Shri Vagish Shastriji, a Rasik devtoee of Braj
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By Her causeless mercy, Śrī Rādhā removes all obstacles that obstruct a devotee’s experience of divine prema-rasa, along with lust, anger, and every impurity and sin. For this reason, She is called “Rādhā.”
Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the very embodiment of rasa, always remains under the complete control of Śrī Rādhā Mahārāṇī, ever increasing the sweetness of Her rasa. He dances like a puppet following every command of the gentle signals of her sidelong glances and the playful movements of her eyebrows.
Blessed and worthy of worship are those feet that journey to Śrī Vṛndāvana, the playful forest-garden of Śrī Vrajendranandana. Fortunate is that tongue which sings the glories of this temple of divine rasa, Vṛndāvana. Most sacred is the heart that constantly contemplates this supremely enchanting forest realm. The person who resides in Śrī Vṛndāvana becomes worthy of honor even from great personalities such as Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva.
Śrī Kṛṣṇa does not accept offerings without Śrī Rādhā’s approval. Worshipping Śrī Kṛṣṇa alone, without Śrī Rādhā, is considered incomplete and spiritually faulty.
The name ‘Rādhā’ originates from the root ‘Rādh’, which means to increase or to uplift. Therefore, devotees consider Shri Radha to possess divine qualities even greater than those of Brahman. Shri Radha herself is ever-growing and constantly increases the devotional sentiments (rasa and bhava) of her devotees.
Sri Dham Vrindavan and all the beings and objects that exist there are always worthy of reverence. Those who blaspheme or show disrespect to it are offenders. May I never, even in a dream, associate with those offenders who blaspheme them.
Those great souls who reside in the vine groves of Shri Vrindavan, drink the nectar of Shri Govind’s pastimes, shed tears of love, always chant Shri Radha’s sweet name with devotion, and wander the alleys of Vrindavan with half-closed eyes—unaware of their own bodies, sometimes stumbling, sometimes falling in divine ecstasy—their life alone is truly blessed!
The Śrutis (Vedas) describe the Supreme Lord as Ānanda-svarūpa (embodiment of bliss), not as rasa-bhoktā (enjoyer of rasa). It is Shri Radha who makes Him a rasika, a connoisseur of divine love. In Bhāgavatam, Shri Shukadeva calls Krishna ātmārāma (self-satisfied) and ātmarata (rejoicing in the Self), yet Radha engages Him in loving pastimes, making Him Rādhā-Ramaṇa. The word “tayā” in the verse, in instrumental case, is interpreted as “by her,” i.e., by Radha. Similarly, Radha grants divine love to devotees, making them Rasikas, capable of relishing the bliss of love.
O mind! I have only one heartfelt prayer — never leave this Shri Vrindavan Dham, which belongs solely to Shri Radha. Even if it requires begging from the highest caste to the lowest and surviving on their leftovers — let it be so. But never, ever step outside the sacred bounds of Shri Vrindavan.
The name ‘Rādhā’ consists of syllables — ‘Ra’, meaning to give or bestow, and ‘Dha’, meaning to hold, sustain, or protect. Thus, exalted devotees understand Her name as: She who lovingly bestows rasa, love, or grace, and lovingly protects it.
O mind! Always contemplate Shri Radha, and never forget Her, not even for a moment. This is my heartfelt desire. O tongue! Keep chanting the sweet, nectar-like name “Radha.” O body! Be adorned with the sacred dust of Shri Radha’s lotus feet, and dwell forever in Her divine forest named Shri Vrindavan.
The learned scholars declare the ultimate truth to be pure, attributeless, and non-dual—so be it. But as for me, I have accepted Shri Vrindavan alone as the Supreme Truth, for its soil is adorned with the sacred footprints of Sri Radha Maharani.
Neither an abundance of material wealth nor worldly fame brings true fortune. True fortune lies in attaining residence in Shri Vrindavan, a blessing so rare that even Brahma, Indra, and other celestial beings yearn for it.
Shri Radha, ever-merciful, grants even the most unattainable to her loving devotees (who worship Her name) and takes responsibility for their protection. She is their eternal refuge, as experienced by their devotees.
With half-closed eyes, May I chant “Shri Radhe! Shri Radhe!” overflowing with nectar. With my eyes flowing with tears of love, may my entire body shiver in blissful ecstasy. Stumbling, falling, and losing all awareness, I may wander freely through the lanes of Shri Vrindavan. When will such days of divine bliss arrive for me?
Living in Shri Vrindavan Dham is a rare privilege but also a great challenge, as perceiving faults in this abode or its residents leads to spiritual downfall.
For one whose ultimate goal (worshipful deity) is Radha, and whose sole means to achieve that goal is also Radha, for whom the mantra is “Radha”, and the Guru bestowing the mantra is none other than Radha Herself, for the one whose everything is Radha, whose entire life is Radha, whose speech is filled with the name of Radha. For such a blessed soul, no other endeavor or higher pursuit remains.
O Vrindavan, the King of forests! Your nectarine, rasa-filled land has showered the radiant ‘rasa utasava’ (festival of bliss) with the loving pastimes of the divine couple, Sri Radha Krishna. The unique, intimate nectar they shared here cannot be found in Kurukshetra, even though the divine couple also met there, for you are the soul foundation of that divine rasa.
Whoever chants the name “Radha” is divinely protected. Lord Vishnu guards the front with his Chakra (disc-like weapon), Lord Shiva defends from behind with his Trishul (trident), Varuna protects the left with his ‘Paash’ (noose), and Indra safeguards the right with his ‘Vajra’ (thunderbolt). Apsaras dance ahead as He walks, while celestial maidens shower flowers from the Kalpavriksha.
Even after countless lifetimes of longing, if Sri Radha, the charming daughter of Vrishabhanu, manifests in someone’s heart, that person is truly blessed.
