Post by subi24 on Jul 31, 2012 9:04:28 GMT 5.5
Yesterday, my wife and I enjoyed participating in an Ashtapati Bhajan - it was melodious and induced very pleasant feelings in us. While Jaydevar's ashtapati is wholly on Radha and Krishna, very rarely we come across references to Radha in our ancient scriptures including Bhagavatam and Vishnu Purana. But Adi Sankara was able to visualize Radha and Krishna as told in His Jagannathashtakam.
The story goes that Adi Sankara visited the Jagannatha Kshetra of Puri and witnessed the grand ‘Rath Yatra.’ At this event, He experienced a divine vision of Radha Devi riding the chariot along with Lord Krishna! Sankara sees that Radha Devi is gripped with fear as the chariot speeds up. The Lord comforts her with His loving embrace as the Divine couple ride the chariot.
I am giving below the verse six of the ashtakam with a rough translation. You will notice that Adi Sankara refers to Radha by name in the third line of the verse:
Para-brahmâpîdah kuvalaya-dalotphulla-na-a-yano
With lotus petal-shaped eyes, He (Lord Krishna) adorns Lord Brahmâ's head as an ornament
Nivâsî nîlâdrau nihita-carano 'nanta-s'i-i-rasi
He resides on Neelâchala Hill with His lotus feet on Ananta's heads
Rasânando râdhâ-sarasa-vapur-âlingana-a-sukho
With overwhelming love, He embraces the cool Râdhâ
Jagannâthah svâmî nayana-patha-gâmî bhavatu me
May that Jagannâtha Svâmî, be the object of my vision.
This rare sloka shows the great Bhakti of Adi Sankara to Lord Krishna and His consort Radha
The story goes that Adi Sankara visited the Jagannatha Kshetra of Puri and witnessed the grand ‘Rath Yatra.’ At this event, He experienced a divine vision of Radha Devi riding the chariot along with Lord Krishna! Sankara sees that Radha Devi is gripped with fear as the chariot speeds up. The Lord comforts her with His loving embrace as the Divine couple ride the chariot.
I am giving below the verse six of the ashtakam with a rough translation. You will notice that Adi Sankara refers to Radha by name in the third line of the verse:
Para-brahmâpîdah kuvalaya-dalotphulla-na-a-yano
With lotus petal-shaped eyes, He (Lord Krishna) adorns Lord Brahmâ's head as an ornament
Nivâsî nîlâdrau nihita-carano 'nanta-s'i-i-rasi
He resides on Neelâchala Hill with His lotus feet on Ananta's heads
Rasânando râdhâ-sarasa-vapur-âlingana-a-sukho
With overwhelming love, He embraces the cool Râdhâ
Jagannâthah svâmî nayana-patha-gâmî bhavatu me
May that Jagannâtha Svâmî, be the object of my vision.
This rare sloka shows the great Bhakti of Adi Sankara to Lord Krishna and His consort Radha
