Meditating on the Divine Feminine ~ Sri Radha

by Rukmini Walker

Friday, September 6th is the holy Appearance Day of Sri Radha, Lord Krsna's divine feminine counterpart. Here is some explanation of who exactly she is, as quoted from Sri Caitanya Caritamrita, Adi Lila 4.96-98:

The transcendental goddess Srimati Radharani is the direct counterpart of Lord Sri Krsna. She is the central figure for all the goddesses of fortune. She possesses all the attractiveness to attract the all-attractive Personality of Godhead. She is the primeval internal potency of the Lord.

 

Lord Krsna enchants the world, but Sri Radha enchants even Him. Therefore She is the supreme goddess of all.

 

Sri Radha is the full power, and Lord Krsna is the possessor of full power. The two are not different, as evidenced by the revealed scriptures.

 

Thus Radha and Lord Krsna are one, yet They have taken two forms to enjoy the mellows of pastimes.

 

Radhastami is the day when we most meditate on and celebrate the ideal of the Divine feminine, Sri Radha. She is the personification of Krishna‘s most compassionate nature and we are advised to approach her to intercede on our behalf when we try to approach Sri Krishna.

A most joyous Radhastami to you all!

All the best,

Rukmini Walker

Following is a beautiful recording of the poem Radhar ki hoilo antare byetha written by Chandhi Das one of Lord Chaitanya's favorite poets, sung by Srivani devi dasi.  

I hope you enjoy it!

[audio m4a="http://www.urbandevi.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Radhar-ki-hoilo-antare-byetha.m4a"][/audio]

Radhar Ki Hoilo Antare Byetha

----------

Radhar ki hoilo antare byetha

Boshiya birole thakoye ekale 

Naa shone kaharo katha

Sadai dhyane chahe megho pane

Naa chole nayoner tara

Biroti ahare rangabash pore

Jemote jogini para

Elaiya beni fuler o gathuni 

Dekhoye khashaye chuli 

Hasito bayane chahe megho pane

Ki kahe du hatha tuli

Ek dithhi kori mayur mayuri 

Kantha kore nirikhone 

Chandidas koy naba porichoy

Kaliya bandhuro sane

TRANSLATION:

Radhar ki hoilo antare byetha

(What is the cause of Radha’s heartache)

Boshiya birole thakoye ekale 

(Sitting by Herself)

Naa shone kaharo katha

(She does not listen to anyone)

Sadai dhyane chahe megho pane

(In deep meditative mood she stares at the clouds)

Naa chole nayoner tara

(Her eyes aren’t moving)

Biroti ahare rangabash pore

(She doesn’t eat or dress up)

Jemote jogini para

(Her appearance is that of a hermit)

Elaiya beni fuler o gathuni 

(Flowers from Her hair are falling off)

Dekhoye khashaye chuli 

(Her hair is disheveled)

Hasito bayane chahe megho pane

(With a smiling face, She looks at the rain clouds)

Ki kahe du hatha tuli

(She raises her arms in obeisance)

Ek dithhi kori mayur mayuri 

Kantha kore nirikhone 

(She looks intently at the peacock and peahen’s neck)

Chandidas koy naba porichoy

Kaliya bandhuro sane

(Chandidas says “this is the effect of Radha’s new found love for Krishna”)