Legend Of Radha Ashtami And Significance

Sunday, September 4, 2022, 14:07 [IST]

We know that Lord Krishna had many wives. But the Lord is better known for being with His one and only soulmate, Radha. Krishna's name is just not complete without Radha, also known as Radhika or Radherani. Radha Ashtami is the day when the divine soulmate of Lord Krishna was born. The day of Radha Ashtami is celebrated with great enthusiasm in the Braj area of Uttar Pradesh, especially in Barsana where She is said to have been born. Radha Ashtami 2022 falls on September 4.

Radha was born or rather believed to be found lying on a lotus leaf in a pond of Barsana. She was picked up from there and brought up by a couple Vrishbhanu and Keertikumari. It is believed that the divine girl did not open her eyes till Sri Krishna was born.

REASONS WHY WE CELEBRATE RADHA ASHTAMI

Devotees observe a fast on this day in the honour of Radha Rani. The idol of Radha is cleaned with milk and then decorated. The idol is offered various sweets and 'aarti' is performed along with singing bhajans and devotional songs. The eternal couple is glorified and their love story is made immortal through these celebrations.

We are all familiar with popular legends of Radha-Krishna but there are also many less-known legends such as that of the Radha Ashtami. For those who are not familiar with the legend of Radha Ashtami, here is a piece that might be of your interest.

Birth Of Radha

Radha was born to Vrishabhanu and Keertikumari who had prayed to Lord Brahma in their previous birth to get Goddess Lakshmi as their daughter. Lord Brahma gave them a boon that in the next birth they will get Lakshmi as their daughter. So, one day Vrishabhanu was walking home when he found a little girl lying on the lotus leaf in a pond. Since he was childless, he picked up the baby and took her home. Thus, he and his wife brought up Radha as their daughter.

The Legend Of Hot Milk

Lord Krishna and Radha were eternal lovers. But the other Gopikas of the village did not like it that the Lord always held Radha as more important. They were filled with envy for the love of Radha and Krishna hatched a plan to hurt Radha.

They gave Radha a pot of hot milk and said that it was sent by Lord Krishna for her to drink. Radha drank it instantly, without even looking at the contents inside the pot .

All the Gopikas felt happy for hurting Radha and left home. As they were going home they wished to visit Lord Krishna. They went to Lord Krishna's house and were astonished to see that the Lord' s mouth was filled with blisters.

The Legend Of Hot Milk

These blisters in the mouth of Lord Krishna were as a result of the hot milk that Radha had consumed. Gopikas then understood the love of Radha and Krishna. They also understood that the love of Radha was over physical attraction and Radha had reached a stage where there was no difference between Lord Krishna and herself.

Gopikas also understood that Lord Krishna takes care of all His devotees and is ready to take the pain of His devotees.

The Story Of Charanamrita

Once Lord Krishna was very ill. All the Gopikas were worried and prayed that Lord Krishna would get well soon. They even prayed to Lord Krishna to help them cure him. Lord Krishna after hearing their prayers said that he would get cured only if He drank the Charanamrita (the water which is left after washing the feet) of a pure and true devotee. He asked Gopikas to find a devotee of such quality and get the Charanamrita.

All the Gopikas who were boasting that they were the true devotees of Krishna backed off at this condition. They were afraid that if Lord Krishna would not get well then all the others would make fun of them. They had no faith in their own devotion and love towards Lord Krishna. When approached for Charanamrita, all the Gopikas backed out as that would cause them to end up in hell.

As soon as the news of Charanamrita reached Radha, She wasted no time in offering the Charanamrita to Lord Krishna. Radha declared that she has no worry of going to hell or any place much worse than hell as long as Lord Krishna is cured and recovers from the illness.

Radha offered the Charanamrita and Lord Krishna got cured. This was the story which proves how eternally Radha loved Lord Krishna and vice-versa.

The Story Of Charanamrita

These stories are read out on the day of Radha Ashtami by the devotees to mark the pure and devoted love of Radha towards Lord Krishna. These stories show that why Radha was so special for the Lord.