Sri Krsna Saradiya Rasayatra

What is Sri Krsna Saradiya Rasayatra?

Each year, on the full moon of autumn, devotees celebrate the night when Lord Krishna danced with the gopis. Rasayatra is the festival of that rasa dance, and Saradiya means "of the autumn". Many people know the night as Sharad Purnima, and in 2027 it falls on Friday, 15 October.

Significance

Questions about the rasa dance arise naturally, and Srila Prabhupada answers them by showing that it is spiritually pure. The acaryas leave no doubt that Krishna is full in Himself, so His pastimes with the gopis have nothing to do with material romance. Srimad-Bhagavatam explains why the Lord shows such pastimes at all:

When the Lord assumes a humanlike body to show mercy to His devotees, He engages in such pastimes as will attract those who hear about them to become dedicated to Him.

Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.33.36

The same date marks the disappearance of Sri Murari Gupta, a close associate of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and devotees also honour Sri Laksmi-devi in Laksmi Puja. The festival reminds every devotee that the goal of all devotional service is the gopis' love for Krishna, which is free of selfish desire.

How to observe it

Set aside part of the evening for hearing and kirtana. Read about the rasa dance in Srimad-Bhagavatam, Canto 10, and offer Krishna sweet rice or a simple milk sweet. Keep a humble mood, and pray for a taste of the gopis' selfless love.