# Rādhāṣṭamī > Appearance of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī > [!info] When Observed > Aṣṭamī (8th day) of the waxing moon in Bhādrapada (August-September), two weeks after Janmāṣṭamī --- ## Significance Rādhāṣṭamī celebrates the appearance of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, the eternal consort of Lord Kṛṣṇa and the embodiment of the highest devotional love. She appeared in Barsānā (Varṣāṇā) as the daughter of King Vṛṣabhānu and Queen Kīrtidā. Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī is the *hlādinī-śakti*, the pleasure potency of Lord Kṛṣṇa. She is the topmost devotee, and all devotees aspire to follow in Her footsteps. --- ## The Supreme Devotee > Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī is the central figure for all the goddesses of fortune. She possesses all the attractiveness to attract the all-attractive Personality of Godhead. She is the primeval internal potency of the Lord. > > — [[cc/adi/4/83|Cc. Ādi 4.83]] While Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Rādhārāṇī is the supreme devotee. Together They represent the complete Absolute Truth—the Lord and His energy. --- ## Observance - **Fasting:** Until noon (some fast until midnight) - **Worship:** Elaborate decoration and worship of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī - **Readings:** Descriptions of Her glories from Caitanya-caritāmṛta - **Bhajanas:** Songs glorifying Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī - **Feast:** Special prasādam --- ## Approaching Kṛṣṇa Through Rādhārāṇī > If Rādhārāṇī recommends that "This devotee is very nice," then Kṛṣṇa immediately accepts, however fool I may be. Because it is recommended by Rādhārāṇī, Kṛṣṇa accepts. > > — [[spoken/1971/710829ra.lon|Rādhāṣṭamī Lecture]], August 29, 1971, London Devotees pray to Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī to recommend them for Kṛṣṇa's service. This is the meaning of approaching Kṛṣṇa through the *guru-paramparā*. --- ## Related Lectures - [[spoken/1971/710829ra.lon|Rādhāṣṭamī, Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī's Appearance Day]] — August 29, 1971, London --- ## Related - [[cc/adi/4|Cc. Ādi Chapter 4]] — The Confidential Reasons for Lord Caitanya's Appearance - [[wiki/events/janmastami|Śrī Kṛṣṇa Janmāṣṭamī]] - [[wiki/articles/radharani|Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī]] - [[index/entries/radharani-srimati|Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī (Index)]] — Scripture references --- > [!tip] Calendar > See [[wiki/events/events|Vaiṣṇava Calendar]] for this year's date.