Radha Vallabhlalji
People belonging to the Radha Vallabh sampradaya say, “Radha Vallabhlalji is a swaroop of Krishna in which Krishna plays one specific role – that of Radha’s consort.
Our guru, a Bhakti saint, Hith Harivansha Mahaprabhu enshrined an ancient beautiful swaroop of Radha Vallabhlalji in this Radha Vallabhlalji’s mandir (in Mathura district, Vrindavan). The Mukut beside Radha Vallabhalalji symbolises Radha Rani. We perform only Radha Rani’s Gadi seva. Because Radha Rani belongs to Krishna, always, in Goloka, a realm which lies beyond our imagination.
Radha Vallabhlalji’s swaroop was not crafted by any sculptor. Lord Shiva gifted Radha Vallabhlalji’s swaroop to His devotee Atmadev on seeing his intense devotion to Krishna.
In time, Atmadev was blessed with two daughters. One day, when Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu was on his way to Vrindavan, Radha Rani blessed him with her darshan and asked him to marry the daughters of Atmadev. Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu narrated everything to Atmadev who got both his daughters married to him. And gifted Radha Vallabhlalji’s swaroop to Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu as a marriage gift.”
Vyahula Utsav in Radha Vallabhlalji’s temple
“In this Radha Vallabhlalji temple alone, we engage is “Samaj Gaan” every night. We celebrate some utsav every day. We call Radha Rani and Krishna’s wedding ceremony as “Vyahula Utsav.” There are quite a few temples in Vrindavan which host the Vyahula Utsav. But these temples host the Vyahula Utsav on a specific day. In our Radha Vallabhlalji’s temple alone we host Radha Vallabhlalji’s Vyahula utsav whenever someone wishes to host it, which is usually once in 2 or 3 days.
We decorate Radha Vallabhlalji’s temple beautifully for the Vyahula Utsav, adorn Radha Vallabhlalji and Radha Rani with a floral sehra and sing divine Vyahula Utsav pads during the utsav. We nurture Bhakti and Sakhi bhaav for Radha Rani and perform our seva for Radha Vallabhlalji and Radha Rani’s sukh.”
Bhandirvan
One day, Nanda, cradles young Krishna in his arms and takes Him along while grazing cows in Bhandirvan (a village near Vrindavan city). Krishna uses his Maya to create a thunderstorm. So, Nanda takes shelter under a tree.
A few moments later Radha arrives there. Radha asks Nanda if she can play with Krishna. Nanda nods his head in assent. And asks Radha to take Krishna back to Yashoda after playing with Him to her hearts content.
The minute Nanda leaves, Krishna manifests before her as a young handsome man wearing yellow clothes, floral malas and a peacock feather. Krishna sings Radha’s praises, acknowledges his deep love for her and says he cannot imagine living without her. Radha too realizes her divine nature, expresses her love for Krishna and wonders how she can live without Krishna in the near future. Krishna smiles knowingly. He transports Radha to His realm, Goloka. Which lies beyond Time and Space. And expresses His desire to marry Her. Radha nods shyly.
Vyahula Utsav in the Radha Bihari temple
Krishna asks Brahma to become the priest for their Gandharva Vivah. Brahma performs all the rituals, asks them to exchange garlands and chants Vedic mantras while they take the seven wedding pheras. After the Vyahula Utsav, Krishna and Radha Rani spend a lot of time together in delightful past times. In Goloka. After a while, Krishna reassumes His infant form in Bhuloka after which Radha takes Krishna back to Yashoda.
The people of Bhandirvan say, “Yes, only Radha and Krishna’s sakhis, the devtas, peacocks, parrots, cows and monkeys witness this Vyahula Utsav. Because in Krishna’s realm, “Parakiya Rasa” (love that transcends societal norms) is always superior to “Svakiya Rasa” (love within cultural boundaries like marriage).
We, mere manavas are yet to reach that divine state of understanding. That is why no manava could witness the Vyahula Utsav. We believe that Radha Rani and Krishna got married in Bhandirvan, took the seven pheras around these two banyan trees (Vanshi Vat).
We celebrate Radha Rani and Krishna’s Vyahula Utsav only on Phulera Dooj (February- March). Radha was older than Krishna. And in our Radha Bihari temple alone we can clearly do the darshan of Krishna standing on tiptoes to apply Sindoor in Radha Rani’s “Maang” while Brahma performs the Vyahula Utsav.”
Vanshi Vat, Bhandirvan
The people of Bhandirvan say, “Radha Rani and Krishna’s Vyahula Utsav took place beneath these Vanshi Vats. Also, Krishna comes here daily to graze his cows, play His flute, play games and eat lunch with his sakhas on the branches of this Vanshi Vat. Balarama and Krishna killed Pralambasur under this Vanshi Vat. And Krishna engages in the Raas Leela with the gopis too under this Vanshi Vat.
Even today, when we put our ears against the trunk of these Vanshi Vats, we can hear the sound of Dhols, Mridangas and the chant “Radhe Radhe” echoing from it.”
Venu Koop, Bhandirvan
“The Venu Koop in Bhandirvan also has Krishna’s mystic charm in it. On Kamsa’s orders, an asura called Vatsasura disguises himself as a calf and mingles with the calves of Krishna’s herd. But Krishna recognises Vatsasura, catches hold of the calf’s hind legs and tail, whirls him around forcefully and throws him onto a tree killing him instantly.
After this when Krishna and the Ashtasakhas try to enter Radha’s sacred grove, Lalitha sakhi and Vishakha sakhi stop them saying, “You have incurred the sin of killing a calf. You can now enter this sacred grove only after bathing in all the teerthas of the world.
So, Krishna creates this well using his flute (Venu Koop) and invites all the rivers into it. Krishna bathes in the waters of this Venu Koop along with His Ashta sakhas, cleanses Himself of the sin of Go Hatya and then meets Radha.”
Radha says…
In Bhuloka, as a manava I, Radha fell in love with Krishna. I was married. He was younger than me. Societal norms shackled me. I could not even entertain the thought of being married to Krishna. Though He was my soul mate.
So I did what came most naturally to me. I simply surrendered to Krishna, the eternal Krishna who prevails in the cosmos – not Krishna the cowherd.
Krishna says…
I, Krishna, the cowherd, loved Radha deeply. I knew our love was eternal. Could never be confined to the realm of Bhuloka. Yes, as manavas, societal norms did shackle us. But that did not stop us in any way.
Radha and I did what came most naturally to us. We delved into a realm of our own and celebrated our Vyahula Utsav with great gusto. Yes, we did it eaons ago too. And continue to revel in the bliss of our Vyahula Utsav and other utsavs, not on any specific day, but whenever we feel like indulging in some leela of our own. Even today.
Radha and Krishna say…
O manava, smile. Smile serenely like us. Always. Understand our message. Whenever societal norms straight jacket you, forcefully, delve into your soul. For that is our divine realm.
In our realm, forget the past. Have no fears about your future. For you are always safe. Nothing will shackle you. No one will question you. About anything. Ever. Here, you will always be accepted the way you are. And all your dreams and desires will be fulfilled too.
So, whenever like us, you too struggle with your role as a manava, just seek refuge in our realm, which lies within your soul. We will, unfailingly, guide you. Through your intuition. Every. Time. You. Do. So..