Summary: I have selected a few drops from the ocean of nectar which glorify the position of Srimati Radharani and the means of achieving her favor. The first quote was selected because it presents non-Puranic accounts, ie. quotes from the Upanisads (see Quote #1) recognizing Radharani for her super-excellence even amongst the forms of the Lord's internal potency, the goddess of Fortune. Although the Upanisad's address her by name, Radha is not directly identified by name in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, instead she is indirectly mentioned by Sukadeva Goswami (see Quote #2) only. Radharani's love for Krishna knows no limit. Her feeling of separation intensify her love, which is already unlimited. (See Quote #3) This is a transcendental mystery! Finally, Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur offers us a very nice prayer, in the form of an instruction to the mind how NOT to think of approaching an understanding of and an absorption in the madhurya rasa of Radha toward Krishna. Rather, he provides us with a distinct positive direction to move in, to achieve this exalted goal. Srila Prabhupada's teachings were exactly in the same mood, following closely the footsteps of his guru maharaja. (See Quote #4)
Questions:
1) What is the significance of Radharani being refered to in the Upanisads?
2) Why did Sukadeva Goswami not speak Radha's name directly?
3) Sometimes we hear about 'higher things' which Lord Caitanya and many of the subsequent acharyas were reluctant to openly discuss. What does the text of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur's Quote #4 instruct us, in this regard? In our present stage, how can we best perform personal service to Srimati Radharani?
Reading assignment a) Prameya Ratnavali by Baladev Vidyabhusana, b) Srimad-Bhagavatam. 10.30.28, c) 3) Bhajana Rahasya by BVT, and d) Mahajana-racita Gita, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura
a) Prameya Ratnavali by Baladev Vidyabhusana
Text 23 Some forms of the Lord are considered superior to other forms of the Lord. In this connection the Srimad Bhagavatam(1.3.28) explains: "All of the above-mentioned incarnations are either plenary portions or portions of the plenary portions of the Lord, but Lord Sri Krishna is the original Personality of Godhead."
Text 24 (a) The same differing importance of forms applies to Srimati Lakshmi-devi. The Purusartha bodhini Upanishad of the Atharva Veda explains: "In the supreme abode of Gokula in the district of Mathura, Srimati Radharani and Srimati Candravali-devi stand at the left and right side of Lord Krishna." "Srimati Radharani expands Herself as Lakshmi, Durga, and many other potencies of the Lord, which are all her incarnations."
Text 24 (b) This is also confirmed in the Gautamiya Tantra: "The transcendental goddess Srimati Radharani is the direct counterpart of Lord Sri Krishna. She is the central figure for all the goddesses of fortune. She possesses all attractiveness to attract the all-attractive Personality of Godhead. She is the primeval internal potency of the Lord."
b) Srimad-Bhagavatam. 10.30.28
anayaradhito nunam bhagavan harir isvarah yan no vihaya govindah prito yam anayad rahah
[The Vraja-gopis said] "O my friend! Leaving us aside Krishna has gone off to a secluded place with a particular gopi. She must truly be expert in worshiping (anyaradhito) Him, for He was so pleased with Her service that He has left us all behind."
NOTE: The hidden meaning of this verse is that Sri Radha, who is indicated here by the word "aradhita" is the topmost maidservant and devotee of Sri Krishna, being the very crown jewel of devotion.
c) Bhajana Rahasya by Bhaktivinode Thakur
Radharani is overwhelmed by the symptoms of separation and is feeling extreme misery. Feeling sharp pangs of separation, Radharani reproaches Krishna in the following verse from the Jagannatha-vallabha-nataka:
prema-ccheda-rujo 'vagacchati harir nayam na ca prema va
sthanasthanam avaiti napi madano janati no durbalah
anyo veda na canya-duhkham akhilam no jivanam vasravam
dvi-trany eva dinani yauvanam idam ha-ha vidhe ka gatih (12)
"Our Krishna does not realize what we have suffered from injuries inflicted in the course of loving affairs. We are actually misused by love because love does not know where to strike and where not to strike. Even Cupid does not know of our weakened condition. What should I tell anyone? No one can understand another's difficulties. Our life is actually not under our control, for youth will remain for two or three days and soon be finished. In this condition, O creator, what will be our destination?"
d) Mahajana-racita Gita, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura
O mind! Always engage yourself in the service of Sri Radha, and keep aloof from the snake of material enjoyment. There is nothing glorious about performing kirtana simply for name and fame. You are the eternal servant of Srimati Radharani. Why then do you renounce her for the cheating process of nirjana-bhajana? Why do you run after false renunciation and so give up the service of Sri Radha? The residents of Vrindavana are the real object of preaching. They do not aspire for false prestige, nor are they devoid of life, as are the false renunciates. Those who have spiritual vitality can preach and instill spiritual life in their audience. Preaching is the symptom of vitality. One who preaches the message of Krishna consciousness is devoid of hopes for prestige.
Sri Dayita Dasa, (Srila Bhaktisiddhanta) the humble servant of Sri Radha and her beloved Krishna always hopes for Kirtana, and begs everyone to sing the holy name of the Lord aloud. By the influence of such Kirtana, one may gradually come to the exalted stage of smaranam, wherein one constantly remembers the pastimes of Krishna within one's mind. Nirjana-bhajana is conceivable only after attaining this advanced level of Krishna-bhakti.
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