One day, Vrishabhanu Maharaja went to the banks of the Yamuna River at around noon to take his midday bath. As he approached the river, he noticed a golden lotus flower floating on the water, shining as brightly as a thousand suns. Drawn by its radiance, Vrishabhanu waded into the river, and as he neared the flower, he was astonished to find the most beautiful and radiant baby girl lying within its petals.
At that moment, Lord Brahma appeared and, in a grave voice, informed Vrishabhanu that in his previous life, he and his wife Kirtida had performed great austerities to have the consort of Lord Vishnu as their daughter. Lord Brahma revealed that this baby girl was the origin of the goddess Lakshmi and that Vrishabhanu should take great care of her. He then placed the baby girl in Vrishabhanu’s arms, who was overjoyed. After receiving permission from Lord Brahma, Vrishabhanu returned home with the divine child.
Upon seeing the beautiful baby girl shining like millions of autumnal moons, Kirtida was overcome with joy. She immediately arranged for various religious rites and donated thousands of cows to the brahmanas. Baby Radhika was placed in a gem-studded cradle and gently rocked back and forth by all the village girls. Her luster increased day by day, just like the waxing moon.
However, it was soon noticed that the baby girl made no noise and had not yet opened her eyes. Vrishabhanu and his wife feared that their daughter might be blind and dumb. At that time, Shrila Narada Muni visited their home and advised them to continue with the birth celebrations despite the girl’s apparent blindness. Following his advice, Vrishabhanu made elaborate arrangements for a lavish celebration and invited all the residents of Ravala and Gokula, including his dear friend Nanda Maharaja and his family.
On the appointed day, the guests assembled, and the celebrations were in full swing. Nanda Maharaja and Yashoda Mayi arrived with Rohini and brought their young children, Krishna and Balarama. Kirtida expressed her happiness about her beautiful daughter but also shared her distress over her child’s apparent disabilities.
Krishna, who had just passed His first birthday, was happily crawling around the courtyard. When He reached the cot where Radhika was lying, He pulled Himself up and peered inside. As soon as baby Radhika smelled the exotic fragrance of Krishna’s transcendental body, She opened her eyes for the very first time and looked directly at Krishna, who was the first person She ever saw. As Krishna gazed lovingly at baby Radhika, He began to smile ecstatically. Radhika then suddenly began to cry, making a sound for the first time. Vrishabhanu and Kirtida, along with all the assembled Vrajavasis, were overjoyed to discover that their beloved daughter Radhika was neither blind nor dumb.
In the “Radha-rasa-sudha-nidhi,” it is said, “So powerful is the glancing of Her eyes, that the flute slips from Krishna’s hands, His peacock crown starts to slip, and His yellow shawl becomes displaced as He swoons and falls to the ground. Saying ‘alas, will I ever get the chance to serve with love and devotion such a person as Radharani?’”
This beautiful story highlights the divine and transcendental relationship between Krishna and Radharani and the immeasurable joy and devotion that their presence brings to the hearts of their devotees.
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.
PS: I humbly request all the devotees to please forward and share this moral/instructive story so that everyone can be benefited by hearing about Krishna and His dear devotees.
