What is Radhastami?
Radhastami, also written Radha Ashtami, is the day Srimati Radharani appeared in this world. Vaishnavas observe it on the eighth day of the bright fortnight of Bhadra, which in 2027 falls on Wednesday, 8 September.
Significance
Speaking in Montreal on Radhastami, Srila Prabhupada warned his listeners not to think of Radharani as an ordinary woman, like a wife, a sister or a mother. She is Krishna's pleasure potency, and She did not appear from the womb of a human being.
The Caitanya-caritamrta describes Her as Krishna's internal energy of delight, which is called hladini. Her love for Him, known as mahabhava, is transcendental love at its highest pitch, and She is its very form. One verse of the same book sums up Her position:
Lord Kṛṣṇa enchants the world, but Śrī Rādhā enchants even Him. Therefore She is the supreme goddess of all.
Caitanya-caritamrita, Adi-lila 4.95
How to observe it
In 1970 Srila Prabhupada described how the day is kept: a fast until twelve noon, then prasadam offered to the Deity and taken as a feast. In the evening devotees gather to hear the pastimes of Radha and Krishna, and above all the glories of Radharani. The word Hare in the maha-mantra calls to Her, so chanting the Hare Krishna mantra with attention is itself a way to honour Her today.
Read more: Radha Ashtami
Questions
When is Radha Ashtami in 2027?
Radha Ashtami is on Wednesday, 8 September 2027, according to the Vaishnava calendar for Kurukshetra. It falls on the eighth day of the bright fortnight of Bhadra.
Who is Srimati Radharani?
Srimati Radharani is the eternal consort of Lord Sri Krishna and His internal pleasure potency, called hladini. The Caitanya-caritamrta says that Krishna enchants the world, but Radha enchants even Him.
How long is the Radhastami fast?
The Radhastami fast lasts only until twelve noon, as Srila Prabhupada explained in 1970. Prasadam is then offered to the Deity, and devotees honour it as a feast.
What does Hare mean in the Hare Krishna mantra?
Hare calls to Hara, another name of Srimati Radharani, who is Krishna's internal energy. On Radhastami devotees keep this in mind and chant the maha-mantra as a prayer to be taken into Her shelter.
Reviewed by ISKCON Kurukshetra · Updated
Key facts
- Date
- Wednesday, 8 September 2027
- Fasting
- Until noon
- Also spelled
- Radha Ashtami, Radhashtami
- Fast kept until
- Noon, as Srila Prabhupada taught
- Potency of Krishna
- Hladini, the pleasure potency
Seva for this day
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