krishna was eleven. Afterwards Radha-Krishna manifested Shyama-kunda and Radha-kunda.”

The Bahulastami Karttika Radha Kunda Bath

So what about Kattika month and the Bahulastami snana? Other than recommending daily or regular bathing in Radha-kunda, the six Goswamis also quote Puranas which prescribe daytime bathing in Radha-kunda on Karttika Bahulastami.

Vrajavasis say that on this day, Krishna tested the saintliness of a cow named Bahula, and thus the Puranas prescribe a holy dip in Radha-kunda on THIS DAY. Incidentally, the Vrindavana forest named Bahulavan is very close to Radha-kunda.

Sri Rupa Goswamipada in Mathura Mahatmyam (verse 439, 441) and Sri Sanatama Goswamipada in Hari Bhakti Vilasa (16.207, 210) both quote the Padma Purana, Karttika Mahatmyam which says:

“Anyone who BATHES ON THE DAY of Bahulastami in Radha-kunda becomes very dear to Bhagavan Sri Hari, karttike- bahulastamyam, tatra -snatva -haripriya.”

The Bahulastami MIDNIGHT Radha-kunda BATH is actually a major event for 50,000 or so barren North Indian married couples. In the hopes of attaining a child, they worship a North Indian fertility Devi named Ahouri Devi. The various rites and pujas culminate in a REQUIRED midnight bath in Radha-kunda.

Thus, it seems that over time, the Gaudiya sastric ordained DAYTIME Radha-kunda SNANA on Bahulastami merged with the barren grhasta’s midnight snana in Radha-kunda. This resulted in Gaudiya Vaisnavas thinking their midnight bath was and is a celebration of the appearance of Radha-kunda.

In closing, we include some excerpts from recent posts on this topic.

DISCOVERY DAY

Bhakti-ratnakara and Chaitanya-caritamrita (Madhya chapter 18) say that Mahaprabhu stayed in Vraja Mandala for about 4 months (September-December). Sri Caitanyadeva first came to Mathura (Caitanya Caritamrita 2.17.155); then Gaurahari toured the 12 forests of Vrndavana (Caitanya Caritamrita 2.17.193); and He arrived in Arita Grama (Radha Kunda) on Karttika Bahulastami when MAHAPRABHU DISCOVERED RADHA KUNDA (Caitanya Caritamrita 2.18.1-13).

Since then, the old Vrajavasi sadhus and Gaudiya saints say that Gaudiya Vaisnavas have been especially honoring Mahaprabhu’s discovery of Radha Kunda by bathing in Radha Kunda on Bahulastami in Karttika. The Goswamis also endorse this practice.

Both the appearance and discovery days of Radha Kunda are equally sacred and worshipable. Because they are always eager to take advantage of every possible opportunity to serve and worship Srimati Radharani.

Thus, all Gaudiya Vaisnavas bathe every year in Radha Kunda at midnight on Caitra Purnima to celebrate Radha-kunda’s appearance. And they also bathe on the day of Karttika Bahulastami to celebrate the day Caitanya Mahaprabhu discovered this lupta tirtha, hidden most holy place.

There is no real conflict or problem with having two appearance days because in spiritual matters everything is perfectly included within the complete whole, Sri Krishna. All the different spiritual truths, practices and places exist together in perfect harmony vibrating beautifully for the happiness of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna.

SUMMARY: Maybe not others, but for Gaudiya Vaisnavas there are two appearance days of Radha-kunda and Syama-kunda:

1) To the eyes of Radha Govinda and all the sakhis when They manifested Radha-kunda and Syama-kunda 5,000 years ago on Chaitra Purnima according to Gaudiya Vaisnava Mahajana Acarya, Sri Sanatana Goswamipada.

2) To the eyes of Caitanya Mahaprabhu when He found or discovered Radha-kunda and Syama-kunda in the middle of a field 500 years ago.

Karttika Bahulastami Snana ki jai! Chaitra Purnima Radha-kunda Appearance Snana ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

Mahanidhi Swami

 

Since every pastime of Bhagavan Sri Krishna is eternal, tonight in some other universe Radha-kunda will appear at midnight before the amazed eyes of the gopis and Vrajavasis.

 

Sri Sanatana Goswami proves that today is the appearance day of Sri Radha-kunda in his tika (SB 10.45.3): “Bhagavan Sri Krishna killed Arishta on the full moon day of Caitra month when Krishna was eleven.” Afterwards Radha-Krishna manifested Shyama-kunda and Radha-kunda. That wonderful appearance lila, as described in the Vishnu Purana, will conclude this article.

 

In other words, the actual appearance day/night of Sri Radha-kunda is tonight April 10th at midnight when the moon will be full. I know a few bhavuka bhaktas that celebrate this wonderful lila every year on Caitra Purnima with puja and a midnight bath in Sri Kunda.

 

So what about Kattika month and the Bahulastami snana? Other than recommending daily or regular bathing in Radha-kunda, the six Goswamis only mention Karttika Bahulastami as one special day to bathe in Radha-kunda. Vrajavasis say that on this day, Krishna tested the saintliness of a cow named Bahula, and thus the Puranas recommend a holy dip in Radha-kunda on THIS DAY. Incidentally, the Vrindavana forest of Bahulavan is very close to Radha-kunda.

 

In his Mathura Mahatyam, Sri Rupa Gosvami, quoting the Puranas, says, “Anyone who ON THE DAY of Bahulastami (aka Karttika Krishna astami) bathes in Radha-kunda, that person will become very dear to Sri Hari.” Certainly all Gaudiya Vaisnavas want to become dear to Sri Hari, and dear to His dearest Haripriya Swamini Sri Radhe! Thus, they all try to honor this auspicious, transcendental day by bathing in Radha-kunda.

 

On Bahulastami evening, barren North Indian grhasta couples worship a fertility devi named Ahouri in hopes of getting a child. The puja rites culminate with a midnight bath in Radha-kunda. It seems that over time, the Gaudiya’s daytime Bahulastami snana merged with the grhasta’s midnight in Radha-kunda, resulting in Gaudiyas’ thinking that they are bathing at midnight to celebrate the appearance of Radha-kunda.

 

So if you’re near, come over to Govardhana for a holy dip in Sri Radha-kunda Dhama under the rasa-filled full moon night of Caitra TO REJOICE OVER THE ACTUAL APPEARANCE DAY OF SRI RADHA KUNDA!

 

Appearance of Sri Radha Kunda 

 

In his Sarartha Darshini tikas (SB 10.36.16) Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti quotes the Radha-kunda appearance pastime from Vishnu Purana, describing a joking conversation between Radha-Madhava after Krishna had killed the Arishta demon bull.

 

“The innocent young gopis said, ‘Ah, Krishna, don’t touch us now, O killer of a bull! Alas, even though Arishta was a terrible demon, still he was posing as a bull, who represents dharma, so You will have to undergo atonement, just as Lord Indra did after killing Vrtrasura. But how can You purify Yourself without going to the trouble of visiting every single holy place in the three worlds?”

 

Krishna: “Why should I have to wander throughout the entire universe? I will at once bring all the countless pilgrimage places here and take My bath in them. Just watch!” With this, Lord Mukunda struck His left heel on the ground.

 

Then Krishna said, “Just see sakhis! This is the water of the Patala Ganga. And now, all holy places please come here!” Then all the holy places arrived before Sri Krishna.

 

Krishna proudly said, “O gopis, you see all the holy places!”

Vraja-gopis: “No, we don’t see them as You describe.”

 

Then those best of holy places, joining their palms in supplication, spoke up:

‘I am the salt ocean.’I am the ocean of milk.’ ‘I am the Amara-dirghika.’ I am the river Shona.’I am the Sindhu.’I am the Tamraparni.’I am the holy place Pushkara.’ ‘I am the river Sarasvati.”And we are the Godavari, Yamuna and Reva rivers and the triveni of Prayaga. Just see our waters!’ ”

 

Sri Krishna took a purifying bath, and then arrogantly said, “Bho, bho sakhis! I have produced a pond containing all the holy places, whereas you gopis have never done any pious acts to please Brahmaji”

 

Sri Radha said boldly, “I must create an even more beautiful pond than His. Sakhis! Get to work!” In a ditch created by the hooves of the huge asura, the gopis started digging out a kunda with their golden kankana, bangles. Within an hour, the expert sakhis manifested a most majestic and beautiful divine kunda.

 

Completely astonished at their feat, Sri Krishna said, “O Priyaji! You and Your sakhis can fill Your lake with the holy waters of mine.”

 

“NO! NO! NO! Impossible”, said Radharani, “We cannot take Your water which is contaminated with the terrible sin of killing a cow. I have an unlimited number of sakhis who can easily bring billions of pots of pure water from Manasi Ganga. And thus the fame of My kunda will be unequalled!”

 

Bhagavan Sri Krishna then gestured to a celestial representative of all the holy places there. He arose from Krishna kunda, bowed to Vrshabhanunandini, and prayed to Swamini Radha with folded palms and tear-filled eyes:

 

“O Devi! Brahmaji, Shivaji and Lakshmi can never understand the fathomless depth of Your glories. Only Sri Krishna knows, and thus He humbly washes away Your perspiration when You are tired. And Krishna always thrills in delight whenever He gets the chance to wash Your beautiful lotus feet and fasten Your ankle bells. In fact, Shyama feels supremely fortunate simply by satisfying the tips Your toes of Your lotus feet.

 

“It is on Krishna’s command we have immediately come to live in this lake, created by one stroke of Krishna’s heel. Alas! The tree of our cherished desire will only bear fruit if You are pleased and grant us Your merciful glance!”

 

Sri Radha: “Well, then what do you want?”

 

In unison, all the sacred places said, “Our lives will be successful if we can come and fill the wonderful lake You have manifested. This is the only benediction we desire.”

 

With a side-long glance toward Shyama, Srimati Radharani replied to the sacred celestials: “Oh, certainly, please come!” Thus all the holy rivers and lakes in Sri Shyama-kunda forcibly broke through its boundary walls [at the Sangam} and swiftly filled Sri Radha-kunda with their waters.”

 

Sri Hari: “O Priyatama! Throughout the world and the universe, Your Radha-kunda will become supremly more famous than Mine! And I will come here every day to bathe and enjoy water pastimes with You and all My preyasis. Indeed, Your beautiful Sri Kunda is as dear to Me as You!”

 

Srimati Radharani: “O Prana Priyatama! Even if You vanquish hundreds of Arishtas here, I will still come and bathe every day in Your Krishna Kunda.

Furthermore, I proclaim that in the future, anyone who has intense devotion for My Sri Kunda, who who bathes or resides here is sure to become very dear to Me.”

 

That night [Caitra Purnima], Sri Krishna and the Vraja-gopis enjoyed maha rasotsavam on the banks of Radha-kunda. The Krishna cloud combined with the lightning strike of Sri to cause a downpour of glee to flood the three worlds with their playfully divine lila, krishna ambudah maha rasa harsha varsha, sri radhika pravara vidyud, trai lokya madhya vitati krta divya kirti!

Caitra Purnima Appearance Night of Radha-kunda ki jai! Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!