Rādhā Pūjā
Rādhā Pūjā, simply known as Radha Puja, Sanskrit: राधा पूजा, Telugu: రాధా పూజ, Hindi: राधा पूजा.
Rādhā Pūjā is the worship of Rādhā Devī. It was first performed by Bhagavān Kṛshṇa in Goloka on Kārtika Pūrṇimā. The Brahma Vaivarta Purāṇa, Prakṛti Khaṇḍa (Chapters 52 to 54), gives the whole vidhi: the mantra, the preparatory purification, a detailed dhyāna, and the sixteen offerings (shoḍaśopacāra) with a mantra for each. The vidhi came down through King Suyajña, the first human king to perform this pūjā on earth.
Origin
This vidhi comes from Bhagavān Kṛshṇa himself, who first worshipped Rādhā in Goloka on Kārtika Pūrṇimā. It was passed on to the divine ṛshi Sutapa. Sutapa came before King Suyajña in disguise and taught him the whole method. Suyajña practised it at Pushkara for a hundred divine years. Then Rādhā appeared and took him to Goloka. So Suyajña is recorded as the first human king to perform this pūjā on earth. (Brahma Vaivarta Purāṇa, Prakṛti Khaṇḍa, Chapters 52 to 54.)
The mūla mantra
The six-syllable (shaḍakshara) mūla mantra of this pūjā is:
Oṃ Rādhikāyai svāhā
This mantra is to be received from a qualified guru. Ten lakh japa of the mantra brings its siddhi (success). (Chapter 52.)
Preparatory purification
Before the pūjā begins, the worshipper does these five things:
- Aṅga-nyāsa: placing the mantra on the limbs of the body.
- Kara-nyāsa: placing the mantra on the hands and fingers.
- Mantra-nyāsa: placing the mantra in the form of the devatā.
- Bhūtaśuddhi: purifying the five elements in the body.
- Prāṇāyāma: three rounds of breath control.
(Chapter 54.)
Dhyāna
The worshipper then meditates on the form of Rādhā in these details.
Complexion and looks. Her colour is white like the campaka flower. Her face is like the full moon of autumn (śarat-pūrṇimā). Her eyes are like lotus petals. Her waist is slender and her hips are full. Her lips are red like the donda fruit (dondapaṇḍu). Her teeth are white as pearls. She always has a gracious smile and is always ready to give grace.
Ornaments.
- Ratna-mañjīra: jewelled anklets
- Ratna-keyūra: jewelled armlets
- Ratna-kuṇḍala: jewelled earrings
- Ratna-mālā: a jewelled necklace
- Ratna-mukuṭa: a jewelled crown
- Ratna-pāśa: a jewelled noose-ornament
- Ratna-yuṅgara: a jewelled ring
Marks on the forehead, in descending order.
- Kastūrī bindu: a dot of musk
- Candana bindu: a dot of sandalwood
- Sindūra bindu: a dot of vermilion
Setting. She sits with Bhagavān Kṛshṇa on a jewelled lion-throne (ratna-siṃhāsana) in the Rāsamaṇḍala. Gopikā sakhīs wave white cāmaras (fly-whisks) on both sides. Bhagavān Kṛshṇa himself worships her every day.
End of the dhyāna. During the dhyāna the worshipper places the flower that was on his own head upon the head of Rādhā, as Bhagavān Kṛshṇa does in his own worship.
(Chapter 54.)
The sixteen offerings
The sixteen offerings (upacāras) and the sense of the mantra for each:
| Upacāra | Mantra (summary) |
|---|---|
| Āsana (seat) | “O Śaṅkarapriyā, accept this jewelled lion-throne made by Viśvakarman, adorned with many gems and designs.” |
| Vastra (garment) | “O beloved of Śiva, accept this garment, woven of fine threads at Īśvara’s wish, pure as fire.” |
| Pādya (water for the feet) | “O Durgā, accept this Gaṅgā water, held in an invaluable jewelled vessel, to wash your feet.” |
| Anulepana (body ointment) | “O Jaganmātā, accept this ointment, fragrant with kastūrī, kuṅkuma and candana.” |
| Madhuparka (honey mixture) | “O Devī, accept this pure madhuparka, held in a jewelled vessel.” |
| Gandha (fragrant powder) | “O Devī, accept this fragrant powder, made of fine substances. It is pure and auspicious (maṅgala).” |
| Arghya (respectful offering of water) | “O Caṇḍī, I have put divine Gaṅgā water in a conch vessel, mixed with darbha grass, flowers and akshatas. Accept this pure arghya.” |
| Mālya (flower garland) | “O Jaganmātā, accept these garlands made of pārijāta and other flowers.” |
| Naivedya (food offering) | “Accept this offering of siddhānna, pappānna, piṇḍivantalu (sweets), pāyasa and laddus.” |
| Ācamanīya (water for sipping) | “O Śailakanyakā, accept this cool water, scented with camphor and other fragrant substances.” |
| Tāmbūla (betel) | “O Devī, accept this tāmbūla of betel leaves, lime, catechu, camphor and other fragrant substances.” |
| Ratna-bhūshaṇa (jewelled ornaments) | “O Devī, accept these ornaments made of precious gems, which bring beauty to every limb.” |
| Dhūpa (incense) | “O Devī, accept this incense, made of tree resins and all fragrant substances, supremely pure.” |
| Dīpa (lamp) | “O Parameśvarī, the lamp I offer is made of divine gems. It drives away even deep darkness. It is supremely pure.” |
| Talpa (couch, resting place) | “O Devī, accept this couch made of invaluable gems, its resting surface made of the finest cloth.” |
| Pushpāñjali (last offering of flowers) | Offered at the close of the sixteen offerings. |
(Chapter 54.)
The phala
Those who worship Rādhā by this vidhi quickly gain Kṛshṇa-bhakti. The worship is called the most direct path to Goloka. Suyajña performed this pūjā for a hundred divine years at Pushkara. Rādhā then took him straight to Goloka in her divine chariot. He was the first human king to do this. (Chapter 54.)
Sources
- Brahma Vaivarta Purāṇa, Prakṛti Khaṇḍa, Chapters 52–54