how to fast for radha ashtami

How to Fast for Radha Ashtami: A Guide to Observing the Auspicious Day

Radha Ashtami, the divine celebration of the birth of Goddess Radha, is a sacred day for devotees of Lord Krishna. Falling on the eighth day of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada, this festival honors Radha Rani, the eternal consort of Lord Krishna and the embodiment of divine love and devotion. Fasting on Radha Ashtami is a way to express devotion and seek blessings for spiritual progress and inner peace. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the significance of Radha Ashtami and the traditional steps to observe the fast, ensuring that you can perform it with sincerity and devotion. Whether you’re a first-time observer or looking to deepen your spiritual practice, this article will help you understand how to keep the Radha Ashtami fast in a way that resonates with the true spirit of the festival.

The festival of Radha Ashtami, which will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 11 this year, is the holy day of Radharani’s birth. Fasting on this day is considered especially virtuous and this fast is kept in the same way as Ekadashi or Janmashtami fast. On this day, Radha Rani is worshipped and the fast should be opened by offering fruits, sweets and Tulsi. Those who observe this fast receive the immense blessings of Radha Rani and Shri Krishna. Let us know how to fast on Radha Ashtami and what is its importance.

How to keep Radha Ashtami fast:

Fixed day: This year Radha Ashtami fast will be observed on 11 September, Wednesday.

Before observing Radha Rani fast, put a yellow flag on the roof of your house and after that install Kalash etc.

Abandonment of grains: In this fast, grains should not be eaten like Ekadashi. Consumption of food is prohibited, so fruits, milk, and other fasting materials are consumed.

Fasting without water or water: You can observe Nirjala (without water) or Phalahar (milk, fruit) fast according to your ability and health. If you are fasting with water, you can drink water throughout the day, but take care not to consume grains.

Time to break the fast: The fast will be broken the next day after sunrise and before 9 am. The purpose is to receive the grace of Radharani and get blessings with the completion of the fast.

Before breaking the fast: Before breaking the fast the next day, offer rose flowers to Radha Rani and worship the Radha Krishna couple image and recite Radha Kripa Kataksh

Story of a devotee

A woman named Rama lived in the village of Barsana. She had been married for 5-6 years, but she had not yet got the happiness of a child. There was an emptiness in the mind, which was increasing every day. Then one day came the holy festival of Radha Ashtami. The women of the village invited Rama to come with them and said, “Come to Barsana! Radha Rani is very kind. She will definitely fill your lap.”

Rama had never stayed out of her house for 7-8 days, but this time she had a strong faith that Radha Rani would fulfill her wish. Her husband and mother-in-law also gave her permission to go to Barsana. But on the day of the journey, Rama injured her leg, which made it difficult to even walk. But she did not give up. On the strength of her faith, she set out on the journey with the women.

All the women in the train were going while singing bhajans and kirtans of Radha-Krishna. Rama was also mesmerized with them and immersed in the name of God. As soon as she reached Barsana, she took a bath and got ready to go to Radha Rani’s temple. But as soon as she started climbing the stairs, the injury in her leg stopped her. She said to the other women, “You guys go ahead, I am coming slowly.”

After climbing a few stairs, Rama’s leg twisted again and she was about to fall when suddenly a seven-eight year old girl held her hand. “Maiya, how could I let you fall like this!” the girl said. Rama asked, “What is your name, daughter?” The girl replied smilingly, “My name is Laado, I live nearby.” A strange calmness spread on Rama’s face. Both of them sat on the stairs and started talking.

Laado asked innocently, “Maiya, what have you brought for me?” Rama was a little surprised, then said, “I will bring something for you tomorrow, what do you like?” Laado chirpingly said, “I like nose ring, necklace, earrings, bangles, mehndi and Ghaghra-choli very much.” Rama laughed hearing her innocent words and promised that she would bring something the next day.

The next day, Rama bought necklace and bangles from the market as promised and went to meet Laado. Laado said on seeing the necklace and bangles, “That’s it? Didn’t you bring anything else?” She pouted. Rama said laughingly, “Hey, I am here for 8 days, I will bring something for you every day.” Hearing this, Laado happily sat in Rama’s lap. That moment was like getting a child for Rama.

Days passed and Rama kept bringing new things for Laado every day. One day Rama said to Laado, “Now try wearing all these things, show me how they look!” Laado replied smilingly, “Tomorrow is Radha Ashtami, I will wear them tomorrow.” That day there was a small boy with Laado. Rama asked, “Who is this?” Laado said, “This is Kanua, he lives with me.” Rama thought that she will also bring something for him and the next day she bought a peacock crown and dhoti.

The day of Radha Ashtami came, Rama reached the stairs and started waiting, but Laado was nowhere to be seen. After waiting for a long time she reached the temple, where kirtan and dance were going on. When she crossed the crowd and reached the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, she saw that Radha Rani and Thakur ji were wearing the same necklace, bangles and crown that she had brought for Laado and Kanua.

At that moment Rama understood that Laado and Kanua were none other than Radha Rani and Lord Krishna themselves. Tears started flowing from her eyes.

And she became as if of stone. There was no doubt in her mind now. God himself had come in her lap and given her the joy of motherhood.

After this Rama never returned from Barsana. She would sit on the stairs day and night, washing the stairs with her tears and calling Radha Rani. Years later, one day the same Laado came again, held Rama’s hand and took her to her attic. “Look, mother, I have come!” saying this Laado spread her arms, and embraced Rama. That day Rama left her mortal body and went to her Laado forever.

From this story we learn that prayers made to God never go in vain. Whether our purpose is worldly or spiritual, God one day definitely fulfills our wishes.

Significance of Radha Ashtami

In Sanatan Dharma, the Ashtami date of Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month is famous as Shri Radhashtami. In the scriptures, this date is considered to be the appearance day of Shri Radhaji. Shri Radhaji had appeared from the Yagya Bhoomi of Vrishabhanu. Shri Vrindavaneshwari Radha, who has been praised as ‘Krishna Vallabha’ in the Vedas and Puranas, was Sadhvi Krishnapriya who always gave joy to Shri Krishna. Some great people consider the appearance of Shri Radhaji in the morning in Shri Vrishabhanupuri (Barsana) or in his maternal village Rawal. This is acceptable from Kalpabheda, but only the description of midday is found in the Puranas.

Naradpancharatra talking of shiv parvati

In the beginning of ‘Shri Radha Kavacham’, presented in the form of Shiva-Parvati dialogue in Shri Naradapancharatra, ‘Shri Radhikayai Namah’ is written. In the first stanza, Goddess Parvati requests Lord Shankar – ‘Kailaas Vasin Bhagwan Bhaktanugrahakaar’. Radhika Kavacham Punyaam Kathayasva Mam Prabho.

That is, O resident of Kailash, O Lord who is gracious to the devotees, tell me the sacred armor of Shri Radhikaji. Radhaji is considered to be the presiding deity of Vrindavan.

It is a popular belief that she was duly anointed in this form at Imli Tala in Vrindavan. Some people also believe that the marriage of Shri Krishna and Radha was also performed in the Bhandeer forest across the Yamuna in Vrindavan under the priestly guidance of Brahmaji himself.

In Padma Purana, the name Radha is clearly mentioned in the Satyatapa Muni Subhadra Gopi episode. Radha and Krishna have been described as ‘Yugal Sarkar’ at many places. In Shiva Purana, there is a mention of Radhaji cursing Sudama Gop, who was different from Shri Krishna’s friend Vipra Sudama.

It is possible that Shri Narada Pancharatra was composed before the time of Radha Krishna. Then the question will arise that how can someone’s name be mentioned before his birth. To understand this, one will have to resort to Shri Ram Charitmanas composed by Goswami Tulsidas.

In this epic, Goswamiji mentions Ganesh Vandana on the occasion of Shiva-Parvati marriage- ‘Muni Anusasan Ganpatihi Poojayu Sambhu Bhavani’. Kou Suni Sansay Karai Jani Sur Anadi Jiya Jaani.

That is, Shiva and Parvati worshipped Ganeshji on the orders of the sages. Considering the gods to be eternal, no one should doubt that Ganeshji is the son of Shiva-Parvati, so how could Ganeshji exist before their marriage.

Similarly, Radhaji is also eternal and everlasting. Perhaps the Anuradha Nakshatra was named after her much before her incarnation as Vrishbhanu Kumari.