108 Krsna Pastimes – Prathamanurag Lila

BY: SUN STAFF

Radha opens her eyes to see Krsna

Aug 16, 2024 — CANADA (SUN) — Sri Krsna's divine pastimes.

When Sri Radha was born to Kirtti and Vrishabhanu, the child Krsna was taken to meet her and offer congratulations. The palace of Vrishabhanu Maharaja and Kirtida Devi resided on Varshana hill, near Gokula village, where Nanda Maharaja, Yasoda Ma and Krishna were living. Arriving at Vrishabhanu's home, when Krsna entered the room, the sleeping baby Radha opened her eyes for the first time, and smiled.

There are a few popular versions of this story. In one, Krishna is accompanied by Father Nanda on the trip to visit Radha. In another, it is Mother Yasoda who takes Krishna along for the visit, and in another, all three travel together to see baby Radha.

One puranic story tells that on Narada Muni's instruction, Vrishabhanu made elaborate arrangements for a lavish birth celebration for Radha, despite the fact that they feared the child was blind. Invitations were sent to all the residents of Ravala and Gokula, and especially to Vrishabhanu's dear friend, Nanda Maharaja and his family.

On the appointed day, the guests assembled for the joyous birth celebrations. Nanda Maharaja and Yashoda Mayi had arrived with Rohini, and also brought Krishna and Balarama.

In one version, Mother Yasoda is said to have prepared many gifts for little Radha and mother Kirtida. Packing everything in a bullock cart, she took little Krishna on the short journey. Arriving at the asrama, Yasoda was warmly received by Mother Kirtid, who was very happy to see them. Mother Yasoda looked at the cradle where baby Radha was lying. Enchanted by her beauty, Yasoda saw the darling baby girl whose complexion was like gold. Complimenting Mother Kirtida, she saw that Radha's mother was distressed. Kirtida whispered that the child was blind, and had not opened her eyes since she appeared, 11 days prior.

Yasoda comforted Kirtida, assuring her that surely the Supreme Lord would not let such a beautiful child be spoiled by blindness. While they talked confidentially, little Krishna crawled over to the cradle where Radha was lying. Krishna, was only an infant himself, pulled himself up to look into the cradle. As He stood over Radha, she opened her lotus eyes! She had refused to open them before, wanting to see Krishna before seeing anyone else in this world.

When Mothers Yasoda and Kirtida saw baby Radha, they all joyfully hugged, laughing and crying at the same time. Never had they seen such beautiful eyes, except Krishna's.

Shri Laadli Lal
Radharani Temple, Barsana Deities

The Shri Radha Rani Temple in Barsana, Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, is the divine place where Srimati Radharani appeared. Sri Sri Radha Krishna are worshiped together in the temple, and are known as Shri Laadli Lal, which means the beloved daughter and son of the town.

According to temple legend, Krishna's father Nanda and Radha's father Vrishbhanu were very close friends. While Nanda was head of Gokula, Vrishbhanu was head of Rawal. However, fed up with the atrocities of Mathura's king Kamsa, both of them with their people shifted to Nandgaon and Barsana. Nanda made Nandishvar hill his home and Vrishbhanu made Bhanugarh hill his permanent abode, which also ultimately became the abode of Radha.

Shri Radha Rani Temple

The intimate friendship of Nanda and Vrishbhanu may be connected to the version of this Prathamanurag Lila pastime in which Nanda is emphasized as the one accompanying Krishna to see baby Radha.

Presently, in both the twin towns of Barsana and Nandgaon there stands the historical temples dedicated to Radha and Krishna, on the peaks of Nandishvar and Bhanugarh hills respectively. While Nandgaon temple is called the Nand Bhawan, Barsana temple is named after Radha, and is the Radha Rani temple (or Shreeji temple).

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