Rādhāṣṭamī

Rādhāṣṭamī

राधाष्टमी

“Krishna Adoring Radha’s Hair”, ca. 1815-20. VMFA. Kangra

Today marks the sacred celebration of Rādhāṣṭamī, observed on the eighth day (āṣṭamī) of the bright fortnight (śukla pakṣa) in the auspicious month of Bhādrapada (Aug-Sept).

Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, the eternal consort and beloved of Lord Kṛṣṇa, is the embodiment of unwavering devotion and selfless love (bhakti). She personifies patience, humility, and pure devotion, offering a divine example of love in its highest form. Though she endured the fires of separation from her beloved, Rādhā expected nothing in return for her suffering, never once allowing complaint to cloud her radiant spirit. 

Her love transcends all worldly limitations—an eternal, luminous bond that reflects the soul’s deepest yearning for union with the Divine. To contemplate Rādhā is to unveil the profound mystery of unconditional love that flows without expectation, where the highest act of devotion becomes the offering itself, and union with Kṛṣṇa is the soul’s ultimate fulfillment.

It is said that her birth star was Anurādhā (Sidereal Scorpio), directly opposite Rohiṇī (Taurus), the birth constellation of Kṛṣṇa. Anurādhā, is connected to Saturn (Śani), and holds within it Rādhāna Śakti—the divine power of worship and devotion. This nakṣatra illuminates the sacred connection between Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, as its inherent energy channels perseverance, discipline, and devotion, which are also characteristics of Śani’s influence.

Saturn, as the planet of karma and time, often reflects Rādhā's steadfastness in love and devotion. The trials Rādhā endured through separation from Kṛṣṇa resonate deeply with the lessons of Saturn—endurance through hardship, the purification of desires, and the ultimate transcendence of material attachments. Just as Saturn’s slow and deliberate movement teaches patience and resilience, Rādhā’s love is a testament to the soul’s capacity to remain unwavering in devotion, even when faced with immense challenges. Her connection to Saturn symbolizes the transformative power of love that transcends suffering and unites the individual soul with the Divine.

The rituals of Rādhāṣṭamī begin with the ceremonial bathing of Śrī Rādhā’s idol (mūrti) in pañcāmṛta—a sacred blend of milk, ghee, honey, sugar, and yogurt. Following this, she is adorned in new attire and honored through a grand procession alongside Lord Kṛṣṇa. In Braj, her birthplace, Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa are traditionally dressed in garments made entirely of flowers, and, in a rare and auspicious display, Śrī Rādhā’s feet are uncovered for darśana, allowing devotees to behold them.

Many devotees fast on this day, immersing themselves in recounting the holy names, divine qualities, and pastimes of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī. The festival concludes with a sacred feast (prasādam), honoring the divine presence of Rādhā and celebrating her transcendental love.

जय जय श्री राधे

Gaṇeśa Caturthī

Gaṇeśa Caturthī

गणेश चतुर्थी 

Artwork: Basohli miniature, c. 1730. National Museum, New Delhi

Beginning on the fourth day (caturthī) of the bright fortnight (shukla pakṣa) in the month of Bhadrapadā (Aug-Sept), Gaṇeśa Caturthī is a festival that lasts for ten days, September 6/7 through Anant Caturdaśī (fourteenth day).

Salutations to Śrī Gaṇeśa who has a curved trunk, who has a large body and whose splendor is similar to that of a million suns; who is the son of Śiva and Pārvatī, the remover of obstacles and the writer of the story.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

O Deva, lord of new beginnings, please make my undertakings free of obstacles, by extending your blessings in all my works, always and may I remember to trust that when you place obstacles in my way, that you’re gently guiding me back to my most aligned path.

As the lunar cycles shift towards the waxing moon, the energy of Gaṇeśa Caturthī invites us to reflect on the celestial rhythms that mirror our inner journey. Gaṇeśa, revered as the deity who governs the threshold of beginnings, wisdom, and intelligence, represented by the brain stem in our physiology, the lord connected to Jyotiṣa (Vedic astrology) and the one who is associated with Ketu and Mercury. He rules over the planetary vibrations that guide us through transitions—encouraging us to see obstacles not as hindrances, but as divine redirections towards our true purpose. 

On this sacred day, devotees immerse themselves in fasting, chanting Vedic hymns and Hindu texts, offering sweets such as modak—believed to be the favorite of Lord Gaṇeśa—as prasada. The festival culminates on the tenth day with visarjana, when the Murti (depiction of a deity) is carried in a grand procession, accompanied by music and chanting, and immersed in a nearby body of water, symbolizing the cycle of creation and dissolution.

May this sacred festival remind us to surrender to the dance of the cosmos, trusting in the wisdom of Gaṇeśa to illuminate the path toward our highest purpose.

ॐ श्री गणेशाय नमः

New Moon in Pūrva Phalgunī: The Fruit of the Tree

NEW MOON

अमावस्या

September 2, 18:56 PDT

The new moon (amāvásyā) of September aligns both the sun and moon in the Vedic lunar mansion of Pūrva Phalgunī पूर्वफल्गुनी (Leo), the Fruit of the Tree.

This lunation cycle invokes a powerful new beginning — a heightened sense of creativity, sexuality, desire, and passion that encourages us to express ourselves, lean into life's comforts, and follow the joy of our heart's desires.

In Sanskrit, phal means fruit, and guni relates to the gunas, or qualities. Represented by the legs of a bed or a hammock and activated by Venus, this constellation symbolizes a place of rest and relaxation, where we can enjoy the fruits of our labor and the merits of past-life good deeds.

Pūrva Phalgunī holds the power of procreation and the capacity to unify polar opposites, which enlivens our creativity and sensuality. This asterism is also connected to Bhaga, the god of wealth, known for bestowing pleasure and delight, and for fulfilling desires on the material plane.

The star of fertility is both courageous and visionary, much like its bird medicine, the eagle. This new moon awakens within the heart the courage to face the tests and initiations presented to us, urging us to rise above the mundane, break free from the shadows of past experiences, and open our eyes to a higher perspective.

When we pursue what we truly desire, tests and traumas often arise to meet us. Recently, I have observed common themes of major transition, a sense of standing at a crossroads, and the challenge of confronting the unknown. All activity depends on periods of non-activity.

After facing worldly battles and fulfilling our duties and responsibilities, there follows a period of rest, relaxation, and enjoyment. This period is associated with Pūrva Phalgunī and serves as the muse that kindles the impulse toward enlivening our creative intelligence and effortless action.

Pūrva Phalgunī reminds us that complex problems can be solved in a relaxed mood and that the practice of yoga ultimately teaches us how to be at ease in the presence of the Unknown. The deeper we go and the more we attend to the stillness within, the more dynamic and effortless our activity becomes.

The Yogasūtra (2.47) states that it is through the relaxation of our effort and our capacity to become absorbed in the infinite that we achieve effortless action — action which is rooted in being, or yoga (union).

The energy of this time is lively and ripe for cultivating creative pursuits, building momentum toward set goals, deepening love and following your heart’s true desires, all while striking a fine balance — merging practicality and function with enjoyment.

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Artwork: British Museum | Pinterest 

Rūmī // “In the house of lovers, the music never stops. The walls are made of songs and the floor dances."