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THE GOAL OF DEVOTEES
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The goal of devotees in this tradition
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The path of Service of Sri Radha has a special name that is Rasic devotion (Rasopasana). The goal of devotees of Radha is to serve Her as Sakhis. Assuming the Bhava form, Sakhis eternally serve Her in the Nikunja Dham immersed in happiness. The state of such devotees who assumed the Bhav-Roopa (bhava form) is higher than those in the Chinmaya plane. The devotional texts extolled Sri Radhaji as 'Endless embodiment of Mahabhav'.
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We now understand the readers how sublime is the status of Sakhis and the averment of shastras in this regard.
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| Yatkinkareshu bahusah khalu kakuvani |
| nityam parasya sikhanda mauleh |
| tasyah kada rasanidhe vrushabhanujayah |
| statkelee kunja bhavanagana marjaneesyam |
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The Sikhanda mauli Sri Krishna implores the Sakhis of Rasandhi Radhaji in beseechful tone. The gracious glances which Radhaji showers on Him are His everything
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-Sri Radha Sudha Nidhi 7
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Gopis are anxious to play with Krishna whereas Radhajis's Sakhis do not incline to play with Him. Sakhis have unswerving love, devotion and one pointedness on the Lotus Feet of Sri Radha.
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| Sakhiyala smabhavamu nijamuganagu na kathya kathanambu |
| Krishnunitho kreedimpa nolladu sakhee janulamanambu |
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-Sri Cantanya Caritamruta
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| Brahmanandaika vadah katichan bhagavadvandanaananda mathaha |
| Kechidgovinda sakhya dyanupama paramananda manye svadante |
| Sri radha kinkareenam tvakhila sukha chamtkara saraika seema |
| tatpadambhoja rajan nakhamani vilasat jyotireka chhatabhih |
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Some are followers of Brahamanda, some other devotees experience happiness having dasyabhav (feeling of servant) towards Lord. Some other regard Sakhya bhav (feeling as a friend) as an unparalleled happiness and get immersed in its experience, where as the Sakhis of Radhaji immerse in great happiness from the ray-lets of blissful light emanating from jewels adorning the nails of Her Lotus Feet.
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-Sri Radha Sudha Nidhi 147
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| Lavanyamruta vartaya jagadidam samplavayanti sara |
| draka chandramananta meva vadana jyotsabhi ratanavati |
| sreevrindavana kunja manju grihini kapyasti tuchhamaho |
| urvanakhila sadhya sadhana katham tatva sva dasyotsavam |
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Who fills the entire world with supreme happiness by Her tender sweet voice, who is streaming out infinite fulmoons' light out of Her majestie vadanaravinda (lotus face), that magnificent grihini (resident) of Srinikunj of vrindavan, by conferring the happiness of Her servent-hood, has made all spiritual practices extremely inferior. Thus the sakhis of Radhaji are most fortunate as they experience such supreme happiness out of their causeless and desireless service.
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-Sri Radha Sudha Nidhi 61
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| Yasyah prema ghanakrute padanakhajyotsa bharasnapita |
| Svantanam samudeti kapi sarasa bhaktischmatkarinee |
| sa me Sree gokula bhoopanandana manaschori kishori Kada |
| dasyam dasyati sarva veda sirasam yattad rahasyam param |
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She is the solodified form of Divine Love. Whoever immerses themsleves in the streams of light spreading out from the nails of Her Lotus Feet, would effortlessly shine with Rasic devotion. She stole the heart of the son of king of Gokul. When will She award me Her servant- hood which is the secret status shining beyond the reach of the apex of the vedas (upanishads)
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-Sri Radha Sudha Nidhi 204
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Sri Radhikapanishad contained in the Rigveda says that Brahmadeva has declared that his life time is insufficient to describe the greatness of happiness that arises from the service of Radhaji.
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How to attain Sakhibhav on Radhaji? As Sriji's abode is beyond 'prakriti' as well as chinmaya' planes, the spiritual practice is beyond name, form and to attain 'bhava loka'(the world Bhava) which is the nameless and formless reality 'bhava' itself is the spiritual practice. The all - pervading Radha Bhav is accompanying us without leaving a moment. So also the seekers without parting for a most should make life of Bhava as their normal life. As a result their mind gets filled with Radha Bhava. At this stage the seeker cannot live a moment without Radha Bhava.
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Sri Krishna who is immersed in a mysterious state of Radha Bhava is described in the Radhika Tapinyopanishad conatined in the Atharvana Veda.
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The ardent devotee of Divine Love, the Ruler of the Universes - Nanda Nandan whose feet dust He wears upon his head, in whose Love does he forget all his vibhooties (Divine Splendours) like the Flute and to whom he sold himslelf completely, to that Supreme Godess Sri Radha devi, we salute in devotion.
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The above passionate state of Radha Bhava is not unfolded within a day or two. The Seeker has to ascend the steps with enthusiasm. Right from the beginning he should desist from the remembrance of name and form which are reflections of prakriti. If he incessantly maintains the 'Bhava' "Kishori is with me" and if he immerses himself in it, he can easily transcend the maya prakriti (illusory nature). To purify and strengthen the 'Bhava' of the devotee, occasionally Radhaji disappears from his 'Bhava Jagat'. In that state, unable bear the separation from Radhaji, he intensively involves in Her chintan (rememberance). The Vraja Purana narrates the feeling of separation genarated by the Hladini shakthi of Radhaji in the hearts of every Jeeva.
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One day when Radhaji is taking bath Kanhaiya came there and prayed Her Sakhis.
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I can not live a single moment without seeing kishori, I entreat you, take me to kishori immediately.
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This scene is played in the music and dance dramas known as Ras Leela in Vrindavan.
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Sri Radha is embodiment of Hladini shakthi which creates such intense feeling of separation in the heart of the Lord.
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