Radha Kunda, a serene and enchanting pond nestled in the vicinity of Govardhan Hill in the sacred town of Vrindavan, India, carries a profound history intertwined with the divine pastimes of Lord Krishna. Legend has it that this ethereal water body was lovingly crafted by the cowherd maidens, known as the gopis, who were cherished companions of Krishna during his blissful childhood days in Vrindavan. The profound significance of Radha-kunda continued to resonate throughout the ages, until the sixteenth century when it was serendipitously rediscovered by the revered saint Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Recognizing the spiritual potency imbued within this hallowed site, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s devoted disciples, revered as the Six Goswamis, undertook a noble endeavor to renovate and restore the divine aura of Radha-kunda.
The sacredness of Radha-kunda extends far beyond its physical existence, as numerous ancient scriptures such as the Puranas, Srimad-Bhagavatam, Upadeshamrita, and Chaitanya-charitamrita, unanimously proclaim it to be one of the most revered pilgrimage destinations on Earth. It stands as a testament to the eternal love shared between Radha and Krishna, symbolizing the pinnacle of devotion and spirituality that draws countless devotees and seekers from all corners of the world.
Origin of Radha Kunda
In the soft twilight, on a verdant field near the majestic Govardhana Hill, a captivating tale had unfolded. It is a tale of divine intervention and playful banter between Lord Krishna and His beloved gopis of Vrindavana, set against the backdrop of a formidable demon’s failed attempt to harm the Lord.
Arishtasura, a demon who had cunningly disguised himself as a bull, was dispatched by the nefarious King Kamsa to eliminate Krishna. However, instead of achieving his wicked purpose, Arishtasura met his demise at the hands of the valiant Lord. Prior to this encounter, Krishna had been engaged in a cheerful conversation with His adoring girlfriends, the gopis. Yet, their joyous exchange was abruptly disrupted by the terrifying roars of the demon.Seeking solace from the harrowing experience, the gopis found themselves in a mischievous mood upon Krishna’s approach. As He attempted to affectionately embrace one of the gopis, she playfully withdrew, expressing her concern over Krishna’s recent act of slaying the bull-demon. According to the sacred scriptures, bulls hold a sacred status similar to cows, and thus, they jokingly pointed out that Krishna had committed a grave transgression.
With an impish smile adorning His face, Krishna indulged in their light-hearted jest. The gopis, persisting in their playful banter, suggested that Krishna should undertake a penance to absolve Himself of the perceived sin. Amused by their proposal, Krishna inquired about the form this atonement should take.
One of the gopis suggested that Krishna should embark on a pilgrimage to bathe in all the holy rivers across the world. However, realizing the enormity of such a task, Krishna proposed an alternative solution. With a mischievous glint in His eyes, He announced His intention to bring the sacred rivers to their very location.
Without delay, Krishna gracefully turned away from His companions, striking the ground with His heel, causing an opening to appear. With a commanding voice, He summoned the holy rivers, beseeching their presence. In a matter of seconds, the ethereal manifestations of each sacred river materialized before the astonished onlookers. Clad in resplendent attire, the rivers stood humbly, ready to fulfill Krishna’s command.
Despite their initial skepticism, the gopis were compelled to acknowledge the presence of the personified rivers as they introduced themselves one by one, revealing names such as Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Sarayu, Sona, and Sindhu.
However, Krishna’s playful display did not end there. The hole created by His heel suddenly expanded into a magnificent hollow, and the personified rivers gracefully submerged themselves, transforming the once-dry depression into a breathtaking and sacred pond. Krishna joyfully immersed Himself in the divine waters, purifying Himself completely before emerging, His dark and resplendent form radiating a captivating aura.
Teasingly, Krishna then turned His attention towards the gopis, playfully suggesting that they were impure. Astonished yet amused, the gopis protested, emphasizing that they were innocent bystanders to Krishna’s bull-slaying act.
Unperturbed by their arguments, Krishna jokingly accused them of lacking in religious devotion as they had not performed any activities for Lord Brahma’s pleasure, thereby rendering them impure. Sensing their bewilderment, Krishna’s beloved, Srimati Radharani, stepped forward, determined to rectify the situation. She proposed the creation of a pond even more magnificent than Krishna’s, wherein they would all bathe and attain purity.
Guided by Radharani’s confident leadership, the gopis followed her to a nearby location where Arishtasura’s hooves had created a shallow trench. With unwavering determination, Radharani and her friends began digging, their hands eagerly shaping the earth. Astonishingly, within a mere hour, they had crafted a sizable hollow.
Witnessing their remarkable feat, Krishna couldn’t help but be amazed. As the gopis emerged from their labor, Krishna generously suggested that they fill their newly created pond with the holy water from His own. However, Radharani, in a patronizing tone, dismissed the idea, highlighting Krishna’s previous act of bathing in his contaminated pond after slaying the bull-demon Arishtasura.
Amused by her response, Krishna chuckled heartily, acknowledging the validity of her concern. Radharani then proposed an alternative solution: fetching water from the nearby Manasi Ganga lake to fill up her pond. Krishna recollected a time when He had conjured the holy Ganges River, making it miraculously appear as a lake. The lake was thus named ‘Manasi Ganga’ (Ganges created by Krishna’s mind) and was situated near the Govardhan hill. Desiring to spare Radharani and her companions the arduous task of carrying countless vessels of water from Manasi Ganga, Krishna gestured towards His pond.
Suddenly, a representative embodiment of all the sacred rivers emerged from the depths of Krishna’s pond. With tears welling in his eyes, the representative bowed before Radharani, his palms joined in reverence, beseeching her favor.
The playful atmosphere transformed into one of solemnity as Radharani perceived the representative’s genuine purpose. Rising from his knees, he humbly addressed her, expressing the rivers’ desire to be united with her sacred pond. Their lives, he emphasized, would only find fulfillment in her presence.
Moved by his earnest plea, Radharani graciously granted their wish, to the immense joy of her companions. In a spectacular display of devotion, the waters of Krishna’s pond burst forth from its boundaries, cascading towards Radha Kunda, filling it with a resounding rush reminiscent of a monsoon downpour.
Witnessing this enchanting sight, Krishna, with utmost sincerity, proclaimed that Radha Kunda would surpass His own pond in fame and significance. He pledged to visit and revel in its hallowed waters, engaging in joyous water sports. In His eyes, Radha Kunda held an unparalleled place of endearment, mirroring the deep bond shared between Him and Radharani.
Overwhelmed with gratitude, Radharani reciprocated Krishna’s sentiments, vowing that she and her beloved companions would bathe in His pond, regardless of any future slaying of demons that might occur there. Furthermore, Radharani blessed all those who, with unwavering devotion, immersed themselves in her pond or graced its sacred banks with their devotional service. Such souls, by her divine mercy, would be blessed with pure love for Krishna, culminating in eternal ecstasy. Radha Kunda thus became renowned as the most elevated pilgrimage site in the world.
As darkness enveloped the divine lovers and their companions, they formed a celestial circle, commencing their rasa dance. Krishna, resembling a resplendent rain cloud, and Radharani, a radiant flash of lightning, twirled and whirled, their movements evoking a deluge of transcendent bliss. From that memorable night onward, the pond created by Radharani, forever known as Radha Kunda, and Krishna’s own pond, christened Shyama Kunda, stood as timeless testaments to their eternal love.
Driven by the yearning to partake in the spiritually rejuvenating waters of Radha Kunda, countless pilgrims continue to embark on arduous journeys spanning great distances. They seek the divine blessings and profound experiences that awaits them within the consecrated depths of the sacred pond.
Chaitanya Charitamrita glorifies Radha Kunda
yei kunde nitya Krishna radhikara sange
jale jala-keli kare, tire rasa-range
(Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya, 18.9)
–
Within the tranquil waters of Radha Kunda, Lord Krishna and Srimati Radharani would joyfully engage in daily water pastimes and ecstatic rasa dances on its banks.
Just as Lord Krishna holds Srimati Radharani as His most cherished beloved, so He deeply treasures Her sacred lake known as Radha Kunda. Among all the gopis, Srimati Radharani is undoubtedly the most beloved. Astonishingly, even a single bath in this divine lake during one’s lifetime invokes a flood of ecstatic love within the heart, resembling the love of Srimati Radharani herself.
The allure of Radha Kunda is as enchanting as the allure of Srimati Radharani, and the glories of this sacred lake are as magnificent as Hers. The transcendental qualities of Radha Kunda captivate Lord Krishna’s heart in the same way as Srimati Radharani does. It was within the embrace of this mystical lake that the opulent Lord Krishna delightedly engaged in His divine pastimes with Srimati Radharani, experiencing supreme pleasure and transcendental bliss.
Whoever has the privilege to bathe even once in the holy waters of Radha Kunda attains the same loving attraction for Lord Krishna that Srimati Radharani possesses. The glories and sweetness of Sri Radha Kunda are beyond description, and their magnificence surpasses the limits of worldly comprehension.
Nectar of Instructions Glorifies Radha Kunda
The Nectar of Instructions, also known as the ‘Upadeshamrita,’ holds a place of utmost reverence among Gaudiya Vaishnavas. Written by the illustrious Srila Rupa Goswami, one of the esteemed Six Goswamis of Vrindavan, this sacred text serves as a beacon illuminating the path of devotion to Lord Krishna. It is hailed as a perfect guidebook, offering invaluable teachings on how to cultivate a heartfelt and authentic connection with the Supreme Lord. Within its profound pages lie numerous essential guidelines that have the power to transform a seeker into a pure and unwavering devotee of Krishna. Aspirants on the spiritual path find solace, inspiration, and practical wisdom within the sacred verses of this treasured scripture. The Nectar of Instructions (NOI) lavishes Radha Kunda with profound adoration and reverence. It illuminates the depth of significance and spiritual potency that this holy lake possesses. This divine oasis, situated in the hallowed land of Vrindavan, holds a place of unparalleled prominence in the hearts of devoted souls.
NOI, verse 9 – Mathura, a sacred place, surpasses even Vaikuntha, the celestial abode, in spiritual significance because it is the chosen site of the Lord’s divine manifestation. Beyond Mathura lies the sublime realm of Vrindavana, a transcendental forest where Krishna’s enchanting rasa-lila pastimes unfolded, making it even more exalted. And above Vrindavana reigns Govardhana Hill, elevated by the divine touch of Sri Krishna and witness to His wondrous acts of love. Yet, the pinnacle of all sacred sites is the extraordinary Sri Radha Kunda, brimming with the sweet, immortal nectar of devotion, offered by the Lord of Gokula, Sri Krishna. Who, then, possesses the wisdom to resist serving this divine Radha Kunda, nestled at the base of resplendent Govardhana Hill?
NOI, verse 10 – According to the sacred scriptures, the Supreme Lord Hari, in His benevolence, bestows His favor upon those fruitive workers who possess elevated knowledge and insight into the profound truths of life. Among these knowledgeable individuals (jnanis), those who have attained practical liberation through their wisdom may choose the path of devotional service (bhakti), and they are esteemed above others. However, even greater than these liberated souls are those who have achieved prema, the pinnacle of pure love for Lord Krishna. And among all the exalted devotees, the gopis stand supreme, for they remain entirely dependent on the transcendental cowherd boy, Sri Krishna. Of all the gopis, Srimati Radharani holds the most cherished position in Krishna’s heart. Her sacred lake, Radha Kunda, holds the same profound endearment for Lord Krishna as this beloved gopi herself. Who, then, would not desire to reside at the divine Radha Kunda? Who would not yearn to serve the Divine Couple, Sri Sri Radha Govinda, who eternally engage in their eightfold daily pastimes known as the aṣṭa-kaliya lila? Those who, being saturated with ecstatic devotional sentiments, render loving service on the banks of Radha Kunda are truly the most fortunate beings in the entire universe.
NOI, verse 11 – Among all the delightful and beloved beings in the sacred land of Vraja, Srimati Radharani shines as the most cherished object of Krishna’s affection. And without a doubt, Her divine pond, Radha-kunda, is proclaimed by revered sages to hold an equally dear place in His heart. This exalted Radha-kunda is a realm that is rarely attained, even by the most devout of devotees. Thus, for ordinary devotees, it becomes even more challenging to attain such a sacred abode. However, a mere immersion in the purifying waters of Radha-kunda has the extraordinary power to awaken one’s pristine love for Krishna in all its fullness.
What to See at Radha Kunda
- Radha Kunda
- Shyam Kunda
- Radha Govinda Dev ji temple
- Samadhis of Raghunath das Goswami, Krishnadas kaviraj Goswami, Raghunath Bhatta Goswami
- Bhajan Kutir of Jiva Goswami, Viswanath Chakravarti Thakur
- Pandava ghat – Five Pandavas have manifested themselves as trees on the bank of Shyam Kunda in order to eternally meditate upon the pastimes of Krishna.
How to Reach
To reach Radha Kunda, you have a few options depending on your starting point:
- If you are coming from Mathura Station, you can easily find regular autos that operate from there to Govardhan. Once in Govardhan, you can take an e-rickshaw to Radha Kund.
- From Vrindavan, you can take advantage of the regular auto services available at various points along Bhaktivedanta Swami Marg. The journey usually takes around 30 minutes. Alternatively, you have the option to book a cab through local tour operators for added convenience. If you prefer to drive your own car, simply follow the directions on Google Maps.
These transportation methods will ensure you reach Radha Kunda with ease, allowing you to experience the spiritual ambiance and beauty of the place.