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Radhastami || Srimati Radhika’s Appearance Day!
Date: 11th September 2024

Sri Radhashtami, the festival celebrating the appearance of Srimati Radharani, is coming up on September 11th. Srimati Radharani is the pleasure potency of Sri Krishna, and without Her mercy, one cannot approach Madhava. As Srila Prabhupada reminds us in His Radhashtami lecture, “Krishna is difficult to approach directly, but He is bhakta-vatsala, always eager to please His devotees. The devotee’s mood is to invoke the compassion of Srimati Radharani, who then recommends the devotee to Krishna. Pleased by Her recommendation, Krishna readily accepts the devotee into His service.”The key to reaching Sri Madhava lies in chanting the Maha Mantra. But what exactly is the Maha Mantra? Srila Prabhupada explains in the Chaitanya Charitamrita that the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra is a prayer to Srimati Radharani. The word ‘Hare’ comes from ‘Hara,’ which signifies Krishna’s internal energy, Hladini Shakti, none other than Srimati Radharani Herself. When we chant the Maha Mantra, we are essentially saying, “O Krishna! O Radha! Please engage me in Your devotional service.” Because Krishna is bhakta-vatsala, He is naturally inclined to please His devotees, and when Srimati Radharani recommends us, Krishna accepts us with love.Srimati Radhika embodies the purest love for Godhead, and the ultimate aspiration for Gaudiya Vaishnavas is to become the servant of the servant of Srimati Radhika. As Her appearance day draws near, let us engage in singing Her glories, hearing about Her divine qualities, and serving Her with all our hearts. Sri Krishna says, “The moment I hear the sound ‘Ra’ from anyone’s lips, I grant them My supreme prema-bhakti. But when I hear the sound ‘dha,’ I lose Myself completely, becoming intoxicated by Radha-nama. Out of longing to hear My Beloved’s name, I chase after the devotees who chant Radha-nama.”If chanting Radhika’s name just once brings such blessings, imagine the spiritual rewards of serving Her on Her appearance day in Mayapur, the holy land where Krishna Himself appeared as Mahaprabhu to experience Radharani’s mood.Dear devotees, this is a precious opportunity to serve Srimati Radharani in Mayapur Dham with full devotion. Below are the service opportunities available for Radhashtami Mahotsava.

Read more: https://www.mayapur.com/2024/the-lady-general-of-sri-madhavas-abode/