Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Śrī-Śrī Rādhāṣṭamī



rādhā karāvacita pallava ballarīke
rādhā padāṅka vilasan madhura sthalīke
rādhā yaśo mukhara matta khagāvalīke
rādhā bihāra bipine ramatāṁ mano me

( Rādhā Rasa Sudhānidhi - 14)

This is probably Sādhu Bābā's favorite verse of Rādhā Rasa Sudhānidhi, and the verse through which he first introduced me to  Rādhā Rasa Sudhānidhi. In English it says:

"My mind rejoices in the play-forest of  Rādhā,  where all the vines and leaves are touched by  Rādhā's hands, where the place is sweetened by the playful footsteps of  Rādhā and where the birds madly sing about the fame and glory of  Rādhā."


Pada by Ghanaśyām Dās:

Rāgiṇī Kalyāṇī - Tāla Daśa Kusi

BHĀDRA ŚUKLĀṢṬAMĪ TITHI, VIŚĀKHĀ NAKṢATRA TATHI,
ŚRĪMATI JANAMA SEI KĀLE
MADHYA DINA GATA RAVI, DEKHIYĀ BĀLIKĀ CHABI,
JAYA JAYA DEI KUTŪHOLE

"On the eighth day of the bright lunar quarter in the month of Bhādra, during the Viśākhā constellation Śrīmati took birth. When the sun had passed midday and they saw the luster of the little girl the people eagerly sang "Jaya Jaya!"

VṚṢABHĀNU PURE,     PRATI GHARE GHARE,
JAYA RĀDHE ŚRĪ RĀDHE BOLE
KANYĀRA CĀṄDA MUKHA DEKHI,     RĀJĀ HOILĀ MAHĀ-SUKHĪ,
DĀNA DEI BRĀHMAṆA SAKALE

"In every house in Vṛṣabhānupura the shouts of Jaya Rādhe! Śrī Rādhe! resounded. Seeing his daughter's moonlike face, Vṛṣabhānu Mahārāja became very happy and gave donations to the local brāhmaṇas."

NĀNĀ DRAVYA HASTE KORI, NAGARERA YOTO NĀRĪ,
ĀILĀ SABHE KĪRTIKĀ MANDIRE
ANEKA PUṆYERA PHALE, DAIVA HOILĀ ANUKŪLE,
E HENO BĀLIKĀ MILE TORE

"Taking different presents in their hands all the women of the town came to the abode of Mother Kīrtidā (saying:) "As a result of great piety Fate became favorable to you, so that you have attained such a little girl!"

MODERA MONE HENO LOY, EHO TO MĀNUṢA NOY,
KON CHALE KEBĀ JANAMILĀ
GHANAŚYĀMA DĀSA KOY, NĀ KORIHO SAṀŚAYA,
KṚṢṆA PRIYĀ SADAYA HOILĀ

"We think that this is not a human being. Who has taking a hidden incarnation here?" Ghanaśyāma dāsa says: "Don't doubt it! Kṛṣṇa-priyā has become merciful (by appearing)!"

3 comments:

  1. Doing staunch Radhe Radhe-kirtan (on my own unfortunately), offered abhishekh with milk, yoghurt, sugar-water and plain warm water to Giridhari, flanked by a picture of Sri Swaminiji, then offered a simple feast with roti, cheese, cauliflower, dates, mango, kiwi, peaches and cottage cheese. It was all a bit too early (11.40 a.m.-12-noon), but I hope She was pleased still.

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  2. Happy Radhastami

    May the spirit of Radhastami be with us always!

    Any info about Ganashyam das? Thanks

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  3. "May the spirit of Radhastami be with us always!"

    I wish that were true. I had a few otherworldly hours around abhisekha (noon)-time.

    "Any info about Ganashyam das?"

    There are several mentioned in the GVA but I dont know which one this is, sorry.

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