VaraLakshmi Vratham | VaraMahaLakshmi Pooja (Shravan Puja.2.1)

 

 https://youtu.be/HzMJQ_K4Vh8

 Varalakshmi Vratham in 2023 date is August25th,Fri day.. Vara Laxmi Vratham is observed by married women to commemorate Goddess Lakshmi. Read more about Varalakshmi Vratam

Varalakshmi Vratham

Vara Lakshmi Vratham is the festival celebrated to commemorate Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu. Goddess Laxmi is the Varalakshmi, the one who grants the boon 'Var'. The festival is extensively celebrated in the southern regions of India. The festival of Varalaxmi Vratam is gloriously celebrated in the states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.The Varalakshmi fasting is observed on the last Friday during Shravana Shukla Paksha and falls just few days ahead of Rakhi and Shravana Purnima. The festival Varalaxmi Vratam is celebrated by the married women for the welfare of the family members, especially the husband. The festival is also celebrated to get a child as per the wishes of the mother. In this article you can know more about the history and mythology of the Vara Lakshmi Vratham.


Varalakshmi Vratam

25th
august,2023(Friday)
Varalakshmi

Varalakshmi Vratam Puja

Varalakshmi Vratam on Friday, august 25th, 2023

Varalakshmi Vratham Vrat 2023 Dates | Panchang

• Simha Lagna Puja Muhurat (morning) – 05:55 to 07:42
• Vrishchika Lagna Puja Muhurat (afternoon) – 12:17 to 14:36
• Kumbha Lagna Puja Muhurat (evening) –  18:22 to 19:50
• Vrishabha Lagna Puja Muhurat (midnight) – 22:50 to 00:45

History Behind The Vara Lakshmi Vratham

While celebrating Vara Lakshmi Vratham , it is a good idea to know the legend behind it. Once there was a Brahmin woman who lived in the Kingdom of Magadha. Her name was Charumathi. She lived in a small village of Kundina. She lived there with her husband. She was devoted to her family to a great extent. Goddess Lakshmi was impressed by her devotion and appeared in her dream one night. She asked Charumathi to worship Varalakshmi and seek blessings to fulfill all of her wishes. Varalaxmi is another form of Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu. Goddess Laxmi is the Goddess of wealth. The Goddess prescribed her to fast on Friday of the month Shravan, preceding the full Moon night.

Charumathi narrated her dream to her family and everyone encouraged her to perform the Pooja. Many other women in the village also joined her in Pooja. They performed the Pooja with utmost devotion and heart.

The Story Behind Vara Lakshmi Vratham

Once, Parvati and Parameshwara were playing the game of chess. Parvati was winning each game consecutively, but it is believed that Parameshwara was deliberately claiming to win the game in order to increase the curiosity of Parvati.

Parvati decided have an umpire, and for this purpose, Chitranemi was chosen. He was the creation of Parameshwara. He took the side of Parameshwara and this magnified Parvati's anger. She cursed Chitranemi that he would become a leper as he has discharged his duties in an unjust manner.

Chitranemi begged Parvati to relieve him of the curse. She said that he can only get rid of the curse if he observes that Vara Lakshmi Vratham. By doing this, Chitranemi got rid of this disease.

Varalakshmi Pooja

The Vara Lakshmi Vratham is a popular festival of the southern India. It is celebrated mostly in the southern states such as Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and others. On the occasion of Varalakshmi Vrat, women will observe fast. The preparations for the festivals start a day before. Women take bath early morning and worship Goddess Lakshmi with utmost devotion. They worship for the well being of their husbands and children along with the entire family.

The Significance Of Vara Lakshmi Vratham

In total, there are eight forces of energy. The eight forces are wealth, earth, learning, fame, peace, pleasure and strength. They are collectively called as Ashta Lakshmi or eight Lakshmi. These eight forces are worshipped as lakshmi, as the eight abstract forces cannot be identified, so they are personified as goddess lakshmi. It is Goddess Lakshmi who is known as the Varalakshmi and the Vara Laxmi Vratam is also celebrated in her honor. Goddess Laxmi is a woman and it is believed that only a woman can understand the feelings of a woman. Therefore, this is a festival of women and is celebrated and observed mainly by the women. The festival of Varalaxmi Vratam is celebrated by women in order to invoke the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi to be showered on the husbands and children of these women.

https://youtu.be/PnGg6lp1E2E

 Varalakshmi Vratam


 

Celebrate the Vara Lakshmi Vratham  with sheer joy and enthusiasm to get the blessings of Varalakshmi. Happy Varalaxmi Vratham

https://youtu.be/2TwpDNS1he0

Anant chaturdashi(bhadraba puja.7)

https://youtu.be/29_5Hy6yffA

Ananta chaaturdashi

28th september 2023

Anant Chaturdashi Puja Muhurat :

06:12:09 to 18:51:36

Duration :

12 Hour 39 Minute

Anant Chaturdashi Puja Vidhi and Vrat

In the Agni Puran, the importance of observing a fast is being stressed upon. This day commemorates the infinite forms of the Lord Vishnu. This worshipping is done in the noon time, the Pujan Vidhi is mentioned below:

1.  On this day, after proper bath, take a bow and place a kalash on the Pujan altar.
2.  Establishment of a kalash which has an Ashtadal lotus made of kush on a vase can be installed, or if you wish you can also use a picture of Lord Vishnu.
3.  After this prepare a thread by dipping it in vermilion, saffron, and turmeric. It must have 14 knots. Keep this thread in front of the idol of Lord Vishnu.
4.  Now, worship the thread and the idol of the lord with Shadoshopchar method and chant the mantra thats being mentioned below. After thats being done, you are to tie the sacred thread around your arm.

   अनंत संसार महासुमद्रे मग्रं समभ्युद्धर वासुदेव।
   अनंतरूपे विनियोजयस्व ह्रानंतसूत्राय नमो नमस्ते।।

5.  The men are supposed to tie it on their left arm and the women are supposed to wear it round their right arm. After this offer food to the Brahmans and accept the prasad with your entire family.

The Significance of Anant Chaturdashi

As per the mythology, the festival of Anant Chaturdashi has its roots in the epic Mahabharata. The day is being celebrated as the day of Lord Vishnu. The lord created 14 loks, Tal, Atal, Vital, Sutal, Talatal, Rasatal, Paatal, Bhi, Bhuva, Jan, Tap, Satya, mah. In order to follow and protect these, he came down to this mortal world in the form of 14 different avatars, which gave him the name of being infinite. He knew he had save his people and his creations, for which these avatars played a major role. Therefore, the day of Anant Chaturdashi has great importance, since you can please the lord of creation himself and be blessed with his choicest blessings. The fast thats being observed on this day also holds a major significance. All this is said to please him and provide you with an eternal life full of bliss and contentment. It is also believed that along with fasting on this day, if any person recites the Vishnu Sahasranama stotra, all his wishes are fulfilled and he gets what he desires for from the Lord. This fast is done to attain wealth, abundance, and prosperity in ones life. The desire of having ample money, happiness and children etc lures the man to seek the lords blessings on his mortal existence. This fast is prevalent in many states of India. On this day folk tales of Lord Vishnu are heard by the members of the family.

Legendary tales surrounding  Anant Chaturdashi

According to the take in the epic Mahabharata, the Kauravas defeated the Pandavas in gambling with the help of turning against them and going behind their back in the act of deceiving. After this, the Pandavas had to lose their kingdom, their wealth, and all the luxuries and go for a period of exile in the wilderness. In this duration, they had to endure much pains and hardships to get through it. One fine day, Lord Krishna went to greet the Pandavas in the forest. After greeting him with proper respect, the eldest of the Pandavas, Yudhishthira asked him for a way, through which they can come back to the track and get their lost kingdom and wealth back with respect. The Lord upon hearing this, gave him an antidote that could solve all his problems in life and fulfill his hearts desire. This remedy was the fast of Anant Chaturdashi, that commemorates Lord Vishnu who is the sole provider of solace. He advised him to observe this fast and pay homage to Lord Vishnu with his wife and brothers.

After hearing this, Yudhishthira asked Krishna to explain who is Anant. Lord Krishna went in great details to let him know that Lord Anant is another avatar of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu rests in the Chaturmas on the sheshnaag for an infinite time. Anant lord in the avatar of Vaaman went through the three loks in just 2 pags. No one knows about his start, his end and thats one of the major reason hes called and known by the name, infinite. By worshipping him all the woes and issues that you gave on your life will cease to exist and youll be able to live a life that youve always wanted.

After the tale got ended, Yudhishthira pledged to observe this fast with his family, and after its successful completion he was able to regain his lost kingdom and wealth.

Anant Chaturdashi 2023 Importance

Anant Chaturdashi was celebrated first during the time of Mahabharata to mark Lord Vishnu's birthday, as per mythology. The lord formed fourteen loks, and to protect them, he took 14 diverse avatars and came down to the earth, which also gave him the title of being infinite. The avatars of Lord Vishnu played a significant role in protecting his creations and his people, both of which were important to him. The importance of Anant Chaturdashi 2023 is much as it offers the chance to appease the creator god and receive the most blessings from him. 

The vrat kept on this day is also significant as it pleases the lord while receiving blessings of happiness and pleasure. In addition to fasting on Anant Chaturdashi 2023, it is also said that devotees who recite the Vishnu Sahasranam Stotra get endowed with their wishes. This fast is observed widely across many Indian states, and families at large hear the stories of Lord Vishnu on this day. 

अनंत चतुर्दशी की पूजा विधि (Anant Chaturdashi 2023 Puja Vidhi)

• इस दिन सुबह जल्दी उठकर स्नान किया जाता है।
• स्नान करने के बाद घर के मंदिर में दीप जलाए जाते हैं।
• इसके बाद देवी देवताओं का गंगाजल से अभिषेक किया जाता है।
• कई लोग इस दिन व्रत भी रखते हैं।
• गणेश पूजा में सबसे पहले गणेश जी का प्रतीक चिन्हस्वास्तिक बनाने के बाद पहले गणेश जी की पूजा की जाती है और इसके बाद भगवान विष्णु की पूजा की जाती है।
• भगवान गणेश को सिंदूर लगाया जाता है और मान्यताओं के अनुसार दूर्वा घास चढ़ाई जाती है।
• भगवान विष्णु को फूल और तुलसी अर्पित किए जाते हैं।
• इसके बाद गणेश जी और भगवान विष्णु को भोग लगाया जाता है तथा गणेश जी को लड्डू का भोग लगाया जाता है।
• इस दिन इस बात का विशेष रूप से ध्यान रखा जाता है कि भगवान को सिर्फ सात्विक चीजों का ही भोग लगाया जाए और भगवान विष्णु के भोग में तुलसी जी को अवश्य शामिल किया जाता है; मान्यता है कि बिना तुलसी के भगवान विष्णु भोग ग्रहण नहीं सकते।
• इस दिन भगवान विष्णु के साथ-साथ माता लक्ष्मी जी की भी पूजा अर्चना की जाती है।
• पूजा सामग्री के लिए भगवान गणेश की प्रतिमा, लालकपड़ा, दर्वा, जनेऊ, कलश, नारियल, पंचामृत, पंचमेवा गंगाजल, रोली, मौली लाल, श्री विष्णु जी का चित्र अथवा मूर्ति, पुष्प, नारियल, सुपारी, फल, लॉन्ग, धूप, दीप, देसी घी, अक्षत, तुलसी दल, चंदन, मिष्ठान का इस्तेमाल पूजा के दौरान किया जाता है।

.

Anant Chaturdashi is a festival observed and celebrated by Jain and Hindus. One may note that Chaturthi is the fourth day of the lunar fortnight, while Chaturdashi is the fourteenth. In the normal course, Anant Chaturdashi falls 10 days after Ganesh Chaturthi

Ananta Chaturdashi is the 10th and penultimate day of the great Ganesha Utsav or festival that begins with Vinayak Chaturthi. In Sanskrit, 'Ananta' means eternal and 'Chaturdashi' means fourteenth. As such, it falls on the 14th day of the bright fortnight or 'Shukla Paksha' of the Bhadrapada month in the Hindu Calendar.

Ganesha Immersion

At the end of this day, Ganesha is given a grand farewell and the idols that were installed for the festival are carried to the nearby river, lake or sea front and immersed with a lot of devotion and fanfare amidst incessant chants of the slogan: "Ganpati bappa morya / Agle baras tu jaldi aa" - "O Lord Ganesha, come again next year." It is celebrated across India, especially in the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

Ritual Worship of Lord Vishnu on Ananta Chaturdashi

Although this festival is more popular for its colorful Ganesha immersion processions, Anant Chaturdashi is actually devoted to the worship of Lord Vishnu.




In fact, the word 'Ananta' refers to the immortal one, i.e., Vishnu - the God head of the Hindu Trinity.

Hindus invoke the blessings of Lord Vishnu praying to his image in which he is seen reclining on the mythical serpent Sheshnaga floating on the sea. As is any ritual worship or 'Puja,' the essential items such as flowers, oil lamps, incense sticks or 'agarbatti,' sandalwood paste, vermillion or 'kumkum,' and turmeric, are kept before the idol along with offering of 'prasad' consisting of fruits, milk and sweets. Worshippers chant the Vishnu prayer "Om Anantay Namoh Namaha" during the ritual.

The 'Ananta Sutra' - a sacred thread colored with kumkum and turmeric and knotted at 14 places is consecrated during the ritual - to be cut and worn by males on their right wrist and by women on their left as a mark of protection from Vishnu. So, this string is also called 'Raksha Sutra' and should be worn while chanting the mantra:

Ananta Sansar Maha Samudre Magnan Samabhyuddhar Vasudeva
Ananta Rupey Viniyojitatmamahya Ananta Rupey Namoh Namastute.

Ananta Chaturdashi Vrat of Fast

Most women fast on this day for the wellbeing of their family. Some men keep a vow to observe the Ananta Chaturthi Vrat or fast for 14 years in a row in order to get the blessings of Vishnu and regain lost wealth. Devotees wake up at dawn, take bath and take part in the puja. After the fast, they can have fruits and milk and avoid taking salt.

Ananta Chaturdashi Sanskrit Mantra

"Namaste Devdeveshe Namaste Dharnidhar / Namaste Sarnagendra Namaste Purushottam / Nyunatiriktani Parisfutani / Yanih Karmani Maya Krutani / Sarvani Chetani Mama Kshamasva / Prayahi Tushtah Punaragmay / Daata Cha Vishnurbhagavannantah / Pratigrahita Cha Sa Eva Vishnu / Tasmattavya Sarvamidam Tatam Cha / Prasida Devesh Varan Dasva."

Mythological Story About Ananta Chaturdashi

There is this tale of a little girl named Sushila, the daughter of a Brahmin, Sumant. After her mother Diksha died, Sumant married another woman called Karkash, who ill-treated Sushila. When Sushila grew up, she eloped with a young man Kaundinya to save herself the torture of her stepmother. On their way to a distant land, while Kaundinya went for a bath in the river, Sushila met a group of women who were worshiping Lord Ananta. Sushila wanted to know why they were praying Ananta and the women told her the purpose of their 14-year vow was to get rich and also achieve enlightenment.

Sushila took a cue from the women and decided to take the oath of a 14-year vow. As a result, they became wealthy. One day, when Kaundinya noticed the Anant Sutra on Sushila's left hand, he asked her about the vow. Upon hearing Sushila's story of the vow, he was angry. Kaundinya was sure that they turned rich owing to his own efforts and not as a result of any vow. A furious Kaundinya held her arm, tore the sacred thread from Sushila's wrist and threw it into the fire. No wonder, they were became very poor soon after this fiasco.

This was strong enough for Kaundinya to realize his mistake and the glory of Lord Ananta. As compensation, he decided to go through rigorous penance until Ananta himself appears before him. Despite all his adulteries, Kaundinya was not successful in seeing God. He was crestfallen, went to forest and asked the trees and the animals if they have seen Ananta. When all his effort went in vain, he prepared to hang himself and commit suicide. But he was promptly saved by a wandering hermit, who took him to a cave where Lord Vishnu appeared before Kaundinya. He advised him to observe the 14-year vow to regain his wealth. Kaundilya promised to observe the fast with all sincerity for 14 consecutive Ananta Chaturdashis, hence giving birth to the belief.

Radhastami(Bhadraba puja.6)

https://youtu.be/8Szxs5EwHPQ

22

 Radha Ashtami

23rd

September 2023
(Saturrday)

Radha Ashtami

Radha Ashtami Vrat

Date / Time; Radhastami Date: Saturday, 23 September 2023: Ashtami Tithi Begins: On Sep 22, 2023 at 01:35 PM : Ashtami Tithi Ends: On Sep 23, 2023 at 12:17 PM

Radha Ashtami is also known as Radhashtami and Radha Jayanti.

Appearance day of Shree Radha rani ji

Raas Raaseshwari Shri Radhey appeared in Brij Mandal as the lovely daughter of Shri Vrishbhanuji in Barsana on Bhadrapad Shukla Ashtami i.e. eighth day of bright fortnight of the Bhadrapad month. Her village Barsana is located between Goverdhan and Nandgaon. The entire area is agricultural in nature and land beyond fields is densely forested. These forests are inhabited by large colonies of monkeys and peacocks apart from other wild animals. Peacocks entering inside the populated area and dancing on the rooftops is a common site here. Similarly monkeys entering into houses and running away with food items or anything that they may fancy about are a frequent occurrence. Brijvasi, as the residents of these areas are known, are a kind hearted lot. They do not get angered and hurt the monkeys rather they just scare them away. The area is dotted with a large numbers of natural springs and ponds which are called as Kunds. So this beautiful land has the distinction of being the playground of Radha and Krishna.



In this beautiful land of Brij, Radha’s birthday is celebrated with the same joy and zeal as Krishna’s. Again the temples are decorated, special prayers are offered and devotional songs congratulating Sh Vrishbhanu on birth of a daughter are sung in chorus.



Devi Radha, the mother eternal, is very kind hearted and loving. She is the driving force behind all of the Krishna’Leelas . The spirit of Brij Bhakti is Raasleela, where Radha is supreme. Lord Krishna seeks her permission and it is at her pleasure that the Leela is continued.

Radha Ashtami Worship

A fast is kept on the day of Radha Ashtami. Radhaji’s idol is cleaned with panchamrit. After this, the idol is decorated. An idol made of gold or silver is established in the house. Radhaji’s idol is worshipped with total devotion and dedication. Aarti is performed with dhoop and lamps. Prasad is also offered to her. According to many religious scriptures, Radhaji should be worshipped with Lord Krishna on this day.

First of all, Radhaji should be cleaned with panchamrit. Then the idol should be decorated. Leaves from 27 different trees and water from 27 different wells should be collected in a temple on this day. A worship should be organized with milk, curd, ghee and bura. Shyama Shyam should be chanted while worshipping Radhaji. According to Narad Purana, a person fasting on this day is able to gain knowledge of all secrets related to Braj. Such a person is free from all sins.

Radha Ashtami in Braj and Barsana

Just like Janmashtami, Radha Ashtami is also celebrated in a big way in Braj and Barsana. This day is celebrated as a festival in the temples of Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana, Rawal and Maant. People of Goswami community can be seen celebrating this day in Radha Vallabh temple with a lot of zeal and excitement. People are very excited and happy on this day.

Turmeric and curd are collected in the temples. This mixture is thrown on the people of Goswami community. They can be seen getting more excited when this happens. Bhoga is offered to Radhaji once the temple doors are closed. Bhajan and kirtans are organized throughout the day. Once the doors open again, people can be seen chanting Radhaji’s name. In the end, an Aarti is performed.

Importance of Radha Ashtami

According to Vedas and Puranas, Radhaji is also known as Krishna Vallabh. Lord Krishna was very fond of Radhaji. People listening to Radha Janma Ashtami story are free from any problems. They are blessed and live a prosperous life. Such people are wealthy and receive all material desires. People chanting Radhaji’s mantra attain salvation. It is believed that Lord Krishna’s worship is incomplete without Radhaji’s worship. Radhaji is believed to be the controller of Lord Krishna’s life.



Swami Shree Haridas ji's birthday, which falls on Radha Ashtami day, is celebrated as a very special day in the temple, in Nidhivan and in Vrindavan.

  SWAMI SIVANANDA'S MESSAGE

 Salutations to Sri Radha, the World-Mother, who took her birth at Barshana, near Vrindavan, who is an embodiment of Sri Krishna Prem!

The supreme emotion, Mahabhava, is the quintessence of Prem. Radha is the personification of this Supreme Emotion. The play of Radha with Sri Krishna is extremely deep; it cannot be learnt from the Dasya, Vatsalya and other Bhavas. The Sakhis alone are qualified for it. They alone relish this Leela in full. Sakhis, or those who worship Sri Krishna in the spirit of His Sakhis, have a right to this Leela.

A Sakhi does not yearn to play with Krishna all by herself. She feels a keener delight in contriving Krishna’s dalliance with Radha, Radha is indeed the Wish-yielding Creeper, Kalpalata, of the love of Krishna. The Sakhis are the leaves, flowers, and shoots of the creeper. If the nectar of dalliance with Krishna waters the creeper, the leaves, etc., take delight in it million times more than if they themselves had been watered.

The Sakhis do not long for Sri Krishna’s embrace, but they exert themselves to make Sri Krishna embrace Radha. They send Krishna to her for this purpose under various pretexts. They attain thereby a bliss million times sweeter than that of selfish enjoyment. The unselfish devotion of these towards each other strengthens the deliciousness, Rasa. The sight of such unselfish, pure Prem pleases Lord Krishna. The love felt by the Gopis, is not really earthly lust. Earthly lust seeks sensual gratification for one’s own self. The Gopis abandon all idea of self and seek Krishna’s enjoyment. They did not yearn for their own pleasure. They embrace Krishna only to please Him.

You cannot attain Krishna, however much you worship Him, if you only meditate on Him as a Divinity and not serve Him as a Gopi. See how Lakshmi adored Him, but could not attain Him in Vraja.

Radha is Devi. She is the queen of lustrous beauties and the abode of Sri Krishna’s love-sports and worship. She beholds Lord Krishna in anything and everything she sets Her love-lit eyes upon. Lord Krishna is the supreme matchless Lover and Sri Radha is identical with Krishna. She is part and parcel of Krishna and His love-energy. Her sole object of existence and devout prayers, is to fulfil the wishes of Sri Krishna. Hence She is named Krishnamayi by the Puranas. She is full of Krishna inside and outside. Krishna is the charmer of all. Radha is Krishna’s charmer and therefore the Supreme Goddess.

She is the worshipped of all the worshipped deities. She is the fosterer and mother of the worlds. She is the presiding deity of the Lakshmis of Vaikuntha or of the six divine attributes of Lord Krishna. She is the chief of Krishna’s divine energies. She is the seat of concentrated beauties or the source and centre from which the Lakshmis draw their beauties.

Lord Krishna is the embodiment of bliss. He is the source and centre of real happiness. Bliss is divine elixir that bestows immortality. Sensual pleasure is a poison which causes diseases and death. Lord Krishna has a certain energy called Antaranga or Svarup Shakti. This Shakti which has the power of giving delight to Krishna and His Devotees, is called Hladini Shakti or delight-giving energy. The essence of Hladini is Prem or selfless Krishna’s Prem. This selfless love is called Ananda-Chinmaya-Rasa. The quintessence of this Rasa or Mahabhava is Radha.

Radha is the embodiment of Mahabhava. The word Radha etymologically means a devotee. Radha is the chief of Krishna’s sweethearts. All the Lakshmis of Vaikuntha are Her Vilasa-Murtis. The queens of Dwaraka are Her reflections. Lalita and other Gopis of Vrindavan are Her manifold forms. She pervades the Gopis in Her subtle form in order to contribute to Krishna’s enjoyment. Radha is Krishna’s delighter, charmer and life’s all. She is the queen of all the lovely maidens of Vraja. She is the Crest-Gem of all celestial beauties. Radha and Krishna are inseparable as fire and its heat, ice and its coolness, the flowers and its fragrance.

The body of Radha is made up of sweet tenderness and loveliness for Sri Krishna. The substance of her subtle form as Mahabhava is Krishna Prem. Ardent passion for Sri Krishna is her dress. Her sweet radiant smile is the camphor. All good qualities are her garlands. All the Bhavas form the ornaments, her limbs. Lord Krishna’s name, qualities form the ornaments of Her ears. Krishna’s name and qualities flow out in a stream from Her tongue. She serves Krishna with the drink of Premarasa or Shyama-rasa.

The culmination of Bhakti is reached in Madhurya-Bhava. The lover and the Beloved become one through the intensity of love. Radha had this type of love. In Madhurya-bhava there is the closest relationship between the devotee and the Lord. There is no sensuality in Madhurya-Bhava. There is no tinge of carnality in it. Passionate people cannot understand this Bhava as their minds are saturated with passion and lower sexual appetite. In the secular sphere the only “love” which approaches this Bhava to an appreciable nearness is the love, a grown-up son has to his mother. Here, there is not even a semblance of the sex-element prevalent. Is there the least carnality in the love, a son has for his mother? Sufistis saints also have the Bhava of lover and the beloved (Madhurya-Bhava). Gita Govinda written by Jaya Deva is full of Madhurya-Rasa. The language of love which the mystic uses cannot be comprehended by worldly persons. Only Gopis, Radha, Mira, Tukkaram, Narada, Hafiz, can understand the language.

Glory to Radha, the consort of Lord Krishna! Glory, glory to Lord Krishna, the Joy of Devaki, the goal of Yogis, the refuge of devotees, and the delight of Yasoda and Nanda. May their blessings be upon you all!

~ Sri Swami Sivananda

राधाष्टमी पर्व महोत्सव | Radha Ashtami Festival | Radha Ashtami 2023

राधाष्टमी के दिन श्रद्धालु बरसाना की ऊँची पहाडी़ पर पर स्थित गहवर वन की परिक्रमा करते हैं. इस दिन रात-दिन बरसाना में बहुत रौनक रहती है. विभिन्न प्रकार के सांस्कृतिक कार्यक्रमों का आयोजन किया जाता है. धार्मिक गीतों तथा कीर्तन के साथ उत्सव का आरम्भ होता है.

 

राधाष्टमी कथा | Radha Ashtami Story

राधाष्टमी कथा, राधा जी के जन्म से संबंधित है. राधाजी, वृषभानु गोप की पुत्री थी.  राधाजी की माता का नाम कीर्ति था. पद्मपुराण में राधाजी को राजा वृषभानु की पुत्री बताया गया है. इस ग्रंथ के अनुसार जब राजा यज्ञ के लिए भूमि साफ कर रहे थे तब भूमि कन्या के रुप में इन्हें राधाजी मिली थी. राजा ने इस कन्या को अपनी पुत्री मानकर इसका लालन-पालन किया.
इसके साथ ही यह कथा भी मिलती है कि भगवान विष्णु ने कृष्ण अवतार में जन्म लेते समय अपने परिवार के अन्य सदस्यों से पृथ्वी पर अवतार लेने के लिए कहा था, तब विष्णु जी की पत्नी लक्ष्मी जी, राधा के रुप में पृथ्वी पर आई थी. ब्रह्म वैवर्त पुराण के अनुसार राधाजी, श्रीकृष्ण की सखी थी. लेकिन उनका विवाह रापाण या रायाण नाम के व्यक्ति के साथ सम्पन्न हुआ था. ऎसा कहा जाता है कि राधाजी अपने जन्म के समय ही वयस्क हो गई थी. राधाजी को श्रीकृष्ण की प्रेमिका माना जाता है.

राधाष्टमी पूजन | Radha Ashtami Worship

राधाष्टमी के दिन शुद्ध मन से व्रत का पालन किय अजाता है. राधाजी की मूर्ति को पंचामृत से स्नान कराते हैं स्नान कराने के पश्चात उनका श्रृंगार किया जाता है. राधा जी की सोने या किसी अन्य धातु से बनी हुई सुंदर मूर्ति को विग्रह में स्थापित करते हैं. मध्यान्ह के समय श्रद्धा तथा भक्ति से राधाजी की आराधना कि जाती है. धूप-दीप आदि से आरती करने के बाद  अंत में भोग लगाया जाता है. कई ग्रंथों में राधाष्टमी के दिन राधा-कृष्ण की संयुक्त रुप से पूजा की बात कही गई है.
इसके अनुसार सबसे पहले राधाजी को पंचामृत से स्नान कराना चाहिए और उनका विधिवत रुप से श्रृंगार करना चाहिए. इस दिन मंदिरों में 27 पेड़ों की पत्तियों और 27 ही कुंओं का जल इकठ्ठा करना चाहिए. सवा मन दूध, दही, शुद्ध घी तथा बूरा और औषधियों से मूल शांति करानी चाहिए. अंत में कई मन पंचामृत से वैदिक मम्त्रों के साथ "श्यामाश्याम" का अभिषेक किया जाता है. नारद पुराण के अनुसार 'राधाष्टमी' का व्रत करनेवाले भक्तगण ब्रज के दुर्लभ रहस्य को जान लेते है. जो व्यक्ति इस व्रत को विधिवत तरीके से करते हैं वह सभी पापों से मुक्ति पाते हैं.

ब्रज और बरसाना में राधाष्टमी | Radha Ashtami in Braj and Barsana

ब्रज और बरसाना में जन्माष्टमी की तरह राधाष्टमी भी एक बड़े त्यौहार के रूप में मनाई जाती है. वृंदावन में भी यह उत्सव बडे़ ही उत्साह के साथ मनाया जाता है. मथुरा, वृन्दावन, बरसाना, रावल और मांट के राधा रानी मंदिरों इस दिन को उत्सव के रुप में मनाया जाता है.  वृन्दावन के 'राधा बल्लभ मंदिर' में राधा जन्म की खुशी में गोस्वामी समाज के लोग भक्ति में झूम उठते हैं. मंदिर का परिसर "राधा प्यारी ने जन्म लिया है, कुंवर किशोरी ने जन्म लिया है" के सामूहिक स्वरों से गूंज उठता है.
मंदिर में बनी हौदियों में हल्दी मिश्रित दही को इकठ्ठा किया जाता है और इस हल्दी मिली दही को गोस्वामियों पर उड़ेला जाता है. इस पर वह और अधिक झूमने लगते हैं और नृत्य करने लगते हैं.राधाजी के भोग के लिए मंदिर के पट बन्द होने के बाद, बधाई गायन के होता है. इसके बाद दर्शन खुलते ही दधिकाना शुरु हो जाता है. इसका समापन आरती के बाद होता है.

राधाष्टमी महत्व | Importance of Radha Ashtami

वेद तथा पुराणादि में राशाजी का ‘कृष्ण वल्लभा’ कहकर गुणगान किया गया है, वही कृष्णप्रिया हैं. राधाजन्माष्टमी कथा का श्रवण करने से भक्त सुखी, धनी और सर्वगुणसंपन्न बनता है, भक्तिपूर्वक श्री राधाजी का मंत्र जाप एवं स्मरण मोक्ष प्रदान करता है. श्रीमद देवी भागवत श्री राधा जी कि पूजा की अनिवार्यता का निरूपण करते हुए कहा है कि श्री राधा की पूजा न की जाए तो भक्त श्री कृष्ण की पूजा का अधिकार भी नहीं रखता. श्री राधा भगवान श्री कृष्ण के प्राणों की अधिष्ठात्री देवी मानी गई हैं.

RADHA ASHTAMI: (समस्त मनोकामनाओ की पूर्ति के लिए) राधा अष्टमी की व्रत, पूजन, मंत्र, विधि एवं आरती । 

 

 

https://youtu.be/nBEeaUWXHA4

राधा अष्टमी महालक्ष्मी व्रत कथा पूजा एवम उद्यापन विधी | Mahalakshmi Vrat Katha & Puja Vidhi 

 

 

 

Sri Balabhadra-stotra-kavaca(Krishna stotra.188)

Sri Balabhadra-stotra-kavaca(Krishna stotra.188)


Balabhadra Stotra Kavaca(krishna stotra.188)



Krsna Dvaipayana Vyasa has written this song "Goloka Dhamadhipatih Paresvarah”. The official name of this song is Balabhadra Stotra Kavaca; Canto 8 Chapter 12 Verse 4 to 13. This song is taken from the book Garga Samhita. This kavaca of Lord Balarama is the best of armors. Here Lord Balarama, the elder brother of Lord Krishna is glorified.

(1)
goloka-dhamadhipatih paresvarah
paresu mam patu pavitra-kirtanahbhu-mandalam sarsapavad vilaksyate
yan-murdhni mam patu sa bhumi-mandale

(2)
senasu mam raksatu sira-panir
yuddhe sada raksatu mam hali ca
durgesu cavyan musali sada mam
vanesu sańkarsana adi-devah

(3)
kalindaja-vega-haro jalesu
nilambaro raksatu mam sadagnau
vayau ca ramo 'vatu khe balas ca
maharnave 'nanta-vapuh sada mam

(4)
sri-vasudevo 'vatu parvatesu
sahasra-sirsa ca maha-vivade
rogesu mam raksatu rauhineyo
mam kama-palo 'vatu va vipatsu

(5)
kamat sada raksatu dhenukarih
krodhat sada mam dvivida-prahari
lobhat sada raksatu balvalarir
mohat sada mam kila magadharih

(6)
pratah sada raksatu vrsni-dhuryah
prahne sada mam mathura-purendrah
madhyandine gopa-sakhah prapatu
svarat parahne 'vatu mam sadaiva

(7)
sayam phanindro 'vatu mam sadaiva
parat paro raksatu mam pradose
purne nisithe ca duranta-viryah
pratyusa-kale 'vatu mam sadaiva

(8)
vidiksu mam raksatu revati-patir
diksu pralambarir adho yadudvahah
urdhvam sada mam balabhadra arat
tatha samantad baladeva eva hi

(9)
antah sadavyat purusottamo bahir
nagendra-lilo 'vatu mam maha-balah
sadantaratma ca vasan harih svayam
prapatu purnah paramesvaro mahan

(10)
devasuranam bhaya-nasanam ca
hutasanam papa-cayendhananam
vinasanam vighna-ghatasya viddhi
siddhasanam varma-varam balasya


(1) May Lord Balarama, who is the master of Goloka, who is the supreme controller of all controllers, and whose fame is spotless, protect me. May Lord Balarama, who on His head holds the earth as if it were a single mustard seed, protect me in this world.

(2) May Lord Balarama protect me when I am surrounded by many armies. May Lord Balarama, who holds a plow, always protect me in battle. May Lord Balarama, who holds a club, always protect me in many fortresses. May Lord Balarama, the Supreme Personality of Godhead protect me in the forest.

(3) May Lord Balarama, who wears blue garments and who stopped the Yamuna, always protect me in fire. May Lord Balarama protect me in the wind. May Lord Balarama protect me in thesky. May Lord Balarama, who is Lord Ananta Himself, always protect me in the great ocean.

(4) May Lord Balarama, who is Vasudeva's son, protect me on mountains. May Lord Balarama, who has a thousand heads, protect me in great disputes. May Lord Balarama, who is Rohini's son, protect me from diseases. May Lord Balarama, who fulfills desires, protect me from catastrophes.

(5) May Lord Balarama, who is the enemy of Dhenukasura, always protect me from lust. May Lord Balarama, who killed Dvivida, always protect me from anger. May Lord Balarama, who is the enemy of Balvala, always protect me from greed. May Lord Balarama, who is the enemy of Jarasandha, always protect me from illusion.

(6) May Lord Balarama, who is the best of the Vrsnis, always protect me at sunrise. May Lord Balarama, who is the king of Mathura' City, always protect me in the morning. May Lord Balarama, who is the friend of the gopas, always protect me at midday. May Lord Balarama, who is supremely independent, always protect me in the afternoon.

(7) May Lord Balarama, who is the king of serpents, always protect me at sunset. May Lord Balarama, who is greater than the greatest, always protect me in the evening. May Lord Balarama, whose power is invincible, always protect me in the middle of the night. May Lord Balarama always protect me at every sunrise.

(8) May Lord Balarama, who is the master of Revati, protect me from every direction. May Lord Balarama, who is the enemy of Pralamba, protect me from every direction. May Lord Balarama, who is the best of the Yadavas, protect me from below. May Lord Balarama always protect me from above. May Lord Balarama protect me from near and far. May Lord Balarama protect me everywhere.

(9) May Lord Balarama, who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, always protect me from within. May powerful Lord Balarama, who enjoys pastimes as the king of serpents, protect me from without. May Lord Balarama, who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Supersoul residing in everyone's heart, always protect me.

(10) Please know that this kavaca of Lord Balarama is the best of armors. It destroys the fears of the demigods and demons. It is a blazing fire that burns up the fuel of a host of sins. It is the death of a host of obstacles. It is the abode of spiritual perfection.

Sri Balabhadra-stava-räja(Krishna stotra.187)

Sri Balabhadra-stava-räja(Krishna stotra.187)

Sri Balabhadra-stava-räja
The King of Prayers to Lord Balaräma

Text 1

duryodhana uväca

stotram shri-baladevasya
     prädvipäka mahä-mune
vada mäm kripayä säkshät
     sarva-siddhi-pradäyakam

        Duryodhana said: O Prädvipäka, O great sage, please kindly tell me the prayer of Lord Balaräma, which grants all perfection.

Text 2

shri-prädvipäka uväca

stava-räjam tu rämasya
     vedavyäsa-kritam shubham
 sarva-siddhi-pradam räjan
     chrinu kaivalyadam nrinäm

        Shri Prädvipäka Muni said: O king, please hear the regal and beautiful prayer of Lord Balaräma, a prayer that brings liberation and all perfection.

Text 3

devädi-deva bhagavan
     käma-päla namo 'stu te
namo 'nantäya sheshäya
     säkshäd-rämäya te namah

         O master of the demigods, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, O fulfiller of desires, obeisances to You! O Lord Ananta Shesha, obeisances to You! O Lord Balaräma, obeisances to You!

Text 4

dharä-dharäya purnäya
     sva-dhämne sira-pänaye
sahasra-shirase nityam
     namah sankarshanäya te

        O Lord who maintains the earth, O glorious Lord, O perfect and complete Lord, O Lord who holds a plow in Your hand, O Lord who has a thousand heads, O Lord Sankarshana, eternal obeisances to You!

Text 5

revati-ramana tvam vai
     baladeväcyutägraja
haläyudha pralamba-ghna
     pähi mäm purushottama

       O husband of Revati, O Lord Balaräma, O elder brother of Lord Krishna, O Lord who holds a plow-weapon, O killer of Pralambäsura, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, please protect me!

Text 6

baläya balabhadräya
     tälänkäya namo namah
nilämbaräya gauräya
     rauhineyäya te namah

        O Lord Balaräma, who carries a palm-tree flag, obeisances to You! O son of Rohini, O fair-complexioned Lord dressed in blue garments, obeisances to You!

Text 7

dhenukärir mushtikärih
     kutärir balvaläntakah
rukmy-arih kupakarnärih
     kumbhandäris tvam eva hi

       You are the enemy of Dhenuka, the enemy of Mushtika, the enemy of Kuta, the killer of Balvala, the enemy of Rukmi, the enemy of Kupakarna, and the enemy of Kumbhanda.

Text 8

kälindi-bhedano 'si tvam
     hastinäpura-karshakah
dvividärir yädavendro
     vraja-mandala-mandanah

        You are the Lord who broke the Yamuna' and dragged Hastinäpura. You are the enemy of Dvivida. You are the king of the Yädavas. You are the ornament of Vraja's circle.

Text 9

kamsa-bhrätri-prahantäsi
     tirtha-yäträ-karah prabhuh
duryodhana-guruh säkshät
     pähi pähi prabho tö atah

        You are the killer of Kamsa's brothers. You are the supreme master, the Lord who went on pilgrimage, and Duryodhana's guru. O master, please protect me! Please protect me!

Text 10

jaya jayäcyuta-deva parät para
     svayam ananta-dig-anta-gata-shruta
sura-munindra-phanindra-caräya te
     musaline baline haline namah

       O infallible Lord, greater than the greatest, O Lord whose glories are heard in all directions without limit, glory to You! Glory to You! O Lord served by the demigods, the kings of the sages, and the kings of the serpents, O powerful Lord who holds a plow and a club, obeisances to You!

Text 11

yah pathet satatam stavanam narah
     sa tu hareh paramam padam ävrajet
jagati sarva-balam to ari-mardanam
     bhavati tasya dhanam sva-janam dhanam

        A person who regularly recites this prayer attains Lord Hari's transcendental abode. All the strength in the universe is his. He crushes his enemies. He attains great wealth and a great dynasty.

Sri Balaräma-paddhati-patala(Krishna stotra.186)

Sri Balaräma-paddhati-patala(Krishna stotra.186)

Sri Balaräma-paddhati-patala
The Paddhati and Patala of Lord Balaräma

Text 1

     duryodhana uvächa bhagavan gargäcäryena gopi-yuthäya kathäm dattam balabhadra-pancängam tat-krpayä vadatät. tvam sarvajno 'si.

     Duryodhana said: O master, you know everything. Please kindly repeat to me what Garga Muni spoke to the gopis to tell them of the five-part worship of Lord Balaräma.

Text 2

     shri prädvipäka uvächa kauravendra ekadä gargäcäryah kalinda-nandinim snätum gargäcaläd vraja-mandalam cäjagäma. tatraikänte marul-liläijal-lalita-latä-taru-pallava-pushpa-gandha-matta-milinda-punje kälindi-kula-kalita-nikunje shri-räma-krishna-dhyäna-tat-param gargäcäryam pranamya nagendra-kanyäh sma iti jäti-smarä gopa-kanyäh shrimad-balabhadra-präpty-artham sevanam papracchus täsäm paramäm bhaktim vikshya paddhati-patala-stotra-kavacha-sahasra-nämäni gopi-yuthäya sa pradadau. kim bhuyas tvam tad-grahanam kartum icchasi vadatät.

       Shri Prädvipäka Muni said: O king of the Kauravas, one day Garga Muni left Mount Garga and went to Vraja to bathe in the Yamunä. In a certain forest grove by the Yamuna's shore, where gentle breezes moved the graceful trees, flowering vines, and new sprouts, and where the bees were maddened by the sweet scent of the flowers, some gopis bowed down before Garga Muni, who was rapt in meditation on Lord Krishna and Lord Balaräma. Remembering their previous birth as snake-princesses, the gopis asked him what kind of devotional service they should perform to attain the company of Lord Balaräma. Seeing their great devotion, Garga Muni gave these gopis the paddhati, patala, stotra, kavaca, and sahasra-näma of Lord Balaräma. What more do you wish to hear? You may ask.

Text 3

duryodhana uväca

rämasya paddhatim bruhi
     yayä siddhim vrajämy aham
tvam bhakta-vatsalo brahman
     guru-deva namo 'stu te

     Duryodhana said: Please describe the paddhati of Lord Balaräma, reciting which I may attain perfection. O brähmana, you are affectionate to the devotees. O gurudeva, I bow down before you.

Text 4

shri-prädvipäka uväca

räma-märgasya niyamam
     shrinu pärthiva-sattama
yena prasanno bhavati
     balabhadro mahä-prabhuh

     Shri Prädvipäka Muni said: O best of kings, please hear the regulative principles of the path to Lord Balaräma. When one follows these principles Lord Balaräma, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, becomes pleased with him.

Text 5

sahasra-vadano devo
     bhagavän bhuvaneshvarah
na dänair na ca tirthaish cha
     bhaktyä labhyas tan ananyayä

        Lord Balaräma, who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master of the worlds, and who is also thousand-headed Lord Ananta, is not attained by giving charity or going on pilgrimage. He is attained only by devotional service.

Text 6

sat-saìgam etyäshu shikshed
     bhaktim vai shri-harer guroh
sa siddhah kathito jätam
     yasya vai prema-lakshanam

        By associating with the devotees, one quickly learns the truth of devotion to Lord Krishna and to one's guru. A person who learns this is said to have attained perfection. He has attained love for Lord Krishna.

Text 7

brähme muhurte cotthäya
     räma-krishneti cha bruvan
natvä gurum bhuvam caiva
     tato bhumyäm padam nyaset

      One should rise at brähma-muhurta, chant the holy names of Lord Krishna and Lord Balaräma, and bow down before one's guru. Only then should one place his feet on the ground.

Text 8

väry upasparshya rahasi
     sthito bhutvä kushäsane
hastäv utsanga ädhäya
     sva-näsägra-nirnkshanah

        In a secluded place one should touch water, sit on a kusha-grass mat, place his hands on his lap, and gaze at the tip of his nose.

Text 9

dhyäyet param harim devam
     balabhadram sanätanam
gauram nilämbaram hy ädyam
     vana-mälä-vibhushitam

      Then one should meditate on Lord Balaräma, the eternal Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose complexion is fair, and who is dressed in blue garments and decorated with a forest garland.

Texts 10 and 11

evam dhyäna-paro nityam
     prity-artham halinah prabhoh
tri-käla-sandhyä-krich chuddho
     mauni krodha-vivarjitah

akämi gata-lobhaç cha
     nirmohah satya-väg bhavet
dvi-väram jala-pänärthi
     eka-bhukto jitendriyah

      Pure, silent, free from anger, lust, greed, and illusion, speaking truthfully, controlling the senses, drinking water twice in a day and eating only once, to please Lord Balaräma one should thus meditate on Him at sunrise, noon, and sunset.

Text 12

kshaumämbaro bhumi-shäyi
     bhutvä päyasa-bhojanah
evam nirjita-shad-vargo
     bhaved ekägra-mänasah

       Wearing simple cotton clothing, sleeping on the ground, and fasting from all but milk, one may conquer the material tendencies and meditate with single-pointed concentration.

Text 13

tasya prasanno bhavati
     sadä sankarshano harih
paripurnatamah säkshät
     sarva-kärana-käranah

         With such a person Lord Balaräma, the perfect and complete Supreme Personality of Godhead, the cause of all causes, becomes pleased.

Text 14

ittham shri-balabhadrasya
     kathitä paddhatir mayä
kauravendra mahä-bäho
     kim bhuyah shrotum icchasi

        O mighty-armed Kaurava king, now I have described to you the paddhati of Lord Balaräma. What more do you wish to hear.

Text 15

duryodhana uväca

munindra deva-devasya
     patalam bruhi me prabhoh
yena seväm karisyämi
     tat-padämbujayoh sadä

       Duryodhana said: O king of sages, O master of the demigods, please describe to me the patala of Lord Balaräma, following which I will always serve Lord Balaräma's lotus feet.

Text 16

shri-prädvipäka uvächa

balasya patalam guhyam
     viddhi siddhi-pradäyakam
ekänte brahmanä dattam
     näradäya mahätmane

       Shri Prädvipäka Muni said: Now please understand Lord Balaräma's patala, which brings perfection, and which the demigod Brahma' gave to Närada Muni.

Text 17

pranavam purvam uddhritya
     käma-bijam tatah param
kälindi-bhedana-padam
     sankarshanam atah param

         First, speak the syllable Om. Then, speak the Käma-bija syllable (klim). Then recite the names Kalindi-bhedana (the breaker of the Yamuna, and Sankarshana.

Text 18

caturthyam tam dvayam kritva
     svähäm pashcad vidhäya cha
mantra-räjam imam räjan
     brahmoktam shodashäkshäram

          After speaking these two names, then recite the word svähä. O king, this sixteen-syllable king of mantras was spoken by the demigod Brahmä.

     Note: The mantra then is Om-klim-kälindi-bhedanäya sankarshanaya svähä.

Text 19

japel laksham vrati bhutvä
     sahasräni ca shodasha
ihämutra paräm siddhim
     sampräpnoti na samshayah

       Following this vow one should chant this mantra 116,000 times. Thus one will attain the supreme perfection in this life and the next. Of this there is no doubt.

Texts 20 and 21

atha japtasya mantrasya
     mahä-pujäm samäcaret
dvatrimshat-patra-samyuktam
     karnikä-kesharojjvalam

bhavyam kanjam panca-varnam
     likhitvä sthandile shubhe
tasyopari nyased räjan
     hema-simhäsanam shubham
tasmin shri-baladevasya
     paräm arcäm prapujayet

         Then the person who has chanted the mantra this number of times should perform the great worship of Lord Balaräma. On auspicious ground he should draw a thirty-two petal lotus of five colors and with a splendid whorl. O king, he should place there a beautiful golden throne, and on that throne He should place Lord Balaräma. Then he should perform the great worship of Lord Balaräma.

Text 22

     om-namo bhagavate purushottamäya väsudeväya sankarshanäya sahasra-vadanäya mahänantäya svähä. anena mantrena shikhä-bandhanam- kritvä sarvatas tam-pranamya tat-sammukho bhutvä svayam-nato bhavet. om-jaya jayänanta balabhadra käma-päla tälänka kälindi-bhanjana ävirävirbhüya mama sammukho bhaveti. anena mantrenävähanam-kuryät. om-namas te 'stu sira-päne hala-musala-dhara rauhineya nilämbara räma revati-ramana namo 'stu te. anena mantrenäsana-padyärghya-snäna-madhuparka-dhupa-dipa-yajnopavita-naivedya-vastra-bhushana-gandha-pushpäkshata-pushpänjali-niräjanädin upacärän prakalpayet. om-vishnave madhusudanäya vämanäya trivikramäya shridharäya hrishikeshäya padmanäbhäya dämodaräya sankarshanäya väsudeväya pradyumnäyäniruddhäyädhokshajäya purushottamäya shri-krishnäya namah. iti päda-gulpha-jänuru-katy-udara-pärshva-prishthi-bhuja-kandhara-netra-shirämsi prithak prithak pujayämiti mantrena sarvänga-pujäm- kuryät. atha shankha-chakra-gadä-padmäsi-dhanur-bäna-hala-musala-kaustubha-vanamälä-shrivatsa-pitämbara-nilämbara-vamshi-vetra-gadänka-tälänka-ratha-däruka-sumati-kumuda-kumudäksha-shridämädin pranava-purvena cäturthyam-tena namah samyuktena näma-mantrena prithak prithak sampujya. tathä vishvaksena-vedavyäsa-durgä-vinäyaka-dikpäla-grahädin kamale sarvatah sve sve sthäne sampujayet. punah parisamuhanädi-sthäli-päka-vidhänena vaishvänaram-sampujya purvoktena mula-mantrena panca-vimshati-sahasräny ähutir juhuyät. tathäshtau sahasräni dvädasäkshärena tathäshtau sahasräni catur-vyüha-mantrenähutir juhuyät. tato 'gnim-pradäkshini-kritya namaskrityächäryam-mahärha-vastra-suvarnäbharana-tämra-patra-savatsa-go-suvarna-dakshinäbhih sampujya tathä brahmanän bhojanädyaih sampujya nagara-janebhyo bhojanam-dattväcäryän pranamet. ittham-balas
ya patalänusärena yo 'nusmarati ihämutra siddhi-samriddhibhih samvrito bhavati. shri-räma-patalam-guhyam-mayä te hy anuvarnitam. sarva-siddhi-pradam- räjan kim-bhuyah shrotum icchasi.

   

     Chanting the mantra "om-namo bhagavate purushottamäya väsudeväya sankarshanäya sahasra-vadanäya mahänantäya svähä" (Obeisances to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Saìkarñana, who is thousand-headed Lord Ananta, and who is the son of Vasudeva), one should tie his shikha. Then one should bow down before the deity and in all directions.
     Then, chanting the mantra "om-jaya jayänanta balabhadra käma-päla tälänka kälindi-bhanjana ävirävirbhuya mama sammukho bhava" (Om. O Lord Balaräma, O Lord Ananta, O fulfiller of desires, O Lord who carries a palm-tree flag, O Lord who broke the Yamunä, all glories to You! O Lord, please appear before me.), one should request Lord Balaräma to appear.
     Then, chanting the mantra "om-namas te 'stu sira-päne hala-musala-dhara rauhineya nilämbara räma revati-ramana namo 'stu te" (O Lord who holds a plow in Your hand, O Lord who holds a plow and club, O son of Rohini, O Lord dressed in blue garments, O Balaräma, O husband of Revati, obeisances to You!), one should offer a throne, padya, arghya, bath, madhuparka, incense, lamp, sacred thread, food, garments, ornaments, fragrant flowers, unbroken grains of rice, handsful of flowers, ärati, and other services.
     Then, chanting the mantra, "om-vishnave madhusudanäya vämanäya trivikramäya shridharäya hrishikeshäya padmanäbhäya dämodaräya sankarshanäya väsudeväya pradyumnäyäniruddhäyädhokshajäya purushottamäya shri-krishnäya namah. (Om. Obeisances to Lord Vishnu, the killer of Madhu, the Lord who is the Vämana incarnation, the Lord who covered the universe in three steps, the Lord who maintains the goddess of fortune, the master of the senses, the Lord whose navel is a lotus flower, the Lord whose waist was bound by a rope, the Lord who was carried from Devaki's womb, the Lord who is the son of Vasudeva, the Lord who is Pradyumna, the Lord who is Aniruddha, the Lord who is beyond the material senses, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is all-attractive Shri Krishna!, and also the mantra "päda-gulpha-jänuru-katy-udara-pärshva-prishthi-bhuja-kandhara-netra-shirämsi prithak prithak pujayämi" (I worship the Lord's feet, ankles, knees, thighs, hips, belly, sides, back, arms, shoulders, eyes, and head.), one should worship all the limbs of Lord Balaräma.
     Then, chanting the word namah before each one, and putting each word in the dative case, one should worship Lord Balaräma's conchshell (with the mantra shankhäya namah), dish (cakräya namah), club (gadäyai namah), lotus (padmäya namah), sword (asaye namah), bow (dhanushe namah), arrows (bänebhyah namah), plow (haläya namah), club (musaläya namah), Kaustubha jewel (kaustubhäya namah), forest garland (vanamäläyai namah), Shrivatsa mark (shrivatsäya namah), yellow garments (pitämbaräya namah), blue garments (nilämbaräya namah), flute (vamshyai namah), stick (veträya namah), chariot marked with the flag of Garuda (garudänka-rathäya namah), chariot marked with the flag of a palm tree (tälänka-rathäya namah), and His associates Däruka (darukäya namah), Sumati (sumataye namah), Kumuda (kumudäya namah), Kumudäksha (kumudäkshäya namah), and Shridäma' (shridämäya namah).
     Then one should place Vishvaksena, Vedavyäsa, Durgä, Ganesha, the planets, and the protectors of the directions in their respective places in the lotus and then one should worship them. Then, sprinkling water and offering food cooked in an earthen pot, one should worship the sacred fire.
     Then, chanting the previously described mula-mantra (om- klim- kälindi-bhedanäya sankarshanäya svähä, one should offer 25,000 oblations. Then, chanting the twelve-syllable mantra (om-namo bhagavate väsudeväya), one should offer 8,000 oblations. Then, chanting the chatur-vyüha mantra (om-namo bhagavate tubhyam-väsudeväya säkshine, pradyumnäyäniruddhäya namah sankarshanäya cha), one should again offer 8,000 oblations.
     Then one should circumambulate the sacred fire, bow down before the guru, worship him with dakshina' of valuable garments, gold ornaments, copper vessels, cows with their newborn calves, and much gold, worship the brähmanas by offering them food and gifts, feed the people of the city, and bow down before the gurus. Meditating on Lord Balaräma by following this paddhati, one attains perfection in this life and the next. In this way I have described to you Lord Balaräma's confidential paddhati, which gives all perfection. O king, what more do you wish to hear?

Sri Rama-rasa-krida(Krishna stotra.185)

Sri Rama-rasa-krida(Krishna stotra.185)

Sri Rama-rasa-krida
Lord Balaräma's Räsa Dance

Text 1

     duryodhana uvächa muni-shärdula bhagavän balabhadro näga-kanyäbhir gopibhih kadä kälindi-kule vijahära.

     Duryodhana said: O tiger of sages, when did Lord Balaräma enjoy the räsa dance on the Yamuna's shore with gopis that had been snake-girls in their previous birth?

Text 2

     shri-prädvipäka uvächa ekadä dvärakä-nägaräd dhi tälänkam ratham ästhäpya surän didrikshuh param utkantho nanda-räja-gokula-go-gopäla-gopi-gana-sankulah sankarshana ägatash chirotkanthäbhyäm nandaräja-yashodäbhyäm parishvakto gopi-gopäla-gobhir militvä tatra dvau masau vasantikau cävatsit.

     shri Prädvipäka Muni said: One day, eager to see His devotees, Lord Balaräma mounted His chariot bearing a palm-tree flag, left Dvärakä, and, yearning to see the gopas, gopis, and cows, went to Gokula. Yashoda and King Nanda embraced Him when He arrived. Later He met with the gopas and gopis. He stayed there for two months.

Text 3

     atha cha yä näga-kanyäh purvoktäs tä gopa-kanyä bhutvä balabhadra-präpty-artham- gargäcäryäd balabhadrapancängam- grihitvä tenaiva siddhä babhuvuh. täbhir baladeva ekadä prasannah kälindi-kule räsa-mandalam- samärebhe. tadaiva caitra-purnimäyäm- pürna-candro 'runa-varnah sampurnam-vanam-ranjayan vireje.

     The previously described snake-girls became gopis and, in order to attain Lord Balaräma's association, on Garga Muni's advice followed the five methods of worshiping Lord Balaräma. In this way they became perfect. Pleased with them, Lord Balaräma enjoyed a räsa-dance with them on the full-moon night of the month of Caitra (March-April), a night when the red moon reddened the whole of Vrindavana forest.

Text 4

     shritalä manda-yänäh kamala-makaranda-renu-vrinda-samvritäh sarvato väyavah parivavuh kalinda-giri-nandini-cala-laharnibhir änanda-däyini pulinam-vimalam-hy acitam-chakära. tathä cha kunja-prängana-nikunja-punjaih sphural-lalita-pallava-pushpa-parägair mayura-kokila-pumskokila-kujitair madhupa-madhura-dhvanibhir vraja-bhumir vibhräjamänä babhuva.

        Cooling, gentle, delightful, lotus-pollen filled breezes pushed the Yamuna's waves and blew to the splendid shore. Then the land of Vraja became very splendid, its many forest groves and courtyards filled with the fragrant pollen of playfully and gracefully blossoming flowers, with the cooing of cuckoos and peacocks, and with the sweet humming of bees.

Text 5

     tatra kvanad-ghantikä-nupurah sphuran-mani-maya-kataka-kati-sutra-keyura-hära-kirita-kundalayor upari kamala-patrair nilämbaro vimala-kamala-paträksho yakshibhir yaksha-räd iva gopibhir gopa-räd, räsa-mandale reje.

     Decorated with tinkling ankle-bells, glittering gold and jewel necklace, armlets, belt, crown, and earrings, and with many lotus petals, dressed in blue garments, and His eyes like glittering lotus petals, Lord Balaräma was splendid with the gopis in the räsa-dance circle. He was like Kuvera surrounded by a host of beautiful yakshis.

Text 6

     atha varuna-preshitä väruëi devi pushpa-bhara-gandhi-lobhi-milinda-nädita-vriksha-kotarebhyah patanti sarvato vanam-surabhi-cakära. tat-päna-mada-vihvalah kamala-vishäla-tämräksho makaradhväjävesha-calad-dhuryänga-bhango vihära-kheda-prasvedämbu-kanair galad-ganda-sthala-patra-bhango gajendra-gatir gajendra-shundädaëda-sama-dordanda-mandito gajibhir gaja-räjendra ivonmattah simhäsane nyasta-halo musala-pänih kotindu-purna-mandala-sankäshah prodgamad-ratna-manjira-pracala-nupura-prakvanat-kanaka-kinkinibhih kaìkana-sphurat-tätanka-purata-hära-shri-kanthänguliya-shiromanibhih pravidambini-krita-sarpini-shyäma-veni-kuntala-lalita-ganda-sthala-paträvalibhih sundaribhir bhagavän bhuvaneshvaro vibhräjamäno viraräja atha cha reme.

        Then, sent by the demigod Varuna, Goddess Varuni, in the form of honey oozing from the hollows of trees filled with the humming of bees made greedy by the sweet scent of the flowers, made the entire forest very fragrant. Eager to drink that honey, His eyes now red lotus flowers, His limbs weakened by enjoying amorous pastimes, perspiration born from the fatigue of His pastimes now streaming down His cheeks and washing away the pictures and designs drawn there, walking like an elephant king, decorated with mighty arms like the trunks of elephant kings, as if intoxicated, sitting on a throne, relinquishing His plow, His club still in His hand, splendid like ten million full moons, His jewel anklets, bracelets, and other ornaments tinkling, His gold earrings, necklaces, finger-rings, and jewel crown glittering, and surrounded by beautiful gopis, their cheeks decorated with graceful pictures and designs and their black braids mocking the beautiful snake girls, Lord Balaräma, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master of the worlds, shone with great splendor, and enjoyed transcendental pastimes.

Text 7

     atha ha väva kälindi-kula-käntära-paryatana-vihära-parishramodyat-sveda-bindu-vyäpta-mukhäravindah snänärtham jala-kridärtham yamunäm dürät sa äjuhäva. tatas tö anägatam tatinim halägrena kupito vicakarsha iti hoväca cha.

     His lotus face covered with perspiration born from the fatigue of wandering along the Yamuna's shore and enjoying many pastimes, Lord Balaräma called for the Yamuna to come to Him so He could bathe and enjoy water-pastimes. When the Yamuna did not come, Lord Balaräma became angry and began to drag it to Him, scratching its shore with the tip of His plow. Lord Balaräma said:

Text 8

     adya mäm avajnäya nayasi mayähutäpi musalena tvam käma-cärinim çatadhä neshya eva nirbhartsitä sa bhuri-bhita yamunä cakitä tat-pädayoh patitoväca.

      "Today you have no respect for Me. Even though I call, you ignore My order and go your own way as you wish. Now I will divide you into a hundred tiny streams."  Rebuked with these words and now very afraid, the Yamuna came before Lord Balaräma, fell at His feet, and said:

Text 9

     räma räma sankarshana balabhadra mahä-bäho tava param vikramam na jäne. yasyaikasmin murdhni sarshapavat sarvam bhu-khanda-mandalam- drishyate. tasya tava param anubhävam ajänantim prapannäm mäm moktum yogyo 'si. tvam bhakta-vatsalo 'si.

      "Räma! Räma! Sankarshana! Balabhadra! O mighty-armed one! I did not know Your great power. The entire earth is seen resting like a single tiny mustard-seed on one of Your many heads. It is proper for You to release me, who have now surrendered to You and who did not know Your true glories. You should release me because You are always affectionate to Your devotees.

Text 10

     ity evam yäcito balabhadro yamunäm tato vyamunchat punah karenubhih kariva gopibhir gopa-räd jale vijagäha. punar jaläd vinirgatya tata-sthäya balabhadräya sahasä yamunä copäyanam nilämbaräni hema-ratna-maya-bhushanäni divyäni cha dadau ha väva täni gopi-yuthäya prithak prithak vibhajya svayam nilämbare vasitvä känchanim mäläm nava-ratna-mayim dhritvä mahendro väranendra iva balabhadro vireje.

        Begged in this way, Lord Balaräma released the Yamunä. Then He enjoyed in the Yamunä's waters, as an elephant enjoys with its many wives. When He returned to the shore the Yamuna approached and gave Him gifts of many blue garments and many ornaments of gold and jewels. Lord Balaräma divided the gifts among the girls, giving some to each gopi. Then He dressed in one of the blue garments and decorated Himself with a necklace of gold and nine kinds of jewels. Then He enjoyed with the gopis as the king of elephants enjoys with its many wives.

Text 11

     ittham kauravendra yädavendrasya rämatah sarvä väsantikir nishä vyatitä babhuvuh. bhagavato balabhadrasya hastinäpuram iva viryam sucayativa hy adyäpi cha krishna-vartmanä yamunä vahati. imam rämasya räsa-kathäm yah shrinoti shrävayati cha sa sarva-päpa-patalam chittvä tasya parasparam änanda-padam pratiyäti. kim bhuyah shrotum icchasi.

        O king of the Kauravas, in this way Lord Balaräma, the king of the Yädavas, spent that springtime night with the gopis. Even today the Yamuna' flows in many divided streams at that place, a testimony to the great strength, equal to that of a host of elephants, of Lord Balaräma, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. A person who hears or recounts these pastimes of Lord Balaräma destroys the entirety of a great host of sins and attains transcendental bliss. What more do you wish to hear?