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.
September 2006
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
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 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
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September 2006
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.
 Fearless Thakur Bhakti Vinoda HOW A DEVOTEE CHANGES ROBBER’S
Nimai Agarwal, Age 7 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-H-
Artwork 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 descend-
heard 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 Su-
glories 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 incarna-
tion 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

Word Jumble QUIZ

1. Which two great personalities was
1. AVNMAA Haridasa Thakur a combined incarna-
2. AKRIHAD tion of?
3. ADSAIRSH 2. What happened to the prostitute who
4. NITVHAKIBOD came to attract Haridasa Thakur?
5. IABL 3. How did Bhakti Vinoda Thakur serve in
6. ANTICAYA the British Government?
7. AYARUPM 4. Which incarnation of Krishna came to
8. AZICHDANK cheat Bali Maharaj?
9. ANEIHSAKBSI 5. Who was Bali Maharaja’s sister reborn in
10. HDAADRG Krishna’s pastimes as?
6. What was the name of Radharani’s
BISHIKASENA 10) GADADHAR
ANYA (7) MAYAPUR (8) CHANDKAZI (9) husband?
HARIDASA (4) BHAKTIVINODA (5) BALI 6) CAIT- 7. What were the names of Radharani’s
Word Jumble Answers: (1) VAMANA (2) RADHIKA (3)
(8) Gadadhar Pandita
mother-in-law and sister-in-law?
Vamana (5) Putana 6) Abhimanyu ( 7) Jatila & Kutila 8. Who does Radharani appear in Caitanya
became his disciple (3) As a Magistrate (4) Lord lila?
Quiz Answers: (1) Prahalad & Brahma (2) She

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September 2006