On the sacred occasion of Radhashtami, devotees around the world bow their heads, offering prayers to Srimati Radharani, the eternal consort of Lord Krishna and the very embodiment of divine love. Among the many leelas (divine pastimes) described in the scriptures, the childhood pastimes of Radha are especially sweet and filled with hidden spiritual truths that can uplift the soul.
Today, let us reflect on one such delightful pastime, narrated by saints, where Radharani as a child reveals her innocence, divinity, and the unparalleled glory of devotion.
Radharani’s Playful Innocence
Little Radha was once playing with her dear friends, the sakhis, near her father Vrishabhanu’s palace in Barsana. Their laughter filled the air, their games echoing the carefree joy of childhood. Yet, amidst this innocent play, something happened that startled young Radha deeply, something she had never encountered before.
She ran home, rushing into the arms of her mother, Kirti Maiya, eager to share the confusion that had overtaken her tender heart. Like any child who wants their mother’s full attention, Radha climbed into her lap, tugged at her face, and pleaded, “Maiya, listen to me!”
Here we see the divine sweetness of Radha—not as the supreme goddess whom the Vedas glorify, but as a simple child, innocent and guileless, desiring only her mother’s love and comfort. This scene itself is a meditation: even the greatest, the most exalted divine personality, chooses to enact the simplicity of a little girl. It is a reminder to us that in the path of bhakti, humility and simplicity are more precious than the display of power or knowledge.
Narada’s Arrival
Radha narrated to her mother that while she was playing, a baba appeared, holding a veena in his hand. His gaze, however, was not scattered among the children. He looked only at her, unwavering, with tears brimming in his eyes.
This baba was none other than Devarishi Narada, the eternal sage, the wandering minstrel of the Lord’s glories, and the very acharya of devotion. Narada, who had inspired Vyasa to compose the Bhagavatam, now stood before Radha—not as a teacher, not as a sage delivering philosophy—but as a humble servant, overwhelmed by the sight of the supreme goddess herself.
How wondrous! The one who instructs kings and gods on the path of devotion, the one revered by saints and rishis, now loses himself in tears before a little girl. What does this show us? That Srimati Radharani is the very fountainhead of bhakti, and even Narada bows before her feet to receive grace.
The Mystery of Narada’s Actions
Radha told her mother, astonished, “Maiya, he began walking around me in circles, seven times, chanting my name—‘Radhe, Radhe’—and then he even took the dust from where I sat and placed it upon his head, even eating it!”
To Radha, this seemed so strange, almost foolish. To her innocent eyes, it was incomprehensible why a revered sage would behave so oddly. But to us, the devotees reflecting on this leela, the meaning shines brilliantly.
The dust of Radharani’s feet—Radha-pada-raja—is sought even by great gods and goddesses. The Atharva Veda describes that Lakshmi and Parvati themselves are but expansions of Radharani. Lord Krishna too desires her foot dust, for it is she alone who has the power to completely captivate his heart.
Narada’s act of taking the dust and circling her is not eccentricity, but the highest demonstration of devotion. He is teaching us: if you want to attain Krishna, surrender to Radha. For she is the very soul of Krishna, his atma-swarupa.
The Divine Oneness of Radha Rani and Shree Krishna
The scriptures declare that Radha Rani and Shree Krishna are not two separate beings. They are one reality manifesting in two forms—the lover and the beloved, the supreme enjoyer and the supreme reservoir of love.
As Veda Vyasa has written in the Bhagavatam, Radha Rani is the very atma of Shree Krishna. Just as there is no difference between God’s body and soul, there is no difference between Radha Rani and Shree Krishna.
Thus, when Narada beheld Radha, he was seeing not just the little daughter of Vrishabhanu, but the eternal Shakti of the Lord, the embodiment of divine love without which Krishna is incomplete. His tears were the tears of recognition, gratitude, and devotion.
The Sweet Misunderstanding
Yet, in her childlike simplicity, Radha could not comprehend the depth of Narada’s actions. To her, it seemed as if he was mad! She innocently asked her mother, “Maiya, do you think he is a madman? Why else would he behave like this?”
Here lies the beauty of divine leelas. Radha Rani, though the eternal goddess, forgets her divinity under the veil of Yog Maya, enacting the role of a simple child. If she were always conscious of her supremacy, how could these sweet pastimes occur?
For the devotee, these episodes are treasures. They reveal both the human-like simplicity of the divine play and the transcendental reality hidden within it. The divine mother comes down to our level, so that we may rise to hers.
Reflections for Devotees
These pastimes carry profound lessons for us:
The Path of Bhakti Flows from Radha Rani
Just as Narada himself bowed to Radha, we too must seek her grace. Without Radha’s mercy, Krishna remains unattainable. She is the compassionate mediator who brings the soul to the Lord.
Humility is the Ornament of Devotion
Narada, the great sage, did not hesitate to bow before a child, to take the dust of her feet, to cry openly. Bhakti is not about status, ego, or learning; it is about surrender and humility.
Simplicity of Heart is Divine
Radha’s childlike innocence, her bewilderment at Narada’s actions, reminds us that the purest devotion is guileless. A heart free from pride and pretense becomes the perfect vessel for divine love.
Radha-Krishna are One
To love Radha is to love Krishna, and to serve Krishna is to serve Radha. They are inseparable, like the sun and its radiance, the fragrance and the flower.
The Eternal Song of Love
Later, scriptures describe another tender pastime: once, Radharani heard Shree Krishna’s body resounding with the sound “Radhe, Radhe” from every pore. Overwhelmed by his love, she fainted. When Krishna revived and saw her, he in turn fainted, hearing “Shyam, Shyam” echoing from her being. They took turns fainting in love for one another, intoxicated in the sweetness of their eternal bond.
This is the essence of Radha-Krishna’s leela: love so pure, so selfless, so overwhelming, that even God himself loses control. And what is our role as devotees? To simply sit at their feet, to listen, to remember, and to allow that love to soften our hearts.
🙏Conclusion: Surrendering at the Lotus Feet of Radharani
As Radhashtami dawns, let us not just celebrate an event from long ago. Let us make it a turning point in our own hearts. Like Narada, let us circle around Radha with devotion. Like her sakhis, let us playfully chant her name. Like her mother, Kirti Maiya, let us stand astonished at her divine mystery.
And above all, let us pray:
“O Radha, queen of Vrindavan, daughter of Vrishabhanu, beloved of Krishna, please shower your mercy upon me. Let me chant your name with love. Let me take the dust of your feet within my heart. Let me serve you eternally, for only through you can I attain the lotus feet of Shyam.”
✨Call to Action
As Radhashtami dawns, open your heart to Radharani’s mercy. Chant her holy name, read her leelas, and bow your head in devotion. Through her compassion alone, the path to Krishna becomes illuminated. Celebrate her appearance with love and surrender today.
Radhashtami Mahotsav 2025
Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas
Celebrate the divine appearance of Srimati Radharani with Charan Darshan, Abhishek, Jhoolan Seva, Birthday Celebration, and Cake Cutting with Swamiji. Offer flowers, chocolates, or gifts for Baby Radha.
✨ Mahaprasad will be served after the celebration.
💝 Seva Opportunities
Select from special seva offerings below and contribute with devotion.
🌸 Celebrate Radhashtami at the Radha Krishna Temple in Dallas with love and devotion! 🌸
❓FAQs
- When is Radhashtami in 2025?
Radhashtami will be celebrated on Sunday, August 31, 2025. - What is Radhashtami and why is it celebrated?
Radhashtami marks the divine appearance day of Srimati Radharani, the eternal consort of Lord Krishna and the embodiment of divine love and bhakti. - Why did Narada bow before child Radha?
Narada recognized Radha as the very fountainhead of devotion and the soul of Krishna. His actions teach that Radha’s grace is essential to attain Krishna. - What does Radharani’s innocence in the leelas signify?
Radharani’s childlike simplicity shows that humility and guilelessness are the true ornaments of devotion, more precious than knowledge or power. - What lesson can devotees learn from Narada’s act of taking Radharani’s foot dust?
It teaches surrender and humility. Even the greatest sage bows before Radharani, showing that without her mercy, devotion to Krishna is incomplete. - Are Radha Rani and Shree Krishna separate?
No. Scriptures declare that Radharani and Shree Krishna are one divine reality manifesting in two forms—the Supreme Lord and His eternal energy of blissful love, known as Hlādinī Shakti.
References
#Radhashtami Special: Watch Swami Mukundananda share a story that will captivate your mind and reveal the essence of Radha Rani’s bhakti.
This Story will Enchant Your Mind #Radhashtami Special | Swami Mukundananda
- Bhagavad Gita: The Song of God – Translated and Commentary by Swami Mukundananda.
- Śrīmad Bhāgavatam (Bhāgavata Purāṇa) – Canto 10, descriptions of Radha-Krishna’s divine pastimes.
- Padma Purāṇa – Verses glorifying Srimati Radharani as the supreme goddess of devotion.
- Narada Bhakti Sutra – Teachings of Devarishi Narada on devotion and surrender.
- Chaitanya Charitamrita – Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami’s detailed explanation of Radha as Hlādinī Shakti, the internal potency of Lord Krishna.
