Radhastami 2018 and the TOVP

Radhastami, the divine appearance of Srimate Radharani, the hladini sakti pleasure potency and eternal consort of Sri Krishna, is almost more sacred to Gaudiya Vaisnavas than Janmastami. Without the mercy and blessings of Radha we cannot approach the sweetness of Vraja seva and entrance into the supremely pure loving mellow and pastimes of madhurya rasa, the highest perfection of prema bhakti. The little known story below about the esoteric and divine reason for the creation of Navadvipa Dhama by Srimati Radharani Herself has at its core that very mood of the conjugal rasa and Radha’s intense state of maha-bhava.

Please celebrate this most auspicious occasion by offering your financial support to develop the TOVP and the World Headquarters of ISKCON situated in this most sacred and divine realm of Navadvipa Dhama. To develop the Dhama and help spread its sublime glories is a most auspicious act of seva that will benefit oneself and one’s family for generations past and future.

“Those who are trying their best to keep intact the flow of service to Sri Mayapur, will be considered the benefactors of the world of Vaisnavas.”

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur

Selected from

The Glories and Pastimes of Srimati Radharani

By His Holiness Bhakti Purushottama Swami

The Wonderful Glories of Sridhama Mayapura

Sri Mayapur-dhama, however, was Srimati Radharani’s own creation, to lure Krsna away from another lover. In the Ananta-samhita, Siva explains to Parvati why Srimati Radharani created merciful Sri Mayapur-dhama. Lord Siva told Parvati, “As a bee plays in a lotus, Krsna was enjoying with Viraja in the pleasant forest groves of Vrndavana. Moon-faced, doe-eyed Radhika heard this news from one sakhi and hastily ran to find Krsna. Seeing that Radha was coming, Krsna suddenly disappeared and Viraja became a river. When Srimati Radharani arrived there, She could not find them. Absorbed in thoughts of Krsna, Radha began to think of how to attract Him away from Viraja. She gathered her sakhis together between the Ganga and Yamuna Rivers.

She created a beautiful place, decorated with creepers and trees and filled with male and female bumblebees. Deer and bucks were happy enjoying as they wandered about, and the whole area was filled with the fragrance of jasmine, mallika, and malati flowers. That transcendental abode was adorned with tulasi forests and decorated with various groves. On Radha’s order, the Ganga and Yamuna, with their pleasant water and banks, acted as a moat to protect the garden. Cupid himself, along with springtime, eternally resides there, and the birds constantly sing the auspicious name of Krsna.

Radha, dressed in colorful cloth, then began to play a beautiful melody on a flute in order to attract Krsna. 49 Attracted by that melody, Krsna appeared in that enchanting place. Radha, the attractor of Krsna’s mind, seeing that Krsna had come, held His hand and experienced ecstatic delight. Then Krsna, understanding Radha’s mood, spoke in a voice choked with love.

‘O lovely-faced Radha, You are My very life. There is no one more dear to Me than You. Therefore I will never leave You. Just for Me You have created this wonderful place. Staying with You, I will transform this place, filling it with new sakhis and groves. The devotees will glorify this place as New (nava) Vrndavana. As this place is like an island (dvipa), the wise will call it Navadvipa. By My order, all the holy places will reside here. ‘Because You have created this place for My pleasure, I will live here eternally. Those people who come here and worship us will eternally attain our eternal service in the mood of the sakhis. O dear Radha, like Vrndavana, this place is extremely pure. If anyone comes here just once, he will obtain the results of going to all sacred places. He will quickly attain devotional service, which satisfies us.’

“O Parvati,“ Lord Siva continued, “I have described to you the reason for the appearance of Navadvipa. When heard by mankind, this narration removes all sins and bestows devotional service. Whoever rises early in the morning and with devotion to Gaura recites or hears this story of Navadvipa’s creation will certainly attain Gauranga.”

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