Title: Bahulashtami

User: Swami Gaurangapada Date: 2005-02-05 01:29:13

 

Bahulashtami - Shri Radha kunda Snana Dana:

Shri Radha-kunda prakata lila

 

Bahulastami -- the appearance day of Radha-kunda and Syama-kunda, sacred ponds that are the bathing places of Shrimati Radharani and Lord Krishna in Vrndavana.

 

On the eighth day of the waning phase of the damodara month the appearance day of Radha Kunda is celebrated by the residents. Bathing in Radha Kunda is especially benefical on this day. By this one gains the favor of Radha, by which one gains the favor of Krishna. Radha Kunda appeared at midnight. People go to Radha Kunda and offer prasadam, garlands and pumkins (gords) into the water, then at midnight take bath in Radha Kunda and then bathe in Syama Kunda. Many people like to bathe at a ghat where Lord Nityananda's sakti, Jahnava Mata used to bathe. But wherever you go you better get there early as thousands of people/devotees will be there. And bring some warm clothing for afterwards, as it is sooooo "cooling".

   The holy place known as Mathura is spiritually superior to Vaikuntha, the transcendental world, because the Lord appeared there. Superior to Mathura puri is the transcendental forest of Vrndavana because of Krishna's rasalila pastimes. And superior to the forest of Vrndavana is Goverdhana Hill, for it was raised by the divine hand of Shri Krishna and was the site of his various loving pastimes. And, above all, the superexcellent Shri Radha Kunda stands supreme, for it is overflooded with the ambrosial nectarean prema of the Lord of gokula, Shri Krishna. Where, then, is that intelligent person who is unwilling to serve this divine Radha Kunda, which is situated at the foot of Goverdhana Hill?

 

 The Origin of Radha-kund

 

After killing a bull-demon named Aristasura, Krishna approached Radharani to engage in loving affairs. However, She rebuked Him, stating He was impure because of committing the sin of killing a bull, the symbol of religion. She suggested that to counteract this sin He should bathe in all the sacred rivers.

 

Krishna, being eager to engage in loving affairs with Shrimati Radharani, immediately shoved His lotus foot into the ground, making a large hole, and called all the sacred rivers to enter into it. They appeared before Him and formed Syama-kunda (the bathing place of Syama--one who is the color of a dark rain cloud).

 

After bathing, Krishna stated that He had become pure by bathing in Syama-kunda, but that the gopis had become impure, having sided with a demon, even though he appeared in the form of a bull. Radharani, along with some of Her gopi friends, broke their bangles and dug a hole with the broken pieces. But there was no water - so Krishna laughed. The gopis then formed a line to the Manasi Ganga and started to fill the hole with water that was passed from one gopi to another. At that time, all the sacred rivers again arrived in person and requested permission to enter into Radharani's kunda, which they did after receiving Radharani's blessing.

 

Shri Radha-Kundastakam by Shrimad Raghunatha dasa Gosvami

 

 "After the killig of Aristasura, Shrimati Radhika and Her sakhis exchanged many joking words with Shri Krishna concerning the necessary atonement for one who has committed the offence of killing a bull. As a result, the Queen of Vrndavana, Shrimati Radhika, and Her sakhis joyfully excavated and filled Shri Radha-kunda with their own hands. May that immensely fragrant Radha-kunda be my shelter.

 

  "In the land of the hearts of those who bathe in Radha-kunda, a desire tree of the superlative prema, which is not attainable even for Krishna's principal queens in Dvaraka, will arise. May that supremely charming Radha-kunda be my shelter.

 

  "For the pleasure of Shrimati Radhika, even Shri Krishna Himself, yearning to attain Her merciful sidelong glance, regularly bathes in Radha-kunda, carefully observing all the appropriate rituals. May that supremely enchanting Radha-kunda be my shelter.

 

  "May that supremely enchanting Radha-kunda, which the moon of Vraja, Shri Krishna, loves as much as He loves the crown-jewel amongst the sweet girls of Vraja, Shrimati Radhika, and which He has made known by the name of Radhika Herself, be my shelter.

 

  "The mercy obtained by serving Radha-kunda makes the desire-creeper of prema for the prince of Vraja sprout and is celebrated for bearing the flower of service to my svamini Shrimati Radhika. May that supremely charming Radha-kunda be my shelter.

 

  "Gloriously manifest on the banks of Radha-kunda are eight kunjas named after Radhika's principal sakhis. Acting as stimuli for the amorous pastimes of the Divine Couple, these kunjas are filled with the sweet humming of bumblebees and are desired by everyone. May that supremely enchanting Radha-kunda be the shelter of my life.

 

  "Situated on an exquisite dais on the bank of Radha-kunda and accompanied by Her beloved sakhis, our svamini Shrimati Radhika charmingly engages in sweet, joking words with Shri Krishna, the moon of Vraja. These playful verbal exchanges are enhanced by the suggestion of so many innuendoes. May that Radha-kunda be the shelter of my life.

 

  "May that very charming and especially fragrant Radha-kunda, where intoxicated with love the Divine Couple and the sakhis daily sport with great joy in the water so fragrant with exquisite lotus flowers, be the sole shelter of my life.

 

  "To that devotee who, in a resolute mood of aspiring to serve Shrimati Radhika, reads this charming prayer describing Shri Radha-kunda, even in their present body Shri Krishna will quickly grant them darsana of not only His beloved Radhika, but also of Their many variegated amorous pastimes.

Witnessing these pastimes and envisioning himself serving Yugala-kisora in various ways, such a devotee will feel immense jubilation. This astaka is recited in the poetic meter known as 'Malini'."

 

Shri Krishna Kunda astakam (Shyama kunda)

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"SRI KRSNA KUNDASTAKA"

Eight Prayers Glorifying Syama kunda by Shrila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur

 

tim tapas cakara tirtha laksam aksayam pura suprasidati sma krishna eva sad varam yatah yatra vasam apa sadhu tat samasta durlabhe tatra krishna kunda eva samsthitih stutastu nah

 

What austerities did the hundreds of thousands of eternal holyplaces perform to please Krishna and obtain from Him thebenediction to live at Krishna kunda, the rarest holy place? Let usglorify residence at Krishna kunda.

 

yady arista danavo pi danado maha nidher asmad adi durmatibhya ity aho vasiyate yo mrti cchalena yatra muktim adbhutam vyadhat tatra krishna kunda eva samsthitih stutastu nah

 

If even the Arista demon was able to enter Krishna kunda, thencrooked hearted persons such as us may also be able to livethere. Let us glorify residence at Krishna kunda which, on thepretext of death, grants a wonderful form of liberation.

 

Go vadhassya niskrtis triloka tirtha kotibhi radhayety avadi tena ta harih samahvayat yatra parsni ghata je mamaj ja ca svayam muda tatra krishna kunda eva samsthitih stutastu nah

 

When Radha said, "To atone for killing a cow (Aristasura) Youmust visit millions of holy places in the three worlds," Krishnacalled all the holy places and then happily bathed in the lakethat sprang from His heel. Let us glorify residence at Krishna?kunda.

 

kvapi papa nasa eva karma bandha bandhanad brahma saukhyam eva visnuloka vasita kvacit prema ratnam atyayatnam eva yatra labhyate tatra krishna kunda eva samsthitih stutastu nah

 

At some holy places one becomes free from all sins, at othersone becomes free from the bondage of karma, at others one attainsBrahman happiness, and at others one attains residence inVishnuloka. Let us glorify residence at Krishna kunda, where withoutany effort one attains the jewel of pure love for Krishna.

 

Phulla madhavi rasala nipa kunja mandale Bhrnga koka kokiladi kakali yad ancati Asta yamikavitarka koti bheda saurabham tatra krishna kunda eva samsthitih stutastu nah

 

Krishna kunda is surrounded by groves of mango, kadamba and othertrees with many madhavis and other vines. There is the music ofcakravakas, cuckoos, and bees. At night there are millions ofinconceivable sweet fragrances. Let us glorify residence atKrishna kunda.

 

Dola keli citra rasa nrtya giti vadanair Nihnava prasuna yuddha sidhu pana kautukaih yatra khelatah kisora sekharau sahalibhis tatra krishna kunda eva samsthitih stutastu nah

 

With gopi friends the two crowns of youth enjoyed many pastimesthere. They rode on a swing, danced wonderful rasa dances, sang,played instrumental music, and talked. In a secluded place Theyeagerly drank the nectar of a flower battle. Let us glorifyresidence at Krishna kunda.

 

Divya ratnna nirmitavatara sara sausthavais chatrika viraji caru kuttima prabha bharaih sarva loka locanati dhanyata yato bhavet tatra krishna kunda eva samsthitih stutastu nah

 

With the beauty of its glistening jewel shores and the splendorof its canopies and mosaic pavements it brings auspiciousness toall eyes. Let us glorify residence at Krishna kunda.

 

mathuram vikunthato pi janma dhama durlabham vasakananam tato pi panina dhrto girih shri hares tato pi yat param saro ti pavanam tatra krishna kunda eva samsthitih stutastu nah

 

The district of Mathura, Krishna's birthplace, is more sacred anddificult to attain than Vaikuntha. The forest where He lived ismore sacred still, and the hill lifted by His hand is more sacredthan that. More sacred than that is Lord Hari's very purifyinglake nearby. Let us glorify residence at Krishna kunda.

 

Krishna kunda tira vasa sadhakam pathed idam yo stakam dhiyam nimajya keli kunja rajitoh radhika girindradharinoh padambu jesu sa prema dasyam eva sighram apnuyad anamayam

 

May he who reads these eight verses, which convince one to resideat the shore of Krishna kunda, and who also plunges his mind in thelotus flowers of Shri Shri Radha Giridhari's feet, quickly attain sincere love for Them.