On the morning of Radhastami, everyone performs their morning-duties, and then assembles to observe Sri Radhika’s splendid abhisheka festival. Musicians create a festive atmosphere by expertly playing instruments like vina, pakhowaj, mrdanga, dolak, dundubhi, bheri and upanga. The manjari maidservants bring all the paraphernalia for Radhaji’s bathing ceremony. Paurnamasi-devi chants ritualistic mantras as Gargi (Garga Rishi’s daughter) begins the abhisheka.
Bhanunandini is wearing a thin, white bathing dress along with Her usual ornaments. First Gargi pours mahaushadhi water packed with auspicious herbs over Radharani’s lovely limbs. This is followed by a purifying shower of pancha-gavya and pancha-amrta. Devi’s beautiful divine form is then rinsed with a hundred jugs of clear water. Gargi concludes Radha’s wonderful bathing with the sahasra-patra snana. She does this by holding a plate with a thousand holes above Kishori’s head, and then showering Her with streams of crystal clear, camphorated water.
Joyful maidservants dry Srimati’s attractive body with blue towels. Then they anoint Radha with fragrant oils and chatuh-sama (mixture of sandalpaste, vermilion, camphor and musk). After escorting Priyaji to the shrngara-vedi (dressing platform), the sakhis and manjaris put on Her brilliant blue sari. They further enhance the natural beauty of Radha by adorning Her with the 16 decorations and 12 ornaments.
Gargi worships Srimati Radharani with durva grass and wheat kernals in her hand as Paurnamasi offers blessings. One fortunate maidservant offers arati to Radha to conclude the bathing festival. Yashoda Ma blesses Radharani and gives Her clothes, ornaments and a jeweled necklace. She also rewards Radha’s yutheshvaris like Lalita and Vishakha. Sri Radha personally gives many ornamented cows in charity to the brahmanas. Vrshabhanu Maharaja also donates thousands of cows and calves. Finally, Sri Radhikha humbly offers obeisances to all Her superiors.
After Radhaji’s magnificent bathing ceremony, Nandanandana and His friends take a snack. Sri Radha and Her dearest gopis also take some refreshments. Then to prepare for cooking Her own birthday feast, Radhika removes Her ornaments and starts cooking alongside Rohini Ma. They prepare a most amazing and delicious feast of many preps like sweet rice, savories, rice and vegetables. Hundreds of brahmanas are also cooking a feast for all the Vrajavasis gathered for the occasion.
Compassionate Yashoda says, “O Kirtida sakhi! Your heart is so hard that you make Srimati Radhika, more tender then a flower, cook so much! You don't have any love and affection! Just see how Radhika is perspiring and working so hard on Her own birthday!”
Sri Radha’s mother Kirtida replies, “Radharani got a blessing that whatever She cooks would be more delicious than nectar. And because of this Vrshabhanu Baba wanted his friend Nanda, you and your family to savor the nectar of Radha’s superb cooking. That's why I have asked Radhika to cook on this special occasion! O Vrajeshvari! Just see for yourself the wonderful items prepared by Radha.”
Mother Rohini then shows mother Yashoda all the items. Radhika offers Her obeisances unto Queen Yashoda’s feet, and Yashoda praises Her, “O Rädhe! Your preparations please my eyes with their form and my nose with their fragrance!” Lalita and Shyamala sakhis offer obeisances to Yashoda, and she affectionately praises and blesses them too.
Mother Rohini says, “O Krishna-janani! Radharani and Krishna are like golden and sapphire gems forming a pair of a necklaces for the Vraja-Lakshmi (the devata of beautiful Vraja)!” Radhika feels slightly embarrassed by hearing this. Observing Radha’s response, Lalita and the other sakhis rejoice.
Yashoda orders some maidservants to prepare the offering for their family Deity of Lord Narayana, and to fan Sri Radha to remove Her fatigue. After offering the bhoga the pujari puts Thakuraji to rest. Meanwhile, in the courtyard of Radharani’s palace the brahmanas have finished their cooking of a massive feast for all the villagers.
Then Nanda, Vrishabhanu Maharaja and all their intimate family members proceed to Bhanukhora, a large pond just near the palace. To celebrate Radharani’s birthday everyone frolics in a game of dadhikada, which consists of throwing butter, yogurt and other dairy products at each other. There are four bathing ghatas in the four corners of Bhanukhora, one reserved for the ladies, one for the men, and two for boys and girls respectively. All the Vrajavasis gleefully splash water on one another in the spirit of the joy emanating from pure hearts.
Then the hosts of Radha’s birthday celebration, King Vrishabhanu and Kirtida Maharani, present gifts, money, clothes and ornaments to all the guests. Then Vrishabhanu sumptuously feeds all the brahmanas, followed the other guests in the spacious palace courtyard. Everyone eats in supreme ecstasy. After rinsing their mouths, they take betel leaves and then rest in their individual rooms. Inside the palace, Kirtida and Yashoda feed all the ladies, who then take rest in their respective rooms.
After resting briefly, Sri Radhika and Her sakhis go to Vilasa Kunda to pick flowers. Getting a hint from the sakhis as they depart, Krishna comes to meet them there. Radha-Govinda Yugala enter a solitary kunja and enjoy a variety of amorous encounters. Afterwards, everyone returns to the palace to take rest.
In the wee hours of night, Krishna, Radha and all confidential sakhis arise from their individual bedrooms in Vrishabhanu’s palace. Unseen by others, they go to the nearby kunja of Vishakha-sakhi and dance the night away in the bliss of rasa and the happiness of Radha’s joyous birthday party!
(Gaura Govinda Gutika adapted)
Srimati Radharani Radhastami Maha Mahotsava ki jai!
Jai Jai Sri Radhe!
By Mahanidhi Swami