Radha-Kunda Mahima
Srila Prabhupada’s Personal Statements Glorifying Sri Radha-Kunda
INTRODUCTION: Radha-kunda, which is situated at Govardhana Hill in Sri
Vrndavana Dhama, is the eternal bathing place of Srimati Radharani. The sacred lake
was created by Radharani and her gopi companions at midnight on Bahulastami in
Kartik month. It is the absolute, topmost of all the holy places in Vraja and the most
exalted holy place for all Gaudiya Vaisnavas.
The eight major Gaudiya Vainava temples of Vrndavana (Govindaji, Madan mohan,
gopinatha etc.) also exist at Radha-kunda, as well as the bhajana kutiras of Sri Jiva
Gosvami, Gopal Bhatta Gosvami, Raghunatha das Gosvami, Ksnadasa Kaviraja
Gosvami, and Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura.
Radha-kunda is the site of the most intimate loving affairs of Radha-Syamasundara.
The beautiful, transcendental waters of Radha-kunda are considered non-different
from Radharani, and easily grant one love of God, Radha-Krsna prema.
GLORIES
“There is no limit to the glory of Sri Radha-kunda.” (NOI v.11 pur.)
“The importance of Radha-kunda cannot be realized by other Vaisnava sampradayas.
Radha-kunda is mainly worshiped by the Gaudiya Vaisnavas.” (NOI v.9 pur.)
“Radha-kunda is very rarely attained, even by great personalities fully engaged in
devotional service.” (NOI v.11 pur.)
“Sri-Radha-kunda is the most exalted place.” (NOI v. 10 pur.)
“Radha Kunda is so exalted because it belongs to Srimati Radharani, who is the most
beloved object of Sri-Krsna.” (NOI v.11 pur.)
“Krsna’s love for Radha-kunda and Srimati Radharani is the same in all respects.”
(NOI v.11 pur.)
“Radha-kunda should be respected as Radharani herself. That is Radha-kunda
consciousness. Highest Radha-kunda consciousness.” (RC 5/9/76)
“Radha-kunda is superior to all [places of Krsna’s pastimes] because there, love of
Krsna overflows.” (NOI v.9 pur.)
“Radha-kunda is the site of many memories of the eternal loving affairs between
Krsna and Radharani. Rati-vilasa.” (NOI v. 9 pur.)
“Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura says that Sri Radha-kunda is the most select place for
those interested in advancing their devotional service in the wake of the lady friends
(sakhis) and confidential serving maids (manjaris) of Srimati Radharani.” (NOI v. 11
Pur.)
SERVING RADHA-KUNDA
“By serving Radha-kunda one can get an opportunity to become an assistant of
Srimati Radharani under the eternal guidance of the gopis.” (NOI v. 11 pur.)
BATHING IN RADHA-KUNDA
“A devotee will at once develop pure love of Krsna in the wake of the gopis if he once
takes a bath in Radha-kunda.” (NOI v. 11 pur.)
“Srila Rupa Gosvami recommends that one should take a bath in the lake as many
times as possible. This is a most important item in the execution of devotional
service.” (NOI v. 11 pur.)
“If, by great fortune, one gets an opportunity to come to Radha-kunda and bath even
once he can develop his transcendental love for Krsna, exactly as the gopis did.” (NOI
v. 11 pur.)
“One should bathe there regularly and give up all material conceptions, taking shelter
of Sri Radha and Her assistant gopis. If one is thus constantly engaged during his
lifetime, after giving up the body he will return back to Godhead to serve Sri Radha in
the same way as he contemplated during his life on the banks of Radha-kunda.” (NOI
v. 11 pur.)
RESIDENCE
“It is also recommended that one should live on the banks of Radha-kunda and should
be absorbed in the loving service of the Lord.” (NOI v.11 pur.)
“Srila Rupa Gosvami has given much stress to Radha-kunda because of Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu’s desire to find it, who, then, would give up Radha-kunda and try to
reside elsewhere? No person with transcendental intelligence would do so.” (NOI v. 9
pur.)
“Everyone interested in Krsna consciousness should ultimately take shelter of Radha-
kunda and execute devotional service there throughout one’s life. This is the
conclusion of Rupa Gosvami in the tenth verse of Upadesmrta.” (NOI v. 11 pur.)
“Living entities who are eager to return home to Goloka Vrndavana, by means of
attaining their spiritual bodies (siddha-deha), should live at Radha-kunda, take shelter
of the confidential serving maids of Sri Radha and under their direction engage
constantly in Radha’s service.” (NOI v. 11 pur.)
“There is no harm [in wearing Radha Kunda tilaka], but devotees should understand
what is Radha-kunda and how to deal with Radha-kunda.
Raghunatha dasa Gosvami showed how to live in Radha-kunda. Sankhya-purvaka-
nama-gana-natibhih kalavasani-krtau. Raghunatha dasa Gosvami was
circumambulating Radha-kunda, falling down making a mark (dandavat parikrama).
That is Radha-kunda vasi.
Sankhya-purvaka-nama-gana-natibhih. Not only did Raghunatha das count the holy
names but he was offering obeisances so many hundred times that is Radha-kunda. So
much vairagya (renunciation) Raghunatha dasa Gosvami showed. He can take bath in
the Radha-kunda.
First of all, do this like Raghunatha dasa Gosvami Sankhya-purvaka-nama-gana-
natibhih kalavasani-kratu nidrahara-viharakadi-vijitau catyanta-dinau ca yau.” (RC
16/8/76)
BOOK PUBLISHING
“In my last meeting with Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati in Radha-Kunda he advised me to
print some books if I get money. I took it very seriously and by His grace we have
now published many translations.” (letter 15/11/76)
CONCLUSION
“The conclusion is that to live on the banks of the Radha-kunda and to bathe there
daily constitute the highest perfection of devotional service.” (NOI v. 11 pur.)
“If one is thus constantly engaged during his lifetime, after giving up the body he will
return back to Godhead to serve Sri Radha in the same way as he contemplated during
his life on the banks of Radha-kunda.” (NOI v. 11 pur.)
THE LAST INSTRUCTION
On November 10, 1977, just four days before His Divine Grace left this planet to
enter the eternal pastimes of Radha-Govinda, Srila Prabhupada told his disciples to
bathe in Radha Kunda on his behalf.
Srila Prabhupada said, “So you (prabhupada’s disciples) will take bathe in Radha-
kunda on my behalf. (RC 10/1/77)
