Sri Radha Ramanji |
It
is believed that the essence of Vrindavan was lost over time until the 16th
century, when it was rediscovered by Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. In the year
1515, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu visited Vrindavana, with purpose of locating the
lost holy places associated with Lord Sri Krishna's transcendent pastimes.Lord
Chaitanya wandered through the different sacred forests of Vrindavana in a
spiritual trance of divine love. It was believed that by His divine spiritual
power, He was able locate all the important places of Krishna's pastimes in and
around Vrindavana.The Six Gosvamis Sri Rupa Gosvami, Sri Sanatana Gosvami, Sri
Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, Sri Jiva Gosvami, and
Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvamis, under the direction of Srila Rupa Gosvami and Srila
Sanatana Gosvami, studied various Vedic scriptures and picked up the essence of
them, the devotional service of the Lord.Under the orders and blessing of Lord Chaintanya,
they established number of temples for Sri Radha Krishna and wrote many
scriptures on devotional service with the support of the Vedic literature.
Few
days ago, it was the 472nd anniversary of the appearance day of Sri Radha
Ramanji of Vrindavan. One of my good friend and well wisher in Vrindavan sent
me these photos that he took on the day.
When
grandson of Sri Krsna,Vajranabh, was planning to have the deities of Krsna
made, he was consulting with Uttara, mother of Pariksit Maharaj as to how did
Krsna look (as she was the eye witness to Krsna’s pastimes). Based on her
guidance, Vajranabh made 3 deities – Sri Sri Madanmohanji Sri Sri Govindji,
SriSri Gopinathji. Then he asked Mother Uttara to see the deities. When Uttara
Mai saw the deities, she said that Madanmohanji feet is just like Krsna’s
feet,Govindji’s chest is just like Krsna’s chest and Gopinathji’s face is just
like Krsna’s face.
When
the deity of Sri Sri Radha Ramanji self- manifested (appeared), all the
Goswamis (and devotees) declared that Sri Sri Radha Ramanji has the face of
Gopinathji,chest of Govindji and feet of Madanmohanji. Thus Radha Ramanji is
exact replica of Sri Krsna.Also, Sri Sri Radha Ramanji even though standing
alone is a Yugal Murti(deity of Lord Krishna along with Srimati Radharani).
Radharani is constantly residing in the deity of Ramanji (and thus she is
represented on the altar in temple by Her Sari and Crown). It is explained that
the Radha Raman deity is 5 deities in one – the 3 main deities of Madanmohanji,
Govindji, and Gopinathji, He Himself, and Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu or Radharani
(Gauranga Mahaprabhu is Sri Sri Radha Krsna combined…as Radha Ramanji is self
manifesting from Shaligram Shila which is Gauranga Mahaprabhu Himself coming to
Gopal Bhatta Goswami).
Appearance of Lord Sri
Radha Ramanji:-
When
Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu was touring South India, He spent the four months
during the rainy season called Caturmasya in Shri Rangam at the house of
Venkata Bhatta, the chief priest of the Ranganatha Temple. His son, Shri Gopal
Bhatta, was then able to serve the Lord to his heart’s content. Being pleased
by his devotion, Shri Caitanya gave him initiation and ordered him to go to
Vrindavana after the disappearance of his parents. There he should remain with Rupa
and Sanatana doing bhajana and writing books. – At the age of thirty, after the
death of his parents, Gopala Bhatta, left for Vrindavana. When Lord Caitanya
heard that Gopala Bhatta Goswami had arrived in Vrindavana and had met Shri
Rupa and Sanatana Goswami, He was very pleased. At that time Mahaprabhu had
already visited Vrindavana. Although Rupa and Sanatana had gone to visit him in
Puri, Gopala Bhatta never received any invitation to go. Understanding his
disappointment, Shri Caitanya sent His
personal asana and cloth to him through Rupa and Sanatana, which can still be
seen on special festivals in Radharamana Temple. – Later when Gopala Bhatta
heard of the disappearance of Mahaprabhu, he felt intense separation from the
Lord, having associated with him only in his childhood. One night Lord Caitanya
appeared in a dream and told him, "If you want my darshana, make a
pilgrimage to Nepal." InNepal, Gopala Bhatta visited the river Gandaki.
After taking his bath he filled his water pot and was surprised to see that
some Shaligram-shilas had entered it.Emptying his pot, he filled it again, only
to find the shilas had re-entered his water pot. Again he emptied his pot, and
when he filled it for a third time he found that now twelve Shalagrama-shilas
were there.
Thinking
this must be the mercy of the Lord, he decided to bring those shilas with him
to Vrindavana. –One day after returning to Vrindavana, a wealthy devotee
approached Gopala Bhatta Goswami with dresses and ornaments for his Deity.
Gopala Bhatta told him that as he was only worshiping a shalagrama-shila, it
would be better to give to someone else who was worshiping a Deity and could
use them. It happened to be Narasimha-caturdashi and thinking deeply on this
incident Gopala Bhatta remembered how Lord Narasimha deva had manifested from a
stone pillar. He then began to prey to the Lord, "O Lord, you are very
merciful and fulfil the desires of your devotees. I wish to serve you in your
full form." In ecstasy he read the chapters of Shrimad Bhagvatam about
Lord Narasimha deva’s pastimes, and then took rest. In the morning when he
awoke, he found that one of the twelve Shalagramas, the Damodara-shila, had
manifested as Shri Radharamana. He immediately called Rupa and Sanatana and all
the other devotees. They were all astounded by the beauty of Shri
Radharamanaji. They remarked that from the feet to the waist He had the form of
Sri Madana-Mohanaji, His chest was like that of Shri Gopinathaji and He had the
moonlike face of Shri Govindadeva.Then with the blessing of all the Vaishnavas,
he began the worship of Shri Radharamanaji which is still being continued
today.
I went to this temple and what ever I said about the deity is so true. It is such a beautiful deity and also, the prasadam - Keer(sweet) served there tastes amazing.
I went to this temple and what ever I said about the deity is so true. It is such a beautiful deity and also, the prasadam - Keer(sweet) served there tastes amazing.
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