Radha Kunda Snana at Bahulastami (avirbhava – appearance day)

I was very fortunate to take bath in Radhakunda on Bahulastami, the appearance day of Sri Radhakunda.

Thousands of pilgrims bathe in Radha-kunda at  midnight on Bahulastami, the appearance day of Radhakunda. But should Gaudiya Vaishnavas bathe at midnight?

There is no pramana in Gaudiya sastra prescribing midnight snana. Sri Rupa Goswamip in Mathura Mahatmyam (verse 439, 441) and Sri Sanatana  Goswami in Hari Bhakti Vilasa(16.207, 210) both quote the Padma Purana, Karttika mahatmyam which says, anyone who BATHES ON THE DAY of Bahulastami in Radha-kunda becomes very dear to Hari, karttike bahulastamyam, tatra snatva haripriya.

I came in the evening to Radhakunda and already so many people sitting around the kund, all waiting for midnight, making it difficult to go down to the water.

In Bhagavad Gita (16.23), Sri Krsna says that perfection comes when one acts according to sastra pramana

Sri Karttik Bahulastami ki Jai!
Radha-kunda snana ki Jai!
Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

Yes! Live and Bathe in Radha Kunda!

Two questions confound many devotees:
1) Can we live in Radha Kunda?
2) Can we bathe in Radha Kunda?

As there are many devotees and many minds, there are many different viewpoints and answers regarding these questions. So how to establish the final word, the correct answer, and the proper path of action? 

In his “books”, Srila Prabhupada beautifully and perfectly answers these questions with very reassuring and inspiring words. Please carefully read these excerpts from Srila Prabhupadas books, and then “do the needful” as Srila Prabhupada used to say.

1) Can we live in Radha Kunda?
In the translation to the Nectar of Instruction v. 10, Srila Prabhupada said, “Indeed, those who execute devotional service on the banks of Radha Kunda are the most fortunate people in the universe.”

Concluding his purport to this verse, Srila Prabhupada said, “Therefore everyone interested in Krishna consciousness should ultimately take shelter of Radha Kunda and execute devotional service there throughout one’s life.”

Further, Srila Prabhupada said, “Living entities who are eager to return home to Goloka Vrindavana, by means of attaining their siddha-dehas, should live at Radha Kunda.”

2) Can we bathe in Radha Kunda?
Now let’s hear what Srila Prabhupadas books say about bathing in the prema-giving, supremely sanctifying, transcendental nectar water of Sri Radha Kunda.

In his purport to v. 11 of Nectar of Instruction, Srila Prabhupada glorifies this powerfully purifying practice of bhakti saying:

“It is stated that a devotee will at once develop pure love of Krishna in the wake of the gopis if he once takes a bath in Radha Kunda. Srila Rupa Goswami recommends that even if one cannot live permanently on the banks of Radha Kunda, he should at least take a BATH IN RADHA KUNDA AS MANY TIMES AS POSSIBLE. This is a most important item in the execution of devotional service.”

“If, by great fortune, one gets an opportunity to come to Radha Kunda and bathe even once, he can develop his transcendental love for Krishna, exactly as the gopis did. ONE SHOULD BATHE IN RADHA KUNDA REGULARLY and give up all material conceptions, taking shelter of Sri Radha and Her assistant gopis.”

Conclusion: Srila Prabhupada gives so much hope, support and encouragement in his concluding words regarding living and bathing in Radha Kunda.

Srila Prabhupada said,

“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. The conclusion is that TO LIVE ON THE BANKS OF RADHA KUNDA AND TO BATHE THERE daily constitute the highest perfection of bhakti.” (NOI 11)

Srila Prabhupada ki jai !

Also in “Sri Upadeshamritam” Verse 9, from Srila Rupa Goswami it is stated:

Due to Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s having taken birth there, the abode of Mathurā is superior even to Vaikuṇṭha, the realm of spiritual opulence. Superior to Mathurā is the forest of Vṛndāvana because there the festival of the rāsa dance took place. Superior to Vṛndāvana forest is Govardhana Hill because Śrī Kṛṣṇa raised it with His lotus hand and performed many pastimes there with His devotees. Yet superior even to Govardhana Hill is Śrī Rādhā-kuṇḍa because it immerses one in the nectar of Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s divine love. What intelligent person would not desire to render service to this magnificent Radhakunda pond, which is splendidly situated at the base of Govardhana Hill?

Let the truth ring loud, clear and forever in the hearts of the sincere seekers of love and truth.

Shyama-kunda ki jai! Radha Kunda ki jai! Giri Govardhana ki jai!
Jai Jai Sri Radhe!