The Greatness of Śrī Rādhāṣṭamī
Rādhā’s Birth-Eighth Observance
ब्रह्मोवाच । राधाजन्माष्टमीं वत्स शृणुष्व सुसमाहितः । कथयामि समासेन समग्रं हरिणा विना
brahmovāca | rādhājanmāṣṭamīṃ vatsa śṛṇuṣva susamāhitaḥ | kathayāmi samāsena samagraṃ hariṇā vinā
Brahmā disse: Filho querido, ouve com plena atenção a Rādhā-janmāṣṭamī, o oitavo dia lunar sagrado ao nascimento de Rādhā. Eu te contarei em resumo o relato completo, sem deixar Hari de fora.
Brahmā
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: celestial_realm
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ब्रह्मोवाच = ब्रह्मा + उवाच (स्वर-सन्धि). तस्माच्छत... etc not in this verse. ‘समासेन’ here functions adverbially (‘in brief’).
It introduces Rādhā-janmāṣṭamī, the Aṣṭamī (eighth lunar day) associated with the celebration/observance of Rādhā’s birth.
By stating that the narration will not be “without Hari” (hariṇā vinā), it frames the topic as inseparable from devotion to Hari (Viṣṇu/Kṛṣṇa), a hallmark of Vaiṣṇava bhakti.
The listener is asked to hear “susaṃāhitaḥ” (with a steady, attentive mind), implying disciplined listening and receptivity as a prerequisite for understanding sacred teachings.