Srimati Radharani- The Origin of the Sankirtan Movement (cont.)
by Samapriya devi dasi
When the Lord desires to realize the devotional service of Srimati Radharani by
assuming Her compassionate nature, the prime benediction for humanity at large
comes into existence. Therefore Srimati Radharani is the origin of the Sankitan
Movement, for it is an exhibition of Her supreme compassionate, and merciful nature.
The essence of the Sankirtan Movement is to glorify Krsna and give love of God to the
conditioned souls. It is for all living entities and no one is barred. Within its center is the
precious seed of the Holy Name. When this seed sprouts in the heart, love of God
begins to grow.
“The result of chanting is that one awakens his love for Krsna and tastes transcendental
bliss. Ultimately, one attains the association of Krsna and engages in His devotional
service, as if immersing himself in a great ocean of love.” (CC Antya 20.14) This is the
mercy of Srimati Radharani.
Siksastika II
The Lord has invested all His transcendental potencies in His Holy Names. There are not
even hard and fast rules for chanting these names and He has made them easily
available. He has millions of names to facilitate the desires of all living entities.
“Srimati Radharani's earrings are the name, fame and qualities of Lord Krsna.” (CC
Madhya 8.179)
“The vibration of Krsna’a flute is always prominent in the ears of the gopis. Naturally
they cannot hear anything else. Constant remembrance of the holy sound of Krsna’s
flute keeps them enlightened and enlivened, and they do not allow any other sound to
enter their ears. Since their attention is fixed on Krsna’s flute, they cannot divert their
minds to any other subject. In other words, a devotee who has heard the sound of
Krsna’s flute forgets to talk or hear of any other subject. This vibration of Krsna’s flute is
represented by the Hare Krsna maha-mantra. A serious devotee of the Lord who chants
and hears this transcendental vibration becomes so accustomed to it that he cannot
divert his attention to any subject matter not related to Krsna’s blissful
characteristics and paraphernalia.” (CC Madhya 21.144 purport )
Siksastika III
kirtanaya sada harih
Lord Caitanya instructs the conditioned soul how to chant the holy name; humbler than
a blade of grass, more tolerant than a tree and with respect for all living entities. These
qualities are natural for one who is self-realized. Not motivated by pride, such a person
is absorbed in his position as the eternal servant of the Supreme Lord and the spiritual
master. Srimati Radharani is the personification of these transcendental qualities.
Therefore, “The glories of Krsna's name, fame and qualities are always inundating Her
speech.”(CC Madhya 8.179) Lord Caitanya in the mood of Srimati Radharani exhibits
these transcendental qualities for the benefit of the bewildered souls in this world.
Siksastika IV
When the gopi's, atttracted by the divine sound of Krsna's flute ran to Him, leaving
behind all other engagements, He asked them to return home and instructed them
about the duties and responsibilities of a woman. Having already given up everything
for Krsna's service, with wounded hearts and tearful eyes, they rejected His proposal
and said: “You are the only enjoyer, You are the only proprietor, and You are the only
friend. As such, we have come to You, leaving aside all so-called friends, society and
love, and now You have become our enjoyer. Let us be everlasting enjoyed by You. Be
our proprietor, for that is Your natural claim, and be our supreme friend, for You are
naturally so. Let us thus embrace You as the supreme beloved.” Lord Caitanya imbibes
this mood rejecting profit, distinction and adoration which is most dear in this world.
He prays only for the causeless devotional service of the Lord birth after birth. “O
Almighty Lord, I have no desire to accumulate wealth, nor do I desire beautiful women,
nor do I want any number of followers. I ony want Your causeless devotional service
birth after birth.”
Siksastika V
Ayi nanda-tanuja kinkaram, “O son of Maharaja Nanda, I am Your eternal servitor.” This
describes Srimati Radharani (kinkari means maidservant). Lord Caitanya chants this
mantra in Her mood, yet takes the part of a fallen soul separated from Krsna. Crying in
deep humility caused by the sufferings of this world, the conditioned soul can only be
satisfied by being placed as one of the atoms at the lotus feet of Sri Krsna. “The very
name 'Radha' suggests that Srimati Radharani is eternally the topmost mistress of the
comforts of Sri Krsna. As such, She is the medium transmitting the living entities' service
to Krsna. Devotees in Vrndavana therefore seek the mercy of Srimati Radharani in order
to be recognized as loving servitors of Sri Krsna.” (CC Adi 4.56 purport)
Siksastika VI
In Siksastika 6 Lord Caitanya reveals the two-fold reason for His appearance. The Lord
desired to bestow mercy upon the conditioned souls by delivering love of God while
experiencing it Himself. He thus prays for the symptoms of divine love to awaken within
in Him. Srimati Radharani, whose eyes are decorated with tears of love flowing
constantly when She chants the holy name of Krsna, is the perfection of divine
love.“Lord Krsna desired to taste the limitless nectarean mellows of the love of one of
His multitude of loving damsels [Sri Radha], and so He has assumed the form of Lord
Caitanya. He has tasted that love while hiding His own dark complexion with Her
effulgent yellow color. May that Lord Caitanya confer upon us His grace.”(CC Adi 4.52
[Stava-mala]) By displaying anxious desire to experience pure love of God, Lord
Caitanya has shown the ultimate goal of human life.
“May the Supreme Lord who is known as the son of Srimati Saci-devi be
transcendentally situated in the innermost chambers of your heart. Resplendent with
the radiance of molten gold, He has appeared in the Age of Kali by His causeless mercy
to bestow what no incarnation has ever offered before: the most sublime and radiant
mellow of devotional service, the mellow of conjugal love.” (CC Adi 1.4)
Siksastika VII
When Sri Krsna accepts the role of Srimati Radharani, He appears as Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu. Srimati Radharani's love can only be understood by Lord Caitanya. In
Siksastika 7 the Lord yearns for Sri Krsna, experiencing the mahabhava of Srimati
Radharani. This mood of separation (vipralambha bhava) is the culmination of Lord
Caitanya's advent in which He tastes the highest ecstasies of love for Krsna. “ O Govinda,
feeling Your separation, I am considering a moment to be like twelve years or more.”
“The potency called hladini gives Krsna transcendental pleasure. Through this pleasure
potency, Krsna personally tastes all spiritual pleasure. Lord Krsna tastes all kinds of
transcendental happiness, although He Himself is happiness personified. The pleasure
relished by His pure devotees is also manifested by His pleasure potency. The most
essential part of this pleasure potency is love of Godhead [prema]. The essential part of
love of Godhead is called mahabhava, transcendental ecstasy, and that ecstasy is
represented by Srimati Radharani.” (CC Mahdya 8.157-160)
To love is the natural desire and inclination of all living entities. Srimati Radharani is the
supreme abode (asraya) of love and Krsna is the only object (visaya). Lord Krsna's
desire to taste this love could only be fulfilled in the guise of a devotee. By
demonstrating this to the world and experiencing it Himself, Lord Caitanya gives the
process of devotional service to the most fallen living entities. Thus, He reveals the
heart of Srimati Radharani.
Siksastika VIII
When Uddhava delivered the message from Krnsa to the gopis, Srimati Radharani
feigned detachment and spoke the famous Brahmara Gita. While speaking to the
bumble bee and chastising Krsna for abandoning Her, the bee suddenly flew away from
Her sight. Srimati Radharani became very distressed thinking Krsna heard Her
complaints and dissatisfaction. When the bumble bee returned Radharani expressed
regret for speaking of Krsna in such an unfavorable manner and submissively accepts
whatever situation Krsna places Her in. Lord Caitanya reveals this mood of complete
surrender to Krsna in the last verse of Sri Siksastika. “You may handle Me roughly in
Your embrace or make Me broken hearted by not being present before Me, but You are
always My worshipful Lord unconditionally.”
Golokera premadhana harinama sankirtana. On a divine plater made of tears shed in
the ecstasy of mahabhava, Lord Caitanya bestows the Holy Name upon the world. Krsna
is non-different from His Holy Name and one can always be in direct contact with the
Lord by continuously chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra. All glories to Srimati
Radharani, the queen of all devotees and the origin of the Sankirtan Movement. Her
very life is the Holy Name of Sri Krsna.