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In the Sanatan tradition and Vaishnav devotional philosophy, ‘Shriradha Ashtami’, the celebration of the manifestation of the divine power, Nikunjeshwari Radharani, is considered to be the most sacred festival. In this holy year, on 19th September 2026, Saturday, the great festival of Shri Radha Ashtami is being celebrated with immense joy in the entire country and the world including Brajmandal, Barsana, Vrindavan. In the Gaudiya, Nimbarka, Haridasi and Vallabh sects, it is the paramount belief that the only way to attain the personal love and grace of Lord Shri Krishna is to render selfless service at the feet of Vrishabhanu Nandini Shriji and take shelter at His feet. Tribhuvanpati Nandanandan Shri Krishna himself, on whose beauty, beauty and lineage the entire living world is mesmerized, places the tender lotus feet of Radharani on his chest and takes care of them daily.
The immortal Rasik saint of Braj Ras, Shri Hariram Vyas Ji Maharaj, while describing the incomparable sweetness of the feet of Radharani, has written in the verses of his immortal book ‘Vyas Vani’:
Champat Charan Mohanlal.
Bed grown virgin Radha Nagari new child.
The meaning of this divine verse is that the Supreme Personality of Godhead Shri Krishna himself caresses the soft, lotus feet of his mistress Shri Radha with utmost love and caress. There is a wonderful harmony of infinite opulence and sweetness in those feet where Brahma, Devadhidev Mahadev, Sankadik Muni, Devarshi Narad and Maharishi Vedvyas remain engaged in penance for ages to wear a particle of dust (raja) on their forehead. According to the scriptures and scriptures, there are a total of 19 special and auspicious supernatural symbols present on both the holy feet of Shri Radha Rani, by remembering and meditating them daily, all the sins, Tridoshas, mental disorders and bondages of life of the living being are destroyed.
Each icon imprinted at the feet of Sri Radharani symbolizes a special armor and grace in the devotee’s devotional journey:
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shell: This is the embodiment of victory, auspiciousness and fearlessness. The seeker who meditates on the conch of the lotus feet of Shriji always remains victorious from the tribulations of the world and the attacks of Maya.
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cycle: Like Sudarshan Chakra, it completely purifies the mind by destroying the six powerful internal enemies sitting in the heart of the seeker – lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride and lust.
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Lotus: The lotus flower blooms with the rising of the sun, but the supernatural divine lotus at the feet of Radharani removes the dense darkness of ignorance of the seeker and gives him the feeling of eternal light and unbroken bliss.
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mace: The divine symbol of the mace attacks the latent lust, vengeful tendencies and accumulated bad qualities in the mind of the seeker and renders them ineffective.
These four signs of Kishori ji’s feet are especially venerable for helping people cross the ocean of troubled mind and world:
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hook: Just as an intoxicated elephant is controlled by the strength of the reins, in the same way this symbol controls the devotee’s distracted and restless mind on the path of devotion and shows him the right path.
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Umbrella: The umbrella of Shriji’s feet always protects his devotees by providing cool shade from all the heat, diseases and calamities of the world.
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Flag: It is a symbol of spiritual victory and fearlessness. The devotee who comes under the shelter of Kishori ji, all types of fear are completely destroyed from his life.
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Chariot: This symbolizes that the person who surrenders his mind and intellect at the feet and chariot of Radharani easily passes all the difficult tests taken by Maya Devi.
The natural and life-useful symbols present at the feet of Shriji are the basis of the spiritual life of the soul:
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Barley (Yav): Barley grain is considered the basis of life and nutrition in the world. Similarly, the lotus feet of Radharani nourish the spiritual life and selfless love of all living and non-living souls.
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creeper: This is a symbol of devotional creeper. The devotees who continuously meditate on these feet, their restless vines of worldly cravings and material desires are calmed and transformed into pure love of God.
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Flowers: Just as a tree bears fruit only after a beautiful flower has bloomed, in the same way the spiritual fruits of salvation and love in the life of a living being appear only through meditation like the flowers at the feet of Shriji.
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Pisces: Just as the life of Pisces is not possible even for a moment without being separated from water, in the same way the existence of the devotee and Shyamsundar Shri Krishna himself is incomplete without the feet of Shriji.
The remaining divine signs of Kishori ji’s feet pave the way for the exclusive love of Lord Shiva and attainment of Golok Dham:
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Half Moon: The half moon adorned on the head of Devadhidev Mahadev reveals the secret that Param Vaishnav Shiva has actually decorated his head with the half moon of the lotus feet of Shriji, because Shriradha-Madhav is his everything.
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vertical line: This supernatural line is the bridge of salvation for the fallen creatures burning in the heat of Kaliyuga, which pulls the seeker from the worldly cycle of life and reaches Nitya Ras of Goloka Vrindavan.
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Giri (Goverdhan Mountain): Giriraj Mountain itself always remains in the shelter of the feet of Swamiji and serves the unique love, which teaches the ideal of surrender to the devotees.
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Yagya Kund: The holy effect of Yagya Kund is that the accumulated, destined and active sins of the devotees who surrender to Shriji are burnt to ashes in a moment and the soul becomes spotless.
The last three characteristics of Shriji’s feet express the entire set of sweetness and Parashakti:
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bracelet: This reminds us of the divine truth that the lotus feet of Shriji always reside in the lotus feet of Nandkishore Shri Krishna, whom He caresses with utmost affection and love.
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Coil: The subtle chimes of Shriji’s anklets and footprints echo in the ears of Lord Shri Krishna like an indescribable sound and attract him towards itself.
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Spear (Power): These lotus feet of Shriji are the origin place of all cosmic powers, super powers and Yogamaya.
On the auspicious occasion of Shri Radha Ashtami, whichever selfless seeker, with a concentrated mind, sees, worships and mentally meditates on these 19 auspicious footprints of Shri Radharani, the presiding deity of Barsana and Vrindavan, poverty, unrest and fear are destroyed from his life and he attains supernatural love and God’s grace.