Varsana Darshan during Lockdown: Ramani Siromani and Radha Stutis

Last Sunday we visited Varsana. Like every weekend in Uttar Pradesh, the lockdown was going on. Yet we are very fortunate since temples were not closed. So in this video you can join us in real time as we walk through the forest of Gahvaravana from Krsna Kunda to Dana Ghar then to the main temple Sriji Mandir where darshan is regulated by batches of pilgrims and only for 5 minutes. Turn on the subtitles to sing along this beautiful song Ramani Siromani by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur and other prayers to our Swamini Sri Radhaji who mercifully gives her darshan at the end of the video. Jaya Sri Radhe!

Ramaṇī-śiromaṇi
Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura

ramaṇī-śiromaṇi, vṛṣabhānu-nandinī, nīla-vasana-paridhānā
chinna-puraṭa ĵini’, varṇa-vikāśinī, baddha-kavarī hari-prāṇā (1)
The beloved daughter of Vṛṣabhānu Mahārāja is the crest-jewel of all beautiful young maidens. She wears blue-colored garments. Defeating the beauty of cut gold, Her complexion shines attractively. Her hair is beautifully plaited. She is the life and soul of Hari.

ābharaṇa-maṇḍitā, hari-rasa-paṇḍitā, tilaka-suśobhita-bhālā
kañculikācchāditā, stana-maṇi-maṇḍitā, kajjala-nayanī rasālā (2)
She is adorned with beautiful ornaments, She is expert in amorous affairs with Śrī Hari, and Her forehead is gracefully decorated with tilaka. Her breasts are covered with a bodice and decorated with jewels, and Her rasa-filled eyes are anointed with black collyrium.

sakala tyajiyā se-rādhā-caraṇe
dāsī ha’ye bhajô parama-ĵatane (3)
Reliquishing everything to become a maidservant at the lotus feet of Śrī Rādhā, worship and serve Her with great care.

saundarya kiraṇa dekhiyā ĵā̃hāra
rati-gaurī-līlā-garva-parihāra (4)
Beholding the effulgent rays of Her beauty, Rati (the wife of Kāmadeva), Gaurī (the consort of Śiva), and Līlā (the potency of Nārāyaṇa) all abandon their pride.

śacī-lakṣmī-satyā saubhāgya-balane
parājita haya ĵā̃hāra caraṇe (5)
At Her lotus feet, the good fortune said to belong to Śacī (the wife of Indra), Lakṣmī, and Satyābhāma is completely defeated

kṛṣṇa-vaśīkāre candrāvalī-ādi
parājaya māne hôiyā vivādī (6)
Contending to bring Śrī Kṛṣṇa under their control, Candrāvalī and all the other gopīs accept their defeat before Her.

hari-dayita-rādhā-caraṇa-preyasī
bhakativinoda śrī godruma-vāsī (7)
Bhaktivinoda, a resident of Śrī Godruma, aspires for the lotus feet of Śrī Rādhā, the most beloved of Śrī Hari.