92 - Radha Stotra

Narayana said- Uddhava who was inspired by Sri Krishna, delightfully bowed in reverence to Ganesha, Narayana, Shiva, Durga, Lakshmi, Sarasvati, Ganga and Dikpalas and witnessing the auspicious symbols proceeded towards Gokula.

He heard on the way beating the of big drums, the bells, the blowing of conches, reciting of the name of the lord, accompanied with music and the sound of welfare. He also came across on the way, chaste women whose husband and son was alike, the burning lamp, the garland, mirror, the pitcher filled with water, the curd, fried paddy, the fruit, tender Durva grass, white paddy, silver, gold, honey, group of Brahmana’s, the buck, the bull, ghee, fresh meat, the elephant, the king, white horse, banners, mangoose, Nilakantha, white flowers and sandal-paste. He then reached Vrundavana first of all he came across the Akshayavata tree in the Bhandira forest, it was in red colour, with glassy leaves; it was quite meritorious and auspicious. Thereafter he met with the boys clad in beautiful garments, who were adorned with gem-studded ornaments and were crying reciting the name of Krishna as a boy. Assuring them variously, Uddhava entered the city delightfully and walked up to a long distance.

He spotted the palace of Nanda which was built by Vishvakarma inlaid with several gems and diamonds besides pearls and other precious gems on all the sides; it had the pitchers of gems decorating the same. It had astonishing type of gates and Uddhava entered the same, reaching before the court-yard he descended from the chariot and stood over the ground. Finding him there, Yashoda and Rohini at once came out and enquired about his welfare. 

He was seated delightfully over a seat and offered water, arghya and madhuparka; then they asked him, "O Uddhava, where are Nanda, Balarama and Krishna. You tell us truthfully."  Thereafter Uddhava spoke to them all, the words of welfare and said, "O Yashoda, Balarama, Krishna and Nanda are quite comfortable; Krishna would return to Gokula only after performing of the thread ceremony; therefore, his arrival here would be delayed. I have arrived here only to convey the news to you. After informing you suitably I shall go back to Mathura; on coming to know about the welfare of all of them, Yashoda and Rohini were filled with delight and they distributed gems, gold and beautiful costumes to the Brahmanas; thereafter they served Uddhava the sweet dishes which were as tasty as the neater; he was presented with the best of gems, diamonds and other precious stones. The musical instrument was played upon in welfare tunes. 

The Brahmanas were served with food the festivities of the welfare were arranged and the recitation of the Vedas was made delightfully presenting various types of gifts to the Brahmanas. The naivedya, flowers, incense, the lamp, were offered to lord Shiva. The goddess Bhavan of Vrundavana was adored with sandal-paste, costumes, betel, honey, milk, preparations, offering sixteen types of adorations to her.  Several types of sacrifices were also made which included a hundred he-buffaloes, a hundred he goats and ten thousand sheep, for the welfare of lord Krishna, the Brahmanas were given in charity, a hundred cows together with a hundred gold coins. They were adored with great devotion. 

Then Uddhava assured Yashoda, Rohini, cowherds, old people and cowherdesses variously and moved towards Rasamandala. Reaching there he found a circular building like the globe. Which was known as Rasamandala; it had hundreds of the pillars of the banana trunks; it was decorated with the best of costumes and the tree leaves bound in the cord of silk. It had a number of beautiful garlands with a huge stock of curd, paddy, fruit, silken cloth, flowers, tender Durva-grass, sandal-paste, aguru, kasthuri and saffron. It was protected by three crores of cowherdesses, it bad three lakhs of pleasure houses which were quite charming and beautiful.  Waiting for the arrival of Krishna, a lakh of cowherds always remained there, looking at the Rasamandala and living Yamuna to the right, Uddhava moved on to the forest of jasmine flowers.

From there he moved on to the forest of sandal-wood, champaka-vana Juhi-vana, Ketaki vana and Madhavi-vana. From there he moved  on to the Bakula-vana, Vanjula-vana, Yashoda vana, Mallika-vana, Palasa-vana, Sirisha-vana, Dhatri-vana, Kancan-vana, Nageshvari-vana, Karnika-vana Lavanga-vana, forest of teak  wood, forest of tala trees, Hintala-vana, forest of  jack-fruits, mango groves, the pleasant Langali-vana and the forest of Mandara trees. Leaving this forest to the left Uddhava reached Kunda vana and thereafter he reached Madhuvana in which the sweet voice of the cuckoos was echoing and the black wasps were creating the hissing sound. It had enough of the wild growth and was the base of wine. It was fragrant with forest flowers and the fragrant cool breeze was blowing. Thereafter, he moved over to the royal path built by Vishvakarma and reached the secret forest of Jujubi trees, thin crossing over to sriphala forest, lemon forest, orange forest, forest of lotus flower, fragrant oleander forest and Tulasi-vana, he found there enough of fruit of red colour and other delicious fruits. Leaving it, Uddhava moved to the forest of banana trees.

It was quite a secluded place and was located pleasantly. He then spotted the extremely charming abode of Radhika, having the boundary wall studded with gems and surrounded by moat and the forts, being inaccessible by the enemies.  It was easily accessible for the friends and had  quite secretive and indicative paths; it was  surrounded by the moats from all the four sides;  it was painted with various types of paintings and  was built by Vishvakarma, using the precious  stones and gems beside the garland of gems, it  had the pillars which were made of the best of  the gems. The steps were made of gems and the pitchers were also decorated with gems; it had a number of banners of fine cloth sanctified by fire. It had beautiful mirrors made of gems as well as the white fly-whisks. He then came across the main gate which had the doors of gems. Above the gate, Vishvakarma had painted beautifully scene from Vrundavana, kadamba-vana, stealing of the cloth, extremely beautiful Rasamandala, several types of orchards of gems were depicted which was filled with cowherds and cowherdesses. 

A lakh of cowherdesses were guarding the gate, holding the staff in their hands. All of them could move at will and they carried various types of presents in their hands. Finding the gate there, Uddhava crossed, it then crossing the second and the third gates he reached the fourth gate which was quite surprising. Thereafter he crossed the  fifth gate and found beautiful paintings there; he  then reached the sixth gate which was quite  beautiful from all sides, the walls of the place  were painted by Vishvakarma with the scenes  from Ramayana including the battle scenes the  ten incarnations of lord Vishnu, Rasamandala and  the water sport at the bank of Yamuna river. The sixth gate was guarded by a thousand cowherdesses. All of them were adorned with the best of ornaments studded with gems and held in their hands the staff decorated with gems and other precious stones. 

Out of them the female friend of Radha named Madhavi put a meaningful question to Uddhava besides asking about his welfare. Uddhava on his part gave the appropriate reply. Thereafter the cowherdesses left Uddhava at that place, went to Radhika and spoke to her dearest friend.  Listening to the goodness, the cowherdesses, started blowing conches, ringing bells, playing on small drums and big drums welcoming Uddhavas arrival there. They carried him to the inner apartment of Radhika. 

Arriving in the place which was built with the best of gems, Uddhava met with Radhika; she was beautiful like the moon rays. Her eyes were like full blown lotus flowers, she had discarded all the ornaments, except the pairs of ear ornaments which were hanging issuing the lustre.  Because of the separation from Krishna, her mouth had become red; she was lying over the ground getting fainted and was crying at the same time; she was motionless and peaceful. She was without food; her lips, throat had dried up; she was breathing some-how; finding her in that condition, Uddhava the great devotee of Krishna was filled with emotions. He bowed his head in reverence to Radhika. 

Uddhava said-I bow in reverence at the lotus like feet of Radha who is adored by Brahma and other gods and by whose virtues all the three lokas gets purified; I bow in reverence to the dweller of Gokula. I bow in reverence to Radhika. The one who resides over the mountain of hundred peaks and is known as Chandravali, I offer my salutation to her; she is the dweller of the Tulasi forest and the Vrundavana; I adore her again and again. She is the dweller of the Rasamandala, the goddess of divine dance, I offer my salutation to her again and again. 

I offer my salutation to Vrunda, the dweller on the bank of Viraja river. I offer my salutation to the passionate Krishna of Vrundavana, I offer my salutation again and again. I offer my salutation to the beloved of Krishna who is quite peaceful, I offer my salutation to her again and again. The one who reside is in the heart of Krishna and is his beloved, I offer my salutation to her again and again. 

I offer my salutation to the one who resides in Vaikuntha as Mahalakshmi. I offer her salutation again and again. The one who is the great goddess of all the knowledge and also appeared in the form of Sarasvati, I adore her again and again. She is the lady of all the fortunes, in the form of Kamala I offer my salutation to her again and again. She is the beloved of lord Padmanabha, I offer my salutation to her again and again. 

She is the one who happens to be the mother of Mahavishnu, is quite eternal and the eternal force. I bow in reverence to her again and again. I bow in reverence to the daughter of Sindhu and the goddess Lakshmi of the universe; I offer my salutation to her again and again. She happens to be Narayana the beloved of Narayana, I offer her salutation again and again. I bow in reverence to Vishnumaya; she is also called Vaishnavi, I offer my salutation to her again and again. 

I adore the treasure known in the form of Mahamaya. She is the form of all the welfare, I bow in reverence to her. She is the form of welfare; I bow in reverence to her. The one who happens to be the mother of all the four Vedas and is also known as Savitri, I bow in reverence to her. The one who removes all the misfortune, I bow in reverence to Durga again and again. 

The one who was born in Krtayuga out of the tejas of all the gods, I bow in reverence to the same goddess again and again. I bow in reverence to the goddess who destroyed the demon Tripurasura. Because of that she was known as Tripurasundari. I bow in reverence to her again and again.

The one who happens to be the most beautiful of all the beautiful goddesses on earth who is without qualities, I bow in reverence to her again and again. The one who has the form of sleep, I bow in reverence to her. The one who is without qualities I bow in reverence to her. 

I bow in reverence to the daughter of Daksha, who came to be known as Sati, I bow in reverence to her again and again. I offer my salutation to the daughter of the mountain who was known as Parvati, I bow in reverence to the ascetic goddess again and again. I bow in reverence to Uma again and again. The one who remained without food and without clothes, I bow in reverence to her again and again. 

The one who is known as Gauri, I bow in reverence to her; the one who dwells in Gauri-loka, I bow in reverence to her. I bow in reverence to the dweller of Kailasa. The one who is known as Maheshvari, I bow in reverence to her again and again. 

The one who is of the form of sleep, compassion, reverence, I bow in reverence to her again and again. The one who is patient and forgive and everyone. I bow in reverence to her again and again. The one who is the form of shyness, I bow in reverence to her again and again. The one who has the form of lust, hunger and the one who establishes everyone, I bow in reverence to her again and again. The one who is the form of destruction I offer my salutation to her. I offer my salutation to the great epidemic again and again. 

The one who is the form of fear as well as fearlessness and the granter of salvation, I offer my salutation to her again and again. I offer my salutation to Svadha and Svaha, the form of lustre as well as peace, I bow in reverence to her again and again. 

The one who is the form of satisfaction, protection and compassion, I bow in reverence to her again and again. The one who is the form of sleep and devotion, I offer my salutation to her again and again. 

The one who has the form of hunger, thirst and shyness, I offer my salutation to her again and again. The one who has the form of patience and forgiveness beside consciousness, I bow in, reverence to her again and again. 

The one who represents the eternal strength and is the mother of all, I bow in reverence to her again and again, the one who is the burning sensation in the fire and who happens to be Bhadra, I offer my salutation to her again and again. The one who has the lustre of the hill moon as well as the lotus flower of the winter season, I bow in reverence to her again and again. 

О goddess as the whiteness cannot be separated from the milk, fragrance cannot be separated from the earth, coolness cannot be separated from water the sound cannot be separated from the sky. The lustre cannot be separated from the sun, similarly the Vedic and Pauranic literature define Radha as inseparable from Madhava. О goddess of welfare, "O chaste goddess regain consciousness and give me the reply". Thus, speaking Uddhava bowed in reverence to Radha again and again. Thus, the one who recites the stotra composed by Uddhava with devotion, after enjoying all the pleasures in this world, lived in the abode of lord. He does not suffer from the separation from the relatives or ailment and the grief. 

By reciting this stotra a lady whose husband  has gone to some other place gets back the  husband and the one who is separated from the  wife gets back the wife, a person without a son  gets a son, a pauper gets the riches, a person  without land gets the land, a person who is  issueless gets the progeny, the ailing person  would be freed from the ailment and person in  fetter would be freed from the fetters, the person  in panic would be freed from the same and the  one who is over-powered with misfortune would  be relieved of the same. A person with no reputation achieves immense reputation and a foolish person becomes wise.