Sept 2006

Radha Rati A newsletter by and for the youngVaisnavas Radharani - The Supreme Goddess Dhruv Adawal, Age 12 Srimati Radharani is the Supreme Goddess. Her name means that She is the most excellent worshiper of Lord Krishna. It is described that She is the Chief Associate and devotee of Lord Krishna. She is also an expansion of the Lord’s devotional or bhakti potency. All devotion to Lord Krishna is actually done under the guidance of Srimati Radharani. In the Brihad-Gautamiya Tantra, Radharani is described as follows: “The transcendental goddess Srimati Radharani is the direct counterpart of Lord Sri Krishna. 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.” It is described that the spiritual potency of love of Krishna is called hladini. Whenever the Lord wants to enjoy pleasure, He exhibits this spiritual potency known as hladini. Srimati Radharani is Krishna’s hladini shakti. Radharani means that one who is the most excellent worshiper of Lord Krishna. Therefore when somebody does devotional service, he is only assisting Radharani. In the Hare Krishna maha mantra, hare krishna hare krishna / krishna krishna hare hare / hare rama hare rama / rama rama hare hare, the word “hare” is derived from “hara,” which means the internal energy of Krishna; Srimati Radharani. So when we chant the maha mantra we are asking Radharani to engage us in Krishna’s service. When the Lord descends, He is invariably accompanied by His loving associates. Five thousand years when Sri Krishna descended in His original form, as a cowherd boy in Vrindavana, Srimati Radharani accompanied Him in Her original form. She appeared exactly two weeks after the appearance of Sri Krishna on the eighth day of the waning moon (ashtami). Srimati Radharani was found on a lotus flower by Vrashabhanu and his wife Kirtida near the village of Barsana, a few miles away from Nandagrama. It is said that Srimati Radharani first opened Her eyes only when Sri Krishna appeared before Her. There are many sweet pastimes enacted by Radha and Krishna in and around Vrindavana. In the Nectar of Instruction, Rupa Goswami glories Radha Kunda, a pond that was created by Srimati Radharani, as the top most place of pilgrimage, even higher than Vaikuntha. Vaishnavas every where pray to get an opportunity to be engaged in the service of the Divine Couple, Radha-Krishna.

Sri Sri Radha Krishna at the ISKCON temple in Hungary

Who Is He? Tvissha Goel, Age 13 Whose eyes are so dark yet full of shimmering light Like the black sky with twinkling stars at night? Whose hair is so thick and abundant Like a fluffy cotton blanket? Whose skin is the color of grey-blue sea He looks youthful how old and ancient he may be. Who plays the flute with such charm? And doesn’t possess a look of harm. His palms and soles are fresh and pink like a lotus. In everything he has incredible prowess. Wherever he resides there is opulence And elevated souls with intelligence. Can anyone recognize His qualities? And know the spiritual realities? Our world is merely shrouded with hazy fog of illusion That always brings our goals and desires to conclusion. He awaits us in Godhead with eternal treasure While we struggle to find material pleasure. He offers all a chance to win His love. If we succeed this temporary place will finally be rid of.

7 Auspicious Names of Srimati Radharani Vrndavanesvari : Queen of Vrindavana Krsna-Kaanta: Lord Krishna’s beloved Veda-Garbha: Mother of the Vedas Ujjvala-Prada: Glorius Hema-Sundari: She is beautiful and golden Saumya-Rupa: She is gentle and noble Madan-mohana-mohini: She enchants even Krishna, with her divine qualities 1

September 2006

Thakur Haridasa: the Teacher of Harinaam Nimai Charan Agarwal, Age 7 Haridasa Thakur is called the Namacharya (teacher of chanting the holy names) because he was always immersed in chanting 300,000 names of Hari everyday. He was an incarnation of Lord Brahma. After the stealing of the boys and calves, Brahma performed penances to Lord Sri Gauranga. The Lord became pleased with him and granted him a benediction. Brahma, being very humble, asked “The only desire, I have is to participate as an insignificant servant in your pastimes.” Gauranga said, “You will take birth in a Muslim family and will always be absorbed in the holy names and your name will be Haridasa.” Haridasa means servant of Lord Hari. He was born in East Bengal and was exceptionally tolerant. When Haridasa would loudly chant Harinama, some villagers would complain: “He will wake up Lord Vishnu with his loud chanting and Vishnu will be enraged and chastise us severely.” When the news of Haridasa’s loud chanting reached the Kazi, he became angry and sent him to the court. He said “Stop chanting Harinama or I will penalize you” Haridasa said “I will never stop chanting the holy names of Hari, even if you chop off my head!” The Kazi became raged with anger and told his guards to beat Haridasa in 22 marketplaces. As they were beating him, tons of people were begging the guards to have mercy. They were willing to give anything to just make Haridasa Thakur free. As Haridasa Thakur was being beaten, Lord Caitanya, seeing this offense, wanted to punish the guards but hearing Haridasa Thakur’s prayers for forgiveness, He became conquered by his devotee’s compassion. Still, he couldn’t bear seeing him being beaten, so he covered Haridasa’s body with His. So Haridasa Thakur wasn’t feeling any pain. Similarly

Haridasa Thakur chanting. Artwork by Nimai whenever we encounter maya’s beating, if we are sincere, Lord Gauranga will protect us, and so these obstacles will never affect us. As they were beating, the sentries saw that Srila Haridas still had life. They then became convinced, he was a great saint. They said: “After beating you in 22 marketplaces you are still alive, but when the Kazi sees we have failed, he will kill us!” Haridas Thakur said “If my being brings you inconvenience, then I will leave my body.” In meditation on the Supreme Lord, he appeared to have no life symptoms. The sentries became amazed and dragged him to the Kazi .He became pleased and ordered them to throw Srila Haridasa in the Ganga. The guards started to carry him towards the Ganga. They walked and walked, finally they reached Ganga, but suddenly he became too heavy to carry. The strongest sentries tried to push him and finally pushed him into the Ganga. Haridasa Thakur was in such deep trance that he did not know where he was, whether in the Ganga, or floating somewhere in the sky and didn’t even know if he were alive. Finally, by Lord Chaitanya’s will, Haridasa again became conscious and swam to the shore. When the Kazi saw him, he understood that Haridas Thakur was a great person and asked forgiveness for his offense. Haridas Thakur, being a very compassionate, forgiving personality, forgave him. Some people say Haridasa Thakur was an untouchable, but to understand that we must know that he was actually untouchable by maya. One time, Haridasa Thakur was chanting the holy names. Maya, whose service is to test the devotion of the dear devotees of Sri Gauranga, came as a beautiful woman to distract him from his position. But Haridasa passed the test and maya became his disciple. This is the love and devotion of Haridasa Thakur.

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September 2006

Fearless Thakur Bhakti Vinoda Nimai Agarwal, Age 7

HOW A DEVOTEE CHANGES ROBBER’S HEART! Om Shahi, Age 10

One evening a robber had entered a Bank. A devotee named Alex was working in his office till late. Slowly the robber approached his desk and held up a gun. “Hello, said the Devotee in a sweet loving voice”. “Give me all the stuff in this Bank... said the robber with a grumpy tone”. “Is there anything I can do for you?” asked Alex in a very polite manner! “Don’t you dare talk to me just take me to the safe” screamed the robber. “What do you need to know or is there any other worry/problem that I can try to solve asked the Devotee” in a very very humble way? “I said don’t talk or else I will S-HArtwork by Nimai O-O-T yelled the robber”. Alex said “calm down and sit here I will take you later”. The Robber Bhaktivinoda Thakur is known as the father of said “I am not here to make friends but my duty the modern sankirtan movement because he is only to rob”. Immediately Alex said as Humans revived the lost treasure of love of God. He was our purpose in this material world is to do good an exceptional Vaisnava. things through self realization and please the So was his father. A devotee of Nitynanda. Supreme Lord, Krishna. Take advantage of this When he grew up, he became a respectable rare Human form of life and utilize it with the magistrate. He would finish his work in five intelligence that Lord has given us. Alex then minutes which would take others an hour. offered some prasada to the robber. Slowly the Once there was a yogi named Bisakisen, he was robber went closer to the Devotee’s desk and he bogus and declared to be Maha Vishnu descendheard a cassette playing: ing from the milk ocean. Some times he would do the Rasa dance with the local girls. HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA Bhaktivinoda received complaints about this and KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE physically arrested him and took him to the HARE RAMA HARE RAMA court. On the last day of the court trial, Thakur RAMA RAMA HARE HARE Bhaktivinoda declared to throw him into jail for eighteen months. While Bisakisen was being After listening to these transcendental sound taken out of the court Dr. Walter the medical vibrations the robber started to transform. Then officer leaped on him and cut of his matted hair. his eyes fell on some of Krishna Lila pictures Since all his power was contained in his hair, he which Alex had on his desk so he started to fell down unconscious and died after three inquire!! From that day the robber promised Alex months. to quit all the sinful activities and stay engaged in Devotional activities. Thakur Bhaktivinoda was very bold, even though everybody was scared of the mystic yogi. He Moral: Don’t waste this precious Human form of stood unmoved in his mission to preach the life but realize your relationship with the Suglories of the Supreme Lord Krishna. preme Personality of Godhead and always try to serve him. We should follow in his footsteps even though we can’t completely copy his exalted position. 3

September 2006

Crossword PUZZLE Across 1. Radharani’s father 3. Haridasa Thakur was an incarnation of this exalted personality 8. Incarnation of Krishna in the mood of Radharani 9. The first person/thing Radharani saw 10. He discovered the birthplace of Lord Caitanya

Down 2. Bhaktivinoda’s famous and exalted son 4. He was born in a Muslim family 5. Radharani’s mother 6. The incarnation of Vishnu who came as a dwarf 7. The great devotee grandson of Prahalada Maharaj

QUIZ

Word Jumble 1. AVNMAA 2. AKRIHAD 3. ADSAIRSH 4. NITVHAKIBOD 5. IABL 6. ANTICAYA 7. AYARUPM 8. AZICHDANK 9. ANEIHSAKBSI 10. HDAADRG

1. Which two great personalities was Haridasa Thakur a combined incarnation of? 2. What happened to the prostitute who came to attract Haridasa Thakur? 3. How did Bhakti Vinoda Thakur serve in the British Government? 4. Which incarnation of Krishna came to cheat Bali Maharaj? 5. Who was Bali Maharaja’s sister reborn in Krishna’s pastimes as? 6. What was the name of Radharani’s husband? 7. What were the names of Radharani’s mother-in-law and sister-in-law? 8. Who does Radharani appear in Caitanya lila?

Word Jumble Answers: (1) VAMANA (2) RADHIKA (3) HARIDASA (4) BHAKTIVINODA (5) BALI 6) CAITANYA (7) MAYAPUR (8) CHANDKAZI (9) BISHIKASENA 10) GADADHAR Quiz Answers: (1) Prahalad & Brahma (2) She became his disciple (3) As a Magistrate (4) Lord Vamana (5) Putana 6) Abhimanyu ( 7) Jatila & Kutila (8) Gadadhar Pandita

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September 2006